Fan Framework and a Fan Assembly that Has Such a Framework

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from German Patent Application No. DE 10 2024 131 239.4, filed on Oct. 25, 2024, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The invention relates to a framework for an electric fan. The invention also relates to a fan assembly that contains an electric fan supported in such a framework.

These frameworks for fans have existed for years, normally composed of a frame with a mount for a fan. The mount, which can be circular, is attached to the frame by webs.

The aerodynamic acoustic interaction between the blades on the fan wheel and these webs has a major effect on the noise generated by a fan assembly that has such a framework. As the gaps between the webs and the blades decrease, the noise increases. Fan wheels normally have three or more blades that interact with at least three or four webs, resulting in not inconsiderable noise when the fan is in use. These webs also have to be fairly rigid to keep the fan in place and prevent the fan wheel from coming in contact with the framework. At the same time, these webs must not block or impede the airflow conveyed by the fan wheel through the framework. More rigid webs result in stronger vibrations, however, which can also be problematic.

The problem with the frameworks from the prior art is the noise they generate when the fan is in use, which can be disturbing, in particular in electric vehicles.

The problem addressed by the present invention is to therefore create a better, or at least different, design for the framework, with which the problems with the prior art are at least reduced.

This problem is solved by the subject matter of Numbered Paragraph 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the Numbered Paragraphs that ultimately depend from Numbered Paragraph 1.

The invention is based on the general idea of creating webs that do not simply connect the frame to the mount for the electric fan in a straight line, but instead have a hole in them through which air can flow, which significantly reduces the noise, without having a negative impact on the rigidity of the structure. The fan is understood to be composed of the fan wheel and the electric motor that powers it.

The framework obtained with the invention has at least one web in which a hole is formed between the frame and the mount by a border composed of two segments of the web encircling the hole. The web therefore splits into these two segments in the middle to form this hole. This hole substantially reduces the noise generated when the fan is in use, while still maintaining the necessary rigidity of the webs, which is necessary to ensure that the fan is held in place. This also decreases the tonality of the interaction between the webs and the blades in comparison with straight webs that do not exhibit this split structure. This hole encircled by te border also lends the web a certain flexibility, which advantageously dampens the vibrations, in particular in electric vehicles, where they are more noticeable due to the lack of an internal combustion engine.

This hole can be polygonal or circular. A border for a polygonal or circular hole in the webs can be readily produced, and substantially reduces noise emissions. In particular, a hexagonal hole has proven to be effective in decreasing the noise generated when the fan is in use, while dampening vibrations considerably, such that this is the preferred design.

The border surrounding the hole also forms an air conductor angled in the direction of the airflow. Consequently, the web segments encircling the hole may be wider than where webs are attached to the frame or mount, and this added depth can then be used to divert the air flow. Because these holes tend to follow the direction in which the air flows, they actually divert the airflow less than straight webs, thus generating less noise. Being angled in the direction of the airflow means that the surface of the segments forming the hole facing the fan wheel is angled in the same direction as the surface of the blades, such that the sides of these segments are aligned with the airflow. In this case, the sides of the segments forming the air-conducting hole should be angled, at least in part, between 20° and 70°, preferably between 40° and 50°.

This slows helical flows, converting kinetic energy into pressure. Angling the surfaces to follow the airflow also reduces air resistance, increasing the overall efficiency of a fan assembly that has such a framework.

At least one of the webs, ideally at least two, have borders that function as flow conductors, which are then angled in different directions. By angling the segments of the web forming the holes in different directions, the noises generated by the fan can have different frequencies, such that they cancel each other out, thus further reducing the noise emissions.

The sizes and shapes of the holes formed by these borders can also differ. This can also result in frequencies that cancel each other out, further reducing the noise emissions when the fan is in use.

In an advantageous embodiment of the framework, each web has a hole encircled by a border, which is then connected by an inner web to the mount, and by an outer web to the frame. These inner and outer webs thus connect the mount to the frame, with the holes formed between them, encircled by the borders. Alternatively, each web can have a hole with a border that is then connected to the mount by a single inner web, and to the frame by two outer webs. This results in a more rigid connection to the outer frame, therefore securing the fan in the mount more reliably.

In another embodiment of the framework obtained with the invention, at least one web has at least two hexagonal holes connected to one another along one of their respective sides. In this case, one side of the inner hole is connected to the mount, while one of the sides of the outer hole is connected to the frame. If there are three or more holes, they are arranged in a straight line. If there are at least three such hexagonal holes, they can each be connected to one another at one of their sides, and the inner and outer holes can be connected to the mount and frame respectively at one of their sides or corners, in which case these inner and outer holes do not have to be complete hexagons, and the sides where they are connected to the mount and the frame are simply formed by the sections between the attachment points.

The framework obtained with the invention is preferably made of injection-molded plastic. This results in a durable part that can be produced inexpensively, making it more competitive in the marketplace.

Ideally, there is a radial web between the frame and the mount for the electrical wiring necessary for the electric fan. This web can be streamlined, such that the air resistance is minimized, further increasing the efficiency of a fan assembly that has such a framework.

The present invention is also based on the general concept of obtaining a fan assembly that has the framework described above, which therefore has the same advantages as the framework. Specifically, these advantages are significantly lower noise emissions when the fan is in use due to the special design of the webs. With at least one web that has a hole, the fan can be secured precisely in place, while still providing enough flexibility to be able to dampen vibrations.

Other features and advantages of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims, drawings, and the descriptions of the drawings.

It is understood that the features specified above and explained below can be used not only in the given combinations, but also in other combinations or in and of themselves, without abandoning the scope of the invention. Parts of a unit, e.g. an assembly, apparatus, or device, that are referred to separately may be independent components, or form components of this unit, or they may be integral parts or sections of this unit, even if the drawings indicate otherwise.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and shall be described in greater detail below, in which the same reference symbols are used for the same, similar, or functionally identical components.

Therein, schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a fan assembly obtained with the invention that has a framework obtained with the invention,

FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of the section C in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a framework similar to that in FIG. 1, but with different webs,

FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of the section D in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows a framework similar to that in FIG. 3, but with different webs,

FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the section E in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows a framework similar to that in FIG. 5, but with different webs,

FIG. 8 shows an enlargement of the section G in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 shows an enlargement of the section F in FIG. 7,

FIG. 10 shows another possible design for the framework obtained with the invention, in which the segments of the web encircling the holes are angled,

FIG. 11 shows the framework in FIG. 10 from above,

FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the framework in FIG. 10, cut along the line A-A, and

FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the framework in FIG. 11, cut along the line B-B.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 11, the framework 1 for a fan 2, which is only shown in FIG. 1, has a frame 3 with a mount 4 for the fan 2. There are webs 5 connecting the mount 4 to the frame 3, which are evenly distributed about the circumference of the mount 4, attaching it to the frame 3.

At least one of these webs 5 has two web segments 6, 7 (see FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 13) that form a closed border 8 encircling a hole 9. This border 8 is therefore formed by the two web segments 6 and 7, which are connected to one another.

The border 8 of the hole 9 formed by the web segments 6, 7 splits the previously used linear structure of the webs, diminishing the tonality of the interaction between webs 5 and the blades 10 of the fan wheel in the fan 2. Only one of these blades 10 is indicated in FIG. 1 by a broken line, for purposes of clarity.

When in use, the fan wheel in the fan assembly 11 obtained with the invention rotates, such that the blades 10 thereon constantly pass by the webs 5. With the previously used linear webs, the blades 10 on the fan wheel interact aerodynamically with the webs 5, generating noise. Smaller gaps between the blades 10 and the webs 5 result in louder noises when the fan assembly 11 is use.

The border 8 of the hole 9 significantly reduces the noise emissions when the blades 10 pass over the webs 5, as is particularly advantageous in electric vehicles, which are much quieter than vehicles powered with internal combustion engines.

These webs 5, with their holes 9, are also more flexible than the previously used linear webs, and can thus effectively dampen vibrations.

In general, the border 8 can be polygonal or circular, even though it is hexagonal in all of the drawings.

There can also be a radial web 12 in the frame 3 and mount 4 for the electrical wiring necessary for the electric fan 2. The border 8 directly adjacent to the radial web 12 is hexagonal, but not equilateral. The border 8 is connected on this side 13 to the radial web 12.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show webs 5 that are connected by an inner web 14 to the mount 4 and two outer webs 15a, 15b to the frame 3. This design is also used in the framework 1 shown in FIGS. 10-13.

The webs 5 in FIGS. 3 and 4 are each connected to the frame 3 by the outer web 15a, which is aligned with the inner web 14. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the border 8 is only connected to the frame by one outer web 15b, which runs at an angle to the inner web 14.

The border 8 can also function as an air conductor angled in the direction of the airflow. This angling of the border 8 is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13. This angled border 8 reduces the flow resistance, thus increasing the efficiency of the fan assembly 11 obtained with the invention. Individual elements of the border 8 forming air conductors, e.g. individual sides 13, can be tilted or angled such that they slow a helical flow, converting kinetic energy into pressure. These borders 8 can also be curved, thus forming another means of air guidance.

The angling of individual sides 13 of the border 8 is also clearly illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, in which it can also be seen that adjacent sides 13′ are not angled. The individual angles of the sides 13 of the border 8 can differ, such that one angle is selected to cancel out the noises generated during use. The border 8 is therefore preferably angled, at least in part, between 20° and 70°, ideally between 40° and 50°, in relation to the flow direction.

At least two of the webs 5 can have at least one hole 9 with a border 8, which can take a variety of shapes and sizes, as shown in FIG. 5, in which the border 8 that comes in contact with the radial web 12 differs from its adjacent border 8.

Webs 5 are shown in FIGS. 7-9 that each have numerous holes 9 with numerous borders 8, which can be arranged in a straight line, as shown in FIG. 9, or at angles to one another, as shown in FIG. 8. Adjacent holes 9 can be attached to one another at the sides 13 of the borders 8, resulting in a strong, reliable bond between the individual borders 8, in particular because these are normally formed by integral, injection-molded parts.

FIG. 7 shows that with a web 5 that has numerous holes 9, the outer hole 9 may only have half the normal border 8, such that it is then connected to the frame 3 by only two of the sides 13.

A web 5 like this, with numerous holes 9 and borders 8, can be connected to the mount 4 and frame 3 by a single side 13 (see FIG. 7), or by a corner 16 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

FIG. 11 shows that the individual webs 5 are curved at a transition 17 to the frame 3, spacing the mount 4 apart from the frame 3 in the axial direction 18.

To make the mount 4 relatively stiff, it can have an outer ring 19, and an inner ring 21 connected thereto by webs 20, as shown in FIG. 13.

In general, the framework 1 obtained with the invention can be an integrally formed injection-molded part, resulting in an inexpensively produced, high-quality framework 1.

On the whole, the framework 1 and fan assembly 11 obtained with the invention are significantly quieter, resulting in a major advantage for electric vehicles, which are much more sensitive to noises.

The specification can be readily understood with reference to the following Numbered Paragraphs:

Numbered Paragraph 1. A fan framework (1) for an electric fan (2), which has a frame (3) with a mount (4) for the electric fan (2), and webs (5) connecting the mount (4) to the frame (3), characterized in that at least one of the webs (5) has a hole (9) encircled by a border (8) formed by two web segments (6, 7) in the space between the frame (3) and the mount (4).

Numbered Paragraph 2. The framework (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 1, characterized in that at least one of the borders (8) is polygonal or circular.

Numbered Paragraph 3. The framework (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 2, characterized in that at least one border (8) is hexagonal.

Numbered Paragraph 4. The framework (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that the border (8) forms an air conductor, which is angled in the flow direction, at least in part, between 20° and 70°, preferably between 40° and 50°.

Numbered Paragraph 5. The framework (1) according to Numbered Paragraph 4, characterized in that at least two webs (5) have borders (8) forming air conductors that are at different angles.

Numbered Paragraph 6. The framework (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that at least two webs (5) have holes (9) with borders (8) of different shapes and sizes.

Numbered Paragraph 7. The framework (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that each web (5) has a border (8) connected to the mount (4) by an inner web (14) and the frame (3) by an outer web (15a, 15b).

Numbered Paragraph 8. The framework (1) according to any of the Numbered Paragraphs 1 to 6, characterized in that each web (5) has a border (8) connected to the mount (4) by an inner web (14) and the frame (3) by two outer webs (15a, 15b).

Numbered Paragraph 9. The framework (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that at least one web (5) has at least two hexagonal borders (8) connected to one another at their sides (13).

Numbered Paragraph 10. The framework (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that the framework (1) is an injection-molded part.

Numbered Paragraph 11. The framework (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs, characterized in that there is a radial web (12) between the frame (3) and mount (4) for the electrical wiring.

Numbered Paragraph 12. A fan assembly (11) that has an electric fan in a framework (1) according to any of the preceding Numbered Paragraphs.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

• • 1 fan framework
  • 2 fan
  • 3 frame
  • 4 mount
  • 5 web
  • 6 web segment
  • 7 web segment
  • 8 border
  • 9 hole
  • 10 fan blade
  • 11 fan assembly
  • 12 radial web
  • 13 side
  • 14 inner web
  • 15 outer web
  • 16 corners
  • 17 transition
  • 18 axial direction
  • 19 outer ring
  • 20 web
  • 21 inner ring