Ventilation fan

Abstract

This ventilation fan comprises a main body frame, an electric motor that is installed at the center of the main body frame, a fan that is detachably attached to a shaft of the electric motor, a shutter that is installed at the outdoor-side end of the main body frame, an orifice that is installed at the indoor-side end of the main body frame and that forms a wind tunnel that guides air to the fan, and an electric component case (20) that houses an operation switch for switching the operation state of the electric motor. The electric component case (20) is a resin molding comprising a switch housing part (21) that accommodates an operation switch (13), a component housing part (22) that houses an electric component, and a hinge (23) that connects the switch housing part (21) and the component housing part (22). The electric component case (20) is fixed to the main body frame in a state in which the hinge (23) is bent such that the opening of the switch housing part (21) and the opening of the component housing part (22) face each other. The main body frame is provided with a protrusion that maintains the electrical component case (20) in a state in which the hinge (23) is bent.

Description

ventilation fan

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ventilation fan that is installed in a ventilation opening provided in a wall of a building.

[0002] Conventionally, a ventilation fan installed in a ventilation opening in a building wall has been known, which includes a main frame with openings at both the indoor and outdoor ends, an electric motor, an orifice, a fan, a shutter, an electrical component case, a pull-cord switch, and a power cable. An electric motor is installed inside the ventilation fan main body, and a detachable fan is attached to the motor. At the outdoor end of the main body, multiple shutters that open and close the opening at the outdoor end are interlocked by a shutter connecting plate, and an orifice that serves as an air channel is installed at the indoor end. The electrical component case is fixed with screws to a position that does not obstruct the air path, such as a corner of the main frame. An operation switch, a capacitor, and a power cable are electrically connected inside the electrical component case. The operation switch is connected to the shutter connecting plate by an operation switch connecting rod. The operation state of the ventilation fan, such as on and off, is switched by operating a pull-cord that is hung down and tied to the operation switch.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a ventilation fan equipped with an electrical component case made of a flame-retardant material. The electrical component case of the ventilation fan disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a switch housing section for housing an operation switch, a component housing section for housing electrical components such as a capacitor, and a hinge connecting the switch housing section to a component connecting section are integrally formed.

[0004] JP 2015-14408 A

[0005] The electrical component case of a ventilation fan must be strong enough to withstand external forces. However, the ventilation fan disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not have any measures to prevent damage to the electrical component case due to external forces. For example, the electrical component case of the ventilation fan disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a thin hinge connecting the switch housing and the electrical component housing, which weakens the case. Therefore, if the product is accidentally dropped while packaged, the electrical component case may be damaged at the hinge.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a ventilation fan in which the electrical component case is less likely to be damaged even when an external force is applied due to being dropped or the like.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present disclosure provides a ventilation fan comprising: a main body frame installed in a hole in a wall; an electric motor installed in the main body frame; a fan detachably attached to the shaft of the electric motor; a shutter installed at the outdoor end of the main body frame; an orifice installed at the indoor end of the main body frame forming an air channel for guiding air to the fan; and an electrical component case accommodating an operation switch for switching the operation state of the electric motor. The electrical component case comprises a switch housing for accommodating the operation switch, a component housing for housing electrical components, and a hinge connecting the switch housing and the component housing, the electrical component case being a resin molded product in which the switch housing, the component housing, and the hinge are integrally molded, and the hinge is fixed to the main body frame in a bent state so that the opening of the switch housing and the opening of the component housing face each other. The main body frame has a protrusion for maintaining the electrical component case in the bent state.

[0008] The ventilation fan according to the present disclosure has the advantage that the electrical component case is less likely to be damaged even when an external force is applied due to being dropped or the like.

[0009] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a ventilation fan according to embodiment 1;

[0010] Hereinafter, a ventilation fan according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a ventilation fan according to embodiment 1. The ventilation fan 1 according to embodiment 1 includes a main body frame 2 that is installed in a hole in a wall. The main body frame 2 is attached from inside the room to an opening in the wall. Motor fixing legs 4 for fixing the motor 3 are provided on the inside of the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 has enough strength to support the entire ventilation fan 1. The main body frame 2 may be formed of metal or synthetic resin. For example, the main body frame 2 is formed in a rectangular frame shape with openings on both the indoor end and the outdoor end. Note that the main body frame 2 is not limited to a rectangular shape as long as it has openings on both the indoor end and the outdoor end, and may be, for example, a circular frame shape.

[0012] The motor fixing leg 4 has a motor fixing portion 4a to which the motor 3 is fixed, and four motor support portions 4b that connect the motor fixing portion 4a to the main body frame 2. Here, a structure in which the motor fixing portion 4a and the motor support portions 4b are arranged in an H-shape when viewed from the front is taken as an example, but a structure in which the motor fixing portion 4a and the motor support portions 4b are arranged in an I-shape when viewed from the front may also be used, or a structure in which the motor support portions 4b extend radially from the motor fixing portion 4a may also be used.

[0013] The electric motor 3 is fixed to the electric motor fixing portion 4a with screws or the like. A fan 6 is detachably attached to the shaft 5 of the electric motor 3. When the ventilation fan 1 is installed in the ventilation opening, the electric motor 3 drives the fan 6 to rotate, thereby ventilating the air inside the room and the air outside the room.

[0014] An orifice 7 is detachably fitted into the end of the main frame 2 facing the interior of the room. The orifice 7 closes the gap between the main frame 2 and the fan 6 and functions as an air tunnel that efficiently guides indoor air to the fan 6. The orifice 7 is made of synthetic resin or metal, and some are equipped with a decorative panel, some are integrated with an oil pan, and some have a filter or mesh guard attached, but these are not shown in Figure 1.

[0015] The ventilation fan 1 includes multiple shutters 8 that open and close the opening at the outdoor end. The shutters 8 are installed at the outdoor end of the main frame 2, spanning between the right side 2g and left side 2p of the main frame 2. The shutters 8 are connected to a shutter connecting plate 9 that is swingably attached to the right side 2g of the main frame 2, and the shutter connecting plate 9 is connected to an operation switch connecting rod 10. When the operation switch connecting rod 10 moves up and down, the shutter connecting plate 9 swings, and the shutters 8 open and close in conjunction with the shutter connecting plate 9. The provision of the shutters 8 in this manner prevents the intrusion of outside air and rainwater when outside wind blows outside the room while the ventilation fan 1 is stopped. The number and material of the shutters 8 and the position of the shutter connecting plate 9 are not particularly limited. Note that the shutters 8 do not have to be opened and closed by the interlocking system described above, and may be wind pressure shutters that open and close using wind pressure generated by the operation of the fan 6.

[0016] The operation switch unit 11 switches between a powered state and a powered-off state of the electric motor 3 by the user operating the pull cord 12. When the operation switch unit 11 is in a powered state, the shutter 8 is opened via the shutter connecting plate 9, and when the operation switch unit 11 is in a powered state, the shutter 8 is closed via the shutter connecting plate 9. In other words, when the pull cord 12 tied to the operation switch unit 11 is pulled, the operation switch connecting rod 10 is pulled, and the shutter 8 is alternately switched between an open state and a closed state in conjunction with the powered state and powered-off state of the operation switch unit 11.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the operation switch unit for the ventilation fan according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the operation switch unit for the ventilation fan according to embodiment 1. The operation switch unit 11 includes an electric component case 20, an operation switch 13, and metal covers 30 and 31.

[0018] 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the electric component case and electric components of the ventilation fan according to the first embodiment. The electric component case 20 is a resin molded product made of, for example, a flame-retardant resin. The electric component case 20 includes a switch storage section 21 that houses the operation switch 13, a component storage section 22 that houses electric components such as a capacitor C for driving the electric motor 3, and a hinge 23 that connects the switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22. The switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22 are each formed in a box shape with a bottom, and are provided with openings for storing the operation switch 13 and the capacitor C. The switch storage section 21 has ears 26 that protrude outward from the box. The ears 26 have through holes formed therein.

[0019] The switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22 are connected by a hinge 23 at the edge of the opening, and can be bent so that the opening of the switch storage section 21 and the opening of the component storage section 22 face each other. In addition, an engagement section 24 is provided on the switch storage section 21 side, and a claw section 25 is provided on the component storage section 22 side. The component storage section 22 is bent toward the switch storage section 21 side, and the engagement section 24 and the claw section 25 are engaged with each other to assemble, whereby the operation switch 13 and the capacitor C are fixed in the electric component case 20.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the operation switch unit 11 of the ventilation fan according to the first embodiment secured to the main body frame. The operation switch unit 11 is secured by screwing the ears 26 of the electrical component case 20 to the corner formed by the bottom surface 2h and the right side surface 2g of the main body frame 2. The protrusions 2a and 2b are provided around the portion of the main body frame 2 where the electrical component case 20 is installed. The protrusion 2a is provided on the right side surface 2g of the main body frame 2, and the protrusion 2b is provided on the bottom surface 2h of the main body frame 2. For example, if the ventilation fan 1 is dropped while packaged, the engaging portion 24 of the electrical component case 20 in the component storage section 22 may come off, causing an external force to act on the hinge 23. However, the protrusions 2a and 2b around the portion of the main body frame 2 where the electrical component case 20 is installed can prevent deformation of the electrical component case 20 and damage to the hinge 23. Therefore, the electrical component case 20 of the ventilation fan 1 according to the first embodiment has sufficient strength to withstand external forces. Note that Figure 5 shows a structure in which one protrusion 2a, 2b is provided on each of the two surfaces of the main body frame 2, but the length and number of the protrusions 2a, 2b are not limited to the length and number shown in the example.

[0021] Furthermore, since the protrusions 2a and 2b suppress the opening action of the hinge 23 as a fulcrum due to a fall, the effect of suppressing the opening action can be enhanced by locating the protrusions 2a and 2b as close to the shutter 8 as possible and as far away from the hinge 23 as possible. Furthermore, by providing the metal cover 30, the contact surfaces with the protrusions 2a and 2b can be made flat without being affected by the rounded corners and draft angle provided on the electrical component case 20, which has the effect of more effectively engaging the protrusions 2a and 2b.

[0022] The switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22 are each rectangular parallelepiped and formed by resin molding with the switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22 side by side as shown in Fig. 4. The switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22 are connected by hinges 23 at the edges of their openings, and are attached to the main body frame 2 in a state where they are bent at the hinges 23 so that the openings of the switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22 face each other as shown in Fig. 3.

[0023] The respective faces of the switch storage section 21 are referred to as a front face 21a, a top face 21c, a bottom face 21d, a left face 21e, and a right face 21f, corresponding to the arrangement in the folded state shown in FIG. 3 and the state fixed to the main body frame 2 shown in FIG. 5. The front face 21a is the face on the orifice 7 side. The switch storage section 21 has an opening at a portion corresponding to the rear face on the shutter 8 side, which faces the front face 21a. The respective faces of the component storage section 22 are referred to as a rear face 22b, a top face 22c, a bottom face 22d, a left face 22e, and a right face 22f, corresponding to the arrangement in the folded state shown in FIG. 3 and the state fixed to the main body frame 2 shown in FIG. 5. The rear face 22b is the face on the shutter 8 side. The component storage section 22 has an opening at a portion corresponding to the front face on the orifice 7 side. The rear side of the upper surface 21c of the switch storage section 21 and the front side of the upper surface 22c of the component storage section 22 are connected by a hinge 23, and by bending the hinge 23, the opening on the rear side of the switch storage section 21 and the opening on the front side of the component storage section 22 face each other.

[0024] The top surface 21c of the switch storage section 21 and the top surface 22c of the component storage section 22 are arranged on the same plane when the hinge 23 is folded. Furthermore, the right side surface 21f of the switch storage section 21 and the right side surface 22f of the component storage section 22 are arranged on the same plane when the hinge 23 is folded. The right side surface 21f of the switch storage section 21 is longer in the vertical direction than the right side surface 22f of the component storage section 22, so the bottom surface 21d of the switch storage section 21 and the bottom surface 22d of the component storage section 22 are not arranged on the same plane when the hinge 23 is folded. Furthermore, the top surface 21c of the switch storage section 21 is longer in the horizontal direction than the top surface 22c of the component storage section 22, so the left side surface 21e of the switch storage section 21 and the left side surface 22e of the component storage section 22 are not arranged on the same plane when the hinge 23 is folded.

[0025] The electrical component case 20 is positioned such that the bottom surface 22d and right side surface 22f of the component storage section 22 abut against the bottom surface 2h and right side surface 2g of the main body frame 2, and the rear ends of the bottom surface 21d and right side surface 21f of the switch storage section 21 abut against the flange portion 2k of the main body frame 2 from the front.

[0026] 2 and 3, the metal covers 30 and 31 will be described. The metal cover 30 is attached to the component storage section 22 with screws or the like so as to cover part of the outer surface of the component storage section 22. Specifically, the metal cover 30 covers three surfaces of the component storage section 22: the top surface 22c, right surface 22f, and rear surface 22b, but does not cover the left side surface 22e and bottom surface 22d of the component storage section 22 that face the main body frame 2, or the opening at the front surface that faces the switch storage section 21. The metal cover 30 is fixed to the electrical component case 20 with screws or the like.

[0027] The metal cover 31 is attached to the switch storage section 21 with screws or the like so as to cover the front surface 21a, top surface 21c, bottom surface 21d, left side surface 21e, and right side surface 21f of the switch storage section 21.

[0028] By covering the resin switch storage section 21 and component storage section 22 with the metal covers 30, 31 and the main body frame 2, the fire spread prevention effect of the electrical component case 20 can be improved.

[0029] The protrusion 2a of the main body frame 2 is provided so as to contact the rear surface 30b side of the edge 30h that faces the right side surface 2g of the upper surface 30c of the metal cover 30. This makes it possible to prevent the component storage section 22 and the metal cover 30 from rotating upward around the hinge 23.

[0030] 5 , the electrical component case 20 is fixed to the main body frame 2 at the ears 26 of the switch housing section 21. Therefore, if the engagement between the engagement portions 24 and the claws 25 is released due to the impact of a fall or the like, the electrical component case 22 will be supported only by the hinges 23, and excessive load will be placed on the hinges 23, making the electrical component case 20 more susceptible to damage. In the ventilation fan 1 according to embodiment 1, the protrusions 2a prevent the electrical component case 22 and the metal cover 30 from rotating upward around the hinges 23, thereby preventing the engagement between the engagement portions 24 and the claws 25 from being released and suppressing damage to the electrical component case 20.

[0031] The protrusion 2b of the main body frame 2 is provided so as to contact a portion of the lower edge 30g of the right side surface 30f of the metal cover 30, closer to the rear surface 30b. This prevents the component storage section 22 and the metal cover 30 from shifting toward the right side surface 30f and causing the metal cover 30 to come off the protrusion 2a.

[0032] Even if ventilation fan 1 according to embodiment 1 is subjected to an impact, such as by being dropped, engagement between engaging portion 24 and claw portion 25 is maintained, and component storage portion 22 is unlikely to be supported only by hinge 23. Therefore, ventilation fan 1 according to embodiment 1 can prevent damage to electrical component case 20 due to external forces.

[0033] Embodiment 2. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the connection between the operation switch unit and the main body frame of a ventilation fan according to embodiment 2. Figure 7 is a partial enlarged view of the main body frame of the ventilation fan according to embodiment 2. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a protrusion 2c is provided on the bottom surface 2h of the main body frame 2, and a locking hole 2d is provided in the protrusion 2c. The protrusion 2c is provided at a position corresponding to the outdoor end of the electrical component case 20, and prevents the electrical component case 20 from moving toward the outdoor side.

[0034] 8 is a perspective view of the component storage section of the electrical component case of the ventilation fan according to the second embodiment. A protrusion 22g is provided on the rear surface 22b of the component storage section 22. When the operation switch unit 11 is fixed to a corner of the main body frame 2 with a screw, the protrusion 22g of the component storage section 22 of the electrical component case 20 is inserted into a locking hole 2d provided in the protrusion 2c of the main body frame 2. By adding an R-shape to the base of the protrusion 22g of the component storage section 22 of the electrical component case 20 or varying the thickness of the protrusion 22g, the switch storage section 21 and the component storage section 22 of the electrical component case 20 can be more reliably maintained in a connected state when an external force is applied, for example, due to being dropped. Therefore, the ventilation fan 1 according to the second embodiment can prevent damage to the electrical component case 20 due to external force.

[0035] In the second embodiment, by inserting the projections 22g of the component storage section 22 of the electric component case 20 into the locking holes 2d of the protrusions 2c, it is possible to prevent the component storage section 22 and the metal cover 30 from rotating upward around the hinges 23 and to prevent them from shifting toward the right side surface 30f. Therefore, in the ventilation fan according to the second embodiment, the main body frame 2 does not need to be provided with the protrusions 2a and 2b. However, by providing the protrusions 2a and 2b on the main body frame 2 as shown in Figures 6 and 7, it is possible to improve the effect of preventing the component storage section 22 and the metal cover 30 from rotating upward around the hinges 23.

[0036] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples of the content, and may be combined with other known technologies, or parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0037] 1 Ventilation fan, 2 Main body frame, 2a, 2b, 2c Convex portion, 2d Locking hole, 2g, 21f, 22f, 30f Right side surface, 2h, 21d, 22d Bottom surface, 2k Flange portion, 2p, 21e, 22e Left side surface, 3 Motor, 4 Motor fixing leg, 4a Motor fixing portion, 4b Motor support portion, 5 Shaft, 6 Fan, 7 Orifice, 8 Shutter, 9 Shutter connecting plate, 10 Operation switch connecting rod, 11 Operation switch unit, 12 Pull string, 13 Operation switch, 20 Electrical component case, 21 Switch storage portion, 21a Front surface, 21c, 22c, 30c Top surface, 22 Component storage portion, 22b, 30b Rear surface, 22g Protrusion, 23 Hinge, 24 Engagement portion, 25 Claw portion, 26 Ear portion, 30, 31 metal cover, 30g, 30h sides, C capacitor.

Claims

1. A main body frame to be installed in a hole provided in a wall surface; An electric motor installed on the main body frame; a fan detachably attached to a shaft of the electric motor; A shutter installed at an end portion of the main body frame on the outdoor side; An orifice that is installed at an end of the main body frame on the indoor side and forms an air tunnel that guides air to the fan; an electric component case that houses an operation switch for switching the operation state of the electric motor; the electrical component case includes a switch storage section that stores an operation switch, a component storage section that stores electrical components, and a hinge that connects the switch storage section and the component storage section, the switch storage section, the component storage section, and the hinge being integrally molded as a resin molding; the hinge is located at an end portion of the component storage section on the indoor side, and is fixed to the main body frame in a bent state such that an opening of the switch storage section and an opening of the component storage section face each other; The main body frame is provided with a convex portion that is located at the outdoor end of the component storage section and contacts the surface of the component storage section to suppress the opening movement of the electrical component case with the hinge as a fulcrum.

2. The main body frame is a rectangular frame, The electrical component case is installed at a corner defined by a bottom surface and one side surface of the main body frame, The ventilation fan according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is provided on at least one of the bottom surface and the one side surface of the main body frame.

3. At least one of the projections is formed with a locking hole, 3. The ventilation fan according to claim 2, wherein the electric component case has a protrusion formed thereon that engages with the locking hole when the electric component case is attached to the main body frame.

4. a metal cover that covers the component storage portion and is fixed to the component storage portion; The ventilation fan according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion abuts against the metal cover.