CN113446264B

CN113446264B - Blower and washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN113446264B
Application number: CN202010953358.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 塚本和宽; 佐佐木聪凛; 本多武史; 川村圭三; 藁谷二郎; 菅原道太
Original assignee: Hitachi Global Life Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi Global Life Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2020-03-26
Filing date: 2020-09-11
Publication date: 2024-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-11
Also published as: CN113446264A; JP2021156209A; JP7299188B2

Abstract

The invention provides a fan capable of achieving both miniaturization and high efficiency and a washing machine with the fan. It comprises the following steps: a motor; a rotation shaft rotatably provided to the motor; an impeller provided to the rotary shaft; a diffuser flow path (410) provided downstream of the centrifugal impeller (300) and composed of blades arranged in the circumferential direction; and a scroll flow path (70) provided downstream of the diffuser flow path (410) on the opposite side in the axial direction from the diffuser flow path (410). The length of the diffuser blades (401) changes with the direction W of rotation of the centrifugal impeller (300) based on the tongue end (71) of the scroll flow path (70).

Description

Blower and washing machine

Technical Field

The invention relates to a fan and a washing machine with the same.

Background

The fan rotates the impeller by the motor, and creates ventilation of air. The air flowing in from the inlet of the fan is boosted and accelerated by the impeller and decelerated in the stationary flow path, and thus kinetic energy of the flowing air is converted into pressure energy, and the pressure rises. In order to obtain a highly efficient fan, a stationary flow path for good pressure recovery is very important. On the other hand, in the case of loading the blower in the washing machine, the blower needs to be housed in a limited space in the casing thereof, and thus, miniaturization is required. For these reasons, the fan mounted in the washing machine needs to be both efficient and compact. As a fan mounted in a washing and drying machine, there is a fan described in patent document 1. Further, regarding miniaturization of a stationary flow path portion of a fan, there is a fan described in patent document 2.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2008-104478

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open No. 10-68398

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The invention described in patent document 1 has a structure in which a blower having a housing for holding a scroll-like scroll flow path is incorporated in a washing machine, and air for drying is sent. However, in the fan described in patent document 1, the size of the fan is increased, and there is a limitation in the portion to be installed in the case.

In the invention described in patent document 2, the static pressure recovery rate is improved by providing a part of the diffuser flow path in the scroll flow path. However, in the fan described in patent document 2, in order to provide a diffuser flow path in a scroll flow path, the diffuser flow path has to be configured to rotate together with an impeller. With this structure, an increase in friction loss due to rotation of the wall surface and a decrease in efficiency due to leakage of the flow between the rotating portion and the stationary portion occur, so that it is difficult to achieve both high efficiency and downsizing.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fan capable of achieving both downsizing and high efficiency, and a washing machine having the same.

Means for solving the problems

The invention is characterized in that it comprises: a motor; a rotation shaft rotatably provided to the motor; an impeller provided on the rotating shaft; a bell mouth provided at a suction portion of the impeller; a diffuser flow path provided downstream of the impeller and composed of a plurality of blades arranged in a circumferential direction; and a scroll flow path provided outside the diffuser flow path in the radial direction of the impeller, wherein a wall surface on an inner peripheral side of the scroll flow path is constituted by both side walls provided substantially perpendicularly to the vane with the vane constituting the diffuser flow path interposed therebetween.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a blower capable of achieving both miniaturization and high efficiency and a washing machine having the same can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a washing machine in which a fan according to embodiment 1 is mounted.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing a fan according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the fan of embodiment 1 as seen from the flare side.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the fan of embodiment 1 as viewed from the motor side.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a diffuser.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the diffuser.

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a diffuser vane.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the scroll flow path of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a diffuser provided in the fan of embodiment 2.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Outer frame

2. Outer barrel

3. Rotary barrel

22. Blower fan

51. Fan cover

52. Fan shell

57. Suction inlet

57a horn mouth

58. Discharge outlet

59. Shell exhaust outlet

70. 70A, 70B vortex flow path

71A, 71B tongue end (tongue)

72. 72a, 72b lead-in paths

94A fan case side groove part

94B fan housing side groove

100. Motor with a motor housing having a motor housing with a motor housing

101. Rotary shaft

300. Centrifugal impeller (impeller)

302. Suction opening (suction portion)

400. Diffuser

400a bottom plate (sidewall)

400c diffuser outer bottom (sidewall)

401. 401A diffuser blade (blade)

402. Trailing edge

410. Diffuser flow path

412. Leading edge

420A, 420B, 420C communication portions

460. Diffuser cover (sidewall)

463. 463A cover

452,462 rib

Ax axial direction

Flow path cross-sectional area of A1, A2, B1, B2 communicating portions

Flow path cross section of A10 and B10 vortex flow paths

R1 inlet diameter (inlet diameter of diffuser flow path)

S-shaped washing machine

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(embodiment 1)

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine equipped with a fan according to embodiment 1. In the following, a vertical washing and drying machine is exemplified, but the present invention is applicable to a drum type washing and drying machine in which an inlet and outlet for laundry is formed in the front surface side.

As shown in fig. 1, the washing machine S includes: an outer frame 1 as a box body, an outer tub 2 for storing washing water, a rotary tub 3, a driving motor 10, a blower 22, and the like. The outer tub 2 is built in the outer frame 1, and is supported by the outer frame 1 in a vibration-proof manner. The rotary tub 3 is a washing and dehydrating tub for accommodating laundry such as washed and dried laundry, and is provided inside the outer tub 2. In addition, the rotary tub 3 is rotatably supported in the outer tub 2.

At the bottom of the rotary tub 3, a stirring wing 4 for stirring laundry to be washed is rotatably provided. The stirring blade 4 repeats normal rotation and reverse rotation during the washing operation and the drying operation.

In addition, during the dewatering operation, the stirring blade 4 rotates at a high speed together with the rotary tub 3, and dewaters the water contained in the laundry in the rotary tub 3.

The driving motor 10 is provided in the outer frame 1, and drives the stirring vane 4 and the rotary tub 3 to rotate.

In addition, the driving motor 10 uses, for example, a DC brushless motor. The DC brushless motor is performed by vector control. In the present embodiment, the stirring vane 4 and the rotary tub 3 are directly rotationally driven by the driving motor 10, but may be driven by a belt or the like (not shown).

In addition, an outer cover 5 is provided on the upper portion of the outer frame 1. The cover 5 is provided to be openable and closable in a top cover 6 provided on the upper portion of the outer frame 1. An inner lid 34 is provided in an openable and closable manner at an upper portion of the outer tub 2. By opening the outer lid 5 and the inner lid 34, laundry can be moved in and out of the rotary tub 3.

In addition, a water supply unit 7 is provided on the back side of the top cover 6 in the outer frame 1.

The water supply unit 7 has a water tank (not shown) having a plurality of water paths therein, and supplies tap water and bath water from the water supply hose connection port 8 to the tub 2. A detergent/finishing agent charging device 35 is provided on the front side of the top cover 6. The detergent and the finishing agent are injected between the outer tub 2 and the rotary tub 3 by the injection hose 36.

In addition, the washing machine S includes a drying mechanism 9. The drying mechanism 9 circulates drying air for drying the laundry in the rotary tub 3, and dehumidifies the laundry. In addition, most of the drying mechanism 9 is occupied by the drying air circulation path. The drying air circulation path includes a bottom circulation path 20 connected to communicate with the bottom of the outer tub 2, and a dehumidification longitudinal path 21 extending upward from the bottom circulation path 20.

The suction side of the blower 22 is connected to the upper side of the longitudinal dehumidifying passage 21. The discharge side of the blower 22 is connected in communication with the return connection circulation path 25. A dry filter 45 is disposed between the fan 22 and the vertical passage 21 for dehumidification so that foreign matter does not flow into the fan 22. Further, details of the blower 22 will be described later.

The return connection circulation path 25 has an upper bellows 23, and is connected to communicate with the upper portion of the outer tub 2 via the upper bellows 23. The bottom circulation path 20 also has a lower bellows 26 connected in communication with the bottom of the outer tub 2 via the lower bellows 26.

The lower bellows 26 is connected to a bottom lowering portion 31 of the outer tub 2. The bottom lowering portion 31 communicates with a wash water drain 42 and a wash water circulation water path 43 via a lower communication pipe 41. A drain valve 44 is provided in the wash water drain line 42. The washing water circulation water path 43 is provided with a foreign matter removal trap 32.

The drain valve 44 is closed at the time of the washing operation or the drying operation. The drain valve 44 is opened when the washing water is drained, and the washing water or rinse water stored in the outer tub 2 is drained from the washing water drain 42 to the outside (outside) of the washing machine S.

The washing water circulation water path 43 is connected to the washing water circulation water longitudinal water path 46. The washing water circulating water longitudinal channel 46 rises along the outer side surface of the outer tub 2, extends to the upper side of the rotary tub 3, and is connected to communicate with the washing thread removing device 33 provided at the upper side of the rotary tub 3.

The washing water or the rinsing water stored in the outer tub 2 is injected so as to circulate in the washing water circulating water passage 46 and spread from the washing thread removing device 33 to the rotary tub 3. The water is injected continuously for the dispersion, and the washing and rinsing are performed, so that the washing and rinsing are performed with less water.

In addition, the washing machine S includes a water level sensor 47 that detects the level of the washing water or the rinsing water accumulated in the tub 2. A deodorizing air valve (air trap) 50 is provided near the bottom of the outer tub 2. An air pipe 49 is connected to communicate with the deodorizing air valve 50. A water level sensor 47 is connected in communication with the upper end of the air tube 49. The water level sensor 47 senses a water level fluctuation in the outer tub 2 to perform water level detection.

In the washing machine S, the centrifugal impeller 300 (see fig. 2) of the fan 22 rotates, and the drying air circulates in the rotary tub 3 to dry the laundry in the rotary tub 3. In addition, the drying air whose moisture condenses in the dehumidification region is heated again by the electric heater 24 (see fig. 3) of the fan 22 and circulated through the rotary tub 3, so that the moisture of the laundry is further evaporated. The laundry is dried by repeating the removal of the moisture in the circulation of the drying air.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing a fan according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 2, the fan 22 includes a fan housing 51, a fan case 52, a motor 100, a centrifugal impeller 300, a diffuser 400 (see fig. 3), and an electric heater 24 (see fig. 3). When the blower 22 is mounted in the washing machine S (see fig. 1), for example, the blower housing 51 of the blower 22 is provided in the outer frame 1 (see fig. 1) so as to be substantially downward.

The fan cover 51 is formed with a suction port 57 and a discharge port 58. The suction port 57 is connected to the longitudinal dehumidification passage 21 (see fig. 1) via a dry filter 45 (see fig. 1). The discharge port 58 is connected to the return connection circulation path 25 (see fig. 1) of the drying air circulation path.

As shown in fig. 3, the fan cover 51 has a shape elongated in one direction, a suction port 57 is formed on one of the longitudinal directions, and a discharge port 58 is formed on the other longitudinal direction. The suction port 57 is a circular through hole, and faces the center of the suction opening 302 (suction portion) of the centrifugal impeller 300. Further, a flare 57a is provided in the suction port 57.

The discharge port 58 is a circular through hole, and is located downstream of the electric heater 24. The diameter of the discharge port 58 is larger than the diameter of the suction port 57. The suction port 57 and the discharge port 58 are formed to face in substantially the same direction.

Further, a substantially annular protruding portion 51a of the fan cover 51 protrudes toward the flare 57a side in the axial direction Ax and is formed around the suction port 57. The axial direction Ax is a direction in which the rotation shaft 101 of the motor 100 extends. The fan cover 51 is formed with a substantially rectangular protruding portion 51b at a position where the electric heater 24 is provided.

Further, screw fixing portions 91 screwed to the fan case 52 are formed at a plurality of positions on the peripheral edge portion of the fan cover 51.

The fan case 52 has a shape corresponding to the fan cover 51. When the fan casing 52 and the fan cover 51 are combined, a space in which the centrifugal impeller 300, the diffuser 400, and the electric heater 24 are disposed is formed between the fan cover 51 and the fan casing 52.

The fan case 52 has a scroll flow path 70A formed on the back side (motor 100 side) where the diffuser 400 is disposed. The scroll flow path 70A is formed so that the flow path width on the tongue end 71 side is narrow, and the flow path width gradually increases from the tongue end 71 in the clockwise direction. Further, the tongue end 71 is a start point of the scroll flow path 70A. The outlet of the scroll flow path 70A is the housing discharge port 59.

The fan case 52 is formed with an introduction path 72a for introducing air from the scroll flow path 70A to the electric heater 24. The electric heater 24 includes a plurality of fins, and heats air flowing out of the scroll flow path 70A and passing through the introduction path 72a. The introduction path 72a is formed such that the flow path width becomes wider toward the electric heater 24. In detail, the introduction path 72a is formed so as to be widened to a width substantially equal to the width of the heating portion (portion where the fins 24a are arranged) of the electric heater 24. By combining the fan case 52 and the fan cover 51, the introduction path 72 is formed along the rectangular heating portion shape of the electric heater 24.

The fan case 52 is formed with a flow path 77 communicating with the discharge port 58 of the fan housing 51 on the downstream side of the electric heater 24. The bottom surface 77a of the flow path 77 is inclined so as to rise toward the discharge port 58.

In addition, the fan case 52 has a shape protruding in the width direction so that a position away from the heating portion (the portion of the fin 24 a) of the electric heater 24 does not become an obstacle to the circulation of air.

In the fan case 52, a shaft insertion hole 80 is formed for inserting the rotary shaft 101 of the motor 100 into the center of the scroll flow path 70A. Further, a screw insertion portion 92 through which a screw (not shown) is inserted into a position of the fan cover 51 corresponding to the screw fixing portion 91 is formed at an outer peripheral edge portion of the fan case 52.

In the fan case 52, screw holes 93 for fixing the diffuser 400 to the fan case 52 are formed in a plurality of places (4 places in the present embodiment) between the shaft insertion hole 80 and the scroll flow path 70. These screw holes 93 are formed so as to surround the shaft insertion hole 80. Further, the fan case 52 has a circular recess 93a formed at the periphery of the screw hole 93.

Further, a fan case side groove 94A (concave groove) is formed in the fan case 52 on the radial outer peripheral side of the screw hole 93. The fan case side groove 94A is formed in an annular shape between the suction port 57 and the scroll passage 70A.

The motor 100 has a rotation shaft 101 coupled to the centrifugal impeller 300 at the center in the radial direction, and is mounted to the fan case 52. Further, the motor 100 includes: a rotor (rotor) fixed to the rotary shaft 101, a stator (stator) provided around the rotor, and a bearing rotatably supporting the rotary shaft 101. The motor 100 further includes a substantially cylindrical case (case) 102 accommodating the rotor, the stator, and the bearing.

The centrifugal impeller 300 is constituted by combining a shroud plate 301, a hub plate 311, and blades 321. The shroud plate 301 is formed with a circular suction opening 302 at the center in the radial direction. The hub plate 311 is formed with a shaft hole (not shown) for fixing the rotary shaft 101. The blades 321 are configured by sandwiching the shroud plate 301 and the hub plate 311 from both sides in the axial direction Ax.

The inner diameter ends of the blades 321 of the centrifugal impeller 300 are located radially outward of the suction opening 302 (see fig. 3). The centrifugal impeller 300 is configured such that the outer diameter end portions of the blades 321 substantially coincide with the outer peripheral edge portions of the shroud plate 301 and the outer peripheral edge portions of the hub plate 311.

In embodiment 1, the closed centrifugal impeller 300 having the shroud plate 301 is illustrated, but an open centrifugal impeller may be provided in which the hub plate 311 and the blades 321 are integrally molded with resin. This reduces the number of components and reduces the cost. In addition, by performing resin molding, three-dimensional formation becomes easy, and high efficiency is achieved.

Further, the three-dimensionalization is formed by further applying a twist to the blade. Thereby, efficiency is further improved.

In addition, in embodiment 1, the turbo fan having the backward blade is exemplified, but the sirocco fan having the forward blade may also be applied. The shape of the impeller is not limited to the centrifugal type, and may be a diagonal flow type. By adopting the diagonal flow type, the outer diameter of the impeller can be reduced in size, and the blower 22 can be reduced in size.

As shown in fig. 4, the fan cover 51 has a substantially annular scroll flow path 70B formed on the back side of an annular protruding portion 51a (see fig. 3). The scroll flow path 70B is formed at a position facing the scroll flow path 70A, and the flow path width is gradually widened from the tongue end 71B toward the downstream side. The tongue end 71B is a start point of the scroll flow path 70B, and has a shape overlapping the tongue end 71A of the fan case 52 in the axial direction Ax.

The fan cover 51 is provided with a swirl flow path 70B on the flare 57a side where the diffuser 400 is disposed. The scroll flow path 70B is formed so that the flow path width on the tongue end portion 71B side is narrow, and the flow path width gradually increases in the counterclockwise direction from the tongue end portion 71B. Further, the tongue end 71A is a start point of the scroll flow path 70A. The outlet of the scroll flow path 70A is the housing discharge port 59.

The fan housing 51 is formed with an introduction path 72B for introducing air from the scroll flow path 70B to the electric heater 24 (see fig. 3). The introduction path 72B of the fan cover 51 is also configured such that the flow path width widens downstream from the tongue end 71B, as in the introduction path 72a of the fan case 52. By combining the introduction path 72a of the fan case 52 and the introduction path 72b of the fan cover 51, the introduction path 72 is formed in a shape along the rectangular heating portion of the electric heater 24.

A fan cover side groove 94B is formed between the suction port 57 and the scroll passage 70B on the inner side of the fan cover 51. The fan case side groove 94B is an annular groove.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a diffuser.

As shown in fig. 5, the diffuser 400 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and has a circular bottom plate 400a facing the surface of the centrifugal impeller 300 (see fig. 3) in the axial direction Ax.

The bottom plate 400a has a circular through hole 400b formed in the center in the radial direction. The through hole 400b is formed to have a larger diameter than the shaft insertion hole 80 (see fig. 3) of the fan case 52. Further, screw insertion holes 430 through which screws (not shown) for fixing the diffuser 400 to the fan case 52 are inserted are formed in a plurality of positions around the through holes 400b in the bottom plate 400a. The screw insertion hole 430 is formed in a position of the fan case 52 corresponding to (facing) the screw hole 93 (see fig. 3).

Further, the diffuser 400 is formed with a recess 430a at the periphery of the screw insertion hole 430 so that the head of a screw (not shown) does not protrude from the surface (upper surface shown) of the bottom plate 400a. Accordingly, when the centrifugal impeller 300 (see fig. 3) rotates, the distance between the bottom plate 400a and the centrifugal impeller 300 is reduced, and the centrifugal impeller 300 does not come into contact with a screw (not shown).

A diffuser outer bottom surface portion (side wall) 400c formed higher than the bottom plate 400a in one step in the axial direction Ax is formed integrally with the outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate 400a. On the upper surface (surface on the fan cover 51 side) of the diffuser outer bottom surface 400c in the axial direction Ax, diffuser blades 401 (blades) are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

The diffuser 400 has a circular opening 461 formed on the upper surface side (suction port 57 side). The opening 461 is located slightly on the inner diameter side of the end (leading edge 412) on the inner peripheral side of the diffuser blade 401. The diameter of the opening 461 is the inlet diameter of the diffuser flow path 410 described later.

Further, the diffuser 400 is formed with an annular rib 462 protruding in the axial direction Ax along the edge of the opening 461. The rib 462 has a diameter R1 that is the same as the outer diameter R2 of the centrifugal impeller 300. That is, by setting the inlet diameter of the rib 462 to be the same as the outer diameter of the centrifugal impeller 300, the centrifugal impeller 300 can be made to pass through the opening 461 of the rib 462 and pass through in the axial direction Ax.

The diffuser 400 has substantially triangular communication portions 420A and 420B perpendicular to the axial direction Ax at the outer peripheral edge portion. The communication portion 420A is formed of a surface perpendicular to the axial direction Ax, and is located on the scroll flow path 70A (see fig. 3). The communication portion 420B is formed of a surface perpendicular to the axial direction Ax, and is located on the scroll flow path 70B (fig. 4). In embodiment 1, the flow path cross-sectional area A1 of the communication portion 420A and the flow path cross-sectional area B1 of the communication portion 420B are formed in the same manner.

The diffuser 400 has a shielding member 470 formed on the side of the scroll flow path 70B (see fig. 3). The shielding member 470 has a flat plate shape, and blocks the swirling flow path 70B of the tongue end portion 71B to prevent backflow from downstream to upstream.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the diffuser. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the diffuser 400 from the bottom side.

As shown in fig. 6, the diffuser 400 includes a diffuser body 450 in which diffuser blades 401 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and a diffuser cover (side wall) 460 that closes the peripheral edge portion of the diffuser body 450 from above.

The diffuser body 450 includes diffuser blades 401 arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals in a diffuser outer bottom surface 400c of an outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate 400a. The diffuser blades 401 are formed to extend slightly curved so as to be located outside from the inside in the radial direction.

Further, an annular rib 452 is formed on the lower surface of the diffuser body 450 so as to pass through the radially outer sides of all the screw insertion holes 430.

A shielding member 453 protruding in the axial direction Ax and shielding the scroll flow path 70A is formed in the diffuser body 450. The shielding member 453 is disposed at a position of the tongue end portion 71A of the scroll flow path 70A (at a start point of the scroll flow path 70A). The shielding member 453 is configured to have a shielding portion 453a for shielding a space between the wall surface of the scroll flow path 70A and a shielding portion 453b for shielding a space between the outer peripheral side surface of the diffuser 400 and the wall surface (side surface) of the flow path.

The diffuser cover 460 has a cover 463 covering an upper portion (side opposite to the bottom plate 400 a) of a gap formed by the diffuser blade 401 on the tip end side and the diffuser blade 401 on the root end side, which are circumferentially adjacent to each other. The cover 463 is integrally formed with a cover 463 having the same shape and arranged in the circumferential direction.

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a diffuser vane. Fig. 7 shows a state in which the diffuser cover 460 is detached from the diffuser 400.

As shown in fig. 7, the diffuser blade 401 is formed in a thin plate shape and extends in the circumferential direction in a plan view. The trailing edge 402 (the other end or the outer diameter side end) of the diffuser blade 401 is located radially outward of the leading edge 412 (the one end or the inner diameter side end). In addition, the leading edge 412 of the circumferentially adjacent diffuser blade 401B (401) of the diffuser blade 401A (401) is located substantially in the center in the circumferential direction and radially inside the diffuser blade 401. In other words, the trailing edge 402 of the circumferentially adjacent diffuser blade 401A (401) of the diffuser blade 401B is located substantially in the center of the circumference and radially outside of the diffuser blade 401B. A diffuser flow path 410 described later is formed between adjacent diffuser blades 401A and 401B. The diffuser flow path 410 is formed so that the width in the radial direction gradually increases from the leading edge 412 side to the trailing edge 402 side. That is, the diffuser flow path 410 is a flow path surrounded by the adjacent diffuser blades 401A and 401B, the diffuser outer bottom surface portion 400c, and the diffuser cover portion 460.

The diffuser vane 401A (401) has a cut 404 formed so that the outer peripheral edge portion of the diffuser outer bottom surface portion 400c extends from the trailing edge 402 substantially perpendicularly to the pressure surface 403 of the adjacent diffuser vane 401B. The pressure surface 403 is a surface extending from the front edge 412 to the rear edge 402 on the radially outer side of the diffuser vane 401. The outer peripheral edge portion of the diffuser 400 is formed to be zigzag along the circumferential direction.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2.

As shown in fig. 8, a flare 57a (flare) is formed in the suction port 57 of the fan cover 51. Further, a seal member accommodating portion 51c for accommodating the annular seal member 60 around the flare 57a is formed in the fan cover 51. The seal member 60 is configured such that a part of the seal member 60 is exposed to the suction opening 302 by being sandwiched between the flare 57a and the seal member housing 51c. The seal member 60 is disposed so as to face the front end of the suction opening 302 of the centrifugal impeller 300. The flare 57a and the sealing member housing portion 51c are screwed from the inside of the fan cover 51.

A scroll flow path 70 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the diffuser 400. The scroll passage 70 includes a scroll passage 70A formed on the motor 100 side and a scroll passage 70B formed on the flare 57a side (suction port 57). The scroll flow path 70 is formed in a コ -shaped flow path cross-sectional shape in a cross section passing through the rotation shaft 101 and parallel to the rotation shaft 101. In other words, the scroll flow path 70 is formed so as to surround both sides of the axial direction Ax of the outer peripheral edge portion of the diffuser 400 and the outer peripheral side surface of the diffuser 400.

The wall surface on the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path 70A is constituted by a flow path wall surface 52s formed in the fan case 52. The flow path wall surface 52s is formed in a concave shape in cross section. That is, the flow path wall surface 52s is constituted by a bottom surface 52s1 located on the bottom side (motor 100 side), an inner side surface 52s2 located on the radial inner side, and an outer side surface 52s3 located on the radial outer side.

As shown by hatched oblique lines in fig. 8, the wall surface (side wall) on the inner peripheral side (inner side) of the scroll flow path 70A is constituted by the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate 400A of the diffuser 400. The outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate 400a includes the entire diffuser outer bottom surface 400c. In other words, the wall surface (side wall) on the inner peripheral side of the scroll flow path 70A is constituted by the bottom plate 400A located radially outward of the annular rib 452 of the diffuser 400. The rib 452 is fitted into the fan case side groove 94A via a sealing material 452a (see fig. 9).

The wall surface on the outer peripheral side of the scroll flow path 70B is constituted by a flow path wall surface 51s formed on the fan housing 51. The flow path wall surface 51s is formed in a concave shape in cross section. That is, the flow passage wall surface 51s is constituted by a top surface 51s1 located on the ceiling side (the flare 57a side), an inner surface 51s2 located on the radial inner side, and an outer surface 51s3 located on the radial outer side.

As shown by hatched oblique lines in fig. 8, the wall surface (side wall) on the inner peripheral side of the scroll flow path 70B is constituted by a diffuser cover 460 of the diffuser 400. In other words, the wall surface (side wall) on the inner peripheral side (inner side) of the scroll flow path 70B is constituted by the diffuser cover 460 located radially outward of the annular rib 462 of the diffuser 400. The rib 462 is fitted into the fan cover side groove 94B via a sealing material 462a (see fig. 9).

In the cross section passing through the rotation shaft 101 and parallel to the rotation shaft 101, the inner side surface 52s2 of the scroll passage 70A is located radially inward of the inner side surface 51s2 of the scroll passage 70B.

The inner diameter of the annular rib 462 is formed to be the same as the inlet diameter R1 of the diffuser flow path 410. That is, the centrifugal impeller 300 is configured to be capable of being inserted into the annular rib 452.

In the case 102 of the motor 100, an annular recess 102a is formed around the rotation shaft 101 so that the concave surface faces the fan case 52 side. Further, a vibration-proof rubber 105 (elastic member) is provided in the recess 102a. The motor 100 is mounted to the fan case 52 via a vibration-proof rubber 105. This can alleviate the vibration generated from the motor 100.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the scroll flow path of fig. 8.

As shown in fig. 9, the flow path cross-sectional area a10 of the scroll flow path 70A when the diffuser flow path 410 is blocked at the center of the axial direction Ax by the horizontal line H is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area B10 of the scroll flow path 70B. That is, the scroll passage 70A on the motor 100 side is formed to have a larger passage cross-sectional area than the scroll passage 70B on the flare 57a side.

The scroll flow path 70C is also formed between the diffuser blades 401 located radially outward of the diffuser 400 and the outer side surface 52s3 of the fan case 52 and the outer side surface 51s3 of the fan cover 51. In embodiment 1, the scroll flow passage 70C is illustrated, but the diffuser vane 401 may be configured to be in contact with the outer side surfaces 52s3 and 51s3, and the scroll flow passage 70C may not be formed, that is, only the communication portions 420A and 420B may be configured.

In the fan 22 configured as described above, the centrifugal impeller 300 rotates in the W direction (see fig. 3), and air (fluid) is sucked from the suction opening 302 through the bell mouth 57a and then discharged from the outer periphery of the centrifugal impeller 300. The discharged air passes through the diffuser flow path 410, changes direction and flows into the substantially triangular communication portion 420A on the motor 100 side and the communication portion 420B on the bell mouth 57a side. Then, the fluid flows into the scroll passages 70A and 70B provided on both sides of the axial direction Ax of the diffuser 400.

The air flowing through the scroll passages 70A and 70B is introduced into the introduction passages 72a and 72B through the housing discharge port 59.

In this way, by providing the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate 400A and the diffuser cover 460, which are both side walls, on both sides of the axial direction Ax of the diffuser flow path 410, the scroll flow paths 70A, 70B can be formed on both sides of the axial direction Ax of the diffuser 400. As a result, the scroll flow path 70 can be further enlarged as compared with the case where the scroll flow path is provided only on one side in the axial direction Ax of the diffuser 400 as in the related art. By making it possible to enlarge the scroll flow path 70, good pressure recovery can be obtained.

As described above, the fan 22 of embodiment 1 includes: an electric motor 100; a rotation shaft 101 rotatably provided to the motor 100; a centrifugal impeller 300 provided to the rotary shaft 101; a bell mouth 57a provided in a suction opening 302 of the centrifugal impeller 300; a diffuser flow path 410 provided downstream of the centrifugal impeller 300 and composed of a plurality of diffuser blades 401 arranged in the circumferential direction; and scroll passages 70A and 70B provided on the outer side of the centrifugal impeller 300 in the diffuser passage 410. The wall surfaces on the inner peripheral sides of the scroll flow paths 70A and 70B are constituted by a bottom plate 400A and a diffuser cover 460 (see fig. 8) provided substantially perpendicularly thereto with the diffuser vanes 401 constituting the diffuser flow path 410 interposed therebetween. Accordingly, the scroll flow paths 70A and 70B can be provided on both sides of the diffuser flow path 410 in the axial direction Ax, so that the volume of the scroll flow path 70 can be enlarged, and the fan 22 can be miniaturized and made more efficient.

In embodiment 1, the scroll flow paths 70A and 70B have a コ -shaped flow path cross-section in a cross-section passing through the rotation shaft 101 and parallel to the rotation shaft 101 (see fig. 8). This can suppress the scroll passages 70A and 70B from expanding radially outward, and can realize a smaller and more efficient fan 22.

In embodiment 1, the scroll passages 70A and 70B are provided between the bell mouth 57a and the motor 100 in the direction of the rotation shaft 101 (see fig. 8). Thus, the scroll passage 70 can be enlarged without enlarging the fan 22. In the case of a box (box) in which the filter drier 45 is attached to the flare 57a, the swirl flow path 70B does not become an obstacle when the filter drier 45 is attached.

In embodiment 1, the flow path cross-sectional area a10 of the scroll flow paths 70A and 70B on the motor 100 side is different from the flow path cross-sectional area B10 on the flare 57a side (see fig. 9). Thus, the large scroll flow path 70A can be disposed on the side having a large space.

In embodiment 1, the flow path cross-sectional area a10 on the motor 100 side is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area B10 on the bell mouth 57a side. The scroll flow path 70A having the large flow path cross-sectional area a10 can be disposed on the motor 100 side having a large space, and the fan 22 can be miniaturized.

In embodiment 1, the bottom plate 400A (diffuser outer bottom surface 400 c) of the diffuser 40 and the diffuser cover 460 have communication portions 420A and 420B having a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis 101, which communicate from the flow path between the diffuser blades 401 of the diffuser flow path 410 to the scroll flow paths 70A and 70B. The communication portion 420A is provided on the diffuser outer bottom surface portion 400c, and the communication portion 420B is provided on the diffuser cover portion 460 (see fig. 5). This effectively distributes the air flow to the respective scroll passages 70A and 70B, thereby achieving high efficiency.

In embodiment 1, both the bottom plate 400a and the diffuser cover 460 are provided with leak-proof annular ribs 452 and 462 formed substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate 400a and the diffuser cover 460. This can prevent air leakage from the scroll passages 70A and 70B.

In embodiment 1, the annular rib 462 is formed to have the same diameter as the inlet diameter of the diffuser flow path 410 (see fig. 8). Thus, the centrifugal impeller 300 can be mounted after the diffuser body 450 and the diffuser cover 460 are assembled.

In embodiment 1, the diffuser flow field 410 of the diffuser 400 having the annular ribs 452 and 462 is sandwiched between the fan case 52 and the fan cover 51 constituting the scroll flow fields 70A and 70B. The fan housing 52 can be assembled in sequence so that the fan cover 51 is attached after the diffuser 400 is attached, and assembly becomes easy.

The fan 22 of embodiment 1 is provided in the washing machine S. This makes it possible to provide the washing machine S with reduced power consumption because the loading performance is good and the input power to the fan 22 during the drying operation can be reduced. Further, since the fan can be reduced in the radial direction, when the fan of the present invention is mounted in a washing machine having the same casing, a sound absorbing material or the like can be provided in the space that is free in the radial direction, and noise reduction of the washing machine can be achieved.

(embodiment 2)

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a diffuser provided in the fan of embodiment 2. Fig. 10 is a diagram in which a diffuser 400A is mounted in place of the diffuser 400 of the blower 22 according to embodiment 1. Note that the same configuration as that of the diffuser 400 of embodiment 1 is denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 10, the diffuser 400A is configured to include a diffuser body 450A and a diffuser cover 460A. The cover 463A of the diffuser cover 460A is formed longer in the circumferential direction than the diffuser outer bottom surface portion 400c constituting the bottom surface of the diffuser flow path 410. In addition, the rear edge of the diffuser blade 401 of the diffuser body 450A is formed so as to extend to the end of the cover 463A. As a result, as shown by oblique lines, a communication portion 420C having a surface orthogonal to the axial direction Ax is formed in the diffuser cover 460A. The flow path cross-sectional area B2 of the communication portion 420C is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area A2 of the communication portion 420A. In this way, the communication portion 420A of the scroll flow path 70A having a large flow path cross-sectional area a10 (see fig. 8) is formed to be large. In other words, the side wall (bottom plate 400A) of the side wall (bottom plate 400A, diffuser cover 460A) on the side where the flow path cross-sectional areas a10, B10 of the scroll flow paths 70, 70B are larger is larger in the flow path cross-sectional areas A2, B2 of the communication portions 420A, 420C. Accordingly, more air flows through the scroll flow path 70A having a large flow path cross-sectional area a10, and less air flows through the scroll flow path 70B having a small flow path cross-sectional area B10, so that the fan 22 can be efficiently operated.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the rib 452 is formed in the bottom plate 400a and the rib 462 is formed in the diffuser cover 460, but the rib may be formed only in the diffuser cover 460 or may be formed only in the bottom plate 400a.

The ribs 462 may be formed inside the outer diameter of the centrifugal impeller 300. This can expand the radial length of the scroll passage 70B, and further expand the scroll passage 70B.

Claims

1. A blower, comprising:

a motor;

a rotation shaft rotatably provided to the motor;

an impeller provided to the rotation shaft;

a bell mouth provided at a suction portion of the impeller;

a diffuser flow path provided downstream of the impeller and composed of a plurality of blades arranged in a circumferential direction; and

a scroll flow path provided outside the diffuser flow path in the radial direction of the impeller,

the wall surface on the inner peripheral side of the scroll flow path is composed of two side walls which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the vane and sandwich the vane constituting the diffuser flow path,

the side wall includes a communication portion having a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis, which communicates from a flow path between the blades of the diffuser flow path to the scroll flow path,

the communication part is arranged on both the two side walls,

the flow path cross-sectional area of the communication portion of the side wall on the side where the flow path cross-sectional area of the scroll flow path is large.

2. The blower of claim 1, wherein:

the scroll flow passage has a コ -shaped flow passage cross-section in a cross-section passing through and parallel to the rotation axis.

3. The blower of claim 1, wherein:

the scroll flow path is provided between the bell mouth and the motor in the direction of the rotation axis.

4. The blower of claim 2, wherein:

the scroll flow passage has a flow passage cross-sectional area on the motor side that is different from a flow passage cross-sectional area on the flare side.

5. The blower of claim 4, wherein:

the flow path cross-sectional area on the motor side is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area on the bell mouth side.

6. The fan according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:

the side walls are both provided with a leak-proof rib formed substantially perpendicular to the side walls.

7. The blower of claim 6, wherein:

any one of the ribs is formed with the same diameter as the inlet diameter of the diffuser flow path.

8. The blower of claim 6, wherein:

the diffuser flow path having the ribs is sandwiched by housings constituting the scroll flow path.

9. A washing machine, characterized in that:

comprising a fan according to any of claims 1-8.