Connecting element

Abstract

A connecting element (1) interacting with a fan blade (50) to transfer torque of a drive to the fan blade (50). An attachment portion (2) connects the connecting element (1) with the fan blade. The attachment portion (2) forms an outer edge portion (4) adjoining the outer contour of the connecting element (1). The attachment portion (2) cross-sectional shape is designed to taper toward the outer edge in at least some portions.

Claims

1. A connecting element interacting with a fan blade to transfer the torque of a drive to the fan blade comprising: an attachment portion for connecting the connecting element with the fan blade, the attachment portion forms an outer edge portion adjoining the outer contour of the connecting element, the outer contour of the attachment portion includes at least one recess or slot that point(s) inward, the attachment cross-sectional shape is designed to taper toward the outer edge in at least some portions.

2. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge portion conically tapers, at least in some portions, toward its outer edges in a cross-sectional side view.

3. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge portion is conically shaped in a cross-sectional side view.

4. The connecting element according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion for connecting the connecting element to the drive, at least one protruding stud or at least one groove is provided on one side of the connecting portion.

5. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion includes a socket that completely penetrates the connecting element for inserting a fastener.

6. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element is designed as a one-piece component.

7. The connecting element according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is designed with at least one attachment wing extending outward from the connecting portion, the attachment wing has a thickness that is reduced in its entire area compared to that of the connecting portion, the attachment portion can be over-molded with adhesive material.

8. A fan blade with a fastening portion for connecting the fan blade to the drive, wherein a connecting element according to claim 1 is arranged within the fastening portion.

9. The fan blade according to claim 8, wherein the connecting element is inserted into a recess in the fastening portion, and the connecting element is attached to the fastening portion by molding, such that the connection is load-carrying and/or interlocking.

10. The fan blade according to claim 8, wherein the connecting element is inserted into the fastening portion by injection molding, wherein at least the attachment portion of the connecting element is over-molded.

11. The fan blade according to claim 9, wherein the attachment portion and an area of the connecting portion merge in one plane when the connecting element is in its mounted state.

12. The fan blade according to claim 8, wherein the connecting portion is designed to only establish the connection to the drive, and the attachment portion is designed to only establish the connection to the fan blade.

13. The fan blade according to claim 10, wherein the attachment portion and an area of the connecting portion merge in one plane when the connecting element is in its mounted state.

14. The fan blade according to claim 9, wherein the connecting portion is designed to only establish the connection to the drive, and the attachment portion is designed to only establish the connection to the fan blade.

15. The fan blade according to claim 10, wherein the connecting portion is designed to only establish the connection to the drive, and the attachment portion is designed to only establish the connection to the fan blade.

16. A connecting element interacting with a fan blade to transfer the torque of a drive to the fan blade comprising: an attachment portion for connecting the connecting element with the fan blade, the attachment portion forms an outer edge portion adjoining the outer contour of the connecting element, the attachment cross-sectional shape is designed to taper toward the outer edge in at least some portions; and the connecting element includes at least one protruding stud or at least one groove on two opposing sides of the connecting portion.

17. A connecting element interacting with a fan blade to transfer the torque of a drive to the fan blade comprising: an attachment portion for connecting the connecting element with the fan blade, the attachment portion forms an outer edge portion adjoining the outer contour of the connecting element, the attachment cross-sectional shape is designed to taper toward the outer edge in at least some portions; and the connecting element includes at least two studs or at least two grooves on two opposing sides of the connecting portion, arranged symmetrically to each other on both sides of the connecting portion.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connecting element in a first embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the connecting element shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connecting element in a second embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the connecting element shown in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of a fan blade without a connecting element.

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view of a fan blade with a connecting element according to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference numbers refer to identical components in all views.

(9) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective and a side view of a connecting element 1 in a first exemplary embodiment, for use with a fan blade 50, as shown in FIG. 6. The connecting element 1 is a single-component body with an essentially triangular basic shape with rounded corners. It includes a central connecting portion 3. An attachment portion 2 extends outward from the connecting portion 3 toward the respective sides to connect the connecting element 1 with the fan blade 50. The transition 16 between the central connecting portion 3 and the attachment portion 2 is rounded and designed without discontinuities. As clearly visible in FIG. 2, the attachment portion 2 forms an outer edge portion 4. The outer edge portion 4 adjoins the outer contour 5 of the connecting element 1. The outer edge portion 4 tapers toward the outer edge on both sides with regard to its thickness and thus in its cross-section. According to the drawing in FIG. 2, the outer edge portion 4 of the attachment portion 2 shows a conical shape in its side view, with straight edges extending outward.

(10) The central connecting portion 3 has a constant thickness. Two spaced-apart studs 7 protrude from one side of the connecting portion. Furthermore, the connecting portion 3 includes a socket 8. The socket 8 completely extends through the connecting portion 3. The socket 8 serves to enable insertion of a fastening bolt (not shown) to attach the fan blade 50 to the drive/rotor.

(11) The shown embodiment is an example of the attachment portion 2 as attachment wings 9, that extend outward from, and directly adjoin, the connecting portion 3. The thickness of the attachment wings 9 is reduced across their entire area compared to the connecting portion 3. The attachment wings 9 are over-molded and form a load-carrying and interlocking connection with the fan blade 50, as shown in FIG. 6. Although only the connecting portion 3 is visible in FIG. 6, the hidden edges of the attachment wings 9 are not outlined. The connecting element 1 then is integrated into the fan blade 50.

(12) The attachment portions 2, designed as attachment wings 9, and the connecting portion 3 include several slots or recesses 6 along the outer contour 5. The slots or recesses 6 point inward. A top view shows a wave shape of the attachment portions 2, which results in increased outer contour length and lower material expenses.

(13) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second exemplary embodiment of a connecting element 1 with the same characteristics shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally, this version includes two studs 7 provided on two opposing sides of the connecting element in a symmetrical arrangement. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the studs are arranged asymmetrically to each other on the sides of the connecting element.

(14) FIG. 5 shows a fan blade 50 with a fastening portion 60 for attaching the fan blade 50 with the drive or rotor (not shown). A recess 51 is provided in the fastening portion 60. The connecting element 1 is inserted into the recess 51 and connected with the fan blade 50 by injection molding. The attached state is shown in FIG. 6.

(15) The fan blade 50 includes additional recesses 17 in its fastening portion 6 that surround the connecting element 1. This reduces a local material accumulation in the fastening portion 60. Thus, this reduces the cycle time during manufacturing by injection molding process.

(16) The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.