Joe Villella

For product development please visit: http://www.deeporangedesign.com.au/case_study/fanaway.htm#

In 2004, Joe Villella (the innovator) had a vision to create a ceiling fan that had blades concealed within the confines of a light pendant and only transformed into a ceiling fan when it was switched on.

Joe Villella’s presentation on Fanaway: http://fanaway.com/popup_inventorvideo.php

He then commissioned Neil Waldbaum, Industrial Designer at Deep Orange Design, to come up with a working prototype. After one year and a tremendous amount of correspondence, the first working prototype was created. It consisted of a very unique synchronized retraction mechanism (patent pending) and a uniquely shaped aerodynamic blade design (patent pending) capable of stacking over each other in retracted mode and generating significant airflow when the blades were deployed.

Fanaway Retractable Blade Ceiling Fan

FANAWAY® is a unique energy efficient designed ceiling fan which has attractive outlook. The innovative designed Scimitar shaped blades differ from traditional obtrusive fan blades which will automatically retract and conceal when the fan is switched off, and transforming into a slim, modern light pendant. Turning the fan on creates a centrifugal force which deploys the blades to circulate air within a room. It creates open space in the room environment, reduces dust accumulation on blades, and can be easily integrate into most building interiors.

FANAWAY®是一個設計獨特, 具節能效用的天花收合風扇, 而且外表吸引。創新設計的彎刀形葉片有別於傳統的風扇葉片，當風扇關閉時風葉會自動收回和隱藏，並轉化成輕巧, 現代的吊燈。當風扇開啟時, 離心力設計令葉片打開及轉動，讓室內的空氣流通。收合式設計可增加室內環境空間, 減少葉片上灰塵堆積，並且容易地融入不同的室內設計之中。

How Fanaway Works?

Features & Materials

Traditionally ceiling fans use flat sheets of wood or fibre board for blades. These are generally non-recyclable and require some sort of surface finishing such as veneer or paint. Fanaway blades are made of recyclable plastic. The blades are injection molded which do not require surface finishes and are not limited to being flat. The complex curves of the blades are designed to overlap on each other in the closed position and at the same time, providing an aerodynamic cross section to provide greater air flow.

傳統吊扇風葉大多使用木材或纖維板製造。這些物料通常是不可回收和需要作表面修飾或油漆等加工。 Fanaway風葉是用可回收塑料製成, 並以模具注成彎刀形扇葉,  固此並不需作表面修飾, 有別於一般平直的扇葉。在關閉時, 扇葉的複雜曲線設計可令扇葉緊密地互相重疊。而於啟動時利用空氣動力學的原理, 以提供更大的空氣流量。

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