[0069]A fan will now be described in detail according to a fourth embodiment.
[0070]FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a fan according to a fourth embodiment. In FIG. 7, only a hub 410 of the fan is illustrated.
[0071]Referring to FIG. 7, a discharge portion 412 of the hub 310 can be rounded such that the discharge portion 412 has a gradually increasing diameter toward a discharge end of the hub 410. For example, the discharge portion 412 of the hub 410 can be streamlined along a centerline of the hub 410.
[0072]An intake portion 411 of the hub 410 may have a gradually increasing diameter from an intake end of the 410 to the discharge portion 412.
[0073]An inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 412 may be different from an inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 411. For example, the inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 412 can be larger than the inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 411. Alternatively, the inclination angle θ3 of the discharge portion 412 can be the same as the inclination angle θ2 of the intake portion 411.
[0074]The hub 410 may have an accommodation recess 413 in the intake end thereof to receive the motor 40.
[0075]Since the intake portion 411 of the hub 210 has an increasing diameter, an air resistance at the intake end of the hub 410 can be relatively small. Air flowing along the intake portion 411 of the hub 410 can be smoothly discharged by the rounded discharge portion 412 of the hub 410 in a direction towards blades (not shown) of the fan. Here, since the discharge portion 412 is rounded (streamlined) the air resistance and noise at the discharge portion 412 can be significantly reduced, and thus the airflow rate at the hub 410 can be increased.
[0076]As described above, air can flow efficiently at the discharge portion of the hub of the fan with less noise so that the fan can be applied to various fields.
[0077]Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0078]The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0079]The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
[0080]One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.
[0081]The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.
[0082]Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified. Rather, the above-described embodiments should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, changes may be made within the metes and bounds of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.
