Fan cover

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fan cover (1) for use with a fan, the fan cover comprising: a fan chamber (2) enclosing a space to accommodate the fan; an air chamber (3) configured to draw in air to flow through the fan; and one or more air inlets (10) provided at a side wall of the air chamber (3) of the fan casing (1) for air flow. The embodiment of the invention also provides a motor. The motor comprises a fan used for cooling the motor and the fan cover (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a fan cover for reducing noise and temperature rise of a motor. Background Art

[0002] Fans are typically used to enhance the cooling of motors, thereby allowing an increase in power density. For example, a motor or a generator may include a fan for cooling the motor or the generator. Generally, the fan is installed inside a fan cover. For example, a large fan is required to cool a motor that may increase in temperature during operation. Since the temperature is reduced by the fan, the generated noise will necessarily increase. In a conventional fan cover, the cooling air enters from the non-driving end of the fan cover and blows towards the motor after passing through many bends, resulting in high air resistance and low cooling efficiency, and resulting in high noise and high temperature rise.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to propose a fan cover that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the drawbacks in the prior art, in a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fan cover for use with a fan. The fan cover includes: a fan chamber that encloses a space to accommodate the fan; an air chamber that is configured to inhale air to flow through the fan; and one or more air inlets that are provided at a sidewall of the air chamber of the fan cover and are used for air to flow. Through the arrangement of the air inlets, the cooling air enters and blows towards the motor after passing through fewer bends, thereby generating low noise and high cooling efficiency.

[0005] In some embodiments, the fan cover further includes an intermediate partition plate that is provided between the fan chamber and the air chamber. With these features, the interior of the fan cover can be divided into two functional parts.

[0006] In some embodiments, the fan cover further includes an air guiding ring that is configured to axially extend from the intermediate partition plate. With these features, the flow of air can be better guided.

[0007] In some embodiments, the fan cover further includes sound-absorbing foam that is provided on the interior of the fan cover. Through the arrangement of the sound-absorbing foam, sound can be absorbed, which results in low noise.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fan cover further includes one or more stop blocks that are provided at the air guiding ring and are configured to fix the sound-absorbing foam. With these features, the sound-absorbing foam can be well fixed.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fan cover further includes end plates that are detachably mounted at the ends of the air chambers. With the arrangement of the end plates, it is easy to perform maintenance and replacement of internal components. Also, when more air passages are needed to draw in more cooling air, the end plates can form additional air passages.

[0010] In some embodiments, one end of the air guiding ring is fixed to the intermediate partition plate, and the other end of the air guiding ring is open and spaced apart from the end plate, and wherein the air guiding ring is hollow. With these features, the flow of air can be better guided.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the fan chamber, the intermediate partition plate, the inner wall of the air chamber, the inner wall of the air guiding ring, the outer wall of the air guiding ring, the partition members, and the end plates are provided with a plurality of stop pins and snap rings for fixing sound insulation foam. With these features, the sound insulation foam can be well fixed.

[0012] In some embodiments, one or more stop pins and snap rings are provided inside the fan cover and are configured to fix the sound insulation foam to the inside of the fan cover. With these features, the sound insulation foam can be well fixed.

[0013] In some embodiments, one or more partition members located at the air chambers of the fan cover extend axially from the intermediate partition plate to the ends of the fan cover and are connected to the air guiding ring, wherein the partition members are configured to divide the air chambers of the fan cover into a plurality of spaces. With these features, no annular turbulence is generated in the air chambers of the fan cover, the noise is reduced, and the cooling efficiency is improved.

[0014] In some embodiments, one or more partition members include an upper partition member and a lower partition member. With these features, no annular turbulence is generated in the air chambers of the fan cover, the noise is reduced, and the cooling efficiency is improved.

[0015] In some embodiments, the fan cover further includes a net that is provided at each of one or more air inlets, wherein the net is made of metal and is configured as a filter screen. With these features, the sound insulation foam is prevented from falling and clogging the fan.

[0016] In some embodiments, the fan cover further includes another net that is located at the inner wall of the fan chamber of the fan cover. With these features, the sound insulation foam is prevented from falling and clogging the fan.

[0017] In some embodiments, the total area of all the air inlets is smaller than the area of the hollow section of the air guiding ring. With these features, the flow of air can be better guided.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fan cover includes two air inlets located on either side of the fan cover's sidewall. These features can better guide air flow. Furthermore, through the arrangement of the air inlets, cooling air enters and flows toward the motor after fewer bends, resulting in low noise and high cooling efficiency.

[0019] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a motor is provided. The motor includes a fan for cooling the motor and a fan cover. The air inlet is arranged so that cooling air enters and is blown toward the motor after passing through fewer bends, thereby generating low noise and high cooling efficiency.

[0020] It should be understood that the present invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like components throughout the example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fan cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fan cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fan cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fan cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fan cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fan cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fan cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers are used to designate the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that discussing these embodiments is only to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather than implying any limitation on the scope of the subject matter.

[0031] As used herein, the term "comprising" and its variants should be regarded as open-ended terms, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be regarded as "at least partially based on". The terms "one embodiment" and "embodiment" should be regarded as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be regarded as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included hereinafter. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the definitions of the terms are consistent throughout the specification.

[0032] In a conventional fan cover, cooling air enters from the non-driving end of the fan cover and blows towards the motor after passing through many bends, resulting in high air resistance and low cooling efficiency, and causing high noise and high temperature rise. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fan cover that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks in the art.

[0033] A motor or a generator generally may include a fan for cooling the motor or the generator, and the fan may be accommodated within a fan cover. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fan cover 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fan cover 1 is for accommodating a fan ( Figure 1 not shown in the figure). The fan cover 1 has a side wall and an end portion. The fan cover 1 includes an air inlet 10 located at the side wall ( Figure 1 only one air inlet is shown in the figure) and an end plate 11 located at the end portion. In some embodiments, the fan cover 1 may have one or more air inlets 10. In some embodiments as Figure 1 shown, the fan cover 1 has two air inlets 10 located at both sides of the fan cover. The air inlets 10 are for allowing cooling air to flow in to cool one or more components to be cooled. A net 100 is provided at the air inlet 10. In some embodiments, the net 100 is made of metal and serves as a filter screen, where air can flow through the net 100 while other objects can be blocked by the net 100.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more air inlets 10 allow air for cooling to enter the interior of the fan cover to cool the components to be cooled. One or more air inlets 10 are provided at the side of the fan cover, which reduces noise and improves cooling efficiency, as will be discussed in detail below.

[0035] In some embodiments, the end plate 11 is detachably mounted at the end of the fan cover 1. In Figure 1In [description], the end plate 11 has a circular shape and is installed at the end of the fan housing 1. The diameter of the circle of the end plate is smaller than the diameter of the end face of the fan housing. When the end plate is installed at the end of the fan housing 1, the end plate hermetically seals the end face of the fan housing 1. In other embodiments, the end plate 11 has other shapes, such as oval.

[0036] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fan housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 2 In [description], the end plate 11 is removed from the end of the fan housing 1 to show the inside of the fan housing 1. On the one hand, when the end plate 11 is removed from the end of the fan housing 1, this allows access to the inside of the fan housing 1 for maintenance and replacement of internal components. On the other hand, when more air passages are needed to draw in more cooling air, the end plate can be removed to form additional air passages.

[0037] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fan housing 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 3 In [description], the fan housing 1 has an intermediate partition plate 101, and the intermediate partition plate 101 divides the fan housing into two parts: one part is the fan chamber 2 for accommodating the fan ( Figure 3 not shown in [description]), as shown on the left side of Figure 3 ; the other part is the air chamber 3 for air flow, as shown on the right side of Figure 3 . The end of the fan housing is closed by the end plate 11.

[0038] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fan housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the fan housing 1 has an air guiding ring 104 axially extending from the intermediate partition plate 101. In some embodiments, one end of the air guiding ring 104 is fixed to the intermediate partition plate 101. For example, one end of the air guiding ring 104 is welded to the intermediate partition plate 101. In some embodiments, the other end of the air guiding ring 104 is open and is at a certain distance from the end plate 11 for guiding air. The air guiding ring 104 is hollow for air flow. In some embodiments, the air guiding ring 104 has a cylindrical shape.

[0039] To reduce noise, sound insulation foam 107 is adhered to the inner wall of the air guiding ring 104, and sound insulation foam 107 is adhered to the outer wall of the air guiding ring 104. In some embodiments, one or both ends of the air guiding ring 104 are provided with stop blocks 105. For example, one or more stop blocks 105 are welded to one or both ends of the air guiding ring 104. In Figure 4In it, six stop blocks 105 are welded at the edge of the air guiding ring 104. In other embodiments, other numbers of stop blocks 105 can be used. The stop blocks 105 are used to fix the sound insulation foam. The air guiding ring 104 is also provided with a plurality of stop pins 106 on the inner wall and the outer wall of the air guiding ring 104. Each stop pin 106 is used together with a snap ring 108 to fix the sound insulation foam 107. In particular, each stop pin 106 pierces through the sound insulation foam 107 and is snap-fitted and interlocked with the snap ring 108, so that the sound insulation foam 107 is clamped and fixed in place.

[0040] As Figure 4 shown, the upper partition 102 is arranged at the air chamber 3 of the fan housing 1, and the lower partition 103 is arranged at the air chamber 3 of the fan housing 1. In some embodiments, the upper partition 102 extends from the middle partition plate 101 to the end of the fan housing in the axial direction A. In some embodiments, the axial length of the upper partition 102 is the same as the axial length of the air chamber 3 of the fan housing 1. The upper partition 102 extends from the inner wall of the air chamber 3 of the fan housing 1 and is connected to the air guiding ring 104. In some embodiments, the upper partition 102 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the upper partition 102 can have a rectangular cross-sectional shape or other cross-sectional shapes.

[0041] As Figure 4 shown, the lower partition 103 extends from the middle partition plate 101 to the end of the fan housing in the axial direction A. In some embodiments, the axial length of the lower partition 103 is the same as the axial length of the air chamber 3 of the fan housing 1. The lower partition 103 extends from the inner wall of the air chamber 3 of the fan housing 1 and is connected to the air guiding ring 104. In some embodiments, the lower partition 103 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the lower partition 103 can have a rectangular cross-sectional shape or other cross-sectional shapes.

[0042] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a fan housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 5 shown, the upper partition 102 and the lower partition 103 divide the air chamber 3 of the fan housing 1 into two spaces: a left space and a right space, as Figure 5 shown. In this way, the upper partition 102 and the lower partition 103 can prevent annular turbulence. In the embodiment as Figure 5 shown, there are two partitions: the upper partition 102 and the lower partition 103. In other embodiments, there are other numbers of partitions and other numbers of spaces. For example, if there are three, four, five, six... partitions, then there are three, four, five, six... spaces. Since no annular turbulence is generated in the air chamber of the fan housing, the noise is reduced and the cooling efficiency is improved.

[0043] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fan housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 6 shown, a plurality of stop pins are provided on the inner wall of the fan chamber 2 of the fan housing 1. In addition, a net 200 is provided at the inner wall of the fan chamber 2 of the fan housing 1 to prevent the sound insulation foam from falling off and blocking the fan. The net 200 can be made of metal. In some embodiments, each stop pin 106 pierces the sound insulation foam member. The net 200 is disposed outside the sound insulation foam. And the stop pin 106 is snap-fitted and interlocked with the snap ring 108, so that the sound insulation foam is clamped and fixed in place.

[0044] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fan housing 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fan housing 1 has one or more air inlets 10. The air inlets 10 are located near the intermediate partition 101 in the axial direction A. In some embodiments, the air inlets 10 are located at a position within 70% of the distance from the intermediate partition 101 between the intermediate partition 101 and the end plate 11 in the axial direction A. Preferably, the air inlets 10 are located at a position between 5% and 60% of the distance from the intermediate partition 101 between the intermediate partition 101 and the end plate 11 in the axial direction A. More preferably, the air inlets 10 are located at a position between 10% and 40% of the distance from the intermediate partition 101 between the intermediate partition 101 and the end plate 11 in the axial direction A. Most preferably, the air inlets 10 are located at a position between 15% and 30% of the distance from the intermediate partition 101 between the intermediate partition 101 and the end plate 11 in the axial direction A. In some embodiments, the position of the air inlet can be calculated by the center line of the air inlet 10 along the radial direction R.

[0045] In some embodiments, the air inlet 10 has a rectangular shape in the projection view. In some embodiments, the length of the air inlet along the axial direction A is less than the width of the air inlet along the radial direction R. In some embodiments, the ratio of the length of the air inlet along the axial direction A to the width of the air inlet along the radial direction R is about 1:2 to 1:10. More preferably, the ratio of the length of the air inlet along the axial direction A to the width of the air inlet along the radial direction R is about 1:3 to 1:8. Most preferably, the ratio of the length of the air inlet along the axial direction A to the width of the air inlet along the radial direction R is about 1:4 to 1:6.

[0046] In other embodiments, other shapes of the air inlet are also possible. The area of the air inlet is calculated by multiplying the length of the air inlet by the width of the air inlet. In some embodiments, there is one or more air inlets, preferably two air inlets. The total area of all air inlets is less than the area of the hollow section of the air guiding ring. In some embodiments, the two air inlets are located at the same positions on both sides and are opposite to each other. In other embodiments, the two air inlets are located at different positions on both sides and are not opposite to each other. In other embodiments, other numbers of air inlets may exist.

[0047] Through the arrangement of the air inlets, the cooling air enters and blows towards the motor after passing through fewer bends, thereby generating low noise and high cooling efficiency.

[0048] As Figures 3 to 7 shown, the inner wall of the fan chamber, the intermediate partition, the inner wall of the air chamber, the inner wall of the air guiding ring, the outer wall of the air guiding ring, the partition and the end plate are provided with a plurality of stop pins and snap rings. The stop pins and snap rings are used to fix the sound insulation foam. The sound insulation foam is used to absorb sound and reduce noise.

[0049] It should be understood that the above detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are only for illustrative purposes or to explain the principles of the present disclosure, and do not limit the present disclosure. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent alternatives and improvements, etc. should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. At the same time, the appended claims of the present disclosure are intended to cover all changes and modifications that fall within the scope and boundaries of the claims or the equivalents of the scope and boundaries.

Claims

1. A fan cover (1) for use with a fan, comprising: A fan chamber (2) that encloses a space to accommodate the fan; An air chamber (3) configured to draw in air to flow through the fan; And One or more air inlets (10) provided at a side wall of the air chamber (3) of the fan cover (1) for the flow of the air.

2. The fan cover (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: An intermediate partition plate (101) provided between the fan chamber (2) and the air chamber (3).

3. The fan cover (1) according to claim 2, further comprising: An air guiding ring (104) configured to axially extend from the intermediate partition plate (101).

4. The fan cover (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: Sound insulation foam (107) provided on the interior of the fan cover (1).

5. The fan cover (1) according to claim 4, further comprising: One or more stop blocks (105) provided at the air guiding ring (104) and configured to fix the sound insulation foam (107).

6. The fan cover (1) according to claim 4, further comprising: An end plate (11) detachably mounted at an end of the air chamber (3).

7. The fan cover (1) according to claim 6, wherein, One end of the air guiding ring (104) is fixed to the intermediate partition plate (101), and the other end of the air guiding ring (104) is open and spaced apart from the end plate (11), and wherein the air guiding ring (104) is hollow.

8. The fan cover (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The inner wall of the fan chamber (2), the intermediate partition plate (101), the inner wall of the air chamber (3), the inner wall of the air guiding ring (104), the outer wall of the air guiding ring (104), the partition members (102, 103) and the end plate (11) are provided with a plurality of stop pins and snap rings for fixing the sound insulation foam (107).

9. The fan cover (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: One or more stop pins (10) and snap rings (108) provided inside the fan cover (1) and configured to fix the sound insulation foam (107) to the interior of the fan cover (1).

10. The fan cover (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: One or more partition members (102, 103) located at the air chamber (3) of the fan cover (1), the one or more partition members extending axially from the intermediate partition plate (101) to the end of the fan cover (1) and connected to the air guiding ring (104), wherein the partition members (102, 103) are configured to divide the air chamber (3) of the fan cover (1) into a plurality of spaces.

11. The fan cover (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The one or more separators (102, 103) include an upper separator (102) and a lower separator (103).

12. The fan shroud (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: A net (100) disposed at each of the one or more air inlets (10), wherein the net (100) is made of metal and configured as a filter screen.

13. The fan shroud (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: Another net (200) located at the inner wall of the fan chamber (2) of the fan shroud (1).

14. The fan cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The total area of all the air inlets (10) is smaller than the area of the hollow section of the air guiding ring (104).

15. The fan cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, The fan shroud (1) includes two air inlets (10) located at both sides of the fan shroud (1).

16. A motor, comprising: A fan for cooling the motor; And The fan shroud (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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