DE102016100462A1 - FAN ASSEMBLY FOR ONE VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A fan assembly includes a housing having a scroll wall, a motor having an output shaft extending within the housing, an impeller positioned within the housing and attached to the output shaft for generating an airflow along an airflow path within the housing, an airflow outlet and a spiral termination. The volute seal forms in a first position with the volute wall at a downstream end and with the airflow outlet at an upstream end a substantially continuous surface along the airflow path. The fan assembly further includes an actuator for moving the coil end along a projection extending from the spiral wall adjacent the downstream end of the coil end, from the first position to a second position for reducing airflow. The spiral termination may include more than one member.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present document relates generally to fan assemblies used in a vehicle and, more particularly, to tunable fan assemblies associated with HVAC (HVAC) systems (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning).

BACKGROUND

Blower assemblies are a general component of vehicle HVAC systems and are designed for maximum efficiency / airflow when operating in well-known recirculation and fresh air modes. However, in the heating mode during the fresh air mode, the airflow volume may interfere with optimum heating performance within the vehicle by over cooling the engine. Thus, the amount of heated coolant available may not be sufficient to heat the passenger compartment to a desired temperature. In addition, the noise level within the passenger compartment in this mode may reach uncomfortably high levels due to the large volume of air moving through typically smaller heating channels and outlets. Accordingly, there is a need for a fan assembly that is tunable or adjustable to provide a desired airflow volume in all modes of operation, including the combination of recirculating and heating modes.

Although there are several solutions to this problem, each solution has its own disadvantages. For example, reducing or restricting the airflow volume in the heating mode may be achieved by reducing the speed of the motor / impeller that generates the airflow. In this case, however, adding such limitations to controlling the airflow volume of the heater tends to increase turbulence and NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness - noise, vibration and roughness), which are equally prohibitive.

Alternatively, a maximum voltage applied to the motor / impeller may be clipped or limited, thereby reducing the maximum airflow volume. While the maximum airflow volume may be reasonably reduced using this approach, a minimum voltage applied to the motor / impeller will continue to result in an airflow volume that is greater than desired / required by the occupant. The minimum voltage is related to minimum engine revolutions per minute and results in excessive supply of heated air to heat the passenger compartment to the desired temperature. Furthermore, the levels between the desired high speed and low speed settings are narrowed to the point that an occupant of the vehicle may not be able to detect a difference between the selected settings.

Another method of tuning the fan assembly so that the desired airflow volume can be supplied in all modes of operation is to adjust the scroll termination of the fan assembly. One way of adjusting the spiral termination of a fan assembly is in U.S. Patent No. 1056813 described by McLean. McLean sought to use a large volume volumetric blower between a spiral wall of a blower housing and a wheel (or impeller) as a pressure blower in some cases by controlling the termination point or minimum clearance between the blower housing / spiral wall and the periphery of the wheel. In the McLean fan assembly, a volute closure is hinged to the volute wall of the blower housing, thereby allowing the volute to pivot about an attachment point. A horizontal portion of the spiral termination overlapped an airflow outlet or bleed passage of the fan assembly and the horizontal portion generally passed through the airflow outlet. A regulator was used to adjust the minimum clearance between the blower housing / spiral wall and the periphery of the wheel as a function of the speed of the motor.

Another inventor has devised a different way of adjusting the spiral termination of a fan assembly. The Japanese Patent No. 2003042097A describes an adaptation to a clearance or air gap between a blower housing / spiral wall and a periphery of a wheel in fan assemblies used on vehicles. The invention is designed to solve problems involving low frequency noise generated when air blown by a centrifugal blower in a footwell or defrost mode of operation flows back into the blower due to high pressure in an air conditioning duct. The fan assembly has a movable nose or scroll that is pulled by a cable attached to mode selector levers. The spiral termination translates along a spiral wall of a housing of the fan assembly. In other modes, the cable pushes the nose or coil end along the spiral wall back to the fan to reduce the air gap in the remaining operating modes. The patent further teaches the use of linkages rather than the cable which are actuated to move the scroll terminator in response to a pressure sensor positioned to sense the pressure at an airflow outlet. Another alternative discussed is to attach the spiral termination to the spiral wall, thereby allowing the coil termination to pivot outwardly as it is pulled through the cable, thereby changing the size of the air gap. This approach is similar to McLean's approach.

This document relates to a fan assembly with a scroll terminator that is adaptable using an actuator so that a desired volume of airflow can be supplied in all operating modes in the vehicle. Advantageously, this allows the vehicle operator to use the fan assembly itself in the recirculation and heating modes. So far, the air flow in these modes was too high, which made it impossible to heat the passenger compartment to a desired temperature. Moreover, the present design eliminates the need for cables and / or links between the fan assembly and dashboard mounted controls, and does not result in an increase in turbulence and NVH.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and advantages described herein, a fan assembly is provided. The fan assembly may be widely used as a housing having a scroll wall, a motor having an output shaft extending within the housing, an impeller positioned within the housing and secured to the output shaft for generating an airflow along an airflow path within the housing. an airflow outlet and a spiral termination are described comprehensively. The coil end forms in a first position with the spiral wall at a downstream end and with the airflow outlet at an upstream end a substantially continuous surface along the air flow path. The fan assembly further includes an actuator for moving the scroll seal along a projection extending from the scroll wall adjacent the downstream end of the scroll termination, from the first position to a second position for reducing the airflow.

In one possible embodiment, the second position is adjacent a distal end of the projection. In another embodiment, the spiral termination and the impeller define an air gap with a minimum clearance in the first position. In yet another embodiment, the air gap defined by the spiral termination and the impeller has a maximum distance in the second position.

In another possible embodiment, the motor and the output shaft are positioned within the housing.

In one possible embodiment, a downstream end of the scroll terminator moves along the airflow outlet from the first position to the second position.

In another possible embodiment, the volute closure includes an upstream member and a downstream member that together form the substantially continuous surface with the volute wall and the airflow outlet along the airflow path in the first position.

In yet another embodiment, a second protrusion extends from the housing, the actuator moves the downstream member of the scroll seal along the protrusion and the second protrusion from the first position to a second position to reduce the airflow. In another possible embodiment, the second position is adjacent to a distal end of the projection.

In an additional aspect, a fan assembly includes a housing having a scroll wall, a motor having an output shaft extending within the housing, an impeller positioned within the housing and secured to the output shaft for generating an airflow along an air flow path within the housing Housing, an airflow outlet, at least two members forming a substantially continuous surface with the spiral wall at a downstream end and the Luftstromauslass at an upstream end along the Luftstromweg in a first position, a first projection extending from the spiral wall adjacent to the upstream End of the at least two links, and a second protrusion extending from the housing adjacent the downstream end of the at least two links, and an actuator for moving at least one of the at least two links along the first and second protrusions thereof Position to a second position to reduce the airflow.

In another possible embodiment, the second position is adjacent a distal end of the first and / or second protrusion. In another embodiment, an upstream member of the at least two members and the impeller define an air gap with a minimum clearance in the first position.

In yet another possible embodiment, the upstream member of the at least two members is moved by the actuator and a downstream member is static.

In other possible embodiments, the blower assemblies described above are integrated into a vehicle.

In another aspect, a method of changing an air flow rate in a fan assembly is provided. The method can be broadly described as comprising the following steps: (a) generating an air stream using an impeller positioned within a housing having a spiral wall; (b) establishing an air gap between a coil end in a first position and the impeller, the air gap determining the air flow rate; and (c) adjusting the air gap to affect the rate of air flow by moving the coil end along a projection extending from the spiral wall adjacent a downstream end of the coil end from the first position to a second position.

In one possible embodiment, the coil end may form a substantially continuous surface with the spiral wall at the downstream end and an airflow outlet at an upstream end in the first position, so that the air gap established is minimized and the air flow rate is maximized. In another possible embodiment, the downstream end of the coil termination is adjacent to a distal end of the projection in the second position so that the air gap established is maximized and the air flow rate is minimized.

In yet another possible embodiment, the volute closure includes an upstream member and a downstream member that together form the substantially continuous surface with the volute wall and the airflow outlet in the first position, and the step of adjusting the air gap includes moving the upstream and / or downstream member of the spiral termination from the first position to a second position.

In the following description, various preferred embodiments of the housing assembly and related method are shown and described. It is understood that the arrangements and the method may be embodied in various forms, and that numerous details with respect to various obvious aspects may be modified without departing from the arrangements and method set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate various aspects of the fan assembly and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawing figures show:

1 a perspective view of a fan assembly;

2 a front side view of the fan assembly;

3 a partial cross-sectional view showing the fan assembly, and in particular an air flow within an airway and a movement of a spiral termination along a projection of a spiral wall; and

4 a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment showing a fan assembly, and in particular an air flow within an airway and a movement of a spiral termination having an upstream and a downstream member, along a projection of a spiral wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the fan assembly and related method, which are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like numerals refer to like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be up now 1 and 2 Reference is largely made to an embodiment of a fan assembly 10 with a housing 12 that has a spiral wall 14 and sidewalls 16 . 18 includes represents. The housing is in the present embodiment of suitable rigid plastic materials such. As polypropylene or the like, by injection molding, blow molding, etc., produced. However, stamped metal components could also be used. An impeller 20 is inside the case 12 positioned and on an output shaft 22 an engine 24 attached. Through an opening 17 in the sidewall 16 Air gets into the impeller 20 moved in. As in 2 shown is the engine 24 in the present embodiment, on the housing 12 attached and the output shaft 22 extends into the housing where the impeller 20 is attached. In one possible embodiment, the motor may be mounted within the housing and may even be positioned within the shaft which rotates the impeller to confine the footprint of the fan assembly, as is known in the art.

During operation, the engine turns 24 the output shaft 22 , in turn, the impeller 20 turns, creating a flow of air (generally indicated by the arrows 26 shown) along an air flow path within the housing 12 is produced. The airflow 26 is due to the movement of the impeller 20 inside the case 12 generated. The airflow 26 flows from the impeller 20 through an air gap (A) next to a spiral termination 28 within the airflow path. Like the case 12 is the spiral termination 28 a molded polypropylene, however, other materials can be used for the spiral termination. The airflow 26 continues to flow around the spiral wall 14 of the housing 12 before joining an airflow outlet 30 exits the housing. The airflow outlet 30 can be attached to the case 12 be attached or may be integrally formed with the housing.

As in 3 shown, defines the distance between the impeller 20 and the spiral finish 28 an air gap (A) through which the air flow 26 flows. As is known in the art, this clearance, or the size of the air gap (A), affects the air flow rate as it flows along the airflow path and exits the housing 12 at the airflow outlet 30 , A change in the position of the spiral termination 28 with respect to the impeller 20 increases or decreases the flow rate of the airflow 26 ,

In the present embodiment, the actuator is 32 a vacuum actuator and the housing 12 for moving the spiral termination 28 attached. As indicated by the action arrow B in 3 shown is the spiral termination 28 along a projection 34 which extends from the housing moves. The lead 34 extends from the housing 12 next to an upstream end of the spiral termination 28 , and the lead 34 is generally finger-shaped and with the housing in the described embodiment 12 integrally formed. The lead 34 however, may have any shape or thickness with the housing 12 integrally formed or otherwise shaped as long as the projection provides an area along which the spiral termination 28 can move. Furthermore, the actuator 32 be driven using a vacuum source, an electrical source, a pneumatic source or even by linkage.

In 3 becomes the spiral termination 28 shown in dashed lines in a first position, in which the spiral seal a substantially continuous surface with the spiral wall 14 at an upstream end of the airflow path and the airflow outlet 30 forms at a downstream end of the air flow path. In the first position, the air gap (A) between the impeller and the spiral termination 28 a minimum distance and the flow rate of the airflow 26 is at a maximum value.

If a reduction in the flow rate of airflow 26 from the maximum flow rate without changing the speed of the motor 24 / the impeller 20 is desired, the actuator is 32 turned on to the spiral termination 28 to move from the first position to a second position, so that the distance between the impeller 20 and the spiral finish 28 , ie, the air gap (A) is increased. The flow rate of the airflow 26 may be controlled to a desired flow rate between the maximum flow rate when the air gap (A) is a minimum distance in the first position and a minimum flow rate when the air gap (A) is a maximum distance in a second position.

The spiral termination 28 is in dashed lines in the first position and in solid lines in the second position in 3 shown. In this position is an upstream end 36 of the spiral termination 28 next to a distal end 38 of the projection 34 , In the present embodiment, the spiral termination moves 28 as shown by the action arrow B linearly between the first and second positions, and a downstream end 40 The spiral termination moves along the airflow outlet 30 ,

At an in 4 shown further possible embodiment comprises the spiral termination 28 an upstream member 42 and a downstream member 44 , which together form the essentially continuous surface with the spiral wall 14 and the airflow outlet 30 along the air flow path in the first position. In this embodiment, a second projection extends 46 from the case 12 ,

As by the dashed line 48 exemplified, the downstream member may 44 of the spiral termination to a position adjacent a distal end 50 of the second projection 46 extend. Alternatively, the downstream member 44 have a thickness similar to that of the upstream member 42 is similar, thereby extending the length of the second projection 46 caused by the length shown. Furthermore, the downstream member 44 , the second projection 46 , the case 12 and the air flow outlet 30 all integrally formed in substantially any shape as long as the area 52 extending between the first and second positions and the surface 54 forms part of the substantially continuous surface described above.

In this embodiment, the actuator moves 32 the upstream member 42 the spiral finish along the first and second projections 34 . 46 from a first position, shown in dashed lines, to a second position, shown in solid lines, for reducing the air flow rate. As in the first described embodiment, the actuator 32 the upstream member 42 move the coil end to an intermediate position, which also adjusts the air flow to a value between a maximum and a minimum value.

The maximum air flow is achieved when the upstream member 42 the spiral termination is in the first position and the air gap (A) has a minimum distance. The minimum air flow is achieved in the second position when the upstream member 42 the spiral termination adjacent a distal end 38 of the first projection 34 located. The upstream member 42 The spiral termination may also be adjacent to a distal end 50 of the second projection 46 in this second position.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method of changing an air flow rate in a fan assembly 10 the steps of generating an airflow 26 using an impeller 20 that inside a case 12 is positioned, which is a spiral wall 14 comprising producing an air gap (A) between a spiral termination 28 in a first position and the impeller and adjusting the air gap for influencing the air flow rate by moving the spiral finish along a projection 34 extending from the spiral wall next to a downstream end 40 of the spiral termination extends from the first position to a second position.

The airflow 26 is by driving the impeller 20 with a motor 24 generated so that the impeller rotates, creating a flow of air within the housing 12 is produced. The flow rate of the airflow 26 is determined by the air gap (A), which is the distance between the spiral termination 28 and the impeller 20 in the dashed lines in 3 shown first position. The air gap (A) is by pressing the spiral termination 28 , the spiral termination in a desired position between the first position and the second position or including this (in 2 shown in solid lines). Once the desired position has been taken and a desired air flow is generated, the air gap (A) can be adjusted to affect the air flow. The air gap (A) is adjusted by moving the coil end to a different position between or including the first and second positions.

When the air gap (A) is established at an intermediate point between the first and second positions, the actuator moves 32 the spiral termination to the second position to reduce the air flow by extending the air gap (A). In contrast, the actuator moves 32 the spiral termination to the first position to increase the air flow rate by reducing the air gap (A).

In summary, providing a fan assembly with a scroll terminator that is adaptable using an actuator so that a desired volume of airflow can be delivered in all modes of operation in the vehicle provides numerous benefits. This allows the vehicle operator to use the fan assembly even in the recirculation and heating modes. So far, the air flow in these modes was too high, which made it impossible to heat the passenger compartment to a desired temperature.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims if interpreted in breadth to which they are entitled in a fair, legal, and statutory manner.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 1056813 [0005]
• JP 2003042097A [0006]

Claims (20)

Blower assembly comprising: a housing with a spiral wall; a motor having an output shaft extending within the housing; an impeller positioned within the housing and secured to the output shaft for generating an airflow along an airflow path within the housing; an airflow outlet; a volute closure forming in a first position with the volute wall at a downstream end and with the airflow outlet at an upstream end a substantially continuous surface along the airflow path; a projection extending from the spiral wall adjacent the downstream end of the spiral termination; and an actuator for moving the scroll seal along the projection from the first position to a second position to reduce the airflow. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the second position is adjacent a distal end of the projection. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the spiral termination and the impeller define an air gap with a minimum clearance in the first position. The fan assembly of claim 3, wherein the air gap defined by the spiral termination and the impeller has a maximum distance in the second position. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor and the output shaft are positioned within the housing. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein a downstream end of the scroll seal moves along the airflow outlet from the first position to the second position. The blower assembly of claim 1, wherein the coil end comprises an upstream member and a downstream member that together form the substantially continuous surface with the spiral wall and the airflow outlet along the airflow path in the first position. The blower assembly of claim 7, further comprising a second protrusion extending from the housing, and wherein the actuator moves the downstream member of the scroll seal along the protrusion and the second protrusion from the first position to a second position to reduce airflow. The blower assembly of claim 8, wherein the second position is adjacent a distal end of the protrusion. The blower assembly of claim 8, wherein the spiral termination and the impeller define an air gap with a minimum clearance in the first position. A vehicle including the fan assembly of claim 1. Blower assembly comprising: a housing with a spiral wall; a motor having an output shaft extending within the housing; an impeller positioned within the housing and secured to the output shaft for generating an airflow along an airflow path within the housing; an airflow outlet; at least two members forming in a first position the spiral wall at a downstream end and the airflow outlet at an upstream end a substantially continuous surface along the airflow path; a first protrusion extending from the spiral wall adjacent the upstream end of the at least two members and a second protrusion extending from the housing adjacent the downstream end of the at least two members; and an actuator for moving at least one of the at least two members along the first and second protrusions from the first position to a second position to reduce the airflow. The blower assembly of claim 12, wherein the second position is adjacent a distal end of the first and / or the second protrusion. The blower assembly of claim 12, wherein an upstream member of the at least two members and the impeller define an air gap with a minimum clearance in the first position. The blower assembly of claim 12, wherein the upstream member of the at least two members is moved by the actuator and a downstream member is static. A vehicle including the fan assembly of claim 12. Method for changing an air flow rate in a blower arrangement comprising the following steps: Generating an airflow using an impeller positioned within a housing having a spiral wall; Establishing an air gap between a spiral termination in a first position and the impeller, the air gap determining the air flow rate; and adjusting the air gap to affect the rate of air flow by moving the coil end along a projection extending from the spiral wall adjacent a downstream end of the coil end from the first position to a second position. The method of changing an air flow rate in a fan assembly of claim 17, wherein the coil end forms a substantially continuous surface with the scroll wall at the downstream end and an airflow outlet at an upstream end in the first position such that the established air gap is reduced to a minimum and the air flow is increased to a maximum. The method of changing an air flow rate in a fan assembly of claim 18, wherein the downstream end of the scroll seal is adjacent the distal end of the protrusion in the second position such that the established air gap is maximized and the air flow rate is minimized. The method of changing an air flow rate in a fan assembly of claim 17, wherein the scroll seal comprises an upstream member and a downstream member that together form the substantially continuous surface with the scroll wall and the airflow outlet in the first position, and wherein the step of adjusting the Air gap comprises moving the upstream and / or downstream member of the spiral termination from the first position to a second position.

Images