Air blower

Abstract

To suppress generation of noise when air passing through a suction hole 12a is sucked to a plurality of air flow passages 41a of a multiblade fan 40.SOLUTION: A multiblade fan 40 sucks air through a suction hole 12a from one side in an axial direction Za by rotating a plurality of blades 41 to one side Ra in a rotating direction about an axis S, and blows out the air to a radial outer side about the axis S as a center. A plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 guide the air flowing therein from one side in an axial direction Za to the suction hole 12a to turn the air to the one side Ra in the rotating direction when the air is sucked to the plurality of air passages 41a through the suction hole 12a in accompany with the rotation of the plurality of blades 41. By providing the plurality of pre-rotation guides 50, the air passing through the suction hole 12a and flowing to one side in the axis direction Za is smoothly sucked to the plurality of air flow passages 41a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some blowers include a casing with an intake hole opening to one side in the axial direction, and a centrifugal fan disposed within the casing and having a number of blades arranged in a circumferential direction around the axis (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] As the centrifugal fan rotates around its axis, it draws air in between two adjacent blades of the multiple blades from one axial side of the casing through an intake hole, and then blows the air outward in the radial direction around the axis while rotating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-105575 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the blower of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, as the centrifugal fan rotates, air is drawn in between two adjacent blades among the multiple blades through an intake hole from one axial side of the casing, and this drawn in air is blown outward in the radial direction.

[0006] However, as described above, the flow direction of the air sucked in between two adjacent blades of the multiple blades through the intake hole from one side in the axial direction and the flow direction of the air blown out radially outward between two adjacent blades of the multiple blades are significantly different.

[0007] Therefore, as described above, when air passing through the intake hole from one axial side flows between two adjacent blades, disturbances are caused in the air flow, which may cause noise.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a blower that suppresses noise generation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 1, when the direction in which an axis (S) extends is taken as the axial direction, a casing (10B) having an intake hole (12a) opening to one side in the axial direction, a centrifugal fan (40) that is housed in a casing and has a plurality of blades (41) that are arranged in a circumferential direction about an axis, with an air flow path (41a) formed between two adjacent blades among the plurality of blades, and that draws air into the air flow path through an air intake hole from one side in the axial direction as the plurality of blades rotate in one direction about the axis, and blows the drawn air outward in the radial direction about the axis from the air flow path; and at least one guide (50) having a guide surface (51) that guides air drawn into the air flow path so that the air is drawn into the air flow path of the centrifugal fan while swirling in one direction of rotation.

[0010] Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 1, by providing at least one guide, the direction of the mainstream air flow sucked into the air flow path can be made closer to the direction of the mainstream air flow passing through the air flow path.

[0011] Therefore, the air guided by at least one guide is smoothly drawn into the air flow path, thereby making it possible to prevent abnormal noise from being generated when air is drawn into the air flow path.

[0012] The reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between the component and specific components described in the embodiments described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional configuration of a vehicle air conditioner in the first embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view for assisting in the explanation of the arrangement relationship between multiple pre-swirl guides and an air guide casing, and the swirling flow caused by the multiple pre-swirl guides. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 of the vehicle air conditioner of the first embodiment, and is a diagram for assisting in explaining the positional relationship between the multiple pre-rotation guides, the multiple blades, and the intake port forming portion that constitute the vehicle air conditioner. [Diagram 3] 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, illustrating the positional relationship between a plurality of pre-rotation guides, a plurality of blades, and an air intake port forming portion in a vehicle air conditioner in a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 11 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a vehicle air conditioner in a third embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view for assisting in the explanation of the arrangement relationship between a plurality of pre-rotation guides and an air guide casing, and corresponds to FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a vehicle air conditioner in a fourth embodiment, a cross-sectional view for assisting in the explanation of the arrangement relationship between a plurality of pre-rotation guides and an air guide casing, and a diagram corresponding to FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of a vehicle air conditioner in a fifth embodiment, a cross-sectional view for assisting in the explanation of the arrangement relationship between a plurality of pre-rotation guides and an air guide casing, and a diagram corresponding to FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram for assisting in the explanation of the positional relationship between a plurality of pre-rotation guides, a plurality of blades, and an air intake port forming portion in a vehicle air conditioner in a sixth embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 2. [Figure 8]13 is a diagram for assisting in the explanation of the positional relationship between a plurality of pre-rotation guides, a plurality of blades, and an air intake port forming portion in a vehicle air conditioner in a seventh embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional configuration of a vehicle air conditioner in an eighth embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view to assist in explaining the arrangement relationship between multiple pre-swirl guides and an intake port forming portion, and the swirling flow caused by the multiple pre-swirl guides. [Figure 10] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 9 in the vehicle air conditioner of the eighth embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view for assisting in the description of the positional relationship among the guide unit, the multiple pre-rotation guides, and the ring portion. FIG. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling portion of a scroll casing 10B in a vehicle air conditioner of the eighth embodiment, cut along an imaginary plane including the axis, and is a view to assist in explaining the positional relationship between multiple pre-rotation guides and ring portions of the guide unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings in order to simplify the description.

[0015] (First embodiment) 1 and 2 show an interior air conditioning unit 1 of a vehicle air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The interior air conditioning unit 1 of the present embodiment is disposed in a vehicle cabin, draws in air inside or outside the vehicle cabin, adjusts the temperature of the drawn-in air, and blows it out into the vehicle cabin.

[0016] Specifically, the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment includes an air guide casing 10A, a scroll casing 10B, a filter 20, a heat exchanger 30, a multi-blade fan 40, and a plurality of pre-rotation guides 50, as shown in FIGS.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the air guide casing 10A cut at a plane perpendicular to the axis S, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the axis S is the rotation center line of the multi-blade fan 40, and the axial direction Za is the direction in which the axis S extends.

[0018] The air guide casing 10A is made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material, and forms an air flow path 11 that allows air to flow from one side to the other side in the axial direction Za. The air flow path 11 is an air flow path for guiding the air inside the vehicle cabin or the air outside the vehicle cabin to the intake hole 12a of the scroll casing 10B.

[0019] The filter 20 is disposed within the air guide casing 10A and filters the air flowing through the air flow path 11.

[0020] The heat exchanger 30 is disposed inside the air guide casing 10A, and is a cooling heat exchanger that cools the air by exchanging heat between the air in the air flow passage 11 that has passed through the filter 20 and the refrigerant.

[0021] The heat exchanger 30 may be a heating heat exchanger that heats the air by exchanging heat between the air in the air passage 11 that has passed through the filter 20 and the refrigerant. The heat exchanger 30 may be both a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger.

[0022] The scroll casing 10B is disposed on the other side of the air guide casing 10A in the axial direction Za. The scroll casing 10B is formed of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. The scroll casing 10B houses the multi-blade fan 40.

[0023] The scroll casing 10B includes a ceiling portion 12 formed to cover one side in the axial direction Za of the multi-blade fan 40. The ceiling portion 12 is provided with an intake hole 12a that opens to one side in the axial direction Za.

[0024] The air intake hole 12a is an air passage for guiding airflow from the air flow path 11 of the air guide casing 10A to the multi-blade fan 40 in the scroll casing 10B. The air intake hole 12a in this embodiment is formed in a circular shape centered on the axis S. The air intake hole forming portion 13 of the ceiling portion 12 that constitutes the air intake hole 12a constitutes a bellmouth.

[0025] 2, the bell mouth is formed in an arc shape that is convex on one side in the axial direction Za in a cross section cut along an imaginary plane including the axis S. The bell mouth is provided over the entire circumferential direction around the axis S.

[0026] The bell mouth plays a role in smoothly guiding air in the air flow passage 11 of the air guide casing 10A from the outside in the radial direction Ka about the axis S (ie, the radially outer side) to the other side in the axial direction Za.

[0027] The scroll casing 10B is provided with an outlet 14 through which air is blown out from the multi-blade fan 40.

[0028] The multi-blade fan 40 rotates on one side Ra of the rotational direction centered on the axis S, thereby forming a centrifugal fan that blows out air flowing in from one side in the axial direction Za through the intake hole 12a outward in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multi-blade fan 40 of this embodiment is a turbofan including a plurality of blades 41, a main plate 42, and a ring 43.

[0030] The multiple blades 41 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the axis S. Each of the multiple blades 41 is formed so as to progress toward one side Ra of the rotation direction as it moves from the outside to the inside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0031] An air flow passage 41a is provided between two adjacent blades 41 among the multiple blades 41, which uses centrifugal force to blow air flowing in through the intake hole 12a of the scroll casing 10B outward in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0032] The main plate 42 is disposed on the other side in the axial direction Za of the multiple blades 41. The main plate 42 is formed in a circular plate shape centered on the axis S. The main plate 42 supports the multiple blades 41 from the other side in the axial direction Za.

[0033] The ring 43 is disposed on one side in the axial direction Za of the multiple blades 41. The ring 43 is formed in a ring shape centered on the axis S. The ring 43 supports the multiple blades 41 from one side in the axial direction Za.

[0034] The blades 41, the main plate 42, and the ring 43 are made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material. The multi-blade fan 40 of this embodiment is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and is configured to rotate on one side Ra of a rotation direction about an axis S.

[0035] The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are guides that guide the air to be sucked into the multiple air passages 41a of the multi-blade fan 40 so that the air is sucked into the multiple air passages 41a of the multi-blade fan 40 while rotating to one side Ra of the rotation direction.

[0036] The outer regions of the plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S are disposed on one side of the ceiling portion 12 of the scroll casing 10B in the axial direction Za. In other words, the outer regions of the plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S are disposed outside the intake hole 12a of the scroll casing 10B.

[0037] The inner region of each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S is disposed inside (i.e., radially inward) in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S with respect to the intake hole 12a of the scroll casing 10B.

[0038] The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are arranged in a circumferential direction centered on the axis S. Specifically, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction centered on the axis S. The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each formed from the outside to the inside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S with respect to the intake port 12a.

[0039] The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are formed so as to protrude from the ceiling portion 12 and the air intake hole forming portion 13. The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are supported by the ceiling portion 12 and the air intake hole forming portion 13, respectively.

[0040] Each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 is formed to advance toward the other rotation direction side Rb from the inside toward the outside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S. The other rotation direction side Rb is opposite to the one rotation direction side Ra.

[0041] Each of the pre-rotation guides 50 includes side surfaces 51 and 52. The side surface 51 is a first guide surface formed on one side Ra in the rotation direction of each of the pre-rotation guides 50.

[0042] The side surface 52 is a second guide surface formed on the other rotation direction side Rb in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50. The side surfaces 51, 52 are each formed to progress toward the other rotation direction side Rb as they move from the inside to the outside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0043] Each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 is formed in a thin plate shape with a thickness equal to the distance between the side surfaces 51, 52. A plurality of inter-guide flow paths 53 are provided between two adjacent pre-rotation guides 50 among the multiple pre-rotation guides 50.

[0044] Each side surface 51, 52 of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 is a guide surface that guides the air flowing into the multiple inter-guide flow passages 53 so that the air passing through the intake hole 12a is sucked into the multiple air flow passages 41a of the multi-blade fan 40 while swirling to one side Ra in the rotation direction.

[0045] For ease of explanation, in the following description, in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, the areas that are arranged inside the intake port formation portion 13 in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S are referred to as multiple guide inner areas 50A.

[0046] Here, the other end portion 50a in the axial direction Za of each of the multiple guide inner regions 50A is provided at the same position in the axial direction Za as the formation portion end portion 13a of the intake hole formation portion 13 on the other side in the axial direction Za, as shown in Figure 2.

[0047] The other end portion 50a in the axial direction Za of each of the multiple guide inner regions 50A is located on one side in the axial direction Za with respect to a ceiling surface 12c located on the other side in the axial direction Za of the ceiling portion 12 of the scroll casing 10B.

[0048] The forming portion end portion 13a is formed so as to surround the intake hole end 12b located at the most other side in the axial direction Za (i.e., the most other side in the axial direction) of the intake hole 12a. Each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 of this embodiment is made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material.

[0049] Specifically, each of the pre-rotation guides 50 constitutes an integrated component that is integrated with the scroll casing 10B. Note that each of the pre-rotation guides 50 is configured separately from the scroll casing 10B. In this embodiment, in the vehicle interior air-conditioning unit 1, the scroll casing 10B, the multi-blade fan 40, and the pre-rotation guides 50 constitute a blower.

[0050] Next, the operation of the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0051] First, the multi-blade fan 40 is driven by the electric motor to rotate in one rotation direction Ra about the axis S. Accordingly, an air flow from one side to the other side in the axial direction Za is generated as shown by the arrow F in the air flow passage 11 of the air guide casing 10A.

[0052] At this time, the air in the air flow path 11 passes through the filter 20 and is filtered by the filter 20. The air filtered by the filter 20 is cooled by the refrigerant when passing through the heat exchanger 30.

[0053] The air to be cooled passes through an inter-guide flow passage 53 between two adjacent pre-rotation guides 50 among the plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 , and is guided by the side surfaces 51 , 52 of each of the plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 .

[0054] As a result, the air that has passed through the multiple inter-guide flow passages 53 passes through the intake holes 12a while swirling to one side Ra in the rotation direction as indicated by arrow Q in FIG.

[0055] That is, the air that has passed through the plurality of inter-guide flow passages 53 passes through the intake holes 12a as a swirling flow, and is smoothly drawn into the plurality of air flow passages 41a of the multi-blade fan 40.

[0056] The air sucked into each of the plurality of air flow paths 41a is blown outward in a radial direction Ka about the axis S by centrifugal force while rotating on one side Ra in the rotational direction.

[0057] The air blown out from these multi-blade fans 40 is collected by the scroll casing 10B and blown out from the air outlet 14 as indicated by arrow R.

[0058] According to the present embodiment described above, the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1 includes a scroll casing 10B having an intake hole 12a opening to one side in the axial direction Za, where the direction in which the axis S extends is the axial direction Za.

[0059] The multi-blade fan 40 is a centrifugal fan in which multiple blades 41 rotate on one side Ra of the rotational direction around the axis S, drawing in air from one side of the axial direction Za through the intake holes 12a and blowing it outward in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0060] The plurality of blades 41 are housed in the scroll casing 10B, and are arranged in a circumferential direction centered on the axis S. Between two adjacent blades 41 among the plurality of blades 41, an air flow passage 41a is defined.

[0061] The vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1 includes a plurality of pre-rotation guides 50. Side surfaces 51, 52 of the plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 guide the air drawn into the plurality of air flow paths 41a so that the air is drawn into the plurality of air flow paths 41a while swirling toward one side Ra in the rotation direction.

[0062] Therefore, by providing a plurality of pre-rotation guides 50, the direction of the main flow of air sucked into the plurality of air flow paths 41a can be made closer to the direction of the main flow of air flowing through the plurality of air flow paths 41a.

[0063] Therefore, the airflow that has passed through the intake hole 12a is smoothly drawn into the multiple air flow paths 41a. This makes it possible to prevent abnormal noise from being generated when the air that has passed through the intake hole 12a is drawn into the multiple air flow paths 41a.

[0064] In this embodiment, the other end portion 50a in the axial direction Za of each of the multiple guide inner regions 50A is provided at the same position as the formation portion end portion 13a of the intake hole formation portion 13 on the other side in the axial direction Za.

[0065] Therefore, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 can effectively guide the air passing through each of the multiple inter-guide flow passages 53 so that the side surfaces 51 and 52 swirl the air to one side Ra in the rotation direction.

[0066] Second embodiment In the above first embodiment, an example was described in which the other end portion 50a in the axial direction Za of each of the multiple guide inner regions 50A is provided at the same position in the axial direction Za as the formation portion end portion 13a of the intake hole formation portion 13 on the other side in the axial direction Za.

[0067] However, instead of this, in the present second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the other end portion 50a in the axial direction Za of each of the multiple guide inner regions 50A is positioned on the other side in the axial direction Za with respect to the formation portion end portion 13a of the intake hole formation portion 13 on the other side in the axial direction Za.

[0068] As described above, the formation portion end portion 13a on the other side in the axial direction Za of the air intake hole formation portion 13 is formed so as to surround the air intake hole end 12b of the air intake hole 12a which is located furthest on the other side in the axial direction Za. In Fig. 3, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 2 indicate the same things, and their explanation will be omitted.

[0069] The other end portion 50a in the axial direction Za of each of the multiple guide inner regions 50A is located on the other side in the axial direction Za with respect to a ceiling surface 12c located on the other side in the axial direction Za of the ceiling portion 12 of the scroll casing 10B.

[0070] The end portion 13a of the intake hole formation portion 13 on the other side in the axial direction Za is located on the other side in the axial direction Za with respect to the ceiling surface 12c.

[0071] According to the present embodiment described above, the other end portion 50a in the axial direction Za of each of the multiple guide inner regions 50A is, as described above, positioned on the other side in the axial direction Za of the formation portion end portion 13a of the intake hole formation portion 13 on the other side in the axial direction Za.

[0072] Therefore, the other end portions 50a in the axial direction Za of the plurality of guide inner regions 50A can be brought closer to the plurality of air flow paths 41a of the multi-blade fan 40, compared to the first embodiment.

[0073] Therefore, compared to the above-described first embodiment, the side surfaces 51, 52 can better guide the air drawn into the multiple air passages 41a of the multi-blade fan 40 while swirling the air toward one side Ra of the rotation direction.

[0074] Third embodiment In the above first embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are formed in a thin plate shape.

[0075] However, instead of this, a third embodiment in which a plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 are each formed in a curved shape that is convex toward one side Ra in the rotation direction will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 indicate the same things, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] Each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 of the present embodiment has side surfaces 51 and 52. The side surfaces 51 and 52 are guide surfaces that guide the air passing through the multiple inter-guide flow passages 53 so that the air is sucked into the multiple air passages 41a of the multi-blade fan 40 while swirling toward one side Ra in the rotation direction.

[0077] The side surface 51 is formed in an arc shape that is convex toward one side Ra in the rotation direction. The side surface 52 is formed in an arc shape that is concave toward one side Ra in the rotation direction.

[0078] In other words, the side surface 51 is formed in an arc shape that is convex toward one side Ra in the rotation direction in a cross section taken along a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis S. The side surface 52 is formed in an arc shape that is concave toward one side Ra in the rotation direction in a cross section taken along a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis S.

[0079] As a result, side surface 51 and side surface 52 can appropriately guide the air passing through the multiple inter-guide flow paths 53 so that the air is swirled toward one side Ra of the rotation direction while being sucked into the multiple air flow paths 41a of the multi-blade fan 40.

[0080] (Fourth embodiment) In the above third embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each formed in a curved shape that is convex toward one side Ra in the rotation direction.

[0081] In addition to this, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 is formed so that its thickness decreases from the outside toward the inside in the radial direction Ka about the axis S.

[0082] The thickness is the dimension in the thickness direction, which is the direction connecting side surfaces 51 and 52. In other words, the thickness is the distance between side surfaces 51 and 52. In Fig. 5, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 indicate the same things, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] According to the present embodiment described above, the side surfaces 51, 52 can better guide the air drawn into the multiple air flow paths 41a of the multi-blade fan 40 while swirling it toward one side Ra of the rotation direction.

[0084] Fifth embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the axis line S. However, instead of this, in the present fifth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are arranged such that the intervals between any two pre-rotation guides 50 are unequal.

[0085] In this embodiment, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction about the axis S so as to form two or more different intervals. In Fig. 6, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 1 indicate the same things, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] Sixth embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which ten pre-rotation guides 50 are provided in the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1. However, the present sixth embodiment is not limited to this, and the number of pre-rotation guides 50 in the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1 may be one or more, and for example, two pre-rotation guides 50 may be provided as shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 1 indicate the same things, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] Seventh embodiment In the seventh embodiment, an example in which the end portions 54 on one side in the axial direction Za of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 of the first embodiment are formed so as to move toward one side in the axial direction Za as they move from the inside to the outside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 2 indicate the same things, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] In this embodiment, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each disposed inside the air guide casing 10A. The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each disposed outside the scroll casing 10B.

[0089] As in the first embodiment, each of the pre-rotation guides 50 includes side surfaces 51 and 52. The side surface 51 is a first guide surface formed on one side Ra in the rotation direction of each of the pre-rotation guides 50.

[0090] The side surface 52 is a second guide surface formed on the other rotation direction side Rb in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50. The side surfaces 51, 52 are each formed to progress toward the other rotation direction side Rb as they move from the inside to the outside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0091] The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each disposed on one side of the ceiling portion 12 of the scroll casing 10B in the axial direction Za. The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each disposed outside the intake hole forming portion 13 in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0092] For ease of explanation, in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, the outer half region in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S is referred to as the outer half region 50b. In each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, the inner half region in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S is referred to as the inner half region 50c.

[0093] In FIG. 8, a boundary E indicates the center of the radial direction Ka about the axis S in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, and indicates the boundary between the outer half region 50b and the inner half region 50c.

[0094] In this embodiment, in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, the distance between the outer end in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S and the boundary E is the same as the distance between the inner end in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S and the boundary E.

[0095] In each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 of this embodiment, one end 54 in the axial direction Za (i.e., one end in the guide axial direction) is formed so as to progress to one side in the axial direction Za as it moves from the inside to the outside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S.

[0096] For this reason, the dimensions of each of the side surfaces 51, 52 in the axial direction Za become larger from the inside toward the outside in the radial direction Ka about the axis S.

[0097] That is, in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, one end 54 in the axial direction Za of the outer half region 50b is disposed on one side in the axial direction Za compared to one end 54 in the inner half region 50c in the axial direction Za. In Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 indicate the same things, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] As a result, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 of this embodiment can guide a greater volume of air to be sucked into the multi-blade fan 40 while swirling it to one side Ra of the rotation direction on the outside in the radial direction Ka, compared to the first embodiment described above.

[0099] Here, within the air guide casing 10A, the flow rate of air flowing from one side in the axial direction za to the air intake hole 12a is greater on the inside in the radial direction Ka about the axis S than on the outside in the radial direction Ka.

[0100] In each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, the closer the one side end 54 is to the other side in the axial direction Za, the greater the pressure loss of the air flowing into the intake hole 12a.

[0101] On the other hand, in each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, one end 54 of the inner half region 50c in the axial direction Za is positioned on the other side in the axial direction Za compared to one end 54 of the outer half region 50b in the axial direction Za.

[0102] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pressure loss of the air flowing into the intake hole 12a caused by the inside of each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 in the radial direction Ka from occurring.

[0103] As a result, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 can suppress pressure loss in the air flow rate, while swirling a large volume of air to one side Ra of the rotation direction and guiding it to be sucked into the multiple air flow paths 41a of the multi-blade fan 40.

[0104] Eighth embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 each constitute an integrated component that is integrated with the ceiling portion 12 of the scroll casing 10B. However, instead of this, a seventh embodiment in which the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each configured independently of the scroll casing 10B will be described with reference to Figs. 9, 10, and 11.

[0105] 9 and 10, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate the same elements, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] In the seventh embodiment, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50, together with a ring portion 151, form a guide unit 150 as shown in FIGS.

[0107] 10, the ring portion 151 is formed in a ring shape centered on the axis S. The ring portion 151 is fitted into the air intake hole forming portion 13. The ring portion 151 is fixed to the ceiling portion 12 of the scroll casing 10B in a state where it is pressed into the air intake hole forming portion 13, for example.

[0108] The ring portion 151 may be fixed to the ceiling portion 12 of the scroll casing 10B using an adhesive or the like.

[0109] The multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are formed so as to protrude inward in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S from the ring portion 151. Therefore, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each disposed on the inner side in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S with respect to the intake port forming portion 13.

[0110] In this embodiment, the plurality of pre-rotation guides 50 constitute a guide unit 150 which is an integrated component integrated with a ring portion 151. The guide unit 150 is configured independently of the scroll casing 10B.

[0111] That is, the plurality of pre-orbiting guides 50 are configured independently of the scroll casing 10B. That is, the plurality of pre-orbiting guides 50 are configured separately from the scroll casing 10B.

[0112] According to the present embodiment described above, the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 are each disposed by the guide units 150 on the inside in the radial direction Ka centered on the axis S with respect to the intake port formation section 13 .

[0113] Each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 has a side surface 51, 52. Each of the side surfaces 51, 52 is formed so as to progress toward the other rotation direction side Rb as it moves from the inside to the outside in the radial direction Ka about the axis S.

[0114] As a result, the side surfaces 51, 52 of each of the multiple pre-rotation guides 50 can guide the air passing through each of the multiple inter-guide flow paths 53 within the intake hole 12a so as to swirl the air to one side Ra in the rotation direction.

[0115] (Other embodiments)

[0116] (1) In the above first to seventh embodiments, the blower of the present invention is applied to the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the blower of the present invention may be applied to air conditioning equipment other than the vehicle interior air conditioning unit 1.

[0117] (2) In the above first to seventh embodiments, an example has been described in which a turbofan is used as the multi-blade fan 40. However, instead of this, various types of centrifugal fans, such as a sirocco fan, other than a turbofan may be used as the multi-blade fan 40.

[0118] (3) In the above first to seventh embodiments, an example has been described in which the air intake hole forming portion 13 of the scroll casing 10B forms a bellmouth. However, this is not limited to the above, and the air intake hole forming portion 13 of the scroll casing 10B does not have to form a bellmouth.

[0119] (4) Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. The above-described embodiments are not unrelated to each other, and can be combined as appropriate, except when the combination is clearly impossible. Needless to say, in each of the above-described embodiments, the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential, except when it is specifically stated that they are essential or when it is clearly considered to be essential in principle. In each of the above-described embodiments, when the numbers, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of the components of the embodiment are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers, except when it is specifically stated that they are essential or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle. In each of the above-described embodiments, when the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of the components are mentioned, they are not limited to the shapes, positional relationships, etc., except when it is specifically stated that they are essential or when it is clearly limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0120] (Features of the present invention)

[0121] [Claim 1] a casing (10B) having an intake hole (12a) opening to one side in the axial direction, the intake hole (12a) being defined as an axial direction along which an axis (S) extends; a centrifugal fan (40) that is housed in the casing and has a plurality of blades (41) that are arranged in a circumferential direction about the axis, an air flow path (41a) is formed between two adjacent blades among the plurality of blades, and the plurality of blades rotate in one direction in a rotational direction about the axis, thereby drawing air into the air flow path through the air intake hole from one side in the axial direction and blowing the drawn air outward in a radial direction about the axis; at least one guide (50) having a guide surface (51) for guiding air drawn into the air flow path so that the air is drawn into the air flow path of the centrifugal fan while swirling in one direction of the rotation; A blower comprising:

[0122] [Claim 2] 2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface is formed so as to progress toward the other side in the rotation direction as it moves from a radially inner side to a radially outer side about the axis.

[0123] [Claim 3] The guide surface is a first guide surface (51) provided on one side of the at least one guide in the rotation direction, The blower according to claim 2, wherein a second guide surface (52) is provided on the other side of the rotational direction of the at least one guide, the second guide surface (52) being formed to progress toward the other side of the rotational direction as it moves from the radially inner side toward the radially outer side, and guiding the air drawn into the air flow path such that the air is drawn into the air flow path of the centrifugal fan while swirling toward the one side of the rotational direction.

[0124] [Claim 4] The first guide surface is formed in an arc shape that is convex toward one side in the rotation direction, 4. The blower according to claim 3, wherein the second guide surface is formed in an arc shape recessed toward one side in the rotation direction.

[0125] [Claim 5] When the distance between the first guide surface and the second guide surface is defined as a thickness, 4. The blower according to claim 3, wherein the at least one guide is formed so that the thickness decreases from an outer side toward an inner side in the radial direction about the axis.

[0126] [Claim 6] 6. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide comprises a plurality of guides arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction about the axis.

[0127] [Claim 7] 7. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of guides are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0128] [Claim 8] The casing includes an air intake hole forming portion (13) that forms the air intake hole, 8. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide is disposed radially inwardly of the intake hole formation portion about the axis.

[0129] [Claim 9] The casing includes an air intake hole forming portion (13) that forms the air intake hole, the air intake hole forming portion includes a forming portion end portion (13a) formed so as to surround an air intake hole end (12b) located closest to the other axial side of the air intake holes, 9. A blower as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when an area of ​​the at least one guide that is positioned radially inward from the air intake hole formation portion about the axis is defined as a guide inner area (50A), the other end (50a) of the guide inner area in the axial direction is located on the other side in the axial direction from the formation portion end.

[0130] [Claim 10] The at least one guide is disposed on an exterior side of the casing; When one end portion of the at least one guide in the axial direction is defined as a guide axial direction one end portion (54), 10. A blower as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in at least one of the guides, an outer half region (50b) centered on the axis has one end portion in the guide axial direction positioned on one side in the axial direction compared to an inner half region (50c) centered on the axis.

[0131] [Claim 11] 11. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the one or more guides are provided separately from the casing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1 Vehicle interior air conditioning unit 10A Air guide casing 10B Scroll casing 13 Bellmouth 40 Multi-blade fan 41 Blade 50 Pre-rotation guide 50a Radial inner end 51 Side 52 Side 53 Inter-guide passage 54 One side end

Claims

1. A casing (10B) having an intake hole (12a) opening to one side in the axial direction, the intake hole (12a) being defined as an axial direction along which an axis (S) extends; a centrifugal fan (40) that is housed in the casing and has a plurality of blades (41) that are arranged in a circumferential direction about the axis, an air flow path (41a) is formed between two adjacent blades among the plurality of blades, and the plurality of blades rotate in one direction in a rotational direction about the axis, thereby drawing air into the air flow path through the air intake hole from one side in the axial direction and blowing the drawn air outward in a radial direction about the axis; At least one guide (50) having a guide surface (51) for guiding air drawn into the air flow path so that the air is drawn into the air flow path of the centrifugal fan while swirling in one direction of the rotation direction; A blower comprising:

2. The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the guide surface is formed so as to progress toward the other side in the rotation direction as it moves from an inner side in the radial direction about the axis toward an outer side in the radial direction.

3. The guide surface is a first guide surface (51) provided on one side of the at least one guide in the rotation direction, 3. The blower according to claim 2, wherein a second guide surface (52) is provided on the other side of the at least one guide in the rotational direction, the second guide surface being formed so as to progress toward the other side of the rotational direction as it moves from the radially inner side toward the radially outer side, and which guides the air drawn into the air flow path so that the air is drawn into the air flow path of the centrifugal fan while swirling toward one side of the rotational direction.

4. The first guide surface is formed in an arc shape that is convex toward one side in the rotation direction, The blower according to claim 3 , wherein the second guide surface is formed in an arc shape recessed toward one side in the rotation direction.

5. When the distance between the first guide surface and the second guide surface is defined as a thickness, The blower according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one guide is formed such that the thickness decreases from an outer side toward an inner side in the radial direction about the axis.

6. 2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide comprises a plurality of guides arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction about the axis.

7. The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of guides are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

8. The casing includes an air intake hole forming portion (13) that forms the air intake hole, The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide is disposed radially inwardly of the intake hole formation portion about the axis.

9. The casing includes an air intake hole forming portion (13) that forms the air intake hole, the air intake hole forming portion includes a forming portion end portion (13a) formed so as to surround an air intake hole end (12b) located closest to the other axial side of the air intake hole, The blower of claim 1, wherein when a region of the at least one guide that is positioned radially inward from the air intake hole forming portion about the axis is defined as a guide inner region (50A), the other end portion (50a) of the guide inner region in the axial direction is located on the other side in the axial direction from the forming portion end portion.

10. the at least one guide is disposed on an exterior of the casing; When one end portion of the at least one guide in the axial direction is defined as a guide axial direction one end portion (54), 2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein in the at least one guide, an outer half region (50b) centered on the axis has an end portion on one side in the axial direction of the guide compared to an inner half region (50c) centered on the axis.

11. The blower of claim 1 , wherein the one or more guides are provided separately from the casing.

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