Axial Fan For A Cooling Fan Module

Abstract

An axial fan for a cooling fan module, includes a hub having a front wall configured to be connected to a rotor of an electric motor at a plurality of connection points, and a side wall from which a plurality of blades extend. At least one opening is formed in the front wall of the hub and between at least one of the connection points and the side wall. The at least one opening comprises a curved portion extending in a circumferential direction with respect to an axis of the hub.

1 . An axial fan for a cooling fan module, comprising:
 a hub, comprising a front wall configured to be connected to a rotor of an electric motor at a plurality of connection points, and a side wall from which a plurality of blades extend,   wherein at least one opening is formed in the front wall of the hub and between at least one of the connection points and the side wall, the at least one opening comprises a curved portion extending in a circumferential direction with respect to an axis of the hub.   
     
     
         2 . The axial fan of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of openings are provided in the front wall of the hub, each opening comprises the curved portion which is circular arc shaped and arranged between a corresponding connection point and the side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The axial fan of  claim 2 , wherein the curved portions and the hub are concentric. 
     
     
         4 . The axial fan of  claim 2 , wherein each curved portion comprises a radial inner edge and a radial outer edge, and the radial inner edge is circular arc shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The axial fan of  claim 4 , wherein the radial outer edge is circular arc shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The axial fan of  claim 5 , wherein the radial inner edge and the radial outer edge of each curved portion are concentric. 
     
     
         7 . The axial fan of  claim 5 , wherein the radial inner edges of the curved portion are on a same circle centered on the axis of the hub, the radial outer edges of the curved portion are on a same circle centered on the axis of the hub. 
     
     
         8 . The axial fan of  claim 2 , wherein the radial width of the curved portion ranges from 1 mm to 6 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The axial fan of  claim 2 , wherein the radial width of the curved portion ranges from 1.5 mm to 4 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The axial fan of  claim 2 , wherein each curved portion has a center angle ranging from 15 degrees to 210/n degrees, and wherein n is the number of the openings. 
     
     
         11 . The axial fan of  claim 10 , wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 3. 
     
     
         12 . The axial fan of  claim 2 , wherein the front wall of the hub has a plurality of through-holes respectively at the connection points, the through-hole is configured for receiving a fixing member to fix the hub to the rotor of the electric motor. 
     
     
         13 . The axial fan of  claim 12 , wherein an arc length of the curved portion exceeds a diameter of the corresponding through-hole. 
     
     
         14 . An axial fan for a cooling fan module, comprising:
 a hub, comprising a front wall configured to be connected to a rotor of an electric motor at a plurality of connection points, and a side wall from which a plurality of blades extend,   wherein at least one opening is formed in the front wall of the hub, the at least one opening comprises a curved portion formed between at least one of the connection points and the side wall.   
     
     
         15 . The axial fan of  claim 14 , wherein the front wall of the hub has a plurality of through-holes respectively at the connection points, the through-hole is configured for receiving a fixing member to fix the hub to the rotor of the electric motor, and the curved portion is intersected with a line passing through a center of a corresponding through-hole and an axis of the hub. 
     
     
         16 . The axial fan of  claim 15 , wherein the curved portion has a circular arc shape which protrudes radially outward. 
     
     
         17 . The axial fan of  claim 16 , wherein an arc length of the curved portion exceeds a diameter of the corresponding through-hole. 
     
     
         18 . The axial fan of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of openings are provided in the front wall of the hub and equally spaced in a circumferential direction of the hub, and each opening comprises the curved portion. 
     
     
         19 . The axial fan of  claim 15 , wherein the radial width of the curved portion ranges from 1 mm to 6 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The axial fan of  claim 15 , wherein each curved portion has a center angle ranging from 15 degrees to 210/n degrees, and wherein n is the number of the openings.