Centrifugal blower

Abstract

The invention provides a centrifugal blower which can maintain the strength of a housing even if an exhaust port is arranged on the radial side surface of the housing, is high in operability and reliability, can ensure the air volume and static pressure even if the centrifugal blower is small and flat, and can realize silence. In an annular air blowing path (4f) formed by combining a first casing (4a) and a second casing (4b) around the radial outer side of the casing (4), an exhaust port (4m) is arranged on the radial side surface of the second casing (4b), and the exhaust port (4m) is separated by a diffuser (4n) which is vertically formed on a bottom plate (4q) forming the second air blowing path (4e) and is connected with an annular end part (4r) arranged on the radial outer side.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a centrifugal blower, for example, for a seat air conditioner or an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) device. BACKGROUND

[0002] When a driver moves a long distance, for example, by driving a car, and the like, and the like, the driver is in contact with the backrest or the seating portion of the seat for a long time, and high-temperature and high-humidity air is entangled, and thus the discomfort increases. Therefore, a seat air conditioner device is mainly used for adjusting the high-temperature and high-humidity air that easily gets trapped in the backrest portion and the seating portion.

[0003] As the seat air conditioner device, there are a seat air conditioner device that blows air from the seat and a seat air conditioner device that sucks and discharges air from the seat. Here, the suction type seat air conditioner device that can expect a more comfortable air conditioning effect is described. The suction type seat air conditioner device obtains an air conditioning effect by sucking and removing the high-temperature and high-humidity air that is trapped in the backrest portion and the seating portion.

[0004] For example, a seat air conditioner system that suppresses noise generated when air flows from the seat into the suction port of the blower is proposed. The suction port is formed in the upper housing portion of the housing that is assembled by screwing the four corners of the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion, and the motor including the stator and the rotor and the centrifugal multi-vane fan are rotatably supported by the lower housing portion. The rotor is assembled integrally with the centrifugal multi-vane fan. When the motor rotates and the centrifugal multi-vane fan rotates, air is sucked from the seat side through the suction port of the upper housing portion and is blown out to the square opening of the blowout port of the housing (Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-174580). PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-174580 SUMMARY PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] In the structure of the above-described Patent Literature 1, since the housing is square open, the rigidity is extremely low. Therefore, the durability of the stress load applied to the sheet, the operability of the easy assembly, and the like, the reliability can be reduced. Specifically, if tension acts on the cable such as the signal line or the power supply line connected to the motor substrate, the cable can be broken, and the reliability can be reduced. In addition, even if a rib or the like is provided in order to improve the rigidity of the housing, the cost increases, and effort is required for the fixing of the lead wire, and thus the operation becomes difficult. In addition, in a case where the exhaust port cannot be ensured on the axial bottom surface of the housing, i.e., the setting surface of the centrifugal blower, as shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide the exhaust port on the radial side surface, and in this case, for example, in a vehicle-mounted use, it is also required to maintain the strength of the housing, to be small and flat, to ensure the air volume, static pressure, and to achieve quietness. Technical means for solving the technical problem

[0007] The present disclosure is proposed to solve these problems, and aims to provide a centrifugal blower which can maintain the strength of the housing even if the exhaust port is provided on the radial side surface of the housing, is high in operability and reliability, and can ensure the air volume, static pressure, and achieve quietness even if it is small and flat.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present disclosure includes the following structure. A centrifugal blower in which a centrifugal fan and a motor rotatingly driving the same are housed in a housing, air is sucked from an axial center portion of the housing, and air is exhausted from a radial side surface of the housing, characterized in that the housing includes a first housing assembled to cover the centrifugal fan, an opening portion for air suction is provided at the axial center portion, and a first air supply path in a ring shape is formed on the radial outer side; and a second housing in which a bottom plate rotatably supporting the motor is provided on the outer circumferential side, a second air supply path in a ring shape combined with the first air supply path is formed on the radial outer side of the outer circumferential end portion of the centrifugal fan, the motor is housed in a circular dome-shaped space portion formed on the side opposite to the opening portion for air suction via a hub of the centrifugal fan and a main plate connected thereto in the axial direction, and an exhaust port is provided on the radial side surface of the second housing, separated by a diffuser formed upright on the bottom plate forming the second air supply path and connected to a ring-shaped end portion disposed on the radial outer side.

[0009] According to the above structure, since the diffuser is formed upright on the bottom plate forming the second air supply path of the second housing and connected to the ring-shaped end portion disposed on the radial outer side, the exhaust port is provided on the radial side surface of the second housing, separated by the diffuser, and therefore, even if the exhaust port is provided on the radial side surface of the second housing, the strength is improved, the rigidity as the housing is high, and the operability and reliability are also improved. In addition, even if the exhaust flow path from the centrifugal fan to the exhaust port is short, the air volume can be ensured, and the static pressure can be improved. Further, since the circular dome-shaped space portion is formed on the side opposite to the air intake opening portion on the hub of the centrifugal fan and the main plate connected thereto, the motor is accommodated in the axial direction, so that the axial dimension of the centrifugal blower can be reduced, and even if the centrifugal blower is of the same size, the centrifugal blower can be made small and flat. Further, by increasing the outer diameter of the centrifugal fan, the area of the air intake opening portion and the exhaust port can be increased, so that the centrifugal blower can be made small and flat in the axial direction, and even if the centrifugal blower is of low rotation speed, the flow rate can be increased, and since the partition wall called a tongue portion is not present in the annular air supply path formed on the outer side in the radial direction of the housing, the peak sound is not generated, and the centrifugal blower can be made quiet.

[0010] Preferably, the diffuser is provided with a plurality of diffuser plates erected on the bottom plate at a predetermined interval, and when the inner surface of the second housing is viewed in plan, the diffuser plates are erected in a circular arc shape in such a manner that the height gradually increases from the radially inner side of the bottom plate forming the second air supply path toward the radially outer side, and are respectively connected to the annular end portion. Thus, the plurality of diffuser plates erected on the circular plate-shaped bottom plate are erected in a circular arc shape in such a manner that the height gradually increases from the inner diameter side of the bottom plate forming the second air supply path toward the radially outer side when the inner surface of the second housing is viewed in plan, and are respectively connected to the annular end portion, so that the strength of the second housing can be improved, and the generation site of the peak sound of the frequency component obtained by multiplying the number of blades of the impeller by the rotation frequency can be dispersed and quietized.

[0011] A protrusion bar connected in a circular arc shape in such a manner that the height gradually increases from the radially inner side toward the radially outer side can be formed on the inner wall surface between the radially inner side wall and the radially outer side wall erected on the concentric circle forming the first air supply path when the first housing is viewed in plan at a predetermined interval. Thus, the air sucked from the air intake opening portion of the first housing by the rotation of the centrifugal fan can be diffused in the first air supply path by the protrusion bar while being guided to the second air supply path. In particular, compared to the case where only the second diffuser is provided on the second housing, the static pressure in the low flow rate region can be improved.

[0012] Preferably, the protrusion bar constituting the first diffuser provided on the first air supply path of the first housing and the diffuser plate constituting the second diffuser provided on the second air supply path of the second housing are respectively formed in a circular arc shape in the rotation direction of the centrifugal fan. Thus, with the rotation of the centrifugal fan, the compressed air guided from the first air supply path to the second air supply path along the protrusion bar can be effectively exhausted from the exhaust ports separated by the diffuser plate. Effects of the Invention

[0013] If the above-mentioned centrifugal blower is used, it is possible to provide a centrifugal blower which can maintain the strength of the shell even if an exhaust port is provided on the radial side of the shell, has high operability and reliability, is small and flat, can ensure air volume and static pressure, and achieves silence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a centrifugal blower. Figure 2 This is the front view of the centrifugal blower. Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of a centrifugal blower. Figure 4 It is from Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the centrifugal blower with the first shell removed. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 main view. Figure 6 It is a top view of the inner surface side of the second shell. Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the second shell. Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A partially enlarged stereoscopic view of the second shell. Figure 9 It is a front view of the second shell. Figure 10 is a top view of the first shell. Figure 11 It is a front view of the first shell. Figure 12 It is a perspective view of the inner surface side of the first shell. Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A partially enlarged stereoscopic view of the first shell. Figure 14 This is a graph showing air volume-static pressure characteristics depending on whether a diffuser is provided in the first casing and the second casing of a centrifugal blower. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the centrifugal blower according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 14 The schematic structure of the centrifugal blower is described below. A DC brushless motor is used as the motor M. In this embodiment, an outer rotor type motor is used. Alternatively, an inner rotor type motor may be used.

[0016] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG, a centrifugal blower 1 is a centrifugal fan 2 and a rotor 3 assembled into one body, and a motor M for rotating the centrifugal fan 2 and the rotor 3 is housed in a housing 4. Air is drawn in from the axial center of the housing 4 and pressurized air is discharged from the radial side.Figure 1 As shown, the casing 4 is formed by combining a first casing 4a assembled to cover the centrifugal fan 2 and a second casing 4b rotatably shaft-supporting the motor M (the rotor 3 and the stator 5: refer to Figure 3 ).

[0017] In Figure 3 , the air suction opening 4c is provided at the central portion of the first casing 4a, and the annular first air supply path 4d is formed at the radially outer side. The annular second air supply path 4e combined with the first air supply path 4d is formed at the radially outer side of the second casing 4b. The first casing 4a and the second casing 4b are combined, and the annular air supply path 4f is formed at the radially outer side of the casing 4. The bearing holding portion 6 and the motor substrate 7 are assembled at the central portion of the second casing 4b. The lead wire of the stator coil 5b is connected to the motor substrate 7, and the Hall sensor or the like for detecting the position of the rotor magnet 3c is mounted. In the case where the motor M is of a sensorless type, the position detection sensor can be omitted. The stator core 5a is integrally fixed at the outer circumferential side of the bearing holding portion 6, and the rotor shaft 3a is rotatably shaft-supported by the shaft hole of the bearing holding portion 6 via the bearing 6a. The stator coil 5b is wound around the pole teeth formed in the stator core 5a, and the front end portion of the pole teeth is arranged opposite to the rotor magnet 3c. The one end portion of the rotor shaft 3a is press-fitted into the hub of the cup-shaped rotor yoke 3b, and is assembled into one body by press-fitting, adhesion, or a combination thereof. The other end portion of the rotor shaft 3a is supported by the shaft support portion 6b provided in the bearing holding portion 6. The shaft support portion 6b is supported by the substrate support portion 7a supporting the motor substrate 7. The rotor magnet 3c is integrally assembled on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor yoke 3b. The center of the air suction opening 4c does not need to be strictly coincident with the axis line of the rotor shaft 3a of the motor M, and it is sufficient that the position of the air suction opening 4c is in the vicinity of the axial central portion of the casing 4, and the centrifugal fan 2 can operate without lowering the efficiency.

[0018] As Figure 4As shown, the main plate 2b connected to the hub 2a in the centrifugal fan 2 toward the radially outer side is formed in a dome shape. The main plate 2b continuous with the hub 2a is obliquely extended toward the radially outer side toward the downstream side of the air supply direction, and a plurality of curved impellers 2c are vertically formed on the main plate 2b from the radially inner side to the outer side. Near the radially outer side of the impellers 2c vertically formed on the main plate 2b continuous with the hub 2a (the outer peripheral edge portion), auxiliary impellers 2d are respectively vertically formed at intervals with the adjacent impellers 2c (the central portion between the impellers 2c). Thereby, the pressure pulsation of each blade can be reduced, and the peak sound generated due to the interference with the diffuser can be suppressed. The air sucked through the air suction opening 4c opposite to the hub 2a of the centrifugal fan 2 is pressurized by the impellers 2c and the auxiliary impellers 2d formed on the main plate 2b, and is sent out to the annular air supply path 4f provided on the radially outer side. The annular shroud 2e is connected to the outer peripheral side edge portion of the impellers 2c and the auxiliary impellers 2d, and the air pressurized by the impellers 2c and the auxiliary impellers 2d is rectified toward the annular air supply path 4f (refer to Figure 3 ) on the outer peripheral side, and is sent out.

[0019] Further, as shown in Figure 3 , a dome-shaped space portion 4g is formed on the side opposite to the air suction opening 4c using the hub 2a of the centrifugal fan 2 and the main plate 2b connected thereto. Using the dome-shaped space portion 4g, the electric motor M and the higher components (electrolytic capacitor 7b, etc.) mounted on the motor substrate 7 can be accommodated, and the centrifugal fan 2 and the electric motor M can be compactly assembled. Further, in the dome-shaped space portion 4g, the rotor 3 and the stator 5 of the electric motor M are accommodated in the axial direction. Thereby, the axial dimension of the centrifugal blower 1 is reduced, and even if the centrifugal blower 1 is the same size, a small and flat centrifugal blower 1 can be realized.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1 , the first housing 4a and the second housing 4b are overlapped with the openings opposite to each other, and are assembled into one body by engaging the engaging piece 4h provided on the outer periphery of the side portion of the first housing 4a to the engaging portion 4i provided on the outer periphery of the side portion of the second housing 4b. Further, the wiring connection port 4j (refer to Figure 2 ) through which the wiring connected to the motor substrate 7 is taken out to the outside of the housing is formed on the first housing 4a and the second housing 4b. The wiring connection port 4j is formed by fitting the fitting plate 4j1 protrudingly provided on the side surface of the first housing 4a into the fitting groove 4j2 protrudingly provided on the corresponding side surface of the second housing 4b (refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 ).

[0021] As shown in Figure 10 , the first air supply path 4d (refer to Figure 11 ) is formed on the outer peripheral side surface portion of the first housing 4a on the upper surface portion where the air suction opening 4c is provided. As shown in Figure 12 andFigure 13 As shown, radially inner wall 4d1 and radially outer wall 4d2 forming first air flow path 4d are concentrically formed on the radially outer inner surface of intake opening 4c. A first diffuser 4k may be formed in first air flow path 4d. Specifically, if Figure 12 As shown, on the inclined wall surface between the radially inner wall 4d1 and the radially outer wall 4d2, when looking down at the first housing 4a, arc-shaped protrusions 4k1 are formed at predetermined intervals so as to gradually increase in height from the radially inner wall 4d1 toward the radially outer wall 4d2. The height of each protrusion 4k1 is formed to be higher than that of the radially outer wall 4d2 at the radially outer end (see Figure 13 ) In addition, the first diffuser 4k does not necessarily need to be provided in the first air supply path 4d and may be omitted.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, an exhaust port 4m is provided on the radial side surface of the second housing 4b. The exhaust port 4m is separated by a second diffuser 4n. The second diffuser 4n is formed upright on the bottom plate 4q forming the second air supply path 4e and is connected to the annular end portion 4r arranged on the radial outer side. The annular end portion 4r is formed at its upper end portion to form a concave and convex portion 4r1 that engages with the first housing 4a (see Figure 3 、 Figure 8 ).

[0023] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the second diffuser 4n includes a plurality of diffuser plates 4n1 formed upright at predetermined intervals on the bottom plate 4q of the second housing 4b. When viewed from above the inner surface of the second housing 4b, the diffuser plates 4n1 are arranged in an arc shape, gradually increasing in height from the radially inner side of the bottom plate 4q forming the second air flow path 4b toward the radially outer annular end 4r. The diffuser plates 4n1 are connected to the annular end 4r at predetermined intervals. Thus, when looking down at the inner surface of the second shell 4b, the multiple diffuser plates 4n1 formed upright on the circular plate-shaped bottom plate 4q are erected in an arc shape in a manner that gradually increases in height from the radial inner side to the radial outer side of the bottom plate 4q forming the second air supply path 4e and are respectively connected to the annular end 4r. Therefore, the strength of the second shell 4b can be improved, and the generation location of the peak sound of the frequency component obtained by multiplying the number of blades of the impeller 2c by the rotation frequency can be dispersed and silenced.

[0024] Specifically, if Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the plurality of diffusion plates 4n1 constituting the second diffuser 4n are curved in shape, and have curved surfaces that are offset by a prescribed amount from the direction of rotation E of the centrifugal fan 2 in the downstream end side of the exhaust direction so as to exhaust air in accordance with the rotation of the centrifugal fan 2 in the arrow direction. Figure 8 As shown, the exhaust ports 4m are formed between adjacent diffusion plates 4n1.

[0025] Further, the protrusions 4k1 constituting the first diffuser 4k provided on the first air supply path 4d of the first housing 4a and the diffusion plates 4n1 constituting the second diffuser 4n provided on the second air supply path 4e of the second housing 4b can be formed in a circular arc shape along the direction of rotation of the centrifugal fan 2, and when the first housing 4a and the second housing 4b are combined, the protrusions 4k1 and the diffusion plates 4n1 can be formed in an opposed position, or alternately arranged in an intermeshed position. Thus, with rotation of the centrifugal fan 2, compressed air guided from the first air supply path 4d along the protrusions 4k1 to the second air supply path 4e can be effectively exhausted from the exhaust ports 4m partitioned by the diffusion plates 4n1.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 Since the second air supply path 4e is closed by the floor 4q, partitioned by the plurality of diffusion plates 4n1 formed upright on the floor 4q, and exhausts from the exhaust ports 4m provided on the radially outer side of the second housing 4b, even if the centrifugal blower 1 is small and flat, the required air volume can be ensured, and compared to the case where the second diffuser 4n is not provided, the static pressure can be improved even if the exhaust flow path from the centrifugal fan 2 to the exhaust ports 4m is short.

[0027] Here, Figure 14 the graph shows the air volume-static pressure characteristics (P-Q characteristics) corresponding to the combination of the presence or absence of the first diffuser 4k in the first housing 4a and the presence or absence of the second diffuser 4n in the second housing 4b. In Figure 14 the dashed line curve, ▲ indicates the air volume-static pressure characteristics (P-Q characteristics) when the first diffuser 4k and the second diffuser 4n are not present, and ● indicates the air volume-static pressure characteristics (P-Q characteristics) when only the first diffuser 4k is provided in the first housing 4a. As shown by the dashed line ● curve, the air volume-static pressure characteristics (P-Q characteristics) are improved when the first diffuser 4k is provided compared to when the first diffuser 4k is not provided.

[0028] In Figure 14In the solid line curve, • indicates the air volume-static pressure characteristic (P-Q characteristic) when only the second diffuser 4n is provided on the second housing 4b, and ■ indicates the air volume-static pressure characteristic (P-Q characteristic) when the first diffuser 4k is provided on the first housing 4a and the second diffuser 4n is provided on the second housing 4b.

[0029] First, it is understood that the air volume-static pressure characteristic (P-Q characteristic) is improved in the solid line curve (white line • and black line ■) compared to the broken line curve (broken line ▲, broken line •). That is, it is understood that the air volume-static pressure characteristic (P-Q characteristic) is improved overall in the case where the second diffuser 4n is provided on the second housing 4b compared to the case where only the first diffuser 4k is provided on the first housing 4a.

[0030] In addition, it is understood that the air volume-static pressure characteristic (P-Q characteristic) in the low flow rate region is improved in the case where the first diffuser 4k is provided on the first housing 4a and the second diffuser 4n is provided on the second housing 4b among the solid line curve (white line • and black line ■).

[0031] As described above, by erecting the second diffuser 4n on the bottom plate 4q that forms the second air supply path 4e and connecting it to the annular end portion 4r disposed on the radially outer side, the exhaust port 4m is provided on the radially side surface of the second housing 4b, which is partitioned by the second diffuser 4n, so even if the exhaust port 4m is provided on the radially side surface of the second housing 4b, the strength is improved, the rigidity of the housing 4 is high, and the operability and reliability are improved. In addition, even if the exhaust flow path from the centrifugal fan 2 to the exhaust port 4m is short, the air volume can be ensured and the static pressure can be improved.

[0032] In addition, since the dome-shaped space portion 4g on the side opposite to the air suction opening portion 4c is formed by the hub 2a of the centrifugal fan 2 and the main plate 2b connected thereto, and the motor M is housed in the axial direction, the axial dimension of the centrifugal blower 1 can be reduced, and even if the centrifugal blower is the same size, miniaturization and thinning can be achieved. In addition, by increasing the outer diameter of the centrifugal fan 2 and expanding the areas of the air suction opening portion 4c and the exhaust port 4m, miniaturization and thinning can be achieved in the axial direction, the flow rate can be obtained even at a low rotation speed, and since there is no partition wall called a tongue portion in the annular air supply path 4f formed on the radially outer side of the housing 4, a peak sound is not generated, and quietness can be achieved.

[0033] Here, the effects of the centrifugal blower 1 of the present disclosure in a vehicle air conditioner will be described in detail. In the case where the centrifugal blower 1 is installed on a seat of a vehicle for the purpose of a suction-type seat air conditioner, the noise generated in the process of the operation of the centrifugal blower 1, that is, "the centrifugal fan 2 rotates to suck air from the axial direction, generates an air flow in the housing 4 toward the outer peripheral direction, and changes the direction near the outer periphery in the housing 4 to discharge air to the radial outer side in the outer peripheral portion" is larger in proportion to the noise of the seat air conditioning body. Since the flow path from the suction port on the surface of the seat to the centrifugal blower 1 is short, and the flow path cross-sectional area that is in excess of the exhaust flow rate can be ensured in the exhaust port of the centrifugal blower 1, the causes of noise other than the blower are limited. Therefore, the noise of the centrifugal blower 1 and the noise other than the blower can be clearly distinguished. Since the causes of the noise of the centrifugal blower 1, the output, and the like are completed on the inside of the housing 4, the characteristics (output, noise) of the blower become constant, and as described above, the rigidity of the housing 4 is high, so the degree of freedom of the position and the shape of the installation site of the seat on which the centrifugal blower 1 is installed increases, and the seat can be applied to many types, so that cost reduction due to mass production can be achieved. In addition, since the characteristics (output, noise) are constant, the simulation accuracy of the seat air conditioning characteristics with respect to the ride comfort of the occupant is improved from the design stage of the vehicle, so there is also a side effect of reducing the design man-hours of the vehicle manufacturer. Further, in the case of the suction-type seat air conditioner disclosed in the above-described related art document (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-174580), the centrifugal blower 1 has an effect of enabling the seat to be downsized.

[0034] The blower disclosed in Patent Document 1 differs from the present disclosure in that the exhaust is directed toward the radial direction (outer peripheral side) of the rotation axis. Therefore, as described above, the durability of the blower to mechanical stress is a concern, and a design that is robust in the mechanism is required, so the size and the weight increase. In addition, in order to handle the exhaust at the rear end portion of the seat (the rear end portion in the case of the back, and the lower end portion in the case of the seat surface), a connection portion that connects a pipe in the seat or an exit on the rear side of the seat back, and the like needs to be provided on the blower, so the size and the weight further increase. In contrast to this, the centrifugal blower 1 of the present disclosure can be smaller than the centrifugal blower of Patent Document 1 by the high rigidity of the housing 4 and the omission of the appendage. In a seat for a vehicle, there has been no structure member like a blower for the purpose of an air conditioner in the past, and the seat on which the blower is installed has a foreign object in the seat cushion in substance. In order to make the passenger who sits not feel that the blower is a foreign object, the blower is downsized or the thickness of the seat cushion is increased. In view of the trend toward weight reduction and downsizing of vehicles in recent years, the centrifugal blower 1 of the present disclosure obviously has an effect corresponding to this trend.

[0035] In addition, the above-described embodiments have been described taking a seat air conditioner for a vehicle as an example, but are not limited thereto, and can also be used for a centrifugal blower for an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and the like. For example, the centrifugal blower 1 of the present disclosure can also be used in a vehicle HVAC other than a seat air conditioner. In the past, in an automobile, a space remaining after the seat air conditioner is provided with an air-conditioning blower (a scroll-type housing having a tongue portion, or the like), but due to the recent miniaturization of automobiles and the expansion of living spaces, and the like, the remaining space has decreased, and in addition, since the vehicle body structure of an electric automobile is different from that of a conventional automobile, research into a space in which to provide an air-conditioning blower has become a technical problem that has caused automobile designers to be concerned. By adopting a blower having the characteristics of a thin type, high pressure, and suction and exhaust having different directions, such as the centrifugal blower 1 of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of design of an automobile. If it is a conventional automobile, due to the location of the blower, HVAC-related devices are concentrated and provided in the vicinity of the knees of the front seat, but if it is the centrifugal blower 1 of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a plurality of the centrifugal blowers 1 dispersed on the ceiling, side walls, doors, and the like. By being combined with a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element, it is possible to achieve a space-saving dispersed air conditioner, and it is also possible to serve as a kind of aid to automobile design in which the space utilization efficiency is high. Even in a place other than a vehicle in which the remaining space is small and it is difficult to secure a space in which to provide a conventional air-conditioning blower, needless to say, the present disclosure also has an effect.

Claims

1. A centrifugal blower, wherein a centrifugal fan and a motor for rotating the centrifugal fan are housed in a housing, wherein air is drawn in from the axial center of the housing and exhausted from the radial side of the housing, wherein: The housing comprises: a first housing assembled to cover the centrifugal fan, having an air intake opening at an axial center portion and forming an annular first air supply path on a radially outer side; and a second housing having an annular second air supply path formed on the outer peripheral side of a bottom plate rotatably supporting the electric motor and radially outward of an outer peripheral end of the centrifugal fan, the second housing having an annular second air supply path combined with the first air supply path. The motor is accommodated in an axially overlapping manner in a dome-shaped space formed on the side opposite to the air intake opening by the hub of the centrifugal fan and a main plate connected thereto. An exhaust port is provided on a radial side surface of the second housing, separated by a diffuser formed upright on a bottom plate forming the second air flow path and connected to an annular end portion arranged radially outward.

2. The centrifugal blower according to claim 1, wherein: The diffuser includes a plurality of diffusion plates formed upright on the bottom plate at specified intervals. When looking down at the inner surface of the second shell, the diffusion plates are erected in an arc shape in a manner that gradually increases in height from the radial inner side to the radial outer side of the bottom plate forming the second air supply path, and are respectively connected to the annular end portions.

3. The centrifugal blower according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: On the inner wall surface between the radial inner wall and the radial outer wall formed upright along the concentric circle forming the first air supply path, when looking down at the first shell, protrusions connected in an arc shape are formed at specified intervals in a manner that gradually increases in height from the radial inner wall toward the radial outer wall.

4. The centrifugal blower according to claim 3, wherein: The protrusions constituting the first diffuser provided on the first air flow path of the first housing and the diffusion plate constituting the second diffuser provided on the second air flow path of the second housing are each formed in an arc shape along the rotation direction of the centrifugal fan.

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