SINGLE-BEARING FAN STRUCTURE

• US 20100266402A1
• Filed: 04/20/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asia Vital Components Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Asia Vital Components Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Ming-ju
• Granted Patent: US 8,057,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/229
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/062 Details of the bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/059 Roller bearings

Abstract

A single-bearing fan structure includes a fan frame having a bearing cup with a bearing received therein, the bearing cup having a radially inward protruded lip portion formed at a first end to abut on a top of the bearing, and a groove internally formed at a second end; a blade hub having a rotary shaft fixedly connected thereto with a distal end of the rotary shaft inserted into the bearing; a retainer engaged with the groove; a first elastic element fitted around the rotary shaft and located between the blade hub and the bearing; and a second elastic element received in the bearing cup and located between the bearing and the retainer. The first and second elastic elements and the bearing respectively axially and radially support the blade hub, enabling the fan structure to operate stably and have extended service life.

Claims

1. A single-bearing fan structure, comprising:

a fan frame including a bearing cup with a bearing received therein, the bearing cup having a first end and a second end, the first end of the bearing cup being provided with a lip portion radially protruded toward a centerline of the bearing cup to bear against the bearing, and the bearing cup being provided on an inner side at a position adjacent to the second end with a groove;

a blade hub including a rotary shaft having a proximal end fixedly connected to the blade hub and a distal end inserted into the bearing;

a retainer being mounted to the second end of the bearing cup and provided with at least one retaining portion for engaging with the groove;

a first elastic element being put around the rotary shaft and located between the blade hub and the bearing, the first elastic element having a first end portion pressed against the blade hub and a second end portion pressed against the bearing; and

a second elastic element being received in the bearing cup and located between the bearing and the retainer, and the second elastic element having a third end portion pressed against the bearing and a fourth end portion pressed against the retainer.

2. The single-bearing fan structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blade hub is provided on an inner side corresponding to the rotary shaft with a protruded seat extended toward the bearing cup.

3. The single-bearing fan structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first end portion of the first elastic element has an outer diameter larger than that of the second end portion of the first elastic element, and the first end portion being fitted around the protruded seat while the second end portion is fitted around the rotary shaft.

4. The single-bearing fan structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protruded seat includes at least a first portion extended from the inner side of the blade hub and a second portion extended from the first portion.

5. The single-bearing fan structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elastic element is a conical spring.

6. The single-bearing fan structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end of the rotary shaft is extended through the bearing into the second elastic element to fixedly engage with an engaging member.

7. The single-bearing fan structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing is a single ball bearing for supporting blades provided on the blade hub to rotate.