JP5750512B2 - Blower - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a blower. In particular, but not limited to, the present invention relates to a floor or tabletop blower assembly such as a desktop, tower or pedestal blower.

  Conventional home blowers typically include a blade set or vane set mounted to rotate about an axis and a drive device that rotates the blade set to generate an air flow. The movement and circulation of the air flow causes “wind cooling” or breeze, and as a result, the user experiences a cooling effect as heat is dissipated by convection and evaporation. Generally, the blades are placed in a cage to allow air flow through the housing while preventing the user from touching the rotating blades during use of the blower.

  WO 2009/030879 discloses a blower assembly that does not use cage blades to release air from the blower assembly. Instead, the blower assembly includes an annular nozzle that includes a cylindrical base that houses a motor driven impeller that draws a primary air flow into the base and an annular mouth that is coupled to the base and through which the primary air flow is ejected from the blower With. The nozzle defines an opening through which the air in the local environment of the blower assembly is drawn by the primary air flow ejected from the mouth portion and amplifies the primary air flow. The nozzle includes a Coanda surface, and the mouth portion is configured to direct a primary air flow over the Coanda surface. The Coanda surface extends symmetrically around the central axis of the opening, and the air flow generated by the blower assembly is in the form of an annular jet having a cylindrical or frustoconical profile.

International Publication No. 2009/030879

  In a first aspect, the present invention provides a blower comprising a nozzle and means for generating a primary air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle has at least one outlet for ejecting a primary air stream, and the nozzle is drawn through the secondary air stream from the outside of the blower by the primary air stream ejected from the at least one outlet. A bore is defined in which the flow merges with the primary air flow to produce a combined air flow. In order to allow the user to adjust at least one parameter of the combined air flow, the blower includes an insert that can be at least partially disposed within the bore of the nozzle.

  The at least one parameter of the combined air flow can include, for example, at least one of a combined air flow profile, orientation, direction, flow rate (eg, measured in liters per second), and velocity. Thus, by placing the insert in the bore of the nozzle, the user can adjust the direction in which the combined airflow is expelled forward from the blower, for example, the angle of the airflow toward or away from the person near the blower. Alternatively or additionally, the insert can expand or limit the combined air flow profile to increase or decrease the number of users in the air flow path. As another alternative, the insert can change the direction of the air flow, providing a relatively wide air flow that cools many users.

  The insert can be movable within the bore of the nozzle, for example, the user can quickly change the direction in which the combined airflow is discharged forward from the blower. For example, the insert can slide over and / or along the nozzle bore, or the insert can rotate within the nozzle bore. The nozzle can include means for guiding the movement of the insert relative to the bore.

  The insert can have any shape suitable for changing the air flow in a desired manner. For example, the insert may comprise one or more sections that can be placed in the bore of the nozzle, which section directs the combined air flow in a particular direction, e.g. towards a person on one side of the blower. It is designed to deflect away from people. In one embodiment, the insert comprises a plurality of interconnectable sections that can be placed simultaneously in the bore of the nozzle. These sections can be substantially the same shape or different shapes. This section may be wedge-shaped that tapers towards the rear end of the nozzle. This section can be arranged around the axis. When the insert is disposed within the nozzle, the insert is preferably substantially coaxial with the axis of the nozzle. The sections can be spaced regularly or irregularly around the axis.

  The insert can be partially placed in the bore of the nozzle, for example, a portion of the insert projects forward from the front end of the nozzle to guide some or all of the combined air flow in a particular direction. Alternatively, the insert can be positioned substantially completely within the bore of the nozzle. Since the nozzle bore is preferably tapered outwardly toward the front end of the bore, the insert is preferably inserted into the bore from the front end of the nozzle. The insert can be annular. The insert can include a rim that can be positioned over the front end of the nozzle to hold the insert within the bore of the nozzle.

  At least one outlet of the nozzle can be positioned facing the rear of the nozzle and is configured to eject a primary air flow through the nozzle bore. As previously mentioned, the nozzle preferably comprises a surface defining a bore of the nozzle, and the at least one outlet is preferably configured to direct a primary air flow onto the surface of the nozzle. Preferably, the surface on which at least one outlet is arranged to direct the primary air flow thereon comprises a Coanda surface. A Coanda surface is a known type of surface on which an air flow exiting from an adjacent exit orifice exerts a Coanda effect thereon. The fluid tends to approach the Coanda surface and flow "sticking" or "along" the Coanda surface. The Coanda effect is a well-documented entrainment method in which the primary air flow is directed over the Coanda surface. A description of the function of the Coanda surface and the action of the fluid on the Coanda surface can be found in the literature by Reba, “Scientific American”, 214, June 1966, pages 84-92. By using the Coanda surface, the air jetted from the nozzle causes the increased air from the outside of the blower to be drawn through the bore.

  In a preferred embodiment, the airflow is generated through a blower nozzle. In the following description, this air flow is referred to as the primary air flow. The primary air stream is ejected from at least one outlet of the nozzle and preferably passes over the Coanda surface. The primary air flow entrains the air surrounding the nozzle, which acts as an air amplifier that supplies the primary air flow and the accompanying air to the user. Entrained air is referred to herein as secondary air flow. The secondary air flow is drawn from the interior space, area or external environment surrounding the mouse and from other areas around the blower by replacement and flows primarily through the bore defined by the nozzle. The primary air flow directed onto the Coanda surface and merged with the entrained secondary air flow is the same as the merged or total air flow discharged or ejected forward from the front end of the nozzle bore.

  The Coanda surface can include a diffuser portion disposed downstream of the at least one outlet. The diffuser portion preferably extends about the axis and is preferably tapered towards or away from the axis.

  The insert can preferably be provided in the form of a mask that covers at least a portion of the Coanda surface of the nozzle and can be inserted into the bore of the nozzle. The insert preferably covers at least part of the diffuser portion on the Coanda surface. Where the insert comprises a plurality of interconnecting sections, each section may cover a portion of the respective diffuser portion of the Coanda surface.

  As an alternative to providing an insert with a number of interconnecting sections, the insert is pulled through the air outside the blower by the air flow ejected from the mouth portion when the insert is placed in the nozzle A surface defining the bore may be provided. The insert can cover the annular portion of the Coanda surface, preferably at least the diffuser portion of the Coanda surface, more preferably substantially the entire diffuser portion of the Coanda surface. When the insert is disposed within the nozzle, the bore of the insert is preferably substantially coaxial with the bore of the nozzle. The at least one outlet of the nozzle is preferably configured to guide the primary air flow through the bore of the insert.

  The surface of the insert preferably extends around the axis, and at least a part of the surface is preferably inclined with respect to the axis. The inclination of the insert surface relative to the axis is preferably different from the inclination of the diffuser portion of the Coanda surface. In this case, if the insert is placed in the bore of the nozzle, the flow rate and speed of the combined air flow can be changed. For example, if the angle of inclination of the surface of the insert relative to the axis of the Coanda surface is shallower than the angle of inclination of the diffuser portion of the Coanda surface, the flow rate of the combined air flow is reduced when the insert is placed in the nozzle, but the speed of the combined air flow is Get higher.

  Since substantially all surfaces of the insert can be inclined with the same magnitude relative to the axis, the surfaces can be cylindrical or frustoconical. The tilt angle can be in the range of -15 degrees to 35 degrees. Alternatively, the tilt angle can vary around the axis. When the insert is placed in the nozzle bore due to a change in tilt angle about the axis, the air flow generated by the blower can have a non-cylindrical or non-conical profile. The angle can vary between at least one maximum value and at least one minimum value along the surface, ie around the axis. Preferably, the angle can vary between a plurality of maximum values and a plurality of minimum values along the surface. In a preferred embodiment, the angle can vary between six maximum values and six minimum values along the surface. The maximum and minimum values are preferably spaced at regular intervals around the axis. The minimum value can range from -15 degrees to 15 degrees, while the maximum value can range from 20 degrees to 35 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the maximum value is at least twice the minimum value. The tilt angle can vary continuously or discontinuously around the axis.

  The blower can comprise a set of inserts that can be replaceably placed in the bore of the nozzle, and thus in a second aspect, the present invention comprises a nozzle and means for generating a primary air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle comprises at least one outlet for ejecting a primary air stream, and the nozzle is drawn through the secondary air stream outside the blower by the primary air stream emitted from the at least one outlet The secondary air flow defines a bore that combines with the primary air flow to produce a combined air flow, and the blower can be interchangeably disposed within the nozzle bore and adjusts at least one of the combined air flow parameters And each insert has a different profile. For example, as described above, one of the inserts may include a plurality of interconnecting sections, and another one of the inserts may have a secondary air flow caused by the primary air flow ejected from the mouth portion of the nozzle. Can be pulled through and provided with a bore.

  The at least one outlet preferably extends around the bore of the nozzle. The nozzle can include a single outlet continuous around the bore and can be substantially circular in shape. Preferably, the spacing between the opposing surfaces of the nozzle at the outlet is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm. The outlet or each outlet may preferably be in the form of a slot.

  The nozzle is preferably mounted on the base that houses the means for generating the air flow. In a preferred embodiment, the means for generating an air flow through the nozzle comprises a motorized impeller.

  Since the insert can be provided separately from the blower, in a third aspect, the present invention provides an outer side of the blower by at least one outlet for ejecting the primary air flow and the primary air flow ejected from the at least one outlet. Providing a blower accessory comprising a nozzle having a bore with a secondary air stream drawn therethrough and the secondary air stream merged with the secondary air stream to produce a combined air stream, It can be placed on the nozzle, preferably in the bore of the nozzle.

  As mentioned above, the accessory can change at least one parameter of the combined air flow. However, accessories can provide alternative or additional benefits to the user. For example, the accessory may have a different color than the blower nozzle and / or be formed from a different material than the blower nozzle. The accessory can be formed from a luminescent material or can comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light emitting means. The accessory can be configured to support a picture, photo, or other item. For example, the accessory can comprise a housing that holds one or more items such as stationery, money, keys, remote control devices, and the like. The accessory can be clipped to the front end of the nozzle. The accessory can comprise a thermometer, barometer, camera, display, watch, radio, or other electronic or mechanical device.

  In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a blower comprising a nozzle and means for generating an air flow through the nozzle, the nozzle comprising an internal passage and at least one outlet for receiving the air flow from the internal passage; A removable mask covering at least a portion of the Coanda surface, the Coanda surface being disposed adjacent to the at least one outlet and having at least one outlet disposed thereon to direct an air flow thereon Is provided.

Features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to the second to fourth aspects of the invention, and vice versa.
Hereinafter, exemplary features of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is the front perspective view seen from the upper direction of the air blower. It is side surface sectional drawing which passes along an air blower. It is the front perspective view which looked at the insert for blowers from the upper part. It is the front perspective view which looked at the air blower by which insert was arrange | positioned at the nozzle bore from upper direction. It is a side view of the air blower of FIG. It is a top view of the air blower of FIG. It is a front view of the air blower of FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing along line AA of FIG. It is the front perspective view which looked at the insert for 2nd fans from the upper part. It is the front perspective view which looked at the air blower with which the 2nd insert was arrange | positioned at the nozzle bore from upper direction. It is the front perspective view which looked at the insert for 3rd fans from the upper part. It is the front perspective view which looked at the air blower with which the 3rd insert was arranged at the nozzle bore from the upper part.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of the blower 10. The blower 10 includes a main body 12 having an air inlet 14 through which a primary air flow flows into the blower 10, and a nozzle 16 in the form of an annular casing attached to the main body 12, and the nozzle ejects the primary air flow from the blower 10. Mouse portion 18 is provided.

  The body 12 is mounted on a substantially cylindrical lower body section 22 and comprises a substantially cylindrical main body section 20. The main body section 20 and the lower body section 22 preferably have substantially the same outer diameter, and the outer surface of the upper main body section 20 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the lower body section 22. Yes. In the present embodiment, the main body 12 has a height in the range of 100 mm to 300 mm and a diameter in the range of 100 mm to 200 mm.

  The main body section 20 includes an air inlet 14 through which a primary air flow passes into the blower 10. In this embodiment, the air inlet 14 comprises an aperture array formed in the main body section 20. Alternatively, the air inlet 14 can comprise one or more grills or meshes that are mounted in windows formed in the main body section 20. The main body section 20 is open at the top (as shown) so as to provide an air outlet 23 through which the primary air flow is exhausted from the body 12.

  The main body section 20 can be tilted with respect to the lower body section 22 so as to adjust the direction in which the primary air flow is ejected from the blower 10. For example, the upper surface of the lower body section 22 and the lower surface of the main body section 20 prevent the main body section 20 from moving relative to the lower body section 22 while preventing the main body section 20 from lifting from the lower body section 22. An interconnection mechanism can be provided that allows For example, the lower body section 22 and the main body section 20 can comprise interlocking L-shaped members.

  The lower body section 22 includes a user interface of the blower 10. The user interface includes a plurality of user operable buttons 24, 26, a dial 28 and a user interface control circuit 30 connected to the buttons 24, 26 and the dial 28 that allow the user to control various functions of the blower 10. Is provided. The lower body section 22 is mounted on a base 32 that engages the surface on which the blower 10 is disposed.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the blower. The lower body section 22 houses a main control circuit, indicated generally at 34, connected to the user interface control circuit 30. The user interface control circuit 30 is configured to transmit an appropriate signal to the main control circuit 34 in response to the operation of the buttons 24, 26 and the dial 28 and to control various operations of the blower 10.

  The lower body section 22 also houses a mechanism generally designated 36 that reciprocates the lower body section 22 relative to the base 32 periodically. The operation of the reciprocating mechanism 36 is controlled by the main control circuit 34 in response to a user operation of the button 26. The range of each reciprocating cycle of the lower body section 22 relative to the base 32 is preferably 60 to 120 degrees, and in this embodiment about 80 degrees. In the present embodiment, the reciprocating mechanism 36 is configured to execute about 3 to 5 reciprocating cycles per minute. A main power cable 38 that supplies power to the blower 10 extends through an opening formed in the base 32. The cable 38 is connected to a connection plug (not shown) to the main power supply source.

  The main body section 20 houses an impeller 40 that draws a primary air flow from the air inlet 14 into the body 12. Preferably, the impeller 40 is in the form of a mixed flow impeller. The impeller 40 is connected to a rotating shaft 42 that extends outward from the motor 44. In this embodiment, the motor 44 is a DC brushless motor whose speed is variable by the main control circuit 34 in response to a user operation of the dial 28. The maximum speed of the motor 44 is preferably in the range of 5,000 rpm to 10,000 rpm. The motor 44 is housed in a motor bucket that includes an upper portion 46 coupled to a lower portion 48. The upper part 46 of the motor bucket comprises a diffuser 50 in the form of a fixed disk with helical blades.

  The motor bucket is disposed in and attached to the impeller housing 52 having a substantially truncated cone shape. The impeller housing 52 is then attached to a plurality of angularly spaced supports 54, in this embodiment three supports disposed within and connected to the main body section 20 of the base 12. Impeller 40 and impeller housing 52 are shaped such that impeller 40 approaches the inner surface of impeller housing 52 but does not contact it. A substantially annular inlet member 56 is coupled to the bottom of the impeller housing 52 to guide the primary air flow to the impeller housing 52. Electrical cable 58 extends from main control circuit 34 to motor 44 through main body section 20 and lower body section 22 of body 12 and openings formed in impeller housing 52 and motor buckets.

  Preferably, the main body 12 includes a sound deadening foam that reduces noise emission from the main body 12. In this embodiment, the main body section 20 of the body 12 comprises a first foam member 60 disposed below the air inlet 14 and a second annular foam member 62 disposed within the motor bucket.

  The flexible seal member 64 is attached to the impeller housing 52. The flexible seal member prevents air from moving around the outer surface of the impeller housing 52 to the inlet member 56. The seal member 64 preferably includes an annular lip seal made of rubber. Further, the seal member 64 includes a guide portion in the form of a grommet that guides the electric cable 58 to the motor 44.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the nozzle 16 has an annular shape and extends around the central axis X to form a bore 70. The mouse part 18 is arranged toward the rear of the nozzle 16 and is configured such that the primary air flow is ejected through the bore 70 and forward of the blower 10. The mouse part 18 surrounds the bore 70. In this embodiment, the nozzle 16 defines a generally circular bore 70 that extends around the central axis X. The innermost outer surface of the nozzle 16 includes a Coanda surface 72 disposed adjacent to the mouth portion 18, and the mouth portion 18 is disposed such that the air ejected from the blower 10 faces the Coanda surface. The Coanda surface 72 includes a diffuser portion 74 that is tapered away from the central axis X. In the present embodiment, the diffuser portion 74 is in the form of a substantially truncated conical surface extending around the axis X, and is inclined by about 28 degrees in the range of 5 to 35 degrees with respect to the axis X, in this embodiment. Yes.

  The nozzle 16 includes an annular front casing section 76 that is coupled to and extends around an annular rear casing section 78. The annular sections 76, 78 of the nozzle 16 extend around the central axis X. Each of these sections can be formed from a plurality of connecting parts, but in this embodiment, each of the front casing section 76 and the rear casing section 78 is formed from a single molded part. The rear casing section 78 includes a base 80 that is coupled to the open upper end of the main body section 20 of the main body 12, and the base has an open lower end that receives the primary air flow from the main body 12.

  Referring also to FIG. 2, during assembly, the front end 82 of the rear casing section 78 is inserted into a slot 84 provided in the front casing section 76. Each of the front end portion 82 and the slot 84 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The casing sections 76, 78 can be joined using an adhesive introduced into the slot 84.

  The front casing section 76 defines the Coanda surface 72 of the nozzle 16. The front casing section 76 and the rear casing section 78 cooperate to form an internal passage 88 that delivers the primary air flow to the mouse 18. Inner passage 88 extends about axis X and is bounded by an inner surface 90 of front casing section 76 and an inner surface 92 of rear casing section 78. The base 80 of the front casing section 76 is shaped to send a primary air flow to the internal passage 88 of the nozzle 16.

  The mouse portion 18 is formed by overlapping or facing the respective portions of the inner surface 92 of the rear casing section 78 and the outer surface 94 of the front casing section 76. The mouth part 18 preferably comprises an air outlet in the form of an annular slot. The slot is preferably substantially circular in shape and preferably has a relatively constant width in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm. In this embodiment, the width of the air outlet is about 1 mm. Spacers can be spaced around the mouth portion 18 to allow the overlap of the front casing section 76 and the rear casing section 78 to be spaced apart to limit the width of the air outlet of the mouth portion 18. It is like that. These spacers can be integrated with either the front casing section 76 or the rear casing section 78. The mouse portion 18 is shaped to direct the primary air flow onto the outer surface 94 of the front casing section 76.

  When the blower 10 is activated, the user presses the button 24 on the user interface. The user interface control circuit 30 transmits this operation to the main control circuit 34. In response to this, the main control circuit 34 drives the motor 44 to rotate the impeller 40. The rotation of the impeller 40 causes a primary air flow that is drawn into the body 12 through the air inlet 14. The user can control the speed of the motor 44 and thus the rate of air drawn into the body 12 through the air inlet 14 by manipulating the dial 28 of the user interface. The primary air flow generated by the impeller 40 can be between 10 and 30 liters per second, depending on the speed of the motor 44. The primary air flow passes in turn through the impeller housing 52 and the air outlet 23 at the open top end of the main body section 20 and into the internal passage 88 of the nozzle 16. The pressure of the primary air flow of the air outlet 23 of the main body 12 can be at least 150 Pa, and preferably in the range of 350 Pa to 1.5 kPa.

  Within the internal passage 88 of the nozzle 16, the primary air flow is split into two air streams that flow in opposite directions around the bore 70 of the nozzle 16. As the air stream passes through the internal passage 88, air is ejected from the mouth portion 18. The primary air flow ejected from the mouse part 18 is directed onto the Coanda surface 72 of the nozzle 16 and is a flow of air from the outside environment, particularly from the area around the mouse part 18 and around the rear of the nozzle 16. Along with this, a secondary air flow is generated. The secondary air stream flows through the bore 70 of the nozzle 16, where the secondary air stream merges with the primary air stream and is merged with the primary or total air stream ejected forward from the nozzle 16, or the air stream. Generate a flow.

  With reference to FIGS. 3-8, the blower 10 includes a mask 100 of the first embodiment that can be removably disposed on the Coanda surface 72 of the nozzle and changes at least one parameter of the combined air flow. The mask 100 is in the form of an insert that can be inserted into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16 and covers at least a part of the Coanda surface 72 of the nozzle 16. The diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72, that is, the bore 70 is tapered outwardly toward the open front end portion 96 of the bore 70, so that the mask 100 is inserted into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16 from the open front end portion 96 of the bore 70. Is done. The mask 100 includes an outer annular rim 102 that can be disposed at the front end 96 of the bore 70, which outer surface of the front casing section 76 of the nozzle 16 when the mask 100 is disposed over the nozzle 16. surround. In this embodiment, the mask 100 is held on the nozzle 16 by an interference fit between the nozzle 16 and the mask 100, but the nozzle 16 is a means for removably fixing the mask 100 to the nozzle 16. Can be provided. For example, a movable catch can be placed on the outer surface of the front casing section 76 of the nozzle 16 to hold the mask 100 on the nozzle 16. As another example, the mask 100 can be magnetically attracted to the nozzle 16. As a further example, the mask 100 can be frictionally coupled to the nozzle 16.

  In order to remove the mask 100, the user only has to pull the mask 100 from the nozzle 16.

  The mask 100 has a substantially annular shape. The mask includes a generally circular front end 104 and a generally circular rear end 106, and an annular outer surface 108 and an annular inner surface 110 that extend between the front end 104 and the rear end 106 of the mask 100, respectively. Referring to FIG. 2, each of the outer surface 108 and the inner surface 110 of the mask 100 extends about an axis Y that is substantially coaxial with the axis X when the mask 100 is inserted into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16. The outer surface 108 of the mask 100 has substantially the same size and shape as the diffuser portion 74 on the Coanda surface. In particular, the inclination angle of the outer surface 108 with respect to the axis Y is substantially the same as the inclination angle of the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72 with respect to the axis X. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, when the mask 100 is inserted into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16, the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72 is completely covered by the mask 100, but the mouth portion 18 of the nozzle 16 is It remains fully exposed.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, when the mask 100 is inserted into the bore 70, the primary air flow ejected from the nozzle 16 is directed onto the rear section 73 of the Coanda surface 72 and onto the inner surface 110 of the mask. It is done. As described above, since the inner surface 110 of the mask 100 has a circular shape, the bore 112 penetrating the mask 100 is defined between the front end portion 104 and the rear end portion 106 of the mask 100, and the primary air flow ejected from the mouse 18. As a result, the secondary air flow outside the blower 10 is drawn through the bore 112.

  Accordingly, the inner surface 110 of the mask 100 provides a diffuser surface that guides the combined air flow generated by the blower 10 in a desired direction. Since the inclination angle of the inner surface 110 with respect to the axis X is different from the inclination angle of the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72 with respect to the axis Y, insertion of the mask 100 into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16 results in many parameters of the combined air flow. Is changed. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the inner surface 110 with respect to the axis Y is shallower than the inclination angle of the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72 with respect to the axis X, so that the radial thickness of the mask 100 is at the rear end portion 106 of the mask 100. It decreases toward. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the inner surface 110 with respect to the axis Y is about 10 degrees, and insertion of the mask 100 into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16 leads to contraction of the combined airflow profile generated by the blower 10. This provides a combined air flow that concentrates on the user located in front of the blower 10. Further, the shallow diffuser provided by the mask 100 increases the speed of the combined air flow and reduces the flow rate of the combined air flow.

  FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second embodiment mask 100 that can be removably disposed on the Coanda surface 72 of the nozzle to change at least one parameter of the combined air flow. Similar to the mask 100, the mask 120 is in the form of an insert that can be inserted into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16 and covers at least a portion of the Coanda surface 72 of the nozzle 16. The mask 120 can also be positioned at the front end 96 of the bore 70 and includes an outer annular rim 122 that surrounds the outer surface of the front casing section 76 of the nozzle 16 when the mask 100 is positioned over the nozzle 16. However, the mask 120 differs from the mask 100 in that the front end portion 124, the rear end portion 126, the outer surface 128, and the inner surface 130 are not continuous. Instead, the mask 120 comprises a plurality of sections 132 connected about the axis Y of the mask 120 and spaced apart at substantially regular intervals, connected by an annular rim 122. In the present embodiment, the mask 120 includes six sections 132 spaced about the mask 120 at regular intervals. Each section 132 is generally wedge shaped. Each outer surface 128 is tapered toward the axis Y at the same angle as the angle of inclination between the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72 and the axis X. When the mask 120 is disposed on the nozzle 16, The section 132 of the mask 120 partially covers the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72. Similar to the inner surface 110 of the mask 100, the angle of inclination of the inner surface 130 with respect to the axis Y is shallower than the angle of inclination of the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72 with respect to the axis X, so It decreases toward the end 126. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the inner surface 130 with respect to the axis Y is similarly about 10 degrees.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, when the mask 120 is inserted into the nozzle 16 through the open front end 96 of the bore 70, the bore 134 of the nozzle 16 is not covered by the diffuser portion 74 of the Coanda surface 72. Defined by both the section and the inner surface 130 of the mask 120. Accordingly, the bore 134 of the nozzle 126 has a stepped profile, and the inclination angle of the bore 134 relative to the axis X is a plurality of maximum values, each being about 28 degrees in this embodiment, and It varies between a plurality of minimum values that are 10 degrees. This variation in the profile of the bore 16 of the nozzle 16 will cause the combined air flow to have a non-circular or non-conical profile that only partially focuses on the user due to the discontinuity of the mask 120.

  In the second embodiment, insertion of the mask 120 into the nozzle 16 results in a bore 134 in the nozzle 16 that employs a stepped profile. 11 and 12 show a mask 140 of the third embodiment. Mask 140 is similar to mask 100. The mask 140 is in the form of an insert, and can be inserted into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16 so as to cover at least a part of the Coanda surface 72 of the nozzle 16. The mask 140 also includes an outer annular rim 142 that can be disposed at the front end 96 of the bore 70 and surrounds the outer surface of the front casing section 76 of the nozzle 16 when the mask 140 is disposed over the nozzle 16. The mask 140 also includes a continuous front end 144 and a circular rear end 146, an annular outer surface 148, and an annular inner surface 110 that defines a bore 152. The outer surface 148 of the mask 140 is the same as the outer surface 108 of the mask 100. However, the inner surface 150 of the mask 140 differs from the inner surface 110 of the mask 100 in that the angle of inclination of the inner surface 150 of the mask 154 with respect to the axis Y varies about the axis Y. This inclination angle changes between a plurality of maximum values and a plurality of minimum values that are spaced around the axis Y at a constant interval. The inner surface 150 is shaped such that the inclination angle gradually changes around the axis Y between a plurality of maximum values and a plurality of minimum values.

  Thus, when the mask 140 is inserted into the bore 70 of the nozzle 16, the inner surface 150 of the mask 140 also provides a diffuser surface that guides the combined air flow generated by the blower 10 in a desired direction and is either non-circular or non-circular. Results in a frustoconical profile. Further, like the mask 120, the mask 140 is rotatable with respect to the nozzle 16, and changes the direction of the combined air flow generated by the blower 10.

Claims (21)

A blower comprising a nozzle and means for generating a primary air flow through the nozzle, wherein the nozzle comprises at least one outlet for ejecting the primary air flow and the primary air flow ejected from the at least one outlet Defines a bore through which a secondary air flow from the outside of the blower is drawn therethrough, and wherein the secondary air flow merges with the primary air flow to generate a combined air flow;
An insert that is at least partially disposed within the bore of the nozzle and adjusts at least one parameter of the combined air flow;
The blower characterized in that the insert comprises a plurality of interconnecting sections that can be placed simultaneously in the bore of the nozzle.   The blower of claim 1, wherein the insert is rotatable within the bore of the nozzle.   The blower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert has an annular shape.   The blower according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insert includes a rim that can be disposed on a front end portion of the nozzle.   The blower according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insert is tapered toward a rear end portion.   The insert includes a bore through which the secondary air flow from the outside of the blower is drawn by the primary air flow ejected from the at least one outlet when the insert is disposed in the nozzle. The blower according to claim 1, comprising a surface that defines   The blower of claim 6, wherein when the insert is disposed within the nozzle, the bore of the insert is substantially coaxial with the bore of the nozzle.   The blower according to claim 6 or 7, wherein when the insert is arranged in the nozzle, at least one outlet of the nozzle is adapted to guide the primary air flow through the bore of the insert.   The blower according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the surface extends around an axis.   The blower according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of the surface is inclined with respect to the axis.   The blower according to claim 10, wherein an angle at which the at least part of the surface is inclined with respect to the axis changes around the axis.   The blower according to claim 10 or 11, wherein an angle at which the at least part of the surface is inclined with respect to the axis continuously changes around the axis. The blower according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein the sections have substantially the same shape. 14. A fan as claimed in any preceding claim , wherein the section is substantially wedge shaped. 15. A fan as claimed in any preceding claim , wherein the section is disposed about the axis. The blower of claim 15 , wherein the sections are spaced at regular intervals around the axis. The blower according to any of claims 1 to 16 , wherein each of the sections comprises a surface inclined with respect to the axis. The blower of claim 17 , wherein at least one outlet of the nozzle is configured to direct the primary air flow onto a surface of the section of the insert. 19. A blower according to any preceding claim , wherein the at least one parameter of the combined air flow comprises at least one of a profile, orientation, direction, flow rate, and speed of the combined air flow. 20. A blower according to any of claims 1 to 19 , wherein at least one outlet of the nozzle extends around the axis. 21. A blower according to any preceding claim , wherein at least one outlet of the nozzle is in the form of a slot.

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