Blowers and nozzles

Abstract

The present invention provides a blower and a nozzle. The blower comprises a blower body and a nozzle. The blower body comprises a housing with an air inlet, a motor, and at least one fan housed within the housing. The nozzle comprises an outlet located at one axial end and at least one vent located at a different position from the outlet. This arrangement suppresses surging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower and a nozzle, wherein the blower comprises a blower body and a nozzle. Background Art

[0002] A blower capable of discharging compressed air from an outlet is known. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-77817 describes an air duster, which comprises a duster body having an air compressor and a motor disposed within a housing, the housing having an outlet and an inlet formed at both ends thereof, and a nozzle connected to the outlet. Summary of the Invention

[0003] [Technical problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the structure of the blower, surging may occur. Therefore, a new technology capable of suppressing the occurrence of surging is sought.

[0005] [Technical solutions for solving technical problems]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a blower is provided. The blower comprises a blower body and a nozzle extending axially and connected to the blower body. The blower body comprises a housing having an air inlet, a motor, and at least one fan housed within the housing. The nozzle comprises an outlet located at one end in the axial direction and at least one vent located at a position different from the outlet.

[0007] According to this embodiment, the blower includes a nozzle having an outlet and at least one vent. Therefore, air delivered from the blower body is discharged not only from the outlet but also from the vent. Therefore, even if surge occurs when a nozzle without a vent is connected to the blower body, the surge can be suppressed by discharging air from the vent. Furthermore, surge suppression can be achieved by utilizing the nozzle structure without changing the blower body structure.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a nozzle is provided, the nozzle being connected to a blower body and extending axially. The blower body comprises a housing having an air inlet, a motor, and at least one fan housed within the housing. The nozzle comprises an outlet and at least one vent, wherein the outlet is located at one end in the axial direction, and the at least one vent is located at a position different from the outlet.

[0009] According to this method, the nozzle not only discharges air sent from the blower body through the outlet, but also discharges this air through the vent. Therefore, even if surge occurs when a nozzle without a vent is connected to the blower body, the surge can be suppressed by discharging air through the vent. Furthermore, surge suppression can be achieved by the nozzle structure without changing the blower body structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dust blower.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the nozzle according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 This is the front view of the nozzle.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 IV-IV sectional view of FIG.

[0014] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism.

[0015] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the front side cover and the locking mechanism.

[0016] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the locking sleeve.

[0017] Figure 8 It is a side view of the locking sleeve.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 IX-IX sectional view.

[0019] Figure 10 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the sliding sleeve.

[0020] Figure 11 This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the locking mechanism when the nozzle is mounted on the dust blower.

[0021] Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram of the locking mechanism when the nozzle is arranged in the installation position.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the locking mechanism when the nozzle is arranged in the installation position.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the locking mechanism while the nozzle is being removed from the dust blower body.

[0024] Figure 15 It is a perspective view of a nozzle according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 16 This is the front view of the nozzle.

[0026] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 Sectional view XVII-XVII.

[0027] Figure 18 It is a perspective view of a nozzle according to a third embodiment.

[0028] Figure 19 This is the front view of the nozzle.

[0029] Figure 20 yes Figure 19 XX-XX sectional view.

[0030] Figure 21 This is an example of a protrusion for injecting air.

[0031] Figure 22 It is a perspective view of a nozzle according to a fourth embodiment.

[0032] Figure 23 is a side view of the nozzle.

[0033] Figure 24 yes Figure 23 Sectional view XXIV-XXIV.

[0034] Figure 25 yes Figure 24 XXV-XXV sectional view.

[0035] Figure 26 It is a perspective view of a nozzle according to a fifth embodiment.

[0036] Figure 27 is a side view of the nozzle.

[0037] Figure 28 yes Figure 27 XXVIII-XXVIII sectional view.

[0038] Figure 29 It is a cross-sectional view of the base component.

[0039] Figure 30 yes Figure 29 XXX-XXX sectional view.

[0040] Figure 31 This is a rear view of the base assembly.

[0041] Figure 32 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the dust blower body with the nozzle installed.

[0042] Figure 33 This is the rear view of the nozzle.

[0043] Figure 34 yes Figure 27 XXXIV-XXXIV sectional view.

[0044] Figure 35 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the nozzle.

[0045] Figure 36 It is a partial cross-sectional view of another nozzle.

[0046] Figure 37 yes Figure 36 XXXVII-XXXVII sectional view.

[0047] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0048] 1: Dust blower; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Nozzle; 8: Dust blower body; 9: Locking mechanism; 10: Base member; 11: Mounting portion; 12: Holding portion; 13: Outer cylinder; 14: Inner cylinder; 16: Flexible tube; 17: Engaging member; 17A: First member; 17B: Second member; 18: Cover; 22: Main body; 23: Stopper; 24: Vent; 28: Object; 42: Main body; 43: First cylinder wall; 44: Second cylinder wall; 45: Connecting portion; 52: Main body; 62: Main body; 81: Main body housing; 82: Nozzle; 83: Handle; 89: Nut; 91: Locking sleeve; 93: Sliding sleeve; 95: Force spring; 111: Locking piece; 112: Claw; 113: Front end surface; 114: Rear end surface; 115: Inclined surface; 117: Actuating protrusion; 118: Rear end surface; 125: Ventilation resistance component; 130: Ventilation passage; 131: Inlet; 132: Ventilation port; 134: Opening; 135: Recess; 137: Opening; 141: Rib; 145: Locking protrusion; 146: Curved surface; 147: Orthogonal surface; 160: Passage; 161: Inlet; 162: Discharge port; 165: Locking hole; 171A: Protrusion; 171B: Protrusion; 174: Protrusion; 175 : rear end portion; 220: passage; 221: inlet; 222: outlet; 225: cylinder wall; 231: pin; 280: protrusion; 281: passage; 282: inlet; 283: outlet; 285: plug; 287: valve; 430: passage; 431: inlet; 432: outlet; 440: passage; 450: ventilation passage; 451: vent; 520: passage; 521: inlet; 522: outlet; 523: cylinder wall; 524: cylindrical portion; 525: conical cylinder portion; 526: ventilation passage; 526: cylinder wall; 527: vent; 620: passage; 621: inlet; 622: discharge port; 623: cylinder wall; 626: ventilation passage; 627: ventilation port; 810: suction port; 811: cylindrical portion; 813: front side cover; 814: shoulder; 820: discharge port; 831: rib; 832: switch; 835: battery; 881: motor; 882: output shaft; 885: centrifugal fan; 913: retaining groove; 915: guide portion; 916: inclined surface; 917: open groove; 931: spring bearing portion; 935: bearing recess; 936: abutting surface; 938: limiting portion; A0: rotation axis; A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7: axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the flow rate of air discharged from the exhaust port may be within a surge region determined by the specifications of the blower body. Furthermore, the flow rate obtained by adding the flow rate of air discharged from the at least one vent and the flow rate of air discharged from the exhaust port may be outside the surge region.

[0050] According to this aspect, when a nozzle having a discharge port with a flow rate within the surge region is used, the occurrence of surge can be prevented.

[0051] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the at least one vent may be arranged radially outside the discharge port.

[0052] According to this aspect, the vent port is arranged radially outside the discharge port, thereby suppressing the occurrence of surging.

[0053] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the at least one vent hole may open in the same direction as the exhaust port in the axial direction.

[0054] According to this method, since the vent opens axially in the same direction as the exhaust port, the air discharged from the exhaust port and the air discharged from the vent flow in the same direction. Therefore, the air discharged from the exhaust port and the air discharged from the vent can be blown toward an object. As a result, the air discharged from the vent can be effectively utilized.

[0055] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle may be a conical cylinder whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the discharge port. Furthermore, the at least one vent may penetrate a side surface of the conical cylinder.

[0056] According to this aspect, air can be discharged from the side surface of the nozzle, thereby reducing the influence of the air discharged from the vent on the object.

[0057] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the at least one vent may be provided on a side surface of the nozzle. The at least one vent may also open to the one end of the nozzle and communicate with the discharge port.

[0058] According to this aspect, the vent is provided on the side surface of the nozzle and opens to one end of the nozzle to communicate with the discharge port, thereby suppressing the occurrence of surging.

[0059] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle may also have a passage connected to the blower body and the discharge port. The discharge port may also be configured to be able to receive a cylindrical protrusion. The cylindrical protrusion may also be a protrusion provided on the air supply object for injecting air. It may also be that when the protrusion is inserted into the passage from the discharge port, a portion of the at least one vent is not blocked by the protrusion, and the inside of the passage is connected to the outside. Moreover, the flow rate of air discharged from the protrusion to the inside of the supply object via the discharge port may also be within the surge region determined by the specifications of the blower body. In addition, the flow rate obtained by adding the flow rate of air discharged from a portion of the at least one vent to the outside of the passage and the flow rate of air discharged from the protrusion to the inside of the supply object via the discharge port may be outside the surge region.

[0060] According to this aspect, when the projection for injecting air provided on the object to which air is supplied is inserted into the passage from the discharge port, surging can be prevented from occurring.

[0061] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the at least one vent may be arranged between the discharge port and the blower body in the axial direction.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the pressure of the air discharged from the vent is lower than the pressure of the air discharged from the outlet. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the vent and the outlet are arranged at the same position in the axial direction, the influence of the air discharged from the vent on the object can be reduced.

[0063] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the at least one fan may be a single fan.

[0064] According to this aspect, in a configuration in which the blower main body includes a single fan, the occurrence of surging can be suppressed.

[0065] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle may include a ventilation passage communicating with the at least one ventilation port, and the nozzle may further include a ventilation resistance member detachably disposed in the ventilation passage.

[0066] According to this aspect, by arranging the ventilation resistance member on the nozzle, it is possible to prevent high-pressure air from being blown from the ventilation port to an unintended location.

[0067] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle may be detachable from the blower body.

[0068] According to this aspect, the user can use the blower by attaching and detaching various nozzles to the blower body.

[0069] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the blower may also include a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be configured to operate in response to a user's installation operation of the nozzle onto the blower body, as the nozzle moves in a first direction relative to the blower body. The locking mechanism may also be configured to lock the nozzle in the installed position so that it cannot move in a second direction opposite to the first direction, in response to the nozzle being positioned in the installed position onto the blower body.

[0070] According to this method, the user only needs to move the nozzle to the installation position in the first direction relative to the blower body to activate the locking mechanism and lock the nozzle so that it cannot move in the second direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the nozzle needs to be operated in two directions, operability can be improved.

[0071] The technology of the present invention can also be implemented in various forms other than a blower, for example, by a nozzle connected to a blower body, or by a connection structure between the blower body and the nozzle.

[0072] Hereinafter, representative and non-limiting first to sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] <First embodiment>

[0074] Reference Figures 1 to 14 A dust blower 1 according to a first embodiment will be described. The dust blower 1 includes a dust blower body 8 and a nozzle 4. The dust blower 1 is an example of an electric blower.

[0075] The dust blower 1 is a type of blower that can blow away dust and the like by discharging compressed air. Figure 1 As shown, the dust blower 1 includes a dust blower body 8 and a nozzle 4. In this embodiment, the nozzle 4 is additionally mounted on the nozzle portion 82 of the dust blower body 8 and is used together with the dust blower body 8. Various nozzles can be selectively mounted on the nozzle portion 82 of the dust blower body 8. The user can use the dust blower body 8 with or without a nozzle mounted, depending on the task. The nozzle 4 of this embodiment is an example of a nozzle that can be mounted on the dust blower body 8.

[0076] First, the schematic structure of the dust blower main body 8 will be described.

[0077] The dust blower body 8 has a main body shell 81 and a handle 83. A motor 881 and a centrifugal fan 885 are housed in the main body shell 81. The output shaft 882 of the motor 881 and the centrifugal fan 885 are driven integrally to rotate around the rotation axis A0. The main body shell 81 extends along the rotation axis A0. An opening (suction port) 810 for sucking air into the main body shell 81 is provided at one axial end of the main body shell 81. A nozzle portion 82 is provided at the other axial end of the main body shell 81. The nozzle portion 82 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis A0 as the axis, and has an opening (discharge port) 820 for discharging air from the main body shell 81. The diameter of the discharge port 820 is 13.0 millimeters (mm). The handle 83 is a portion held by the user, protrudes from the main body shell 81, and extends in a direction intersecting the rotation axis A0.

[0078] In addition, in the following description, for convenience, the extension direction of the rotation axis A0 is defined as the front-to-back direction of the dust blower body 8. In the front-to-back direction, the direction from the suction port 810 toward the discharge port 820 is defined as the front, and the opposite direction (the direction from the discharge port 820 toward the suction port 810) is defined as the rear. The direction orthogonal to the rotation axis A0 and corresponding to the extension direction of the handle 83 is defined as the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the direction in which the handle 83 protrudes from the main body shell 81 (the direction from the main body shell 81 toward the protruding end of the handle 83) is defined as the bottom, and the opposite direction (the direction from the protruding end of the handle 83 toward the main body shell 81) is defined as the top. The direction orthogonal to the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction.

[0079] A trigger 831 is provided at the upper end of the handle 83. A switch 832 is housed inside the handle 83. A battery 835 for supplying power to the motor 881 is detachably mounted at the lower end of the handle 83. When the user presses the trigger 831, the switch 832 is turned on, and the motor 881 is driven. Along with this, air is sucked into the main body housing 81 from the suction port 810 by the rotation drive of the centrifugal fan 885, and the air compressed by the centrifugal fan 885 is discharged from the discharge port 820. When the nozzle 4 is mounted on the dust blower body 8, the air discharged from the discharge port 820 passes through the passages 430, 440 of the nozzle 4 (see FIG. Figure 4 ) and discharged from the discharge port 432 of the nozzle 4.

[0080] Next, the detailed structure of the nozzle 4 will be described.

[0081] like Figure 2 As shown, the nozzle 4 has a mounting portion 11 configured to be mounted on the nozzle portion 82 of the dust blower body 8 (in detail, the locking mechanism 9, see Figure 1and a main body portion 42 connected to the mounting portion 11. The mounting portion 11 and the main body portion 42 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin.

[0082] In the following description, for convenience, the direction of the nozzle 4 is defined based on the orientation of the nozzle 4 when mounted on the dust blower body 8. The nozzle 4 is mounted on the dust blower body 8 so that the axis of the mounting portion 11 is aligned with the rotation axis A0. Therefore, the direction in which the axis A4 of the nozzle 4 extends (the axial direction of the mounting portion 11) is defined as the front-to-back direction. In the front-to-back direction, the mounting portion 11 side (the side connected to the dust blower body 8) is the rear side of the nozzle 4, and the main body 42 side is the front side of the nozzle 4.

[0083] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the mounting portion 11 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape. The mounting portion 11 has a locking mechanism 9 (see Figure 1 ) engage with a pair of retaining tabs 111. The retaining tabs 111 are symmetrically arranged about axis A4 and extend axially. The retaining tabs 111 are located between two slits extending forward from the rear end of the mounting portion 11. Therefore, the rear end of the retaining tabs 111 is a free end. This structure allows the retaining tabs 111 to elastically deform radially toward the nozzle 4, with the front end serving as a fulcrum.

[0084] The rear end of the locking piece 111 has a claw 112. The claw 112 protrudes radially inward from the rear end of the locking piece 111. Figure 4 As shown, the claw 112 has a front end surface 113, a rear end surface 114, and an inclined surface 115. The front end surface 113 and the rear end surface 114 are surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the axis A4 of the nozzle 4. The inclined surface 115 is a surface that connects the radially inner end of the front end surface 113 and the radially inner end of the rear end surface 114, and is inclined radially outward as it approaches the rear.

[0085] In addition, the rear end portion has an action protrusion 117. The action protrusion 117 protrudes radially outward from the outer surface of the rear end portion. The circumferential center of the action protrusion 117 is located at a position that coincides with the circumferential center of the claw 112. In addition, the action protrusion 117 is arranged at a position slightly forward of the claw 112, and the rear end of the action protrusion 117 is located slightly forward of the rear end of the rear end portion (the rear end surface 114 of the claw 112). When viewed from the radial outside, the rear end surface 118 of the action protrusion 117 is formed into a U-shape with the center portion protruding rearward. In other words, the rear end surface 118 of the action protrusion 117 is configured as a curved surface.

[0086] Note that the detailed structure of the nozzle portion 82 (locking mechanism 9 ) of the dust blower body 8 and attachment and detachment of the attachment portion 11 to the nozzle portion 82 will be described later.

[0087] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the main body 42 protrudes forward from the front end of the mounting portion 11 along the axis A4 of the nozzle 4. The main body 42 includes a first tube wall 43 and a second tube wall 44 that are coaxially arranged.

[0088] The first tube wall 43 is a cylindrical part extending forward from the mounting portion 11. The rear end of the first tube wall 43 is connected with the mounting portion 11. The outer diameter and the inner diameter of the first tube wall 43 are roughly constant in the axial direction. The first tube wall 43 stipulates the passage 430 extending in the front-back direction along the axis A4. The opening at the rear end of the first tube wall 43 (the entrance at the rear end of the passage 430) is also referred to as the inlet 431. The opening at the front end of the first tube wall 43 is perpendicular to the axis A4. That is, the opening at the front end of the first tube wall 43 is towards the front.

[0089] The second tube wall 44 is the roughly conical part that extends forward from the front end portion of the first tube wall 43. The opening at the front end and the rear end of the second tube wall 44 is perpendicular to the axis A4. The external diameter of the second tube wall 44 is less than the internal diameter of the first tube wall. The rear end portion of the second tube wall 44 is configured in the radially inner side of the front end portion of the first tube wall 43. In the position closer to the front than the rear end portion of the second tube wall 44, the external diameter and the internal diameter of the second tube wall 44 are gradually reduced along with being closer to the front. The second tube wall 44 stipulates passage 440. The opening at the front end of the second tube wall 44 is also referred to as discharge port 432. In the present embodiment, the diameter of discharge port 432 is 3.0mm.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the first tube wall 43 is connected with the outer peripheral surface of the second tube wall 44 by three connecting portions 45.Three connecting portions 45 extend axially, and separate equidistantly in the circumferential direction.Therefore, at the leading end of the first tube wall 43, three vent passages 450 are specified by the inner peripheral surface of the first tube wall 43, the outer peripheral surface of the second tube wall 44 and three connecting portions 45.In addition, at the front end of the first tube wall 43, three openings are specified by the inner peripheral surface of the first tube wall 43, the outer peripheral surface of the second tube wall 44 and three connecting portions 45.This opening is also referred to as vent 451.

[0091] In this way, the nozzle 4 has an air vent 451 that is arranged at a position different from the exhaust port 432. In the present embodiment, the air vent 451 is arranged between the exhaust port 432 and the dust blower body 8 in the axial direction (front-to-back direction). In addition, the air vent 451 is arranged radially outside the exhaust port 432. Moreover, the air vent 451 opens to the front in the same manner as the exhaust port 432 and is arranged parallel to the exhaust port 432. In addition, "radially outside the exhaust port" means that it does not need to be located at the same position as the exhaust port in the axial direction, but is located radially outside relative to the exhaust port at any position in the axial direction.

[0092] According to such a structure, the air sent from the dust blower body 8 by the centrifugal fan 885 flows into from the inlet 431, passes through the passage 430 and the passage 440, and is discharged (ejected) from the exhaust port 432. In addition, the air flowing into from the inlet 431 passes through the passage 430 and the ventilation passage 450, and is also discharged from the vent 451.

[0093] The vent 451 is configured to prevent surge from occurring in the dust blower 1. Surge refers to a periodic vibration phenomenon of the pressure, flow rate, etc. in the pipe caused by connecting the dust blower body 8, the compressor, etc. to the pipeline and throttling the flow rate of the discharged air to below the normal amount during operation. The characteristics of the blower are usually represented by a characteristic curve (also called a performance curve, a pressure curve, etc.) in a graph with the horizontal axis and the vertical axis representing the flow rate and static pressure of the air discharged from the blower, respectively. It is also known that surge occurs when the blower is operating in the area where the characteristic curve rises to the right (the area where the static pressure decreases as the flow rate decreases, hereinafter referred to as the surge area). In addition, in the above-mentioned graph, the surge area is the area to the left of the boundary (also called the surge line) determined by the specifications of the blower. The flow rate of air discharged from the blower is, for example, the flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port of the nozzle connected to the dust blower body 8.

[0094] In this embodiment, the diameter of the discharge port 820 of the dust blower body 8 is 13.0 mm, while the diameter of the discharge port 432 of the nozzle 4 is 3.0 mm. The surge region is determined by the specifications of the dust blower body 8 (for example, the specifications of the body housing 81, the motor 881, the centrifugal fan 885, etc.). It is also known that the flow rate when the dust blower body 8 is connected to a pipe with a discharge port diameter of 3.0 mm and operated is within the surge region in the above-mentioned graph. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 、 3 As shown in Figure 4, in addition to the exhaust port 432, the nozzle 4 is also provided with an air vent 451. The air vent 451 is set at a position different from the exhaust port 432, and discharges air from the inside of the nozzle 4 to the outside, so that the total flow rate is increased, thereby preventing surge. The flow rate that should be increased to prevent surge (that is, the flow rate of air discharged from the air vent 451) can be determined based on the characteristic curve of the dust blower body 8 and the surge area (surge line). In addition, the necessary increase in flow rate can be achieved by appropriately setting (increasing) the area of ​​the air vent 451. That is, the air vent 451 prevents surge by increasing the total flow rate of air discharged from the nozzle 4 to outside the surge area.

[0095] The relationship between the flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port 432 and the vent 451 and surge will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the flow rate of air discharged only from the discharge port 432 of the nozzle 4 is the flow rate within the surge region determined by the specifications of the dust blower body 8 (hereinafter referred to as "within the surge region") when a nozzle having no vent and having a discharge port of the same area as the discharge port 432 of the nozzle 4 is connected to the dust blower body 8. The vent 451 of the nozzle 4 is configured such that the total flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port 432 of the nozzle 4 and the three vents 451 is the flow rate outside the surge region determined by the specifications of the dust blower body 8 (hereinafter referred to as "outside the surge region").

[0096] That is, the nozzle 4 of this embodiment does not surge when connected to the dust blower body 8 and the dust blower 1 is in operation. In addition, the nozzle 4 surges when the vent 451 is blocked and air cannot be discharged from the vent 451.

[0097] Next, the structures of the nozzle portion 82 and the locking mechanism 9 of the dust blower body 8 will be described.

[0098] like Figure 1 As shown, the main body shell 81 of the dust blower body 8 includes a cylindrical barrel portion 811 and a front side cover 813 connected to the front end of the barrel portion 811. In this embodiment, the front side cover 813 is a component formed separately from the barrel portion 811. The front side cover 813 is screwed into the front end of the barrel portion 811 to cover the opening at the front end of the barrel portion 811. The front side cover 813 is formed as a whole in the shape of a funnel (conical barrel) with a thin top. The nozzle portion 82 is the cylindrical front end portion of the front side cover 813. A locking mechanism 9 is installed on the nozzle portion 82. The nozzle 4 is detachable from the nozzle portion 82 via the locking mechanism 9.

[0099] The locking mechanism 9 is described below. The locking mechanism 9 is configured to lock the nozzle 4 to the dust blower body 8 at a predetermined mounting position. Figure 5 As shown, the locking mechanism 9 includes: a locking sleeve 91 fixed to the dust blower body 8; a sliding sleeve 93 configured to be movable only in the front-rear direction relative to the locking sleeve 91; and a biasing spring 95 biasing the sliding sleeve 93 forward relative to the locking sleeve 91.

[0100] like Figures 5 to 9 As shown, the locking sleeve 91 is a cylindrical member. The locking sleeve 91 is coaxially sleeved on the mouth 82 of the front cover 813 and is fixed to the front cover 813 by a nut 89.

[0101] In addition, the locking sleeve 91 is configured to be engageable with the nozzle 4. More specifically, the locking sleeve 91 has a mounting portion 11 (see FIG. 1 ) that is engaged with the nozzle 4. Figure 4) has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the inner diameter (excluding the inner diameter of the portion with claws 112) of the locking sleeve 91. A pair of retaining grooves 913 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking sleeve 91. These retaining grooves 913 are symmetrically arranged about the axis of the locking sleeve 91. The retaining grooves 913 are recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the locking sleeve 91 and extend circumferentially around the axis. The retaining grooves 913 are configured to engage with the claws 112 of the retaining piece 111 of the nozzle 4.

[0102] A guide portion 915 is provided on the front side of each locking groove 913 to smoothly guide the claw 112 of the locking piece 111 into the locking groove 913. The guide portion 915 is a recessed portion radially inwardly recessed from the outer circumference of the locking sleeve 91, extending from the front end of the locking sleeve 91 to near the front end of the locking groove 913. The guide portion 915 has an inclined surface 916 that gently slopes radially outward as it approaches the rear.

[0103] Furthermore, an open groove 917 is connected to one circumferential end of each locking groove 913. More specifically, the open groove 917 is connected to the end located clockwise when viewing the locking sleeve 91 from the front, of the two circumferential ends of the locking groove 913. The open groove 917 is a recessed portion having approximately the same depth as the locking groove 913 and extending linearly forward to the front end of the locking sleeve 91. In other words, the front end of the open groove 917 is open. The open groove 917 is provided to allow the claw 112 of the locking piece 111 to separate from the locking groove 913 (i.e., to allow the nozzle 4 to move forward). The circumferential width of the open groove 917 is slightly larger than the width of the claw 112 of the locking piece 111.

[0104] like Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 10 As shown, the sliding sleeve 93 is a cylindrical member and is arranged radially outside the locking sleeve 91 and is held relative to the locking sleeve 91 so as to be movable only in the axial direction (ie, the front-rear direction).

[0105] In addition, the sliding sleeve 93 has an actuating protrusion 117 (see FIG. Figure 4 ) engage with a pair of receiving recesses 935. The pair of receiving recesses 935 are symmetrically arranged across the axis of the sliding sleeve 93. The receiving recesses 935 are recessed rearward from the front end of the sliding sleeve 93 and, when viewed from the radial outside, are formed into a U-shape that roughly fits the actuating protrusion 117 of the nozzle 4. The surface defining the receiving recesses 935 is a contact surface 936 capable of contacting the rear end surface 118 of the actuating protrusion 117 and is configured as a curved surface.

[0106] like Figure 5As shown, the force spring 95 is radially arranged between the locking sleeve 91 and the sliding sleeve 93. In addition, the force spring 95 of this embodiment is a compression coil spring. The force spring 95 is arranged in a compressed state in the front-to-back direction between the spring bearing portion 931 and the shoulder 814, wherein the spring bearing portion 931 is provided inside the sliding sleeve 93 and the shoulder 814 is provided on the front side cover 813 behind the nozzle portion 82. The force spring 95 always applies force to the sliding sleeve 93 forward. Therefore, the sliding sleeve 93 is maintained in the frontmost position in the initial state where the nozzle 4 is not installed in the locking mechanism 9. In addition, the receiving recess 935 of the sliding sleeve 93 is arranged radially outside the guide portion 915 of the locking sleeve 91.

[0107] Next, the operation of the locking mechanism 9 will be described.

[0108] First, the operation of the locking mechanism 9 when the nozzle 4 is attached to the dust blower body 8 will be described.

[0109] When the user installs the nozzle 4 on the dust blower body 8, the user performs an operation of moving the nozzle 4 linearly toward the rear of the dust blower body 8 (hereinafter also referred to as the installation operation). More specifically, after the user has appropriately adjusted the circumferential position of the nozzle 4 relative to the locking mechanism 9, the user performs an operation of pressing the nozzle 4 into the locking mechanism 9 from the front along the rotation axis A0. In addition, the mark for position adjustment can be used, which is provided on the nozzle 4 (see Figures 2 to 4 ) of the outer surface of the locking piece 111 and the action protrusion 117 and the sliding sleeve 93 (refer to Figure 10 ) receiving recess 935. Aligning the positions of the actuating protrusion 117 and the receiving recess 935 in the circumferential direction is equivalent to aligning the positions of the claw 112 and the guide portion 915, and even the claw 112 and the locking groove 913.

[0110] When the user presses the nozzle 4 into the locking mechanism 9, the claws 112 of the pair of locking pieces 111 engage with the locking sleeve 91 (see Figure 8 ) abuts against a pair of guide portions 915. More specifically, the inclined surface 115 of the claw 112 abuts against the inclined surface 916 of the guide portion 915. In this state, as the nozzle 4 moves backward, the retaining piece 111 is elastically deformed in such a way that the rear end portion moves radially outward. Figure 11 As shown, when the user further presses (moves) the nozzle 4 rearward, the rear end surface 114 of the claw 112 contacts the abutment surface 936 of the receiving recess 935 of the sliding sleeve 93, resisting the biasing force of the biasing spring 95 and causing the sliding sleeve 93 to move rearward relative to the locking sleeve 91. The portion of the mounting portion 11 of the nozzle 4 other than the retaining piece 111 enters the gap between the locking sleeve 91 and the sliding sleeve 93.

[0111] When the claw 112 passes over the inclined surface 916 of the guide portion 915 to the outer peripheral surface of the locking sleeve 91 and reaches the locking groove 913, Figure 12 As shown, under the restoring force of the retaining plate 111, the claw 112 moves radially inward and returns to its initial position, engaging with the retaining groove 913. At this point, the rear end face 114 of the claw 112 disengages from the abutment surface 936 of the receiving recess 935, releasing the backward pressure on the sliding sleeve 93. Consequently, the sliding sleeve 93 moves forward due to the force of the biasing spring 95, and the abutment surface 936 of the receiving recess 935 is maintained in a position abutting the rear end face 118 of the actuating protrusion 117 of the nozzle 4 (hereinafter referred to as the locked position). In other words, the actuating protrusion 117 remains engaged with the receiving recess 935.

[0112] like Figure 12 As shown, when the sliding sleeve 93 is arranged in the locked position, the portion (wall portion) of the sliding sleeve 93 located between the rear end of the receiving recess 935 (the deepest part of the recess) and the front end of the spring receiving portion 931 is arranged radially outward of the rear end portion (claw 112) of the locking piece 111. The wall portion functions as a limiting portion 938, which limits the elastic deformation of the locking piece 111 in the direction in which the claw 112 is separated from the locking groove 913, thereby maintaining the engagement of the claw 112 with the locking groove 913. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 13 As shown, when the sliding sleeve 93 is urged forward, the receiving recess 935 engages with the actuating protrusion 117 to restrict the nozzle 4 from rotating about the rotation axis A0.

[0113] Thus, the locking mechanism 9 locks the nozzle 4 at the position where the claw 112 engages with the locking groove 913 (hereinafter, the position of the nozzle 4 at this time is also referred to as the installation position), preventing it from moving forward. In addition, the locking mechanism 9 restricts the rotation of the nozzle 4 configured in the installation position.

[0114] Next, the operation of the locking mechanism 9 when the nozzle 4 is detached from the dust blower body 8 will be described.

[0115] When the user removes the dust blower body 8, Figure 13When the nozzle 4 is locked in the installation position as shown, first, in order to release the lock of the locking mechanism 9, an operation is performed to rotate the nozzle 4 around the axis relative to the dust blower body 8 (hereinafter also referred to as the lock release operation). In more detail, the user pinches the nozzle 4 and rotates it around the rotation axis A0 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the front. As described above, the sleeve 93 is forced forward in a state in which it cannot rotate, and the action protrusion 117 is engaged in the receiving recess 935. When the user rotates the nozzle 4 against the force of the force spring 95, the end of the rear end face 118 (curved surface) of the action protrusion 117 on the rotation direction side (clockwise side when viewed from the front) and the end of the abutment surface 936 (curved surface) of the receiving recess 935 on the rotation direction side cooperate to convert the circumferential force into an axial force and act on the sleeve 93, causing the sleeve 93 to move backward.

[0116] like Figure 14 As shown, after the action protrusion 117 is separated from the receiving recess 935, the claw 112 is in the locking groove 913 (refer to Figure 7 、 Figure 8 ) during the circumferential movement, the nozzle 4 rotates while the rear end face 118 of the action protrusion 117 abuts against the front end face of the sliding sleeve 93. When the user continues to rotate the nozzle 4, the claw 112 enters the open groove 917 (refer to Figure 7 、 Figure 8 ). When the claw 112 is completely positioned in the open groove 917 (the position of the nozzle 4 at this time is also referred to as the removal position), the locking of the claw 112 relative to the locking groove 913 is released, allowing the claw 112 to move forward along the open groove 917. In other words, the lock of the locking mechanism 9 is released.

[0117] After the user rotates the nozzle 4 to the disassembly position, the user moves the nozzle 4 linearly forward relative to the dust blower body 8 to perform an operation of separating the nozzle 4 from the dust blower body 8 (hereinafter also referred to as a separation operation). In more detail, the user pulls the nozzle 4 out from the locking mechanism 9 forward along the rotation axis A0. As described above, the open groove 917 has a depth substantially the same as that of the retaining groove 913. Therefore, when the nozzle 4 moves forward in response to the separation operation, the retaining piece 111 does not elastically deform, and the claw 112 can move forward in the open groove 917. In addition, as the nozzle 4 moves forward and separates from the dust blower, the sleeve 93 is urged by the force spring 95 and moves to the frontmost position (refer to Figure 5 ). When the nozzle 4 is separated from the dust blower body 8 (locking mechanism 9), the disassembly of the nozzle 4 is completed.

[0118] According to the dust blower 1 and the nozzle 4 included in the dust blower 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0119] (E1) The dust blower 1 includes a nozzle 4 having an exhaust port 432 disposed at an axially distal end (one end) and at least one vent 451 disposed at a position different from the exhaust port 432. Therefore, air delivered from the dust blower body 8 is discharged not only from the exhaust port 432 but also from the vent 451. Therefore, even if surging occurs in the dust blower when a nozzle without the vent 451 is connected to the dust blower body 8, the nozzle 4 of this embodiment can suppress the surging by discharging air from the vent 451.

[0120] (E2) Surge suppression can be achieved by the structure of the nozzle 4 without changing the structure of the dust blower body 8 .

[0121] (E3) The flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port 432 of the nozzle 4 is a flow rate within the surge region when a nozzle not provided with the vent 451 is connected to the dust blower body 8. The total flow rate of the air discharged from the vent 451 and the flow rate of the air discharged from the discharge port 432 is a flow rate outside the surge region when a nozzle not provided with the vent 451 is connected to the dust blower body 8. Therefore, when a nozzle having a discharge port with a flow rate within the surge region is used, surge can be prevented. For example, depending on the operation, it is sometimes desirable to use a nozzle in which the flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port is within the surge region. According to this embodiment, surge is prevented by the structure of the nozzle 4. Therefore, it is advantageous in that there is no need to adjust the structure of the dust blower body 8 to prevent surge.

[0122] (E4) In a configuration in which the dust blower body 8 includes one fan, when a nozzle having the discharge port 432 within the surge region is used, the occurrence of surge can be suppressed.

[0123] (E5) Since the vent 451 is positioned between the exhaust port 432 and the dust blower body 8 in the front-to-back direction (axial direction), the pressure of the air exhausted from the vent 451 is lower than the pressure of the air exhausted from the exhaust port 432. Therefore, compared with a structure in which the exhaust port and the vent are positioned at the same position in the front-to-back direction (axial direction), the effect of the air exhausted from the vent 451 on the object can be reduced.

[0124] (E6) When a nozzle having a discharge port in the surge region is used, the vent port 451 is arranged radially outside the discharge port 432 , thereby suppressing the occurrence of surge.

[0125] (E7) Ventilation port 451 opens in the same direction as exhaust port 432 in the front-to-back direction (axial direction). Therefore, the air discharged from exhaust port 432 and the air discharged from vent 451 flow in the same direction. Therefore, the air discharged from exhaust port 432 and the air discharged from vent 451 can be blown onto an object. As a result, the air discharged from vent 451 can be effectively utilized.

[0126] (E8) The vent 451 is located closer to the dust blower body 8 than the exhaust port 432 in the front-to-back direction (axial direction). Like the exhaust port 432, it opens forward and is located radially outward of the exhaust port 432. Therefore, the air discharged from the vent 451 is sucked into the air discharged from the exhaust port 432. Thus, the air discharged from the nozzle 4 can be gathered and blown toward the object.

[0127] Furthermore, regarding the aforementioned effect (E8), since the discharge port 432 and the vent 451 are arranged parallel to each other, the air discharged from the discharge port 432 is more easily discharged forward than when the discharge port 432 and the vent 451 are not arranged parallel to each other. Therefore, the air discharged from the nozzle 4 can be more easily concentrated and blown toward the object.

[0128] (E9) Since the nozzle 4 is detachable from the dust blower body 8, the user can attach and detach various nozzles having different flow rates of air discharged from the discharge port to the dust blower body 8, thereby using the dust blower 1. Furthermore, to suppress surging of the dust blower body 8, when using the discharge port within the surging region, the user can attach the nozzle 4 of the present invention having the discharge port 432 and the vent 451 to the dust blower body 8. When using the discharge port outside the surging region, the user can attach another nozzle without a vent to the dust blower body 8. In this manner, in the dust blower 1 of the present invention, the user can suppress surging simply by attaching and detaching the nozzle.

[0129] (E10) The locking mechanism 9 is configured to operate as the nozzle 4 moves toward the dust blower body 8 in response to the user's installation operation of installing the nozzle 4 onto the dust blower body 8. The locking mechanism 9 is configured to lock the nozzle 4 in the installation position so that it cannot move in the direction opposite to the dust blower body 8, corresponding to the nozzle 4 being arranged in the installation position relative to the dust blower body 8. Therefore, the user only needs to move the nozzle 4 relative to the dust blower body 8 to the installation position, and the locking mechanism 9 is activated, thereby locking the nozzle 4 in a manner that cannot move in the direction opposite to the dust blower body 8. Therefore, compared to a case where the nozzle 4 needs to be operated in two directions, operability can be improved.

[0130] <Second embodiment>

[0131] Reference Figures 15 to 17 , a dust blower involved in the second embodiment is described. The dust blower has a dust blower main body 8 and a nozzle 5. In addition, the structure of the dust blower main body 8 is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description and illustration are omitted. The nozzle 5 is another example of a nozzle that can be installed on the dust blower main body 8. The nozzle 5 of this embodiment has a part that is substantially the same as the nozzle 4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, below, for the structure of the nozzle 5 that is substantially the same as the nozzle 4, the same figure mark is marked and the description is omitted or simplified, and the different structures are mainly described. This is also the same in the subsequent embodiments.

[0132] The nozzle 5 of this embodiment includes a mounting portion 11 configured to be mountable on the nozzle portion 82 (more specifically, the locking mechanism 9) of the dust blower body 8, and a main body 52 connected to the mounting portion 11. The mounting portion 11 and the main body 52 are integrally formed of synthetic resin.

[0133] The main body 52 protrudes forward from the front end of the mounting portion 11 along the axis A5 of the nozzle 5. The main body 52 has a cylindrical wall 523, the majority of which, including the rear end, is formed into a cylindrical shape, and the front end of the cylindrical wall 523 is formed into a roughly conical cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the front end of the cylindrical wall 523 decreases as it approaches the front. The cylindrical wall 523 defines a passage 520 extending in the front-to-back direction along the axis A5. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, when the nozzle 5 is mounted on the dust blower body 8, the air sent by the centrifugal fan 885 of the dust blower body 8 flows into the opening at the rear end of the cylindrical wall 523 (the entrance at the rear end of the passage 520), passes through the passage 520, and is discharged (ejected) from the opening at the front end of the cylindrical wall 523 (the outlet at the front end of the passage 520). Hereinafter, the opening at the rear end of the cylindrical wall 523 is referred to as the inlet 521, and the opening at the front end of the cylindrical wall 523 is referred to as the outlet 522. The diameter of the outlet 522 is 3.0 mm.

[0134] A plurality of openings are provided in the substantially conical cylindrical portion (conical cylindrical portion 525) of the cylinder wall 523, which is located behind the discharge port 522. The openings are elliptical in shape with a minor axis in the circumferential direction. The plurality of openings are arranged in substantially the same position in the axial direction. In addition, the plurality of openings are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction. These openings are also referred to as vents 527.

[0135] A plurality of ventilation passages 526 are formed in the cylinder wall 523. The ventilation passages 526 are portions that penetrate the cylinder wall 523 in the front-to-back direction. More specifically, the plurality of ventilation passages 526 are formed from the front end of the cylindrical portion (cylindrical portion 524) of the cylinder wall 523 to a substantially conical cylindrical portion (conical cylindrical portion 525) located rearward of the discharge port 522, and are respectively connected to a plurality of ventilation ports 527. The ventilation ports 527 also serve as outlets for the ventilation passages 526 that penetrate the side surface of the conical cylindrical portion 525 in the front-to-back direction.

[0136] As described above, in the nozzle 5 , the vent 527 is provided in the tapered cylindrical portion 525 and opens at an inclination with respect to the axis A5 of the nozzle 5 .

[0137] According to such a structure, the air sent out from the dust blower body 8 by the centrifugal fan 885 is not only discharged from the exhaust port 522 but also passes through the passage 520 and the plurality of ventilation passages 526 and is discharged from the plurality of ventilation ports 527 .

[0138] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the plurality of vents 527 are configured to prevent surge. Specifically, the flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port 522 of the nozzle 5 is such that, when a nozzle having an outlet with the same area as the discharge port 522 of the nozzle 5 is connected to the dust blower body 8 without a vent, the flow rate falls within the surge region. The plurality of vents 527 are configured such that the combined flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port 522 of the nozzle 5 and the plurality of vents 527 falls outside the surge region.

[0139] That is, the nozzle 5 of this embodiment does not surge when connected to the dust blower body 8 and the dust blower 1 is in operation. In addition, the nozzle 5 of this embodiment surges when the plurality of vents 527 are blocked and air is not discharged from the plurality of vents 527.

[0140] According to the present embodiment, the vent 527 is provided in the conical cylindrical portion 525 and opens obliquely relative to the axis A5 of the nozzle 5. Therefore, air is discharged from the vent 527 toward the front and radially outward. Therefore, a portion of the air discharged from the vent 527 flows in the same direction as the air discharged from the discharge port 522. As a result, the air discharged from the discharge port 522 and the air discharged from the vent 527 can be blown onto an object, thereby effectively utilizing the air discharged from the vent 527. In addition, the vent 527 is arranged at a position closer to the dust blower body 8 than the discharge port 522 in the front-to-back direction (axial direction), and a portion of the air discharged from the vent 527 is attracted by the air discharged from the discharge port 522. Therefore, the air discharged from the nozzle 5 can be gathered and blown toward an object.

[0141] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the effect of the air discharged from the vent 527 on the object can be reduced compared to a structure in which the vent and the exhaust port are arranged in parallel. Furthermore, the structure of the nozzle 5 other than the above is substantially the same as the nozzle 4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments (E1) to (E6), and (E9) and (E10) are achieved.

[0142] <Third embodiment>

[0143] Reference Figures 18 to 20 Next, the nozzle 6 included in the dust blower according to the third embodiment will be described. The nozzle 6 is another example of a nozzle that can be attached to the dust blower body 8.

[0144] like Figures 18 to 20 As shown, the nozzle 6 includes a mounting portion 11 configured to be mounted on the nozzle portion 82 (more specifically, the locking mechanism 9) of the dust blower body 8, and a main body 62 connected to the mounting portion 11. The mounting portion 11 and the main body 62 are integrally formed of synthetic resin.

[0145] The main body 62 protrudes forward from the front end of the mounting portion 11 along the axis A6 of the nozzle 6. The main body 62 has a cylindrical wall 623 that is roughly conical. The outer diameter and inner diameter of the cylindrical wall 623 decrease as they approach the front. The cylindrical wall 623 defines a passage 620 that extends in the front-to-back direction along the axis A6. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, when the nozzle 6 is mounted on the dust blower body 8, the air sent by the centrifugal fan 885 of the dust blower body 8 flows into the opening at the rear end of the cylindrical wall 623 (the entrance at the rear end of the passage 620), passes through the passage 620, and is discharged from the opening at the front end of the cylindrical wall 623 (the outlet at the front end of the passage 620). Hereinafter, the opening at the rear end of the cylindrical wall 623 is referred to as the inlet 621, and the opening at the front end of the cylindrical wall 623 is referred to as the outlet 622. The diameter of the outlet 622 is 3.0 mm. The cylindrical wall 623 of the nozzle 6 is also the side portion of a conical cylinder whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the outlet 622.

[0146] A plurality of openings are provided in the portion between the discharge port 622 and the inlet port 621 of the cylinder wall 623. The openings are generally circular. The plurality of openings face radially outward. The plurality of openings are provided at approximately equal intervals in the axial direction and at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. When the nozzle 6 is viewed from the front, as shown in FIG. Figure 19 As shown, a plurality of openings extend radially with the outlet 622 as the center. The openings are also referred to as vents 627.

[0147] A plurality of ventilation passages 626 are formed on the cylinder wall 623. The ventilation passages 626 are portions that radially penetrate the cylinder wall 623. The plurality of ventilation passages 626 are respectively connected to a plurality of vents 627. The vents 627 are also outlets of the ventilation passages 626 that radially penetrate the side surface of the conical cylinder.

[0148] According to such a structure, the air sent out from the dust blower body 8 by the centrifugal fan 885 is not only discharged from the exhaust port 622 but also passes through the passage 620 and the plurality of ventilation passages 626 and is discharged from the plurality of ventilation ports 627 .

[0149] In this embodiment, similar to the above-described embodiment, the vent holes 627 are also configured to prevent surge. Specifically, the flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port 622 of the nozzle 6 is such that, when a nozzle having an outlet with the same area as the discharge port 622 of the nozzle 6 is connected to the dust blower body 8 without a vent hole, the flow rate falls within the surge region. Furthermore, the multiple vent holes 627 are configured so that the combined flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port 622 of the nozzle 6 and the multiple vent holes 627 falls outside the surge region.

[0150] That is, the nozzle 6 of this embodiment does not surge when connected to the dust blower body 8 and the dust blower 1 is in operation. In addition, the nozzle 6 of this embodiment surges when the plurality of vents 627 are blocked and air is not discharged from the plurality of vents 627.

[0151] According to this embodiment, the ventilation passage 626 radially penetrates the cylindrical wall 623, and the vent 627 opens radially outward. Therefore, air is primarily discharged radially outward from the vent 627. Consequently, compared to a case where the vent and exhaust port point in the same direction, the impact of the air discharged from the vent 627 on the object can be reduced. Furthermore, the structure of the nozzle 6 other than that described above is substantially the same as that of the nozzle 4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, this embodiment also achieves the same effects as those of the aforementioned embodiment, namely, effects (E1) to (E6), and effects (E9) and (E10).

[0152] <Fourth embodiment>

[0153] Reference Figures 21 to 25 Next, a nozzle 2 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The nozzle 2 is another example of a nozzle that can be attached to the dust blower body 8.

[0154] The nozzle 2 of this embodiment has a structure suitable for injecting air into a protrusion for injecting air (also called an air plug) provided on an object to be supplied with air. The object to be supplied with air is, for example, an object to be inflated by air (e.g., a swimming ring, a beach ball, an air cushion, etc.). Figure 21FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventional protrusion 280 for air injection having a known structure. Figure 21 As shown, the protrusion 280 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The protrusion 280 defines a passage 281 that connects the inside and outside of the bag-shaped object 28. The outer diameter and inner diameter of the protrusion 280 are approximately 9.5 mm and 6.5 mm, respectively.

[0155] Protrusion 280 protrudes outward from the outer surface of object 28. A plug 285 is connected to the end of protrusion 280 located outside object 28 (the protruding end), which closes the opening of passage 281 (hereinafter referred to as inlet 282). Furthermore, a valve 287 is connected to the end of protrusion 280 located inside object 28. Valve 287 is configured to block the opening inside the passage (hereinafter referred to as outlet 283) by utilizing air pressure within object 28. Furthermore, protrusion 280, plug 285, and valve 287 are integrally formed from a flexible synthetic resin (e.g., PVC).

[0156] like Figures 22 to 25 As shown, the nozzle 2 includes a mounting portion 11 configured to be mounted on the nozzle portion 82 (more specifically, the locking mechanism 9) of the dust blower body 8, and a main body 22 connected to the mounting portion 11. The mounting portion 11 and the main body 22 are integrally formed of synthetic resin.

[0157] The main body 22 protrudes forward from the front end of the mounting portion 11 along the axis A2 of the nozzle 2. The main body 22 has a cylindrical wall 225. The wall 225 defines a passage 220 extending in the front-to-back direction along the axis A2. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, when the nozzle 2 is mounted on the dust blower body 8, the air sent out by the centrifugal fan 885 of the dust blower body 8 flows into the opening at the rear end of the wall 225 (the inlet at the rear end of the passage 220), passes through the passage 220, and is discharged from the opening at the front end of the wall 225 (the outlet at the front end of the passage 220). Hereinafter, the opening at the rear end of the wall 225 is referred to as the inlet 221, and the opening at the front end of the wall 225 is referred to as the outlet 222. The diameter of the front end portion of the passage 220 and the outlet 222 is 10.0 mm.

[0158] In addition, a stopper 23 is provided inside the cylinder wall 225. The stopper 23 is used to determine the top position of the protrusion 280 when the protrusion 280 is inserted (i.e., the insertion amount of the protrusion 280). More specifically, the stopper 23 is a wall portion including the axis A2, which crosses the passage 220 and is connected to the inner circumference of the cylinder wall 225. The front end of the stopper 23 is located at a position behind the front end of the cylinder wall 225. Therefore, as Figure 21As shown, protrusion 280 can be inserted into passage 220 through discharge port 222 until the protruding end of protrusion 280 abuts against stopper 23. Furthermore, stopper 23 is attached to pin 231. Pin 231 is configured to protrude forward of discharge port 222. When protrusion 280 is inserted into passage 220, pin 231 abuts against valve 287 of protrusion 280, thereby opening valve 287. However, pin 231 may be omitted.

[0159] like Figures 22 to 25 As shown, a vent 24 is provided on the cylindrical wall 225. The vent 24 is an opening that penetrates the cylindrical wall 225 and connects the interior of the cylindrical wall 225 (the passage 220) with the exterior. The vent 24 extends axially from a position behind the front end of the stopper 23 (i.e., a position close to the mounting portion 11) to the front end of the cylindrical wall 225 and communicates with the discharge port 222. The vent 24 also extends rearward from the front end of the cylindrical wall 225 to a position behind the front end of the stopper 23.

[0160] With this structure, when protrusion 280 is inserted into passage 220 via discharge port 222, the portion of vent 24 from the front end of tubular wall 225 to the same position as the front end of stopper 23 is blocked by the side surface of protrusion 280. On the other hand, passage 220 communicates with the outside of tubular wall 225 via the portion of vent 24 located rearward of the same position as the front end of stopper 23.

[0161] In this embodiment, air is supplied to the object 28 while the protrusion 280 is embedded in the front end of the passage 220. The diameter of the passage 220 and the discharge port 222 of the nozzle 2 is 10.0 mm. However, the inner diameter of the protrusion 280 (the diameter of the outlet 283 of the passage 281) is 6.5 mm, which is smaller than the diameter of the protrusion 280. Moreover, it is known that the flow rate when the dust blower body 8 is connected to a pipe with a diameter of 6.5 mm at the discharge port and operated is within the surge region. Therefore, when the nozzle 2 is mounted on the dust blower body 8 and air is discharged only toward the protrusion 280, surge may occur.

[0162] Therefore, in this embodiment, similar to the above-described embodiment, the vent 24 is also configured to prevent surge. The vent 24 is configured to prevent surge by increasing the total flow rate of air discharged from the outlet 283 of the passage 281 of the protrusion 280 and the air discharged from the vent 24 to outside the surge region. Specifically, by appropriately setting the area of ​​the portion of the vent 24 not blocked by the protrusion 280 (i.e., the portion further rearward than the stopper 23), the total flow rate of air is set to be outside the surge region. In this embodiment, the flow rate of air discharged from the outlet 283 via the discharge port 222 is such that a different nozzle having an outlet with the same area as the discharge port 222, but not provided with a vent, is connected to the dust blower body 8, and the protrusion 280 is inserted through the outlet of the different nozzle. The vent 24 of the nozzle 2 is configured so that the total flow rate of the air discharged from the outlet 283 via the discharge port 222 and the air discharged from the portion of the vent 24 not blocked by the protrusion 280 is outside the surge region.

[0163] That is, the nozzle 2 of this embodiment is a nozzle that does not surge when the dust blower 1 is in operation while the nozzle 2 is connected to the dust blower body 8 and the protrusion 280 is inserted from the discharge port 222 into the passage 220. Furthermore, the nozzle 2 of this embodiment is a nozzle that surges when the vent 24 is completely blocked while the nozzle 2 is connected to the dust blower body 8 and the protrusion 280 is inserted from the discharge port 222 into the passage 220.

[0164] According to this embodiment, when the nozzle 2 is connected to the dust blower body 8 and the protrusion 280 is inserted into the passage 220 from the exhaust port 222, surging can be prevented. Therefore, when air is injected into the protrusion (air plug) for injecting air, which is provided on the air supply object, surging can be prevented. Furthermore, the structure of the nozzle 2 other than the above is substantially the same as that of the nozzle 4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment (E1) to (E5), as well as (E9) and (E10) are achieved.

[0165] <Fifth embodiment>

[0166] Refer to the following Figures 26 to 35 Next, a nozzle 3 according to a fifth embodiment will be described. The nozzle 3 is another example of a nozzle that can be attached to the dust blower body 8.

[0167] like Figure 26As shown, the nozzle 3 includes a base member 10 that can be mounted on the dust blower body 8, and a flexible tube 16 that is connected to the base member 10. In the present embodiment, the nozzle 3 is configured such that the flexible tube 16 has an outlet 162, and the user can relatively freely change the position of the outlet 162 relative to the dust blower body 8 according to the position to which the compressed air is desired to be blown.

[0168] First, the base member 10 will be described. Figures 26 to 28 As shown, the base member 10 is a long cylindrical member extending along a predetermined axis A3, and includes a mounting portion 11 and a retaining portion 12. In the present embodiment, the mounting portion 11 and the retaining portion 12 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin, but the mounting portion 11 and the retaining portion 12 may also be formed separately and connected to each other. The mounting portion 11 is a portion configured to be mountable on the nozzle portion 82 (more specifically, the locking mechanism 9) of the dust blower body 8. The retaining portion 12 protrudes axially from one axial end of the mounting portion 11. The retaining portion 12 is a portion that engages with the flexible tube 16 to retain the flexible tube 16. The retaining portion 12 and the flexible tube 16 together constitute the main body of the nozzle 3.

[0169] like Figures 28 to 31 As shown, the holding portion 12 is formed in a double-cylindrical shape having an outer cylinder 13 and an inner cylinder 14 that are coaxially arranged.

[0170] The outer cylinder 13 is a cylindrical portion extending forward from the mounting portion 11. The outer cylinder 13 is formed into a stepped cylindrical shape, with only the outer diameter of the rear end being larger than the outer diameter of the other portions. The inner diameter of the outer cylinder 13 is uniform and slightly larger than the diameter of the discharge port 820 of the dust blower body 8. Four recesses 135 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the rear end portion of the outer cylinder 13 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The rear end of each recess 135 is open. In addition, three rectangular openings 137 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at the front end portion of the outer cylinder 13 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 26 、 27 The opening 137 passes through the outer tube 13 (the tube wall) to connect the interior and the exterior of the outer tube 13 , and extends to the front end of the outer tube 13 .

[0171] The inner cylinder 14 is a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flexible tube 16. It is positioned radially inward of the outer cylinder 13, spaced apart from the outer cylinder 13. More specifically, the inner cylinder 14 is connected to and supported by three ribs 141 spaced circumferentially about the axis A3. Thus, three spaces extending in the front-to-back direction are formed between the outer cylinder 13 and the inner cylinder 14 of the retaining portion 12, defined circumferentially by the three ribs 141. The rear end of the inner cylinder 14 is located forward of the rear end of the outer cylinder 13 (more specifically, forward of the recess 135) in the front-to-back direction. The front end of the inner cylinder 14 is located rearward of the front end of the outer cylinder 13. Furthermore, the rear ends of the opening 137 of the outer cylinder 13 are located at the same positions in the front-to-back direction as the front ends of the inner cylinder 14.

[0172] The flexible tube 16 will be described below. Figure 26 and Figure 28 As shown, flexible tube 16 is a flexible tubular member made of synthetic resin. In this embodiment, flexible tube 16 is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and has excellent flexibility. Flexible tube 16 is a tubular member with a circular cross-section and, when no external force is applied, has a uniform outer diameter and uniform inner diameter. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of flexible tube 16 is 6 mm. Flexible tube 16 is 70 centimeters (cm) in length.

[0173] One end of the flexible tube 16 is connected to the retaining portion 12. Hereinafter, the end of the flexible tube 16 connected to the retaining portion 12 is referred to as the base end, and the opposite end is referred to as the top end. In the present embodiment, when the nozzle 3 is mounted on the dust blower body 8, the air sent by the centrifugal fan 885 of the dust blower body 8 flows into the opening at the base end of the flexible tube 16, passes through the passage 160 extending inside the flexible tube 16, and is discharged from the opening at the top end. Hereinafter, the opening at the base end of the flexible tube 16 (the entrance at the rear end of the passage 160) is referred to as the inlet 161, and the opening at the top end (the exit at the front end of the passage 160) is referred to as the outlet 162.

[0174] A cover 18 is attached to a portion of the flexible tube 16, including the distal end. The cover 18 is formed from a synthetic resin that is inflexible (or significantly less flexible than the flexible tube 16). The cover 18 is a cylindrical member with an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flexible tube 16, and fits over the outer circumference of the flexible tube 16. The inner circumference of the cover 18 is treated with an anti-slip finish to prevent the flexible tube 16 from shifting. However, the user can remove the cover 18 from the flexible tube 16 or relocate it to another location on the flexible tube 16 as needed.

[0175] Next, the connection structure between the flexible tube 16 and the holding portion 12 will be described.

[0176] like Figure 28 、 Figures 32 to 35 As shown, the flexible tube 16 is inserted into the inner tube 14. The base end of the flexible tube 16 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the outer tube 13. A snap-fitting component 17 is mounted on one end of the flexible tube 16. The snap-fitting component 17 is a cylindrical component having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible tube 16 as a whole. In this embodiment, the snap-fitting component 17 is composed of a first component 17A and a second component 17B. The first component 17A and the second component 17B are respectively semi-cylindrical components, and are combined in a manner that abuts against each other on a plane containing the axis of the snap-fitting component 17. Most of the first component 17A and the second component 17B have the same structure. The common structures of the first component 17A and the second component 17B are described below with the same reference numerals.

[0177] The first component 17A has two protrusions 171A provided on its inner circumferential surface at each axial end. Each protrusion 171A extends circumferentially and has a roughly triangular cross-section. Meanwhile, the second component 17B has a single protrusion 171B provided on its inner circumferential surface at the center portion in the front-to-back direction. This protrusion 171B extends circumferentially and has a roughly triangular cross-section. The flexible tube 16 is positioned between the first and second components 17A, 17B. When the first and second components 17A, 17B are assembled so as to abut each other, the first and second components 17A, 17B press the flexible tube 16 radially inward, causing the protrusions 171A and 171B to bite into the outer circumferential surface of the flexible tube 16. Consequently, the first and second components 17A, 17B restrict axial movement of the flexible tube 16 in the engaging component 17 and retain the flexible tube 16.

[0178] Furthermore, the protrusions 171A of the first component 17A and the protrusions 171B of the second component 17B are arranged at different positions in the axial direction of the engaging component 17 to reduce the possibility of the flexible tube 16 being broken due to load being applied to the same position in the axial direction when the flexible tube 16 is stretched in the axial direction. However, the first component 17A and the second component 17B may have the same structure.

[0179] In addition, the first component 17A and the second component 17B each have two protrusions 174 protruding radially outward from the outer circumference. When the first component 17A and the second component 17B are combined, the four protrusions 174 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The rear end portion 175 of the protrusion 174 protrudes radially outward more than the other portion, as shown in FIG. Figure 32 and Figure 33 As shown, it can be fitted into the recess 135 of the outer tube 13. Figure 32 and Figure 34As shown, the portion of protrusion 174 other than rear end 175 can fit within outer tube 13. The length of protrusion 174 in the front-to-back direction is approximately equal to the length from the rear end of inner tube 14 to the rear end of outer tube 13. While holding one end of flexible tube 16, first component 17A and second component 17B are positioned circumferentially so that rear end 175 of protrusion 174 corresponds to recess 135, and fit within the rear end of outer tube 13. First component 17A and second component 17B are positioned in the front-to-back direction so that the front end of protrusion 174 abuts the rear end of inner tube 14. In other words, inner tube 14 restricts forward movement of engaging component 17.

[0180] By the connection structure as described above, the flexible tube 16 is connected to the holding portion 12 via the engaging member 17 in a manner that does not fall off forward from the holding portion 12. Figure 32 As shown, when the nozzle 3 is mounted on the dust blower body 8, the front end of the nozzle portion 82 of the dust blower body 8 adjacent to the rear of the engaging member 17 restricts the rearward movement of the engaging member 17. Figure 28 As shown, when the nozzle 3 is removed from the dust blower body 8, the user can remove the flexible tube 16 by pulling it out from the holding portion 12 together with the engaging member 17 with the cover 18 removed. Therefore, the user can attach a flexible tube having a different length and / or inner diameter from the flexible tube 16 to the holding portion 12 via the engaging member 17 as needed.

[0181] Furthermore, the nozzle 3 of this embodiment has a structure for preventing surge. Specifically, in addition to the discharge port 162, the nozzle 3 is provided with a vent 132 for increasing the flow rate.

[0182] like Figure 28 and Figure 32 As shown, in addition to the discharge port 162, the nozzle 3 is provided with a vent 132 on the radially outer side of the flexible tube 16. The vent 132 is configured to function to prevent surging.

[0183] In more detail, Figure 28 、 Figure 32 、 Figure 34As shown, a ventilation passage 130 connected to a vent 132 is provided radially outward of the flexible tube 16. The ventilation passage 130 is a passage extending in the front-to-back direction within the outer tube 13. It is composed of the following spaces: a space formed between the outer tube 13 and the engaging member 17 behind the rear end of the inner tube 14; a space formed between the outer tube 13 and the inner tube 14; and an annular space formed between the front end of the outer tube 13 and the flexible tube 16 in front of the front end of the inner tube 14. In this embodiment, when the nozzle 3 is attached to the dust blower body 8, air delivered by the centrifugal fan 885 of the dust blower body 8 flows into the opening at the rear end of the ventilation passage 130 (hereinafter referred to as the inlet 131), passes through the ventilation passage 130, and flows out of the vent 132. In addition, in this embodiment, the vent 132 is composed of the opening 134 at the front end of the outer tube 13 and the three openings 137 described above.

[0184] In addition, in the present embodiment, a ventilation resistance component 125 is arranged at the front end portion of the ventilation passage 130 (the annular space between the front end portion of the outer cylinder 13 and the flexible tube 16). The ventilation resistance component 125 is a component configured to allow air to pass through the interior of the ventilation resistance component 125 and to act as resistance to reduce the wind speed. In the present embodiment, a continuous bubble structure made of synthetic resin (for example, a sponge made of polyurethane resin) is used as the ventilation resistance component 125. The ventilation resistance component 125 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The ventilation resistance component 125 is embedded in the front end portion of the outer cylinder 13 in a state where the flexible tube 16 is inserted. The ventilation resistance component 125 is maintained in a slightly compressed state between the flexible tube 16 and the outer cylinder 13. The axial length of the ventilation resistance component 125 is approximately the same as the length in the front-to-back direction of the opening 137 provided on the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder 13.

[0185] With this arrangement, air flowing into the ventilation passage 130 from the inlet 131 at the rear end of the outer tube 13 as the dust blower body 8 operates passes through the ventilation passage 130 and the ventilation resistance member 125, and flows out from the ventilation port 132 toward the front of the outer tube 13 and radially outward of the outer tube 13. Since the total flow rate of the air discharged from the discharge port 162 and the air flowing out of the ventilation port 132 through the ventilation resistance member 125 is set to be outside the surge region, surge does not occur at this time.

[0186] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the wind speed of the air flowing out of the vent 132 decreases in the process of passing through the ventilation resistance component 125. Therefore, the pressure (wind pressure) of the air flowing out of the vent 132 decreases compared to the case where the ventilation resistance component 125 is not provided. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent high-pressure air from being blown from the vent 132 to a position where it is not desired to be blown. On the other hand, the flow rate of the air flowing out of the vent 132 decreases compared to the case where the ventilation resistance component 125 is not provided. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the area of ​​the vent 132 is set to be larger than the area when the ventilation resistance component 125 is not provided. Specifically, in addition to the opening 134 at the front end of the outer cylinder 13, three openings 137 are provided, whereby the area of ​​the vent 132 is increased, thereby achieving the desired increase in flow rate.

[0187] That is, the nozzle 3 of this embodiment does not surge when connected to the dust blower body 8 and the dust blower is in operation. In addition, the nozzle 3 of this embodiment surges when the vent 132 is blocked and air is not discharged from the vent 132.

[0188] According to this embodiment, when the nozzle 3 is connected to the dust blower body 8, surging in the dust blower can be suppressed. The nozzle 3 is configured so that the position of the discharge port 162 can be relatively freely changed according to the position where the user wants to blow compressed air. Therefore, according to this embodiment, a dust blower with a high degree of operational freedom can be provided.

[0189] Furthermore, by using the nozzle 3 with the ventilation resistance member 125 in place, the user can prevent high-pressure air from being blown from the vent 132 to undesired locations. Furthermore, the structure of the nozzle 3 other than the above is substantially the same as that of the nozzle 4 of the first embodiment. Therefore, this embodiment also achieves the same effects as those of the aforementioned embodiment (E1) to (E5), and (E9) and (E10).

[0190] <Sixth embodiment>

[0191] Below, refer to Figure 36 and Figure 37 The nozzle 7 according to the sixth embodiment will be described. The nozzle 7 is another example of a nozzle that can be mounted on the dust blower body 8. The nozzle 7 of this embodiment is similar to the nozzle 3 of the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 1 ) in the connection structure between the flexible tube 16 and the base member 10. Figure 31 and Figure 32 ) is different. The structure of the nozzle 7 other than the connection structure is the same as that of the nozzle 3.

[0192] like Figure 36 and Figure 37As shown, the nozzle 7, like the nozzle 3, comprises a base member 10 including a mounting portion 11 and a retaining portion 12, and a flexible tube 16 connected to the base member 10. Furthermore, the retaining portion 12 comprises an outer cylinder 13 and an inner cylinder 14 connected to the outer cylinder 13 via ribs 141. In this embodiment, a locking protrusion 145 is provided at the rear end of the inner cylinder 14, projecting radially inward from the inner circumference of the inner cylinder 14. The locking protrusion 145 is formed in a generally rectangular shape and is arranged parallel to the axis A7 of the nozzle 7. The front end surface of the locking protrusion 145 forms a gently curved surface 146. Meanwhile, the rear end surface of the locking protrusion 145 forms an orthogonal surface 147 that is substantially orthogonal to the axis A7. Furthermore, in this embodiment, only one locking protrusion 145 is provided circumferentially around the axis A7, corresponding to one of the three ribs 141.

[0193] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a locking hole 165 is provided in the flexible tube 16 in place of the mounting engaging member 17. Locking hole 165 is a through-hole into which locking protrusion 145 can be fitted. More specifically, locking hole 165 is rectangular in shape. The circumferential width of locking hole 165 is approximately equal to that of locking protrusion 145, while the length of locking hole 165 in the front-to-back direction is slightly greater than that of locking protrusion 145.

[0194] When assembling the nozzle 7, the flexible tube 16 is inserted into the inner cylinder 14 from the front side of the base member 10, with the locking hole 165 and the locking protrusion 145 aligned circumferentially. Because the front end of the locking protrusion 145 is a curved surface 146, the rear end of the flexible tube 16 abuts against the curved surface 146 and elastically deforms, allowing it to move smoothly rearward of the locking protrusion 145. When the flexible tube 16 is positioned so that the locking hole 165 and the locking protrusion 145 face each other, the locking protrusion 145 engages with the locking hole 165, connecting the flexible tube 16 to the base member 10 (retaining portion 12). Furthermore, the locking hole 165 is positioned longitudinally of the flexible tube 16 so that, when the flexible tube 16 is connected to the base member 10, the base end of the flexible tube 16 protrudes rearward of the rear end of the outer cylinder 13.

[0195] As described above, the nozzle 7 of this embodiment, like the nozzle 4 of the fifth embodiment, can relatively freely change the position and orientation of the discharge port 162 relative to the dust blower body 8. In addition, since the number of parts of the nozzle 7 is less than that of the nozzle 4, the cost is lower and it is easier to assemble. Moreover, since the rear end face of the locking protrusion 145 is the orthogonal surface 147, the possibility of the flexible tube 16 being dislodged from the retaining portion 12 (base component 10) to the front due to the discharge of air can be effectively reduced. In addition, the nozzle 7 of this embodiment has the same structure as the nozzle 4 of the fifth embodiment at points other than the above-mentioned points. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the same effect as the fifth embodiment is achieved.

[0196] The following shows the correspondence between the components of the above-mentioned embodiment and the components of the present invention. However, the components of the embodiment are merely examples and do not limit the components of the present invention.

[0197] The dust blower 1 is an example of a "blower". The dust blower body 8 is an example of a "blower body". The suction port 810 is an example of an "air inlet". The main body housing 81 is an example of a "housing". The motor 881 is an example of a "motor". The centrifugal fan 885 is an example of a "fan". The nozzles 2 to 7 are examples of "nozzles". The discharge ports 162, 222, 423, 522, 622 are examples of "discharge ports". The vents 24, 132, 451, 527, 627 are examples of "vents". The cylinder walls 225, 523, 623 are examples of "side portions". The ventilation passages 130, 450, 526, 626 are examples of "ventilation passages". The passage 281 is an example of a "passage". The object 28 is an example of an "air supply object". The protrusion 280 is an example of a “protrusion.” The ventilation resistance member 125 is an example of a “ventilation resistance member.” The locking mechanism 9 is an example of a “locking mechanism.”

[0198] The above embodiments are merely examples, and the blower of the present invention is not limited to the dust blower 1 illustrated. Furthermore, the nozzle of the present invention is not limited to the nozzles 2 to 7 illustrated. For example, the following modifications are possible. Furthermore, only one or more of these modifications may be employed in combination with the dust blower 1, nozzles 2 to 7, or the inventions described in the embodiments.

[0199] For example, the nozzle connected to the dust blower body 8 may have at least one vent at a position different from the discharge port. The vent does not need to be configured so that the total flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port of the nozzle and the at least one vent falls outside the surge region determined by the specifications of the dust blower body 8. Since the nozzle includes at least one vent, air is discharged from the inside of the nozzle to the outside, increasing the total flow rate and thereby suppressing surge.

[0200] When the rotation speed of the motor 881 of the dust blower body 8 (the rotation speed of the centrifugal fan 885) is adjustable, there are characteristic curves that differ depending on the rotation speed of the motor 881. Therefore, it is preferable to set the areas of the exhaust port 162 and the at least one vent 132 so as to ensure a total flow rate outside the surge region regardless of which rotation speed of the motor 881 is selected within the settable range.

[0201] The position, number, and shape of the vents are not limited to those described above. For example, the vent and outlet of the nozzle may be located at the same axial position. For example, the nozzle may include multiple vents, each of which may have a different shape. Furthermore, the overall shape of the nozzle, the components comprising the nozzle, the diameter of the outlet, and the material of the nozzle are not limited to those described above and may be modified as appropriate.

[0202] For example, the nozzles 2 to 4 and 7 may be integrally formed with the nozzle portion 82 of the dust blower body 8. Furthermore, for example, the dust blower 1 may not have the locking mechanism 9, and the nozzles 2 to 7 may be attached to the dust blower body 8 via other connection structures. For example, the nozzles 2 to 7 and the dust blower body 8 may be configured to be screwed together.

[0203] For example, the dust blower main body 8 may also accommodate a plurality of fans. For example, the dust blower main body 8 may also accommodate a multi-stage fan.

[0204] For example, the ventilation resistance member 125 described in the fifth embodiment can also be applied to the nozzles 2, 4 to 7 of the first to fourth and sixth embodiments. In this case, as in the fifth embodiment, the area of ​​the vent can be increased to compensate for the decrease in the flow rate of air discharged from the vent due to the application of the ventilation resistance member 125.

[0205] For example, the power source of the dust blower 1 is not limited to the rechargeable battery 835, and may be a disposable battery. In addition, the motor 881 may be a motor having brushes.

[0206] Furthermore, in view of the gist of the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples, the present invention is constructed in the following aspects: At least one of the following aspects can be used in combination with any one of the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples and the inventions described in each claim.

[0207] [Method 1] The area of ​​the exhaust port is an area where the flow rate of air discharged from the exhaust port alone is within the surge region determined by the specifications of the blower body, and the area obtained by adding the area of ​​the at least one vent and the area of ​​the exhaust port is an area where the total flow rate of air discharged from the exhaust port and the at least one vent is outside the surge region.

[0208] [Mode 2] The at least one vent includes a plurality of vents.

[0209] [Method 3] A nozzle capable of being mounted on an electric blower, characterized in that it comprises a mounting portion and a main body, wherein the mounting portion is configured to be mountable on the blower, the main body is connected to the mounting portion, and has an exhaust port and a passage, the passage being connected to the exhaust port, through which air delivered by the blower passes, the main body having a length of at least 15 cm and including a flexible tube defining at least a portion of the passage.

[0210] [Mode 4] The flexible tube is connected to the mounting portion in a state where it cannot be removed from the mounting portion in the direction of flow of the air.

[0211] [Mode 5] The flexible tube further includes a cover covering at least a portion of the flexible tube, wherein the cover is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the flexible tube and is detachably attached to the flexible tube.

[0212] [Mode 6] The main body has at least one vent, and the at least one vent is arranged radially outside the flexible tube.

[0213] [Method 7] A nozzle that can be installed on an electric blower, the nozzle having a mounting portion and a cylindrical main body, wherein the mounting portion is configured to be mountable on the blower, the main body protruding from the mounting portion, and having an exhaust port and at least one vent, the exhaust port being provided at the protruding end of the main body, the at least one vent being provided on a side portion, the at least one vent opening being open to the protruding end of the main body and being connected to the exhaust port.

[0214] [Method 8] The main body has a stop portion, which is arranged inside the main body and is constructed to abut against the protrusion when the protrusion is inserted from the discharge port, and the length of the at least one vent in the extension direction of the main body is greater than the distance from the discharge port to the stop portion in the extension direction of the main body.

[0215] [Method 9] A connection structure between a blower body and a nozzle, wherein the installation operation is an operation of linearly moving the nozzle toward the blower body along the first direction.

Claims

1. A blower, characterized in that: It has a blower body and a nozzle, wherein The blower body comprises: a housing having an air inlet; a motor and at least one fan housed in the housing; The nozzle extends in the axial direction and is connected to the blower body, and has: an exhaust port, which is provided at one end of the axial direction; and at least one vent, which is provided at a position different from the exhaust port. The nozzle is configured to exhaust the air sent from the blower body to the outside. The nozzle includes a first cylinder wall and a second cylinder wall arranged in a coaxial shape, the second cylinder wall is arranged in front of the first cylinder wall, the inner diameter of the second cylinder wall is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylinder wall, the front end of the second cylinder wall defines the discharge port, the first cylinder wall and the second cylinder wall are connected by a connecting portion, and the at least one vent is defined by the inner surface of the first cylinder wall, the outer surface of the second cylinder wall and the connecting portion.

2. The blower according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow rate of the air discharged from the discharge port is within the surge region determined by the specifications of the blower body. A flow rate obtained by adding a flow rate of air discharged from the at least one vent and a flow rate of air discharged from the discharge port is outside the surge region.

3. The blower according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one vent is arranged radially outside the discharge port.

4. The blower according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one vent port opens in the same direction as the exhaust port in the axial direction.

5. The blower according to claim 1, wherein: The nozzle is a conical cylinder whose outer diameter decreases as it approaches the discharge port. The at least one vent is provided on a side surface of the conical cylinder.

6. The blower according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one vent is arranged between the discharge port and the blower body in the axial direction.

7. The blower according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one fan is a single fan.

8. The blower according to claim 1, wherein: The blower further includes a ventilation resistance member detachably disposed in the ventilation passage leading to the at least one vent.

9. The blower according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nozzle is detachable from the blower body.

10. The blower according to claim 9, characterized in that: The blower has a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is constructed so that, according to the installation operation of the user to install the nozzle to the blower body, as the nozzle moves in a first direction relative to the blower body, the nozzle is arranged in an installation position relative to the blower body, and the locking mechanism locks the nozzle in the installation position in a manner that it cannot move in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

11. The blower according to claim 1, characterized in that: The area of ​​the discharge port is an area where the flow rate of the air discharged from the discharge port is within the surge region determined by the specifications of the blower body. An area obtained by adding an area of ​​the at least one vent port and an area of ​​the exhaust port is an area at which a total flow rate of air exhausted from the exhaust port and the at least one vent port is outside the surge region.

12. The blower according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one vent includes a plurality of vents.

13. A nozzle connected to a blower body and extending axially, wherein the blower body comprises: a housing having an air inlet; a motor and at least one fan housed in the housing, wherein the nozzle is characterized in that: having an exhaust port and at least one vent, wherein The discharge port is provided at one end of the axial direction. The at least one vent is disposed at a position different from the exhaust port, The nozzle includes a first cylinder wall and a second cylinder wall arranged in a coaxial shape, the second cylinder wall is arranged in front of the first cylinder wall, the inner diameter of the second cylinder wall is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylinder wall, the front end of the second cylinder wall defines the discharge port, the first cylinder wall and the second cylinder wall are connected by a connecting portion, and the at least one vent is defined by the inner surface of the first cylinder wall, the outer surface of the second cylinder wall and the connecting portion.

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