Fan device

Abstract

To provide a fan device capable of suppressing the occurrence of problems due to dust clogging.SOLUTION: A fan device is equipped with a hub, and a plurality of rotors. The hub rotates about a first direction. The plurality of rotors is disposed along a peripheral edge of the hub and integrally rotates with the hub. The rotor is equipped with a blade, and an inverting mechanism. The blade has a rotary shaft capable of rotating about a second direction intersecting the first direction. The inverting mechanism inverts a rotating direction of the blade from one direction to the other direction, if the hub rotates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In electronic devices such as personal computers and servers, there is known a fan device that generates an airflow by using a plurality of rotor blades that rotate about an axis to cool electronic components inside a housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-183829 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, the direction of the airflow generated by a fan device is fixed. For this reason, dust and other particles tend to accumulate in spaces outside the airflow path, such as the blades of the fan device and their vicinity. If dust and other particles accumulate, electronic components may become clogged with dust, which may cause problems such as thermal runaway due to overheating in the electronic device.

[0005] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a fan device capable of suppressing the occurrence of problems caused by clogging with dust. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A fan device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a hub and a plurality of rotating bodies. The hub rotates about an axis in a first direction. The plurality of rotating bodies are arranged along the periphery of the hub and rotate integrally with the hub. The rotating bodies include blades and a reversing mechanism. The blades have a rotation axis that is rotatable about an axis in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. The reversing mechanism reverses the rotation direction of the blades from one direction to another when the hub rotates.

[0007] In the fan device, the reversing mechanism has a disk, a first biasing part, and a conversion mechanism. The disk is penetrated by the rotation axis of the blades. The first biasing part biases the disk in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the hub. The conversion mechanism converts the motion of the disk along the rotation axis of the blades, which is generated by the centrifugal force and the first biasing part, into a reversing force that reverses the rotation direction of the blades.

[0008] In the fan device, the conversion mechanism has a groove, a pushing portion, and a second biasing portion. The groove is provided on the surface of the rotating shaft and forms a loop. The pushing portion is provided inside the disk, extends in a third direction, and is movable in the second direction together with the disk. The second biasing portion biases the pushing portion in the third direction. An end of the pushing portion in the third direction fits into a part of the groove. The movement of the pushing portion along the groove, which is generated by the centrifugal force and the first biasing portion, is converted into a reversing force that reverses the rotation direction of the blades. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the above aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a fan device that can suppress the occurrence of problems caused by clogging with dust. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a fan device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a rotor of the fan device of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a blade of the fan device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a fan device in which grooves are formed according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the disk and the conversion mechanism of the fan device of the embodiment taken along line F5-F5 in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view showing a rotating body of the fan device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation speed of the fan device and time. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the grooves and the rods, and the rotation angle of the blades. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fan device 1 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and results (effects) brought about by the configuration are merely examples, and are not limited to the contents described below. Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish parts and members, and do not indicate order or priority.

[0012] First, the outline and structure of a fan device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a fan device 1 according to one embodiment. The fan device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a device for cooling electronic components inside a housing of an electronic device such as a personal computer or a server by generating an airflow using a plurality of rotor blades that rotate around an axis.

[0013] 1, the fan device 1 includes a hub 10 and six rotors 11. The number of rotors 11 can be any number depending on the design. The hub 10 is a member that includes a motor (not shown) that rotates the fan device 1. The hub 10 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is located at the center of the fan device 1.

[0014] In each drawing, in order to make the description easier to understand, a coordinate system may be illustrated and described in which the direction in which the rotor 11 rotates is the circumferential direction of the hub 10, the radial direction of the hub 10 is the radial direction of the hub 10, and the direction in which the rotation axis Ax1 of the hub 10 extends is the axial direction of the hub 10. In addition, among the radial directions of the hub 10, the direction toward the rotation axis Ax1 of the hub 10 may be referred to as the inward direction, and the direction away from the rotation axis Ax1 of the hub 10 may be referred to as the outward direction. Note that the expressions indicating the directions as described above in this embodiment are names for convenience, and do not limit the position, attitude, and usage mode of the fan device 1. In addition, the axial direction of the hub 10 is an example of a first direction.

[0015] The hub 10 further has a side wall 23. The side wall 23 is formed into a curved surface and faces radially outward of the hub 10. The six rotating bodies 11 each protrude radially outward from the side wall 23 of the hub 10 and are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the hub 10.

[0016] The hub 10 and the six rotors 11 are covered by a frame (not shown). The hub 10 and the six rotors 11 are supported by the frame so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the hub 10. The fan device 1 is an axial fan that generates an airflow that is drawn in through an intake port and exhausted from an exhaust port by the rotors 11 rotating in the circumferential direction of the hub 10. When each rotor 11 rotates in the circumferential direction of the hub 10, a centrifugal force F1 acts on each rotor 11 in a radially outward direction of the hub 10.

[0017] 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the rotor 11 of the fan device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotor 11 has blades 25, a cylinder 26, and a reversing mechanism .

[0018] The blade 25 is a portion that generates an airflow in a fixed direction when the rotor 11 rotates in the circumferential direction of the hub 10. The blade 25 is formed in a generally fan-like shape so as to widen as it moves away from the rotation axis Ax1 of the hub 10. The shape of the blade 25 is not limited thereto. The blade 25 has a front surface 41 that forms a fixed angle with respect to the circumferential direction of the hub 10. The blade 25 can rotate a fixed angle around the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25. A shaft 32 is connected to the blade 25.

[0019] The shaft 32 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape and extends in the radial direction of the hub 10. The shaft 32 is fixed to the blade 25 at an end portion on the radially outer side of the hub 10. More specifically, the shaft 32 is connected to the blade 25 at a position where a midline of the blade 25 in the width direction and the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25 overlap with each other.

[0020] The shaft 32 is provided so as to be rotatable at a fixed angle around the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25. The rotation axis of the blade 25 and the rotation axis of the shaft 32 coincide with each other. That is, the blade 25 and the shaft 32 rotate together around the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25.

[0021] In each drawing, the direction in which the shaft 32 rotates is defined as the circumferential direction of the shaft 32. A clockwise direction may be referred to as a clockwise direction, and a counterclockwise direction may be referred to as a counterclockwise direction. The radial direction of the shaft 32 may be referred to as a radial direction of the shaft 32, and the direction toward the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25 in the radial direction of the shaft 32 may be referred to as an inward direction, and the direction away from the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25 may be referred to as an outward direction. A coordinate system may be illustrated and described in which the direction in which the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25 extends is the axial direction of the shaft 32, the direction toward the blades 25 in the axial direction of the shaft 32 is the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32, and the direction toward the hub 10 is the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32. The expressions indicating the directions as described above in this embodiment are names for convenience, and do not limit the position, attitude, and usage mode of the fan device 1. The axial direction of the shaft 32 is an example of a second direction. The radial direction of the shaft 32 is an example of a third direction.

[0022] The front surface 41 faces in the radial direction of the shaft 32. The front surface 41 is formed to be approximately flat. The front surface 41 is a surface that faces the rotation direction when the rotor 11 rotates in the circumferential direction of the hub 10. The front surface 41 pushes out air in the rotation direction, thereby generating an airflow in a fixed direction.

[0023] Cylinder 26 forms a hollow cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of shaft 32. Cylinder 26 covers at least a portion of shaft 32. Cylinder 26 has an upper surface 33, a lower surface 34, a pair of shaft holes 35, and three guide rails 36. Blade 25 stops in a state where it has rotated a certain angle relative to cylinder 26 around rotation axis Ax2 of blade 25.

[0024] Top surface 33 is provided at an end of tube 26 in the axial direction (positive direction) of shaft 32. Top surface 33 faces approximately in the axial direction (positive direction) of shaft 32. Top surface 33 forms a generally circular shape in a plan view.

[0025] The lower surface 34 is provided at an end of the tube 26 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32. The lower surface 34 faces approximately in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32. The lower surface 34 forms a substantially circular shape in a plan view. The upper surface 33 and the lower surface 34 face each other in the axial direction of the shaft 32.

[0026] The pair of shaft holes 35 are holes provided near the center of the upper surface 33 and near the center of the lower surface 34, respectively. One shaft hole 35 faces approximately in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32. The other shaft hole 35 faces approximately in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32. The one shaft hole 35 and the other shaft hole 35 face each other in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The pair of shaft holes 35 form an approximately circular shape in a plan view.

[0027] A portion of the shaft 32 is inserted into each of the pair of shaft holes 35. The outer diameter of the shaft 32 is slightly smaller than the hole diameter of the pair of shaft holes 35. Therefore, the shaft 32 can rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 around the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25.

[0028] The three guide rails 36 each form a generally cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The three guide rails 36 contact the upper surface 33 at their ends in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32. The three guide rails 36 contact the lower surface 34 at their ends in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32.

[0029] The three guide rails 36 are disposed at approximately equal intervals from one another in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32. The three guide rails 36 are disposed inside the tube 26, at radially outward ends of the shaft 32.

[0030] The reversing mechanism 28 is a mechanism that reverses the rotation direction of the blades 25 from one direction to the other direction when the hub 10 rotates. The reversing mechanism 28 has a disk 37, an axial spring 38, and a conversion mechanism 39. The axial spring 38 is an example of a first biasing portion.

[0031] The disk 37 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape in a plan view. The disk 37 is provided between the upper surface 33 and the lower surface 34. One end surface of the disk 37 faces generally in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32. The other end surface of the disk 37 faces generally in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32.

[0032] The shaft spring 38 is an elastic body that extends in the axial direction of the shaft 32 so as to cover at least a portion of the shaft 32 and elastically deforms in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The length of the shaft spring 38 in the axial direction of the shaft 32 is shorter than the length of the tube 26 in the axial direction of the shaft 32.

[0033] The shaft spring 38 is fixed, for example, by gluing, to the end face of the tube 26 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 inside the tube 26. The shaft spring 38 is fixed, for example, by gluing, to the end face of the disk 37 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 inside the tube 26. That is, the shaft spring 38 urges the disk 37 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32 against the end face of the tube 26 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 inside the tube 26. The shaft spring 38 can move in the axial direction of the shaft 32 integrally with the disk 37.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the blade 25 of the fan unit 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft 32 has a surface 42. The surface 42 is an end face of the shaft 32 on the radially outer side of the shaft 32. The surface 42 is formed of a curved surface over its entirety. The surface 42 has a groove 52. The groove 52 is an example of a groove portion.

[0035] Groove 52 is recessed over the entire surface 42 radially inwardly of shaft 32. Groove 52 may be provided at any position on surface 42 in the axial and circumferential directions of shaft 32 depending on the design of fan device 1, and the detailed position will be described later.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the fan unit 1 in which the groove 52 of this embodiment is formed. As shown in Fig. 4, the groove 52 has a first vertical groove 61, a first horizontal groove 62, a second vertical groove 63, a second horizontal groove 64, a first step 65, a second step 66, a third step 67, a first convex portion 68, and a second convex portion 69.

[0037] The first longitudinal groove 61 extends linearly in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The first lateral groove 62 communicates with the first longitudinal groove 61 at an end of the first longitudinal groove 61 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32. The first lateral groove 62 extends linearly and obliquely from the end of the first longitudinal groove 61 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 (clockwise direction) toward the rotation axis Ax1 of the hub 10.

[0038] The second longitudinal groove 63 extends linearly in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The second longitudinal groove 63 communicates with the first lateral groove 62 at an end of the first lateral groove 62 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 (clockwise direction).

[0039] The second lateral groove 64 communicates with the first longitudinal groove 61 at an end of the first longitudinal groove 61 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32. The second lateral groove 64 communicates with the second longitudinal groove 63 at an end of the second longitudinal groove 63 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32. The second lateral groove 64 extends in a straight line obliquely from the end of the second longitudinal groove 63 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 (counterclockwise direction) toward the rotation axis Ax1 of the hub 10.

[0040] The length of each of the first vertical groove 61, the first horizontal groove 62, the second vertical groove 63, and the second horizontal groove 64 in the long side direction is determined arbitrarily depending on the design of the fan device 1. The length of each of the first vertical groove 61, the first horizontal groove 62, the second vertical groove 63, and the second horizontal groove 64 in the short side direction is slightly longer than the outer diameter of the rod 54 described later.

[0041] The first step 65 forms a convex shape that is convex radially outward of the shaft 32 with respect to the first lateral groove 62. The first step 65 is provided at the boundary between the first longitudinal groove 61 and the first lateral groove 62. The first step 65 extends in the direction of approximately the short side of the first longitudinal groove 61.

[0042] The second step 66 forms a convex shape that is convex radially outward of the shaft 32 with respect to the second longitudinal groove 63. The second step 66 is provided at the boundary between the first lateral groove 62 and the second longitudinal groove 63. The second step 66 extends in the direction of approximately the short side of the first lateral groove 62.

[0043] The third step 67 forms a convex shape that is convex radially outward of the shaft 32 with respect to the first longitudinal groove 61. The third step 67 is provided at the boundary between the first longitudinal groove 61 and the second lateral groove 64. The third step 67 extends in the direction of approximately the short side of the second lateral groove 64.

[0044] The first protrusion 68 is a groove that extends linearly in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 at an end of the first lateral groove 62 in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction) of the shaft 32. The first protrusion 68 is recessed entirely radially inward of the shaft 32 with respect to the surface 42. The first protrusion 68 communicates with the first lateral groove 62 at an end of the shaft 32 in the axial direction (negative direction).

[0045] The second protrusion 69 is a groove that extends linearly in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 at an end of the second longitudinal groove 63 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32. The second protrusion 69 is recessed entirely radially inwardly of the shaft 32 with respect to the surface 42. The second protrusion 69 communicates with the second longitudinal groove 63 at an end of the shaft 32 in the axial direction (negative direction).

[0046] The length of each of the first protrusion 68 and the second protrusion 69 in the long side direction (axial direction of the shaft 32) can be any length. The length of each of the first protrusion 68 and the second protrusion 69 in the short side direction (circumferential direction of the shaft 32) is slightly longer than the outer diameter of the rod 54.

[0047] The radial inward length (depth) of the first longitudinal groove 61, the first lateral groove 62, the second longitudinal groove 63, the second lateral groove 64, the first convex portion 68, and the second convex portion 69 on the shaft 32 is approximately the same, and the length can be any length.

[0048] Furthermore, the radially outward length (height) of the first step 65, the second step 66, and the third step 67 of the shaft 32 can be any length within a range shorter than the radially inward length (depth) of the first longitudinal groove 61, the first lateral groove 62, the second longitudinal groove 63, the second lateral groove 64, the first convex portion 68, and the second convex portion 69 of the shaft 32. In other words, the first step 65, the second step 66, and the third step 67 are recessed entirely radially inward of the shaft 32 with respect to the surface 42.

[0049] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the disk 37 and part of the conversion mechanism of the fan device 1 of this embodiment taken along line F5-F5 in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 5, the disk 37 has a shaft hole 44, an outer circumferential surface 45, three notches 46, and a rod hole 47. Note that two of the three notches 46 are shown in Fig. 5. Also, the shaft 32 is omitted from the illustration.

[0050] The shaft hole 44 is a hole that penetrates the disk 37 in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The shaft hole 44 is provided near the center of the disk 37 in the radial direction of the shaft 32. A part of the shaft 32 is inserted into the shaft hole 44 in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The hole diameter of the shaft hole 44 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 32. The outer peripheral surface 45 is the end face of the disk 37 radially outward from the shaft 32. The outer peripheral surface 45 faces radially outward from the shaft 32. The outer peripheral surface 45 is formed by a curved surface over its entirety.

[0051] The length of the disk 37 in the axial direction of the shaft 32 is sufficiently smaller than the length of the tube 26 in the axial direction of the shaft 32. Therefore, the disk 37 can move in the axial direction of the shaft 32 along the shaft 32 and the three guide rails 36.

[0052] The three notches 46 are holes that are generally arc-shaped in plan view and are provided on the disk 37 to extend in the axial direction of the shaft 32. The three notches 46 are each formed in a shape that follows the shape of the guide rail 36. The three notches 46 are each provided at generally equal intervals from one another along the outer circumferential surface 45.

[0053] The number of the notches 46 matches the number of the guide rails 36, but the number of the notches 46 may be greater than the number of the guide rails 36. When the number of the notches 46 is greater than the number of the guide rails 36, the volume of the disc 37 is reduced, thereby making the disc 37 lighter.

[0054] The three guide rails 36 are inserted into the three cutouts 46 in the axial direction of the shaft 32. That is, the three guide rails 36 fit into the cutouts 46, respectively, to prevent the disk 37 from rotating in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32.

[0055] The rod hole 47 is a generally cylindrical hole that is provided in the disk 37 and extends in the radial direction of the shaft 32. The end of the rod hole 47 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 communicates with the shaft hole 44. The rod hole 47 is provided in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 at a position that overlaps with the end of the groove 52 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 (counterclockwise direction).

[0056] The conversion mechanism 39 is a mechanism that converts the motion of the disc 37 along the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25, which is generated by the centrifugal force and the shaft spring 38, into a reversing force that reverses the rotation direction of the blade 25. The conversion mechanism 39 has a rod 54, a rod spring 55, and a groove 52. The rod 54 is an example of a pushing portion. The rod spring 55 is an example of a second biasing portion.

[0057] The rod 54 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape and extends in the radial direction of the shaft 32 inside the rod hole 47. The outer diameter of the rod 54 is slightly smaller than the hole diameter of the rod hole 47. Therefore, the rod 54 can move along the rod hole 47 in the radial direction of the shaft 32.

[0058] An end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 is engaged with a part of the groove 52. Therefore, the rod 54 can move along the shape of the groove 52. In other words, the blade 25 having the groove 52 can rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 in accordance with the movement of the rod 54 moving in the axial direction of the shaft 32.

[0059] The rod spring 55 is an elastic body that extends in the radial direction of the shaft 32 inside the rod hole 47 and elastically deforms in the radial direction of the shaft 32. The length of the rod spring 55 in the radial direction of the shaft 32 is shorter than the length of the rod hole 47 in the radial direction of the shaft 32. One end of the rod spring 55 is fixed to the end of the rod hole 47 on the radial outer side of the shaft 32, for example, by gluing. The other end of the rod spring 55 is fixed to the end of the rod 54 on the radial outer side of the shaft 32, for example, by gluing, but it does not have to be glued. The rod spring 55 elastically deforms in the radial direction of the shaft 32 to generate an elastic force F3 directed inward in the radial direction of the shaft 32. The rod 54 and the rod spring 55 can move in the axial direction of the shaft 32 together with the disc 37.

[0060] Next, the rotation angle of the blades 25 and the positional relationship between the grooves 52 and the rods 54 will be described. Fig. 6 is a top view showing the rotor 11 of the fan device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the grooves 52 and the rods 54 are each arranged on the circumference of a circle centered on the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25. In the radial direction of the shaft 32, the grooves 52 are closer to the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25 than the rods 54.

[0061] As described above, the groove 52, which is a part of the blade 25, can rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 around the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25. The rotation of the rod 54 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 around the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25 is restricted by the three guide rails 36.

[0062] The vanes 25 can rotate within a certain angle range in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32. More specifically, when the rod 54 is located at an end (first vertical groove 61) of the groove 52 in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction) of the shaft 32, this position is defined as position R, and when the rod 54 is located at an end (second vertical groove 63) of the groove 52 in the circumferential direction (clockwise direction) of the shaft 32, this position is defined as position L. The vanes 25 can rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 between positions R and L. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the rod 54 is located at position R.

[0063] (Fan unit operation) 7 and 8, the operation flow of the fan device 1 will be described in detail below. The positional relationship between the groove 52 and the rod 54 and the rotation angle of the blades 25 during operation of the fan device 1 will also be described.

[0064] In the following description, the rotation direction of the fan unit 1 is the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction) of the hub 10. In addition, among the axial directions of the hub 10, the direction facing left with respect to the above-mentioned rotation direction (toward the viewer in FIG. 1) may be referred to as the axial direction of the hub 10 (positive direction), and the direction facing right with respect to the above-mentioned rotation direction (toward the viewer in FIG. 1) may be referred to as the axial direction of the hub 10 (negative direction).

[0065] Fig. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation speed of the fan device 1 and time. In Fig. 7, device states (o) to (s) show the operating states of the fan device 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the groove 52 and the rod 54, and the rotation angle of the blades 25. Figs. 8(a) to (d) are plan views showing the positional relationship between the groove 52 and the rod 54. Figs. 8(e) to (f) are top views showing the rotation angle of the blades 25.

[0066] In Fig. 7, device state (o) shows a state in which the fan device 1 is stopped from rotating. At this time, the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 is located at the end of the first vertical groove 61 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32 (Fig. 8(a)). Also, the disk 37 is stopped at the end of the shaft 32 in the axial direction (negative direction) within the movable range of the disk 37.

[0067] Device state (p) shows a state in which the fan device 1 starts to rotate and the rotation speed of the fan device 1 is increasing. When the fan device 1 rotates, the front surface 41 of the blades 25 rotating in the circumferential direction of the hub 10 pushes out air in the rotation direction, generating an airflow toward the axial direction (positive direction) of the hub 10. At this time, the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 moves in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 through the first vertical groove 61 due to the action of centrifugal force F1 that is generated by the rotation of the rotor 11 and acts toward the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32. Also, the disc 37 moves (rises) in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 along the shaft 32 and the three guide rails 36 due to the action of centrifugal force F1.

[0068] Device state (q) indicates a state in which the fan device 1 performs a startup check and the rotation speed of the fan device 1 is at its maximum design speed. At this time, the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 is positioned at the end of the first protrusion 68 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 due to the action of centrifugal force F1 (FIG. 8(b)). Also, the disk 37 is stopped at the end in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 within the movable range of the disk 37 due to the action of centrifugal force F1.

[0069] Device state (r) shows a state in which the rotation speed of the fan device 1 has decreased from the maximum design speed, and then the rotation speed repeatedly increases and decreases between the idle rotation speed and the maximum design speed due to temperature control by the personal computer. At this time, as the rotation speed of the fan device 1 decreases and the centrifugal force F1 gradually decreases, the disk 37 is subjected to the elastic force F2 of the shaft spring 38 acting in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32, and moves in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32.

[0070] Then, due to the balance between the centrifugal force F1 acting on the disk 37 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 and the elastic force F2 of the shaft spring 38 acting in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32, the disk 37 moves up and down in the axial direction of the shaft 32. At this time, the end of the rod 54 in the radial direction of the shaft 32 is guided from the first convex portion 68 through the first lateral groove 62 to the second longitudinal groove 63 by the above-mentioned up and down movement of the disk 37 (FIG. 8(c)), and reciprocates in the axial direction of the shaft 32 between the second longitudinal groove 63 and the second convex portion 69 (FIG. 8(d)).

[0071] The device state (s) indicates a state in which the fan device 1 is powered off, causing the rotation speed of the fan device 1 to drop below the idle rotation speed and stop rotating. At this time, the disk 37 is subjected to the action of the elastic force F2 due to the centrifugal force F1 becoming smaller than that in the device state (r), and moves to the end in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32 within the movable range of the disk 37. In addition, the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 moves obliquely in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32 through the second lateral groove 64 toward the rotation axis Ax2 of the blade 25, and stops at the end of the first longitudinal groove 61 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32 (FIG. 8(a)).

[0072] Next, the rotation angle of the blades 25 will be described. When the state of the fan device 1 is one of the device states (o) to (q), the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 is located at the position of R of the groove 52, i.e., the first vertical groove 61 or the first protrusion 68. At this time, the blades 25 do not rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32, and are located at the position shown in Figure 8(e).

[0073] Furthermore, when the end of the rod 54 radially inward of the shaft 32 is positioned at the R position of the groove 52, an airflow is generated in the axial direction (positive direction) of the hub 10 while the fan device 1 is rotating.

[0074] When the state of the fan device 1 is the device state (r), the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 moves from position R of the groove 52 to position L (position of the first horizontal groove 62 or the second convex portion 69), and reciprocates within the range of the second vertical groove 63 or the second convex portion 69. At this time, the blades 25 rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 (counterclockwise direction) from the position in Figure 8(e) to the position in Figure 8(f), and then stop rotating in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 at the position in Figure 8(f).

[0075] Furthermore, when the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 is located at position L of the groove 52, an airflow is generated in the axial direction (negative direction) of the hub 10 while the fan unit 1 is rotating. In other words, when the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 moves from position R to position L of the groove 52, the direction of the airflow generated by the rotation of the fan unit 1 is reversed.

[0076] When the state of the fan device 1 is device state (s), the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 moves from position L of the groove 52 to position R (position of the second lateral groove 64) and stops at the end of the first longitudinal groove 61 in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32 (FIG. 8(a)). At this time, the blades 25 rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 (clockwise direction) from the position in FIG. 8(f) to the position in FIG. 8(e), and then the rotation in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 stops at the position in FIG. 8(e).

[0077] Furthermore, when the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 moves from position L to position R of the groove 52, the direction of the airflow generated by the rotation of the fan device 1 is reversed. Then, the direction of the airflow after the end of the rod 54 on the radially inner side of the shaft 32 moves to position R becomes the axial direction of the hub 10 (positive direction), the same as the direction of the airflow in the device state (o).

[0078] As described above, the blades 25 can rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 between the position shown in FIG. 8(e) and the position shown in FIG. 8(f) depending on the positional relationship between the grooves 52 and the rods 54. At this time, the direction of the airflow generated by the fan device 1 is in the axial direction of the hub 10 (positive direction) when the blades 25 are in the position shown in FIG. 8(e), and in the axial direction of the hub 10 (negative direction) when the blades 25 are in the position shown in FIG. 8(f). In other words, the blades 25 rotate in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 between the position shown in FIG. 8(e) and the position shown in FIG. 8(f), so that the direction of the airflow generated by the fan device 1 during rotation of the fan device 1 can be reversed.

[0079] The fan device 1 of the above embodiment includes a hub 10 and a plurality of rotors 11. The hub 10 rotates around the axial direction of the hub 10. The plurality of rotors 11 are arranged along the periphery of the hub 10 and rotate integrally with the hub 10. The rotor 11 includes blades 25 and a reversing mechanism 28. The blades 25 have a rotation shaft that is rotatable around the axial direction of the shaft 32. The reversing mechanism 28 reverses the rotation direction of the blades 25 from one direction to the other when the hub 10 rotates.

[0080] This allows the fan device 1 to generate airflow in both the axial direction (positive direction) of the hub 10 and the axial direction (negative direction) of the hub 10. According to the above-mentioned structure, in a fan device that generates airflow only in the axial direction (positive direction) of the hub 10, the airflow can also flow in spaces that are not airflow paths. This allows the fan device 1 to prevent dust and the like from accumulating near the fan device 1, and ultimately prevents problems caused by dust clogging.

[0081] In this embodiment, the reversing mechanism 28 has a disk 37, an axial spring 38, and a conversion mechanism 39. The disk 37 is penetrated by the rotation axis of the blade 25. The axial spring 38 biases the disk 37 in a direction opposite to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the hub 10. The conversion mechanism 39 converts the motion of the disk 37 along the rotation axis of the blade 25, which is generated by the centrifugal force and the axial spring 38, into a reversing force that reverses the rotation direction of the blade 25.

[0082] In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 39 has a groove 52, a rod 54, and a rod spring 55. The groove 52 is provided on the surface 42 and forms a loop. The rod 54 is provided inside the disk 37, extends in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32, and is movable in the axial direction of the shaft 32 together with the disk 37. The rod spring 55 biases the rod 54 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32. An end of the rod 54 in the circumferential direction of the shaft 32 fits into a part of the groove 52. The movement of the rod 54 along the groove 52, which is generated by the centrifugal force and the shaft spring 38, is converted into a reversing force that reverses the rotation direction of the blade 25.

[0083] As a result, the blades 25 can rotate about the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25 according to the balance between the centrifugal force F1 acting on the disk 37 in the axial direction (positive direction) of the shaft 32 and the elastic force F2 of the shaft spring 38 acting in the axial direction (negative direction) of the shaft 32. When the blades 25 rotate about the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25, the direction of the airflow generated by the blades 25 changes. Then, the airflow can flow in a space that does not become a flow path for the airflow in a structure in which the blades 25 do not rotate about the rotation axis Ax2 of the blades 25. Therefore, the fan device 1 can suppress the accumulation of dust and the like near the fan device 1, and thus suppress the occurrence of problems caused by dust clogging.

[0084] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 Fan unit 10. Hub 11 Rotating Body 25 Feather 28 Reversal mechanism 32 Axis 37 Disc 38 Axle spring 39 Conversion Mechanism 42 Surface 52 Groove 54 bars 55 Rod Spring 61 First Vertical Groove 62 The First Yokomizo 63 Second Vertical Groove 64 The Second Yokomizo 65 First Step 66 Second Step 67 The third step Ax1 Hub rotation axis Ax2 Rotation axis of the blade F1 Centrifugal force F2 Elastic force of the axle spring F3 Elastic force of rod spring End of the groove in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction) of the R axis End of the groove in the circumferential direction (clockwise direction) of the L axis

Claims

1. a hub that rotates about an axis in a first direction; A plurality of rotating bodies arranged along the periphery of the hub and rotating integrally with the hub; Equipped with The rotating body is a blade having a rotation axis that can rotate about an axis in a second direction that intersects with the first direction; a reversing mechanism that reverses the rotation direction of the blades from one direction to another when the hub rotates; A fan device comprising:

2. The inversion mechanism includes: A disk penetrated by the rotation axis of the blade; a first biasing portion that biases the disk in a direction opposite to a centrifugal force generated by rotation of the hub; a conversion mechanism that converts the motion of the disk along the rotation axis of the blade, which is generated by the centrifugal force and the first biasing portion, into a reversing force that reverses the rotation direction of the blade. The fan device according to claim 1 .

3. The conversion mechanism is A groove portion that is provided on a surface of the rotating shaft and forms a loop; a pusher provided inside the disk, extending in a third direction, and movable in the second direction together with the disk; A second biasing portion that biases the pushing portion in the third direction; having an end of the push-in portion in the third direction engages with a part of the groove portion; The movement of the pushing portion along the groove portion, which is generated by the centrifugal force and the first biasing portion, is converted into a reversing force that reverses the rotation direction of the blade. The fan device according to claim 2 .

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