JP5068838B2 - Blower assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A bladeless fan assembly includes a nozzle and a device for creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the interior passage, and a surface located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The nozzle is mounted on a height adjustable pedestal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a blower assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an indoor blower, such as a pedestal blower, for generating airflow indoors, offices, and other domestic (indoor) environments.

  Conventional home (indoor) blowers or fans typically have a set of vanes or vanes mounted to rotate about an axis and a set of vanes to rotate to generate an air flow. Drive device. The user experiences a cooling effect because “wind cooling” or breeze is generated by the movement and circulation of the air flow, and as a result, heat is dissipated by convection and evaporation.

  Such fans are available in various sizes and shapes. For example, the ceiling fan can have a diameter of at least 1 m and is usually mounted suspended from the ceiling to provide a downward airflow to cool the room. On the other hand, the diameter of a desk fan is about 30 cm in many cases, and is usually free-standing and portable. Floor-standing pedestal fans generally include a height-adjustable pedestal that supports the drive and a set of blades for generating an air flow typically between 300 l / s and 500 l / s.

Reba, Scientific American, Vol. 214, June 1996, pages 84-92

  A disadvantage of this type of configuration is that the air flow generated by the fan blades is usually not uniform. This is due to variations across the blade surface or across the outside surface of the fan. The degree of this variation varies from product to product and can even vary from one fan machine to another. This variation results in the generation of a non-uniform or “irregularly changing” air flow that can be felt as a series of air pulses and can be uncomfortable for the user.

  In a home environment, it is not desirable that the parts of the appliance protrude outward or that the user can touch a moving part such as a wing. Pedestal fans tend to have a cage around the blades to prevent injury due to contact with the rotating blades, but the parts contained in such cages can be difficult to clean. Further, since the driving device and the rotary blade are mounted on the pedestal, the center of gravity of the pedestal fan is usually located on the upper side of the pedestal. This can make the pedestal fan tip over if accidentally bumped, unless the pedestal has a relatively wide or heavy base, which is undesirable for the user.

  The present invention includes a nozzle and means for generating an air flow through the nozzle, the nozzle being disposed adjacent to the internal passage, a mouth receiving the air flow from the internal passage, and the The nozzle is mounted on a height-adjustable pedestal that includes a face configured to direct an air flow above the mouth.

  By using a vaneless fan assembly, an air flow can be generated without the use of a vaned fan. Compared to a bladed fan assembly, a bladeless fan assembly provides a reduction in both moving parts and complexity. Further, if a vaned fan is not used to eject the airflow from the fan assembly, a relatively uniform airflow can be generated and guided into the room or towards the user. The air flow can effectively move from the nozzle and there is little loss of energy and velocity due to turbulence.

  The term “bladeless” is used to describe a fan assembly in which airflow is expelled or ejected forward from the fan assembly without the use of moving vanes. Thus, a vaneless fan assembly can be considered to have an output region or discharge area from which there are no moving vanes from which airflow is directed to the user or room. The output region of the vaneless fan assembly can be supplied with a primary air flow generated by one of a variety of different sources, such as a pump, generator, motor, or other fluid conveying device, and can be varied. The source may include a rotating device such as a motor rotor and / or a bladed impeller for generating an air flow. The generated primary air flow can travel from the interior space or other environment outside the fan assembly through the telescopic duct to the nozzle and then back into the room through the nozzle mouth.

  Thus, the description of a fan assembly without vanes is not intended to extend to the description of power supplies and components such as motors required for secondary fan function. Examples of secondary fan functions can include lighting, adjusting and swinging the fan assembly.

  The nozzle shape of the fan assembly is not constrained by the requirement to include space for a vaned fan. The nozzle preferably surrounds the opening. The nozzle can be an annular nozzle having a height preferably in the range from 200 mm to 600 mm, more preferably in the range from 250 mm to 500 mm.

  The nozzle mouth preferably extends around the opening and is annular. The nozzle preferably includes an inner casing section and an outer casing section that define the mouth of the nozzle. Each section is preferably formed from a respective annular member, but each section may be provided by a plurality of members joined together or assembled to form the section. The outer casing section is preferably formed to partially overlap the inner casing section. This allows a mouth outlet to be defined between the overlap of the outer surface of the inner casing section of the nozzle and the inner surface of the outer casing section. The outlet is preferably in the form of a slot and preferably has a width in the range from 0.5 mm to 5 mm. The nozzle can include a plurality of spacers for spacing overlapping portions of the inner casing section and the outer casing section of the nozzle. This can help maintain a substantially uniform exit width around the opening. The spacers are preferably arranged at equal intervals along the outlet.

  The internal passage is preferably continuous, more preferably annular, and is preferably formed to divide the air flow into two air flows that flow in opposite directions around the opening. The internal passage is also preferably defined by an inner casing portion and an outer casing portion of the nozzle.

  The fan assembly preferably includes a nozzle swing means so that the air flow is blown in an arc, preferably in the range of 60 ° to 120 °. For example, the base of the pedestal can include a swinging means at the top of the base to which the nozzle is coupled relative to the bottom of the base.

  As described above, the nozzle includes a surface disposed adjacent to the mouth and on which the mouth is configured to direct an air flow emitted from the nozzle. This surface is preferably a Coanda surface, and the outer surface of the inner casing portion of the nozzle is preferably formed to define the Coanda surface. The Coanda surface preferably extends around the opening. The Coanda surface is the type of surface on which the fluid flow exiting the output orifice close to the surface exhibits the Coanda effect. The fluid tends to approach the surface and flow almost “sticking” to the surface or “embracing” the surface. The Coanda effect is an already proven and well documented entrainment method in which the primary air stream is directed over the Coanda surface. A description of the characteristics of the Coanda surface and the effect of fluid flow on the Coanda surface can be found in articles such as Reba, Scientific American, 214, June 1996, pages 84-92. Using the Coanda surface, more air is drawn from the outside of the fan assembly through the opening by the air released from the mouth.

  In the present invention, the air flow generated by the fan assembly enters the nozzle. In the following description, this air flow is referred to as a primary air flow. The primary air stream is discharged from the nozzle mouth and passes over the Coanda surface. The primary air flow entrains air around the nozzle mouth and serves as an air amplifier that supplies both the primary air flow and the entrained air to the user. The entrained air is referred to herein as secondary air flow. Secondary airflow is drawn from the interior space, area surrounding the nozzle mouth, and the external environment, and is drawn from the other areas around the fan assembly by movement and passes primarily through openings defined by the nozzle. . The primary air flow directed above the Coanda surface combined with the entrained secondary air flow is equal to the total air flow discharged or injected forward from the opening defined by the nozzle. It is preferred that the primary air flow is amplified at least 5 times, more preferably at least 10 times, while maintaining a smooth overall output by entrainment of air surrounding the nozzle mouth. The maximum air flow generated by the fan assembly is preferably in the range of 300 to 800 liters per second, more preferably in the range of 400 to 700 liters per second.

  The nozzle preferably includes a diffuser surface disposed downstream of the Coanda surface. The outer surface of the inner casing portion of the nozzle is preferably formed to define a diffuser surface.

  The nozzle is mounted on an adjustable pedestal. The pedestal preferably contains a means for generating an air flow so that the fan assembly has a compact appearance. The pedestal can include a duct for carrying an air flow to the nozzle. Thus, the pedestal serves both to support the nozzle from which the air flow generated by the fan assembly is released and to carry the generated air flow to the nozzle. The means for generating an air flow through the nozzle can be arranged towards the bottom of the pedestal, whereby a vane fan and a drive for the vane fan are coupled to the top of the pedestal. Compared with the fan, the center of gravity of the fan assembly is lowered, and the fan assembly is not easily collapsed even if it collides. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the pedestal includes a base that contains means for generating an air flow, and the duct extends between the base and the nozzle. Alternatively, the means for generating an air flow may be located in the duct.

  The means for generating an air flow through the nozzle preferably includes an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller, and a diffuser disposed downstream of the impeller. The impeller is preferably a mixed flow impeller. The motor is preferably a DC brushless motor to avoid friction loss and carbon debris from the brushes used in conventional brush motors. Reduction of carbon waste and carbon emissions is advantageous in clean or contaminated environments such as hospitals or around allergic people. In general, induction motors used for pedestal fans have no brushes, but DC brushless motors can provide a much wider range of operating speeds than induction motors.

  The diffuser can include a plurality of swirl vanes that result in the discharge of a swirling air stream from the diffuser. Since the air flow through the duct is usually axial or longitudinal, the fan assembly preferably includes means for guiding the air flow emitted from the diffuser into the duct. Thereby, the conduction loss in the fan assembly can be reduced. The air flow guiding means preferably includes a plurality of vanes for guiding respective portions of the air flow discharged from the diffuser to the duct. These vanes are preferably arranged on the inner surface of the air flow guide member mounted on the diffuser and are arranged at substantially equal intervals. The airflow guide means also includes a plurality of radial vanes disposed at least partially within the duct, preferably each of the radial vanes is adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of vanes. A radial vane may define a plurality of axial or longitudinal channels in the duct, each receiving a respective portion of the air flow from a channel defined by the plurality of vanes. This part of the air flow preferably merges in the duct.

  The duct includes a base attached to the base of the pedestal and a plurality of tubular members attached to the base of the duct. The curved vane can be located at least partially within the base of the duct. The axial vane can be at least partially disposed within the means for coupling one of the tubular members to the base of the duct. The coupling means may include an air tube or other tubular member for receiving one of the tubular members.

  Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fan assembly with the fan assembly telescopic duct in a fully extended configuration. FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the fan assembly of FIG. 1 with the fan assembly telescopic duct in a retracted position. It is sectional drawing of the base of the base of the fan assembly of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the telescopic duct of the fan assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a side view of the duct of FIG. 4 in a fully extended configuration. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the duct taken along line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the duct taken along line BB in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the duct of FIG. 4 in a fully extended configuration with a portion of the lower tubular member cut away. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 8 with various parts of the duct removed. FIG. 5 is a side view of the duct of FIG. 4 in a contracted configuration. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the duct taken along line CC in FIG. 10. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a nozzle of the fan assembly of FIG. 1. It is a front view of the nozzle of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the nozzle taken along line PP of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the area | region R shown in FIG.

  1 and 2 show perspective views of an embodiment of the fan assembly 10. In this embodiment, the fan assembly 10 is a vaneless fan assembly and includes a home 12 that includes a height adjustable pedestal 12 and a nozzle 14 attached to the pedestal 12 for releasing air from the fan assembly 10. This is a form of a pedestal fan (for indoor use). The pedestal 12 includes a floor-standing base 16 and a height adjustable stand in the form of a telescoping duct 18 extending upwardly from the base 16 for carrying primary air flow from the base 16 to the nozzle 14.

  The base 16 of the pedestal 12 includes a generally cylindrical motor casing portion 20 attached to a generally cylindrical lower casing portion 22. The motor casing portion 20 and the lower casing portion 22 preferably have substantially the same outer diameter so that the outer surface of the motor casing portion 20 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the lower casing portion 22. The lower casing portion 22 is optionally attached to a floor-standing disc-like base plate 24 and includes a plurality of user operable buttons 26 and a user operable dial 28 for controlling the operation of the fan assembly 10. The base 16 further includes a plurality of air intakes, which in the present embodiment are in the form of holes formed in the motor casing portion 20 through which the primary air flow passes from the external environment to the base 16. Drawn into. In the present embodiment, the base 16 of the pedestal 12 has a height in the range of 200 mm to 300 mm, and the motor casing 20 has a diameter in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm. The base plate 24 preferably has a diameter in the range of 200 mm to 300 mm.

  The telescopic duct 18 of the pedestal 12 is movable between the fully extended configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the contracted (retracted) configuration shown in FIG. Duct 18 has a generally cylindrical base 32 mounted on base 12 of fan assembly 10, an outer tubular member 34 coupled to base 32 and extending upward therefrom, and partially in outer tubular member 34. And an inner tubular member 36 disposed therein. A connector 37 couples the nozzle 14 to the open upper end of the inner tubular member 36 of the duct 18. The inner tubular member 36 is slidable relative to and within the outer tubular member 34 between the fully extended position shown in FIG. 1 and the retracted position shown in FIG. The fan assembly 10 preferably has a height ranging from 1200 mm to 1600 mm when the inner tubular member 36 is in the fully extended position, and when the inner tubular member 36 is in the retracted position, the fan assembly 10 is It preferably has a height in the range of 900 mm to 1300 mm. To adjust the height of the fan assembly 10, the user grasps the exposed portion of the inner tubular member 36, slides the inner tubular member 36 up and down as desired, and the nozzle 14 in the desired vertical direction. To be in position. When the inner tubular member 36 is in the retracted position, the user can grasp the connector 37 and pull the inner tubular member 36 upward.

  The nozzle 14 has an annular shape and extends around the central axis X to define the opening 38. The nozzle 14 includes a mouth 40 located rearward of the nozzle 14 for discharging a primary air flow from the fan assembly 10 and through the opening 38. The mouth 40 preferably extends around the opening 38 and is also annular. An inner peripheral portion of the nozzle 14 is disposed adjacent to the mouth 40, and a Coanda surface 42 on which the mouth 40 directs air discharged from the fan assembly 10, and a diffuser surface located downstream of the Coanda surface 42. 44 and a guide surface 46 located downstream of the diffuser surface 44. The diffuser surface 44 is arranged to taper away from the central axis X of the opening 38 in a manner that facilitates the flow of air discharged from the fan assembly 10. The angle defined between the diffuser surface 44 and the central axis X of the opening 38 ranges from 5 ° to 25 °, and in this example is about 7 °. The guide surface 46 is disposed at an angle with respect to the diffuser surface 44 to further assist in efficient delivery of the cooling airflow from the fan assembly 10. The guide surface 46 is preferably arranged substantially parallel to the central axis X of the opening 38 so as to present a substantially flat and substantially smooth surface with respect to the air flow discharged from the mouth 40. A visually appealing tapered surface 48 is disposed downstream of the guide surface 46 and terminates at a tip surface 50 located substantially perpendicular to the central axis X of the opening 38. The angle defined between the tapered surface 48 and the central axis X of the opening 38 is preferably about 45 °. In the present embodiment, the nozzle 14 has a height ranging from 400 mm to 600 mm.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the base 16 of the base 12. The lower casing portion 22 of the base portion 16 is for controlling the operation of the fan assembly 10 in response to the depression of the user operable button 26 and / or the operation of the user operable dial 28 shown in FIGS. , Which houses the controller, generally designated 52. The lower casing portion 22 may optionally include a sensor 54 that receives control signals from a remote control device (not shown) and conveys these control signals to the controller 52. These control signals are preferably infrared signals. The sensor 54 is arranged behind the window 55, through which a control signal enters the lower casing part 22 of the base 16. A light emitting diode (not shown) may be provided to indicate whether the fan assembly 10 is in standby mode. The lower casing portion 22 also houses a mechanism, generally designated 56, for swinging the motor casing portion 20 of the base portion 16 relative to the lower casing portion 22 of the base portion 16. The swing mechanism 56 includes a rotatable shaft 56 a that extends from the lower casing portion 22 into the motor casing portion 20. The shaft 56a is supported in a sleeve 56b coupled to the lower casing part 22 by a bearing, allowing the shaft 56a to rotate relative to the sleeve 56b. One end of the shaft 56 a is coupled to the central portion of the annular coupling plate 56 c, and the outer portion of the coupling plate 56 c is coupled to the base of the motor casing portion 20. As a result, the motor casing 20 can be rotated with respect to the lower casing 22. The swing mechanism 56 also includes a motor (not shown) disposed in the lower casing portion 22 for operating the crank arm mechanism generally indicated by 56d. The crank arm mechanism 56d The base of the motor casing part 20 is swung with respect to the upper part. A crank arm mechanism for swinging one part with respect to another part is generally well known and will not be described here. The range of each swing period of the motor casing portion 20 with respect to the lower casing portion 22 is preferably between 60 ° and 120 °, and is about 90 ° in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the swing mechanism 56 is arranged to execute a swing cycle of about 3 to 5 times per minute. A main power cable 58 extends through a hole formed in the lower casing portion 22 to supply power to the fan assembly 10.

  The motor casing portion 20 includes a cylindrical grill 60 with a number of holes 62 formed to provide the inlet 30 of the base 16 of the pedestal 12. The motor casing portion 20 houses an impeller 64 for drawing the primary air flow into the base 16 through the hole 62. The impeller 64 is preferably in the form of a mixed flow impeller. Impeller 64 is coupled to a rotating shaft 66 that extends outwardly from motor 68. In this embodiment, the motor 68 is a DC brushless motor having a speed that is variable by the controller 52 in response to user operation of the dial 28 and / or signals received from the remote control device. The maximum speed of the motor 68 is preferably in the range from 5,000 rpm to 10,000 rpm. The motor 68 is housed in a motor bucket that includes an upper portion 70 coupled to a lower portion 72. The upper portion 70 of the motor bucket includes a diffuser 74 in the form of a stationary disk having spiral blades. The motor bucket is disposed within and attached to a generally frustoconical impeller housing 76 coupled to the motor casing portion 20. The impeller 64 and the impeller housing 76 are formed so that the impeller 64 comes into close contact with the inner surface of the impeller housing 76 but does not come into contact therewith. A generally annular inlet member 78 is coupled to the bottom of the impeller housing 76 to guide the primary air flow into the impeller housing 76.

  The base 16 of the pedestal 12 preferably further includes a silencing foam material for reducing noise emission from the base 16. In the present embodiment, the motor casing portion 20 of the base portion 16 includes a first annular foam member 80 disposed below the grill 60, and a first annular foam member 80 disposed between the impeller housing 76 and the inlet member 78. Two annular foam members 82.

  Here, the telescopic duct 18 of the base 12 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. The base 32 of the duct 18 includes a generally cylindrical sidewall 102 and an annular top surface 104 that is generally orthogonal to and preferably integral with the sidewall 102. The side wall 102 has substantially the same outer diameter as the motor casing portion 20 of the base portion 16, and when the duct 18 is coupled to the base portion 16, the outer surface of the side wall 102 is the outer surface of the motor casing portion 20 of the base portion 16. It is preferable that the shape be on the same plane. The base 32 further includes a relatively short air tube 106 extending upwardly from the outer surface 104 for carrying the primary air flow to the outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18. The air tube 106 is preferably substantially coaxial with the side wall 102 and the outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18 to allow the air tube 106 to be fully inserted into the outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18. The outer shape is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the. Arranging a plurality of axially extending ribs 108 on the outer surface of the air tube 106 to form an interference fit with the outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18, thereby securing the outer tubular member 34 to the base 32. Can do. An annular seal member 110 is disposed at the upper end of the air tube 106 to form an airtight seal between the outer tubular member 34 and the air tube 106.

  The duct 18 includes a dome-type air guide member 114 for guiding the primary air flow discharged from the diffuser 74 into the air pipe 106. The air guide member 114 has an open lower end 116 for receiving the primary air flow from the base 16 and an open upper end 118 for carrying the primary air flow to the air tube 116. The air guide member 114 is accommodated in the base 32 of the duct 18. The air guide member 114 is coupled to the base 32 by a cooperating snap-fit connector 120 disposed on the base 32 and the air guide member 114. A second annular seal member 121 is disposed around the open top end 118 to form an airtight seal between the base 32 and the air guide member 114. As shown in FIG. 3, the air guide member 114 may be connected to the base 16 by means of a cooperating snap-fit connector 123 or threaded connector disposed on the motor casing portion 20 of the air guide member 114 and the base 16. It is coupled to the open upper end of the motor casing 20. Accordingly, the air guide member 114 serves to couple the duct 18 to the base 16 of the base 12.

  A plurality of air guide vanes 122 are disposed on the inner surface of the air guide member 114 to guide the spiral airflow discharged from the diffuser 74 into the air tube 106. In this example, the air guide member 114 includes seven air guide vanes 122 arranged at equal intervals around the inner surface of the air guide member 114. The air guide vane 122 collects in the middle of the open top end 118 of the air guide member 114 and thus includes a plurality of air channels 124 each for guiding a respective portion of the primary air flow to the air tube 106. 114. With particular reference to FIG. 4, seven radial air guide vanes 126 are disposed within the air tube 106. Each of these radial air guide vanes 126 extends along substantially the entire length of the air tube 106 and is adjacent to each of the air guide vanes 122 when the air guide member 114 is coupled to the base 32. The radial air guide vanes 126 thus define a plurality of axially extending air channels 128 in the air tube 106, each of which is a respective one of the primary air flows from each of the air channels 124 in the air guide member 114. Receiving the portion and carrying that portion of the primary air flow axially through the air tube 106 and into the outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18. Accordingly, the air guide member 114 of the base 32 and the duct 18 serves to convert the swirling air flow emitted from the diffuser 74 into an axial air flow through the outer tubular member 34 and the inner tubular member 36 toward the nozzle 14. do. A third annular seal member 129 can be provided to form an airtight seal between the air guide member 114 and the base 32 of the duct 18.

  The cylindrical upper sleeve 130 is positioned at the top of the outer tubular member 34 using, for example, an adhesive or an interference fit so that the upper end 132 of the upper sleeve 130 is flush with the upper end 134 of the outer tubular member 34. Is coupled to the inner surface. The upper sleeve 130 has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner tubular member 36 to allow the inner tubular member 36 to pass through the upper sleeve 130. A third annular seal member 136 is disposed on the upper sleeve 130 to form an air tight seal with the inner tubular member 36. The third annular seal member 136 includes an annular lip 138 that engages the upper end 132 of the outer tubular member 34 to form a hermetic seal between the upper sleeve 130 and the outer tubular member 34.

  The cylindrical lower sleeve 140 is arranged on the inner side such that, for example, using an adhesive or an interference fit, the lower end 142 of the inner tubular member 36 is disposed between the upper end 144 and the lower end 146 of the lower sleeve 140. Coupled to the lower outer surface of the tubular member 36. The lower end portion 144 of the lower sleeve 140 has substantially the same outer diameter as the lower end portion 148 of the upper sleeve 130. Accordingly, in the fully extended position of the inner tubular member 36, the upper end 144 of the lower sleeve 140 abuts the lower end 148 of the upper sleeve 130, whereby the inner tubular member 36 is completely withdrawn from the outer tubular member 34. It is prevented. In the contracted position of the inner tubular member 36, the lower end portion 146 of the lower sleeve 140 abuts on the upper end portion of the air tube 106.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a main spring 150 is wrapped around a shaft 152 that is rotatably supported between inwardly extending arms 154 of the lower sleeve 140 of the duct 18. Referring to FIG. 8, the main spring 150 includes a steel strip having a free end 156 that is fixedly disposed between the outer surface of the upper sleeve 130 and the inner surface of the outer tubular member 34. As a result, the main spring 150 is unwound from the shaft 152 as the inner tubular member 36 is lowered from the fully extended position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the retracted position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The elastic energy stored in the main spring 150 functions as a counterweight for maintaining the user-selected position of the inner tubular member 26 with respect to the outer tubular member 34.

  Addition to movement of the inner tubular member 36 relative to the outer tubular member 34 by a spring-loaded arcuate band 158, preferably formed of a plastic material and disposed in an annular groove 160 that extends circumferentially around the lower sleeve 140 Resistance is given. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the band 158 does not extend completely around the lower sleeve 140 and thus includes two opposing ends 161. Each end 161 of the band 158 includes a radial interior 161 a that is received within a hole 162 formed in the lower sleeve 140. A compression spring 164 is disposed between the radial interiors 161 a of the ends 161 of the band 158 to urge the outer surface of the band 158 against the inner surface of the outer tubular member 34, thereby providing the outer tubular member 34. The frictional force that resists the movement of the inner tubular member 36 relative to increases.

  The band 158 further includes a grooved portion 166 that is disposed on the opposite side of the compression spring 164 in this embodiment and defines an axially extending groove 167 on the outer surface of the band 158. The groove 167 of the band 158 is disposed on a raised rib 168 that extends axially along the length of the inner surface of the outer tubular member 34. Groove 167 has approximately the same angular width and radial depth as raised ribs 168 to prevent relative rotation between inner tubular member 36 and outer tubular member 34.

  Here, the nozzle 14 of the fan assembly 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. The nozzle 14 includes an annular outer casing section 200 that is coupled to and extends around the annular inner casing section 202. Each of these sections can be formed from a plurality of joined parts, but in this embodiment, each of the outer casing section 200 and the inner casing section 202 are each formed from a single molded article. The inner casing section 202 has an outer peripheral surface 203 that defines the central opening 38 of the nozzle 14 and is shaped to define the Coanda surface 42, diffuser surface 44, guide surface 46, and tapered surface 48.

  The outer casing section 200 and the inner casing section 202 cooperate to define an annular inner passage 204 for the nozzle 14. Accordingly, the internal passage 204 extends around the opening 38. The internal passage 204 is bounded by the inner peripheral surface 206 of the outer casing section 200 and the inner peripheral surface 208 of the inner casing section 202. The base of the outer casing section 200 includes an opening 210.

  A connector 37 that couples the nozzle 14 to the open upper end 170 of the inner tubular member 36 of the duct 18 includes a tilting mechanism for tilting the nozzle 14 relative to the pedestal 12. The tilt mechanism includes an upper member in the form of a plate 300 that is fixedly disposed within the opening 210. Optionally, the plate 300 may be integral with the outer casing section 200. Plate 300 includes a circular hole 302 through which primary air flow enters the internal passage 204 from the telescopic duct 18. The connector 37 further includes a lower member in the form of an air tube 304 that is at least partially inserted through the open upper end 170 of the inner tubular member 36. The air tube 304 has substantially the same inner diameter as the circular hole 302 formed in the upper plate 300 of the connector 37. Optionally, an annular seal member may be provided to form an airtight seal between the inner surface of the inner tubular member 36 and the outer surface of the air tube 304 and prevent the air tube 304 from being pulled out of the inner tubular member 36. Can do. Plate 300 is pivotally coupled to air tube 304 using a series of connectors generally indicated at 306 in FIG. 12 and covered by end cap 308. A flexible hose 310 extends between the air tube 304 and the plate 300 to carry air between them. The flexible hose 310 can also be in the form of an annular bellows sealing element. The first annular seal member 312 forms an airtight seal between the hose 310 and the air tube 304, and the second annular seal member 314 forms an airtight seal between the hose 310 and the plate 300. To tilt the nozzle 14 relative to the pedestal 12, the user simply pushes or pulls the nozzle 14 to bend the hose 310 and move the plate 300 relative to the air tube 304. The force required to move the nozzle 14 depends on the tightness of the coupling between the plate 300 and the air tube 304 and is preferably in the range of 2N to 4N. The nozzle 14 is preferably movable within a range of ± 10 ° from a non-tilted position where the axis X is substantially horizontal to a fully tilted position. As the nozzle 14 tilts with respect to the pedestal 12, the axis X moves along a substantially vertical plane.

  The mouth 40 of the nozzle 14 is disposed behind the nozzle 14. The mouth 40 is defined by overlapping or opposing portions 212, 214 of the inner peripheral surface 206 of the outer casing section 200 and the outer peripheral surface 203 of the inner casing section 202, respectively. In this example, the mouth 40 is substantially annular and has a substantially U-shaped cross section when cut along a diametrical line through the nozzle 14 as shown in FIG. In this example, the overlapping portions 212, 214 of the inner peripheral surface 206 of the outer casing section 200 and the outer peripheral surface 203 of the inner casing section 202 are arranged so that the mouth 40 directs the primary air flow over the Coanda surface 42. It is shaped so as to taper toward the outlet 216. The outlet 216 is preferably in the form of an annular slot having a relatively constant width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm. In this example, the outlet 216 has a width in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Spacers are spaced around the mouth 40 so as to separate the inner peripheral surface 206 of the outer casing section 200 and the overlapping portions 212, 214 of the outer peripheral surface 203 of the inner casing section 202 and maintain the width of the outlet 216 at a desired level. can do. These spacers may be integral with the inner peripheral surface 206 of the outer casing section 200 or the outer peripheral surface 203 of the inner casing section 202.

  To operate the fan assembly 10, the user depresses the appropriate button 26 on the base 16 of the pedestal 12, and in response the controller 52 activates the motor 68 and rotates the impeller 64. . Due to the rotation of the impeller 64, the primary air flow is drawn into the base 16 of the base 12 through the hole 62 of the grill 60. Depending on the speed of the motor 68, the primary air flow is between 20 and 40 liters per second. The primary air flow passes continuously through the impeller housing 76 and the diffuser 74. Due to the spiral shape of the vanes of the diffuser 74, the primary air flow is exhausted from the diffuser 74 in the form of a spiral air flow. The primary air flow enters the air guide member 114 where a curved air guide vane 122 divides the primary air flow into a plurality of portions, and each portion of the primary air flow is divided into an air tube at the base 32 of the telescoping duct 18. Each axially extending air channel 128 in 106 is guided. The portions of the primary air flow merge into the axial air flow as they are discharged from the air tube 106. The primary air flow passes upwardly through the outer tubular member 34 and the inner tubular member 36 of the duct 18 and through the connector 37 into the internal passage 86 of the nozzle 14.

  Within the nozzle 14, the primary air stream is divided into two air streams that pass in opposite directions around the central opening 38 of the nozzle 14. As the air flow passes through the internal passage 204, the air enters the mouth 40 of the nozzle 14. The air flow entering the mouth 40 is preferably substantially uniform around the opening 38 of the nozzle 14. Within the mouth 40, the flow direction of the air flow is substantially reversed. The air flow is throttled at the tapered portion of the mouth 40 and discharged through the outlet 216.

  The primary air flow emitted from the mouth 40 is directed onto the Coanda surface 42 of the nozzle 14 and entrains air from the outside environment, particularly the area around the outlet 216 of the mouth 40 and near the rear of the nozzle 14, A secondary air stream is generated. This secondary air flow passes through the central opening 38 of the nozzle 14 where it is combined with the primary air flow to produce an overall air flow, or air flow, ejected forward from the nozzle 14. Depending on the speed of the motor 68, the mass flow rate of the air flow ejected forward from the fan assembly 10 can be up to 400 liters per second, preferably up to 600 liters per second, more preferably up to 800 liters per second. The maximum speed can be in the range from 2.5 m / s to 4.5 m / s.

  The uniform distribution of the primary air flow along the mouth 40 of the nozzle 14 ensures that the air flow passes uniformly over the diffuser surface 44. The diffuser surface 44 reduces the average velocity of the air flow by moving the air flow through the controlled expansion area. The relatively shallow angle of the diffuser surface 44 with respect to the central axis X of the opening 38 allows the air flow to be expanded slowly. Otherwise, severe or rapid divergence will disrupt the air flow and create vortices in the extended region. Such vortices can result in turbulence in the air flow and associated noise increase, which is particularly undesirable in household products such as fans. The air stream injected forward past the diffuser surface 44 tends to continue to diverge. The presence of the guide surface 46 extending substantially parallel to the central axis X of the opening 38 further converges the air flow. As a result, the air flow can effectively move from the nozzle 14 and it is possible to feel the air flow quickly at a distance of several meters from the fan assembly 10.

10: fan assembly 12: pedestal 14: nozzle 16, 32: base 18: duct 38: opening 40: port 42: Coanda surface 44: diffuser surface 46: guide surface 54: sensor 64: impeller 68: motor 74: diffuser 106, 304: Air pipe 114: Air guide member 122, 126: Air guide vane 128: Air channel 200: Outer casing section 202: Inner casing section 204: Inner passage 216: Outlet

Claims (16)

A vaneless blower assembly comprising a nozzle and means for generating an air flow through the nozzle, the nozzle including an internal passage and a mouth for receiving the air flow from the internal passage; And a surface disposed adjacent to the mouth, the mouth being configured to direct the air flow, and mounted on a height adjustable pedestal , the pedestal comprising an air flow A vaneless blower assembly , wherein the pedestal includes a duct for supporting the nozzle and carrying the air flow to the nozzle . 2. A fan assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pedestal includes a base that houses the means for generating an air flow, and the duct extends between the base and the nozzle. 3. A fan assembly as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the means for generating an air flow includes an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller, and a diffuser disposed downstream of the impeller. . 4. A fan assembly as claimed in claim 3 , including means for guiding the air flow emitted from the diffuser into the duct. The blower according to claim 4 , wherein the air flow guide means includes a plurality of vanes each for guiding a respective part of the air flow discharged from the diffuser into the duct. Assembly. The air flow guide means includes a plurality of radial vanes disposed at least partially within the duct, each of the radial vanes being adjacent to each of the plurality of vanes. The blower assembly according to claim 5 . Said internal passage, said receiving air flow, respectively, characterized in that is formed so as to divide into two air streams flowing along the respective side of the opening, one of claims 1 to 6 The blower assembly according to claim 1. The blower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the internal passage is continuous. The blower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the internal passage is substantially annular. The blower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the mouth extends around the opening. The blower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the nozzle includes an inner casing section and an outer casing section that cooperate to define the inner passage and the mouth. The blower assembly of claim 11 , wherein the mouth includes an outlet disposed between an outer surface of the inner casing section of the nozzle and an inner surface of the outer casing section of the nozzle. 13. A fan assembly as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the outlet is in the form of a slot that extends at least partially around the opening. 14. A fan assembly according to claim 12 or claim 13 , wherein the outlet has a width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm. The blower assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the surface includes a Coanda surface. The blower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15 , wherein the nozzle includes a diffuser surface disposed downstream of the mouth.

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