Hot air heater

Abstract

To provide a hot air fan that can effectively prevent the user's hands or foreign objects from entering the device. [Solution] The hot air fan 9 comprises an air passage 4, a heater 55 arranged in the air passage 4, and a hot air passage 7 formed downstream of the heater 55 in the air passage 4. The downstream portion of the hot air passage 7 consists of a first branch passage 1 having a first outlet 18 and a second branch passage 2 having a second outlet 28. Air sent into the first branch passage 1 is blown out diagonally downward through the first outlet 18, and air sent into the second branch passage 2 is blown out diagonally upward through the second outlet 28.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a warm air blower.

Background Art

[0002] In a warm air blower having an air outlet for blowing out warm air, a louver is provided at the air outlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional technology, since the discharge port is largely open, there is room for improvement in terms of suppressing the entry of the user's hand or foreign matter.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a warm air blower that can effectively suppress the entry of the user's hand or foreign matter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A warm air blower according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a blower passage, a heater disposed in the blower passage, and a warm air passage formed downstream of the heater in the blower passage. A downstream portion of the warm air passage is composed of a first branch passage having a first air outlet and a second branch passage having a second air outlet. The second air outlet is located at a distance below the first air outlet. The first branch passage is configured to blow out the air sent into the first branch passage obliquely downward through the first air outlet. The second branch passage is configured to blow out the air sent into the second branch passage obliquely upward through the second air outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure has the effect of providing a hot air blower that can effectively prevent the intrusion of a user's hand or foreign object. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of a hot air fan according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the same hot air fan. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the end plate of the same hot air fan. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the partition member included in the same hot air fan. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] 1. One Embodiment A hot air fan 9 of one embodiment will be described based on the attached drawings. The hot air fan 9 is, for example, an electric hot air fan.

[0010] The vertical, horizontal, and left-right directions used in this disclosure are defined with reference to the case when the hot air fan 9 is installed on a horizontal plane.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, etc., in the front-to-back direction, the direction from which hot air is blown out of the fan 9 is forward, and the opposite direction is backward. The left-to-right direction is perpendicular to the front-to-back and up-to-down directions.

[0012] (Overview of Hot Air Heater 9) The warm air blower 9 of one embodiment includes a housing 3, a blower passage 4, a blower device 51, an electrostatic atomization device 53, a heater 55, an electric and electronic circuit section 6, and a warm air flow path 7.

[0013] The housing 3 is a member that forms the outer shell of the warm air blower 9 and has an overall long outer shape in the vertical direction.

[0014] The blower passage 4 is provided inside the housing 3. The blower passage 4 has an upstream end and a downstream end, and both the upstream end and the downstream end communicate with the external space.

[0015] The blower device 51 is provided inside the housing 3. The blower device 51 is configured to suck air in the external space into the blower passage 4 inside the housing 3 through an intake port 30 described later.

[0016] The electrostatic atomization device 53 is provided inside the housing 3. The electrostatic atomization device 53 is configured to generate charged particle water and supply the generated charged particle water to the air sucked into the blower passage 4 through the intake port 30.

[0017] The heater 55 is provided inside the housing 3. The heater 55 is configured to heat the air sucked into the blower passage 4 through the intake port 30.

[0018] The electric and electronic circuit section 6 and the warm air flow path 7 are provided inside the housing 3.

[0019] In the following, each component included in the warm air blower 9 of one embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0020] (Housing 3) The housing 3 includes an upper cover 31, a front cover 32, a first side cover 33, a second side cover 34, a bottom cover 35, and a rear cover 36.

[0021] The upper cover 31 has a rectangular shape that is elongated horizontally when viewed from above. The upper cover 31 includes an operation panel 312 that is exposed on the upper side. The operation panel 312 has various buttons for operating the hot air heater 9.

[0022] The front cover 32 has a rectangular shape that is elongated vertically when viewed from the front. An opening 38 is provided at the bottom of the front cover 32. The opening 38 is a rectangular opening that is elongated horizontally when viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 1, etc., the end plate 83, which will be described later and is provided with the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 28, is exposed at the opening 38 of the front cover 32.

[0023] The first side cover 33 and the second side cover 34 have a rectangular shape that is elongated vertically when viewed from the side. The bottom cover 35 has a rectangular shape that is elongated horizontally when viewed from below. In one embodiment, the first side cover 33, the second side cover 34, and the bottom cover 35 are formed integrally with the front cover 32.

[0024] The rear cover 36 has a vertically elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the rear. The rear cover 36 is provided with an air intake port 30 that opens to the outside space. The air intake port 30 is a rectangular opening when viewed from the rear. The air intake port 30 of the rear cover 36 is located above the opening 38 of the front cover 32, that is, above the first outlet 18 and second outlet 28 of the end plate 83. A filter 305 is placed in the air intake port 30.

[0025] (Airflow passage 4) As shown in Figure 2, the airflow passage 4 includes an upstream section 41, a midstream section 43, and a downstream section 45. The upstream section 41, the midstream section 43, and the downstream section 45 are connected in this order.

[0026] The upstream section 41 is located at the top of the air passage 4. The intake port 30 of the housing 3 is located behind the upstream section 41. The upstream section 41 communicates with the intake port 30 of the housing 3 and communicates with the outside space through the intake port 30. The fan 511 of the blower 51, which will be described later, is located in the upstream section 41.

[0027] The middle section 43 is comprised of the portion of the airflow passage 4 that is lower than the upstream section 41. The middle section 43 is located downstream of the upstream section 41 and is in communication with the upstream section 41. The middle section 43 is the portion of the airflow passage 4 where the heater 55 is located.

[0028] The downstream section 45 is the part of the air duct 4 that is below the middle section 43. The downstream section 45 is located downstream of the middle section 43 and communicates with the middle section 43. The downstream section 45 is the part of the air duct 4 into which air heated by the heater 55 (hereinafter referred to as "warm air") is supplied. The downstream section 45 communicates with the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 of the end plate 83.

[0029] (Blower 51) The blower 51 includes a fan 511 and a motor 515. The fan 511 and the motor 515 are integrated into a single unit.

[0030] Fan 511 is a centrifugal fan that can rotate around a central axis that extends in the front-to-back direction. More specifically, fan 511 is a sirocco fan.

[0031] The motor 515 is positioned outside the upstream portion 41 of the airflow passage 4 so as to be connected to the fan 511. The motor 515 is positioned in front of the upstream portion 41 of the airflow passage 4. The motor 515 is positioned between the upstream portion 41 of the airflow passage 4 and the front cover 32 of the housing 3.

[0032] The motor 515 rotates the fan 511 around a central axis that extends in the front-to-back direction, drawing air from the outside space into the upstream portion 41 of the air passage 4 through the intake port 30 of the housing 3.

[0033] (Electrostatic atomizing device 53) The electrostatic atomizing device 53 is configured to generate a large quantity of nanometer-sized charged fine particle liquid containing radicals by applying a high voltage to the liquid to induce electrostatic atomization.

[0034] In the electrostatic atomizer 53, the liquid to which a high voltage is applied is, for example, condensed water generated from moisture in the air. The charged particulate liquid generated by applying a high voltage to water is also called charged particulate water.

[0035] The electrostatic atomizer 53 is located outside the upstream portion 41 of the airflow passage 4. The electrostatic atomizer 53 is located in front of the upstream portion 41 of the airflow passage 4. The electrostatic atomizer 53 is located between the upstream portion 41 of the airflow passage 4 and the front cover 32 of the housing 3. The electrostatic atomizer 53 is located below the motor 515 of the blower 51.

[0036] An outlet 42 is provided in the upstream portion 41 of the air duct 4 for releasing the charged particulate liquid generated by the electrostatic atomizer 53 into the air duct 4.

[0037] The discharge port 42 is located downstream of the fan 511 in the upstream portion 41 of the airflow passage 4. The discharge port 42 opens toward the upstream side of the airflow passage 4. The discharge port 42 opens toward the fan 511. The charged particulate liquid generated by the electrostatic atomizer 53 is discharged toward the upstream side of the airflow passage 4 through the discharge port 42. In other words, the charged particulate liquid generated by the electrostatic atomizer 53 is discharged toward the fan 511 through the discharge port 42.

[0038] (Heater 55) The heater 55 is a heating element configured to generate heat when electricity is applied. The heater 55 is, for example, a ceramic heater.

[0039] The heater 55 is a long, flat plate-shaped heater configured to allow air to pass through and to heat the air as it passes. The air that has passed through the heater 55 is sent as warm air to the downstream portion 45 of the air duct 4.

[0040] (Electrical and Electronic Circuit Section 6) The electrical and electronic circuit section 6 is configured to control the operation of the hot air fan 9. Specifically, the electrical and electronic circuit section 6 is configured to control the blower 51, the electrostatic atomizer 53, and the heater 55 by energizing them.

[0041] The electrical and electronic circuit section 6 includes a microcomputer having a processor and memory. The processor executes a program stored in memory to control the blower 51, the electrostatic atomizer 53, and the heater 55.

[0042] The electrical and electronic circuit section 6 is located outside the upstream portion 41 of the air duct 4. The electrical and electronic circuit section 6 is located in front of the upstream portion 41 of the air duct 4. The electrical and electronic circuit section 6 is located between the upstream portion 41 of the air duct 4 and the front cover 32 of the housing 3.

[0043] The electrical and electronic circuit section 6 is positioned so as to be aligned with the motor 515 of the blower 51 in the left-right direction. The electrical and electronic circuit section 6 is located above the electrostatic atomizer 53.

[0044] (Hot air flow path 7) The hot air passage 7 is a passage designed to forcefully send hot air into the outside space.

[0045] The hot air passage 7 is formed as a bifurcated passage by combining a partition member 81 and an end plate 83 in the downstream portion 45 of the air supply passage 4. A corner section 73 is provided in the hot air passage 7 upstream of the branching section.

[0046] (Partition member 81) As shown in Figure 5, the partition member 81 is fitted into the downstream end of the air duct 4 through the downstream end opening of the air duct 4, which is open to the front. In other words, the partition member 81 is fitted into the downstream end of the downstream portion 45 through the downstream end opening of the downstream portion 45, which is open to the front.

[0047] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 7, the partition member 81 has a smoothly curved convex surface 812. The longitudinal section of the convex surface 812 is arc-shaped. In this disclosure, the longitudinal section refers to a section perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0048] The convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81 has a shape that bulges towards the rear. The middle portion of the convex curved surface 812 in the vertical direction is the part of the convex curved surface 812 that is located furthest rear. The upper and lower ends of the convex curved surface 812 are the parts of the convex curved surface 812 that are located furthest forward.

[0049] The downstream portion of the hot air passage 7 is divided vertically by the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81. A portion of the hot air flowing through the hot air passage 7 flows upward along the upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812. Another portion of the hot air flowing through the hot air passage 7 flows downward along the lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the partition member 81 includes end plates 815 and 816 on both the left and right sides. Both end plates 815 and 816 have a semicircular shape when viewed from the left or right direction. The semicircular shape in this disclosure is not limited to a semicircular shape in the strict sense, but includes shapes that are recognized as semicircular in the art.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the downstream end of the air duct 4 is provided with a recess 47 into which the end plate 815 of the partition member 81 fits, and a recess 48 into which the end plate 816 of the partition member 81 fits. The end plates 815 and 816 of the partition member 81, which are inserted through the downstream end opening of the air duct 4, fit into the recesses 47 and 48 of the air duct 4, thereby positioning the partition member 81 at the downstream end of the air duct 4.

[0052] It is not necessary for the entire end plate 816 of the partition member 81 to fit into the recess 48 of the air passage 4; it is sufficient if at least a part of the end plate 816 fits into the recess 48 of the air passage 4. Similarly, it is sufficient if at least a part of the end plate 815 fits into the recess 47 of the air passage 4.

[0053] (End plate 83) As shown in Figure 5, the end plate 83 is connected to the downstream end of the air duct 4 such that it covers the partition member 81, which is attached to the downstream end of the air duct 4, from the front.

[0054] As the end plate 83 is connected to the downstream end of the air duct 4, the partition member 81 fitted into the downstream end of the air duct 4 is sandwiched between the end plate 83 and the downstream end of the air duct 4. In this way, the partition member 81 is fixed to the air duct 4 and the end plate 83, and consequently to the housing 3.

[0055] In this context, "fixed to the housing 3" means that the position or orientation relative to the housing 3 is constant and does not move, and is not limited to being directly fixed to the housing 3. By fixing the partition member 81 to the housing 3, the upper and lower branches of the hot air passage 7 (i.e., the first branch 1 and the second branch 2 described later) are fixed to the housing 3.

[0056] The end plate 83 is fixed to the downstream end of the air duct 4 via a plurality of threaded fasteners 85. As shown in Figure 6, the end plate 83 has a plurality of through holes 835 formed through it in the front-to-back direction, through which each of the threaded fasteners 85 is inserted. In one embodiment, the plurality of threaded fasteners 85 are four threaded fasteners 85, and the plurality of through holes 835 are four through holes 835.

[0057] The end plate 83 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 3, the end plate 83 is provided with a first ventilation hole 831 and a second ventilation hole 832 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0058] The first ventilation hole 831 penetrates the upper part of the end plate 83 in the front-rear direction. Warm air that has flowed upward along the upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81 is supplied to the rear end opening of the first ventilation hole 831. The front end opening of the first ventilation hole 831 constitutes the first air outlet 18 for blowing the warm air into the outside space.

[0059] The first vent 831 has a shape that is tilted diagonally downward and forward so as to blow out warm air diagonally downward and forward through the first outlet 18. As shown in Figure 1, the first outlet 18 is a slit-shaped opening that extends horizontally (in other words, left to right).

[0060] In this disclosure, "horizontal" is not limited to horizontal in the strict sense, but includes to the extent that it is recognized as horizontal in the art.

[0061] The left and right opening width (in other words, the slit length) of the slit-shaped first air outlet 18 is preferably set within a range of, for example, 160 mm to 190 mm. The upper and lower opening width (in other words, the slit width) of the first air outlet 18 is preferably set within a range of, for example, 4 mm to 6 mm.

[0062] The second ventilation hole 832 penetrates the lower part of the end plate 83 in the front-rear direction. Warm air that has flowed downward along the lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81 is supplied to the rear end opening of the second ventilation hole 832. The front end opening of the second ventilation hole 832 constitutes the second outlet 28 for blowing the warm air into the outside space.

[0063] The second vent 832 has a shape that is tilted diagonally forward and upward as a whole, so as to blow out warm air diagonally forward and upward through the second outlet 28. The second outlet 28 is a slit-shaped opening that extends horizontally (in other words, the width of the slit).

[0064] The left and right opening width of the slit-shaped second air outlet 28 is preferably set within a range of, for example, 160 mm to 190 mm. The upper and lower opening width (in other words, the slit length) of the second air outlet 28 is preferably set within a range of, for example, 4 mm to 6 mm.

[0065] On the front surface of the end plate 83, the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 28 are positioned at a distance from each other in the vertical direction. The vertical distance between the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 28 is preferably set within a range of, for example, 40 mm to 60 mm.

[0066] The first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane. The first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 are slit-shaped openings that are parallel to each other. Parallelism in this disclosure is not limited to parallelism in the strict sense, but includes parallelism as recognized in the art.

[0067] On the front surface of the end plate 83, a flat surface 837 is provided between the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 28. The vertical dimension of the flat surface 837 is preferably set within a range of, for example, 40 mm to 60 mm.

[0068] The outer peripheral edge 838 on the front surface of the end plate 83 has a shape that protrudes forward from the portion enclosed by the outer peripheral edge 838 (in one embodiment, the flat surface 837). The first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 are provided on the outer peripheral edge 838.

[0069] The outer edge portion 838 includes an upper edge portion 838a extending in the left-right direction and a lower edge portion 838b extending in the left-right direction. The upper edge portion 838a and the lower edge portion 838b are positioned at a distance from each other in the vertical direction and are parallel to each other.

[0070] The lower part of the upper edge 838a has a slope that faces diagonally downward and forward, and the first air outlet 18 opens on this slope. The upper part of the lower edge 838b has a slope that faces diagonally upward and forward, and the second air outlet 28 opens on this slope.

[0071] The downstream portion of the hot air passage 7 described above is branched into the first branch passage 1 and the second branch passage 2 shown in Figure 3, etc., by a partition member 81 and an end plate 83 attached to the downstream end of the air supply passage 4.

[0072] (First fork in the road 1) The first branch passage 1 is a flow path through which the warm air flowing in flows diagonally upward and forward along the upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81, and then flows diagonally downward and forward through the first ventilation hole 831 of the end plate 83.

[0073] The upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81 is composed of a smoothly curved convex surface. The longitudinal cross-section of the upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812 is arc-shaped. The upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812 is tilted as a whole, with the front portion being higher. The slope of the upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812 gradually changes in the front-to-back direction, becoming smaller towards the front portion.

[0074] In one embodiment, the downstream end of the first branch passage 1 is formed by a first ventilation hole 831 of the end plate 83. The downstream end opening of the first branch passage 1 is formed by a first outlet 18 of the end plate 83.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3, the first branch 1 includes a first constriction section 12 and a first bend section 15.

[0076] The first constricted section 12, which is part of the first branching path 1, is designed so that the opening area becomes smaller towards the downstream side. The first constricted section 12 is formed along the upper part 812a of the convex curved surface 812 of the end plate 83.

[0077] The first bend 15, which is another part of the first branch 1, is located downstream of the first constriction 12 and upstream of the first outlet 18. In other words, the first bend 15 is located between the first constriction 12 and the first outlet 18 and is in communication with the first constriction 12 and the first outlet 18.

[0078] The first bend 15 is a flow path that curves in an upward-convex arc in order to change the diagonally upward flow of warm air in the first branch 1 to a diagonally downward flow. In other words, the first bend 15 is a flow path that is bent in order to blow out warm air diagonally downward through the first outlet 18.

[0079] The angle at which the warm air blown out diagonally downward through the first outlet 18 is preferably set within a range of, for example, 30 to 60 degrees, with respect to a virtual horizontal plane. More preferably, this angle is set within a range of 40 to 50 degrees. In other words, it is preferable that the first branch passage 1 is configured to blow the air supplied to the first branch passage 1 diagonally downward through the slit-shaped first outlet 18, which is the downstream end opening, by a predetermined angle set within a range of 30 to 60 degrees or within a range of 40 to 50 degrees.

[0080] (Second branching point 2) The second branch 2 is located below the first branch 1. The first branch 1 and the second branch 2 have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane.

[0081] The second branch passage 2 is a flow path through which the warm air that flows in flows diagonally downward and forward along the lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81, and then flows diagonally upward and forward through the second ventilation hole 832 of the end plate 83.

[0082] The lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81 is composed of a smoothly curved convex surface. The longitudinal cross-section of the lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812 is arc-shaped. The lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812 is tilted as a whole, with the front portion being lower. The slope of the lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812 gradually changes in the front-to-back direction, becoming smaller towards the front portion.

[0083] In one embodiment, the downstream end of the second branch passage 2 is formed by a second ventilation hole 832 of the end plate 83. The downstream end opening of the second branch passage 2 is formed by a second outlet 28 of the end plate 83.

[0084] The second branch 2 includes a second narrowing section 22 and a second bending section 25.

[0085] The second constricted section 22, which is part of the second branch 2, is designed so that the opening area becomes smaller towards the downstream side. The second constricted section 22 is formed along the lower part 812b of the convex curved surface 812 of the end plate 8.

[0086] The second bend 25, which is another part of the second branch 2, is located downstream of the second constriction 22 and upstream of the second outlet 28. In other words, the second bend 25 is located between the second constriction 22 and the second outlet 28 and is in communication with both the second constriction 22 and the second outlet 28.

[0087] The second bend 25 is a flow path that curves in a downward-convex arc in order to change the diagonally downward flow of warm air in the second branch 2 to a diagonally upward flow. In other words, the second bend 25 is a flow path that is bent in order to blow out warm air diagonally upward through the second outlet 28.

[0088] The angle at which the warm air blown out diagonally upward through the second outlet 28 is preferably set within a range of 30 to 60 degrees or within a range of 40 to 50 degrees, with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane. In other words, it is preferable that the second branch passage 2 is configured to blow the air sent into the second branch passage 2 out diagonally upward by a predetermined angle set within a range of 30 to 60 degrees or within a range of 40 to 50 degrees through the slit-shaped second outlet 28, which is the downstream end opening.

[0089] (Corner section 73) The corner section 73 is located upstream of the first branch 1 and the second branch 2 of the hot air flow path 7.

[0090] The corner section 73 is a flow path that curves in an arc in order to change the flow of warm air that passes through the heater 55 and goes downward to a forward flow. The warm air sent into the warm air flow path 7 passes through the corner section 73, hits the convex curved surface 812 of the partition member 81 located in front of the corner section 73, and branches into upper and lower flows.

[0091] (Effects and Benefits) According to one embodiment of the hot air fan 9, the hot air sent into the hot air flow path 7 is branched into a first branch 1 and a second branch 2. The hot air branched into the first branch 1 flows vigorously after passing through the first throttling section 12. The hot air branched into the second branch 2 flows vigorously after passing through the second throttling section 22.

[0092] The warm air, accelerated after passing through the first throttling section 12 of the first branching path 1, is blown out into the outside space through the horizontally elongated slit-shaped first outlet 18, diagonally downward and forward.

[0093] The warm air, accelerated after passing through the second throttling section 22 of the second branching path 2, is blown out into the outside space through the horizontally elongated slit-shaped second outlet 28, diagonally upward and forward.

[0094] The warm air blown out diagonally downward from the first outlet 18 and the warm air blown out diagonally upward from the second outlet 28 collide in the external space in front of the heater 9, merge, and flow vigorously forward (see the white arrow in Figure 2).

[0095] In other words, the hot air flow path 7 of the hot air fan 9 in one embodiment is configured to cause the hot air blown diagonally downward through the first outlet 18 and the hot air blown diagonally upward through the second outlet 28 to collide in the external space. The hot air that merges here forms a wide flow vertically. In other words, the hot air after merging forms a flow with a large area in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of hot air flow (i.e., a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-back direction).

[0096] According to one embodiment of the hot air fan 9, even if the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 are provided as slits rather than being large openings, a wide and powerful flow of hot air can be created in the external space. Therefore, the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 can be provided with a narrow width, and the intrusion of the user's hands or foreign objects through the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 can be effectively suppressed. In addition, since it is only necessary to provide two slits (i.e., the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28) on the front of the hot air fan 9 in order to blow out hot air, the design of the hot air fan 9 can be enhanced.

[0097] 2. Variations The following lists various modifications of the hot air fan 9 according to one embodiment. In the description of the modifications, components common to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed explanations are omitted.

[0098] In one embodiment of the hot air fan 9, the first air outlet 18 is composed of a single slit extending horizontally, but the form of the first air outlet 18 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, multiple slits.

[0099] Similarly, the second air outlet 28 is composed of a single horizontally extending slit, but the form of the second air outlet 28 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, multiple slits.

[0100] In one embodiment of the hot air fan 9, the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 have the same vertical opening width, but are not limited to this. For example, the vertical opening width of the first outlet 18 may be narrower than that of the second outlet 28, or the vertical opening width of the first outlet 18 may be wider than that of the second outlet 28.

[0101] In one embodiment of the hot air fan 9, the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 have the same left-right opening width, but are not limited to this. For example, the left-right opening width of the first outlet 18 may be narrower than that of the second outlet 28, or the left-right opening width of the first outlet 18 may be wider than that of the second outlet 28.

[0102] In one embodiment of the hot air fan 9, the first branch passage 1 includes the first throttling section 12, but the form of the first branch passage 1 is not limited to this, and the first branch passage 1 may not include the first throttling section 12.

[0103] Similarly, the second branch 2 includes the second throttling section 22, but the form of the second branch 2 is not limited to this, and the second branch 2 may not include the second throttling section 22.

[0104] In one embodiment of the hot air fan 9, the angle at which hot air is blown diagonally downward from the first outlet 18 with respect to a virtual horizontal plane and the angle at which hot air is blown diagonally upward from the second outlet 28 with respect to a virtual horizontal plane are made to be the same as each other. However, the two angles do not have to be the same as each other. In other words, the angle at which hot air is blown diagonally downward from the first outlet 18 with respect to a virtual horizontal plane may be greater than the angle at which hot air is blown diagonally upward from the second outlet 28 with respect to a virtual horizontal plane. The angle at which hot air is blown diagonally downward from the first outlet 18 with respect to a virtual horizontal plane may be smaller than the angle at which hot air is blown diagonally upward from the second outlet 28 with respect to a virtual horizontal plane.

[0105] In one embodiment, the hot air fan 9 is equipped with an electrostatic atomizer 53, but it is also possible that the hot air fan 9 is not equipped with an electrostatic atomizer 53.

[0106] 3. Summary As described above based on one embodiment and various modifications, the hot air fan 9 of the first embodiment comprises an air passage 4, a heater 55 arranged in the air passage 4, and a hot air passage 7 formed downstream of the heater 55 in the air passage 4. The downstream portion of the hot air passage 7 is composed of a first branch passage 1 having a first outlet 18 and a second branch passage 2 having a second outlet 28. The second outlet 28 is located below the first outlet 18 at a distance. The first branch passage 1 is configured to blow the air sent into the first branch passage 1 diagonally downward through the first outlet 18. The second branch passage 2 is configured to blow the air sent into the second branch passage 2 diagonally upward through the second outlet 28.

[0107] In this embodiment, the air heated by the heater 55 is branched vertically in the warm air passage 7 and then blown out into the outside space from the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28, which are located vertically apart. The warm air blown diagonally downward from the first outlet 18 and the warm air blown diagonally upward from the second outlet 28 collide in the outside space, merge, and then flow forward. The merged warm air forms a wide flow vertically. In this embodiment, a wide flow of warm air vertically can be created without the need to greatly open the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28, so that the intrusion of the user's hands or foreign objects into the first outlet 18 and the second outlet 28 is effectively suppressed.

[0108] In the second embodiment of the hot air fan 9, in the first embodiment, the first air outlet 18 is a slit-shaped opening extending horizontally, and the second air outlet 28 is a slit-shaped opening extending horizontally.

[0109] According to this embodiment, the entry of users' hands or foreign objects into the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 28 is more effectively suppressed.

[0110] In the third embodiment of the hot air fan 9, in the first or second embodiment, the first branch passage 1 includes a first throttling section 12 in which the opening area decreases towards the downstream portion, and the second branch passage 2 includes a second throttling section 22 in which the opening area decreases towards the downstream portion.

[0111] According to this embodiment, hot air can be forcefully blown out diagonally downward from the first outlet 18, and hot air can be forcefully blown out diagonally upward from the second outlet 28.

[0112] The fourth embodiment of the hot air fan 9 further comprises a housing 3 that forms the outer shell of the hot air fan 9, in any one of the first to third embodiments. The first branch line 1 and the second branch line 2 are fixed to the housing 3.

[0113] According to this configuration, a wide, vertical flow of warm air can be stably created in the external space.

[0114] The fifth embodiment of the hot air fan 9 further comprises, in any one of the first to third embodiments, a housing 3 that forms the outer shell of the hot air fan 9, and a partition member 81 that divides the first branch path 1 and the second branch path 2 vertically. The partition member 81 is fixed to the housing 3.

[0115] According to this configuration, a wide, vertical flow of warm air can be stably created in the external space. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0116] 1. First fork in the road 12 First aperture section 15 1st bending part 18 1st outlet 2. Second fork in the road 22 Second aperture section 25 2nd bending part 28 2nd outlet 3 cabinets 30 Air intake 305 Filter 31 Top cover 312 Control Panel 32 Front Cover 33 First side cover 34. Second side cover 35 Bottom cover 36 Rear cover 38 Aperture 4. Airflow channel 41 Upstream section 42 Outlet 43 Midstream section 45 Downstream section 47 Recess 48 recess 51 Blower 511 Fans 515 Motor 53 Electrostatic atomizer 55 Heater 6. Electrical and Electronic Circuit Section 7 Warm air flow path 73 Corner section 81 Partition Member 812 Convex curved surface 812a Upper part 812b Lower part 815 End plate 816 End plate 83 End Plate 831 First ventilation hole 832 Second ventilation hole 835 Through hole 837 flat surface 838 Outer edge 838a Upper edge 838b Lower edge 85 Screw tools 9. Hot air heater

Claims

1. Air duct and A heater is placed in the aforementioned air passage, The system comprises a hot air passage formed downstream of the heater in the aforementioned air passage, The downstream portion of the aforementioned hot air passage is composed of a first branch having a first outlet and a second branch having a second outlet. The second outlet is located below the first outlet at a distance, The first branch is configured to blow the air supplied to the first branch diagonally downward through the first outlet. The second branch is configured to blow the air supplied to the second branch diagonally upward through the second outlet. A fan heater.

2. The first outlet is a slit-shaped opening that extends horizontally, The second air outlet is a slit-shaped opening that extends horizontally. A hot air fan according to claim 1.

3. The first branch road includes a first constricted section in which the opening area becomes smaller towards the downstream side. The second branch includes a second constricted section in which the opening area becomes smaller towards the downstream side. A hot air fan according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned hot air heater further comprises a housing that forms the outer shell, The first branch and the second branch are fixed to the housing. A hot air fan according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The housing that forms the outer shell of the aforementioned hot air heater, The system further comprises a partition member that branches the first branch and the second branch vertically, The partition member is fixed to the housing. A hot air fan according to claim 1 or 2.

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