Fans and air conditioning systems

Abstract

We provide an easy-to-use fan that can reduce the size and weight of the installed device, and an air conditioning system that utilizes it. [Solution] The invention comprises a fan 1 that can blow air in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction by rotating, a heat exchanger 2, a first cap C1 and a second cap C2, the heat exchanger 2 having a heat exchange element 21, the first cap C1 having a first outlet C12 communicating with the outside, and the second cap C2 having a second outlet C22 communicating with the outside, and the fan 1, heat exchanger 2, first cap C1 and second cap C2 form a first flow path in which the airflow generated from the outer blades 11 by the rotation of the fan 1 and the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21 exchange heat and are exhausted from the first outlet C12, and a second flow path in which the airflow generated from the inner blades 12 by the rotation of the fan 1 and the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21 exchange heat and are exhausted from the second outlet C22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fan for blowing air and an air conditioner using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a fan-equipped garment that aims to take in outside air into the garment by attaching a fan to the garment and cool the body of the wearer.

[0003] However, simply attaching a fan to the garment can only send outside air into the garment, so when the outside air temperature is high, warm air may be blown into the garment and the cooling effect may not be expected.

[0004] Also, a garment with just a fan attached can produce a cooling effect, but it is difficult to produce a heating effect.

[0005] Therefore, an air conditioner has been proposed that aims to actively cool or heat the inside of the garment by using a heat exchange element.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a heat exchange unit that enhances heat exchange efficiency and efficiently cools or heats the inside of the garment by providing one fan on each of the heat dissipation side and the heat absorption side of a Peltier element.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, air conditioning devices like the one described in Patent Document 1 require two or more fans, which tends to increase the size and weight of the device, leading to problems with comfort and aesthetics when mounted on clothing.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to solve the problem of providing an easy-to-use fan that can suppress the size and weight of the mounted device, and an air conditioning system using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention, which solves the above problems, is based on the technical concepts described in [1] to [8].

[0011] <Technical philosophy> [1] A fan that is driven and rotates on the same axis of rotation, thereby capable of blowing air in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction.

[0012] [2] The fan according to [1], comprising a bearing, an inner blade arranged on the outer circumference of the bearing, and an outer blade arranged on the outer circumference of the inner blade, wherein the outer blade blows air in the first direction by rotation and the inner blade blows air in the second direction by rotation.

[0013] [3] The fan according to [2], wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite.

[0014] [4] The fan according to [3], further comprising a frame positioned between the inner blades and the outer blades.

[0015] [5] It comprises a fan as described in any of [1] to [4], a heat exchanger, a first cap, and a second cap. The heat exchanger has heat exchange elements, The first cap has a first outlet that communicates with the outside, The second cap has a second outlet that communicates with the outside, The fan, the heat exchanger, the first cap, and the second cap are, A first flow path that exchanges heat between the airflow generated from the outer blades by the rotation of the fan and the first surface of the heat exchange element, and exhausts the heat through the first air outlet. A second flow path that exchanges heat between the airflow generated from the inner blades by the rotation of the fan and the second surface of the heat exchange element, and exhausts the heat through the second air outlet. An air conditioner that forms the above.

[0016] [6] The heat exchanger further has a heat insulation wall surrounding the heat exchange element. The air conditioner according to [5], wherein the heat insulation wall is arranged so as to separate the first flow path and the second flow path.

[0017] [7] The air conditioner according to [6], wherein the heat insulation wall is formed to have a larger diameter than the frame body.

[0018] [8] The air conditioner according to [5], wherein the first cap further has a rectifying plate arranged to face the first air outlet.

[0019] <Effects of each technical idea> [1] The fan as described in [which can blow air in the first direction and the second direction by being driven by the same rotation axis, so that while increasing the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element using this, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size and weight of an air conditioner or the like.

[0020] [2] The fan as described in [2] can be manufactured with a simple structure, so that the design and manufacturing costs can be suppressed.

[0021] [3] The fan as described in [3] has less mixing of the airflows of the inner blades and the outer blades, and can improve the usage efficiency.

[0022] [4] The fan as described in [4] is even less likely to have the airflows of the inner blades and the outer blades mixed, and can further improve the usage efficiency.

[0023] An air conditioner such as [5] can efficiently perform heat dissipation and heat absorption without providing fans on both the heat dissipation surface and the heat absorption surface of the heat exchange element, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size and weight of the entire apparatus.

[0024] An air conditioner such as [6] can suppress the mixing of warm and cold heat on the heat dissipation surface and the heat absorption surface of the heat exchange element by a heat insulating wall, and can also suppress the mixing of warm and cold airflows between the first flow path and the second flow path.

[0025] An air conditioner such as [7] can guide a part of the airflow generated from the outer fins to the intake side of the inner fins by a heat insulating wall, and can further improve the intake and exhaust efficiency and thus the heat exchange efficiency.

[0026] An air conditioner such as [8] can guide the airflow generated from the outer fins to the first surface of the heat exchange element and the first air outlet while rectifying the airflow by a rectifying plate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, there is provided a user-friendly fan capable of suppressing the size and weight of the mounted apparatus, and an air conditioner using the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] [[ID=CO27]]A diagram for explaining a fan according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram for explaining a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A diagram for explaining a first cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A diagram for explaining a second cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A diagram for explaining an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A diagram for explaining an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A diagram for explaining an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fan and air conditioning system of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments shown below are examples of the present invention and do not limit the present invention to these embodiments. Furthermore, the dotted lines indicate (part of) the transparent internal structure.

[0030] Figure 1(A) is a front view of fan 1. Figure 1(B) is a side view of fan 1. Figure 1(C) is a perspective view of fan 1. Note that Figure 1(B) omits the illustration of bearing 14.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the fan 1 has an outer blade 11, an inner blade 12, a frame 13, and a bearing 14.

[0032] The outer blade 11 is positioned around the outer circumference of the inner blade 12, with the bearing 14 as the center of rotation. The inner wing 12 is positioned around the outer circumference of the bearing 14, with the bearing 14 as the center of rotation.

[0033] Therefore, the outer blades 11 and the inner blades 12 are driven by the same axis of rotation, causing the fan 1 to rotate and allowing air to be blown in a direction corresponding to the orientation of each blade.

[0034] On the other hand, since the outer blades 11 and inner blades 12 are arranged in opposite directions, the rotation of the fan 1 allows the outer blades 11 to blow air in the first direction D1 and the inner blades 12 to blow air in the second direction D2, in opposite directions.

[0035] Furthermore, when the inner vane 12 blows air in the second direction D2, it is accompanied by intake air from the third direction D3 on the opposite side (similarly, when the outer vane 11 blows air in the first direction D1, it is accompanied by intake air from the opposite side, but this is omitted from the illustration).

[0036] The frame 13 is positioned between the outer blades 11 and the inner blades 12, improving the rigidity of the fan 1 and making it less likely for the airflow from the outer blades 11 and the inner blades 12 to mix.

[0037] The bearing 14 is configured to receive the driving force of a rotational drive system such as a motor and rotate the fan 1. However, any configuration other than the bearing 14 may be used as long as it can receive the driving force of the drive system and rotate the fan 1.

[0038] Figure 2(A) is a front view of the heat exchanger 2. Figure 2(B) is a side view of the heat exchanger 2. Figure 2(C) is a perspective view of the heat exchanger 2.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger 2 includes a heat exchange element 21, a heat shield wall 22, a support plate BP, and a heat sink HS.

[0040] The heat exchange element 21 has a first surface 211 and a second surface 212, each capable of absorbing or releasing heat, and is embedded in the support plate BP. The heat exchange element 21 may constitute part or all of the support plate BP. While a Peltier element is typically used for the heat exchange element 21, any element that is flat and capable of heat exchange on both sides can be used.

[0041] The heat shield wall 22 is positioned to surround the heat exchange element 21. It is preferable that the heat shield wall 22 be made of a material with low thermal conductivity so as not to mix the hot and cold heat generated on both sides of the heat exchange element 21 and the airflow that comes into contact with it.

[0042] The support plate BP holds each component of the heat exchanger 2 and maintains its arrangement. Furthermore, the support plate BP may be partially or entirely formed of the heat exchange element 21 and integrated with the heat exchange element 21. Furthermore, the support plate BP separates the spaces on both sides of the heat exchange element 21 and can also be considered as part of the heat shield wall 22.

[0043] The heat sink HS is positioned across the entire surface of both the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21, thereby increasing the heat exchange efficiency of each surface. Furthermore, depending on design requirements, the heat sink HS may be provided on only one or part of the first surface 211 and the second surface 212, or it may not be provided on both surfaces.

[0044] Figure 3(A) is a front view of the first cap C1. Figure 3(B) is a P-P' cross-sectional view of the first cap C1. Figure 3(C) is a perspective view of the first cap C1.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the first cap C1 has a first cap body C11, a first outlet C12, and a rectifier plate C13.

[0046] The first cap body C11 is a housing that combines with the outer blades 11 of the fan 1, the heat shield wall 22 and support plate BP of the heat exchanger 2, the second cap body C21 (described later), etc., to form the first flow path F1 (described later).

[0047] The first outlet C12 is a hole for exhausting the airflow that has flowed through the first flow path F1 (described later) to the outside of the device. In this embodiment, the number, shape, and size of the first air outlet C12 are designed to discharge an airflow that heats or cools the target object in the direction of the air conditioner, but these may be changed as needed.

[0048] Multiple rectifier plates C13 are arranged radially toward the first outlet C12 in order to guide the airflow toward the first outlet C12.

[0049] Figure 4(A) is a front view of the second cap C2. Figure 4(B) is a cross-sectional view of the second cap C2 along the line Q-Q'. Figure 4(C) is a perspective view of the second cap C2.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the second cap C2 has a second cap body C21 and a second outlet C22.

[0051] The second cap body C21 is a housing that combines with the inner blades 12 of the fan 1, the heat shield wall 22 and support plate BP of the heat exchanger 2, the first cap body C11, etc., to form the second flow path F2, which will be described later.

[0052] The second outlet C22 is a hole for exhausting the airflow that has flowed through the second flow path F2 (described later) to the outside of the device. In this embodiment, the number, shape, and size of the second air outlet C22 are designed to discharge unwanted hot or cold air generated by the heat exchange element 21 to the opposite side of the direction of air conditioning, but these may be changed as needed.

[0053] Figure 5(A) is an exploded side view of the air conditioning unit X. Figure 5(B) is an assembled side view of the air conditioning unit X. For the sake of clarity, the first cap C1 and the second cap C2 are shown in the cross-sectional views in Figure 3(B) and Figure 4(B), respectively. Furthermore, illustrations of the rotary drive system, wiring, and other components that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art are omitted.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the first cap C1 and the second cap C2 house the fan 1 and the heat exchanger 2 inside, and function as the housing of the air conditioning unit X.

[0055] The first cap C1 and the second cap C2 can be assembled, for example, by providing screw threads on the outer circumference of the first cap C1 and the inside of the second cap C2, and then screwing them together. Furthermore, the assembly of the first cap C1 and the second cap C2 can be carried out using any assembly method other than screwing, such as bonding, fitting, magnetic attachment, or any other method, as long as they can be assembled in a way that prevents them from separating.

[0056] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the first flow path F1 in the air conditioning system X.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the first flow path F1 is a flow path for exchanging heat between the airflow generated from the outer blades 11 by the rotation of the fan 1 and the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21, and exhausting the air from the first outlet C12. The flow of air passing through the first flow path F1 will be described below.

[0058] First, the rotation of fan 1 generates airflow from the outer blades 11. Since the diameter of the outer blades 11 is larger than the diameter of the heat exchanger 2 and the heat shield wall 22, most of the airflow generated by the outer blades 11 passes over the outer circumference and outer surface of the heat exchanger 2.

[0059] Next, the airflow generated by the outer vane 11 has its direction of travel changed by the rectifier plate C13 or the first cap body C11.

[0060] The airflow, whose direction of travel has been altered by the rectifier plate C13, etc., proceeds towards the first outlet C12 while exchanging heat with the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact with it.

[0061] The similar airflows that were occurring above and below in Figure 6 collide near the first outlet C12, and the airflow, having nowhere else to go, is ejected from the first outlet C12.

[0062] In this manner, the airflow passing through the first flow path F1 exchanges heat with the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact with it, and is ejected from the first outlet C12.

[0063] Therefore, by operating the air conditioner X with the first outlet C12 directed towards the target, cool or warm air can be blown to the target by the heat absorption or release of heat on the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21.

[0064] Figure 7 illustrates the second flow path F2 in the air conditioning system X.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the second flow path F2 is a passage for exchanging heat between the airflow generated from the inner blades 12 by the rotation of the fan 1 and the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21, and exhausting the air from the second outlet C22. The airflow through the second flow path F2 will be described below.

[0066] First, the rotation of fan 1 generates airflow from the inner blades 12. As the airflow is exhausted from the second outlet C22, where the inner vane 12 is located, an intake airflow is generated on the opposite side (see also Figure 1(b), etc.).

[0067] The intake airflow generated by the inner vane 12 is discharged from the second outlet C22 while exchanging heat with the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact with it.

[0068] In other words, the intake airflow generated by the inner vane 12 can discharge unwanted hot or cold air generated by the heat exchange element 21 to the opposite side of the direction of air conditioning, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element 21.

[0069] Furthermore, because the heat shield wall 22 is formed with a larger diameter than the frame 13, the airflow generated from the outer fins 11 can also assist in the discharge of unwanted hot or cold air.

[0070] In other words, the rotation of fan 1 generates airflow from the outer blades 11. Most of the airflow generated by the outer blades 11 passes over the outer circumference and outer surface of the heat exchanger 2, while the heat shield wall 22 is formed with a larger diameter than the frame 13. As a result, some of the airflow generated by the outer blades 11 has its direction of travel changed by the heat shield wall 22 and the support plate BP, and is directed towards the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS that is in contact with it.

[0071] The airflow, whose direction of travel has been altered by the heat shield wall 22, exchanges heat with the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact with it, and then merges with the intake airflow generated by the inner vane 12 and is ejected from the second outlet C22.

[0072] In other words, a portion of the airflow generated by the outer vanes 11 can assist in the discharge of unwanted hot or cold air generated by the heat exchange element 21 through the intake airflow generated by the inner vanes 12, thereby further improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element 21.

[0073] In this manner, the airflow passing through the second channel F2 exchanges heat with the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact with it, and is ejected from the second outlet C22.

[0074] Therefore, by operating the air conditioner X with the second outlet C22 facing away from the target, unwanted hot or cold air generated by the heat exchange element 21 can be discharged away from the direction of the air conditioner's target, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element 21.

[0075] The air conditioning device X described above is capable of efficient heat exchange while keeping its size and weight down, and can be suitably used in clothing with air conditioning or as a portable air conditioning device.

[0076] Furthermore, because the fan 1 described above has the characteristic of being able to blow air in two directions independently, it can be suitably adopted not only in simple air conditioning systems but also in other devices that require airflow control, intake and exhaust, and other requirements such as miniaturization.

[0077] It should be noted that the configurations and functions shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] X Air conditioning system 1 fan 11 outer feathers 12 Inner wings 13 Frame 14 bearings 2 Heat exchanger 21 Heat exchange element 211 Front page 212 Second side C1 First Cap C11 First Cap Body C12 First outlet C13 rectifier plate C2 Second Cap C21 Second Cap Body C22 Second outlet F1 First channel F2 Second flow path

Claims

1. A fan that rotates driven by the same axis of rotation, enabling it to blow air in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction.

2. The fan according to claim 1, comprising a bearing, an inner blade disposed on the outer circumference of the bearing, and an outer blade disposed on the further outer circumference of the inner blade, wherein the outer blade blows air in the first direction by rotation, and the inner blade blows air in the second direction by rotation.

3. The fan according to claim 2, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite.

4. The fan according to claim 3, further comprising a frame positioned between the inner blades and the outer blades.

5. A fan according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a heat exchanger, a first cap, and a second cap are provided. The heat exchanger has heat exchange elements, The first cap has a first outlet that communicates with the outside, The second cap has a second outlet that communicates with the outside, The fan, the heat exchanger, the first cap, and the second cap are, A first flow path is provided, which exchanges heat between the airflow generated from the outer blades by the rotation of the fan and the first surface of the heat exchange element, and exhausts the air from the first outlet. A second flow path is provided, which exchanges heat between the airflow generated from the inner blades by the rotation of the fan and the second surface of the heat exchange element, and exhausts the air from the second outlet. An air conditioning system that forms an air conditioning system.

6. The heat exchanger further comprises a heat shielding wall surrounding the heat exchange element, The air conditioning device according to claim 5, wherein the heat shield wall is arranged to separate the first flow path and the second flow path.

7. An air conditioning device according to claim 6, comprising the fan according to claim 4, The air conditioning device according to claim 6, wherein the heat shield wall is formed to have a larger diameter than the frame.

8. The air conditioning device according to claim 5, wherein the first cap further comprises a rectifier plate arranged toward the first air outlet.

Images