Air blowing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an air blowing apparatus capable of preventing air blown out from a blowout port on a side surface from directly hitting a user.SOLUTION: An air blowing apparatus comprises: a housing having an upper surface; a top plate having a lower surface facing the upper surface across an air passage having a downwardly protruding convex part formed thereon and a blowout port on a side surface of the air blowing apparatus; and a blower that blows air that flows through the air passage to the blowout port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air purifier in which air is blown out from an outlet formed on the top surface of a housing (paragraph 0030 and FIG. 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-179196 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the air purifier disclosed in Patent Document 1, an air outlet is formed on the top surface of the air purifier. This places restrictions on the design of the top surface of the air purifier. For this reason, it may be desirable to form the air outlet on the side surface of the air purifier. However, if the air outlet is formed on the side surface of the air purifier, the air may be blown out horizontally and directly hit the user.

[0005] In view of this problem, an aspect of the present disclosure provides a blower device that can prevent the air blown out from the outlet on the side from directly hitting the user, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A blower device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having an upper surface, a top plate having a lower surface facing the upper surface across an air passage having a downwardly protruding convex portion formed therein and an outlet on a side of the blower device, and a blower that blows air that flows through the air passage to the outlet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a blower device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a blower device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a left side view schematically illustrating a blower device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section of the blower device of the first embodiment taken along a cutting line BB in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cross section of the blower device of the first embodiment taken along the cutting line AA in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a top plate provided in the blower device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which a top panel, a left panel, a right panel, a front panel, and a rear panel provided in the air blower of the first embodiment have been removed from the air blower. [Figure 8] 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an upper plate and a top plate of a housing provided in the blower device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a top plate provided in a blower device according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of airflow volume and airflow direction in a blower device of a comparative example. [Figure 11] 4 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of airflow volume and airflow direction in the blower of Example 1. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of air volume and air direction in the air blower of Example 2. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of air volume and air direction in the air blower of Example 3. FIG. [Figure 14]10 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of airflow volume and airflow direction in the blower of Example 4. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of airflow volume and airflow direction in the air blower of Example 5. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the blower device of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by a control unit provided in the blower device of the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an upper plate and a top plate of a housing provided in the blower device of the first embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0009] 1. First embodiment 1.1 Appearance of the blower Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a blower device of a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view schematically illustrating the blower device of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a left side view schematically illustrating the blower device of the first embodiment. Arrows indicating the upward, downward, leftward, rightward, forward, and backward directions of the blower device are drawn in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0010] The air blower 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 is an air purifier. Therefore, the air blower 1 draws in air, purifies the drawn-in air, and blows out the purified air. The air blower 1 may be an air blower other than an air purifier. For example, the air blower 1 may be a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a heater, a cooler, a blower, etc.

[0011] The blower 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therefore, the blower 1 has an upper surface 1T, a lower surface 1B, and a side surface 1S. The upper surface 1T and the lower surface 1B face upward and downward, respectively. The side surface 1S faces in a direction perpendicular to the upward and downward directions. The side surface 1S has a left surface 1SL, a right surface 1SR, a front surface 1SF, and a rear surface 1SB. The left surface 1SL, the right surface 1SR, the front surface 1SF, and the rear surface 1SB face leftward, rightward, forward, and rearward, respectively.

[0012] The blower 1 is installed so that the upward and downward directions correspond to the vertically upward and vertically downward directions, respectively, and the leftward, rightward, forward, and backward directions correspond to the horizontal directions.

[0013] The air blower 1 draws in air from areas other than near the upper ends of the left and right faces 1SL and 1SR of the air blower 1, and blows out the air from near the upper ends of the left, right, front, and rear faces 1SL, 1SR, 1SF, and 1SB of the air blower 1. The air blows out in an obliquely upward direction from each of the left, right, front, and rear directions. This allows the air blown out by the air blower 1 to prevent the user from being hit by the air.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the blower 1 includes a top panel 12, a left panel 13L, a right panel 13R, a front panel 13F, and a rear panel 13B.

[0015] The top panel 12, left panel 13L, right panel 13R, front panel 13F, and rear panel 13B are arranged on the upper surface 1T, left surface 1SL, right surface 1SR, front surface 1SF, and rear surface 1SB of the blower 1, respectively.

[0016] 1.2 Structure of the blower Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the blower device of the first embodiment, taken along a cutting line BB in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the blower device of the first embodiment, taken along a cutting line AA in Fig. 4. Arrows indicating the upward, downward, leftward, rightward, forward, and backward directions of the blower device are depicted in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0017] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the air blower 1 includes a housing 11, a top panel 12, a left panel 13L, a right panel 13R, a front panel 13F, a rear panel 13B, a left pre-filter 14L, a right pre-filter 14R, a deodorizing filter 15, a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter 16, a blower 17, and an ion generator 18.

[0018] The housing 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therefore, the housing 11 has a top surface 11T, a bottom surface 11B, and a side surface 11S. The top surface 11T and the bottom surface 11B face upward and downward, respectively. The side surface 11S faces in a direction perpendicular to the upward and downward directions. The side surface 11S has a left surface 11SL, a right surface 11SR, a front surface 11SF, and a rear surface 11SB. The left surface 11SL, the right surface 11SR, the front surface 11SF, and the rear surface 11SB face leftward, rightward, forward, and rearward, respectively.

[0019] A second air passage 22 is formed in the housing 11. The second air passage 22 has a left inlet 22L and a right inlet 22R on the left side 11SL and the right side 11SR, respectively. The second air passage 22 has a front outlet 22F on the front surface 11SF. The second air passage 22 has a connection portion 22C on the top surface 11T. The second air passage 22 extends from the left inlet 22L and the right inlet 22R to the front outlet 22F and the connection portion 22C. As a result, the second air passage 22 guides air from the left inlet 22L and the right inlet 22R to the front outlet 22F and the connection portion 22C. As a result, air AF flows from the left inlet 22L and the right inlet 22R via the second air passage 22 to the front outlet 22F and the connection portion 22C.

[0020] The top plate 12 has a plate-like shape. Therefore, the top plate 12 has an upper surface 12T and a lower surface 12B. The upper surface 12T and the lower surface 12B face upward and downward, respectively.

[0021] The lower surface 12B of the top panel 12 faces the upper surface 11T of the housing 11 across the first air passage 21. The first air passage 21 has a connection portion 21C on the upper surface 11T of the housing 11. The first air passage 21 has an air outlet 21S on the side surface 1S of the blower 1. As a result, the first air passage 21 guides air from the connection portion 21C to the air outlet 21S. As a result, the air AF flows from the connection portion 21C through the first air passage 21 to the air outlet 21S.

[0022] Connection portion 21C of first air passage 21 is connected to connection portion 22C of second air passage 22. As a result, first air passage 21 communicates with second air passage 22. As a result, first air passage 21 guides air that has been guided by second air passage 22. As a result, air AF flows from left air inlet 22L and right air inlet 22R through second air passage 22, connection portion 22C, connection portion 21C, and first air passage 21 to outlet 21S.

[0023] Connection portion 21C of first air passage 21 is located rearwardly offset from the center of top surface 11T of housing 1. Air outlets 21S are formed around the entire periphery of side surface 1S of blower 1. For this reason, air outlets 21S include left air outlet 21SL, right air outlet 21SR, front air outlet 21SF, and rear air outlet 21SB, which are located on left surface 1SL, right surface 1SR, front surface 1SF, and rear surface 1SB of blower 1, respectively. For this reason, air AF generally travels leftward, rightward, upward, and downward from connection portion 21C and is blown out from left air outlet 21SL, right air outlet 21SR, front air outlet 21SF, and rear air outlet 21SB, respectively.

[0024] The left panel 13L, right panel 13R, front panel 13F, and rear panel 13B each have a lattice shape. Therefore, the left panel 13L, right panel 13R, front panel 13F, and rear panel 13B each allow air to pass through. The left panel 13L, right panel 13R, front panel 13F, and rear panel 13B are disposed on the left surface 11SL, right surface 11SR, front surface 11SF, and rear surface 11SB of the housing 11, respectively. As a result, the left panel 13L and right panel 13R are disposed on the left air inlet 22L and right air inlet 22R of the second air passage 22 on the left surface 11SL and right surface 11SR, respectively. As a result, the left panel 13L and right panel 13R allow air AF drawn into the left air inlet 22L and right air inlet 22R to pass through.

[0025] The left prefilter 14L and the right prefilter 14R each have a plate-like shape. Each of the left prefilter 14L and the right prefilter 14R allows air to pass through while blocking coarse dust particles. The left prefilter 14L is disposed between the left panel 13L and the left surface 11SL of the housing 11. The right prefilter 14R is disposed between the right panel 13R and the right surface 11SR of the housing 11. The left prefilter 14L and the right prefilter 14R are attached to the left surface 11SL and the right surface 11SR, respectively. The left prefilter 14L and the right prefilter 14R cover the left intake port 22L and the right intake port 22R of the second air duct 22, respectively. This allows air that passes through the left panel 13L and is drawn into the left intake port 22L to pass through the left prefilter 14L while removing coarse dust particles from the passing air. The right pre-filter 14R allows air that passes through the right panel 13R and is drawn into the right intake port 22R to pass therethrough, and removes coarse dust particles from the air that passes through.

[0026] Each of the deodorizing filter 15 and the HEPA filter 16 has a plate-like shape. The deodorizing filter 15 allows air to pass through but blocks odor components from passing through. The HEPA filter 16 allows air to pass through but blocks fine particles from passing through.

[0027] The deodorizing filter 15 and the HEPA filter 16 are stacked one on top of the other. The deodorizing filter 15 and the HEPA filter 16 are arranged in the second air duct 22. The deodorizing filter 15 and the HEPA filter 16 are arranged along the left air inlet 22L of the second air duct 22. The deodorizing filter 15 is arranged upstream of the HEPA filter 16 in the second air duct 22. This allows the air drawn into the left air inlet 22L to pass through the deodorizing filter 15 and removes odor components from the passing air. The HEPA filter 16 allows the air that has passed through the deodorizing filter 15 to pass through and removes fine particles from the passing air.

[0028] Fan 17 is disposed in second air passage 22. Fan 17 is disposed downstream of deodorizing filter 15 and HEPA filter 16 in second air passage 22. Fan 17 draws air from the upstream side of second air passage 22 and blows out the drawn air to the downstream side of second air passage 22. In this way, fan 17 blows air AF.

[0029] Ion generator 18 is arranged in second air passage 22. Ion generator 18 is arranged downstream of air blower 17 in second air passage 22. Ion generator 18 generates ions. As a result, ion generator 18 causes the ions to be contained in the air blown by wind AF.

[0030] 1.3 Structure of the top surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the top plate Fig. 6 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a top plate provided in the blower of the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a state in which the top plate, left panel, right panel, front panel, and rear panel provided in the blower of the first embodiment have been removed from the blower. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates the top plate and upper plate of the housing provided in the blower of the first embodiment. Arrows indicating the upward, downward, leftward, rightward, forward, and rearward directions of the blower are drawn in Figs. 6 to 8.

[0031] 6 and 8, a first protrusion 41 that protrudes downward is formed on the underside 12B of the top panel 12. The first protrusion 41 protrudes downward, but does not reach the upper surface 11T of the housing 11. Therefore, the lower end of the first protrusion 41 and the upper surface 11T are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, a first gap 51 that allows airflow AF to pass through is formed between the lower end of the first protrusion 41 and the upper surface 11T.

[0032] When viewed from above, first convex portion 41 is formed between connection portion 21C of first air passage 21 and air outlet 21S of first air passage 21. As a result, first convex portion 41 is exposed to air that flows along underside 12B of top plate 12 from the upstream side of first air passage 21, where connection portion 21C is located, toward the downstream side of first air passage 21, where air outlet 21S is located. As a result, first convex portion 41 prevents air AF from being blown out horizontally from air outlet 21S. As a result, first convex portion 41 changes the direction of air AF blown out from air outlet 21S obliquely upward from the horizontal direction.

[0033] First protrusion 41 has an annular shape when viewed from below in a plan view. As a result, first protrusion 41 interferes with airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21, over the entire circumference of side surface 1S of blower 1. As a result, first protrusion 41 changes the direction of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S diagonally upward, over the entire circumference of side surface 1S.

[0034] When the vertical size of first gap 51 is small, the volume of airflow AF that passes through first gap 51 and is blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21 decreases. However, the upward tilt of the wind direction of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S increases. On the other hand, when the vertical size of first gap 51 is large, the volume of airflow AF that passes through first gap 51 and is blown out from outlet 21S increases. However, the upward tilt of the wind direction of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S decreases.

[0035] The first protrusion 41 has a first surface 41P and a second surface 41Q.

[0036] Hereinafter, the direction from the downstream side of first air passage 21 to the upstream side of first air passage 21, which is parallel to the horizontal direction, will be referred to as the upstream direction DU of first air passage 21. Also, the direction from the upstream side of first air passage 21 to the downstream side of first air passage 21, which is parallel to the horizontal direction, will be referred to as the downstream direction DD of first air passage 21.

[0037] The first surface 41P of the first convex portion 41 is a flat surface. However, the first surface 41P may be non-flat. The first surface 41P faces a diagonally downward direction that is inclined downward from the upstream direction DU of the first air passage 21. That is, the first surface 41P is perpendicular to the diagonally downward direction that is inclined downward from the horizontal direction. The first surface 41P guides the wind that strikes the first surface 41P so that it flows along the first surface 41P. This causes the first surface 41P to change the direction of the wind that strikes the first surface 41P to a diagonally downward direction that is inclined downward from the downstream direction DD of the first air passage 21. The vertical size of the gap between the first surface 41P and the upper surface 11T decreases toward the downstream side of the first air passage 21. The first surface 41P may face the upstream direction DU of the first air passage 21. That is, first surface 41P may be perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and therefore first surface 41P may change the direction of wind hitting first surface 41P downward.

[0038] The second surface 41Q of the first protrusion 41 is located closer to the outlet 21S of the first air passage 21 than the first surface 41P of the first protrusion 41. The second surface 41Q is a flat surface. The second surface 41Q may be a non-flat surface. The second surface 41Q faces a diagonally downward direction that is inclined downward from the downstream direction DD of the first air passage 21. That is, the second surface 41Q is perpendicular to the diagonally downward direction that is inclined downward from the horizontal direction. The second surface 41Q guides the air whose direction has been changed diagonally downward by the first surface 41P to flow along the second surface 41Q. As a result, the second surface 41Q changes the direction of the air whose direction has been changed diagonally downward by the first surface 41P to a diagonally upward direction that is inclined upward from the downstream direction DD of the first air passage 21. The vertical size of the gap between second surface 41Q and upper surface 11T increases toward the downstream side of first air passage 21. Second surface 41Q may face the downstream direction DD of first air passage 21. In other words, second surface 41Q may be perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a top plate provided in a blower device according to a first modified example of the first embodiment.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, in the first modified example of the first embodiment, the first protrusion 41 has a third surface 41R in addition to a first surface 41P and a second surface 41Q.

[0041] Third surface 41R of first convex portion 41 is located between first surface 41P of first convex portion 41 and second surface 41Q of first convex portion 41. Third surface 41R is a curved surface. Third surface 41R is rounded so that the surface is smoothly continuous from first surface 41P to second surface 41Q via third surface 41R. By disposing rounded third surface 41R between first surface 41P and second surface 41Q, it is possible to suppress the formation of vortices in air AF upstream of third surface 41R in first air passage 21. This makes it possible to increase the volume of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21.

[0042] 7 and 8, the housing 11 has an upper plate 31 at the top. The upper surface of the upper plate 31 forms the upper surface 11T of the housing 11. A second protrusion 42 that protrudes upward is formed on the upper surface 11T of the housing 11.

[0043] The second protrusion 42 protrudes upward but does not reach the lower surface 12B of the top panel 12. Therefore, the upper end of the second protrusion 42 and the lower surface 12B are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, a second gap 52 that allows airflow AF to pass through is formed between the upper end of the second protrusion 42 and the lower surface 12B.

[0044] In a plan view from above, second convex portion 42 is located closer to outlet 21S of first air passage 21 than first surface 41P of first convex portion 41. As a result, second convex portion 42 is exposed to air that flows along upper surface 11T of housing 11 from the upstream side of first air passage 21, where connection portion 21C of first air passage 21 is located, toward the downstream side of first air passage 21, where outlet 21S is located. As a result, second convex portion 42 prevents air AF from being blown out horizontally from outlet 21S. As a result, second convex portion 42 changes the direction of air AF blown out from outlet 21S obliquely upward from the horizontal direction.

[0045] Second convex portion 42 is formed along outlet 21S of first air passage 21. This makes it possible to prevent the wind direction of air AF that has passed through second gap 52 from returning to the horizontal direction before it is blown out from outlet 21S.

[0046] Second protrusion 42 has an annular shape when viewed in a plan view from above. As a result, second protrusion 42 interferes with airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21, over the entire circumference of side surface 1S of blower 1. As a result, second protrusion 42 changes the direction of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S to an obliquely upward direction inclined from the horizontal direction, over the entire circumference of side surface 1S.

[0047] The second protrusion 42 has a surface 42P.

[0048] Surface 42P of second convex portion 42 is a flat surface. Surface 42P may be a non-flat surface. Surface 42P faces the upstream direction DU of first air passage 21. In other words, surface 42P is perpendicular to the horizontal direction. As a result, surface 42P changes the direction of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21 obliquely upward from the horizontal direction.

[0049] First convex portion 41 and second convex portion 42 change the direction of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21 obliquely upward, thereby preventing the airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S from directly hitting the user. In addition, the air AF blown out from outlet 21S can circulate the air inside the room in which blower device 1 is installed.

[0050] Furthermore, first convex portion 41 and second convex portion 42 change the direction of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21 obliquely upward, thereby eliminating the need to form an outlet in top plate 12. This can reduce restrictions on the design of top surface 12T of top plate 12. For example, top surface 12T can be made flat.

[0051] 1.4 Simulation Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of air volume and direction of the air in the blower of the comparative example. Figs. 11 to 15 are diagrams showing the results of a simulation of the distribution of air volume and direction of the air in the blowers of Examples 1 to 5, respectively.

[0052] The distribution of the air volume and direction of the air AF, as well as the air volume, air volume ratio, and air direction of the air AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21 in the blower devices of the comparative example and Examples 1-5, were investigated by simulation. The distribution of the air volume and air direction of the air AF in the blower device of the comparative example is shown in FIG. 10. The distribution of the air volume and air direction of the air AF in the blower devices of Examples 1-5 are shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, respectively. The air volumes, air volume ratios, and air directions of the air AF blown out from outlet 21S in the blower devices of the comparative example and Examples 1-5 are shown in Table 1. The air volume ratios are calculated so that the air volume ratio in the blower device of the comparative example is 100%. The air direction is expressed by the angle of inclination upward from the horizontal.

[0053] [Table 1]

[0054] The blower of the comparative example shown in FIG. 10 differs from the blower of Example 1 in that it does not have a first protrusion 41. The blower of Example 1 shown in FIG. 11 is the blower 1 of the first embodiment. The blower of Example 2 shown in FIG. 12 differs from the blower of Example 1 in that it does not have a second protrusion 42. The blower of Example 3 shown in FIG. 13 differs from the blower of Example 1 in that the second surface 41Q of the first protrusion 41 faces the downstream direction DD of the first air passage 21. The blower of Example 4 shown in FIG. 14 differs from the blower of Example 1 in that the vertical size of the first gap 51 is increased by 10 mm. The blower of Example 5 shown in FIG. 15 differs from the blower of Example 1 in that the vertical size of the first gap 51 is increased by 10 mm and the first protrusion 41 has a rounded third surface 41R.

[0055] From the comparative example and Example 1, it can be seen that when the first convex portion 41 is formed, the volume of the wind AF blown out from the outlet 21S of the first air passage 21 decreases, but the wind direction of the wind AF blown out from the outlet 21S tilts diagonally upward.

[0056] From Examples 1 and 2, it can be seen that when the second convex portion 42 is formed, the upward inclination of the wind direction of the wind AF blown out from the outlet 21S of the first air passage 21 becomes smaller.

[0057] From Examples 1 and 3, it can be understood that when the second surface 41Q of the first convex portion 41 is not inclined, the volume of the air AF blown out from the outlet 21S of the first air passage 21 becomes smaller.

[0058] From Examples 1 and 4, it can be understood that as the size of first gap 51 in the vertical direction increases, the amount of airflow AF blown out from outlet 21S of first air passage 21 increases.

[0059] From Examples 5 and 6, it can be seen that since the first convex portion 41 has a rounded third surface 41R, the volume of the wind AF blown out from the outlet 21S of the first air passage 21 is increased, but the inclination of the wind direction diagonally upward of the wind AF blown out from the outlet 21S is reduced.

[0060] 1.5 Light-emitting part The top plate 12 is detachable from the housing 11. When the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11, the top surface 11T of the housing 11 is hidden under the top plate 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the user cannot see the top surface 11T. On the other hand, when the top plate 12 is detached from the housing 11, the top surface 11T is not hidden under the top plate 12, as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the user can see the top surface 11T.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the air blower 1 includes a light emitting unit 61.

[0062] The light-emitting unit 61 is exposed on the top surface 11T of the housing 11. Therefore, when the top panel 12 is attached to the housing 11 and the top surface 11T is hidden below the top panel 12, the user cannot see the light-emitting unit 61 from above. However, the user may be able to see the light-emitting unit 61 or the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 61 from the horizontal direction via the air outlet 21S. If the top panel 12 is capable of transmitting the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 61, the user can see the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 61 from above even when the top panel 12 is attached to the housing 11 and the top surface 11T is hidden below the top panel 12. On the other hand, when the top panel 12 is detached from the housing 11 and the top surface 11T is not hidden below the top panel 12, the user can see the light-emitting unit 61 from above.

[0063] The light-emitting unit 61 is a light-emitting diode. The light-emitting unit 61 may be a light-emitting element other than a light-emitting diode. For example, the light-emitting unit 61 may be an incandescent lamp, a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or the like.

[0064] 1.6 Control System FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a control system of the blower of the first embodiment.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 16, the air blower 1 includes an air blower 17, an ion generator 18, a light emitting unit 61, a detecting unit 71, a control unit 72, and an operating unit 73.

[0066] The detection unit 71 detects whether the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11 or not.

[0067] When the detection unit 71 detects that the table top 12 is attached to the housing 11, the control unit 72 turns off the light-emitting unit 61. When the detection unit 71 detects that the table top 12 is not attached to the housing 11, the control unit 72 turns on the light-emitting unit 61. This allows the light-emitting unit 61 to be lit when the table top 12 is detached from the housing 11, and information can be communicated to the user by the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 61. Furthermore, when the table top 12 is attached to the housing 11, the light-emitting unit 61 can be turned off, which prevents light emitted by the light-emitting unit 61 from leaking outside the air blower 1 when the air blower 1 is installed in a dark place from being noticeable. This advantage is particularly noticeable when the table top 12 is able to transmit light.

[0068] When turning on the light-emitting unit 61, the control unit 72 causes the light-emitting unit 61 to emit light corresponding to the operating states of the air blower 17 and the ion generator 18. For example, the control unit 72 causes the light-emitting unit 61 to emit light whose intensity, color, blinking method, etc., while the air blower 17 is blowing air AF to be different from the light whose intensity, color, blinking method, etc., while the air blower 17 is not blowing air AF. Alternatively, the control unit 72 causes the light-emitting unit 61 to emit light whose intensity, color, blinking method, etc., while the ion generator 18 is generating ions to be different from the light whose intensity, color, blinking method, etc., while the ion generator 18 is not generating ions. This allows the light to convey information about the operating state to the user. The control unit 72 may also cause the light-emitting unit 61 to emit light whose intensity, color, blinking method, etc., corresponds to the operating state of the air blower 1 other than the operating states of the air blower 17 and the ion generator 18.

[0069] Operations are performed on the operation unit 73. The operations to be performed include an operation to start the operation of the air blower 1, an operation to end the operation of the air blower 1, an operation to change the volume of the air AF blown by the air blower 17, an operation to start the generation of ions in the ion generator 18, an operation to end the generation of ions in the ion generator 18, and the like.

[0070] The operation unit 73 is a remote controller that is separated from the housing 11 and the top panel 12. The operation unit 73 may be incorporated into the housing 11 and the top panel 12. The operation unit 73 is a button, a dial, a slider, a touch panel, or the like.

[0071] When lighting up the light-emitting unit 61, the control unit 72 causes the light-emitting unit 61 to emit light according to the operation performed on the operation unit 73. This allows the light to convey information about the operation to the user.

[0072] 1.7 Processing flow FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit provided in the blower device of the first embodiment.

[0073] The control unit 72 executes steps S11 to S13 shown in FIG.

[0074] In step S11, the control unit 72 determines whether or not the detection unit 71 has detected that the tabletop 12 is attached to the housing 11. If the control unit 72 determines that the detection unit 71 has detected that the tabletop 12 is attached to the housing 11, it executes step S12 and then executes step S11 again. If the control unit 72 determines that the detection unit 71 has detected that the tabletop 12 is not attached to the housing 11, it executes step S13 and then executes step S11 again.

[0075] In step S12, the control unit 72 causes the light emitting unit 61 to emit light according to the operating states of the blower 17 and the ion generator 18.

[0076] In step S13, the control unit 72 turns off the light emitting unit 61.

[0077] 1.8 Support and detector Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the upper plate and the top plate of the housing provided in the blower of the first embodiment. In Fig. 18, arrows are drawn indicating the upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions of the blower.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 18, the top panel 12 includes a plate-shaped portion 81, a left front support column 82LF, a right front support column 82RF, a left rear support column 82LB, and a right rear support column 82RB.

[0079] The upper ends of the left front support column 82LF, the right front support column 82RF, the left rear support column 82LB, and the right rear support column 82RB are connected to the lower surface 81B of the plate-shaped portion 81. The lower ends of the left front support column 82LF, the right front support column 82RF, the left rear support column 82LB, and the right rear support column 82RB abut against the upper surface 11T of the housing 11 when the top panel 12 is attached to the housing 11. As a result, the left front support column 82LF, the right front support column 82RF, the left rear support column 82LB, and the right rear support column 82RB separate the lower surfaces 81B upward from the upper surface 11T. As a result, a first air passage 21 is formed between the lower surface 81B and the upper surface 11T.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 18, each of the supports included in the left front support 82LF, the right front support 82RF, the left rear support 82LB, and the right rear support 82RB includes a tube 91 and a magnet 92.

[0081] The upper end of the tube 91 is connected to the lower surface 81B of the plate-shaped portion 81. The lower end of the tube 91 abuts against the upper surface 11T of the housing 11 when the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11. An internal space 91S is formed in the tube 91. The internal space 91S extends from the upper end of the tube 91 to the lower end of the tube 91.

[0082] The magnet 92 is housed in the cylindrical space 91S. The magnet 92 is arranged along the lower end of the cylinder 91. As a result, the contact portion 101 provided on each support 82, which contacts the upper surface 11T of the housing 11 when the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11, incorporates the magnet 92. The magnet 92 generates a magnetic field. When the contact portion 101 contacts the upper surface 11T, the generated magnetic field acts on the detection unit 71.

[0083] When a magnetic field is detected, the detection unit 71 detects that the tabletop 12 is attached to the housing 11, and when a magnetic field is not detected, the detection unit 71 detects that the tabletop 12 is not attached to the housing 11.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 18, the detection unit 71 includes a screw 111, a Hall integrated circuit (IC) 112, and a Hall IC substrate 113.

[0085] The head of the screw 111 is exposed on the top surface 11T. The head of the screw 111 is positioned so that it will come into contact with the magnet 92 when the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11. The shaft of the screw 111 passes through the top plate 31 of the housing 11. The lower end of the shaft of the screw 111 is exposed on the lower surface of the top plate 31. The screw 111 is made of a ferromagnetic material. This allows the screw 111 to transmit the magnetic field generated when the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11 to the lower end of the shaft of the screw 111.

[0086] The Hall IC 112 is disposed along the lower end of the shaft of the screw 111. Therefore, when the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11, the Hall IC 112 is exposed to the magnetic field generated by the magnet 92. The Hall IC 112 outputs a signal corresponding to the magnetic field to which it is exposed. The Hall IC 112 is mounted on a Hall IC board 113. The Hall IC board 113 processes the signal output by the Hall IC 112, and when the Hall IC 112 is exposed to the magnetic field generated by the magnet 92, it outputs a signal indicating that it has detected that the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11. When the Hall IC 112 is not exposed to the magnetic field generated by the magnet 92, it outputs a signal indicating that it has detected that the top plate 12 is not attached to the housing 11.

[0087] By detecting that the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11 by transmission of a magnetic field, the waterproofness of the blower device 1 can be improved compared to when detecting that the top plate 12 is attached to the housing 11 by a mechanical switch.

[0088] 1.9 Symmetry of the tabletop The tabletop 12 has rotational symmetry in that the shapes before and after rotating it by 90n degrees around a central axis extending in the vertical direction overlap each other. Here, n is 1, 2, or 3. Therefore, the tabletop 12 can be attached to the housing 11 even when rotated by 90n degrees around the central axis extending in the vertical direction. This allows the tabletop 12 to be attached to the housing 11 without considering the orientation of the tabletop 12.

[0089] 1.10 Relationship between the position of the support and the wind volume As shown in Figures 6 and 18, a left portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed between the left front support column 82LF and the left rear support column 82LB. A right portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed between the right front support column 82RF and the right rear support column 82RB. A front portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed between the left front support column 82LF and the right front support column 82RF. A rear portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed between the left rear support column 82LB and the right rear support column 82RB.

[0090] The space between the left front support 82LF and the left rear support 82LB, where the left portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed, allows air to pass through that is blown out from the left air outlet 21SL. The space between the right front support 82RF and the right rear support 82RB, where the right portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed, allows air to pass through that is blown out from the right air outlet 21SR. The space between the left front support 82LF and the right front support 82RF, where the front portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed, allows air to pass through that is blown out from the front air outlet 21SF. The space between the left rear support 82LB and the right rear support 82RB, where the rear portion of the first protrusion 41 is formed, allows air to pass through that is blown out from the rear air outlet 21SB.

[0091] When first convex portion 41 moves upstream of first air passage 21, the distance between left front support column 82LF and left rear support column 82LB, the distance between right front support column 82RF and right rear support column 82RB, the distance between left front support column 82LF and right front support column 82RF, and the distance between left rear support column 82LB and right rear support column 82RB are shortened. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the opening through which the wind blown out from left air outlet 21SL passes, the opening area of ​​the opening through which the wind blown out from right air outlet 21SR passes, the opening area of ​​the opening through which the wind blown out from front air outlet 21SF passes, and the opening area of ​​the opening through which the wind AF blown out from rear air outlet 21SB passes are reduced. Therefore, first convex portion 41 is moved closer to air outlet 21S within a range where the positional relationship with second convex portion 42 can be maintained.

[0092] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiments, a configuration that has the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 blower, 1T top, 1B bottom, 1S side, 1SL left side, 1SR right side, 1SF front, 1SB rear, 11 housing, 11T top, 11B bottom, 11S side, 11SL left side, 11SR right side, 11F front, 11B rear, 12 top panel, 12T top, 12B bottom, 13L left panel, 13R right panel, 13F front panel, 13B rear panel, 14L left pre-filter, 14R right pre-filter, 15 deodorizing filter, 16 high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, 17 blower, 18 ion generator, 21 first air duct, 21C connection, 21S air outlet, 21SL left air outlet, 21SR right air outlet, 21SF front air outlet, 21SB Rear air outlet, 22 Second air passage, 22L Left intake port, 22R Right intake port, 22F Front air outlet, 22C Connection part, 31 Upper plate, 41 First convex part, 41P First surface, 41Q Second surface, 41R Third surface, 42 Second convex part, 42P Surface, 51 First gap, 52 Second gap, 61 Light emitting part, 71 Detection part, 72 Control part, 73 Operation part, 81 Plate-shaped part, 81B Bottom surface, 82LF Left front support, 82RF Right front support, 82LB Left rear support, 82RB Right rear support, 91 Cylinder, 91S Cylinder space, 92 Magnet, 101 Contact part, 111 Screw, 112 Hall integrated circuit (IC), 113 Hall IC board, AF Air, DU Upstream direction, DD Downstream direction.

Claims

1. a housing having a top surface; a top plate having a lower surface facing the upper surface across an air passage having a downwardly protruding convex portion formed thereon and an outlet on a side surface of the air blower; a blower that blows air flowing through the air passage to the air outlet; A blower device comprising:

2. The air outlet is formed around the entire periphery of the side surface, The convex portion has an annular shape when viewed from below in a plan view. The blower device according to claim 1 .

3. the protrusion is a first protrusion, the first convex portion has a surface facing an upstream direction of the air passage or a direction inclined downward from the upstream direction, A second protrusion that is located closer to the outlet than the surface and protrudes upward is formed on the upper surface. The blower device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second protrusion has a surface facing the upstream direction of the air passage. The blower device according to claim 3 .

5. The air outlet is formed around the entire periphery of the side surface, The second protrusion has an annular shape when viewed in a plan view from above. The blower device according to claim 3 .

6. The second protrusion is formed along the outlet. The blower device according to claim 3 .

7. The convex portion has a first surface facing the upstream direction of the air passage or in a direction inclined downward from the upstream direction, a second surface located closer to the outlet than the first surface and facing the downstream direction of the air passage or in a direction inclined downward from the downstream direction, and a rounded third surface located between the first surface and the second surface. The blower device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the top plate is detachable from the housing, a light-emitting portion exposed on the upper surface; a detection unit that detects whether the top plate is attached to the housing; a control unit that turns off the light emitting unit when the detection unit detects that the tabletop is attached to the housing, and turns on the light emitting unit when the detection unit detects that the tabletop is not attached to the housing; The blower device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

9. The control unit causes the light emitting unit to emit light according to an operating state of the air blower. The blower device according to claim 8.

10. Equipped with an operating unit, The control unit causes the light emitting unit to emit light corresponding to an operation performed on the operation unit. The blower device according to claim 8.

11. the top plate includes a support pillar having a built-in magnet that generates a magnetic field and an abutment portion that abuts against the top surface when the top plate is attached to the housing; The detection unit detects that the tabletop is attached to the housing when the magnetic field is detected, and detects that the tabletop is not attached to the housing when the magnetic field is not detected. The blower device according to claim 8.

12. the air passage is a first air passage, a second air passage having a connection portion on the upper surface thereof that is connected to the first air passage is formed in the housing; the protrusion is formed between the connection portion and the air outlet when viewed in a plan view from the bottom direction, The air flows through the second air passage, the connection portion, and the first air passage to the air outlet. The blower device according to claim 1 or 2.

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