Air blower

Abstract

To provide an air blower capable of suppressing noise and vibration.SOLUTION: An air blower comprises: a motor part having a rotor rotating on a center axis; an impeller part capable of rotating together with the rotor; and a case housing the impeller part inside. The case has: a top plate part expanding in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction, arranged on one axial side of the impeller part, and having a suction port penetrating in the axial direction; a bottom plate part expanding in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, arranged on the other axial side of the impeller part and coupled to the motor part; and an air channel part encircled with the top plate part and the bottom plate part. At the air channel part, at least one of the top plate part and the bottom plate part has a first projection part protruding axially. The first projection part has an elongated part extending in a circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A fan is known in which a plurality of ribs are provided on the case to increase the rigidity of the case and suppress vibration of the case due to vibration of the motor unit (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-62896 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described blower, it is difficult to sufficiently increase the rigidity of the ribs of the case and the portions between the ribs, which may result in insufficient suppression of vibrations in the relevant portions of the case, and therefore there is a risk that vibrations and noises may not be suppressed when the blower is in operation.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, one object of the present invention is to provide a blower that can suppress vibration and noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the blower of the present invention includes a motor unit having a rotor that rotates about a central axis, an impeller unit that rotates together with the rotor, and a case that houses the impeller unit. The case has a top plate that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, is located on one axial side of the impeller unit, and has an air intake port that penetrates the case in the axial direction, a bottom plate that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, is located on the other axial side of the impeller unit, and is connected to the motor unit, and an air duct that is surrounded by the top plate and the bottom plate. In the air duct, at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate has a first protrusion that protrudes in the axial direction. The first protrusion has an extension that extends in the circumferential direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, vibration and noise can be suppressed in a blower. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view showing a blower according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing the blower of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a blower according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the blower of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be modified as desired within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, in the following drawings, the scale and number of components may differ from the actual structure in order to make each component easier to understand.

[0010] In the following description, each figure shows the Z axis. The Z axis is the direction in which the central axis J, which is the rotation axis of the impeller unit in the embodiment described below, extends. The central axis J shown in each figure is a virtual axis. In the following description, the direction in which the central axis J extends, i.e., the direction parallel to the Z axis, is referred to as the "axial direction." The radial direction centered on the central axis J is simply referred to as the "radial direction." The circumferential direction centered on the central axis J is simply referred to as the "circumferential direction." The side in the axial direction toward which the arrow of the Z axis points (+Z side) is referred to as the "one axial side" or "upper side." The side in the axial direction opposite to the side toward which the arrow of the Z axis points (-Z side) is referred to as the "other axial side" or "lower side." Note that the terms "upper side" and "lower side" are simply names used to describe the relative positional relationships of the various parts, and the actual positional relationships may be other than those indicated by these names.

[0011] The circumferential direction is indicated by the arrow θ in each drawing. The side of the circumferential direction toward which the arrow θ points (+θ side) is called "one circumferential side." The side of the circumferential direction opposite to the side toward which the arrow θ points (-θ side) is called "the other circumferential side." The one circumferential side is the side that moves counterclockwise around the central axis J when viewed from above. The other circumferential side is the side that moves clockwise around the central axis J when viewed from above.

[0012] 1 and 2 includes a motor unit 15, a case 40, and an impeller unit 60. In this embodiment, the blower 10 is a centrifugal fan that sends air to one circumferential side (+θ side) as the impeller unit 60 rotates about a central axis J.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 3, case 40 accommodates motor unit 15 and impeller unit 60. As shown in Fig. 1, case 40 has first case portion 41, second case portion 45, air passage portion 40a, exhaust port 40b, side wall portion 40d, and first protrusion portion 40f.

[0014] The first case portion 41 has a first side wall portion 42, a top plate portion 43, and a first case opening portion 41a. That is, the case 40 has the top plate portion 43. As shown in Fig. 3, a portion of the inner surface of the first case portion 41 that is located radially outward from the impeller portion 60 surrounds an upper portion of the air passage portion 40a.

[0015] The top plate portion 43 has a generally annular plate shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. When viewed from the axial direction, the radial outer edge of the top plate portion 43 surrounds the central axis J. When viewed from the axial direction, the top plate portion 43 may have a shape in which the distance between the radial outer edge of the top plate portion 43 and the central axis J increases toward one circumferential side (+θ side). The plate surface of the top plate portion 43 faces the axial direction. The top plate portion 43 is disposed above the motor portion 15 and the impeller portion 60, i.e., on one axial side (+Z side). The top plate portion 43 has a first top plate protrusion 44 that protrudes upward, i.e., toward one axial side. The top plate portion 43 is provided with an air intake 43a. The air intake 43a is a hole that penetrates the top plate portion 43 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , when viewed from the axial direction, the air intake 43a has a generally circular shape centered on the central axis J. The first top panel protrusion 44 will be described in detail later.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the first side wall portion 42 is cylindrical and extends downward from the radial outer edge of the top plate portion 43. The first side wall portion 42 extends in the circumferential direction. The first side wall portion 42 opens downward. The first side wall portion 42 is located radially outside the impeller portion 60. The first side wall portion 42 surrounds the upper portion of the impeller portion 60 from the radially outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the first case opening 41a opens radially or to one circumferential side (+θ side).

[0017] 2, second case portion 45 has second side wall portion 46, bottom plate portion 47, and second case opening portion 45a. That is, case 40 has bottom plate portion 47. As shown in FIG. 3, a portion of the inner surface of second case portion 45 that is located radially outward of impeller portion 60 surrounds a lower portion of air passage portion 40a.

[0018] The bottom plate portion 47 has a generally annular plate shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. When viewed from the axial direction, the radial outer edge of the bottom plate portion 47 surrounds the central axis J. When viewed from the axial direction, the bottom plate portion 47 may have a shape in which the distance between the radial outer edge of the bottom plate portion 47 and the central axis J increases toward one circumferential side (+θ side). The plate surface of the bottom plate portion 47 faces the axial direction. The bottom plate portion 47 is disposed below the motor portion 15 and the impeller portion 60, i.e., on the other axial side (-Z side). The bottom plate portion 47 has a first bottom plate protrusion 48 and a second protrusion 49 that protrude downward, i.e., toward the other axial side. The bottom plate portion 47 is provided with a bottom plate protrusion 47h. The bottom plate protrusion 47h is cylindrical and protrudes upward from the bottom plate portion 47. The bottom plate protrusion 47h is generally cylindrical and centered on the central axis J. The bottom plate protrusion 47h opens upward. The first bottom plate protrusion 48 and the second protrusion 49 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The second side wall portion 46 is cylindrical and extends upward from the radial outer edge of the bottom plate portion 47. The second side wall portion 46 extends in the circumferential direction. The second side wall portion 46 opens upward. The second side wall portion 46 is located radially outward of the impeller portion 60. The upper end of the second side wall portion 46 is fixed to the lower end of the first side wall portion 42. This fixes the second case portion 45 to the first case portion 41. The second side wall portion 46 surrounds the lower portion of the impeller portion 60 from the radially outward side. As shown in FIG. 2, the second case opening 45a opens radially or to one circumferential side (+θ side). When viewed axially, the second case opening 45a overlaps with the first case opening 41a. In this embodiment, the exhaust port 40b is formed by the first case opening 41a and the second case opening 45a. The exhaust port 40b opens to one side in the radial or circumferential direction.

[0020] In this embodiment, the side wall portion 40d is composed of a first side wall portion 42 and a second side wall portion 46. As shown in FIG. 3, the side wall portion 40d is located radially outward of the impeller portion 60. The side wall portion 40d axially connects at least a portion of the outer periphery of the top plate portion 43 and the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion 47. In this embodiment, the side wall portion 40d axially connects the outer periphery of the top plate portion 43 and the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion 47. As shown in FIG. 1, the side wall portion 40d extends in the circumferential direction along the radial outer edges of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47. The side wall portion 40d surrounds the air passage portion 40a from the radial outside.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, air passage 40a is a space within the interior space of case 40 through which air flows as impeller 60 rotates about central axis J. Air passage 40a is a space within the interior space of case 40 that is radially outward of impeller 60. Air passage 40a is a space surrounded by top plate 43, bottom plate 47, and side wall 40d. That is, air passage 40a is surrounded by top plate 43 and bottom plate 47. Air passage 40a extends in the circumferential direction. Air flowing through air passage 40a toward one circumferential side (+θ side) as impeller 60 rotates about central axis J flows out of blower 10 through exhaust port 40b shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 40f includes a first top plate protrusion 44 and a first bottom plate protrusion 48. That is, in this embodiment, the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 each have a first protrusion 40f. That is, at least one of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 has a first protrusion 40f that protrudes in the axial direction. Either the top plate portion 43 or the bottom plate portion 47 does not necessarily have a first protrusion 40f. The first protrusion 40f will be described in detail later.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3, the impeller unit 60 has a cup portion 60a and a plurality of blades 64. The cup portion 60a accommodates the motor unit 15 therein. As shown in Fig. 1, the plurality of blades 64 are provided at intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the motor unit 15 is housed inside the cup portion 60a. The motor unit 15 is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom plate protrusion portion 47h. This connects the bottom plate portion 47 to the motor unit 15. Therefore, the motor unit 15 is connected to the case 40. The motor unit 15 has a rotor 20. The rotor 20 rotates about a central axis J. The impeller portion 60 is fixed to the rotor 20. Therefore, when the rotor 20 rotates about the central axis J, the impeller portion 60 can rotate together with the rotor 20 about the central axis J.

[0025] In this embodiment, impeller unit 60 rotates together with rotor 20 toward one circumferential side (+θ side) around central axis J. When impeller unit 60 rotates around central axis J, air is taken into case 40 through intake port 43a shown in FIG. 1 and is sent out radially outward from impeller unit 60 toward one circumferential side by multiple blades 64, and flows through air path unit 40a. The air flowing through air path unit 40a is sent out to the outside of blower 10 through exhaust port 40b.

[0026] As described above, in this embodiment, the first protrusion 40f includes the first top plate protrusion 44 and the first bottom plate protrusion 48. Therefore, in this embodiment, the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 each have the first protrusion 40f. As shown in FIG. 3 , when viewed in the axial direction, the first top plate protrusion 44 and the first bottom plate protrusion 48 each overlap the air passage portion 40a. That is, when viewed in the axial direction, the first protrusion 40f overlaps the air passage portion 40a. When viewed in the axial direction, the first protrusion 40f of the first top plate protrusion 44, i.e., the top plate portion 43, and the first protrusion 40f of the first bottom plate protrusion 48, i.e., the bottom plate portion 47, overlap each other. The inner surfaces of the first top plate protrusion 44 and the first bottom plate protrusion 48 are exposed to the air passage portion 40a. When viewed from the circumferential direction, the first top plate protrusion 44 has a curved shape that protrudes upward, i.e., toward one axial side (+Z side). When viewed from the circumferential direction, the first bottom plate protrusion 48 has a curved shape that protrudes downward, i.e., toward the other axial side (-Z side). Therefore, the first protrusion 40f protrudes in the axial direction in the air passage portion 40a.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first protrusion 40f has an extension 40g. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the extension 40g extends in the circumferential direction. The extension 40g includes the top plate extension 44a shown in Figure 1. The extension 40g includes the bottom plate extension 48a shown in Figure 2.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first table top protrusion 44 extends in the circumferential direction. The first table top protrusion 44 may extend in the circumferential direction and also expand radially outward. More specifically, the first table top protrusion 44 may be positioned radially outward as it moves toward one circumferential side (+θ side). The first table top protrusion 44 has a table top extension 44a, a table top connection portion 44b, a first end 44d, a second end 44e, and a connection portion 44f. The first end 44d is one circumferential end of the first table top protrusion 44. The second end 44e is the other circumferential end of the first table top protrusion 44. The first table top protrusion 44 extends from the first end 44d toward one circumferential side (+θ side). The connection portion 44f is a part of the first table top protrusion 44. The connecting portion 44f is a portion of the first top panel protrusion 44 that extends 360° or more from the first end portion 44d to one side in the circumferential direction.

[0029] The top plate extension 44a is a circumferential portion of the first top plate protrusion 44. The top plate extension 44a extends in the circumferential direction. One circumferential end of the top plate extension 44a is a first end 44d. The other circumferential end of the top plate extension 44a is a connection portion 44f. The top plate extension 44a extends circumferentially by 360° or more. The connection portion 44f is located radially outward from the portion of the top plate extension 44a on the first end 44d side. As a result, portions of the top plate extensions 44a are adjacent to each other in the radial direction.

[0030] The top plate connecting portion 44b is a circumferential portion of the first top plate protrusion 44. One circumferential end of the top plate connecting portion 44b is a connecting portion 44f. The top plate connecting portion 44b is circumferentially connected to the top plate extension portion 44a. The other circumferential end of the top plate connecting portion 44b is a second end portion 44e. The axial dimension of the top plate connecting portion 44b decreases toward one circumferential side.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2 , the first bottom plate protrusion 48 extends in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the first bottom plate protrusion 48 may extend in the circumferential direction and expand radially outward. More specifically, the first bottom plate protrusion 48 may be positioned radially outward as it moves toward one circumferential side (+θ side). The first bottom plate protrusion 48 has a bottom plate extension 48a, a bottom plate connection portion 48b, a third end 48d, a fourth end 48e, and a connection portion 48f. The third end 48d is one circumferential end of the first bottom plate protrusion 48. The fourth end 48e is the other circumferential end of the first bottom plate protrusion 48. In this embodiment, the first bottom plate protrusion 48 extends from the third end 48d toward one circumferential side (+θ side). The connection portion 48f is a part of the first bottom plate protrusion 48. The connecting portion 48f is a portion of the first bottom plate protrusion 48 that is positioned 360° or more to one side in the circumferential direction from the third end portion 48d.

[0032] The bottom plate extension 48a is a circumferential portion of the first bottom plate protrusion 48. The bottom plate extension 48a extends in the circumferential direction. One circumferential end of the bottom plate extension 48a is the third end 48d. The other circumferential end of the bottom plate extension 48a is the connection portion 48f. The bottom plate extension 48a extends circumferentially by 360° or more. As described above, the top plate extension 44a extends circumferentially by 360° or more. Therefore, the extension 40g extends circumferentially by 360° or more. The connection portion 48f is located radially outward from the portion of the bottom plate extension 48a on the third end 48d side. As a result, portions of the bottom plate extensions 48a are adjacent to each other in the radial direction. As described above, portions of the top plate extensions 44a are adjacent to each other in the radial direction. Therefore, parts of the extensions 40g are adjacent to each other in the radial direction.

[0033] The bottom plate connecting portion 48b is a circumferential portion of the first bottom plate protrusion 48. One circumferential end of the bottom plate connecting portion 48b is a connecting portion 48f. The bottom plate connecting portion 48b is circumferentially connected to the bottom plate extending portion 48a. The other circumferential end of the bottom plate connecting portion 48b is a fourth end portion 48e. The axial dimension of the bottom plate connecting portion 48b decreases toward one circumferential side (the +θ side).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4 , the axial dimension Ht of the first top plate protrusion 44, i.e., the first protrusion 40f of the top plate portion 43, is less than twice the plate thickness Tt of the top plate portion 43. In this embodiment, the axial dimension Ht of the first top plate protrusion 44 is the axial dimension of the top plate extension 44a. In the circumferential direction, the axial dimension of the top plate extension 44a is the same. In the circumferential direction, the axial dimension Hb of the first bottom plate protrusion 48, i.e., the first protrusion 40f of the bottom plate portion 47, is less than twice the plate thickness Tb of the bottom plate portion 47. In this embodiment, the axial dimension Hb of the first bottom plate protrusion 48 is the axial dimension of the bottom plate extension 48a. In the circumferential direction, the axial dimension of the bottom plate extension 48a is the same. Therefore, the axial dimension of the extension 40g in the circumferential direction is the same. The axial dimension Ht of the first top plate protrusion 44 may be more than twice the plate thickness Tt of the top plate portion 43. The axial dimension Hb of the first bottom plate protrusion 48 may be more than twice the plate thickness Tb of the bottom plate portion 47.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the top plate portion 43 has a first top plate protrusion 44, i.e., a first protrusion 40f, and the axial dimension Ht of the first top plate protrusion 44 of the top plate portion 43 is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tt of the top plate portion 43. When the axial rigidity of the top plate portion 43 is increased by providing a rib on the top plate portion 43, damage to the rib due to stress concentration on the rib can be suppressed by setting the axial dimension of the rib equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tt of the top plate portion 43. As described above, in this embodiment, the axial dimension Ht of the first top plate protrusion 44 is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tt of the top plate portion 43. Therefore, compared to when a rib is provided on the top plate portion 43, an increase in the axial dimension of the top plate portion 43 can be suppressed. Therefore, the axial rigidity of the top plate portion 43 can be increased while an increase in the axial dimension of the blower 10 can be suppressed.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the bottom plate portion 47 has a first bottom plate protrusion 48, i.e., a first protrusion 40f, and the axial dimension Hb of the first bottom plate protrusion 48 of the bottom plate portion 47 is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tb of the bottom plate portion 47. As with the top plate portion 43 described above, when the axial rigidity of the bottom plate portion 47 is increased by providing a rib on the bottom plate portion 47, damage to the rib can be suppressed by setting the axial dimension of the rib equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tb of the bottom plate portion 47. As described above, in this embodiment, the axial dimension Hb of the first bottom plate protrusion 48 is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tb of the bottom plate portion 47. Therefore, compared to when a rib is provided on the bottom plate portion 47, an increase in the axial dimension of the bottom plate portion 47 can be suppressed. Therefore, the axial rigidity of the bottom plate portion 47 can be increased while more suitably suppressing an increase in the axial dimension of the blower 10.

[0037] As described above, the bottom plate portion 47 has the second protrusion 49. As shown in FIG. 3, the second protrusion 49 has a curved shape that protrudes downward when viewed in the circumferential direction. That is, the second protrusion 49 protrudes in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the second protrusion 49 extends in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the second protrusion 49 is annular and surrounds the central axis J. The second protrusion 49 does not have to be connected in the circumferential direction. The second protrusion 49 may extend 360° or more in the circumferential direction. In this case, parts of the second protrusion 49 are adjacent to each other in the radial direction. The second protrusion 49 is disposed radially inward of the first bottom plate protrusion 48. As shown in FIG. 3, the second protrusion 49 is disposed radially inward of the first top plate protrusion 44. That is, the second protrusion 49 is disposed radially inward of the first protrusion 40f. When viewed in the axial direction, the second protrusion 49 overlaps with the impeller portion 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the axial dimension H2 of the second protrusion 49 is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tb of the bottom plate portion 47. The bottom plate portion 47 does not necessarily have to have the second protrusion 49. As shown in FIG. 2, the second protrusion 49 is provided with an intake hole 49a.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the bottom plate portion 47 has a second protrusion 49, and the axial dimension H2 of the second protrusion 49 is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness Tb of the bottom plate portion 47. Therefore, similar to the above-described first bottom plate protrusion 48, an increase in the axial dimension of the bottom plate portion 47 can be suppressed compared to when a rib is provided on the bottom plate portion 47. Therefore, the second protrusion 49 can increase the axial rigidity of the bottom plate portion 47 while suppressing an increase in the axial dimension of the blower 10.

[0039] The air intake holes 49a are holes that penetrate the second protrusion 49 in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the second protrusion 49 is provided with a plurality of air intake holes 49a. In this embodiment, the second protrusion 49 is provided with four air intake holes 49a. The number of air intake holes 49a provided in the second protrusion 49 may be three or less, or five or more. The air intake holes 49a are provided at intervals along the circumferential direction. The air intake holes 49a are elongated holes that extend in the circumferential direction. The air intake holes 49a may be holes of other shapes, such as circular or rectangular. The air intake holes 49a connect the outside of the case 40 with the inside of the case 40. The second protrusion 49 does not necessarily have to be provided with air intake holes 49a.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the case 40 includes a top plate portion 43 extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, disposed above the impeller portion 60, i.e., on one axial side (+Z side), and having an intake port 43a penetrating therethrough in the axial direction, and a bottom plate portion 47 extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, disposed below the impeller portion 60, i.e., on the other axial side (+Z side), and connected to the motor portion 15. At least one of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 includes a first protrusion 40f protruding in the axial direction, and the first protrusion 40f includes an extension portion 40g extending in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the first protrusion 40f protruding in the axial direction can increase the axial rigidity of at least one of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47. Furthermore, because the first protrusion 40f includes the extension portion 40g extending in the circumferential direction, circumferential variation in the axial rigidity of at least one of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 can be suppressed. As a result, even if vibrations of motor unit 15 are transmitted to case 40 when fan 10 is running, axial vibrations of at least one of top plate unit 43 and bottom plate unit 47 can be suppressed. Therefore, vibrations of case 40 can be suppressed, and therefore vibrations and noise of fan 10 can be suppressed.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, motor unit 15 is connected to bottom plate 47, which has first bottom plate protrusion 48, i.e., first protrusion 40f. This increases the axial rigidity of bottom plate 47, to which vibrations of motor unit 15 are directly transmitted, when blower 10 is in operation. This allows vibrations of case 40 to be more effectively suppressed when blower 10 is in operation, compared to when bottom plate 47 does not have first protrusion 40f. This allows vibrations and noise of blower 10 to be more effectively suppressed.

[0042] According to this embodiment, case 40 has sidewall 40d located radially outward from impeller 60. Sidewall 40d axially connects at least a portion of the outer periphery of top plate 43 and a portion of the outer periphery of bottom plate 47 and extends circumferentially. Air passage 40a is surrounded by top plate 43, bottom plate 47, and sidewall 40d. Therefore, sidewall 40d can prevent air, which is blown out radially outward from impeller 60 and toward one circumferential side (+θ side) due to rotation of impeller 60 about central axis J, from leaking radially outward from air passage 40a. This can increase the amount of air blown out of blower 10.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the extensions 40g extend 360° or more in the circumferential direction, and portions of the extensions 40g are adjacent to each other in the radial direction. Therefore, the first protrusions 40f can be provided around at least one circumference of the top plate 43 or the bottom plate 47. Therefore, compared to a case where the first protrusions 40f are not provided around at least one circumference, the axial rigidity of at least one of the top plate 43 or the bottom plate 47 can be increased throughout the entire circumferential direction. This allows for more effective suppression of axial vibrations of at least one of the top plate 43 or the bottom plate 47, even if vibrations of the motor 15 are transmitted to the case 40 during operation of the blower 10. Therefore, the vibrations and noise of the blower 10 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the axial dimension of the extension portion 40g is the same in the circumferential direction. Therefore, for example, compared to a case where the axial dimension of the extension portion 40g decreases in the circumferential direction, the axial rigidity of at least one of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 can be more suitably increased throughout the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to more suitably suppress axial vibration of at least one of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 when the blower 10 is operating. Therefore, vibration and noise of the blower 10 can be more suitably suppressed.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the bottom plate portion 47 has the first bottom plate protrusion 48, i.e., the first protrusion 40f, and the second protrusion 49 that protrudes in the axial direction. The second protrusion 49 extends in the circumferential direction and is positioned radially inward of the first protrusion 40f. Therefore, the bottom plate portion 47 has the second protrusion 49 that protrudes in the axial direction and extends in the circumferential direction in addition to the first bottom plate protrusion 48, which can more effectively increase the axial rigidity of the bottom plate portion 47 over the entire circumferential direction. As a result, even if vibrations of the motor unit 15 are transmitted to the bottom plate portion 47 during operation of the blower 10, the axial vibrations of the bottom plate portion 47 can be more effectively suppressed. Therefore, the vibration and noise of the blower 10 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0046] According to this embodiment, the second protrusion 49 is provided with an intake hole 49a that penetrates the second protrusion 49 in the axial direction. As described above, in this embodiment, the bottom plate 47 has the first bottom plate protrusion 48 and the second protrusion 49, which can more suitably increase the axial rigidity of the bottom plate 47 over the entire circumferential direction. Therefore, even if the second protrusion 49 is provided with the intake hole 49a, it is possible to prevent the axial rigidity of the bottom plate 47 from becoming too small. Furthermore, air outside the case 40 can be drawn into the air passage 40a through the intake hole 49a. Therefore, it is possible to increase the amount of air sent out by the fan 10 while suppressing vibration and noise of the fan 10.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 each have a first convex portion 40f, and when viewed from the circumferential direction, the first top plate convex portion 44 of the top plate portion 43 has a curved shape that protrudes upward, i.e., to one axial side (+Z side), and when viewed from the circumferential direction, the first bottom plate convex portion 48 of the bottom plate portion 47 has a curved shape that protrudes downward, i.e., to the other axial side (-Z side).When viewed from the axial direction, the first top plate convex portion 44 and the first bottom plate convex portion 48 overlap each other, and the inner surfaces of the first top plate convex portion 44 and the first bottom plate convex portion 48 are each exposed to the air duct portion 40a. Unlike the present embodiment, when the first top plate protrusion 44 protrudes downward and the first bottom plate protrusion 48 protrudes upward, the first top plate protrusion 44 and the first bottom plate protrusion 48 each protrude into the air passage 40a. This reduces the cross-sectional area of the air passage 40a perpendicular to the circumferential direction and makes the airflow through the air passage 40a more likely to be disturbed. This makes it difficult to increase the volume of air sent out by the fan 10. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, the first top plate protrusion 44 protrudes upward and the first bottom plate protrusion 48 protrudes downward. This prevents the cross-sectional area of the air passage 40a perpendicular to the circumferential direction from being reduced and prevents the airflow through the air passage 40a from being disturbed in the circumferential direction. This therefore increases the volume of air sent out by the fan 10.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, first top plate protrusion 44 and first bottom plate protrusion 48 each have a curved shape when viewed in the circumferential direction, which makes it easier to prevent turbulence in the air flowing in the circumferential direction along the inner surfaces of first top plate protrusion 44 and first bottom plate protrusion 48. This makes it possible to smooth the air flow in air path 40a, thereby more suitably increasing the amount of air sent out by blower 10 to the outside.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 has a first protrusion 40f. Therefore, the axial rigidity of both the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 can be increased compared to when only one of the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 has a first protrusion 40f. Therefore, even if vibrations of the motor portion 15 are transmitted to the case 40 when the blower 10 is running, the axial vibrations of both the top plate portion 43 and the bottom plate portion 47 can be suppressed. This can more effectively suppress vibrations of the case 40, and therefore more effectively suppress vibrations and noise of the blower 10.

[0050] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the configurations and combinations thereof in the embodiment are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. For example, the uses of the blower shown in the above embodiment are not particularly limited.

[0051] As long as the extension portion extends in the circumferential direction, it does not have to extend more than 360° in the circumferential direction, but may extend, for example, more than 180°. Even in this case, the first protrusion can suppress circumferential variation in the axial rigidity of the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion, thereby suppressing axial vibration of the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion when the blower is operating. Therefore, vibration and noise of the blower can be suppressed.

[0052] The axial dimension of the first top plate convex portion may be greater than twice the plate thickness of the top plate portion. In this embodiment, the first top plate convex portion has a curved shape when viewed in the circumferential direction, which makes it easier to prevent stress from concentrating on a portion of the first top plate convex portion. This makes it possible to prevent the first top plate convex portion from being damaged even if the axial dimension of the first top plate convex portion is greater than twice the plate thickness of the top plate portion. Furthermore, by making the axial dimension of the first top plate convex portion greater than twice the plate thickness of the top plate portion, the axial rigidity of the top plate portion can be more preferably increased, thereby more preferably suppressing axial vibration of the top plate portion. Furthermore, the axial dimension of the first bottom plate convex portion may be greater than twice the plate thickness of the bottom plate portion. In this case, similar to the first top plate convex portion, it is possible to more preferably suppress axial vibration of the bottom plate portion while preventing damage to the first bottom plate convex portion.

[0053] The shape of the first convex portion as viewed in the circumferential direction is not limited to that of this embodiment and may be other shapes, such as a shape with corners protruding in the axial direction. Even in this case, the first convex portion can increase the axial rigidity of the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion. Furthermore, the first top plate convex portion may protrude downward, and the first bottom plate convex portion may protrude upward.

[0054] The present technology can be configured as follows. (1) A blower comprising: a motor section having a rotor that rotates around a central axis; an impeller section that can rotate together with the rotor; and a case that houses the impeller section, wherein the case has a top plate section that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, is positioned on one axial side of the impeller section, and has an air intake port that penetrates in the axial direction; a bottom plate section that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, is positioned on the other axial side of the impeller section, and is connected to the motor section; and an air duct section that is surrounded by the top plate section and the bottom plate section, wherein in the air duct section, at least one of the top plate section and the bottom plate section has a first convex section that protrudes in the axial direction, and the first convex section has an extension section that extends in the circumferential direction. (2) A blower as described in (1), wherein the case has a side wall portion located radially outside the impeller portion, the side wall portion axially connects at least a portion of the outer periphery of the top plate portion and the outer periphery of the bottom plate portion, and extends circumferentially, and the air passage portion is surrounded by the top plate portion, the bottom plate portion, and the side wall portion. (3) The blower according to (1) or (2), wherein the extensions extend 360° or more in the circumferential direction, and parts of the extensions are adjacent to each other in the radial direction. (4) A blower according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the top plate portion has the first convex portion, and the axial dimension of the first convex portion of the top plate portion is not more than twice the plate thickness of the top plate portion. (5) A blower according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the bottom plate portion has the first convex portion, and the axial dimension of the first convex portion of the bottom plate portion is not more than twice the plate thickness of the bottom plate portion. (6) The blower according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the axial dimensions of the extension portions are the same in the circumferential direction. (7) A blower according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the bottom plate portion has the first convex portion and a second convex portion that protrudes in the axial direction, and the second convex portion extends circumferentially and is positioned radially inward of the first convex portion. (8) The blower according to (7), wherein the second protrusion is provided with an intake hole that penetrates the second protrusion in the axial direction. (9) A blower described in any one of (1) to (8), wherein each of the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion has the first convex portion, and when viewed from the circumferential direction, the first convex portion of the top plate portion has a curved shape that protrudes to one side in the axial direction, and when viewed from the circumferential direction, the first convex portion of the bottom plate portion has a curved shape that protrudes to the other side in the axial direction, and when viewed from the axial direction, the first convex portion of the top plate portion and the first convex portion of the bottom plate portion overlap each other, and the inner surfaces of the first convex portion of the top plate portion and the first convex portion of the bottom plate portion are each exposed to the air duct portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10...blower, 15...motor section, 20...rotor, 40...case, 40a...air path section, 40d...side wall section, 40f...first convex section, 40g...extension section, 43...top plate section, 43a...air intake port, 44...first top plate convex section (first convex section), 44a...top plate extension section (extension section), 47...bottom plate section, 48...first bottom plate convex section (first convex section), 48a...bottom plate extension section (extension section), 49...second convex section, 49a...air intake hole, 60...impeller section, J...central axis

Claims

1. a motor section having a rotor that rotates around a central axis; an impeller portion rotatable together with the rotor; a case that houses the impeller portion; Equipped with The case is a top plate portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, is disposed on one side of the impeller portion in the axial direction, and has an intake port that penetrates in the axial direction; a bottom plate portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, disposed on the other axial side of the impeller portion, and connected to the motor portion; an air passage portion surrounded by the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion; and In the air passage portion, at least one of the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion has a first protrusion protruding in an axial direction, The first protrusion has an extension portion extending in a circumferential direction.

2. the case has a side wall portion located radially outward of the impeller portion, the side wall portion axially connects at least a portion of an outer periphery of the top plate portion and at least a portion of an outer periphery of the bottom plate portion, and extends circumferentially; The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the air passage is surrounded by the top plate, the bottom plate, and the side wall.

3. The extension portion extends 360° or more in the circumferential direction, The blower according to claim 1 , wherein parts of the extension portions are adjacent to each other in the radial direction.

4. the top plate portion has the first protrusion, The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the axial dimension of the first protrusion of the top plate is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness of the top plate.

5. the bottom plate portion has the first protrusion, The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the axial dimension of the first protrusion of the bottom plate portion is equal to or less than twice the plate thickness of the bottom plate portion.

6. The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the axial dimensions of the extensions are the same in the circumferential direction.

7. the bottom plate portion has the first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding in the axial direction, The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the second protrusion extends in a circumferential direction and is positioned radially inward of the first protrusion.

8. The blower according to claim 7 , wherein the second protrusion is provided with an air intake hole that passes through the second protrusion in the axial direction.

9. each of the top plate portion and the bottom plate portion has the first protrusion; When viewed from the circumferential direction, the first protrusion of the top plate portion has a curved shape that protrudes to one side in the axial direction, When viewed from the circumferential direction, the first convex portion of the bottom plate portion has a curved shape that protrudes toward the other axial side, When viewed from the axial direction, the first convex portion of the top plate portion and the first convex portion of the bottom plate portion overlap each other, The blower according to claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the first convex portion of the top plate portion and an inner surface of the first convex portion of the bottom plate portion are exposed to the air passage portion.

Images