Ventilation apparatus

Abstract

A ventilation apparatus includes a suction port through which air is sucked-in and a plurality of discharge ports through which air is discharged. The plurality of discharge ports are intermittently along a circumferential direction of the suction port. The air sucked-in through the suction port is guided to the plurality of discharge ports by a discharge passage. At least one discharge port among the plurality of discharge ports has an inner region on the suction port side and an outer region opposite to the suction port. The at least one discharge port is formed so that the outer region is located higher than the inner region.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under § 111 (a), of International Application No. PCT / KR2023 / 007419, filed on May 31, 2023, which is based on and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-193992, filed Dec. 5, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a ventilation apparatus.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Electric cookers produce relatively weak rising air currents, compared to gas cookers. Accordingly, cooking fumes generated during cooking, such as soot, may not reach a ventilation apparatus and may spread to the surroundings. Soot may contaminate an indoor environment where electric cookers are installed. To suppress the spread of soot, a method of increasing an air volume of a ventilation apparatus may be taken into account. However, this may increase noise or vibration, causing discomfort to users.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 11-281108 discloses a local ventilation apparatus that locally ventilates an area around a soot generation source. The local ventilation apparatus generates a swirling airflow by discharging air obliquely downward from a plurality of discharge ports disposed along an outer circumferential direction and sucking-in air from a suction port installed inside the plurality of discharge ports.DISCLOSURE OF INVENTIONSolution to Problem

[0005] A ventilation apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a suction port through which air is sucked-in and a plurality of discharge ports through which air is discharged. The plurality of discharge ports are intermittently along a circumferential direction of the suction port. The air sucked-in through the suction port is guided to the plurality of discharge ports by a discharge passage. At least one discharge port among the plurality of discharge ports has an inner region on the suction port side and an outer region opposite to the suction port. The discharge port is formed so that the outer region is located higher than the inner region.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a ventilation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the ventilation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of a discharge port of the ventilation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the discharge port of the ventilation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a discharge passage of the ventilation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates tables showing results of observing a generation state of a swirling airflow while changing a first angle (θ1), a second angle (θ2), and a third angle (θ3).

[0012] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image of a stable swirling airflow.

[0013] FIG. 8 shows an image of a swirling airflow by a conventional ventilation apparatus.MODE FOR THE INVENTION

[0014] Various embodiments of the present disclosure and terms as used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments and should be understood as including various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0015] In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numbers may be used to denote like or related elements.

[0016] A singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0017] In the present disclosure, the expressions “A or B,”“at least one of A and B,”“at least one of A or B,”“A, B, or C,”“at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed in the corresponding expression or all possible combinations thereof.

[0018] The term “and / or” as used herein includes a combination of a plurality of related recited elements or any one of a plurality of related recited elements.

[0019] The terms “first,”“second,” etc. as used herein may be only used to distinguish one element from another and do not limit the elements in any other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0020] When a certain (e.g., first) element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., second) element with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the certain element may be coupled or connected to the other element directly (e.g., by wire) or wirelessly or through a third element.

[0021] The terms “comprise” or “include” as used herein are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0022] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected to,”“coupled to,”“supported to,” or “in contact with” another element, the element may be “directly connected to, coupled to, supported to, or in contact with” the other element or may be “indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported to, or in contact with” the other element through a third element.

[0023] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being located “on” another element, the element may be in contact with the other element, and another element may also be present between the two elements.

[0024] The present disclosure provides a ventilation apparatus capable of improving local ventilation performance by stabilizing a swirling airflow. The ventilation apparatus of the present disclosure is installed, for example, above an electric heating cooker, to locally ventilate an area around a generation source of cooking fumes, for example, soot. The ventilation apparatus of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to a location above the electric heating cooker and may be disposed in various locations. Hereinafter, embodiments of the ventilation apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a ventilation apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the ventilation apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of a discharge port P of the ventilation apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the discharge port P of the ventilation apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a discharge passage L2 of the ventilation apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the ventilation apparatus 100 according to an embodiment may include a suction port Q through which air is sucked-in, a plurality of discharge ports P through which air is discharged, and the discharge passage L2 configured to guide the air sucked-in through the suction port Q to the plurality of discharge ports P. The plurality of discharge ports P may be intermittently installed along a circumferential direction of a main body 10. The discharge port P may be formed so that an outer region Y is located higher than an inner region X, which is the suction port Q side.

[0027] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction port Q and the discharge ports P are provided in the main body 10. A fan 20 is disposed inside the main body 10 to suck-in air through the suction port Q and discharge the sucked-in air through the discharge port P. To provide a local ventilation function, the suction port Q may be disposed inside the plurality of discharge ports P. A swirling airflow may be generated by discharging air obliquely downward from the plurality of discharge ports P in a radial direction and a circumferential direction and sucking-in air into the suction port Q installed inside the plurality of discharge ports P.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, for example, a circular suction port Q is provided in a central portion of the main body 10. The shape of the suction port Q is not limited to the circular shape and may be diverse, for example, a rectangular shape or the like. The plurality of discharge ports P having, for example, a rectangular shape may be disposed around the suction port Q and spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction at, for example, equal intervals. The shape of the discharge ports P is not limited to the rectangular shape and may be diverse, for example, a circular shape or the like. The disposition intervals between the plurality of discharge ports P does not necessarily have to be equal. For example, the plurality of discharge ports P may be disposed in accordance with a certain rule.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a suction passage L1 connected from the suction port Q to the fan 20 is provided inside the main body 10. In the present embodiment, the fan 20 is disposed above the suction port Q, and the suction passage L1 extends upward from the suction port Q. The suction passage L1 may include an upstream-side passage element L11 and a downstream-side passage element L12. The upstream-side passage element L11 may have a shape in which a cross-sectional area thereof gradually decreases toward the downstream side. The downstream-side passage element L12 connects the upstream-side passage element L11 to the fan 20. For example, the suction passage L1 may include the upstream-side passage element L11, a diameter of which gradually decreases from the suction port Q toward the downstream side, and the downstream-side passage element L12 having, for example, a cylindrical shape, in which an upstream-side opening thereof communicates with the upstream-side passage element L11 and a downstream-side opening thereof communicates with the fan 20. A filter 30 through which air sucked-in from the suction port Q passes may be installed in the downstream-side passage element L12. The filter 30 may filter out foreign materials, such as dust, soot, or odor-causing substances, from the sucked-in air.

[0030] A plurality of discharge passages L2 are provided inside the main body 10. The plurality of discharge passages L2 are formed around the suction passage L1. The plurality of discharge passages L2 connect the fan 20 to the plurality of discharge ports P.

[0031] For example, the main body 10 may include an upstream-side portion 10-1 provided with the suction port Q and the upstream-side passage element L11, and a downstream-side portion 10-2 provided with the downstream-side passage element L12. The upstream-side portion 10-1 may be a cylinder shape, for example, a truncated conical shape, an inner diameter of which gradually decreases upward. The downstream-side portion 10-2 may have a cylindrical shape in which an upstream-side opening thereof communicates with the upstream-side portion 10-1 and a downstream-side opening communicates with the fan 20. The upstream-side passage element L11 of the suction passage L1 may be defined by the inner region of the upstream-side portion 10-1, and the downstream-side passage element L12 of the suction passage L1 may be defined by the inner region of the downstream-side portion 10-2. The plurality of discharge passages L2 may be provided in the downstream-side portion 10-2 and the upstream-side portion 10-1. The plurality of discharge ports P, which are outlets of the plurality of discharge passages L2, are provided at a lower end of the upstream-side portion 10-1 surrounding the suction port Q. Accordingly, the plurality of discharge passages L2 may be disposed to surround the suction passage L1 with inner walls of the upstream-side portion 10-1 and the downstream-side portion 10-1 therebetween, and the plurality of discharge ports P may be disposed to surround the suction port Q.

[0032] The fan 20 may suck-in air from below and discharge the air to the side. The fan 20 may be a centrifugal air blower, such as a turbo fan or a sirocco fan, or a diagonal air blower.

[0033] The plurality of discharge passages L2 guide the air discharged from the fan 20 to the plurality of discharge ports P while changing a flow direction thereof, respectively. At least a portion of the discharge passage L2, for example a portion L2a provided in the upstream-side portion 10-1, may be inclined radially outward, twisted in a circumferential direction, and connected to the plurality of discharge ports P. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the downstream-side portion of each of the discharge passages L2, for example, the portion L2a provided in the upstream-side portion 10-1, may extend downward at an inclined angle (the second angle 02) oblique outward in a radial direction. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in order to swirl the discharged airflow, at least the downstream-side portion of each of the discharge passages L2, for example, the portion L2a provided in the upstream-side portion 10-1, may extend downward at a twist angle (the first angle θ1) oblique in a circumferential direction. The term “radial direction” as used herein refers to a radial direction of the suction port Q, and the expression “extending downward to be oblique outward in a radial direction” means extending downward to be inclined outward with respect to a radial direction. In addition, the term “circumferential direction” as used herein refers to the circumferential direction of the suction port Q, and the expression “extending downward to be oblique in the circumferential direction” means extending downward while twisting in the circumferential direction. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of discharge passages L2 are separated from each other by partition walls 40 and are respectively connected to the plurality of discharge ports P. The plurality of discharge ports P may be disposed around the suction port Q and spaced apart from each other at, for example, an angular interval (the third angle θ3). That is, the angular interval (the third angle θ3) is an angle formed by two straight lines that connect two adjacent discharge ports P to the center of the suction port Q.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the discharge port P may be formed so that the outer region Y opposite to the inner region X is located higher than the inner region X close to the suction port Q, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. From the viewpoint of the flow direction of the discharged air that is discharged from the discharge port P, the outer region Y may be located upstream of the inner region X.

[0035] In the bottom view of the main body 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner region X of the discharge port P is a region including an inner portion A closest to the suction port Q among the edges of the discharge port P. In other words, in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main body 10 passing through the center of the suction port Q, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the inner region X of the discharge port P is a region including the downstream-side end of the suction port Q side portion of the wall surface forming the discharge passage L2. For example, when the discharge port P has a rectangular shape, the inner region X is a region near the downstream-side edge of an inner wall surface I, which is a wall surface on the suction port Q side among the wall surfaces forming the discharge passage L2, and is a region including the inner portion A. Accordingly, the inner portion A of the discharge port P may be referred to as the downstream-side end A of the inner wall surface I of the discharge passage L2. In the bottom view of the main body 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer region Y of the discharge port P is a region including an outer portion B farthest from the suction port Q among the edges of the discharge port P. In other words, in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main body 10 passing through the center of the suction port Q, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer region Y of the discharge port P is a region including the downstream-side end of the opposite side of the suction port Q of the wall surface forming the discharge passage L2. For example, when the discharge port P has a rectangular shape, the outer region Y is a region near the downstream-side edge of an outer wall surface O, which is a wall surface far from the suction port Q among the wall surfaces forming the discharge passage L2, and is a region including the outer portion B. Accordingly, the outer portion B of the discharge port P may be referred to as the downstream-side end B of the outer wall surface O of the discharge passage L2.

[0036] That is, in the discharge port P according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer portion B farthest from the suction port Q is located higher than the inner portion A closest to the suction port Q. In other words, the downstream-side end B of the outer wall surface O is located higher than the downstream-side end A of the inner wall surface I among the wall surfaces forming the discharge passage L2. From the viewpoint of the flow direction of the discharged air that is discharged from the discharge port P, the outer portion B (i.e., the downstream-side end B of the outer wall surface O of the discharge passage L2) is located upstream of the inner portion A of the discharge port P (i.e., the downstream-side end A of the inner wall surface I of the discharge passage L2).

[0037] With this configuration, the length of the outer wall surface O among the wall surfaces forming the discharge passage L2 is relatively shorter than before. Accordingly, because a Coanda effect or a centrifugal force acting on the air passing near the outer wall surface O is relatively reduced, an occurrence of a vortex on the outer side in the radial direction with respect to the discharged airflow from the discharge port P may be suppressed. As a result, because the discharged airflow from the discharge port P may be discharged at a target angle, a stable swirl airflow may be formed, and furthermore, local ventilation performance may be improved.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the discharge port P may be formed obliquely upward (toward the upstream side from the viewpoint of the flow direction of the discharged airflow) with respect to a horizontal plane H1 including the inner region X (specifically, the downstream-side end A of the inner wall surface I of the discharge passage L2). For example, the discharge port P may be formed to be inclined toward the upstream side of the discharge passage L2 with respect to the horizontal plane H1. The discharge port P may be provided between a virtual plane H2, which includes the inner region X (the downstream-side end A of the inner wall surface I of the discharge passage L2) and is perpendicular to the discharge passage L2, and the horizontal plane H1. Because the discharge passage L2 extends from top to bottom while twisting in a circumferential direction, the virtual plane H2 is perpendicular to a direction of a vector V passing through the discharge port P in a vector indicating the extension direction of the discharge passage L2. The discharge port P may be provided on the virtual plane H2.

[0039] The discharge port P according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided on the virtual plane H2. That is, the discharge port P is formed perpendicular to the discharge passage L2. Specifically, because the discharge passage L2 extends from top to bottom while twisting in a circumferential direction, the discharge port P and the direction of the vector V passing through the discharge port P in the vector indicating the extension direction of the discharge passage L2 are perpendicular to each other.

[0040] As the length of the outer wall surface O among the wall surfaces forming the discharge passage L2 is shortened, a Coanda effect or a centrifugal force may be reduced. However, as the length of the inner wall surface I is longer than the outer wall surface O, a Coanda effect or a centrifugal force acting on air passing through the inner wall surface I becomes relatively larger. Accordingly, a vortex may occur on an inner side in a radial direction with respect to the discharged airflow from the discharge port P. When the discharge port P is located between the horizontal plane H1 and the virtual plane H2, the occurrence of vortices on both the inner side and the outer side with respect to the discharge passage L2 may be suppressed, and thus, a stable swirling airflow may be formed. In addition, when the discharge port P is located on the virtual plane H2, a bias in a velocity distribution of the airflow discharged from the discharge port P is suppressed. Accordingly, the discharged airflow may be stably discharged at a target angle and local ventilation performance may be improved.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates tables showing results of observing a generation state of a swirling airflow while changing a first angle θ1, a second angle θ2, and a third angle θ3. The first angle θ1 is the twist angle of the discharge passage L2 in the circumferential direction, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and is the angle formed between the twist direction of the discharge passage L2 and the vertical direction. The second angle θ2 is the inclined angle of the discharge passage L2 in the radial direction, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and is the angle formed between the inclined direction of the discharge passage L2 and the vertical direction. The third angle θ3 is the disposition angular interval of the plurality of discharge ports P, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and is the angle formed by two virtual lines that connect two adjacent discharge ports P to the center of the suction port Q.

[0042] In FIG. 6, numerical values are used as an indicator indicating the stability of the swirling airflow. A higher numerical value means that the swirling airflow is generated more stably. Specifically, “0” means that “no swirling airflow is generated,”“1” means that “the swirling airflow is sometimes generated,”“2” means that “the swirling airflow is unstably generated,”“3” means that “the swirling airflow is slightly stably generated,”“4” means that “the swirling airflow is stably generated,” and “5” means that “the swirling airflow is very stably generated.” The numerical value representing the stability is a value derived based on the size of the center of the swirling airflow, the generation time, and the generation frequency of the swirling airflow, which may be measured by observing the generation state of the swirling airflow.

[0043] According to FIG. 6, in order to generate the swirling airflow to a certain degree of stability, the first angle θ1 may be preferably 30°≤θ1≤50°, and the second angle θ2 may be preferably 15°≤θ2≤45°. With this configuration, it is possible to implement the ventilation apparatus 100 in which the outer region Y of the discharge port P is located higher than the inner region X of the discharge port P, and thus, the length of the outer wall surface O of the discharge passage L2 is relatively shorter than before and the occurrence of vortices on the inner side and the outer side with respect to the discharged airflow may be suppressed. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the discharged airflow may be discharged at a target angle, the swirling airflow may be stabilized, and furthermore, local ventilation performance may be improved. In addition, because the discharge port P is formed perpendicular to the discharge passage L2, a bias in a velocity distribution 50 of the discharge passage L2 may be suppressed, and thus, local ventilation performance may be further improved.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows an image of a swirling airflow by a ventilation apparatus according to a comparative example. Referring to FIG. 8, in the ventilation apparatus according to the comparative example, a plurality of discharge passages 1 are formed in a direction that expands outward toward the bottom. That is, the plurality of discharge passages 1 are formed to be inclined with respect to, for example, the vertical direction. Downstream-side openings of the plurality of discharge passages 1, i.e., discharge ports 2 through which air is discharged, are formed in a horizontal direction. That is, a plane including the discharge ports 2 is perpendicular to the vertical direction. With this configuration, a swirling airflow may become unstable.

[0045] In detail, because an outer wall surface 1b in a radial direction among wall surfaces forming the discharge passage 1 is longer than an inner wall surface 1a, a COANDA effect or a centrifugal force acting on air flowing along the discharge passage 1 becomes stronger in the outer region adjacent to the outer wall surface 1b than in the inner region adjacent to the inner wall surface 1a. Accordingly, a wind velocity distribution 3 in the discharge passage 1 is formed to be biased toward the outside and a velocity difference between air discharged from the outer region of the discharge passage 1 and stationary air therearound increases, and thus, a strong shear force is generated. As a result, a strong vortex 4 is generated outside the discharge passage 1. Because the discharged airflow from the discharge passage 1 is pulled outward by the vortex 4, the discharged airflow deviates from the target angle, the swirling airflow becomes unstable, and furthermore, a degradation in local ventilation performance may be caused.

[0046] Next, a range of the third angle θ3 is described with reference toFIG. 6. When the inner side and the outer side of the discharged airflow are blocked by the discharged airflow that is discharged from the discharge port P, air is sucked-in through the suction port Q and the pressure at the inner side of the discharged airflow becomes a negative pressure. Accordingly, the pressure difference between the inner side and the outer side increases. The discharged airflow separating the inner side from the outer side may become unstable. As a result, the swirling airflow also may become unstable. To prevent the inner side and the outer side from being completely blocked by the discharged airflow, a method of increasing an interval between the adjacent discharge ports P may be considered. However, when the interval increases too much, it may be difficult for the swirling airflow to occur. To balance the trade-off relationship, referring to FIG. 6, the third angle θ3 may be preferably 12°≤θ3≤36°. Due to this, the discharged airflow may be prevented from being unstable, and thus, a stable swirling airflow may be generated. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, for example, the first angle θ1 is 45°, the second angle θ2 is 30°, and the third angle θ3 is 24°.

[0047] Furthermore, because the filter 30 is installed in the suction passage L1, foreign materials, such as dust, soot, or odor-causing substances, may be removed from locally sucked-in air, and thus, an indoor environment may be maintained.

[0048] The ventilation apparatus 100 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the embodiments described above, the discharge port P is formed perpendicular to the discharge passage L2 on the virtual plane H2, but the discharge port P may be formed to be inclined with respect to the virtual plane H2. In addition, the discharge port P may be installed between the horizontal plane H1 and the virtual plane H2. For example, in the embodiments described above, the downstream side of the discharge passage L2 is twisted linearly in a circumferential direction and extends downward, but the discharge passage L2 may also extend downward while twisting in a circumferential direction from the upstream side to the downstream side as a whole.

[0049] In addition, the ventilation apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to return the sucked-in indoor air back to the indoor space and may exhaust the sucked-in indoor air to the outdoor space.

[0050] The present disclosure provides a ventilation apparatus in which local ventilation performance is improved by stabilizing a swirling airflow.

[0051] A ventilation apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a suction port through which air is sucked-in; a plurality of discharge ports intermittently installed around the suction port along a circumferential direction and through which air is discharged; and a discharge passage configured to guide air sucked-in through the suction port to the plurality of discharge ports, wherein the discharge port is formed so that an outer region opposite to the suction port is located higher than an inner region close to the suction port.

[0052] In an embodiment, the discharge passage may extend downward to be inclined outward in the radial direction and may be connected to the discharge port.

[0053] In an embodiment, the discharge passage may extend downward while twisting in the circumferential direction and may be connected to the discharge port.

[0054] In an embodiment, the discharge port may be located between a horizontal plane including the inner region and a virtual plane including the inner region and perpendicular to the discharge passage.

[0055] In an embodiment, the discharge port may be located on a virtual plane including the inner region and perpendicular to the discharge passage.

[0056] In an embodiment, 30°≤θ1≤60° wherein θ1 is an angle formed between a vertical direction and a direction in which the discharge passage extends downward while twisting in the circumferential direction.

[0057] In an embodiment, 15°≤θ2≤45° wherein θ2 is an angle formed between a vertical direction and a direction in which the discharge passage extends downward to be inclined in the radial direction.

[0058] In an embodiment, 12°≤θ3≤36° wherein θ3 is an angular interval between two adjacent discharge ports.

[0059] In an embodiment, the ventilation apparatus may include: a cylindrical main body provided with the suction port, the discharge passage, and the plurality of discharge ports; and a fan disposed between the suction port and the discharge passage in the main body and configured to suck-in air through the suction port and supply the air to the discharge passage.

[0060] In an embodiment, a suction passage may be provided inside the main body to connect the suction port to the fan.

[0061] In an embodiment, the discharge passage may be disposed around the suction passage.

[0062] In an embodiment, the suction passage may include an upstream-side passage element, a cross-sectional area of which decreases from the suction port toward a downstream side, and a downstream-side passage element configured to connect the upstream-side element to the fan.

[0063] The main body may include an upstream-side portion provided with the suction port and the upstream-side passage element, and a downstream-side portion provided with the downstream-side passage element. The discharge passage may be provided in the upstream-side portion and the downstream-side portion. The plurality of discharge ports may be provided in the upstream-side portion.

[0064] In an embodiment, a portion provided in at least the upstream-side portion of the discharge passage may be inclined outward in the radial direction, twisted in the circumferential direction, and connected to the plurality of discharge ports.

[0065] In an embodiment, the ventilation apparatus may include a filter disposed between the suction port and the discharge port and configured to filter out foreign materials from the sucked-in air.

[0066] A ventilation apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a ventilation apparatus that generates a swirling airflow by sucking-in air from a suction port (Q) installed inside a plurality of discharge ports while discharging air obliquely downward in a radial direction from the plurality of discharge ports (P) intermittently installed along a circumferential direction, wherein, in the discharge port, an outer region (Y) opposite to an inner region (X) is located higher than the inner region (X) on the suction port side.

[0067] In an embodiment, the ventilation apparatus may include a discharge passage (L2) extending obliquely downward in the radial direction and connected to the plurality of discharge ports. The plurality of discharge ports may be installed between a horizontal plane (H1) including the inner region and a virtual plane (H2) including the inner region and perpendicular to the discharge passage, or may be installed on the virtual plane.

[0068] In an embodiment, the discharge port may be installed on the virtual plane.

[0069] In an embodiment, the discharge passage may extend obliquely downward in the circumferential direction, and an angle (θ1) formed between a vertical direction and a direction obliquely downward in the circumferential direction may be 30°≤θ1≤60°.

[0070] In an embodiment, an angle (θ2) formed between a vertical direction and a direction obliquely downward in the radial direction of the discharge passage may be 15°≤θ2≤45°.

[0071] In an embodiment, an angle (θ3) formed by virtual lines connecting two adjacent discharge ports to the suction port may be 12≤θ3≤36°.

[0072] In an embodiment, the ventilation apparatus may further include a filter through which the air sucked-in from the suction port passes.

[0073] As described above, although the ventilation apparatus of the present disclosure has been described with reference to the restrictive embodiments and drawings, various modifications and variations may be made thereto from the above description by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A ventilation apparatus comprising:a suction port through which air is sucked-in;a plurality of discharge ports intermittently along a circumferential direction of the suction port and through which the air is discharged; anda discharge passage configured to guide the air sucked-in through the suction port to the plurality of discharge ports,wherein at least one discharge port among the plurality of discharge ports is formed so that an outer region opposite to the suction port is located higher than an inner region close to the suction port.

2. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge passage extends downward to be inclined outward along a radial direction and is connected to the at least one discharge port.

3. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge passage extends downward, twisting along the circumferential direction and is connected to the at least one discharge port.

4. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge port is located between a horizontal plane including the inner region and a virtual plane including the inner region and perpendicular to the discharge passage.

5. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one discharge port is located on a virtual plane including the inner region and perpendicular to the discharge passage.

6. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein θ1 is an angle between a vertical direction and a direction in which the discharge passage extends downward, twisting along the circumferential direction and satisfies 30°≤θ1≤60°.

7. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein θ2 is an angle between a vertical direction and a direction in which the discharge passage extends downward to be inclined along a radial direction and satisfies 15≤θ2≤45°.

8. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, wherein θ3 is an angular interval between two adjacent discharge ports 12≤θ3≤36°.

9. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, comprising:a main body, cylindrical in shape, provided with the suction port, the discharge passage, and the plurality of discharge ports; anda fan, between the suction port and the discharge passage in the main body, configured to guide the air sucked-in through the suction port and supply the air to the discharge passage.

10. The ventilation apparatus of claim 9, wherein a suction passage is provided inside the main body to connect the suction port to the fan.

11. The ventilation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the discharge passage is disposed around the suction passage.

12. The ventilation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the suction passage comprises an upstream-side passage element, a cross-sectional area of which decreases from the suction port toward a downstream side, and a downstream-side passage element configured to connect the upstream-side passage element to the fan.

13. The ventilation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the main body comprises an upstream-side portion provided with the suction port and the upstream-side passage element, and a downstream-side portion provided with the downstream-side passage element,the discharge passage is provided in the upstream-side portion and the downstream-side portion, andthe plurality of discharge ports are provided in the upstream-side portion.

14. The ventilation apparatus of claim 13, wherein a portion provided in at least the upstream-side portion of the discharge passage is inclined outward along a radial direction, twisted along the circumferential direction, and connected to the plurality of discharge ports.

15. The ventilation apparatus of claim 1, comprising a filter disposed between the suction port and the at least one discharge port and configured to filter out foreign materials from the air sucked-in.

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