Impeller, fan device, and method for manufacturing an impeller

Abstract

This invention provides an impeller configuration and impeller manufacturing method that can be easily manufactured even when the impeller has a complex shape. [Solution] An impeller 1 having a cylindrical hub extending in the axial direction and a plurality of blades 12 extending radially outward from the hub and arranged in the circumferential direction has a plurality of divided impeller sections 4a, 4b, 4c, each having divided hub sections 41a, 41b, 41c that constitute a part of the hub and at least one blade that extends radially outward from the divided hub section and constitutes a part of the plurality of blades. In the impeller, one and the other of circumferentially adjacent blades are parts of different divided impeller sections from the plurality of divided impeller sections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an impeller, a fan device, and a method for manufacturing an impeller.

Background Art

[0002] An impeller having a hub extending in the axial direction and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub and arranged in the circumferential direction is known. For example, a blower fan including a hub to which a rotating shaft is fixed and a plurality of blades is disclosed (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] By the way, when manufacturing an impeller having a hub extending in the axial direction and a plurality of blades arranged in the circumferential direction using a mold, two molds, an upper mold and a lower mold arranged in the axial direction of the hub, are used. Further, when the impeller has a complicated shape, an auxiliary mold is used for a portion having the complicated shape. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the impeller includes a step of taking out a molded product from the upper mold and the lower mold, and a step of removing the auxiliary mold from the molded product.

[0005] For example, when the blades have a complicated shape, a plurality of auxiliary molds may be arranged between adjacent blades in the circumferential direction. In this case, the number of the auxiliary molds increases, and the work of removing the auxiliary molds may become complicated. Therefore, when the impeller has a complicated shape, the configuration of the mold may become complicated or the manufacturing process may become complicated.

[0006] ​Therefore, there is a need for an impeller configuration that can be easily manufactured, even when the impeller has a complex shape.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an impeller configuration and an impeller manufacturing method that can be easily manufactured even when the impeller has a complex shape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An exemplary impeller of the present invention is an impeller having a cylindrical hub extending in the axial direction and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub and arranged in the circumferential direction. The impeller has a plurality of segmented impeller sections, each having a segmented hub section that constitutes a part of the hub and at least one blade extending radially outward from the segmented hub section and constituting a part of the plurality of blades. In the impeller, one and the other of circumferentially adjacent blades are parts of different segmented impeller sections from the plurality of segmented impeller sections.

[0009] An exemplary fan device of the present invention comprises an impeller and a motor having a shaft that is rotatable together with the impeller about an axially extending axis of rotation, and at least a portion of which is positioned radially inward of the hub.

[0010] An exemplary impeller manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an impeller having a cylindrical hub extending in the axial direction and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub and arranged circumferentially. The method for manufacturing the impeller includes a divided impeller forming step of manufacturing a plurality of divided impeller parts, each having a cylindrical divided hub part that constitutes a part of the hub and a part of the plurality of blades that extend radially outward from the divided hub part and are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a blade arrangement step of overlapping the divided hub parts in the axial direction and arranging the blades of other divided impeller parts between the blades of each divided impeller part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an impeller configuration and an impeller manufacturing method that can be easily manufactured even when the impeller has a complex shape. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a fan device having an impeller according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the inside of the fan device viewed in the axial direction. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of an impeller. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the impeller. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a magnified view of the feather. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A shows the relationship between adjacent blades in the circumferential direction before the blade coupling process is carried out. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B shows the relationship between adjacent blades in the circumferential direction after the blade coupling process has been carried out. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. Furthermore, the dimensions of the components in each drawing do not necessarily accurately represent the dimensions of the actual components or their dimensional ratios.

[0014] In the following description, the direction parallel to the rotation axis P in the fan device 100 will be referred to as the axial direction A, the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis P will be referred to as the radial direction, and the direction along the arc centered on the rotation axis P will be referred to as the circumferential direction C.

[0015] In the following description, expressions such as "fix", "connect", and "attach" include not only cases where members are directly fixed, etc., but also cases where they are fixed, etc. via other members. That is, in the following description, expressions such as fixing, etc. include the meanings of direct and indirect fixing, etc. of members to each other.

[0016] (Fan device) An exemplary fan device 100 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the fan device 100. FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of the fan device 100 as seen in the axial direction.

[0017] The exemplary fan device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a centrifugal fan that sends out the fluid sucked in the axial direction A1 radially outward. The fluid sucked and sent out by the fan device 100 is, for example, air. Note that the fluid may be a gas or a liquid other than air.

[0018] The fan device 100 includes an impeller 1, a motor 2, and a housing 3. The impeller 1 is rotatable about a rotation axis P extending in the axial direction. The impeller 1 has a hub 11 to which the motor 2 is attached and a plurality of blades 12.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the impeller 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the hub 11 is cylindrical and extends in the axial direction A. The hub 11 is located at the center of the impeller 1 and supports a plurality of blades 12.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the hub 11 is open on the axial direction A1 side and closed on the axial direction A2 side. That is, the hub 11 has a cylindrical portion 11a extending in the axial direction A and a lid portion 11b that closes the end portion on the axial direction A2 side of the cylindrical portion 11a. Note that the hub may be open at both ends in the axial direction.

[0021] Multiple blades 12 extend radially outward from the hub 11 and are arranged circumferentially. In this embodiment, the impeller 1 has 37 blades 12. The number of blades may be less than or more than 37. The detailed configuration of the impeller 1 will be described later.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the motor 2 is the drive source for rotating the impeller 1. At least a portion of the motor 2 is located inside the hub 11. The motor 2 has a shaft 21 that extends axially A along the rotation axis P. The shaft 21 is rotatable together with the impeller 1 about the rotation axis P which extends axially A. The motor 2 rotates the shaft 21 together with the shaft 21 by rotating the shaft 21 about the rotation axis P.

[0023] The housing 3 houses the impeller 1 and the motor 2 inside. The housing 3 has a suction port 31 on the other side A2 axially relative to the impeller 1. The housing 3 has an outlet port 32 radially outward relative to the impeller 1.

[0024] In the fan device 100, when the impeller 1 rotates, the fluid is drawn in through the suction port 31 and discharged through the outlet port 32. That is, the fluid is drawn in one axial direction A1 of the fan device 100 and discharged radially outward.

[0025] (Impeller configuration) Next, the impeller 1 will be described in detail. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the impeller 1. As shown in Figure 4, the impeller 1 has a plurality of segmented impeller sections 4. The plurality of segmented impeller sections 4 are made of the same material. The material is, for example, resin or metal.

[0026] Each of the multiple divided impeller sections 4 has a divided hub section 41 and multiple blades 12. The divided hub section 41 constitutes a part of the hub 11 of the impeller 1. The multiple blades 12 of each divided impeller section 4 constitute a part of the multiple blades 12 of the impeller 1.

[0027] In other words, the impeller 1 is formed by combining multiple segmented impeller sections 4. The hub 11 of the impeller 1 is formed by combining multiple segmented hub sections 41. The multiple blades 12 of the impeller 1 are composed of multiple blades 12 from the multiple segmented impeller sections 4.

[0028] Each segmented impeller section 4 is manufactured as a single unit. That is, the segmented hub section 41 and the multiple blades 12 of each segmented impeller section 4 are manufactured as a single unit. On the other hand, the multiple segmented impeller sections 4 are manufactured separately.

[0029] In other words, the multiple blades 12 of one divided impeller section 4 and the multiple blades 12 of the other divided impeller sections 4 are manufactured separately. Hereafter, components that are manufactured as a single unit during the manufacturing of the impeller 1 will be referred to as a single unit, and components that are manufactured separately during the manufacturing of the impeller 1 will be referred to as different components. The manufacturing method of the impeller 1 will be described later.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the hub 11 of the impeller 1 includes divided hub portions 41 of a plurality of divided impeller portions 4. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of divided hub portions 41 is cylindrical and extends in the axial direction. Each of the plurality of divided hub portions 41 constitutes a part of the cylindrical portion 11a of the hub 11.

[0031] Of the multiple divided hub portions 41, the divided hub portion 41c located furthest towards the other axial direction A2 of the hub 11 has a closed end on the other axial direction A2 side. The end of the divided hub portion 41c on the other axial direction A2 side constitutes the cover portion 11b of the hub 11.

[0032] In this embodiment, each segmented hub portion 41 has an axial contact portion 411 that contacts other segmented hub portions 41 in the axial direction A. That is, a portion of the multiple segmented hub portions 41 included in the hub 11 are in contact with each other in the axial direction A. As a result, a hub 11 can be obtained in which the multiple segmented hub portions 41 are positioned in the axial direction A.

[0033] In this embodiment, the multiple divided hub portions 41 overlap at least partially in the radial direction. One of the radially overlapping divided hub portions 41 has a hub projection 412 that protrudes radially toward the other divided hub portion 41. The other divided hub portion 41 has a recess 413 into which the hub projection 412 is inserted radially.

[0034] This allows the circumferential side surface of the hub projection 412 of one divided hub portion 41 and the circumferential inner surface of the recess 413 of the other divided hub portion 41 to face each other in the circumferential direction. As a result, a hub 11 can be obtained in which multiple divided hub portions 41 are positioned circumferentially.

[0035] For example, the impeller 1 according to this embodiment has three divided impeller sections 4a, 4b, and 4c. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hub 11 of the impeller 1 is formed by combining three cylindrical divided hub sections 41a, 41b, and 41c.

[0036] In this embodiment, the divided hub portion 41a located furthest axially towards one side A1 of the hub 11 has an axial contact portion 411 that contacts the divided hub portion 41c located furthest axially towards the other side A2 in the axial direction A. The divided hub portion 41b located in the axial center of the hub 11 has an axial contact portion 411 that contacts the divided hub portion 41c in the axial direction A.

[0037] The split hub portion 41a and the split hub portion 41c overlap in at least a portion of the radial direction. The split hub portion 41a has a hub projection 412 that protrudes radially toward the split hub portion 41c. The split hub portion 41c has a recess 413 into which the hub projection 412 is inserted radially.

[0038] The split hub portion 41b and the split hub portion 41c overlap in the radial direction by at least a portion. The split hub portion 41b has a hub projection 412 that protrudes radially toward the split hub portion 41c. The split hub portion 41c has a recess 413 into which the hub projection 412 is inserted radially.

[0039] Each of the multiple segmented hub sections 41 has a portion located at one end A1 on the axial side of the hub 11. Multiple blades 12 are connected to the axial side A1 of each segmented hub section 41 at intervals in the circumferential direction. Between circumferentially adjacent blades 12 in each segmented hub section 41 are blades 12 from other segmented hub sections 41. In other words, one and one of circumferentially adjacent blades 12 in the impeller 1 are parts of different segmented impeller sections 4.

[0040] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the blades 12 of the impeller 1 according to this embodiment. Multiple blades 12 of the hub 11 have a similar configuration. Therefore, the configuration of one blade 12 will be described below.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the blade 12 has a blade body portion 121 and a blade support portion 122. The blade body portion 121 has a curved shape that expands in the axial direction A and radial direction, and the central portion in the axial direction protrudes in one direction C1 in the circumferential direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the blade body portion 121 has a blade projection portion 1211 that protrudes in the other circumferential direction C2 on the other axial direction A2 side. The blade projection portion 1211 overlaps with the blade body portion 121 of another blade 12 located in the other circumferential direction C2 when viewed in the axial direction A.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the blade body 121 has a through hole 1212 between a portion that extends axially A and radially and a portion that extends in the other circumferential direction C2. As shown in Figure 3, the through hole 1212 opens on the surface 121a of the blade body 121 on the circumferential direction C1 side. The tip of the blade projection 1211 of the other blade 12 located on the circumferential direction C1 side is inserted into the through hole 1212. That is, the blade body 121 has a blade insertion opening 1212a on the surface 121a on the circumferential direction C1 side into which the tip of the blade projection 1211 of the other blade 12 located on the circumferential direction C1 side is inserted.

[0044] Furthermore, the blade body may have a groove opening on one side of its circumferential surface. That is, the blade insertion opening may be the opening of a groove into which the tip of the blade projection of another blade is inserted. Alternatively, the blade body may be a pair of projections aligned axially on one side of its circumferential surface. That is, the blade insertion opening may be composed of a pair of projections in between into which the tip of the blade projection of another blade is inserted.

[0045] This allows multiple blades 12 aligned in the circumferential direction C to be connected in the circumferential direction C. Therefore, the moldability of the impeller 1 having multiple segmented impeller sections 4 can be improved.

[0046] The blade support portion 122 extends radially inward from one axial side A1 of the blade body portion 121 and is connected to the hub 11. As described above, in the impeller 1, one and the other of circumferentially adjacent blades 12 are parts of different divided impeller portions 4. Therefore, in the impeller 1, one and the other of circumferentially adjacent blades 12 are connected to different divided hub portions 41.

[0047] As described above, the impeller 1 has a cylindrical hub 11 extending in the axial direction A, and a plurality of blades 12 extending radially outward from the hub 11 and arranged in the circumferential direction C. The impeller 1 has a plurality of divided impeller sections 4, each having a divided hub section 41 that constitutes a part of the hub 11, and at least one blade 12 that extends radially outward from the divided hub section 41 and constitutes a part of the plurality of blades 12. In the impeller 1, one and the other of circumferentially adjacent blades 12 are parts of different divided impeller sections 4 of the plurality of divided impeller sections 4.

[0048] The impeller 1 is formed by combining a divided hub portion 41, which constitutes part of the hub 11, and a divided impeller portion 4, which has one blade 12 or multiple blades 12 spaced apart in the circumferential direction C. This allows for a simpler shape of the mold and other components used to manufacture the impeller 1, even if the impeller 1 has a complex shape. Therefore, it is possible to provide an impeller 1 configuration that can be easily manufactured, even if the impeller 1 has a complex shape.

[0049] In this embodiment, each of the multiple blades 12 has a blade body portion 121 that extends in the axial direction A and radial direction, and has a curved shape in which the central portion in the axial direction protrudes in one direction C1 in the circumferential direction, and a blade support portion 122 that extends radially inward from the axial side A1 of the blade body portion 121 and is connected to the hub 11.

[0050] When manufacturing an impeller with a curved shape in which the blade body protrudes in the circumferential direction, the curved portion of the blade body cannot be manufactured using only two molds, an upper mold and a lower mold, which are aligned in the axial direction of the product. It is necessary to use an auxiliary mold that is placed between the blades that are aligned in the circumferential direction. In a configuration where multiple blades are aligned in the circumferential direction and adjacent blades are close together in the circumferential direction, the auxiliary mold cannot be easily removed.

[0051] In contrast, in impeller 1, adjacent blades 12 in the circumferential direction C are part of different divided impeller sections 4. That is, in each divided impeller section 4, no other blades 12 are located near each other in the circumferential direction C. Therefore, the divided impeller sections 4 can be manufactured more easily than impeller 1, where adjacent blades 12 in the circumferential direction C are close to each other. Thus, even when impeller 1 has a complex shape, it is possible to provide an impeller 1 configuration that can be easily manufactured.

[0052] In this embodiment, the blade body portion 121 has a blade projection portion 1211 that protrudes in the circumferential direction C2 on the axial direction A2 side. The tip of the blade projection portion 1211 overlaps with the blade body portion 121 of another blade 12 located in the circumferential direction C2 when viewed in the axial direction A.

[0053] In an impeller 1 where adjacent blades 12 in the circumferential direction C overlap when viewed in the axial direction A, fluid leakage in the axial direction A1 is prevented when the impeller 1 is rotating. Therefore, an impeller 1 configuration that can be easily manufactured is provided in which fluid leakage in the axial direction A1 is prevented.

[0054] In this embodiment, each divided hub portion 41 of the multiple divided impeller portions 4 is cylindrical in shape and extends in the axial direction A, and has an axial contact portion 411 that contacts other divided hub portions 41 in the axial direction A.

[0055] This allows multiple segmented hub sections 41 to be positioned relative to each other in the axial direction A. Therefore, the positions of the multiple blades 12 each of the segmented hub sections 41 in the axial direction A can be easily aligned. Thus, in an impeller 1 formed by combining multiple segmented impeller sections 4, an easily manufactureable impeller 1 configuration can be provided.

[0056] In this embodiment, the divided hub portions 41 of the multiple divided impeller portions 4 are each cylindrical in shape extending in the axial direction A, and at least a portion of them overlap in the radial direction. One of the radially overlapping divided hub portions 41 has a hub projection 412 that protrudes radially toward the other divided hub portion 41. The other divided hub portion 41 has a recess 413 into which the hub projection 412 is inserted radially.

[0057] This configuration allows the circumferential side surface of the radially protruding hub projection 412 of the divided hub portion 41 to face the circumferential inner surface of the recess 413 of another divided hub portion 41 in the circumferential direction. This allows multiple divided hub portions 41 to be positioned in the circumferential direction C. Therefore, multiple divided impeller portions 4 can be easily combined. Thus, a configuration for an impeller 1 that can be easily manufactured can be provided.

[0058] Furthermore, the fan device 100 includes an impeller 1 having the above-described configuration, and a motor 2 having a shaft 21 that can rotate together with the impeller 1 around a rotation axis P extending in the axial direction A, and at least a portion of which is positioned radially inward of the hub 11.

[0059] This makes it possible to achieve a configuration that can be easily manufactured in a fan device 100 in which the impeller 1 has a complex shape.

[0060] (Impeller manufacturing method) Next, an exemplary manufacturing method for the impeller 1 having the above-described configuration will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 6. The manufacturing method for the impeller 1 includes a segmented impeller formation step, a blade arrangement step, and a blade connection step.

[0061] The segmented impeller formation process is a process of manufacturing each of the multiple segmented impeller sections 4 that make up the impeller 1. In the segmented impeller formation process, for example, multiple segmented impeller sections 4 as shown in Figure 4 are manufactured. The segmented impeller formation process is carried out by, for example, injection molding or die casting. Alternatively, the segmented impeller formation process may be carried out using, for example, a 3D printer.

[0062] In the segmented impeller forming process, a segmented impeller section 4 is manufactured, which has a cylindrical segmented hub section 41 that constitutes a part of the hub 11 of the impeller 1, and a part of the multiple blades 12 of the impeller 1 that extend radially outward from the segmented hub section 41 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0063] The multiple blades 12 of each segmented impeller section 4 are not adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on the impeller 1. Therefore, the space between circumferentially adjacent blades 12 in the segmented impeller section 4 is wider than the space between circumferentially adjacent blades 12 on the impeller 1.

[0064] When an impeller is manufactured by injection molding or die casting, for example, two molds, an upper and a lower mold, are used, which are aligned axially with respect to the impeller being manufactured, and an auxiliary mold is placed between the blades that are arranged in the circumferential direction. In a configuration where multiple blades are arranged in the circumferential direction and adjacent blades are close together in the circumferential direction, the auxiliary mold cannot be easily removed.

[0065] In contrast, the segmented impeller forming process manufactures a segmented impeller section 4 in which adjacent blades 12 in the circumferential direction are separated from each other. Therefore, the auxiliary mold can be easily removed. In other words, the segmented impeller section 4 is easier to manufacture than the impeller 1.

[0066] The blade arrangement process involves combining multiple segmented impeller sections 4 manufactured in the segmented impeller formation process.

[0067] Specifically, the segmented hub portions 41 of multiple segmented impeller portions 4 are overlapped in the axial direction A, and the blades 12 of other segmented impeller portions 4 are placed between the circumferentially adjacent blades 12 of each segmented impeller portion 4. This results in an impeller 1 in which multiple blades 12 are arranged in the circumferential direction. In other words, an impeller 1 is obtained in which one of the circumferentially adjacent blades 12 and the other are parts of different segmented impeller portions 4.

[0068] The blade connection process involves connecting multiple blades 12 that are arranged in the circumferential direction in the circumferential direction.

[0069] When the blade arrangement process is performed, the tip of the blade projection 1211 of each blade 12 is in contact with the surface 121a on the other side C1 in the circumferential direction of another blade 12 located on the other side C2 in the circumferential direction, as shown in Figure 6A.

[0070] In the blade connection process, the tip of the blade projection 1211 of each blade 12 is inserted into the blade insertion opening 1212a of another blade 12 located on the other side C2 in the circumferential direction, thereby connecting adjacent blades 12 in the circumferential direction, as shown in Figure 6B. This results in an impeller 1 in which multiple blades 12 arranged in the circumferential direction are connected in the circumferential direction.

[0071] The exemplary manufacturing method of the impeller 1 described above comprises a segmented impeller formation step and a blade arrangement step. The segmented impeller formation step manufactures a plurality of segmented impeller sections 4, each having a cylindrical segmented hub section 41 that constitutes a part of the hub 11, and a portion of a plurality of blades 12 that extend radially outward from the segmented hub section 41 and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The blade arrangement step involves overlapping the segmented hub sections 41 in the axial direction A and arranging the blades 12 of other segmented impeller sections 4 between the blades 12 of each segmented impeller section 4.

[0072] In the method for manufacturing the impeller 1, multiple segmented impeller sections 4, each having circumferentially separated blades, are manufactured, and the impeller 1 is manufactured by combining multiple segmented impeller sections 4. This allows for a simpler shape for the molds and other components used to manufacture the impeller 1, even if the impeller 1 has a complex shape. Therefore, a method for manufacturing the impeller 1 that can be easily produced, even when the impeller 1 has a complex shape, can be provided.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the impeller manufacturing method further includes a blade connecting step in which, after arranging the multiple blades 12 of one divided impeller section 4 between adjacent blades 12 in the circumferential direction C, the tip of the blade projection 1211 is inserted into the blade insertion opening 1212a of the other blade 12 located in the other circumferential direction C2, thereby connecting the multiple blades 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0074] This allows multiple blades 12 aligned in the circumferential direction C to be connected in the circumferential direction C. Therefore, the moldability of the impeller 1, which is formed by combining multiple segmented impeller sections 4, can be improved.

[0075] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is possible to carry out the invention by appropriately modifying the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the plurality of divided impeller sections 4 includes three divided impeller sections 4. However, the plurality of divided impeller sections may include two, four, or more than four divided impeller sections. Preferably, the plurality of divided impeller sections include at least three divided impeller sections.

[0077] Impellers with an odd number of blades are less prone to resonance. On the other hand, in an impeller with an odd number of blades, if there are two divided impeller sections, parts of adjacent blades in the circumferential direction will be part of the same divided impeller section. In contrast, if there are three or more divided impeller sections, it is possible to obtain an impeller in which parts of adjacent blades in the circumferential direction are not part of the same divided impeller section, and the number of blades is odd. In other words, if the number of divided impeller sections is three or more, the degree of freedom regarding the number of impeller blades can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to realize a configuration with improved design freedom in impellers with complex shapes.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the multiple blades 12 of the impeller 1 have a curved shape in which the axial central portion protrudes in one circumferential direction C1. However, the multiple blades may have other shapes.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the blade body portion 121 has a blade projection portion 1211 that protrudes in the other circumferential direction C2 on the other axial direction A2 side. However, the blade body portion does not necessarily have to have a portion that protrudes in the other circumferential direction.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the tip of the blade projection 1211 overlaps with the blade body 121 of the other blade 12 located in the other circumferential direction C2 when viewed in the axial direction A. However, the tip of the blade projection may be separated from the blade body of the other blade located in the other circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the blade body portion 121 has a blade insertion opening 1212a on the surface on one side C1 in the circumferential direction into which the tip of the blade projection 1211 of another blade 12 located on one side C1 in the circumferential direction is inserted. However, the blade body portion does not have to have a blade insertion opening. That is, adjacent blades in the circumferential direction do not have to be connected to each other.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the hub 11 has a plurality of cylindrical segmented hub portions 41. However, the hub may have a plurality of arc-shaped segmented hub portions when viewed in the axial direction. The hub may have one or more cylindrical segmented hub portions and one or more arc-shaped segmented hub portions when viewed in the axial direction.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the impeller 1 is a so-called centrifugal fan that discharges fluid drawn in one radial direction radially outward. However, the impeller may also be a fan that discharges fluid drawn in one axial direction in the same axial direction.

[0084] The manufacturing method for the impeller 1 according to the above embodiment includes a blade connecting step in which a plurality of blades 12 arranged in the circumferential direction are connected in the circumferential direction. However, the manufacturing method does not have to include a blade connecting step. That is, the manufacturing method may produce an impeller in which a plurality of blades arranged in the circumferential direction are not connected.

[0085] (Example configuration) Furthermore, this technology can also be configured as follows:

[0086] (1) The impeller has a cylindrical hub extending in the axial direction and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub and arranged in the circumferential direction. The impeller has a plurality of segmented impeller sections, each having a segmented hub section that constitutes a part of the hub and at least one blade extending radially outward from the segmented hub section that constitutes a part of the plurality of blades. In the impeller, one and the other of circumferentially adjacent blades are parts of different segmented impeller sections from the plurality of segmented impeller sections.

[0087] (2) In the impeller described in (1), each of the plurality of blades has a blade body portion that spreads in the axial and radial directions and has a curved shape in which the axial central portion protrudes to one side in the circumferential direction, and a blade support portion that extends radially inward from one side in the axial direction of the blade body portion and is connected to the hub.

[0088] (3) In the impeller described in (2), the blade body portion has a blade projection that protrudes in the other circumferential direction on the other axial side, and whose tip overlaps with the blade body portion of another blade located in the other circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction.

[0089] (4) In the impeller described in (3), the blade body portion has a blade insertion opening on one side in the circumferential direction into which the tip of the blade projection of another blade located on the other side in the circumferential direction is inserted.

[0090] (5) In the impeller described in any one of (1) to (4), each of the divided hub portions of the plurality of divided impeller portions is cylindrical in shape extending in the axial direction and has an axial contact portion that contacts other divided hub portions in the axial direction.

[0091] (6) In the impeller described in any one of (1) to (5), the divided hub portions of the plurality of divided impeller portions are each cylindrical in shape extending in the axial direction and overlapping in the radial direction by at least a portion. One of the radially overlapping divided hub portions has a hub projection that protrudes radially toward the other divided hub portion. The other divided hub portion has a recess into which the hub projection is inserted radially.

[0092] (7) In the impeller described in any one of (1) to (6), the plurality of divided impeller sections include at least three divided impeller sections.

[0093] (8) The fan device comprises an impeller as described in any one of (1) to (7), and a motor having a shaft that is rotatable together with the impeller about a rotation axis extending in the axial direction, and at least a portion of which is positioned radially inward of the hub.

[0094] (9) A method for manufacturing an impeller is a method for manufacturing an impeller having a cylindrical hub extending in the axial direction and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the hub and arranged in the circumferential direction. The method for manufacturing the impeller comprises a divided impeller forming step of manufacturing a plurality of divided impeller parts, each having a cylindrical divided hub part that constitutes a part of the hub and a part of the plurality of blades that extend radially outward from the divided hub part and are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a blade arrangement step of overlapping the divided hub parts in the axial direction and arranging the blades of other divided impeller parts between the blades of each divided impeller part.

[0095] A method for manufacturing an impeller as described in (10)(9), wherein each of the plurality of blades has a blade body portion that spreads in the axial and radial directions and has a curved shape with the axial central portion protruding to one side in the circumferential direction, and a blade support portion that extends radially inward from one side in the axial direction of the blade body portion and is connected to the hub, and the blade body portion has a blade projection portion that protrudes to the other side in the circumferential direction on the other side in the axial direction, and a blade insertion port on the surface on one side in the circumferential direction. The method for manufacturing the impeller further includes a blade connecting step of connecting the plurality of blades in the circumferential direction by arranging the plurality of blades of one divided impeller portion between circumferentially adjacent blades of the plurality of blades of one divided impeller portion and then inserting the tip of the blade projection portion into the blade insertion port of the other blade located on the other side in the circumferential direction. [Industrial applicability]

[0096] The present invention is applicable to a method for manufacturing impellers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 impeller 2 motors 3 Housing 4, 4a, 4b, 4c Split impeller section 11 Hubs 11a Cylinder part 11b Lid 12 feathers 21 Shaft 31 Suction port 32 Outlet 41, 41a, 41b, 41c Split hub section 100 Fan Device 121 Blade body 121a One side surface in the circumferential direction 122 Blade support section 411 Axial contact part 412 Hub protrusion 413 recess 1211 Feather protrusion 1212 Through hole 1212a Blade insertion slot

Claims

1. A cylindrical hub extending in the axial direction, Multiple vanes extending radially outward from the hub and arranged circumferentially, An impeller having, The device has a plurality of divided impeller sections, each having a divided hub section that constitutes a part of the hub, and at least one blade that extends radially outward from the divided hub section and constitutes a part of the plurality of blades. In the impeller, one of two adjacent blades in the circumferential direction is a part of a different segmented impeller section from the plurality of segmented impeller sections. Impeller.

2. In the impeller according to claim 1, Each of the aforementioned multiple feathers is, The blade body has a curved shape that expands in the axial and radial directions, with the central axial portion protruding in one circumferential direction, A blade support portion extending radially inward from one axial side of the blade body portion and connected to the hub, Having, Impeller.

3. In the impeller according to claim 2, The blade body portion has a blade projection that protrudes in the other circumferential direction on the other axial side, and whose tip overlaps with the blade body portion of another blade located in the other circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction. Impeller.

4. In the impeller according to claim 3, The blade body has a blade insertion opening on one side of its circumferential surface into which the tip of the blade projection of another blade located on the other side of the circumferential direction is inserted. Impeller.

5. In the impeller according to claim 1, Each of the divided hub portions of the plurality of divided impeller portions is cylindrical in shape extending in the axial direction and has an axial contact portion that contacts other divided hub portions in the axial direction. Impeller.

6. In the impeller according to claim 1, Each of the divided hub portions of the plurality of divided impeller portions is cylindrical in shape extending in the axial direction, and at least a portion of them overlaps in the radial direction. One of the radially overlapping segmented hub sections has a hub projection that protrudes radially toward the other segmented hub section. The other divided hub portion has a recess into which the hub protrusion is inserted in the radial direction. Impeller.

7. In the impeller according to claim 1, The plurality of divided impeller sections include at least three divided impeller sections. Impeller.

8. An impeller according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A motor having a shaft that can rotate together with the impeller around a rotation axis extending in the axial direction, and at least a portion of which is positioned radially inward of the hub, Having, Fan device.

9. A cylindrical hub extending in the axial direction, Multiple vanes extending radially outward from the hub and arranged circumferentially, A method for manufacturing an impeller having the following characteristics: A segmented impeller forming step for manufacturing a plurality of segmented impeller sections, each having a cylindrical segmented hub section that constitutes a part of the hub, and a portion of the plurality of blades that extend radially outward from the segmented hub section and are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction; The process includes a blade arrangement step of overlapping the divided hub sections in the axial direction and arranging the blades of other divided impeller sections between the blades of each divided impeller section. A method for manufacturing an impeller.

10. A method for manufacturing an impeller according to claim 9, Each of the aforementioned multiple feathers is, The blade body has a curved shape that expands in the axial and radial directions, with the central axial portion protruding in one circumferential direction, A blade support portion extending radially inward from one axial side of the blade body portion and connected to the hub, It has, The aforementioned blade body is, A wing-like projection that protrudes in the other direction in the circumferential direction on the other axial side, On one side of the circumferential surface, there is a blade insertion opening, It has, The impeller manufacturing method is as follows: The invention further comprises a blade connecting step in which, after arranging the multiple blades of one divided impeller section between adjacent blades in the circumferential direction, the tip of the blade projection is inserted into the blade insertion port of another blade located on the other side in the circumferential direction, thereby connecting the multiple blades in the circumferential direction. A method for manufacturing an impeller.

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