Fan module and method for operating the same

Abstract

A method for operating a fan module, wherein the fan module has a fan wheel and a motor for driving the fan wheel. The motor is operated in a cleaning operating mode to loosen contamination in which the motor is operated at a predetermined cleaning speed. The cleaning speed is greater than the rated speed of the motor. There is also described a fan module by way of which the method is carried out.

1 . A method for operating a fan module, which has a fan wheel and a motor for driving the fan wheel, the method comprising:
 operating the motor in a cleaning operating mode to remove contamination and thereby operating the motor at a predetermined cleaning speed that is greater than a rated speed of the motor.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning speed is between 1.5 times and 10 times greater than the rated speed. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning speed is between 1.5 times and 5 times greater than the rated speed. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning speed is between 125 times and 4 times greater than the rated speed. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the cleaning speed is 3 times greater than the rated speed. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , which comprises driving the fan wheel at the cleaning speed for a time period between 1 s and 30 s. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , which comprises driving the fan wheel at the cleaning speed for a time period between 1 s and 10 s. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , which comprises starting the cleaning operating mode when off-road operation is terminated. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fan module is a motor vehicle fan module configured for use in a motor vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A fan module, comprising:
 a fan wheel;   a motor for driving the fan wheel;   a fan shroud for attaching a heat exchanger; and   a control unit configured for carrying out the method according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         11 . The fan module according to  claim 10 , wherein the fan module is a motor vehicle fan module configured for use in a motor vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The fan module according to  claim 10 , wherein said fan shroud is formed with a drain hole for dirt released from the fan wheel. 
     
     
         13 . The fan module according to  claim 12 , wherein said fan shroud includes a shroud ring and said drain hole for releasing dirt is formed in said shroud ring. 
     
     
         14 . The fan module according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said fan wheel or said fan shroud comprises an additive for increasing a smoothness of a surface thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A device, comprising:
 a heat exchanger;   a fan module having a fan wheel, a motor for driving said fan wheel, a fan shroud for attachment to said heat exchanger; and   a control unit configured for carrying out the method according to  claim 1  by selectively operating said fan module in a cooling mode substantially at a rated speed of the motor or in a cleaning operating mode for removing contamination at the predetermined cleaning speed that is greater than the rated speed.