JP7620829B2 - Blower - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a blower.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fan (blower) in which the fan blades and the electric motor that rotates the fan blades are swiveled left and right by a swing mechanism, so that the wind direction changes automatically.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-224597

However, the oscillating action, which involves the fan blades and motor moving left and right, can be an eyesore for some people. Furthermore, the operating noise of the oscillating action can be unpleasant for some people.

Given this, the object of the present invention is to provide a blower that can automatically change the direction of the airflow without the need for a swinging motion.

A blower according to one aspect of the present invention comprises:
a main body portion having a curved surface that bulges toward the front of the blower;
A first air outlet provided on an outer circumferential surface of the main body;
A second air outlet provided on an outer circumferential surface of the main body;
Blower source,
A first front wall provided inside the blower;
A first rear wall provided inside the blower;
a first tributary channel formed between the first front wall and the first rear wall;
A second front wall provided inside the blower;
A second rear wall provided inside the blower;
a second tributary channel formed between the second front wall and the second rear wall;
an airflow adjusting unit provided inside the main body and capable of adjusting an airflow guided from the air blowing source to the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path; and
A control unit for controlling the air volume adjustment unit
wherein
the first air outlet is provided at one end of the first branch flow passage and opens toward the front of the blower;
The second air outlet is provided at one end of the second branch flow passage and opens toward the front of the blower .

According to one aspect of the present invention, the blower can automatically change the wind direction without the need for a swinging motion.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a blower according to an embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a blower according to an embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a blower according to an embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a blower according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific structure of a first air outlet and its surroundings in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a blower according to the embodiment. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the state inside the main body when a wind direction change is occurring in the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a rocking plate according to a first modified example. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a main body according to a second modified example. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a first air outlet according to Modification 3. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a first air outlet according to Modification 4.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of a blower according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

The figures are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily rigorous illustrations. In each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same components, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

In the following description and drawings, the left-right direction of the blower is defined as the X-axis direction, the front-rear direction is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. These X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions intersect with each other (orthogonal in the following embodiment). In this embodiment, the X-axis and Y-axis directions are directions along a horizontal surface, and the Z-axis direction is a direction along the vertical direction, which is the direction of gravity, but depending on the installation posture of the blower, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions may differ from the above-mentioned case. In the following description, for example, the positive X-axis direction indicates the direction of the X-axis arrow, and the negative X-axis direction indicates the opposite side to the positive X-axis direction. The same applies to the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The positive Y-axis direction indicates the rear of the main body of the blower, and the negative Y-axis direction indicates the front of the main body of the blower. The positive X-axis direction indicates the right when facing the main body of the blower, that is, when facing backward, and the negative X-axis direction indicates the left when facing the main body of the blower. The positive Z direction indicates the upper part of the blower's main body, and the negative Z direction indicates the lower part of the blower's main body.

Furthermore, expressions indicating relative directions or attitudes, such as parallel and perpendicular, also include cases where the direction or attitude is not strictly that. For example, saying that two directions are parallel does not only mean that the two directions are completely parallel, but also means that the directions are substantially parallel, that is, that there is a difference of, for example, about a few percent.

In the following embodiments, expressions using the word "approximately" such as "approximately cylindrical" are used. For example, "approximately cylindrical" does not only mean that it is completely cylindrical, but that it is substantially cylindrical. In other words, it also means that it includes a cylinder that includes some irregularities on the surface. The same applies to other expressions using "approximately".

(Embodiment)
[composition]
First, the configuration of blower 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Blower 100 is a device capable of blowing cool air and warm air to the surroundings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of blower 100 according to the embodiment. FIGS. 2 to 4 are cross-sectional views showing the internal configuration of blower 100 according to the embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an XZ cut surface including line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a YZ cut surface including line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an XY cut surface including line IV-IV in FIG. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the blower 100 comprises a disk-shaped base 110 that is placed on the floor, and a generally cylindrical main body 120 that is provided on the base 110 and extends along the Z-axis direction. The main body 120 is fixed on the base 110 so as not to rotate around the Z-axis direction. An operation unit 121 that receives various instructions from the user is provided on the top surface of the main body 120. The operation unit 121 is provided with a number of buttons 122, and by operating these buttons 122, the power can be turned on/off, the air volume can be adjusted, the timer can be turned on/off, the timer time can be adjusted, hot/cool air can be switched, and the air direction can be changed.

The outer peripheral surface 129 of the main body 120 has a first curved surface 125 disposed in front of the main body 120 and a second curved surface 126 disposed behind the first curved surface 125. A pair of air outlets 123, 124 from which air blows out are formed at both ends of the first curved surface 125 in a front view, at the end in the positive direction of the X-axis and the end in the negative direction of the X-axis. Each of the pair of air outlets 123, 124 extends along the axial direction (Z-axis direction) of the main body 120 from the top of the main body 120 to below the center. To distinguish the air outlets 123, 124 from each other, the air outlets 123 and 124 may be referred to as the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124, respectively.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the main body 120 contains an air source 130, a heat source 140, a flow path 150, and an air volume adjustment unit 160.

The air blower 130 is a fan whose rotation axis is in the Z-axis direction, and is installed at the bottom of the main body 120. A communication port (not shown) that connects the outside and inside of the blower 100 is formed on the bottom end surfaces of the main body 120 and the base 110, and when the air blower 130 is driven, air is taken into the main body 120 through the communication port. In other words, when the air blower 130 is driven, an updraft is generated within the main body 120.

The heat source 140 is a heater that heats the airflow passing through the main body 120, and is disposed in the upper part of the main body 120, approximately in the center when viewed from above. The heat source 140 is a heater having a heating element that generates heat when a voltage is applied, such as a ceramic heater. The heat source 140 is configured so that the airflow passes from the front (the end in the negative Y-axis direction) to the rear (the end in the positive Y-axis direction). When the heat source 140 is not driven, the airflow passes through the heat source 140 without being heated, and when the heat source 140 is driven, the airflow passes through the heat source 140 in a heated state.

The flow path 150 is a portion that guides the airflow from the blower source 130 to the first outlet 123 and the second outlet 124. Specifically, the flow path 150 has a main flow path 151 that takes in the airflow from the blower source 130 (i.e., the above-mentioned ascending air current), and a pair of branch flow paths 153, 154 that split the airflow flowing through the main flow path 151 and guide it to the first outlet 123 and the second outlet 124. To distinguish the branch flow path 153 and the branch flow path 154 from each other, the branch flow path 153 and the branch flow path 154 may be referred to as the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main flow path 151 is a flow path that extends upward (positive Z-axis direction) from the top of the air source 130 and connects it to the front of the heat source 140 (end in the negative Y-axis direction). The airflow guided by the main flow path 151 enters the heat source 140 from the front of the heat source 140.

More specifically, the airflow from the blower source 130 is guided by a wall plate 201 provided on the upper part of the blower source 130, and flows through the main flow passage 151 as an ascending air current, as shown by the arrow Y in FIG. 3, and reaches the heat source 140. The wall plate 201 is provided so as to extend from the outer wall portion forming the second curved surface 126 inside the main body portion 120 in the negative Y-axis direction and the positive Z-axis direction, and connect to the heat source 140. In this way, the main flow passage 151 is formed by the wall plate 201. The main flow passage 151 is provided on the front side inside the main body portion 120 (i.e., from the center of the main body portion 120 in the negative Y-axis direction when viewed from above) and to extend vertically (i.e., parallel to the Z-axis direction).

As shown in FIG. 4, the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154 are connected to the main flow path 151 via the heat source 140, and branch off immediately behind the rear of the heat source 140 (the end in the positive Y-axis direction). The first branch flow path 153 is curved toward the first air outlet 123 when viewed in the Z-axis direction, and has a shape that gradually narrows in width. Similarly, the second branch flow path 154 is curved toward the second air outlet 124 when viewed in the Z-axis direction, and has a shape that gradually narrows in width. This increases the wind pressure at the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124.

More specifically, the first branch passage 153 is provided between the inner front curved wall 221 and the inner rear curved wall 211 provided inside the main body 120. The "inside" in the "inner front curved wall 221" and "inner rear curved wall 211" refers to the inside of the blower 100. "Front" refers to the negative direction of the Y axis. "Rear" refers to the positive direction of the Y axis. Both the "inner front curved wall 221" and the "inner rear curved wall 211" have curved surfaces.

In a cross-sectional view of the blower 100 including the XY plane (i.e., FIG. 4), the inner rear curved wall 211 has a curvature that gradually increases from the center of the blower 100 to the first outlet 123. In other words, in FIG. 4, the tangent direction of the inner rear curved wall 211 near the center of the blower 100 is approximately parallel to the +X axis, while the tangent direction of the inner rear curved wall 211 near the first outlet 123 is approximately parallel to the -Y axis. Similarly, the inner front curved wall 221 also has a curvature that gradually increases toward the first outlet 123. As shown in FIG. 5, which will be described in detail later, the curvature of the inner rear curved wall 211 at the first outlet 123 is greater than the curvature of the inner front curved wall 221 at the first outlet 123.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second branch passage 154 is provided between the inner front curved wall 222 and the inner rear curved wall 212 provided inside the blower 100. The second branch passage 154 is plane-symmetrical to the first branch passage 153 with the YZ plane including the center of the blower 100 as the plane of symmetry.

To distinguish the inner front curved wall 221 and the inner front curved wall 222 from each other, the inner front curved wall 221 and the inner front curved wall 222 may be referred to as the first inner front curved wall 221 and the second inner front curved wall 222, respectively. To distinguish the inner rear curved wall 211 and the inner rear curved wall 212 from each other, the inner rear curved wall 211 and the inner rear curved wall 212 may be referred to as the first inner rear curved wall 211 and the second inner rear curved wall 212, respectively. These first inner front curved wall 221, second inner front curved wall 222, first inner rear curved wall 211 and second inner rear curved wall 212 are examples of curved wall panels. A heat source 140 is provided between the first inner front curved wall 221 and the second inner front curved wall 222.

On the outer circumferential surface of the main body 120, the area between the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 forms a first curved surface 125 that is convex outward. As described above, the main body 120 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, so the first curved surface 125 is a curved surface based on a circular arc.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside each of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124, a number of air straightening plates 127 are arranged along the extension direction (Z-axis direction) of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124. Each air straightening plate 127 is a flat plate parallel to the XY plane and is arranged at equal intervals in the Z-axis direction. The airflow blown out from the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 is straightened by each air straightening plate 127, and is blown out to the outside in a stable flow.

The first air outlet 123 and the specific structure around it will be described. Because the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 are basically the same, the specific structure around the first air outlet 123 will be described as an example here, and the specific structure around the second air outlet 124 will not be described.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the specific structure of the first air outlet 123 and its surroundings according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the first air outlet 123 opens so as to face the front of the main body 120. The first curved surface 125 of the main body 120 is continuous with the edge 1231 in the negative Y-axis direction of the first air outlet 123. On the other hand, the second curved surface 126 other than the first curved surface 125 of the main body 120 is continuous with the edge 1232 in the positive Y-axis direction of the first air outlet 123.

The second curved surface 126 is a curved surface based on an arc like the first curved surface 125, but is based on an arc with a larger radius of curvature than the first curved surface 125. The arc that is the reference for the first curved surface 125 and the arc that is the reference for the second curved surface 126 are arcs with the same center. In FIG. 5, the virtual arc that is the reference for the second curved surface 126 is illustrated by a two-dot chain line L2. That is, the edge 1232 of the first air outlet 123 protrudes outward from the edge 1231 of the first air outlet 123. Therefore, the airflow discharged from the first air outlet 123 is guided by the edge 1232 to head toward the first curved surface 125. As a result, part of the airflow flows forward (Y-axis minus direction) along the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction). Here, if there is a curved wall near the airflow, a phenomenon (Coanda effect) occurs in which the airflow flows in a direction along the curved surface of the wall. In this embodiment, the Coanda effect is also exhibited in the airflow ejected from the first air outlet 123, so that the airflow flows along the first curved surface 125 (see arrow Y1). For this reason, the first curved surface 125 can also be called a Coanda surface. In this way, the first air outlet 123 opens toward the front of the main body 120, and is formed in a shape that blows out an airflow that flows forward along the front-to-rear direction of the main body 120. The same is true for the second air outlet 124 and its surroundings.

The first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 are arranged at positions that sandwich the first curved surface 125 in the circumferential direction, so that the airflows blown out from the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 flow along the first curved surface 125 and join at a predetermined position on the first curved surface 125. The airflows that join at this predetermined position are discharged outward from the main body 120. As described above, the airflows in the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 are straightened by the straightening plates 127, so that the airflows can be stably directed along the first curved surface 125 over the entire length of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 in the Z-axis direction.

3 and 4, the air volume adjustment unit 160 is a part for adjusting the air volume for the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154, and has a swing plate 161 and a drive source 162. The swing plate 161 is a rectangular plate that is long in the Z-axis direction and is provided at the branch point P of the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154. One end of the swing plate 161 (the end in the positive direction of the Y-axis) is pivotally supported in the main body 120 so as to be swingable. The other end of the swing plate 161 (the end in the negative direction of the Y-axis) is disposed in a position close to the rear of the heat source 140. When the swing plate 161 rotates around the one end, the other end of the swing plate 161 swings near the rear of the heat source 140. The air volume for the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 can be adjusted depending on the stopping position of the swing plate 161.

One end of the rocking plate 161 (more precisely, one side of the rectangular rocking plate 161 parallel to the Z-axis direction (the rear end side of the rocking plate 161)) is provided at the joint between the first inner rear curved wall 211 and the second inner rear curved wall 212. Meanwhile, the other end of the rocking plate 161 (more precisely, the other side of the rectangular rocking plate 161 parallel to the Z-axis direction (the front end side of the rocking plate 161)) is rocked by the driving source 162. As will be described in detail later, the other end of the rocking plate 161 rocks between a state in which it is located near one end of the first inner front curved wall 221 (see FIG. 7(a)) and a state in which it is located near one end of the second inner front curved wall 222 (see FIG. 7(c)) by driving the driving source 162.

The driving source 162 is a motor, such as a stepping motor, that applies a rotational force to the rocking plate 161. The driving source 162 is disposed above the rocking plate 161, and its rotation shaft is connected to the upper part of the rocking plate 161 so as to be able to freely apply a rotational force (see FIG. 3).

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of blower 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, blower 100 has control unit 170 electrically connected to operation unit 121, blowing source 130, heat source 140, and driving source 162. Control unit 170 is housed in main body 120. Control unit 170 includes, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and controls each unit by having the CPU load a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and execute it. Specifically, control unit 170 controls blowing source 130, heat source 140, and driving source 162 based on various instructions received by operation unit 121.

[Wind direction fluctuation control]
The following describes a control procedure when a wind direction change instruction is received by the operation unit 121. Wind direction change refers to an operation in which the wind direction changes in the X-axis direction with the main body unit 120 at the center.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the state inside the main body 120 when the wind direction is changing according to the embodiment. (a) of Figure 7 shows the state when the wind direction is biased in the negative direction of the X-axis with the main body 120 as the center. (b) of Figure 7 shows the state when the wind direction is not biased. (c) of Figure 7 shows the state when the wind direction is biased in the positive direction of the X-axis with the main body 120 as the center.

When there is no wind direction change instruction, the control unit 170 controls the drive source 162 to stop the oscillating plate 161 at a position parallel to the Y-axis direction, for example as shown in (b) of FIG. 7. At this time, the oscillating plate 161 divides the airflow that has passed through the heat source 140 so as to have an equal air volume, generating a first divided flow Y10 and a second divided flow Y20. The first divided flow Y10 flows through the first branch flow path 153 and is ejected from the first blowing port 123, and flows along the first curved surface 125 of the main body 120. On the other hand, the second divided flow Y20 flows through the second branch flow path 154 and is ejected from the second blowing port 124, and flows along the first curved surface 125 of the main body 120. Because the air volume of the first branch flow Y10 and the second branch flow Y20 are equal, the first branch flow Y10 and the second branch flow Y20 join at the middle position of the first curved surface 125 and are discharged from the main body 120 in a flow along the Y-axis direction.

When there is an instruction to change the wind direction, the control unit 170 controls the drive source 162 to rotate and oscillate the oscillating plate 161. For example, when the oscillating plate 161 rotates from the state shown in FIG. 7B and the other end of the oscillating plate 161 oscillates in the negative direction of the X-axis, it reaches the state shown in FIG. 7A. At this time, the oscillating plate 161 largely opens the first branch flow path 153, while almost completely blocking the second branch flow path 154. As a result, the first branch flow Y10 flows through the first branch flow path 153 at a flow rate greater than the second branch flow Y20, is sprayed from the first blowing port 123, and flows along the first curved surface 125 of the main body 120.

On the other hand, the second diverted flow Y20 flows through the second branch passage 154 at a flow rate smaller than that of the first diverted flow Y10, is ejected from the second outlet 124, and flows along the first curved surface 125 of the main body 120. Because the flow rate of the first diverted flow Y10 is large, the first diverted flow Y10 and the second diverted flow Y20 merge at a position shifted toward the negative X-axis direction from the midpoint of the first curved surface 125, and are released from the main body 120 as flows inclined toward the negative Y-axis direction. Specifically, after merging, the first diverted flow Y10 and the second diverted flow Y20 are released from the main body 120 as flows inclined toward the negative X-axis direction as they move in the negative Y-axis direction.

When the rocking plate 161 rotates from the state shown in (b) of FIG. 7 and the other end of the rocking plate 161 rocks in the positive direction of the X-axis, it becomes the state shown in (c) of FIG. At this time, the rocking plate 161 largely opens the second branch flow path 154, while almost completely blocking the first branch flow path 153. As a result, the first branch flow Y10 flows through the first branch flow path 153 at a flow rate smaller than that of the second branch flow Y20, is ejected from the first outlet 123, and flows along the first curved surface 125 of the main body 120. On the other hand, the second branch flow Y20 flows through the second branch flow path 154 at a flow rate larger than that of the first branch flow Y10, is ejected from the second outlet 124, and flows along the first curved surface 125 of the main body 120. Because the flow rate of the second branch flow Y20 is large, the first branch flow Y10 and the second branch flow Y20 join at a position shifted toward the positive X-axis direction from the middle position of the first curved surface 125, and are discharged from the main body portion 120 as flows inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction. Specifically, after joining, the first branch flow Y10 and the second branch flow Y20 are discharged from the main body portion 120 as flows inclined toward the positive X-axis direction as they move in the negative Y-axis direction.

When the wind direction changes, the other end of the oscillating plate 161 continuously oscillates by repeatedly moving from the negative X-axis direction to the positive X-axis direction and then from the positive X-axis direction to the negative X-axis direction, so the wind direction also oscillates continuously from side to side.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the blower 100 according to the embodiment includes a main body 120 having a first curved surface 125 that is convex outward and a first outlet 123 and a second outlet 124 arranged around the first curved surface 125, an air source 130 housed in the main body 120, a flow path 150 that is provided in the main body 120 and guides the airflow from the air source 130 to the first outlet 123 and the second outlet 124, an air volume adjustment unit 160 that adjusts the air volume for the first outlet 123 and the second outlet 124 within the flow path 150, and a control unit 170 that controls the air source 130 and the air volume adjustment unit 160. The first outlet 123 and the second outlet 124 are arranged at positions sandwiching the first curved surface 125. Each of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 opens toward the front of the main body 120 and is formed in a shape that blows out an air current that flows forward along the front-to-rear direction of the main body 120 .

According to this, each of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 is formed in a shape that blows out an airflow toward the front along the front-rear direction of the main body 120. Therefore, the first branch flow Y10 blown out from the first air outlet 123 and the second branch flow Y20 blown out from the second air outlet 124 flow along the first curved surface 125 as a Coanda surface, merge on the first curved surface 125, and are discharged outward from there. Here, in order for the air volume adjustment unit 160 to adjust the flow rate of the first branch flow Y10 and the second branch flow Y20, the merging point of the first branch flow Y10 and the second branch flow Y20 can be changed on the first curved surface 125. If the merging point can be changed, the direction of the airflow after merging can be changed. In this way, it is possible to automatically change the wind direction without swinging the head.

The flow path 150 has a main flow path 151 that takes in airflow from the air blower source 130, and a first branch flow path 153 and a second branch flow path 154 that split the airflow flowing through the main flow path 151 and guide it to the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124, respectively. The air volume adjustment unit 160 has a rocking plate 161 and a drive source 162 that rocks the rocking plate 161, and the rocking plate 161 is disposed at the split point P of the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154.

Accordingly, by rocking the rocking plate 161 arranged at the branch point P, the air volume for the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154 can be adjusted. This eliminates the need to arrange air volume adjustment members in each of the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154, making it possible to prevent the blower 100 from becoming larger.

The blower 100 is disposed within the flow path 150 and has a heat source 140 disposed closer to the blower source 130 than the rocking plate 161.

In this way, since the heat source 140 is disposed closer to the air source 130 than the rocking plate 161, the airflow before it is diverted can be heated by the heat source 140. In other words, the first diverted flow Y10 and the second diverted flow Y20 generated after the diverted flow are already heated, so efficient heating is possible with a small number of heat sources 140.

The main flow path 151 is formed from a wall plate 201 that connects the air source 130 to the heat source 140 within the main body 120, and each of the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154 is formed from a pair of curved wall plates (a pair of a first inner front curved wall 221 and a first inner rear curved wall 211, and a pair of a second inner front curved wall 222 and a second inner rear curved wall 212) arranged within the main body 120.

As a result, the main flow path 151, the first branch flow path 153, and the second branch flow path 154 are formed from a wall plate 201, a first inner front curved wall 221, a first inner rear curved wall 211, a second inner front curved wall 222, and a second inner rear curved wall 212 provided within the main body portion 120. As a result, the main flow path 151, the first branch flow path 153, and the second branch flow path 154 can be stored compactly within the main body portion 120.

The main body 120 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 extend along the axial direction of the main body 120.

As a result, the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 extend along the axial direction of the cylindrical main body 120, making it possible to release the airflow extending along the axial direction of the main body 120 to the outside.

A number of baffle plates 127 are arranged inside the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 along the extension direction of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124.

As a result, the airflow at the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 is straightened by each straightening plate 127, so that the airflow can be stably guided along the first curved surface 125 over the entire length of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 in the extension direction.

Other Embodiments
Although the blower according to the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the following description, parts equivalent to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

For example, in the above embodiment, the first curved surface 125 (Coanda surface) has a shape based on the outer circumferential surface of a cylinder. However, the curved surface may have any shape as long as it can produce the Coanda effect. For example, other shapes of the curved surface include a shape based on the outer circumferential surface of an elliptical cylinder, a shape based on the outer circumferential surface of an oblong cylinder, and a shape based on a sphere.

In the above embodiment, the blower 100 is illustrated in which the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 are disposed on either side of the first curved surface 125. However, as long as each of the multiple air outlets is disposed in a position where the airflow that is blown out flows along the curved surface and joins the airflow blown out from the other air outlets, the number of air outlets provided and the positions of the air outlets may be arbitrary.

In the above embodiment, the blower 100 is exemplified in which the airflow generated by one air source 130 is split by the flow path 150 and guided to the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124. However, each air outlet may be provided with an independent flow path, and each flow path may be provided with an individual air source. In this case, the control unit may adjust the air volume of each air source. In other words, in this case, the control unit functions as the air volume adjustment unit.

In the above embodiment, the area of the outer circumferential surface 129 of the main body 120 other than the first curved surface 125 is the second curved surface 126. However, the area other than the first curved surface 125 may have any shape, and other shapes include, for example, a flat surface.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the blower 100 having the heat source 140 is exemplified, but the blower does not have to have a heat source. In other words, the blower may generate only cool air.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the rocking plate 161a according to the first modified example. In the above embodiment, one end of the rocking plate 161 (the end in the positive Y-axis direction) is supported on a shaft so as to be able to rock freely within the main body 120. However, as shown in Figure 8, the rocking center of the rocking plate 161a may be the center in the Y-axis direction. In this case, both ends of the rocking plate 161a in the Y-axis direction will rock.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the main body 120b according to the second modification. In the above embodiment, a case where the first branch channel 153 and the second branch channel 154 are arranged in the main body 120 so as to surround the main channel 151 is illustrated. In this modification, a case where the first branch channel 153b and the second branch channel 154b are arranged at a position away from the main channel 151b is described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first branch flow path 153b and the second branch flow path 154b are arranged in the main body 120b so as to be separated from the main flow path 151b. Specifically, the first branch flow path 153b and the second branch flow path 154b are arranged in a position that is upside down from the first branch flow path 153 and the second branch flow path 154 in the above embodiment in FIG. 8. In this case, the first air outlet 123b is located at the most downstream of the first branch flow path 153b, and the second air outlet 124b is located at the most downstream of the second branch flow path 154b. In other words, the airflow blown out from the first branch flow path 153b and the second air outlet 124b flows in the Y-axis direction while flowing toward the Y-axis positive direction, so that it flows along the second curved surface 126b as a Coanda surface. In other words, in this modified example, the Y-axis positive direction is the front of the main body 120b.

The shapes of the first air outlet 123 and the second air outlet 124 may be any shape as long as they generate an airflow that flows along the Coanda surface. To explain this using the first air outlet 123 as an example, as described above, if the airflow blown out from the first air outlet 123 becomes a flow that flows forward along the front-to-rear direction near the first air outlet 123, it will flow along the first curved surface 125 as a Coanda surface.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first air outlet 123c according to the third modified example. This first air outlet 123c has an air outlet flow passage 181c along the front-rear direction. The airflow (see arrow Y2) blown out through this air outlet flow passage 181c flows forward along the front-rear direction, and then flows along the first curved surface 125c as a Coanda surface.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing a first air outlet 123d according to variant 4. In variant 4, a flat surface 182d is formed in the main body 120d along the front-rear direction between the first air outlet 123d and the first curved surface 125d. The inner wall surface 183d in the positive Y-axis direction of the first air outlet 123d is curved toward the flat surface 182d. Therefore, the airflow (see arrow Y3) blown out from the first air outlet 123d is directed toward the flat surface 182d by the inner wall surface 183d. After flowing forward along the front-rear direction on the flat surface 182d, the airflow flows along the first curved surface 125d as a Coanda surface.

In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the embodiments and variations that would come to mind by a person skilled in the art, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

This invention can be widely used in blowers that can control the direction of airflow.

100 Blower 110 Base 120, 120b Main body 121 Operation unit 122 Buttons 123, 123b, 123c, 123d First air outlet 124, 124b Second air outlet 125, 125d First curved surface (curved surface)
126, 126b Second curved surface 127 Current plate 129 Outer peripheral surface 130 Air source 140 Heat source 150 Channels 151, 151b Main channels 153, 153b First tributary channel (tributary channel)
154, 154b Second tributary channel (tributary channel)
160 Air volume adjustment section 161, 161a Oscillating plate 162 Driving source 170 Control section 181c Air outlet flow path 182d Planar section 183d Inner wall surface 211 First inner rear curved wall 212 Second inner rear curved wall 221 First inner front curved wall 222 Second inner front curved wall 1231, 1232 Edge P Branching point Y10 First branch Y20 Second branch

Claims (13)

A blower,
a main body portion having a curved surface that bulges toward the front of the blower;
A first air outlet provided on an outer circumferential surface of the main body;
A second air outlet provided on an outer circumferential surface of the main body;
Blower source,
A first front wall provided inside the blower;
A first rear wall provided inside the blower;
a first branch passage formed between the first front wall and the first rear wall;
A second front wall provided inside the blower;
A second rear wall provided inside the blower;
a second tributary channel formed between the second front wall and the second rear wall;
an airflow adjustment unit that is provided inside the main body and is capable of adjusting the airflow guided from the air source to the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path, and a control unit that controls the airflow adjustment unit,
the first air outlet is provided at one end of the first branch flow passage and opens toward the front of the blower, and the second air outlet is provided at one end of the second branch flow passage and opens toward the front of the blower ,
The airflow adjustment unit includes a swing plate and a drive source for swinging the swing plate,
The wobble plate is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path,
The rocking plate is a plate body that is long in the height direction.
Blower. The blower of claim 1,
The airflow is blown out from the first air outlet toward the front of the fan, and the airflow is blown out from the second air outlet toward the front of the fan.
Blower. The blower of claim 1 or 2 ,
The first air outlet and the second air outlet are each provided to extend along the height direction,
The rocking plate is disposed at a branch point of the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path, and is provided so as to be rockable about the height direction while being disposed at a position facing the first air outlet and the second air outlet.
Blower. The blower of claim 3,
one end of the rocking plate on the upstream side of the air flow is pivotally supported as a rotation center such that the other end of the rocking plate on the downstream side of the air flow is pivotable;
The other end is disposed upstream of the airflow from the branch point.
Blower. The blower of claim 1,
Further comprising a heat source;
The heat source is provided inside the main body.
Blower. The blower of claim 5,
The airflow is guided from the air source through the heat source to the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path.
Blower. The blower of claim 2,
The airflow blown out from the first air outlet flows along the curved surface due to the Coanda effect,
the airflow blown out from the second air outlet flows along the curved surface due to the Coanda effect, and the airflows blown out from the first air outlet and the second air outlet and flow along the curved surface due to the Coanda effect join together on the curved surface and flow in a direction away from the blower.
Blower. The blower of claim 7,
The direction away from the blower is adjusted according to the position of a rocking plate that is rockably provided between the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path.
Blower. The blower of claim 1,
The main body has a columnar shape,
The first air outlet is provided at a first end of the curved surface, and the second air outlet is provided at a second end of the curved surface.
Blower. The blower of claim 1,
The first air outlet is a first opening provided on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, and the second air outlet is a second opening provided on the outer circumferential surface of the main body.
Blower. The blower of claim 10,
The main body has a columnar shape standing vertically,
The first air outlet has a slit shape extending along the vertical direction, and the second air outlet has a slit shape extending along the vertical direction.
Blower. The blower of claim 1,
the first front wall, the first rear wall, the second front wall, and the second rear wall all have an arc shape in a cross-sectional view;
Blower. The blower of claim 1,
The air source is provided inside the main body.
Blower.

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