Fan and fan drive assembly

A fan and fan drive assembly (11) is disclosed of the type including a fan drive (13) and a fan assembly (15). The fan drive (13) includes a body member (21) and a cover member (23), one of the members comprising a die-cast member and including a connecting portion (65; 165; 201) having a terminal portion (67, 69; 102; 267, 269). The fan (15) comprises a one-piece molded plastic member, and during the molding step, whichever of the body and cover defines the connecting portion is disposed within the molding die (M). The terminal portion of the connecting portion is disposed within a hub cavity (H), so that, when the moldable plastic material is injected into the hub cavity, it forms the fan hub (61) about, and rigidly connected to the terminal portion of the connecting portion. As a result, there is no need to bolt a fan assembly to the fan drive, thus eliminating the tapping of internally threaded holes in the body or cover of the fan drive, and eliminating the expense of bolts and the assembly time for bolting the fan to the fan drive.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
The present invention relates to an assembly of a fluid coupling device and 
a fan, and more particularly, to an improved arrangement for attaching a 
fan to a fluid coupling device, as well as an improved method for such 
attachment. 
It will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the subsequent 
description that the mounting arrangement of the present invention may be 
utilized advantageously with various types of fans, as well as with 
various types of fluid coupling devices. However, the invention is 
especially useful for attaching a radiator cooling fan for cooling a 
vehicle engine to a viscous fan drive, and the invention will be described 
in connection therewith. The invention is also especially useful when the 
fan is of the type having a hub portion and fan blades molded integrally 
therewith from a plastic material. Furthermore, the invention is 
especially useful when the fluid coupling device is of the type in which 
either the body member or the cover member comprises a die-cast member, 
and preferably, a die-cast aluminum member. 
The fluid coupling device (viscous fan drive) is now well known to those 
skilled in the art, an example of which is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,974,712, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and 
incorporated herein by reference. Conventionally, the fluid coupling 
device is manufactured separate from the fan assembly, and they are 
brought together for the first time at, for example, the engine assembly 
plant. 
The typical fan assembly of the type used with a viscous fan drive 
comprises a stamped, sheet metal connecting member, with the fan being 
formed by injection molding, wherein the hub of the fan is molded around a 
portion of the sheet metal connecting member. Subsequently, the fan 
assembly is bolted to the fan drive, by means of a series of bolts. 
Therefore, either the cast body or the cast cover of the fan drive must 
include a series of tapped, internally-threaded holes to facilitate 
bolting of the fan assembly to the fan drive. 
As a result of the conventional fan and fan drive arrangement and assembly 
method, there is substantial expense incurred for the extra machining 
(tapped holes) of either the body or the cover, as well as the cost of the 
bolts, and the labor cost associated with bolting the fan to the fan 
drive. Furthermore, the process of tapping the bolt holes in the body or 
in the cover has the potential of causing damage to the body or cover, 
resulting in a higher scrap rate than would otherwise occur, which is an 
additional, unnecessary expense. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fan and 
fan drive assembly, and assembly method, which eliminates the cost of 
tapping bolt holes, eliminates the cost of the bolts, and eliminates the 
labor cost associated with bolting the fan to the fan drive. 
The above and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by a 
fan and fan drive assembly for use in cooling an engine, the assembly 
including a fan comprising an annular hub and a plurality of fan blades 
formed integrally with the hub, the fan being formed of a moldable plastic 
material. The assembly further includes a fan drive comprising an input 
member, an output assembly, and means operable to transmit torque from the 
input member to the output assembly in response to rotation of the input 
member. The output assembly comprises a body member and a cover member, 
and one of the members comprises a cast member defining a nominal outside 
diameter. 
The fan and fan drive assembly is characterized by whichever of the body 
member and the cover member comprises the cast member includes at least 
one integrally (monolithically) formed connecting portion extending 
radially outward beyond the nominal outside diameter, and terminating in a 
radially outward terminal portion. The annular hub of the fan is 
non-rotatably attached to the terminal portion of the connecting portion. 
In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention, in one 
embodiment, the cover member comprises a cast aluminum member, and the 
connecting portion is cast integrally therewith. In another embodiment, 
the body member comprises a cast aluminum member, and the connecting 
member is cast integrally therewith. 
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the 
non-rotatable attachment of the annular hub of the fan and the terminal 
portion of the connecting portion comprises the connecting portion being 
disposed within a die cavity during the molding of the annular hub of the 
fan.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, which are not intended to limit the 
invention, FIG. 1 illustrates one preferred form of a fan and fan drive 
assembly made in accordance with the present invention. The fan and fan 
drive assembly illustrated in FIG. 1, and generally designated I 1, 
includes a fan drive 13 (also referred to as a fluid coupling device or a 
viscous fan drive), and a fan 15. Typically, the fan 15 would be utilized 
as a radiator cooling fan, to cool the coolant fluid flowing through an 
internal combustion engine. 
The fan drive 13 includes an input coupling member, generally designated 
17, and an output coupling assembly, generally designated 19. The output 
coupling assembly 19 includes a die-cast aluminum body member 21, and a 
die-cast aluminum cover member 23, the members 21 and 23 being secured 
together by a rollover of the outer periphery of the cover member 23, as 
is well known in the art. It should be understood by those skilled in the 
art that the present invention is not limited to a fan drive in which 
either or both of the body and cover comprise aluminum die castings, 
although at least the body of most commercial fan drives comprises an 
aluminum die casting, and frequently the cover does, also. 
The fan drive 13 further includes an input shaft 25 on which the input 
coupling member 17 is mounted. The input shaft 25 is rotatably driven, 
typically by means of a flange 27, which may be bolted to the mating 
flange of an engine water pump crankshaft or remote. The input shaft 25 
functions as a support for the inner race of a bearing set 29, which is 
seated on the inside diameter of the body member 21. The forward end (left 
end in FIG. 1) of the input shaft 25 has an interference fit between a 
serrated portion 31 and an opening defined by a hub portion 33 of the 
input coupling member 17. As a result, rotation of the input shaft 25 
causes rotation of the input coupling member 17. 
The body member 21 and the cover member 23 cooperate to define a fluid 
chamber which is separated, by means of a circular valve plate 35, into a 
fluid operating chamber 37 and a fluid reservoir chamber 39. Thus it may 
be seen that the input coupling member 17 is disposed within the fluid 
operating chamber 37. 
The cover member 23 defines a raised, annular reservoir-defining portion 
41, which is disposed to be generally concentric about an axis of rotation 
A of the fan and fan drive assembly. The cover member 23 further defines a 
generally cylindrical shaft support portion 43, and rotatably disposed 
within the portion 43 is a valve shaft 45 extending outwardly (to the left 
in FIG. 1) through the cover member 23. Attached to the inner end (right 
end in FIG. 1) of the valve shaft 45 is a valve arm 47, which may be 
better understood by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,473, assigned to the 
assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. 
Preferably, the valve arm 47 may be made in accordance with the teachings 
of U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,712, also assigned to the assignee of the present 
invention and incorporated herein by reference. Movement of the valve arm 
47 controls the flow of fluid from the reservoir chamber 39 to the 
operating chamber 37, through a fill opening (not shown herein) formed in 
the valve plate 35. 
Operatively associated with the outer end of the valve shaft 45 is a 
temperature-responsive bimetal element, comprising a coil member 51, which 
includes an inner end portion in engagement with the valve shaft 45. The 
manner in which the bimetal coil 51 operates to control the movement of 
the valve arm 47, in response to variations in a predetermined ambient 
temperature condition, is well known in the art, is not an essential 
feature, and will not be described further herein. 
In above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,712, but not shown in FIG. 1, the 
cover member defines an axial passage communicating with the operating 
chamber 37, and a generally radial passage communicating from the axial 
passage to the fluid reservoir chamber 39. Disposed adjacent the axial 
passage is a pump (wiper) element operable to engage the relatively 
rotating fluid in the operating chamber and generate a localized region of 
relatively higher fluid pressure. Thus, there is continually a small 
quantity of fluid pumped back into the reservoir chamber, from the 
operating chamber, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. 
In the subject embodiment of the invention, although not an essential 
feature of the invention, the input coupling member 17 includes a forward 
surface which defines a plurality of annular lands 53. The adjacent 
surface of the cover member 23 forms a plurality of annular lands 55, the 
lands 53 and 55 being interdigitated to define a serpentine-shaped shear 
space therebetween. It is believed that in view of the above-incorporated 
patents, those skilled in the art can fully understand the construction 
and operation of the fluid coupling device illustrated in FIG. 1, as well 
as the various flow paths for the viscous fluid contained therein. 
Briefly, when torque is transmitted from the vehicle engine by means of 
the input shaft 25 to the input coupling member 17, the result is a 
shearing of the viscous fluid contained in the shear space defined between 
the annular lands 53 and 55. This results in the generation of heat, which 
must be dissipated, and the cover member 23 includes a plurality of 
cooling fins 57 disposed on the forward surface of the cover member 23, 
and designed specifically for the dissipation of heat generated in the 
viscous shear chamber. 
The fan 15 comprises an annular hub 61 and a plurality of fan blades 63, 
which preferably are formed integrally with the hub 61. Furthermore, in 
the subject embodiment, the entire fan 15, including the hub 61 and the 
fan blades 63, comprise a single, integrally molded plastic fan of the 
type which is now well known to those skilled in the art. In view of the 
widespread commercial use of such fans, it is believed to be well within 
the ability of those skilled in the art to select a particular moldable 
plastic material, select a particular fan design, and determine the 
appropriate die design and injection molding process for forming the fan 
15. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, except as noted 
hereinafter, the particular configuration, material, and molding process 
for the fan are not essential elements of the present invention. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, in conjunction with FIG. 1, the die-cast molding 
die M defines the annular, closed hub cavity H. Next, the molten plastic 
material is injected through the sprue opening S, filling the hub cavity H 
and all of the blade cavities B. As this molding step occurs, the molten 
plastic material fills each of the circular openings 71, but in such a way 
that the plastic material within the opening 71 is integral with the rest 
of the annular hub 61. Thus, for either direction of rotation of the cover 
23, a portion of the surface (parallel to the axis of rotation A) of the 
openings 71 constitutes a drive surface. These drive surfaces assist in 
transmitting torque from the cover member 23 to the fan 15. 
It is believed that the configuration of the connecting portion 65, as 
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is beneficial in that the forwardly- and 
rearwardly-extending terminal portions 67 and 69 provide support for the 
annular hub 61, which is subject to substantial centrifugal force as the 
output coupling assembly 19 and the fan 15 rotate at speeds of anywhere 
from 300 to 10000 rpm, depending on engine speed. 
As may be seen from FIGS. 1 through 3, molding the fan 15 about the 
terminal portions 67 and 69 of the connecting portion 65 results in an 
assembly of the fan and fan drive, which is essentially "free", from a 
manufacturing standpoint. The only additional cost associated with the 
molding of the fan 15 is the step of placing the cover member 23 within 
the molding die M. Subsequently, however, there is no need for tapping 
threaded holes in either the body member 21 or the cover member 23, the 
cost of threaded studs or bolts is eliminated, and there is no labor cost 
for bolting the fan 15 to the fan drive 13. 
Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in conjunction with FIG. 1, there is 
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 an alternative embodiment of the invention in 
which like elements bear like numerals, plus 100, and new elements bear 
numerals beginning with "101". 
In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the body member 121 includes, cast 
integrally (monolithically) therewith, a connecting portion 165. The 
connecting portion 165 is, in the same manner as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 
and 2, a generally aluminum cover member 23 includes an annular, 
radially-extending connecting portion 65. As may best be seen in FIG. 1, 
the fan drive 13 defines a nominal outside diameter D (note the radial 
dimension designated "D/2"). Therefore, as used herein, the term 
"radially-extending" in regard to the connecting portion 65 will be 
understood to mean that the portion 65 extends radially beyond the nominal 
outside diameter D of the fan drive 13. 
The connecting portion 65, in the subject embodiment, has a generally 
T-shaped cross-section, such that the connecting portion 65 includes a 
forwardly-extending terminal portion 67 and a rearwardly-extending 
terminal portion 69. The connecting portion 65 defines a plurality of 
circular openings 71, and a plurality of circular openings 73. The 
function of the openings 71 will be discussed further subsequently, but 
the openings 73 are included primarily to permit the passage of air 
axially through the connecting portion 65 (see arrows in FIG. 1 ). Such a 
flow of air facilitates heat dissipation from the fan drive 13. 
Referring now primarily to FIG. 3, there is illustrated one aspect of the 
present invention, i.e., the method of assembly of the fan drive 13 and 
fan 15. In FIG. 3, there is schematically illustrated the step of 
injection molding the fan 15, but with FIG. 3 illustrating a point in time 
before the molding occurs, such that the plastic material which will 
comprise the fan 15 is not yet present in FIG. 3. There is shown in FIG. 3 
a fragmentary, axial section through a molding die M, which defines a 
sprue S, through which the molten, moldable plastic material is injected. 
The molding die M defines an annular hub cavity H, which conforms to the 
shape of the annular hub 61 of the fan 15. The molding die M also defines 
a plurality of blade cavities B, each of which is open to the hub cavity 
H, and conforms to the shape of the fan blades 63. 
Referring still to FIG. 3, the method of molding the fan 15 starts with the 
step of placing the die-cast aluminum cover member 23 between the upper 
and lower halves of the molding die M. As may be seen in FIG. 3, with the 
upper and lower die halves in place about the cover member 23, the 
annular, continuous portion. The connecting portion 165 defines circular 
openings 1 71 which are filled with molten plastic material during the 
molding process, in the same manner as described in connection with the 
primary embodiment. Similarly, the connecting portion 165 defines a 
plurality of circular openings 173, which facilitate a flow of cooling 
air, as described previously. 
Adjacent the outer periphery of the connecting portion 165 is a plurality 
of notches 101, oriented such that each adjacent pair of notches 101 
defines therebetween a projection or terminal portion 102, and each notch 
101 includes a pair of radially-extending drive surfaces 103 which further 
assist in transmitting torque from the body member 1 21 to the fan 15. 
Referring now primarily to FIGS. 6 and 7, in conjunction with FIG. 1, there 
is illustrated a further alternative embodiment in which the same or 
similar elements bear the same reference numeral, plus "200". New elements 
bear reference numerals beginning with "201". In FIG. 6, the die-cast 
aluminum cover member 223 has, formed integrally therewith, a plurality of 
separate, individual connecting portions 201, disposed such that a 
plurality of openings 203 are defined therebetween. Each of the connecting 
portions 201 includes a forwardly-extending terminal portion 267, and a 
rearwardly-extending portion 269, with the axial surfaces of the terminal 
portions 267 and 269 defining drive surfaces 204. The drive surfaces 204 
function in much the same manner as the drive surfaces defined by the 
openings 71 or 171, and in the same manner as the drive surfaces 103. 
From the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, it may be seen that: (1) 
the connecting portion may be cast integrally with either the cover member 
or the body member; (2) the connecting portions may comprise either a 
single, annular portion, or a plurality of separate portions; and (3) the 
connecting portion may comprise merely a radially-extending portion, or 
may include either forwardly-extending or rearwardly-extending terminal 
portions, or both. 
Furthermore, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 
various alternatives illustrated herein, and listed immediately above, may 
be combined in different combinations than those illustrated herein. 
However, for any particular configuration of connecting portion(s) and 
terminal portions, the fan 15 will typically have whatever its desired 
configuration is, independent of the configuration of the connecting 
portion (S). 
The invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing 
specification, and it is believed that various alterations and 
modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in 
the art from a reading and understanding of the specification. It is 
intended that all such alterations and modifications are included in the 
invention, insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.