US20250129795A1

US20250129795A1 - Fan for generating a cooling air flow, comprising an elastic damping element for damping a transmission of vibrations

Info

Publication number: US20250129795A1
Application number: US18/701,482
Authority: US
Inventors: Andreas Rudnicki
Original assignee: ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GmbH
Current assignee: ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GmbH
Priority date: 2022-04-28
Filing date: 2023-04-12
Publication date: 2025-04-24
Also published as: JP2025513168A; WO2023208587A1; EP4515106A1; DE102022110439A1; AU2023263355A1

Abstract

A fan for generating a cooling air flow has a fan wheel which is rotatably held on a support body. A fastening component having fastening openings for fastening the fan is connected to the support body. An elastic damping element is provided for damping the transmission of vibrations generated during rotation of the fan wheel.The elastic damping element is guided along a guiding device, which is formed between the support body and the fastening component. The elastic damping element and the guiding device are designed to be circumferential. Alternatively, the elastic damping element is designed as a plug-in element which is inserted through passage openings in the support body and the fastening component, as a result of which the support body and the fastening component are held at a distance from one another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the U.S. national stage application of international application PCT/EP2023/059594 filed Apr. 12, 2023, which international application was published on Nov. 2, 2023, as International Publication No. WO 2023/208587 A1. The international application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2022 110 439.7, filed Apr. 28, 2022. The international application and German applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD

The invention relates to a fan for generating a cooling air flow.

BACKGROUND

EP 1 617 085 A1 discloses an axial fan for the air cooling of electrical and/or electronic components in a computer. The axial fan disclosed comprises a fan housing with an air guiding frame through which air can flow axially and in which a fan wheel is rotatably mounted. The fan housing has a square outline, with fastening openings in its four corner regions for fastening to a component to be cooled or to a housing containing the component to be cooled. Furthermore, at least one elastic damping element is integrated into the axial fan. This is arranged in such a way that it is effective between the fan wheel and the fastening means for fastening the axial fan and thus serves to dampen the transmission of vibrations that are generated when the fan wheel rotates.
DE 20 2013 101 596 U1 describes a fan unit with an outer shell and an inner shell arranged inside the outer shell. A fan wheel is arranged inside the inner shell, the inner shell being decoupled from the outer shell by a circumferential air gap between the inner shell and the outer shell. The inner shell is connected to the outer shell by means of several connecting means, whereby the connecting means are made of an elastomeric material and are designed as suspension members. As a result, the inner shell is decoupled from the outer shell in terms of vibration.
DE 10 2019 214 087 A1 discloses a fan in which a stator is held on a stator holder by a latching connection acting in the axial direction. Furthermore, the stator holder is latchingly embedded in a wall ring via several latching connections, whereby the stator holder is held in the latched position under radial and axial preload by soft components. Due to the support of the latching connections by the soft components, vibrations do not lead to a noisy knocking of the latching elements against each other.
DE 10 2013 103 299 A1 describes a fan module in which a fan is accommodated in a housing. The fan is separated from the housing at a distance by vibration damper assemblies. The vibration damper assemblies are adapted to absorb vibration waves that have different frequency ranges.
CN 2 480 899 Y describes a fan that is mounted on a mainboard using support pillars. The four corners of the fan each have an opening through which a support column is attached at the upper end with the aid of a latching fastener. At the opposite end, the support pillars are inserted through openings in the mainboard via a latching fastener and latched to it. Each support pillar has a support bolt over which a sleeve is pushed, against which a spring is supported when installed.
CN 2 01 821 631 U describes a fan that has a support body on which a fan wheel is rotatably held. A fastening component is inserted and fixed in a guide at each of the four corners of the support body. The fastening components are used for plug-in fastening of the fan in openings of a computer housing. The fastening components are made of a flexible material.
JP S63-190 599 U discloses a fan with a housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part. The first housing part is designed as a support body for a fan, whereby the fan can be mounted with a bolt in a hollow socket of the first housing part. The housing parts each have a drum-like part to which a flange-like part is molded. There are openings or protruding hollow pins at the corners of the flange-like parts for fastening the fan. The hollow pins are each held in an elastic ring body to dampen vibrations. Depending on requirements, the housing parts can be pushed over each other with their drum-like parts in such a way that the fan has a different thickness in the axial direction. According to further embodiments, it is also proposed to connect the flange-like part to the drum-like part via an elastic connecting element, wherein the flange-like part, the elastic connecting element and the drum-like part are integrally connected to each other via two-component injection molding. It is also proposed to form the flange-like part as a whole as an elastic connecting element, in the corner areas of which rigid fastening openings are provided.
WO 2022/007383 A1 discloses a fan with a support body for suspension in a fan frame designed for several fans. The fan frame has fastening openings for fastening the fan frame in a hard disc housing. The support body is provided with openings at opposite corner areas through which elastic damping elements are inserted. Two opposing damping elements are each mounted on a steel cable passing through them.
CN 1 456 037 A shows a cooling device for an electronic component (CPU) arranged on a printed circuit board. A fan is mounted on the top of an air duct. A radiator with a large number of fins is arranged in the air duct. The radiator has a greater height than the height of the air duct so that the cooling air flow generated by the fan can enter and leave the air duct unhindered. In addition, the air duct is spring mounted against the circuit board using spring elements.
US 2006/0045616 A1 describes a fan module with a fan wheel held rotatably on a support body. The support body has openings at the corners, through each of which a partially elastic fastening element is inserted. The support body can be fastened to the fastening openings of a housing, in particular a computer housing, with the aid of the fastening elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,043,049 B2 also discloses a fan in which a fan wheel is held on a support body. The support body has first damping components at its corners, which are inserted through openings in the support body. There are also second, ring-shaped damping components which are connected to the end faces of the support body via a snap-in connection. The fan is mounted by placing the fan together with the pre-assembled first damping components on the fastening openings of a coupling element (e.g. computer housing). The fan is then finally fixed in place by placing washers and inserting fastening pins into openings in the first damping components serving as fastening components on the opposite side of the coupling element. This expands the damping components radially and creates a tight fit between the first damping components and the support body. The second damping component lies against the coupling element.
Finally, DE 20 2008 014 846 U1 discloses a fan with a vibration damper, which consists of a frame with four sides that are connected to each other. The frame has a recess at each of the connection points, to which a vibration damper with a fastening opening is attached.

SUMMARY

The present invention is based on the object of providing an alternative fan to the prior art for generating a cooling air flow, which has an effective vibration decoupling between the support body for the fan wheel and the fastening component for fastening the fan.
The present object is solved by a fan with the features of the independent claim(s). Advantageous embodiments or further embodiments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims.
The invention is based on a fan for generating a cooling air flow. The fan can be used, for example, for air cooling of heat-generating components in a computer or the like. Other cooling applications are also conceivable. The fan is preferably a so-called axial fan. The fan has a fan wheel which is held rotatably on a support body. There is at least one fastening component which has fastening openings. The fastening openings are used to fasten the fan to or in the electronic device. The fastening component is detachably connected to the support body. Furthermore, there is at least one elastic, preferably rubber-elastic damping element for damping the transmission of vibrations that can be generated or are generated when the fan wheel rotates. The elastic damping element serves in particular to decouple vibrations between the support body for the fan wheel and the fastening component.
The invention now proposes that the elastic damping element is guided along a guiding device, which is formed between the support body and the fastening component. The elastic damping element prevents any contact between the support body and the fastening component, thus achieving effective vibration decoupling between these components. The damping element is also held securely and reliably due to the guiding device.
The guiding device can preferably be designed as a channel-like recess, particularly preferably as a groove. It is also conceivable that the guiding device is designed as a shoulder. The damping element can therefore be easily mounted or removed in this way.
According to an alternative proposal in accordance with the invention, the elastic damping element is designed as a plug-in element, which is inserted through openings in the support body and the fastening component. The support body and the fastening component are held at a distance from each other by the damping element designed as a plug-in element.
Each of the above alternatives according to the invention provides a fan in which effective vibration decoupling can be achieved between the support body for the fan wheel and the at least one fastening component. In addition to the low-cost manufacture of the fan, the detachability of the damping element also makes it easy to replace the damping element and thus also enables low-cost maintenance of the fan.
The elastic damping element and the guiding device are designed to run all the way round. In other words, the elastic damping element and the guiding device run around a central air passage area, which the fan forms in an assembled state (mounted state). In still other words, the damping element and the guiding device are circular, frame-shaped or ring-shaped in outline. In this way, vibration decoupling can be achieved between the support body and the fastening component, which acts evenly around the entire circumference of the fan. This allows the vibration decoupling to be optimized.
It is also advantageous if the guiding device for the elastic damping element is formed in the support body. This makes the fan easier to manufacture overall. The support body, which is preferably made of plastic using the injection molding process, can thus be manufactured easily and cost-effectively together with the guiding device, whereas the fastening component, which is preferably made of metal (e.g. aluminum or zinc), does not require any further machining.
According to another, highly advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, it is proposed that the support body is formed with a circular circumferential wall with (radially viewed) an outer side and an inner side. A guiding device, along which an elastic damping element is guided, is formed at each end face of the circular wall. The end faces of the wall are covered by at least one fastening component. The guiding device is preferably designed as a circumferential groove or a circumferential shoulder.
Such a design contributes to a further improvement in cost-effective manufacturability and also to a particularly easy realization of vibration decoupling between the support body and the fastening components.
According to another further development, it is also proposed that two fastening components are present, with each fastening component being flat or at least predominantly flat. Each fastening component also has a central passage opening, which is surrounded by fastening openings.
This type of further development makes the fan easier to manufacture. With a flat design, the fastening components can also be manufactured as inexpensive stamped metal parts (for example aluminum). Furthermore, a flat or at least predominantly flat design contributes to the fact that the fan can be provided as a very compact pre-assembly unit.
Preferably, the fastening components are of identical design. This helps to increase the number of identical parts for the fan and thus further reduce costs.
The fastening components can be rectangular in outline (preferably square).
However, the outline of a fastening component can also be shaped differently, for example round or oval.
The assembly of the fan can be further simplified by connecting the fastening components to each other via elastic connecting parts. In other words, the fastening components are held together in the axial direction of the fan by means of the connecting parts. In addition, such a further development can contribute to a better contact of the elastic damping elements to the support body on the one hand and to the fastening component on the other hand, since the elastic connecting parts cause an axial pretension of the mounted components of the fan. If the fastening components are rectangular in outline, they can preferably be connected to each other at their corner areas via the elastic connecting parts.
In a further embodiment of the inventive concept, it is advantageous if the fastening components are rectangular in outline and have recesses at the edges in corner areas, which are designed in such a way that the elastic connecting parts are flush with the edge of a remaining edge of the fastening components. This helps to reduce the space required around the circumference of the fan, which is an advantage in the already cramped installation space conditions in computers or even laptops.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is also very advantageous if the fastening components are each held together at their corner areas by fastening means in the form of two hollow screws and a threaded sleeve. In this case, the hollow screws protrude into the fastening openings of the fastening components and are supported therein in the axial direction of the fan. The hollow screws protrude into a through hole in the threaded sleeve at the end face and engage with an external thread in an internal thread of the threaded sleeve. A minimum distance between the banjo bolts in the axial direction of the fan is defined by internal shoulders on the threaded sleeve. This ensures that no contact can occur between the fastening components and the support body of the fan, even if the fasteners are screwed together as far as possible.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that two fastening components are provided, each fastening component being designed in its outline, i.e. as seen in the axial direction of the fan, in the manner of a half-frame. The fastening components are held together and, viewed in cross-section, each have a wall of this type, which forms a wall section pointing in the axial direction of the fan and two wall sections pointing in the radial direction of the fan. The wall of the fastening components surrounds the circular wall of the support body from the outside. Furthermore, the circular circumferential wall of the support body has at least one circumferential groove (preferably two circumferential grooves) on its outside, in which a circumferential, elastic (preferably rubber-elastic) damping element is arranged.
In other words, the wall of the fastening components can have a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section. However, it is conceivable that the wall of the fastening components may have a different cross-section, for example E-shaped or semi-circular.
These features can also make it easier to assemble the fan with sufficient vibration decoupling between the support body and the fastening components.
It can also be useful and serves to increase the number of identical parts used if the fastening components are of the same design.
In order to enable the fastening components to be held together in a very simple way and to enable them to be taken apart without tools in the event of maintenance, it is also proposed that the fastening components are held together via a detachable connection. The detachable connection can, for example, be realized via a circumferential, elastic (preferably rubber-elastic) band. The elastic band can also contribute to better radial contact of the damping elements with the fastening components or with the support body.
It is also conceivable that the fastening components are held together via a clip or snap-in connection.
Another, highly practical further development of the invention proposes that a circular circumferential wall with an outer side (seen radially) is formed by the support body. At least one circumferential groove is provided on the outer side, in which a circumferential damping element is arranged. In addition, there is a fastening component which forms a circular circumferential wall with an inner side (seen radially) and an outer side. At least one circumferential groove is also formed in the inner side, whereby the groove of the support body and the groove of the fastening component overlap and thus form a common space in which a circumferential, elastic damping element is arranged between the fastening component and the support body.
Such a further development contributes to ease of manufacture, ease of assembly and effective vibration decoupling between the support body and the fastening component.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the fastening component forms a flange at each end face of the circularly circumferential wall, in which several fastening openings are arranged. The flange extends in the radial direction of the fan. This makes it easier to mount the fan on a computer or similar device.
The flange is preferably rectangular (particularly square).
Another embodiment of the invention proposes that the support body is rectangular in outline (preferably square) and forms a circular circumferential inner wall. A guiding device adjoins one end face of the circularly circumferential inner wall. A circumferential, elastic damping element is arranged along the guiding device, which can preferably be designed as a circumferential shoulder or a circumferential groove. An outer wall (seen radially) of the support body is provided with at least one circumferential groove in which a circumferential, elastic damping element is located. The fastening component is also rectangular in outline (preferably square). The fastening component is provided with an L-shaped wall in cross-section. The L-shaped wall has a first L-leg aligned in the axial direction of the fan and a second L-leg aligned in the radial direction of the fan. The first L-leg encloses the outer wall of the support body, and the second L-leg covers the groove of the support body containing the elastic damping element.
Finally, according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is also proposed that the fastening component has a circular circumferential wall with an inner side (seen radially) and an outer side. A flange extending in the radial direction of the fan is provided at each end face of the circular circumferential wall. The flange is provided with fastening openings at one end of the circular circumferential wall and with passage openings at the other (i.e. axially opposite) end of the circular circumferential wall. The support body also has a flange-like area that is provided with passage openings. The flange-like area of the support body is aligned with a flange of the fastening component in such a way that the passage openings of the support body are aligned with passage openings of the fastening component. The elastic damping element, which is designed as a plug-in element, is inserted through two aligned passage openings. The support body and the fastening component are axially spaced from each other by the plug-in element or, in other words, by the design of the plug-in element.
Such an embodiment of the invention also contributes to a very simple construction of the fan, to its simple assembly and to an effective decoupling between the support body for the fan wheel and the fastening component.
The flanges of the fastening component are preferably rectangular in outline (particularly preferably square). The flange-like area of the support body is also preferably rectangular in outline, particularly preferably square. In this case, the fastening or passage openings are arranged in corner areas of the flange or the flange-like area.
According to a further development, it also contributes to a secure, spaced-apart holding of the support body to the fastening element if the damping element designed as a plug-in element has a plate-like base body from which a rotationally symmetrical extension extends in the axial direction of the fan. The extension has at least two circumferential thickenings directed radially outwards. The circumferential thickenings are axially spaced from each other and also axially spaced from the plate-like base body.
In order to facilitate reversible yielding of the damping element designed as a plug-in element during assembly of the fan, particularly in the radial direction, it is also proposed that the damping element designed as a plug-in element has an axial passage opening.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures. This also makes further features and advantages of the invention clear. Identical reference signs, even in different figures, refer to identical, comparable, or functionally identical components. Corresponding or comparable features and advantages are achieved, even if there is no repeated description or reference to them. The figures are not, or at least not always, true to scale. In some figures, proportions or distances may be exaggerated in order to emphasize features of an embodiment more clearly. If the term “and/or” is used in an enumeration of two or more terms or objects, this can mean that any one of the enumerated terms or objects can be used alone. It can also mean that any combination of two or more of the listed terms or items can be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fan according to a first design example.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the fan as shown in view II of FIG. 1 , in the assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the fan according to sectional view III from FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 a is a sectional view of the fan comparable with sectional view III from FIG. 2 , but in a slightly modified embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a fan according to a second design example.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the fan as shown in view V of FIG. 4 , in the assembled state.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the fan according to sectional view VI from FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the fan according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the fan as shown in view VIII of FIG. 7 , in the assembled state.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the fan according to sectional view IX from FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the fan according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the fan according to view XI from FIG. 10 , in the assembled state.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the fan according to sectional view XII from FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the fan according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of the fan as shown in view XIV of FIG. 13 , in the assembled state.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the fan according to sectional view XV from FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16A is the representation of an elastic damping element in a first perspective view.

FIG. 16B is the representation of the elastic damping element in a second perspective view.

FIG. 16C is a side view of the elastic damping element according to view XVIc from FIG. 16D.

FIG. 16D is a view of the elastic damping element according to view XVId from FIG. 16C.

FIG. 16E is a sectional view of the elastic damping element according to sectional view XVIe from FIG. 16D.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the fan according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of the fan according to view XVIII from FIG. 17 , in the assembled state.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the fan according to section XiX from FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial view of fastening means of the fan according to partial view XX from FIG. 19 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 to 3 . This shows a fan 100, which has a fan wheel 101, a support body 102 and two identical fastening components 103.
When assembled, the fan wheel 101 with an electric motor (not shown) is rotatably mounted around a hub 109. The hub 109 is connected in one piece (i.e. with a material connection) to a preferably flat base part 110, which in turn is connected in one piece via support arms 111 to a circularly circumferential wall 106 of the support body 102. Viewed radially, the circular circumferential wall 106 forms an inner side 107 and an outer side 108.
A guiding device 104, preferably in the form of a circumferential groove 104, is provided on each end face of the circular wall 106. An elastic, preferably rubber-elastic damping element 105 is arranged and guided in each of these grooves 104. The elastic damping element 105 is ring-shaped and runs around the entire groove 104. The elastic damping element 105 is preferably formed from a rubber-like material.
Deviating from the embodiment example, it is also conceivable, for example, to design the guiding device 104 as a circumferential shoulder. In this case, one of the side walls (the radially inner or the radially outer side wall) of the groove 104 can be omitted, whereby sufficient guidance of the damping element 105 is nevertheless ensured. FIG. 3 a shows this slight modification in a fan 100 a, in which a guiding device 104 a for the damping element 105 is formed by a circumferential shoulder with a radially inner side wall.
Each of the elastic damping elements 105 is covered by a fastening component 103. The fastening components 103 are each flat. They preferably have a rectangular, in particular square outline with a central passage opening 103 a and with four corner areas 112. Each corner area 112 is provided with a fastening opening 114. Other shapes of the outline of the fastening components 103, for example round or oval, are also conceivable.
The size of the circumferential groove 104 and the size of the elastic damping element 105 are matched to each other in such a way that each fastening component 103 only comes into contact with the elastic damping element 105 but does not come into contact with the support body 102.
The fastening components 103 are thus effectively decoupled from the support body 102 in terms of vibration.
Furthermore, four elastic connecting parts 115 are shown. The elastic connecting parts 115 serve to hold the fan 100 together in an axial direction A. The elastic connecting parts 115 can also preferably consist of a rubber-like material. The connecting parts 115 have end walls 118 when viewed in the axial direction A. The end walls 118 deviate in their outline from a circular shape and have two opposite corners 118 a. Furthermore, the end walls 118 are connected in one piece via a rear wall 117, which runs along their end wall 118 from one corner 118 to the other corner 118. Each end wall 118 is provided with a passage opening 119, which is arranged approximately in the center.
The diameter of the central passage opening 103 a is such that the fan wheel 101 with fan blades 120 is completely unobstructed by the central passage opening 103 a in the radial direction R of the fan 100 and thus an air flow can pass unhindered through the fan 100 in the axial direction A when the fan wheel 101 rotates.
Furthermore, the corner areas 112 have recesses 113. The recesses 113 each run around a corner areas 112 by approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the fastening component 103. The recesses 113 are set back from a remaining, circumferential edge 116 of the fastening component 103.
To hold the fan 100 together in axial direction A, each elastic connecting part 115 is pushed with its end walls 118 over two axially neighboring corner areas 112.
Due to the elasticity of the elastic damping elements 105, the fastening components 103 are pressed slightly apart in axial direction A, i.e. from the inside against the end walls 118.
To fasten the fan 100 to a wall 10, for example of an electronic device in the area of an opening 11, fastening means 12 are inserted through the passage openings 119 and thus also through the fastening openings 114, which are used, for example, to screw the fan 100 to the wall 10 and can preferably be designed as screws (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3 ). Overall, the fan 100 is a fan that can be easily mounted on the wall of a computer or the like. As a pre-assembled fan module, the fan has a very compact design and, thanks to effective vibration decoupling of the fastening components 103 from the support body 102, is extremely quiet in operation and has extremely low noise emissions. At the same time, the fan 100 can be completely dismantled if necessary due to the design of the support body 102, the fastening components 103 and the damping elements 105 as separate (individual) components, so that defective components can be easily replaced.
The wall 10 can, for example, be the wall of a computer housing, the wall of another electronic device to be cooled or the wall of another component.
FIG. 2 clearly shows that in the assembled state, the elastic connecting parts 115 are formed with their rear wall 117 flush with the edge 116 of the fastening components 103. In the assembled state, the fan 100 forms a central air passage area LD through which air can pass in the axial direction A. The elastic damping elements 105 run around the air passage area LD or, in other words, frame it.
The support body 102 and the fan wheel 101 can preferably be manufactured in a plastic injection molding process, which is very cost-effective.
The fastening components 103 can preferably be made of metal, particularly preferably aluminum. They can thus be produced very cost-effectively as stamped parts.
It should also be noted that when the fan wheel 101 rotates, the support body 102 acts as a resonance body for the vibrations caused by the rotation of the fan wheel 101. However, the support body 102 can be made very narrow in axial direction A and thus the mass of the support body 102 can also be kept low.
In the radial direction R, the fan blades 120 have a small distance from the inner side 107 of the circular wall 106. When the fan wheel 101 rotates around the hub 109, free rotation of the fan wheel 101 is thus ensured.
A second embodiment of a fan 200 is now described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 .
The fan 200, as well as the fans described in the following examples, operate according to the same principle as the fan 100 already described, i.e. they are all so-called axial fans.
The fan 200 also has a fan wheel 201, a support body 202 and two identical fastening components 203.
The fan wheel 201 rotates, driven by an electric motor not shown, around a hub 209, which in turn is connected in one piece to a preferably flat base part 210. The base part 210 is in turn connected in one piece to a circularly circumferential wall 206 via support arms 211.
Thus, in this case too, the support body 202 carrying the fan wheel 201 is formed from the hub 209, the base part 210, the support arms 211 and the circularly circumferential wall 206.
The support body 202 and the fan wheel 201 are again preferably made of plastic and manufactured using the plastic injection molding process.
Furthermore, it can be seen that the circular circumferential wall 206 has guiding devices 204 on its end faces, preferably in the form of circumferential grooves 204, in which elastic, preferably rubber-elastic damping elements 205 are in turn arranged and guided. The elastic damping elements 205 are in turn annular and are formed circumferentially in the grooves 204. In deviation from the embodiment example, the guiding devices 204 can also be designed differently here, for example as circumferential shoulders.
Viewed in the radial direction R, the circular wall 206 has an inner side 207 and an outer side 208.
Two guiding devices 221, preferably designed as circumferential grooves 221 and spaced apart in the axial direction A, are provided on the outer side 208. An elastic, preferably rubber-elastic damping element 205 is in turn arranged in each of these grooves 221.
The elastic damping elements 205 are all ring-shaped and preferably made of a rubber-like material.
In deviation from the embodiment example, it is also conceivable that only one groove 221 or more than two grooves 221 with damping elements 205 are arranged on the outer side 208.
Each of the identically constructed fastening components 203 has the outline of a half-frame, which is thus open on one side. In other words, each fastening component 203 has an arched outline with a semicircular recess 203 a, which is surrounded by an end wall 203 b extending in the radial direction R of the fan 200.
An outer wall 222 seen in the radial direction R has an axial wall section 223 seen in cross-section, which runs in the axial direction A of the fan 200, and radial wall sections 224 adjoining it on both sides. The radial wall sections 224 run in the radial direction R of the fan 200.
As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5 , the semi-circular recesses 203 a of the fastening components 203 complement each other in the assembled state of the fan 200 to form a circular opening, which in turn exposes the entire fan wheel 201 as viewed in the radial direction R. The circular wall 206 of the support body 202 is completely enclosed by the fastening components 203. This is done in such a way that each of the elastic damping elements 205 arranged in the grooves 221 touches the inner side of the axial wall section 223 of the fastening components 203 at four contact points B.
With regard to the end faces, the resilient damping elements 205 arranged in the grooves 204 are covered by the radial wall sections 224 and contact them.
In this embodiment, the elastic damping elements 205 therefore also enable effective vibration decoupling of the fastening components 203 from the support body 202.
In this embodiment example, the fastening components 203 are held together radially by a circumferential, elastic (preferably rubber-elastic) band 213. The circumferential, elastic band 213 is embedded in a circumferential recess 222 a of the outer wall 222. The fastening components 203 are thus held together by a detachable connection. The detachable connection of the fastening components 203 can also be realized by a latching or clip connection.
Finally, it is also shown that the fastening components 203 have corner regions 212 in which fastening openings 214 pointing in axial direction A are provided.
When the fan 200 is assembled, the fastening components 203 together form a rectangular, in particular square, outline.
In the assembled state, the fan 200 therefore also forms a central air passage area LD, through which air can pass in the axial direction A. The elastic damping elements 205 run around the air passage area LD or, in other words, frame it.
With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 , a third embodiment example of a fan 300 is now described in more detail. Analogous to the previous embodiments, the fan 300 again comprises a fan wheel 301, which is rotatably held within a support body 302. An electric motor required to drive the fan wheel 301 is again not shown.
The support body 302 has a hub 309, which is connected in one piece to a preferably flat base part 310. The base part 310 is in turn connected in one piece to a circularly circumferential wall 306 via support arms 311.
The circular wall 306 has an inner side 307 and an outer side 308 when viewed radially. Two guiding devices 321, preferably in the form of circumferential grooves 321, are provided in the outer side 308, spaced apart in axial direction A. Elastic, preferably rubber-elastic damping elements 305 are in turn arranged in the grooves 321. The elastic damping elements 305 are annular in shape. Deviating from this, it is also conceivable to introduce only one groove 321 or more than two grooves 321 with a damping element 305 into the wall 308.
Furthermore, a fastening component 303 is provided. The fastening component 303 also has a circular circumferential wall 325. Viewed radially, the circular circumferential wall 325 has an inner side 326 and an outer side 328.
Two circumferential grooves 327 are formed in the inner side 326. In the assembled state of the fan 300, the outer side 308 of the circular circumferential wall 306 is enclosed by the inner side 326 of the circular circumferential wall 325 of the fastening component 303. The circumferential grooves 321 in the support body 302 coincide with the circumferential grooves 327 in the fastening component 303. This forms a common, circumferential receiving space for the elastic damping elements 305. The size of the circumferential grooves 321 and 327 and the size of the elastic damping elements 305 are dimensioned such that the circumferential elastic damping elements 305 press against the inner side 326 of the circular circumferential wall 325 in the radial direction R. The number of circumferential grooves 327 depends on the number of circumferential grooves 321.
In this way, effective vibration decoupling between the support body 302 and the fastening component 303 is realized on the one hand, and a secure hold of the support body 302 in the fastening component 303 in axial direction A is made possible on the other.
The circular circumferential wall 325 of the fastening component 303 has a flange F running in the radial direction R on each of its two end faces. The flange F is preferably rectangular in outline, in particular square, and has four corner regions 312. Each of the corner regions 312 is provided with a fastening opening 314. Deviating from this, other outline shapes of the flanges F are also conceivable.
When installed, the fan 300 also forms a central air passage area LD, through which air can pass in the axial direction A. The elastic damping elements 305 run around the air passage area LD or, in other words, frame it.
FIGS. 10 to 12 describe a fourth embodiment of a fan 400. Again, the fan 400 has a fan wheel 401 which is arranged to rotate about a hub 409. An electric motor for driving the fan wheel 401 is not shown. Such a motor would have to be arranged in an unspecified cavity between the hub 409 and the fan wheel 401.
The hub 409 is connected in one piece to a preferably flat base part 410 and this in turn is connected in one piece via support arms 411 to a circularly circumferential inner wall 407. This forms a support body 402 for the fan wheel 401. Furthermore, a fastening component 403 is also provided.
The support body 402 is preferably quadrangular in outline, particularly preferably square. It has an outer wall 413. Viewed in the axial direction A, the outer wall 413 merges into a cavity 408 extending in the radial direction R at its end face facing the fastening component 403 (see FIG. 10 ). Four corner regions 415 of the support body 402 are formed by the outer wall 413 and the cavities 408.
On the end facing away from the fastening component 403, the cavities 408 are each covered by an end wall. In other words, the outer wall 413 merges there in each case into a wall extending in the radial direction R, in which a passage opening 416 (indicated by a dashed line) is provided.
Furthermore, it can be seen that a guiding device 404, preferably in the form of a circumferential groove 404, is provided in the region of an end-face boundary edge of the circularly circumferential inner wall 407. In turn, an elastic, preferably rubber-elastic damping element 405 is accommodated and guided in this groove 404. The elastic damping element 405 is annular in shape. Deviating from the embodiment example, the guiding device 404 can also be designed, for example, as a circumferential shoulder.
Furthermore, at least one guiding device 418 in the form of a circumferential groove 418 is provided in the outer wall 413. A circumferential, elastic (preferably rubber-elastic) damping element 417 is arranged in the groove 418.
The fastening component 403 also preferably has a rectangular, particularly preferably square outline, with an inner wall 422 and an outer wall 423, as viewed in the radial direction R. On the inner wall 422, the fastening component 403 is provided with a circumferential groove 419.
The fastening component 403 has a wall which, in cross-section, comprises an L-leg 420 aligned in the axial direction A and an L-leg 421 angled away from it and aligned in the radial direction R.
In the assembled state of the fan 400, the outer wall 413 of the support body 402 is completely surrounded by the axially aligned L-leg 420 of the fastening component 403. In this case, the circumferential groove 419 in the fastening component 403 and the circumferential groove 418 in the support body 402 coincide in such a way that a common receiving space for the elastic damping element 417 is formed. At the same time, the circumferential groove 404 with the elastic damping element 405 located therein is covered by the radially aligned L-leg 421 of the fastening component 403.
The dimensions of the grooves 418, 419 and 404 and the elastic damping elements 417 and 405 located therein are dimensioned in such a way that the fastening component 403 is effectively decoupled from the support body 402 in terms of vibration. In other words, even in this embodiment example, the fastening component 403 does not come into direct contact with the support body 402 at any point.
Furthermore, it can be seen that a fastening opening 414 is provided in each of the corner areas 412 of the fastening component 403. In the assembled state of the fan 400, the fastening openings 414 coincide with the passage openings 416. In this way, a suitable fastening element (e.g. screw) can be easily inserted through the fastening and passage openings 414 and 416 and the fan 400 can be screwed to the wall of a further component not shown in detail.
In the assembled state, the fan 400 also forms a central air passage area LD, through which air can pass in the axial direction A. The elastic damping elements 405 and 417 run around the air passage area LD or, in other words, frame it.
FIGS. 13 to 15 show a further embodiment example of a fan 500. In a manner analogous to the preceding examples, the fan 500 has a fan wheel 501 which is rotatably mounted on a support body 502.
A fastening component 503 surrounding the fan wheel 501 in turn serves to fasten the fan 500 to a further component not shown in detail.
As can be seen, the fan wheel 501 is arranged to rotate around a hub 509, which is connected in one piece to a preferably flat base part 510. The base part 510 is in turn connected in one piece to a flange-like body F1 via support arms 511. The flange-like body F1 is frame-like and flat. It preferably has a rectangular, particularly preferably square outline and forms four corner regions 515 around a central passage opening 504. Each of the corner areas has a passage opening 517.
The fastening component 503 has a circular circumferential wall 525, with an inner wall 526 and an outer wall 528, as viewed in the radial direction R.
A flange F extending in the radial direction R is molded onto each end face of the circular wall 525. Each flange F preferably also has a rectangular, in particular square, outline and forms four corner areas 512.
Deviating from the embodiment example, it is also conceivable that the flange-like body F1 and/or the flanges F have other contour shapes, e.g. round or oval.
In the flange F, which faces the flange-like body F1, a passage opening 516 is provided in the corner area 512. The passage openings 516 of the fastening component 503 and the passage openings 517 of the support body 502 have the same diameter or at least approximately the same diameter.
In the assembled state, an elastic damping element 522 is inserted through each of the aligned passage openings 516 and 517. The elastic damping element 522 is designed as a plug-in element. In particular, it is designed in such a way that, in the assembled state of the fan 500, the flange-like body F1 is held at a specific axial distance a from the neighboring flange F of the fastening component 503.
In this way, an effective vibration coupling of the support body 502 from the fastening component 503 is possible.
Furthermore, fastening openings 514 are provided in the corner areas 512 of the other flange F of the fastening component 503, which faces away from the support body 502. Suitable fastening means can in turn be inserted through the fastening openings 514 and the fastening component 503 can be fastened to a housing of an appliance, which is not shown in detail. The diameter of the fastening openings 514 is preferably smaller than that of the passage openings 516 and 517.
When installed, the fan 500 forms a central air passage area LD through which air can pass in the axial direction A.
Finally, the elastic damping element 522 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16E.
The elastic damping element 522 has a plate-like or disc-like base body 529. A rotationally symmetrical extension 530 extends from the plate-like base body 529 in axial direction A. The extension 530 has two circumferential thickenings 531. The circumferential thickenings 531 are orientated outwards in the radial direction R. They have a distance a1 between them in axial direction A. The first circumferential thickening 531 is at a distance a2 from the plate-like base body 529 in axial direction A. The distances a1 and a2 can be the same size, but can also be different sizes. This depends on the selected material thicknesses of the flange F on the one hand and the flange-like body F1 on the other.
Furthermore, it can be seen in the figures that the plate-like base body 529 (deviating from a circular outline indicated by dashed lines) forms two opposite corner regions 533 in outline.
In the assembled state, the plate-like base body 529 protrudes into a recess 523 of the flange-like body F1, whereby the recess 523 has the same contour as the plate-like base body 529. In this way, unintentional rotation of the elastic damping element 522 in the flange-like body F1 can be prevented. On the side opposite the recess 523, the elastic damping element 522 is supported by the first circumferential thickening 531 against an edge region of the passage opening 517, overlapping it. The aforementioned distance a2 between the circumferential thickening 531 and the plate-like base body 529 is filled by the remaining material of the flange-like body F1. The described distance a1 between the circumferential thickenings 531 serves to accommodate the flange F of the fastening component 503 in the area of the passage opening 516. Thus, a width b of the first circumferential thickening 531 (see FIG. 16E) also defines the distance a (see FIG. 15 ) at which the support body 502 and the fastening component 503 are axially spaced apart from one another.
Finally, mention should also be made of an axial passage opening 532 in the resilient damping element 522, which facilitates deformation of the resilient damping element 522 when it is pushed through the passage openings 516, 517, in particular in the radial direction R.
With reference to FIGS. 17 to 20 , a final embodiment example of a fan 600 is now described.
In the assembled state, the fan wheel 601 with an electric motor (not shown) is rotatably mounted around a hub 609. The hub 609 is connected in one piece (i.e. with a material connection) to a preferably flat base part 610, which in turn is connected in one piece via support arms 611 to a wall 606 of the support body 602 that runs around in a circle. Viewed radially, the circular wall 606 forms an inner side 607 and an outer side 608.
A guiding device 604, preferably in the form of a circumferential groove 604, is provided on each end face of the circular wall 606. An elastic, preferably rubber-elastic damping element 605 is arranged and guided in each of these grooves 604. The elastic damping element 605 is ring-shaped and runs around the entire groove 604. The elastic damping element 605 is preferably formed from a rubber-like material.
Deviating from the embodiment example, it is also conceivable, for example, to form the guiding device 604 as a circumferential shoulder. In this case, one of the side walls (the radially inner or the radially outer side wall) of the groove 604 can be omitted, whereby sufficient guidance of the damping element 605 is nevertheless ensured. Other shapes of the outline of the fastening components 603, for example round or oval, are also conceivable.
Each of the resilient damping elements 605 is covered by a fastening component 603. The fastening components 603 are each flat or at least predominantly flat. They preferably have a rectangular, in particular square outline with a central passage opening 603 a and with four corner regions 612. Each corner region 612 is provided with a fastening opening 614. Preferably, each corner region 612 is formed as a thickening increasing towards the edge of the fastening component 603. In the assembled state of the fan 600, the thickenings of the corner regions 612 of the opposing fastening components 306 point towards each other in the axial direction A of the fan 600. This contributes to a compact design of the fan 600.
Two fastening means 615 and one fastening means 616 serve to hold the fan 600 together in axial direction A at each corner region 612. The fastening means 615 are preferably in the form of hollow screws and the fastening means 616 are preferably in the form of a threaded sleeve. The fastening means 615 and 616 are preferably made of a metal, for example brass. The fastening components 603 can also preferably be made of a metal, for example zinc. The support body 602 is preferably a plastic injection molded part.
When assembling the fan 600, the fastening means 615 engage at the end face in a passage opening of the fastening means 616 and engage with an external thread 615 a in an internal thread 616 a of the fastening means 616. A circumferential beveled edge 615 b of the fastening means 615 engages over a corresponding beveled edge in the fastening openings 614 and is supported thereon. The fastening means 615 can be twisted with a suitable tool via an internal polygon 615 e. Due to the elasticity of the elastic damping elements 605, the fastening components 603 are pressed slightly apart in axial direction A, i.e. from the inner side against the beveled edges 615 b. Internal shoulders 616 b of the fastening means 616 advantageously define a minimum distance between the fastening means 615 in axial direction A. This ensures that no contact can occur between the fastening components 603 and the support body 602 even when the fastening means 615, 616 are screwed together as far as possible (see in particular FIG. 20 ).
To fasten the pre-assembled fan 600 to a wall 10, for example an electronic device in the area of an opening 11, further fastening means 12 are inserted through a passage opening 615 d, which is formed by the fastening means 615 and 616 screwed together. These can be used, for example, to screw the fan 600 to the wall 10. The fastening means 12 can, for example, be designed as countersunk screws (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 19 ).
The wall 10 can, for example, be the wall of a computer housing, the wall of another electronic device to be cooled or the wall of another component.
When installed, the fan 600 forms a central air passage area LD, through which air can pass in the axial direction A. The elastic damping elements 605 run around the air passage area LD or, in other words, frame it.
Overall, the fan 600 represents a fan that can be easily mounted on the wall of a computer or the like. As a pre-assembled fan module, the fan has a very compact design and, thanks to effective vibration decoupling of the fastening components 603 from the support body 602, is extremely quiet in operation and has extremely low noise emissions. At the same time, the fan 600 can be manufactured cost-effectively as a separate (individual) component due to the design of the support body 602, the fastening components 603 and the damping elements 605 and can be completely dismantled if necessary, so that defective components can be easily replaced.


List of reference symbols

10	Wall of an electronic device
11	Opening
12	Fasteners
100	Fan
101	Fan wheel
102	Support Body
103	Fastening component
103a	Central passage opening
104	Guiding device, groove
104a	Guiding device, circumferential shoulder
105	Elastic damping element
106	Circular circumferential wall
107	Inner side of the circular circumferential wall
108	Outer side of the circular circumferential wall
109	Hub
110	Base part
111	Support arms
112	Corner areas
113	Recesses
114	Fastening openings
115	Elastic connecting parts
116	Edge
117	Rear wall
118	End walls
118a	Corners
119	Passage openings
120	Fan blades
200	Fan
201	Fan wheel
202	Body
203	Fastening component
203a	Semi-circular recess
203b	Front wall
204	Guiding devices, grooves
205	elastic damping elements
206	circular circumferential wall
207	Inner side of the circular circumferential wall
208	Outer side of the circular surrounding wall
209	Hub
210	Base part
211	Support arms
212	Corner areas
213	Circumferential elasticated band
214	Fastening holes
221	Guiding devices, grooves
222	Exterior wall
222a	Circumferential recess
223	axial wall section
224	radial wall section
300	Fan
301	Fan wheel
302	Body
303	Fastening component
321	Guiding devices, grooves
305	elastic damping elements
306	Circular circumferential wall
307	Inner side of the circular circumferential wall
308	Outer side of the circular circumferential wall
309	Hub
310	Base part
311	Support arms
312	Corner areas
314	Fastening openings
321	Guiding devices, grooves in the support body
325	Circular circumferential wall
326	Inner side
327	Guiding devices, grooves in the fastening component
328	Outer side
400	Fan
401	Fan wheel
402	Body
403	Fastening component
404	Guiding device, groove
405	Elastic damping element
407	Circular inner wall
408	Cavity
409	Hub
410	Base part
411	Support arms
412	Corner areas
413	Outer wall
414	Fastening openings
415	Corner areas
416	Passage openings
417	Elastic damping element
418	Guiding device, groove in support body
419	Guiding device, groove in fastening component
420	Axially aligned L-leg
421	Radially aligned L-leg
422	Internal wall
423	Exterior wall
500	Fan
501	Fan wheel
502	Body
503	Fastening component
504	Central passage opening
509	Hub
510	Base part
511	Support arms
512	Corner areas
514	Fastening openings
515	Corner areas
516	Passage openings
517	Passage openings
522	elastic damping element
523	Deepening
525	Circular circumferential wall
526	Inner wall
528	Outer wall
529	plate-like base body
530	Rotationally symmetrical extension
531	Circumferential thickenings
532	axial passage opening
533	Corner areas
600	Fan
601	Fan wheel
602	Body
603	Fastening component
603a	Central passage opening
604	Guiding device, groove
605	Elastic damping element
606	Circular circumferential wall
607	Inner side of the circular circumferential wall
608	Outer side of the circular circumferential wall
609	Hub
610	Base part
611	Support arms
612	Corner region
614	Fastening openings
615	Fasteners, banjo bolts
615a	External thread
615b	Circumferential bevelling
615c	Support surface
615d	Access opening
615e	Internal polygon
616	Fastening means, threaded sleeve
616a	Internal thread
616b	Internal shoulder
620	Fan blades
A	Axial direction
B	Points of contact
b	Width
a, a1, a2	Distances
F	Flange
F1	Flange-like area
LD	Centralized air passage area
R	Radial direction

Claims

1. A fan for generating a cooling air flow, the fan comprising:

a fan wheel which is held rotatably on a support body; and

at least one fastening component which has fastening openings for fastening the fan and which is connected to the support body;

at least one elastic damping element configured for damping a transmission of vibrations which are or can be generated during a rotation of the fan wheel;

wherein the elastic damping element is guided along a guiding device which is formed between the support body and the fastening component;

wherein the elastic damping element and the guiding device are formed circumferentially or wherein the elastic damping element is formed as a plug-in element which is inserted through passage openings of the support body and the fastening component, whereby the support body and the fastening component are held at a distance from one another.

2. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the guiding device is formed in the support body.

3. The fan according to claim 2, wherein the support body forms a circularly circumferential wall with an outer side and an inner side, wherein at end faces of the wall a respective guiding device is formed, along which an elastic damping element is guided, the end faces of the wall being covered by at least one fastening component.

4. The fan according to claim 3, wherein two fastening components are present, each fastening component being of flat design and having a central passage opening which is surrounded by fastening openings.

5. The fan according to claim 4, wherein the fastening components are connected to one another via elastic connecting parts.

6. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the fastening components are each held together at corner regions thereof via two hollow screws and a threaded sleeve, the hollow screws projecting into fastening openings of the fastening components and being supported therein in the axial direction, wherein the hollow screws project at the end face into a passage opening of the threaded sleeve and engage with an external thread in an internal thread of the threaded sleeve, wherein a minimum distance between the hollow screws is defined in the axial direction by internal shoulders of the threaded sleeve.

7. The fan according to claim 5, wherein the fastening components are connected to one another via elastic connecting parts, and wherein the fastening components are rectangular in outline and have edge recesses at corner areas, which are formed in such a way that the elastic connecting parts are flush with a remaining edge of the fastening components at the edge.

8. The fan according to claim 3, wherein two fastening components are present, wherein each fastening component is designed in the manner of a half-frame, wherein the fastening components are held together and each have such a wall, viewed in cross-section, which forms a wall section pointing in an axial direction and two wall sections pointing in a radial direction, wherein the wall of the fastening components surrounds the circularly circumferential wall of the support body from the outside and wherein the wall of the support body has on its outer side at least one encircling groove in which an encircling, elastic damping element is arranged.

9. The fan according to claim 8, wherein the fastening components are held together by a detachable connection.

10. The fan according to claim 3, wherein the support body forms a circularly circumferential wall with an outer side, at least one circumferential groove being present on the outer side, in which a circumferential damping element is arranged, wherein a fastening component is present, which forms a circular circumferential wall with an inner side and with an outer side, wherein at least one circumferential groove is also formed in the inner side, wherein the groove of the support body and the groove of the fastening component overlap and thus form a common space in which the circumferential, elastic damping element is arranged between the fastening component and the support body.

11. The fan according to claim 10, wherein the fastening component forms a flange at each end face of the circularly circumferential wall, in which flange a plurality of fastening openings are arranged, wherein the flange extends in the radial direction of the fan.

12. The fan according to claim 2, wherein the support body is rectangular in outline and forms a circularly circumferential inner wall, wherein a guiding device adjoins an end face end of the circularly circumferential inner wall, along which a circumferential, elastic damping element is guided, and wherein an outer wall of the support body is provided with at least one circumferential groove, in which a circumferential, elastic damping element is located, wherein the fastening component is rectangular in outline, with a wall which is L-shaped in cross-section and which has a first L-leg aligned in the axial direction and a second L-leg aligned in the radial direction, wherein the first L-leg encloses the outer wall of the support body and the second L-leg covers the guiding device of the support body for the elastic damping element.

13. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the fastening component has a wall running around in a circle with an inner side and with an outer side, wherein at front ends of the circularly circumferential wall a flange extends in the radial direction with fastening openings at one front end and with passage openings at the other front end, wherein the support body also has a flange-like region which is provided with passage openings, wherein the flange-like region of the support body is brought to coincide with a flange of the fastening component in such a way that the passage openings of the support body are brought to coincide with the passage openings of the fastening component, wherein through two passage openings which have been brought into alignment the elastic damping element, which is designed as a plug-in element and through which the support body and the fastening component are axially spaced apart from one another, is inserted.

14. The fan according to claim 1, wherein the elastic damping element designed as a plug-in element has a plate-like base body, from which a rotationally symmetrical extension extends in the axial direction, wherein the extension has at least two radially outwardly directed, circumferential thickenings, which have an axial spacing from one another and also an axial spacing from the plate-like base body.

15. The fan according to claim 14, wherein the damping element designed as a plug-in element has an axial passage opening.