Fan frame and fan module

ES 2 617 618 T3

DESCRIPTION

Fan bezel and fan module

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a fan assembly for a plurality of fan modules. The invention further relates to a fan module.

BACKGROUND TO THE STATE OF THE ART

Although the present invention is described with reference to a fan module for a vehicle, it is not limited thereto but can be applied to other technical fields.

[0003] A vehicle fan module serves to regulate heat dissipation. The fan module is generally arranged on a radiator or heat exchanger to circulate an air stream through the radiator to ensure sufficient cooling, for example when traffic is stop-and-type. -go in case the air flow around the vehicle is not sufficient.

[0004] A fan module normally has a fan driven by an external motor that compresses air and makes it circulate, usually thanks to a turbine that rotates in a setting.

[0005] In order to guarantee optimal use of the radiator surface, whether it has a practically rectangular or non-square shape, so-called double fan modules have been used that have at least two fans. The structure and operation of such dual fan modules are described, for example, in German patent documents DE 10 2004 034 733 A1, DE 10 2008 041 236 A1 and DE 102 57 838 A1.

[0006] A dual fan module typically has a large fan and a small fan.

In addition, a fan bezel is usually included to which the fans are compactly attached next to each other.

[0007] By operating both fans in parallel, the dual fan modules produce loud noises that users normally consider unpleasant, thus reducing comfort. With regard to the fan drive zone, the applicant is aware of two different types of designs that have different effects on noise and air flow. A first design known to the applicant involves a completely open structure of the drive zone of the dual fan module. This would ensure that the impulse current was affected as little as possible. However, the drive currents of both fans can have a negative reciprocal effect which in turn can produce unwanted noise. Another design known to the applicant involves completely enclosing the drive zone of each of the fans of the double fan module in analogy with a helical-centrifugal turbine. Completely enveloping the impulse zones, however, means that the air flow (volumetric flow or air mass flow) decreases because the impulse current is limited laterally.

[0008] Another design is disclosed in German patent document DE 10 2010 024 978 A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Taking into account this background of the state of the art the object of the invention is to provide a fan frame and a double fan module.

According to the invention this objective is achieved with a fan mounting with the features of claim 1 and / or with a double fan module with the features of claim 10.

Thus, the invention provides:

- a fan mounting for a plurality of fan modules, in particular, for a radiator of a vehicle with a first fan support having a first drive zone with at least one other fan support

ES 2 617 618 T3 fan having another discharge zone and an intermediate space that separates the adjacent perimeters of the first fan support and the other fan support, a shielding device that separates the first discharge zone and is arranged in the intermediate space. the other impulse zone.

- a fan module, in particular a dual fan module, in particular for a radiator of a vehicle with a fan bezel with a first fan attached to the fan bezel that is designed to produce a first stream of air, with at least one other fan attached to the fan mount that is designed to produce another stream of air and that is arranged and attached alongside the other fan, there being between the first fan and the other fan an intermediate space of the fan frame, in the respective impulse zones of the first fan and / or the other fan, in which a screening device is arranged to separate the first air stream and the other stream of air.

[0012] The idea on which the present invention is based is to include a shielding device in a part of the perimeter of the fans. This part of the perimeter of the fans is preferably in the discharge zone, that is to say on the high pressure / discharge side, or on the non-suction side, of the fan mounting between the first fan and the other fan. Thanks to this screening device, the reciprocal effect between the air currents in the impulse zone of the first fan and the other fan is effectively prevented or at least reduced to a minimum, also significantly reducing the production of noise when both the first fan like the other fan. Furthermore, the entire remaining lateral surface is free for the impulse current. With the solution according to the invention, therefore, advantageously, the first fan and the other fan of the fan module can operate with minimal noise production and without the air flow being affected.

[0013] The present invention is preferably used in a dual fan module. For example, according to the invention a zone with ribs of the annular drive perimeter of a second small fan in the zone between the first large fan and the second fan may be raised with respect to the rest of the zone. This area with ribs thus constitutes a separation rib. Alternatively the two fans can be of equal size and / or there can be other additional fans.

According to the invention, the effect on the air stream of the small fan due to the air stream of the large fan is avoided without the drawback of having a continuous drive annular perimeter around the entire small fan. Thus, according to the invention, a reduction of the noise noises that could otherwise be produced, in particular due to the small fan, is achieved. This is advantageously achieved without overly limiting the air flow, ie without an additional effect on the impulse flow.

Advantageous configurations and developments are indicated in the dependent claims and the description of the figures.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment the shielding device is a partition wall segment that can be snapped into the fan mount. This partition or partition rib segment can therefore also be incorporated later, that is to say after the setting has been manufactured. For this, the partition wall or rib segment, for example, can be installed with a suitable socket. Optionally or additionally, it can also be glued or clamped. Thus, the partition wall or rib segment can also be incorporated into existing fan mounts. Alternatively, models with and without a separation rib can be produced during manufacture without having to modify the injection molds of the fan setting.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment the shielding device is a partition wall segment integral to the fan frame. Thus the partition wall segment or separating rib can already be formed in the preform of the fan bezel, in particular in an injection molding process. Consequently, the spacer segment does not have to be incorporated in an additional operation, which simplifies manufacturing.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the partition segment has an upper edge with a specific profile. The upper edge is the termination edge of the partition wall segment or separating rib on the impulse stream side. The profile can be serrated or corrugated, for example, or it can be of another type.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the partition segment extends through the interspace encompassing an angle of between 10 ° and 135 °, in particular between 30 ° and 60 °, around the first fan support and / or or the other fan bracket. In preferred embodiments the angle is between 40 ° and 50 °.

ES 2 617 618 T3

The axis of the fan is taken as the reference axis, which, when the fan is installed, is in the center of the support. Preferably, the septum segment has rounded sections and extends in an arc of circumference by sections along the angle, thus constituting the lateral surface of a cylinder. Alternatively, the partition wall may have another configuration and shape, for example with straight sections or oblique sections. According to the invention, the partition segment extends over the area in which the first impulse zone and the other impulse zone almost merge, thus preventing the currents from having a reciprocal negative effect on the impulse zones.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, the septum segment extends along an arc of circumference between 5 cm and 25 cm, in particular between 8 cm and 15 cm around the perimeter of the first support of fan and / or the other fan bracket. In preferred embodiments the circular arc is between 10 cm and 12 cm. By circular arc is meant the projected length of the partition segment measured along a circular arc from the center of the fan axis. It should be taken into account that due to shaping details, eg oblique, or the like this length does not have to be the actual length of the septum segment. The circular arc is only used as a simplified dimensional data. Thanks to the fact that the partition segment extends along a circular arc around the perimeter of the first support and / or the other support, sufficient shielding and / or separation is achieved between the first impulse zone and the other impulse zone.

According to another preferred embodiment, the partition segment is arranged between the two fixing ribs of the first fan support or of the other fan support. In the following, the free space between the two fixing ribs will be called a pocket. The fixing ribs have a certain height in the area of ​​connection with the setting. Thus, between the fixing ribs in this junction area there remains a free surface that forms a pocket. In a preferred development of this embodiment, two fixing ribs are each arranged at a respective end of the interspace. In the pocket between these two fixing ribs the septum segment is then arranged. In other embodiments there may be more pockets between attachment ribs with septum segments.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment the septum segment extends to at least 50%, in particular up to 70% -100% of the axial height of the fixing ribs. The axial height is measured parallel to the axis of the fan and for example it can be between 2 cm and 5 cm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the height of the fixing ribs is between 2.5 cm and 3 cm. Thus, the partition section has a sufficient height to shield the first impulse zone from the second impulse zone.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment the fan setting is a plastic injection molded part. Thus, the fan frame as a whole is preferably monolithic. However, multi-part embodiments are also conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment of a fan module the fan frame according to the invention has a design according to the embodiments described above.

[0025] In other preferred embodiments, the shielding device is a partition wall segment that extends in the direction of impulsion of the first air stream and / or the other air stream. This partition wall segment or separating rib preferably extends to form a projection along the axial direction of the fan. In this case, all the fan module embodiments described when talking about the fan bezel are possible.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first fan has a larger diameter than the other fan. Thus, various modes of operation of the fan module are possible. If said fan module is a double fan module, its operating modes would be three: only with the small fan running, only with the large fan running, or with both fans running. In a typical operating mode the dual fan module operates with both fans running, for example when relatively high cooling power is required.

In other preferred embodiments, the first fan has a power and / or air flow greater than that of the other fan. Alternatively or additionally the diameter of the fans can be different.

The above configurations and refinements can be arbitrarily combined within reason. Other possible configurations, refinements and implementations of the invention also

ES 2 617 618 T3 comprise combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the Invention described above or in the following when referring to exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art would add particular aspects such as improvements or complements to the basic form of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] The present invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments represented in the schematic figures. They show:

- figure 1 a schematic representation of a fan mounting according to the invention

- figure 2 a detailed embodiment of a fan mounting according to the invention

Figures 3A, 3B a perspective view of a section of the fan setting of Figure 2 with different partition wall segments

- Figures 4A-4F examples of partition wall segments of different shapes

- figure 5 a schematic representation of a double fan module according to the invention

The attached figures will facilitate a better understanding of the embodiments of the invention; illustrate embodiments and serve in conjunction with the description to explain the principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned can be seen in the figures. Elements in figures are not necessarily shown to scale.

In the figures, the same elements, characteristics and components, with the same function, with the same operation, unless otherwise indicated, are indicated with the same reference numbers. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

[0032] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a fan mounting 1 according to the invention. The setting has a first support 2 and another, preferably a second, support 3, designed to fix a fan on each in the fan setting 1. The supports 2, 3 have perimeters 6, 7 respectively as well as fixing ribs 10, 11. The fixing ribs 10, 11 terminate in a clamping ring designed for fixing a fan. Between the two supports 2, 3 there remains in the setting 1 an intermediate space 4 that separates the perimeters 6, 7.

[0033] The fan mounting 1 has two sides, namely a suction side and a discharge side, with FIG. 1 showing the discharge side. A fan mounted on the brackets 2, 3 will expel the sucked air towards this side. In the figure, the view is then oriented towards the drive zone of the supports 2, 3. In the interspace 4 between the two supports 2, 3 there is a screening device 8 which is arranged and designed so as to shield the drive zone of the second support 3 from the drive zone of the first support 2.

[0034] Figure 2 shows an example of embodiment of a fan setting 1 according to the invention, the fundamental structure of which is that of the fan setting shown in figure 1. In this embodiment the partition segment 8 is arranged between the two ribs 10, 11 of the second bracket 3. The second bracket 3 is designed to install a small fan there while the first bracket 2 is designed to install a large fan there. This will be further clarified by referring to Figure 5.

The second support 3 has a midpoint M through which a fan axis of a fan module installed in the support, not shown, would pass through the plane of the figure perpendicularly. With respect to this axis the raised partition rib or partition segment extends over an angle 12 which in the embodiment shown is an angle of 45 °. The partition segment extends between both ribs 10, 11 practically following a circular arc of, for example, 10 cm. Due to the geometry of the fixation ribs the circular arc or the lateral surface of a cylinder that describes the septum segment is not ideal. Its actual shape has oblique sections or notches to conform to the shape of the fixing ribs 10, 11 and to be fixed to them.

Figures 3A, 3B show perspectives of a section of the fan frame 1 of Figure 2. Figures 3A, 3B show different embodiments of a partition segment 8.

[0037] In figure 3A the septum segment 8 extends between both fixing ribs 10, 11 having

ES 2 617 618 T3 the partition segment 8 has a height 5 that is 70% of the height of the fixing ribs 10, 11. This height is sufficient to sufficiently shield the drive zone of the second support 3, which in the representations of Figures 3A and 3B correspond to the represented side of the supports, of the drive zone of the first support

two. Thus, the currents that appear in the impulse zones will not be able to have a reciprocal negative effect before they reach, for example, a radiator or heat exchanger in a vehicle.

The area between two fixing nerves, when there is no septum segment in it, will be called a pocket. Therefore, in the embodiment shown, the pocket between the fixing ribs 10, 11 is covered by the partition segment 8. In alternative embodiments, more pockets 13 between more fixing ribs of the support 3 can also be covered with segments. of septum.

Furthermore, it would also be conceivable as an alternative to the embodiment shown if the pockets of the first support 2 had a partition segment 8. Preferably, analogously to the embodiment shown; said partition would be arranged in the intermediate space 4.

[0040] Figure 3B shows the same section as figure 3A but in this case the septum segment 8 is an alternative one. Said partition has a height 5 that corresponds to 100% of the height of the fixing ribs 10, 11. Therefore, the partition segment 8 extends along the entire height of the drive side of the fan bezel. .

[0041] In the embodiments shown in Figures 3A and 3B the partition segment 8 is an integral part of the fan bezel, the fan bezel preferably being a plastic injection molded part.

[0042] In alternative embodiments the partition segment can be a separate piece that can be nested in the fan frame. For this, for example, it can be snapped into a notch in the fan mount with a corresponding snap. Alternatively or additionally the partition segment can also be glued or clamped. Figure 4 shows different examples of partition 8 segments. All these septum segments 8 represented are nestable septum segments 8, they have an insertion flange 15 by means of which they can be engaged in a notch of the fan setting 1. In addition, there are lateral notches 16 for shaping and / or anchoring the septum segment to fixation ribs 10, 11. Figures 4A, 4B and 4D-4F show a partition segment with a flat upper edge 9 that only has negligible deviations, complementary to the shape of the interspace 4 and the fixing ribs 10, 11, with respect to the shape of a circular arc or a lateral surface of a cylinder. Figures 4A-4F show the partition segment 8 according to a top plan view of the radial inner face.

[0043] The partition segment 8 of figure 4A has a height 5 which is equal to 100% of the height of the fixing ribs 10, 11. This height is, for example, 2.8 cm. This value can obviously differ greatly depending on the design and the space available in the fan module. For example, the height 5 of the fixing ribs 10, 11 will be between 2 cm and 5 cm.

[0044] The septum segment 8 of Figure 4B has a somewhat lower height, approximately 95%, than the height of the fixing ribs 10, 11.

Figure 4C shows an embodiment of the partition segment 8 with an upper edge with a profile 9. In this embodiment, the upper edge 9 is corrugated. Alternatively, the upper edge could be serrated or it could have a perimeter with square notches or another type of profile.

Figure 4D shows instead another segment of partition 8 with a flat upper edge and whose height is also less than 100%, 90%, of the height of the fixing ribs 10, 11. In Figure 4E the height is 80% and in figure 4F the height is 70% of the height of the fixing ribs 10, 11.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a double fan module 20. This has the fan frame 1 of figure 1. The structure of the fan module 20 can obviously be applied to the embodiment of the fan frame 1 represented in figure 2.

On the first support 2, there is a large first fan 21 whose blades 23 are arranged along the entire perimeter of the fan 21 keeping a uniform distribution. In the representation of figure 5 the blades 23, for a better global understanding, are only schematically indicated in a segment of the

ES 2 617 618 T3 perimeter of the fan. On the other, preferably second, support 3 is fixed another, preferably second, small fan 22, the blades 24 of which are also only indicated schematically.

The double fan module 20 is intended to be mounted on a rectangular shaped radiator or heat exchanger whose shape, in particular, is that of a rectangle with a length other than the width, preferably the shape of the rectangle of the bezel 1. Therefore, the radiator or heat exchanger can work in three modes of cold air circulation by making good use of the radiator surface. The shielding device 8 arranged in the intermediate space of the fan mounting 1, in the area for the supply of the fans 21, 22, separates, in the operating mode in which the two fans 21 22 are running, a first current of air produced by the first fan 21 in its impulsion zone of an air current produced by the second fan 22 in its impulsion zone. Thus both air currents do not have a negative reciprocal effect because they do not intersect thanks to the separator constituted by the screening device 8. Furthermore, the first fan 21 preferably has a larger diameter than the second fan 22 and also has a power and a flow rate air flow greater than that of the second fan 22.

Although the present invention has been described above entirely on the basis of preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but can be modified in many ways.

[0051] Thus the height of the fixing ribs and thus the height of the partition segment can always be adapted to the space available for the double fan module, that is, the heights of the fixing ribs and of the partition segment also they can be (much) greater or (much) less.

[0052] The length of the partition segment can of course be varied depending on the dimensions of the double fan module or the diameter of the fans, that is to say, greater or lesser lengths of the partition segment adapted to those dimensions are possible.

Also, the numerical values ​​are only to be interpreted as advantageous and do not limit the invention in that sense.

Although the invention has been explained for a double fan module with two fans, the fan module, and the corresponding bezel in turn, can also include or house more than two fans. The invention is not limited to a dual fan module, but the concept of a dual fan module must be understood in the sense of a multiple fan module.

List of reference numbers and symbols

1: fan bezel

2, 3: support

4: interspace

5: height of the septum segment

6, 7: perimeter

8: shielding device, partition wall

9: edge surface

10, 11: fixation ribs

12: angle

13: pocket

14: circular arc

20: dual fan module

21, 22: fan

23, 24: fan blades

M: midpoint