A method of balancing fan rotors, particularly electric fans for use in motor vehicles

Abstract: The method enables a fan rotor (5) to be balanced by the addition of material in at least one selected position on the fan rotor (5). It is characterized in that the material is added by the application of one or more metal staples (10).

Description: The present invention relates to a method of balancing fan rotors by the addition of material in at least one selected position, in particular a method of the kind defined in the preamble of Claim 1. Fan rotors with blades are widely used particularly in electric fans for use in motor vehicles. A method of that kind is disclosed in FR-A-2 655 400. In this prior method one or more essentially U- or C-shaped clips of wire metal are secured astride an edge portion of one or more blades of a fan essentially by a frictional fit. The distal portion of one arm of said clips is inwardly bent and has a pointed end which in the mounted condition of the clip insists against one face of a fan blade and is adapted to hinder the separation of the clip from the blade during rotation of the fan. The object of the present invention is to provide a method which makes the balancing of fan rotors, particularly plastics fan rotors, extremely quick, reliable and stable over time. This object is achieved, according to the invention, by the method defined in Claim 1. The method according to the invention provides for the use of metal staples of the type generally used for stapling sheets of paper. These metal staples which, before application, are typically C-shaped, are applied by means of known devices (staple pliers) which can cause the end arms of a metal staple to penetrate through (for example) a blade, and can close the arms by deformation onto the opposite surface or face of the blade to that from which the staple is applied. The method according to the invention is distinguished by being extremely easy, quick and cheap to implement. The balancing thus achieved is highly reliable and stable since the metal staples applied remain firmly in the position of application, ensuring that the balancing is maintained over time. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description, given purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partially-sectioned side view of a motor-driven fan balanced by the method according to the invention, and Figures 2 and 3 show, by way of example, a metal staple used for balancing, before and after application to the fan rotor, respectively. An electric fan, generally indicated 1 in Figure 1, comprises, in known manner, an electric drive motor 2 having a rotatable shaft 3 on which the hub 4 of a fan rotor, generally indicated 5, is keyed. In the embodiment shown by way of example, the fan rotor 5 is of the centrifugal type and comprises a plurality of spokes 6 which extend from the hub 4 and are connected at their ends by a ring, indicated 7. The fan rotor 5 also comprises an annular array of blades 8 which extend essentially parallel to the axis of the fan rotor between the rear ring 7 and a front ring 9. The fan rotor 5 is advantageously formed integrally as a single piece of moulded plastics material. The fan rotor is balanced by the selective addition of material which, according to the invention, is achieved by the application of one or more metal staples 10 to at least one blade. As stated above, these metal staples are of the absolutely conventional type shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows, in particular, a metal staple of this type in the condition before its application. The metal staple 10 is substantially C-shaped with two end arms 10a which can be made to penetrate through the thickness of a blade 8 of the fan rotor. After they have penetrated through a blade, the end arms 10a of the metal staple 10 are closed onto the opposite face of the blade and adopt the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 3. The application of the metal staples 10 in order to balance the fan can be carried out automatically in an equipment including a conventional stapler. Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the annexed Claims.

Claims: A method of balancing a fan rotor (5) having a plurality of blades (8) by applying in a selected position of at least one of said blades (10) at least one essentially C-shaped metal member (10) having two end arms (10a) ; the method being characterised in that said metal member (10) is a staple (10) and in that the end arms (10a) of said staple (10) are penetrated through the thickness of one of said blades (8) from one face of the blade (8), and are deformed onto the opposite face of said blade (8). A method according to Claim 1, wherein said at least one staple (10) is applied by means of a staple plier.

Inventors: D ANGELO SERGIO, GRECO MARCO, D'ANGELO, SERGIO, GRECO, MARCO
Applicants: DENSO MFG ITALIA S P A, DENSO MANUFACTURING ITALIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: F04D29
IPC codes: F04D29, F16F15