Impeller and fan assembly

Abstract

The invention provides an impeller and a fan assembly. The impeller comprises a hub which takes an axial direction as a rotation axis, extends from a first end to a second end, and comprises an end face and a first wall, the end face is positioned at the first end of the hub, one end of the first wall extends out around the whole periphery of the end face and extends outwards in the radial direction towards the second end at an angle to the axial direction, and the other end of the first wall extends outwards in the radial direction. The extension length of the first wall in the axial direction is larger than 50% of the extension length of the first end and the second end of the hub in the axial direction. And a plurality of blades, proximal ends of the blades extending from a periphery of the hub and extending in a radial direction; wherein an angle of a predetermined range is formed between the first wall and the axial direction, and the angle of the predetermined range is set to be between 3 degrees and 45 degrees. The impeller and the fan assembly have the advantages of being simple in structure, easy to implement, convenient to use and the like, and the foreign matter discharging capacity can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ventilation equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to an impeller, which is intended to provide improved foreign matter discharge capability. The present invention also relates to a fan assembly, which includes the above-mentioned impeller. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle typically includes one or more ventilation devices, such as a fan. The fan typically includes an impeller and a motor, and the impeller is driven by the motor. Under some operating conditions, foreign matter (such as gravel or water) may enter the gap between the impeller and the motor, and may accumulate at the hub of the impeller. Such undesirable accumulation of foreign matter may result in uneven mass distribution, or increase the mass of the impeller, causing shaking, wear, or difficulty in starting. In a known fan, foreign matter may accumulate between the hub of the impeller and the rotor of the motor. When the fan is working, the foreign matter tends to accumulate on the radial outside of the hub under the action of centrifugal force. Summary of the invention

[0003] One aspect of the present application is to provide an impeller that can effectively discharge foreign matter, such as sand or water. Another aspect of the present application is to provide a fan assembly that includes the above impeller.

[0004] The purpose of this application is achieved through the following technical solutions: An impeller comprising: A hub having an axial direction as a rotation axis and extending from a first end to a second end, and comprising an end face and a first wall, wherein the end face is located at the first end of the hub, one end of the first wall extends around the entire periphery of the end face and extends radially outward toward the second end at an angle to the axial direction, wherein an extension length of the first wall in the axial direction is greater than 50% of an extension length of the first end and the second end of the hub in the axial direction; and a plurality of blades, the proximal ends of the blades extending from the periphery of the hub and extending in a radial direction; The first wall forms an angle within a predetermined range with the axial direction, and the angle within the predetermined range is set to be between 3 degrees and 45 degrees.

[0005] In the above-mentioned impeller, optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the first wall in the axial direction includes one or more line segments, and the predetermined range of angles (A1) is between 3 degrees to 5 degrees, 5 degrees to 10 degrees, 10 degrees to 15 degrees, 15 degrees to 20 degrees, 20 degrees to 25 degrees, 25 degrees to 30 degrees, 30 degrees to 35 degrees, 35 degrees to 40 degrees or 40 degrees to 45 degrees; or the cross-sectional shape of the first wall in the axial direction is constructed as a curve.

[0006] In the above impeller, optionally, the hub includes a second wall, wherein the second wall is arranged around the entire first wall, the proximal end of the blade extends from the outer side of the second wall, the first wall is attached to the inner side of the second wall, and a groove is formed between the first wall and the second wall.

[0007] In the above impeller, optionally, the second wall is arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction and extends toward the plane where the end face is located; and / or includes a plurality of second ribs, which extend between the first wall and the second wall and are arranged within the groove.

[0008] In the above impeller, optionally, a plurality of first ribs are included, and the first ribs are arranged substantially uniformly or non-uniformly along the circumferential direction, wherein the first ribs extend radially inwardly from the first wall and at least partially extend to the end surface.

[0009] In the above impeller, optionally, the end surface includes a plurality of through holes, and the through holes are arranged at one or more of the following positions: extending through the first wall near the root of the first rib, extending through the end surface near the root of the first rib.

[0010] In the above-mentioned impeller, optionally, the through hole is arranged as follows: close to the side of the first rib facing the rotation direction when the impeller rotates, so that a part of the gravel or water entering the inside of the hub is accumulated at the root of the first rib facing the rotation direction under the action of centrifugal force when the impeller rotates, and leaves the impeller through the through hole; and wherein the space inside the hub includes a motor installation space and a surrounding space, the motor installation space is used to accommodate a motor rotor, and the first rib and the through hole are located in the surrounding space.

[0011] In the above impeller, optionally, the hub includes an annular groove, which is arranged close to the first wall and surrounds the entire end face, and the annular groove and the first wall are respectively located on both sides of the end face, wherein the annular groove is configured to install a balancing ball.

[0012] In the above impeller, optionally, a ring is included, the distal ends of the blades are attached to the ring, and the ring extends in the circumferential direction.

[0013] In the above impeller, optionally, the hub comprises a cover, the cover covering the groove, wherein the cover is attached to the first wall and the second wall by one of the following means: bonding, bolting, welding.

[0014] A fan assembly, comprising: The impeller mentioned above; An electric machine comprising a rotor and a stator, wherein an end face of an impeller is attached to the rotor; and A frame is provided to which the stator of the motor is attached and which is arranged around the distal ends of the blades.

[0015] In the above fan assembly, optionally, the end surface of the impeller further includes a plurality of mounting holes, and the motor rotor is attached to the mounting holes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these drawings are drawn only for the purpose of explaining the preferred embodiments and therefore should not be used as a limitation on the scope of the present application. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are intended only to conceptually represent the composition or structure of the described objects and may contain exaggerated displays. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the impeller of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial enlarged front view of the middle hub part.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the illustrated embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial enlarged front view of the middle hub part.

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the hub of the illustrated embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a fan assembly of the present application.

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the electric machine in the illustrated embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the illustrated embodiment after complete assembly.

[0025] Fig. 9 It is a stereoscopic view of another embodiment of the impeller of the present application.

[0026] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A partial cross-sectional view of the illustrated embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are only illustrative and exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.

[0028] First, it should be noted that the top, bottom, upward, downward, and other directional terms mentioned in this article are defined relative to the directions in the various drawings. These directions are relative concepts and will therefore vary depending on the position and state they are in. Therefore, these or other directional terms should not be understood as restrictive.

[0029] In addition, it should be pointed out that for any single technical feature described or implied in the embodiments of this document or any single technical feature shown or implied in the accompanying drawings, these technical features (or their equivalents) can be further combined to obtain other embodiments not directly mentioned in this document.

[0030] It should be noted that in different drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or substantially the same components.

[0031] Figures 1 to 5 Different aspects of an embodiment of an impeller of the present application are shown. In one embodiment, the impeller 10 may include: a hub 100, blades 200, a ring 300, etc. However, it is easy to understand that the ring 300 is not necessary. For example, the impeller may only include the hub 100 and the blades 200. The hub 100 may be configured to rotate with the axial direction AA as the axis, the blades 200 may be configured to extend in the radial direction RR, and the ring 300 may be configured to extend along the circumferential direction CC.

[0032] When used in this article, the axial direction AA refers to the direction of the rotation axis of the impeller of the fan assembly. The radial direction RR refers to the direction pointed by the radius of the circular profile of the impeller 10, or in other words, the direction pointed by a ray starting from a point on the axial direction AA and in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction AA. The circumferential direction CC refers to the direction of the circumference of the circular profile of the impeller 10. In addition, in this article, radially outward or radially inward refers to the direction away from the rotation axis of the impeller 10 or toward the rotation axis of the impeller 10 roughly along the radial direction RR.

[0033] The hub 100 may include: an end surface 110, a first wall 121, a second wall 122, a plurality of first ribs 131, an annular groove 140, etc. The hub 100 may extend from the first end 101 to the second end 102 in the axial direction AA. Figure 5As shown. As shown, the end face 110 may have a generally circular shape and extend along a radial direction RR. The end face 110 may include a plurality of through holes 111 and a plurality of mounting holes 112. The through holes 111 may be generally evenly arranged along the periphery of the end face 110 and extend through the end face 111. The mounting holes 112 may also extend through the end face 110 and may be configured for attaching a motor rotor 500 of the motor 20 described in detail below. The mounting holes 112 may be evenly arranged on the end face 110 and may be used to install a first fastener 700 described in detail below.

[0034] One end of the first wall 121 may extend from the periphery of the end surface 110 and extend to the end. Figure 5 As shown, the first wall 121 may extend toward one side of the end surface 110 and extend at an angle relative to the axial direction AA. In one embodiment, the first wall 121 may be considered to extend radially outward. Figure 5 As shown, a predetermined range of angles A1 may be formed between the first wall 121 and the axial direction AA. The predetermined range of angles A1 may be between 3 degrees and 45 degrees. In one embodiment, the predetermined range of angles A1 is larger than the draft angle of a conventional wall structure. For example, a conventional wall structure generally has a draft angle of 1 to 2 degrees. In one embodiment, the predetermined range of angles A1 may be 3 to 5 degrees, 5 to 10 degrees, 10 to 15 degrees, 15 to 20 degrees, 20 to 25 degrees, 25 to 30 degrees, 30 to 35 degrees, 35 to 40 degrees, or 40 to 45 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall 121 is configured to be substantially straight-line shaped, or in other words, the cross-sectional shape of the first wall 121 in the axial direction AA is configured to be straight-line shaped and is formed by a single line segment. However, the first wall 121 may actually be configured to be other shapes, for example, the cross-sectional shape in the axial direction AA may be a curve, such as a hyperbola, a brachistocentre, a parabola, etc. In one embodiment, the first wall 121 may be stepped. In one embodiment, the first wall 121 may be formed of a plurality of line segments.

[0035] The first wall 121 has a certain extension length. Figure 5As shown, in one embodiment of the present application, the first wall 121 may extend approximately from the first end 101 of the hub 100 to the second end 102. In one embodiment, the extension length of the first wall 121 in the axial direction AA may be greater than 50% of the extension length of the first end 101 and the second end 102 of the hub 100 in the axial direction AA. The extension length of the first wall 121 in the axial direction AA may be expressed as: starting from one end of the first wall 121, a virtual ray is drawn along the axial direction AA, and starting from the other end of the first wall 121, a vertical line is drawn toward the virtual ray. The direction of the vertical line is set to be perpendicular to the axial direction AA. The vertical line intersects with the virtual ray. In this article, a portion of the virtual ray from the intersection to one end of the first wall 121 is also referred to as the projection of the first wall 121 in the axial direction AA. The portion of the virtual ray is the extension length of the first wall 121 in the axial direction AA.

[0036] In operation, foreign matter (such as gravel or water) may enter between the hub 100 and the motor rotor 500. When the impeller 10 rotates, the foreign matter may move along the first wall 121 under the action of centrifugal force and leave the impeller 10 at the end of the first wall 121. In this way, the impeller 10 can automatically discharge the foreign matter, thereby avoiding the undesired accumulation of foreign matter, effectively improving the operational safety of the impeller 10, and increasing the service life of the components.

[0037] The second wall 122 may be attached to the end of the first wall 121. Figure 5 As shown in , the second wall 122 may extend along the axial direction AA, or in other words, be arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction AA. The second wall 122 may be arranged around the end of the entire first wall 121. In addition, the extension direction of the second wall 122 may be substantially opposite to that of the first wall 121, so that the projections of the first wall 121 and the second wall 122 in the axial direction AA at least partially overlap. In one embodiment, a draft angle may be formed between the two sides of the second wall 122 and the axial direction AA, and the angle of the draft angle may be about 1 degree. The groove 123 may be formed between the first wall 121 and the second wall 122. In one embodiment, the groove 123 may extend in the circumferential direction CC. In one embodiment, the opening of the groove 123 may be toward the first end 101.

[0038] The first rib 131 and the second rib 132 may be arranged along the circumferential direction CC, for example, approximately uniformly or non-uniformly. In the illustrated embodiment, the first rib 131 may extend from the first wall 121 and at least partially extend to the end surface 110, or at least partially extend to one side of the end surface 110. The second rib 132 may extend between the first wall 121 and the second wall 122, and may be arranged within the groove 123. The first rib 131 itself may be a protruding portion along the axial direction AA, and may play a role in structural reinforcement.

[0039] The annular groove 140 may be disposed near one end of the first wall 121 and extend around the periphery of the end surface 110. In one embodiment, the annular groove 140 may be used to install a balancing ball. The annular groove 140 and the first wall 121 may be located at both sides of the end surface 110.

[0040] A plurality of through holes 111 may be arranged near the root of the first rib 131. For example, the through hole 111 may extend through the end surface 110, or extend through the first wall 121. The through hole 111 may be arranged at a side of the first rib 131 facing the rotation direction of the impeller 10. The through hole 111 serves to discharge a portion of foreign matter. For example, when the impeller 10 rotates, a portion of foreign matter will gather toward the root of the first rib 131 facing the rotation direction of the impeller 10 under the action of centrifugal force, for example, toward the impeller 10. Figure 5 The positions of the two through holes 111 are shown. At this time, foreign matter can be discharged through the through holes 111. Figure 5 As shown, the through hole 111 may be arranged near the annular groove 140 .

[0041] In addition, the space inside the hub 100 can be divided into a motor installation space and a surrounding space. For example, the space surrounded by the end face 100 and the second wall 122 can accommodate the motor rotor 500, the first rib 131 and the second rib 132, which are not shown. When the motor rotor 500 is installed in place, the outer contour of the motor rotor 500 is positioned adjacent to the first rib 131, the space occupied by the motor rotor 500 can be referred to as the motor installation space, and the space inside the hub 100 outside the motor rotor 500 can be referred to as the surrounding space. In one embodiment, the first rib 131, the second rib 132 and the plurality of through holes 111 are arranged in the surrounding space.

[0042] The blade 200 may include a proximal end 201 and a distal end 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end 201 of the blade 200 extends from the periphery of the hub 100, for example, from the second wall 122 along the radial direction RR. In one embodiment, the proximal end 201 of the blade 200 may extend from the first wall 121 along the radial direction RR. The distal end 202 of the blade 200 is connected to the ring 300.

[0043] The ring 300 may have a generally circular profile, and may be attached to the distal end 202 of each blade 200. It should be noted that the ring 300 is not required, but is optional.

[0044] In one embodiment, the various parts of the hub 100 can be made in one piece. In one embodiment, the various parts of the impeller 10 can be made in one piece.

[0045] Figures 6 to 8 An embodiment of the fan assembly 1 of the present application is shown. As shown in the figure, the impeller 10, the motor 20 and the frame 30 are assembled in one. The motor 20 may include a rotor 500 and a stator 600. The rotor 500 includes a plurality of mounting holes 512 and can be mounted to the end surface 110 by a first fastener 700. As shown in the figure, the rotor 500 has a generally cylindrical shape, and in fact, the rotor 500 is attached to the end surface 110, and there is a gap between its side and the first rib 131. This gap is arranged for the needs of installation and heat dissipation, and foreign matter can enter the space between the rotor 500 and the hub 100 through this gap. Similarly, the stator 600 may also include a plurality of mounting holes 612 and can be mounted to the frame 30 by a second fastener 800. Therefore, after being installed in place, the rotor 500 and the impeller 10 can be pivoted relative to the frame 30, for example, rotating with the axial direction AA as the axis.

[0046] Thus, after assembly, the impeller 10 is pivotably attached to the frame 30, and the frame 30 surrounds the distal ends 202 of the blades 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 30 surrounds the ring 300 of the impeller 10.

[0047] Fig. 9 and Fig.10Another embodiment of the present application is shown. In this embodiment, the impeller 10 may include a cover 150. The cover 150 may be attached to the first wall 121 and the second wall 122, for example, may be attached to one end of the first wall 121 and the end of the second wall 122, and the cover 150 may cover the groove 123. In one embodiment, the cover 150 may be in a planar shape. In one embodiment, the cover 150 may include a step, a bend, or other suitable shapes. The cover 150 may be attached to the first wall 121 and / or the second wall 122 by one of the following ways: bonding, bolting, welding, etc. In one embodiment, the cover 150 is fixed in place by laser welding or ultrasonic welding. In one embodiment, the portion of the cover 150 in contact with the first wall 121 and the second wall 122 may include a step-shaped mating structure, or a mating structure including a protrusion and a recess, so that the cover 150 can be easily mated with the first wall 121 and the second wall 122 and placed in place before welding, bonding, or bolting. In addition, one end of the first wall 121 and the end of the second wall 122 may be substantially flush in the axial direction AA, so that the cover 150 is positioned perpendicular to the axial direction AA. Fig. 9 As shown, cover 150 may have a generally annular profile.

[0048] In one embodiment, the cover 150 prevents foreign matter from entering the space between the first wall 121 and the second wall 122, or in other words, can prevent foreign matter from entering the groove 123. For example, the cover 150 can completely close the space between one end of the first wall 121 and the end of the second wall 122, or in other words, can completely close the groove 123 to prevent sand or dust from entering, thereby effectively improving the dustproof performance of the impeller 10.

[0049] The impeller and fan assembly of the present application can be used in vehicles, for example, as an air intake fan or an exhaust fan. In one embodiment, the impeller and fan assembly of the present application can be used in vehicles operating in desert areas or humid areas.

[0050] The impeller and fan assembly of the present application has the advantages of being simple and reliable, easy to implement, and convenient to use, and can provide improved foreign matter removal capabilities. By adopting the impeller and fan assembly of the present application, the life of the fan assembly is extended and the reliability is improved.

[0051] This specification discloses the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings, and also enables those skilled in the art to implement the present application, including making and using any device or system, selecting suitable materials, and using any combined method. The scope of the present application is defined by the technical solution for protection, and includes other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. As long as such other examples include structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the technical solution for protection, or such other examples include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the technical solution for protection, such other examples should be deemed to be within the scope of protection determined by the technical solution for protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An impeller, characterized in that: include: A wheel hub (100) having an axial direction (AA) as a rotation axis and extending from a first end (101) to a second end (102), and comprising an end face (110) and a first wall (121), wherein the end face (110) is positioned at the first end (101) of the wheel hub (100), and one end of the first wall (121) extends around the entire periphery of the end face (110) and extends radially outward toward the second end (102) at an angle to the axial direction (AA), wherein the extension length of the first wall (121) in the axial direction (AA) is greater than 50% of the extension length of the first end (101) and the second end (102) of the wheel hub (100) in the axial direction (AA); and a plurality of blades (200), wherein the proximal ends (201) of the blades (200) extend from the periphery of the hub (100) and extend in a radial direction (RR); Wherein, a predetermined range of angles (A1) are formed between the first wall (121) and the axial direction (AA), and the predetermined range of angles (A1) is set to be between 3 degrees and 45 degrees.

2. The impeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-sectional shape of the first wall (121) in the axial direction (AA) includes one or more line segments, and the predetermined range of angles (A1) is between 3 degrees and 5 degrees, 5 degrees and 10 degrees, 10 degrees and 15 degrees, 15 degrees and 20 degrees, 20 degrees and 25 degrees, 25 degrees and 30 degrees, 30 degrees and 35 degrees, 35 degrees and 40 degrees or 40 degrees and 45 degrees; or the cross-sectional shape of the first wall (121) in the axial direction (AA) is constructed as a curve.

3. The impeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hub (100) includes a second wall (122), wherein the second wall (122) is arranged around the entire first wall (121), the proximal end (201) of the blade (200) extends from the outer side of the second wall (122), the first wall (121) is attached to the inner side of the second wall (122), and a groove (123) is formed between the first wall (121) and the second wall (122).

4. The impeller according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second wall (122) is arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction (AA) and extends toward the plane where the end face (110) is located; and / or includes a plurality of second ribs (132), wherein the second ribs (132) extend between the first wall (121) and the second wall (122) and are arranged within the groove (123).

5. The impeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention comprises a plurality of first ribs (131), wherein the first ribs (131) are arranged substantially uniformly or non-uniformly along a circumferential direction (CC), wherein the first ribs (131) extend radially inwardly from the first wall (121) and at least partially extend to the end surface (110).

6. The impeller according to claim 5, characterized in that The end surface (110) includes a plurality of through holes (111), and the through holes (111) are arranged at one or more of the following positions: extending through the first wall (121) near the root of the first rib (131), and extending through the end surface (110) near the root of the first rib (131).

7. The impeller according to claim 6, characterized in that The through hole (111) is arranged to be close to the first rib (131) on the side facing the rotation direction when the impeller (10) rotates, so that a part of the gravel or water entering the inside of the hub (100) is accumulated at the root of the first rib (131) on the side facing the rotation direction under the action of centrifugal force when the impeller (10) rotates, and leaves the impeller (10) through the through hole (111); and wherein the space inside the hub (100) includes a motor installation space and a surrounding space, the motor installation space is used to accommodate a motor rotor (500), and the first rib (131) and the through hole (111) are located in the surrounding space.

8. The impeller according to claim 1, characterized in that The wheel hub (100) comprises an annular groove (140), wherein the annular groove (140) is arranged close to the first wall (121) and surrounds the entire end surface (110), and the annular groove (140) and the first wall (121) are respectively located on both sides of the end surface (110), wherein the annular groove (140) is configured to be used for mounting a balancing ball.

9. The impeller according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: A ring (300) is included, to which the distal end (202) of the blade (200) is attached, and the ring (300) extends along a circumferential direction (CC).

10. The impeller according to any one of claims 3-4, characterized in that: The wheel hub (100) comprises a cover (150) covering the groove (123), wherein the cover (150) is attached to the first wall (121) and the second wall (122) by one of the following means: bonding, bolting, welding.

11. A fan assembly, characterized in that: include: An impeller (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; A motor (20) comprising a rotor (500) and a stator (600), wherein the end surface (110) of the impeller (10) is attached to the rotor (500); and A frame (30) is provided to which the stator (600) of the motor (20) is attached, and the frame (30) is arranged around the distal end (202) of the blade (200).

12. The fan assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that The end surface (110) of the impeller (10) further includes a plurality of mounting holes (112), and the motor rotor (500) is attached to the mounting holes (112).

Images