Universal Fan Shaft Mounting Plate for Multi-Position Engine Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine designs often require multiple mounting plates or additional holes to accommodate fan assemblies in various applications, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced design flexibility due to spatial constraints.
Innovation Solution
A universal mounting plate with rotational translation capabilities allows the fan shaft to be installed in multiple positions, enabling the engine and fan to fit within different engine bays or enclosures using a single plate, reducing the need for multiple plates or additional holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting plates or additional holes are used to accommodate fan assemblies in various applications, then the engine can be installed in different positions, but the manufacturing cost increases and design flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with multiple sets of mounting holes that can accommodate fan assemblies in various positions (front, rear, left, right) using a single universal plate. This eliminates the need for multiple different mounting plates, reducing part complexity while maintaining installation adaptability across different engine bay configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate incorporates adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the fan assembly to be dynamically repositioned between multiple mounting locations. This dynamic adaptability enables the same mounting plate to serve multiple installation positions without requiring separate fixed-position plates for each configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting plates are used to accommodate fan assemblies in various applications, then the engine can be installed in different positions, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal mounting plate design replaces multiple application-specific mounting plates, consolidating the fan assembly mounting function across all applications. This reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating duplicate part production while maintaining the ability to accommodate different installation positions through the plate's multiple mounting hole configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple different mounting plates into a single universal mounting plate that incorporates all necessary mounting hole patterns and positioning features. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and installed, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs while preserving application versatility
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting plate includes a body configured to be coupled to an engine in a plurality of positions each of the plurality of positions being achieved via a rotational translation of the body, and a fan shaft mounting hole formed in the body. A first location of the fan shaft mounting hole in at least one of the plurality of positions of the body is changed relative to a second location of the fan shaft mounting hole in at least one of the plurality of positions of the body. The mounting plate further including a plurality of body mounting holes extending through the body and configured to receive a fastener for coupling the body to the engine.