Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to an outer rotor motor. In more detail, the present disclosure relates to an outer rotor motor for an air conditioner.

In general, an air conditioner is a device that creates a more comfortable indoor environment for users, and may control at least one of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of air. For example, the indoor air is adjusted to a pleasantly clean state by adjusting a cool cooling state in summer and a warm heating state in winter, and adjusting the indoor humidity.

In detail, a refrigerant cycle is provided inside the air conditioner, and a phase-changed refrigerant and external air exchange heat through the refrigerant cycle. The refrigerant cycle includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure, a condenser in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor exchanges heat with outdoor air, an expander in which the refrigerant passing through the condenser expands to a low temperature and low pressure, and an evaporator in which the refrigerant passing through the expander exchanges heat with the indoor air. Here, when the air conditioner is used as a cooler, the condenser corresponds to an outdoor heat exchanger, and the evaporator corresponds to an indoor heat exchanger.

And, as is well known, the air conditioner may be roughly divided into a separate -type air conditioner in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are installed separately, and an integrated-type air conditioner in which the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are installed integrally, and may be divided into a small-capacity air conditioner and a large-capacity air conditioner according to the size of the capacity.

Recently, as large buildings such as large restaurants and hotels are built, the need for large air conditioners or multi-type air conditioners is increasing. The large air conditioner or multi-type air conditioner is equipped with an outer rotor motor.

In the outer rotor motor, a stator having a coil wound therein is installed, and a rotor is disposed on the outside of the stator as if a magnet surrounds the coil of the stator. That is, the outer rotor motor is mainly used in large-capacity air conditioners because the inertia is significantly increased because the rotor is disposed on the outside of the outer rotor motor to rotate due to the structure of the outer rotor motor.

The outer rotor motor uses a cooling wheel, a cooling fan, and a flow guide for heat dissipation, so the number of parts is large. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the fastening structure of the parts is complicated and the size of the outer rotor motor is increased.

<CIT> relates to a motor having a heat-dissipating structure for a circuit component mounted on a circuit board, and a fan unit including the motor.

The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an outer rotor motor capable of reducing the number of unnecessary parts.

In addition, the problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an outer rotor motor capable of reducing the size of the product by simplifying the fastening structure of the parts.

An outer rotor motor according to the present disclosure is defined in claim <NUM>.

In this case, the cover includes a fan bracket and a plurality of blades, both the fan bracket and the plurality of blades projecting in a radial direction from a radially outer surface, and a plurality of blades extending in an axial direction from the radially outer surface.

Through this, it is possible to increase the heat dissipation effect without a configuration such as a cooling wheel, a cooling fan and a flow guide, so it is possible to reduce the number of parts. In addition, it is possible to reduce the size of the product by simplifying the fastening structure of the parts.

In addition, a radial height of the plurality of blades may decrease as the plurality of blades are adjacent to the flange portion.

In addition, the plurality of blades may extend rearward from an axial rear surface of the fan bracket.

In addition, the plurality of blades may extend to a region adjacent to a rear end of the cover.

In addition, the plurality of blades may be disposed inside in the radial direction than the radially outer surface of the fan bracket.

In addition, the radially outer surface of the plurality of blades may be formed to be convex outwardly.

In addition, the radially outer surface of the plurality of blades may be formed to be concave inwardly.

In addition, the rotating shaft may be rotatably bearing-coupled to a radially central region of the frame.

In addition, the fan bracket may be disposed axially forward than an axially central region of the rotating shaft.

An outer rotor motor according to an aspect of the present disclosure for achieving the above object may comprise a frame including a coupling portion extending in an axial direction and a flange portion extending in a radial direction in a rear region of the coupling portion, a stator disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion, a coil disposed on the stator, a rotating shaft rotatably coupled to an inside of the coupling portion, a cover coupled to the rotating shaft and surrounding the stator, and a magnet disposed on the cover and facing the stator.

In this case, the cover may include a fan bracket projecting in a radial direction from a radially outer surface, and a plurality of blades formed between a rear surface of the fan bracket and the radially outer surface of the cover.

In addition, a radial height of the plurality of blades may decrease as the plurality of blades move away from the rear surface of the fan bracket.

In this case, the cover may include a fan bracket projecting in a radial direction from a radially outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions extending in an axial direction from the radially outer surface.

In addition, a cross-sectional area of the plurality of protrusions may decrease as at least some of the plurality of protrusions go outward in the radial direction.

In addition, the plurality of protrusions may be in contact with adjacent protrusions each other.

In addition, the cross-sectional area of the plurality of protrusions may decrease as the plurality of protrusions go outward in the radial direction in a region in contact with the adjacent protrusions.

In addition, a length in a circumferential direction of the plurality of protrusions may be twice a height of a region in which the cross-sectional area of the plurality of protrusions decreases as the plurality of projections go outward in the radial direction.

Through the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an outer rotor motor capable of reducing the number of unnecessary parts.

In addition, through the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an outer rotor motor capable of reducing the size of the product by simplifying the fastening structure of the parts.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, regardless of the reference numerals, the same or similar components will be given the same reference numerals and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

In describing the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, when a component is referred to as being "connected" or "accessed" to other component, it may be directly connected or accessed to the other component, however, it may be understood that other components may be present in the middle.

In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easily understanding the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, the scope of the invention being solely defined by the appended claims.

On the other hand, terms of disclosure may be replaced with terms such as document, specification, description.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an outer rotor motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an outer rotor motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view of a cover of an outer rotor motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> are modified examples of a cover of an outer rotor motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a partial area of a cover of an outer rotor motor according to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an outer rotor motor <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a frame <NUM>, a stator <NUM>, a coil <NUM>, a cover <NUM>, a magnet <NUM>, and a rotating shaft <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>, but may be implemented except for some of the configurations, and does not exclude additional configurations.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be understood that the left side refers to a front in an axial direction and the right side refers to a rear in the axial direction with reference to <FIG>, and the axial direction may be understood to mean a left-right direction in which the rotating shaft <NUM> extends with reference to <FIG>.

The frame <NUM> may be disposed at the rear of the cover <NUM>. The stator <NUM>, the coil <NUM>, the magnet <NUM>, and the rotating shaft <NUM> may be disposed between the frame <NUM> and the cover <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the frame <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> includes a coupling portion <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> extends in the axial direction. The coupling portion <NUM> may include a long hole formed in the central region and extending in the axial direction. The rotating shaft <NUM> may be disposed in the long hole of the coupling portion <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the coupling portion <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> is bearing-coupled to the coupling portion <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> may include a flange portion <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may extend in a radial direction from the rear of the coupling portion <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the flange portion <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may be disposed in front of the flange portion <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may include a groove <NUM> in which a rear end of the cover <NUM> is disposed. Through this, it is possible to prevent the cover <NUM> from being separated to the outside by rotation.

The stator <NUM> may be disposed on the frame <NUM>. The stator <NUM> may be disposed on the coupling portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The stator <NUM> may be disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The stator <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the stator <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of stator units spaced apart in a circumferential direction. The stator <NUM> may face the magnet <NUM>. The stator <NUM> may be disposed inside the magnet <NUM>. The stator <NUM> may be spaced apart from the magnet <NUM> by a predetermined distance. The stator <NUM> may be fixed to the coupling portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The coil <NUM> may be disposed on the stator <NUM>. The coil <NUM> may be wound around the stator <NUM>. The coil <NUM> may be electrically connected to the controller <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> may be formed in a shape in which the rear surface is opened. The cover <NUM> is coupled to the rotating shaft <NUM>. The central region of the front surface of the cover <NUM> may be penetrated by the rotating shaft <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the central region of the front surface of the cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may surround the stator <NUM> and the coil <NUM>. The side surface of the cover <NUM> may surround the stator <NUM> and the coil <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> is disposed on the cover <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may be coupled to the inside of the side surface of the cover <NUM>. The rear end of the cover <NUM> may be disposed in the groove <NUM> of the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The rear end of the side surface of the cover <NUM> may be disposed in the groove <NUM> of the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> may include a fan bracket <NUM>. The fan bracket <NUM> may extend in the radial direction from an outer circumferential surface of the cover <NUM>. The fan bracket <NUM> may extend in the radial direction from the outside of the side surface of the cover <NUM>. Although the fan bracket <NUM> is described as an example formed integrally with the cover <NUM>, it may be made of a separate member and coupled to the cover <NUM>. The fan bracket <NUM> may be coupled to a fan <NUM> disposed in front of the outer rotor motor <NUM>. The fan bracket <NUM> may be disposed axially forward than an axially central region of the rotating shaft <NUM>. The fan bracket <NUM> may be disposed axially forward than an axially central region of the stator <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> may include a plurality of blades <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cover <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may be formed on an outer surface of the side surface of the cover <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may extend in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the cover <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may extend in the radial direction from the outer surface of the side surface of the cover <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may extend in the axial direction. The plurality of blades <NUM> may extend in the axial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the cover <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may extend in the axial direction from the outer surface of the side surface of the cover <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

The plurality of blades <NUM> may be disposed between the fan bracket <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Front regions of the plurality of blades <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface of the fan bracket <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may extend rearward from the rear surface of the fan bracket <NUM>. At least a portion of the plurality of blades <NUM> may be disposed inside in the radial direction than the radially outer surface of the fan bracket <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may be axially spaced apart from the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The plurality of blades <NUM> may extend to a region adjacent to the rear end of the cover <NUM>.

Through this, when the cover <NUM> rotates in the circumferential direction, the plurality of blades <NUM> generates a flow of fluid between the fan bracket <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. That is, it is possible to improve the heat dissipation performance of the cover <NUM> and inner parts of the cover <NUM> by convection.

Specifically, since the flow of fluid occurs between the fan bracket <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, it is possible to improve the heat dissipation performance of the inner parts of the cover <NUM> through the space between the cover <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Since it is possible to increase the heat dissipation effect without a separate configuration such as a cooling wheel, a cooling fan and a flow guide, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the outer rotor motor <NUM>. In addition, it is possible to reduce the size of the outer rotor motor <NUM> by simplifying the fastening structure of the parts.

A radial height of the plurality of blades <NUM> decreases as the plurality of blades move away from the fan bracket <NUM>. The radial height of the plurality of blades <NUM> decreases as the plurality of blades are adjacent to the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The radially outer surface of the plurality of blades <NUM> may be formed to be convex outwardly. The heat dissipation performance may be improved by increasing the flow of fluid between the fan bracket <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> by forming the radially outer surfaces of the plurality of blades <NUM> to be formed to be convex toward the outer surface compared to the radially outer surface of the plurality of blades <NUM> formed in a straight shape.

The magnet <NUM> is disposed on the cover <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface of the cover <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> faces the stator <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may be disposed to surround the stator <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may rotate the cover <NUM>, the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the fan <NUM> in the circumferential direction through electromagnetic interaction with an electric field generated in the stator <NUM> due to the coil <NUM>.

The rotating shaft <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the frame <NUM>. The rotating shaft may be rotatably coupled to a radially central region of the frame <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the coupling part <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> is bearing-coupled to the coupling portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

The rotating shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the fan <NUM>. The front region of the rotating shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the fan <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> may pass through the cover <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> may pass through the central region of the front surface of the cover <NUM>. The rotating shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the front surface of the cover <NUM>. Through this, the rotating shaft <NUM> may rotate integrally with the cover <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be electrically connected to the coil <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include a coupling member <NUM> coupled to the rear surface of the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and a substrate <NUM> disposed on the coupling member <NUM> and electrically connected to the coil <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be a printed circuit board (PCB). A heat sink capable of dissipating heat generated by the controller <NUM> may be installed on the rear surface of the controller <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of blades <NUM> may be formed between the rear surface of the fan bracket <NUM> and the radially outer surface or the outer circumferential surface of the cover <NUM>. Specifically, the plurality of blades <NUM> may be in contact with the rear surface of the fan bracket <NUM> and may be in contact with the radially outer surface or the outer circumferential surface of the cover <NUM>. The cross-sections of the plurality of blades <NUM> may have a partial shape of a circle or an ellipse. The cross-section of the plurality of blades <NUM> may have an arc shape. The plurality of blades <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The radial height of the plurality of blades decreases as the plurality of blades move away from the rear surface of the fan bracket. At least a portion of the plurality of blades <NUM> may be disposed inside in the radial direction than the radially outer surface of the fan bracket <NUM>. The radially outer surface of the plurality of blades may be formed to be convex outwardly.

The plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG> may be formed to have a shorter axial length than the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>. Although the heat dissipation performance is somewhat lower than that of the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>, it is possible to reduce the decrease in output of the outer rotor motor <NUM> while improving manufacturing easiness. For example, in the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>, the flow resistance of the fluid around the cover <NUM> is reduced compared to the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>, so there is an advantage in that the output loss of the outer rotor motor <NUM> is reduced.

Referring to <FIG>, the radially outer surfaces of the plurality of blades <NUM> may be formed to be concave inwardly. That is, it can be understood that the radially outer surfaces of the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG> are formed to be concave inwardly in the radial direction compared to the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>. In this case, the heat dissipation performance is somewhat lower than that of the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>, but there is an advantage of reducing the decrease in the output of the outer rotor motor <NUM>. For example, in the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>, the flow resistance of the fluid around the cover <NUM> is reduced compared to the plurality of blades <NUM> according to <FIG>, so there is an advantage in that the output loss of the outer rotor motor <NUM> is reduced.

Referring to <FIG>, the cover <NUM> may include a plurality of protrusions <NUM> extending in the axial direction from the radially outer surface or the outer circumferential surface of the cover <NUM>. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be in contact with adjacent protrusions each other. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may extend from the rear surface of the fan bracket <NUM> to a region adjacent to the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. A cross-sectional area of the plurality of protrusions <NUM> may decrease as at least some of the plurality of protrusions <NUM> go outward in the radial direction. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of the plurality of protrusions <NUM> may decrease as the plurality of protrusions <NUM> go outward in the radial direction from a region in contact with the adjacent protrusions.

The plurality of protrusions <NUM> has the advantage of reducing loss resistance because the flow resistance of the surrounding fluid is reduced due to the shape of the plurality of protrusions <NUM> compared to the plurality of blades <NUM>.

A length L in the circumferential direction of the plurality of projections <NUM> may be twice a height H of a region in which the cross-sectional area of the plurality of projections <NUM> decreases toward the outside in the radial direction. In this case, compared to the plurality of protrusions <NUM> having the same cooling performance, it is possible to reduce the output loss of the outer rotor motor <NUM> by about <NUM>/<NUM>.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of protrusions <NUM> have been described as being in contact with each other, but otherwise, the plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. In this case, the adjacent protrusions may be disposed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In this case, the heat dissipation performance can be further improved.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a fluid flow of an outer rotor motor according to the prior art. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating a fluid flow of an outer rotor motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in the case of the outer rotor motor according to the prior art, the flow of fluid hardly occurs between the fan bracket <NUM> and the frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, it can be seen that in the case of the outer rotor motor <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fluid flow occurs more smoothly between the fan bracket <NUM> and the frame <NUM> compared to the prior art. That is, the outer rotor motor <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may improve the heat dissipation performance of the cover <NUM> and the inner parts of the cover <NUM> by convection.

Specifically, since the flow of fluid occurs between the fan bracket <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, it is possible to improve the heat dissipation performance of the inner parts of the cover <NUM> through the space between the cover <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Since the outer rotor motor <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can increase the heat dissipation effect without a separate configuration such as a cooling wheel, a cooling fan and a flow guide, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the outer rotor motor <NUM>. In addition, it is possible to reduce the size of the outer rotor motor <NUM> by simplifying the fastening structure of the parts.

Claim 1:
An outer rotor motor comprising:
a frame (<NUM>) including a coupling portion (<NUM>) extending in an axial direction and a flange portion (<NUM>) extending in a radial direction in a rear region of the coupling portion (<NUM>);
a stator (<NUM>) disposed on a radially outer surface of the coupling portion (<NUM>);
a coil (<NUM>) disposed on the stator (<NUM>);
a rotating shaft (<NUM>) rotatably bearing-coupled to a radially central region of the coupling portion (<NUM>);
a cylindrical cover (<NUM>) coupled to the rotating shaft (<NUM>) in a forward region of the coupling portion (<NUM>) and surrounding the stator (<NUM>); and
a magnet (<NUM>) disposed on the cover (<NUM>), coupled to the inside of a side surface of the cover (<NUM>), and facing the stator (<NUM>),
wherein the cover (<NUM>) includes a fan bracket (<NUM>) and a plurality of blades (<NUM>), both the fan bracket (<NUM>) and the plurality of blades (<NUM>) projecting in a radial direction from a radially outer surface of the cover (<NUM>), and the plurality of blades (<NUM>) extending in the axial direction between the fan bracket (<NUM>) and the flange portion (<NUM>) in order to generate a flow of fluid between the fan bracket (<NUM>) and the flange portion (<NUM>) for improving the heat dissipation performance of the cover (<NUM>) and inner parts of the cover (<NUM>).