Fan for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a fan for a motor vehicle, comprising a fan wheel (3) and a support frame (2). Here, the fan wheel (3) comprises an outer ring (5) with an edge (11), and the carrier frame (2) comprises an edge section (8) with at least one pocket-shaped recess (13a). The at least one recess (13a) is axially opposite the edge (11) of the outer ring (5) at least in sections and is open to the edge (11) of the outer ring (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fan for a motor vehicle having a fan wheel, and a motor vehicle having the fan. Background Technology

[0002] In motor vehicles, fans can be used to deliver air into the engine compartment from a fresh air inlet (e.g., at the radiator grille). Such fans typically include a fan impeller and a support frame that carries the impeller. Turbulence in the airflow delivered by the fan can generate noise and may also degrade fan performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the object of the present invention is to describe an improved or at least alternative embodiment of a fan of a certain type, in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome.

[0004] According to the invention, this task is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The fan according to the invention is provided or designed for use in a motor vehicle. The fan includes a fan wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation and a support frame supporting the fan wheel. The fan wheel has an outer ring spaced apart around the axis of rotation, and the support frame has edge sections spaced apart around the outer ring. The outer ring of the fan wheel includes a surrounding edge perpendicular to and oriented outward from the axis of rotation. The edge sections of the support frame are arranged at least segmentally axially opposite the edge of the outer ring. The edge sections also include at least one pocket-shaped recess opening toward the edge of the outer ring.

[0006] In the fan according to the invention, a gap is constructed between the outer ring of the fan impeller and the edge section of the support frame through which airflow passes. This gap ensures that the fan impeller rotates without contact within the support frame. A pocket-shaped recess is positioned opposite the edge of the outer ring, allowing the airflow delivered by the fan and flowing through the gap to be trapped within the recess of the edge section. This recess reduces turbulence generated during airflow through the gap. Consequently, noise generation in the fan impeller or the fan itself can be reduced, and fan efficiency can be improved.

[0007] In one possible implementation of the fan, at least one recess in the edge section may be arranged downstream of the edge of the outer ring of the fan wheel with respect to the airflow delivered by the fan and flowing through the fan.

[0008] In one possible implementation of the fan, the edge section of the support frame may have an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bottom. The outer and inner walls may be oriented around and parallel to the axis of rotation, respectively, and the bottom may be oriented around and perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Here, the outer wall may be arranged radially outward and radially spaced from the inner wall, and the bottom may connect the outer and inner walls. Thus, grooves spaced apart around the axis of rotation can be constructed in the edge section of the support frame. At least one recess of the edge section may be arranged in the groove, or at least segmentally formed by the outer wall, inner wall, and bottom of the edge section of the support frame.

[0009] The edge sections of the supporting frame may also have multiple recesses. These recesses can be arranged in a manner distributed about the axis of rotation. Here, adjacent recesses can be separated from each other within the groove by the walls of the edge sections arranged in the groove. Each wall can be, in particular, parallel to the axis of rotation and radially oriented relative to the axis of rotation.

[0010] The axial extension length of the inner wall of the edge section can be less than the axial extension length of the outer wall of the edge section. The axial extension length of the inner wall of the edge section can be between 15% and 95% of the axial extension length of the outer wall of the edge section. The radial extension length of the bottom of the edge section can be between 35% and 120% of the axial extension length of the inner wall of the edge section. The outer wall of the edge section of the load-bearing frame can be at least segmentally radially opposed to the edge of the outer ring of the fan wheel.

[0011] In one possible implementation of the fan, the fan impeller may have an inner ring radially inward relative to the outer ring. The support frame may have an inner section radially inward relative to the edge section. The inner section of the support frame may be arranged at least segmentally axially opposite and spaced apart from the inner ring of the fan impeller. Here, the inner section of the support frame may have at least one pocket-shaped recess. The pocket-shaped recess of the inner section may be at least segmentally axially opposite to and open toward the inner ring of the fan impeller. Similar to the recess in the edge section, the recess in the inner section can reduce turbulence in the airflow delivered by the fan and flowing through the fan impeller.

[0012] For example, the inner section of the supporting frame may have spaced-apart slots and multiple recesses surrounding the axis of rotation. The recesses of the inner section may be arranged in the slots in a manner distributed around the axis of rotation. Here, adjacent recesses within the slots can be separated by the walls of the inner section arranged in the slots. In particular, each wall may be parallel to the axis of rotation and radially oriented relative to the axis of rotation.

[0013] Here, the inner and outer rings of the fan wheel can be connected via at least one blade, which is fastened to the outer ring on one side and to the inner ring on the other. The edge and inner sections of the support frame can be interconnected via multiple (but at least two) struts. Each strut can be radially oriented and fastened to the edge section and / or adjacent area of ​​the support frame on one side and to the inner section and / or adjacent area of ​​the support frame on the other side. In one possible embodiment of the fan, in addition to the support frame, the fan may also have an electric motor fastened to the inner section of the support frame. The electric motor can be arranged axially adjacent to the fan wheel and driven by the fan wheel.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the fan, the edge of the outer ring may have a stepped recess surrounding the rotation axis on a surface facing away from the recessed edge section and perpendicular to the rotation axis. This recess allows for the construction of a radially outward first section with a smaller axial thickness and a radially inward second section with a larger axial thickness at the edge. In other words, the edge of the outer ring may have a thickness that deviates radially. This, in particular, can reduce noise generation in the fan wheel or fan and improve fan efficiency.

[0015] For example, the axial thickness of the first segment of the edge can be between 25% and 90% of the axial thickness of the second segment of the edge. For example, the radial width of the first segment of the edge can be between 15% and 85% of the radial width of the edge.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a fresh air inlet for drawing in fresh air and the aforementioned fan, wherein the fan is fluidly connected downstream of the fresh air inlet. The fresh air inlet may be constructed, in particular, at the radiator grille of the vehicle, and the fan may be designed to deliver fresh air from the radiator grille to the engine compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0017] Within the scope of this invention, the terms "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" are always associated with the axis of rotation of the fan wheel. The term "axial extension length / width / thickness of an element" is associated with the extension of the element along the axis of rotation of the fan wheel. The term "radial extension length / width / thickness of an element" is associated with the extension of the element along a radial axis oriented radially relative to the axis of rotation.

[0018] Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the accompanying drawings, and the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the drawings.

[0019] It should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the invention, the above features and the features to be described below can be applied not only in combinations described separately, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail below, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0021] The following are respectively illustrative:

[0022] Figure 1 A view of a fan with a fan wheel and a support frame according to the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 A partial view of the fan according to the invention is shown in the region of the outer ring of the fan wheel and the edge section of the support frame;

[0024] Figure 3 A partial view of the support frame of the fan according to the invention is shown in the region of the edge section;

[0025] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the fan according to the invention is shown in the region of the outer ring of the fan wheel and the edge section of the support frame.

[0026] Figure 5 A partial view of the fan according to the invention is shown in the region of the inner ring of the fan wheel and the inner section of the support frame.

[0027] Figure 6 A partial view of the outer ring of the fan wheel of the fan according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Figure 1 A view of a fan 1 for a motor vehicle according to the present invention is shown. Here, the fan 1 includes a support frame 2 and a fan wheel 3. The fan wheel 3 is fastened to the support frame 2 in a manner rotatable about a rotation axis RA. Furthermore, the fan 1 includes an electric motor 4 fastened to the support frame 2 and drivenly connected to the fan wheel 3. Arrows indicate possible rotational directions RR of the fan wheel 3. This rotational direction can also be exactly opposite.

[0029] The fan wheel 3 includes an outer ring 5 spaced apart around the axis of rotation RA and an inner ring 6 arranged radially inward relative to the outer ring 5. Furthermore, the fan wheel 3 includes a plurality of blades 7 arranged radially between the outer ring 5 and the inner ring 6. Each blade 7 is connected to the outer ring 5 on one side and to the inner ring 6 on the other side.

[0030] The support frame 2 includes an edge section 8 that surrounds the outer ring 5 of the fan wheel 3 at intervals, and an inner section 9 that is arranged radially inward relative to the edge section 8. Furthermore, the support frame 2 includes a plurality of radially oriented struts 10, which are connected to the edge section 8 on one side and to the inner section 9 on the other side. In this embodiment, the motor 4 is arranged in the inner section 9 of the support frame 2.

[0031] Figure 2 A partial view of the fan 1 according to the invention is shown within the area of ​​the outer ring 5 of the fan wheel 3 and the edge segment 8 of the support frame 2. (See figure) Figure 2 As shown, the outer ring 5 includes an edge 11. The edge 11 is perpendicular to the rotation axis RA and is oriented radially outward from the rotation axis RA or relative to the edge segment 8 of the support frame 2. Here, the edge segment 8 of the support frame 2 is axially opposed to the edge 11 segment of the outer ring 5. A groove 17a surrounding the rotation axis RA is constructed in the edge region 8, and a plurality of pocket-shaped recesses 13a opening toward the edge 11 are constructed in the groove 17a. The pocket-shaped recesses 13a are constructed in the same manner and arranged in a manner that is evenly distributed around the rotation axis RA.

[0032] A gap 12 is constructed between the edge section 8 of the support frame 2 and the edge 11 of the outer ring 5. This gap 12 allows the fan wheel 3 to rotate without contact within the support frame 2, and allows the airflow delivered by the fan 1 and flowing through the fan 1 to pass through the gap in the flow direction SR. The pocket-shaped recess 13a reduces turbulence in the airflow passing through the gap 12, thereby reducing noise generation in the fan wheel 3 or the fan 1 and improving the efficiency of the fan 1.

[0033] Figure 3 A partial view of the support frame 2 of the fan 1 according to the invention is shown in the edge section 8. From Figure 3 As can be clearly seen, the edge region 8 includes an outer wall 14, an inner wall 15, and a bottom 16. The outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15 are circumferential and oriented parallel to the axis of rotation RA, wherein the outer wall 14 is arranged radially outward relative to the inner wall 15. The bottom 16 is circumferential and constructed perpendicular to the axis of rotation RA. The bottom 16 connects the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15 to each other, thereby forming the aforementioned circumferential groove 17a. Each recess 13a is located within the groove 17a and is separated from each other by a wall 18a. Here, the wall 18a is parallel to the axis of rotation RA and oriented radially.

[0034] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the fan 1 according to the invention is shown in the region of the outer ring 5 of the fan wheel 3 and the edge segment 8 of the support frame 2. From Figure 4As can be seen, the axial extension length B2 of the inner wall 15 is less than the axial extension length B1 of the outer wall 14. Specifically, the axial extension length of the inner wall 15 can be between 15% and 95% of the axial extension length B1 of the outer wall 14. Furthermore, the radial extension length A2 of the bottom 16 can be between 35% and 120% of the axial extension length B2 of the inner wall 15.

[0035] Figure 5 A partial view of the fan 1 according to the invention is shown within the area of ​​the inner ring 6 of the fan wheel 3 and the inner section 9 of the support frame 2. From Figure 5 As can be seen, the inner section 9 of the supporting frame 2 includes a plurality of recesses 13b opening toward the inner ring 6 of the fan wheel 3. Similar to the edge region 8, the inner section 9 includes a surrounding groove 17b, in which the recesses 13b are arranged and separated from each other by walls 18b. The recesses 13b can reduce turbulence in the airflow flowing between the blades 7 of the fan wheel 3, and thereby reduce noise generation in the fan wheel 3 or the fan 1.

[0036] Figure 6 A partial view of the fan wheel 3 of the fan 1 according to the present invention within the region of the outer ring 5 is shown. From Figure 6 As can be seen, the edge 11 of the outer ring 5 has a recess 19 on the surface 20 facing away from the recess 13a. This recess constitutes a radially outward first segment 11a and a radially inward second segment 11b surrounding the edge 11. Here, the axial thickness D_a of the first segment 11a is less than the axial thickness D_b of the second segment 11b. Here, the axial thickness D_a can be between 25% and 90% of the axial thickness D_b. Here, the radial width B_a of the first segment 11a can be between 15% and 85% of the radial width B of the entire edge 11.

[0037] List of reference numerals

[0038] 1 fan

[0039] 2 load-bearing frame

[0040] 3 fan wheels

[0041] 4 motors

[0042] 5 outer ring

[0043] 6 inner circle

[0044] 7 blades

[0045] 8 edge sections

[0046] 9 inner sections

[0047] 10 struts

[0048] 11 Edge

[0049] 11a / 11b First Section / Second Section

[0050] 12 gaps

[0051] 13a / 13b recess

[0052] 14 outer wall

[0053] 15 Inner Wall

[0054] 16 bottom

[0055] 17a / 17b slots

[0056] 18a / 18b wall

[0057] 19. Depression

[0058] 20 sides

[0059] A2 radial extension length

[0060] B / B_a radial width

[0061] Axial extension length of B1 / B2

[0062] Axial thickness of D_a / D_b

[0063] RA rotation axis

[0064] RR rotation direction

[0065] SR flow direction

Claims

1. A fan for motor vehicles (1), - in, The fan (1) has a fan wheel (3) that can rotate about a rotation axis (RA) and a support frame (2) that supports the fan wheel (3). - wherein the fan wheel (3) has an outer ring (5) spaced apart around the axis of rotation (RA), and the support frame (2) has an edge segment (8) spaced apart around the outer ring (5). - Wherein, the outer ring (5) of the fan wheel (3) has a surrounding edge (11) that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (RA) and oriented outward from the axis of rotation (RA). - Wherein, the edge segment (8) of the supporting frame (2) is at least axially opposed to the edge (11) of the outer ring (5), and - wherein the edge segment (8) of the supporting frame (2) has at least one recess (13a) that is pocket-shaped and opens toward the edge (11) of the outer ring (5).

2. The fan (1) according to claim 1, Its features are, At least one recess (13a) of the edge section (8) is arranged downstream of the edge (11) of the outer ring (5) with respect to the airflow delivered by and flowing through the fan (1).

3. The fan (1) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, - The edge section (8) of the support frame (2) has an outer wall (14) oriented around and parallel to the axis of rotation (RA), an inner wall (15) oriented around and parallel to the axis of rotation (RA), and a bottom (16) oriented around and perpendicular to the axis of rotation (RA). - The outer wall (14) is arranged radially outward and radially spaced from the inner wall (15), and the bottom (16) connects the outer wall (14) and the inner wall (15) to each other, thereby constructing a spaced groove (17a) around the axis of rotation (RA) in the edge section (8) of the supporting frame (2), and - At least one recess (13a) of the edge segment (8) is arranged in the groove (17a).

4. The fan (1) according to claim 3. Its features are, - The edge segment (8) of the supporting frame (2) has a plurality of recesses (13a), wherein the recesses (13a) are arranged in a manner distributed about the axis of rotation (RA), and - The adjacent recesses (13a) within the groove (17a) are separated from each other by the wall (18a) arranged in the groove (17a).

5. The fan (1) according to claim 3 or 4. Its features are, - The axial extension length (B2) of the inner wall (15) of the edge segment (8) is less than the axial extension length (B1) of the outer wall (14) of the edge segment (8), and / or - The axial extension length (B2) of the inner wall (15) of the edge segment (8) is between 15% and 95% of the axial extension length (B1) of the outer wall (14) of the edge segment (8), and / or - The radial extension length (A2) of the bottom (16) of the edge section (8) is between 35% and 120% of the axial extension length (B2) of the inner wall (15) of the edge section (8).

6. The fan (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5. Its features are, The outer wall (14) of the edge segment (8) is at least radially opposed to the edge (11) of the outer ring (5).

7. The fan (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, - The fan wheel (3) has an inner ring (6) that is radially inward relative to the outer ring (5), and the support frame (2) has an inner section (9) that is radially inward relative to the edge section (8). - The inner section (9) of the supporting frame (2) and the inner ring (6) of the fan wheel (3) are arranged at least segmentally axially opposed and axially spaced apart. - The inner section (9) of the supporting frame (2) has at least one pocket-shaped recess (13b), and - The pocket-shaped recess (13b) of the inner section (9) is at least axially opposed to the inner ring (6) of the fan wheel (3) and opens toward the inner ring (6) of the fan wheel (3).

8. The fan (1) according to claim 7. Its features are, - The inner section (9) of the supporting frame (2) has slots (17b) spaced apart around the axis of rotation (RA). - The inner section (9) of the supporting frame (2) has a plurality of recesses (13b), wherein the recesses (13b) of the inner section (9) are arranged in the groove (17b) in a manner distributed about the axis of rotation (RA), and - The adjacent recesses (13b) within the groove (17b) are separated from each other by the wall (18b) arranged in the groove (17b).

9. The fan (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, - The edge (11) of the outer ring (5) has a stepped recess (19) surrounding the rotation axis (RA) on at least one recess (13a) on its surface (20) facing away from the edge segment (8) and perpendicular to the orientation of the rotation axis (RA), and - The recess (19) provides for a radially outward first section (11a) with a smaller axial thickness (D_a) and a radially inward second section (11b) with a larger axial thickness (D_b) at the edge (11).

10. The fan (1) according to claim 9. Its features are, - The axial thickness (D_a) of the first segment (11a) of the edge (11) is between 25% and 90% of the axial thickness (D_b) of the second segment (11b) of the edge (11), and / or - The radial width (B_a) of the first segment (11a) of the edge (11) is between 15% and 85% of the radial width (B) of the edge (11).

11. A motor vehicle having a fresh air inlet for drawing in fresh air and a fan (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fan (1) is connected downstream of the fresh air inlet on the fluid.

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