Fans and air conditioners

Abstract

To provide an easy-to-use fan capable of suppressing the size and weight of a device to be mounted thereon, and an air conditioner using the same. [Solution] The present invention comprises a fan 1 capable of blowing air in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction by rotating, and the fan 1, 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 an airflow generated from the outer blade 11 by the rotation of the fan 1 exchanges heat with a first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21 and is exhausted from the first outlet C12, and a second flow path in which an airflow generated from the inner blade 12 by the rotation of the fan 1 exchanges heat with a second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21 and is exhausted from the second outlet C22.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower fan and an air conditioner using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There has been known clothing with a fan attached thereto, which aims to cool the body of a wearer by drawing in outside air into the clothing.

[0003] However, simply attaching a fan to clothing only serves to blow outside air into the clothing, so when the outside temperature is high, warm air may blow into the clothing, and the cooling effect may not be achieved.

[0004] Furthermore, clothing that simply has a fan attached may be able to produce a cooling effect, but it is difficult for it to produce a heating effect.

[0005] In view of this, air conditioners have been proposed that aim to actively cool or heat the inside of clothing by using a heat exchange element.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a heat exchange unit that improves heat exchange efficiency by providing one fan on each of the heat dissipation and heat absorption sides of a Peltier element, thereby efficiently cooling or heating the inside of clothing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-97799 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, an air conditioner such as that described in Patent Document 1 requires two or more fans, which tends to increase the size and weight of the device, and poses problems such as the comfort and aesthetics of the device when attached to clothing.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an easy-to-use fan that can reduce the size and weight of the device in which it is installed, and an air conditioning device that uses the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention for solving the above problems is the technical concept described in [1] to [8].

[0011] <Technical philosophy> [1] A fan that is driven to rotate on the same rotating shaft and can blow air in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction.

[0012] [2] A fan as described in [1], comprising a bearing, an inner blade arranged on the outer periphery of the bearing, and an outer blade arranged on an even outer periphery of the inner blade, wherein the outer blade blows air in the first direction as it rotates, and the inner blade blows air in the second direction as it rotates.

[0013] [3] The fan described in [2], wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite to each other.

[0014] [4] The fan described in [3], further comprising a frame body arranged between the inner blade and the outer blade.

[0015] [5] A cooling fan comprising the fan according to any one of [1] to [4], a heat exchanger, a first cap, and a second cap, The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange element, The first cap has a first outlet communicating with the outside, The second cap has a second outlet communicating with the outside, The fan, the heat exchanger, the first cap, and the second cap are a first flow passage that causes heat exchange between an airflow generated from the outer blades by rotation of the fan and a first surface of the heat exchange element and exhausts the air from the first air outlet; a second flow passage that exchanges heat between an airflow generated from the inner blade by rotation of the fan and a second surface of the heat exchange element and exhausts the air from the second air outlet; An air conditioning device.

[0016] [6] The heat exchanger further comprises a heat insulating wall surrounding the heat exchange element, The air-conditioning apparatus according to [5], wherein the heat insulating wall is arranged to separate the first flow path and the second flow path.

[0017] [7] The air conditioning apparatus described in [6], wherein the heat insulating wall is formed with a larger diameter than the frame body.

[0018] [8] The air conditioning apparatus described in [5], wherein the first cap further has a straightening plate arranged facing the first air outlet.

[0019] <Effects of each technical concept> [1] A fan such as that described above can be driven by the same rotating shaft and blow air in both the first and second directions. This makes it possible to increase the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element while minimizing the increase in size and weight of air conditioning equipment, etc.

[0020] Fans like [2] can be manufactured using a simpler structure than fans like [1], reducing design and manufacturing costs.

[0021] [3] Fans like this one are less likely to have the airflow from the inner and outer blades mixed together, which can increase efficiency.

[0022] [4] Fans like this one are more unlikely to mix the air coming from the inner and outer blades, making them more efficient to use.

[0023] An air-conditioning device such as [5] can efficiently dissipate and absorb heat without having to install fans on both the heat dissipation and heat absorption surfaces of the heat exchange element, making it possible to suppress increases in the size and weight of the entire device.

[0024] An air conditioning apparatus such as [6] can suppress the mixing of hot and cold heat on the heat dissipation surface and heat absorption surface of the heat exchange element by using a heat shield, while also suppressing the mixing of hot and cold air flows between the first flow path and the second flow path.

[0025] In an air conditioning device such as [7], the heat shield can direct part of the airflow generated from the outer blade to the intake side of the inner blade, further improving the intake and exhaust efficiency and therefore the heat exchange efficiency.

[0026] In an air conditioner such as [8], the airflow generated from the outer blades can be regulated by the air straightening vane, while being guided to the first surface of the heat exchange element and the first air outlet. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, there is provided an easy-to-use fan that can reduce the size and weight of the device in which it is installed, and an air conditioner that uses the fan. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a fan according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a first cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a second cap according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an air conditioning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A fan and an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. Also, the dotted lines indicate (a part of) the internal structure that is transparent.

[0030] FIG. 1(A) is a front view of the fan 1. FIG. 1B is a side view of the fan 1. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the fan 1. Incidentally, the bearing 14 is omitted in FIG.

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

[0032] The outer wing 11 is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner wing 12 with the bearing 14 as the center of rotation. The inner wing 12 is disposed on the outer periphery 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 rotation shaft to rotate the fan 1, so that air can be sent in a direction according to the orientation of each blade.

[0034] On the other hand, since the outer blades 11 and the inner blades 12 are arranged facing in opposite directions, when the fan 1 rotates, the outer blades 11 can blow air in a first direction D1, and the inner blades 12 can blow air in a second direction D2, which are opposite to each other.

[0035] In addition, when the inner blade 12 blows air in the second direction D2, it also draws in air from a third direction D3 on the opposite side (when the outer blade 11 blows air in the first direction D1, it also draws in air from the opposite side, but this is not shown in the figure).

[0036] The frame 13 is disposed between the outer blades 11 and the inner blades 12, and improves the rigidity of the fan 1 and prevents the airflows from the outer blades 11 and the inner blades 12 from mixing.

[0037] The bearing 14 is a component for receiving the driving force of a rotation drive system such as a motor to rotate the fan 1. Note that any component other than the bearing 14 may be used as long as it is capable of receiving the driving force of the drive system to rotate the fan 1.

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

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 2 includes a heat exchange element 21, a heat shielding 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 a part or the whole of the support plate BP. A Peltier element is usually used as the heat exchange element 21, but any element can be used as long as it is flat and capable of exchanging heat on both sides.

[0041] The heat insulating wall 22 is disposed so as to surround the heat exchange element 21. The heat insulating wall 22 is preferably formed of a material with low thermal conductivity so as to prevent mixing of hot and cold heat generated on both sides of the heat exchange element 21 and air currents in contact with the heat insulating wall 22.

[0042] The support plate BP holds each component of the heat exchanger 2 and maintains its arrangement. The support plate BP may be formed in part or entirely from the heat exchange element 21 and may be integrated with the heat exchange element 21. In addition, the support plate BP separates the spaces on both sides of the heat exchange element 21 and can also be regarded as a part of the heat insulating wall 22.

[0043] The heat sink HS is disposed over the entire area of ​​both the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21, and can increase the heat exchange efficiency of each surface. Depending on design requirements, the heat sink HS may be provided on only one or a part of the first surface 211 and the second surface 212, or may not be provided on both surfaces.

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

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

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

[0047] The first air outlet C12 is a hole for discharging the airflow that has flowed through a first flow passage F1, which will be described later, to the outside of the device. In this embodiment, the first air outlet C12 has a number, shape, and size that are designed to discharge an airflow that warms or cools an object in the direction of the object of air conditioning, but these may be changed as desired.

[0048] A plurality of rectifying plates C13 are arranged radially toward the first air outlet C12 in order to guide the airflow to the first air outlet C12.

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

[0050] As shown in FIG. 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 is combined with the inner blades 12 of the fan 1, the heat shield wall 22 and the support plate BP of the heat exchanger 2, the first cap body C11, etc., and forms a second flow passage F2, which will be described later.

[0052] The second air outlet C22 is a hole for discharging the airflow that has flowed through a second flow passage F2, which will be described later, to the outside of the device. In this embodiment, the second air outlet C22 is sized, shaped and numbered so as to exhaust unwanted hot and cold air generated by the heat exchange element 21 in the direction opposite to the target direction of air conditioning, but these may be changed as desired.

[0053] FIG. 5(A) is an exploded side view of the air conditioning device X. FIG. 5(B) is an assembled side view of the air conditioning device X. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the first cap C1 and the second cap C2 are shown in the cross-sectional views of FIG. 3(B) and FIG. 4(B), respectively. Moreover, illustrations of the rotation drive system, wiring, and other configurations that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art are omitted.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the first cap C1 and the second cap C2 house the fan 1 and the heat exchanger 2 therein, and function as a housing for the air conditioner X.

[0055] The first cap C1 and the second cap C2 can be assembled by, for example, providing a screw thread on the outer periphery of the first cap C1 and the inside of the second cap C2, and screwing them together. The assembly of the first cap C1 and the second cap C2 is not limited to screwing, and any assembly method such as adhesion, fitting, magnetic adhesion, or the like may be adopted as long as the first cap C1 and the second cap C2 can be assembled so as not to separate.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the first flow path F1 in the air conditioner X. As shown in FIG.

[0057] 6, the first flow passage F1 is a flow passage 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 discharging the air from the first air outlet C12. The flow of the airflow passing through the first flow passage F1 will be described below.

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

[0059] Next, the airflow generated by the outer fin 11 has its direction changed by the straightening plate C13 or the first cap body C11.

[0060] The airflow, the direction of which has been changed by the straightening plate C13 and the like, flows toward the first air outlet C12 while exchanging heat with the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact therewith.

[0061] Similar air currents occurring above and below in FIG. 6 collide near the first air outlet C12, and the air currents that have nowhere to go are ejected from the first air outlet C12.

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

[0063] Therefore, by operating the air conditioner X with the first air outlet C12 facing the target, the first surface 211 of the heat exchange element 21 absorbs or releases heat, making it possible to blow cool air or warm air to the target.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the second flow path F2 in the air conditioner X. As shown in FIG.

[0065] 7, the second flow passage F2 is a flow 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 discharging the air from the second air outlet C22. The flow of the airflow passing through the second flow passage F2 will be described below.

[0066] First, as the fan 1 rotates, an airflow is generated from the inner blades 12 . Along with the airflow exhausted from the second air outlet C22 generated by the inner blade 12, an intake airflow is generated on the opposite side (see also FIG. 1(b) and the like).

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

[0068] In other words, the intake air flow generated by the inner blades 12 can expel unnecessary hot and cold air generated in the heat exchange element 21 in the direction opposite to the target direction of air conditioning, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element 21.

[0069] In addition, since the heat shielding wall 22 is formed to have a larger diameter than the frame body 13, the airflow generated from the outer fins 11 can also assist in discharging unnecessary hot and cold air.

[0070] That is, when the fan 1 rotates, an airflow is generated from the outer blades 11, and most of the airflow generated by the outer blades 11 passes through the outer periphery and outer surface of the heat exchanger 2. However, since the heat shield wall 22 is formed with a larger diameter than the frame body 13, part of the airflow generated by the outer blades 11 has its direction changed by the heat shield wall 22 and the support plate BP, and flows toward the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact therewith.

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

[0072] In other words, a portion of the airflow generated by the outer fins 11 can assist the intake airflow generated by the inner fins 12 in expelling unnecessary hot and cold air generated in the heat exchange element 21, thereby further improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element 21.

[0073] In this way, the airflow passing through the second flow path F2 is ejected from the second air outlet C22 while exchanging heat with the second surface 212 of the heat exchange element 21 or the heat sink HS in contact therewith.

[0074] Therefore, by operating the air conditioning device X so that the second air outlet C22 faces away from the target, unnecessary hot air and cold air generated in the heat exchange element 21 can be discharged to the side opposite the target direction of the air conditioning, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange element 21.

[0075] The air conditioner X as described above is capable of efficient heat exchange while keeping its size and weight small, and can be suitably employed as air-conditioned clothing or a portable air conditioner.

[0076] Furthermore, since the fan 1 described above has the characteristic of being able to blow air in two directions by itself, it can be suitably used not only in simple air conditioners, but also in meeting requirements such as airflow control and miniaturization of equipment requiring intake and exhaust.

[0077] 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 equipment 1 Fan 11 outer feathers 12 Inner wing 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 flow path F2 Second flow path

Claims

1. A cooling fan comprising: a fan; a heat exchanger; a first cap; and a second cap; The fan includes a bearing, an inner blade disposed on an outer periphery of the bearing, and an outer blade disposed on a further outer periphery of the inner blade, The outer blades are configured to be able to blow air in a first direction by rotation of the fan, and the inner blades are configured to be able to blow air in a second direction different from the first direction by rotation of the fan, The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange element, The first cap has a first outlet communicating with the outside, The second cap has a second outlet communicating with the outside, The fan, the heat exchanger, the first cap, and the second cap are a first flow passage that causes heat exchange between an airflow generated from the outer blades by rotation of the fan and a first surface of the heat exchange element and exhausts the air from the first air outlet; a second flow path that causes heat exchange between the airflow generated from the inner blade due to rotation of the fan and a second surface of the heat exchange element and exhausts the air from the second air outlet.

2. The air-conditioning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a heat insulating wall surrounding the heat exchange element, the heat insulating wall being disposed so as to separate the first flow path and the second flow path.

3. The fan further includes a frame disposed between the inner blade and the outer blade, The air conditioning apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the heat shield wall is formed to have a diameter larger than that of the frame.

4. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first cap further has a straightening plate arranged to face the first air outlet.

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