Motor-fan assembly, particularly for motor vehicles

Abstract

Motor-fan assembly, particularly for motor vehicles. The invention relates to a motor-fan assembly (1) comprising a fan wheel, an electric motor (5), and a motor support (7) centered about an axis (A). The electric motor (5) comprises a rotor (5A) and a stator assembly (5B) integral with the motor support (7) and comprising a winding support (12) having a plurality of arms (121) extending radially with respect to the axis (A) of the motor support (7). According to the invention, the motor support (7) has at least one support rib (20) extending axially in the direction of the winding support (12), extending opposite at least one arm (121) of the winding support (12). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Motor-fan assembly, particularly for motor vehicles technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a motor-fan unit or ventilation device that may be intended for use in vehicles, particularly automobiles. The invention may be applied, for example, to heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning systems for vehicles, particularly automobiles, comprising such a motor-fan unit. Technical background

[0002] Vehicles, particularly automobiles, are commonly equipped with a system, for example, a heating, ventilation, and / or air conditioning system, which circulates air, particularly within the vehicle's passenger compartment. Such a system also manages the temperature and distribution of the airflow within the passenger compartment. This system includes, among other things, a fan, particularly a blower fan, comprising a fan wheel driven by a drive motor, particularly an electric one. The electric motor may, in particular, be electronically commutated and controlled by a control module.

[0003] An electronically commutated electric motor, or brushless DC motor (also known by the English name "brushless"), comprises a rotor and a stator assembly, carrying electromagnetic elements whose interaction generates the displacement of the rotor relative to the stator assembly, and thus the displacement of the fan wheel.

[0004] The electric motor is assembled in the installation, for example, of heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning by means of a motor support.

[0005] The stator assembly generally comprises a winding with a plurality of windings and a winding support. The winding support consists of a lamination centered around an axis and includes a plurality of arms extending radially from the axis of the winding support. A winding is wound around each arm of the winding support. The arms define a passage cross-section for magnetic flux. When electric currents flow through the windings, magnetic fields are produced. The rotor is equipped with a plurality of permanent magnets that also produce magnetic fields. The interaction of the magnetic fields produced generates the displacement of the rotor relative to the stator assembly, and consequently the rotation of the fan wheel.

[0006] According to one solution, the motor mount comprises a base or structure, generally annular, for attaching the electric motor, more precisely the stator assembly, and generally carrying a control module for operating the motor. The motor mount further comprises a bearing carrier on the structure or base, supporting at least one, for example two, bearings. The bearings are generally press-fitted around the motor's rotor shaft.

[0007] The rotor and stator assembly are mounted independently of each other on the motor support. The stator assembly can be fixed, for example, by screwing or riveting to the base of the motor support. During fastening, an imbalance of force, for example, a higher tightening torque applied at one point, can lead to a lack of perpendicularity between the base and the rotor shaft. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the relative positioning of the motor support with respect to the rotor shaft is correct. Furthermore, during operation of the motor-fan unit, vibrations can cause the motor shaft to tilt relative to the base of the motor support. One objective of the present invention is therefore to ensure robust positioning of the motor on the motor support. Summary of the invention

[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to a motor-fan unit, in particular for a motor vehicle, the motor-fan unit comprising a fan wheel, an electric motor configured to drive the fan wheel in rotation around an axis of rotation, and a motor support centered around an axis configured to coincide with the axis of rotation, such that the electric motor comprises a rotor and a stator assembly integral with the motor support, the stator assembly comprising a winding support comprising a plurality of branches extending radially with respect to the axis of the motor support.

[0009] According to the invention, the motor support comprises at least one support rib extending axially from a bottom of the motor support towards the winding support, at least one support rib extending opposite at least one branch of the winding support.

[0010] Thus, the stator assembly is axially supported against the support ribs formed on the motor mount, which prevents any misalignment between the axis of rotation and the motor mount, and also improves vibration resistance. Indeed, when the stator assembly is fixed, for example by screwing, to the motor mount, the support ribs prevent any potential misalignment between the stator assembly and the motor mount / any misalignment between the axis of rotation and the motor mount, for example if one screw is tightened more than the others.

[0011] The motor-fan assembly may further include one or more of the following features described below, taken separately or in combination.

[0012] In particular, the motor support comprises a plurality of support ribs.

[0013] At least one support rib can extend opposite two adjacent branches of the winding support. This minimizes the number of support ribs while ensuring stability.

[0014] According to this particular example, the motor support may have a number of support ribs equal to half the number of branches of the winding support.

[0015] The stator assembly includes, for example, at least one insulator arranged on an axial face of the winding support, so as to cover at least part of the branches.

[0016] At least one support rib can be arranged to bear against the insulator.

[0017] The motor support may have at least one assembly area configured to cooperate with a fastening element of the stator assembly on the motor support.

[0018] At least one support rib may be further radially away than at least one assembly area, relative to the axis of the motor support.

[0019] The motor support includes, for example, a bearing carrier centered around the axis of the motor support.

[0020] The bearing carrier can be provided with a base extending axially from the bottom of the motor support.

[0021] The bearing carrier can be equipped with a tower extending axially from the base.

[0022] The base may have at least one assembly area.

[0023] At least one assembly area is arranged at a first radius of the axis of the motor support.

[0024] The support ribs are arranged at a second radius of the axis of the motor support.

[0025] At least one assembly zone can be inscribed in a first circle, of first radius, around the axis of the motor support.

[0026] At least one support rib can be inscribed in a second circle, of second radius, around the axis of the motor support.

[0027] The second radius can be between 1.5 times and 3 times greater than the first radius.

[0028] The second ray is preferably about twice as large as the first ray.

[0029] The engine mount may include at least one stiffening leg extending from at least one support rib.

[0030] At least one stiffening leg extends, for example, radially from at least one support rib, relative to the axis of the motor support.

[0031] The motor support may include two stiffening legs extending radially on either side of at least one support rib, forming a common support rib.

[0032] The two stiffening legs extend, for example, radially on either side of the common support rib, relative to the axis of the motor support.

[0033] The common support rib and the two stiffening legs define, for example, a cross shape.

[0034] The support rib(s) may be made of material with the motor support.

[0035] The motor mount is for example made of plastic material.

[0036] The winding support comprises, for example, a bundle of sheets superimposed axially on each other.

[0037] The electric motor can be a brushless motor.

[0038] In the motor-fan group or ventilation device, the fan is in particular of the blower type.

[0039] The motor-fan unit can be intended for a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning installation of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. Brief description of the drawings

[0040] Other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0041] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of an embodiment of a motor-fan unit.

[0042] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the motor-fan assembly of [Fig.1].

[0043] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a stator assembly of an electric motor of the motor-fan assembly of [Fig.1] mounted on an engine support.

[0044] [Fig.4] shows a perspective view of the motor mount.

[0045] [Fig. 5] shows a perspective view of an insulator arranged on a support of winding of the stator assembly.

[0046] In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0047] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0048] In the description, certain elements can be indexed, for example, first element or second element. In this case, it is simply an indexing to differentiate and name similar but not identical elements. This indexing does not imply any priority of one element over another, and such designations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention. Nor does this indexing imply any chronological order. Detailed description

[0049] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a motor-fan assembly 1, particularly for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle. This may specifically be a motor-fan assembly 1 for a heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system for a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle.

[0050] The motor-fan assembly 1 (or ventilation device) includes in particular a fan wheel 3, a fan wheel drive motor 5, and a motor support 7 for the motor 5, hereafter referred to as the motor support 7.

[0051] The fan wheel 3, particularly of the blower type, rotates about an axis A of rotation. The motor 5 is intended to drive the fan wheel 3 in rotation about its axis A. In the present, the terms "axial", "coaxial", "axially", "radial" or "radially" are defined with respect to this axis A.

[0052] The motor 5, more clearly visible in figures 2 and 3, is an electric motor 5, in particular a brushless motor 5 (also known by the English name "brushless").

[0053] The motor 5 comprises a rotor 5A and a stator assembly 5B, the rotor 5A being movable relative to the stator assembly 5B and capable of driving the fan wheel 3. The rotor 5A is, for example, an external rotor. The rotor 5A may have a cup-shaped form fixed to a rotor shaft. Bearings 9 are mounted around the rotor shaft. The fan wheel 3 may be fixed directly to the rotor shaft. The rotor 5A may include magnets, for example, fixed to an inner face of the cup. The stator assembly 5B may be internal, that is, located inside the rotor 5A.

[0054] The stator assembly 5B can be fixed to the motor support 7.

[0055] The stator assembly 5B comprises a winding support 12 centered around a axis and an associated winding 14. The axis, i.e. the central axis of the winding support 12, is intended to coincide with the axis A of rotation of the fan wheel 3. In the following description, axis A also designates the axis of the winding support 12.

[0056] The winding support 12 can be mounted around the tower 130 of the bearing carrier 13.

[0057] The winding support 12 comprises at least one sheet metal 16, and preferably can comprising a bundle of 16 sheet metal plates stacked axially on top of each other. The 16 sheets can be identical to each other. According to one embodiment, the 16 sheets each fit into a disc, each of the 16 sheets having a central orifice, so that the bundle of 16 sheets is axially perforated to receive a cylindrical part by fitting.

[0058] The winding support 12 comprises a plurality of branches 121 extending radially with respect to the axis A. Thus, each of the sheets 16 can have a shape with a plurality of radial branches 121.

[0059] Each arm 121 can carry an associated winding 141. More precisely, a winding 141 is formed around a superposition of corresponding arms 121 of each sheet 16. These are the arms 121 that are aligned with each other along the axis A. The rotor magnets 5A can be arranged radially outside with respect to the windings 141. The term radially is understood with respect to the axis A.

[0060] The winding support 12 can be provided with teeth or feet 126 on the side of the free ends of the arms 121. Each tooth or foot 126 extends for example on either side of a corresponding arm 121, according to the circumference of the winding support 12.

[0061] The arms 121 delimit, in pairs, a respective notch 122. Thus, along the circumference of the winding support 12, the latter presents an alternation of arms 121 (also called teeth) and notches 122. The notches 122 can be distributed angularly in a regular manner around the axis A.

[0062] The notches 122 delimited between two arms 121 of the winding support 12 are axially through.

[0063] The arms 121 are preferably parallel-edged, so that the inner faces opposite each other of the notches 122 are inclined relative to each other.

[0064] The winding support 12 may include at least one insulator 18 arranged at least partially on one face of the winding support, one face of the lamination stack 16, in particular an axial face. In particular, the insulator 18 is arranged at least partially on an axial face of the winding support opposite the motor support 7.

[0065] The insulator 18 covers at least part of the branches 121 of the winding support 12. For this purpose, it may have a shape complementary to the shape of a sheet 16.

[0066] By way of example, with reference to Figures 3 and 5, the insulator 18 has a central annular shape 180 from which hollow branches 181 extend, covering the branches 121. These branches 181 have, for example, a U-shaped or substantially U-shaped cross-section. The base of the U is positioned opposite an associated branch 121 of the winding support 12. The branches 181 have at their free ends a respective foot 186 which covers the foot 126 corresponding to a branch 121. The foot 186 for example has a width greater than the width of the corresponding branch 181.

[0067] According to one example, two insulators 18 can be arranged above and below the lamination stack 16, that is, on either side of the lamination stack 16 along axis A, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], specifically on opposite faces along axis A of the lamination stack 16, so as to protect and insulate the windings of the lamination stack 16. The insulators 18 are made of plastic parts. One insulator 18 can be on the side of the motor support 7 and another insulator 18 can be on the side of the fan wheel 3 in the assembled state of the motor-fan unit 1.

[0068] At least one insulator 18, in particular the one on the side of the motor support 7, can be made from a part separate from the motor support 7. In this particular case, the winding support 12, in particular the lamination pack 16, can be fixed for example by screwing to the motor support 7.

[0069] The motor support 7 has for this purpose one or more assembly zones ZA ([Fig.4]) configured to cooperate with a fixing element of the stator assembly 5B on the motor support 7. These are, for example, support zones for screwing.

[0070] The assembly zone(s) ZA can be arranged at a first radius RI of the axis A. In particular, several assembly zones ZA are inscribed for example in a first circle Cl around the axis A, of first radius RL In other words, the assembly zones ZA are positioned on the same diameter or the same first circle CL This first circle Cl is materialized by discontinuous lines on the [Fig.4].

[0071] Furthermore, the motor mount 7 is designed to allow the motor-fan assembly 1 to be fixed in the vehicle, particularly a car. The motor mount 7 is centered around an axis intended to coincide with the axis of rotation A. In the following description, axis A also refers to the axis of the motor mount 7.

[0072] The motor mount 7 is made of plastic material. According to a particular embodiment, the plastic material may be reinforced with glass fibers. This is, for example, glass fiber polypropylene, known by the acronym PPGF.

[0073] The motor support 7 may include a base 71 for attaching the motor. This may be a single base 71.

[0074] The base 71 can be intended to be fixed to the motor. It includes in particular an opening 72 through which a rotor shaft passes at least partially.

[0075] The base 71 can also be intended to be fixed, directly or indirectly, to a structural element of the vehicle, for example, a vehicle heating, ventilation and / or air conditioning system. In the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the engine mount 7 has a mounting interface 73 to which the base 71 is fixed. This mounting interface 73 can advantageously also have a function air deflector enabling, in operation of the motor-fan unit 1, to divert at least part of the air set in motion by the fan wheel 3 towards a control module 11 of the motor 5 and / or towards the motor 5. The mounting interface 73 may be intended to be fixed to the vehicle.

[0076] The base 71 may have at least a partial shape of revolution about an axis coinciding, for example, with the axis A of rotation of the fan wheel 3 in the assembled state of the motor-fan unit 1. The base 71 may be centered about this axis A. The axis A hereafter refers to both the axis of the base 71 and the axis of rotation of the fan wheel 3. The base 71 may extend mainly along a plane normal to the axis A. For example, the base 71 may have an annular shape, or a ring shape, or a disc shape.

[0077] The motor support 7 advantageously carries the control module 11 of the motor 5. In particular, the base 71 can carry the control module 11. The control module 11 may include an electronic board (not visible in the figures) and at least one connector electrically connected to the electronic board for supplying power to the electronic board and, consequently, to the motor, when connected to an electrical harness, particularly that of the vehicle. In particular, when the electronic board is powered, the windings 141 ([Fig. 3]) can create a magnetic field driving the rotation of the rotor 5A and, consequently, of the fan wheel 3.

[0078] Furthermore, the motor support 7 may include a bearing carrier 13 centered around axis A. The bearing carrier 13 includes, in particular, a tower 130 or chimney extending axially. The tower 130 may be tubular in shape around axis A. This tower 130 may be fitted into the center of the winding support 12, through the central openings of the lamination stack 16.

[0079] Tower 130 has an internal surface defining a cavity to receive a bearing 9.

[0080] Referring also to [Fig. 4], the bearing carrier 13 may further have a base 132 extending axially from the bottom of the motor support 7, and the tower 130 extends axially from this base 132. The base 132 is axially opposed to a free end of the tower 130. Assembly areas ZA, for example, support areas for screwing, may be defined on this base 132. Furthermore, the base 132 may also define an internal cavity for receiving a bearing 9.

[0081] The motor support 7 further comprises at least one support rib 20, and in particular a plurality of support ribs 20.

[0082] The support rib(s) 20 extend axially from a bottom of the motor support 7 towards the winding support 12. The support rib(s) 20 are, for example, formed from the material of the motor support 7.

[0083] The support rib(s) 20 may have a rectangular or crenellated cross-section.

[0084] The support rib(s) 20 can be positioned so as to be further radially away from the assembly areas ZA, relative to the axis A.

[0085] The support rib(s) 20 are arranged at a second radius R2 of the axis A. In particular, the support rib(s) 20 are inscribed in a second circle C2 around the axis A with a second radius R2. In other words, the support rib(s) 20 are positioned on the same diameter or the same second circle C2. This second circle C2 is represented by dashed lines in [Fig. 4].

[0086] The second radius R2 is advantageously between 1.5 times and 3 times greater than the first radius RI, and preferably on the order of twice the size of the first radius RL

[0087] Advantageously, several support ribs 20 are regularly distributed angularly.

[0088] Furthermore, the support rib(s) 20 extend opposite at least one arm 121 of the winding support 12. The support rib(s) 20 may bear against the winding support 12. The support rib(s) 20 may, in particular, be in direct contact with the arms 121 and / or feet 126 of the winding support 12. Alternatively, the support rib(s) 20 may be in indirect contact with the arms 121 and / or feet 126 of the winding support 12, for example via the insulator 18.

[0089] According to one example, one or each of the support ribs 20 can bear against two adjacent or successive branches 121 of the winding support 12.

[0090] The support rib(s) 20 bear, for example, against the insulator 18, on the side of the motor support 7, covering at least part of the two adjacent branches 121. More precisely, the support rib(s) 20 can bear against the adjacent feet 186 of the insulator 18.

[0091] To achieve this, the support rib(s) 20 may extend over a distance, according to the circumference of the second circle C2, greater than the distance between the feet 126 of two adjacent or successive branches 121. To this distance may be added, for example, twice an additional distance.

[0092] The number of support ribs 20 is, for example, equal to half the number of branches 121 of the winding support 12. According to a particular, non-limiting example, the winding support 12 has twelve branches 121 and the motor support 7 has six support ribs 20 extending around the winding support 12.

[0093] Thus, during assembly and fixing, for example by screwing, the winding support 12 comes into axial contact, on the one hand against the assembly zones ZA but Furthermore, against the 20 support ribs which are further apart radially. This prevents a lack of perpendicularity and improves vibration resistance.

[0094] The motor support 7 may further include at least one stiffening leg 22 extending from a support rib 20.

[0095] In particular, at least one stiffening leg 22 can extend radially from the support rib 20.

[0096] The stiffening leg 22 can, axially, have a height which is variable. The variation in height can be continuous, and in particular progressive. For example, this height can decrease.

[0097] According to one example, the stiffening leg 22 may have a radial slope decreasing which can be straight. According to another example, the stiffening leg 22 can have a radial ramp along a curved line.

[0098] In particular, two stiffening legs 22 can extend on either side of a common support rib 20.

[0099] The stiffening legs 22 can extend in the same direction, with an opposite direction from the common support rib 20.

[0100] These stiffening legs 22 can in particular extend radially.

[0101] As in the illustrated example, a first stiffening leg 22 can extend from the common support rib 20 inwards and towards the center of the base 71, in particular towards the tower 130 or the base 132, while a second stiffening leg 22 can extend in the opposite direction, towards the outer periphery of the base 71. The two stiffening legs 22 can be identical or, on the contrary, different.

[0102] The common support rib 20 and the two stiffening legs 22 can thus define a general cross shape or substantially cross shape.

[0103] Thus, during the assembly of the motor 5, in particular the stator assembly 5B, on the motor support 7, the support ribs 20 ensure perpendicularity between the axis of the motor 5 and the motor support 7. In addition, during operation of the motor-fan unit 1, during vibrations, these support ribs 20 prevent undesirable tilting between the axis of the motor 5 and the motor support 7.

Claims

Demands

1. Fan motor assembly (1), particularly for a motor vehicle, the fan motor assembly (1) comprising a fan wheel (3), an electric motor (5) configured to rotate the fan wheel (3) about an axis of rotation, and a motor bracket (7) centered about the axis (A) configured to coincide with the axis of rotation, such that: - the electric motor (5) comprises a rotor (5A) and a stator assembly (5B) integral with the motor bracket (7), the stator assembly (5B) comprising a winding support (12) comprising a plurality of arms (121) extending radially with respect to the axis (A) of the motor bracket (7), - characterized in that the motor bracket (7) comprises at least one support rib (20) extending axially from a bottom of the motor bracket (7) towards the winding support (12), the support rib (20) extending opposite at least one branch (121) of the winding support (12).

2. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one support rib (20) extends opposite two adjacent branches (121) of the winding support (12).

3. Motor-fan group (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stator assembly (5B) comprises at least one insulator (18) arranged on an axial face of the winding support (12), so as to cover at least part of the arms (121), at least one support rib (20) being arranged to bear against the insulator (18).

4. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the motor mount (7) has at least one assembly zone (AZ) configured to cooperate with a fastening element of the stator assembly on the motor mount (7), and in which - at least one support rib (20) is further away radially than at least one assembly zone (ZA), relative to the axis (A) of the motor support (7).

5. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the motor support (7) comprises a bearing carrier (13) centered around the axis (A) of the motor support (7), the bearing carrier (13) being provided with a base (132) extending axially from the bottom of the motor support (7) and a tower (130) extending axially from the base (132), the base (132) having at least one assembly zone (ZA).

6. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein: - at least one assembly zone (ZA) is arranged at a first radius (RI) of the axis (A) of the motor support (7), and - at least one support rib (20) is arranged at a second radius (R2) of the axis (A) of the motor support (7), the second radius (R2) is between 1.5 times and 3 times greater than the first radius (RI), preferably on the order of 2 times greater than the first radius (RI).

7. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor support (7) comprises at least one stiffening leg (22) extending from at least one support rib (20).

8. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one stiffening leg (22) extends radially from at least one support rib (20).

9. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the motor support (7) comprises two stiffening legs (22) extending on either side of at least one common support rib (20).

10. Motor-fan assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one common support rib (20) and the two stiffening legs (22) define a cross shape.

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