Impeller and centrifugal fan having the same

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides an impeller and a centrifugal fan having the impeller. The impeller rotates about a central axis and has: a cup portion having a bottom and a cylindrical portion; a base portion extending radially outward from the radially outermost end of the cup portion; a plurality of blades located radially outside the cup portion; and a ring portion connected to the radially outer ends of the plurality of blades. The impeller further has a plurality of rib portions formed on the surface of the base portion on the side opposite to the side where the blades are provided. Each of the rib portions is axially opposed to at least a part of each of the blades with the base portion therebetween. Through the embodiment of the present invention, while ensuring that the impeller meets the strength requirements, the thickness required for the base portion can be reduced to achieve the light weight of the impeller, and the fixation between the ring portion and the blades can be strengthened.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application number 201910111269.X (application date: February 12, 2019, invention title: impeller and centrifugal fan having the same). Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an air flow generating device, and more particularly to an impeller and a centrifugal fan having the impeller. Background Art

[0003] In some electromechanical devices, a centrifugal fan needs to be provided. The centrifugal fan has an impeller. When the impeller rotates, an air flow is generated to achieve gas circulation, exhaust gas discharge, heat dissipation, dust removal, etc.

[0004] It should be noted that the above introduction of the technical background is only for the convenience of clearly and completely explaining the technical solutions of the present application and facilitating the understanding of those skilled in the art. It cannot be considered that the above technical solutions are well known to those skilled in the art just because these solutions are described in the background art part of the present application. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The inventors have found that in the prior art, since the impeller needs to meet the specified strength requirements, the supporting portion of the impeller that supports the blades needs to maintain a certain thickness. Therefore, it is difficult for the impeller to meet the strength requirements and achieve lightweight at the same time.

[0006] To solve the above problems or other similar problems, embodiments of the present invention provide an impeller and a centrifugal fan that can meet the strength requirements and achieve lightweight at the same time.

[0007] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an impeller that rotates about a central axis. The impeller has: a cup portion having a bottom and a cylindrical portion, the bottom being disk-shaped with the central axis as the center, and the cylindrical portion extending from the outer periphery of the bottom toward one side in the axial direction and radially outward; a base portion extending radially outward from the radially outermost end of the cup portion; a plurality of blades located radially outside the cup portion and arranged circumferentially on the surface of the base portion; and a ring portion connected to the radially outer ends of the plurality of blades. The impeller further has a plurality of rib portions formed on the surface of the base portion on the side opposite to the side where the blades are provided, and each rib portion is axially opposed to at least a part of each blade with the base portion therebetween.

[0008] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a centrifugal fan having the impeller described in the first aspect above.

[0009] One beneficial effect of the embodiment of the present invention is that by forming a plurality of ribs on the surface of the base of the impeller, which are axially opposed to at least a part of each blade across the base, it is possible to reduce the required thickness of the base while ensuring that the impeller meets the strength requirements, thereby achieving the lightweight of the impeller. In addition, by connecting the ring portion to the radially outer ends of the plurality of blades, the fixation between the ring portion and the blades can be strengthened.

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited in scope thereby. Within the spirit and terms of the appended claims, the embodiments of the present invention include many changes, modifications, and equivalents.

[0011] Features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment can be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with the features in other embodiments, or replace the features in other embodiments.

[0012] It should be emphasized that the term "comprising / including / having" when used herein refers to the presence of features, whole units, or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, whole units, or components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings included are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, which form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and together with the written description explain the principles of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the impeller of Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from one axial side;

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the impeller of Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from the other axial side;

[0016] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the impeller of Embodiment 1 of the present invention when cut along the Figure 2 A-A direction in;

[0017] Figure 4 is a part of a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal fan of Embodiment 2 of the present invention when cut along the plane where the axis is located. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. In the description and drawings, specific embodiments of the present invention are specifically disclosed, which show some embodiments in which the principles of the present invention can be adopted. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0019] In the embodiments of the present invention, singular forms such as "a", "the", etc. include plural forms and should be broadly understood as "a kind of" or "a class of" rather than being limited to the meaning of "one"; in addition, the term "said" should be understood to include both singular and plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the term "according to" should be understood as "at least partially according to...", and the term "based on" should be understood as "at least partially based on...", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0020] In the following description of the present invention, for the convenience of description, the center line around which the impeller (or centrifugal fan) can rotate is referred to as the "central axis", the direction that is the same as or parallel to the direction extending along the central axis is referred to as the "axial direction", the radial direction centered on the central axis is referred to as the "radial direction", and the direction around the central axis is referred to as the "circumferential direction".

[0021] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Embodiment 1

[0023] Embodiment 1 provides an impeller. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the impeller of this embodiment when viewed from one axial side, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the impeller of this embodiment when viewed from the other axial side, Figure 3 is the impeller of this embodiment along Figure 2 a cross-sectional view when cut along the A-A direction in

[0024] As Figure 1 shown, the impeller 10 rotates around the central axis O-O', and has a cup portion 11, a base portion 12, a plurality of blades 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, etc., and a ring portion 14. As Figure 2 shown, the impeller 10 also has a plurality of rib portions 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, etc.

[0025] As Figure 1 shown, the cup portion 11 has a bottom portion 111 and a cylindrical portion 112. The bottom portion 111 is in the shape of a disc centered on the central axis O-O', and the cylindrical portion 112 extends from the outer periphery 111e of the bottom portion 111 simultaneously towards one axial side (i.e., Figure 1extends toward the radially outer side as well as the O'-side shown; the base portion 12 extends toward the radially outer side from the radially outermost end 11e of the cup portion 11; a plurality of vanes 13-1, 13-2, 13-3,... (hereinafter, the plurality of vanes 13-1, 13-2, 13-3,... are also collectively referred to as vanes 13) are located on the radially outer side of the cup portion 11 and are arranged circumferentially on the surface of the base portion 12 (i.e., Figure 1 the surface on the O-side shown); the ring portion 14 is connected to the radially outer ends of the plurality of vanes 13.

[0026] As Figure 2 shown, a plurality of rib portions 15-1, 15-2, 15-3,... (hereinafter, the plurality of rib portions 15-1, 15-2, 15-3,... are also collectively referred to as rib portions 15) are formed on the surface of the opposite side (i.e., Figure 2 the O'-side shown) of the base portion 12 where the vanes 13 are provided. As Figure 3 shown, each rib portion 15 is axially opposed to at least a part of each vane 13 with the base portion 12 therebetween.

[0027] In this embodiment, the bottom portion 111 being disk-shaped centered on the central axis O-O' means that the bottom portion 111 is precisely disk-shaped or substantially disk-shaped centered on the central axis O-O'.

[0028] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the cylindrical portion 112 extends from the outer periphery 111e of the bottom portion 111 simultaneously toward one axial side (i.e., Figure 1 the O'-side shown) and the radially outer side, which means that the extending direction of the cylindrical portion 112 has both a component toward one axial side and a component toward the radially outer side.

[0029] In this embodiment, each rib portion 15 is axially opposed to at least a part of each vane 13 with the base portion 12 therebetween. In other words, when viewed axially, the setting position of each rib portion 15 at least partially overlaps with the setting position of each vane 13.

[0030] Through the above embodiment, a plurality of rib portions 15 are formed on the surface of the base portion 12 of the impeller 10, which are axially opposed to at least a part of each vane 13 with the base portion 12 therebetween. Thus, while ensuring that the impeller 10 meets the strength requirements, the thickness required for the base portion 12 can be reduced to achieve the light weight of the impeller. In addition, by connecting the ring portion 14 to the radially outer ends of the plurality of vanes 13, the fixing of the ring portion 14 and the vanes 13 can be strengthened.

[0031] In this embodiment, the plurality of rib portions 15 can be integrally formed with the base portion 12 or separately formed.

[0032] In one embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, each rib 15 may be axially opposed to the middle portion of each blade 13. The present embodiment is not limited thereto, and each rib 15 may also be axially opposed to the end of one side of each blade 13, or may also be axially opposed to the entirety of each blade 13. In addition, the length and extension direction of each rib 15 may be arbitrarily set according to the need to meet the strength requirements.

[0033] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, when viewed in the axial direction, the plurality of blades 13 may extend to the radial inner end 12i of the base 12. In other words, the plurality of blades 13 may extend to the radial outer end 11e of the cup 11.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the cup portion 11 may also have a chamfered structure 113, and the chamfered structure 113 is formed on one axial side of the barrel portion 112 (i.e. Figure 1 The chamfered structure 113 connects the barrel 112 and the base 12. Figure 3 As shown, the chamfered structure 113 may be in the shape of a curved surface, such as an R-angle structure, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and may also be formed in the shape of an inclined plane. When the chamfered structure 113 is formed, the radial outer end of the chamfered structure 113 serves as the radial outer end 11e of the cup portion 11, that is, the position of the radial outer end of the chamfered structure 113 overlaps with the position of the radial inner end 12i of the base 12, and at this time, the plurality of blades 13 may extend to the position of the radial outer end of the chamfered structure 113. By providing the chamfered structure, the increase in the flow resistance of the exhaust gas can be suppressed, thereby improving the air supply efficiency.

[0035] However, this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned implementation mode, and the cup portion 11 may not be provided with the chamfer structure 113. In the case where the chamfer structure 113 is not provided, the radial outer end of the cylinder portion 112 serves as the radial outer end 11e of the cup portion 11, that is, the position of the radial outer end of the cylinder portion 112 overlaps the position of the radial inner end 12i of the base portion 12, and at this time, the plurality of blades 13 may extend to the position of the radial outer end of the cylinder portion 112.

[0036] In this embodiment, the cup portion 11 and the base portion 12 may be formed integrally or separately; in addition, each component included in the cup portion 11 may also be formed integrally or separately.

[0037] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, an annular rib 16 may be formed on the surface of the base 12 on the side opposite to the side where the blades 13 are provided. The annular rib 16 is centered on the central axis OO' and connects the plurality of ribs 15. By providing the annular rib 16, the strength of the impeller 10 can be further increased.

[0038] Figure 2 The case where the annular rib 16 is provided as one is shown, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the annular rib 16 may also be provided as a plurality.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the annular rib 16 may be provided at any position connecting a plurality of ribs 15. As Figure 2 shown, the annular rib 16 may be provided to connect the ends on the radially outer side of a plurality of ribs 15, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the annular rib 16 may also be provided to connect the middle portions of a plurality of ribs 15.

[0040] In addition, as Figure 2 shown, on the axial side of the base portion 12 (i.e., Figure 1 the O' side shown), a thickening layer 17 continuously formed with the cup portion 11 on the radially outer side of the cup portion 11 may also be disposed. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the thickening layer 17 may also be disposed such that it is not continuously formed with the cup portion 11 but there is a gap between the thickening layer 17 and the cup portion 11. At this time, the thickening layer 17 serves as an annular rib connecting the ends on the radially inner side of a plurality of ribs 15.

[0041] In the present embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, a plurality of ribs 15 may be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and a plurality of ribs 15 may also be arranged at non-equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the ratio of the axial thickness of each rib 15 to the axial thickness of the base portion 12 may be arbitrarily set according to actual needs. For example, this ratio may be set to a value greater than 0 and not greater than 2. At this time, the impeller 10 can maintain a high strength and achieve light weight.

[0043] In the present embodiment, when viewed axially, the width of each rib 15 may be arbitrarily set according to actual needs. For example, this width may be set to be equal to or less than the width of each blade 13. At this time, the impeller 10 can be further lightened. The present embodiment is not limited thereto, and this width may also be set to be greater than the width of each blade 13.

[0044] In the present embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the bottom portion 111 may also have a flat portion 1111 and a curved surface portion 1112. The flat portion 1111 extends in a plane direction perpendicular to the central axis O - O' with the central axis O - O' as the center. The curved surface portion 1112 is located on the radially outer side of the flat portion 1111 and extends in a curved surface direction from the outer periphery 1111e of the flat portion 1111. The cylindrical portion 112 extends from the outer periphery 1112e of the curved surface portion 1112 simultaneously toward the axial side (i.e., Figure 1extends radially outwardly on the O' side as shown. By providing the curved surface portion 1112, it is possible to make the air intake smoother near the air intake position F1 of the impeller 10, increase the air flow from the air suction port, and thus improve the air suction efficiency.

[0045] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the impeller 10 may further have an outer ring portion 18 extending radially outwardly from the outer periphery of the base portion 12, and the axial thickness of the radially inner end of the outer ring portion 18 is greater than the axial thickness of the base portion 12. Thus, the strength of the impeller 10 can be further increased at the outer peripheral position. The width of the outer ring portion 18 in the radial direction can be set arbitrarily according to actual needs. Moreover, the outer ring portion 18 and the base portion 12 can be integrally formed or separately formed.

[0046] In addition, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the outer ring portion 18 can be formed to have an inclined surface 18s inclined with respect to the extending direction of the base portion 12 on the side close to the ring portion 14. As Figure 3 shown, along the direction from the radially inner side to the radially outer side of the inclined surface 18s, the axial thickness of the outer ring portion 18 gradually decreases. Thus, it is possible to make the air outlet smoother near the air outlet position F2 of the impeller 10. In this way, an increase in the flow resistance of the discharged gas can be suppressed, and thus the air supply efficiency can be improved.

[0047] This embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The outer ring portion 18 may not be provided, or even if the outer ring portion 18 is provided, the inclined surface 18s may not be provided and the end surface of the outer ring portion 18 on the side close to the ring portion 14 may be parallel to the extending direction of the base portion 12.

[0048] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, a plurality of concave portions 141 may be further formed on the end surface of the ring portion 14 on the side away from the base portion 12, and the plurality of concave portions 141 are arranged circumferentially. Thus, according to actual needs, a material for adjusting the mass can be appropriately filled in one or more of the plurality of concave portions 141 to achieve weight reduction while being able to correct the rotational dynamic balance.

[0049] With the impeller 10 of this embodiment, a plurality of rib portions 15 are formed on the surface of the base portion 12 of the impeller, which are axially opposed to at least a part of each blade 13 with the base portion 12 therebetween. It is possible to reduce the required thickness of the base portion 12 while ensuring that the impeller 10 meets the strength requirements, thereby achieving weight reduction of the impeller 10.

[0050] Embodiment 2

[0051] This Embodiment 2 provides a centrifugal fan. Figure 4 is a part of a cross-sectional view when the centrifugal fan is cut along the axial plane.

[0052] As Figure 4 shown, the centrifugal fan 20 has an impeller 10, a bottom plate 21, and a motor 22.

[0053] Among them, the structure of the impeller 10 can be as described in the above-mentioned Embodiment 1, and will not be elaborated here. As Figure 4 shown, the bottom plate 21 is disposed on the side of the base portion 12 where the rib portion 15 is provided, and the motor 22 is accommodated in the space surrounded by the cup portion 11 of the impeller 10 and the bottom plate 21. The motor 22 can drive the impeller 10 to rotate.

[0054] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the impeller 10 may be provided with a motor mounting portion 31 on the side facing the bottom plate 21 of the cup portion 11. The motor 22 has a rotating shaft 221, and one end of the rotating shaft 221 is fixed to the motor mounting portion 31; on the surface of the bottom plate 21 facing the cup portion 11, a motor supporting portion 211 may be provided, and the motor supporting portion 211 supports the motor 22 so as to be able to rotate freely. In this way, the impeller 10 can rotate along with the rotation of the motor 22 and its rotating shaft 221.

[0055] In Figure 4 , the motor mounting portion 31 is provided as a protruding structure having a hole portion, and one end of the rotating shaft 221 of the motor 22 is fixed in the hole. The motor supporting portion 211 is formed in a substantially tower shape, and the other end of the rotating shaft 221 of the motor 22 is inserted into the tower-shaped motor supporting portion 211. However, this embodiment is not limited thereto, and the motor mounting portion 31 and the motor supporting portion 211 of this embodiment may also be provided in other shapes or structures.

[0056] The centrifugal fan of this embodiment can be applied to various electromechanical devices, such as household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, water heaters, etc., or refrigeration equipment, exhaust equipment, slag removal equipment, dust removal equipment, etc. used in industry. This embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned exemplified equipment, and the centrifugal fan can also be applied to other various electromechanical devices.

[0057] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the centrifugal fan 20 may further have a mounting portion 23 for mounting the bottom plate 21 to the electromechanical device. Thus, the centrifugal fan 20 can be mounted to the electromechanical device.

[0058] With the centrifugal fan 20 of this embodiment, a plurality of rib portions are formed on the surface of the base portion of the impeller of the centrifugal fan 20, which are axially opposed to at least a part of each blade across the base portion, so that while ensuring that the impeller of the centrifugal fan 20 meets the strength requirements, the required thickness of the base portion can be reduced, thereby realizing the light weight of the centrifugal fan 20.

[0059] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, indicating the ways in which the principles of the present invention can be adopted. However, it should be understood that the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and also includes all changes, modifications, and equivalents that do not depart from the scope of the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. An impeller that rotates about a central axis, the impeller having: A cup portion having a bottom and a cylindrical portion, the bottom being disc-shaped with the central axis as the center, and the cylindrical portion extending from the outer periphery of the bottom simultaneously towards one side in the axial direction and radially outwards; A base portion that extends radially outwards from the radially outermost end of the cup portion; A plurality of blades located radially outside the cup portion and arranged circumferentially on the surface of the base portion; and A ring portion that connects to the radially outer ends of the plurality of blades, Characterized in that, The impeller further having: A plurality of rib portions formed on the surface of the base portion on the side opposite to the side where the blades are provided, each of the rib portions being axially opposed to at least a part of each of the blades with the base portion therebetween, the plurality of rib portions and the cup portion being located on the axial two sides of the base portion respectively, the radially inner ends of each of the rib portions being axially opposed to the radially outermost end of the cup portion, the rib portions extending from radially inner to radially outer, and along the extending direction of the rib portions, the axial thickness of the rib portions being the same; and A plurality of annular rib portions formed on the surface of the base portion on the side opposite to the side where the blades are provided, each of the annular rib portions being centered on the central axis and connected to the plurality of rib portions.

2. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of annular rib portions include a first annular rib portion and a second annular rib portion, The second annular rib portion is disposed at a position radially inner than the first annular rib portion.

3. The impeller according to claim 2, wherein The first annular rib portion connects the radially outer ends of the plurality of rib portions, The second annular rib portion connects the radially inner ends of the plurality of rib portions.

4. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein When observed axially, the plurality of blades extend to the position of the radially inner end of the base portion.

5. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of rib portions are arranged at equal intervals circumferentially.

6. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of concave portions are formed on the end surface of the ring portion on the side away from the base portion, and the plurality of concave portions are arranged circumferentially.

7. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein The number of the blades is the same as the number of the rib portions.

8. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein When observed axially, the rib portions are curved.

9. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein The cup portion further has a holding portion and a plurality of inner rib portions, The holding portion extends from the outer periphery of the bottom towards one side in the axial direction, The plurality of inner rib portions are arranged circumferentially on the surface of the holding portion facing the cylindrical portion, connecting the holding portion and the cylindrical portion.

10. A centrifugal fan, characterized in that, The centrifugal fan has: The impeller according to any one of claims 1 to 9; A bottom plate disposed on the side of the base portion where the rib portions are provided; A motor accommodated in the space enclosed by the cup portion of the impeller and the bottom plate.

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