Air blowing device and dryer

Abstract

An air blowing device (2) provided in a dryer (1) comprises: an impeller (10) that has a plurality of blades (11) arranged in a rotation direction (R); and a housing (30) that accommodates the impeller (10). The plurality of blades (11) extend in the radial direction of the impeller (10). The housing (30) is provided with a fluid inlet (32), a fluid outlet (33), and a cover (20) that covers the outlet (32). The cover (20) is provided with a plurality of extension parts (21), which are curved parts extending in the rotation direction (R) of the impeller (10). Of the plurality of extension parts (21), two mutually adjacent extension parts (21) have an opening (22) therebetween. The pressure of the fluid between the plurality of extension parts (21) and the impeller (10) is adjusted.

Description

Blower and dryer

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower and a dryer.

[0002] The blower device is used in a dryer or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2023-16094 A

[0004] There has been a demand for a blower device that does not generate noise.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a blower and a dryer that can suppress noise.

[0006] A dryer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an impeller having a plurality of blades arranged in a rotational direction, and a housing that accommodates the impeller, the plurality of blades extending radially of the impeller, the housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a cover that covers the inlet, the cover having a plurality of extension portions that are curved portions that extend in the rotational direction of the impeller, an opening being formed between two adjacent extension portions of the plurality of extension portions, and the pressure of the fluid between the plurality of extension portions and the impeller is adjusted.

[0007] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is equipped with a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of the dryer of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the dryer of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a right side view of the dryer of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the dryer of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the dryer of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the dryer of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the blower in the dryer of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a cross section of the blower along a plane including the axis. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cover provided in the blower. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cover provided in the blower. FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dryer. FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dryer. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a cover according to a modified example. FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the axis of a blower equipped with a cover according to a modified example.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the exterior of a dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a blower device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 7 are a front view, a rear view, a right side view, a left side view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, of the dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the blower device 2 of the dryer 1, taken perpendicular to the axis x, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the blower device 2 taken along a plane including the axis x. Note that in the drawings, not all of the components are labeled with reference numerals, and some reference numerals may be omitted. The dryer 1 is a hair dryer intended for use on hair. The dryer according to the present invention is not limited to hair dryers but also includes dryers used for other purposes. The blower device according to the present invention is not limited to dryers but may also be used in other devices, such as air conditioners equipped with heaters and blowers equipped with heaters.

[0009] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 , the blower 2 of the dryer 1 includes an impeller 10 having a plurality of blades 11 arranged in the rotation direction R, and a housing 30 that accommodates the impeller 10. The plurality of blades 11 extend in the radial direction of the impeller 10. The housing 30 includes a fluid inlet 32, a fluid outlet 33, and a cover 20 that covers the inlet 32. The cover 20 includes a plurality of extension portions 21 that are curved portions that extend along the outer edge of the inlet 32 ​​in the rotation direction R of the impeller 10. An opening 22 is formed between two adjacent extension portions 21 of the plurality of extension portions. The pressure of the fluid between the plurality of extension portions 21 and the impeller 10 is regulated. The dryer 1 and the blower 2 will be described in detail below.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 8, the impeller 10 is rotatable about an axis x. As shown in Figure 8, for example, the fluid suction direction F1 and the fluid blow-out direction F2 of the impeller 10 intersect. The impeller 10 extends longitudinally in the direction of the rotation axis (axis x). That is, the longitudinal direction of the impeller 10 is the axis x. As described above, the impeller 10 has a plurality of blades 11 extending radially, and the plurality of blades 11 extend longitudinally along the axis x, as shown in Figures 1, 8, and 9. Furthermore, in the impeller 10, the plurality of blades 11 are arranged, for example, around the axis x. In this way, a space S extending in a substantially cylindrical shape is formed inside the plurality of blades 11, and the impeller 10 has a hollow shape. The shape of the blade 11 in a cross section perpendicular to the axis x is a curved shape (e.g., an arc shape), as shown in Fig. 8. Specifically, the multiple blades 11 are arranged, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the axis x, and are arranged at a predetermined angle or at predetermined intervals around the axis x, and in the illustrated example, are arranged at equal or approximately equal angular intervals. The impeller 10 is, for example, a crossflow fan.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , the housing 30 has a main body 31. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , the main body 31 includes a ventilation passage 31a. The ventilation passage 31a is a space that houses the impeller 10 and also a space through which a fluid flow (airflow) F generated by the rotation of the impeller 10 passes. The main body 31 has two openings that open the ventilation passage 31a. One of the two openings is an inlet 32, and the other is an outlet 33. Thus, the ventilation passage 31a extends from the inlet 32 ​​to the outlet 33 in the rotation direction R of the impeller 10. The fluid inlet 32 ​​is an opening that allows gas as a fluid to be drawn into the impeller 10 from outside the housing 30. On the other hand, the outlet 33 is an opening that allows gas discharged by the impeller 10 to be blown out of the housing 30.

[0012] 1 and 8 , the inlet 32 ​​is disposed outside the outer circumferential surface 10a (surface in the circumferential direction) of the impeller 10, and is formed to face the outer circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10. In other words, the inlet 32 ​​is formed to face the end portions 11a (inlet side) of the plurality of blades 11 aligned in the rotation direction R. Here, the outer circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10, in the illustrated example, is a surface formed by the end portions 11a of the plurality of blades 11 aligned in the rotation direction R, and has a plurality of openings due to the gaps between the plurality of blades 11, and has a shape different from a continuous surface. The outer circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10 may be a virtual cylindrical surface extending along the axis x tangent to the end portions 11a of the plurality of blades 11. As shown in Fig. 1, for example, the inlet 32 ​​is formed in the main body 31 so as to extend longitudinally along the axis x of the impeller 10, and as shown in Fig. 8, the inlet 32 ​​has a pair of ends 32a, 32b extending along the axis x. The inlet 32 ​​is also formed in the main body 31 so as to extend longitudinally in the circumferential direction around the axis x. As shown in Fig. 8, the inlet 32 ​​has a pair of ends 32c, 32d extending in the rotational direction R.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , the area of ​​the inlet 32 ​​is larger than the area of ​​the outlet 33. The inlet 32 ​​is formed so that a large amount of gas is drawn into the impeller 10. The inlet 32 ​​is shaped, for example, so that half or between one-third and two-thirds of the surface of the impeller 10 is exposed to the space outside the main body 31 in the circumferential direction. The inlet 32 ​​is also shaped so that the entire outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 or a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 is exposed to the space outside the main body 31 in the axial x direction. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , the inlet 32 ​​is open so that the entire or a portion of the outer circumferential surface 10 a of the impeller 10 in the axial x direction and half or approximately half of the outer circumferential surface 10 a of the impeller 10 in the circumferential direction are exposed to the space outside the main body 31. Note that the size and shape of the inlet 32 ​​may be other sizes and shapes. The inlet 32 ​​may be covered with a filter to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the ventilation passage 31a.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , the outlet 33 is formed to face the outer peripheral surface 10a of the impeller 10 in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the impeller 10. The outlet 33 is formed in the main body 31 and extends longitudinally along the axis x of the impeller 10, as shown in FIG. 1 , for example. The outlet 33 has a pair of ends 33a, 33b extending along the axis x, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 . The outlet 33 extends in the axial x direction by, for example, the same or approximately the same distance as the impeller 10. The outlet 33 may extend in the axial x direction longer or shorter than the impeller 10. As shown in FIG. 8 , the outlet 33 is formed to open, for example, a portion of the ventilation passage 31a on the opposite side of the inlet 32 ​​from the impeller 10 in the radial direction of the impeller 10. The size and shape of the outlet 33 may be other sizes and shapes. The position of the outlet 33 relative to the inlet 32 ​​is not limited to the position shown in the figure and may be other positions. The outlet 33 may be covered with a filter, a honeycomb or a lid having multiple grids, or the like. In the example shown in the figure, a honeycomb lid 33c extends over the outlet 33.

[0015] 1 and 8, a nozzle 34 is formed in the main body 31. The nozzle 34 is formed in a portion of the ventilation passage 31a on the opposite side of the impeller 10 from the inlet 32 ​​in the radial direction of the impeller 10. The nozzle 34 extends along the rotation direction R of the impeller 10 and forms a flow path that moves away from the impeller 10 toward the outlet 33 (outside). The outlet 33 is formed at the tip (end) of the nozzle 34.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , the main body 31 has wall portions 35 and 36 that form the ventilation passage 31 a in the radial direction. The wall portions 35 and 36 extend in the direction of the axis x, facing the outer circumferential surface 10 a of the impeller 10. As shown in FIG. 8 , the wall portion 35 is a portion of the main body 31 that extends between an end 32 a of the inlet 32 ​​and an end 33 a of the outlet 33. The ends 32 a and 33 a are formed on the wall portion 35. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8 , the wall portion 36 is a portion of the main body 31 that extends between an end 32 b of the inlet 32 ​​and an end 33 b of the outlet 33. The ends 32 b and 33 b are formed on the wall portion 36. The wall portion 35 has a shape (outer shape) that is recessed toward the inside of the housing 30, and has a curved shape in cross section, as shown in FIG. 8 . As shown in Fig. 8, the wall portion 35 has a shape that is bent convexly toward the ventilation passage 31a. In this way, the portion of the main body 31 between the inlet 32 ​​and the outlet 33 has a bent shape. On the other hand, the cross section of the wall portion 36 is arc-shaped as shown in Fig. 8. The wall portion 36 extends in the circumferential direction of the impeller 10 so that the entire wall portion 36 faces the outer peripheral surface 10a of the impeller 10. As shown in Fig. 8, the wall portion 35 and the wall portion 36 face each other with the impeller 10 in between. The wall portion 35 may form a tongue portion of the ventilation passage 31a.

[0017] 1, 8, and 9, the main body 31 has wall portions 37 and 38 that form the ventilation passage 31a in the direction of the axis x. The wall portions 37 and 38 face each other in the direction of the axis x with the impeller 10 interposed therebetween, and the wall portions 35 and 36 are disposed between the wall portions 37 and 38. As shown in Fig. 8, ends 32c and 32d of the inlet 32 ​​are formed in the wall portions 37 and 38, respectively, and the ends 32c and 32d face each other in the direction of the axis x.

[0018] The blower device 2 has a heater 40 inside the main body 31. The heater 40 is disposed in a space S inside the impeller 10, as shown in FIG. 8 . The heater 40 extends along an axis x within the space S. As shown in FIG. 8 , the heater 40 has a tubular shape (e.g., a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape), and the cross-sectional shape of the outer circumferential surface of the heater 40 is, for example, circular or approximately circular. The shape of the heater 40 is not limited to this. The illustrated shape of the heater 40 is a schematic representation of the shape of the space occupied by components of the heater 40. Components of the heater 40 include, for example, a heating wire and a member supporting the heating wire. The heater 40 may also be provided in other parts of the main body 31. For example, the heater 40 may be provided in some or all of the wall portions 35, 36, 37, and 38 of the main body 31. An electric current can be supplied to the heater 40 via wiring electrically connected to a power source.

[0019] 10 and 11 are perspective views of the cover 20, each showing the cover 20 viewed from a different direction. As described above, the cover 20 is a member that covers the inlet 32 ​​and functions to protect components of the blower 2, such as the impeller 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the cover 20 is curved, for example, along outer peripheral ends 25a and 26a of cover support members 25 and 26, which support the cover 20 (described later), so as to contact the main body 31 from the outside. The cover 20 also has a region P1 facing the inlet 32, which includes multiple extensions 21 and multiple openings 22. For example, the outer edge of the region P1, when viewed radially, coincides or substantially coincides with the outer edge of the inlet 32, i.e., the ends 32a, 32c, 32b, and 32d of the inlet 32 ​​(see FIG. 8). The outer edge of the region P1 does not have to coincide with the outer edge of the inlet 32 ​​when viewed in the radial direction.

[0020] 8, the extension portion 21 extends outside the inlet 32 ​​along an end 32c formed on the wall portion 37 or an end 32d formed on the wall portion 38, which is the outer edge of the inlet 32. As shown in FIG. 8, the extension portion 21 extends across the inlet 32 ​​along the rotation direction R.

[0021] As described above, in the cover 20, of the multiple extension portions 21, an opening 22 is formed between two adjacent extension portions 21. That is, in the cover 20, the multiple extension portions 21 are arranged side by side in the axial x direction at intervals. For example, the multiple extension portions 21 are arranged parallel or approximately parallel to each other in the axial x direction. Note that the multiple extension portions 21 do not have to be arranged parallel to each other. Also, for example, the multiple extension portions 21 are arranged in the axial x direction at predetermined intervals, specifically at equal or approximately equal intervals. In this case, the multiple openings 22 are also arranged in the axial x direction at equal or approximately equal intervals.

[0022] Furthermore, the width (width W1) of the extension portion 21 in the axial x direction (see FIG. 10 ) is, for example, uniform or approximately uniform in the rotational direction R. That is, the extension portion 21 is along a circular ring centered on the axis x. Furthermore, the width (width W2) of the opening 22 in the axial x direction (see FIG. 10 ) is, for example, uniform or approximately uniform in the rotational direction R. Note that the width of the extension portion 21 in the axial x direction may be uniform or approximately uniform in a direction inclined with respect to the rotational direction R. That is, the extension portion 21 may be along a spiral with the axis x as its central axis. In this case, the width of the opening 22 in the axial x direction is also uniform or approximately uniform in a direction inclined with respect to the rotational direction R. Note that, as described above, the extension portion 21 may extend linearly from one end to the other end when viewed in the radial direction, or may extend in a curved manner when viewed in the radial direction. For example, the extension portion 21 may extend in a serpentine manner along a circular ring centered on the axis x.

[0023] 8, the extension portion 21 is plate-shaped and has an inner peripheral surface 21a that faces the inner periphery and an outer peripheral surface 21b that faces the outer periphery. The inner peripheral surface 21a extends along the axis x, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the axis x. The outer peripheral surface 21b extends parallel or substantially parallel to the inner peripheral surface 21a, and the thickness of the extension portion 21 is uniform or substantially uniform throughout the range of the extension portion 21 in the rotational direction R. The thickness of the extension portion 21 is the distance between the inner peripheral surface 21a and the outer peripheral surface 21b.

[0024] The width W1 of each extension portion 21 is, for example, smaller than the width W2 of each opening 22. Furthermore, the width W1 of the multiple extension portions 21 is smaller than the width W2 of the multiple openings 22. In other words, the total width W1 of all extension portions 21 of the cover 20 is smaller than the total width W2 of all openings 22 of the cover 20. Furthermore, the extension portions 21 are configured to have a desired rigidity against a force exerted by an airflow that flows into the ventilation passage 31a from the outside through the inlet 32, which is generated by the rotation of the impeller 10. Specifically, the width W1, thickness, etc. of the extension portions 21 are set so as to have such a desired rigidity.

[0025] 8, the inner circumferential surface 21a of the extension portion 21 is curved so as to face the space formed by the inlet 32 ​​from the outside. As shown in Fig. 8, the inner circumferential surface 21a of the extension portion 21 describes an arc or an approximately arc in cross section. As described above, the inner circumferential surface 21a extends parallel or approximately parallel to the axis x, and the outline of the inner circumferential surface 21a has the same or approximately the same shape across the entire width of the extension portion 21 in the direction of the axis x.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 8 , a first angular range θ0 is a predetermined angular range between the end (end 21c) of the extension portion 21 on the opposite side of the rotation direction R and the end (end 21d) of the extension portion 21 on the rotation direction R side, with the axis x as the center. Within the first angular range θ0, a second angular range θ1 is a predetermined angular range from the end 21c to a point a certain distance away in the rotation direction R. A fourth angular range θ3 is a predetermined angular range from the end 21d to a point a certain distance away in the opposite direction of the rotation direction R. Furthermore, a third angular range θ2 is a predetermined angular range between the second angular range θ1 and the fourth angular range θ3. As shown in Fig. 8 , in a cross section perpendicular to the axis x, a distance D1 in the radial direction between the inner circumferential surface 21a of the extension portion 21 and the outer circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10 is greater in the second angular range θ1 than in the third angular range θ2. Furthermore, the distance D1 in the fourth angle range θ3 is greater than the distance D1 in the third angle range θ2.

[0027] 8, for example, the distance D1 is constant or approximately constant within the third angle range θ2. Furthermore, within the second angle range θ1, the distance D1 increases toward the end 21c in the opposite direction of the rotation direction R, and is maximum at the end 21c. Furthermore, within the fourth angle range θ3, the distance D1 increases toward the end 21d in the rotation direction R, and is maximum at the end 21d.

[0028] As described above, the distance D1 between the ends 11 a of the multiple blades 11 of the impeller 10 and the extension portion 21 varies in the rotational direction R. As shown in Fig. 8 , the distance D1 a in the third angular range θ2, i.e., at the center (intermediate portion) of the inlet 32 ​​in the rotational direction R, may be smaller or larger than the distances D1 b, D1 c in the second or fourth angular range θ1 or θ3, i.e., at the ends of the inlet 32 ​​in the rotational direction R. Furthermore, the distance D1 between the ends 11 a of the multiple blades 11 of the impeller 10 and the extension portion 21 may be the same or approximately the same in the first angular range θ0, i.e., across the rotational direction R.

[0029] 12 and 13 are partially exploded perspective views of the dryer 1. The cover 20 forms part of the housing 30 and is adapted to be combined with the main body 31. For example, as shown in Figures 8, 12, and 13, the main body 31 is formed with a recess 31b that extends from the outer periphery to cover the inlet 32, and the cover 20 is accommodated in this recess 31b and attached to the main body 31.

[0030] 12 and 13 , in addition to the cover 20 and the main body 31, the housing 30 includes cover support portions 25 and 26 as side portions of the housing 30. The cover support portions 25 and 26 are members for supporting the cover 20 relative to the main body 31 and for maintaining the cover 20 attached to the main body 31. The cover support portions 25 and 26 are attachable to, for example, end portions 31 c and 31 d of the main body 31 in the direction of the axis x, respectively, and are attached to the end portions 31 c and 31 d, respectively, to support the cover 20 accommodated in the recess 31 b of the main body 31 relative to the main body 31. The cover support portion 26 is attached to an end portion 31 d on the side of a handle 3 of the dryer 1 (described later), and has a hole 26 b through which the handle 3 passes.

[0031] Next, a description will be given of a specific example of the cover 20. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the cover 20 is formed so as to cover the main body 31 from the inlet 32 ​​to the outlet 33, for example.

[0032] 10 and 11 , the cover 20 has a frame-shaped frame portion 23 and a panel 24 that extends along the axis x within the frame portion 23. The frame portion 23 forms the outer edge of the cover 20. The panel 24 extends along the axis x so as to divide the frame portion 23 into two regions. One of the two regions is region P1, which corresponds to the inlet 32 ​​and has multiple extension portions 21 and multiple openings 22 formed therein. The other of the two regions corresponds to the outlet 33 and has an opening 20a that is wider.

[0033] 10 and 11 , the multiple extension portions 21 extend between the panel 24 and an upper frame portion 23a, which is a portion of the frame portion 23 that faces the panel 24 on the side in the rotational direction R. The upper frame portion 23a extends along the axis x. Also, as shown in Figures 10 and 11 , an opening 20a extends between the panel 24 and a lower frame portion 23b, which is a portion of the frame portion 23 that faces the panel 24 on the opposite side of the rotational direction R. The lower frame portion 23b extends along the axis x.

[0034] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, side frame portions 23c and 23d extend between the ends of the upper frame portion 23a and the ends of the lower frame portion 23b of the frame portion 23. The side frame portions 23c and 23d are connecting portions that connect the upper frame portion 23a and the lower frame portion 23b. The side frame portions 23c and 23d are portions of the frame portion 23 that extend between the upper frame portion 23a and the lower frame portion 23b and extend along the rotational direction R. The side frame portions 23c and 23d are shaped to conform to the main body portion 31 and curve along the wall portion 36 of the main body portion 31 on the region P1 side (see Figure 8). A panel 24 extends between the side frame portions 23c and 23d. The opening 20a extends along the axis x between the side frame portions 23c and 23d.

[0035] The shape and size of the opening 20a correspond to the shape and size of the space surrounded by the outlet 33, and the opening 20a covers the space inside the outlet 33. In other words, the ventilation passage 31a of the blower 2 communicates with the outside via the outlet 33 and the opening 20a of the cover 20. In addition, as shown in Fig. 8, the panel 24 is formed so as to cover the wall 35 of the main body 31 from the outside.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 8, the upper frame portion 23a contacts a portion of the wall portion 36 of the main body portion 31 that has a predetermined width from the end 32b of the inlet 32. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, the lower frame portion 23b contacts a portion of the wall portion 36 of the main body portion 31 that has a predetermined width from the end 33b of the outlet 33.

[0037] The cover 20 has the above-described configuration, and the multiple extensions 21 cover the inlet 32, acting as a guard to prevent objects from entering the inlet 32 ​​from the outside. In addition, the cover 20 is prevented from damaging the components of the blower 2 due to objects entering the ventilation passage 31 a from the outside through the inlet 32, thereby protecting the components of the blower 2, such as the impeller 10.

[0038] 8 , the plurality of extension portions 21 extend along the rotation direction R of the impeller 10. Therefore, the distance D1 between the plurality of extension portions 21 and the outer circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10 is constant or changes smoothly in the rotation direction R of the impeller 10 within the first angle range θ0. Specifically, for example, within the first angle range θ0, the ratio (%) of the minimum value to the maximum value of the distance D1 is, for example, 80% or more, preferably 90% or more. As a result, the airflow generated by the rotation of the impeller 10 flows along the inner circumferential surface 21a of the extension portions 21, and the occurrence of predetermined pressure fluctuations or pressure pulsations in the airflow flowing between the extension portions 21 and the outer circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10 is suppressed. In this way, the pressure of the fluid between the multiple extensions 21 and the impeller 10 is adjusted, and the change in pressure generated in the fluid between the extensions 21 and the impeller 10 when the impeller 10 makes one rotation is constant or gradually changes. This gradually changing pressure is expressed, for example, as a ratio (%) of the minimum value to the maximum value of the pressure, and this ratio is, for example, 80% or more, preferably 90% or more. This suppresses noise generated in the surrounding area by the multiple extensions 21 of the blower 2.

[0039] As described above, the blower device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention can suppress the generation of noise.

[0040] Next, modified examples of the cover 20 will be described. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cover 20A according to a modified example of the cover 20, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the axis x of the blower device 2 including the modified cover 20A. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the cover 20A has an extension portion 27, which is another extension portion extending in the direction of the axis x of the impeller 10 along the inlet 32. The cover 20A has, for example, two extension portions 27. The two extension portions 27 are provided near the end 21c of the extension portion 21 and near the end 21d of the extension portion 21, respectively. Specifically, for example, the extension portion 27 is provided in a second angle range θ1 near the end 21c of the extension portion 21 and in a fourth angle range θ3 near the end 21d of the extension portion 21. The extension portion 27 can improve the rigidity of the multiple extension portions 21. Furthermore, because the extension portions 27 extending along the axis x are provided in the region of the angular range θ1,3 where the distance D1 between the extension portions 21 and the circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10 is large, noise generation by the extension portions 27 is suppressed. In other words, the extension portions 27 suppress the generation of pressure fluctuations or pressure pulsations in the airflow flowing along the outer circumferential surface 10a of the impeller 10. Note that the cover 20A may have the extension portions 27 in only one of the angular ranges θ1 and θ3. Furthermore, the cover 20A may have a plurality of extension portions 27 in the angular range θ1, or may have a plurality of extension portions 27 in the angular range 2.

[0041] Next, a dryer 1 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the dryer 1 has a blower 2 and a handle 3 attached to the blower 2. As shown in Figures 9, 12, and 13, the handle 3 extends from an end 31d of the main body 31 along the axis x. The dryer 1 also has a motor 4, which is housed inside the handle 3. The motor 4 is connected to the impeller 10 so as to rotate the impeller 10. As a result, when the motor 4 rotates, the impeller 10 rotates.

[0042] The dryer 2 also includes wiring 5 that electrically connects the motor 4 to an external device such as an external power supply. As shown in Fig. 8 , the wiring 5 is housed in a recess 35a, which is a bent portion of the wall 35 of the main body 31. The recess 35a extends along the axis x. As described above, the wall 35 is covered by the panel 24 of the cover 20. Therefore, the wiring 5 housed in the recess 35a of the wall 35 is covered by the panel 24, reducing the area exposed to the outside.

[0043] According to the dryer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, similar to the blower device 2, the generation of noise can be suppressed.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described above through the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0045] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and the present invention may include any and all applications. The components of the above-described embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and may be modified as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that arise during implementation due to manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, components illustrated in different embodiments may be partially substituted or combined within the scope of technical inconsistency. Furthermore, the various configurations may be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and effects.

[0046] 1 dryer, 2 blower, 3 handle, 4 motor, 10 impeller, 10a peripheral surface, 11 blade, 11a end, 12, 13 end wall parts, 12a, 13a openings, 12b, 13b support parts, 12c, 13c inner peripheral surfaces, 12d, 13d outer peripheral surfaces, 20, 20A covers, 20a opening, 21 extending part, 21a inner peripheral surface, 21b outer peripheral surface, 21c, 21d ends, 22 opening, 23 frame part, 23a upper frame part, 23b lower frame part, 23c, 23d side frame parts, 24, 27 extending parts, 25, 26 cover support parts, 25a, 26a outer peripheral ends, 26b hole, 30 housing, 31 main body part, 31a ventilation path, 31b recess, 31c, 31d ends, 32 inlet, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d ends, 33 outlet, 33a, 33b ends, 33c lid, 34 nozzle, 35, 36, 37, 38 wall parts, 35a recess, 40 heater, D1, D1a, D1b, D1c distances, F air flow, F1 suction direction, F2 blowing direction, P1 region, R rotation direction, S space, W1, W2 widths, x axis line 1, θ0, θ1, θ2, θ3 angular ranges

Claims

1. A blower comprising: an impeller having a plurality of blades arranged in a rotational direction; and a housing that accommodates the impeller, wherein the plurality of blades extend in a radial direction of the impeller, the housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a cover covering the inlet, the cover having a plurality of extension portions that are curved portions extending in the rotational direction of the impeller, an opening is formed between two adjacent extension portions among the plurality of extension portions, and the pressure of the fluid between the plurality of extension portions and the impeller is regulated.

2. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein a width of the extension portion in the axial direction of the impeller is smaller than a width of the opening.

3. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein a width of the plurality of extension portions in the axial direction of the impeller is smaller than a width of the plurality of openings.

4. A blower device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover has one or more other extension parts extending in the axial direction of the impeller.

5. A blower device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing has a fluid ventilation passage, the fluid ventilation passage extending from the inlet to the outlet in the rotational direction of the impeller.

6. A blower device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a motor and wiring electrically connecting the motor to an external device, wherein a portion of the housing between the inlet and the outlet has a curved shape, and the wiring is housed in the portion of the housing.

7. A dryer comprising the blower device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a handle.

8. The dryer of claim 7, wherein the handle contains a motor.

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