EP3767111B1 - Fan and cover for fan - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fan having a housing, with a cover element being arranged on the underside of the housing.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a cover element for a fan.

Technological background

Fans are used in many different technical applications for cooling electronic devices and components or for ventilation. Fans are used in particular in comfort applications, for example in the automotive sector. Particular attention is paid to the noise emissions of the fans, particularly in comfort applications.

It is known for power supply and signal transmission for other electrical interfaces of a fan to solder an electrical line to a circuit board arranged inside the fan housing and to lead it out through an opening in the fan housing, as disclosed, for example, in WO2012061777 A2 .

The opening must then be closed for ESD protection (electrostatic discharge) in order to meet the technical requirements. Since the electrical connection of the electrical line on the printed circuit board is inside the housing, it is no longer accessible early in the production process. Therefore, the length of the electrical line is already fixed early in the production process by attaching the electrical line and can only be changed afterwards with great effort. Another problem is that the electrical wiring, which was installed at an early stage, has to be routed through the entire further production process, which makes the manufacture of the fan complex. In addition, the electrical cable must be provided with a strain relief.

Description of the invention: task, solution, advantages

It is the object of the present invention to provide a low-noise fan in which ESD protection and strain relief of an electrical line provided for the power supply and/or for signal transmission for electrical interfaces can be provided in a simple manner. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide a cover element for a fan with which the aforementioned advantages are achieved.

To achieve the object on which the invention is based, a fan is proposed that has a housing, with an electric motor and a fan wheel that can be driven or driven by the electric motor being arranged in the housing, with the housing having an opening for an electrical connection on the underside of the housing, with the housing being connected to has a bracket on one peripheral side, so that a bushing is formed between the bracket and the peripheral side, an electrical line being arranged at least partially on the underside of the housing and being guided through the bushing, it also being provided that a cover element is arranged on the underside of the housing, wherein the cover element has a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section being arranged at an angle to one another, and the cover element being arranged on the underside of the housing in such a way that the first section is at least is partially arranged in the bushing and clamps the electrical line forming a strain relief in the bushing, and that the second section covers the opening.

The opening can also be arranged in a housing top side of the housing.

In a top view of the underside of the housing, the opening is preferably located between the axis of rotation of the fan wheel and the peripheral side of the housing, viewed in a radial direction of the housing.

The electrical line is routed through the passage between the bracket and the peripheral side and runs from there to the opening in the underside of the housing. The peripheral side and the underside of the housing are at an angle of preferably approximately 90° to one another, so that the electrical line runs over the edge at the transition from the peripheral side to the underside of the housing.

The bracket arranged on the peripheral side of the housing can be attached to the peripheral side on one side or only with one end of the bracket, so that the passage is open on one side. Furthermore, the bracket can also be fastened on both sides or with both bracket ends on the peripheral side, so that the passage is formed like an eyelet.

The cover element provided according to the invention, comprising the first section and the second section, is advantageously designed both to provide strain relief for the electrical line and to ensure ESD protection and noise insulation of the fan. The strain relief is achieved in that the first section is at least partially arranged in the bushing and clamps the electrical line in the bushing. In addition, the second section of the covering element covers the opening, as a result of which the inside of the housing and/or an electrical connection is covered for ESD protection. Furthermore, the noise emissions of the fan are reduced by covering the opening. The cover element on the fan according to the invention offers the particular advantage of combined ESD protection and strain relief for the electrical line in one component.

The cover element is preferably essentially L-shaped.

Because of the L-shape of the cover element, it encompasses the edge at the transition from the peripheral side to the underside of the housing. The first section runs approximately parallel to the peripheral side. The second section runs approximately parallel to the underside of the housing.

Provision is preferably made for a channel to be formed between the second section and the underside of the housing, with the electrical line being arranged in the channel.

The formation of a channel covered with the second section of the cover element protects the electrical line arranged therein from the outside, so that the risk of the electrical line being damaged in the production process or during installation in an application is reduced.

With a further advantage, it can be provided that the housing has a depression running in a radial direction in the underside of the housing, with the second section covering the radial depression to form the channel.

The channel is formed between the cover member and the recess. The indentation running in the radial direction preferably runs, starting from the opening arranged in the underside of the housing, in the direction of the circumferential side towards the strap of the strain relief. The electrical line, which is routed through the passage between the bracket and the peripheral side, runs over the edge at the transition between the peripheral side and the underside of the housing and disappears in the channel formed by the recess and the cover element. The electrical line runs further in the channel in the direction of the opening, so that an electrical connection for operating the fan can be provided. The deepening can be done by a corresponding configuration of the housing wall of the housing bottom are provided. For this purpose it can be provided that the housing wall of the housing underside is arched in the direction of the housing interior into the housing.

Due to the formation of a channel with a recess, the electrical line arranged therein is arranged approximately in the plane of extension of the underside of the housing. The overall height of the fan can be reduced as a result.

Provision is preferably made for a printed circuit board to be arranged in the interior of the housing, with the printed circuit board essentially covering the opening from the inside of the housing.

The printed circuit board is further preferably arranged concentrically around the axis of rotation of the fan wheel on the inside of the housing. The electric motor for driving the fan wheel and electronic components for controlling the fan can also be arranged on the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board essentially covers the opening from the inside of the housing. This leads to a further reduction in noise emissions from the inside of the fan housing.

An electrical connection can preferably be provided, comprising a first, preferably female, part of a plug-in connection which is arranged on the circuit board and protrudes through the opening and is covered by the second section.

A plug-in connection is therefore preferably provided to provide the electrical connection. A first part of the plug connection, preferably a female part, of the plug connection is arranged on the printed circuit board in such a way that it protrudes through the opening and is covered by the second section. The first part of the connector is thus located between the printed circuit board and the second section of the cover element. The opening is consequently from the inside of the housing preferably covered by the printed circuit board and from the outside by the second section. In addition, the opening is largely filled by the first part of the plug connection projecting through the opening. All in all, these measures ensure a significant reduction in noise emissions from the inside of the housing.

With a further advantage, it can be provided that the electrical connection comprises a second, preferably male, part of the plug-in connection which is arranged at the end on the electrical line and which is in operative connection with the first part.

Thus, the male part of the plug connection is particularly preferably arranged in the female part of the plug connection. The design of the electrical connection as a plug-in connection comprising the first and the second part, the first part being arranged on the printed circuit board and protruding through the opening, overcomes the problem known in the prior art that the electrical line for the power supply is switched off early on attached to the printed circuit board inside the housing during the production process of the fan and must be carried through the rest of the production process. In this way, the fan comprising the housing, fan wheel, electric motor and printed circuit board can be manufactured essentially completely before the electrical line has to be connected. Only in late production steps is the electrical line arranged on the fan by connecting the first part of the plug connection to the second part of the plug connection. The cover element is then arranged on the underside of the housing in such a way that the second section covers the opening and the electrical line and preferably also the plug connection and that the first section of the cover element clamps the electrical line in the bushing to produce strain relief. Also needs the length of the electrical application-related only towards the end of the production process.

The first part of the plug connection, in particular the female part of the plug connection, is preferably arranged or fastened on the printed circuit board as an SMD component (surface-mounted device) using an SMT method (surface-mounted technology).

Provision can preferably be made for the first section to be designed in the shape of a bow with two longitudinal webs and a transverse web arranged at the end of the longitudinal webs.

An opening is thus formed between the longitudinal webs and the transverse web and an area of the second section facing the first section. Due to the bow-shaped configuration of the first section, material for the production of the covering element can be saved.

With a further advantage, it can be provided that a latching element protruding from the plane of extent of the first section at an angle is arranged on the transverse web.

If the first section of the cover element is inserted into the bushing between the bracket and the peripheral side of the housing, so that the electrical line is clamped in the bushing, the latching element can grip behind the bracket when the first section has been fed sufficiently deep through the bushing, so that the locking element clicks into place behind the bracket. The cover element is thus held captively on the housing of the fan.

Furthermore, the second section preferably has two longitudinal edge webs and a cover plate extending between the edge webs.

If the underside of the housing has a radial indentation, the cover element can be inserted into the indentation with the edge webs. The cover plate of the cover element is then held at a distance from the underside of the housing by the edge webs, so that the channel for the electrical line is formed between the cover plate and the underside of the housing. In addition, the cover plate fulfills the function of covering the opening in the underside of the housing or the plug-in connection from the outside.

With further advantage it can be provided that the second section has a first section and a second section, with a step being formed on an underside of the cover plate between the first section and the second section.

The first partial section of the second section of the cover element is preferably arranged adjacent to the first section of the cover element, which is at an angle to the second section. The second partial section of the second section of the cover element is arranged on the side of the second section facing away from the first section. The step is arranged on the underside of the cover element between the partial sections. The second partial section of the second section is preferably arranged above the opening in the underside of the housing. When the cover element is arranged on the housing of the fan, the step leads to an enlargement of the cross section of the channel between the cover element and the underside of the housing in the second section. Due to the enlarged cross-section in the area of the opening in the underside of the housing, an enlarged installation space is made available in which the plug-in connection, in particular the first and the second part of the connector can be arranged.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the second part of the plug-in connection bears against the step of the second section, so that the second part of the plug-in connection is prevented from sliding out of the first part.

The, in particular male, second part of the plug connection is thus secured by means of a positive fit on the step in the cover element.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the first section has a curved or curved transition area on the underside in the area of the step.

The angle between the first section and the stepped shoulder is increased by a curved or bent or beveled transition area. This has the advantage that the electrical line, which runs in the duct below the first section to the second section, is less heavily stressed by compression and bending at the step.

Provision can also advantageously be made for the cover plate to have wing sections, at least in the second section, which protrude laterally beyond the edge webs on an upper side of the cover element.

If the cover element and in particular the second section of the cover element with the edge webs is arranged in the recess of the housing underside of the fan, the wing section of the cover plate protrudes laterally beyond the edge webs and rests on the side of the recess on the housing underside of the fan. This contact of the wing section on the underside of the housing further minimizes noise.

Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that an end piece protrudes in the direction of the underside of the cover element at an end of the cover plate facing away from the first section.

The closing piece preferably runs transversely to the ends of the edge webs of the second section facing away from the first section and fulfills two functions. On the one hand, the end piece engages behind the plug connection, in particular the female part of the plug connection, on the side opposite the step, so that a relative positioning of the cover element with respect to the plug connection is simplified. On the other hand, the end piece rests on the underside of the fan housing, which minimizes noise emissions.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the edge webs each have a latching projection on an end facing away from the first section.

With a further advantage, it is preferably provided that the latching projections on the edge webs engage behind the opening in the underside of the housing.

In the preferred embodiment, in which a radial depression is arranged on the underside of the housing and the edge webs are arranged in the radial depression, the ends of the edge webs facing away from the first section are at least partially arranged in the opening in the underside of the housing of the fan. The latching projections engage behind a radially inner area of the opening, so that the cover element is held captively on the housing by the latching projections in cooperation with the latching element of the first section.

The cover element can preferably be connected or is connected to the housing with a clip connection.

With a further advantage it can be provided that the latching element engages behind the bracket.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is provided that the covering element consists of an electrically insulating material, in particular of a plastic, a glass or a ceramic.

The design of the cover element from an electrically insulating material enables particularly effective ESD protection.

A further solution to the problem on which the invention is based consists in providing a cover element for a fan as described above.

All the features described above and the advantages achieved from them can be transferred to the cover element in an analogous manner.

It is thus provided that the cover element comprises a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section being arranged at an angle to one another, so that the cover element is preferably essentially L-shaped.

The first section is preferably designed in the shape of a bow with two longitudinal webs and a transverse web arranged at the end of the longitudinal webs.

In addition, a latching element protruding from a plane of extent of the first section at an angle can be arranged on the transverse web.

Provision is preferably made for the second section to have two longitudinal edge webs and a cover plate extending between the edge webs.

Furthermore, the second section can have a first section and a second section, with a step being formed on an underside of the cover plate between the first section and the second section.

Advantageously, the first section can have a curved or bent or beveled transition area in the area of the step.

Provision is preferably made for the cover plate to have wing sections, at least in the second section, which protrude laterally beyond the edge webs on an upper side of the cover element.

A closing piece can also protrude in the direction of the underside at an end of the cover plate facing away from the first section.

Preferably, the edge webs each have a latching projection on an end facing away from the first section.

The cover element is particularly preferably made of an electrically insulating material, in particular a plastic, a glass or a ceramic.

Brief description of the figures

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Lüfters mit einem Gehäuse und einem Lüfterrad,
• Fig. 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Gehäuseunterseite des Lüfters mit einem Abdeckelement,
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Gehäuseinnenseite des Lüfters ohne eine Leiterplatte,
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Gehäuseinnenseite des Lüfters mit einer Leiterplatte,
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Gehäuseunterseite des Lüfters ohne Abdeckelement,
• Fig. 6 eine Querschnittsansicht des Lüfters,
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Abdeckelements, und
• Fig. 8 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Abdeckelements.

Show it

• 1 a perspective view of a fan with a housing and a fan wheel,
• 2 a perspective view of a housing underside of the fan with a cover element,
• 3 a perspective view of the inside of the housing of the fan without a printed circuit board,
• 4 a perspective view of the inside of the housing of the fan with a printed circuit board,
• figure 5 a perspective view of the underside of the housing of the fan without a cover element,
• 6 a cross-sectional view of the fan,
• 7 a perspective view of a cover element, and
• 8 another perspective view of the cover element.

Detailed description of the figures

In the Figures 1 to 6 a fan 100 is shown in different perspectives. There are in the Figures 2 to 6 only portions of fan 100 are shown for clarity and understanding. the Figures 7 and 8 show a cover element 200 in different perspective views. The same reference numbers in the Figures 1 to 8 indicate the same characteristics.

after the Figures 1 to 6 the fan 100 has a housing 10, a fan wheel 11 which can be driven or is driven by an electric motor (not shown) being arranged in the housing 10. On a housing underside 12 of the housing 10, an opening 13 is arranged, viewed in a radial direction 14, approximately between the axis of rotation 15 of the fan wheel 11 and a peripheral side 16 of the housing ( 3 , 5 and 6 ). The opening 13 is for an electrical connection 30 to power the im Housing interior 27 arranged and not shown electric motor is provided. On the peripheral side 16, the housing has a bracket 17 fastened to the peripheral side 16 with a bracket end 17a, so that a passage 18 is formed between the bracket 17 and the peripheral side 16. The implementation 18 is open on one side. An electrical line 19 is arranged at least partially on the underside 12 of the housing and is routed through the bushing 18 . As in particular in 2 as can be seen, a cover element 200 is arranged on the underside 12 of the housing. The cover 200 has, as well in the Figures 7 and 8 can be seen, a first portion 210 and a second portion 211 on. The first section 210 and the second section 211 are arranged at an angle to one another, so that the cover element 200 is essentially L-shaped. The first portion 210 of the cover member 200 is after 1 at least partially arranged in the bushing 18 and guided through it, so that the electrical line 19 is clamped in the bushing 18 with the formation of a strain relief 20 . The second section 211 of the cover element 200 covers the opening 13 ( 2 ). As in particular in figure 5 As can be seen, in the bottom side 12 of the housing there is a depression 21 which runs in the radial direction 14 starting from the opening 13 to the peripheral side 16 and in which the electrical line 19 is arranged. From the cross-sectional view 6 it can be seen that the second section 211 forms a covered channel 22 with the housing underside 12 . The depression 21 is formed by a corresponding formation 23 in the housing wall 24 of the housing 10 . Seen from a housing inside 25, the depression 21, as in 3 and 4 can be seen, in the form of a bulge 26 is formed. In the housing interior 27 there is also a printed circuit board 28 on a housing interior 29 which covers the opening 13 from the housing interior 29 ( 4 ). Electronic components 29 for controlling the fan 100 are arranged on the circuit board 28 .

A plug connection 31 is arranged on the printed circuit board 28 in order to provide the electrical connection 30 . The plug-in connection 31 comprises a first female part 32 and a second male part 33 arranged therein. The second male part 33 is arranged on the electrical line 19 at the end. As in 3 and 6 is shown, the connector 31, comprising the first female part 32 and the second male part 33, is covered by the second section 211 of the cover element 200.

How good in the Figures 7 and 8 As can be seen, the cover element 200 comprising the first section 210 and the second section 211 is essentially L-shaped. The first section 210 has two longitudinal webs 212a, 212b and a transverse web 213 arranged at the end of the longitudinal webs 212a, 212b transversely thereto. The first section 210 therefore has an opening 214 . A latching element 215 protruding at an angle to the plane of extent of the first section 210 is arranged on the transverse web 213 . This latching element 215 engages behind the bracket 17 when it is arranged on the housing 10 of the fan 100, as in particular in 6 is recognizable. The second section 212 of the cover element 200 has two longitudinally extending edge webs 216a, 216b. Between the edge webs 216a, 216b there extends a cover plate 217 which, in a state arranged on the housing 10, covers the recess 21 in the housing underside 12 to form the channel 22. The second section 211 is divided into a first section 218 and a second section 219. Between the first section 218 and the second section 219, a step 220 is formed on the underside 221 of the second section 211. In the state arranged on the housing 10, as in 6 recognizable, the second male part 33 of the connector 32 abuts the step 220 of the cover member 200, whereby the male part 33 in the connector 31 is secured. In the area of the step 220, the first section 218 has a curved, curved or beveled transition region 222. The transition area 222 serves, as in 6 is shown, a load-free routing of the electrical line 19 in the connection area to the second part 33 of the plug-in connection 31. The cover plate 217 has wing sections 223 in the second section 219 and partly also in the first section 218, which on an upper side 224 of the cover element 200 laterally over the edge webs 216a, 216b protrude. In the state arranged on the housing 10, the wing sections 223 lie, as in FIG 2 shown on the housing bottom 12 at.

An end piece 226 is arranged on an end 225 of the cover plate 217 facing away from the first section 210 and rests on the underside 12 of the housing when it is arranged on the housing 10 . In addition, the edge webs 216a, 216b each have a latching projection 227 on the end 225 facing away from the first section 210. When arranged on the housing 10, in which the edge webs 216a, 216b are arranged in the recess 21, the edge webs 216a, 216b are also partially arranged in the opening 13, so that the locking projections 227 engage behind the housing wall 24 of the housing underside 12 ( 3 ).

The cover member 200 is formed of an insulating material such as a plastic, a glass, or a ceramic to provide ESD protection.

List of References

100

Fan

10

casing

11

fan wheel

12

case bottom

13

opening

14

radial direction

15

axis of rotation

16

perimeter side

17

hanger

17a

temple end

18

execution

19

Electrical line

20

strain relief

21

deepening

22

channel

23

molding

24

housing wall

25

case inside

26

camber

27

case interior

28

circuit board

29

electronic component

30

Electrical connection

31

connector

32

First female part

33

Second male part

200

cover element

210

first section

211

second part

212a

longitudinal web

212b

longitudinal web

213

cross bar

214

opening

215

locking element

216a

edge bar

216b

edge bar

217

cover plate

218

First section

219

Second section

220

step

221

bottom

222

transition area

223

wing section

224

top

225

end

226

final piece

227

locking projection

Claims (15)

1. A fan (100) having a housing (10), wherein an electric motor and a fan wheel (11) which can be driven or is driven by the electric motor are arranged in the housing (10), wherein the housing (10) on an underside of the housing (12) has an opening (13) for an electrical connection (30), wherein the housing (10) has a bracket (17) on a peripheral side (16) so that a bushing (18) is formed between the bracket (17) and the peripheral side (16), wherein an electrical line (19) is at least partially arranged on the underside of the housing (12) and is passed through the bushing (18), characterized in that a cover element (200) is arranged on the underside of the housing (12), wherein the cover element (200) has a first section (210) and a second section (211), wherein the first section (210) and the second section (211) are arranged at an angle to one another, and in that the cover element (200) is arranged at the underside of the housing (12) in such a way that the first section (210) is at least partially arranged in the bushing (18) and clamps the electrical line (19) in the bushing (18) with the formation of a strain relief (20), and in that the second section (211) covers the opening (13).
2. Fan (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a channel (22) is formed between the second section (211) and the underside of the housing (12), wherein the electrical line (19) is arranged in the channel (22), and in that preferably the housing (10) has a recess (21) running in a radial direction (14) in the underside of the housing (12), wherein the second section (211) covers the radial recess (21) for forming the channel (22).
3. Fan (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a printed circuit board (28) is arranged in a housing interior (27), wherein the printed circuit board (28) essentially covers the opening (13) from an inside of the housing (25).
4. Fan (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that an electrical connection (30) is provided, comprising a first, preferably female, part (32) of a plug connection (31) which is arranged on the printed circuit board (28) and which protrudes through the opening (13) and is covered by the second section (211), and in that further preferably the electrical connection (30) comprises a second, particularly preferably male, part (33) of the plug connection (31) which is arranged at the end of the electrical line (19) ) and which is in operative connection with the first part (32).
5. Fan (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first section (210) is bow-shaped with two longitudinal webs (212a, 212b) and a transverse web (213) arranged at the end of the longitudinal webs (212a, 212b), and in that preferably a latching element (215) protruding at an angle from a plane of extent of the first section (210) is arranged on the transverse web (213), and that further preferably the latching element (215) engages behind the bracket (17).
6. Fan (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second section (211) has two longitudinal edge webs (216a, 216b) and a cover plate (217) extending between the edge webs (216a, 216b).
7. Fan (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second section (211) has a first partial section (218) and a second partial section (219), wherein on an underside (221) of the cover plate (217) a step (220) is formed between the first partial section (218) and the second partial section (219).
8. Fan (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second part (33) of the plug connection (31) abuts against the step (220) of the second section (211) so that the second part (33) is prevented from sliding out of the first part (32).
9. Fan (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first partial section (218) has an arched or curved transition area (222) in the area of the step (220).
10. Fan (100) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the cover plate (217) at least in the second partial section (219) has wing sections (223) which on an upper side (224) of the cover element (200) protrude laterally over the edge webs (216a, 216b), and / or in that at an end (225) of the cover plate (217) facing away from the first section (210) a terminating piece (226) protrudes in the direction of the underside (221) of the cover element (200).
11. Fan (100) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the edge webs (216a, 216b) each have a latching projection (226) on an end (225) facing away from the first section (210), and in that preferably the latching projections (226) engage behind the opening (13) on the edge webs (216a, 216b).
12. Fan (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (200) consists of an electrically insulating material, in particular a plastic, a glass or a ceramic.
13. Cover element (200) for a fan (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first section (210) and a second section (211), characterized in that the first section (210) and the second section (211) are arranged at an angle to one another, so that the cover element is preferably formed substantially L-shaped.
14. Cover element (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that the first section (210) is bow-shaped with two longitudinal webs (212a, 212b) and a transverse web (213) arranged at the end of the longitudinal webs (212a, 212b), wherein preferably a latching element (215) protruding at an angle from a plane of extent of the first section (210) is arranged on the transverse web (213), and / or in that the second section (211) has two longitudinal edge webs (216a, 216b) and a cover plate (217) extending between the edge webs (216a, 216b), wherein the second section (211) preferably has a first partial section (218) and a second partial section (219), wherein on an underside (221) of the cover plate (217) a step (220) is formed between the first partial section (218) and the second partial section (219).
15. Cover element (200) according to claim 14, characterized in that the first partial section (218) has an arched or curved transition area (222) in the area of the step (220), and / or in that the cover plate (217) at least in the second partial section (219) has wing sections (223) which protrude laterally over the edge webs (216a, 216b) on an upper side (224) of the cover element.

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