Cart blower

Abstract

To achieve a comfortable air blowing function for occupants.SOLUTION: An air blower for carts comprises a rotating body including a plurality of blade bodies arranged in a rotating direction, a body case 102 including a storage part for storing the rotating body, an air inlet 108 provided in the body case 102 and opened in a rotation axis direction of the rotating body, an air outlet 166a provided on a radially outer side of the rotating body and opened in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction, and a movable body including the air outlet 166a and operating around an axial center along the rotation axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower for a cart. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, carts that are small transport vehicles have been known, such as the golf cart disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-271255 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For carts used outdoors, such as golf carts, installing a fan is one way to combat the heat. However, carts have significant installation space limitations, making it difficult to provide a fan function that provides comfort to passengers.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a cart that provides a ventilation function that is comfortable for passengers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the blower for a cart of the present invention comprises a rotating body having a plurality of blades arranged in a rotational direction, a main body having a storage section in which the rotating body is housed, an air intake port provided in the main body and opening in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating body, an air outlet provided radially outside the rotating body and opening in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction, and a movable body in which the air outlet is provided and which operates around an axial center along the rotational axis direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a ventilation function that is comfortable for passengers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cart according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cart according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the blower according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1(a) is a top view of the blower, and FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vb in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 7A is a top view of the main unit, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main unit with some parts removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an angle adjustment mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view showing a first state of the fan, and FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view showing a second state of the fan. [Figure 11] FIG. 2(a) is a side view showing the blower in a first state, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view showing the blower in a second state. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for attaching the fan to the base unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper surface side of the plate body. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a cover member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a cart 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cart 1 according to this embodiment. The cart 1 according to this embodiment is a self-propelled four-wheel vehicle equipped with a power source such as an engine or motor (not shown). In the following drawings, the forward direction of the cart 1 is indicated by the symbol F, and the backward direction is indicated by the symbol B. Furthermore, when facing the forward direction of the cart 1, the left direction is indicated by the symbol L, and the right direction is indicated by the symbol R.

[0013] A transparent resin panel 3 is provided at the front of the cart 1. A steering wheel 5 is provided at the front left of the cart 1. The driver can change the traveling direction of the cart 1 by operating the steering wheel 5.

[0014] A front seat 7 and a rear seat 9 are provided behind the steering wheel 5 and extend in the width direction of the cart 1. The front seat 7 and the rear seat 9 are arranged spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction of the cart 1. Two passengers can be seated side by side in the width direction of the cart 1 on each of the front seat 7 and the rear seat 9. Therefore, the cart 1 can accommodate a maximum of four passengers.

[0015] The cart 1 also has a ceiling surface 11. The ceiling surface 11 extends from above the resin panel 3 to behind the rear seat 9 in the backward direction of the cart 1. The width of the ceiling surface 11 is slightly larger than the width of the front seat 7 and the rear seat 9. The ceiling surface 11 is located above the front seat 7 and the rear seat 9, and a passenger space for passengers to sit is secured below the ceiling surface 11.

[0016] Four fans 100 are provided on the ceiling surface 11 of the cart 1. The four fans 100 blow air toward passengers seated in the front seat 7 and the rear seat 9, respectively. Two of the four fans 100 are positioned apart from each other in the width direction of the cart 1, at positions shifted in the forward direction from directly above the front seat 7. In this example, one fan 100 is located directly above the steering wheel 5.

[0017] The remaining two fans 100 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the cart 1, at positions shifted in the forward direction from directly above the rear seat 9. In this example, the two fans 100 are located between the front seat 7 and the rear seat 9.

[0018] A plurality of frames extending in the front-to-rear or width direction of the cart 1 are provided on the ceiling surface 11. Four base units 200 are provided on the frames of the ceiling surface 11, and a blower 100 is detachably mounted on each base unit 200. In other words, the blower 100 is attached to the ceiling surface 11 via the base units 200. The configurations of the blower 100 and the base units 200 will be described in detail below.

[0019] 3 is a perspective view of the blower 100 according to this embodiment. When the blower 100 is attached to the cart 1, the front of the blower 100 faces the direction in which the cart 1 moves backward, and the back of the blower 100 faces the direction in which the cart 1 moves forward. Therefore, the left side of the blower 100 as viewed from the front side corresponds to the left side of the cart 1, and the right side of the blower 100 as viewed from the front side corresponds to the right side of the cart 1. In the following drawings, the front side of the blower 100 is indicated as direction B in the drawings, and the back side of the blower 100 is indicated as direction F in the drawings.

[0020] The blower 100 includes a main body case 102. The main body case 102 (main body) includes an upper surface 102a, a front surface 102b, a rear surface 102c, and a lower surface 102d. The upper surface 102a extends in the width direction and the front-rear direction of the blower 100. The width direction of the blower 100 is the LR direction in the drawing, which coincides with the width direction of the cart 1 when attached to the cart 1. The front-rear direction of the blower 100 is the FB direction in the drawing, which coincides with the front-rear direction of the cart 1 when attached to the cart 1. Hereinafter, the width direction of the blower 100 will be simply referred to as the width direction, and the front-rear direction of the blower 100 will be simply referred to as the front-rear direction. The direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the front-rear direction will be referred to as the height direction.

[0021] The top surface 102a has a generally flat shape that extends longer in the width direction than in the front-to-rear direction. The front surface 102b is continuous with the leading edge of the top surface 102a and extends downward from the top surface 102a. The back surface 102c is continuous with the trailing edge of the top surface 102a and extends downward from the top surface 102a. Therefore, the back surface 102c and the front surface 102b face each other and are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] The rear surface 102c extends further downward than the front surface 102b. The bottom surface 102d continues from the bottom end of the front surface 102b to the bottom end of the rear surface 102c. A bottom opening 104 is formed in the bottom surface 102d. The bottom opening 104 is an opening that penetrates the bottom surface 102d and is formed over almost the entire surface of the bottom surface 102d. Therefore, the bottom surface 102d is formed only near both ends in the width direction. The main body case 102 is formed by assembling two members that are divided in the front-rear direction.

[0023] Main body case 102 is surrounded on all four sides by top surface 102a, front surface 102b, back surface 102c, and bottom surface 102d, and has an accommodation section 106 formed therein that accommodates main body unit 130 (described later). Main body case 102 also has air intakes 108 on both sides in the width direction. Air intakes 108 are openings formed in main body case 102 in the width direction, and can also be considered openings of accommodation section 106.

[0024] A side cover 110 is provided at the air intake port 108. The side cover 110 has a plurality of fins 110a. The fins 110a are formed spaced apart from one another, and gaps are formed between the fins 110a. The gaps formed in the side cover 110 allow air to be taken into the main body case 102 through the air intake port 108. The fins 110a prevent dust and rainwater from entering the air intake port 108.

[0025] The fins 110a are offset toward the inside of the main body case 102 with respect to the end faces of the side covers 110 in the width direction. By offsetting the fins 110a, rainwater is further prevented from entering the main body case 102. Although the material of the side covers 110 is not particularly limited, it is preferable that the side covers 110 be made of an elastic material such as silicon, or a soft material.

[0026] Passengers of the cart 1 enter the front seat 7 and rear seat 9 from the width direction of the cart 1. When the blower 100 is attached to the cart 1, the side cover 110 is positioned at the outermost part of the blower 100 in the width direction of the cart 1. Therefore, there is a risk that the head of a passenger entering the cart 1 may hit the side cover 110. Making the side cover 110 out of silicone improves the safety of the passengers.

[0027] A detachable frame 112 is fixed to the top surface 102a of the main body case 102. The detachable frame 112 is fixed to the main body case 102 by fixing members 114 made of bolts or screws. The detachable frame 112 includes four front-rear frames 112a extending in the front-rear direction, and horizontal frames 112b and 112c that connect the ends of the four front-rear frames 112a and extend in the width direction.

[0028] The front-rear frame 112a extends longer in the front-rear direction than the main body case 102. The horizontal frames 112b and 112c are shorter than the length of the main body case 102 in the width direction. The horizontal frame 112b is positioned to protrude further in the forward direction than the rear face 102c of the main body case 102, and the horizontal frame 112c is positioned to protrude further in the rearward direction than the front face 102b of the main body case 102. As will be described in detail later, the blower 100 is attached to the base unit 200 by fitting the detachable frame 112 into the base unit 200.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the blower 100 according to this embodiment. A battery 120 is provided on the rear surface 102c of the main body case 102. The battery 120 is detachable from the main body case 102. Fig. 4(a) shows the main body case 102 with the battery 120 attached, Fig. 4(b) shows the main body case 102 with the battery 120 removed, and Fig. 4(c) shows the battery 120 removed from the main body case 102.

[0030] Battery 120 can be attached to and detached from back surface 102c of main body case 102 by sliding it in the width direction. This makes it possible to remove battery 120 from main body case 102 and charge it, which simplifies the work required for charging compared to removing the entire fan 100 from cart 1 and charging it. Fan 100 is driven by the power stored in battery 120.

[0031] Fig. 5(a) is a top view of the blower 100, and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vb in Fig. 5(a). Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the main unit 130 according to this embodiment, showing the main unit 130 with the main unit case 102 removed from Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 5(b), the main unit 130 is housed in the housing section 106 of the main unit case 102. The main unit 130 includes a drive unit 140 and a movable unit 160.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 6, the drive unit 140 includes a drive unit case 142. The drive unit case 142 is a substantially rectangular box, and is fixed to the center of the main body case 102 in the width direction. The drive unit case 142 houses a pair of motors 144 therein. The pair of motors 144 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the width direction. Motor shafts 144a of the motors 144 protrude outward in the width direction from the drive unit case 142.

[0033] 6, drive unit 140 is also provided with switch button 146. Switch button 146 is provided on the outside of drive unit case 142 and faces the front side of blower 100. A sensor 148 that detects a passenger is provided below switch button 146. Sensor 148 faces the front side of blower 100 and downward from the horizontal direction. Although not shown, openings are provided in main body case 102 at positions corresponding to switch button 146 and sensor 148.

[0034] Therefore, with main unit 130 housed within main case 102, switch button 146 and sensor 148 are exposed to the outside of main case 102. This makes it possible to operate switch button 146 from outside main case 102. It also makes it possible for sensor 148 to detect a passenger.

[0035] The sensor 148 is not particularly limited in configuration as long as it can detect the presence or absence of a passenger within its detection range. The sensor 148 can be configured with, for example, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a visible light sensor.

[0036] Drive unit 140 includes a control device (not shown). The control device has electronic circuits including a CPU, RAM, and ROM, and is connected to motor 144, switch button 146, and sensor 148. The control device is activated by operation of switch button 146, and receives power supply from battery 120 based on a signal input from sensor 148 to drive (control) motor 144 (rotating body 162, described below). The control device may change the value of the current passed through motor 144 by operation of switch button 146, thereby switching the operating state of blower 100 between high and low.

[0037] An aperture member 150 is provided in the opening of the main body case 102 that exposes the sensor 148. The aperture member 150 is a member that defines the detection range of the sensor 148, and is detachably provided on the main body case 102. The distance from the sensor 148 to the occupant and the optimum detection range for the occupant vary depending on the size of the cart 1 to which the blower 100 is attached and the installation position of the blower 100. Making the aperture member 150 detachable allows the aperture member 150 to be attached according to the size of the cart 1 and the installation position of the blower 100, making it possible to easily set the optimum detection range for the sensor 148.

[0038] The movable unit 160 includes a pair of rotors 162, a pair of scroll cases 164, and a connecting cover 166 that connects the pair of scroll cases 164. The rotor 162 is a cylindrical member, and multiple blades 162a extending in the width direction are arranged while maintaining gaps in the rotation direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5(b), a partition plate 162b is provided in the center of the rotor 162 in the width direction. The partition plate 162b has a circular, thin plate shape, and the tip side of the motor shaft 144a is fixed to the center. Therefore, the rotor 162 is rotatably supported by the motor shaft 144a within the main body case 102, i.e., within the housing 106. The partition plate 162b is also located between the air intake 108 and the motor 144. This reduces the risk of rainwater that has entered the rotor 162 through the air intake 108 reaching the motor 144.

[0040] Air intake port 108 of main body case 102 is located in the axial direction of rotor 162. In other words, air intake port 108 opens in the direction of the rotation axis of rotor 162. When rotor 162 is rotated by driving motor 144, air is drawn into rotor 162 through air intake port 108. The air drawn into rotor 162 passes between blades 162a and is sent out radially outward from rotor 162.

[0041] The rotor 162 is housed in a scroll case 164. A scroll flow passage 164a is formed by a gap formed between the inner peripheral surface of the scroll case 164 and the rotor 162. Air sent out radially outward from the rotor 162 is pressurized and accelerated in the scroll flow passage 164a provided in the scroll case 164.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the pair of scroll cases 164 are connected by a connecting cover 166. The connecting cover 166 extends in the width direction and connects the pair of scroll cases 164. An air outlet 166a is formed in the connecting cover 166. The air outlet 166a is provided radially outward of the rotor 162 and opens in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction. Air that has been pressurized and accelerated in the scroll flow path 164a is discharged from the air outlet 166a. A recess is formed in the center of the connecting cover 166 in the width direction to avoid the sensor 148. The recess in the connecting cover 166 prevents obstruction of the detection range of the sensor 148.

[0043] FIG. 7(a) is a top view of the main unit 130, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIb in FIG. 7(a). FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main unit 130 with some components removed. FIG. 8 shows the main unit 130 with the connecting cover 166 and the scroll case 164 on the right side removed when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the rotating body 162 is rotatably housed in the scroll case 164. A scroll flow path 164a is formed in the scroll case 164 and is located radially outward of the rotating body 162.

[0044] The scroll passage 164a is wound around the entire circumference of the rotor 162 in the rotational direction. In FIG. 7(b), the rotor 162 rotates clockwise. The scroll passage 164a has a radial width, i.e., a passage width, that gradually increases toward the front side in the rotational direction of the rotor 162. The scroll case 164 is formed with an outlet opening 164b that serves as the outlet end of the scroll passage 164a. A connecting cover 166 is attached to the scroll case 164 so as to close the outlet opening 164b.

[0045] With the above configuration, when the rotor 162 rotates, air is drawn into the rotor 162 from the intake port 108 in the direction of the rotation axis. Then, as the rotor 162 rotates, air is discharged from the interior of the rotor 162 to the outside in the radial direction through the gaps in the blades 162a. The air discharged radially from the rotor 162 is pressurized and accelerated as it flows through the scroll flow passage 164a, and is discharged to the outside from the outlet opening 164b and the blowing port 166a.

[0046] Here, the scroll case 164 and the connecting cover 166 of the movable unit 160 function as a movable body 170. The movable body 170 operates around an axis center along the rotation axis direction of the rotating body 162. In other words, the movable body 170 is rotatably supported by the main body case 102. Here, the rotation axis center of the movable body 170 coincides with the rotation axis of the rotating body 162. However, the rotation axis center of the movable body 170 may be deviated from the rotation axis of the rotating body 162.

[0047] An angle adjustment mechanism 180, which will be described later, is provided on the main body case 102 and the movable body 170. The angle adjustment mechanism 180 makes it possible to adjust the angle of the movable body 170, that is, the angle of the air outlet 166a.

[0048] 9 is a diagram illustrating the angle adjustment mechanism 180. The angle adjustment mechanism 180 includes an adjustment groove 182 and a stopper member 184. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7(a), the adjustment groove 182 is provided in each of the pair of scroll cases 164. The adjustment groove 182 is provided on the outer side in the width direction of each of the pair of scroll cases 164, that is, at the end opposite the side on which the drive unit 140 is provided.

[0049] The adjustment grooves 182 are grooves recessed in the radial direction of the rotating body 162, and multiple adjustment grooves 182 are provided spaced apart in the rotational direction of the rotating body 162. Here, multiple adjustment grooves 182 are provided at equal intervals over a range of approximately 90 degrees around the rotation axes of the rotating body 162 and the movable body 170. Also, a stopper member 184 is provided in the main body case 102 at a position facing the adjustment grooves 182 in the radial direction of the rotating body 162. More precisely, the stopper member 184 is provided so that its tip faces the adjustment groove 182 from the radial outside of the rotating body 162.

[0050] An elastic member (not shown) made of a spring or the like is provided in main body case 102, and the biasing force of this elastic member acts on stopper member 184. Specifically, the elastic member applies a biasing force to stopper member 184 in a direction such that the tip of stopper member 184 approaches adjustment groove 182. Therefore, the biasing force of the elastic member causes the tip of stopper member 184 to enter adjustment groove 182. When the tip of stopper member 184 enters adjustment groove 182, movement of movable body 170 in the rotational direction is prevented.

[0051] As adjustment groove 182 extends radially outward, the width thereof increases in the circumferential direction of rotating body 162, i.e., in the rotational direction of movable body 170. Therefore, when movable body 170 is rotated in the rotational direction with the tip of stopper member 184 inserted into adjustment groove 182, stopper member 184 is pushed out by the bottom surface of adjustment groove 182.

[0052] 9, for example, the tip of stopper member 184 is inserted into the lowest adjustment groove 182. In this state, suppose movable body 170 is rotated clockwise. In this case, stopper member 184 is pushed to the right in the figure by the bottom surface of adjustment groove 182 against the biasing force of the elastic member. As a result, the tip of stopper member 184 comes into contact with the wall surface between the lowest adjustment groove 182 and the second lowest adjustment groove 182.

[0053] In this state, when movable body 170 is further rotated clockwise, the tip of stopper member 184 enters adjustment groove 182 that is second from the bottom. In this way, by rotating movable body 170, the direction and angle of air outlet 166a can be changed. Note that the biasing force of the elastic member is set so that stopper member 184 is not pushed out of adjustment groove 182 by the weight of movable body 170 itself.

[0054] Fig. 10(a) is a perspective view showing blower 100 in a first state, and Fig. 10(b) is a perspective view showing blower 100 in a second state. Fig. 11(a) is a side view showing blower 100 in the first state, and Fig. 11(b) is a side view showing blower 100 in the second state. As shown in Figs. 10(a) and 11(a), blower 100 is in the first state where blower port 166a faces in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0055] In the first state of the blower 100, the facing direction of the air outlet 166a is closest to the horizontal. In contrast, in the second state of the blower 100, as shown in FIGS. 10(b) and 11(b), the air outlet 166a faces vertically downward. In the second state of the blower 100, the facing direction of the air outlet 166a is closest to the vertical. Here, in the second state of the blower 100, the air outlet 166a is horizontal. The movable body 170 is rotatable between the first state and the second state. This makes it possible to blow air to an optimal position according to the physical characteristics and preferences of the occupant.

[0056] Here, when the movable body 170 is supported by the main body case 102, as shown in Fig. 10, a portion of the scroll case 164 is exposed to the outside through the bottom opening 104 of the main body case 102. Furthermore, the connecting cover 166 protrudes from the front surface 102b and the bottom surface 102d of the main body case 102 in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction of the rotating body 162 and the movable body 170. In other words, the air outlet 166a of the movable body 170 is positioned to protrude from the surface of the main body case 102 in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis direction. This allows the passenger to adjust the angle of the movable body 170 by gripping the connecting cover 166.

[0057] It is possible to provide a knob that protrudes from the movable body 170 and operate the knob to adjust the angle of the movable body 170. However, if a knob is provided, it is difficult for a passenger to notice the knob, and there is a risk that the passenger may hit their head against the knob when getting on or off the vehicle, resulting in injury. In addition, there is a possibility that the knob may be damaged in this case.

[0058] Here, the entire connecting cover 166 protrudes from the surface of the main body case 102, making it easier for the occupant to grasp the position of the connecting cover 166 and reducing the risk of hitting their head. Note that the material of the connecting cover 166 is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of improving safety, it is desirable that the connecting cover 166 be made of a soft, elastic material such as silicone.

[0059] As described above, the orientation of movable body 170, i.e., air outlet 166a, is maintained at a desired angle between the first state and the second state by stopper member 184. Here, one angle adjustment mechanism 180 is provided at each end of movable body 170 in the width direction. However, angle adjustment mechanism 180 may be provided only on one side of movable body 170 in the width direction. Alternatively, one angle adjustment mechanism 180 may be provided near the center of blower 100 in the width direction.

[0060] As described above, blower 100 of this embodiment is a sirocco fan. According to blower 100, intake port 108 and outlet port 166a face in directions that are substantially perpendicular to each other. For example, a blower that takes in air in the forward direction of cart 1 and blows air in the backward direction of cart 1 would be large in size in one direction, making it difficult to install in a cart 1 with significant installation space constraints. According to this embodiment, the size in one direction can be reduced, making it possible to achieve a blowing function that is comfortable for passengers even in a cart 1 with significant installation space constraints.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of base unit 200. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method for attaching fan 100 to base unit 200. As shown in FIG. 12, base unit 200 includes a plate main body 202 and a mounting frame 204. Plate main body 202 is a thin, generally rectangular member. Mounting frame 204 is fixed to one end surface of plate main body 202 by screws. Mounting frame 204 extends along the width direction of plate main body 202. Two mounting holes 204a that penetrate vertically are provided in mounting frame 204 and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction.

[0062] The mounting frame 204 is placed on a frame provided on the ceiling surface 11 of the cart 1 (see FIG. 2). Then, with the through-holes of the frame provided on the ceiling surface 11 and the mounting holes 204a of the mounting frame 204 facing each other in the vertical direction, screws are threaded through both the through-holes and the mounting holes 204a. This fixes the end of the plate main body 202 facing the backward direction of the cart 1 to the cart 1. Note that the end of the plate main body 202 facing the forward direction of the cart 1 is also fixed to the ceiling surface 11 via a frame (not shown).

[0063] When the base unit 200 is fixed to the ceiling surface 11 as described above, the lower surface 202a of the plate body 202 faces vertically downward. A locking portion 206 is provided on the lower surface 202a. When the base unit 200 is attached to the cart 1, the locking portion 206 is located near the end of the cart 1 in the forward direction. The locking portion 206 locks the detachable frame 112 of the blower 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal frame 112b of the detachable frame 112 is provided behind the back surface 102c of the blower 100. When the blower 100 is attached to the base unit 200, the horizontal frame 112b is locked to the locking portion 206 as shown in FIG. 13. The locking portion 206 extends in the width direction and supports the horizontal frame 112b from vertically below.

[0064] 12, the plate body 202 is provided with an attachment / detachment mechanism 210. The attachment / detachment mechanism 210 is located near the end of the cart 1 in the backward direction when the base unit 200 is attached to the cart 1. The attachment / detachment mechanism 210 includes a locking member 220 and a lock unit 230, which will be described later.

[0065] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the upper surface 202b side of the plate main body 202. The upper surface 202b of the plate main body 202 is the surface opposite to the lower surface 202a, and faces vertically upward and faces the ceiling surface 11 of the cart 1 when the base unit 200 is fixed to the cart 1. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the locking member 220 is held on the lower surface 202a side of the plate main body 202 so as to be slidable in the width direction. A through-hole is formed in the plate main body 202, penetrating from the upper surface 202b to the lower surface 202a, and the locking member 220 covers a portion of the through-hole from the lower surface 202a side. The locking member 220 has a locking piece 220a that protrudes toward the upper surface 202b side.

[0066] The locking member 220 is biased in the width direction by a spring (not shown). Specifically, the locking member 220 is constantly biased by the spring toward the left side in the width direction. The locking member 220 is provided in a position that is accessible from the underside 202a, even when the fan 100 is attached to the base unit 200. When the locking member 220 is slid toward the right side in the width direction from the underside 202a against the biasing force of the spring, the locking piece 220a moves to the right side in the width direction within the through-hole.

[0067] The lock unit 230 includes an actuating plate 232. The actuating plate 232 is provided on the upper surface 202b side and is in surface contact with the upper surface 202b. The actuating plate 232 also includes a pair of extending portions 232a extending in the rearward travel direction. The pair of extending portions 232a are provided spaced apart from each other in the width direction. Each of the pair of extending portions 232a is also provided with a pressing portion 232b that stands up from the end surface in the rearward travel direction.

[0068] A pair of insertion holes 202c are formed in the plate main body 202, penetrating in the vertical direction. The pressing portion 232b is bent from the end face of the extending portion 232a toward the lower surface 202a and inserted into the insertion hole 202c. As shown in FIG. 12, the pressing portion 232b protrudes from the insertion hole 202c toward the lower surface 202a. As shown in FIG. 14, the width of the insertion hole 202c in the front-rear direction is greater than the thickness of the pressing portion 232b in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the actuation plate 232 can move in the front-rear direction by the difference between the thickness of the pressing portion 232b and the width of the insertion hole 202c in the front-rear direction. As a result, by pressing the pressing portion 232b in the forward direction from the lower surface 202a side of the plate main body 202, the actuation plate 232 can slide in the forward direction.

[0069] The actuation plate 232 is formed with a slide hole 232c that penetrates in the vertical direction. The slide hole 232c is L-shaped and extends in the front-to-rear direction, with the end on the forward direction side bent 90 degrees toward the left in the width direction. A lock piece 220a of the lock member 220 is inserted into the slide hole 232c. When the lock member 220 is positioned on the left side in the width direction due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown), an edge 232d of the slide hole 232c faces the lock piece 220a in the rearward movement direction. In this state, the lock piece 220a restricts the movement of the actuation plate 232 in the forward movement direction.

[0070] In contrast, let us assume that the locking member 220 slides to the right in the width direction against the biasing force of the spring. In this state, the slide hole 232c extends on the rearward movement side of the locking piece 220a, allowing the operating plate 232 to move forward.

[0071] An actuation hole 202d is formed between the pair of insertion holes 202c. The actuation hole 202d is continuous with the pair of insertion holes 202c. Therefore, the actuation hole 202d and the pair of insertion holes 202c form a single through-hole. However, the actuation hole 202d is formed longer in the front-rear direction than the pair of insertion holes 202c.

[0072] The lock unit 230 includes a rotating member 234 located within the actuation hole 202d. The rotating member 234 is rotatably supported by the plate body 202. The rotation center axis of the rotating member 234 coincides with the width direction. The rotating member 234 rotates within the actuation hole 202d. The rotating member 234 is also provided with a transmission piece 234a that protrudes vertically upward. The transmission piece 234a is provided at a position shifted forward and vertically upward from the rotation center axis of the rotating member 234. One end of a wire 236 is connected to the transmission piece 234a. The wire 236 extends in the front-rear direction, and the other end opposite the one end connected to the transmission piece 234a is fixed to the actuation plate 232.

[0073] The wire 236 is flexible and bends when an external force acts in a direction that brings one end and the other end closer together. Therefore, for example, when an external force acts on the rotating member 234 from vertically below to above, the wire 236 is bent and the transmission piece 234a is rotated in the forward direction. On the other hand, the length of the wire 236 is set, and even if a tensile stress is applied, the wire 236 will not be stretched beyond the state shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, when the operating plate 232 moves in the forward direction, the wire 236 causes the transmission piece 234a to rotate in the forward direction.

[0074] In this way, when the operating plate 232 moves forward, the rotating member 234 rotates as the transmission piece 234a is pulled by the wire 236. Furthermore, when an external force is applied to the rotating member 234 in a vertical direction from below to above, the wire 236 bends, allowing the rotating member 234 to rotate.

[0075] The lock unit 230 is provided with a coil spring 238. One end of the coil spring 238 is connected to the operating plate 232, and the other end is connected to the plate body 202. The coil spring 238 applies a biasing force to the operating plate 232 in the rearward direction. Therefore, the operating plate 232 is normally stationary in the position shown in FIG. 14, and when the pressing portion 232b is pressed, the operating plate 232 moves in the forward direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 238.

[0076] 13, the rotating member 234 is provided with a hook portion 234b that protrudes toward the lower surface 202a of the plate main body 202. A protruding wall 202e is provided on the lower surface 202a of the plate main body 202. The protruding wall 202e faces the hook portion 234b in the forward movement direction with a small gap maintained therebetween. The protruding wall 202e extends further in the width direction than the hook portion 234b.

[0077] Next, a method for attaching the fan 100 to the base unit 200 will be described with reference to Figure 13. When attaching the fan 100 to the base unit 200, as shown in Figure 13(c), the fan 100 is positioned directly below the plate body 202 and tilted so that the horizontal frame 112b is positioned vertically above the horizontal frame 112c. Then, as shown in Figure 13(b), the horizontal frame 112b of the fan 100 is locked to the locking portion 206 of the base unit 200.

[0078] In this state, when the front side of blower 100 is lifted vertically upward with horizontal frame 112b as a fulcrum, horizontal frame 112c of blower 100 comes into contact with hook portion 234b from vertically below. When the front side of blower 100 is pushed further upward with horizontal frame 112c in contact with hook portion 234b, hook portion 234b is pushed upward by horizontal frame 112c. At this time, the rotation center axis of rotating member 234 is shifted further forward than hook portion 234b. Therefore, when an external force acts on hook portion 234b from vertically below to upward, as described above, hook portion 234b and rotating member 234 rotate clockwise in FIG. 13 while bending wire 236.

[0079] When horizontal frame 112c enters vertically above hook portion 234b, hook portion 234b returns to the position shown in Figure 13(a) due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown). As a result, fan 100 is held by base unit 200.

[0080] Furthermore, when removing fan 100 from base unit 200, first, locking member 220, i.e., locking piece 220a, is slid to the right in the width direction (see FIG. 14). In this state, when pressing portion 232b is pressed forward, operating plate 232 moves forward. When operating plate 232 moves forward, transmission piece 234a is pulled forward by wire 236, and hook portion 234b rotates clockwise in FIG.

[0081] As a result, hook portion 234b retracts from below horizontal frame 112c, allowing the attitude of blower 100 to be changed from the state shown in FIG. 13(a) to the state shown in FIG. 13(b). Then, when blower 100 is moved in the rearward direction, horizontal frame 112b drops off from locking portion 206, completing the removal of blower 100. Thus, according to this embodiment, blower 100 can be easily attached to and detached from base unit 200.

[0082] 15 is a diagram illustrating the cover member 250. The base unit 200 is provided with the cover member 250 that covers the attachment / detachment mechanism 210. The cover member 250 is fixed to the upper surface 202b of the plate main body 202 by screws. The cover member 250 covers the lock member 220 and the lock unit 230. This prevents fingers from getting caught in the moving parts of the lock member 220 or the lock unit 230, for example, when attaching or detaching the fan 100 to or from the base unit 200.

[0083] The cover member 250 is also provided with a covering portion 250a that covers the screws that secure the mounting frame 204 to the frame of the cart 1. If the cart 1 vibrates while in motion, the screws may loosen. By providing the covering portion 250a, the screws are prevented from falling out, and the risk of the base unit 200 falling off the cart 1 is reduced.

[0084] Furthermore, the cover member 250 is formed with an insertion hole 250b that opens in the rearward direction. The insertion hole 250b is provided at a position facing the rotating member 234 in the rearward direction, and passes through the inside and outside of the cover member 250. There is a risk that the wire 236 connected to the rotating member 234 may be cut due to deterioration over time, etc. If the wire 236 is cut while the fan 100 is attached to the base unit 200, the rotating member 234 cannot be rotated even if the pressing portion 232b is pressed to slide the operating plate 232.

[0085] In this case, it becomes impossible to remove the fan 100 from the base unit 200 unless the cover member 250 is removed from the plate body 202 and the rotating member 234 is rotated. However, if the gap between the ceiling surface 11 of the cart 1 and the upper surface 202b of the plate body 202 is small, the operation of removing the cover member 250 becomes difficult.

[0086] According to this embodiment, by inserting a rod or the like through insertion hole 250b and pushing transmission piece 234a of rotating member 234 forward, it is possible to rotate rotating member 234. As a result, even if wire 236 is cut, blower 100 can be easily removed from base unit 200.

[0087] 12, a plurality of cushioning materials 202f made of rubber or the like are provided on the underside 202a of the plate main body 202. The cushioning materials 202f are provided, for example, at positions facing the battery 120 of the fan 100 attached to the base unit 200 or the screws provided on the detachable frame 112. The provision of the cushioning materials 202f prevents the screws from coming loose and absorbs vibrations transmitted from the cart 1 to the fan 100, thereby suppressing damage to the fan 100.

[0088] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the cart 1 is described as a golf cart as an example, but the use of the cart 1 is not limited to this. Furthermore, the configuration of the base unit 200, the mounting position of the blower 100, the orientation when mounted, etc. are merely examples. For example, in the above embodiment, the blower 100 is arranged so that the intake port 108 faces in the width direction of the cart 1 and the outlet 166a faces in the backward direction of the cart 1. However, the blower 100 may be arranged so that the intake port 108 faces in the front-to-rear direction of the cart 1 and the outlet 166a faces in the width direction of the cart 1.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where blower 100 is a sirocco fan has been described, but the configuration of blower 100 is not limited to this. In any case, it is sufficient that the blower includes a rotor having a plurality of blades arranged in the rotational direction, a main body having a housing section in which the rotor is housed, an air intake port provided in the main body and opening in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor, and an air outlet provided radially outward of the rotor and opening in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. The specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0091] In addition, in the above embodiment, sensor 148 is provided to detect a passenger, but sensor 148 is not an essential component. However, by automatically driving blower 100 when a passenger is detected by sensor 148 and stopping the driving of blower 100 when a passenger is no longer detected, it is possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the fan 100 is provided with the battery 120. However, the battery 120 is not essential. For example, the fan 100 may be supplied with power from a power source provided in the cart 1.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the blower 100 is attached to the cart 1, it is desirable that the intake port 108 does not face the ceiling surface 11 of the cart 1 in a side view of the cart 1. Alternatively, when the blower 100 is attached to the cart 1, it is desirable that the rotor 162 or the motor shaft 144a of the motor 144 does not face the ceiling surface 11 of the cart 1 in a side view of the cart 1. By doing so, the amount of intake air is ensured and a decrease in the blowing function is suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Cart 100 Blower 102 Main body case (main body) 106 Storage unit 108 Air Intake 110 Side cover 148 sensors 162 Rotating Body 162a wing body 166 Connecting cover 166a Air outlet 170 Movable body

Claims

[Claim 1] a rotor having a plurality of blades arranged in a rotational direction; a main body having a housing portion in which the rotating body is housed; an intake port provided in the main body and opening in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor; an air outlet provided radially outward of the rotating body and opening in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction; a movable body provided with the air outlet and operable around an axis along the rotation axis direction; A blower for a cart equipped with:

Images