Abstract:
A centrifugal fan includes an impeller, a motor and a case. The impeller includes a hub and multiple blades. The hub has a center. The blades are connected to the hub and have all respective outmost edges collectively define a circle with the center and a radius R. Each blade has at least one concave cutout. Each concave cutout is equipped with a depth of greater than 0.5 millimeters and an obtuse angle of less than 170 degrees, wherein the obtuse angle is an included angle between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade. The motor is secured to the huh and drives the impeller to rotate. The case houses the impeller and the motor.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 099140494, filed Nov. 24, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a fan device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a centrifugal fan. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The centrifugal fans are different from the axial fans in that the centrifugal fans intakes air along an axial direction of the impeller and outputs air along a radial direction of the impeller. Referring to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a top view of a conventional impeller of the centrifugal fan. The impeller  100  of the centrifugal fan includes a hub  101  and a plurality of blades  102 . The blades  102  are arranged radially around the hub  101 . 
     In order to increase the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance, e.g. increasing output air volume, one of the solutions is to add more blades  102 . When the blades are increased up to a certain number, the blades are crowded in their ends connected to the hub  101 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , when 23 pieces of blades  102  are connected to the hub  101 , the blades  102  are crowded in the area around the hub  101 . Due to a high density around the hub  101 , less air is intake and less air is thus output from the centrifugal fan. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional fan. One of the solutions is to reduce an axial height of each blade in which dense blades are located, e.g. the upper inclined edge  102   a  and lower inclined edge  102   b  near the hub  101 , so as to reduce an intake resistance of the dense blades along the axial direction (as shown in the direction of arrows) and increase air expelled along the axial direction of the blade  102 . 
     However, when the axial height on the blades  102  are reduced, the blades  102  are also reduced in their working areas such that the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance can be impacted. Therefore, how to reduce the intake resistance of the dense blades and in increase the working areas of the dense blades so as to improve the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance even better is a need in designing the centrifugal fan. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an improved centrifugal fan so as to deal with the problems as discussed in the prior art. 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention, an impeller of a centrifugal fan includes a hub and a plurality of blades. The hub has a center. The blades are connected to the hub and have all respective outmost edges collectively to define a circle with the center and a radius R. Each blade has at least one concave cutout. Each concave cutout is equipped with a depth of greater than 0.5 millimeters and an obtuse angle of less than 170 degrees, wherein the obtuse angle is an included angle between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade. 
     According to an embodiment disclosed herein, the concave cutout of each blade is disposed within a region between the center and 0.6R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a number of the concave cutout is at least two, the two concave cutouts of each blade are disposed within a region between the center and 0.6R from the center, and the two concave cutouts are disposed at two opposite outer edges of each blade. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, the concave cutout is disposed within a region between 0.6R and 0.9R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a number of the concave cutout is at least two, the two concave cutouts of each blade are disposed within a region between 0.6R and 0.9R from the center, and the two concave cutouts are disposed at two opposite outer edges of each blade. 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention, an impeller of a centrifugal fan includes a hub, a connection ring and a plurality of blades. The hub has a center. The connection ring is disposed around the hub. The blades are connected to the connection ring, and have all respective outmost edges collectively to define a circle with the center and a radius R, and at least one first concave cutout is formed between each blade and the hub. The first concave cutout is equipped with a depth of greater than 0.5 millimeters and an obtuse angle of less than 170 degrees, wherein the obtuse angle is an included angle between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade. 
     According to an embodiment disclosed herein, an inner edge of the connection ring is seamlessly connected with an outer edge of the hub. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, the first concave cutout is disposed within a region between the center and 0.6R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a number of the first concave cutout is at least two, and the two first concave cutouts are disposed at two opposite outer edges of the blade. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, each blade further comprises at least one second concave cutout, which is disposed within a region between 0.6R and 0.9R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a number of the second concave cutout is at least two, the two second concave cutouts are disposed at two opposite outer edges of the blade. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, an inner edge of the connection ring is connected with an outer edge of the hub with gaps therebetween. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, the first concave cutout is disposed within a region between the center and 0.6R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, each blade further comprises at least one second concave cutout, which is disposed within a region between 0.6R and 0.9R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a number of the second concave cutout is at least two, the two second concave cutouts are disposed at two opposite outer edges of the blade. 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention, a centrifugal fan includes an impeller, a motor and a case. The impeller includes a hub and a plurality of blades. The hub has a center. The blades are connected to the hub and have all respective outmost edges collectively to define a circle with the center and a radius R. Each blade has at least one concave cutout. Each concave cutout is equipped with a depth of greater than 0.5 millimeters and an obtuse angle of less than 170 degrees, wherein the obtuse angle is an included angle between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade. The motor is secured to the hub and drives the impeller to rotate. The case houses the impeller and the motor, and has at least one air inlet disposed along an axial direction of the impeller and at least one air outlet disposed along a radial direction of the impeller. 
     According to an embodiment disclosed herein, the concave cutout of each blade is disposed within a region between the center and 0.6R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, the concave cutout is disposed within a region between 0.6R and 0.9R from the center. 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention, a centrifugal fan includes an impeller, a motor and a case. The impeller includes a hub, a connection ring and a plurality of blades. The hub has a center. The connection ring is disposed around the hub. The blades are connected to the connection ring, and have all respective outmost edges collectively to define a circle with the center and a radius R, and at least one first concave cutout is formed between each blade and the hub. The first concave cutout is equipped with a depth of greater than 0.5 millimeters and an obtuse angle of less than 170 degrees, wherein the obtuse angle is an included angle between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade. The motor is secured to the hub and drives the impeller to rotate. The case houses the impeller and the motor, and has at least one air inlet disposed along an axial direction of the impeller and at least one air outlet disposed along a radial direction of the impeller. 
     According to an embodiment disclosed herein, an inner edge the connection ring is seamlessly connected with an outer edge of the hub, and the first concave cutout is disposed within a region between the center and 0.6R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, an inner edge the connection ring is seamlessly connected with an outer edge of the hub, and each blade further comprises at least one second concave cutout, which is disposed within a region between 0.6R and 0.9R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, an inner edge the connection ring is connected with an outer edge of the hub with gaps therebetween, and the first concave cutout is disposed within a region between the center and 0.6R from the center. 
     According to another embodiment disclosed herein, an inner edge the connection ring is connected with an outer edge of the hub with gaps therebetween, and each blade further comprises at least one second concave cutout, which is disposed within a region between 0.6R and 0.9R from the center. 
     Therefore, the “concave cutout” design on the impeller and centrifugal fan thereof can further enhance its performance, but does not decrease its working areas too much, which inversely impact the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a conventional centrifugal fan; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional centrifugal fan; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a centrifugal fan according to a first embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a second embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a third embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a fourth embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a fifth embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a sixth embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a seventh embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a centrifugal fan according to an eight embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional line  11 - 11 ′ in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of a centrifugal fan according to a ninth embodiment of this invention; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional line  13 - 13 ′ in  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     As stated above, the present invention provides a high performance centrifugal fan, which is equipped with concave cutouts, so as to improve the centrifugal fan&#39;s air intake efficiency. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates an exploded view of a centrifugal fan according to a first embodiment of this invention. The centrifugal fan  200  includes an upper case  210   a , a lower case  210   b , an impeller  202  and a motor  205 . When the upper case  210   a  and the lower case  210   b  are assembled, the impeller  202  and motor  205  are housed within the case (which is the combination of the upper case  210   a  and lower case  210   b ). The motor  205  is secured to a bottom base  210   f  of the lower case  210   b . A rotation axis  205   a  of the motor  205  is secured to a hub  202   a  of the impeller  202 , thereby driving the impeller  202  to rotate. The upper case  210   a  has an air inlet  210   c  while the lower case  210   b  has several air inlets  210   d , and both the air inlets ( 210   c ,  210   d ) are disposed along an axial direction of the impeller  202 . The air inlets  210   d  are located among several ribs  210   e , which are interconnected between the bottom base  210   f  and the lower case  210   b . When the impeller  202  rotates, airflows are introduced through the air inlets ( 210   c ,  210   d ) and output through the air outlet  210   g . The air outlet  210   g  is located along a radial direction of the impeller  202 . The impeller  202  includes a hub  202   a  and a plurality of blades  202   b . The blades  202   b  are secured to the hub  202   a  and each blade  202   b  has at least one concave cutout  203  to increase air intake efficiency. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the air inlet is only designed on the upper case  210   a  or on the lower case  210   b . That is, the centrifugal fan  200  intakes air through only one side of the impeller  202 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a second embodiment of this invention. The centrifugal fan includes a case  210 , a motor  205 , a hub  202   a  and a plurality of blades  202   b . The blades  202   b  with their outmost edges define a circle with the center  202   c  (referring also to the blades  202   b  illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) and a radius R. Each blade  202   b  has a concave cutout  203   a , which is located within a region between the center  202   c  and a distance D 1  form the center  202   c . According to an experiment result, when the distance D 1  is about 0.6R, the concave cutout  203   a  can enhance a centrifugal fan&#39;s performance effectively. Besides, a depth C 1  of the concave cutout  203   a  needs to be greater than 0.5 millimeter, and an angle A 1  between an inner edge of the concave cutout  203   a  and an outer edge of the blade  202   b , is an obtuse angle less than 170 degrees, the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance can be enhanced effectively. Otherwise, the concave cutout only reduces a working area, which decreases the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , it illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a third embodiment of this invention. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the concave cutout&#39;s locations. In the third embodiment, the concave cutout  203   b  is farther from the hub  202   a  (compared with the concave cutout  203   a ). The concave cutout  203   b  is located within a region between the center  202   c  and a distance D 2  from the center  202   c . According to an experiment result, the distance D 1  is about 0.9R, the concave cutout  203   b  can enhance a centrifugal fan&#39;s performance effectively. Besides, a depth C 2  of the concave cutout  203   b  needs to be greater than 0.5 millimeter, and an angle (A 2 , A 3 ) between an inner edge of the concave cutout  203   b  and an outer edge of the blade  202   b  is an obtuse angle less than 170 degrees, the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance can be enhanced effectively. Otherwise, the concave cutout only reduces a working area, which decreases the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , it illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. Difference between this embodiment and the second and third embodiments is that each blade has two concave cutouts. When each blade  202   b  has the concave cutouts ( 203   a ,  203   b ), the concave cutout  203   a  is located within a region between the center  202   c  and a distance D 1  form the center  202   c , the concave cutout  203   b  is located within a region between the distance D 1  from the center  202   c  and the distance D 2  from the center  202   c , the concave cutouts ( 203   a ,  203   b ) can enhance the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance effectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , it illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. Difference between this embodiment and the fourth embodiment is that each blade  202   b  has two concave cutouts located within a region between a distance D 1  from the center  202   c  and a distance D 2  from the center  202   c . The concave cutouts ( 203   c ,  203   d ) are located within a region between a distance D 1  from the center  202   c  and a distance D 2  from the center  202   c , and equipped with the characteristics of the above-mentioned cutouts, i.e., the depth greater than 0.5 millimeter and an angle between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade is an obtuse angle less than 170 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , it illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a sixth embodiment of this invention. Difference between this embodiment and the fifth embodiment is that the concave cutout located within a region between a distance D 1  from the center  202   c  and a distance D 2  from the center  202   c  has a wider width. The concave cutout  203   i  has a width, which is a slightly narrower than the region between a distance D 1  from the center  202   c  and a distance D 2  from the center  202   c . The concave cutout  203   i  needs to be equipped with the characteristics of the above-mentioned cutouts, i.e., the depth greater than 0.5 millimeter and an angle (A 4 , A 5 ) between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade is an obtuse angle less than 170 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , it illustrates a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal fan according to a seventh embodiment of this invention. Difference between this embodiment and the seventh embodiment is that the concave cutouts are located at two opposite outer edges of each blade  202   b . In the seventh embodiment, each blade  202   b  has concave cutouts ( 203   a ,  203   b ) located on upper edges thereof and concave cutouts ( 203   e ,  203   f ) located on lower edges thereof. The concave cutouts ( 203   a ,  203   e ) are located within a region between the center  202   c  and a distance D 1  from the center  202   c . The concave cutouts ( 203   b ,  203   f ) are located within a region between a distance D 1  from the center  202   c  and a distance D 2  from the center  202   c . In an alternate embodiment, each blade  202   b  only has the concave cutout  203   a  located on an upper edge thereof and the concave cutout  203   e  located on a lower edge thereof, and the concave cutouts ( 203   a ,  203   e ) are located within a region between the center  202   c  and a distance D 1  from the center  202   c . In another alternate embodiment, each blade  202   b  only has the concave cutout  203   b  located on an upper edge thereof and the concave cutout  203   f  located on a lower edge thereof, and the concave cutouts ( 203   b ,  203   f ) are located within a region between a distance D 1  from the center  202   c  and a distance D 2  from the center  202   c.    
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , it illustrates a top view of a centrifugal fan according to an eight embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional line  11 - 11 ′ in  FIG. 10 . This embodiment is different from the above-discussed embodiments in the impeller&#39;s design. In the eighth embodiment, the impeller  202 ′ includes a hub  202   a , a plurality of blades  202   b  and a connection ring  202   d . The connection ring  202   d  is located around the hub  202   a , to which a plurality of blades  202   b  are connected. The connection ring  202   d  can resolve the issue of dense blades around the hub  202   a  so as to enhance the air intake efficiency. At least one concave cutout is formed or defined between each blade  202   b  and the hub  202   a . The concave cutout can be formed only on an upper side of the connection ring  202   d , e.g. the concave cutout  203   g , or formed only on a lower side of the connection ring  202   d , e.g. the concave cutout  203   g ′. The concave cutouts can also be formed on both upper and lower sides of the connection ring  202   d . The concave cutouts ( 203   g ,  203   g ′) are both located within a region between the center  202   c  and a distance D 1  from the center  202   c . The concave cutouts ( 203   g ,  203   g ′) needs to be equipped with the characteristics of the above-mentioned cutouts, i.e., the depth greater than 0.5 millimeter and an angle (e.g. A 6 ) between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade is an obtuse angle less than 170 degrees. 
     In alternate embodiments, the concave cutouts ( 203   a ,  203   b ,  203   c ,  203   d ,  203   e ,  203  or  203   i ) as discussed in the foregoing embodiments can also be applied on the impeller  202   b  of the eighth embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , it illustrates a top view of a centrifugal fan according to a ninth embodiment of this invention.  FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a cross-sectional line  13 - 13 ′ in  FIG. 12 . Difference between this embodiment and the eighth embodiment is that an interconnection design between the connection ring and the hub is different. In the eighth embodiment, an inner edge of the connection ring  202   d  is seamlessly connected with an outer edge of the hub  202   a . In the ninth embodiment, an inner edge of the connection ring  202   d  is connected with an outer edge of the hub  202   a  with gaps therebetween, and a plurality of ribs  202   e  are interconnected between the connection ring  202   d  and the hub  202   a . The impeller  202 ″ includes a hub  202   a , a plurality of blades  202   b , a rib  202   e  and a connection ring  202   d . The connection ring  202   d  is located around the hub  202   a , to which a plurality of blades  202   b  are connected. The connection ring  202   d  can resolve the issue of dense blades around the hub  202   a  so as to enhance the air intake efficiency. At least one concave cutout  203   h  is formed or defined between each blade  202   b  and the hub  202   a . The concave cutout  203   h  is located within a region between the center  202   c  and a distance D 1  from the center  202   c . The concave cutout  203   h  needs to be equipped with the characteristics of the above-mentioned cutouts, i.e., the depth greater than 0.5 millimeter and an angle (e.g. A 7 ) between an inner edge of the concave cutout and an outer edge of the blade is an obtuse angle less than 170 degrees. 
     In alternate embodiments, the concave cutouts ( 203   a ,  203   b ,  203   c ,  203   d ,  203   e ,  203  or  203   i ) as discussed in the foregoing embodiments can also be applied on the impeller  202   b  of the ninth embodiment. 
     According to above-discussed embodiments, the “concave cutout” design on the impeller and centrifugal fan thereof can further enhance its performance, but does not decrease its working areas too much, which inversely impact the centrifugal fan&#39;s performance. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.