# US 8,540,496 B2 · Fan apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,496 B2 - Document ID: US8540496B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/708,738 - Filed: 2010-02-19 - Published: 2010-08-26 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-25 - Assignees: Minebea Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Yuzuru Suzuki; Yuuki Takahashi; Yoshiki Sakamoto - Inventors: Yuzuru Suzuki; Yuuki Takahashi; Yoshiki Sakamoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540496B2 ## CPC - F04D 25/0613: {the electric motor being of the inside-out type, i.e. the rotor is arranged radially outside a central stator} - F04D 29/542: {Bladed diffusers (fixing blades to stators F01D9/042)} - F04D: NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS (engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K44/02) ## Abstract A fan apparatus is provided and includes: a housing having a hollow cylindrical shape; a circuit board holding structure which is disposed in the housing so as to be located at the radially central part of the housing and which includes a plurality of slits extending axially; a circuit board disposed inside the circuit board holding structure in parallel with the axial direction; a plurality of fixed blades disposed so as to bridge between the housing and the circuit board holding structure; and a motor which includes a rotary shaft and an impeller and which is disposed at the front end of the circuit board holding structure, wherein the impeller is connected to the rotary shaft so as to move air. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fan apparatus comprising: a housing having a hollow tubular shape; a circuit board holding structure centrally disposed inside the housing and comprising axially extending slits for communicating an interior of the circuit board holding structure with an exterior of the circuit board holding structure; a plurality of fixed blades disposed between the housing and the circuit board holding structure, the plurality of fixed blades being fixed to the housing and the circuit board holding structure for guiding air through the slits; a motor comprising a rotary shaft, a stator and an impeller having a plurality of rotary blades, the motor being disposed at a front end of the circuit board holding structure; a circuit board with electronic parts mounted thereon is disposed in the interior of the circuit board holding structure, wherein a surface of the circuit board with the electronic parts mounted thereon is arranged in parallel with an axial direction of the motor; and a cover and locking claws disposed at a rear end of the circuit board holding structure, wherein the cover is engagingly secured by the locking claws to the rear end of the circuit board holding structure wherein a plurality of vent holes are provided on the cover attached to the end of the circuit board holding structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A fan apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing, the fixed blades and the circuit board holding structure are integrally formed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A fan apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board holding structure comprises a guide member disposed on an inner surface thereof, and the circuit board is inserted along the guide member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A fan apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a presser bar spring configured to retain the circuit board inside the circuit board holding structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A fan apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing is of a rectangular shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A fan apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing is of a circular shape. ### Claim 7 A fan apparatus comprising: a housing; a circuit board holding structure disposed inside the housing and comprising a wall and axially extending slits located on the wall for communicating an interior of the circuit board holding structure with an exterior of the circuit board holding structure; a plurality of fixed blades connecting the housing and the circuit board holding structure, the plurality of fixed blades guiding air through the slits; a motor comprising a rotary shaft, a stator and an impeller including a plurality of rotary blades, the motor being disposed at a first end of the circuit board holding structure; a circuit board with electronic parts mounted thereon disposed in the interior of the circuit board holding structure, wherein a surface of the circuit board with electronic parts mounted thereon is arranged parallel with an axial direction of the motor; and a cover mounted to a second end of the circuit board holding structure wherein a plurality of vent holes are provided in the cover. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of fixed blades are equiangularly arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the circuit board holding structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of fixed blades are curved. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising at least one guide groove formed on an inner surface of the circuit board holding structure for mounting the circuit board in the circuit board holding structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a presser bar spring for securing the circuit board in the circuit board holding structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a plurality of locking claws provided on one of the cover and the circuit board holding structure for mounting the cover to the circuit board holding structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a stopper ring attached to the rotary shaft for positioning the rotary shaft with respect to the axial direction of the motor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of rotary blades has a wing shape and a curvature that is adapted to guide inflowing air. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a ratio of an axial length between the plurality of rotary blades and the plurality of fixed blades is approximately 1:1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the housing is one of a rectangular and circular shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the housing, the fixed blades and the circuit board holding structure are integrally formed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 7) A fan apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the circuit board holding structure is centrally disposed inside the housing.