MOUNTING OF FAN TO MOTOR DRIVE SHAFT

摘要

The combination of a motor drive shaft and a fan (36) to be rotatably driven by and axially affixed to the shaft. The drive shaft includes a longitudinally extending section having a substantially D-shaped cross section for at least a portion of the length. The D-shaped cross section defines a flat surface (74), which is provided with a depression (76) formed thereon extending transversely to the shaft. The fan (38) has a rotational axis and a central mounting hub (58) having an opening therethrough along the rotational axis. The opening has a D-shaped cross section including a flat surface, which is configured to receive and engage the section of the drive shaft having a D-shaped cross section in a manner to allow the shaft to rotationally drive the fan (38). The hub (58) is provided with a deformable shaft engaging structure formed integrally therewith and configured to cooperate with the depression (76) of the drive shaft to axially retain the fan with respect to the shaft when the deformable engaging structure is in an undeformed position. When the structure is deformed, it will allow axial movement of the fan with respect to the shaft to facilitate installation and removal of the fan.