Fan assembly with a fan locking device for an automotive fluid friction fan clutch
AssigneesBehr GmbH & Co., Magenta GmbH Systemlieferant fuer Elektromagnetische Baugruppen, Bayerishce Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsHans Martin, Franz A. Bierbrauer, Rudolf Wichtl, Wolfgang Kuttler
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a fan for an internal combustion engine. The fan has a locking device for a fluid friction clutch in the form of a pivoting hook that may be mounted subsequently at a fixed location using a holding device and may be triggered using an electromagnet. The electromagnet may be accommodated in the circuit of an ignition lock such that when the engine is started, the fan wheel is prevented from rotating unintentionally.
Claims14
A fan assembly for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having an ignition circuit, including an ignition lock and a starter switch for starting the engine, the fan assembly comprising:
- a fluid friction clutch driven by a drive shaft of the engine, said fluid friction clutch having a clutch housing defining a fan wheel having fan blades, and
- a locking device for locking said fan wheel,
- wherein said locking device comprises an actuator comprising an electromagnet, an electrical circuit connected to the actuator and to the ignition circuit containing the ignition lock and the starter switch, a detent element associated with the actuator that engages directly with said clutch housing to lock said fan wheel in response to actuation of the ignition lock and energization of the actuator, to prevent said fan wheel from rotating during starting of the engine, and a first switch included in the electrical circuit connected to the actuator that is open in response to a predetermined temperature of engine coolant.
A fan assembly for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having an ignition circuit, including an ignition lock and a starter switch for starting the engine, the fan assembly comprising:
- a fluid friction clutch driven by a drive shaft of the engine, said fluid friction clutch having a clutch housing defining a fan wheel having fan blades, and
- a locking device for locking said fan wheel, wherein said locking device comprises an actuator, an electrical circuit connected to the actuator and to the ignition circuit containing the ignition lock and the starter switch, and a detent element associated with the actuator that engages directly with said clutch housing to lock said fan wheel in response to actuation of the ignition lock and energization of the actuator, to prevent said fan wheel from rotating during starting of the engine, wherein said clutch housing includes a plurality of cooling ribs having an interspace formed therebetween, and wherein said detent element is a catch hook that engages into said interspace.
A fan locking kit for retrofitting to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having an ignition circuit, including an ignition lock and a starter switch for starting the engine, and a fluid friction clutch driven by a drive shaft of the engine, said fluid friction clutch having a clutch housing defining a fan wheel having fan blades, the fan locking kit comprising:
- a locking device for locking said fan wheel, comprising an actuator comprising an electromagnet, an electrical circuit for connection to the actuator and to the ignition circuit containing the ignition lock and the starter switch, a detent element associated with the actuator that engages directly with said clutch housing to lock said fan wheel in response to actuation of the ignition lock and energization of the actuator, to prevent said fan wheel from rotating during starting of the engine, and a first switch included in the electrical circuit connected to the actuator that is open in response to a predetermined temperature of engine coolant;
- and
- a mounting device for holding said actuator and having a portion for mounting in a fixed position with respect to the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.