Portable fan

Abstract

This allows us to provide a portable fan that, when folded, has an air outlet that is positioned away from the thumb of the hand gripping the casing. [Solution] A portable fan is provided, comprising a first housing that forms a handle and a second housing that has a blower and is coupled to the first housing, wherein the interface where the first housing and the second housing are coupled is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the first housing, and the first housing and the second housing are relatively rotatable 180 degrees around the normal of the interface, forming a first orientation in which the first housing and the second housing are coupled in a straight line and a second orientation in which the first housing and the second housing are coupled at an inclination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable fan.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the normalization of the intense heat in summer, the need for portable fans has been increasing more and more. In environments without air conditioning, such as during outdoor commuting or going to school, or waiting for an event, the body temperature tends to rise, and there is also a risk of heat stroke. Since portable fans can be easily carried and wind can be obtained immediately on the spot, they play an auxiliary role in lowering the perceived temperature. Also, even if the set temperature of the air conditioner is set slightly higher, if there is wind at hand, it is easier to maintain comfort, and this point, which leads to energy conservation, is a great advantage. Furthermore, recent models have become lighter and quieter, and various shapes according to the use, such as desktop placement or neck-mounted types, can be selected. There are also many rechargeable products that can be used repeatedly, which are economical and have relatively little environmental impact. Due to such convenience and consideration for safety, portable fans have become one of the familiar necessities for spending the modern summer comfortably. As a conventional portable fan, a foldable one is known from Patent Document 1. When folding, it was rotated around a rotation axis orthogonal to the longitudinal cross-section of the housing that becomes the hand-held part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the air outlet is folded so that it is closer to the thumb of the hand gripping the casing of the handle. Therefore, the opposite configuration, i.e., the air outlet is further away from the thumb of the hand gripping the casing of the handle, is not possible (such an opposite configuration to Patent Document 1 would be preferable from an ergonomic design standpoint, as it would allow the anti-slip part to be installed on the index finger side instead of the thumb side when the fan is stationary, and would also prevent the airflow from being disturbed by the casing when the fan is operated while stationary). Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, if the direction of folding is changed so that the air outlet is closer to the index finger of the hand gripping the casing of the handle, it would be necessary to increase the length of the casing in the longitudinal direction, making miniaturization difficult. This is because the thumb side is gripped with one finger, while the index finger side requires space to grip with four fingers.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a portable fan that, when folded, has an air outlet that is positioned away from the thumb of the hand gripping the casing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, the device comprises a first housing that forms a handle portion, and a second housing that includes a blower portion and is coupled to the first housing, wherein the interface where the first housing and the second housing are coupled is oblique to the longitudinal direction of the first housing, and the first housing and the second housing are relatively rotatable 180 degrees around the normal to the interface, forming a first orientation in which the first housing and the second housing are coupled in a straight line, and a second orientation in which the first housing and the second housing are coupled at an inclination. A portable fan in which the first position is the position when in use, and the second position is the position when stationary, and with respect to the hand-holding area in the longitudinal direction of the first housing, the area on the air outlet side of the air blower in the first position is the front side area, and the area opposite to the front side area is the back side area, and the interface surface is formed such that the back side area is longer than the front side area, wherein with respect to the first housing, an anti-slip part is provided at the end of the back side area on the air blower side and contacts the external table surface in the second position The first housing has the following features: a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing, located on the opposite end of the back surface region from the end on the air blowing side, with the anti-slip portion in between; a projection provided on the first end of the groove near the anti-slip portion; and a soft member provided on the groove and extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing, wherein the first end of the soft member near the anti-slip portion is attached to the projection and can be removed from and reattached, while the second end farther from the anti-slip portion is fixed to the bottom of the first housing. A portable fan will be provided.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable fan in which, when folded, the air outlet is positioned away from the thumb of the hand gripping the casing of the handle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]This diagram illustrates how the first and second housings rotate 180 degrees relative to each other around the normal to the inclined surface as the axis of rotation, thereby switching between the first and second orientations. [Figure 2] This is a view of the first posture from the first side. [Figure 3] This is a view of the second posture from the side of the first posture. [Figure 4] This is a view of the first posture from the second side (the opposite side from the first side). [Figure 5] This is a view of the first posture from the rear. [Figure 6] This is a view of the second posture from the bottom. [Figure 7] This is a view of the first posture from the front. [Figure 8] This is a view of the first orientation from the first side, focusing on the USB terminal. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The various features shown in the embodiments below can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature constitutes an independent invention.

[0010] 1. Description of Embodiments 1-1. Description of the Configuration of the Embodiment In the portable fan according to an embodiment of the present invention, the fan in the air blowing section is rotated by a motor provided in the air blowing section, thereby delivering a cool breeze to the face or other skin of the user who holds the casing in one hand.

[0011] 1-1-1. Portable fan The fan in a portable fan is a crucial component designed to efficiently generate airflow despite its small size. Generally, it's a propeller-shaped fan made of resin, often featuring three to seven blades. The number, angle, and curvature of the blades affect airflow, wind pressure, and noise levels. In recent years, fluid dynamics-based designs have been adopted to further reduce noise and minimize air turbulence. Safety is also a key consideration, with some fans featuring fine guards to prevent finger contact and using soft materials. Ensuring sufficient airflow performance while maintaining a small and lightweight design is a major challenge in portable fan design, and these design efforts significantly impact user experience.

[0012] 1-1-2. Motor of a portable fan The motor in a portable fan is the power source that rotates the fan and is a core component that determines the overall performance of the device. Currently, DC motors are the mainstream, and brushless DC motors are particularly widely used. Brushless motors have the characteristics of less wear, long lifespan, and excellent quietness. They also consume less power and are compatible with built-in lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, energy saving performance is an important design element for USB rechargeable portable fans. Furthermore, circuits that electronically control the rotation speed are sometimes incorporated to allow for gradual adjustment of airflow. Precision bearings and balance designs that suppress vibrations also directly contribute to comfort. Achieving miniaturization, high efficiency, and quietness simultaneously are important technical challenges required for motors in portable fans.

[0013] 1-1-3. The first enclosure and the second enclosure In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 is rectangular (however, the four corners have curvature). The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 is the same, and there is no step when moving the handle from the first housing 1 to the second housing 3, so the overall feel is good. The first housing 1 and the second housing 3 are formed by joining two bodies of the same width on the left and right sides when viewed from the front (Figures 2 to 4, Figures 6 to 8).

[0014] 1-1-4. Rotation Structure In the present embodiment, the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 each include an obliquely provided opposing surface (slide surface), and the slide surface (opposing surface) of the first housing 1 and the slide surface (opposing surface) of the second housing 3 are combined in a state of being close and opposing. The boundary surface 2 is a surface corresponding to these two close and opposing slide surfaces (opposing surfaces). The first housing 1 and the second housing 3 are relatively rotatably coupled at this boundary surface 2 (the interface of the two slide surfaces), and the normal line AX of the boundary surface 2 functions as a rotation axis.

[0015] In the present embodiment, different from the rotation structure provided with a rotation axis orthogonal to the longitudinal cross-section of the housing as shown in Patent Document 1, a novel rotation structure provided with a rotation axis within the plane of the longitudinal cross-section of the housing is adopted. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the first housing 1 forming the hand-held portion and the second housing 3 provided with the air blowing portion 4a and the cover member 4b via the boundary surface 2 obliquely provided with respect to the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the first housing 1 are configured to be relatively rotatable as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the boundary surface 2 is rotatable around the normal line AX perpendicular to the boundary surface 2 (right-handed rotation is shown in the figure, but left-handed rotation is also possible). For this purpose, the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 are provided with a concavo-convex structure (fitting of pins and holes) orthogonal to the inclination of the boundary surface 2 on the boundary surface 2 and are rotatably coupled to each other. In an example of the embodiment, the above-described normal line AX (rotation axis) passes through the center position of the cross-section of the boundary surface 2, but it may be deviated from the center position. Also, in FIG. 1, the boundary surface 2 is provided in a direction approximately 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1, but it can be designed at an arbitrary angle other than 45 degrees. Regarding the cover member 4b, as the first cover member, it is provided in the peripheral region excluding the air blowing port and the side opposite to the air blowing port, and inside it, as the second cover member, a cover member provided with a plurality of radial openings on the side opposite to the air blowing port is provided. The first and second cover members are formed of, for example, resin as a transparent member.

[0016] 1-1-5. First posture and second posture Due to the rotation structure described above, in this embodiment, a first posture (FIG. 2) in which the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 are linearly coupled, and a second posture (FIG. 3) in which the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 are coupled substantially orthogonally, are formed. Specifically, the first posture and the second posture can be replaced by rotating the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 180 degrees around the normal line (rotation axis) AX of the boundary surface 2 relatively. In this way, the first posture can basically be used as the posture during use for operating the portable fan, and the second posture can be used as the folded posture (basically the posture when placed stationary).

[0017] Here, the coupling angle between the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 in the second posture depends on the inclined angle of the boundary surface 2. Since the inclined angle of the boundary surface 2 is not limited to 45 degrees as described above and can be designed at any angle, the angle formed by the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 in the second posture can also change according to the design. For example, when the boundary surface 2 is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction, the angle formed by the two housings in the second posture is substantially orthogonal (substantially 90 degrees), but by changing the angle of the boundary surface, it can also be made into a more acute or obtuse inclined posture. Therefore, the second posture is a general term for the postures in which the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 are inclined and coupled, including the case where they are substantially orthogonal.

[0018] 1-1-6. Handheld part (back side, front side) Regarding the hand-hold area in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1, the area on the air outlet side of the air blower 4a in the first orientation is defined as the front side area, and the area opposite to the front side area is defined as the back side area. As mentioned above, the front side area is the side that the thumb contacts when the user grips the housing, and the back side area is the side that the other four fingers contact. Similarly to the first housing 1, the area extending from the air outlet side (front side) of the air blower 4a in the first orientation is defined as the front side area, and the area extending from the opposite side (back side) is defined as the back side area. The front side area and back side area of ​​the second housing 3 are located on the same side as the front side area and back side area of ​​the first housing 1, respectively.

[0019] Regarding the angle direction in which the interface surface 2 is positioned at an angle, in the first orientation (solid line) in Figure 1, the length of the longitudinal region of the handle on the air outlet side of the first housing 1 (left side in Figure 1) is shorter than the length of the longitudinal region of the handle on the opposite side (right side in Figure 1). This is because, with respect to the first housing 1, only the user's thumb rests on the handle on the air outlet side of the first housing 1 (left side in Figure 1), while the other four fingers rest on the handle on the opposite side (right side in Figure 1).

[0020] The dashed line in Figure 1 shows the second orientation, where the first housing 1 is held vertically in one hand and the second housing 3 is rotated 180 degrees around the normal vector AX (in this second orientation, the air outlet of the air blower 4a is facing upwards). On the other hand, Figure 3 shows the second housing 3 when the first housing 1 is placed horizontally on the external table surface and the second housing 3 is rotated 180 degrees around the normal vector AX (in this second orientation, the air outlet of the air blower 4a is facing left).

[0021] Here, the first posture is the basic form when the fan is rotating to blow air, which is the posture when the fan is in use, while the second posture is basically the posture when the fan is stationary, with the anti-slip part 5 (Figure 3) in contact with an external table or the like. The anti-slip part 5 is made of a hard material, such as hard rubber, and is installed inside a rectangular opening inside a rectangular protrusion formed on the gripping surface (the surface supported by the four fingers other than the thumb) of the first housing 1. Furthermore, the anti-slip portion 5 is provided extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 (i.e., the width direction of the first housing 1). This allows the portable fan to be stably supported when placed in the second position.

[0022] In this second posture, the switch 8 (Figure 7) that rotates the fan is basically turned off, but it can also be turned on. For example, when working on a computer in a room, you can keep the fan running near the computer while maintaining the compact second posture.

[0023] The first orientation can also be set to the orientation when the unit is stationary. In this case, as shown in Figure 2, the cover member 4b and the lower end of the first housing 1 will be in contact with the external table surface. In the first position, as shown in Figure 5, on the side of the first housing 1 where the anti-slip portion 5 is provided (the side of the first housing 1 that is held by the four fingers other than the thumb as the handgrip), a soft member 6 made of elastomer material (for example, silicone rubber) is provided in the longitudinal direction of the first housing.

[0024] More specifically, such a soft member 6 has a slit opening in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 (located at the center in the width direction of the first housing 1), and is provided on a shallow groove formed in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1, with the end closer to the anti-slip portion 5 engaging with a projection provided in the groove, while the end further away from the anti-slip portion 5 is fixed to the bottom of the first housing 1 (Figure 6). By providing such a soft member 6, when the user grips the first housing 1 with one hand, they will feel a moist sensation and will not slip due to sweat.

[0025] Furthermore, when the flexible member 6 is embedded in the groove described above, it is designed so that it does not rise higher than the height of the housing around the groove. The user can remove the end of the flexible member 6 that is closer to the anti-slip part 5 (the end that is further away from the anti-slip part 5 is fixed and cannot be removed), and the user can, if necessary, clean the flexible member 6 and then re-engage it with the projection provided in the groove on the end closer to the anti-slip part 5 to return it to its original state.

[0026] 1-1-7. Cooling Plate As shown in Figure 7, a cooling plate 7 is provided in the center of the air outlet side (front side) of the air blower unit 4a for the user to directly contact with their skin on hot days to feel refreshed. Since the cooling plate 7 is exposed on the air outlet side, the user can bring the cooling plate 7 into contact with their face, neck, or other skin while holding the portable fan in their hand. Furthermore, if the size of the cooling plate 7 is too large, the outer peripheral area (airflow area) of the cooling plate will be reduced, and if the size of the cooling plate 7 is too small, the purpose of using a cooling plate will be diminished. Therefore, it is preferable to consider the ratio of the cooling area in the center to the airflow area in the periphery. Specifically, when the radius of the cooling plate is, for example, 1 / 3 of the radius at the outer edge of the airflow section, the ratio of the cooling area to the airflow area is 1:8; when it is 1 / 2, the ratio is 1:3; when it is 3 / 5, the ratio is 9:16; and when it is 2 / 3, the ratio is 4:5. The radius of the cooling plate may be set within a range where one of the values ​​exemplified here is the lower limit and one of the other exemplified values ​​greater than that lower limit is the upper limit, for example, within a range of 1 / 3 or more and 2 / 3 or less of the radius at the outer edge of the airflow section.

[0027] Here, a Peltier element is used as the cooling plate 7. A typical Peltier element is constructed by combining many N-type and P-type semiconductors, arranged in series electrically and in parallel thermally. It has the characteristic that the cooling and heating surfaces are reversed when the direction of the current is changed. Therefore, it can be used not only as a cooling device but also as a heating device. Another major advantage is that it has no moving parts inside, resulting in less vibration and noise, and is easy to miniaturize.

[0028] Applications include temperature control in electronic devices, miniature refrigerators, in-car cooler boxes, and precise temperature control in laser equipment. In recent years, it has also been used in everyday products such as portable fans and neck coolers. In the field of precision equipment in particular, even slight temperature changes can affect performance, making stable temperature control using Peltier elements crucial.

[0029] On the other hand, its cooling efficiency (COP) is lower than that of compressor-type cooling systems, and it requires a lot of power to achieve a large temperature difference. Furthermore, if heat dissipation from the heat-generating side is insufficient, the cooling performance will decrease, making the combination with a heatsink and fan essential.

[0030] Thus, while Peltier elements have a simple structure and excellent controllability, they are a technology that faces challenges in terms of efficiency. However, given their characteristics of being small, quiet, and offering precise control, it is expected that their use will continue to expand in various fields.

[0031] 1-1-8. Operation switches, display unit, USB connection unit In the second housing 3, with respect to the area excluding the air blower 4a, the front surface area (front side) is longer in the longitudinal direction than the rear surface area (back side), and the front surface area (front side) is provided with an operating switch and a display window as a display unit. Specifically, Figure 7 shows the first orientation viewed from the front (the side with the air vents), and includes a power switch 8a, a cooling plate operation switch 8b, and an indicator window 9. Figure 8 shows the first orientation viewed from the side, and includes a USB charging port 10. The lithium-ion battery built into the housing can be charged via the USB charging port 10.

[0032] Regarding display window 9, it can be used as an LED lamp indicator, for example, flashing red to indicate charging and solid green to indicate charging complete. It can also be used as a digital display (LCD / LED numeric display) to show the airflow level (1 to 100 levels, etc.), battery level as a percentage, and operating time.

[0033] 2. Operation and Effects of the Embodiment (1) The interface surface 2 is positioned at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1, and the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 can rotate 180 degrees relative to each other with the normal to the interface surface 2 as the axis of rotation. This allows the air outlet of the air blower 4a to be positioned away from the thumb of the hand gripping the first housing 1 when folded. This allows the anti-slip part 5 for stationary use to be placed on the index finger side (four-finger side) instead of the thumb side, achieving an ergonomic design, and also prevents the airflow from being disturbed by the first housing 1 when the air blower 4a is operated while stationary. Furthermore, the two positions, the first position (when in use) and the second position (when stationary), can be switched with a single rotation operation, providing excellent operability.

[0034] (2) In the hand-hold portion of the first housing 1, the boundary surface 2 is formed such that the length of the back side region (four-finger side) is longer than the length of the front side region (thumb side). This allows for a design that rationally corresponds to the structure of the human hand, where a firm gripping space is secured with four fingers, while the thumb side only requires the space of one finger. This makes it possible to achieve both miniaturization of the first housing 1 and good grip during use.

[0035] (3) By providing the anti-slip portion 5 at the end of the handle portion on the cover member 4b side (the end closer to the interface 2 with the second housing 3), it prevents fingers from slipping off during handheld operation in the first position and functions as a contact point with an external surface such as a table in the second position. In other words, a single component can perform different functions when in use and when stationary, and convenience and stability in both positions can be achieved simultaneously without increasing the number of parts.

[0036] (4) The anti-slip section 5 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 (width direction), so that when the housing is placed in a stationary position, the entire width direction of the first housing 1 can be made to contact with the ground, thereby suppressing tipping over laterally. In addition, the second posture (inclined posture) due to the inclined interface surface 2 of (1), the functional differentiation of posture during use and when the housing is stationary of (3), and the anti-slip section 5 extending in the width direction of (4) work together to maximize the contact area when the housing makes contact with the external surface in an inclined posture, thereby achieving high stationary stability despite the inclined posture being an unstable configuration.

[0037] (5) The anti-slip section 5 is made of a rigid material, which ensures that the load of the first housing 1 is reliably supported when it comes into contact with an external surface such as a table, improving stability when the housing is stationary. Furthermore, in the inclined second position due to the slanted boundary surface 2 of (1), load components can be generated not only vertically but also horizontally with respect to the contact point. However, the combination of the placement of (3) at the end and the rigid material of (5) ensures that the contact position is reliably maintained without deformation even under horizontal load components, effectively reducing the risk of slipping and tipping that is characteristic of inclined positions.

[0038] (6) Because the rigid member is made of hard rubber, a suitable coefficient of friction can be secured when it comes into contact with the external table surface compared to metal or hard resin, and it can exhibit an anti-slip effect without damaging the table surface. Furthermore, the inclined second position of (1), the end arrangement of (3), the rigidity of (5), and the material properties of hard rubber of (6) are organically combined, so that a single member can simultaneously satisfy the conflicting requirements of maintaining its shape without deforming under the horizontal load component when it comes into contact with an inclined surface (rigidity) and generating sufficient frictional force between itself and the table surface (rubber surface properties).

[0039] (7) On the surface equipped with the anti-slip portion 5 (four-finger side), the soft material 6 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 in the area that will be the handgrip, so that when the user grips the first housing 1, they can get a moist feel and prevent slipping due to sweat. Furthermore, since the anti-slip portion 5 (ends, hard) of (3) and the soft material 6 (longitudinal direction, soft) of (7) are provided on the same surface, the end provides stability when placed down and the longitudinal gripping area provides grip, each handled by different materials and in different positions, so that both grip when in use and stability when placed down can be achieved at a high level.

[0040] (8) By forming the soft member 6 on a groove provided in the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1, the soft member 6 can be configured so that it does not protrude from the outer surface of the first housing 1, and gripping performance by the soft member 6 can be ensured without impairing the overall outer contour of the first housing 1. In addition to the shared effect of gripping performance and stationary stability described in (7), the embedded structure in the groove described in (8) prevents the soft member 6 from unintentionally shifting due to gripping force during use, and the position of the soft member 6 can be stably maintained even during long-term use.

[0041] (9) The soft member 6 has a slit opening, and the end closer to the anti-slip portion 5 is fixed detachably by engagement with the projection of the groove, while the opposite end is fixed to the bottom of the first housing 1. This allows the user to remove one end of the soft member 6 for cleaning and then reattach it, thus maintaining hygienic use over a long period of time. Furthermore, by combining a cleanable detachable structure (this (9)) with the gripping area ((7)) where sweat and sebum tend to adhere, both hygiene and grip can be maintained over a long period of time. In addition, the positional restriction ((8)) by the groove provides a reference position for the attachment and detachment operation, preventing misalignment during reattachment and allowing the same grip feel to be reproduced even after cleaning.

[0042] (10) By forming the soft member 6 from an elastomer material, it can be made into a member that combines flexibility and elasticity, thereby enhancing the user's grip, and also has excellent durability and weather resistance, so that the performance of the soft member 6 can be maintained for a long period of time even with repeated gripping use. Furthermore, by combining the anti-slip part 5 (hard) of (3) and the elastomer soft member 6 of (10) on the same surface, the stability of placement provided by the hard member and the moist grip and grip when sweating that are unique to elastomers can coexist on a single surface, resulting in an excellent user experience whether in use or when placed on a surface.

[0043] (11) By providing a cooling plate 7 in the center of the air outlet side of the air blower unit 4a, the user can simultaneously obtain an active cooling effect by directly contacting the cooling plate 7 with their skin, such as their face or neck, in addition to the effect of lowering the perceived temperature due to the air blower. Furthermore, different cooling methods, such as air blowing and direct cooling, can be provided in a single device.

[0044] (12) In the second housing 3, the front side area (front side) of the area excluding the air blower 4a is longer than the back side area, and the operation switch 8 and display window 9 are provided in the front side area, so that the user can see and operate the operation switch 8 and display window 9 from the same front side as the air blower when in use, resulting in a design with excellent operability and visibility. Furthermore, by combining the design of (2) (setting the back side longer by slanting the interface surface 2 in the first housing 1) and the design of (12) (setting the front side longer in the second housing 3), longer areas are created in opposite directions in the first housing 1 and the second housing 3, optimizing the grip balance when held, and simultaneously achieving visibility of the operation part and miniaturization of the entire first housing 1 and second housing 3.

[0045] (13) By providing the first cover member 4b in the circumferential region of the air blowing section 4a, excluding the air outlet and the opposite side of the air outlet, the fan can be protected from contact by fingers from the side, while the cover member does not obstruct the air blowing from the air outlet and the air intake from the opposite side of the air outlet, thereby achieving both safety and air blowing efficiency.

[0046] (14) A second cover member having multiple radial openings on the opposite side of the air outlet is provided inside the first cover member 4b, thereby providing a rectifying effect on the intake side due to the radial openings, stabilizing the airflow and improving the air supply efficiency. Furthermore, by combining the first cover member 4b (lateral protection) of (13) and the second cover member (intake side rectification) of (14) as an inner and outer double structure, the first cover member 4b prevents finger contact from the side, and the second cover member also restricts finger entry on the intake side, thus ensuring safety in three directions: the air outlet side, the intake side, and the side. In addition, improved rigidity due to the double structure can be expected.

[0047] (15) By forming the first cover member 4b and the second cover member with transparent material, the user can visually check the rotation status of the fan through the cover member, making it easier to confirm operation and enhancing the aesthetic design. Furthermore, by combining the lateral protection function of (13), the safety and airflow rectification effect of the double structure of (14), and the transparency of (15), safety, airflow performance, visibility, and aesthetics can all be achieved with a single component configuration. In particular, the internal visibility provided by the transparent material allows the fan to be seen while it is rotating, which also reduces the need to provide a separate display unit for checking operation.

[0048] (16) By providing the USB connection section 10 in the area of ​​the second housing 3 excluding the air blower section 4a, the built-in battery can be charged using a general-purpose USB cable, making it highly convenient and easy to operate in modern usage environments where charging infrastructure is well-established. Furthermore, by placing it in an area separate from the air blower section 4a, it is possible to continue the air blowing operation while charging.

[0049] 3. Variant Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, to add a misting function, a small water tank is installed inside the air blower unit 4a, and the water in the tank is atomized into fine droplets by an internal nozzle or pump and sprayed. As the blown mist evaporates from the skin and air, it absorbs heat, lowering the perceived temperature and making you feel cooler.

[0050] Furthermore, regarding the fan's airflow, an additional airflow adjustment switch can be added, allowing for three-stage switching (low, medium, and high) or stepless adjustment. Additionally, AI (artificial intelligence) technology can be used to add automatic airflow adjustment controlled by AI.

[0051] Additionally, it's possible to consider using it in conjunction with foldable outdoor solar panels.

[0052] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the anti-slip portion 5 shown in Figure 5 was described as hard rubber as a hard material, but it may also be a hard resin, a metal (for example, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, etc.), or a combination of both resin and metal parts.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the material of the soft member 6 shown in Figure 5 was described as silicone rubber as the elastomer material, but it is not limited to this. The elastomer material can be at least one selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing 1 and the second housing 3 was made rectangular (however, the four corners have curvature), but it is also possible to use shapes other than rectangles, such as circular or elliptical shapes.

[0055] Furthermore, although the second housing 3 has the operation switch, display unit, and USB connection unit all located in the area excluding the air blower unit 4a, it is also possible to provide at least one of the operation switch, display unit, and USB connection unit.

[0056] 4. Addendum Various embodiments are illustrated below. The embodiments shown below can be combined with each other. [Note 1] A first housing that forms the handheld portion, A second housing equipped with a blower unit and coupled to the first housing, It has, The interface between the first housing and the second housing is positioned obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the first housing, and the first housing and the second housing are relatively rotatable 180 degrees around the normal to the interface. A portable fan that forms a first orientation in which the first housing and the second housing are joined in a straight line, and a second orientation in which the first housing and the second housing are joined at an angle. [Note 2] The portable fan described in Appendix 1, A portable electric fan in which, with respect to the hand-holding area in the longitudinal direction of the first housing, the boundary surface is formed such that when the area on the air outlet side of the air blower in the first orientation is defined as the front side area and the area opposite to the front side area is defined as the back side area, the back side area is longer than the front side area. [Note 3] The portable fan described in Appendix 1, A portable fan in which, with respect to the first housing in the first posture, an anti-slip portion is provided at the end of the handle portion on the side of the air blower that is opposite to the air outlet of the air blower, the first posture is the posture for use, and the second posture, in which the anti-slip portion is in contact with the external table surface, is the posture for stationary use. [Note 4] The portable fan described in Appendix 3, The anti-slip portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first housing, in a portable fan. [Note 5] A portable fan as described in Appendix 3 or Appendix 4, The aforementioned anti-slip part is made of a hard material, in a portable fan. [Note 6] The portable fan described in Appendix 5, The aforementioned hard component is made of hard rubber, in a portable fan. [Note 7] A portable fan described in any one of the appendices 3 to 6, A portable fan in which, on the surface equipped with the anti-slip portion, a soft member is provided in the longitudinal direction of the first housing in the area that will become the handle portion. [Note 8] The portable fan described in Appendix 7, The aforementioned soft member is formed on the groove provided in the longitudinal direction, and is a portable fan. [Note 9] The portable fan described in Appendix 8, The aforementioned soft member has a slit opening provided in the longitudinal direction, the end closer to the anti-slip portion engages with a projection provided in the groove, while the end further away from the anti-slip portion is fixed to the bottom of the first housing, in a portable fan. [Note 10] A portable fan described in any one of the appendices 7 to 9, The aforementioned soft component is made of an elastomer material, in a portable fan. [Note 11] A portable fan described in any one of the appendices 1 to 10, A portable fan equipped with a cooling plate on the air outlet side of the aforementioned air blower. [Note 12] A portable fan described in any one of the appendices 2 to 11, A portable fan in which, with respect to the area of ​​the second housing excluding the air blowing section, the front surface area is longer than the back surface area, and an operating switch and a display are provided in the front surface area. [Note 13] A portable fan described in any one of the appendices 1 to 12, A portable fan in which a first cover member is provided in the circumferential region of the air blowing section, excluding the air outlet and the area opposite to the air outlet. [Note 14] The portable fan described in Appendix 13, A portable fan, wherein a second cover member having a plurality of radially arranged openings on the opposite side of the air outlet is provided inside the first cover member in the air blowing section. [Note 15] The portable fan described in Appendix 14, The first and second cover members are made of transparent material, and the portable fan is a portable fan. [Note 16] A portable fan described in any one of the appendices 1 to 15, A portable fan, wherein a USB charging port is provided in the area of ​​the second housing excluding the air blowing section.

[0057] While embodiments have been described above, these are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are permitted. The embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and essence of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1: First cabinet 2: Interface 3: Second cabinet 4a: Air blower 4b: First cover member 5: Anti-slip section 6: Soft material 7: Cooling plate 8: Operation switch 9:Display section 10: USB connection port

Claims

1. A first housing that forms the handheld portion, A second housing equipped with a blower unit and coupled to the first housing, It has, The interface between the first housing and the second housing is positioned obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the first housing, and the first housing and the second housing are relatively rotatable 180 degrees around the normal to the interface. The first housing and the second housing are connected in a straight line, forming a first orientation, and the first housing and the second housing are connected at an inclination, with the first orientation being the orientation for use and the second orientation being the orientation for stationary use. Regarding the hand-hold portion region in the longitudinal direction of the first housing, when the region on the air outlet side of the air blower in the first orientation is defined as the front side region and the region opposite to the front side region is defined as the back side region, the boundary surface is formed such that the back side region is longer than the front side region, in a portable fan. With respect to the first housing, an anti-slip portion is provided at the end on the air blower side of the rear side region and in contact with the external table surface in the second orientation, In the aforementioned back surface region, on the side opposite to the end on the air blowing side, with the anti-slip portion in between, there is a groove that extends in the longitudinal direction of the first housing, A projection is provided in the groove portion on the first end side near the anti-slip portion, A flexible member provided on the groove and extending in the longitudinal direction of the first housing, It has, The aforementioned soft member is A portable fan characterized in that the first end, which is closer to the anti-slip portion, is attached to the projection and can be removed from the projection and reattached, while the second end, which is further away from the anti-slip portion, is fixed to the bottom of the first housing.

2. A portable fan according to claim 1, The aforementioned anti-slip part is made of a hard material, in a portable fan.

3. A portable fan according to claim 1, The aforementioned hard component is made of hard rubber, in a portable fan.

4. A portable fan according to claim 1, The aforementioned soft component is made of an elastomer material, in a portable fan.

5. A portable fan according to claim 1, A portable fan equipped with a cooling plate on the air outlet side of the aforementioned air blower.

6. A portable fan according to claim 1, A portable fan in which, with respect to the area of ​​the second housing excluding the air blowing section, the front surface area is longer than the back surface area, and an operating switch and a display are provided in the front surface area.

7. A portable fan according to claim 1, A portable fan in which a first cover member is provided in the circumferential region of the air blowing section, excluding the air outlet and the area opposite the air outlet.

8. A portable fan according to claim 7, A portable fan, wherein a second cover member having a plurality of radially arranged openings on the opposite side of the air outlet is provided inside the first cover member in the air blowing section.

9. A portable fan according to claim 8, The first and second cover members are made of transparent material, and the portable fan is a portable fan.

10. A portable fan according to claim 1, A portable fan, wherein a USB charging port is provided in the area of ​​the second housing excluding the air blowing section.

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