Impeller and its related blower

Abstract

The present invention provides an impeller capable of improving static pressure and thereby improving airflow efficiency, and a blower equipped therewith. [Solution] The impeller has a cylindrical body and a plurality of blades. The body is rotatable around a central axis. The plurality of blades protrude radially from the outer surface of the body and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The impeller blows air in the axial direction as the blades rotate around the central axis. Each blade extends circumferentially while tilting upstream in the airflow direction as it moves forward in the direction of rotation. Each blade is curved convexly toward the downstream in the airflow direction at a point forward in the direction of rotation from the center in the circumferential direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an impeller and a blower device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional impellers have a cylindrical body portion and a plurality of blade portions. The body portion is rotatable about a central axis. The plurality of blade portions protrude radially from the outer peripheral surface of the body portion and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The impeller blows air in the axial direction as the blade portions rotate about the central axis. Each blade portion extends in the circumferential direction while inclining toward the upstream side in the blowing direction as it goes in the rotational direction (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] However, in conventional impellers, there is a possibility that the static pressure decreases and the blowing efficiency decreases.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an impeller capable of improving the static pressure and the blowing efficiency, and a blower device including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] ​An exemplary impeller of the present invention has a cylindrical body and a plurality of blades. The body is rotatable about a central axis. The plurality of blades project radially from the outer surface of the body and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The impeller blows air in the axial direction as the blades rotate about a central axis. Each blade extends circumferentially, tilting upstream in the airflow direction as it moves forward in the direction of rotation. Each blade is curved convexly towards the downstream in the airflow direction ahead of the center in the circumferential direction in the direction of rotation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an exemplary version of the present invention, it is possible to provide an impeller capable of improving static pressure and a blower equipped therewith. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the impeller of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of the impeller of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the impeller of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this document, the direction in which the central axis J of the blower 1 extends is simply referred to as the "axial direction," the direction perpendicular to the central axis J of the blower 1 is simply referred to as the "radial direction," and the direction along the arc centered on the central axis J of the blower 1 is simply referred to as the "circumferential direction." Furthermore, a cross section parallel to the axial direction is referred to as the "longitudinal cross section." Also, "parallel" does not mean parallel in a strict sense, but includes approximately parallel.

[0010] Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, the axial direction will be defined as the vertical direction, and the vertical direction in Figure 1 will be used to describe the shape and positional relationship of each part. The "upper side" of the blower 1 is the "intake side," and the "lower side" is the "exhaust side." Note that this definition of the vertical direction does not limit the orientation and positional relationship of the blower when it is in use. Also, in this book, a cross-section parallel to the axial direction is called a "longitudinal cross-section."

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a blower device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The blower device 1 includes a pair of impellers 101 and 102 arranged side by side in the axial direction, a pair of motors 12, and a pair of housings 20. The blower device 1 generates airflow in the axial direction downward X2 along the central axis J. In this embodiment, the configurations of the motors 12 and housings 20 are the same and will be described using the same reference numerals.

[0012] Impellers 101 and 102 have different shapes and are arranged coaxially along the central axis J. Impeller 102 is located on the intake side X1, and impeller 101 is located on the exhaust side X2. In other words, impeller (upstream impeller) 102 is located upstream X1 in the airflow direction from impeller 101 and is aligned coaxially with impeller 101.

[0013] A pair of motors 12 rotate the impellers 101 and 102 around the central axis J, respectively. In this embodiment, impeller 101 rotates clockwise (in the Y1 direction) around the central axis J when viewed from above. On the other hand, impeller 102 rotates counterclockwise (in the Y2 direction) around the central axis J when viewed from above. Depending on the shape of impellers 101 and 102, the rotation direction of impeller 101 and the rotation direction of impeller 102 may be the same.

[0014] The pair of housings 20 are resin molded products (mold-molded products) and each has an airflow channel 21 inside. The airflow channel 21 extends along the central axis J inside the housing 20. The pair of housings 20 are connected in the axial direction, and the airflow channels 21 are also connected in the axial direction. The connected pair of housings 20 have an intake port 21b at the upper end and an exhaust port 21a at the lower end.

[0015] The housing 20 on the exhaust side X2 houses the impeller 101, the motor 12, and a circuit board (not shown) inside. The housing 20 on the intake side X1 houses the impeller 102, the motor 12, and a circuit board (not shown) inside. Each housing 20 has a cylindrical wall portion 22, a base portion 23, a stator blade portion 24, and a bearing holding portion 25, respectively.

[0016] The cylindrical wall portion 22 extends along the central axis J and covers the impellers 101 and 102 from the radially outer side respectively. The cylindrical wall portion 22 is cylindrical and extends vertically in the axial direction. An air flow path 21 is arranged inside the cylindrical wall portion 22 in the radial direction. An exhaust port 21a is arranged at the lower end in the axial direction of the cylindrical wall portion 22 on the exhaust side X2. An intake port 21b is arranged at the upper end in the axial direction of the cylindrical wall portion 22 on the intake side X1.

[0017] The base portion 23 fixes the motor 12. The base portion 23 is disc-shaped and extends radially around the central axis J. In this embodiment, the housing 20 is connected by bringing the base portions 23 into contact with each other.

[0018] The stator blade portion 24 extends radially outward from the radially outer surface of the base portion 23 and connects the base portion 23 and the cylindrical wall portion 22. A plurality of stator blade portions 24 are arranged in the circumferential direction. The air flowing through the air flow path 21 is rectified when passing between adjacent stator blade portions 24 and flows to the lower side X2 in the axial direction.

[0019] The bearing holding portion 25 is a metal member such as brass, for example, and is integrally formed with the base portion 23. The bearing holding portion 25 protrudes axially from the base portion 23 and is cylindrical around the central axis J. In this embodiment, the bearing holding portion 25 on the intake side X1 protrudes from the upper surface of the base portion 23 toward the intake side X1. The bearing holding portion 25 on the exhaust side X2 protrudes from the lower surface of the base portion 23 toward the exhaust side X2.

[0020] The bearing holding portion 25 holds a bearing 126, which will be described later, inside and forms a part of the motor 12. Note that the bearing holding portion 25 may be integrally formed with the base portion 23 by the same resin member instead of being formed as a separate member from the base portion 23.

[0021] The impellers 101 and 102 are rotatably supported by the motor 12 inside the radial direction of the cylindrical wall portion 22. The impellers 101 and 102 are resin molded products (die molded products) and rotate around the central axis J by the motor 12. The shapes of the impellers 101 and 102 will be described in detail later.

[0022] The motor 12 is fixed to the base portion 23 and housed in the housing 20. The motor 12 includes a shaft 125, a bearing 126, a bearing holding portion 25, a stator 123, and a rotor 124.

[0023] The shaft 125 is arranged along the central axis J. The shaft 125 is a columnar member made of a metal such as stainless steel, for example, and extends axially upward and downward. The shaft 125 is rotatably supported around the central axis J by the bearing 126.

[0024] The bearing 126 is held inside the bearing holding portion 25. The bearing 126 is composed of, for example, a ball bearing, but may be composed of a sleeve bearing or the like. The pair of bearings 126 in the axial direction support the shaft 125 so as to be rotatable around the central axis J with respect to the housing 20.

[0025] The stator 123 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the bearing holding portion 25. The stator 123 includes a stator core 1231, an insulator (not shown), and a coil 1232.

[0026] The stator core 1231 is constructed by laminating electromagnetic steel sheets, such as silicon steel sheets, vertically. The insulator (not shown) is made of an insulating resin. The insulator (not shown) is provided on a part of the outer surface of the stator core 1231. The coil 1232 is made of a wire wound around the stator core 1231 via the insulator.

[0027] The intake rotor X1 is positioned axially above and radially outward of the stator 123. The exhaust rotor X2 is positioned axially below and radially outward of the stator 123. The rotor 124 rotates around a central axis J relative to the stator 123. The rotor 124 includes a rotor yoke 1241 and a magnet 1242.

[0028] The rotor yoke 1241 is made of a magnetic material. The intake side rotor yoke 1241 is a substantially cylindrical member with a cap on its axial upper side. The exhaust side rotor yoke 1241 is a substantially cylindrical member with a cap on its axial lower side. The rotor yoke 1241 is fixed to the shaft 125. The magnet 1242 is cylindrical and fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the rotor yoke 1241. The magnet 1242 is positioned radially outward of the stator 123.

[0029] The circuit board (not shown) is positioned, for example, between the impeller 101 and the base portion 23, and between the impeller 102 and the base portion 23. The circuit board is, for example, a disc shape that extends radially around a central axis J. The lead wires of the coil 1232 are electrically connected to the circuit board. Electronic circuits for supplying drive current to the coil 1232 are mounted on the circuit board.

[0030] In the blower 1 with the above configuration, when a drive current is supplied to the coil 1232 of the motor 12 via the circuit board, a radial magnetic flux is generated in the stator core 1231. The magnetic field generated by the magnetic flux of the stator core 1231 and the magnetic field generated by the magnet 1242 act together, generating torque in the circumferential direction of the rotor 124. This torque causes the impellers 101 and 102 to rotate in opposite directions around the central axis J. As the impellers 101 and 102 rotate, airflow is generated by the multiple blades 112 and 122. As a result, the blower 1 can generate airflow with the upper side as the intake side (downstream side in the airflow direction) X1 and the lower side as the exhaust side (downstream side in the airflow direction) X2, and perform airflow.

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the impeller 101, and Figure 3 is a side view of the impeller 101. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the impeller 101. The impeller 101 is positioned radially outward from the motor 12 and, in this embodiment, is rotated clockwise (in the Y1 direction) around the central axis J by the motor 12.

[0032] The impeller 101 has a cylindrical body 111 and a plurality of blades 112. The body 111 is a substantially cylindrical member having a cover 113 on its axially lower side. The body 111 is fixed to the radially outer side of the rotor yoke 1241 and is rotatable about the central axis J. The cover 113 has a through hole 113a that penetrates axially through the central axis J. The upper end of a shaft 125, for example, is positioned inside the through hole 113a.

[0033] Multiple blade portions 112 protrude radially from the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 111 and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, three blade portions 112 are provided and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Note that two or four or more blade portions 112 may be provided.

[0034] The blades 112 rotate around a central axis, blowing air downward in the axial direction X2. Each blade 112 extends circumferentially, tilting towards the upstream side X1 in the airflow direction as it moves forward Y1 in the rotational direction.

[0035] Furthermore, each blade portion 112 is curved convexly toward the downstream side X2 in the airflow direction at Y1 forward in the rotational direction from the circumferential center T. This improves the static pressure of the impeller 101 and improves the airflow efficiency of the impeller 101 and the blower 1 equipped therewith. Additionally, each blade portion 112 is curved convexly toward the upstream side X1 in the airflow direction at Y2 rear in the rotational direction from the circumferential center T. This further improves the static pressure of the impeller 11.

[0036] Furthermore, the radial width W1 at the end of each blade 112 facing forward Y1 in the direction of rotation is smaller than the radial width W2 at the end facing backward Y2 in the direction of rotation (see Figure 4). This reduces the rotational load on the impeller 11 generated by the airflow flowing into the end of the blade 112 facing forward Y1 in the direction of rotation. It also increases the amount of air blown from the end of the blade 112 facing backward Y2 in the direction of rotation to the downstream side X2 in the direction of airflow. As a result, the airflow efficiency of the impeller 11 is further improved.

[0037] Furthermore, in adjacent blade sections 112 in the circumferential direction, the forward Y1 end of one blade section 112 and the rear Y2 end of the other blade section 112 overlap when viewed from the axial direction (see Figure 4). This further improves the airflow efficiency of the impeller 11.

[0038] The outer circumferential surface of the body portion 111 extends parallel to the axial direction, and the end on the downstream side X2 in the airflow direction is inclined radially inward as it moves toward the downstream side X2 in the airflow direction. More specifically, the outer diameter of the body portion 111 decreases toward the downstream side X2 in the airflow direction, downstream of the end P2 of the rear Y2 in the rotational direction of the blade portion 112. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 111 extends parallel to the axial direction, upstream of the end P1 of the front Y1 in the rotational direction of the blade portion 112 in the airflow direction X1 (see Figure 3).

[0039] The airflow circulating axially through the airflow channel 21 flows along the outer surface of the body portion 111, which extends parallel to the axial direction, in the impeller 101, and flows smoothly along the blade portion 112 from the front end Y1 in the rotational direction P1 of the blade portion 112. This further improves the static pressure of the impeller 11. In addition, the airflow circulating axially from the rear end Y2 in the rotational direction P2 of the blade portion 112 flows downstream X2 in the airflow direction along the inclined outer surface of the body portion 111. This further improves the static pressure of the impeller 11.

[0040] The impeller 102 has a cylindrical body 121 and a plurality of blades 122. In this embodiment, the impeller 102 is rotated counterclockwise (in the Y2 direction) around the central axis J by the motor 12 (see Figure 1).

[0041] Each blade portion 122 extends circumferentially while tilting toward the upstream side X1 in the airflow direction as it moves forward Y2 in the rotational direction. Each blade portion 222 may be convexly curved toward the upstream side X1 in the airflow direction, or it may be formed in a flat plate shape without curving. This improves the airflow of the impeller 102. Therefore, by placing the impeller 101 with improved static pressure on the exhaust side and the impeller 102 with improved airflow on the intake side, the airflow efficiency of the blower 200 is further improved.

[0042] (others) The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention. The configuration of the embodiments may be modified as appropriate without exceeding the technical spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be combined as possible. For example, in this embodiment, each blade portion 112 is curved convexly toward the upstream side X1 in the airflow direction at Y2 behind the circumferential center T in the rotational direction, but it may also be formed in a flat plate shape without curvature.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pair of housings 20 are connected by bringing the base portions 23 into contact with each other, but the pair of housings 20 may also be connected by placing the base portions 23 opposite each other in the axial direction with a pair of motors 12 in between. Alternatively, each base portion 23 may be placed on either the intake side X1 or the exhaust side X2 to connect the pair of housings 20. Furthermore, although the pair of housings 20 are connected, the impellers 101 and 102 may be housed in a single housing that extends in the axial direction.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the blower 1 is configured with an impeller (upstream impeller) 102 and an impeller 101 arranged coaxially, but it may also be configured with only the impeller 101.

[0045] (Note) As described above, an impeller (101) according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a cylindrical body (111) that is rotatable around a central axis (J), and a plurality of blades (112) that protrude radially from the outer circumferential surface of the body and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and the blades rotate around the central axis to blow air in the axial direction, and each blade extends in the circumferential direction while tilting toward the upstream side (X1) in the air-blowing direction as it moves forward in the rotation direction (Y1), and is curved convexly toward the downstream side (X2) in the air-blowing direction at the front of the rotation direction (Y1) from the center (T) in the circumferential direction (first configuration).

[0046] Furthermore, in the first configuration described above, each of the blades may be curved convexly toward the upstream side (X1) in the airflow direction at a point behind the circumferential center (T) in the rotational direction (Y2) (second configuration).

[0047] Furthermore, in the first or second configuration described above, the outer circumferential surface of the body may be configured to extend parallel to the central axis on the upstream side (X1) in the airflow direction from the end (P1) in the forward direction (Y1) of the blade portion (third configuration).

[0048] Furthermore, in any of the first to third configurations described above, the body portion may be configured such that its outer diameter decreases as it moves downstream in the airflow direction (X2) from the rear end (P2) in the rotational direction (Y2) of the blade portion (fourth configuration).

[0049] Furthermore, in any of the first to fourth configurations described above, each blade portion may be configured such that the radial width (W1) at the end facing forward in the rotation direction (Y1) is smaller than the radial width (W2) at the end facing backward in the rotation direction (Y2) (fifth configuration).

[0050] Furthermore, in any of the first to fifth configurations described above, the circumferentially adjacent blade portions may be configured such that the end portion of one blade portion facing forward in the rotational direction (Y1) and the end portion of the other blade portion facing backward in the rotational direction (Y2) overlap when viewed from the axial direction (sixth configuration).

[0051] Furthermore, a blower (1) according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an impeller (101) having any of the first to sixth configurations described above, and a motor (12) for rotating the impeller (seventh configuration).

[0052] Furthermore, a blower (1) according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an impeller (11) having any of the first to sixth configurations described above, an upstream impeller (102) positioned upstream (X1) of the impeller in the blowing direction and coaxial with the impeller, and a motor (12) that rotates the impeller and the upstream impeller, respectively (eighth configuration). [Industrial applicability]

[0053] The present invention can be used, for example, in a blower for cooling a server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Blower 12 motors 20 Housing 21 Air flow path 21a Exhaust port 21b Air intake 22 Cylinder wall 23 Base section 24 Stator Wing Section 25 Bearing retaining part 101, 102 Impeller 111, 121 Torso 112, 122 Blade section 113 Lid 113a Through hole 125 shaft 126 Bearing 123 Status 124 Rotor 1231 Stator Core 1232 coil 1241 Rotor yoke 1242 Magnet J center axis P1, P2 ends T center W1, W2 width X1 Air blowing direction upstream side X2 Air blowing direction downstream Y1 Rotation direction forward Y2: Rearward in the direction of rotation

Claims

1. A cylindrical body that can rotate around a central axis, The body portion has a plurality of wing portions that protrude radially from the outer circumferential surface and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, As the aforementioned blades rotate around the central axis, air is blown in the axial direction. Each of the aforementioned blades extends circumferentially while tilting toward the upstream side in the airflow direction as it moves forward in the rotational direction, and curves convexly toward the downstream side in the airflow direction at a point forward in the rotational direction from the center of the circumferential direction, wherein the impeller.

2. The impeller according to claim 1, wherein each of the blade portions is curved convexly toward the upstream side in the airflow direction, with respect to the rear in the rotational direction from the center in the circumferential direction.

3. The impeller according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the body extends parallel to the central axis on the upstream side in the airflow direction from the forward end in the rotation direction of the blade portion.

4. The impeller according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body portion has an outer diameter that decreases as it moves downstream in the airflow direction, on the side downstream in the airflow direction from the rear end in the rotation direction of the blade portion.

5. The impeller according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each blade portion has a radial width at the end facing forward in the direction of rotation that is smaller than the radial width at the end facing backward in the direction of rotation.

6. The impeller according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, in adjacent blade portions in the circumferential direction, the forward end in the rotational direction of one blade portion and the rear end in the rotational direction of the other blade portion overlap when viewed from the axial direction.

7. An impeller according to claim 1 or claim 2, A blower comprising a motor for rotating the impeller.

8. An impeller according to claim 1 or claim 2, An upstream impeller is positioned upstream of the aforementioned impeller in the airflow direction and is aligned coaxially with the aforementioned impeller, A blower device comprising a motor for rotating the impeller and the upstream impeller, respectively.

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