Patent Publication Number: US-8523528-B2

Title: Locking device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 13/343,696 filed on Jan. 4, 2012, now pending, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2010/077251, with an international filing date of Sep. 25, 2010, which is based on Chinese Patent Application No. 201020152163.9, filed Mar. 31, 2010. The contents of all of these specifications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a locking device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional locking devices include a hoop and a mounting hole formed in the middle thereof. Particularly, for an external rotor axial flow fan, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the hoop is connected using blades. All side installation sections of the hoop are all arranged with radial mounting holes. The installation sections are radially connected using external bolts and nuts to circumferentially tighten the rotor of the external rotor motor of the axial flow fan. In the process of assembly and disassembly, as the bolts are mounted close to the fan blades, the installation spaces are severely limited, thereby leading to inconvenient and inefficient assembly and disassembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-described problems, it is one objective of the invention to provide a locking device that has a simple structure, low cost, robust connecting structure, convenient and efficient assembly and disassembly processes. 
     This objective is achieved using the following technical schemes. 
     A locking device comprises a hoop, the hoop curling up to form an axial mounting hole in the middle, wherein an upper convex block protrudes from a left side end of the hoop while a lower convex block protrudes from a right side end of the hoop; the upper convex block and the lower convex block are misaligned to form a middle aperture; a left aperture is formed between the hoop&#39;s left side end and the lower convex block, a right aperture is formed between the hoop&#39;s right side end and the upper convex block; an upper convex ear protrudes from the outer side of the upper convex block and a lower convex ear protrudes from the outer side of the lower convex block; the upper convex ear corresponds to the lower convex ear with respect to their positions; the upper convex block and the lower convex block are respectively arranged with an upper guiding inclined plane and a lower guiding inclined plane; the upper convex ear comprises a through hole, and the lower convex ear comprises a mounting hole; the through hole of the upper convex ear and the mounting hole of the lower convex ear are axially connected using a bolt-nut mechanism or screws to lock the upper convex ear and the lower convex ear; the upper convex block and the lower convex block move axially to narrow the middle aperture, the upper guiding inclined plane and the lower guiding inclined plane contact with each other to make the upper convex block and the lower convex block to move circumferentially to narrow both the left aperture and the right aperture and enable the hoop to tightly hold an object inside the axial mounting hole. 
     In a class of this embodiment, the upper guiding inclined plane and the lower guiding inclined plane are directly arranged on the opposite end of the upper convex block and the lower convex block, or respectively arranged on an upper inclined plate and a lower inclined plate extending from the upper convex block and the lower convex block. 
     In a class of this embodiment, the upper convex ear is respectively arranged at both ends of the upper inclined plate, the lower convex ear is respectively arranged at both ends of the lower inclined plate, and the upper convex ear corresponds to the lower convex ear with respect to their positions. 
     In a class of this embodiment, the upper convex ear is arranged at one end of the upper inclined plate, the lower convex ear is arranged at one end of the lower inclined plate, and the upper convex ear corresponds to the lower convex ear with respect to their positions. 
     In a class of this embodiment, both the through hole of the upper convex ear and the mounting hole of the lower convex ear have a circular or a waist shape. 
     Fan blades are connected to the outer wall of the hoop. 
     In a class of this embodiment, the object inside the axial mounting hole is either an external rotor of a motor or a motor shaft. 
     In a class of this embodiment, the outer side of the hoop is connected to the fan blades using a mounting foot; a balancing structure is arranged either on the mounting foot or the hoop to eliminate dynamic unbalance caused by the bolt-nut mechanism or the screws. The balancing structure is a weight adjustment hole arranged either on the mounting foot or the hoop. 
     In a class of this embodiment, both the fan blades and the mounting foot are three in number, which are arranged along the surface of the hoop with even circumference. The weight adjustment hole is arranged on the mounting foot on both sides rather than the opposite sides of either the bolt-nut mechanism or the screws. 
     In a class of this embodiment, the weight adjustment hole is arranged close to either the bolt-nut mechanism or the screws. 
     Advantages of the invention are summarized below: 1) the upper convex block protrudes from the left side end of the hoop while the lower convex block protrudes from the right side end of the hoop; the upper convex block and the lower convex block are misaligned to form the middle aperture, the left aperture is formed between the hoop&#39;s left side end and the lower convex block, the right aperture is formed between the hoop&#39;s right side end and the upper convex block; the upper convex ear protrudes from the outer side of the upper convex block and the lower convex ear protrudes from the outer side of the lower convex block; the upper convex ear corresponds to the lower convex ear with respect to their positions; the upper convex block and the lower convex block are respectively arranged with the upper guiding inclined plane and the lower guiding inclined plane; the bolt-nut mechanism or screws are used to axially connect the through hole of the upper convex ear and the mounting hole of the lower convex ear so as to lock the upper convex ear and the lower convex ear. The above structure is characterized in that it has a simple installation structure, low cost, robust connecting structure, big axial locking space, and convenient and efficient assembly and disassembly processes, and during assembly and disassembly processes, it is unlikely to be affected by the fan blades; and 2) the balancing structure is arranged either on the mounting foot or the hoop to eliminate dynamic unbalance caused by the bolt-nut mechanism or the screws. The balancing structure is the weight adjustment hole arranged either on the mounting foot or the hoop. It is characterized in that it has a simple balance calibration process, simple structure, low cost, high product efficiency, excellent product quality consistency, and reliable quality since the dynamic unbalance problem has been solved during the design; three fan blades and mounting feet, arranged along the surface of the hoop with even circumference with the weight adjustment hole arranged on the mounting feet, further ensures the reliability and helps to eliminate dynamic unbalance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional structural view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of a locking device of  FIG. 1  before installation and locking; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of a locking device of  FIG. 1  after installation and locking; 
         FIG. 4  is a second three-dimensional structural view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic plan view of a locking device of  FIG. 4  before installation and locking; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view of a locking device of  FIG. 4  after installation and locking; 
         FIG. 7  is a third three-dimensional structural view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic plan view of a locking device of  FIG. 7  before installation and locking; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic plan view of a locking device of  FIG. 7  after installation and locking; 
         FIG. 10  is a first structural representation of a through hole of an upper convex ear and a mounting hole of a lower convex ear of the locking device according to one embodiment of the invention before installation and locking; 
         FIG. 11  is a corresponding position diagram of the through hole of the upper convex ear and the mounting hole of the lower convex ear of the locking device of  FIG. 10  after installation and locking; 
         FIG. 12  is a second corresponding structure diagram of the through hole of the upper convex ear and the amounting hole of the lower convex ear of the locking device of the invention before installation and locking; 
         FIG. 13  is a corresponding position diagram of the through hole of the upper convex ear and the amounting hole of the lower convex ear of the locking device of  FIG. 12  after installation and locking; 
         FIG. 14  is a three-dimensional view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention mounted with fan blades; 
         FIG. 15  is a three-dimensional view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention applying to an external rotor fan; 
         FIG. 16  is a three-dimensional view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention applying to a motor shaft; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention mounted with fan blades; 
         FIG. 18  is a three-dimensional view of a locking device according to one embodiment of the invention mounted with a weight adjustment hole; and 
         FIG. 19  is a structural view of a conventional locking device applying to an external rotor axial flow fan. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention is explained in further detail below with the aid of the example embodiments and attached drawings. 
     Example 1 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a locking device comprises a hoop  1 . The hoop  1  curls up to form an axial mounting hole  2  in the middle; an upper convex block  111  protrudes from the left side end  11  of the hoop  1  while a lower convex block  121  protrudes from the right side end  12  of the hoop  1 ; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  are misaligned to form a middle aperture  31 ; a left aperture  32  is formed between the hoop&#39;s left side end  11  and the lower convex block  121  and a right aperture  33  is formed between the hoop&#39;s right side end  12  and the upper convex block  111 ; an upper convex ear  112  protrudes from the outer side of the upper convex block  111  and a lower convex ear  122  protrudes from the outer side of the lower convex block  121 ; the upper convex ear  112  corresponds to the lower convex ear  122  with respect to their positions; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  are respectively arranged with an upper guiding inclined plane  113  and a lower guiding inclined plane  123 ; as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  or  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a bolt-nut mechanism or screws are used to axially connect a through hole  115  of the upper convex ear  112  and a mounting hole  125  of the lower convex ear  122  so as to lock the upper convex ear  112  and the lower convex ear  122 ; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  move axially to narrow the middle aperture  31 , the upper guiding inclined plane  113  and the lower guiding inclined plane  123  contact with each other to make the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  to move circumferentially to narrow both the left aperture  32  and the right aperture  33  and enable the hoop  1  to tightly hold the object inside the axial mounting hole  2 . 
     The upper guiding inclined plane  113  and the lower guiding inclined plane  123  are arranged on an upper inclined plate  114  and a lower inclined plate  124  extending through the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121 ; the upper convex ear  112  is arranged on one or both sides of the upper inclined plate  114  and the lower convex ear  122  is arranged on one or both sides of the lower inclined plate  124 , the upper convex ear  112  corresponds to the lower convex ear  122  with respect to their positions; as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , both the through hole  115  of the upper convex ear  112  and the mounting hole  125  of the lower convex ear  122  have a circular or a waist shape. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , a fan blade  9  is coupled to the outer wall of the hoop  1 ; the object inside the axial mounting hole  2  is either an external rotor  5  of a motor or a motor shaft  7 . Certainly the locking device of the invention is also applicable to other fields besides motors. 
     Example 2 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , a locking device comprises a hoop  1 . The hoop  1  curls up to form an axial mounting hole  2  in the middle; an upper convex block  111  protrudes from the left side end  11  of the hoop  1  while a lower convex block  121  protrudes from the right side end  12  of the hoop  1 ; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  are misaligned to form a middle aperture  31 ; a left aperture  32  is formed between the hoop&#39;s left side end  11  and the lower convex block  121  and a right aperture  33  is formed between the hoop&#39;s right side end  12  and the upper convex block  111 ; an upper convex ear  112  protrudes from the outer side of the upper convex block  111  and a lower convex ear  122  protrudes from the outer side of the lower convex block  121 ; the upper convex ear  112  corresponds to the lower convex ear  122  with respect to their positions; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  are respectively arranged with an upper guiding inclined plane  113  and a lower guiding inclined plane  123 ; as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  or  FIGS. 12 and 13 , use a bolt-nut mechanism or screws to axially connect a through hole  115  of the upper convex ear  112  and a mounting hole  125  of the lower convex ear  122  so as to lock the upper convex ear  112  and the lower convex ear  122 ; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  move axially to narrow the middle aperture  31 , the upper guiding inclined plane  113  and the lower guiding inclined plane  123  contact with each other to make the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  to move circumferentially to narrow both the left aperture  32  and the right aperture  33  so as to enable the hoop  1  to tightly hold the object inside the axial mounting hole  2 . 
     The upper guiding inclined plane  113  and the lower guiding inclined plane  123  are directly arranged on the opposite end between the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121 , and the upper guiding inclined plane  113  corresponds to the lower guiding inclined plane  123  with respect to their positions; as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , both the through hole  115  of the upper convex ear  112  and the mounting hole  125  of the lower convex ear  122  have a circular or a waist shape. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , a fan blade  9  is coupled to the outer wall of the hoop  1 ; the object inside the axial mounting hole  2  is either an external rotor  5  of the motor or a motor shaft  7 . Certainly the locking device of the present invention is also applicable to other fields besides motors. 
     Example 3 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , a locking device comprises a hoop  1 . The hoop  1  curls up to form an axial mounting hole  2  in the middle; an upper convex block  111  protrudes from the left side end  11  of the hoop  1  while a lower convex block  121  protrudes from the right side end  12  of the hoop  1 ; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  are misaligned to form a middle aperture  31 ; a left aperture  32  is formed between the hoop&#39;s left side end  11  and the lower convex block  121  and a right aperture  33  is formed between the hoop&#39;s right side end  12  and the upper convex block  111 ; an upper convex ear  112  protrudes from the outer side of the upper convex block  111  and a lower convex ear  122  protrudes from the outer side of the lower convex block  121 ; the upper convex ear  112  corresponds to the lower convex ear  122  with respect to their positions; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  are respectively arranged with an upper guiding inclined plane  113  and a lower guiding inclined plane  123 ; as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  or  FIGS. 12 and 13 , use a bolt-nut mechanism or screws to axially connect a through hole  115  of the upper convex ear  112  and a mounting hole  125  of the lower convex ear  122  so as to lock the upper convex ear  112  and the lower convex ear  122 ; the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  move axially to narrow the middle aperture  31 , the upper guiding inclined plane  113  and the lower guiding inclined plane  123  contact with each other to make the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121  to move circumferentially to narrow both the left aperture  32  and the right aperture  33  so as to enable the hoop  1  to tightly hold the object inside the axial mounting hole  2 . 
     The upper guiding inclined plane  113  and the lower guiding inclined plane  123  are directly arranged on the opposite end between the upper convex block  111  and the lower convex block  121 , and the upper guiding inclined plane  113  corresponds to the lower guiding inclined plane  123  with respect to their positions; a reinforcing rib  6  is respectively arranged on the side of the upper convex ear  112  and the lower convex ear  122 ; as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , both the through hole  115  of the upper convex ear  112  and the mounting hole  125  of the lower convex ear  122  have a circular or a waist shape. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , a fan blade is coupled to the outer wall of the hoop  1 ; the object inside the axial mounting hole  2  is either an external rotor  5  of a motor or a motor shaft  7 . Certainly the locking device of the present invention is also applicable to other fields besides motors. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the outer side of the hoop  1  is coupled to the fan blade  9 ; a balancing structure is arranged either on a mounting foot  4  or the hoop  1  to eliminate dynamic unbalance caused by the bolt-nut mechanism or the screws. The balancing structure is a weight adjustment hole  8  arranged either on the mounting foot  4  or the hoop  1 . The number of the fan blade  9  and the mounting foot  4  are three, which are arranged along the surface of the hoop  1  with even circumference. The weight adjustment  8  is arranged on the mounting foot  4  on both sides rather than the opposite side of either the bolt-nut mechanism or the screws, or arranged close to either the bolt-nut mechanism or the screws.