Low-profile blowers and methods
AssigneeGentherm Incorporated
InventorsJohn Lofy, Ryan Walsh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.
Claims12
A low-profile blower, comprising:
- a housing defining an interior space, the housing including an inlet and an outlet;
- wherein the housing has a first side and a second side joined by a sidewall;
- an electric motor assembly disposed within the interior space, the motor assembly comprising a backplate, the backplate being coupled to the housing;
- an impeller comprising a plurality of blades, the impeller being coupled with the motor assembly, the motor assembly configured to selectively rotate the impeller;
- wherein the impeller is configured to draw a fluid into the interior space of the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid from the interior space via the outlet;
- wherein the fluid proceeds through a portion of the interior space with a non-uniform velocity, the portion being in communication with the outlet;
- a filter disposed at least partly in the inlet such that at least some of the fluid passes through the filter, wherein the filter comprises a mesh and is integrated with the housing, wherein some of the housing is located in voids in the filter;
- a circuit board positioned in the interior space and below the impeller, the circuit board having an outer periphery and comprising a plurality of electronic components coupled to the circuit board;
- wherein the blades are axially disposed generally above the circuit board by an axial distance, the blades disposed at least partly within the outer periphery by a radial distance;
- at least one wire, the wire configured to supply electric power to the electric motor assembly;
- wherein the least one wire extends from outside the housing into the interior space;
- wherein at least one channel is formed in the housing, at least a portion of the channel being covered with a cover member;
- and
- wherein an exterior surface of the housing comprises a recess, the recess being configured to receive the cover member such that a surface of the cover member is generally flush with the exterior surface of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.