Hand dryer airflow assembly

Abstract

An airflow device assembly for a hand dryer is embedded in a housing of the hand dryer. The airflow device assembly includes a motor housing, a stator, a rotor, a fan shroud, and a fan blade. The motor housing forms a shell portion, a motor mounting portion, and a guide portion. The shell portion defines an air inlet side and an air outlet side. The shell portion, the motor mounting portion, and the guide portion form an accommodating space located on the air outlet side. A gap exists between the motor mounting portion and the shell portion, and the guide portion is disposed within the gap. The stator and the rotor are disposed within the accommodating space. The stator is fixed to the motor mounting portion, and the rotor is connected to a drive shaft. The fan shroud is assembled to the motor housing and forms an opening that communicates with the gap through the space formed by the fan shroud. The fan blade is disposed within the space formed by the fan shroud and is driven.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air flow device assembly, in particular to an air flow device assembly for a hand dryer. Prior Art

[0002] Miniaturization is a current trend in hand dryers. TW I683965 discloses an electric blower that can be fitted to a hand dryer and features a compact design. However, the electric blower disclosed in TW I683965 suffers from a complex structure, making assembly cumbersome and difficult.

[0003] Currently available related patents, such as CN 102316779A, CN 204708757U, CN 205107528U, TW 202337374A, TW I641352, TW I657201, TW I728912, TW I828440, and TW 200916038A, all suffer from the aforementioned issues. Therefore, the applicant in this case developed the present invention to address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to solve the problem that the air flow device of the conventional hand dryer is complex in structure and difficult to assemble.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an airflow device assembly for a hand dryer, which is embedded in a housing of the hand dryer. The airflow device assembly comprises a motor housing, a stator, a rotor, a fan cover, and a fan blade. The motor housing comprises a shell, a motor mounting portion, and a guide portion. The shell is hollow and houses the motor mounting portion and the guide portion. The shell defines an air inlet side and an air outlet side. The shell, the motor mounting portion, and the guide portion collectively form a receiving space located on the air outlet side. A gap is defined between the motor mounting portion and the shell, located on the air inlet side and communicating with the receiving space. The guide portion is located within the gap. The stator and rotor are inserted into the receiving space from the air outlet side of the motor housing. The stator is connected to the rotor and secured to the motor mounting portion. The rotor is connected to a drive shaft extending through the motor mounting portion. The fan cover is assembled with the motor housing and is located on the air inlet side. The fan cover forms an opening, and the opening is connected to the gap through the space formed by the fan cover. The fan blade is arranged in the space formed by the fan cover and is driven by the drive shaft.

[0006] In one embodiment, the motor housing is formed with a plurality of extension columns extending from the motor mounting portion toward the accommodating space, and a plurality of support portions disposed between two adjacent extension columns, each of the extension columns being provided with the stator fixed thereon.

[0007] In one embodiment, each of the extension columns has an extension length measured from the motor mounting portion, each of the support portions has a height measured from the motor mounting portion, the extension length is greater than the height, and a heat dissipation gap is defined between each of the support portions and the stator.

[0008] In one embodiment, the motor housing is formed with a plurality of ribs extending from the extension posts.

[0009] In one embodiment, the guide portion includes a plurality of guide blades, and two sides of each of the guide blades are respectively connected to the support portion and the shell portion.

[0010] In one embodiment, the guide blades are inclined from the air inlet side of the motor housing toward the air outlet side.

[0011] In one embodiment, the guide blades are arranged in a clockwise direction along the motor mounting portion when viewed from the air inlet side of the motor housing.

[0012] In one embodiment, the motor mounting portion forms an axial hole in which the drive shaft is disposed, and the motor housing forms a positioning wall extending from the motor mounting portion and disposed around the axial hole.

[0013] In one embodiment, the motor mounting portion is formed with a avoiding inclined surface at least on the side facing the fan blade, which is inclined from the outer edge of the motor mounting portion toward the shaft hole.

[0014] In one embodiment, the air flow device assembly includes an auxiliary support frame connected to the stator and opposite to the motor mounting portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the auxiliary support forms a base for supporting the stator and the rotor, and at least one assembly column extending from the base and assembled with the stator, and the base forms a mounting opening for the drive shaft.

[0016] In one embodiment, the air flow device assembly includes a circuit board connecting the stator and the rotor.

[0017] In one embodiment, the fan cover forms a ring wall arranged around the opening.

[0018] As disclosed above, compared to conventional technologies, the present invention has the following advantages: The motor housing and the impeller cover are integrally formed, reducing the number of components in the airflow device assembly and simplifying installation. Furthermore, when assembled within the housing of the hand dryer, the airflow device assembly can be directly embedded within the housing, facilitating quick installation. Simple diagram description

[0019] FIG1 is an exploded schematic diagram of the present invention in combination with a hand dryer housing. FIG2 is a perspective schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of an embodiment of the present invention (I). FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the structural decomposition of an embodiment of the present invention (II). FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the motor housing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG6 is a schematic structural cross-sectional view (I) of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG7 is a schematic structural cross-sectional view (II) of an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation Method

[0020] The detailed description and technical content of the present invention are as follows with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1 , the present invention provides an airflow device assembly 20 adapted for use with a hand dryer 100. During installation, the airflow device assembly 20 can be directly inserted into a housing 40 of the hand dryer 100, achieving quick assembly. Specifically, the housing 40 has an air outlet 41. The hand dryer 100 further includes an air scoop 50 and an electric heating element 60. The air scoop 50 and the electric heating element 60 are disposed within the housing 40, facing the air scoop 50. The electric heating element 60 includes a heating circuit board 61 and a heating coil 62. The heating coil 62 receives power from the heating circuit board 61 and begins heating upon activation. During operation, the air scoop 50 receives airflow from the airflow device assembly 20, and the electric heating element 60 heats the airflow from the air scoop 50. The heated airflow is then discharged through the air outlet 41 of the housing 40.

[0022] Referring again to Figures 2 to 7 , the airflow device assembly 20 of the present invention includes a motor housing 21, a stator 23, a rotor 24, a fan cover 25, and a fan blade 26. The motor housing 21 is an integrally formed structure, comprising a housing portion 211, a motor mounting portion 212, and a flow guide portion 213. The housing portion 211 is hollow and allows airflow therethrough. Based on the airflow direction, the housing portion 211 defines an air inlet side 214 and an air outlet side 215. The air inlet side 214 faces the air outlet side 215, with the air inlet side 214 accepting airflow and the air outlet side 215 discharging airflow. The housing 211 houses the motor mounting portion 212 and the air guide portion 213. Together, the housing 211, the motor mounting portion 212, and the air guide portion 213 form a receiving space 216. This receiving space 216 is located on the air outlet side 215 of the housing 211, with one side of the receiving space 216 open to accommodate the stator 23 and the rotor 24. A gap 217 is defined between the housing 211 and the motor mounting portion 212. This gap 217 is located on the air inlet side 214 of the housing 211 and communicates with the receiving space 216. The air guide portion 213 is disposed within this gap 217 to guide airflow within the gap 217.

[0023] The stator 23 is connected to the rotor 24. The stator 23 and rotor 24 are placed into the accommodating space 216 from the air outlet side 215 of the motor housing 21. The structures of the stator 23 and rotor 24 are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. In the present invention, the stator 23 is fixed to the motor mounting portion 212, and the rotor 24 is connected to a drive shaft 27 that passes through the motor mounting portion 212. When the stator 23 is driven, it drives the rotor 24, causing the rotor 24 to rotate the drive shaft 27.

[0024] The fan cover 25 is also an integrally formed structure. It is assembled with the motor housing 21 and located on the air inlet side 214 of the motor housing 21. The fan cover 25 is hollow and has an opening 251 formed therein. The opening 251 communicates with the gap 217 through the space (labeled 252) formed by the fan cover 25. The fan blade 26 is disposed within the space (labeled 252) formed by the fan cover 25 and is connected to the drive shaft 27. When driven by the drive shaft 27, the fan blade 26 rotates within the space (labeled 252) formed by the fan cover 25.

[0025] Referring again to Figures 2 to 7 , when the airflow device assembly 20 is activated, the stator 23 receives power and drives the rotor 24. The drive shaft 27, driven by the rotor 24, rotates the blades 26. At this point, the airflow at the opening 251 of the blade cover 25 is driven, passing through the space (labeled 252) formed by the blade cover 25 and flowing toward the gap 217. Subsequently, the airflow intended to flow into the gap 217 is guided by the guide portion 213 and flows smoothly from the gap 217 toward the accommodating space 216, ultimately being discharged from the accommodating space 216.

[0026] As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention utilizes an integrally formed structure between the motor housing 21 and the impeller cover 25, thereby reducing the number of components in the airflow device assembly 20 and simplifying the installation process. Furthermore, when assembled within the housing 40 of the hand dryer 100, the airflow device assembly 20 can be directly inserted into the housing 40, facilitating quick installation.

[0027] Referring again to Figures 5 and 6 , the present invention secures the stator 23. In one embodiment, the motor housing 21 is formed with a plurality of extension posts 218 and a plurality of support portions 219. The extension posts 218 extend from the motor mounting portion 212 toward the accommodating space 216 . Each of the extension posts 218 is used to secure the stator 23 thereto. The support portions 219 extend from the motor mounting portion 212 , with each support portion 219 positioned between two adjacent extension posts 218 to support the extension posts 218 . In another embodiment, the extension posts 218 are arranged along the circumference of the stator 23 . In yet another embodiment, the extension posts 218 may be evenly distributed along the circumference of the stator 23 .

[0028] Continuing with the above, and referring to Figures 1 to 7 , each of the extension posts 218 has an extension length measured from the motor mounting portion 212, and each of the support portions 219 has a height measured from the motor mounting portion 212. The extension length of each of the extension posts 218 is greater than the height of each of the support portions 219. When the stator 23 is secured to the extension posts 218, each of the support portions 219 does not contact the stator 23. A heat dissipation gap 222 is defined between each of the support portions 219 and the stator 23. The heat dissipation gap 222 allows airflow from the air guide portion 213 to flow into the gap. From another perspective, when the airflow device assembly 20 is activated, the airflow, guided by the air guide 213 toward the accommodating space 216, can flow along the inner wall of the shell 211 and directly exit the accommodating space 216, or it can flow into the heat dissipation gap 222, exchange heat with the stator 23 and the rotor 24, and then exit the accommodating space 216, as indicated by the arrows in FIG7 . The airflow flowing through the heat dissipation gap 222, heated by the heat exchange with the stator 23 and the rotor 24, can subsequently reduce the workload of the electric heating element 60 within the hand dryer 100.

[0029] In another embodiment, the motor housing 21 is formed with a plurality of ribs 223. The ribs 223 are connected to the motor mounting portion 212 and extend from the extension posts 218. The ribs 223 provide auxiliary support for the extension posts 218. In this embodiment, each of the ribs 223 is connected to one of the extension posts 218.

[0030] Referring again to Figures 3 and 5 , the present invention guides airflow. In one embodiment, the air guide portion 213 includes a plurality of guide blades 224 integrally formed with the motor housing 21. Two sides of each guide blade 224 connect the support portion 219 and the housing portion 211, respectively. The guide blades 224 are spaced apart within the gap 217, with any two adjacent guide blades 224 forming a guide channel 225 within the gap 217. In another embodiment, each of the guide blades 224 is curved and tilted from the air inlet side 214 of the motor housing 21 toward the air outlet side 215. This creates a curved shape within the guide channel 225, guiding airflow smoothly toward the accommodating space 216 while reducing noise generated by airflow collisions. In yet another embodiment, from the perspective of FIG. 3 , the guide blades 224 are arranged in a clockwise direction along the motor mounting portion 212 when viewed from the air inlet side 214 of the motor housing 21 .

[0031] Referring again to Figures 2 to 7 , in one embodiment, the motor mounting portion 212 defines an axial hole 226 into which the drive shaft 27 is mounted. To assist in the positioning and assembly of the drive shaft 27, the motor housing 21 defines a positioning wall 227 surrounding the axial hole 226. The positioning wall 227 extends from the motor mounting portion 212. In other words, the positioning wall 227 protrudes from the motor mounting portion 212 to achieve a positioning effect. In another embodiment, the airflow device assembly 20 includes at least one bearing 28 disposed on the drive shaft 27. The bearing 28 is assembled to at least one end of the drive shaft 27 connected to the motor mounting portion 212 and positioned within the axial hole 226. The bearing 28 may also be assembled to the other end of the drive shaft 27 not connected to the motor mounting portion 212. In another embodiment, the motor mounting portion 212 is formed with a relief slope 228 on at least the side facing the fan blade 26. The relief slope 228 is inclined from the outer edge of the motor mounting portion 212 toward the shaft hole 226. The relief slope 228 makes the height 221 of the shaft hole 226 equal to or lower than the side of the motor mounting portion 212 facing the fan blade 26 without protruding excessively, thereby reducing interference problems in the installation of the fan blade 26.

[0032] Referring again to Figures 2-7 , in one embodiment, the fan cover 25 of the present invention is formed by combining a conventional hand dryer motor cover with a conventional fan cover structure to form an integrally formed component. In this embodiment, the fan cover 25 comprises a cap portion 253 and a body portion 254. The body portion 254 extends from the cap portion 253 and is assembled with the motor housing 21. The body portion 254 and the cap portion 253 together define a space (as indicated by reference numeral 252) for the fan 26 to be disposed therein. In one embodiment, the fan cover 25 comprises a ring wall 255 surrounding the opening 251. The ring wall 255 extends from the cap portion 253, protrudes above the cap portion 253, and is exposed on the surface of the fan cover 25.

[0033] Referring again to Figures 2 to 7 , in one embodiment, the airflow device assembly 20 of the present invention includes an auxiliary frame 29 connected to the stator 23. The auxiliary frame 29 is positioned opposite the motor mounting portion 212, i.e., the auxiliary frame 29 and the motor mounting portion 212 are disposed on opposite sides of the stator 23. Compared to conventional structures, the auxiliary frame 29 of the present invention features a simplified structure. In one embodiment, the auxiliary frame 29 is integrally formed, comprising a base 291 and at least one assembly post 292. The base 291 supports the stator 23 and the rotor 24, while the at least one assembly post 292 extends from the base 291 and is secured to the stator 23. In this embodiment, the base 291 defines a mounting opening 293, which accommodates the drive shaft 27. In another embodiment, the bearing 28 is mounted on the drive shaft 27. The base 291 forms a recessed portion 294 corresponding to the mounting opening 293. The recessed portion 294 accommodates the bearing 28. In one embodiment, to facilitate placement of the bearing 28 within the recessed portion 294, the base 291 forms a mounting slope 295 along the recessed portion 294. Furthermore, in one embodiment, to enhance the assembly strength between the auxiliary support 29 and the stator 23, the auxiliary support 29 further comprises at least one reinforcement portion 296 extending from the base 291. The reinforcement portion 296 connects to the at least one assembly post 292, thereby increasing the assembly area between the auxiliary support 29 and the stator 23 and improving assembly stability.

[0034] Referring again to Figures 2-7 , in one embodiment, the airflow device assembly 20 further includes a circuit board 30 , on which a plurality of electronic components 31 are mounted, and which is connected to the stator 23 and the rotor 24 . Upon receiving power, these electronic components 31 control the stator 23 and the rotor 24 , causing the hand dryer 100 to change its operating mode, including the airflow, air volume, and airflow duration. In one embodiment, the circuit board 30 is located on the air outlet side 215 of the motor housing 21 , allowing the airflow to exchange heat with the circuit board 30 as it exits the motor housing 21 . In another embodiment, the circuit board 30 is fixed on the auxiliary support frame 29, and the auxiliary support frame 29 is formed with at least one mounting leg 297. The at least one mounting leg 297 extends from the base 291 toward the circuit board 30. In addition to providing assembly with the circuit board 30, the at least one mounting leg 297 supports the base 291 to prevent interference between the base 291 and the electronic components 31 on the circuit board 30.

[0035] As can be seen from the foregoing, the airflow device assembly 20 of the present invention has a simplified structure. In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the airflow device assembly 20 can eliminate the conventional rubber through changes in structural design, thereby achieving the effect of simplifying assembly.

[0036] 100:Hand dryer 20: Wind flow device assembly 21: Motor housing 211: Shell 212: Motor mounting portion 213: diversion part 214: Windward side 215: air outlet side 216: Accommodation space 217: Gap 218: Extension column 219: Support 222: Heat dissipation gap 223: Ribs 224: guide blade 225: flow guide 226: shaft hole 227: Positioning Wall 228: Avoidance slope 23: stator 24: Rotor 25: Fan cover 251: Opening 252: Space 253: Cap 254: Hat body 255: Ring Wall 26: Wind Blade 27: Drive shaft 28: Palin 29: Auxiliary support 291: Base 292: Assembled column 293: Installation port 294: Depressed part 295:Installation bevel 296: Reinforcement 297: Install the legs 30: Circuit Board 31: Electronic components 40: Shell 41: Air outlet 50: Air guide cover 60: Electric heating components 61: Heating circuit board 62: Heating coil

Claims

1. A hand dryer airflow device assembly, the airflow device assembly being embedded in a housing of the hand dryer. The airflow device assembly comprises: a motor housing, which is formed into a shell portion, a motor mounting portion, and an air guide portion; the shell portion is hollow and the motor mounting portion and the air guide portion are disposed therein; The shell defines an air inlet side and an air outlet side, and the shell, the motor mounting portion and the air guide portion together form a accommodating space located on the air outlet side. There is a gap between the motor mounting portion and the shell, and the gap is located on the air inlet side and connected to the accommodating space. The air guide portion is arranged in the gap; a stator and a rotor are placed into the accommodating space from the air outlet side of the motor housing, the stator is connected to the rotor, the stator is fixed to the motor mounting portion, and the rotor is connected to a drive shaft passing through the motor mounting portion; a fan cover is assembled with the motor housing and is located on the air inlet side, the fan cover forms an opening, and the opening is connected to the gap through the space formed by the fan cover; and a fan blade is arranged in the space formed by the fan cover and driven by the drive shaft.

2. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 1, wherein: The motor housing is formed with a plurality of extension columns extending from the motor mounting portion toward the accommodating space, and a plurality of supporting portions arranged between two adjacent ones of the extension columns. Each of the extension columns provides the stator for fixing thereon.

3. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the extension columns has an extension length calculated from the motor mounting portion, each of the support portions has a height calculated from the motor mounting portion, the extension length is greater than the height, and a heat dissipation gap is defined between each of the support portions and the stator.

4. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 3, wherein: The motor housing is formed with a plurality of ribs extending from the extension columns.

5. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 2, wherein: The guide portion includes a plurality of guide curved blades, and two sides of each of the guide curved blades are respectively connected to the support portion and the shell portion.

6. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 5, wherein: The guide blades are inclined from the air inlet side of the motor housing toward the air outlet side.

7. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 6, wherein: The guide blades are arranged in a clockwise direction along the motor mounting portion when viewed from the air inlet side of the motor housing.

8. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The motor mounting portion is formed with an axial hole in which the driving shaft is arranged, and the motor housing is formed with a positioning wall extending from the motor mounting portion and arranged around the axial hole.

9. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 8, wherein: The motor mounting portion is formed with a position-avoiding inclined surface at least on a side facing the fan blade, the inclined surface being inclined from the outer edge of the motor mounting portion toward the shaft hole.

10. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The air flow device assembly includes an auxiliary support frame connected to the stator and opposite to the motor mounting portion.

11. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to claim 10, wherein: The auxiliary support forms a base for supporting the stator and the rotor, and at least one assembly column extending from the base and assembled with the stator. The base forms a mounting opening for arranging the drive shaft.

12. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The wind flow device assembly includes a circuit board connecting the stator and the rotor.

13. The airflow device assembly for a hand dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The fan cover forms a ring wall arranged around the opening.

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