Abstract:
The present invention provides an adapter device for attaching a cooling fan to a motor in a cooling fan module for an automotive cooling system. The device includes a connection member for rotationally fixed connection with a rotor of the motor. The rotor is surrounded by a stator comprising windings or coils arranged annularly about the rotor. The connection member is separate from the rotor and is configured for insertion into a central aperture or opening of the rotor for connection thereto via an outer surface of the connection member. An attachment member is provided at an end region of the connection member for attachment of a cooling fan thereto. The adapter device is configured to accommodate at least one bearing which supports the rotor for rotation about a rotational axis.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/415,973, filed on Mar. 9, 2012, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this Specification. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a cooling fan module, and has particular application to use in automotive cooling systems, in which cooling fan modules or units are provided having cooling fans driven by electric motors. The invention also relates to an adapter device for attaching or mounting a cooling fan to an electric motor in such a cooling fan module. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Automotive cooling systems often employ cooling fans which are driven by electric motors and this requires that the fan be physically attached to the motor in some manner Such cooling fan and motor systems or modules are desirably relatively compact, with the axial length of the fan and motor assembly desirably minimized in order to be accommodated in the ever-decreasing design space allocated under the hood of a modern automobile. Another imperative in the automotive industry is to reduce manufacturing costs through simplification of parts fabrication and assembly. In an effort to maximize fuel economy, it is also desirable to reduce the weight of the fan and motor assembly wherever feasible. As persons skilled in the art will appreciate, endeavoring to minimize size, weight, noise and vibration during the life cycle of a cooling fan module as well as reducing manufacturing costs, while simultaneously endeavoring to enhance reliability, often presents conflicting design parameters, and ultimately design choices. 
         [0004]    Previously known cooling fan and motor assemblies have attached the fan to the motor shaft with radial spring clips, similar to belleville washers, which provided axial tension to secure the fan to the shaft. The spring clip typically engaged the shaft via a groove formed in the shaft. Over the life cycle of the fan and motor, the spring clip could have fatigued and thereafter broken, thus causing separation of the fan from the motor shaft. The addition of a spring clip attachment system to a fan and motor assembly also inherently increased the axial length of the assembled structure. Furthermore, the spring clip did not readily inhibit a rocking of the fan relative to the motor shaft because: (a) the spring clip typically flexed in response to rocking loads on the fan, and (b) the relatively small diameter of the spring clip did not provide a sufficiently large bearing surface to counteract rocking loads on the fan. 
         [0005]    Another known attachment system for cooling fans and motor shafts involved molding a metal hub within the fan. The metal hub was then attached to the motor shaft via a pin, such as a roll pin. Although this molded-in-place hub and pin attachment system provided an effective and reliable fan connection, it increased the manufacturing complexity of the cooling fan modules in a number of ways. First, the motor shaft was drilled to receive the pin. Second, plastic fans which included molded-in-place metal hubs were inherently more expensive to manufacture than fans which were only constructed of plastic. Third, the fan and motor assemblies which required insertion of pins added additional manufacturing assembly steps. 
         [0006]    Hence, it remains a challenge in the automotive industry to provide a cooling fan module or unit which has a compact structure (e.g. a compact axial length of the assembly) and which maintains both reliability and good dynamic balance (e.g. low vibration and noise) over the life cycle of the product, but which is nevertheless relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, a cooling fan module or unit having the features of claim  1  or claim  5 , a rotor subassembly for a motor of a cooling fan module having the features of claim  11 , and/or an adapter device for attaching a cooling fan to a motor of a cooling fan module having the features of claim  13  is provided. 
         [0008]    According to one aspect, therefore, the invention provides a cooling fan module for an automotive cooling system, comprising:
   a cooling fan having a hub and a plurality of fan blades extending from the hub;   a motor for driving the cooling fan, the motor having a rotor mounted or supported for rotation about an axis on a fixed (non-rotatable) shaft or axle of the motor; and   an adapter device by means of which the cooling fan is attached to the rotor, wherein the adapter device comprises a connection member for rotationally fixed connection to a body of the rotor, and an attachment member for attachment with the hub of the cooling fan.   
 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the connection member is inserted in an opening or aperture in the rotor body, preferably a central aperture or opening of the rotor body. Accordingly, the connection member may comprise a stub which is inserted into the rotor body proximate to or about the rotational axis of the rotor. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adapter device accommodates at least one bearing upon which the rotor is supported for rotation about the rotational axis. In this regard, the stub is preferably hollow, e.g. in the form of a generally cylindrical sleeve or barrel, and accommodates the shaft or axle of the motor upon which the rotor is supported for rotation relative thereto about the axis. In this way, the adapter device may accommodate the at least one bearing such that it receives and/or engages with the shaft or axle accommodated within the hollow stub. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect, the invention provides a cooling fan module or unit for an automotive cooling system, comprising:
   a cooling fan having a hub and a plurality of fan blades extending from the hub;   a motor for driving the cooling fan, the motor having a rotor configured for rotation about an axis; and   an adapter device by means of which the cooling fan is attached to the rotor, the adapter device comprising: a connection member in rotationally fixed connection with the rotor, preferably proximate to or about the rotational axis, and an attachment member for attachment with the hub of the cooling fan,   wherein the adapter device accommodates at least one bearing upon which the rotor is supported for rotation about the rotational axis.   
 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the adapter device accommodates the at least one bearing in a cavity or recess formed in, or adjacent to, the connection member, wherein the at least one bearing is a rotary bearing, preferably in the form of a roller bearing, a journal bearing or a bushing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adapter device accommodates a first bearing in a first cavity or recess, which may be formed at an end region of the connection member (e.g. adjacent to the attachment member) and a second bearing in a second cavity or recess, which may be formed at an opposite end region of the connection member. In an exemplary embodiment, the adapter device has a multi-part construction comprising a first part having the first cavity or recess at the one end region of the connection member, and a second part having the second cavity or recess at the opposite end region of the connection member. 
         [0019]    As noted above, in a preferred embodiment, the connection member comprises a stub which may be axially inserted and rotationally fixed in an aperture or opening of the rotor, e.g. a central aperture or opening of the rotor. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the stub is hollow and accommodates a fixed (non-rotatable) shaft or axle of the motor upon which the rotor is supported for rotation about the axis. Thus, the at least one bearing receives and/or engages with the shaft or axle accommodated within the hollow stub. The bearing(s) is/are arranged to support the rotor for rotation on the shaft or axle of the motor, while the shaft or axle itself does not rotate but remains fixed or stationary in the motor as a mount or support for the rotor. 
         [0020]    The motor in the cooling fan module or unit of the invention is typically an electric motor and is preferably a brushless motor, such as a brushless AC motor or brushless DC motor. Accordingly, the rotor may be a permanent magnet rotor and desirably has a relatively flat or disc-shaped body with a short axial extent. The rotor body preferably comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to extend radially and substantially uniformly spaced apart from one another about the axis of the rotor. The rotor is typically spaced by a small air-gap from a surrounding stator, which may comprise a series of separate windings or coils in an annular arrangement about the rotor. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment, the attachment member is provided at an end region of the connection member. In this regard, the attachment member preferably extends radially outwardly from the connection member, e.g. in the form of a flange or a plate, and includes a plurality of fastening elements, which may optionally be arranged spaced apart around a circumference of the attachment member, for effecting attachment with the hub of the cooling fan. Thus, in the case of a relatively flat, disc-shaped rotor body, the attachment member may extend parallel and adjacent to a front face or side of the rotor body. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the adapter device is formed as a separate component which is subsequently assembled with the motor and the cooling fan. The adapter device may be integrally formed as a unitary component. That is, the connection member and attachment member may be formed integrally as a unitary component. Alternatively, the adapter device may comprise a number of separate parts or components that are combined or assembled together, e.g. in a two-part structure. The adapter device may be formed from a metal (e.g. steel, aluminium, brass, or other alloy) as a cast or sintered component or from a robust polymer plastic material (e.g. HDPE, PU, or PVC) as moulded component. Other materials having the desired strength and durability are, of course, also contemplated. 
         [0023]    One type of automotive cooling system for which the cooling fan module of the invention is particularly suitable is the system conventionally used for cooling automotive internal combustion engines. That system typically employs a liquid as a coolant, which is pumped around the engine block to remove heat generated during the internal combustion process. The liquid coolant is then passed through a heat exchanger to cool it before the liquid is re-circulated back to the engine block. Although conventionally known as a “radiator”, the heat exchanger typically transfers heat via forced convention rather than thermal radiation. The cooling fan module of the invention may be configured to be mounted on or adjacent to the automobile heat exchanger or “radiator”, so that the cooling fan generates a forced air-flow over or through the heat exchanger to remove heat from the liquid coolant. In use, the cooling fan module of the invention may be powered by a battery and/or by a generator of the automobile. 
         [0024]    According to a further aspect, the invention provides a rotor subassembly for an electric motor of a cooling fan module for an automotive cooling system, comprising:
   a rotor configured for rotation about a rotational axis in an electric motor; and   an adapter device for attaching a cooling fan to the rotor, the adapter device comprising a connection member which is rotationally fixed in an aperture or opening of the rotor, and an attachment member provided at an end region of the connection member for attachment with the hub of the cooling fan,   wherein at least one bearing is accommodated by or in the adapter device to support the rotor for rotation about the rotational axis in the motor.   
 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the connection member is axially inserted and rigidly fixed in a central aperture or opening of the rotor. The connection member may comprise a stub, and particularly a hollow stub, e.g. in the form of a generally cylindrical sleeve or barrel, which is configured to receive and accommodate a shaft or axle of the motor upon which the rotor is supported for relative rotation, wherein the at least one bearing is configured to receive and/or engage with the shaft or axle accommodated within the hollow stub. 
         [0029]    According to a yet another aspect, the invention provides an adapter device for attaching a cooling fan to a motor in a cooling fan module in an automotive cooling system, comprising:
   a connection member for rotationally fixed connection with a rotor of the motor, preferably in a vicinity of or about a rotational axis of the motor; and   an attachment member provided at an end region of the connection member for attachment of a cooling fan thereto;   wherein the adapter device is configured to accommodate at least one bearing which supports the rotor for rotation about the axis.   
 
         [0033]    As already noted above, in a preferred embodiment the adapter device comprises at least one cavity or recess configured to accommodate a bearing for supporting the rotor for rotation about the axis. The at least one cavity or recess is preferably formed in or adjacent to the connection member; for example, at one or more end region thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adapter device includes a first cavity or recess formed at an end region of the connection member (e.g. proximate the attachment member) and configured to accommodate a first bearing, and a second cavity or recess formed at an opposite end region of the connection member and configured to accommodate a second bearing. In this regard, the adapter device may optionally have a multi-part construction comprising a first part having the first cavity or recess, and a second part having the second cavity or recess. 
         [0034]    In a preferred embodiment, the connection member comprises a stub configured to be axially inserted and rigidly fixed in a central aperture or opening of the rotor. The stub is preferably hollow (e.g. in the form of a generally cylindrical sleeve or barrel) and may be configured to accommodate a fixed (non-rotatable) shaft or axle of the motor upon which the rotor is supported for rotation about the rotational axis. As such, the bearing is preferably accommodated in the adapter device for engagement with the shaft or axle of the motor upon which the rotor is supported for rotation relative thereto. 
         [0035]    In a preferred embodiment, the attachment member extends radially outwardly from the connection member, e.g. in the form of a flange or plate, and may comprise one or more fastening elements in a periphery of the attachment member for effecting attachment of the cooling fan. 
         [0036]    Thus, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention provides an adapter device for attaching a cooling fan to a motor in a cooling fan module or unit of an automotive cooling system, the adapter device comprising:
   a stub for substantially fixed or rigid connection with a rotor of the motor, wherein the stub is configured to be axially inserted and fixed in a central aperture or opening of the rotor;   a flange member provided at an end region of the stub and extending radially outwardly therefrom for attachment of a cooling fan thereto, wherein the flange member has a plurality of elements spaced apart around its circumference for effecting attachment to the cooling fan; and   at least one cavity configured to accommodate a bearing which supports the rotor for rotation about the axis.   
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0040]    For a more complete understanding of the invention and the advantages thereof, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference characters designate like parts and in which: 
           [0041]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an adapter device for a cooling fan module according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 2  shows a sectioned perspective view of the adapter device in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a rotor subassembly for a cooling fan module according to the first embodiment incorporating the adapter device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  shows a sectioned perspective view of the rotor subassembly in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  shows a partial cross-section of a motor assembly in the cooling fan module of the first embodiment incorporating the adapter device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 6  shows a sectioned perspective view of an adapter device for a cooling fan module according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 7  shows a partial cross-section of a motor assembly in a cooling fan module of the second embodiment incorporating the adapter device of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0048]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a cooling fan module of the invention in use. 
       
    
    
       [0049]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. That is, the chosen elements are illustrated to enhance an understanding of the functionality and arrangement of features in the various embodiments. Common and well understood elements that may be useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are not necessarily depicted in order to facilitate a less abstracted view of the embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps in an embodiment of a method may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrences while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used in the present specification have the ordinary meaning as it accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study, except where specific meanings have otherwise be set forth herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0050]    With reference firstly to  FIGS. 1 to 5  of the drawings, an adapter device  10  for attaching a cooling fan (not shown) to a rotor  20  of an electric motor  40  in a cooling fan unit  50  for use in an automotive cooling system will now be described in detail. The adapter device  10  is illustrated in isolation in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and as part of a rotor subassembly  30  in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  for the cooling fan module  50 . The adapter device  10  in this particular embodiment is constructed as a unitary or single-part component and may, for example, be formed in a desired shape from a metal (e.g. steel, aluminium, brass, or other alloy) as a cast or sintered component or from a robust polymer plastic material (e.g. HDPE, PU, or PVC) as moulded component. 
         [0051]    The adapter device  10  is specifically designed to provide easy attachment of a cooling fan to the rotor  20  of the electric motor  40 . To this end, with particular reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  of the drawings, the adapter device  10  includes a hollow stub  11  in the form of a short cylindrical or barrel-like member for substantially rigid connection with a body  22  of the rotor  20  in the motor  40  of the cooling fan module. At one end region  12  of the hollow stub  11 , the adapter device  10  further includes a flange or plate member  13 , which extends radially outwardly from the hollow stub  11  and has three lobe elements  14  equally spaced apart around its periphery or circumference. As will be described in more detail later, these lobe elements  14  at the periphery of the flange or plate member  13  are designed to securely fasten with a hub of the cooling fan. Centrally of the adapter device  10  at the end region  12  of the hollow stub  11 , a first circular cylindrical cavity or recess  15  is provided. This first cavity or recess  15  is surrounded by, and at least partially counter-sunk with respect to, the flange or plate member  13  and communicates with a central bore  16  of the hollow stub  11 . Similarly, as is clearly apparent from  FIG. 2  of the drawings, at an opposite end  17  of the hollow stub  11  a second annular recess or cavity  18  is provided in communication with the central bore  16  of the hollow stub  11 . 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  of the drawings, the combination of the adapter device  10  with the rotor  20  to form the rotor subassembly  30  illustrates the functional configuration of the adapter device  10  more clearly. The rotor  20  is a permanent magnet rotor and has a relatively flat, disc-shaped rotor body  22 , i.e. with a short axial extent. The rotor body  22  includes a plurality of rectangular or block-like permanent magnets  24  arranged uniformly spaced apart and extending radially outwards from a central axis X of rotor  20 . Between each of the permanent magnets  24 , the rotor body  22  further includes segments  25  of a rotor lamination core. In the centre of the rotor body  22  around the axis X, the rotor  20  includes a hole or opening  26  into which the stub member  11  is axially inserted, e.g. in a press-fit or an interference fit, such that the adapter device  10  is rotationally fixed (e.g. rigidly fixed) with respect to the rotor  20 . In this regard, radially inner elements of the rotor lamination core  25  can be seen in  FIG. 4  to physically engage with an outer surface  19  of the hollow stub  11 . 
         [0053]    As is particularly apparent from  FIG. 4  of the drawings, the first cavity or recess  15  of the adapter device  10  forms a first bearing socket for accommodating a roller bearing  32 . The roller bearing  32  comprises an inner ring  33  adapted to be fixed on a supporting element, an outer ring  34  which is fixed in the socket  15 , e.g. again by a press-fit or interference fit or, alternatively, by an adhesive (e.g. contact cement), and a plurality of roller elements  35  housed between the inner ring  33  and the outer ring  34  so that the rings  33 ,  34  are rotatable relative to one another about the axis X. The second cavity  18  at the opposite end region  17  of the hollow stub  11  rigidly held within the central opening  26  through the rotor body  22  also accommodates a rotary bearing  36 , this time in the form of a bushing or journal bearing having an internal diameter  37  which is slightly larger than an internal diameter  38  of the inner ring  33  of the roller bearing  32 . The bushing or journal bearing  36  is held in the second cavity  18  by means of an annular retainer clip  39 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, a detail of the cooling fan module  50  according to the first embodiment of the invention illustrates the physical and functional interaction of the adapter device  10  and the rotor subassembly  30  with the motor  40  of the module  50 . The motor  40  includes a shaft or axle  42 , an end  43  of which is rigidly fixed in a wall  44  of the motor housing  45  such that the shaft or axle  42  extends as a cantilever in the motor  40  for supporting the rotor  20  for rotation about the axis X. The electric motor  40  employed in this embodiment is a brushless DC motor, which are common in fan drives in adjustable or variable speed applications as they can develop high torque with good speed response and also have good thermal characteristics and high energy efficiency. Typically, the motor  40  will have a power rating in the range of about 300 to about 1200 W and energy efficiency in the range of about 80% to 90%. To obtain a variable speed response, the brushless DC motors typically include an electronic controller (not shown) and a rotor position feedback sensor. The controller electronically commutates the motor by providing a pulse width modulated output that is based on the speed set-point and the actual rotor position to ramp the motor&#39;s speed up or down as required by the load. As the electronic controller typically generates a significant amount of heat, it may be mounted on the wall  44  of the housing  45 , which then acts as a heat sink for the controller. 
         [0055]    In assembling the cooling fan module  50 , the rotor subassembly  30  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  can be assembled with the rest of the motor  40  by placing the second bearing  36  over a free end  46  of the shaft or axle  42  and axially sliding the second bearing  36  along the shaft  42  towards its fixed end  43 , such that the shaft  42  is thereby accommodated in the bore  16  of the hollow stub  11 . In this regard, the second bearing  36 , which takes the form of a bushing or journal bearing at a rear side of the rotor subassembly  30 , has an internal diameter  37  slightly greater than an outer diameter  47  of the shaft  42  so that it can be slidably mounted onto the shaft or axle of the motor. The small clearance provided by the bushing or journal bearing  36  with the outer diameter  47  of the shaft or axle  42  ensures good axial orientation and the bushing or journal  36  is desirably formed of a porous, sintered powdered metal or another known suitable journal material (e.g. brass) and is usually pre-lubricated to ensure low frictional running of the rotor  20 . After sliding the rotor subassembly  30  onto the shaft or axle  42  of the motor, the free end  46  of the shaft  42  comes into contact with the inner ring  33  of the roller bearing  32 , which is, in turn, then press-fitted onto that free end  46  of the shaft  42  for a rotationally fixed connection therewith, to achieve the configuration as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0056]    With this configuration, the flange member  13  having the lobe elements  14  is positioned adjacent, and extends parallel to, a front face of the rotor body  22 . In this embodiment, the lobe elements  14  are designed for quickly and easily attaching the cooling fan (not shown) via a simple twist-and-lock arrangement. In this regard, it will be noted that the cooling fan typically has a plurality of fan blades extending from a central hub. The hub may include a corresponding number of circumferential slots  51  for receiving and engaging with each of the respective lobe elements  14  in a rotationally fixed, locking interconnection. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, however, that instead of the lobe elements  14 , a variety of alternative fastening elements may be provided for effecting attachment with the hub of the cooling fan. For example, one or more clips and/or threaded bores and/or screws are also contemplated for fastening the cooling fan hub to the flange or plate member  13 . 
         [0057]    With reference now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings, a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Whereas the first embodiment described above with the first roller bearing  32  and the second bushing or journal bearing  36  is particularly suitable for cooling fan modules  50  of lower power (e.g. 300 to 600 W), the second embodiment is preferred for cooling fan modules  50  of higher power (e.g. 800 to 1200 W). Instead of a bushing or journal bearing, in the second embodiment the second bearing  36 ′ is provided in the form of another roller bearing to ensure more precise axial orientation of the rotor  20 . As a result, an inner ring of the second roller bearing  36 ′ is also designed for rotationally fixed engagement with the shaft or axle  42  of the motor  40  and so cannot be simply slid along the shaft or axle like the bushing  36  in the first embodiment during assembly of the cooling fan module  50 . 
         [0058]    This second embodiment, therefore, contemplates a two-part construction for the adapter device  10  comprising a first part  8  for the front side of the rotor  20  and a second part  9  for the rear side of the rotor. The first part  8  of the adapter device  10  has features essentially corresponding to those features described with respect to the adapter device  10  of the first embodiment, except that the hollow stub  11  is slightly truncated or shorter than was previously the case. Furthermore, the recess or cavity  18  for accommodating the second bearing  36 ′ is provided in the second part  9 . The second part  9  of the adapter device  10  in this second embodiment thus includes a circular cylindrical cavity  18 ′ forming a second bearing socket designed to receive and engage with an outer ring of the second roller bearing  36 ′, e.g. in a press-fit or interference fit or via an adhesive, for rotationally fixed engagement therewith. This preassembly of the second part  9  of the adapter device  10  with the second roller bearing  36 ′ may occur either before or after the inner ring of the second bearing  36 ′ is fixed on the shaft  42  of the motor  40  in a preliminary operation. In a separate operation, the first part  8  of the adapter device  10  is preassembled with the rotor body  22  in a rotor subassembly. Thereafter, the rotor subassembly incorporating the first part  8  of the adapter device  10  is mounted on the shaft  42  in such a way that a collar  91  at a front end of the second part  9  is received in and engages with the bore  16  of the stub  11  for firm connection therewith, e.g. via a press-fit or interference fit or via adhesive fastening, and the inner ring  33  of the first roller bearing  32  is simultaneously fixed onto the free end  46  of the shaft  42 , as described for the first embodiment. 
         [0059]    With each of the first and second embodiments described above, the cooling fan module  50 —as illustrated in  FIG. 8  of the drawings—is configured to be mounted on or adjacent to the automobile heat exchanger or “radiator” H, so that the cooling fan  52  (now clearly shown) generates a forced flow of air over or through the heat exchanger H to remove heat from the liquid coolant. The inlet and outlet pipe connections P for the heat exchanger H (i.e. the radiator, condenser or intercooler assembly) are also apparent from  FIG. 8 . As can be seen, the cooling fan  52  has a hub  53  and several fan blades  54  which extend from the fan hub. In this regard, the cooling fan module  50  includes a ring-like shroud  55  which extends around or encloses the cooling fan  52  at the front side of the motor  40  and forms a safety guard around the fan. The shroud  55  may be securely connected with the motor housing  45  of the module  50 , e.g. via radially extending struts  56 , and is typically integrally formed with a mounting plate  57 , which may itself include fastening or mounting means  58 , e.g. in the form of clips or brackets, for reliably and securely mounting the cooling fan module  50  to the radiator H such that the cooling fan  52  is positioned directly adjacent to the heat exchanger for removing heat from the liquid coolant. 
         [0060]    While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described above, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications (than mentioned above) are possible without departing from the inventive concept described herein. As such, the invention is not restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that the following claims include all equivalents that are intended to define the spirit and the scope of this invention. Nor is anything in the foregoing description intended to disavow the scope of the invention as claimed or any equivalents thereof. 
         [0061]    In this document, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “have”, “having”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing” and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, the terms “a” and “an” used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           8  first part 
           9  second part 
           10  adapter device 
           11  stub 
           12  end region 
           13  flange or plate member 
           14  lobe element 
           15  first cavity or recess 
           16  stub bore 
           17  opposite end region 
           18  second cavity or recess 
           19  stub outer surface 
           20  rotor 
           22  rotor body 
           24  permanent magnet 
           25  lamination core segments 
           26  hole or opening 
           30  rotor subassembly 
           32  first bearing 
           33  inner ring 
           34  outer ring 
           35  roller element 
           36  second bearing 
           36 ′ second bearing 
           37  internal diameter of second bearing 
           38  internal diameter of first bearing 
           39  retainer clip 
           40  motor 
           42  shaft or axle 
           43  fixed end of shaft 
           44  housing wall 
           45  motor housing 
           46  free end of shaft 
           47  diameter of shaft 
           50  cooling fan module 
           51  slot 
           52  cooling fan 
           53  fan hub 
           54  fan blade 
           55  shroud 
           56  strut 
           57  mounting plate 
           58  fastening or mounting means 
           91  collar 
         X rotor axis 
         H heat exchanger or radiator