Electric air blower

Abstract

To secure an appropriate cooling air volume while mitigating the effect of dust on an air blower inverter.SOLUTION: An electric air blower according to an embodiment supplies cooling air to a vehicular electric motor, and comprises: a fan; a fan case 120 housing the fan, and connected to a ventilation duct for supplying the cooling air; an air blower electric motor for driving the fan; an air blower inverter for controlling electric power to the air blower electric motor; an inverter cooling air duct; and a communication hole cover 150. The inverter cooling air duct receives a portion of the cooling air as inverter cooling air via a communication hole 127 from the inside of the fan case 120, and serves as a flow passage therefor. The communication hole cover is provided so as to cover the communication hole 127 in the fan case 120, and a downstream side opening 154 is formed in a cover downstream side end part 153 in a flow of vehicular electric motor cooling air in the fan case 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electric blower. [Background technology]

[0002] In many vehicle drive systems, a vehicle electric motor that drives the wheels, a vehicle blower that sends air to cool the vehicle electric motor, and an auxiliary power supply unit that serves as the power source for these components are located under the floor of the vehicle.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric blower such as a vehicle blower has a blower inverter that controls the drive of a fan by converting electric power from an auxiliary power supply that supplies electric power at a constant voltage and a constant frequency.

[0004] The blower inverter is cooled by inverter cooling air obtained by branching off a portion of the vehicle motor cooling air that flows from the vehicle blower, which is the main air source, to the vehicle motor.

[0005] The inverter cooling air flows through an inverter cooling air passage connected to a fan case of the vehicle blower via a communication hole formed in the fan case, and after cooling fins protruding into the inverter cooling air passage, the inverter cooling air flows out of the inverter cooling air passage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-85110 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As described above, the inverter-cooling air is obtained by branching off a portion of the main airflow for cooling the vehicle electric motor. To avoid adversely affecting the cooling of the vehicle electric motor, it is necessary to ensure the main airflow volume and static pressure within the fan. Therefore, the area of ​​the communication hole at the branched portion to the inverter-cooling air flow path cannot be made large.

[0008] This has created the problem that fine dust particles in the outside air drawn in by the fan of the vehicle blower tend to accumulate near these communication holes, and that the accumulation of dust has a significant impact on reducing the volume of air used to cool the inverter.

[0009] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an electric blower that can ensure an appropriate amount of cooling air while mitigating the effects of dust on a blower inverter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electric blower of this embodiment is an electric blower that supplies vehicle electric motor cooling air to a vehicle electric motor, and is characterized by comprising: a fan; a fan case that houses the fan and is connected to an air duct for supplying vehicle electric motor cooling air and has a communication hole formed therein; a blower motor that drives the fan; a blower inverter that controls the supply of power to the blower motor; an inverter cooling air duct that receives part of the vehicle electric motor cooling air from inside the fan case through the communication hole as inverter cooling air for cooling the blower inverter and forms a flow path for the air; and a communication hole cover that is provided within the fan case to cover the communication hole and has a downstream opening formed at the downstream end of the cover of the flow of vehicle electric motor cooling air within the fan case. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of a drive system of a vehicle including an electric blower according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electric blower according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a vertical partial cross-sectional view taken along a blade shaft, illustrating the configuration of an electric blower according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is an elevational cross-sectional view perpendicular to a blade shaft, showing the configuration of an electric blower according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is an enlarged elevational cross-sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 4 showing the communication-hole cover of the electric blower according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in FIG. 5, showing the communication hole cover of the electric blower according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a communication hole cover and a communication hole in a first modified example of the electric blower according to the first preferred embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a communication hole cover and a communication hole in a second modified example of the electric blower according to the first preferred embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a communication hole cover and a communication hole in a third modified example of the electric blower according to the first preferred embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a communication hole cover and a communication hole in a fourth modified example of the electric blower according to the first preferred embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a communication hole cover of an electric blower according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in FIG. 11, showing the communication-hole cover of the electric blower according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a communication hole cover and a communication hole in a modified example of the electric blower according to the second preferred embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow DD in FIG. 13, showing a communication hole cover and a communication hole in a modified example of the electric blower according to the second preferred embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a communication hole cover of an electric blower according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow EE in FIG. 15, showing the communication-hole cover of the electric blower according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a mounting set for an electric blower according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an electric blower according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, identical or similar parts will be denoted by common reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0013] [First embodiment] 1 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of a vehicle drive system 10a of a vehicle 10 including an electric blower 100 according to the first embodiment. The vehicle drive system 10a is arranged below a vehicle body floor 11a of a vehicle body 11.

[0014] The vehicle drive system 10a has wheels 12, a vehicle electric motor 13, an electric blower 100, an air duct 14, and an auxiliary power supply 15. The vehicle electric motor 13 drives the wheels 12. The electric blower 100 supplies air for cooling the vehicle electric motor 13 via the air duct 14. The auxiliary power supply 15 supplies power to the vehicle electric motor 13 and the electric blower 100. The auxiliary power supply 15 normally supplies constant-voltage, constant-frequency power.

[0015] For ease of explanation, coordinate axes are set to clarify the relationship between the figures. The longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10 is defined as the x-direction. The width direction of the vehicle 10, i.e., the direction perpendicular to the x-direction on a horizontal plane, is defined as the y-direction. The direction perpendicular to the x-direction and y-directions, i.e., the direction pointing vertically upward, is defined as the z-direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, auxiliary power supply device 15, electric blower 100, and vehicle electric motor 13 that constitute vehicle drive system 10a are arranged in the x direction.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the electric blower 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Electric blower 100 has fan 110 (FIG. 3), not shown, fan case 120 that houses it, and a drive section of fan 110 adjacent to fan case 120 in the y direction. The drive section of fan 110 is made up of blower motor 140 and blower inverter 130, which are arranged sequentially in the z direction. Blower inverter 130 has inverter main body 131 and inverter cooling air duct 132, which serves as a passage for inverter cooling air that cools inverter main body 131.

[0019] 2 shows the case where fan 110 is a radial fan (centrifugal fan), and fan case 120 has fan case first side plate 121 and fan case second side plate 122 (FIG. 3) arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the y direction, and fan case outer periphery plate 123 connecting the outer edges of these plates to form a radial partition from the outside. Fan case first side plate 121, fan case second side plate 122, and fan case outer periphery plate 123 form fan case outlet 125 at their ends, which is connected to ventilation duct 14 (FIG. 1).

[0020] Fan case first side plate 121 is provided with fan case inlet 124 that draws in outside air in the y direction. Fan case inlet 124 has a mesh to prevent foreign matter from entering. Fan case inlet 124 may have a perforated plate instead of the mesh.

[0021] As a result of the above, the fan 110 rotates along the zx plane.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view taken along the blade shaft 112, showing the configuration of the electric blower 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the blade shaft 112, showing the configuration of the electric blower 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that Fig. 3 shows cross sections of only the fan 110, the fan case 120, and the inverter cooling air duct 132.

[0023] The fan 110 has a plurality of blades 111 and a blade shaft 112 that supports and rotates the blades 111. The blade shaft 112 is rotated by a blower motor 140.

[0024] The blower inverter 130 converts the constant voltage, constant frequency power supplied from the auxiliary power supply 15 (Figure 1) into power of a predetermined frequency for controlling the rotation speed of the blower motor 140, and supplies the power to the blower motor 140.

[0025] Inverter cooling air duct 132 is a flow path that extends in the y direction and connects communication hole 127 formed in fan case second side plate 122 to outflow opening 132a that communicates with the outside on the downstream side. Inverter cooling fins 133 extending in the y direction protrude into inverter cooling air duct 132, i.e., in the x direction, from inverter side partition plate 132b, which is a wall plate on the inverter main body 131 side of inverter cooling air duct 132. Multiple inverter cooling fins 133 may be arranged in parallel with each other in the width direction (z direction) of inverter cooling air duct 132. Fan case second side plate 122 functions as a side plate of fan case 120.

[0026] Arrow r in FIG. 4 indicates the rotation direction of fan 110. FIG. 4 illustrates a clockwise direction as viewed from fan case first side plate 121 to fan case second side plate 122. Outside air is drawn into fan 110 from fan case inlet 124 (FIG. 3). The drawn outside air flows radially outward as viewed from impeller shaft 112 within fan case 120, swirls clockwise around the periphery, and finally flows out from fan case outlet 125 to ventilation duct 14 (FIG. 1). This is the main flow of vehicle electric motor cooling air supplied to vehicle electric motor 13 (FIG. 1).

[0027] The communication hole 127 is formed to guide a portion of the vehicle motor cooling air, which is the main flow inside the fan case 120, to the inverter cooling air duct 132 as inverter cooling air for cooling the blower inverter 130.

[0028] Electric blower 100 further includes a communication hole cover 150. Communication hole cover 150 is provided to cover communication hole 127 in order to reduce the effect of dust on blower inverter .

[0029] The communication hole 127 and the communication hole cover 150, including modified examples, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. FIG.

[0030] <Configuration of communication hole cover 150> Fig. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view enlarging part A in the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 4, showing communication hole cover 150 of electric blower 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow BB in Fig. 5, showing communication hole cover 150 of electric blower 100 according to the first embodiment. Although Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view, it is to be considered a front view of communication hole cover 150. The same applies to the following figures.

[0031] 5 and 6, communication holes 127 are provided at positions corresponding to the positions where inverter cooling air duct 132 is provided. That is, four communication holes 127 are provided in fan case second side plate 122 near and inside fan case outer peripheral plate 123. Note that the number of communication holes 127 is merely an example, and other numbers may be used. The four communication holes 127 are arranged side by side in the z direction.

[0032] 5 and 6, the arrows indicated by two-dot chain lines indicate the direction of flow within fan case 120 of the vehicle motor cooling air that is sent as main flow F to vehicle motor 13 via ventilation duct 14.

[0033] 5, when viewed along the zx plane in which fan 110 (FIG. 3) rotates, near fan case outer circumferential plate 123, main flow F is aligned with the direction in which fan case outer circumferential plate 123 extends. The four communication holes 127 are aligned in the z direction, and are therefore aligned along the direction of main flow F at this position (negative z direction).

[0034] The communication hole cover 150 is provided so as to cover these four communication holes 127.

[0035] The communication hole cover 150 has a guide plate 151 and two side plates 152 .

[0036] Guide plate 151 rises from the connection with fan case second side plate 122 toward the inside of fan case 120, curves smoothly, and then extends parallel to fan case second side plate 122. The direction in which guide plate 151 extends is parallel to the direction of mainstream F. Note that the direction of mainstream F is not limited to a single direction, and may be the average direction of mainstream F in the area near the location where communication hole 127 is provided in fan case 120. If such a direction is referred to as "approximately the direction of mainstream F," then the direction in which guide plate 151 extends may be approximately the direction of the mainstream.

[0037] Alternatively, the direction of main flow F may be set to the tangent direction of the inner surface of fan case outer circumferential plate 123 at portion P closest to the center of guide plate 151 in the longitudinal direction of fan case outer circumferential plate 123 shown in FIG.

[0038] Side plates 152 are provided along the direction in which guide plate 151 extends, connecting between both side portions of guide plate 151 and fan case second side plate 122, respectively.

[0039] The above-mentioned "direction of the mainstream F" and "substantially the direction of the mainstream F" will also be referred to as "the flow direction of the mainstream F" or "the flow direction of the air for cooling the vehicle electric motor."

[0040] As a result, the communication hole cover 150 is disposed so as to extend in the flow direction of the mainstream F. Furthermore, the communication hole cover 150 is covered on three sides by being composed of a guide plate 151 and two side plates 152, each of which extends in the flow direction of the mainstream F. As a result, a downstream opening 154 (FIG. 6) is formed in the downstream end 153 of the cover, which is the most downstream side as viewed from the flow direction of the mainstream F.

[0041] In order to reduce the effect of the communication-hole cover 150 disturbing the flow of the mainstream F, a curved upstream corner portion 150f may be formed at the upstream corner of the communication-hole cover 150, as shown in FIG. 5, to reduce resistance to the flow.

[0042] The downstream portion of the edge of the communication hole 127 formed at the most downstream position in the flow direction of the mainstream F among the multiple communication holes 127 will be referred to as the most downstream communication hole end 127z ( FIG. 6 ). In the flow direction of the mainstream F, i.e., the minus z direction in FIG. 6 , the position of the most downstream communication hole end 127z is upstream (in the plus z direction) of the cover downstream end 153 of the communication hole cover 150. In other words, the position of the cover downstream end 153 of the communication hole cover 150 is downstream (in the minus z direction) of the most downstream communication hole end 127z of the communication hole 127. As a result, a front-to-rear distance d, which is the distance from the most downstream communication hole end 127z to the cover downstream end 153 along the flow direction, is secured.

[0043] <Function of the communication hole cover 150> As explained with reference to Figure 3, part of the inverter cooling air, which is the main flow F within fan case 120, flows from communication hole 127 into inverter cooling air duct 132 and flows out to the outside air from outlet opening 132a. This flow is caused by the pressure difference between the static pressure of the vehicle motor cooling air within fan case 120 and the pressure of the outside air outside outlet opening 132a. The flow rate is determined by the flow resistance in communication hole cover 150, communication hole 127, inverter cooling air duct 132, and its outlet opening 132a, as well as the above-mentioned pressure difference.

[0044] As a result, as shown in Figure 6, a portion of the main flow F flows into the communication hole cover 150 from the downstream opening 154 of the communication hole cover 150 as a branch flow f1, and further passes through each communication hole 127 and flows into the inverter cooling air duct 132 as a communication hole flow f2.

[0045] Such a branch flow f1 is a branch of a part of the main flow F, and is a weaker flow, i.e., a flow with a smaller flow velocity and air volume, compared to the main flow F. It is thought that the stronger the flow, the greater the degree to which dust is entrained.

[0046] Furthermore, the diverted flow f1 flows in a direction that turns back almost in the opposite direction to the flow of the mainstream F. It is thought that the proportion of dust that is mixed in the mainstream F and flies in the direction of the mainstream F and is accompanied by this turning flow decreases.

[0047] For the above reasons, the proportion of dust in the divided flow f1 is reduced compared to the proportion of dust in the main flow F. As a result, the conventional problem of dust easily accumulating near the communication holes 127 is alleviated.

[0048] If the flow velocity of main flow F is excessively high, this will have an effect in the direction of producing a jet pump effect that sucks the inverter cooling air in inverter cooling air duct 132 from downstream opening 154 of communication-hole cover 150 toward fan case 120, that is, an effect in the direction of reducing the flow rate of diverted flow f1. Therefore, the shape and dimensions of communication-hole cover 150, including the size of downstream opening 154, can be set so as to ensure that inverter cooling air is secured even when this effect exists.

[0049] As described above, the communication hole cover 150 according to this embodiment can reduce the influence of dust on the blower inverter 130 while ensuring an appropriate volume of inverter cooling air.

[0050] <Modification> Modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Note that Figures 7 to 10 show an example in which no upstream corner portion 150f is formed at the upstream corner of communication hole cover 150, but a similar upstream corner portion 150f may be provided.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a front view showing a communication hole cover 150 and a communication hole 127 in a first modified example of the electric blower 100 according to the first preferred embodiment.

[0052] In this modification, the plurality of communication holes 127 are arranged in three rows along the flow direction instead of one row.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a communication hole cover 150 and a communication hole 127a in a second modified example of the electric blower 100 according to the first preferred embodiment.

[0054] In this modification, the plurality of communication holes 127 are arranged in a row along the flow direction, but each communication hole 127a extends in a direction (x direction) perpendicular to the flow direction. Specifically, each communication hole 127a has a rectangular shape with semicircles connected to both sides in the longitudinal direction (x direction).

[0055] FIG. 9 is a front view showing communication hole cover 150 and communication hole 127b in a third modified example of electric blower 100 according to the first preferred embodiment.

[0056] This modified example has a shape corresponding to the downstream portion of the communication hole 127a of the second modified example, divided in half in the flow direction.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a communication hole cover 150 and a communication hole 127c in a fourth modified example of the electric blower 100 according to the first preferred embodiment.

[0058] In this modification, each of the communication holes 127c extends in the flow direction (-z direction). Each of the communication holes 127c has a rectangular shape with semicircles connected to both sides of the longitudinal direction (z direction). The communication holes 127c are arranged in three rows in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction (x direction).

[0059] The numbers of communication holes 127, 127a, 127b, and 127c shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 are merely examples, and the numbers may be different from those shown.

[0060] In any of the modifications shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the front-rear distance d, which is the distance from the most downstream communication hole end 127z along the flow direction to the downstream end 153 of the cover, is ensured.

[0061] These modifications also provide the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment.

[0062] [Second embodiment] Fig. 11 is a front view showing a communication hole cover of an electric blower according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the CC arrow in Fig. 11 showing the communication hole cover of an electric blower according to the second embodiment.

[0063] This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, multiple communication holes 127 are also arranged along the flow direction of the main flow F. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a communication hole cover 150a is provided for each communication hole 127.

[0064] 12, in this embodiment, the most downstream communication-hole end 127z is the downstream end of each communication hole 127. In this embodiment, too, the longitudinal distance d, which is the distance along the flow direction from the most downstream communication-hole end 127z to the cover downstream end 153, is a positive value. In other words, when viewed in the flow direction of the main stream F, the cover downstream end 153 is located downstream of the most downstream communication-hole end 127z of the communication hole 127.

[0065] 11, between adjacent communication hole covers 150a, the downstream cover end 153 of the upstream communication hole cover 150a is located further upstream than the upstream cover end 155 of the downstream communication hole cover 150a. In other words, the communication hole covers 150a are arranged at intervals from each other in the flow direction of the main flow F.

[0066] 11, each communication hole cover 150a extends in a direction (x direction) perpendicular to the flow direction. That is, the communication hole cover 150a has a width W in the direction (x direction) perpendicular to the flow direction that is relatively larger than a depth length L in the flow direction (minus z direction), but this is not limiting.

[0067] Because the four communication-hole covers 150a are arranged in the flow direction, if the flow of the mainstream F is disturbed by the upstream communication-hole cover 150a, it may adversely affect the flow at the downstream communication-hole cover 150a. For this reason, it is preferable to reduce resistance to the flow of the mainstream F caused by the presence of the communication-hole covers 150a as much as possible. From this perspective, it is preferable that the width W of the communication-hole cover 150a in the direction perpendicular to the flow of the mainstream F is small. On the other hand, from the perspective of ensuring sufficient air for cooling the inverter, it is undesirable that the width W is too small.

[0068] Therefore, the ratio of the width W to the depth L of the communication hole cover 150a should be set as large as possible within a range that does not significantly disturb the flow of the main air F, thereby ensuring the supply of air for cooling the inverter. This also applies to the modified examples and embodiments described below.

[0069] Fig. 13 is a front view showing a modified example of communication hole cover 150a and communication hole 127 of electric blower 100 according to the second preferred embodiment. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in Fig. 13 showing a modified example of the communication hole cover and communication hole of the electric blower according to the second preferred embodiment.

[0070] In this modified example, the communication holes 127 are formed in three rows in the flow direction of the mainstream F. In this case, as in the second embodiment, a communication hole cover 150a is provided for each communication hole 127. As in the second embodiment, the cover downstream end 153 is located downstream of the most downstream communication hole end 127z of the communication hole 127 when viewed in the flow direction of the mainstream F. In addition, the communication hole covers 150a are arranged at intervals from one another in the flow direction of the mainstream F.

[0071] Unlike the first embodiment in which one communication hole cover 150 covers all of the communication holes 127, in this embodiment and its modifications, a communication hole cover 150a is provided for each of the multiple communication holes 127. The size of the communication hole cover 150a can be reduced, and the effect on the flow of the main stream F can be reduced.

[0072] As described above, this embodiment can provide the same functions and effects as the first embodiment, and can also be an option that allows for ingenuity in layout.

[0073] [Third embodiment] Fig. 15 is a front view showing a communication hole cover 150b of an electric blower 100 according to the third preferred embodiment, and Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE in Fig. 15, showing the communication hole cover 150b of an electric blower 100 according to the third preferred embodiment.

[0074] This embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, communication hole covers 150a of the same shape and dimensions are provided for each of the multiple communication holes 127 formed in the flow direction of the main flow F. In contrast, in this embodiment, the height H of each communication hole cover 150b provided along the flow direction of the main flow F varies along the flow direction. Here, height H is the dimension by which communication hole cover 150b separates from fan case second side plate 122 and protrudes toward the space inside fan case 120 (in the negative y direction).

[0075] 16, the height H of the communication hole covers 150b gradually decreases along the flow direction of the mainstream F. That is, of two communication hole covers 150b adjacent to each other along the flow direction of the mainstream F, the upstream communication hole cover 150b is formed so as to have a greater height from the communication hole than the downstream communication hole cover 150b. The relationship between the relative heights H of the multiple communication hole covers 150b can be optimized by selecting an optimum condition from the perspectives of mitigating the effects of dust on each communication hole cover 150b and ensuring an appropriate amount of cooling air.

[0076] 16 shows an example in which the height H of the communication-hole covers 150b gradually decreases along the flow direction of the main flow F, but this is not limiting. Any other order may be used as long as it is an optimal condition from the viewpoint of mitigating the effects of dust at each communication-hole cover 150b and ensuring an appropriate amount of cooling air, including a case in which the height H of the communication-hole covers 150b gradually increases along the flow direction of the main flow F.

[0077] [Fourth embodiment] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a mounting set 160 for an electric blower 100 according to the fourth preferred embodiment.

[0078] This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in which a communication hole 127 is formed in the fan case second side plate 122.

[0079] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the electric blower 100 has a mounting set 160. Also, a set mounting opening 129 is formed in the fan case second side plate 122.

[0080] The mounting set 160 has a mounting plate 161 and a communication hole cover 150 similar to that in the first embodiment. The communication hole cover 150 is provided on one of the two surfaces of the mounting plate 161 that can protrude into the inside of the fan case 120.

[0081] Here, a communication hole 162 is formed in the mounting plate 161 in place of the communication hole 127. Furthermore, the communication hole cover 150 is formed to cover the communication hole 162. The mounting plate 161 is, for example, a rectangular plate, and the dimensions of its long and short sides are large enough to completely cover the set mounting opening 129. Conversely, the set mounting opening 129 is formed to be large enough to be blocked when the mounting set 160 is attached to the fan case 120.

[0082] The mounting set 160 is formed so as to be attachable and detachable to the fan case second side plate 122 from the outside of the fan case 120, i.e., from the blower inverter 130 side, by means of the mounting hole 129a formed in the fan case second side plate 122 and the mounting hole 163 formed in the mounting plate 161.

[0083] By providing a detachable mounting set 160, by removing the blower inverter 130, the mounting set 160 can be easily cleaned and dust accumulated near the communication hole 162 can be removed without disassembling the fan 110.

[0084] Furthermore, even if the communication hole 162 and the communication hole cover 150 need to be modified to improve their performance, the purpose can be easily achieved by replacing the attachment set 160.

[0085] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide electric blower 100 that can ensure an appropriate amount of cooling air while mitigating the effect of dust on blower inverter 130.

[0086] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, features of each embodiment may be combined. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The embodiments and their modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10...vehicle, 10a...vehicle drive system, 11...vehicle body, 11a...vehicle body floor, 12...wheel, 13...vehicle electric motor, 14...ventilation duct, 15...auxiliary power supply unit, 100...electric blower, 110...fan, 111...impeller, 112...impeller shaft, 120...fan case, 121...fan case first side plate, 122...fan case second side plate, 123...fan case outer peripheral plate, 124...fan case intake port, 125...fan case outlet, 127, 127a, 127b, 127c...communication hole, 127z...most downstream communication hole end, 129...set installation opening vent, 129a...mounting hole, 130...blower inverter, 131...inverter main body, 132...inverter cooling air duct, 132a...outlet opening, 132b...inverter side partition plate, 133...inverter cooling fin, 140...blower motor, 150, 150a, 150b...communication hole cover, 150f...upstream corner portion, 151...guide plate, 152...side plate, 153...downstream end of cover, 154...downstream opening, 155...upstream end of cover, 160...mounting set, 161...mounting plate, 162...communication hole, 163...mounting hole

Claims

1. An electric blower for supplying cooling air to an electric motor for a vehicle, With fans, a fan case that houses the fan and has a communication hole that is connected to an air duct for supplying cooling air to the vehicle electric motor; a blower motor that drives the fan; a blower inverter for controlling the supply of power to the blower motor; an inverter cooling air duct that receives a portion of the vehicle electric motor cooling air from inside the fan case through the communication hole as inverter cooling air for cooling the blower inverter and forms a flow path for the air; a communication hole cover provided in the fan case to cover the communication hole, the communication hole cover having a downstream opening at an end downstream of the cover with respect to the flow of air for cooling the vehicle electric motor within the fan case; An electric blower comprising:

2. 2. The electric blower according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole cover is provided in a direction parallel to the flow direction of the air for cooling the vehicle electric motor within the fan case.

3. 2. The electric blower according to claim 1, wherein, in terms of the flow direction of the cooling air for the vehicle electric motor inside the fan case, the downstream end of the cover is located downstream of the most downstream end of the communication hole on the most downstream side of the communication hole.

4. 3. The electric blower according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole cover is a single cover that is formed to cover all of the communication holes.

5. 3. The electric blower according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole covers are provided in correspondence with the communication holes one by one.

6. 6. The electric blower according to claim 5, wherein the communication holes are arranged in one or more rows along the direction of flow of the air for cooling the vehicle electric motor.

7. 6. The electric blower according to claim 5, wherein the downstream end of the upstream communication hole cover of the two communication hole covers adjacent to each other along the flow direction of the air for cooling the vehicle electric motor is located upstream of the upstream end of the downstream communication hole cover.

8. 6. The electric blower according to claim 5, wherein the upstream communication hole cover of the two communication hole covers adjacent to each other along the flow direction of the cooling air for the vehicle electric motor is higher in height from the communication hole than the downstream communication hole cover.

9. a mounting plate having the communication hole and detachable from the fan case; the communication hole cover attached to the mounting plate; a mounting set comprising: The fan case is formed with a set mounting opening of a size that is closed when the mounting set is mounted to the fan case.

2. The electric blower according to claim 1.

Images