BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is schematic view of a conventional impeller;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another conventional impeller;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an impeller;
FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of X part of the impeller shown in FIG. 3;
FIGS. 4B-4D show the variations of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of the impeller; and
FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of Y part of the impeller shown in FIG. 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.
An impeller is described with reference to the related drawings, wherein the same elements share the same references.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an impeller. The impeller 20 includes a hub 21 and a plurality of blades 22. The blades 21 are disposed around the hub 21. Each blade 22 is connected with an annular structure 26. The annular structure 26 and the hub 21 are arranged concentrically.
FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of X part of the impeller shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4A, an end surface of the annular structure 26 includes a plurality of the apertures 23A. Balance materials can be filled in the apertures 23A to achieve increasing balance when adjusting of the rotating balance of the impeller 20.
The position of the annular structure 26 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and can instead be disposed at a periphery of blades, at the free ends of the blades, or close to the hub. That is, the annular structure can be at any position of the blades. The only limitation is that the annular structure 26 and the hub 21 are arranged concentrically.
The balance materials filled in the apertures 23A can be high-viscosity matter such as epoxy resin or clay.
FIGS. 4B-4D show the variations of FIG. 4A. The following description of the same elements is omitted.
In FIG. 4B, a plurality of apertures 23B are disposed on the inner edge of an end surface of the annular structure 26 and the outer edge of the annular structure 26, wherein the shape of each pair of apertures 23B is two corresponding semi-circles. The apertures 23B have the same function as apertures 23A in FIG. 4A. Balance materials also can be filled into the apertures 23B to balance the impeller. The shape of each pair of apertures 23B is not limited to a pair of semi-circles, the shape can also be rectangular or other irregular shape. The position of the apertures 23B can also be disposed only on the inner edge of an end surface of the annular structure 26 or only on the outer edge of the annular structure 26. The apertures 23B can also be rectangular or other irregular shape. The apertures, which can only be filled with balance materials to adjust the rotational balance of impeller, are provided.
In FIG. 4C, the end surface of the annular structure 26 includes a plurality of apertures 23C. Each aperture 23C includes at least one tooth 24. Thus, adjustment of the impeller is not limited to increasing the amount of balance materials. The tooth 24 can also be removed by a tool such as tweezers to achieve decreasing balance when adjusting the rotational balance of the impeller. The shape of the aperture, which is not limited to rectangular as shown in FIG. 4C, can be circular, irregular, or other. The shape of the tooth, which is not limited to the shapes corresponding to the aperture, can be circular, irregular, or other.
In FIG. 4D, the end surface of the annular structure 26 includes a plurality of the apertures 23D. Different from FIG. 4A, a partition 25 between any two adjacent apertures 23D is narrower, and thus, the partition 25 can be removed by a tool such as tweezer, to achieve decreasing balance when adjusting the rotational balance of the impeller. Furthermore, balance materials can be filled in the apertures 23D to achieve increasing balance when adjusting the rotational balance of the impeller.
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional schematic view of an embodiment of the impeller. FIG. 5B is a detailed enlarged schematic view of the impeller. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of Y part of the impeller 20 shown in FIG. 5A. The following description of the same elements is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5A, the annular structure obliquely shaped along the centrifugal direction of the impeller, thus, the aperture has a cross section obliquely shaped along the centrifugal direction of the impeller. When the impeller is rotating, a centrifugal force F shown in FIG. 5B do not make balance materials filled in the apertures overflow. Additionally, the annular structure of the impeller is not oblique toward the centrifugal direction of the impeller, only the apertures must be oblique toward the centrifugal direction of the impeller. The shape of the aperture is not limited.
Thus, when the impeller of the fan is used, rotational stability, reliability, and life span of the impeller of the fan is increased.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
Patent Application
20080056899
