IMPELLER AND FAN ASSEMBLY

An impeller includes a hub having an axial direction as a rotation axis and extending from a first end to a second end, and including an end surface and a first wall. The end surface is positioned at the first end of the hub, one end of the first wall extends around an entire periphery of the end surface and radially outwardly extends at an angle toward the second end in the axial direction. A length of extension of the first wall is greater than 50% of a length of extension of the hub. The impeller further includes a plurality of blades, the proximal ends of which extend from the periphery of the hub in a radial direction. A predetermined range of angle is formed between the first wall and the axial direction, and the predetermined range of angle is between 3 degrees and 45 degrees.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to the field of ventilation devices. More specifically, the present application relates to an impeller intended to provide improved foreign matter removal capabilities. The present application also relates to a fan assembly comprising the impeller as described above.

Vehicles typically include one or more ventilation devices, such as fans. A fan typically includes an impeller and a motor, with the impeller being driven by the motor. Under some operating conditions, foreign matter (such as grit or water) may enter the gap between the impeller and the motor and may accumulate at the hub of the impeller. Such undesirable accumulation of foreign matter may cause uneven mass distribution or increase the mass of the impeller, causing vibration, wear or difficulty in starting. In a known fan, foreign matter may accumulate between the hub of the impeller and the rotor of the motor. When the fan is in operation, foreign matter tends to accumulate on the radial exterior of the hub under the action of centrifugal force.

SUMMARY

An object of the present application is to provide an impeller that is capable of effectively expelling foreign matter, such as grit or water. Another object of the present application is to provide a fan assembly, which comprises the impeller described above.

The aims of the present application are achieved through the following technical solutions:

An impeller, consisting of:a hub having an axial direction as a rotation axis and extending from a first end to a second end, and including an end surface and a first wall, wherein the end surface is positioned at the first end of the hub, one end of the first wall extends around the entire periphery of the end surface and radially outwardly extends at an angle toward the second end in the axial direction, wherein the length of extension of the first wall in the axial direction is greater than 50% of the length of extension of the hub from the first end to the second end in the axial direction; anda plurality of blades, the proximal ends of which extend from the periphery of the hub in a radial direction;wherein, a predetermined range of angle is formed between the first wall and the axial direction, and the predetermined range of angle is set to be between 3 degrees and 45 degrees.

In the impeller described above, optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the first wall in the axial direction comprises one or more line segments, and the predetermined range of angle (A1) is between 3 degrees and 5 degrees, 5 degrees and 10 degrees, 10 degrees and 15 degrees, 15 degrees and 20 degrees, 20 degrees and 25 degrees, 25 degrees and 30 degrees, 30 degrees and 35 degrees, 35 degrees and 40 degrees, or 40 degrees and 45 degrees; or the cross-sectional shape of the first wall in the axial direction is configured as a curve.

In the impeller described above, optionally, the hub comprises a second wall, wherein the second wall is arranged around the entire first wall; the proximal ends of the blades extend from the outer side of the second wall; the first wall is attached to the inner side of the second wall, forming a groove between the first wall and the second wall.

In the impeller described above, optionally, the second wall is arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction and extends toward the plane where the end surface is located; and/or comprises a plurality of second ribs extending between the first wall and the second wall and arranged within the groove.

In the impeller described above, optionally, it comprises a plurality of first ribs being arranged along a circumferential direction in a substantially uniform or non-uniform manner, wherein the first ribs extend radially inward from the first wall and at least partially extend to the end surface.

In the impeller described above, the end surface includes a plurality of through-holes being disposed at one or more of the following positions: extended through the first wall near the base of the first rib, or extended through the end surface near the base of the first rib.

In the impeller described above, optionally, the arrangement of the through-holes is as follows: positioned near one side of the first rib facing the direction of rotation of the impeller during rotation, such that a portion of grit or water entering the interior of the hub accumulates at the base of the first rib on the side facing the direction of rotation under the action of centrifugal force when the impeller rotates, and exits the impeller through the through-holes; wherein the interior space of the hub includes a motor installation space and surrounding space, of which the motor installation space is used to accommodate a motor rotor, and the first ribs and the through-holes are located in the surrounding space.

In the impeller described above, optionally, the hub comprises an annular groove being arranged near the first wall and surrounding the entire end surface; the annular groove and the first wall are located on opposite sides of the end surface, wherein the annular groove is configured for mounting a balancing ball.

In the impeller described above, optionally, it includes a ring, to which a distal end of the blade is attached, and which extends in the circumferential direction.

In the impeller described above, optionally, the hub includes a lid, which covers the groove, wherein the lid is attached to the first wall and the second wall by one of the following methods: adhesive bonding, bolt connection, or welding.

A fan assembly, comprising:the impeller described above;a motor consisting of a rotor and a stator, wherein the end surface of the impeller is attached to the rotor; anda frame, to which the stator of the motor is attached, and which is arranged around the distal end of the blade.

In the fan assembly described above, optionally, the end surface of the impeller further includes a plurality of mounting holes, to which the motor rotor is attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred examples of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are purely descriptive, exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application.

First, it should be noted that the terms top, bottom, upward, downward, and other orientation terms referred to herein are defined relative to the orientations in each of the accompanying drawings. These orientations are relative concepts and therefore will vary based on their respective positions and states. Therefore, these or other orientation terms should not be construed as limiting.

In addition, it should be noted that for any single technical feature described or implied in the examples herein or shown or implied in the accompanying drawings, these technical features (or equivalent thereof) can be combined to obtain other examples not explicitly mentioned herein.

It should be noted that in different drawings, the same reference numbers represent the same or substantially similar components.

FIGS.1-5illustrate different aspects of one example of an impeller of the present application. In one example, the impeller10may consist of a hub100, a blade200, a ring300, and so on. However, it is readily understood that the ring300is not required. For example, the impeller may include only the hub100and the blade200. The hub100may be configured to rotate in the axial direction A-A as an axis, the blade200may be configured to extend in the radial direction R-R, and the ring300may be configured to extend in the circumferential direction C-C.

When used herein, axial direction A-A refers to the direction in which the rotation axis of the impeller of the fan assembly lies. The radial direction R-R refers to the direction in which the radius of the circular profile of the impeller10is directed, or the direction indicated by an incidence line starting from a point on the axial direction A-A and extending in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction A-A. The circumferential direction C-C refers to the direction in which the circumference of the circular profile of the impeller10is located. Further, herein, radially outward or radially inward refers to a direction away from or toward the rotation axis of the impeller10substantially in the radial direction R-R.

The hub100may include an end surface110, a first wall121, a second wall122, a plurality of first ribs131, an annular groove140, and so on. The hub100may extend from the first end101to the second end102in the axial direction A-A, as shown inFIG.5. As illustrated, the end surface110may have a substantially circular shape and extend along the radial direction R-R. The end surface110may include a plurality of through-holes111and a plurality of mounting holes112. The through-holes111may be substantially uniformly arranged along the perimeter of the end surface110and extend through the end surface111. The mounting holes112may also extend through the end surface110and may be configured for attaching the motor rotor500of the motor20, as described in detail below. The mounting holes112may be evenly arranged on the end surface110and may be used to install the first fastener700, as described in detail below.

One end of the first wall121may extend from the periphery of the end surface110all the way to the end. As shown inFIG.5, the first wall121may extend toward one side of the end surface110and extend at an angle relative to the axial direction A-A. In one example, the first wall121may be viewed as extending radially outward. As shown inFIG.5, a predetermined range of angle A1may be formed between the first wall121and the axial direction A-A. The predetermined range of angle A1may be between 3 degrees and 45 degrees. In one example, the predetermined range of angle A1is larger than the draft angle of conventional wall structures. For example, conventional wall structures typically have a draft angle of 1 to 2 degrees. In one example, the predetermined range of angle (A1) may be between 3 degrees and 5 degrees, 5 degrees and 10 degrees, 10 degrees and 15 degrees, 15 degrees and 20 degrees, 20 degrees and 25 degrees, 25 degrees and 30 degrees, 30 degrees and 35 degrees, 35 degrees and 40 degrees, or 40 degrees and 45 degrees. In the illustrated example, the first wall121is configured to have a substantially linear shape, or alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the first wall121in the axial direction A-A is configured in a linear shape and is formed by a single line segment. However, the first wall121may actually be configured in other shapes, for example, the cross-sectional shape in the axial direction A-A may be a curve, such as a hyperbola, a brachistochrone curve, a parabola, or the like. In one example, the first wall121may be stepped. In one example, the first wall121may be formed from a plurality of line segments.

The first wall121has a certain length of extension. As shown inFIG.5, in one example of the present application, the first wall121may extend substantially from the first end101to the second end102of the hub100. In one example, the length of extension of the first wall121in the axial direction A-A may be greater than 50% of the length of extension of the first end101and the second end102of the hub100in the axial direction A-A. The length of extension of the first wall121in the axial direction A-A may be expressed as: a virtual incidence line drawn along the axial direction A-A with one end of the first wall121as the starting point, and a vertical line drawn toward the virtual incidence line from the other end of the first wall121as the starting point. The direction of the vertical line is set perpendicular to the axial direction A-A. The vertical line intersects with the virtual incidence line. A portion of the virtual incidence line between the intersection point and one end of the first wall121is also referred to herein as a projection of the first wall121in the axial direction A-A. A portion of this virtual incidence line is the length of extension of the first wall121in the axial direction A-A.

During operation, foreign matter (such as grit or water) may enter between the hub100and the motor rotor500as the impeller10rotates, the foreign matter may be moved along the first wall121under the action of centrifugal force and exit the impeller10at the end of the first wall121. In this way, the impeller10is capable of automatically expelling the foreign matter, thereby avoiding undesirable accumulation of foreign matter, effectively improving the operational safety of the impeller10and the service life of the components.

The second wall122may be attached to an end of the first wall121. As shown inFIG.5, the second wall122may extend along the axial direction A-A, or be arranged substantially parallel to the axial direction A-A. The second wall122may be arranged around an end of the entire first wall121. Furthermore, the direction of extension of the second wall122may be substantially opposite to the first wall121such that the projections of the first wall121and the second wall122in the axial direction A-A at least partially overlap. In one example, a draft angle may be formed between both sides of the second wall122and the axial direction A-A, and the angle of the draft angle may be about 1 degree. A groove123may be formed between the first wall121and the second wall122. In one example, the groove123may extend in a circumferential direction C-C. In one example, the opening of the groove123may be towards the first end101.

The first ribs131and the second ribs132may be arranged along the circumferential direction C-C, for example, substantially uniformly or non-uniformly. In the illustrated example, the first rib131may extend from the first wall121and at least partially onto the end surface110, or at least partially onto a side of the end surface110. The second rib132may extend between the first wall121and the second wall122and may be disposed within the groove123. The first rib131may be a protruding portion along the axial direction A-A, and may serve as a structural reinforcement.

The annular groove140may be disposed near an end of the first wall121and extend around the periphery of the end surface110. In one example, the annular groove140may be used to mount a balancing ball. The annular groove140and the first wall121may be located at both sides of the end surface110.

A plurality of through-holes111may be arranged near the base of the first rib131. For example, the through-holes111may extend through the end surface110or the first wall121. The through-holes111may be arranged on one side of the first rib131facing the direction of rotation of the impeller10. The function of the through-hole111is to expel a portion of the foreign matter. For example, when the impeller10rotates, some foreign matter will be drawn towards the base of the first rib131on the side facing the direction of rotation of the impeller10under the action of centrifugal force, such as accumulating towards the locations of the two through-holes111as shown inFIG.5. At this point, the foreign matter may be expelled through the through-holes111. As shown inFIG.5, the through-holes111may be arranged near the annular groove140.

In addition, the space inside the hub100may be divided into a motor installation space and a surrounding space. For example, the space enclosed by the end surface100and the second wall122may accommodate a motor rotor500, a first rib131, and a second rib132, which are not shown. When the motor rotor500is installed, the outer contour of which is positioned adjacent to the first rib131; the space occupied by the motor rotor500may be referred to as the motor installation space, and the space inside the hub100outside the motor rotor500may be referred to as the surrounding space. In one example, the first rib131, the second rib132and the plurality of through holes111are disposed in the surrounding space.

The blade200may include a proximal end201and a distal end202. In the illustrated example, the proximal end201of the blade200extends from a periphery of the hub100, such as from the second wall122in the radial direction R-R. In one example, the proximal end201of the blade200may extend in the radial direction R-R from the first wall121. The distal end202of the blade200is connected to the ring300.

The ring300may have a substantially circular profile and may be attached to the distal end202of each blade200. It should be noted that the ring300is not necessary but optional.

In one example, various parts of the hub100may be integrally manufactured. In one example, various parts of the impeller10may be integrally manufactured.

FIGS.6-8illustrate an example of the fan assembly1of the present application. As shown, the impeller10, motor20, and frame30are assembled together. The motor20may include a rotor500and a stator600. The rotor500includes a plurality of mounting holes512and may be mounted to the end surface110by a first fastener700. As shown, the rotor500has a substantially cylindrical shape and, in fact, the rotor500is attached to the end surface110with a gap existing between the side thereof and the first rib131. This gap is arranged for installation and heat dissipation needs, and foreign matter may enter the space between the rotor500and the hub100there through. Similarly, the stator600may also include a plurality of mounting holes612and may be mounted to the frame30by a second fastener800. Accordingly, upon installation in place, the rotor500and the impeller10may pivot relative to the frame30, such as about the axial direction A-A.

Thus, after assembly, the impeller10is pivotally attached to the frame30, which surrounds the distal end202of the blade200. In the illustrated example, the frame30surrounds the ring300of the impeller10.

FIGS.9and10illustrate another example of the present application. In this example, the impeller10may include a lid150. The lid150may be attached to the first wall121and the second pen122, for example, to one end of the first wall121and the end of the second wall122, and may cover the groove123. In one example, the lid150may be planar in shape. In one example, the lid150may include a step, a curve, or other suitable shapes. The lid150may be attached to the first wall121and/or the second wall122by one of the following methods: adhesive bonding, bolt connection, welding, or the like. In one example, the lid150is secured in place by laser or ultrasonic welding. In one example, the portion of the lid150that contacts the first wall121and the second wall122may include a stepped mating structure or a structure comprising protrusions and recesses, allowing the lid150to easily mate and be positioned in place with the first wall121and the second wall122before welding, adhesive bonding, or bolt connection. Furthermore, one end of the first wall121and the end of the second wall122may be substantially flush in the axial direction A-A such that the lid150is positioned perpendicular to the axial direction A-A. As shown inFIG.9, the lid150may have a substantially annular profile.

In one example, the lid150prevents foreign matter from entering the space between the first wall121and the second wall122, or may prevent foreign matter from entering the groove123. For example, the lid150may completely seal the space between one end of the first wall121and the end of the second wall122, or may completely seal the groove123to prevent grit or dust from entering, thereby effectively improving the dustproof performance of the impeller10.

The impeller and fan assembly of the present application may be used in a vehicle, for example, as an intake fan or an exhaust fan. In one example, the impeller and fan assembly of the present application may be used in a vehicle operating in a desert area or wet area.

The impeller and fan assembly of the present application have the advantages of simplicity, reliability, ease of implementation, and ease of use, while also providing improved capability for removal of foreign matter. By employing the impeller and fan assembly of the present application, the lifespan of the fan assembly is extended, and its reliability is improved.

This specification discloses the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings and also enables those skilled in the art to implement the present application, including the manufacture and use of any device or system, the selection of suitable materials, and the use of any combination of methods. The scope of the present application is defined by the technical solutions for which protection is sought and includes other examples that may be conceivable to those skilled in the art. As long as such other examples comprise structural elements that do not differ from the literal description of the technical solutions for which protection is sought or comprise equivalent structural elements that do not substantially differ from the literal description of the technical solutions for which protection is sought, such other examples should be considered within the scope of protection defined by the technical solutions for which protection is sought under the present application.