Ceiling fan, blade and blade connector

Abstract

A ceiling fan or similar air moving device can include a motor for rotating one or more blades to drive a volume of air around a space. Connectors can be used to connect the blades to a blade iron to mount the blades to the motor. The connectors can include a set of receptacles configured to be inserted into openings on the blades and the set of receptacles are connected by a set of arms. A set of mounting posts on the blade iron can be positioned within the receptacles to mount the blades to the blade iron.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a ceiling fan for moving a volume of air around a space, and more specifically, to blades for a ceiling fan and a blade connector for connecting the blades to the ceiling fan. Background Technology

[0002] A ceiling fan is a machine that is traditionally suspended from a structure for moving a volume of air around an area. A ceiling fan includes a motor having a rotor and a stator, suspended from and electrically connected to the structure. A set of blades is mounted to the rotor such that the blades are rotatably driven by the rotor and can be oriented at an angle to move a volume of air around the area. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect, disclosure relates to a ceiling fan comprising: a motor; blades including a set of openings extending between a root and a tip; a blade iron including a set of mounting posts arranged to complement the set of openings; and a connector including a set of receiving portions disposed within the set of openings, wherein the set of receiving portions receives the set of mounting posts for coupling the blades to the blade iron.

[0004] In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a connector for connecting a ceiling fan blade having a set of openings to a ceiling fan blade iron having a set of mounting members, the connector comprising: a first receiving portion including a snap-locking feature defining a first support; and a second receiving portion including a base defining a second support.

[0005] In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for connecting ceiling fan blades having a set of openings to a blade iron having a set of mounting posts, the method comprising: inserting a set of mounting posts through a set of connector openings into a connector; and sliding the ceiling fan blades along the blade iron to secure the set of mounting posts to the connector. Attached Figure Description

[0006] In the attached diagram:

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a ceiling fan that is suspended on a structure.

[0008] Figure 2 It shows the relationship with Figure 1 An exploded view of the blades, blade iron, and connectors used in ceiling fans.

[0009] Figure 3 It shows the method for using Figure 2 Connector to Figure 1 Enlarged view of the fasteners for the blade iron.

[0010] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 An enlarged 3D view of the connector.

[0011] Figure 5 An exploded side view of the blade, blade iron, and connector is shown, illustrating the blade iron via... Figure 3 Fasteners and Figure 4 The attachment of the connector.

[0012] Figure 6 It shows the use of Figure 4 The connector will Figure 2 The blades are installed on Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the blade iron.

[0013] Figure 7 A method for connecting blades to blade iron using a connector is shown.

[0014] Figure 8 It shows a device with additional locking tabs. Figure 4 The connector.

[0015] Figure 9 The diagram shows a device with locking tabs in a locking orientation. Figure 8 The connector. Detailed Implementation

[0016] This disclosure relates to a ceiling fan and ceiling fan blades that can be used for, for example, residential and commercial applications. These applications can be indoors, outdoors, or both. While this description is primarily directed to residential ceiling fans, it is also applicable to any environment where air movement is used to cool an area or where a fan is used.

[0017] As used herein, the term "group" or "set" of elements can refer to any number of elements, including the case of a single element. All directional references (e.g., radial, axial, proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, front, rear, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise, upstream, downstream, forward, tail, etc.) are used for identification purposes only to aid the reader's understanding of this disclosure and do not constitute limitation, in particular, on the location, orientation, or use of various aspects of the disclosure described herein. Unless otherwise stated, connection references (e.g., attachment, coupling, connection, and engagement) should be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between sets of elements and relative movement between these elements. Therefore, a connection reference does not necessarily mean that two elements are directly connected and fixedly connected to each other. The exemplary figures are for illustrative purposes only, and the dimensions, positions, order, and relative dimensions shown in the accompanying figures may vary.

[0018] Now for reference Figure 1 The ceiling fan 10 is suspended from the structure 12. In a non-limiting example, the ceiling fan 10 may include one or more fan components, including a suspension bracket 14, a top cover 16, a lower rod 18, a motor adapter 20, a motor housing 22 that at least partially surrounds a motor 24 having a rotor 26 and a stator 28, a lighting kit 30, and a set of blade irons 32. In other non-limiting examples, the ceiling fan 10 may include a controller, a wireless receiver, a spherical base support, a hanging ball, a lighting glass, a lighting cage, a main shaft, a top cover, a switch housing, blade forks, blade tips or blade covers, and one or more other fan components. A set of blades 34 may extend radially from the ceiling fan 10 and may be rotatable to drive a volume of fluid (e.g., air). The blades 34 may be any suitable fan blade that extends in the spanwise direction between the root and the tip and in the chordwise direction between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The blades 34 may be operatively coupled to the motor 24 at the rotor 26, for example, via the blade irons 32. The blade 34 may include a set of blades 34, which may have any number of blades, including the case of only one blade.

[0019] For example, structure 12 may be a ceiling with ceiling fan 10 suspended from it. It should be understood that structure 12 is shown schematically and by way of example only, and may be included in any suitable building, structure, residential, commercial, or other environment in which the use of a ceiling fan for air movement is appropriate or desirable. Structure 12 may also include a power supply unit 36, which may be located within structure 12 and electrically connected to ceiling fan 10 to provide power to ceiling fan 10 and its motor 24. In a non-limiting example, it is also contemplated that the power supply originates from somewhere other than structure 12, such as a battery or generator.

[0020] Controller 38 can be electrically connected to power supply unit 36 ​​to control the operation of ceiling fan 10 via power supply unit 36. Alternatively, controller 38 can be wirelessly or communicatively connected to ceiling fan 10, configured to remotely control the operation of ceiling fan 10 without a dedicated connection. Non-limiting examples of control over ceiling fan 10 may include fan speed, fan direction, or lighting operation. Furthermore, a standalone wireless controller 40 (alone or together with wired controller 38) can be communicatively connected to the controller or wireless receiver in ceiling fan 10 to control the operation of ceiling fan 10. In an alternative embodiment, it is also envisioned that the ceiling fan is operated independently by wireless controller 40 without operatively connected to wired controller 38.

[0021] refer to Figure 2The blade 34 includes a body 50 having an upper surface 52 and a lower surface 54, and includes a set of openings 56 extending through the body 50 between the upper surface 52 and the lower surface 54. A set of mounting posts 58 are mounted to and extend from the blade iron 32. For example, the mounting posts 58 can be fasteners (e.g., screws with heads) and non-fasteners (e.g., pins). The connector 60 includes a set of receiving portions 62. The set of receiving portions 62 of the connector 60 can be complementary to the set of mounting posts 58 and the set of openings 56 in the blade, so that the mounting posts 58 are connected to the connector 60 through the openings 56, thereby mounting the blade 34 to the blade iron 32.

[0022] refer to Figure 3 Each mounting post 58 may include a threaded end 70 for mounting the mounting post 58 to Figure 2 The blade iron 32. A shoulder 72 separates the head 74 from the threaded end 70. The head 74 may include a sidewall 76, an introductory tapered portion 78, and a receiving portion 80 that receives a tool for fastening the mounting post 58 to the blade iron 32. It should be understood that, alternatively, suitable fasteners can be contemplated for use as the mounting post 58.

[0023] refer to Figure 4 A set of arms 84 connects to the receiving portions 62 to form a connector 60. Although the connector 60 has three receiving portions 62 and three arms 84, any number of receiving portions or arms is conceivable. The first receiving portion 90 of the set of receiving portions 62 includes an opening 88, which is at least partially defined by a snap-locking feature 92 forming a support 94. The opening 88 is sized to provide space for the head 74 of the mounting post 58. A pair of resilient and spaced fingers 96 form at least partially defining the snap-locking feature 92 of the support 94 and are bent to define a neck 98 narrower than the support 94. The pair of fingers 96 can be arranged such that the neck 98 is smaller than the diameter of the shoulder 72 of the mounting post 58. This sizing allows the mounting post 58 to be inserted into the support 94 by bending the fingers 96 to widen the neck 98, thereby providing space for inserting the shoulder 72 into the support 94. In a non-limiting example, the finger 96 may be made of a bendable or flexible plastic, metal, polymer, or composite material, allowing the elastic bending of the finger 96 to narrow or widen the neck 98. Once the shoulder 72 is in the support 94, the finger 96 can bend to return to its original position, thereby returning the neck 98 to its original width and securing the mounting post 58 within the support 94 at the shoulder 72. Alternatively, the head 74 may be positioned above the finger 96 to secure the connector 60 to the blade 34.

[0024] The second receiving portion 110 may be similar to the third receiving portion 112. Both the second receiving portion 110 and the third receiving portion 112 may include an opening 114 sized to receive the head 74 of the mounting post 58. A base 116 may form a support 118 sized to receive the shoulder 72 of the mounting post 58, and the base is located below the head 74 to secure the connector 60 to the blade 34. Both the second receiving portion 110 and the third receiving portion 112 may include a raised portion 120 that may at least partially define the opening 114. The raised portion 120 is positioned higher than the base 116 and can guide the head 74 to an appropriate position at the base 116.

[0025] refer to Figure 5 The connector 60 can be located within the opening 56 in the blade 34. The blade 34 can be positioned adjacent to the blade iron 32 (as shown by the dashed lines) such that the mounting post 58 is located within the openings 88, 114 of a set of receiving portions 62. After insertion, the blade 34 can be pulled away from the blade iron 32 in the direction shown by arrow 122 to secure the blade 34 to the blade iron 32 via the connector 60 at the mounting post 58. Pulling the blade 34 in the direction of arrow 122 positions the mounting post 58 within the supports 94, 118 to secure the mounting post 58 to the connector 60, and thus secure the blade 34 to the blade iron 32. It should be understood that the blade iron 32 can be pulled in the opposite direction to arrow 122 to achieve the same effect as pulling the blade 34 in the direction of arrow 122.

[0026] Figure 6 It shows the following: Figure 5 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the blade 34 connected to the blade iron 32 after the blade 34 is pulled relative to the blade iron 32 along arrow 122. The cross-section shown illustrates two different types of receiving portions 90 and 110, omitting the third receiving portion 112, which is identical to the second receiving portion 110. The receiving portion 90 secures the mounting post 58 within the support 94 at the finger portion 96. Alternatively, the mounting post 58 can be tightened at the receiving portion 80 using a tool to tighten the threaded end 70, thereby further securing the blade 34 to the blade iron 32. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the mounting post 58 is pre-installed or sized such that along... Figure 5 The sliding movement of arrow 112 causes a compression fit at connector 60, thereby avoiding the need to tighten mounting post 58. For example, the receiving portion 62 may include a bevel to allow for the compression fit caused by the sliding movement.

[0027] At the second receiving portion 110, the mounting post 58 is fixed within the support 118 against the base 116, thereby securing the blade 34 to the blade iron 32. The mounting post 58 can be tightened at the threaded end 70 to further secure the blade 34 to the blade iron 32 within the support 118.

[0028] The receiving portion 90, having fingers 96, secures the mounting post 58 within the support 94 by means of the elasticity of the fingers 96, thereby fixing the blade 34 to the blade iron 32. The fingers 96 further provide a surface against which the head 74 can abut to ensure vertical separation between the blade 34 and the blade iron 32. Additionally, the second receiving portion 110 and the third receiving portion 112 utilize the base 116 providing the support 118 to further ensure vertical separation between the blade 34 and the blade iron 32.

[0029] After assembly and during ceiling fan operation, the direction of the inertia generated by the rotation of blade 34 is... Figure 5 The direction of arrow 122 is similar. In this way, the rotation operation of the ceiling fan is achieved by means of the rotational inertia of the blade 34 and the shape of the receiving part 62, which fixes the blade 34 to the blade iron 32.

[0030] Figure 7 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method 200 for connecting the blades 34 of a ceiling fan 10 to a blade base 32. In step 202, method 200 may include inserting a connector 60 into an opening 56 in the body 50 of the fan blade 34. In one example, the connector 60 includes receptacles 62 sized to receive within the opening 56, and these receptacles are complementary in number. In step 204, the method may include aligning a post 58 with the opening 56 and inserting the mounting post through the opening 56 into the receptacle 62 on the connector 60 and inserting it into… Figure 5 The position indicated by the dashed line in the diagram.

[0031] In step 206, the method may include causing the blade 34 to move in a first direction (e.g., in the direction of the blade). Figure 5 The blade 34 slides along the blade iron 32 in the direction of arrow 122, so that the blade 34 can be pulled away from the blade iron 32 and toward the blade tip. The sliding of the blade 34 causes the mounting post 58 to be positioned in the supports 94, 118 in the receiving part 62, thereby fixing the blade 34 to the blade iron 32 by means of the snap-locking feature 92 that fixes at least one mounting post 58 by means of the finger 96.

[0032] Optionally, in step 208, method 200 may include fastening the mounting post 58 to the blade iron 32; however, it is conceivable that this fastening may be performed by the manufacturer or by assembly prior to installation. Additionally, in step 210, method 200 may optionally include securing the mounting post 58 within the supports 94, 118 by tightening it against the receiving portion 62.

[0033] To remove blade 34 from blade iron 32, the user can slide blade 34 in the direction opposite to arrow 122 to separate mounting post 58 from supports 94, 118 and allow blade 34 to be removed from blade iron 32 by raising blade 34 away from blade iron 32. Unless the mounting post has been optionally tightened against receiving portion 62, blade 34 can be removed from blade iron 32 without loosening post 58.

[0034] Figure 8 Another connector 160 is shown, which is identical to connector 60 except for the addition of a locking tab. The added locking tab prevents movement of connector 160 and fan blade 34 relative to blade iron 32 and / or mounting post 58. Since connector 160 is identical to connector 60 except for the locking tab, the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same parts, and only the locking tab and its function will be described in detail. It should be understood that the previous description of connector 60 applies to connector 160.

[0035] The locking tab includes a rod 302 terminating in the tab 304. The rod 302 includes a first hinge portion 306 and a second hinge portion 308, shown as movable hinge portions, but could be other similar functional structures. The tab 304 includes a body 310 terminating in the retaining portion 312. The body 310 is shown as two spaced walls 314 spanned by a connecting wall 316 transitioning to the retaining portion 312. A wing 318 extends from the corresponding side wall 314.

[0036] During operation, as described above, blade 34 and blade 32 move relative to each other, causing mounting post 58 to move relative to... Figure 4 The connector 60 shown is positioned, and then the blade 34 slides relative to the blade iron 32 to position the mounting post 58 into the supports 94, 118, wherein the snap-locking feature 92 uses fingers 96 to secure at least one mounting post 58. Figure 7 As shown in step 212, after positioning the mounting post 58 into the supports 94, 118, the tab 304 rotates about one or both of the hinges 306, 308 to position the body 310 within the opening 114, such that the retaining portion 312 is at substantially the same height as the base 116. The retaining portion 312 is deflectable and can be deflected until it is received below the head 74 of the mounting post 58. Figure 9 As shown, the retaining part 312 is thus positioned to fill the space in the receiving part 62 and prevent the blade 34 from sliding back relative to the blade iron 32 until the retaining part 312 is removed from the receiving part 62 by the user pulling up the wing part 318. In this way, the retaining part 312 serves to lock the blade 34 to the blade iron 32.

[0037] The connectors and related connector assemblies described herein provide a simplified installation of ceiling fan blades to the blade plate, thus facilitating user installation. The connectors also provide a robust connection between the blades and the blade plate, and utilize the inertial momentum of the rotating fan blades to keep the mounting post positioned within the connector during fan operation.

[0038] Within the scope not yet described, different features and the structures of each feature may be combined as needed. A feature not shown in all aspects of this disclosure shall not be construed as meaning that the feature cannot be shown in any aspect of this disclosure, but is merely for the purpose of brevity. Therefore, the various features of the different aspects described herein may be combined and matched as needed to form new features or aspects of this disclosure, whether or not such new aspects or features are explicitly described. All combinations or arrangements of the various features described herein are included in this disclosure.

[0039] This written description uses these examples to illustrate in detail the various aspects disclosed herein, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects disclosed herein, including making and using any device or system and performing any combination of methods. The patent scope of the various aspects described herein is defined by the claims and may include other examples that would occur to other persons skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be included within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that are not indistinguishable from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially indistinguishable from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A ceiling fan, comprising: Electric motor; A blade that extends between a root and a tip and includes a body having an upper surface and a lower surface; The blade includes a set of blade openings that extend through the body between the upper and lower surfaces; The blade iron includes a set of mounting posts having a shoulder and a head with a radial dimension greater than that of the shoulder, the set of mounting posts being arranged to complement the set of blade openings; as well as Connectors, including: A set of receiving portions, each of which is received within a corresponding opening in the blade opening, wherein the set of receiving portions has a corresponding receiving opening, wherein the receiving opening receives a corresponding mounting post, and A first support is located within a first receiving portion of the set of receiving portions, such that when the set of receiving portions is received within the blade opening, the first support is located between the upper and lower surfaces of the blade; and the first support has a neck that opens into the receiving portion opening; wherein, when the mounting post is received in the corresponding receiving portion opening, the head extends beyond the neck into the receiving portion opening, and the shoulder is aligned with the neck; such that the shoulder moves into the first support by the relative sliding movement of the blade and the blade iron.

2. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein, The first support includes a snap-locking feature.

3. The ceiling fan according to claim 2, wherein, The latching feature includes a set of flexible fingers defining the neck.

4. The ceiling fan according to claim 3, wherein, The radial dimension of the neck is set to be smaller than the radial dimension of the shoulder of the mounting post.

5. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein, The second receiving portion of the set of receiving portions includes a base defining a second support that is different from the first support.

6. The ceiling fan according to claim 5, wherein, The second receiving portion is different from the first receiving portion.

7. The ceiling fan according to claim 6, wherein, The connector also includes a third receiving portion, which is the same as the second receiving portion.

8. The ceiling fan according to claim 5, wherein, The first and second supports are oriented toward the root of the blade.

9. The ceiling fan according to claim 5, wherein, The second receiving portion also includes a raised portion located above the base.

10. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein, The connector also includes a locking tab that can be received within at least one of the set of receptacles.

11. The ceiling fan according to claim 10, wherein, The locking tab is hinged to the connector.

12. The ceiling fan according to claim 11, wherein, The locking tab includes a retaining portion.

13. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein, The connector includes a set of arms that connect to the set of receptacles.

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