JPH02275098A - Mounting device for fan - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the strength and cooling efficiency of a fan mounting shroud having a plurality of radial stator vanes between a central support collar and an outer ejector, by arranging an integral inner concentric ring member among the stator vanes. CONSTITUTION: A shroud 10, which has a linear faceplate 12 that is defined by a circumferential forward extending wall and which is for installation within an engine section adjacent to a radiator by a plurality of mounting lugs 16, is provided on the faceplate 12 with a backward extending cylindrical ejector 18 defining a back emission end of the shroud 10. The ejector 18 has an outwardly spreading bell-mouthed part 20, in which a fan 101 is positioned rotatably. Between the ejector 18 and a support collar 22, a plurality of stator vanes 24 extend radially. A stabilizer ring 26 concentric between the stator vanes 24 is formed integrally with the stator vanes 24 to redirect radial airflow to axial airflow.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application] The present invention is generally disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,548.54.
The present invention relates to a motor vehicle engine cooling system according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular to a stabilizing member which is added to and strengthens a mounting device for a motor vehicle engine cooling fan.

[Description of related technology]

Many engine cooling systems for automobiles include fans that increase the amount of airflow through the radiator. The engine cooling fan is mounted on a bracket or shroud adjacent to the radiator. Such fans may be driven by mechanical coupling to the engine shaft or by other means, such as using electrical current.

-i Engine cooling fans produce two types of airflow from the fan blades. First, axial airflow is discharged from the fan blades in a direction generally parallel to the fan rotation axis. Second, radial airflow is discharged from the fan blades in a direction approximately perpendicular to the fan rotation axis. Axial airflow provides the majority of the cooling air within the engine compartment, while radial airflow provides only a small cooling effect.

Technology is constantly seeking improvement. It is desirable that the fan mounting device, bracket or shroud, provide the necessary support for the fan and add as little weight to the system as possible. Ideally, the mounting device would be constructed of minimal mass and be able to withstand torsional stresses caused by air flow and vibration from the fan. Additionally, in new installations, brackets and shrouds are desirable to redirect radial airflow to axial airflow to increase cooling effectiveness.

The airflow noise from the reinforced mounting system is also preferably higher than that associated with conventional shrouds and brackets.

[Summary of the invention]

The fan mounting device according to the invention is characterized by the features set out in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The present invention includes a stabilizing member added to the shroud or bracket to strengthen the mounting arrangement.

The stabilizing member redirects the radial airflow into an axial airflow to increase airflow efficiency. This stabilizing member is economical, can be combined with conventional mounting brackets and shrouds, and does not add noise from the airflow.

In a preferred embodiment 2, the present invention includes a mounting bracket for an engine cooling fan. The central hub removably accepts the fan. The support vanes extend radially from the hub to the outer support ring.

At least one inner ring is provided between the hub and the outer support ring. Each inner ring has a surface for redirecting radial airflow to axial airflow.

In various embodiments of the invention, the stabilizing member can be formed as a ring or circular member, or as a plurality of arcuate sections spaced apart at a selected radius from a central hub. The cross-section and radius of each arcuate portion can be selected to most effectively accomplish the desired function, such as structural reinforcement, radial airflow redirection, or noise reduction.

〔Example〕

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the stabilizing member according to the present invention is installed inside the fan shroud (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a pair of mountings are installed inside the bracket (FIGS. 8 and 9). It is incorporated.

Of course, the stabilizing member of the present invention can be incorporated into any conventional fan mounting arrangement.

A first preferred embodiment of the invention is incorporated into a shroud 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Shroud 10 is formed from any suitable plastic or moldable material and includes a straight face plate 12 bounded by a peripheral, forwardly extending wall 14. The shroud 10 is attached to the radiator by conventional fasteners (not shown) at each mounting ear 16.
(not shown) in an adjacent engine compartment. The shroud 10 is optionally fitted with various mounting ears and brackets to facilitate installation within the engine compartment.
can be incorporated into

Faceplate 12 includes a rearwardly extending cylindrical ejector 18 that forms the aft discharge end of shroud 10. The diameter of ejector 18 is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of the blades of fan 101 (only shown in FIG. 1). The ejector 18 has a bell mouth portion 20 that extends outward.
It is equipped with

Fan 101 is removably attached to support collar 22 by conventional fasteners (not shown). Fan 101 may be driven by a conventional motor or may be mechanically coupled to the engine power shaft. When the fan 101 rotates, air is sucked in from the radiator side of the shroud 10 through the ejector 18 and blown onto the engine. Axial airflow 102, generally parallel to the fan's axis of rotation 103, provides the major portion of the cooling effect.

A plurality of radially extending stator vanes 24 are connected to the support collar 2.
2 and the ejector 18. Each wing 24 is a flat member having each end integrally formed with the support collar 22 and the ejector 18.

The shroud 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a concentric stabilizing ring 26 between each wing 24.

Ring 26 is formed from a moldable plastic material and can be integrally molded with each wing 24.

Ring 26 serves two primary purposes. Firstly, ring 2
6 stabilizes the airfoil 24 against torsional stresses induced from airflow and enhances the structural integrity of the shroud IO. Second, ring 26 increases the cooling efficiency of fan 101 by redirecting radial airflow axially.

The particular shape and location of ring 26 can vary depending on which function of the ring is to be maximized. For example, the ring 26 illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3A and 3B is
It is a curved member having a thickness T and a surface 27 having a width W equal to the width of the blade 24.

When radial airflow 104 encounters surface 27, as shown in FIG. 3B, airflow 104 redirects into axial airflow 102.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, ring 26 has a diameter of about 60 to 70% of the diameter of ejector 18.

In other embodiments, ring 26 may have a diameter ranging from 10% to 90% of the diameter of ejector 18.

For example, in most fans, the airflow rate near the outer tips of the fan blades is greater than the airflow rate near the fan hub. If it is desired to maximize the redirection of the radial airflow 104 into the axial airflow 102, the ring 26 is located in the area of maximum radial airflow. In another example, if the stabilizing effect of the ring 26 is desired, the ring 26 should be located at a point other than the point of maximum area of the radial airflow 104.

Rings 26 with different cross sections and shapes are shown in FIGS. 4, 5,
It is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In Figure 4, ring 3
0 has an angled leading edge 31 that acts as a scoop to receive and take airflow from fan 101. ring edge 32
are partitioned by an end face 34. The ring edge 32 is the wing 2
4 and the ring 30 is oriented at an acute angle A to the end face 34 of the airfoil 24 to redirect radial airflow relative to the airfoil 24.

In Figure 5, enlarged for clarity, the ring edge 32
is flush with the end surface 34. In Figure 6, the ring edge 32
is parallel to and laterally spaced from end surface 34. In FIG. 7, a ring 36 is shown having the familiar airfoil shape and cross-section. The ring can be modified in various ways to enhance its ability to capture and redirect radial airflow 104. One selected ring member can be integrally molded with the blade 24 at a selected radial location from the fan's axis of rotation.

A first embodiment of the fan mounting bracket 40 is shown in FIG. Bracket 40 includes a central support collar 42 for removably mounting the fan. An external support ring 44 is provided approximately at the outer end of the attached fan (not shown). Support wings 46A-46D with mounting ears 48 extend radially from support collar 42. Support collar 42 and outer ring 44 as desired
, each member 46A to 46D and the mounting ear 48 may be integrally molded.

A stabilizing ring member 50 is provided between the support collar 42 and the outer ring 44. Ring member 50 as desired
can also be narrower than 360° and formed by multiple arcuate sections as shown in FIG. Incidentally, in FIG. 8, the ring member 50 is not provided between the wings 46A and 46B. If desired, ring member 50 can be formed with sections having different diameters. For example, each ring section 51,54 has a smaller radius than ring section 53. Each attachment can produce ring members 50 of various configurations, cross-sections, and shapes depending on the needs of the bracket. Mounting tab 52 and division 51
Members such as may also be molded with any section of ring member 50.

Figure 9 shows multiple concentric stability rings 61.62.63.6
4 together show another embodiment of the bracket 60. Bracket 60 includes a support collar 66 with radially extending support wings 67, 68, 69 connected to an external support ring 70. Various mounting ears 72.73.74
is connected to an external support ring 70. If desired, the bracket 60 can be molded as an integral unit.

A control ring 61 , 63 is provided at a selected radial position from the center point of the support collar 66 . Control ring 6 at a selected portion with a radial distance around support collar 66
2.64 is provided.

Various support vanes 75-83 are spaced at selected spacings between control ring 61 and external support ring 70. Each ring 61.62.63.64 has a bracket 60
selectively positioned to stabilize and redirect radial airflow from the fan blades into axial airflow to increase fan efficiency.

From what has been said above, various embodiments of the stabilizing ring according to the invention can be easily conceived. Each stability ring is
It can be positioned and shaped to maximize stabilization and/or airflow redirection with minimal additional noise.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shroud mounted fan utilizing a stabilizing ring of one embodiment of the fan mounting system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the shroud shown in FIG. 1 with the fan removed. FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a portion of the ring of FIG. 3A. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing different variations of the ring shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a rear view of a mounting bracket provided with a ring according to another embodiment of the fan mounting device of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a rear view of a mounting bracket provided with a return ring of yet another embodiment of the fan mounting device of the present invention. 10.40.60...Fan mounting device, 22.42.
46... Collar member, 24.46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, 67.68.
69... Support member, 26.50.61.62.63.64... Ring member

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Collar member (2) that removably receives the fan;
2;42;66) and this collar member (22;42;6
6) extending radially from the support member (24; 46A, 4
6B, 46C, 46D; 67, 68, 69) and the support member (24; 4) located adjacent to the outer end of the fan.
6A, 46B, 46C, 46D; 67, 68, 69) and an external ring member (20; 44; 70) for resisting air flow induced torsional stresses. In, the collar member (
22; 42; 66) and the outer ring member (2
an internal ring member (26; 50; 61, 62, 63, 64), and the inner ring member (26; 50; 61, 62,
63, 64) to the support members (24; 46A, 46B,
46C, 46D; 67, 68, 69) A fan mounting device (10; 40; 60). 2. Claim 1, wherein the shroud is constituted by the collar member (22), the support member (24), and the outer ring member (20).
The fan mounting device (10) described in . 3. The support member (24) is constituted by support wings extending radially from the collar member (22), and the inner ring member (26)
3. A fan mounting arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the fan mounting device includes a surface oriented substantially parallel to the fan rotation axis (103). 4. Slanted edge (31) that scoops air on the inner ring member surface
).) The fan mounting device according to claim 3. 5. Each support wing (24) has an inclined edge (31) that scoops air.
5. The fan mounting device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the fan mounting device (10) extends across an acute angle A between the end faces (34) of the fan mounting device (10). 6. Each support wing (24) has a sloped edge (31) that scoops air.
5. The fan mounting device according to claim 4, wherein the fan mounting device is flush with the end surface (34) of the fan mounting device. 7. Attach the air-scooping sloped edge (31) to each support wing (24).
5. A fan mounting arrangement according to claim 4, parallel to and laterally spaced from the end surface (34) of the fan. 8. The fan mounting arrangement (60) of claim 1, further comprising a bracket member (72, 73, 74) extending radially from the outer ring member (70). 9. Connect the inner ring member (50) to the fan rotation axis (10
3) at least one surface oriented substantially parallel to
A fan mounting device (40) according to claim 1, comprising circumferential arcuate members (51, 52, 53). 10. The inner ring member is constituted by a plurality of mutually concentric arcuate members (61, 62, 63, 64) located at selected radii from the fan rotation axis (103), and each of these arcuate members (61 , 62, 63, 64) are provided with surfaces oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the fan (103).