Transmission Fan Assembly Structure for Cooling and Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transmission cooling systems face challenges in achieving efficient heat dissipation and stability while maintaining cost-effectiveness, with prior designs often requiring complex assembly and excessive load-bearing forces.

Innovation Solution

A transmission design featuring a fan arrangement with a cover part attached to the gearbox housing via tabs, utilizing a two-piece holding frame and grid parts connected by screws, which directs airflow for improved heat dissipation and reduces oscillation tendencies, allowing for cost-effective production using thin sheet metal or plastic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cover part is made from thin sheet metal or plastic to reduce mass and cost, then manufacturing cost and material usage are reduced, but the structural strength and stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cover part is divided into multiple sections (first cover section and second cover section) that are separately manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for thin-walled construction while the assembled structure provides the necessary overall strength and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cover part is attached to the housing to improve stability and reduce vibrations, then stability is improved, but threaded holes must be drilled into the housing which complicates the assembly process

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is integrated into the housing structure itself, where the housing provides both the mounting surface and the fastening features (threaded holes). This merging of functions reduces the need for separate attachment components and simplifies the overall assembly process despite requiring holes in the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the fan assembly uses a simple integrated fan grille with the fan cover to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but heat dissipation efficiency and airflow control are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The fan assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the fan cover for structural support, the fan grille for airflow control with optimized opening patterns, and the fan blades for air movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving heat dissipation while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the cover part is designed as a single integrated piece to simplify assembly, then assembly process is simplified, but the ability to direct airflow efficiently along the housing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidheat dissipation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover part is divided into multiple sections that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation enables each section to be optimized for specific airflow directions, allowing the assembled cover to efficiently channel air along the housing surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple assembly process through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design enhances heat dissipation, reduces oscillation and resonance vibrations, and achieves stability while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simple and efficient production methods.

Implementation Method 1

a fan assembly can be used to cool a device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4118361B1Transmission having a fan assembly
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4118361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4118361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4118361B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transmission having a fan assembly, wherein: the fan assembly has a fan wheel, a hood and a guard; the fan wheel is connected to the driving shaft of the transmission for conjoint rotation; the fan hood is fastened to a retaining frame, which in particular is designed as a multi-piece retaining frame and is fastened to the housing of the transmission; the guard is formed from two guard parts, the first separating line of which is a straight line or is formed from two straight lines in alignment with one another; and the hood is formed from two hood parts, the second separating line of which is a flat curve composed of straight line segments.