Air blower

Abstract

An air blower (A1) comprises: an air blowing unit (1); a support unit (2) that supports the air blowing unit (1); a swing mechanism (3) that causes the air blowing unit (1) to swing relative to the support unit (2) within a predetermined range (Ra) around a first axis (Ax1); and a control unit (4) that controls the swing mechanism (3). The predetermined range (Ra) includes a plurality of ranges, each of which is narrower than the predetermined range (Ra), and which overlap each other to form the predetermined range (Ra). The control unit (4) controls the swing mechanism (3) such that the air blowing unit (1) blows air while swinging within at least one of the plurality of ranges. Such a configuration makes it possible to dry laundry more efficiently.

Description

blower

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower.

[0002] Blowers are widely used as appliances for blowing air to a predetermined area. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional blower. The blower disclosed in this document is a type of blower known as a circulator, used, for example, to accelerate the drying of laundry hung out to dry indoors. This blower can blow air to a wider area indoors by swinging its head up and down.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-60181

[0004] However, the area in a room where laundry is hung out to dry can vary depending on, for example, the size and shape of the hanger stand on which the laundry is hung, the size of the laundry itself, etc. It is desirable to dry such laundry more efficiently.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a blower that can dry laundry more efficiently.

[0006] The blower provided by the present invention comprises a blowing unit, a support unit that supports the blowing unit, a swivel mechanism that swivels the blowing unit around a first axis relative to the support unit within a predetermined range, and a control unit that controls the swivel mechanism, wherein the predetermined range includes a plurality of ranges that are each narrower than the predetermined range and whose overlapping ranges form the predetermined range, and the control unit controls the swivel mechanism so that the blowing unit swivels and blows air within at least one of the plurality of ranges.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first axis is aligned along a horizontal direction, and the air blowing direction of the air blowing section is oriented above the horizontal direction within the one range.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the multiple ranges include a first vertical range and a second vertical range, the second vertical range includes an area above the first vertical range, and the control unit is configured to be switchable between a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating in the first vertical range, and a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating in the second vertical range.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first vertical range and the second vertical range only partially overlap each other.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is configured to be able to switch between a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating over the entire specified range, and a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating within the one range.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes an operation unit having an operation button for operating the oscillating operation of the blower unit, and the control unit has an automatic operation mode in which it controls the blower unit to blow air while oscillating within the predetermined range or one of the ranges, and a manual operation mode in which it controls the blower unit to blow air while oscillating in accordance with operation input from the operation button, and when the operation button is operated in the automatic operation mode, it switches from the automatic operation mode to the manual operation mode.

[0012] According to the present invention, laundry can be dried more efficiently.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0014] 4 is a perspective view showing a blower according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a side view showing an example of an oscillation range of a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of operational control of a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a side view showing an example of an oscillation range of a blower according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing an example of operational control of a blower according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing an example of operational control of a blower according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an example of an operation unit used in a blower according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of operational control of a blower according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] [First Embodiment] Figures 1 to 9 show a blower according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The blower A1 of this embodiment includes a blower unit 1, a support unit 2, an oscillating mechanism 3, and a control unit 4 (operation board). The blower A1 is a type of blower known as a circulator, designed to blow air to a predetermined area, but the specific structure of the blower A1 is not limited in any way. The use of the blower A1 is not limited in any way, and may be, for example, to promote air circulation in a room or promote the drying of laundry in a room. The blower of the present invention may also be a stand-type blower, such as a fan.

[0017] In these figures, the z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In the following description, one of the z directions may be referred to as "up" and the other as "down." The x and y directions are directions along a horizontal plane. One of the x directions may be referred to as "left" and the other as "right." One of the y directions may be referred to as "front" and the other as "rear." In addition, the airflow direction Da, which will be described later, may be referred to as "front" and "rear."

[0018] The blower 1 is a part that blows air in the blowing direction Da. There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the blower 1. In this embodiment, the blower 1 includes a blower case 11, a motor cover 12, a blower motor 13, and a fan 14.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 6, the blower case 11 houses a motor cover 12, a blower motor 13, a fan 14, and the like. The blower case 11 is formed, for example, from a resin or the like. The shape of the blower case 11 is not limited in any way, and in this embodiment, the blower case 11 has a spherical shell (ball-shaped) structure and has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front, top, bottom, side, etc. In Figs. 1 to 8, the blower unit 1 is oriented such that the blowing direction Da coincides with the y direction.

[0020] The blower case 11 has an air intake port 111 and an air outlet port 112. As shown in FIGS. 2 , 3 , 5 , and 6 , the air intake port 111 is an opening for drawing air into the blower case 11 from the rear in the airflow direction Da. The specific configuration of the air intake port 111 is not limited in any way. In the illustrated example, the air intake port 111 is configured to draw air through gaps between multiple frames. When viewed from the rear in the airflow direction Da, the multiple frames include multiple frames arranged radially on the outside and multiple frames arranged along the z direction on the inside. Because the blower case 11 has a spherical shell structure, the air intake port 111 has a shape that bulges outward in the airflow direction Da.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, and 6, the air outlet 112 is an opening for blowing air forward in the airflow direction Da. The specific configuration of the air outlet 112 is not limited in any way. In the illustrated example, the air outlet 112 is configured to blow air through gaps between multiple frames. The multiple frames are arranged in a spiral shape when viewed from the front in the airflow direction Da. Because the air blower case 11 has a spherical shell structure, the air outlet 112 has a shape that bulges forward in the airflow direction Da.

[0022] The motor cover 12 is housed inside the blower case 11. The motor cover 12 is made of, for example, but not limited to, resin. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the blower case 11 supports the blower motor 13. The motor cover 12 may also support some of the components of the oscillation mechanism 3, which will be described later.

[0023] The blower motor 13 is a drive source that rotates the fan 14. The blower motor 13 is driven by, for example, commercial AC 100V power.

[0024] The fan 14 generates the air blown by the blower unit 1 through rotation. The specific structure of the fan 14 is not limited in any way, and various types of blade structures can be appropriately adopted. In the illustrated example, the fan 14 is a so-called axial fan, also known as a propeller fan. The fan 14 is connected, for example, to the tip of the drive shaft of the blower motor 13, and is positioned between the blower motor 13 and the blower port 112. When the blower motor 13 drives and rotates the fan 14, air drawn in through the air intake port 111 is blown out from the blower port 112 in the blowing direction Da.

[0025] The support unit 2 supports the blower unit 1. As shown in Fig. 1 , in this embodiment, the support unit 2 supports the blower unit 1 so that it can swing around a first axis Ax1. The specific direction of the first axis Ax1 is not limited, and it may be along various directions such as the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, the first axis Ax1 is along the horizontal direction (x direction).

[0026] The specific configuration of the support unit 2 is not limited in any way, and in the example shown in Figures 1 to 8, it has a bottom base 21, a pair of support legs 22, a plurality of operation buttons 23, a left-right swing motor 24, and a left-right swing gear 25.

[0027] The bottom base 21 houses one or more support legs 22, a plurality of operation buttons 23, at least a portion of the left-right oscillation motor 24 and the left-right oscillation gear 25, and the control unit 4. The material of the bottom base 21 is not limited in any way, and for example, resin is used. In the illustrated example, the bottom base 21 has an upper base 211 and a lower base 212. The upper base 211 is located directly below the blower unit 1 in the z direction and includes, for example, a short cylindrical portion and a disk-shaped portion connected to the short cylindrical portion. The lower base 212 is located directly below the upper base 211 in the z direction and has, for example, a disk shape.

[0028] The support legs 22 support the blower unit 1 so that it can swing around the first axis Ax1. The pair of support legs 22 are spaced apart from each other in the x direction and extend in the z direction as a whole. The support legs 22 are formed, for example, from metal or the like, but are not limited to this. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the motor cover 12 of the blower unit 1 is supported near the upper ends of the pair of support legs 22 in the z direction so that it can swing around the first axis Ax1. In this example, the motor cover 12 is sandwiched between the pair of support legs 22 in the y direction. Furthermore, the lower parts of the pair of support legs 22 are supported by the upper base 211.

[0029] The plurality of operation buttons 23 are used by the user to operate the blower A1 and are arranged, for example, in circular holes in the upper base 211. Each of the plurality of operation buttons 23 is configured by various types of operation means, for example, a push button, a touch button (electrostatic touch), a touch slider, etc. A display unit such as a lamp is provided in the upper base 211 near the plurality of operation buttons 23. This lamp is configured, for example, by an LED (Light Emitting Diode), but is not limited to this.

[0030] The left-right swing motor 24 is a drive source for rotating the upper base 211, the support legs 22, and the blower unit 1 about the second axis Ax2 relative to the lower base 212. The second axis Ax2 may be along any direction, and in this example, it is along the z direction (up-down direction). The left-right swing motor 24 is driven and controlled by, for example, the control unit 4.

[0031] The left-right swing gear 25 is an example of a rotation mechanism that rotates the upper base 211, the support legs 22, and the blower unit 1 about the second axis Ax2 relative to the lower base 212 by the driving force of the left-right swing motor 24. In this example, the left-right swing gear 25 meshes with another gear arranged in the bottom base 21, thereby swinging the upper base 211, the support legs 22, and the blower unit 1 left and right.

[0032] The oscillating mechanism 3 is a mechanism for oscillating the blower unit 1 about the first axis Ax1 relative to the support unit 2. The specific configuration of the oscillating mechanism 3 is not limited in any way, and in the illustrated example, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, it includes a vertical oscillating motor 31, a first vertical oscillating gear 32, and a second vertical oscillating gear 33.

[0033] The vertical oscillation motor 31 is a drive source for oscillating the blower unit 1 about the first axis Ax1 relative to the support unit 2. The specific configuration of the vertical oscillation motor 31 is not limited in any way, and various electric motors can be used, such as a stepping motor. In the illustrated example, the vertical oscillation motor 31 is supported inside the motor cover 12.

[0034] The first vertical swing gear 32 is connected to the output shaft of the vertical swing motor 31 and rotates when driven by the vertical swing motor 31. In the illustrated example, the first vertical swing gear 32 is supported by the motor cover 12 together with the vertical swing motor 31.

[0035] The second vertical swing gear 33 meshes with the first vertical swing gear 32 to swing the blower unit 1 around the first axis Ax1 relative to the support unit 2. As shown in FIG. 7 , the second vertical swing gear 33 is an arc-shaped plate member centered on the first axis Ax1 and includes a plurality of teeth arranged in an arc on its inner surface (the surface facing the motor cover 12). The orientation (position) and range of these teeth determine the total range (predetermined range Ra) over which the blower unit 1 swings up and down relative to the support unit 2 (see FIG. 9 ). Note that the predetermined range Ra may be determined not only by mechanical factors but also by factors based on electrical control by the control unit 4 using a sensor or the like. As shown in FIG. 7 , the second vertical swing gear 33 is fixed to one (right) support leg 22 with a fixing member such as a bolt.

[0036] The control unit 4 is for controlling the operation of the blower A1, and controls the driving of the blower motor 13, the left-right swing motor 24, the up-down swing motor 31, etc. The specific configuration of the control unit 4 is not limited in any way, and includes, for example, a CPU, memory, a communication interface, etc. In this example, the control unit 4 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper base 211.

[0037] Next, the control of the oscillating mechanism 3 by the control unit 4 in the blower A1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 shows an example of the vertical oscillating range of the blower A1. In this example, the first axis Ax1 is aligned horizontally. The oscillating mechanism 3 oscillates the blower unit 1 around the first axis Ax1 relative to the support unit 2 within a predetermined range Ra. The specific extent of the predetermined range Ra is determined by the mechanical structure of the oscillating mechanism 3, limitations imposed by the electrical control of the control unit 4, and the like. In the illustrated example, the predetermined range Ra is set so that the angle θ between the airflow direction Da and the horizontal plane is, for example, 0° to 60°. Note that the angle θ takes a positive value when the airflow direction Da points upward in the z direction relative to the horizontal plane (i.e., a so-called elevation angle). FIG. 9 shows a state in which the angle θ is 30°. In this case, air is blown from the blower unit 1 in a direction diagonally upward by 30° relative to the horizontal plane.

[0038] In this example, the predetermined range Ra includes multiple ranges: a first vertical range R1 (middle range), a second vertical range R2 (upper range), and a third vertical range R3 (lower range). The number of ranges is not limited; in this example, it is three, but it may also be two, four, or more. The first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, and the third vertical range R3 are each narrower than the predetermined range Ra. For example, the first vertical range R1 is set to a range of 15° to 50°, the second vertical range R2 is set to a range of 35° to 60°, and the third vertical range R3 is set to a range of 0° to 25°. As shown in FIG. 9 , the overlapping range of the first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, and the third vertical range R3 constitutes the predetermined range Ra.

[0039] The second vertical range R2 includes a region above the first vertical range R1 in the z direction (the side where the angle θ is larger). The third vertical range R3 includes a region below the first vertical range R1 in the z direction (the side where the angle θ is smaller). In this example, the first vertical range R1 and the second vertical range R2 only partially overlap each other. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the upper angle range of the first vertical range R1 and the lower angle range of the second vertical range R2 overlap each other. Furthermore, the first vertical range R1 and the third vertical range R3 only partially overlap each other. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the lower angle range of the first vertical range R1 and the upper angle range of the third vertical range R3 overlap each other.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the blower A1. The horizontal axis represents time t, and the vertical axis represents the angle θ and the airflow state from the blower unit 1. At time t1, the blower A1 is started by operating the power button among the multiple operation buttons 23. This causes the control unit 4 to drive the blower motor 13, switching the airflow state from OFF to ON. In the up-and-down oscillation pattern shown in FIG. 10 , the blower unit 1 first oscillates vertically within the first up-and-down range R1 (medium operation mode). Specifically, the control unit 4 controls the oscillation mechanism 3, causing the blower unit 1 to oscillate up and down between angle θ2 (lower limit angle) and angle θ5 (upper limit angle). As a result, air is blown from the blower unit 1 to the area in the first up-and-down range R1 where the airflow direction Da faces. In this way, the medium operation mode is a mode in which the blower unit 1 is controlled to oscillate while blowing air within the first up-and-down range R1.

[0041] Next, at time t2, the second up-down range R2 is selected by operating the up-down swing button among the multiple operation buttons 23. The control unit 4 controls the swing mechanism 3 to swing the blower unit 1 up and down between angle θ4 (lower limit angle) and angle θ6 (upper limit angle) (upper operation mode). As a result, from time t2 onwards, air is blown from the blower unit 1 to the area in the second up-down range R2 where the air blowing direction Da faces. In this way, the upper operation mode is a mode in which the blower unit 1 is controlled to blow air while swinging in the second up-down range R2.

[0042] Next, at time t3, the third up-down range R3 is selected by operating the up-down swing button among the multiple operation buttons 23. The control unit 4 controls the swing mechanism 3 to swing the blower unit 1 up and down between angle θ1 (lower limit angle 0°) and angle θ3 (upper limit angle) (downward operation mode). As a result, from time t3 onwards, air is blown from the blower unit 1 to the area in the third up-down range R3 where the air blowing direction Da faces. In this way, the downward operation mode is a mode in which the blower unit 1 is controlled to blow air while swinging in the third up-down range R3.

[0043] Then, at time t4, the operation of the blower A1 is stopped by operating the power button among the plurality of operation buttons 23. The control unit 4 stops the blower motor 13 and the up-and-down swing motor 31.

[0044] Next, the operation of the blower A1 will be described.

[0045] According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 , the blower unit 1 can be swung up and down to blow air in any of the first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, and the third vertical range R3. This allows for selective (local) blowing of air to a desired area, compared to when the blower unit 1 swung to blow air over the entire predetermined range Ra. The angle θ at which air should be blown may vary depending on the laundry hanging in the room, its hanging height, its horizontal distance from the blower A1, and other factors. In such cases, the blower unit 1 can more intensively blow air toward the laundry, allowing the laundry to dry more efficiently and in a shorter time.

[0046] The first vertical range R1, etc. is set above the horizontal direction, so that air can be efficiently blown to laundry and other items hanging above the fan A1 while avoiding excessive airflow toward a user positioned horizontally relative to the fan A1.

[0047] The second vertical range R2 includes an area located higher in the z direction than the first vertical range R1, allowing the air blower unit 1 to oscillate and blow air within a more preferable height range depending on the height at which the laundry is hung, etc.

[0048] The first vertical range R1 and the second vertical range R2 partially overlap each other, which allows the swing angle in each range to be increased, allowing laundry that is long in the vertical direction to be dried more evenly, for example.

[0049] 11 to 15 show other embodiments of the present invention. In these figures, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the configurations of the various parts in each of the modified examples and each of the embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate to the extent that no technical contradictions arise.

[0050] 11 and 12 show a blower according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A blower A2 of this embodiment differs from the above-described blower A1 in the setting of multiple ranges within the predetermined range Ra.

[0051] In this embodiment, the predetermined range Ra includes a first vertical range R1, a second vertical range R2, and a third vertical range R3 as multiple ranges. As shown in FIG. 11 , the first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, and the third vertical range R3 do not partially overlap each other. Furthermore, the upper and lower limits of adjacent ranges in the first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, and the third vertical range R3 coincide with each other. In other words, in this embodiment, the predetermined range Ra can be said to be divided into a plurality of ranges: the first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, and the third vertical range R3.

[0052] 12 , when the oscillation range of the blower A2 is set to the first vertical range R1, the controller 4 controls the oscillation mechanism 3 so that the airflow direction Da reciprocates between an angle θ2 (the lower limit angle of the first vertical range R1) and an angle θ3 (the upper limit angle of the first vertical range R1). When the oscillation range is set to the second vertical range R2, the controller 4 controls the oscillation mechanism 3 so that the airflow direction Da reciprocates between an angle θ3 (the lower limit angle of the second vertical range R2) and an angle θ4 (the upper limit angle of the second vertical range R2). When the oscillation range is set to the third vertical range R3, the controller 4 controls the oscillation mechanism 3 so that the airflow direction Da reciprocates between an angle θ1 (the lower limit angle of the first vertical range R1) and an angle θ2 (the upper limit angle of the first vertical range R1).

[0053] The air blower A2 according to this embodiment can also dry laundry more efficiently. As can be understood from this embodiment, the multiple ranges in the present invention may be configured so that parts of each range overlap with each other, or may not overlap with each other.

[0054] [Third Embodiment] Figure 13 is a timing chart showing the operation of a blower according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the blower is configured to be switchable between a mode in which the blower unit 1 is controlled to oscillate and blow air over the entire predetermined range Ra, and a mode in which the blower unit 1 is controlled to oscillate and blow air within one of a plurality of ranges (either a first vertical range R1, a second vertical range R2, or a third vertical range R3). In the illustrated example, the plurality of ranges are set to the same as the first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, and the third vertical range R3 of the blower A1, but are not limited thereto.

[0055] For example, when blower A1 is started at time t1, the vertical oscillation range is set to first vertical range R1. Therefore, controller 4 controls oscillation mechanism 3 so that airflow direction Da reciprocates up and down between angles θ2 and θ5. Next, at time t2, a predetermined range Ra is selected as the oscillation range by operating the up / down oscillation button among the multiple operation buttons 23. This causes controller 4 to control oscillation mechanism 3 so that airflow direction Da reciprocates up and down between angles θ1 (lower limit angle) and θ6 (upper limit angle). Furthermore, at time t3, when a second vertical range R2 is selected as the vertical oscillation range of blower unit 1 by operating the up / down oscillation button among the multiple operation buttons 23, oscillation mechanism 3 controls oscillation mechanism 3 so that airflow direction Da reciprocates up and down between angles θ4 (lower limit angle) and θ6 (upper limit angle).

[0056] This embodiment also allows for efficient drying of laundry. Furthermore, the air conditioner is configured to be switchable between a mode in which the air blower unit 1 is controlled to blow air while oscillating over the entire predetermined range Ra and a mode in which the air blower unit 1 is controlled to blow air while oscillating within one of a plurality of ranges (either the first vertical range R1, the second vertical range R2, or the third vertical range R3). This allows for arbitrary switching between blowing air over the widest vertical range by the air blower A1 and selectively (spot-wise) blowing air to a specific area. This allows for both agitating air over as wide a range as possible in the room and efficiently drying laundry hung in a specified position.

[0057] 14 and 15 show an operation section and an operation flowchart of a blower according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The operation section 5 shown in FIG. 14 is used to operate the blower A1. The specific configuration of the operation section 5 is not limited in any way, and in the illustrated example, the operation section 5 is a so-called remote control. The operation section 5 transmits operation signals to the blower A1 by wireless means such as infrared rays.

[0058] The operation unit 5 has, for example, a plurality of operation buttons 51 to 55. The two operation buttons 51 are buttons for swinging the blower unit 1 up and down. The two operation buttons 52 are buttons for swinging the blower unit 1 horizontally. Specifically, one operation button 52 is a button for swinging the blower unit 1 rightward, and the other operation button 52 is a button for swinging the blower unit 1 leftward. The operation button 53 is a button for adjusting the volume of air blown from the blower unit 1. The two operation buttons 54 are buttons for setting the swing mode of the blower unit 1. Specifically, one operation button 54 is a button for controlling the up and down swing of the blower unit 1, and the other operation button 54 is a button for controlling the left and right swing of the blower unit 1. The two operation buttons 55 are buttons for setting timer operation (on timer or off timer). For example, in the above-described fans A1 to A3, when the swing range of the blower unit 1 is changed, the operation button 54 is pressed to sequentially change the swing range.

[0059] An example of the operation of the blower of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. In the blower of this embodiment, the control unit 4 has an automatic operation mode in which the control unit 4 controls the blower unit 1 to blow air while oscillating up and down within a predetermined range Ra or one range (for example, one of the first up-down range R1, the second up-down range R2, and the third up-down range R3), and a manual operation mode in which the control unit 4 controls the blower unit 1 to blow air while oscillating by operating the operation buttons 51 and 52.

[0060] Specifically, the blower starts operation (step S0), and then starts the automatic operation mode (step S1). In the automatic operation mode, the blower unit 1 oscillates and blows air within a predetermined range Ra or within a first vertical range R1, a second vertical range R2, or a third vertical range R3. The automatic operation mode continues as long as the blower unit 1 is not oscillated using the operation buttons 51 and 52 (step S2: No).

[0061] When the operation buttons 51 and 52 are used to perform the oscillation operation (step S2: Yes), the control unit 4 switches the operation mode of the blower from the automatic operation mode to the manual operation mode (step S3). In the manual operation mode, the control unit 4 controls the up-down oscillation motor 31 and the left-right oscillation motor 24 by operating the operation buttons 51 and 52. For example, while the upper operation button 51 of the two operation buttons 51 in FIG. 14 is pressed, the control unit 4 controls the up-down oscillation motor 31 so that the airflow direction Da moves upward in the z direction (so that the angle θ increases). At this time, air continues to be blown from the blower unit 1. Alternatively, while the lower operation button 51 of the two operation buttons 51 is pressed, the control unit 4 controls the up-down oscillation motor 31 so that the airflow direction Da moves downward in the z direction (so that the angle θ decreases). In the manual operation mode, the left-right oscillation motor 24 can also be controlled in a similar manner.

[0062] In the manual operation mode, when the operation buttons 51 and 52 are not operated, the control unit 4 may cause the blower unit 1 to blow air while stopping the up-down and left-right swinging motion of the blower unit 1.

[0063] For example, when the automatic operation mode is selected by pressing the right operation button 54 of the two operation buttons 54 in Fig. 14 (step S4: Yes), the control unit 4 starts the automatic operation mode in step S1. On the other hand, when the automatic operation mode is not selected (step S4: No), the manual operation mode may continue until an operation to end operation is performed (step S5: No). When an operation to end operation is performed (step S5: Yes), the control unit 4 stops driving the blower motor 13, the up-and-down oscillation motor 31, etc., and ends the operation of the blower (step S6).

[0064] This embodiment also allows for efficient drying of laundry. In addition, the automatic operation mode, in which the air blower unit 1 automatically oscillates within the first vertical range R1, etc., can be easily switched to the manual operation mode, in which the air blower unit 1 is oscillated in the direction intended by the user using the operation unit 5.

[0065] The blower according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the blower according to the present invention can be freely modified in various ways.

[0066] A1, A2, A3: blower, 1: blower unit, 2: support unit, 3: oscillating mechanism, 4: control unit, 5: operation unit, 11: blower case, 12: motor cover, 13: blower motor, 14: fan, 21: bottom base, 22: support legs, 23: operation button, 24: left-right oscillating motor, 25: left-right oscillating gear, 31: up-down oscillating motor, 32: first up-down oscillating gear , 33: second up / down swing gear, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55: operation buttons, 111: air intake, 112: air outlet, 211: upper base, 212: lower base, Ax1: first axis, Ax2: second axis, Da: air blow direction, R1: first up / down range, R2: second up / down range, R3: third up / down range, Ra: predetermined range, θ, θ1, θ2, θ3, θ4, θ5, θ6: angles

Claims

1. A blower comprising: a blower unit; a support unit that supports the blower unit; a swivel mechanism that swivels the blower unit around a first axis relative to the support unit within a predetermined range; and a control unit that controls the swivel mechanism, wherein the predetermined range includes a plurality of ranges that are each narrower than the predetermined range and whose overlapping ranges form the predetermined range, and the control unit controls the swivel mechanism so that the blower unit swivels and blows air within at least one of the plurality of ranges.

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the first axis is aligned with the horizontal direction, and the blowing direction of the blower section is oriented above the horizontal direction within the one range.

3. The blower of claim 2, wherein the plurality of ranges include a first vertical range and a second vertical range, the second vertical range includes an area above the first vertical range, and the control unit is configured to be switchable between a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating in the first vertical range, and a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating in the second vertical range.

4. The blower according to claim 3, wherein the first vertical range and the second vertical range only partially overlap each other.

5. A blower as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit is configured to be able to switch between a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating over the entire predetermined range, and a mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating within the one range.

6. A blower as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an operation unit having an operation button for operating the oscillating operation of the blower unit, wherein the control unit has an automatic operation mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating within the predetermined range or one of the ranges, and a manual operation mode in which the blower unit is controlled to blow air while oscillating in accordance with operation input from the operation button, and when the operation button is operated in the automatic operation mode, the blower switches from the automatic operation mode to the manual operation mode.

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