HUB STRUCTURE

A hub structure includes an annular body and a flow guide unit. The annular body has a top end and a receiving space. The flow guide unit is disposed at the top end of the annular body. At least one raised section is formed on one face of the flow guide unit opposite to the receiving space. A motor set is disposed in the receiving space. When the motor set operates, the annular body and the flow guide unit are driven to rotate around the axis of a shaft rod. At this time, airflow is conducted through the raised section into the receiving space to dissipate the heat generated by the motor set. Accordingly, the temperature of the motor set can be effectively lowered to prolong the lifetime of the motor set.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an improved hub structure, and more particularly to a hub structure including a flow guide unit. The flow guide unit serves to guide more airflow into the hub structure to enhance heat dissipation effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

Following the rapid development of electronic industries, the performances of all kinds of electronic components have been greatly promoted to have faster and faster processing speed. Also, the internal chipset of an electronic component contains more and more chips. The chips work at high speed and generate high heat at the same time. The heat must be efficiently dissipated outward. Otherwise, the performances of the electronic component will be greatly affected to slow down the processing speed of the electronic component. In some more serious cases, the electronic component may even burn out due to overheating. Therefore, heat dissipation has become a critical issue for all kinds of electronic components. A cooling fan is often used as a heat dissipation device for the electronic components.

A conventional cooling fan includes a hub and blades. Multiple coils and electronic components are received in the hub. The blades extend from the circumference of the hub. The diameter and size of the blades relate to the wind power of the cooling fan. The cooling fan is operated by means of the induction between the coils and the electronic components received in the hub. The coils and electronic components will generate heat in operation. It is an important issue how to dissipate the heat generated by the coils and the electronic components.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional hub structure. FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the conventional hub structure. The hub structure 1 includes a circumferential wall section 11 and a top section 12 positioned at a top end of the circumferential wall section 11. The top section 12 is formed with multiple through holes 121 and a central hole 122. A motor set 13 is disposed in the circumferential wall section 11. A shaft rod 14 is fitted in the central hole 122. The motor set 13 includes multiple coils 131 and electronic components 132.

By means of the motor set 13, the hub structure 1 can be rotated around the axis of the shaft rod 14. At this time, the coils 131 and electronic components 132 of the motor set 13 generate heat. After a period of operation, the coils 131 and electronic components 132 tend to damage due to overheating. This will shorten the lifetime of the cooling fan. As aforesaid, the top section 12 of the hub structure 1 is formed with multiple through holes 121. When the hub structure 1 operates, some airflow can be conducted through the through holes 121 to the motor set 13 to lower the temperature thereof. However, the airflow cannot be effectively conducted through the through holes 121 to the motor set 13. Therefore, the heat dissipation effect for the motor set 13 is poor. As a result, the motor set 13 is likely to damage due to overheating. This will shorten the lifetime of the cooling fan. Therefore, the conventional hub structure has the following defects:

    • 1. The airflow cannot be effectively conducted.
    • 2. The heat dissipation effect for the motor set is poor.
    • 3. The motor set is likely to damage due to overheating to shorten the lifetime of the cooling fan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved hub structure including a flow guide unit. The flow guide unit serves to guide more airflow into the hub structure to enhance heat dissipation effect.

To achieve the above and other objects, the hub structure of the present invention includes an annular body and a flow guide unit. The annular body has a top end and a receiving space. The flow guide unit is disposed at the top end of the annular body. At least one raised section is formed on one face of the flow guide unit opposite to the receiving space. A motor set is disposed in the receiving space. When the motor set operates, the annular body and the flow guide unit are driven to rotate around the axis of a shaft rod. At this time, airflow is conducted through the raised section into the receiving space to dissipate the heat generated by the motor set. Accordingly, the temperature of the motor set can be effectively lowered to prolong the lifetime of the motor set. According to the above, the present invention has the following advantages:

    • 1. The airflow can be effectively conducted into the receiving space.
    • 2. The heat dissipation effect for the motor set is enhanced.
    • 3. The lifetime of the motor set is prolonged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional hub structure;

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the conventional hub structure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention

FIG. 3A is a perspective exploded view showing that the first embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention is applied to a motor set;

FIG. 3B is a sectional assembled view according to FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a sectional assembled view of the third embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a perspective assembled view of a fourth embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention; and

FIG. 6B is a sectional assembled view of the fourth embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. The hub structure 2 includes an annular body 21 and a flow guide unit 22. The annular body 21 has a top end 211 and a receiving space 212. The flow guide unit 22 is disposed at the top end 211 of the annular body 21. At least one raised section 221 is formed on one face of the flow guide unit 22 opposite to the receiving space 212.

In this embodiment, the annular body 21 and flow guide unit 22 of the hub structure 2 are made of metal material. Alternatively, the annular body 21 of the hub structure 2 can be made of plastic material. The annular body 21 and the flow guide unit 22 are integrally connected with each other. The flow guide unit 22 integrally extends from the top end 211 of the annular body 21. The flow guide unit 22 and the annular body 21 are made by means of a measure selected from the group consisting of injection molding, casting, and pressing. The flow guide unit 22 is formed with a central hole 222.

Please refer to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A is a perspective exploded view showing that the first embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention is applied to a motor set. FIG. 3B is a sectional assembled view according to FIG. 3A. The motor set 23 is disposed in the receiving space 212 of the annular body 21. The motor set 23 includes multiple coils 231 and a control circuit 232. Multiple electronic components 2321 are disposed on the control circuit 232. A shaft rod 24 is fitted through the central hole 222 of the flow guide unit 22. When the motor set 23 operates, the annular body 21 and the flow guide unit 22 are driven to rotate around the axis of the shaft rod 24. At this time, the coils 231 and electronic components 2321 of the motor set 23 generate heat. When the flow guide unit 22 operates, airflow is conducted through the raised section 221 into the receiving space 212 to dissipate the heat generated by the motor set 23. Accordingly, the temperature of the motor set 23 can be effectively lowered to prolong the lifetime of the motor set 23.

Please refer to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially identical to the first embodiment in structure and connection relationship between the components and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that at least one recessed section 223 is formed on one face of the flow guide unit 22 opposite to the receiving space 212. The recessed section 223 extends to the receiving space 212 and is positioned in adjacency to the raised section 221. In this case, the airflow can go through both the raised section 221 and the recessed section 223 into the receiving space 212. Accordingly, more airflow can be conducted into the receiving space 212 to dissipate the heat generated by the motor set 23 (with reference to FIG. 3A). Therefore, the temperature of the motor set 23 can be effectively lowered to prolong the lifetime of the motor set 23.

Please refer to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. FIG. 5A is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. FIG. 5B is a perspective assembled view of the third embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. FIG. 5C is a sectional assembled view of the third embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the hub structure 2 further includes a top section 213 integrally connected with the top end 211 of the annular body 21. The top section 213 is formed with multiple through holes 2131 and a shaft hole 2132. The flow guide unit 22 is fixedly disposed on the top section 213 with the raised sections 221 aligned with the through holes 2131. Accordingly, the airflow can go through the raised sections 221 and the through holes 2131 into the receiving space 212 to dissipate the heat generated by the motor set 23 (with reference to FIG. 3A). Therefore, the temperature of the motor set 23 can be effectively lowered to prolong the lifetime of the motor set 23. Please further refer to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is a perspective assembled view of a fourth embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a sectional assembled view of the fourth embodiment of the hub structure of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the recessed sections 223 are formed on one face of the flow guide unit 22 opposite to the top section 213 in communication with the through holes 2131. Accordingly, the airflow can go through the raised sections 221, the recessed sections 223 and the through holes 2131 into the receiving space 212. By means of the recessed sections 223, the airflow can be more directly conducted to the high heat source of the motor set 23 to dissipate the heat generated by the motor set 23 (with reference to FIG. 3A). Therefore, the temperature of the motor set 23 can be effectively lowered to prolong the lifetime of the motor set 23.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. It is understood that many changes and modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hub structure comprising:

an annular body having a top end; and
a flow guide unit disposed at the top end of the annular body, at least one raised section being formed on one face of the flow guide unit.

2. The hub structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one recessed section is formed on another face of the flow guide unit.

3. The hub structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow guide unit integrally connected with the top end of the annular body.

4. The hub structure as claimed in claim 2, further comprising s a top section integrally connected with the top end of the annular body, the top section being formed with multiple through holes, the flow guide unit being disposed on the top section.

5. The hub structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flow guide unit and the annular body are made by means of a measure selected from the group consisting of injection molding and casting.

6. The hub structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flow guide unit and the annular body are made by means of pressing.

7. The hub structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flow guide unit is formed with a central hole.

8. The hub structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular body has a receiving space, multiple coils and a control circuit being disposed in the receiving space, multiple electronic components being disposed on the control circuit.

9. The hub structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular body is made of metal material.

10. The hub structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow guide unit is made of metal material.

11. The hub structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recessed section of the flow guide unit communicates with the through holes of the top section.

Patent History
Publication number: 20130011267
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 5, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 10, 2013
Inventor: Chu-Hsien Chou (New Taipei City)
Application Number: 13/176,239
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 416/223.0R
International Classification: F01D 5/14 (20060101);