Claims:We claim:
1. A singly supported bracket assembly with illumination source in a fan, the bracket assembly comprising:
a. an upper bracket (201) supported at a central shaft (203) of the fan by a first bearing (204) and a second bearing (205) wherein the first bearing (204) and the second bearing (205) are disposed in close proximity to each other around the central shaft (203) inside the upper bracket (201);
2. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower bracket (202) rotates when the fan is switched ON.

3. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper bracket (201) may be press fitted with the lower bracket (202).

4. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower bracket (202) is made of low cost heat resistance material to withstand the heat generated by the illumination source.

5. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim, wherein the bracket assembly further comprises of an illumination source fixed on the bottom of fan i.e. lower portion of the upper bracket (201), wherein the lower bracket (202) with a light diffuser (207) is positioned below the illumination source so as to allow the light to pass through the diffuser (207), wherein the lower bracket is fixedly attached to the upper bracket (201).

6. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim, wherein the BLDC stator (209), rotor (210) and PCB (211) is mounted in the single bracket assembly.

7. The bracket assembly as claimed in claim, wherein the illumination LED (206) is integrated with the BLDC motor i.e placed at the bottom the PCB (212) along with stator (209) and rotor (210).
, Description:[0001] PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0002] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
[0003] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
[0004] Technical field of the invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a singly supported bracket assembly for ceiling fan assembly and integration of illumination source in a fan that reduces the number of components used in a fan and moreover, makes it easy to attach the illumination source to a fan while reducing the overall cost of the fan assembly.
[0006] Background of the invention
[0007] Ceiling fan is an outer runner motor and includes a set of blades extending from a central shaft and rotated by an induction motor inside the fan assembly. An induction motor used in electric fans mainly comprises a rotor which rotates around a central shaft and a stator that remains stationary. The fluctuating polarity of stator creates a rotating magnetic field in the stator that induces a current in the laminations (rotor bars) inside the rotor, which spins around the stationary stator. The motor housing envelops the rotor as it revolves on bearings around the stator. Fan blades are attached to the motor housing.
[0008] Fig 1 shows a conventional fan (100) with two bearings. The motor housing of a fan generally comprises an upper bracket (101) and a lower bracket (102). A commonly used double bearing fan (100) includes at least two bearings to support the motor and fan shaft (103) at two different locations i.e. one at the upper bracket (101) and another at the lower bracket (102). These ball bearings ensure negligible frictional loses when fan motor is revolving, resulting in improved motor efficiency. In such fans where bearings are located at two different locations, two separate brackets are needed for support as well to cover the fan from both sides. For example, in this case, the first bearing (104) is attached to the upper bracket (101) and the second bearing (105) is attached to the lower bracket (102). The upper bracket (101) may be attached to the lower bracket (102) via screw arrangement in a factory or by any other suitable method. In order to attach an illumination source such as LEDs at the bottom of the fan, an additional bracket is needed at the bottom of the fan, as the lights can’t be attached to the lower bracket due to presence of second bearing (105) that occupies most of the space available inside the lower bracket (102), as shown in the figure. Further extension of the lower bracket (102) may make the fan bulky which is undesirable. The usage of separate brackets adds to cost of the equipment as the brackets are made of high quality material such as aluminum. Moreover, the time and effort spent to manufacture and assemble the equipment also adds to its overall cost.
[0009] Hence, there is need of a fan that reduces the number of components used and makes it easy to attach an illumination source while reducing the overall cost of the fan assembly.
[0010] Summary of the invention:
[0011] The present invention provides a singly supported bracket assembly with illumination source in a fan that reduces the number of components used in a fan and moreover, makes it easy to attach the illumination source to a fan while reducing the overall cost of the fan assembly.
[0012] The singly supported bracket assembly comprises an upper bracket supported at a central shaft of the fan by a first bearing and a second bearing wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are disposed in close proximity to each other around the central shaft inside the upper bracket. A simple fan assembly is realized with a simple plastic or aluminum or steel bracket at the bottom. In addition to that an illumination source is fixed in the bottom side of the fan. The light source is placed below the stator assembly. A lower bracket with a light diffuser is positioned below the illumination source so as to allow the light to pass through the diffuser, wherein the lower bracket is fixedly attached to the upper bracket. The lower bracket remains rotates when the fan is switched ON. The lower bracket is made of low cost heat resistance material to withstand the heat generated by the illumination source.
[0013] The present invention simplifies the assembly process of the fan and provides additional fittings for illumination source with reduced material cost. The simple mechanism of the assembly allows faster assembly of the fan components and also significantly reduces the material cost.
[0014] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following details description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
[0015] Brief description of the drawings:
[0016] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0017] Fig 1 shows a conventional fan with two bearings.
[0018] FIG 2 shows the singly supported fan assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG 3 shows a standard induction motor integrated with an illumination LED (Light-Emitting Diode), source with single bracket assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG 4 shows the BLDC motor with single bracket assembly with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for BLDC, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG 5 shows the BLDC motor with single bracket assembly with PCB for BLDC and having illumination LED, according to one embodiment of the invention
[0022] Detailed description of the invention:
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0024] The present invention provides a singly supported ceiling fan assembly and integration of illumination source that reduces the number of components used in a fan and moreover, makes it easy to attach the illumination source to a fan while reducing the overall cost of the fan assembly.
[0025] FIG 2 shows the singly supported bracket assembly with illumination source in a fan, according to one embodiment of the invention. The ceiling fan (200) as described herein may be any type of standard induction motor ceiling fan known in the art. The singly supported bracket assembly comprises an upper bracket (201) supported at the central shaft (203) of the fan by a first bearing (204) and a second bearing (205) wherein the first bearing (204) and the second bearing (205) are disposed in close proximity to each other around the central shaft (203) inside the upper bracket (201),as shown in the figure. The central shaft (203) is integrated with the stator (208) of the induction motor. As shown in the figure, a space is created below the stator (208) by disposing the second bearing (205) in close proximity to the first bearing (204). The above arrangement makes it possible to realize a ceiling fan with an induction with single bracket assembly. Further, in order to attach an illumination source to the fan (200), the illumination source may be fixedly disposed at the lower portion of the upper bracket (201) via disc (206) disposed at the bottom of the stator (208) and supported by the central shaft (203)shown in Figure 3. The lower bracket (202) is fixedly attached to the upper bracket (201). The lower portion of the lower bracket (202) includes a light diffuser (207) positioned appropriately below the illumination source so as to allow the light to pass through the light diffuser (207). The illumination source may comprise an LED array or a bulb holder etc. The lower bracket (202) with light diffuser (207) rotates with upper brackets when fan is switched ON. As the lower bracket (202) acts as a housing for the lower portion of the fan and includes an inbuilt illumination source, the lower bracket (202) can directly replace the lower housing made of metal used in conventional fans. This will substantially reduce the cost of material and assembly for manufacturing a fan.
[0026] In one embodiment, the upper bracket (201) containing rotor assembly may be press fitted with the lower bracket (202) or may be fastened or caulked and bottom bracket may be fastened with upper bracket.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the lower bracket (202) may be made of low cost heat resistance material such as plastic to withstand the heat generated by the illumination source. In another embodiment, the lower bracket (202) may be made of sheet metals or aluminum.
[0028] FIG 4 shows a BLDC motor with single bracket assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the BLDC motor controller is fitted at the bottom of the fan. The BLDC stator (209), rotor (210) and PCB (211) for motor controller (211) are shown.
[0029] FIG 5 shows the BLDC motor with single bracket assembly having an illumination LED at the bottom (206). In a preferred embodiment, the BLDC motor PCB controller and LED controller(212) are fitted at the bottom of the fan. Here, the BLDC motor control and LED controller is integrated.
[0030] Thus, the present invention simplifies the assembly process of the fan and provides additional fittings for illumination source with reduced material cost. The simple mechanism of the assembly allows faster assembly of the fan components and also significantly reduces the material cost.