Patent Publication Number: US-9885276-B2

Title: Fan having a temperature detecting function

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application claims the benefit of Taiwan application serial No. 104101210, filed on Jan. 14, 2015, and the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a fan and, more particularly, to a fan having a temperature sensor for temperature detection. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A conventional fan having a temperature sensor is mostly used in a vehicle air-conditioning system. The fan detects the temperature in the vehicle, and the computer of the vehicle controls the operation of the air-conditioning system according to the detected temperature. As such, the temperature in the vehicle can be regulated.  FIG. 1  shows a conventional fan  8  with a temperature detecting function. The fan  8  includes a fan frame  81 , an impeller  82 , a temperature sensor  83  and a lead wire unit  84 . The fan frame  81  includes an air inlet  811  and an air outlet  812 . The impeller  82  is located between the air inlet  811  and the air outlet  812  and is driven to rotate by a stator. The temperature sensor  83  is fixed at the air inlet  811  by the lead wire unit  84 , so that the temperature in the vehicle can be detected. In this arrangement, the temperature sensor  83  is able to detect the temperature in the vehicle, and the detected result is sent to the computer of the vehicle which controls the operation of the air-conditioning system according to the detected result. Such a fan  8  can be seen in Taiwan Patent No. I413462 entitled “A fan and its frame with a supporting structure for a sensor.” 
     Since the lead wire unit  84  is the only component that supports the temperature sensor  83  at the air inlet  811 , the temperature sensor  83  cannot be securely fixed at the air inlet  811 . Disadvantageously, the vibration generated during the movement of the vehicle may cause shaking of the temperature sensor  83 , which further causes the change in position of the temperature sensor  83 . When the position of the temperature sensor  83  is changed by the shaking force, the temperature sensor  83  may easily come into contact with the impeller  82  if the temperature sensor  83  is too close to the impeller  82 . As a result, the temperature sensor  83  may collide with the impeller  82 , resulting in damage to the temperature sensor  83 . Thus, the operation of the temperature sensor  83  is affected. 
       FIG. 2  shows another conventional fan  9  having a temperature detecting function. The fan  9  includes a fan frame  91 , an impeller  92 , a temperature sensor  93  and a plurality of wire carriers  94 . The fan frame  91  also includes an air inlet  911  and an air outlet  912 . The impeller  92  is received in the fan frame  91 . The temperature sensor  93  is also arranged at the air inlet  911  of the fan frame  91 . The plurality of wire carriers  94  extends from the inner periphery of the fan frame  91  and connects to a circular supporting portion  95 . The supporting portion  95  is used to support the temperature sensor  93 . Such a fan  9  can also be seen in Taiwan Patent No. I413462 entitled “A fan and its frame with a supporting structure for a sensor.” 
     In the fan  9 , although the shaking of the temperature sensor  93  is prevented under the support of the wire carriers  94  and the supporting portion  95 , the temperature sensor  93  has one face in contact with the support  95 . Since the face of the temperature sensor  93  is in abutment with the support  95 , ambient air is not able to reach said face, which adversely affects the detecting accuracy and sensitivity of the temperature sensor  93 . 
     In light of the problems of the conventional fans  8  and  9 , it is necessary to provide a fan which prevents the collision between the temperature sensor and the impeller while maintaining the detecting accuracy and sensitivity thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore the objective of this invention to provide a fan having a temperature detecting function. The fan is capable of preventing the collision between the temperature sensor and the impeller thereof when the position of the temperature sensor is changed by the shaking force, ensuring the detection accuracy and sensitivity of the temperature sensor. 
     In an embodiment, a fan having a temperature detecting function includes a fan frame, an extension member, a temperature sensor and a restricting portion. The fan frame has an air inlet, an air outlet, and an impeller rotatably arranged between the air inlet and the air outlet. The extension member has one end adjacent to the fan frame. The temperature sensor is arranged at one of the air inlet and the air outlet via the extension member in a position where the surface of the temperature sensor is fully exposed to the ambient air. The restricting portion is arranged at the one of the air inlet and the air outlet. The restricting portion is located between the extension member and the impeller and is adapted to prevent the extension member from making contact with the impeller. 
     In a form shown, the fan further includes a circuit board coupled with the fan frame. The extension member has one end adjacent to the circuit board and another end adjacent to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to the circuit board. 
     In the form shown, the extension member is in a form of a tube, the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the circuit board via a lead wire, and the lead wire is received in the extension member. 
     In the form shown, the restricting portion is in a form of a rib located at one of the air inlet and the air outlet and having two ends coupled with a part of an inner periphery of the fan frame. The rib is across the one of the air inlet and the air outlet in order to prevent the extension member from making contact with the impeller. 
     In another form shown, the restricting portion is in a form of two ribs located at one of the air inlet and the air outlet. Each rib includes a first end coupled with a part of an inner periphery of the fan frame, as well as a second end coupled with the second end of the other rib. The two ribs jointly prevent the extension member from making contact with the impeller. 
     In the form shown, the fan further includes a lid arranged at the one of the air inlet and the air outlet, and the lid has an opening communicating with the one of the air inlet and the air outlet. 
     In the form shown, the extension member is in a form of a rod, a tube, a lead wire, a heat shrinkable tubing or a plate. 
     In the form shown, the restricting portion includes an engaging member adapted to limit the position of the extension member. 
     In another form shown, the engaging member is in a form of two pieces of opposing engaging panels spaced from each other to form a gap therebetween, and the extension member is received in between the two pieces of opposing engaging panels. 
     In still another form shown, the engaging member is in the form of a retainer, and the extension member is forced into and retained by the retainer. 
     In a further form shown, the engaging member is in the form of two walls spaced from each other to form a gap therebetween, and the extension member is received in the gap and positioned between the two walls. 
     Based on the arrangement of the extension member, ambient air is able to sufficiently reach the entire surface of the temperature sensor. Thus, the detecting accuracy and sensitivity of the temperature sensor are not affected. In addition, the restricting portion is used to support the extension member or limit the position of the extension member, preventing the extension member and the temperature sensor from colliding with the impeller when the positions of the extension member and the temperature sensor are changed by the shaking force. Thus, the detecting sensitivity and accuracy of the temperature sensor are ensured, and normal operation of the air-conditioning system is ensured. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a conventional fan having a temperature detecting function. 
         FIG. 2  shows another conventional fan having a temperature detecting function. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a fan having a temperature detecting function according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows the fan of the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows another fan having a temperature detecting function according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the fan of the invention with the engaging member of the fan in the form of two pieces of opposing engaging panels. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the fan of the invention with the engaging member of the fan in the form of a retainer. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the fan of the invention with the engaging member of the fan in the form of two walls spaced from each other. 
     
    
    
     In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, “inner”, “outer”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear” and similar terms are used hereinafter, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings, and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The fan having a temperature detecting function as discussed below can be used in any air-conditioning system. In the following example, the fan is used in a vehicle air-conditioning system, but is not limited thereto. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the fan having the temperature detecting function includes a fan frame  1  having an air inlet  11 , an air outlet  12  and an impeller  13  arranged between the air inlet  11  and the air outlet  12 . The impeller  13  is driven to rotate by a stator. The stator may be of any structure capable of driving the impeller to rotate. For example, the stator may comprise components such as a silicon steel plate, a coil unit, an insulation sleeve or a driving circuit board. The stator is spaced from a permanent magnet by an air gap that is mounted on the inner periphery of the impeller. As such, alternating magnetic fields can be generated via the air gap to drive the impeller. The operation of the fan is not described herein as it can be readily appreciated by skilled persons. 
     A temperature sensor  2  may be arranged at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12 . The temperature sensor  2  is fixed at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12  via an extension member  3 . The extension member  3  may be of any structure capable of supporting the temperature sensor  2  at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12 , such as a rod, a tube, a lead wire, a heat shrinkable tubing or a plate. The extension member  3  may be fixed to the fan frame  1  directly, or fixed to the fan frame  1  via a circuit board  4 . The circuit board  4  is used to receive or transmit the detected result of the temperature  2 . Preferably, the circuit board  4  may be integrated on the driving circuit board of the stator. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor  2  is arranged at the air inlet  11  for illustration purposes. The extension member  3  may be in the form of a tube. The extension member  3  includes one end connected to the circuit board  4 , as well as another end connected to the temperature sensor  2 . The circuit board  4  may be fixed to the fan frame  1  by screwing, fastening, adhesion or welding, in order to improve the coupling strength between the extension member  3 , the circuit board  4  and the fan frame  1 . The temperature sensor  2  may be electrically connected to the circuit board  4  in a wireless manner or via a lead wire. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the temperature sensor  2  is electrically connected to the circuit board  4  via a lead wire  31 . The lead wire  31  may be received in the extension member  3  for concealment and protection purposes. Alternatively, the lead wire  31  may be used as the extension member  3  without the use of the tube. 
     A lid  14  may be arranged at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12 . The lid  14  includes an opening  141 . In the embodiment, the lid  14  is arranged at the air inlet  11  for illustration purposes. Specifically, when the temperature sensor  2  is arranged at the air inlet  11 , the lid  14  may be arranged at the side of the fan frame  1  where the air inlet  11  is. At this point, the opening  141  of the lid  14  communicates with the air inlet  11 . The lid  14  is used to cover and retain the circuit board  4  for concealment and protection purposes. This prevents accumulation of dust on the circuit board  4  and also prevents dampening of the circuit board  4  while providing improved decorative and retaining effects. 
     A restricting portion  5  is arranged at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12  of the fan frame  1 . The restricting portion  5  may be integrally formed on the part of the inner periphery of the fan frame  1  adjacent to the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12 . Alternatively, the restricting portion  5  may be attached to or detached from the part of the inner periphery of the fan frame  1  adjacent to the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12 . In this regard, the restricting portion  5  is able to limit the position of the extension member  3  when the extension member  3  is fixed at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12 . The restricting portion  5  may or may not come into contact with the extension member  3 . When the restricting portion  5  is in contact with the extension member  3 , the restricting portion  5  may support the extension member  3 . To the contrary, the restricting portion  5  is preferably not in contact with the extension member  3  in order not to affect the detecting accuracy and sensitivity of the temperature sensor  2 . Based on this, the restricting portion  5  is able to prevent the extension member  3  from colliding with the impeller  13  when the position of the extension member  3  is changed by the shaking force. The restricting portion  5  is simply used to support the extension member  3  or limit the position of the extension member  3  rather than coupling with the temperature sensor  2 . Therefore, the temperature sensor  2  will not make contact with the restricting portion  5 , ensuring the temperature sensor  2  to be properly fixed at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12  such that the temperature sensor  2  can be fully exposed to the ambient air. 
     Another example is made with the restricting portion  5  integrally formed on the part of the inner periphery of the fan frame  1  adjacent to the air inlet  11 . The restricting portion  5  is in the form of a rib  51  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The rib  51  has two ends coupled with the part of the inner periphery of the fan frame  1  adjacent to the air inlet  11 . In this arrangement, the rib  51  appears to be in the form of a bar across the air inlet  11  for supporting the extension member  3  or limiting the position of the extension member  3 . Alternatively, the restricting portion  5  is in the form of two ribs  51  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each rib  51  includes a first end coupled with the part of the inner periphery of the fan frame  1  adjacent to the air inlet  11 , as well as a second end coupled with the second end of the other rib  51 . In this arrangement, the two ribs  51  appear to be in a “V” shape and are used to support the extension member  3  or limit the position of the extension member  3 . Advantageously, the desired limiting effect and supporting effect of the extension member  3  can be attained. 
     Moreover, the restricting portion  5  may have an engaging member used to limit the position of the extension member  3 . As such, the improved limiting effect of the extension member  3  can be provided. For instance, referring to  FIG. 6 , the engaging member is in the form of two pieces of opposing engaging panels  511  spaced from each other to form a gap therebetween. The extension member  3  is positioned between the two pieces of engaging panels  511 , preventing the extension member  3  from moving leftwards and rightwards in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the extension member  3 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the engaging member is in the form of a retainer  512 . The extension member  3  can be forced into and retained by the retainer  512 , preventing the extension member  3  from moving up and down in an axial direction of the fan. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the engaging member is in the form of two walls  513  spaced from each other to form a gap therebetween. The extension member  3  is received in the gap and positioned between the two walls  513 , preventing the extension member  3  from moving leftwards and rightwards in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the extension member  3 . 
     When the fan having the temperature detecting function of the application is used in a vehicle air-conditioning system, the restricting portion  5  is able to effectively limit the position of the extension member  3 . Therefore, the extension member  3  and the temperature sensor  2  will not make contact with the impeller  13  when their positions are changed by the shaking force caused by the movement of the vehicle. Furthermore, since the temperature sensor  2  is fixed at the air inlet  11  or the air outlet  12  via the extension member  3  only, the restricting portion  5  will not make contact with the temperature sensor  2  and will not obstruct the ambient air from reaching the temperature sensor  2 . As a result, the temperature sensor  2  can be positioned in a position where the surface of the temperature sensor  2  is fully exposed to the ambient air, ensuring an accurate detection of the temperature sensor  2 . In this arrangement, when the circuit board  4  receives the detected result of the temperature sensor  2 , the circuit board  4  may transmit the detected result to the computer of the vehicle which regulates the temperature in the vehicle accordingly. 
     In conclusion, based on the structure of the fan having the temperature detecting function of the application, the temperature sensor  2  can be arranged at one of the air inlet  11  and the air outlet  12  via the extension member  3  in a position where the surface of the temperature sensor  2  is fully exposed to the ambient air. Thus, the detecting accuracy and sensitivity of the temperature sensor  2  are not affected. fan is further designed with the restricting portion  5  that limits the position of the extension member  3 , thereby preventing the extension member  3  and the temperature sensor  2  from colliding with the impeller  13  when the positions of the extension member  3  and the temperature sensor  2  are changed by the shaking force. Thus, damage to the extension member  3  and the temperature sensor  2  can be prevented, and the detecting sensitivity and accuracy of the temperature sensor  2  can be ensured. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferable embodiments, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.