Patent Application
20220034329
The disclosure relates to ceiling fans, and more particularly, to blades for ceiling fans and a chamfered edge for a ceiling fan blade.
Ceiling fans are machines typically suspended from a structure for moving a volume of air about an area. The ceiling fan includes a motor, with a rotor and stator, suspended from and electrically coupled to the structure. A set of blades mount to the rotor such that the blades are rotatably driven by the rotor and can be provided at an angled orientation to move a volume of air about the area. As the cost of energy becomes increasingly important, there is a need to improve the efficiency at which the ceiling fans operate.
The disclosure relates to a blade for a ceiling fan with a motor for driving the blade which includes an outer surface with a top surface, side edge and a bottom surface, extending between a root and a tip in a span-wise direction, and extending from a first side to a second side in a chord-wise direction. The side edge further includes a first chamfered surface extending along the first side of the blade and a second chamfered surface, adjacent the first chamfered surface, extending along the first chamfered surface.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a blade for a ceiling fan, the blade extending between a first side edge and a second side edge defining a chordwise direction, the blade comprising: a flat upper surface; a flat lower surface opposite from the flat upper surface; a side edge spacing the flat upper surface and the flat lower surface; and a first chamfered surface extending along and meeting a second chamfered surface along the first side, wherein the first chamfered surface and the second chamfered surface define the side edge.
In the drawings:
The disclosure is related to a ceiling fan and ceiling fan blade, which can be used, for example, in residential and commercial applications. Such applications can be indoors, outdoors, or both. While this description is primarily directed toward a residential ceiling fan, it is also applicable to any environment utilizing fans, ceiling fans, or for cooling areas utilizing air movement or convective cooling.
As used herein, the term “set” or a “set” of elements can be any number of elements, including only one. All directional references (e.g., radial, axial, proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, counterclockwise, upstream, downstream, forward, aft, etc.) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of aspects of the disclosure described herein. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and can include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to one another. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto can vary.
Referring now to
The structure 12 can be a ceiling, for example, from which the ceiling fan 10 is suspended. It should be understood that the structure 12 is schematically shown and is by way of example only, and can include any suitable building, structure, home, business, or other environment wherein moving air with a ceiling fan is suitable or desirable. The structure 12 can also include an electrical supply 36 and can electrically couple to the ceiling fan 10 to provide electrical power to the ceiling fan 10 and the motor 24 therein. It is also contemplated that the electrical supply be sourced from somewhere other than the structure 12, such as a battery or generator in non-limiting examples.
A controller 38 can be electrically coupled to the electrical supply 36 to control operation of the ceiling fan 10 via the electrical supply 36. Alternatively, the controller 38 can be wirelessly or communicatively coupled to the ceiling fan 10, configured to control operation of the ceiling fan 10 remotely, without a dedicated connection. Non-limiting examples of controls for the ceiling fan 10 can include fan speed, fan direction, or light operation. Furthermore, a separate wireless controller 40, alone or in addition to the wired controller 38, can be communicatively coupled to a controller or a wireless receiver in the ceiling fan 10 to control operation of the ceiling fan 10. It is further contemplated in one alternative example that the ceiling fan be operated by the wireless controller 40 alone, and is not operably coupled with the wired controller 38.
Referring to
The blade 100 further includes a tip 107 and a root 108, with the root 108 adjacent the fastener apertures 101 and the tip 107 opposite the root 108. Curved corners 109 transition between the tip 107 and the side edge 105, while it should be appreciated that the curved corners 109 can be optional or can include other shapes, such as sharp corners, for example. In another example, the transition area 106 need not extend along the tip 107 as currently shown, but can terminate at the tip 107 similar to that of the root 108. In yet another example, the root 108 can also include the transition area 106.
A chord-wise direction can be defined between the opposing side edges 105 and a span-wise direction can be defined between the tip 107 and the root 108. The blade 100 can widen extending from the root 108 to the tip 107 in the span-wise direction, defined in the chord-wise direction, while any top-down shape for the blade 100 is contemplated, such as having a thinning chord-wise width defined in the span-wise direction extending outwardly. Non-limiting examples of blade shapes can include squared, rectangular, curved, angled, or rounded, or any combination thereof.
Furthermore, the blade 100 can include a first edge 110 and a second edge 111 as the side edge 105 extends around the exterior of the blade 100, which can be arranged as a leading edge and a trailing edge, respectively, while the particular arrangement or nomenclature can vary based upon a rotational direction of the blade. The chord-wise direction can thus be defined between the first edge 110 and the second edge 111, defining a blade chord. As is appreciable, the blade chord as illustrated increases from the root 108 toward the tip 107.
Further still, the transition area 106 can extend along the entirety of the first edge 110, the second edge 111, the tip 107, and the root 108. As shown, the transition area 106 extends along the first and second edges 110, 111 and the tip 107, curving at the corners 109 where the first and second edges 110, 111 meet the tip 107.
The top surface 103 can include a flat top surface 116 adjacent the transition area 106. Alternatively, the top surface 103 need not be flat, but can include alternative geometries extending to the transition area 106, such as rounded or curved. In one example, the thickness or width of the transition area 106 can be about one inch between the top surface 103 and the side edge 105, while any width is contemplated. In another example, the transition area 106 can extend between 5%-40% of the chord-wise width of the blade 100 between the opposing side edges 105, while distances less than 5% or greater than 40% are contemplated.
As shown in
As shown, the first chamfered edge 120 and second chamfered edge 122 can be provided at both the first edge 110 and the second edge 111. In one example, the first chamfered edge 120 can extend around the blade 100 continuously along the first edge 110, the tip 107, and the second edge 111, while it is contemplated that any of, or one or more portions of the root 108, the tip 107, the first edge 110, and the second edge 111 includes the first and second chamfered edges 120, 122.
Referring to
The second chamfered edge 122 meets the bottom surface 104 at the side edge 105. The outer surface 102 can include a flat bottom surface 118 and the side edge 105 can include a convex curved portion 119 adjacent to the side edge 105. The second chamfered edge 122 can be between 5% and 40% of the chord-wise width of the blade 100, measured perpendicular to the flat top surface 116 or the flat bottom surface 118. Additionally, the second chamfered edge 122 can be arranged at a third angle 134 relative to the convex curved portion 119 of the surface of the tip 107, for example including the leading edge 112 or the trailing edge 114. The third angle 134 between the side edge 105 and the second chamfered edge 122 can be an acute angle. Alternatively, the third angle 134 can be greater than 90 degrees. In one example, the angle can be between 95-degrees and 115-degrees. Additionally, it is further contemplated that the first angle 130 and the second angle 132 are different. However, the second angle 132 and the third angle 134 could be equal or different angles. In one additional alternative example, the chamfered edges 120, 122 need not be planar, but can be radiused, such as concave or convex, or a combination of planar and radiused.
The second chamfered edge 122 can be provided along both the leading edge 112 and the trailing edge 114. In one example, the chamfered edges 120, 122 can extend around the blade 100 continuously along the leading edge 112, the tip 107, and the trailing edge 114, while it is contemplated that any of, or one or more portions of the root 108, the tip 107, the leading edge 112, and the trailing edge 114 includes the chamfered edges 120, 122. The chamfered edge 122 can meet the leading edge 112 and the trailing edge 114 at a rounded or radiused transition 151, while other transitions are contemplated.
The second chamfered edge 122 of
As shown in
Referring to
While
The blade 200 shown in
The second chamfered edge 222 extends along the first chamfered edge 120 and the third chamfered surface 224. The second chamfered edge 222 is arranged relative to the first chamfered edge 220 by the second angle 232 and meets the first chamfered edge 220 at a second chamfered vertex 223. The second chamfered edge 222 further extends toward the third chamfered surface 224. The second chamfered edge 222 can be arranged relative to the third chamfered surface 224 by a third angle 234.
The third chamfered surface 224 can meet the leading edge 112 and the trailing edge 114 at a flat or planar transition 251, while other transitions are contemplated. The third chamfered surface 224 is offset from the side edge 205 by a fourth angle 236. The third chamfered edge 222 can be arranged at an angle relative to the second chamfered edge 222 that is less than 180-degrees, but greater than 90-degrees. In one example, the fourth angle 236 can be between 175-degrees and 155-degrees. Additionally, the third chamfered edge 224 can be arranged at an angle relative to the planar transition 251 of leading edge 112 or the trailing edge 114. The fourth angle 236 can be greater than 90-degrees. In one example, the angle can be between 95-degrees and 115-degrees.
In one additional alternative example, the chamfered edges 220, 222, 224 can be radiused, such as concave or convex. Additionally, it is further contemplated that the third angle 234 and the fourth angle 236 are different. However, the first angle 230, the second angle 232 and the third angle 234 could be equal or different angles.
As shown, the third chamfered edge 224 is provided at both the leading edge 212 and the trailing edge 214. In one example, the chamfered edges 220, 222, 224 can extend around the blade 100 continuously along the leading edge 212, the tip 207, and the trailing edge 214, while it is contemplated that any of, or one or more portions of the root 208, the tip 207, the leading edge 212, and the trailing edge 214 includes the chamfered edges 220, 222, 224 The chamfered edges 222, 222 can meet the leading edge 212 and the trailing edge 214 at a rounded or radiused transition.
The third chamfered surface 224 of
It is specifically contemplated that the number of chamfered surfaces can be increased. In a nonlimiting example the number of chamfered surfaces can be increased to define a generally arcuate shape extending from the bottom surface to the top surface and extending from the root 64 around the leading edge 112, tip 62, and the trailing edge 114, to the opposite side of the root 64.
As shown in
The height of chamfered edges 120, 122, 220, 222, 224 discussed herein can be such that the thickness of the leading edge 112 or the trailing edge 114, or the blade itself, meets regulatory requirements. As such, the thickness between the top surface 116 and the bottom surface 118 will necessarily be thicker than that of the leading edge 112 or the trailing edge 114 having the chamfered edges 120, 122, 220, 222, 224. Furthermore, the transition vertices 121, 221 can be the minimum regulatory required rounded edge meeting the leading edge 112 or the trailing edge 114. In one example, the leading edge 112 or the trailing edge 114 can be flat, perpendicular to the top surface 116 and the bottom surface 118, with the rounded transitions connecting the leading and trailing edges 112, 114 to the top and bottom surfaces 116, 118. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the leading and trailing edge 112, 114 are wholly radiused.
The blade 100 including the chamfered edges 120, 122, 220, 222, and 224 provide for improved blade efficiency and aerodynamic performance. Such as blade 100 can require lesser energy per unit volume of air moved, thereby improving overall efficiency of the fan. Furthermore, the flat bottom surface provides for a traditional aesthetic for the fan blade that consumers find appealing. Thus, efficiency can be improved without sacrificing visual appeal of the ceiling fan or blades themselves.
The blades and sections thereof as described herein provide for both increased total flow volume for a ceiling fan, resulting in increased efficiency, while maintaining the aesthetic appearance having an unadorned bottom surface of a ceiling fan that consumers desire. More specifically, the chamfered edges 120, 122, 220, 222, and 224 provide for increased downward force on air which increases the total volume of airflow, while the flat upper and lower surfaces of the blade match traditional fan blade styles, providing a pleasing or appealing user aesthetic.
To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various features can be used in combination as desired. That one feature is not illustrated in all of the aspects of the disclosure is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects described herein can be mixed and matched as desired to form new features or aspects thereof, whether or not the new aspects or features are expressly described. All combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.
This written description uses examples to detail the aspects described herein, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the aspects described herein, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the aspects described herein are defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
