Patent Abstract:
The invention relates to an adjustment device ( 30 ) for a rotating body ( 10; 21; 22 ), in particular a fan ( 10 ) of a cooling fan for a combustion engine, or a shaft ( 21 ) or a rotor ( 22 ) of an electric motor ( 20 ), comprising a rotation axis (R), wherein a mass ( 311; 10; 11; 14 ) that rotates around the rotation axis (R) can be dislocated relative to the rotation axis (R) by means of the adjustment device ( 30 ). The invention further relates to a rotating body ( 10; 22 ), in particular a fan ( 10 ) of a cooler blower for a combustion engine, or a shaft ( 21 ) or a rotor ( 22 ) of an electric motor ( 20 ), comprising an adjustment device ( 30 ) according to the invention.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an adjusting device for a rotary body, in particular for a fan of a cooling blower of an internal combustion engine, or a shaft or a rotor of an electric motor. The invention also relates to a rotary body, in particular a fan, a shaft or a rotor. 
         [0002]    Dynamic imbalances arise when an axis of rotation of a component or rotary body no longer coincides with one of the stable main axes of inertia of the component. It is prior art for fans for cooling an internal combustion engine and other rotating components, such as for example motor armatures, drivers and rotors, to be geometrically designed so as to generate the least possible dynamic imbalance while adhering to specified dimensions. Real component geometries however exhibit dimensional and position errors with respect to an ideal, tolerance-free model, with the result that there is always a dynamic imbalance. To limit the maximum dynamic imbalance, components of cooling blowers must be produced with low dimensional and position tolerances. Furthermore, effects of the dynamic imbalance are often limited by means of cumbersome damping and/or decoupling measures. 
         [0003]    A present complaint is high dynamic imbalances of cooling fans in motor vehicles, because these incite mechanical vibrations and can thereby cause noises, steering wheel vibration or possibly even rapid bearing wear in the blower motors. Said problem is intensified with increasing blower dimensions, in particular fan diameter, and noise sensitivity. Furthermore, there is an emerging trend in the automobile industry, motivated by the problem of minimizing CO 2 , for the weight reduction of vehicles to be expedited and for increasing use to be made of highly rigid, lightweight front ends and body fixtures without decoupling elements, damping elements or absorber masses. As a result, the transmission behavior of the mechanical vibrations (forces) caused by the dynamic imbalance into a passenger compartment is adversely affected; the described problem is intensified. Previous specifications provide dynamic imbalance limits which are still practicable, and which presently lie at a maximum of 25,000 g·mm 2 . Dynamic imbalance limits of a maximum of 1,500 to 2,000 g·mm 2  will however be demanded in future. With the design concepts and production methods known today, such demands can no longer be expediently met in an economical manner, because either very high scrap rates are to be expected or the fans become too expensive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the invention to provide an improved rotary body, in particular an improved fan of a cooling blower or an improved rotor of an electric motor. Here, it should be possible to retroactively minimize a dynamic imbalance of the rotary body, wherein it should preferably be possible to retroactively correct an alignment of a main axis of inertia on the rotary body. Furthermore, the rotary body according to the invention should be of simple construction and cheap to produce. 
         [0005]    The object of the invention is achieved by means of an adjusting device for a rotary body, in particular of a fan of a cooling blower of an internal combustion engine, or a shaft or a rotor of an electric motor, having an axis of rotation, and by means of a rotary body, in particular a fan, a shaft or a rotor, having an adjusting device according to the invention. 
         [0006]    The adjusting device according to the invention for a rotary body, having an axis of rotation, is designed such that a mass which is rotatable about the axis of rotation can be displaced—that is to say moved, pivoted, positioned, etc.—relative to the axis of rotation. Here, the rotary body according to the invention has the adjusting device according to the invention, wherein said adjusting device is provided detachably on or fixedly in/on the rotary body or is integrated into the rotary body. For example, a distribution of a rotatable mass, an arrangement of the rotary body and/or an arrangement of a portion of the rotary body relative to the axis of rotation can be varied by means of the adjusting device, wherein preferably a main axis of inertia of the rotary body can be aligned with the axis of rotation. The main axes of inertia of a component or of a component assembly can thus be brought at least approximately into alignment with the axis of rotation. 
         [0007]    A rotatable mass can be displaced along and/or at an angle relative to the axis of rotation by means of the adjusting device. Furthermore, the rotary body or a portion of the rotary body can be at least partially displaced relative to the axis of rotation by means of the adjusting device. Here, according to the invention, it is possible for the rotatable mass in question to be displaced, that is to say for the imbalance to be compensated, temporally subsequent to a normal mounting process of the rotary body. 
         [0008]    In a variant of the invention, a displaceable rotatable mass is a balancing mass which can be moved in translation and/or rotation with respect to the axis of rotation by means of an adjusting mechanism of the adjusting device. In a second variant of the invention, a displaceable rotatable mass is the entire rotary body or a portion of the rotary body, which can be pivoted relative to the axis of rotation by means of a tilting mechanism. In a third variant of the invention, a displaceable rotatable mass is a portion of the rotary body which can be positioned relative to another portion of the rotary body by means of a displacement mechanism. 
         [0009]    In the first variant of the invention, the adjusting mechanism may have a threaded element and/or a guide by means of which or in which the balancing mass can move relative to the axis of rotation. Here, the adjusting mechanism may be provided on a bracket, for example a clip, which may furthermore be detachably connected to the rotary body. Furthermore, in the first variant of the invention, the adjusting mechanism may have a support which can be mounted on the rotary body and which has a balancing mass which is if appropriate displaceable relative to the support, wherein the support can be rigidly connected to the rotary body or can be provided so as to be movable in translation and/or rotation relative to the rotary body. In the second variant of the invention, the tilting mechanism may be a spring element or an if appropriate hardenable, elastically and/or plastically deformable element, in particular a rubber or elastomer element, by means of which the rotary body can be pivoted or displaced relative to the axis of rotation. In the third variant, the displacement mechanism may have a threaded element or a wedge by means of which one portion of the rotary body can be positioned or adjusted or clamped relative to another portion of the rotary body. 
         [0010]    According to the invention, the dynamic imbalance of a rotary body, for example of a blower, can be significantly reduced and adjusted, resulting in a technical competitive advantage. Furthermore, the invention is of simple construction, is therefore robust and can therefore be realized cost-effectively. Furthermore, it is possible for the invention to be provided retroactively, as a result of which already existing rotary bodies need not be exchanged, and existing production lines need not be converted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the appended drawing. In the drawing,  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  13 ,  17  and  22  show a fan, or a fan and the fastening thereof to a motor shaft or a motor rotor, as per the prior art, for a cooling blower of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.  FIGS. 2 ,  4  to  11  and  14  to  16  show a multiplicity of embodiments of a first variant of the invention, wherein an adjusting device for the fan or the motor rotor is designed as an adjusting mechanism, by means of which a mass can be moved along an axis of rotation of the fan or of the motor rotor.  FIGS. 18 to 21  show a multiplicity of embodiments of a second variant of the invention, wherein an adjusting device for the fan is designed as a tilting mechanism by means of which the fan can be pivoted with respect to its axis of rotation.  FIGS. 23 to 27  show a multiplicity of embodiments of a third variant of the invention, wherein an adjusting device of the fan is designed as a displacement mechanism by means of which one portion of the fan can be displaced relative to another portion of the fan. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The invention described below on the basis of a fan  10 , a motor shaft  21  and a motor rotor  22  is not intended to be restricted to such rotary bodies  10 ,  21 ,  22  but rather is intended to be applicable to all rotary bodies, preferably to rotary bodies of flat, disk-shaped design. This applies for example to axial fans in computers, radial blowers for heaters, household ventilators, crankshaft disks, gearwheels etc. Furthermore, below, a body should be understood not only to mean a materially integral body but rather also something which may have a plurality of constituent parts, that is to say should be understood in the sense of a component or device; it is also the case here that the rotary body  10 ,  21 ,  22  should be understood to mean a body in the above sense, which is designed and suitable for rotating at least theoretically stably about an axis of rotation R. Arrows in the drawing in each case indicate possible movements of a respective part or portion. 
         [0013]    The invention relates for example to a part or component assembly which rotates with a blower and which makes it possible at least once to retroactively permanently set in a targeted manner the alignment of an axis of inertia of an axial blower or of blower components. In this way, the dynamic imbalance of individual blower components, in particular of the fan  10 , or of the blower as a whole, can be optimized. Embodiments and features of the three variants of the invention described below may be combined with one another. 
         [0014]    The first variant of the invention is characterized in that the fan  10  (rotary body  10 ) or the motor rotor  22  (rotary body  22 ) or the motor shaft  21  (rotary body  21 ) has an adjusting device  30  designed as an adjusting mechanism  310 , by means of which a balancing mass  311  can be moved relative to the fan  10  or the motor rotor  22  or the motor shaft  21 . Here, the balancing mass  311  can be displaced or moved in translation and/or in rotation, and secured, relative to the axis of rotation R, that is to say relative to the fan  10  or the motor rotor  22  or the motor shaft  21 . It is preferable for three adjusting mechanisms  310  according to the invention to be situated on a blower  10 ; any desired other number may of course also be used—this also applies to the other variants of the invention. According to the invention, the adjusting mechanism  310  is integrated into a blower, wherein said adjusting mechanism causes a change in position of a mass distribution of the blower, which may be achieved for example by means of an additional mass (balancing mass  311 ) on an adjusting screw/spindle; a weight (balancing mass  311 ) which is clamped and displaceable in an external thread, or some other means which retroactively locally varies the preferred axial position of a mass, for example by means of an adjusting ring or a rotary weight. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the adjusting mechanism  310 —illustrated on a fan  10  which is connected (fastening  15 ) to a motor shaft  21  of a conventional electric motor  20  for a blower ( FIG. 2 ) or a motor rotor  22  (FIGS.  4  and  5 )—has a threaded element  312  such as for example a threaded rod  312  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) or a screw  312  ( FIG. 5 ), with fastening and adjustment contour; the balancing mass  311  which can be moved by means of the threaded element  312  and which is designed for example as a nut  311 ; and a guide  313 . Here, the balancing mass  311  is seated with its internal thread on an external thread of the threaded element  312  and is geometrically constrained so as to be prevented from co-rotating with the threaded element  312  by the guide  313 . Here, the adjusting mechanism  310  extends along an axial portion  13  of a hub  11  of the fan  10  parallel to the axis of rotation R of the fan  10 , as a result of which the balancing mass  311  can be moved substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R by means of the threaded element  312 . Here, the threaded element  312  is preferably mounted with a head on preferably an outer radial portion  12  of the fan  10 , which has a device for rotating the threaded element  312 . Here,  FIGS. 2 and 4  show alternative guides  313  for the balancing mass  311 , which guides are formed in each case by a region of an axial portion  13  of the blower  10  and which form a type of shaft. Furthermore,  FIG. 5  shows, as a threaded element  312 , a screw  312  with speed nut. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 6 to 8  show possible alternatives to a threaded element  312 , wherein the balancing mass  311  is no longer geometrically constrained in the guide  313  but is secured or clamped in the guide  313  over all or part of the circumference. Here, the balancing mass  311  may be accessible from one or both end sides of the fan  10 . For this purpose, it is preferable for a passage recess  316  to be situated in an outer edge region of the radial portion  12  of the fan  10  centrally over the guide  313 , through which passage recess the balancing mass  311  can be accessed, for example for a screwdriver or some other tool. In  FIG. 6 , the balancing mass  311  has an external thread which can be screwed into and out of an internal thread of the guide  313 ; here, the guide  313  is formed as a type of screw dome.  FIG. 7  shows a balancing mass  311  which is clamped in the guide  313  but which is displaceable along the axis of rotation R, as indicated by two force arrows.  FIG. 8  shows an only partially encompassed thread for the balancing mass  311 . 
         [0017]    The embodiments according to  FIGS. 9 to 12  show adjusting mechanisms  310  which can be retroactively provided on a rotary body  10 ,  21 ,  22  and which each have the threaded element  312 , the balancing mass  311  which can be moved by means of the threaded element  312 , and a bracket  314 . Here, the bracket  314  may be designed for example as a retaining clip  314  ( FIGS. 9 to 11 ) or a retaining arm  314  ( FIG. 11 ). Here,  FIGS. 9 and 10  show an adjusting mechanism  310  having a screw  312  as a threaded element  312 , the head of which is fixed to a motor rotor  22  by means of the retaining clip  314 . Here, the screw  312  extends in the axial direction on the motor rotor  22 , wherein an outer side ( FIG. 9 ) or an inner side ( FIG. 10 ) of the motor rotor  22  serves as a guide  313  for the balancing mass  311  on the screw  312 . Furthermore, an inner side of the fan  10  may additionally serve as a guide  313  ( FIG. 9 ).  FIG. 11  shows, as an adjusting mechanism  310 , a threaded rod  312  which is fastened to the fan  10  by means of a retaining clip  314 , wherein the threaded rod  312  is accessible for an adjusting tool through a passage recess  316  in the fan  10 ; the retaining clip  314  is provided and connected to the fan  10  opposite said passage recess.  FIG. 12  shows an adjusting mechanism  310  which is coupled to the motor shaft  21 , wherein a threaded rod  312  is provided spaced apart from the motor shaft  21  by means of a retaining arm  314 . Here, the threaded rod  312  is provided adjacent to an inner side of the hub  11  and substantially parallel to the axial portion  13  thereof. Here, a guide  313  for the balancing mass  311  seated on the threaded rod  312  is realized by the adjacent inner side, that is to say a wall, of the hub  11 . 
         [0018]    In the embodiment according to  FIG. 14 , the fan  10  has, on its axial portion  13 , a disk-shaped support  315  which has an eccentrically arranged balancing mass  311 . Here, the support  315  is provided with its large-area side substantially parallel to the axial portion  13  and is rotatably connected to the latter. The balancing mass  311  assumes a different position (height) on the fan  10  according to a rotational position, which can be fixed for example by means of a screw or a latching mechanism (neither of which is illustrated), of the support  15 , whereby imbalance compensation is possible.  FIGS. 15 and 16  show a support  315  which is arranged parallel to the radial portion  12  of the hub  11  of the fan  10  and which is connected thereto so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation R. A rotational position can again be fixed for example by means of a screw or a latching mechanism (neither of which is illustrated). The support  315  has at least one eccentrically situated balancing mass  311  which is mounted in the support  315  (guide  313 ) and the height of which with respect to the support  315  can be varied. Here, a height position of the balancing mass  311  can again be fixed. 
         [0019]    The second variant of the invention is characterized in that the fan  10  (rotary body  10 ) has an adjusting device  30  which is designed as a tilting mechanism  320  and by means of which the fan  10  can be pivoted or tilted relative to the axis of rotation R. Here, it is preferable for the entire filter  10 , if appropriate with attachment parts (not illustrated in  FIGS. 18 to 21 ), to be displaceable relative to the axis of rotation R; embodiments are however also possible in which only parts or portions of the fan  10  are pivotable or tiltable. In the second variant, a variation of an angle between a fan plane and the axis of rotation R takes place, wherein for example a fan fastening screw ( 15 ) is tightened and an elastic element such as for example an O-ring, a spring or a hardenable component etc. is deformed. It is preferable here for a fastening  15  of the fan  10  to function as a constituent part of the tilting mechanism  320 ; it is self-evidently also possible for an independent tilting mechanism to be provided (likewise not illustrated in  FIGS. 18 to 21 ). 
         [0020]    In one embodiment ( FIGS. 18 and 19 ) of the invention, a fixed stop  323  (prior art,  FIG. 17 ) of the fan  10  on the motor rotor  22  is replaced by a deformable element  321 . That is to say, between the motor rotor  22  and the hub  11 , in particular the radial portion  12 , the deformable element  321  is provided as a type of spacer. It is preferable here for in each case one deformable element  321  to be provided around a fastening screw of the fastening  15 . It is self-evidently also possible for a single deformable element  321  to be provided around all the fastenings  15 . It is now possible according to the invention, according to how tightly a respective fastening screw is tightened, for an angular position of the entire fan  10  or of a part thereof relative to the axis of rotation R to be set within certain angle limits ( FIG. 19 ), as a result of which a retroactive alignment of the axes of inertia is realized. The deformable element  312  is elastically and/or plastically deformable, if appropriate hardenable, and is in particular formed as a rubber element, an elastomer element, an O-ring or an X-ring etc. It is also possible for the fixed stop  323  to be designed such that it can be plastically or elastically deformed by the fastening  15  of the fan  10 ; the deformable elements  321  may then if appropriate be omitted. 
         [0021]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 20 , the deformable elements  321  are hardenable. Here, the fan  10  is mounted on the motor rotor  22  and the fastenings  15  are designed so as to generate as far as possible no imbalance, or only a small imbalance, of the fan  10  on the motor rotor  22 . The deformable elements  321  are subsequently subjected to a hardening process. This may be realized for example by means of an activation (UV irradiation, heat etc.) of a for example highly viscous and if appropriate pre-shaped duroplastic mass. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 21 , spring elements  322 , such as for example a spiral spring, a plate spring etc., are used instead of the deformable elements  321 . 
         [0022]    The third variant of the invention is characterized in that the fan  10  (rotary body  10 ) has an adjusting device  30  which is designed as a displacement mechanism  330  and by means of which one portion of the fan  10  can be displaced, pivoted, tilted or positioned relative to another portion of the fan  10 , as a result of which a rotational behavior of the fan  10  about the axis of rotation R can be adjusted. Here, the components are preferably mechanically clamped to one another, which leads for example to a single-sidedly adjustable change in shape or position which deforms or tilts partial regions of the fan  10 . This is realized for example by means of an axial and/or lateral adjusting screw, an adjustable wedge, a spacer, a clamping spindle, a clamping strap and/or the like, which adjustably influences a mutual position or a mechanical clamping of the fan  10 . Here, it is preferable for a vane  14  of the fan  10  to be positioned relative to the hub  11  of the fan  10 . Instead of mechanical clamping, a joint (not illustrated in  FIGS. 23 to 27 ) may also be provided by means of which the two portions can be pivoted relative to one another. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 23 and 24  illustrate an embodiment of a displacement mechanism  330  of said type, wherein a lateral threaded element  331 , in the present case in the form of an adjusting screw  331 , can be screwed in a preferably lower axial portion  13  (with regard to  FIGS. 23 and 24 ) of the hub  11  against an outer side of the motor rotor  22 , wherein the adjusting screw  331  does not engage into the motor rotor  22 . In this way, a respective portion of the fan  10  moves away from the motor rotor  22 . In the present case, this is a portion of the hub  11  and an associated vane  14 , wherein the respective portion of the hub  11  and the remaining part of the hub  11  are distorted relative to one another. Illustrated in  FIG. 25  is an adjusting screw  331  (threaded element  331 ) which can be screwed into the motor rotor  22 , as a result of which the respective portion of the fan  10  can be moved away in an opposite direction; that is to say the respective portion of the hub  11  moves toward the motor rotor  22 . 
         [0024]    It is also possible for the threaded element  331  to be provided axially along the axis of rotation R, wherein, as illustrated in  FIG. 26 , said threaded element is provided preferably in the radial portion  12  of the hub  11 , and there preferably in an outer edge region of the radial portion  12 . Here, the threaded element  331 , which is likewise designed as a screw  331 , can be screwed against the motor rotor  22 , wherein the respective portion of the hub  11 , preferably including a vane  14 , is moved away from the motor rotor  22 . Here, the screw  331  does not engage into the motor rotor  22 . A kinematically inverted embodiment is self-evidently possible in which the screw  331  can then be screwed for example at the end side into the motor rotor  22  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 23 to 27 ).  FIG. 27  shows the use of a wedge  332 . Here, a wedge  332  is pushed in between the hub  11 , in particular the axial portion  13  thereof, and the motor rotor  22 , as a result of which a respective portion of the hub can be moved away from the motor rotor  22 . Here, it is preferable for mutually corresponding latching devices to be provided for locking the wedge  332  and the hub  11 , alternatively the motor rotor  22 , with respect to one another.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5