BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
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This invention relates to an air conditioner damper
which is provided in the back of a ceiling of a building and
disposed in the middle of a duct, or more particularly to
an airflow-adjusting damper.
2. Description of the Prior Art
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There has been disclosed a mechanism for
opening/closing damper vanes of a damper which is interposed
in the middle of a duct for shutting down air flow in the
duct for air conditioner and adjusting airflow amount. FIG.
43 shows a schematic sectional view of a conventional
airflow-adjusting damper. The damper shown here comprises
a box-like frame F having a predetermined thickness, a
rotation shaft S which is supported by bearing provided in
the frame F and a butterfly vane V which is rotated so as
to open/close the airflow path in the frame F, an end of the
rotation shaft S being extended and connected to a handle
or an output shaft of a motor.
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However, in the aforementioned conventional
airflow-adjusting damper, when the vane is rotated so as to
close the airflow path, air is forced to the upper and lower
ends of the vane, upon airflow control. Consequently, air
flows to the downstream all at sudden, thereby producing a
large wind noise. How this wind noise will be reduced is an
important problem for development of industrial air
conditioner dampers. Further, in the aforementioned
conventional airflow-adjusting damper, a relation between
the rotation angle and airflow is likely to change in
curved-line fashion. Particularly when the flow path is near
its full closing state, even a slight change of opening of
the vane changes airflow state suddenly. In the case of
airflow control by motor drive by comparing a target value
with a response value, hunting is produced, so that excellent
airflow control cannot be performed. Further, because the
above butterfly vane forces air toward the upper and lower
ends of the vane as described above, drift current is produced
in the downstream. Consequently, this damper is not useful
in the vicinity of an indoor air outlet and distribution of
air speed in the upstream is deviated. As a result, the
detecting accuracy of the airflow speeds sensor drops. In
the case of using this damper as a variable airflow type VAV
damper or the like, it is difficult to keep the accuracy of
its entire system in excellent condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention has been achieved to solve the
aforementioned problems, and it therefore is an object of
the invention to provide an airflow-adjusting damper which
is structured in a very simple way and capable of preventing
occurrence of a large wind noise produced when the vanes are
opened/closed, preventing drift current from being generated
in the vicinity of edges of the vanes of the damper, performing
rectification of the air flow and largely improving airflow
detection accuracy of a sensor.
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To achieve the object of the invention, a first aspect
of the present invention provides airflow-adjusting dampers
10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5 comprising each: a casing 12
in which an airflow path P is formed internally; and vane
portions 14, 62, 64 which are rotated in the casing so as
to open/close the airflow path, the vane portions 14, 62,
64 containing a plurality of vane plates 16a, 16b, 66a, 66b,
68a, 68b which are overlaid mutually, slidably mounted
thereon and have a plurality of holes 18.
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According to the first aspect, if the vane plates are
rotated in the airflow path with the rotation of the rotation
shafts, for example, they incline gradually from their full
opening state, so that airflow resistance is increased
gradually thereby restricting the airflow. When the vane
portions are rotated in this airflow path, the vane plates
of the vane portions are opened/closed with the plural holes
communicating with each other so as to form the communicating
openings. Thus, airflow is always allowed to pass through
the holes ensuring a small amount of airflow. Because
airflow is divided by the plural communicating opening and
flows in the downstream, no large wind noise is produced.
Thus, this damper can be said to be very low noise type damper.
Further, this is excellent in rectification effect and drift
current prevention effect and the sensor detecting accuracy
has been largely improved. The rotation of the rotation
shaft may be carried out by manual operation by extending
a part of the rotation shaft or carried out by a driving means
such as a motor.
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Accordingly, when the opening degree of the vane is
changed, the plural holes are made to communicate with each
other, and then air is made to flow through these plural holes
in fine division fashion. Thus, wind noise and other noise
can be prevented from occurring. Further, because air is
made to flow through the entire surface of the vane plate,
no drift current occurs when the vane plate is rotated in
the closing direction. Further, rectification of current is
carried out so as to make air to flow equally to the downstream.
Therefore, this apparatus can be installed in the vicinity
of an air conditioner and the application of this type of
the air conditioning damper can be expanded largely. Further,
because no drift current is produced, the detecting accuracy
of the air speed sensor installed in the upstream is increased
largely. Further, because the sensor detects the entire
cross section, it is not necessary to provide a plurality
thereof. With only a single sensor, it is possible to detect
wind speed at a high accuracy. Thus, sensor cost and
installation cost thereof can be saved thereby contributing
to reduction of the total cost. Further, when the vane
portions are almost fully closed, it is possible to detect
a fine airflow rate.
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A second aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the first aspect
wherein, when an entire airflow path P is opened/closed by
the vane portions 14, 62, 64, the plural holes 18 are made
to communicate with each other to form communicating openings
and after the airflow path P is closed, any of said vane plates
16a, 16b, 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b is slid so as to close said
communicating openings.
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According to the second aspect, the vane plates
containing the plural holes open/close the airflow path in
the casing. Thus, minimum amount of air is made to flow
equally over the entire cross section of the airflow path
in all interval from the full opening state to the full closing
state, thereby preventing drift current and assuring
rectification of current. Further, no wind noise is produced
when the vane plates are near the full closing state. Thus,
an ideal damper can be expected. Particularly, by fully
closing the flow path and then fully closing the plural holes,
fine adjustment of the airflow can be performed.
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Thus, wind noise is unlikely to be produced when the
entire flow path is opened/closed. Particularly when the
vane portions are situated near the closing state, it is
possible to prevent a sudden reduction of airflow in
proportion with a change of opening degree thereby achieving
sound deadening effect. Opening/closing of the plural holes
is carried out when the vane portions are in the closing
condition. Further, because the plural fine holes can be
opened/closed, fine adjustment of the airflow can be
performed securely.
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A third aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the second aspect
wherein rotation shafts 22, 58, 60 are rotatably provided
so as to cross over the casing 12, the vane portions 14, 62,
64 being mounted on the rotation shafts 22, 58, 60, the
airflow-adjusting damper further comprising a shared drive
mechanism 28 which carries out opening/closing of the airflow
path and opening/closing of the plural holes 18 by rotating
the rotation shafts 22, 58, 60.
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According to the third aspect, opening/closing of the
flow path in the casing and opening/closing of the plural
holes formed in the vane plates can be carried out by a single
driving system. Thus, common components can be used for both
the operations and the structure can be simplified. Further,
the driving system can be formed in a small size thereby
realizing light weight. Thus, this system is easy to handle.
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That is, by using common parts, production cost can
be reduced and the drive motor and other interlocking
mechanism can be simplified. Further, driving response is
improved.
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A fourth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the third aspect
wherein the shared drive mechanism 28 is so constructed as
to slide the vane portions so as to close the plural holes
18 by further rotating the rotation shafts 22, 58, 60
continuously from the condition in which the airflow path
is closed.
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According to the fourth aspect, assuming that a series
motion from the full opening state of the airflow path to
the full closing state by rotating the vane portions by the
rotation of the rotation shafts is a primary rotation, by
a secondary rotation, that is, further rotation of the
rotation shaft from the full closing state, the vane plates
are slid so as to close the plural holes. Thus, there is no
waste in motion and response is high. Further, the operation
is carried out securely.
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The rotation shafts are rotated from the condition in
which the vane plates are opened to the condition in which
the vane plates are closed, and by rotating further the
rotation shafts, the vane plates can be slid so as to fully
close the communicating openings which are provided by a
plurality of the holes in simple structure, without any
electrical control, link or other interlocking mechanism.
Further by continuing the rotation of the rotation shafts,
slide conversion can be carried out. Thus, the produced
motions are continuous thereby producing no waste in motion.
The airflow control characteristic with nearly fully opening
condition is improved.
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A fifth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the third aspect
wherein the shared drive mechanism 28 comprises the rotation
shafts 22, 58, 60 which are rotatably provided on the casing
and the vane portions 14, 62, 64 mounted on the rotation shafts
22, 58, 60, the vane portions 14, 62, 64 including first vane
plates 16a, 50a, 66a, 68a which are mounted idlingly on the
rotation shafts 22, 58, 60 and other vane plates 16b, 50b,
66b, 68b which are slidably fixed to the first vane plates,
the airflow-adjusting damper further comprising long grooves
40, 42, 52, 54, 84, 86 formed in each of the vane plates 16a,
50a, 66a, 16b, 50b, 66b, 68b, driving pins 38 which are fixed
on the rotation shafts 22, 58, 60 in the radius direction
and go thorough the long grooves 40, 42, 52, 54, 84, 86 in
the overlaid plural vane plates 16a, 50a, 66a, 68a, 16b, 50b,
66b, 68b so as to protrude and stopper portions 44 for
specifying such a position in which the flow path P is to
be closed by the vane portions 14, 62, 64.
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According to the fifth aspect, with the rotation of
the rotation shaft, the driving pin is rotated so that the
driving pin moves in the long groove thereby realizing the
shared drive operation.
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Accordingly, the components necessary for achieving
this device are basically, only the driving pins provided
on the rotation shafts and the long grooves formed in the
vane plates. Thus, it is not necessary to provide a driving
mechanism opening/closing the plural holes formed in the vane
portions separately from the driving power for
opening/closing the flow path and the structure is very simple.
Because mechanical conversion is carried out without any
electrical control by assuring easiness of production and
easiness of maintenance and inspection, thereby improving
production efficiency, fault ratio in the machine itself is
very low.
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A sixth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifth aspect
wherein the long grooves 84, 86 are set to such a length
including a rotation range of the driving pin 38 which, when
the rotation shafts 58, 60 are further rotated from the
condition in which the airflow path is closed by the van
portions 62, 64, hooks other vane plates 66b, 68b so as to
slide them until the plural holes 18 are completely closed.
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According to the sixth aspect, only if the driving pin
is moved in the long groove, the vane plate of the sliding
side is slid. The other vane plate of the sliding side only
has to be overlaid. Consequently, the opening/closing of the
entire flow path by the vane portion and opening/closing of
the plural holes by sliding of the overlaid vane plates can
be achieved.
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When the driving pin is rotated in the long groove of
the first vane plate accompanied by the rotation of the
rotation shaft, the other vane plate is moved securely, so
that opening/closing of the plural holes formed in each of
the vane plates is achieved.
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A seventh aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the third aspect
wherein the shared drive mechanism 28 contains urging members
46 for always applying an urging force in such a direction
that the plural holes 18 in the plural vane plates 66a, 66b,
68a, 68b form communicating openings.
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According to the seventh aspect, because the vane
plates are urged by the urging spring so that the plural holes
in the vane portions are always opened, the urging mechanism
is simple. Because the coil spring is used so that an end
thereof is hooked on the vane plate not to be slid, a simple
structure is attained.
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To always keep the plural holes open when the entire
flow path in the casing is opened or closed, for example,
a single coil spring can be used for this purpose. A structure
therefor is very simple and when the plural holes are closed
after the flow path is closed, no special structure for
achieving this series operation is needed, so that the shared
drive mechanism can be simplified in structure and made
effective. When the plural holes are closed after the flow
path is closed, no special structure for achieving this series
operation is needed, so that the shared drive mechanism can
be simplified in structure and made effective.
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An eighth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifth aspect
wherein the long grooves 40, 42, 52, 54 are provided in each
of the vane plates 16a, 16b, 50a, 50b so as to form a through
portion for the driving pin 38 and formed so that they direct
at least in different directions.
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According to the eighth aspect, because both the vane
plates are mounted on the rotation shaft so as to be able
to idle, the long groove in the first vane plate which is
the vane plate, which is not to be slid, acts as a guide groove.
When the driving pin is rotated in this groove at right angle,
the other vane plate having a long groove which is formed
in a different direction is slid along the long groove. Thus
the rotary motion can be converted directly to a linear motion.
Further, because the driving pin installed on the rotation
shaft is rotated by the rotation of the rotation shaft while
it is kept through the long groove formed in the vane plate,
by forming the long grooves so as to direct in different
directions, the vane plate is slid in the length direction
of the rotation shaft by a deviated amount in the width
direction of the long groove. Thus, the conversion mechanism
can be formed in very simple structure and is easy to maintain
and inspect, and unlikely to be in fault.
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The provision of the long grooves enables the rotary
motion to be directly converted to linear motion and further
the structure is very simple.
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A ninth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifth aspect
wherein the other vane plates 16b are provided slidably along
the rotation shafts 22.
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According to the ninth aspect, the vane plate not to
be slid contains the long groove in a direction perpendicular
to the rotation shaft and the vane plate to be slid contains
the long groove of the direction at angle of the V-letter
shape. Consequently, the vane plate of the movable side is
slid in the direction along the rotation shaft.
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Accordingly, the structure of the vane plate side to
be slid can be made concrete and realized. Because it is along
the rotation shaft, there is no waste in the
supporting/guiding structure and production thereof is easy.
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A tenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifth aspect
wherein the other vane plates 66b, 68b are provided in a
direction intersecting the rotation shafts 58, 60.
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According to the tenth aspect, the opening/closing of
the plural holes can be carried out also by a motion in the
direction intersecting the rotation shaft. Particularly
when plural vane portions are formed on plural rotation shafts,
this can be achieved effectively.
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As above, the structure of the vane plate side to be
slid can be made concrete and realized.
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An eleventh aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifth aspect
wherein the plural vane plates 16a, 50a, 66a, 68a, 16b, 50b,
66b, 68b are provided so that they are slidingly rotatable.
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According to the eleventh aspect, sliding rotation also
can achieve opening/closing of the plural holes formed in
the vane plates. Because this is not linear motion but rotary
motion, the vane plate to be slid and the vane not to be slid
may be formed in the same size, so that production process
can be simplified and the openings can be provided near the
edge of the vane plates.
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Thus, the structure of the vane plate side to be slid
can be made concrete and realized.
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A twelfth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the eleventh aspect
wherein the plural vane plates 50a, 50b are formed in circular
shape, the long groove 52 in the first vane plate 50a is formed
longer in a direction intersecting the rotation shaft 22 and
the long groove 54 in the other vane plate 50b which is
slidingly rotatable relative to the vane plate 50a is formed
longer in the radius direction of the vane plate 50b than
the pin diameter of the driving pin 38.
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According to the twelfth aspect, when the driving pin
moves linearly in the long groove formed in the intersecting
direction with the rotation of the rotation shaft, the
deviation motion in the radius direction is absorbed
effectively.
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Accordingly, by moving the driving pin in the radius
direction when the other vane plate is rotated slidingly,
smooth rotary sliding motion can be performed.
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A thirteenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifth aspect
wherein the rotation shafts 22, 58, 60 and vane portion 14,
62, 64 contains flow path opening/closing urging member 88
for urging the vane portions in the direction of closing the
flow path or opening the flow path.
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According to the thirteenth aspect, the
opening/closing motion of the vane portion in the airflow
path is stabilized.
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A fourteenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the thirteenth aspect
wherein the flow path opening/closing urging member 88
comprises a urging spring, which is stretched over the other
vane plates 66b, 68b, acting as a pressing against the first
vane plate 66a, 68a.
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According to the fourteenth aspect, the
opening/closing motion of the vane portion in the airflow
path is stabilized and at the same time, slip-off of the vane
plate to be slid is prevented and holding of the hole open
position is assured.
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A fifteenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the third aspect
wherein the rotation shafts 58, 60 are provided in plurality
so as to cross over the casing 12 and the vane portions 62,
64 for opening/closing the flow path P while engaged therewith
are provided in plurality.
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According to the fifteenth aspect, in the case when
the plural vane portions are installed on the plural rotation
shafts as well, opening/closing of the airflow path and
opening/closing of the plural holes by the sliding motion
of the vane plates can be realized.
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Accordingly, a single flow path can be opened or closed
with the plural vane plates, and particularly it is possible
to achieve restriction of drift current and improvement of
airflow control characteristic.
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A sixteenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifteenth aspect
wherein the rotation shafts 58, 60 on which the vane portions
62, 64 are engaged are disposed in series relative to the
airflow path, the vane portions 62, 64 being provided so as
to rotate in opposite directions to close the flow path.
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According to the sixteenth aspect, by disposing the
rotation shafts in series in the airflow path, the plural
vane portions are provided in the flow path thereby reducing
loss of resistance. Further, by rotating the vane plates in
opposite directions, the flow path is opened/closed in
butterfly fashion, thereby equalizing airflow pass,
preventing drift current and assuring rectification of
current.
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Accordingly, it is possible to suppress loss of
resistance in the flow path containing the plural vane
portions. Further because the vane portions are
opened/closed in butterfly fashion, equal air amount can be
made to flow in an entire range from the central portion to
the wall portion, thereby improving airflow control
characteristic.
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A seventeenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifteenth aspect
further comprising a synchronous opening/closing mechanism
90 for synchronously opening/closing the plural vane
portions 62, 64.
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According to the seventeenth aspect, by carrying out
synchronous opening/closing of the plural vane portions in
the airflow path, equal airflow can be achieved on the entire
cross section and the rectification effect is also held.
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Accordingly, the plural vane portions can be
opened/closed synchronously, and particularly improvement
of the airflow control characteristic when the plural vane
portions are opened/closed in butterfly fashion can be
assured.
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An eighteenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifteenth aspect
wherein two of the rotation shafts 58, 60 are provided in
the flow path and the vane portions 62, 64 are fixed thereto
such that two pairs of the vane portions open/close two-division
planes of the airflow path P.
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According to the eighteenth aspect, a pair of the
two-divided vane portions is charged of each of the divided
flow path. Consequently, the semi-circular vane portions
can be formed and by supporting ends thereof by the rotation
shafts, the opening/closing mechanism in butterfly fashion
can be realized.
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A nineteenth aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the third aspect
wherein the shared drive mechanism 28 comprises the rotation
shafts 22 which are rotatably provided in the casing 12 and
the vane portions 14 which are mounted on the rotation shafts
22, the vane portions 14 including the first vane plate 16a
which is mounted idlingly relative to the rotation shafts
22 and other vane plate 16b which is fixed slidably to the
first vane plate 16a, the rotation shaft 22 containing a screw
portion 126, the airflow-adjusting damper further comprising
a retracting mechanism 128 which is engaged with the screw
portion 126 so as to slide any of the vane plates 16b,···.
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According to the nineteenth aspect, the screw portion
is formed on the rotation shaft and this screw portion is
made to interconnect with the vane plate so that the rotation
of the screw portion slides the vane plate. Thus,
opening/closing of the flow path by the vane plates and
opening/closing of the holes by the vane plates can be
achieved securely.
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Accordingly, the shared drive is carried out by
engaging structure between the screw portion and retracting
mechanism, so that shift between opening/closing of the flow
path and opening/closing of the plural holes can be performed
smoothly and securely. Thus, the operation thereof is
performed securely. Particularly, it is possible to carry
out opening/closing of the flow path and the plural holes
continuously with the rotation of the rotation shafts.
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A 20th aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the nineteenth aspect
wherein the retracting mechanism 128 comprises a nut member
134 which engages the screw portion 126 while fixed to the
other vane plate 16b so that it advances or retracts along
the rotation shaft 22, and an urging member (138) for always
urging the first vane plate 16a in the direction of closing
the flow path.
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According to the 20th aspect, the retracting mechanism
performs engagement between the nut member fixed to the vane
plate of the sliding side and the screw portion. Thus, the
shared drive structure by engagement with the screw portion
can be achieved and thus the operation is performed securely.
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Accordingly, when the flow path in the casing is
opened/closed, unstable opening/closing of the plural holes
is prevented, so that secure operation can be attained.
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A 21st aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the third aspect
wherein said shared drive mechanism comprises the plural vane
plates and double shaft structure containing a middle shaft
and an outer shaft.
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According to the 21st aspect, the shared drive
mechanism has simplified a structure for transmitting power
to two systems in carrying out the opening/closing of the
airflow path by the vane plates and opening/closing of the
plural holes by sliding of the vane plates. Consequently,
the shift mechanism for these two motions by continuous
rotation of the rotation shaft can be achieved relatively
easily.
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Accordingly, the opening/closing of the plural holes
by the rotation of the rotation shafts outside/inside the
casing and sliding motion of the vane plates can be performed
easily without necessity of complicated structure for
interlocking or series operation. The freedom of the driving
power transmission structure can be raised.
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A 22nd aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the 21st aspect
wherein the shared driving mechanism 28 comprises a gear
mechanism 142 which is connected to the output shaft of the
motor and for connecting the opening/closing of the vane
plates 62, 64 to the sliding opening/closing of the plural
holes 18 in series operation.
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According to the 22nd aspect, by means of the gear
mechanism, which is driven with the drive shaft of the motor,
the opening/closing of the flow path and opening/closing of
the plural holes, are carried out. Thus, the driving
mechanism for the vane plates and vane portions by the motor
is achieved and a certainty of operation is assured.
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Accordingly, the opening/closing of the flow path and
opening/closing of the plural holes are carried out by gear
engagement, thereby attaining secure operation.
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A 23rd aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the 22nd wherein the
shared drive mechanism 28 comprises the long grooves 84, 86
provided in the overlaid plural vane plates 66a, 77b, 68a,
68b in the direction intersecting the rotation shafts 58,
60, the middle shaft 58a, 60a on which the driving pin 38
penetrating through the long groove is fixed, outer shaft
58b, 60b which is provided rotatably on the middle shaft and
around the middle shaft coaxially therewith in double-shaft
structure, a first gear 146 which is fixed to the middle shaft
58a, 60a and contains an interlocking pin 150 at any position,
and a second gear 148 which is fixed to the outer shaft and
includes a strike portion which strikes the interlocking pin
150 of the first gear 146 at the time of the rotation, the
second gear 148 including an engagement portion 154 with a
driving gear (140) which, when the second gear is rotated
while striking the interlocking pin 150 so that the first
gear is 146 also rotated synchronously, rotates the vane
portions 62, 64 up to the flow path closing position without
changing relative rotation position between the middle shaft
58a, 60a and outer shaft 58b, 60b, the first gear 146 including
an engagement portion 152 with the driving gear 140 which
rotates the middle shaft 58a, 60a from a condition in which
the vane portions 62, 64 close the airflow path so as to close
the plural holes 18.
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According to the 23rd aspect, a double shaft structure
including the middle shaft and outer shaft is attained. By
fixing the first gear and second gear thereto, transition
or shift between the opening/closing of the flow path and
the opening/closing of the plural holes by sliding of the
vane plates can be achieved securely so that the
opening/closing of the vane portions and vane plates can be
performed securely.
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A 24th aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the first aspect
wherein the plural vane plates 16a, 50a, 66a, 68a, 16b, 50b,
66b, 68b contain a guiding portion 36, 80 for guiding the
sliding motion between the vane plates and a holding portion
34, 82 for holding the vane plates from being released from
the overlaid condition.
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According to the 24th aspect, the sliding is carried
out smoothly and securely by means of the guiding portion.
The sliding motion may be sliding along the rotation shaft
or sliding motion in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the rotation shaft.
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Accordingly, the vane portions are not released not
only when they open/close the entire flow path but also when
the vane plates of the sliding side are slid, so that the
vane plates are guided smoothly and opened/closed.
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A 25th aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the first aspect
wherein the plural holes 18 are distributed almost entirely
on the vane plates 16a, 50a, 66a, 68a, 16b, 50b, 66b, 68b.
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According to the 25th aspect, air is fed through the
plural divided holes, thus such a wind noise that may occur
when air is fed through a large hole all at once is not produced,
thereby contributing to sound deadening. Further, because
air flows through the entire range of the vane plate, drift
current in the downstream can be prevented effectively.
Further, because there occurs no change in flow rate, the
detecting accuracy of the sensor in the upstream is improved
and the number of the sensors can be minimized.
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Accordingly, fine airflow ports are formed over the
entire range of the casing, so that sound-deadening effect
is maintained and drift current is prevented thereby securing
rectifying action. Consequently, fine adjustment of airflow
amount can be carried out at high precision.
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A 26th aspect of the invention provides an
airflow-adjusting damper according to the third aspect
herein the shared drive mechanism 28 is provided on each of
the vane portions of a multiple-vane opening/closing type
damper.
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According to the 26th aspect, if the shared drive
mechanism is provided for each of the vane portions having
overlaid plural vane plates having the plural holes, for
example, in the opposing vane type or parallel vane type of
the conventional square damper, the link mechanism enables
multiple vanes to be opened/closed synchronously when only
a single rotation shaft is driven by power. Consequently,
sound deadening, prevention of drift current and
rectification of current can be achieved in various dampers
having a medium or large flow path.
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Accordingly, when massive flow treatment is required
in, for example, a square large-diameter damper,
opening/closing of the flow path and opening/closing of the
plural holes can be carried out at the same time, thus this
system can be applied in wide application fields.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
The above and further objects and novel features of
the present invention will more fully appear from the
following detailed description when the same is read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a casing of
an airflow-adjusting damper according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a plan view of an entire vane portion of the
first embodiment as viewed from a first vane plate;
- FIG. 3 is a plan explanatory view showing a state in
which plural holes are closed, as viewed from a second vane
plate, of the entire vane portion of the same embodiment;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view as viewed just to the airflow
path in the casing from the second vane plate or from the
upstream of airflow, in a state in which the vane portion
is closed and the holes are slightly closed from their
communicating condition;
- FIG. 5 is a rear side view as viewed from a back side
of FIG. 4 or from the downstream of airflow when the plural
holes are fully closed from the state shown in FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional action explanatory view of an
airflow-adjusting damper according to this embodiment;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional action explanatory view of the
airflow-adjusting damper according to the same embodiment;
- FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a casing
of the airflow-adjusting damper according to a second
embodiment of the present invention, by phantom line;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the airflow-adjusting
damper according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, as viewed from the first vane plate;
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged explanatory view of the vane
portion as viewed from the other vane plate of the sliding
side;
- FIG. 11A is an enlarged explanatory view of a shared
drive mechanism according to the second embodiment and FIG.
11B is an enlarged explanatory view of the major portions
of the shared drive mechanism of the second embodiment;
- FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the vane portion as
viewed from the other vane plate of the sliding side;
- FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the airflow-adjusting
damper according to the second embodiment;
- FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the airflow-adjusting
damper according to the second embodiment;
- FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the
airflow-adjusting damper according to a third embodiment of
the present invention;
- FIG. 16 is an enlarged explanatory view as viewed from
the upstream of the airflow path;
- FIG. 17 is an enlarged explanatory view of the
airflow-adjusting damper as viewed from the upstream of
airflow in the state in which plural holes are closed;
- FIG. 18 is a perspective explanatory view of rotation
shafts and vane portions with a synchronous opening/closing
mechanism removed;
- FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of the synchronous
opening/closing mechanism;
- FIG. 20 is an enlarged plan view of the synchronous
opening/closing mechanism;
- FIG. 21 is an enlarged plan view in which a screw portion
of the synchronous opening/closing mechanism is omitted;
- FIG. 22 is an enlarged explanatory view as viewed from
the downstream in a state in which plural holes in the vane
plate of the airflow-adjusting damper according to the third
embodiment are opened;
- FIG. 23 is an enlarged explanatory view as viewed from
the downstream in the state in which the vane plates are
rotated so as to open the flow path about half;
- FIG. 24 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of
the airflow-adjusting damper according to the third
embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 25A is an explanatory view showing only the one
side vane portion; and FIG. 25B is an explanatory view showing
only one side vane portion in a state in which the vane plate
(second vane plate) of the sliding side is fully closed;
- FIG. 26 is an enlarged explanatory view of the
airflow-adjusting damper according to a fourth embodiment
of the present invention, as viewed from the first vane plate;
- FIG. 27 is an enlarged explanatory view as viewed from
the second vane plate (vane plate of the sliding side);
- FIG. 28 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view
showing an interior of the casing;
- FIG. 29 is a plan explanatory view of the rotation shaft
and vane portion as viewed from the second vane plate (vane
plate of the sliding side);
- FIG. 30 is a front explanatory view of the rotation
shaft and vane portion as viewed from the first vane plate;
- FIG. 31 is an enlarged explanatory view of a shared
drive mechanism;
- FIG. 32A is an explanatory view of the airflow-adjusting
damper according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention, FIG. 32B is an explanatory view of the
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fourth embodiment
of the present invention, and FIG. 32C is an explanatory view
of the airflow-adjusting damper according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 33 is a schematic disassembly perspective view
of the airflow-adjusting damper according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 34 is a perspective explanatory view as viewed
from the first vane plate of one side vane portion;
- FIG. 35 is a perspective explanatory view as viewed
from a backside thereof;
- FIG. 36A is an explanatory view of a gear mechanism,
FIG. 36B is an explanatory view of the same gear mechanism,
and FIG. 36C is an explanatory view of the same gear mechanism;
- FIG. 37 is an enlarged sectional view of the rotation
shaft and vane portion;
- FIG. 38A is an explanatory view of the airflow-adjusting
damper according to the fifth embodiment of the
present invention and FIG. 38B is an explanatory view of the
airflow-adjusting damper according to the fifth embodiment
of the present invention;
- FIG. 39 is a schematic explanatory view of opposing
vane type airflow-adjusting damper according to a sixth
embodiment;
- FIG. 40 is a schematic explanatory view of parallel
vane type airflow-adjusting damper according to the same six
embodiments;
- FIG. 41 is an explanatory view of the link mechanism
of the damper shown in FIG. 39;
- FIG. 42 is an explanatory view of the link mechanism
of the damper shown in FIG. 40; and
- FIG. 43 is a schematic explanatory view of a
conventional damper.
-
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
-
Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present
invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. FIGs. 1-7 describe an airflow-adjusting
damper according to a first embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the
airflow-adjusting damper 10-1. In this Figure, the
airflow-adjusting damper 10-1 comprises a hallow cylindrical
metallic casing 12 and a vane portion 14 which is rotated
in this metallic casing 12 for opening and closing a flow
path P.
-
As shown in FIGs. 6, 7, the vane portion 14 contains
two flat vane plates 16 which are overlaid mutually. These
vane plates are designed in a size capable of closing a flow
path P in the metallic casing 12 and formed in a substantially
oval shape in which a long span thereof is longer than a
diameter of the casing. These vane plates are formed in
substantially same shape such that an outside circumference
of a vane plate is slightly smaller than that of another vane
plate. These vane plates 16 have a plurality of holes 18 which
are distributed entirely thereon so as to secure opening for
airflow.
-
The number and shape of the plural holes 18 may be
arbitrary and allocation intervals between the holes may be
set also arbitrarily. However, because, when the entire flow
path is opened or closed, the plural communicating openings
are kept open, the number and allocation and the like of the
holes must be set so that the communicating openings are fully
opened/closed at least by sliding the vane plates. If the
opening ratio is set so as to be large, sound deadening effect
is high, however, because of a relation with control
characteristic depending on air flow amount, the opening
ratio is determined taking this into account. The hole
diameter is desired to vary in plural kinds. This prevents
generation of resonance producing a large noise which are
caused by airflow having the same frequency. Further, the
holes can obtain sound deadening effect only if they are
provided in plurality. There hardly occurs a case in which
holes having completely the same angle in each flow path of
the vane portion and same shape are formed and allocated
actually, because of problem on production. Therefore, in
the case of air, there never occurs a case in which air passes
under completely the same condition as in other holes because
air flow is affected by a slight difference between the
conditions of those holes, and therefore even when air flow
is small, the sound deadening effect is exerted effectively.
-
According to this embodiment, bearings 20 are mounted
on two positions facing each other on a circumference which
determines substantial diameter of the casing 12. A rotary
shaft 22 is rotatably supported by this bearing 20. Then,
the blade portion 14 is mounted on this rotary shaft and when
the rotary shaft is rotated, the blade portion 14 is also
rotated so as to open or close the flow path P in the casing
12.
-
According to this embodiment, the blade portion 14
comprises a first and second substantially oval vane plates
16a, 16b. Referring to FIG. 2, the first vane plate 16a is
mounted onto the rotary shaft 22 in such a manner it always
has a friction thereto so that it idlingly slides, through
two metallic band mounting members 24 having a semi-circular
portion each. The mounting of this vane portion to the
rotary shaft may be of any structure as long as the vane
portion can idle relative to the rotary shaft and is not
restricted to the supporting method of the mounting member
24. According to this embodiment, the mounting member 24 is
disposed such that the semi-circular portion thereof steps
over the rotary shaft 22 and extension flat portions 26
thereof are fixed by welding or screwing or the like so that
the first vane plate 16a is mounted on the rotary shaft
idlingly.
-
Then, the flow path P of the blade portion 14 is
completely closed temporarily and by means of a shared driving
mechanism which will be described later, the rotary shaft
22 is rotated further continuously so as to slide the vane
plate 16 thereby closing the holes 18.
-
A feature of this embodiment is that the shared driving
mechanism 28 which carries out opening/closing of the flow
path of airflow and opening/closing of the plurality of the
holes provided in the vane portion is provided. In this
shared driving mechanism 28, the rotary shaft 22 is rotatably
provided across the aforementioned metallic casing 12 and
the blade portion 14 is mounted onto this rotary shaft, so
that the opening/closing of the airflow and opening/closing
of the plurality of the holes are carried out by rotating
the rotary shaft 22. Because this shared driving mechanism
28 enables opening/closing of the flow path P and
opening/closing of the plurality of the holes provided in
the vane portion by means of a single driving mechanism,
material cost and production cost can be reduced. Further,
because components can be concentrated on use, it is
convenient in viewpoints of sharing, maintenance and
administration of part members.
-
As shown in FIG. 3, guide pins 30 are provided so as
to stand such that they go to the back of FIG. 2. On the other
hand, the second vane plate 16a disposed so as to overlay
the first vane plate 16b contains guide grooves 32 extending
along the rotary shaft at positions corresponding to the
fixing positions of the first vane plate 16a. The guide pins
30 provided on the mounting members 24 go through the guide
grooves 32. By the guide action of the guide grooves 32 and
guide pins 30, the second vane plate 16b can slide smoothly
relative to the first vane plate 16a in the length direction
of the rotary shaft 22, that is, along the rotary shaft.
-
At an end of each of the guide pin 30 is mounted a flat
holding member 34 for release stopper which is larger than
a width of the guide groove 32. These members hold both the
vanes from being released from overlaid condition. The guide
portion 36 comprises the guide pins 30 and guide grooves 32.
-
Referring to FIGs. 1-3, the rotary shaft 22 has a
driving pin 38 which is provided in radius direction of the
rotary shaft 22 so as to intersect the length direction of
the rotary shaft 22. This driving pins 38 are formed so that
they goes through the first and second vane plate 16a, 16b
while front ends thereof protrude.
-
On the other hand, the first vane plate 16a contains
a long groove 40 which is provided substantially
perpendicular to the length direction of the rotary shaft
22 such that the driving pin 38 goes through the long groove
40. Likewise, the second vane plate 16b also contains a long
groove 42 penetrated by the driving pin 38. The long groove
42 is formed in a long shape in a direction different from
the long groove provided in the first vane portion 16a. That
is, the long groove 42 is formed at about 30° relative to the
long groove 40 according to this embodiment.
-
Consequently, when the rotary shaft 22 is rotated, the
driving pin 38 moves in the long groove 40 of the first vane
plate 16a. During that time, the driving pin 38 moves in the
long groove 42 of the second vane plate 16b, so that the
driving pin 38 moves in the length direction of the rotary
shaft 22 at a stroke corresponding to the deviation angle
of about 30°.
-
On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the
blade portion 14 is formed in a substantially oval shape in
which a long span thereof is longer than the diameter of the
casing. The short span is designed to be substantially the
same as the diameter of the cylindrical casing 12. Thus, as
shown in FIGs. 6, 7, when the flow path P is fully closed,
the long span side make contact with upper and lower walls
so that the flow path cannot be further closed. According
to this embodiment, a wall portion, which the long span
contacts, is a stopper portion 44. This stopper portion
determines a position for closing by the blade portion 14.
To determine the specified position clearly, it is
permissible to mount a stopper member having L-shaped
cross-section in the flow path. In particularly when the
shape of the vane portion is real circle, this stopper member
must be fixed. When the vane portion is formed in a elliptic
shape or oval shape like this embodiment, a change in flow
rate relative to an angle of the vane portion when the flow
path is fully closed is milder as compared to a case when
the flow path is closed by positioning the vane portion
substantially at right angle, or near proportional thereto
thereby improving the flow rate control characteristic.
-
According to this embodiment, the shared driving
mechanism 28 comprises the rotary shaft 22 rotatably mounted
in the metallic casing 12 and the blade portion 14 mounted
on the rotary shaft 22. The blade portion 14 comprises the
first vane plate 16a mounted idlingly to the rotary shaft
22 and the other vane plate 16b fixed slidably to the first
vane plate. The shared driving mechanism 28 further
comprises long grooves 40, 42 provided in the vane plates
16a, 16b respectively, the driving pin 38 which is fixed on
the rotary shaft 22 in radius direction and goes through the
long grooves 40, 42 in the overlaid vane plates 16a, 16b,
and the stopper portion 44 for specifying a position in which
the flow path P is closed by the vane portion 14.
-
As basic components, the shared driving mechanism 28
according to this embodiment includes only the rotary shaft
22 and the driving pin 38 which is provided on the rotary
shaft. Then, the long grooves 40, 42 are formed in the vane
portion 14. Therefore, the structure is very simple and not
only production thereof is very easy but also the material
cost is cheap.
-
In the shared driving mechanism 28 of this embodiment,
first, the rotary shaft 22 is rotated so as to make the blade
portion 14 close the flow path P and next, the rotary shaft
is further rotated continuously from this flow path closing
state so as to slide the vane plate without any electrical
control means, thereby closing the plural holes 18. During
rotation of the driving pin 38, the driving pin 38 is moved
in the long groove in the vane plate. Consequently, the vane
portion is moved linearly directly by the driving pin 38.
Thus, there is no waste motion, and the mechanism for changing
the rotary motion to linear motion is very simple and depends
on interlocking motion. Therefore, no gear or belt mechanism
is required thereby reducing production cost, facilitating
maintenance and inspection, and further assuring the lowest
fault ratio.
-
A communicating urging member 46 exemplified by a coil
spring is provided on the rotary shaft 22. This
communicating urging member 46 is fit to the vane plates 16a,
16b so as to urge the vane plates 16a, 16b by spring so that
the vane plates 16a, 16b overlay each other while the holes
18 correspond to each other to form each communicating hole.
-
In usual operation for opening or closing of the flow
path P, the vane portion 14 is rotated with the plural holes
18 opened and then, the flow path P is fully closed. When
the rotary shaft 22 is further rotated, it is rotated against
the spring urging force of the communicating urging member
46, so that the second vane plate is slid by the driving pin
38. Although the coil spring is utilized as the urging means
in this embodiment, it is permissible to use a structure for
applying a urging force in such a direction in which the
communicating opening is formed by rubber or pneumatic
pressure. The communicating urging member 46 is preferred
to act also as a pressing spring which presses the first vane
plate from above the second vane plate. Consequently, the
second vane plate is prevented from slipping out.
-
As described above, the plural holes 18 provided on
the vane plates 16a, 16b are distributed almost entirely
thereon. This enables divided slight amount of air to flow
to the downstream in the entire flow path thereby preventing
drift current in the downstream. Thus, even if this system
is provided in the vicinity of an air outlet so that it faces
an interior of a building, excellent airflow-adjusting
function and rectifying function can be exerted.
-
Thus, the present invention is basically characterized
in that, the metallic casing 12 for forming the air flow path
P inside thereof and the blade portion 14 which is rotated
in the casing 12 for opening/closing the flow path P, are
provided and the vane portion 14 comprises a plurality of
the vane plates 16 which are overlaid, slidably mounted and
contain a plurality of the holes 18.
-
Thus, the airflow amount in the entire flow path can
be adjusted by opening the vane portions with the holes 18
therein made in communication with each other so as to form
communicating openings. At this time, the entire
opening/closing is performed while always allowing fine
amounts of airflow to go through those communicating openings.
Therefore it is possible to effectively eliminate wind noise
or other noises which may be caused by a sudden change of
a large opening. Further, no drift current is produced and
rectified flow can be allowed to go to the downstream.
-
Although a round type damper has been mentioned in this
embodiment, any shape cross section dampers having for
example, a rectangular cross section may be used. Although
a long circle shape is used in this example for the shape
of the vane plate, it is permissible to use a real circle,
oval shape, other circular shapes, rectangular, other
polygon shape or any other shapes. For example, it is
permissible to use almost the same shape as an internal cross
section of the flow path provided that stoppers are attached
to close the entire flow path. Further, it is permissible
to bond felt cloth to the vane plates or implant fibers thereon
so as to eliminate wind noise.
-
Any driving means may be connected to the end portion
protruding from the rotation shaft 22 shown in FIG. 1. For
example, it is permissible to connect a manual handle, driving
motor or other driving mechanism. Reference numeral 48
denotes an airflow-detecting sensor.
-
An operation of the airflow-adjusting damper according
to the first embodiment will be described. Usually, the vane
portions are held by the urging spring 46 so that the holes
in the first vane plate 16a and the holes in the second vane
plate 16b form communicating openings. The driving pins 38
are located at any of the end portions of the long grooves
40, 42 while penetrating therethrough.
-
Assuming that air flows in the arrow direction of FIG.
6 to the right, the vane portion 14 fully opens the flow path
P with the first and second vane plates being overlaid, such
that the vane portion 14 is set horizontally along the
airflow.
-
If the vane portion 14 is gradually rotated from this
state, the vane portion 14 is deviated in such a direction
to close the flow path P.
-
Because in the first and second vane plates 16a, 16b
are formed plurality of the cell-like divided communicating
openings, the bodies of the vane plates 16a, 16b act to
decrease the airflow amount by resistance while allowing a
slight amount of air to go to the downstream. Therefore, the
following has been recognized through experiments. That is,
there is not produced a large wind noise which may be caused
when a conventional butterfly type vane plate are deviated
so as to close the airflow path by throttling two upper and
lower openings and a larger amount of airflow can be
controlled under the same condition as compared to the
conventional case.
-
When the long span side of the blade portion 14 make
contact with the inside wall of the metallic casing 12, as
shown in FIG. 6, the blade portion 14 closes the flow path
in such a manner that it is not at right angle to a flow
direction of the flow path but oblique thereto as shown in
FIG. 6. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the respective vane
plates 16a, 16b form communicating holes so that air flow
can pass therethrough. Primarily, airflow rate control by
closing the air path by means of the blade portion 14 is
achieved. When the air path is fully closed, a state in which
the airflow reaches the lowest level specified by the opening
ratio of the plural holes is produced. Even at this time,
a slight amount of air f flows through the blade portion 14
like hallways of the rotation of the blade portion 14, thereby
effectively preventing generation of wind noise. In a
conventional butterfly vane of blind plate type, a large wind
noise is generated just before the flow path is fully closed.
However, the multi-hole vane according to this invention
produces no wind noise even in the state in which airflow
is nearly fully closed. Further, after that, the closing of
the plural holes is carried out at the same time, with divided
slight or small amount of airflow, so that the airflow-out
position is dispersed and the velocity of airflow in a unit
hole is relaxed. Thus, fine adjustment of airflow, which is
difficult when the air path is nearly fully closed, is made
possible according to the present invention.
-
Because the holes 18 provided in the vane plates of
the vane portion are distributed entirely on the vane plate,
airflow is converted to uniform flow in cross section from
halfway of the rotation thereof. Thus, rectifying effect is
produced, thereby preventing generation of drift current.
Further, a sensor provided in the upstream is not affected
by drift current, so that it can detect airflow which is very
near actual air flow faithfully. Further, high precision
airflow adjustment near its target value can be achieved.
Particularly, this can function effectively as a damper for
VAV system.
-
When the flow path P is closed entirely by the blade
portion 14, as shown by solid line of FIG. 6, the driving
pin 38 is located so as to stand facing upward. If the rotary
shaft 22 is further rotated as a secondary rotation from this
condition, the driving pin 38 is rotated counterclockwise
as shown in FIG. 7. FIGs. 2, 4 show a state in which the entire
flow path P is closed but the respective holes 18 are still
kept in communication with each other so as to keep opening.
FIGs. 3, 5 show a complete closing state in which the secondary
rotation is completed so that the communicating opening is
closed. In an interval of rotation of the rotary shaft from
a start of the secondary rotation shown in FIG. 6 to an end
thereof, as shown in FIG. 7, the driving pin 38 moves in the
long grooves 40, 42 of the first and second vane plates 16a,
17b respectively, so that the second vane plate 16b is slid
with respect to the first vane plate 16a in the length
direction of the rotary shaft. Then, the complete closing
state of the flow path as shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. Because
during this secondary rotation, a motion of closing the
communicating openings successively is carried out, the
plural holes are closed in steps thereby making it possible
to conduct fine adjustment of airflow accurately. Further,
even in a state near complete closing, the fine division
airflow is made to go across the entire vane plate and
therefore no wind noise is produced, so that the complete
closing of the flow path can be conducted silently. Further
because until finally, airflow is distributed equally over
the entire vane plate while the closing operation is carried
out, no drift current is produced in the downstream. Further,
the sensor provided in the upstream is not affected seriously,
so that that sensor can exert its sensing function at a high
precision.
-
By completely closing the flow path, airflow to an
unused room or the like is interrupted so as to achieve energy
saving. If the rotary shaft 22 is rotated in an opposite
direction to the closing direction from the complete closing
state, the holes 18 in the first and second vane plates make
communicating openings by means of the spring urging force
of the communicating urging member 46. If the rotary shaft
is rotated further in the opening direction, the
aforementioned operation is carried out again.
-
The airflow-adjusting damper according to the present
invention is not restricted to the above-described
embodiments. Although in the above embodiment, the rotary
shaft is provided in a direction intersecting the flow path,
it is permissible to provide a rotary shaft in the direction
of the flow path by using gear system, conversion mechanism
or the like. The basic structure is satisfied by comprising
the casing and the vane portion which is rotated so as to
open or close the flow path while the vane portion contains
plural vane plates which are overlaid, mounted slidably and
have a plurality of holes. Thus, the rotary shaft and sliding
mechanism may be driven by different driving methods.
-
Urging of the vane plates with respect to the rotary
shaft by a urging spring according to the embodiment may be
substituted by any type of spring mechanism. Further, any
of the vane plates of the vane portion may be provided slidably
in a direction intersecting the rotary shaft. The number of
the vane plates may be not only two but also three or more.
Further, the shape of the vane plate may be square or other
polygonal shape. As already described above, the shape,
allocation or the like of the holes may be set arbitrarily.
-
Further, the present invention may be applied to the
airflow-adjusting damper which comprises the casing, the
rotary shaft provided rotatably in the casing and vane portion
which is rotated in the casing so as to open or close the
flow path, while the vane portion contains vane plates which
are overlaid, mounted slidably and have a plurality of holes.
Further, it is permissible that each of the vane plates of
the vane portion is mounted idlingly on the rotary shaft and
an urging spring for urging the vane plates so that the plural
holes form communicating openings is provided.
-
Next, an airflow-adjusting damper 10-2 according to
a second embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to FIGs. 8-14. With the same reference
numerals applied to the same components, a description
thereof is omitted.
-
According to this embodiment, the blade portion 14 is
provided on the rotary shaft 22 such that it is slidingly
rotatable, the rotary shaft being supported rotatably by the
casing 12. This vane portion comprises plural vane plates,
which are overlaid mutually mounted slidably, and have a
plurality of the holes 18.
-
According to this embodiment, the vane plates 50a, 50b
of the blade portion 14 are formed in the shape of real circle.
This embodiment also contains the shared driving mechanism
28. This shared driving mechanism 28 comprises the rotary
shaft 22 mounted rotatably on the casing 12 and the vane
portion 14 mounted on the rotary shaft 22, the vane portion
44 having a first vane plate 50a mounted idlingly on the rotary
shaft 22 and another vane plate 50b mounted slidably on the
first vane plate, and the shared driving mechanism 28 further
comprises long grooves 50a, 50b disposed in the vane plates
50a, 50b respectively, a driving pin 38 which is fixed to
the rotary shaft 22 such that it directs in radius direction
and an end of which is protruded through the long grooves
52, 54 in the vane plates overlaid, and a stopper portion
44 for determining a position for closing the flow path P
by means of the blade portion 14.
-
Further, the shared driving mechanism 28 opens/closes
the plural holes 18 by further rotating the rotary shaft 22
continuously from a state in which the flow path P is just
closed. This embodiment is different from the previously
described one in that the vane plate of a rotatable side,
that is, the second vane plate 50b rotates with respect to
the first vane plate 50a in such a manner that the second
vane plate 50b slides thereon.
-
That is, the vane plates 50a, 50b of the blade portion
14 are formed in a circular shape. Their substantial center
is supported by a rivet 51 and both the vane plates are
structured so as to rotate relative to each other around this
rivet 51 in such a manner that the faces thereof rub each
other. As shown in FIG. 10, a long groove 52 is formed at
a position apart from the center of the first vane plate 50a
by a distance of S in the length direction such that it
intersects the rotary shaft. If the S is set so as to be long,
the rotation angle of the vane plate becomes small. Thus,
this S is determined depending on the size and allocation
of the holes provided in the vane plate so as to enable
appropriate opening/closing thereto.
-
The long groove 54 in the second vane plate 50b which
slidingly rotates with respect to the first vane plate 50a
is formed so as to be longer than at least the diameter of
the driving pin 38 in the radius direction of the second vane
plate 50b. Thus, if the rotary shaft 22 is rotated from a
state shown in FIG. 10 so that the driving pin 38 penetrating
through the long grooves 52, 54 moves in the direction of
an arrow indicated, the first vane plate is not moved because
the driving pin 38 moves only through the long groove 52,
but in this while, the second vane plate 50b is rotated around
the rivet 51. At this time, because this long groove 54 is
formed so as to be longer in the radius direction, it absorbs
a linear motion of the driving pin 38 by its length of the
long groove, and executes and guides smoothly the mutual
rotating slide motions of the vane plates.
-
It is preferable that when the entire flow path is
opened or closed by the blade portion 14, the plural holes
18 are made to communicated with each other so as to form
the communicating openings and after the air path is closed,
any of the vane plates is slid so as to close the communicating
openings. Although not shown, it is preferable that a urging
spring is provided between the second and first vane plates
or other supporting portion so as to keep the holes 18 always
open.
-
According to the second embodiment, the blade portion
14 is provided on the rotary shaft 22 rotatably supported
by the metallic casing 12 such that the blade portion 14 is
slidingly rotatable. The vane portion comprises plural vane
plates which are overlaid, mounted slidably and contain a
plurality of the holes 18 each. Consequently, the operation
and effect of the second embodiment are the same in viewpoints
of sound deadening effect, fine adjustment of airflow,
rectifying function, improvement of sensing performance of
an airflow sensor and the like, as the first embodiment.
-
Further, because of the shared driving mechanism 28,
driving of the rotary shaft 22, opening/closing of the flow
path P and opening/closing of the plural holes 18 by only
the driving pin can be achieved by a single driving system,
so that easiness of production, low material cost, and
easiness of modification, maintenance and inspection or the
like are attained in the second embodiment, which are the
same operation and effect as the first embodiment.
-
As shown in FIG. 8, circular grooves 55 are disposed
for guiding the circular rotation of the second vane plate
50b. Then, a flat rivet 57 is inserted into each of the
circular grooves and fixed therein and an end of the flat
rivet 57 is fixed on the first vane plate 50a.
-
In this embodiment also in which the opening/closing
of the plural holes 18 in the vane plates is carried out by
not linear slide motion but rotary motion, substantially the
same operation and effect can be exerted as the first
embodiment. Although the rotation of the rotary shaft 22 and
sliding motion of the vane portion may be carried out manually
or by handle, in this embodiment, a driving motor 56 is
provided so that its driving shaft is connected to the rotary
shaft 22. Although the plural holes 18 are distributed
substantially radially with respect to the rivet 51 according
to this embodiment, the allocation of the holes, size, number,
type, shape or the like thereof may be determined arbitrarily
in the same manner as the first embodiment.
-
Next, an airflow-adjusting damper according to a third
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGs. 15-25. The same reference numerals are
attached to the same components and a description thereof
is omitted.
-
In a hallow, cylindrical metallic casing 12, as shown
in FIG. 15, two rotary shafts 58, 60 are rotatably journaled
so as to cross over the casing. Vane portions 62, 64 are
attached to the rotary shafts 58, 60. According to this
embodiment, the vane portions 62, 64 are journaled on the
rotary shafts 58, 60 so as to be able to idle. Each of the
vane portions is formed in semi-circular shape. They are
installed so as to open or close a half of the flow path P
in hinge style. That is, the rotary shafts 58, 60 are provided
so as to transverse the flow path with respect to the direction
of flow in the flow path and these rotary shafts are installed
in series with respect to the flow path.
-
As shown in FIG. 24, the vane portions 62, 64 are
provided so that they rotate in opposite directions to each
other to close the flow path. According to this embodiment,
of the first and second vane plates 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b of
the vane portions 62, 64, at least the first vane plates 66a,
68a are formed so as to contain circular vertexes 70a, 72a
formed on each of circumferences, located with a longer
distance than a radius of the flow path P. Thus, the vane
portions 62, 64 are rotated from full opening state in which
they are in parallel to the flow path to reach full closing
state in which they are opened at about 70° with respect to
the direction of flow. Therefore, in this embodiment,
circular portions formed on the vane portions 62, 64 which
make contact with an inside wall of the flow path act as a
stopper portion 44 which determines closing positions of the
vane portions.
-
A stay 65 is stretched between both the rotary shafts
so as to clog a gap therebetween. Thus, the semi-circular
vane portions 62, 64 are placed at an interval in the direction
of the flow path and these vane portions are opened or closed
in hinge style with their journal positions being deviated
with an interval. Then, to clog this interval due to the
deviation, the stay 65 is provided.
-
By opening or closing respective halves of the flow
path in hinge style by using two semi-circular vane portions
62, 64, the flow rate control characteristic can be improved
as compared to the case in which the flow path is opened or
closed by rotating a single vane portion.
-
Further, by disposing the rotary shafts in series in
the flow path, loss of pressure in the flow path P is minimized
so that the air rate control characteristic can be further
improved. Referring to FIGs. 18, 22, 23, the aforementioned
stay 65 is formed of atypical U-shaped frame plate and mounted
on the rotary shafts 58, 60 in such a manner that ends of
the stay 65 are fixed by shaft rings 74 which allow the rotary
shafts 58, 60 to idlingly rotate, thereby clogging the gap
formed between these rotary shafts.
-
On the other hand, two sleeves 76 are provided on these
rotary shafts 58, 60 such that they can idle. The first vane
plates 66a, 66b are fixed to each of the sleeves 76. On the
circular portions of the first vane plates 66a, 66b are fixed
glass wool or foamed material members 78 for air-tightness
or noise damping or the like by such a means as adhesive or
the like.
-
Like the aforementioned first embodiment, the vane
portions 62, 64 are installed on the rotary shafts 58, 60
rotatably supported by the casing 12 such that they are
rotatable slidingly relative to each other and the these vane
portions are overlaid, mounted slidingly and have a plurality
of the vane plates containing a plurality of the holes 18.
-
FIGs. 22, 23 are longitudinal sectional views for
describing the operation taken from the downstream of the
airflow, that is, the first vane plate side. As shown in FIG.
18, on end pieces 65a of the stay 65 are installed second
vane plates 66b, 68b slidingly such that bottom ends thereof
are nipped between the rotary shafts 58, 60 and the first
vane plates 66a, 68a which close the flow path P at a sharp
angle with respect to the direction of air flow from the
upstream thereof.
-
FIGs. 16, 17 are longitudinal sectional views for
describing the operation taken from the upstream of the
airflow, that is, the second vane plate side. By means of
the guide grooves 80 and the flat rivets 82 which are provided
on the first vane plates as a holding means, such that they
go through the guide grooves 80 and protrude, the second vane
plates 66b, 68b are provided so as to overlay the first vane
plates 66a, 68a so that they can slide smoothly in a direction
intersecting the rotary shafts 58, 60.
-
The bottom portions of the first and second vane plates
66a, 66b, 68a, 68b or the supported portions by the rotary
shafts 58, 60 contain long grooves 84, 86 extending in a
direction intersecting the rotary shafts and each of the first
and second vane plates have two grooves. The long grooves
in the first vane plates 66a, 68a which are not slid are set
so as to be long enough for the driving pins 38 to move for
sliding the second plates. On the other hand, the long
grooves in the second vane plates 66b, 68b have only to have
such a length that the driving pins 38 go therethrough to
be able to slide the second vane plates on the first vane
plate by hooking. These grooves are formed in a relatively
short groove. Each of the rotary shafts 58, 60 has driving
pins 38 which are fixed on these rotary shafts 58, 60 so as
to direct in the radius direction and go through each of the
long grooves provided in the overlaid plural vane plates so
that an end thereof protrudes. Further, the rotary shafts
58, 60 have coil springs 88 as an urging spring, which always
urge the vane portions 62, 64 in the direction of closing
the flow path. The coil springs 88 also act at the same time
to press the second vane plates against the first vane plates
with an end of the first vane plate matching each of the second
vane plates 66b, 68b.
-
The long grooves 84, 86 are set to a length including
the moving range R1 of the driving pin corresponding to an
entire motion of closing the holes 18 fully by making the
driving pin hook the second vane plates 66b, 68b so as to
slide the second vane plates 66b, 68b. That is, when the
driving pin 38 moves from position x to position y in the
long groove, the plural holes 18 are closed or opened all
at once. The pin 38 closes the holes 18 fully at the position
y as shown in FIG. 25B and opens them fully at the position
x. When the driving pin 38 further rotates in the direction
of opening the holes 38, the flow path is opened while keeping
the holes 18 fully open, up to its full opening state.
-
Referring to FIG. 25A, when the rotary shafts 58, 60
are rotated from the state in which the holes 18 are fully
opened further in the direction of opening the flow path,
the flow path is opened with the holes 18 being fully open.
Until the flow path is fully opened, the driving pins 38 move
within the range R2. In this embodiment also, the shared
driving mechanism 28 is provided so that the rotary shafts
58, 60 are rotatably provided to cross over the casing 12
and the vane portions 62, 64 are provided on the rotary shafts
such that by rotating the rotary shafts, opening/closing of
the flow path and opening/closing of the plurality of the
holes are carried out at the same time.
-
Consequently, as shown in FIG. 25A, opening/closing
of the flow path and opening/closing of the plural holes are
carried out by rotating the rotary shafts 58, 60 so that they
are conducted by a single driving system. Because the basic
structure comprises the rotary shafts and driving pins, the
structure is very simple, and therefore easy to produce, can
be formed with minimized parts, and maintenance and control
thereof are very simple.
-
According to this embodiment, like the first embodiment,
the shared driving mechanism 28 comprises the rotary shafts
58, 60 mounted rotatably on the casing 12 and the vane portions
62, 64 mounted on the rotary shafts 58, 60, the vane portions
62, 64 having first vane plates 66a, 68a mounted idlingly
on the rotary shafts 58, 60 and another vane plates 66b, 68b
mounted slidably on the first vane plates, and the shared
driving mechanism 28 further comprises long grooves 84, 86
disposed in the vane plates 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b respectively,
driving pins 38 which are fixed to the rotary shafts 58, 60
such that they direct in radius direction and end of which
are protruded through the long grooves 84, 86 in the vane
plates overlaid, and stopper portions 44 for determining
positions for closing the flow path P by means of the blade
portions 62, 64.
-
An effect of provision of the shared driving mechanism
is the same as in the first embodiment. Because
opening/closing of the flow path P and opening/closing of
the plural holes provided in the vane portions are carried
out by a single driving mechanism, material cost and
production cost are cheap. Because structure members are
concentratedly used, it is convenient in viewpoints of
sharing, maintenance and control of the part members.
-
The shared driving mechanism 28 basically comprises
only the rotation shaft and the driving pin 38 installed on
the rotation shaft. Therefore, the structure is very simple,
production thereof is easy and the material cost can be
reduced to very cheap level.
-
Further, by rotating the rotary shafts so as to close
the flow path temporarily and then rotate the same rotary
shafts further continuously from this flow path closing state,
the vane plates are slid to close the plural holes 18 without
any electrical control means or the like. Thus, the rotation
of the driving pins 38, which move within the long grooves,
directly move the vane plates linearly so that there is no
waste motion produced. Because the conversion mechanism for
converting rotary motion to linear motion is very simple and
depends on interlocking motion, gears, belts or the like are
not required and therefore low cost is assured. Further,
maintenance and inspection are easy and fault ratio is very
low.
-
The shared driving mechanism 28 rotates the rotary
shafts 58, 60 further continuously from the state in which
the flow path P has been just closed, so as to slide the vane
plates to open/close the plural holes 18. Therefore, there
is no waste in motion and the operation thereof is secure.
Because the vane portions 62, 64 are rotated in opposite
directions to each other to open/close each of half of the
flow path. To achieve simultaneous opening/closing of these
vane portions, a synchronous opening/closing mechanism 90
is provided.
-
As shown in FIGs. 15, 18, the synchronous
opening/closing mechanism 90 is mounted outside of the
metallic casing 12 which contains ends of the rotary shafts
58, 60. The synchronous opening/closing mechanism 90 is
incorporated in a box formed of a fixing base 92, a frame
94 and a cover 96. According to this embodiment, the
synchronous opening/closing mechanism 90 comprises cam
members connected to the rotary shafts 58, 60 and slide
mechanism which engages the cam member and rotates the same
cam member inversely.
-
As shown in FIG. 18, eccentric cams 98 having
substantially egg-shaped cross section, which are cam
members are fixed to end portions of the rotary shafts 58,
60 and an input pin 100 is provided on an isolated end portion
of each cam 98 on the external side with respect to the casing
12. The input pins are turned in opposite directions to each
other with respect to the rotary shafts 58, 60 so that the
eccentric cams 98 are rotated just like in crank motion.
-
On the other hand, as shown in FIGs. 19-21, a slide
plate 104 as a sliding mechanism is supported by supporting
shafts 102 so as to direct along the direction of airflow.
That is, the rectangular slide plate 104 has guide long
grooves 106 which are formed long in the direction of air
flow. The supporting shafts 102 installed on the fixing base
92 go through the guide long grooves 106 and are fixed each
with a locking head bolt from above the groove 106 in such
a condition that a cylinder is provided below and the slide
plate 104 is slidably mounted on that cylinder in the flow
direction.
-
Further, the slide plate 104 contains two engaging
grooves 108 which are provided in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the sliding direction and at an interval
separating them. The input pins 100 corresponding to the
rotary shafts 58, 60, installed on the eccentric cams 98 go
through the engaging grooves 108 so that they protrude.
Consequently, when the slide plate 104 is slid in the
direction of the air flow, the input pins 100 move within
the guide long grooves 106?? so that they take circular motion
in the range r around the rotating shafts 58, 60. Then, this
range in which the pins 100 move a range in which the rotary
shafts 58, 60 are rotated as such a range in which at least
the vane plates 62, 64 opens or closes the flow path P.
-
Further, drive receiving pins 110 of the slide drive
mechanism which will be described later are installed on this
slide plate 104. The slide drive mechanism 112 based on the
slide plate 104 comprises a screw shaft 114 which is mounted
on the frame 94 so as to extend in the direction of the sliding
motion of the slide plate 104, a nut member 116 which is
engaged with this screw shaft 114 so that it advances or
retracts in the sliding direction of the slide plate, a slide
adjusting plate 118 the substantial center portion of which
is supported by a bottom face of the nut member and which
is provided in a direction of intersecting the screw shaft
114, and coil springs 120 which are stretched between the
slide plate and the slide adjusting plate 118 so as rotate
the slide adjusting plate 118 counterclockwise. The
aforementioned drive receiving pins 110 are located on edges
of the slide adjusting plate 118 such that front ends thereof
are protruded above the adjusting plate. Therefore, against
the pulling force of the coil springs 120, the drive receiving
pins 110 hold the adjusting plate 118 in a condition
substantially perpendicular to the screw shaft 114.
Consequently, the nut member 116 can move linearly along the
screw shaft 114 and at the same time, the linear motion of
the input pins 100 is converted to rotary motion smoothly
while a shock produced by the linear motion is absorbed by
the elasticity of the coil springs. Meantime, reference
numeral 122 denotes a drive motor the driving shaft of which
is fixed on the screw shaft 114. Reference numeral 124
denotes an airflow rate detecting sensor which is provided
in the upstream relative to the vane portions 62, 64.
-
Next, an operation of the third embodiment will be
described. Referring to FIGs. 24, 25A,B, in flow-path full
opening condition, the vane portions 62, 64 are disposed along
the flow direction. At this time, because the second vane
plates 66b, 68b are pressed against the first vane plates
66a, 68a by the coil springs 88, the driving pins 38 are
maintained at the position x in the long grooves 84, 86 so
as to fully open the holes 18, and then with the holes 18
fully open, the vane portions are rotated from the full open
condition to the full close condition.
-
Then, when the rotary shafts 58, 60 are rotated further
from the flow path full closing condition, in the same
direction, the vane portions 62, 64 are in contact with the
stopper portions 44 so that the rotation thereof is blocked.
As shown in FIG. 25A, the rotary shafts are further rotated
from the full open condition in which the driving pins 38
are located at the position x so as to keep the holes 18 full
open to the conniption in which the driving pins 38 are moved
to the position y. Consequently, opening/closing of the
plural holes 18 can be carried out by rotating the rotary
shafts further continuously from the flow path closing
condition.
-
The opening/closing operation of the rotary shafts 58,
60 is carried out by the cam members, slide mechanism and
slide drive mechanism of the synchronous opening/closing
mechanism 90, which rotates the vane portions 62, 64
synchronously in opposite directions to each other so as to
open or close the flow path. The synchronous opening/closing
mechanism is not restricted to a structure of this embodiment
but any structure is permitted as long as it can rotate the
rotary shafts 58, 60 synchronously in opposite directions
to each other.
-
The third embodiment comprises the casing in which an
air path is formed internally and vane portions which are
rotated in the casing so as to open/close the flow path, the
vane portions containing a plurality of the vane plates which
are overlaid, mounted slidably and have a plurality of the
holes. Further, when opening/closing the entire flow path
by means of the vane portions, the holes of corresponding
vane plates are made to communicate with each other so as
to form communicating openings. After the air path is closed,
any of the vane plates is slid so as to close the communicating
openings.
-
Further, the shared driving mechanism is provided in
which the rotary shafts are rotatably provided so as to cross
over the casing and the vane portions are mounted on the rotary
shafts, so that, by rotating the rotary shafts, the
opening/closing of the flow path and opening/closing of the
plural holes are carried out. In this shared drive mechanism,
by rotating further the rotary shafts continuously from the
condition in which the flow path is closed, the vane plates
are slid to open/close the plurality of the holes. The
operation and effect of the present embodiment includes
ability to prevent generation of wind noise and other noise
effectively, improvement of the flow rate control function
in the case when the vane portions are almost fully closed,
which is the most difficult and important work, ability of
preventing drift current, carrying out rectification and
being installed near an air conditioner at the end of a system,
improvement of airflow rate detecting accuracy, and that not
so many sensors are required. The same operation and effect
as the first embodiment can be obtained. Although in this
embodiment, two pairs of the vane portions are provided on
two rotary shafts, for example, it is permissible to so
construct that 3, 4, 5, 6, ... pairs of the vane portions,
which comprise overlaid vane plates having a plurality of
holes, are rotatably supported in a casing having a square
cross section and opened/closed through link mechanism at
the same time while opening/closing of the holes is carried
out by sliding the vane plates at the same time when
opening/closing of the flow path is carried out.
-
Next, the airflow-adjusting damper 10-4 according to
the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGs. 26-32. The same reference
numerals are attached to the same components and a description
thereof is omitted.
-
The airflow-adjusting damper of the fourth embodiment
comprises the casing 12 for forming airflow internally and
the vane portions 14 which are rotated in the casing 12 so
as to open/close the flow path P, the vane portions 14
containing a plurality of the vane plates 16a, 16b which are
overlaid, slidably mounted and have plural holes 18. When
the flow path P is opened/closed by the vane portion 14, the
plural holes 18 are made to communicate with each other so
as to form communicating opening and after the air path P
is closed, any of the vane plates 16a, 16b is slid to close
the communicating opening. The shared drive mechanism 28 is
provided in which the rotary shafts 22 are rotatably mounted
so as to cross over the casing 12 and the vane portion 14
is provided on the rotary shafts 22 and by rotating the rotary
shafts 22, opening/closing of the flow path and
opening/closing of the plural holes are carried out. Further
the shared drive mechanism 28 is so constructed as to slide
the vane plates to close the plural holes 18 by rotating
further the rotary shafts continuously from the condition
in which the flow path is closed.
-
The same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained
with the same structure. In this embodiment, the vane
portion 14 for opening/closing the flow path P is a pair and
the vane plates 16a, 16b which have real circular shape
substantially corresponding to an internal diameter of the
cylindrical casing are rotated so as to open or close the
flow path P.
-
Although rotation of the rotary shaft and
opening/closing of the plural holes by means of the shared
drive mechanism 28 are the same, the concrete shared drive
method is different. Referring to FIGs. 26, 29, 31, the
shared drive mechanism 28 comprises the rotary shafts 22
rotatably provided in the casing 12 and the vane portion 14
mounted on the rotary shafts, the vane portion containing
the first vane plate 16a which is idlingly mounted on the
rotary shaft 22 and the second vane plate 16b which is slidably
fixed to the first vane plate 16a.
-
According to this embodiment, the rotary shaft 22
contains a screw portion 126 and further a retracting
mechanism 126 which engages this screw portion so as to slide
any of the vane plates is provided. As shown in FIG. 26, the
rotary shaft 22 is rotatably supported by the bearing 20 fixed
on the casing 12 so as to cross over the flow path. The first
vane plate 16a of the vane portion 14 is idling mounted on
this rotary shaft 22 through the mounting member 24 comprising
a shaft band. In the center of this rotary shaft 22 is formed
a screw groove which is the screw portion 126 and on the right
and left sides of the screw portion are mounted sleeves 130
having predetermined length. The structure for setting the
length of the screw portion is not restricted to this method.
It is permissible to disable the motion of the nut member
by the length and width of the cutout hole which will be
described later, and any other structure may be permitted.
-
A rectangular cutout portion 132 is formed at a position
corresponding to the screw portion 126 of the rotary shaft
22 of the first vane plate 16a. A nut member 134 which engages
the screw portion 126 and retracts is provided and the
proximal end of this nut member is fixed on the second vane
plate 16b through the cutout portion 132.
-
Thus, when the rotary shaft 22 is rotated, the nut
member is retracted along the rotary shaft and the second
vane plate 16b of the sliding side is slid following this
operation.
-
Further, as shown in FIG. 28, a tension spring 138 one
end of which is fixed to the first vane plate 16a and the
other end of which is fixed to a supporting member 136 provided
in the flow path is stretch so that the first vane plate is
always urged in the direction of closing the flow path P.
Then, the stopper member (44) having L-shaped cross section
is provided in the flow path so that the vane portion 14 is
restricted in a direction perpendicular to the air flow when
the flow path is fully closed. The tension spring is not
restricted to this embodiment and for example, it is
permissible to mount the coil spring on the rotary shaft so
that the spring end is urged in the direction of closing the
flow path.
-
The retracting mechanism 128 includes the
aforementioned nut member and an urging member 138
exemplified by the tension spring. The length of the screw
portion 126 must only be set to such a length at least enabling
a plurality of the holes 18 provided on the vane plate to
be opened or closed.
-
An operation of this embodiment will be described. As
shown in FIG. 28, the first vane plates 16a is always urged
by the tension force of the urging member 138 in the direction
of closing the flow path P. At this time, although not shown
in FIGs. 26, 29, 31, the nut member 134 has been rotated fully
counterclockwise so that the nut member 134 is located near
the left end of the screw portion 126. At this time, the
plural holes 18 provided on the vane portion are fully closed
(see FIG. 32A).
-
When the rotary shaft 22 is rotated clockwise in FIG.
28, the screw portion 126 advances the nut member 134 to the
right direction so as to open the holes 18 (see FIG. 32B).
At this position, the nut member 134 is not advanced in the
same direction. Thus, if the rotation shaft is rotated
clockwise, the entire vane portion 14 is rotated in the
direction of opening the flow path against the urging force
of the urging member 138 so that the flow path is fully opened
as shown by the chained line of FIG. 28 (see FIG. 32A). At
this time, the nut member 134 is located near the right end
of the screw portion 126. In an interval from the state in
which the flow path is fully closed to the state in which
the flow path is fully opened, the plural holes 18 provided
in the vane plates are kept fully open.
-
On the other hand, if the rotary shaft 22 is rotated
counterclockwise from the full opening condition, the first
vane plate 16a is rotated because it is urged by the tension
spring 138. Thus, the relative position between the screw
portion 126 and nut member 134 is not changed, so that the
vane plate 16a is rotated until the flow path is fully closed,
while keeping the holes 18 fully open.
-
At the position in which the flow path is fully closed,
the vane portion 14 make contact with the stopper member 44
so that the vane portion 14 is blocked. When the rotary shaft
22 is rotated further counterclockwise, the nut member 134
advances on the screw portion 126, so that the second vane
plate 16b is slid along the rotation shaft thereby closing
the holes fully.
-
According to this embodiment, the vane plate is slid
by advancing or retracting the nut member fixed on the vane
plate of the sliding side which engages the screw portion
formed on the rotary shaft, thereby opening/closing the
plurality of the holes 18. Thus, the operation thereof is
carried out securely.
-
Next, the airflow-adjusting damper 10-5 according to
the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIGs. 33-38. The same reference
numerals are attached to the same components and a description
thereof in detail is omitted.
-
This embodiment has the same operation and effect as
the third embodiment in that: the airflow-adjusting damper
of this embodiment comprises the casing in which the airflow
path is formed internally and the vane portion which is
rotated in the casing so as to open/close the flow path, the
vane portion containing plural vane plates which are overlaid,
slidably mounted and have a plurality of holes; two rotating
shafts 58, 60 are provided and two vane portions 62, 64
rotatably supported in the flow path are supported thereon;
the vane plates are semi-circular and a length from the
proximal portion to the vertex of the circumference is longer
than the radius of the flow path and the vane portions are
maintained at a sharp angle relative to the direction of flow
when the flow path is fully closed; the shared drive mechanism
is provided; the shared drive mechanism 28 comprises the
rotary shafts 58, 60 rotatably mounted in the casing 12 and
the vane portions 62, 64 rotatably mounted on the rotary
shafts, the vane portions 62, 64 including the first vane
plates 66a, 68a which are idling mounted on the rotary shafts
58, 60 and the other vane plates 66b, 68b which are slidably
fixed to the first vane plates 66b, 68b, and the shared drive
mechanism 28 further comprising long grooves 84, 86 provided
in the vane plates 66a, 66b, 68a, 68b, the drive pins 38 which
are fixed on the rotary shafts 58, 60 in the radius direction
and go through the long grooves 84, 86 in the plural overlaid
vane plates so as to protrude, and the stopper portions 44
for specifying the position in which the flow path P is to
be closed by the vane portions 62, 64. The components to which
the same reference numerals are attached have the same
structure as in the third embodiment and the same operation.
Thus, a description thereof is omitted.
-
In the fifth embodiment, the shared drive mechanism
28 has double rotary shafts. The gear mechanism makes the
double shafts carry out the rotation corresponding to the
opening/closing of the flow path by the vane portions and
rotation corresponding to the opening/closing of the plural
vanes of the vane portions in series operation, so that these
operations are shifted continuously. The motor drive shaft
carries out the opening/closing of the flow path and the
opening/closing of the plural holes at the same rotation
speed.
-
Referring to FIGs. 33, 34, 35, a gear mechanism 142
which engages the pinion gear 140 connected to a motor drive
shaft (not shown) is mounted on shaft ends of the rotation
shafts 58, 60 outside of the casing 12. These rotation shafts
and gear mechanisms contain the same structure components
each, therefore one rotation shaft and gear mechanism will
be described.
-
As shown in FIGs. 36, 38, the rotation shaft 58
according to this embodiment contains double shaft structure
comprising a middle shaft 58a and an outer shaft 58b which
is mounted on an external circumference thereof and rotated
slidingly freely. A driving pin 38 is fixed on the middle
shaft 58b so as to direct in the radius direction and an end
thereof goes through the long grooves 84, 86 of the vane plates
66a, 66b.
-
On the other hand, on an external face of the middle
shaft 58a is mounted the outer shaft 58b such that it is
movable relative to the middle shaft and coaxial therewith.
The cutout groove 144 is formed at a position corresponding
to the drive pin 38 mounting position of the middle shaft
58b as shown in FIG. 38. The drive pin 38 of this middle shaft
58a goes through the cutout groove 144 and further goes
through the vane plates 66a, 66b so as to protrude. Rotation
of this drive pin 38 opens or closes the plural holes 18 in
the vane portion.
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The gear mechanism 142 installed on an end of the
rotation shaft 58 comprises a first gear 146 and a second
gear 148. Referring to FIGs. 36, 38, the first gear 146 is
formed in a substantially fan shape and a circular proximal
portion is fixed to the middle shaft 58a. An interlocking
pin 150 is raised from the first gear 146 (provided on a back
side of FIG. 36A). When the second gear is rotated, this
interlocking pin is pushed so that the first gear is
synchronously rotated in the same direction. On a fan-like
circular portion of this first gear 146 is formed an engaging
portion 152 having gear teeth for engaging a pinion gear 140.
When the first gear 146 is rotated, the middle shaft 58a is
also rotated. Thus, the drive pin 38 is driven so as to rotate
the second vane plate 66b which is a sliding vane plate in
such a direction that the plural holes 18 are closed.
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The second gear 148 is also formed in the substantially
fan-like circular shape and fixed to ends of the rotation
shafts such that it overlies the first gear with a gap in
the length direction of the rotation shaft 58. That is, the
proximal portion of the second gear 148 is fixed to the outer
shaft 58b. Then, an engaging portion 154 which will engage
the pinion gear 140 is provided on the circumference. The
interlocking pin 150 of the first gear 146 is installed in
a direction intersecting the rotation direction, within a
rotation range of the engaging portion 154 of the second gear
148. As a result, when the second gear is forcibly rotated,
the first gear is rotated following it.
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In this embodiment, the first vane plate 66a is fixed
to the outer shaft 58b and the second vane plate 66b is
slidably provided in a direction intersecting the rotation
shaft such that it overlies the first vane plate 66a. Thus,
when the second gear is rotated, the outer shaft is rotated
and accompanyingly, the first vane plate 66a is rotated in
the flow path.
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Referring to FIG. 36A, the vane portion 62 directs to
the upstream of airflow as shown by the solid line such that
it is fully opened. In FIG. 38, the drive pin 38 fixed on
the middle shaft 58a is located at the left end shown by the
solid line. Thus, the second vane plate 66b of the sliding
side is slid so as to open the plural holes 18 fully.
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When the pinion gear 140 which interlocks with the drive
gear is rotated, the engaging portion 154 of the second gear
engages the second gear 148 and rotates it in the clockwise
direction. A strike portion located on an edge of the corner
portion of the second gear pushes the interlocking pin 150,
so that the first and second gears are rotated synchronously
in the clockwise direction without changing the relative
position between the middle shaft 58a and outer shaft 58b.
Because the relative rotation position between the middle
shaft and outer shaft is not changed, the drive pin 38 is
not moved in the cutout groove 144 and the vane portion 64
is rotated in the direction of closing the flow path with
the plural holes 18 fully open.
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When the vane portion makes contact with the stopper
portion 44 which is a flow path wall in FIG. 36A, an end of
the second gear 148 and an end of the first gear 146 both
engage the pinion gear 140. When the pinion gear 140 is
further rotated, it engages the engaging portion 152 of the
first gear 140. Because the first gear having the
interlocking pin has a sufficient rotation range, it is
rotated freely without an interference with the second gear.
Thus, the middle shaft 58a fixed to the first gear is rotated
so as to change the relative rotation position to the outer
shaft 58b. As a result, when the drive pin 38 moves from the
left end position to the right end position in FIG. 37, the
holes 18 are closed as shown in FIG. 36C so that the flow
path is fully closed. At this time, the circular portions
of the respective gears 152, 154 substantially overlie each
other.
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If the pinion gear 140 is rotated inversely, the opening
of the holes 18 and opening of the flow path are carried out
in reverse order and both the gears are returned to the
position shown in FIG. 36A. In the shared drive mechanism
of this embodiment, opening/closing of the flow path and
opening/closing of the plural holes are carried out by
interlocking and series operation of the gears, so that the
operation of the vane portions is conducted securely thereby
achieving high reliability.
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Further, because the double shaft structure including
the middle shaft and outer shaft is applied in this embodiment,
the interlocking of the gears to drive the vane portions in
the casing can be performed smoothly. The structure for
connecting two driving movements in series, particularly a
structure for continuously driving the two driving motions
is simplified and production of this system is facilitated.
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The structure of the fifth embodiment is the same as
that of the third embodiment and the same operation and effect
can be attained. For example, by using the two pairs of the
vane portions 62, 64 having the semi-circular shape, and
driving them in butterfly fashion so as to open/close each
of half of the flow path, the flow rate control characteristic
can be improved as compared to the case in which a pair of
the vane plates are supported so as to open/close the flow
path. Further, by arranging the rotation shafts in series
in the flow path, the pressure loss in the flow path P is
minimized so as to raise the airflow rate control
characteristic.
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Further, the structure in which the vanes are overlaid
with each other and the plural vanes can be slidingly
opened/closed is the same, and an operation and effect thereof
are the same as the first embodiment. The same operation and
effect as the first embodiment include ability of preventing
wind noise and other noise effectively, improvement of flow
rate control function in the case when the vane portions are
fully closed, which is the most difficult and important point,
ability of preventing drift current, carrying out
rectification and being installed near an air conditioner
at an end of an system, improvement of the airflow detecting
accuracy, and that a minimum number of sensors can satisfy
requirement.
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Further, the airflow rate adjusting damper 10-6
according to the six embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to FIGs. 39, 42. The structure
of the vane portion 14 and the other structure are the same
for example, the first embodiment. The same reference
numerals are attached to the same components and a description
thereof is omitted.
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In the sixth embodiment, the shared drive mechanism
28 is provided at each vane portion of a multi-vane type damper.
In FIGs. 39, 40, the damper casing 12 is square and four square
vane portions 14 are rotatably supported by the rotation
shafts 22 so as to open or close the air flow path having
square cross section. In the multi-vane type damper of this
embodiment are provided the vane portions 14 in which the
plural vane plates 16a, 16b ... are overlaid so that they
are freely slidable.
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FIG. 39 shows multi-vane type damper of opposing vane
type in which two vane portions 14 are opened/closed such
that they oppose each other. Each vane portion contains the
shared drive mechanism 28 for carrying out opening/closing
of the airflow path and opening/closing of the plural holes
18 by rotating the rotary shaft. In this embodiment, link
mechanism 156 is utilized. When the rotation shaft 22R is
rotated, the rotation shafts 22S, 22T, 22U are synchronized
therewith so that the other rotation shafts 22S, 22T are
rotated inversely. If the 22R is connected to a motor drive
shaft, the vane portions supported by other rotation shafts
are rotated in opposite direction so that the vane plates
16a, 16b are slid thereby opening/closing the plural holes
18. Although the conventional link mechanism is used for
synchronous opening/closing, it is permissible to drive each
vane plates separately.
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FIG. 40 shows a multi-vane damper of parallel vane type.
In this embodiment also, the vane portions are opened or
closed synchronously with the link mechanism 156 so as to
open/close the plural holes 18. In this embodiment, the vane
plates are slid along the rotation shafts by means of the
drive pins in the same manner as the first embodiment.
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In the case of utilizing the multi-vane type damper
in, for example, a flow path having a large duct diameter,
it is permissible to form a slide opening/closing type damper
having a plurality of holes. The link mechanism 156 of this
embodiment may be made to synchronize by using a belt, chain,
gear or the like.
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In the case when the shared drive mechanism is attached
to each vane portion of the multi-vane type damper, it is
permissible to construct that the second vane plates are
allowed to slide in a direction intersecting the rotary shaft
as shown in the third embodiment or it is permissible to form
the rotary shaft with multiple shafts so that opening/closing
of the airflow path and opening/closing of the plural holes
are shifted by the gear mechanism, like the third embodiment.
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The airflow-adjusting damper of the present invention
is not restricted to the above described embodiments but any
modification may be made within a scope not departing from
the gist of the present invention mentioned in claims thereof.
-
While preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described using specific terms, such description
is for illustrative purposes, and it is to be understood that
changes and variations may be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of the following claims.