Electrical insulation arrangements for electric fans, motor assemblies and controls therefor

Abstract

The present invention generally provides electrical insulation arrangements for electric fans, motor assemblies and controls therefor. According to a particular aspect of the invention, an electric motor for an electric fan having a fan housing is provided. The motor comprises a motor casing having an insulator mounting arrangement configured for mounting the motor to the fan housing. The mounting arrangement comprises a mounting portion of the motor casing, and an insulating member mounted to the mounting portion of the motor casing without a separate fastener. The insulating member is configured to accept a fastener that can be utilized to mount the motor casing to the fan housing such that the fan housing would be insulated from the motor casing. Other aspects are also provided.

1 . An electric fan having at least one control, the fan comprising: 
 a fan housing; and    a control casing attached to the fan housing and configured to house the at least one control of the fan, the casing configured to electrically isolate the at least one control from the fan housing.    
   
   
       2 . A control module for an electric fan having a fan housing, the control module comprising: 
 at least one control configured to be connectable to an electrical circuit associated with the fan; and    a casing having an interior portion containing the at least one control associated with the fan, the casing configured to be attachable to the fan housing and configured to electrically insulate the at least one control from the fan housing when it is attached to the fan housing, while allowing access to the control by a user of the fan.    
   
   
       3 . An electric fan comprising: 
 a fan housing;    a motorized blade assembly disposed within the fan housing, the motorized blade assembly including an electric motor having a motor casing mounted to the fan housing;    an insulating member disposed between the fan housing and the motor casing to electrically insulate the motor casing from the fan housing;    at least one control associated with an electrical circuit of the fan; and    a casing having an interior portion containing the at least one control associated with the fan, the casing mounted to the fan housing and configured to electrically insulate the at least one control from the fan housing.