Centering device for fan motor assembly propeller

Abstract

Centering Device for Fan Motor Assembly Propeller The invention relates to a propeller (100) of a fan motor assembly, configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (1), said propeller (100) comprising a bowl (2) comprising a centering device (3) for said propeller (100), configured to angularly position the propeller (100) along the axis of rotation (1) and relative to a rotor (4) of a fan motor assembly, characterized in that said centering device (3) comprises at least one stop pin (31), preferably two stop pins (31) and a flexible pin (32) configured to deform elastically during the mounting of the propeller (100) on the rotor (4) and configured to exert pressure on the rotor (4) of the fan motor assembly in the direction of the stop pin(s) (31). [Figure 2]

Description

Title of the invention: Centering device for a fan motor assembly propeller. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to propellers for motor-fan units, particularly for vehicles. Previous technique

[0002] Motor-fan assemblies are used in the field of vehicles to assist in the air cooling of a thermal engine in the case of a vehicle powered by such an engine and / or of a radiator of a cooling loop for the thermal engine or of a battery pack for an electric vehicle.

[0003] To prevent imbalance when a fan motor assembly propeller is rotating, centering devices exist to ensure correct positioning of the propeller before it is attached to the rotor of the motor driving the propeller. These centering devices include, for example, pins, specifically three pins, which, when placed in openings in the rotor, ensure proper centering of the propeller on the rotor. This centering is achieved by tightly fitting the pins, which prevents any radial play between the propeller and the rotor. These pins are generally made of the same material as the propeller, which is plastic, and have the disadvantage of deforming due to tightening. These irreversible deformations can, for example, crush the pins or cause them to shift, resulting in misalignment. These deformations are difficult to predict and ensure are consistent during propeller production.Indeed, a first helix may undergo a deformation on one or more centering pins that differs from a second helix. This non-repeatability of the centering function can cause poor centering and therefore an imbalance during the rotation of the helix. Description of the invention

[0004] The present invention thus relates to a propeller of a motor-fan unit, configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, said propeller comprising a bowl including a centering device for said propeller, configured to position the propeller angularly along the axis of rotation and relative to a rotor of a motor-fan unit, characterized in that said centering device includes at least one stop pin, preferably two stop pins, and a flexible pin configured to deform elastically when mounting the propeller on the rotor and configured to exert pressure on the rotor of the motor-fan unit in the direction of the stop pin(s).

[0005] The elasticity of the flexible pin ensures that there is no radial play between the propeller and the rotor. This allows for proper centering of the propeller relative to the rotor of the motor-fan assembly.

[0006] The invention has the additional advantage of allowing repeatability of the centering function, that is to say, of having a centering operation that behaves in the same way between two propellers during industrial production and thus avoiding limiting corrective operations before fixing the propeller on the rotor of the motor-fan unit.

[0007] The stop pin is configured to remain fixed when the propeller is mounted on the rotor of the motor-fan assembly and configured to serve as a counter-stop to the pressure exerted by the flexible pin.

[0008] It will be understood that the propeller centering device is not configured to tightly assemble the propeller with the rotor. Thus, the problems encountered with prior art designs are not reproduced.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the centering device comprises a flexible pin and two stop pins.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible pin is configured to exert pressure on the rotor of the motor-fan assembly in the direction of the two stop pins in that the direction of pressure intersects a straight line having the two stop pins as its ends.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, and alternatively, the centering device may comprise two flexible pins and a single stop pin. Alternatively, the centering device may comprise at least two flexible pins and at least two stop pins.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the stop pin(s) and the flexible pin are distributed angularly around the axis of rotation of the propeller.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the stop pin(s) and the flexible pin have the same angular spacing with respect to the axis of rotation of the propeller. For example, when the centering device comprises only one flexible pin and one stop pin, these two elements are arranged symmetrically opposite each other with the axis of rotation of the propeller at their center. When the centering device comprises, for example, one flexible pin and two stop pins, these three elements are regularly spaced from each other at an angle of 120° with the axis of rotation of the propeller as their center.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the propeller bowl comprises a bottom including the centering device and a cylindrical wall extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the bottom.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the propeller comprises blades extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the propeller and from the cylindrical wall.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the stop pin(s) extend perpendicularly to the bottom of the bowl.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the stop pin(s) are made of material from the propeller.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible pin extends from the bottom of the bowl less far than the stop pin(s) so that, during assembly of the propeller with the rotor, the stop pin(s) cooperate with the rotor and center the propeller before the flexible pin cooperates with the rotor. In other words, the flexible pin is shorter than the stop pin(s).

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, and alternatively, the flexible pin and the stop pin(s) extend from the bottom of the bowl to the same distance. In other words, it is understood that the flexible pin and the stop pin(s) have the same length.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the propeller is made of plastic material such as polyamide PA6 or polypropylene PP.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention and according to a first embodiment of the invention, the flexible pin came from the material of the helix.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible pin comprises a first section extending in the plane of the thickness of the bowl bottom and a second section extending perpendicularly to the first section. The first section is configured to act as a spring blade and create a thrust. The second section is configured to act as a support against the rotor and transmit the thrust from the first section in the direction of the stop pin.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention, the first section comprises a first end connected to the bottom of the bowl and a second end connected to the second section.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the bottom of the bowl is openwork all around the first section of the flexible pin except for the first end.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the second end of the first section forms a rounded elbow.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the second section includes a free end configured to fit into a rotor centering opening of the motor-fan assembly.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the first section has the shape of a blade.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the second section has the shape of a blade.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention and in an alternative embodiment, the flexible pin is made of a different material than the helix. The material of the flexible pin has a higher modulus of elasticity than the material of the helix. The flexible pin is, for example, made of natural or synthetic rubber, metallic material, or a plastic material that is more flexible than the material of the helix.

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the flexible pin is overmolded or obtained by two-material molding with the helix.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention and alternatively, the flexible pin is a piece attached to the helix.

[0032] The invention also relates to a motor-fan unit comprising a propeller as described above, said unit comprising an electric motor configured to rotate said propeller, said electric motor comprising a rotor on which the propeller is mounted.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the rotor includes centering openings configured to receive the centering device. It is thus understood that the rotor includes as many centering openings as there are elements of the centering device, namely the flexible pin(s) and the stop pin(s).

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, the motor-fan assembly includes a device for clamping the propeller with the rotor.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the clamping device is configured to hold the rotor and propeller rigidly assembled together and includes, for example, clamping screws, preferably three, cooperating with pairs of coaxial openings arranged on the rotor and propeller.

[0036] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a propeller of a motor-fan unit onto a rotor, said propeller is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and includes a bowl comprising a centering device for said propeller, configured to position the propeller angularly along the axis of rotation and relative to the rotor, characterized in that said centering device includes a stop pin and a flexible pin, said method comprising at least the following steps: - pre-position the propeller relative to the rotor by inserting the stop pin into a rotor centering opening, - centering the propeller relative to the rotor by the elastic deformation of the flexible pin which exerts pressure on the rotor in the direction of the stop pin, - fix the propeller onto the rotor with a clamping device.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the pre-positioning step is carried out by inserting the stop pin into a rotor centering opening before inserting the flexible pin into a rotor centering opening. Brief description of the drawings

[0038] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, which is provided by way of example in conjunction with drawings in which: - [Fig.1] is a schematic overview view of a propeller according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] is an enlarged schematic view of the helix of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] is an enlarged schematic view of the helix of [Fig.1] and 2 assembled on a motor-fan group rotor; - [Fig.4] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the propeller and rotor of the [Fig.3],

[0039] It should first be noted that while the figures illustrate the invention in detail for its implementation, these figures can of course also be used to further define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that these figures only show a few examples of embodiments of the invention. Detailed description

[0040] Fig. 1 illustrates a propeller 100 of a motor-fan unit, configured to rotate about an axis of rotation 1, said propeller 100 comprising a bowl 2 comprising a centering device 3 of said propeller 100, configured to position the propeller 100 angularly along the axis of rotation 1 and relative to a rotor 4 of a motor-fan unit only illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

[0041] In figures 2 to 4, it can be seen that the centering device 3 comprises two stop pins 31 and a flexible pin 32 configured to deform elastically when the propeller 100 is mounted on the rotor 4 and configured to exert pressure on the rotor 4 of the motor-fan assembly in the direction of the two stop pins 31.

[0042] The elasticity of the flexible pin 32 ensures that there is no radial play between the propeller 100 and the rotor 4. This allows the propeller 100 to be properly centered relative to the rotor 4 of the motor-fan assembly.

[0043] The invention has the additional advantage of allowing repeatability of the centering function, that is to say, of having a centering operation that behaves in the same way between two propellers 100 during industrial production and thus avoiding limiting corrective operations before fixing the propeller 100 on the rotor 4 of the motor-fan unit.

[0044] The stop pin 31 is configured to remain fixed when the propeller 100 is mounted on the rotor 4 of the motor-fan assembly and configured to serve as a counter-button to the pressure exerted by the flexible pin 32.

[0045] It will be understood that the centering device 3 of the propeller 100 is not configured to tightly assemble the propeller 100 with the rotor 4. Thus, the problems encountered by the prior art are not reproduced.

[0046] As in the example illustrated in the figures, the centering device 3 comprises a flexible pin 32 and two stop pins 31 and the flexible pin 32 is configured to exert pressure on the rotor 4 of the motor-fan assembly in the direction of the two stop pins 31 in that the direction of pressure intersects a straight line having as its ends the two stop pins 31.

[0047] Alternatively, the centering device 3 may comprise two flexible pins 32 and a single stop pin 31. Alternatively still, the centering device 3 may comprise at least two flexible pins 32 and at least two stop pins 31.

[0048] The stop pin(s) 31 and the flexible pin 32 are angularly distributed around the axis of rotation 1 of the propeller 100. The stop pin(s) 31 and the flexible pin 32 have the same angular spacing with respect to the axis of rotation 1 of the propeller 100. For example, when the centering device 3 comprises only one flexible pin 32 and only one stop pin 31, these two elements are arranged symmetrically opposite each other with the axis of rotation 1 of the propeller 100 at their center. When the centering device 3 comprises, for example, one flexible pin 32 and two stop pins 31, as illustrated in the figures, these three elements are regularly spaced from each other at an angle of 120° with the axis of rotation 1 of the propeller 100 as their center.

[0049] The bowl 2 of the propeller 100 comprises a bottom 21 including the centering device 3 and a cylindrical wall 22 extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the bottom 21.

[0050] The propeller 100 comprises blades 5 extending radially with respect to the axis of rotation 1 of the propeller 100 and from the cylindrical wall 22.

[0051] The stop pin(s) 31 extend perpendicularly to the bottom 21 of the bowl 2.

[0052] The stop pin(s) 31 came from the material of the helix 100.

[0053] The flexible pawn 32 extends from the bottom 21 of the bowl 2 less far than the pawn(s) stop pin 31 so that when the propeller 100 is assembled with the rotor 4, the stop pin(s) 31 cooperate with the rotor 4 and center the propeller 100 before the flexible pin 32 cooperates with the rotor 4. In other words, the flexible pin 32 is shorter than the stop pin(s) 31.

[0054] According to an example not illustrated and alternatively, the flexible pin 32 and the stop pin(s) 31 extend from the bottom 21 of the bowl 2 to the same distance.

[0055] The propeller 100 is made of plastic material such as polyamide PA6 or polypropylene PP.

[0056] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention in which the flexible pin 32 is made of material from the helix 100.

[0057] The flexible pin 32 comprises a first section 321 extending in the plane of the thickness of the bottom 21 of the bowl 2 and a second section 322 extending perpendicularly to the first section 321. The first section 321 is configured to act as a spring blade and generate thrust. The second section 322 is configured to act as a support against the rotor 4 and transmit the thrust from the first section 321 in the direction of the stop pin 31.

[0058] The first section 321 includes a first end 323 in connection with the bottom 21 of the bowl 2 and a second end 324 in connection with the second section 322.

[0059] The base 21 of the bowl 2 is openwork all around the first section 321 of the flexible pin 32 except for the first end 323.

[0060] The second end 324 of the first section 321 forms a rounded elbow.

[0061] The second section 322 includes a free end 325 configured to insert in a centering opening 41 of the rotor 4 of the motor-fan assembly.

[0062] The first section 321 has the shape of a blade.

[0063] The second section 322 has the shape of a blade.

[0064] In alternative embodiments not illustrated, the flexible pin 32 may be made of a different material than the helix 100. The material of the flexible pin 32 has a greater modulus of elasticity than the material of the helix 100. The flexible pin 32 is, for example, made of natural or synthetic rubber, metallic material, or a plastic material that is more flexible than the material of the helix 100.

[0065] In a first example, the flexible pin 32 can be overmolded or obtained by two-material molding with the helix 100.

[0066] Alternatively and according to a second example, the flexible pin 32 can be an added part on the helix 100.

[0067] The invention also relates to a motor-fan unit comprising a propeller 100 as described above, said unit comprising an electric motor configured to rotate said propeller 100, said electric motor comprising a rotor 4 on which the propeller 100 is mounted.

[0068] The rotor 4 includes centering openings 41 configured to receive the centering device 3. It is thus understood that the rotor 4 includes as many centering openings 41 as there are elements of the centering device 3, namely the flexible pin(s) 32 and the stop pin(s) 31.

[0069] The motor-fan assembly includes a clamping device 10 for the propeller 100 with the rotor 4.

[0070] The clamping device 10 is configured to rigidly hold together the rotor 4 and the propeller 100 and includes, for example, clamping screws, not illustrated in the figures, preferably three, cooperating with pairs of coaxial openings arranged on the rotor 4 and the propeller 100.

[0071] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a propeller 100 of a motor-fan unit onto a rotor 4, said propeller 100 is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation 1 and comprises a bowl 2 including a centering device 3 for said propeller 100, configured to angularly position the propeller 100 along the axis of rotation 1 and relative to the rotor 4, characterized in that said centering device 3 comprises a stop pin 31 and a flexible pin 32, said method comprising at least the following steps: - pre-position the propeller 100 relative to the rotor 4 by inserting the stop pin 31 into a centering opening 41 in the rotor 4, - center the propeller 100 relative to the rotor 4 by the elastic deformation of the flexible pin 32 which exerts pressure on the rotor 4 in the direction of the stop pin 31, - fix the propeller 100 onto the rotor 4 with a clamping device 10.

[0072] The pre-positioning step is notably carried out by inserting the stop pin 31 into a centering opening 41 of the rotor 4 before inserting the flexible pin 32 into a centering opening 41 of the rotor 4.

Claims

Demands

1. Propeller (100) of a motor-fan assembly, configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (1), said propeller (100) comprising a bowl (2) comprising a centering device (3) for said propeller (100), configured to angularly position the propeller (100) about the axis of rotation (1) and relative to a rotor (4) of a motor-fan assembly, characterized in that said centering device (3) comprises at least one stop pin (31), preferably two stop pins (31), and a flexible pin (32) configured to deform elastically when the propeller (100) is mounted on the rotor (4) and configured to exert pressure on the rotor (4) of the motor-fan assembly in the direction of the stop pin(s) (31).

2. Propeller (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the stop pin(s) (31) and the flexible pin (32) are distributed angularly around the axis of rotation (1).

3. Propeller (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bowl (2) of the propeller (100) comprises a bottom (21) including the centering device (3) and a cylindrical wall (22) extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the bottom (21).

4. Propeller (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop pin(s) (31) are made of material of the propeller (100).

5. Propeller (100) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the flexible pin (32) extends from the bottom (21) of the bowl (2) less far than the stop pin(s) (31) so that when assembling the propeller (100) with the rotor (4), the stop pin(s) (31) cooperate with the rotor (4) and center the propeller (100) before the flexible pin (32) cooperates with the rotor (4).

6. Propeller (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible pin (32) is made of material from the propeller (100).

7. Propeller (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the flexible pin (32) comprises a first section (321) extending in the plane of the thickness of the bottom (21) of the bowl (2) and a second section (322) extending perpendicularly to the first section (321).

8. Propeller (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible pin (32) is of a different material than the propeller (100).

9. Motor-fan unit comprising a propeller (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said unit comprising an electric motor configured to rotate said propeller (100), said electric motor comprising a rotor (4) on which the propeller (100) is mounted.

10. A method for assembling a propeller (100) of a motor-fan assembly onto a rotor (4), said propeller (100) being configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (1) and comprising a bowl (2) including a centering device (3) for said propeller (100), configured to angularly position the propeller (100) about the axis of rotation (1) and relative to the rotor (4), said centering device (3) including a stop pin (31) and a flexible pin (32), said method comprising at least the following steps: • pre-positioning the propeller (100) relative to the rotor (4) by inserting the stop pin (31) into a centering opening (41) in the rotor (4), • centering the propeller (100) relative to the rotor (4) by the elastic deformation of the flexible pin (32) which exerts pressure on the rotor (4) in the direction of stop pin (31), • fix the propeller (100) onto the rotor (4) with a clamping device (10).

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