Air blowing device

Abstract

To obtain an air blowing device in which the use of joint members such as screws can be reduced by simplifying an air passage member in which an air passage is formed.SOLUTION: An air blowing device comprises: a main body outer box in which a discharge port and a suction port are formed; and a fan unit 2 housed in the main body outer box, and generating an air flow toward the discharge port from the suction port. The fan unit 2 comprises: a fan 3 for generating the air flow; an electric motor 4 for driving the fan 3; and an air passage member 6 formed of a foamed material, and in which an air passage 60 for the air flow toward the discharge port from the suction port is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a blower device including a main body outer casing having an air outlet and an air inlet, and a fan unit housed in the main body outer casing and generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. For example, in the blower disclosed in Patent Document 1, one fan unit is composed of two sets of fans and motors, and a corresponding orifice member and air guide member. The orifice member and air guide member form an air passage from the air inlet of the outer casing housing the fan unit to the air outlet. The orifice member is housed inside the air guide member while holding the two sets of fans and motors. Furthermore, multiple fan units are housed inside the outer casing, arranged side by side along the left-right direction perpendicular to the air passage direction. The orifice members of adjacent fan units have two split screw hole pieces formed at opposing ends. The orifice members of adjacent fan units are fixed to the outer box by butting the divided screw hole pieces together to form cylindrical screw holes, and then threading a screw passed through the screw hole into a screw hole formed in the outer box to fasten them together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-174250 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the orifice member and the air guide member are formed from synthetic resin or steel plate. Many joining members such as screws are used to combine the orifice member and the air guide member, and to house and secure the orifice member and the air guide member inside the outer box. Therefore, it is necessary to drill screw holes to join the orifice member, the air guide member, and the outer box, which may increase manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the use of many joining members such as screws may increase the number of work steps in the assembly process.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to obtain a blower device that can simplify the air path member in which the air path is formed, thereby reducing the use of joining members such as screws. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the air blower according to the present disclosure includes a main body outer casing having an air outlet and an air inlet formed therein, and a fan unit housed in the main body outer casing and generating an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. The fan unit has a fan that generates the airflow, an electric motor that drives the fan, and an air passage member made of a foam material and forming an air passage for the airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The air blower according to the present disclosure has the advantage that the air passage member in which the air passage is formed can be simplified, thereby reducing the use of joining members such as screws. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a blower device according to a first embodiment from the air outlet side; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a blower according to a first embodiment from the inlet side; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fan unit included in a blower according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fan unit included in a blower according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an air passage member of a fan unit included in the air blower according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an air passage member of a fan unit in a first modification of the blower device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an air passage member of a fan unit according to a second modification of the blower device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a fan unit is installed in an outer casing of the main body, as a second modification of the blower device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a fan unit of a third modification of the blower according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] Enlarged view of the X part shown in Figure 9 [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper surface plate of the main body outer box is attached to the air passage member in the fourth modification of the blower device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fan unit of a fifth modification of the blower according to the first embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main body outer box and a fan unit of a fifth modification of the blower according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fan unit included in the blower according to the second embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a fan unit included in the blower according to the second embodiment; [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fan unit included in the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fan unit included in the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a fan unit included in a blower according to a third embodiment; [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a receiving portion of a fan unit included in a blower according to a third embodiment; [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a state in which a fixing member is fitted into a receiving portion of a fan unit included in a blower according to a third embodiment; [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a first modified example of the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a fixing member of a first modification of the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a second modification of the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a fixing member of a second modification of the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a third modified example of the blower according to the third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a fixing member of a third modification of the blower according to the third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view showing a receiving portion corresponding to a fixing member of a third modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment; [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a fourth modification of the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a fixing member of a fourth modification of the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 30] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a fan unit of a fourth modification of the blower according to the third embodiment; [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fifth modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment, showing the holding member from the air outlet side; [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fifth modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment, showing the holding member from the air inlet side; [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a main part of a holding member of a sixth modified example of the blower according to the third embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seventh modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment, showing the air passage member from the air inlet side; [Figure 35]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the air passage member is attached to the main body outer casing by a fixing member in a seventh modification of the air blower according to the third embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an air passage member as viewed from the air inlet side of an eighth modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment; [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an eighth modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment, illustrating how the air passage member is attached to the main body outer casing by the fixing member; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a blower device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the blower device according to the first embodiment, viewed from the outlet side. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blower device according to the first embodiment, viewed from the inlet side. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the blower device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a main body outer case 1 and a fan unit 2 housed inside the main body outer case 1.

[0011] The main body housing 1 is formed into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by combining an upper panel 1a, a lower panel 1b, and left and right side panels 1c. The main body housing 1 has an air outlet 10 on the front side and an air inlet 11 on the rear side. The air outlets 10 are arranged vertically, separated by a partition panel 14 provided between the upper panel 1a and the lower panel 1b. A fan grill 12 covering the inlet 11 is attached to the rear side of the main body housing 1. Ceiling suspension legs 13 are also attached to the side panels 1c. The air blower 100 can be installed on a ceiling by fastening the ceiling suspension legs 13 to suspension bolts (not shown) attached to the ceiling surface. The main body housing 1 is not limited to the illustrated configuration. For example, the main body housing 1 is not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and may have other shapes. Furthermore, the air blower 100 is not limited to a configuration in which the ceiling suspension legs 13 are fixed to the suspension bolts, and may be installed on the ceiling surface using other means.

[0012] The fan unit 2 is an electrical device housed in the main body outer casing 1 and generates an air current that flows from the back side to the front side of the main body outer casing 1. The fan unit 2 is housed with the side that blows out the air facing the front side of the main body outer casing 1. The fan unit 2 generates an air current, which causes the air drawn in from the back side to be blown out to the front side.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fan unit included in the blower according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the fan unit included in the blower according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fan unit 2 includes a fan 3 that generates an airflow, an electric motor 4 that drives the fan 3, and a housing 5 in which an airflow path 60 is formed for the airflow that flows from the air inlet 11 of the main body outer casing 1 to the air outlet 10. The fan unit 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes, as an example, two fans 3, two electric motors 4 that drive the fans 3, and a housing 5 that has two airflow paths 60. Note that the fan unit 2 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and may have, for example, one fan 3, one electric motor 4, and a housing 5 that has one airflow path 60.

[0014] Fan 3 is attached to the rotating shaft of electric motor 4. Fan 3 is rotated by being driven by electric motor 4, and generates an airflow that flows from air inlet 11 of main body outer casing 1 to air outlet 10.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 5 has an air passage member 6 that is made of a foam material and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a holding member 7 that is made of sheet metal and holds the fan 3 and the electric motor 4.

[0016] The air passage member 6 is a molded product made of a foam material such as foamed polypropylene, for example. While foamed polypropylene is a suitable material for the air passage member 6, other foam materials may also be used. The air passage member 6 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and two air passages 60 are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction, running from the air intake 11 of the main body outer box 1 toward the air outlet 10.

[0017] The air passage member 6 is fitted inside the main body outer case 1, with one end face 6a, on which the air passage 60 is formed, positioned on the air outlet 10 side of the main body outer case 1, and the other end face 6b positioned on the air inlet 11 side of the main body outer case 1. A holding member 7 is attached to the one end face 6a of the air passage member 6, which is positioned on the air outlet 10 side of the main body outer case 1. A fan 3 and an electric motor 4, which are held by the holding member 7, are arranged in each air passage 60. In the blower device 100, as the fan 3 rotates, air is sucked in through the air inlet 11, passes through the air passage 60 inside the housing 5, and is blown out through the air outlet 10. In addition, the air passage member 6 has a stepped portion 62 recessed inward along the periphery of the one end face 6a, on which the holding member 7 is attached.

[0018] Furthermore, air passage member 6 is provided with protrusions 61 for attaching holding member 7 on end surface 6a located on the air outlet 10 side of main body outer casing 1. As an example, two protrusions 61 are provided between the left and right air passages 60, spaced apart in the short-side direction of air passage member 6. Protrusions 61 are press-fitted into fitting holes 73 formed in holding member 7 to fit therein.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view showing an air passage member of a fan unit included in the blower according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the tip 61a of the protrusion 61 has a truncated cone shape to facilitate fitting into the fitting hole 73 of the holding member 7. The base of the protrusion 61 has a cylindrical shape to fit into the fitting hole 73 of the holding member 7. The protrusion 61 is designed to have an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the fitting hole 73 of the holding member 7, taking into consideration tolerances and linear expansion, and is press-fitted into the fitting hole 73 of the holding member 7. Foamed polypropylene has a smaller compression set than polystyrene foam. Therefore, the air passage member 6 made of foamed polypropylene is firmly fixed to the holding member 7 because the force that returns the protrusion 61 from the shape pressed into the fitting hole 73 makes it difficult for the protrusion 61 to come out of the fitting hole 73. Note that the shape, position, and number of the protrusions 61 are not limited to those shown in the figure and may be other shapes, positions, and numbers. For example, the protrusion 61 may be rectangular or elliptical. The number of protrusions 61 may be one, or three or more.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the holding member 7 holds the fan 3 and the electric motor 4. The holding member 7 is formed of a substantially rectangular metal sheet. The holding member 7 is not limited to being made of metal sheet and may be made of, for example, synthetic resin. A flange portion 71 is formed on the periphery of the holding member 7, protruding toward the air passage member 6 and positioned opposite the stepped portion 62 of the air passage member 6. The flange portion 71 has a plurality of screw holes (not shown) formed along the periphery. As shown in FIG. 3 , the holding member 7 is positioned such that the flange portion 71 faces the stepped portion 62 of the air passage member 6. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the holding member 7 is fixed to the main body outer casing 1 by being joined to the top panel 1a, bottom panel 1b, and side panel 1c of the main body outer casing 1 with joining members 15 such as screws. The tip of the joining member 15 is positioned in the gap between the flange portion 71 and the stepped portion 62.

[0021] A circular through-hole 70 is formed in the holding member 7 at a position corresponding to the air passage 60 of the air passage member 6. The through-hole 70 is formed to have approximately the same size and shape as the air passage 60. The fan 3 and the electric motor 4 are fixed to the holding member 7 with holding fittings 72 and are disposed inside the air passage 60 of the air passage member 6. The holding member 7 also has fitting holes 73 into which the protrusions 61 of the air passage member 6 are fitted. As an example, two fitting holes 73 are provided between the left and right through-holes 70 and spaced apart in the short direction of the holding member 7. The holding member 7 is disposed on the air outlet 10 side of the main body outer casing 1, and is joined to the air passage member 6 by press-fitting the protrusions 61 of the air passage member 6 into the fitting holes 73. In other words, the air passage member 6 is positioned by the holding member 7 fixed to the main body outer casing 1.

[0022] As described above, the blower device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a main body outer casing 1 having an air outlet 10 and an air inlet 11 formed therein, and a fan unit 2 housed in the main body outer casing 1 and generating an airflow from the air inlet 11 toward the air outlet 10. The fan unit 2 includes a fan 3 that generates an airflow, an electric motor 4 that drives the fan 3, and an air passage member 6 formed of a foam material and having an air passage 60 for the airflow from the air inlet 11 toward the air outlet 10. Therefore, in the blower device 100 according to the first embodiment, the air passage member 6 having the air passage 60 formed therein is formed of a foam material, thereby simplifying the design. This eliminates the need for connecting members such as screws to secure the air passage member 6, thereby reducing the number of connecting members such as screws throughout the device. This reduces the number of threaded holes required, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of connecting members such as screws eliminates the need for tasks such as selecting appropriate screw tightening torques and screw hole diameters during the device design process, thereby reducing the number of work steps in the assembly process.

[0023] The holding member 7 is not limited to a configuration that holds the fan 3 and the motor 4. The holding member 7 may be any component that is arranged inside the main body outer casing 1 and that can position the air passage member 6. For example, the holding member 7 may be a component such as a partition member arranged inside the main body outer casing 1, or may be arranged on the air inlet 11 side of the main body outer casing 1.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a side view showing an air passage member of a fan unit according to Variation 1 of the blower device of Embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 6, protrusion 61 has expanded diameter portion 61c between tip 61a and base 61b, with an outer diameter larger than that of base 61b. Expanded diameter portion 61c functions to prevent protrusion 61 from coming out of fitting hole 73 even when linear expansion of foamed polypropylene, i.e., low-temperature shrinkage, occurs.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view of a fan unit air passage member according to a second variation of the blower device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the fan unit is installed in the main body housing according to the second variation of the blower device according to the first embodiment. In the blower device 100, when the fan unit 2 is housed inside the main body housing 1, a small gap may occur between the main body housing 1 and the air passage member 6 due to dimensional tolerances. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7 , the air passage member 6 is provided with a buffer protrusion 63 protruding toward the inner surface of the main body housing 1 on one end surface 6b facing the air intake port 11 of the main body housing 1. The buffer protrusion 63 is crushed when it collides with the inner surface of the main body housing 1, and functions as a buffer material that absorbs the dimensional tolerances between the air passage member 6 and the main body housing 1. The buffer protrusions 63 are provided at intervals above and below the short-side direction of the air passage member 6, for example. As shown in FIG. 8 , in the blower device 100 of the second modification, the buffer protrusions 63 can absorb the dimensional tolerance between the main body outer casing 1 and the air passage member 6, thereby enabling the air passage member 6 to be reliably positioned and preventing the protrusions 61 from slipping out of the fitting holes 73 due to the dimensional tolerance between the air passage member 6 and the main body outer casing 1. The number, shape, and position of the buffer protrusions 63 are not limited to the illustrated configuration. One, three, or more buffer protrusions 63 may be provided. The buffer protrusions 63 may also be provided as a continuous wall surface along the periphery of the end face 6b of the air passage member 6. In short, it is sufficient for the buffer protrusions 63 to absorb the dimensional tolerance between the air passage member 6 and the main body outer casing 1 when the fan unit 2 is housed inside the main body outer casing 1.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fan unit according to a third modification of the blower device of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the X portion shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the holding member 7 has a wall portion 73a that rises from the opening edge of the fitting hole 73 along the outer surface of the protrusion 61. When the protrusion 61 is fitted into the fitting hole 73, the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 73a abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 61. For example, if the opening edge of the fitting hole 73 abuts against the outer surface of the protrusion 61, the protrusion 61 may be damaged by the opening edge of the fitting hole 73 when the air passage member 6 slides relative to the holding member 7 due to vibrations during transportation, etc. In contrast, in the blower device 100 according to the third modification, the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 73a abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 61, and the opening edge of the fitting hole 73 does not abut against the outer surface of the protrusion 61. This prevents damage to the protrusion 61 due to vibrations during transportation, etc. Furthermore, increasing the contact area between the holding member 7 and the protrusions 61 can suppress stress concentration, allowing the shape of the protrusions 61 to be made smaller. By making the shape of the protrusions 61 smaller, they can be more easily press-fit into the fitting holes 73, improving the workability of the assembly work. Furthermore, material costs can be reduced by the amount that the shape of the protrusions 61 is made smaller.

[0027] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth variation of the blower device according to the first embodiment, showing how an upper panel of the main body outer casing is attached to an air passage member. As shown in Fig. 11, the fourth variation of the blower device 100 has a configuration in which a protrusion 61 is provided on the upper surface of the air passage member 6 that faces the upper panel 1a of the main body outer casing 1. The upper panel 1a of the main body outer casing 1 has a fitting hole 16 into which the protrusion 61 is fitted. The air passage member 6 is fixed to the main body outer casing 1 and positioned by fitting the protrusion 61 into the fitting hole 16. Note that the positions and number of the protrusions 61 are not limited to those shown in the figure.

[0028] Although not shown in the drawings, a configuration may be adopted in which a protrusion 61 is provided on the side surface of the air passage member 6 facing the side panel 1c of the main body outer casing 1, and a fitting hole 16 into which the protrusion 61 fits is formed in the side panel 1c of the main body outer casing 1. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a protrusion 61 is provided on the bottom surface of the air passage member 6 facing the bottom panel 1b of the main body outer casing 1, and a fitting hole 16 into which the protrusion 61 fits is formed in the bottom panel 1b of the main body outer casing 1. In short, as long as the air passage member 6 can be fixed to the main body outer casing 1 and the air passage member 6 can be positioned, the protrusion 61 and the fitting hole 16 may be provided in any position.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fan unit in a fifth variation of the blower device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a main body outer casing and a fan unit in a fifth variation of the blower device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the blower device 100 of the fifth variation further includes an air guide member 9 in addition to the main body outer casing 1 and the fan unit 2. The air guide member 9 is disposed between the air outlet 10 inside the main body outer casing 1 and the fan unit 2, and guides the airflow from the fan unit 2 to the air outlet 10. The air guide members 9 are disposed above and below the main body outer casing 1, with an air passage 60 sandwiched between them. The air guide member 9 is, for example, a molded product made of a foam material such as foamed polypropylene. While foamed polypropylene is a suitable material for the air passage member 6, other foam materials may also be used.

[0030] The air passage member 6 has an attachment hole as a first fitting portion 64 formed on the end surface to which the air guide member 9 is attached. The holding member 7 also has a through-hole of the same shape and size as the first fitting portion 64 formed at the position where the first fitting portion 64 was formed. The air guide member 9 has an attachment protrusion as a second fitting portion 90 that fits into the first fitting portion 64. The air guide member 9 is attached to the fan unit 2 by fitting the first fitting portion 64 into the second fitting portion 90. At this time, the holding member 7 is sandwiched between the air passage member 6 and the air guide member 9. The second fitting portion 90 may have an expanded diameter portion 90a in which the outer diameter of a portion of the convex surface is larger than the outer diameter of the remaining portion. FIG. 13 shows, as an example, a configuration in which the expanded diameter portion 90a is provided at the tip of the fitting protrusion as the second fitting portion 90. The second fitting portion 90 has an expanded diameter portion 90a, and is therefore firmly fixed so as not to come off the first fitting portion 64. Although not shown in the figures, a fitting protrusion may be formed as the first fitting portion 64 on the end face of the air passage member 6, and a mounting hole may be formed as the second fitting portion 90 in the air guide member 9.

[0031] Embodiment 2 Next, a blower according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a fan unit included in the blower according to the second embodiment. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a fan unit included in the blower according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, in the blower 100 according to the second embodiment, the position and shape of the protrusion 61A are different from those of the protrusion 61 in the first embodiment.

[0032] The protrusion 61A is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes from one end surface 6a, to which the holding member 7 is attached, toward the holding member 7 along the opening edge of the air passage 60. The cylindrical protrusion 61A is press-fitted along the opening edge of the through-hole 70 of the holding member 7 to fit therein. That is, in the second embodiment, the through-hole 70 of the holding member 7 also serves as a fitting hole into which the protrusion 61A is fitted. This allows the air passage member 6 to be fixed and positioned on the holding member 7. Note that the above-described first to third and fifth modifications of the first embodiment can also be applied to the blower device 100 according to the second embodiment. For example, a portion of the cylindrical protrusion 61A may be provided with an expanded diameter portion that is larger than the outer diameter of the remaining portion. Furthermore, the holding member 7 may be provided with a wall surface portion 73a that rises from the opening edge of the through-hole 70 along the outer surface of the protrusion 61A. In this case, when the protrusion 61A is fitted into the through-hole 70, the inner circumferential surface of the wall surface portion 73a abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 61A.

[0033] Embodiment 3 Next, a blower according to a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a fan unit included in the blower according to the third embodiment. Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing the fan unit included in the blower according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figs. 16 and 17, fan unit 2A of blower 100 according to the third embodiment has a U-shaped fixing member 8 that fixes air passage member 6 to holding member 7.

[0034] Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a fan unit included in a blower according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 18, fixing member 8 is a U-shaped metal fitting having a pair of side surfaces 80, 81 and a connecting surface 82 connecting one end of the pair of side surfaces 80, 81. The pair of side surfaces 80, 81 are formed to have the same length. A screw hole 82a is formed in the center of connecting surface 82.

[0035] 17, air passage member 6 has four receiving portions 65 formed around each air passage 60 on end surface 6a arranged on the air outlet 10 side of main body outer casing 1 for attaching fixing members 8. Air passage member 6 also has four grooves 66 formed around each air passage 60 for forming receiving portions 65. The number of receiving portions 65 is not limited to the four shown in the figure, and may be one or more. The number of grooves 66 is also not limited to the four shown in the figure, and may be formed according to the number of receiving portions 65.

[0036] Fig. 19 is an enlarged view showing a receiving portion of a fan unit included in a blower according to embodiment 3. As shown in Fig. 19, receiving portion 65 is configured, for example, by recessing a portion of the inner wall surface of groove portion 66, a portion of end face 6a arranged on the outlet 10 side of main body outer casing 1, and a portion of the wall surface of air passage 60 to fit the shape of U-shaped fixing member 8. Furthermore, receiving portion 65 has hole 65a formed in the recessed portion of end face 6a of air passage member 6, which faces screw hole 82a of connecting surface portion 82.

[0037] FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing a state in which a fixing member is fitted into a receiving portion of a fan unit included in a blower device according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20 , fixing member 8 is attached to air passage member 6 by press-fitting an interior portion surrounded by a pair of side surfaces 80, 81 and a connecting surface portion 82 into receiving portion 65. One side surface portion 80 of the pair of side surfaces 80, 81 of fixing member 8 is disposed in a portion of receiving portion 65 formed in groove portion 66, and the other side surface portion 81 is disposed in a portion of receiving portion 65 formed in air passage 60. Connecting surface portion 82 is disposed in a portion of receiving portion 65 formed on end surface 6a of air passage member 6. Fixing member 8 is press-fitted into receiving portion 65 to make surface contact therewith. In fan unit 2A according to the third embodiment, fixing member 8 is press-fitted into receiving portion 65, and the repulsive force of the foamed polypropylene prevents fixing member 8 from coming out of receiving portion 65. Furthermore, since the fixing member 8 is fitted into the stepped receiving portion 65, it does not interfere with the fan 3 and the holding member .

[0038] As shown in FIG. 17 , holding member 7 has through holes 74 formed at positions corresponding to screw holes 82 a of fixing member 8, through which the shanks of joining members 75 such as screws shown in FIG. 16 pass. Holding member 7 is placed against end face 6 a of air passage member 6 to which fixing member 8 is attached, and is attached by fitting protrusions 61 into fitting holes 73. Then, the shanks of joining members 75 such as screws are passed through through holes 74 and screwed into screw holes 82 a of fixing member 8, thereby fixing holding member 7 to fixing member 8. At this time, the tip of joining member 75 is housed in hole 65 a shown in FIG. 19 . In blower device 100 according to the third embodiment, protrusions 61 are fitted into fitting holes 73, and air passage member 6 is fixed to holding member 7 using fixing member 8. This ensures reliable positioning of air passage member 6, thereby preventing displacement of air passage member 6. This prevents the air passage member 6 from sliding against the retaining member 7 even if vibrations occur during transportation or the product is dropped and impacted, and reduces the shear force acting on the air passage member 6, thereby reducing excessive load acting on the protrusion 61, for example.

[0039] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a fixing member of a first modified example of the air blower according to the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a side view of a fixing member of a first modified example of the air blower according to the third embodiment. The fixing member 8A of the first modified example shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is a U-shaped metal fitting having a pair of side surface portions 80, 81 and a connecting surface portion 82 connecting one end of the pair of side surface portions 80, 81. The tip portion 80a of one side surface portion 80 is bent in a direction away from the other side surface portion 81. The pair of side surface portions 80, 81 are formed so that their tips are positioned the same distance from the connecting surface portion 82. The fixing member 8A of the first modified example has the tip portion 80a of the side surface portion 80 bent to widen the open end, which makes it easier to press-fit the fixing member 8A into the receiving portion 65 and improves the workability during assembly.

[0040] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a fixing member of a second modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a side view of a fixing member of a second modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment. The fixing member 8B of the second modification shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 is also a U-shaped metal fitting having a pair of side surface portions 80, 81 and a connecting surface portion 82 connecting one end of the pair of side surface portions 80, 81. In the fixing member 8B, one of the pair of side surface portions 80, 81 is inclined toward the other side surface portion, narrowing the space between the pair of side surface portions 80, 81 toward the opening. In the fixing member 8B, the tip portion 80a of the inclined one side surface portion 80 is bent in a direction away from the other side surface portion 81. The bending of the tip portion 80a of the side surface portion 80 of the fixing member 8B widens the opening, making it easier to press-fit the fixing member 8B into the receiving portion 65, improving workability during assembly. Furthermore, the fixing member 8B has one side surface portion 80 inclined toward the other side surface portion 81, and the bent portion 80b comes into line contact with the receiving portion 65, thereby increasing the force preventing it from coming off.

[0041] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a fixing member of a third variation of the air blower according to the third embodiment. FIG. 26 is a side view of a fixing member of a third variation of the air blower according to the third embodiment. A fixing member 8C of the third variation shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is also a U-shaped metal fitting having a pair of side surface portions 80, 81 and a connecting surface portion 82 connecting one end of the pair of side surface portions 80, 81. In the fixing member 8C, one of the pair of side surface portions 80, 81 has a length shorter than the length of the other side surface portion 81. In addition, in the fixing member 8C, the shorter side surface portion 80 is inclined toward the other side surface portion 81. Furthermore, in the fixing member 8C, a tip end portion 80a of the inclined one side surface portion 80 is bent in a direction away from the other side surface portion 81.

[0042] Fig. 27 is an enlarged view showing a receiving portion corresponding to the fixing member of Variation 3 of the air blower according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 27, receiving portion 65 is formed to match the shape of fixing member 8C. That is, the recess in the wall surface on the side where groove portion 66 is formed is formed shorter than the recess in the wall surface where air passage 60 is formed. In this way, fixing member 8C of Variation 3 has side portions 80, 81 of different lengths. In addition to the effect of fixing member 8B of Variation 2, fixing member 8C can prevent mistakes in the installation position, thereby improving the workability of the installation work.

[0043] Although not shown in the drawings, the fixing member 8C of Modification 3 is not limited to a configuration in which one side surface portion 80 having a shorter length is inclined toward the other side surface portion 81. Furthermore, the fixing member 8C is not limited to a configuration in which the tip portion 80a of one side surface portion 80 is bent. For example, as shown in Figs. 18 and 22, the pair of side surface portions 80, 81 may be configured to be substantially parallel to each other.

[0044] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a fourth variation of the air blower according to the third embodiment. FIG. 29 is a side view showing a fixing member of a fourth variation of the air blower according to the third embodiment. A fixing member 8D of the fourth variation shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 is formed of an L-shaped metal fitting. One flat surface 83 of the fixing member 8D has a screw hole 83a that corresponds to the hole 65a of the air passage member 6. The fixing member 8D of the fourth variation has a simple L-shaped structure, which allows for reduced manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the fixing member 8D of the fourth variation does not need to be press-fitted into the receiving portion 65. This reduces the burden of the assembly work.

[0045] Fig. 30 is an exploded perspective view of a fan unit according to Variation 4 of the air blower device of Embodiment 3. As shown in Fig. 30, one flat portion 83 of each of the four upper fixing members 8D is disposed in a portion of the receiving portion 65 formed on the end face 6a of the air passage member 6, and the other flat portion 84 is disposed in a portion of the receiving portion 65 formed in the air passage 60. Furthermore, one flat portion 83 of each of the four lower fixing members 8D is disposed in a portion of the receiving portion 65 formed on the end face 6a of the air passage member 6, and the other flat portion 84 is disposed in a portion of the receiving portion 65 formed in the groove portion 66. In this way, the fixing members 8D are disposed on a surface that can support the weight of the air passage member 6.

[0046] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a holding member of a fifth variation of the air blower according to the third embodiment, viewed from the air outlet side. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the holding member of a fifth variation of the air blower according to the third embodiment, viewed from the air inlet side. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 , a fixing member 8E of the fifth variation is formed integrally with the holding member 7 by cutting and raising a portion of the holding member 7 toward the air passage member 6. The fixing member 8E has an L-shape formed by one flat portion 85 formed by cutting and raising a portion of the holding member 7 and another flat portion 86, shown by a dotted line, that is part of the holding member 7. The one flat portion 85 of the fixing member 8E is disposed in a portion of the receiving portion 65 formed in the groove portion 66, and the other flat portion 86 is disposed in a portion of the receiving portion 65 formed on the end face 6a of the air passage member 6. By disposing the one flat portion 85 in the groove portion 66 in this manner, the weight of the air passage member 6 can be supported. As a result, the air passage member 6 is fixed to the holding member 7 and positioned. Note that the fixing members 8E of the fifth modification are not limited to the configuration in which they are formed in four locations as shown. The fixing members 8E of the fifth modification may be configured to be formed in a total of eight locations, for example, four around each through-hole 70.

[0047] FIG. 33 is an enlarged view showing a main portion of a holding member in a sixth modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 33 , a fixing member 8F in the sixth modification is also formed integrally with the holding member 7 by cutting and raising a portion of the holding member 7 toward the air passage member 6. The fixing member 8F has a U-shape with a pair of side surfaces 87 formed by cutting and raising a portion of the holding member 7 and a connecting surface 88 that is part of the holding member 7 and connects the pair of side surfaces 87. The fixing member 8F is attached to the air passage member 6 by fitting and press-fitting the interior surrounded by the pair of side surfaces 87 and the connecting surface 88 into the receiving portion 65 of the air passage member 6. This fixes and positions the air passage member 6 to the holding member 7. The fixing member 8F in the sixth modification is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and the configurations shown in the first to fourth modifications described above may also be applied.

[0048] Fig. 34 is a perspective view of a seventh variation of the air blower device according to the third embodiment, showing an air passage member from the air inlet side. As shown in Fig. 34, in air blower device 100 of the seventh variation, receiving portion 65 for attaching fixing member 8 is formed as a U-shaped groove by cutting out a part of side surface 6c of air passage member 6 and a part of end surface 6b of air passage member 6 on the air inlet 11 side of main body outer box 1. The side surface of air passage member 6 on which receiving portion 65 is formed is recessed inward to have a step shape, and is formed with hole 65a for receiving the tip of connecting member 75 such as a screw.

[0049] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a seventh modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment, illustrating how an air passage member is attached to the main body outer casing with a fixing member. As shown in FIG. 35, in blower device 100 of the seventh modification, fixing member 8 is disposed between air passage member 6 and side panel 1c of main body outer casing 1 to fix air passage member 6 to main body outer casing 1. Fixing member 8 is press-fit into receiving portion 65 of air passage member 6. Side panel 1c of main body outer casing 1 has through-hole 17 formed in a position corresponding to screw hole 82a of fixing member 8, through which the shank of a connecting member such as a screw passes. Side panel 1c of main body outer casing 1 is placed against side surface 6c of air passage member 6 to which fixing member 8 is attached. Then, the shank of a connecting member such as a screw is passed through through-hole 17 and screwed into screw hole 82a, thereby fixing main body outer casing 1 to fixing member 8. The receiving portion 65 is not limited to the configuration formed by a cutout as shown in the drawing, but may be a configuration in which a U-shaped groove surrounded by a periphery is formed on the side surface 6c of the air passage member 6. Furthermore, the fixing member 8 may be configured in such a way that a part of the side panel 1c of the main body outer box 1 is cut up to form an L-shape or a U-shape.

[0050] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an air passage member of an eighth modification of the air blower device according to the third embodiment, showing the air passage member from the air inlet side. As shown in FIG. 36, in air blower device 100 of the eighth modification, receiving portion 65 for attaching fixing member 8 is formed as a U-shaped groove by cutting out a part of upper surface 6d of air passage member 6 and an end surface 6b of air passage member 6 on the air inlet 11 side of main body outer casing 1. Receiving portion 65 for attaching fixing member 8 is formed as a U-shaped groove by cutting out a part of lower surface 6e of air passage member 6 and an end surface 6b of air passage member 6 on the air inlet 11 side of main body outer casing 1. The upper surface 6d and the lower surface 6e of air passage member 6 on which receiving portion 65 is formed are recessed inward to form a step, and a hole 65a for receiving the tip of connecting member 75 such as a screw is formed therein.

[0051] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an eighth modification of the blower device according to the third embodiment, illustrating how an air passage member is attached to the main body outer casing with a fixing member. As shown in FIG. 37 , in the blower device 100 of the eighth modification, fixing members 8 are disposed between the air passage member 6 and the upper panel 1a and between the air passage member 6 and the lower panel 1b, respectively, to fix the air passage member 6 to the main body outer casing 1. The fixing members 8 are press-fitted into the receiving portions 65 of the air passage member 6. The top panel 1a of the main body outer casing 1 has through holes 18 formed in positions corresponding to the screw holes 82a of the fixing members 8, through which the shanks of connecting members 75, such as screws, pass. The top panel 1a of the main body outer casing 1 is placed against the top surface 6d of the air passage member 6 to which the fixing members 8 are attached. The shanks of connecting members, such as screws, are then threaded through the through holes 18 into the screw holes 82a, thereby fixing the main body outer casing 1 to the fixing members 8. The receiving portion 65 is not limited to the notch shape shown in the drawing, and may be configured as a U-shaped groove surrounded by an upper surface 6d and a lower surface 6e of the air passage member 6. The fixing member 8 may be configured as an L-shape or a U-shape by cutting out a part of the upper surface plate 1a and the lower surface plate 1b of the main body outer casing 1.

[0052] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be combined with other known technologies or may be combined with other embodiments. Furthermore, it is also possible to omit or modify part of the configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0053] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0054] (Appendix 1) a main body outer box having an air outlet and an air inlet formed therein; a fan unit that is housed in the main body outer case and generates an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, The fan unit comprises: A fan that generates airflow, an electric motor that drives the fan; an air passage member formed of a foam material, in which an air passage for an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet is formed; A blower device characterized by: (Appendix 2) The device further includes a holding member fixed inside the main body outer box, The air passage member is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the holding member, The holding member has a fitting hole formed therein into which the protrusion is fitted, The air passage member is positioned by fitting the protrusion into the fitting hole. 2. The blower device according to claim 1, (Appendix 3) The protrusion is formed in a cylindrical shape along the opening edge of the air passage. 3. The blower device according to claim 2, (Appendix 4) The air passage member is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the main body outer box, The main body outer box has a fitting hole formed therein into which the protrusion is fitted, The air passage member is positioned by fitting the protrusion into the fitting hole. 2. The blower device according to claim 1, (Appendix 5) the fan unit further includes a fixing member that fixes the air passage member to the holding member, The air passage member is formed with a receiving portion for arranging the fixing member, The fixing member is disposed in the receiving portion and joined to the holding member by a joining member. 4. The blower according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 6) the holding member has a fixing member that is formed by cutting and raising a part of the holding member and that fixes the air passage member, The air passage member is formed with a receiving portion for arranging the fixing member. 4. The blower according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 7) the fan unit further includes a fixing member for fixing the air passage member to the main body outer casing, The air passage member is formed with a receiving portion for arranging the fixing member, The fixing member is disposed in the receiving portion and joined to the main body outer box by a joining member. 7. The blower device according to any one of claims 2 to 6. (Appendix 8) The fixing member is U-shaped and has a pair of opposing side surfaces and a connecting surface that connects one end of the pair of side surfaces, and is press-fitted into the air passage member. 8. The blower device according to any one of claims 5 to 7. (Appendix 9) The fixing member is configured such that one of the side surfaces is inclined toward the other side surface. 9. The blower device according to claim 8, (Appendix 10) The fixing member is configured such that a tip end of one of the side surface portions is bent in a direction away from the other side surface portion. 10. The air blower according to claim 8 or 9, (Appendix 11) The fixing member is configured such that the length of one of the pair of opposing side surface portions is shorter than the length of the other side surface portion. 11. The air blower according to any one of claims 8 to 10. (Appendix 12) The fixing member is L-shaped. 8. The blower device according to any one of claims 5 to 7. (Appendix 13) The protrusion has a base portion that is fitted into the fitting hole, and an expanded diameter portion that has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the base portion. 13. The blower device according to any one of claims 2 to 12. (Appendix 14) a wall surface portion that rises along the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion portion and is in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion portion is formed on an opening edge of the fitting hole; 14. The blower device according to any one of claims 2 to 13. (Appendix 15) The air passage member is provided with a buffer protrusion that protrudes toward the main body outer casing and absorbs dimensional tolerances between the main body outer casing and the air passage member. 15. The blower device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. (Appendix 16) an air guide member disposed inside the main body outer casing between the air outlet and the fan unit, and configured to guide the airflow from the fan unit to the air outlet; The air guide member is made of a foam material. 16. The blower device according to any one of claims 1 to 15. (Appendix 17) a first fitting portion for attaching the air guide member is formed in the air passage member; The air guide member is formed with a second fitting portion that fits into the first fitting portion, and is attached to the air passage member by fitting the first fitting portion into the second fitting portion. 17. The blower device according to claim 16, (Appendix 18) The first fitting portion and the second fitting portion have a structure in which a concave and a convex portion fit together, and an expanded diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the other portion is formed on a part of the convex surface. 18. The blower device according to claim 17, [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Main body outer box, 1a upper surface plate, 1b lower surface plate, 1c side surface plate, 2, 2A fan unit, 3 fan, 4 electric motor, 5 housing, 6 air passage member, 6a, 6b end face, 6c side face, 6d upper surface, 6e lower surface, 7 holding member, 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F fixing member, 9 air guide member, 10 air outlet, 11 air intake port, 12 fan grill, 13 ceiling suspension leg, 14 partition plate, 15, 75 joint member, 16 fitting hole, 17, 18, 70, 74 through hole, 60 air passage, 61, 61A protrusion portion, 61a tip portion, 61b base portion, 61c, 90a enlarged diameter portion, 62 step portion, 63 buffer protrusion, 64 first fitting portion, 65 Receiving portion, 65a hole portion, 66 groove portion, 71 flange portion, 72 retaining fitting, 73 fitting hole, 73a wall surface portion, 80, 81, 87 side surface portion, 80a tip portion, 80b bent portion, 82, 88 connecting surface portion, 82a, 83a screw holes, 83, 84, 85, 86 flat portion, 90 second fitting portion, 100 blower device.

Claims

1. a main body outer box having an air outlet and an air inlet formed therein; a fan unit that is housed in the main body outer case and generates an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet, The fan unit comprises: A fan that generates airflow, an electric motor that drives the fan; an air passage member formed of a foam material, in which an air passage for an airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet is formed; A blower device characterized by:

2. The device further includes a holding member fixed inside the main body outer box, The air passage member is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the holding member, The holding member has a fitting hole formed therein into which the protrusion is fitted, The air passage member is positioned by fitting the protrusion into the fitting hole. The blower device according to claim 1 .

3. The protrusion is formed in a cylindrical shape along the opening edge of the air passage. The blower device according to claim 2 .

4. The air passage member is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the main body outer box, The main body outer box has a fitting hole formed therein into which the protrusion is fitted, The air passage member is positioned by fitting the protrusion into the fitting hole. The blower device according to claim 1 .

5. the fan unit further includes a fixing member that fixes the air passage member to the holding member, The air passage member is formed with a receiving portion for arranging the fixing member, The fixing member is disposed in the receiving portion and joined to the holding member by a joining member.

4. The blower device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. the holding member has a fixing member that is formed by cutting and raising a part of the holding member and that fixes the air passage member, The air passage member is formed with a receiving portion for arranging the fixing member.

4. The blower device according to claim 2 or 3.

7. the fan unit further includes a fixing member for fixing the air passage member to the main body outer casing, The air passage member is formed with a receiving portion for arranging the fixing member, The fixing member is disposed in the receiving portion and joined to the main body outer box by a joining member. The blower device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

8. the fixing member is U-shaped and has a pair of opposing side surfaces and a connecting surface that connects one end of the pair of side surfaces, and is press-fitted into the air passage member. The blower device according to claim 5 .

9. The fixing member is configured such that one of the side surfaces is inclined toward the other side surface. The blower device according to claim 8 .

10. The fixing member is configured such that a tip end of one of the side surface portions is bent in a direction away from the other side surface portion. The blower device according to claim 8 .

11. The fixing member is configured such that the length of one of the pair of opposing side surface portions is shorter than the length of the other side surface portion. The blower device according to claim 8 .

12. The fixing member is L-shaped. The blower device according to claim 5 .

13. The protrusion has a base portion that is fitted into the fitting hole, and an expanded diameter portion that has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the base portion. The blower device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

14. a wall surface portion that rises along the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion portion and is in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion portion is formed on an opening edge of the fitting hole; The blower device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

15. The air passage member is provided with a buffer protrusion that protrudes toward the main body outer casing and absorbs dimensional tolerances between the main body outer casing and the air passage member. The blower device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

16. an air guide member disposed inside the main body outer casing between the air outlet and the fan unit, and configured to guide the airflow from the fan unit to the air outlet; The air guide member is made of a foam material. The blower device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

17. The air passage member is formed with a first fitting portion to which the air guide member is attached, The air guide member is formed with a second fitting portion that fits into the first fitting portion, and is attached to the air passage member by fitting the first fitting portion into the second fitting portion. The blower device according to claim 16 .

18. The first fitting portion and the second fitting portion have a structure in which a concave and a convex portion fit together, and an expanded diameter portion having an outer diameter larger than that of the other portion is formed on a part of the convex surface.

18. The blower device according to claim 17.

Images