CN107709791B

CN107709791B - Fan and ventilation assembly comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN107709791B
Application number: CN201680037080.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 彼得罗·德菲利皮斯
Original assignee: SPAL Automotive SRL
Current assignee: SPAL Automotive SRL
Priority date: 2015-06-29
Filing date: 2016-06-29
Publication date: 2020-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-29
Also published as: KR102560506B1; EP3314128A1; EP3314128B1; US20180187688A1; WO2017002039A1; JP2018519471A; KR20180019615A; CN107709791A; BR112017028106A2

Abstract

An axial fan (5) having an axis of rotation (R) and comprising a hub having a bottom wall (16) and a side wall (17) projecting from the bottom wall (16) and having a peripheral edge (18) on the opposite side to the bottom wall (16) along the axis of rotation (R), said fan comprising a plurality of blades (15) projecting from the side wall (17) to the outside of the hub (14) and at least one fin (19) internal to the hub (14) and comprising an end portion (20) projecting axially beyond the bottom wall (15) and the side wall (17) forming the cup-shaped structure of the hub (14), said fan comprising an end portion (20) projecting axially beyond the peripheral edge (18) outside the hub (14).

Description

Fan and ventilation assembly comprising same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fan, and a ventilation unit comprising a fan and a corresponding hood.

Background

The ventilation assembly referred to in this specification is a ventilation assembly mainly formed of a fan and a support cover for the fan, which is used for cooling a radiator in an automobile apparatus.

The fan is generally constituted by an electric motor (preferably of the enclosed type) for driving a corresponding fan (currently of the axial type).

The electric motor has a housing, a cover for closing the housing, and an output shaft which is fixedly secured to the fan by a cup-shaped hub which at least partially houses the motor body and from which a plurality of blades project.

The cover is provided for supporting the motor by means of a corresponding support ring and for at least partially housing the fan, so as to optimize the heat dissipation of the heat sink.

In particular, the cap essentially comprises an outer tubular member having a substantially cylindrical end wall, to which the support ring is connected by a plurality of arms or spokes projecting from the cylindrical wall inside the tubular member.

The support ring is coaxial with the cylindrical wall and the motor is mounted coaxially with the support ring.

The prior art solutions have some drawbacks.

The positioning and fixing of the fan in the hood does not effectively remove and discharge the heat generated by the electric motor in operation, i.e. does not sufficiently cool the cover and the casing.

In general, the ring of the cover for supporting the motor surrounds the motor body and does not allow the circulation of an air flow suitable for carrying away the heat generated in use.

The hub of the fan is normally completely closed on the motor and also prevents the circulation of air that cools the casing and the cover of the electric motor by convection.

The inability to cool the motor limits operating temperature and therefore performance.

On the other hand, in the case where a certain level of performance is required, the duration of the motor is limited if the motor is not properly cooled.

Against this background, the main object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fan which facilitates the generation of an air flow for cooling an electric motor, in particular both a cooling cover and a housing.

Another object of the present invention is to disclose a ventilation assembly that allows a better circulation of air around the cover and the casing of the electric motor than the solutions of the prior art.

The above technical aim and objects of the present invention are substantially achieved by a fan according to claim 1 and by a ventilation assembly according to claim 10.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following non-limiting description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of a ventilation assembly, illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vent assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a second schematic perspective view of the vent assembly of FIG. 1;

figure 3 shows the ventilation assembly of the preceding figures in a partially exploded schematic perspective view with parts removed for greater clarity;

fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of the present invention with portions removed for greater clarity.

In particular, with reference to fig. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates a ventilation assembly according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The ventilation assembly 1 is preferably intended for automotive equipment in the field of radiator cooling.

The ventilation assembly 1 comprises a ventilation device having an axis of rotation R and a supporting housing 3 of the ventilation device.

The ventilation device comprises an electric motor 4 and a fan 5 with axial flow (or simply axial fan), which fan 5 is driven by the motor 2 and is rotatable about a rotation axis R.

As shown in particular in fig. 3, the motor 4 is preferably closed and sealed and of a type known per se, and therefore described only with respect to what is necessary for understanding the invention, this motor 4 comprising an outer casing 6, a cover 7 for closing the casing and a shaft 8 coaxial with the axis R and connected to the fan 5.

In particular, the shaft 8 comprises an end portion 9 projecting from the casing 6 on the side opposite the cover 7, to which the fan 5 is connected, for example by interference.

The cover 3 comprises a ring 10 for supporting the motor 4, the motor 4 being fixed to this ring 10 in a per se known manner, for example by screws in suitable projections extending from the ring 10.

The motor 4 is inserted inside a fixed ring 10 and is supported by the ring 10.

The ring 10 has an outer annular wall 11 from which a plurality of arms or spokes 12 of a substantially known type project on the side opposite to the electric motor.

The annular wall 11 advantageously projects axially up to the cover 7 on the side opposite the fan 5.

The wall 11 preferably has a radial dimension equal to that of the hub 14.

The cap 3 comprises a tubular element 13 outside the ring 10, the arms 12 being connected to this tubular element 13.

In general, the ventilation assembly 1 is mounted in a general-purpose device (not shown) by means of a tubular element 13, which tubular element 13 in turn supports the ventilation means by means of the arms 12 and the ring 10.

Looking in more detail at the fan 5, it should be noted that it comprises a cup-shaped hub 14 and a plurality of blades 15, which blades 15 project from the hub 14 and are made in a single piece with the hub by moulding, preferably using a plastic material.

As shown in fig. 4, the motor 4 is at least partially housed inside the hub 14.

The hub 14 comprises an end wall 16, the fan 5 being connected to the shaft 8 via the end wall 16.

The hub 14 comprises a side wall 17 extending from the end wall 16, which side wall 17 has a substantially circular peripheral edge 18 on the side opposite the end wall 16 along the rotation axis R.

The end wall 16 and the side wall 17 define a cup-shaped configuration of the hub 14.

The blades 15 preferably extend from the side wall 17 of the hub 14 towards the outside thereof, outside the cup-shaped structure.

With particular reference to fig. 3 and 4, it can be observed that the fan 5 comprises a plurality of fins 19 inside the cup-shaped structure, preferably made in a single body with the hub 14, for generating, in use, a tangential downdraft inside the hub 14, in order to remove heat from the electric motor 4.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the fins 19 are angularly equally spaced inside the hub 14 and are for example 7 in number.

Each fin 19 comprises a portion 20 which projects beyond the peripheral edge 18 of the side wall 17 and to the outside of the cup-shaped structure, i.e. the hub 14.

Preferably, the end portion 20 projects outside the hub 14 in an axial direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis R of the ventilation device.

In the preferred embodiment shown, each fin 19 has a first portion 21 which projects, preferably radially, from the side wall 17 inside the hub 14.

The first portion 21 has a main direction of extension parallel to the rotation axis R of the fan 5 and preferably extends along the entire axial dimension of the hub 14 towards the inside of the hub 14.

The end portion 20 is preferably defined by at least a portion of the extension of the first portion 21 beyond the edge 18.

In the preferred embodiment shown, each fin 19 includes a second portion 22 extending from the end wall 16 towards the interior of the hub 14.

Each second portion 22 is connected to and extends into a corresponding first portion 21.

Each second portion 22 preferably has a main extension direction which is substantially radial and extends towards the inside of the hub 14.

With particular reference to fig. 4, it can be observed that the fins 19 are substantially L-shaped, with the radial second portion 22 and the axial first portion 21 located inside the hub 14, and the end portion 20 projecting beyond the hub 14.

Each end portion 20 has an inner edge 23 facing the inside of hub 14 (i.e. towards electric motor 4) and an outer edge 24 facing the outside of hub 14 (i.e. towards blades 15).

In the preferred embodiment shown, the radial distance of the outer edge 24 from the axis of rotation R is smaller than the radial distance of the side wall 17 from the axis of rotation R.

In fact, each end 20 tapers in the radial direction with respect to the corresponding first portion 21 of the respective fin 19.

To assist in the outflow of air displaced by the fins 19 in use, the hub 14 has a plurality of through holes 25 at the region 26 of connection of the end wall 16 to the side wall 17.

The connection region 26 preferably has a curved extension and the through hole 25 preferably has a rounded edge.

The heat removed from the housing and cover in the air flow having a generally axial component advantageously flows out of the hub 14 through the through-holes 25.

With particular reference to fig. 4, it can be observed that the annular wall 11 delimits, with the outer surface of the electric motor 4, an annular channel 27.

The end portion 20 of the fin 19 is preferably inserted at least partially inside the channel 27.

More precisely, as previously mentioned, the end 20 is tapered so as to be inserted inside the channel 27.

The side wall 11 of the ring 10 preferably has a radial dimension substantially corresponding to the radial dimension of the hub 14, in particular of its side wall 17. More precisely, the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the wall 11 has the same inner diameter as the side wall 17 of the hub 14.

In this way, a tangential downdraft is directed around the motor's housing 6 and cover 7 to carry away their heat.

In particular, the component of the tangential air flow for cooling the cover is determined by the portion 20 of the fin that extends outside the hub to the inside of the annular channel 27.

Claims

1. A ventilation assembly comprising a ventilation device and a support housing (3) for the ventilation device,

the ventilation device comprises an electric motor (4) and a fan (5) driven by the electric motor,

the electric motor (4) comprises a housing (6), a cover (7) for closing the housing (6) and a shaft (8) connected to the fan (5),

the support housing (3) comprises a support ring (10) of the electric motor (4), said support ring (10) having an outer annular wall (11),

the fan (5) having an axis of rotation (R) and comprising a hub (14), the hub (14) comprising a bottom wall (16) and a side wall (17), the side wall (17) projecting from the bottom wall (16) and having, on the side opposite the bottom wall (16), a peripheral edge (18) along the axis of rotation (R), the bottom wall (16) and the side wall (17) forming a cup-shaped structure of the hub (14),

the ventilation assembly is characterized in that the fan comprises: a plurality of blades (15) projecting from the lateral wall (17) to the outside of the cup-shaped structure; and at least one fin (19) inside the cup-shaped structure for generating, in use, a tangential air flow inside the hub (14), the fin (19) comprising an end portion (20) projecting outside the hub (14) beyond the peripheral edge (18), the end portion (20) having an inner edge (23) facing inside the hub (14) and an outer edge (24) facing outside the hub (14), the outer edge (24) being located at a radial distance from the axis of rotation (R) that is smaller than the radial distance between the side wall (17) and the axis of rotation (R),

the electric motor (4) is at least partially housed inside the hub (14),

the outer annular wall (11) delimits, together with the electric motor (4), an annular channel (27), the end portion (20) of the fin (19) being at least partially inserted in the annular channel (27).

2. The ventilation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fin (19) has a first portion (21) extending from the side wall (17) towards the inside of the hub (14), the end portion (20) being defined by at least a partial extension of the first portion (21).

3. The ventilation assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first portion (21) is parallel to the rotation axis (R).

4. The venting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fin (19) comprises a second portion (22) extending from the bottom wall (16) towards the interior of the hub (14).

5. The ventilation assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second portion (22) extends radially of the rotation axis (R).

6. The ventilation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the end portion (20) extends mainly parallel to the rotation axis (R).

7. The venting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hub (14) has a plurality of through holes (25) at a region (26) connecting the bottom wall (16) with the side wall (17).

8. The ventilation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hub (14), the blades (15) and the fins (19) are made in a single piece by moulding.

9. The ventilation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shaft (8) comprises an end portion (9) projecting from the casing (6) on the side opposite the cover (7), the hub (14) of the fan (5) being connected to said end portion (9), the outer annular wall (11) extending axially up to the cover (7) on the side opposite the fan (5).

10. The ventilation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer annular wall (11) has a radial dimension equal to that of the hub (14).