US20130183141A1 - Air moving devices - Google Patents

Air moving devices Download PDF

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Publication number
US20130183141A1
US20130183141A1 US13/739,393 US201313739393A US2013183141A1 US 20130183141 A1 US20130183141 A1 US 20130183141A1 US 201313739393 A US201313739393 A US 201313739393A US 2013183141 A1 US2013183141 A1 US 2013183141A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
housing
air
moving device
section
motor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/739,393
Inventor
Jianliang Tan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FOSHAN SHUNDE XINSHENGYUEN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Co Ltd
Foshan Shunde Xinshengyuan Electrical Appliances Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Foshan Shunde Xinshengyuan Electrical Appliances Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CN2012200250817U external-priority patent/CN202435936U/en
Priority claimed from CN2012200264608U external-priority patent/CN202425436U/en
Priority claimed from CN2012200264561U external-priority patent/CN202435937U/en
Application filed by Foshan Shunde Xinshengyuan Electrical Appliances Co Ltd filed Critical Foshan Shunde Xinshengyuan Electrical Appliances Co Ltd
Assigned to FOSHAN SHUNDE XINSHENGYUEN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES CO., LTD. reassignment FOSHAN SHUNDE XINSHENGYUEN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TAN, Jianliang
Assigned to FOSHAN SHUNDE XINSHENGYUAN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES CO., LTD. reassignment FOSHAN SHUNDE XINSHENGYUAN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TAN, Jianliang
Publication of US20130183141A1 publication Critical patent/US20130183141A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01DNON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
    • F01D25/00Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, other groups
    • F01D25/04Antivibration arrangements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K13/00Devices for grooming or caring of animals, e.g. curry-combs; Fetlock rings; Tail-holders; Devices for preventing crib-biting; Washing devices; Protection against weather conditions or insects
    • A01K13/001Washing, cleaning, or drying devices
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L5/00Structural features of suction cleaners
    • A47L5/12Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
    • A47L5/14Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum cleaning by blowing-off, also combined with suction cleaning
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/0081Means for exhaust-air diffusion; Means for sound or vibration damping

Definitions

  • the present disclosure generally relates to devices that move air, such as by blowing or by suction, and more particularly to devices that move air and have noise and/or vibration reducing features.
  • Air moving devices may include air blowing devices, such as hair blowers, and suction devices, such as vacuum cleaners.
  • Air moving devices typically include a housing including an inlet and an outlet for air flow.
  • a motor contained within the housing drives a fan and sucks air into the housing through the inlet and blows the air out from the outlet.
  • a hair dryer is an air blowing device that is used to dry wet hair or fur. When the air reaches wet hair or fur, it helps evaporate water from the hair or fur.
  • Hair dryers currently on the market typically have a straight-in, straight-out air duct configuration in which the air inlet of a motor is pressed against a back wall of the housing of the hair dryer.
  • the air flow causes loud noise and ultra-high frequency sounds to be emitted from the inlet of the motor.
  • the motor is typically in direct contact with the housing of the hair dryer.
  • the interaction between the motor and the housing causes significant vibrations and pulsations.
  • Such noises and vibrations may render an air moving device unsuitable for certain applications.
  • household pets, such as dogs and cats may be frightened by the noises and vibrations emitted by such hair dryers.
  • Chinese Patent CN201733706U discloses a ring that spaces a motor from a housing in which the motor is placed so that the motor is not in direct contact with the housing.
  • this ring does not provide significant cushioning and is prone to damage by the vibrations of the motor.
  • air moving devices that include features, which reduce noise and vibration during the operation of the air moving device.
  • an air moving device may include a housing and a motor within the housing.
  • the motor may include a casing having a peripheral surface and an outer end surface.
  • At least one shock absorber may be positioned adjacent one end of the casing.
  • the at least one shock absorber may have a first section and a second section.
  • the first section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a first portion of the housing.
  • the second section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the outer end surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a second portion of the housing.
  • the casing may be spaced from the housing by the at least one shock absorber.
  • the at least one shock absorber may be formed from resilient or semi-resilient material.
  • the inner and outer surfaces of the first section may be formed from an inner wall and an outer wall connected to one another by a plurality of struts, which may have a geometric shape.
  • the first section may include a plurality of chambers defined between the struts.
  • the plurality of chambers may have a geometric shape, e.g., trapezoidal.
  • a membrane may be disposed within each chamber connecting neighboring struts.
  • the plurality of struts may be arranged at an angle to the inner wall and the outer wall of the first section.
  • the outer surface of the second section may include a plurality of concentric rings in contact with the second portion of the housing.
  • the first section may be arranged orthogonal to the second section.
  • the device may further include a second shock absorber including the first and second sections described above, and may be positioned at another end of the casing of the motor.
  • an air moving device may include a housing including an air inlet end and including a central longitudinally extending axis, and a motor within the housing.
  • the motor may be configured to cause air to flow along the central longitudinally extending axis.
  • a noise reduction system may be disposed between the motor and the air inlet end of the housing.
  • the noise reduction system may include a filter assembly.
  • the filter assembly may include a basket provided with a plurality of ports for the passage of air from the air inlet end along the central longitudinally extending axis.
  • a filter may be positioned over the ports in the basket.
  • the noise reduction system may further include a noise attenuation assembly.
  • the noise attenuation assembly may include a noise attenuation panel configured to divert the flow of air within the housing in a direction orthogonal to the central longitudinally extending axis.
  • the noise attenuation panel may include a grating member axially aligned with the central longitudinally extending axis, and may include a plurality of ports through which the air is flowable.
  • a filter may be disposed around the ports of the grating member. The filter assembly may be positioned between the noise attenuation assembly and the air inlet end.
  • an air moving device may include a housing having an air inlet end and a central longitudinally extending axis, and a motor within the housing.
  • the motor may be configured to cause air to flow along the central longitudinally extending axis.
  • the motor may include a casing including opposing ends. Each end may have a peripheral surface and an outer end surface.
  • a first shock absorber may be positioned at the first end of the casing and a second shock absorber positioned at the second end of the casing.
  • Each shock absorber may have a first section and a second section.
  • the first section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a first portion of the housing.
  • the second section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the outer end surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a second portion of the housing.
  • the casing may be spaced from the housing by the first and second absorbers.
  • a noise reduction system may be disposed between the motor and the air inlet end of the housing.
  • the noise reduction system may include a filter assembly.
  • the filter assembly may include a basket provided with a plurality of ports for the passage of air from the air inlet end along the central longitudinally extending axis.
  • a filter may be positioned over the ports in the basket.
  • the noise reduction system may also include a noise attenuation assembly.
  • the noise attenuation assembly may include a noise attenuation panel configured to divert the flow of air within the housing in a direction orthogonal to the central longitudinally extending axis.
  • the inner and outer surfaces of the first section may be formed from an inner wall and an outer wall connected to one another by a plurality of struts, and the first section may be arranged orthogonal to the second section.
  • the noise attenuation panel may include a grating member axially aligned with the central longitudinally extending axis.
  • the grating member may include a plurality of ports through which the air is flowable, and may further include a filter disposed around the ports of the grating member.
  • the filter assembly may be positioned between the noise attenuation assembly and the air inlet end.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air moving device in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of air flow through an air blower device in a first configuration of the air moving device
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of air flow through an air suction device in a second configuration of the air moving device
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the air moving device of FIG. 1 with parts removed;
  • FIG. 5A is a partially cutaway perspective view of the shock absorber shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 5B is a partially cutaway front view of the shock absorber shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air moving device of FIG. 1 with parts removed;
  • FIG. 7 is another exploded view of the air moving device of FIG. 1 with parts removed;
  • FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view of the air moving device of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 9A is a back perspective view of a back cover
  • FIG. 9B is a top perspective view of the back cover of FIG. 9A ;
  • FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of a holder of a filter assembly
  • FIG. 10B is a side perspective view of the holder of FIG. 10A ;
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a noise attenuation panel.
  • proximal refers to the end or portion of a device that is relatively close to the user deploying the device
  • distal refers to the end or portion of the device that is relatively farther away from the user deploying the device.
  • an air moving device 100 is shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the air moving device 100 includes a housing 2 having an air inlet end I and an air outlet end O.
  • the air moving device 100 is configured to draw air through the housing 2 from the air inlet end I toward and through the air outlet end O.
  • a back cover 4 may be secured, e.g., screwed on, to the housing 2 at the air inlet end I, and may include an opening 4 a through which outside air may flow ( FIGS. 2-3 ).
  • the housing 2 may include an outlet 6 at the air outlet end O, which may be operatively coupled to a tube or nozzle assembly 8 through which air may flow.
  • the diameter of the opening 4 a of the back cover 4 may be larger than that of the outlet 6 .
  • the housing 2 may be formed from two sections, which are generally symmetrical with respect to one another along a length of the housing.
  • a handle 10 may extend from a back side of the housing 2 .
  • a control switch 12 for activating and adjusting the settings of the air moving device 100 may be located on or within the handle 10 .
  • a motor 17 is mounted within the housing 2 .
  • the motor 17 may be a dual-blade motor, which may move more air than a single-blade motor with less heat emission, which may contribute to a longer lifespan.
  • Air may be drawn through the housing 2 from the inlet end I along direction F by the operation of the motor 17 may draw air from the inlet end I and into a centrally disposed channel 17 c extending through the motor, directing the air to flow out from the outlet 6 of the housing.
  • air Prior to entering the channel 17 c of motor 17 , air may flow through the housing 2 in a non-linear fashion and not along a straight path from the opening 4 a to the channel 17 c of the motor 17 .
  • this non-linear flow of air, along direction F through the housing 2 may contribute to noise abatement and attenuation.
  • the air moving device 100 may be configured to function as a blow dryer, as shown in FIG. 2 , in which air is drawn in direction F through the housing 2 and out through the tube or nozzle assembly 8 , which is operatively coupled to the outlet 6 at the air outlet end O.
  • the air moving device 100 may be configured to function as a vacuum suction device in which the nozzle assembly 8 is operatively coupled to air inlet end I of the housing 2 and air is drawn in direction F and through outlet 6 .
  • the housing 2 may include a compartment 14 defined between annular walls 15 which are separated along a length of the housing, in which a generally cylindrical casing 17 a of motor 17 may be positioned.
  • the walls 15 may extend from an inner wall of the housing 2 in a radial axial direction, and the distance between the walls may correspond to the length of the casing of the motor.
  • Two shock absorber 18 may be fitted onto opposing ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17 and may partially cover the circumference of the casing. For example, a side surface and an end surface at opposite ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17 may be encased by the shock absorbers 18 A.
  • the motor 17 When operated, the motor 17 may vibrate and, if not held in place, may have a tendency to move in both a radial and axial longitudinal direction.
  • the motor 17 When the motor 17 is coupled to the shock absorbers 18 A and is placed within the compartment 14 between the walls 15 , the motor 17 is snuggly received within the compartment and movement of the motor relative to the housing 2 is substantially prevented.
  • the shock absorbers 18 A provide a resilient barrier between the motor 17 and the housing 2 , spacing the motor from the inner surfaces of the housing.
  • the shock absorbers 18 may be shaped and configured to cover a portion of the ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17 .
  • the casing 17 a of motor 17 may be generally cylindrical in configuration and the shock absorbers 18 may be generally annular in configuration.
  • the shock absorbers 18 may be configured to fit snuggly around the perimeter or circumference of the casing 17 a.
  • the shock absorbers 18 may be formed from elastic or resilient material, such as rubber, silicone or other such polymers, or the like. In that regard, the shock absorbers 18 A may be sufficiently compliant so that the shock absorbers provide a cushion between the motor 17 and the housing 2 .
  • vibrations generated by the motor may be absorbed by the shock absorbers 18 A in both a radial and an axial direction, and resonance or transfer of such vibrations from the motor to the housing 2 may be inhibited.
  • the shock absorbers 18 A may frictionally engage inner surfaces of the housing 2 to inhibit movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing in both a radial and an axial direction.
  • the shock absorbers 18 A may include a first section 20 A and a second section 22 .
  • the first section 20 A may include an inner facing surface 24 of an inner wall 24 a, which may be substantially planar.
  • the first section 20 A may extend in a radially outward direction from the inner surface 24
  • the second section 22 may extend in a radially inward direction from the inner surface.
  • the first section 20 A may include an outer facing surface 26 of an outer wall 26 a that is connected to the inner surface 24 by a plurality of spaced apart struts 28 A.
  • the struts 28 A may have a triangular shaped configuration ( FIG. 5A ), a diamond shaped configuration or other geometric or polygonal configuration.
  • a plurality of chambers 30 A may be positioned between the struts 28 A.
  • Each chamber 30 A may be generally open or may have a relatively thin membrane or web formed within the chamber connecting the struts 28 A.
  • Each of the inner and outer surfaces 24 and 26 of the first section 20 A may be concentric, substantially planar, and parallel to one another.
  • An outer surface of the second section 22 may include a plurality of concentric rings 32 (e.g., four such rings as shown in FIG. 5A ), which may be separated from one another by one or more grooves 33 that are defined in the outer surface of the second section.
  • the rings 32 may have a configuration that is tooth-shaped, diamond-shaped, arc-shaped, convex, corrugated, or another shape.
  • the rings 32 may each have an apex or high point, which is configured to contact wall 15 .
  • the apices of the rings 32 may be generally coplanar with respect to one another, such that the outer surface of the second section 22 may be substantially flush against the outer surface.
  • An inner surface 34 of the second section 22 may be generally planar, and arranged perpendicular to the inner facing surface 24 , which surfaces engage the motor casing 17 a.
  • FIG. 5B Another embodiment of a shock absorber 18 B is shown in FIG. 5B .
  • the shock absorber 18 B is substantially similar to the shock absorber 18 A described above with the following differences.
  • the first section 20 B includes a plurality of struts 28 B that connect inner wall 24 b to outer wall 26 b and may have axes that are arranged, orthogonal or at an acute or obtuse angle, with respect to the inner and outer surfaces 24 , 26 .
  • the struts 20 B may define chambers 30 B and 30 C therebetween, which may each have a generally trapezoidal configuration.
  • the chambers 30 B may be smaller, larger, or equal in size to the chambers 30 C, and may be generally open or may have a relatively thin membrane or web formed within the chambers connecting the struts 28 B.
  • the chamber 30 B may be wider nearer the outer surface 26 and narrower closer to the inner surface 24 so as to form a trapezoid.
  • the chamber 30 C may be narrower nearer the outer surface 26 and wider nearer the inner surface 24 so as to form a trapezoid.
  • the chambers 30 B and 30 C may have other geometric shapes, such as polygonal, triangular, or the like.
  • the casing 17 a of motor 17 may be positioned within the compartment 14 of the housing 2 along with the shock absorbers 18 fitted to opposing ends of the casing so that the casing and the housing are spaced apart and are not in direct contact. Instead, the inner surfaces 24 of the first section 20 A or 20 B and the inner surface 22 of the second section 22 of the shock absorbers 18 are fitted onto the opposing end edges of the casing 17 a of motor 17 so that the shock absorbers 18 prevent direct contact between the casing of the motor and the housing 2 .
  • the rings 32 provided on the outer surface of the second section may contact the walls 15 of compartment 14 , and outer surface 26 of the first section 20 A or 20 B contact the housing 2 , so that the shock absorbers 18 space the casing 17 a of motor 17 from the interior surfaces of the housing 2 .
  • an annular space S 1 separates the side of the casing 17 a of motor 17 from the wall of the housing 2 , and the ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17 are spaced from the walls 15 of compartment 14 by spaces S 2 and S 3 .
  • the shock absorbers 18 are configured and dimensioned to engage the surfaces of the compartment 14 , thereby limiting the movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing 2 in both a radial and longitudinally axial directions and inhibiting the transfer of vibrations from the motor 17 to the housing 2 .
  • the outer surface 26 may engage the wall of compartment 14 and inhibit radial movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing 2
  • the second section 22 may engage the walls 15 of compartment 14 to facilitate a secure fit and inhibit longitudinal axial movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing 2 .
  • spacing the casing 17 a of the motor 17 apart from the walls of the housing 2 the transmission of vibrations to the housing 2 are reduced. Such spacing size is dependent upon the thickness of the first section 20 A or 20 B and the second section 22 of the shock absorbers 18 A or 18 B, respectively, and may be increased to further reduce the transmission of vibrations from the motor 17 to the housing 2 .
  • a ventilation grill 38 may be provided and may be disposed within the outlet 6 .
  • a pipe joint 39 may be operatively coupled to the outlet 6 , and may facilitate coupling the outlet 6 to the nozzle assembly 8 and related attachments.
  • the back cover 4 may include an inlet channel 40 and a filter 36 .
  • the filter 36 may buffer or reduce noise generated by the motor 17 from spreading out from the housing 2 , and/or may filter and collect dust, hair, debris, and the like from the air flowing along direction F into the housing.
  • a noise reduction system 41 may include a filter assembly 42 and a noise attenuation assembly 57 .
  • the filter assembly 42 which includes a basket 44 and a filter 46 , and the noise attenuation assembly 57 may be disposed within the housing.
  • the back cover 4 as shown in FIGS.
  • the inlet channel 40 may be generally cylindrical and may extend along a length within the back cover 4 so that a tunnel is formed within which sounds may intersect and create interference.
  • the filter assembly 42 may be secured to the outlet end of the back cover 4 .
  • the basket 44 of the filter assembly 42 may threadably engage internal threading 5 of the back cover 4 .
  • a flanged section 52 of the basket 44 having screw threads 53 may radially extend from the side wall 50 .
  • the threads 53 of flanged section 52 may be secured to the threading 5 of the back cover 4 , thereby securing the filter assembly 42 to the back cover.
  • the filter assembly 42 may be positioned with respect to the back cover 4 such that a filter chamber 56 is disposed between the filter 46 and the inlet channel 40 . Dust, hair, debris, and the like may be collected within the filter chamber 56 .
  • the basket 44 may include a base 47 including a grated perimeter 48 , including ports 48 a, and a base plate 49 disposed within the grated perimeter.
  • a side wall 49 a may be positioned along the perimeter of the base plate 49 and the grated perimeter.
  • the side wall 49 a may be generally cylindrical in shape.
  • Ports 48 a may be generally rectangular in configuration and may be separated from one another by a plurality of strut-like members 48 b.
  • the ports 48 a are depicted as being generally rectangular, the ports 48 a may have any geometric shape, including for example, arcuate, circular, or the like.
  • the grated perimeter 48 may be disposed radially around the base plate 49 .
  • the basket 44 is configured to receive filter 46 within the side wall 50 .
  • the filter 46 may have an annular configuration such that the filter is positioned abutting the grated perimeter 48 .
  • direction F FIGS. 2-3
  • the air is diverted by the base plate 49 and flows through the filter 46 and the ports 48 a of grated perimeter 48 before flowing toward outlet 6 .
  • the base plate 49 may block the flow of air therethrough, and the air may instead flow through the ports 48 a of the grated perimeter 48 , which are disposed around the base plate 49 . Dust, hair, debris, and the like may be trapped within the filter 46 .
  • the noise attenuation assembly 57 may include a noise attenuation panel 58 and an annular filter 61 operatively coupled to the noise attenuation panel 58 .
  • the noise attenuation assembly 57 may be secured within a noise attenuation slot 66 within the housing 2 , such that the noise attenuation assembly 57 is positioned between the filter assembly 42 and the motor 17 .
  • the noise attenuation panel 58 may include an annular disk member 60 and a grating member 62 positioned substantially at the center of the disk member 60 .
  • the grating member 62 may contact the base plate 49 of the basket 44 , and the side wall 49 a surrounding the base plate 49 may be disposed around the grating member 62 such that movement of the noise attenuation assembly 57 with respect to the filter assembly 42 is inhibited.
  • the grating member 62 may include a cover plate 63 , which may be substantially perpendicular to the direction F of the flow of air through the air moving device 100 , and a grating along its circumference including a plurality of open ports 64 , which may include ventilation ports.
  • the grating member 62 may be cylindrical and extend from the annular disk member 60 in a direction toward the air inlet end I.
  • the annular filter 61 may be positioned upon the annular disk member 60 and may be disposed around and in contact with the grating member 62 .
  • the annular filter 61 may be formed from a polymer.
  • the interaction of the air with the housing creates a noise
  • the motor 17 emits a noise within the same space as the flowing air.
  • the sound of the air being sucked through the housing 2 and the noise created by the motor 17 are confluent in the air inlet channel 40 , thereby cancelling each other and reducing the emission of noise.
  • the collision of the sound of the air and the sound of the motor causes the vast majority of noise to be canceled out by one another.
  • the filter assembly 42 and the noise attenuation assembly 57 as well as their constituent parts, each provides a barrier to the noise generated by the operation of motor 17 .
  • air As air is drawn into housing 2 , it is drawn through filter 36 and through the air inlet channel 40 and into the filter chamber 56 . As the air flows in direction F, it first passes through the filter assembly 42 and then through the noise attenuation assembly 57 . In particular, the air continues in direction F being diverted by base plate 49 toward and through filter 46 and through ports 48 a (not shown). The air, having passed through ports 48 a, then passes through filter 61 , and through ports 64 into the interior of grating member 62 . The air then flows into and through channel 17 c of motor 17 and toward the outlet 6 of the housing 2 . Thus, the air does not flow through the housing 2 along a straight-in, straight-out pathway.
  • the incoming air is separated and enters the channel 17 c of motor 17 via the ports of the grating member 62 , so that the incoming air is inhibited from creating a vortex at the inlet of the motor. Also, noise generated by the motor is inhibited from spreading outward by the noise attenuation assembly 57 .
  • the filter assembly 42 and the noise attenuation assembly 57 as well as their constituent parts, provide noise attenuation and abatement.
  • a TES 1350A noise analyzer was used to measure the noise of the pet hair dryer of the present invention and that of a conventional pet hair dryer.
  • the test results demonstrated that in a state where the hair dryers are running at full speed, the noise of the conventional pet hair dryer was 80 to 90 decibels while the noise of the air moving device 100 was 70 to 75 decibels.
  • the vibration frequency of a conventional pet hair dryer was measured to be between 15 and 30 m/s 2
  • the vibration frequency of the air moving device 100 was measured to be only between 6 and 9 m/s 2 .
  • shock absorbers described hereinabove may be used to reduce vibrations, noise, and/or movement of any motor that is positioned within a housing, and are not limited to in application to air blowers or suction devices. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an air moving device which includes a housing and a motor. The air moving device may include at least one shock absorber which is configured to reduce vibrations and/or noise. The air moving device may also be configured to cancel out noises generated when operating the device.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • The present application claims the benefit of the filing dates of People's Republic of China Utility Model No. 20120025081.7, filed Jan. 18, 2012, People's Republic of China Utility Model 201220026443.4, filed Jan. 18, 2012, People's Republic of China Utility Model 201220026456.1, filed Jan. 18, 2012, People's Republic of China Utility Model No. 201220026460.8, filed Jan. 18, 2012, People's Republic of China Utility Model No. 201220480996.7, filed Sep. 18, 2012, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present disclosure generally relates to devices that move air, such as by blowing or by suction, and more particularly to devices that move air and have noise and/or vibration reducing features.
  • Air moving devices may include air blowing devices, such as hair blowers, and suction devices, such as vacuum cleaners. Air moving devices typically include a housing including an inlet and an outlet for air flow. A motor contained within the housing drives a fan and sucks air into the housing through the inlet and blows the air out from the outlet. A hair dryer is an air blowing device that is used to dry wet hair or fur. When the air reaches wet hair or fur, it helps evaporate water from the hair or fur.
  • Hair dryers currently on the market typically have a straight-in, straight-out air duct configuration in which the air inlet of a motor is pressed against a back wall of the housing of the hair dryer. When the motor is operated, the air flow causes loud noise and ultra-high frequency sounds to be emitted from the inlet of the motor. In addition, the motor is typically in direct contact with the housing of the hair dryer. When the motor is operated, the interaction between the motor and the housing causes significant vibrations and pulsations. Such noises and vibrations may render an air moving device unsuitable for certain applications. For example, household pets, such as dogs and cats, may be frightened by the noises and vibrations emitted by such hair dryers.
  • Attempts to reduce noise and vibrations during the operation of hair dryers have not failed to resolve these issues. For example, Chinese Patent CN201733706U discloses a ring that spaces a motor from a housing in which the motor is placed so that the motor is not in direct contact with the housing. However, this ring does not provide significant cushioning and is prone to damage by the vibrations of the motor.
  • There is a continuing need for air moving devices that emit less noise and vibrate less.
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Disclosed herein are air moving devices that include features, which reduce noise and vibration during the operation of the air moving device.
  • In an embodiment, an air moving device may include a housing and a motor within the housing. The motor may include a casing having a peripheral surface and an outer end surface. At least one shock absorber may be positioned adjacent one end of the casing. The at least one shock absorber may have a first section and a second section. The first section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a first portion of the housing. The second section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the outer end surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a second portion of the housing. The casing may be spaced from the housing by the at least one shock absorber. The at least one shock absorber may be formed from resilient or semi-resilient material. The inner and outer surfaces of the first section may be formed from an inner wall and an outer wall connected to one another by a plurality of struts, which may have a geometric shape. The first section may include a plurality of chambers defined between the struts. The plurality of chambers may have a geometric shape, e.g., trapezoidal. A membrane may be disposed within each chamber connecting neighboring struts. The plurality of struts may be arranged at an angle to the inner wall and the outer wall of the first section. The outer surface of the second section may include a plurality of concentric rings in contact with the second portion of the housing. The first section may be arranged orthogonal to the second section. The device may further include a second shock absorber including the first and second sections described above, and may be positioned at another end of the casing of the motor.
  • In another embodiment, an air moving device may include a housing including an air inlet end and including a central longitudinally extending axis, and a motor within the housing. The motor may be configured to cause air to flow along the central longitudinally extending axis. A noise reduction system may be disposed between the motor and the air inlet end of the housing. The noise reduction system may include a filter assembly. The filter assembly may include a basket provided with a plurality of ports for the passage of air from the air inlet end along the central longitudinally extending axis. A filter may be positioned over the ports in the basket. The noise reduction system may further include a noise attenuation assembly. The noise attenuation assembly may include a noise attenuation panel configured to divert the flow of air within the housing in a direction orthogonal to the central longitudinally extending axis. The noise attenuation panel may include a grating member axially aligned with the central longitudinally extending axis, and may include a plurality of ports through which the air is flowable. A filter may be disposed around the ports of the grating member. The filter assembly may be positioned between the noise attenuation assembly and the air inlet end.
  • In an embodiment, an air moving device may include a housing having an air inlet end and a central longitudinally extending axis, and a motor within the housing. The motor may be configured to cause air to flow along the central longitudinally extending axis. The motor may include a casing including opposing ends. Each end may have a peripheral surface and an outer end surface. A first shock absorber may be positioned at the first end of the casing and a second shock absorber positioned at the second end of the casing. Each shock absorber may have a first section and a second section. The first section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a first portion of the housing. The second section may include an inner surface in contact with a portion of the outer end surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a second portion of the housing. The casing may be spaced from the housing by the first and second absorbers.
  • A noise reduction system may be disposed between the motor and the air inlet end of the housing. The noise reduction system may include a filter assembly. The filter assembly may include a basket provided with a plurality of ports for the passage of air from the air inlet end along the central longitudinally extending axis. A filter may be positioned over the ports in the basket. The noise reduction system may also include a noise attenuation assembly. The noise attenuation assembly may include a noise attenuation panel configured to divert the flow of air within the housing in a direction orthogonal to the central longitudinally extending axis. The inner and outer surfaces of the first section may be formed from an inner wall and an outer wall connected to one another by a plurality of struts, and the first section may be arranged orthogonal to the second section. The noise attenuation panel may include a grating member axially aligned with the central longitudinally extending axis. The grating member may include a plurality of ports through which the air is flowable, and may further include a filter disposed around the ports of the grating member. The filter assembly may be positioned between the noise attenuation assembly and the air inlet end.
  • These and other embodiments of the present invention are more fully described hereinbelow.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air moving device in accordance with the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of air flow through an air blower device in a first configuration of the air moving device;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of air flow through an air suction device in a second configuration of the air moving device;
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the air moving device of FIG. 1 with parts removed;
  • FIG. 5A is a partially cutaway perspective view of the shock absorber shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
  • FIG. 5B is a partially cutaway front view of the shock absorber shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air moving device of FIG. 1 with parts removed;
  • FIG. 7 is another exploded view of the air moving device of FIG. 1 with parts removed;
  • FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view of the air moving device of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 9A is a back perspective view of a back cover;
  • FIG. 9B is a top perspective view of the back cover of FIG. 9A;
  • FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of a holder of a filter assembly;
  • FIG. 10B is a side perspective view of the holder of FIG. 10A; and
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a noise attenuation panel.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures and in the description that follow, like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used throughout the following description, the term “proximal” refers to the end or portion of a device that is relatively close to the user deploying the device, and the term “distal” refers to the end or portion of the device that is relatively farther away from the user deploying the device.
  • In an embodiment, an air moving device 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The air moving device 100 includes a housing 2 having an air inlet end I and an air outlet end O. The air moving device 100 is configured to draw air through the housing 2 from the air inlet end I toward and through the air outlet end O. A back cover 4 may be secured, e.g., screwed on, to the housing 2 at the air inlet end I, and may include an opening 4 a through which outside air may flow (FIGS. 2-3). The housing 2 may include an outlet 6 at the air outlet end O, which may be operatively coupled to a tube or nozzle assembly 8 through which air may flow. The diameter of the opening 4 a of the back cover 4 may be larger than that of the outlet 6. The housing 2 may be formed from two sections, which are generally symmetrical with respect to one another along a length of the housing. A handle 10 may extend from a back side of the housing 2. A control switch 12 for activating and adjusting the settings of the air moving device 100 may be located on or within the handle 10.
  • As shown in FIGS. 2-3, a motor 17 is mounted within the housing 2. The motor 17 may be a dual-blade motor, which may move more air than a single-blade motor with less heat emission, which may contribute to a longer lifespan. Air may be drawn through the housing 2 from the inlet end I along direction F by the operation of the motor 17 may draw air from the inlet end I and into a centrally disposed channel 17 c extending through the motor, directing the air to flow out from the outlet 6 of the housing. Prior to entering the channel 17 c of motor 17, air may flow through the housing 2 in a non-linear fashion and not along a straight path from the opening 4 a to the channel 17 c of the motor 17. As will be discussed in greater detail below, this non-linear flow of air, along direction F through the housing 2, may contribute to noise abatement and attenuation.
  • The air moving device 100 may be configured to function as a blow dryer, as shown in FIG. 2, in which air is drawn in direction F through the housing 2 and out through the tube or nozzle assembly 8, which is operatively coupled to the outlet 6 at the air outlet end O. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the air moving device 100 may be configured to function as a vacuum suction device in which the nozzle assembly 8 is operatively coupled to air inlet end I of the housing 2 and air is drawn in direction F and through outlet 6.
  • As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 2 may include a compartment 14 defined between annular walls 15 which are separated along a length of the housing, in which a generally cylindrical casing 17 a of motor 17 may be positioned. In particular, the walls 15 may extend from an inner wall of the housing 2 in a radial axial direction, and the distance between the walls may correspond to the length of the casing of the motor. Two shock absorber 18 may be fitted onto opposing ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17 and may partially cover the circumference of the casing. For example, a side surface and an end surface at opposite ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17 may be encased by the shock absorbers 18A. When operated, the motor 17 may vibrate and, if not held in place, may have a tendency to move in both a radial and axial longitudinal direction. When the motor 17 is coupled to the shock absorbers 18A and is placed within the compartment 14 between the walls 15, the motor 17 is snuggly received within the compartment and movement of the motor relative to the housing 2 is substantially prevented. The shock absorbers 18A provide a resilient barrier between the motor 17 and the housing 2, spacing the motor from the inner surfaces of the housing.
  • The shock absorbers 18 may be shaped and configured to cover a portion of the ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17. For example, the casing 17 a of motor 17 may be generally cylindrical in configuration and the shock absorbers 18 may be generally annular in configuration. The shock absorbers 18 may be configured to fit snuggly around the perimeter or circumference of the casing 17 a. The shock absorbers 18 may be formed from elastic or resilient material, such as rubber, silicone or other such polymers, or the like. In that regard, the shock absorbers 18A may be sufficiently compliant so that the shock absorbers provide a cushion between the motor 17 and the housing 2. By cushioning the vibrations generated by the motor 17, vibrations generated by the motor may be absorbed by the shock absorbers 18A in both a radial and an axial direction, and resonance or transfer of such vibrations from the motor to the housing 2 may be inhibited. In addition, the shock absorbers 18A may frictionally engage inner surfaces of the housing 2 to inhibit movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing in both a radial and an axial direction.
  • As shown in FIG. 5A, the shock absorbers 18A may include a first section 20A and a second section 22. The first section 20A may include an inner facing surface 24 of an inner wall 24 a, which may be substantially planar. The first section 20A may extend in a radially outward direction from the inner surface 24, and the second section 22 may extend in a radially inward direction from the inner surface. The first section 20A may include an outer facing surface 26 of an outer wall 26 a that is connected to the inner surface 24 by a plurality of spaced apart struts 28A. The struts 28A may have a triangular shaped configuration (FIG. 5A), a diamond shaped configuration or other geometric or polygonal configuration. A plurality of chambers 30A may be positioned between the struts 28A. Each chamber 30A may be generally open or may have a relatively thin membrane or web formed within the chamber connecting the struts 28A. Each of the inner and outer surfaces 24 and 26 of the first section 20A may be concentric, substantially planar, and parallel to one another.
  • An outer surface of the second section 22 may include a plurality of concentric rings 32 (e.g., four such rings as shown in FIG. 5A), which may be separated from one another by one or more grooves 33 that are defined in the outer surface of the second section. The rings 32 may have a configuration that is tooth-shaped, diamond-shaped, arc-shaped, convex, corrugated, or another shape. The rings 32 may each have an apex or high point, which is configured to contact wall 15. The apices of the rings 32 may be generally coplanar with respect to one another, such that the outer surface of the second section 22 may be substantially flush against the outer surface. An inner surface 34 of the second section 22 may be generally planar, and arranged perpendicular to the inner facing surface 24, which surfaces engage the motor casing 17 a.
  • Another embodiment of a shock absorber 18B is shown in FIG. 5B. The shock absorber 18B is substantially similar to the shock absorber 18A described above with the following differences. The first section 20B includes a plurality of struts 28B that connect inner wall 24 b to outer wall 26 b and may have axes that are arranged, orthogonal or at an acute or obtuse angle, with respect to the inner and outer surfaces 24, 26. The struts 20B may define chambers 30B and 30C therebetween, which may each have a generally trapezoidal configuration. The chambers 30B may be smaller, larger, or equal in size to the chambers 30C, and may be generally open or may have a relatively thin membrane or web formed within the chambers connecting the struts 28B. The chamber 30B may be wider nearer the outer surface 26 and narrower closer to the inner surface 24 so as to form a trapezoid. The chamber 30C may be narrower nearer the outer surface 26 and wider nearer the inner surface 24 so as to form a trapezoid. In other embodiments, the chambers 30B and 30C may have other geometric shapes, such as polygonal, triangular, or the like.
  • As shown in FIG. 6, the casing 17 a of motor 17 may be positioned within the compartment 14 of the housing 2 along with the shock absorbers 18 fitted to opposing ends of the casing so that the casing and the housing are spaced apart and are not in direct contact. Instead, the inner surfaces 24 of the first section 20A or 20B and the inner surface 22 of the second section 22 of the shock absorbers 18 are fitted onto the opposing end edges of the casing 17 a of motor 17 so that the shock absorbers 18 prevent direct contact between the casing of the motor and the housing 2. In this regard, the rings 32 provided on the outer surface of the second section may contact the walls 15 of compartment 14, and outer surface 26 of the first section 20A or 20B contact the housing 2, so that the shock absorbers 18 space the casing 17 a of motor 17 from the interior surfaces of the housing 2.
  • In particular, an annular space S1 separates the side of the casing 17 a of motor 17 from the wall of the housing 2, and the ends of the casing 17 a of motor 17 are spaced from the walls 15 of compartment 14 by spaces S2 and S3. The shock absorbers 18 are configured and dimensioned to engage the surfaces of the compartment 14, thereby limiting the movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing 2 in both a radial and longitudinally axial directions and inhibiting the transfer of vibrations from the motor 17 to the housing 2. For example, the outer surface 26 may engage the wall of compartment 14 and inhibit radial movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing 2, and/or the second section 22 may engage the walls 15 of compartment 14 to facilitate a secure fit and inhibit longitudinal axial movement of the motor 17 with respect to the housing 2. Moreover, by spacing the casing 17 a of the motor 17 apart from the walls of the housing 2, the transmission of vibrations to the housing 2 are reduced. Such spacing size is dependent upon the thickness of the first section 20A or 20B and the second section 22 of the shock absorbers 18A or 18B, respectively, and may be increased to further reduce the transmission of vibrations from the motor 17 to the housing 2.
  • As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, at the air outlet end O of the housing 2, a ventilation grill 38 may be provided and may be disposed within the outlet 6. A pipe joint 39 may be operatively coupled to the outlet 6, and may facilitate coupling the outlet 6 to the nozzle assembly 8 and related attachments.
  • At the air inlet end I of the housing 2, the back cover 4 may include an inlet channel 40 and a filter 36. The filter 36 may buffer or reduce noise generated by the motor 17 from spreading out from the housing 2, and/or may filter and collect dust, hair, debris, and the like from the air flowing along direction F into the housing. A noise reduction system 41 may include a filter assembly 42 and a noise attenuation assembly 57. Between the back cover 4 and the inlet end of the motor 17, the filter assembly 42, which includes a basket 44 and a filter 46, and the noise attenuation assembly 57 may be disposed within the housing. The back cover 4, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, may include air inlet channel 40 that is in fluid communication with the opening 4 a in the back cover. The inlet channel 40 may be generally cylindrical and may extend along a length within the back cover 4 so that a tunnel is formed within which sounds may intersect and create interference.
  • The filter assembly 42 may be secured to the outlet end of the back cover 4. For example, the basket 44 of the filter assembly 42 may threadably engage internal threading 5 of the back cover 4. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a flanged section 52 of the basket 44 having screw threads 53 may radially extend from the side wall 50. The threads 53 of flanged section 52 may be secured to the threading 5 of the back cover 4, thereby securing the filter assembly 42 to the back cover. Referring back to FIGS. 2-3, the filter assembly 42 may be positioned with respect to the back cover 4 such that a filter chamber 56 is disposed between the filter 46 and the inlet channel 40. Dust, hair, debris, and the like may be collected within the filter chamber 56.
  • As further shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the basket 44 may include a base 47 including a grated perimeter 48, including ports 48 a, and a base plate 49 disposed within the grated perimeter. A side wall 49 a may be positioned along the perimeter of the base plate 49 and the grated perimeter. The side wall 49 a may be generally cylindrical in shape. Ports 48 a may be generally rectangular in configuration and may be separated from one another by a plurality of strut-like members 48 b. Although the ports 48 a are depicted as being generally rectangular, the ports 48 a may have any geometric shape, including for example, arcuate, circular, or the like. The grated perimeter 48 may be disposed radially around the base plate 49. The basket 44 is configured to receive filter 46 within the side wall 50. The filter 46 may have an annular configuration such that the filter is positioned abutting the grated perimeter 48. When air flows in direction F (FIGS. 2-3), the air is diverted by the base plate 49 and flows through the filter 46 and the ports 48 a of grated perimeter 48 before flowing toward outlet 6. In other words, the base plate 49 may block the flow of air therethrough, and the air may instead flow through the ports 48 a of the grated perimeter 48, which are disposed around the base plate 49. Dust, hair, debris, and the like may be trapped within the filter 46.
  • Referring back to FIGS. 7-8, the noise attenuation assembly 57 may include a noise attenuation panel 58 and an annular filter 61 operatively coupled to the noise attenuation panel 58. The noise attenuation assembly 57 may be secured within a noise attenuation slot 66 within the housing 2, such that the noise attenuation assembly 57 is positioned between the filter assembly 42 and the motor 17. As shown in FIG. 11, the noise attenuation panel 58 may include an annular disk member 60 and a grating member 62 positioned substantially at the center of the disk member 60. The grating member 62 may contact the base plate 49 of the basket 44, and the side wall 49 a surrounding the base plate 49 may be disposed around the grating member 62 such that movement of the noise attenuation assembly 57 with respect to the filter assembly 42 is inhibited.
  • The grating member 62 may include a cover plate 63, which may be substantially perpendicular to the direction F of the flow of air through the air moving device 100, and a grating along its circumference including a plurality of open ports 64, which may include ventilation ports. The grating member 62 may be cylindrical and extend from the annular disk member 60 in a direction toward the air inlet end I. The annular filter 61 may be positioned upon the annular disk member 60 and may be disposed around and in contact with the grating member 62. The annular filter 61 may be formed from a polymer.
  • As the air flows in direction F into the housing 2, the interaction of the air with the housing creates a noise, and the motor 17 emits a noise within the same space as the flowing air. Not to be bound to any particular theory, the sound of the air being sucked through the housing 2 and the noise created by the motor 17 are confluent in the air inlet channel 40, thereby cancelling each other and reducing the emission of noise. In particular, the collision of the sound of the air and the sound of the motor causes the vast majority of noise to be canceled out by one another. Additionally, the filter assembly 42 and the noise attenuation assembly 57, as well as their constituent parts, each provides a barrier to the noise generated by the operation of motor 17.
  • Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, as air is drawn into housing 2, it is drawn through filter 36 and through the air inlet channel 40 and into the filter chamber 56. As the air flows in direction F, it first passes through the filter assembly 42 and then through the noise attenuation assembly 57. In particular, the air continues in direction F being diverted by base plate 49 toward and through filter 46 and through ports 48 a (not shown). The air, having passed through ports 48 a, then passes through filter 61, and through ports 64 into the interior of grating member 62. The air then flows into and through channel 17 c of motor 17 and toward the outlet 6 of the housing 2. Thus, the air does not flow through the housing 2 along a straight-in, straight-out pathway. Not to be bound to any particular theory, the incoming air is separated and enters the channel 17 c of motor 17 via the ports of the grating member 62, so that the incoming air is inhibited from creating a vortex at the inlet of the motor. Also, noise generated by the motor is inhibited from spreading outward by the noise attenuation assembly 57. In combination, as well as individually, the filter assembly 42 and the noise attenuation assembly 57, as well as their constituent parts, provide noise attenuation and abatement.
  • In a test environment where the ambient noise was 35 decibels, at a distance of 0.3 meters from the product, a TES 1350A noise analyzer was used to measure the noise of the pet hair dryer of the present invention and that of a conventional pet hair dryer. The test results demonstrated that in a state where the hair dryers are running at full speed, the noise of the conventional pet hair dryer was 80 to 90 decibels while the noise of the air moving device 100 was 70 to 75 decibels. In addition, the vibration frequency of a conventional pet hair dryer was measured to be between 15 and 30 m/s2, whereas the vibration frequency of the air moving device 100 was measured to be only between 6 and 9 m/s2.
  • Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. For example, the shock absorbers described hereinabove may be used to reduce vibrations, noise, and/or movement of any motor that is positioned within a housing, and are not limited to in application to air blowers or suction devices. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. An air moving device, comprising:
a housing;
a motor within the housing, the motor including
a casing having a peripheral surface and an outer end surface;
at least one shock absorber positioned adjacent one end of the casing and having a first section and a second section, wherein:
the first section includes an inner surface in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a first portion of the housing; and
the second section includes an inner surface in contact with a portion of the outer end surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a second portion of the housing,
wherein the casing is spaced from the housing by the at least one shock absorber.
2. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein the at least one shock absorber is formed from resilient or semi-resilient material.
3. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the second section includes a plurality of concentric rings in contact with the second portion of the housing.
4. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer surfaces of the first section are formed from an inner wall and an outer wall connected to one another by a plurality of struts which have a geometric shape.
5. The air moving device of claim 4, wherein the first section includes a plurality of chambers defined between the struts.
6. The air moving device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of chambers have a geometric shape.
7. The air moving device of claim 5, wherein a membrane is disposed within each chamber connecting neighboring struts.
8. The air moving device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of struts are arranged at an angle to the inner wall and the outer wall of the first section.
9. The air moving device of claim 1, wherein the first section is arranged orthogonal to the second section.
10. The air moving device of claim 1, further comprising a second shock absorber including said first section and said second section positioned at another end of the casing of the motor.
11. An air moving device, comprising:
a housing including an air inlet end and including a central longitudinally extending axis;
a motor within the housing, the motor configured to cause air to flow along the central longitudinally extending axis; and
a noise reduction system disposed between the motor and the air inlet end of the housing, the noise reduction system including a filter assembly including a basket provided with a plurality of ports for the passage of air from the air inlet end along the central longitudinally extending axis.
12. The air moving device of claim 11, further comprising a filter positioned over the ports in the basket.
13. The air moving device of claim 11, wherein the noise reduction system further comprises a noise attenuation assembly including a noise attenuation panel configured to divert the flow of air within the housing in a direction orthogonal to the central longitudinally extending axis.
14. The air moving device of claim 13, wherein the noise attenuation panel includes a grating member axially aligned with the central longitudinally extending axis, the grating member including a plurality of ports through which air is flowable.
15. The air moving device of claim 14, further comprising a filter disposed around the ports of the grating member.
16. An air moving device, comprising:
a housing having an air inlet end and a central longitudinally extending axis;
a motor within the housing, the motor including a casing including opposing ends, each end having a peripheral surface and an outer end surface, the motor configured to cause air to flow along the central longitudinally extending axis;
a first shock absorber positioned at the first end of the casing and a second shock absorber positioned at the second end of the casing, the casing of the motor being spaced from the housing by the first and second shock absorbers, each shock absorber having a first section and a second section, the first section includes an inner surface in contact with a portion of the peripheral surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a first portion of the housing, and the second section includes an inner surface in contact with a portion of the outer end surface of the casing and an outer surface in contact with a second portion of the housing; and
a noise reduction system disposed between the motor and the air inlet end of the housing, the noise reduction system including a filter assembly including a basket provided with a plurality of ports for the passage of air from the air inlet end along the central longitudinally extending axis.
17. The air moving device of claim 16, further comprising a filter positioned over the ports in the basket.
18. The air moving device of claim 16, wherein the inner and outer surfaces of the first section are formed from an inner wall and an outer wall connected to one another by a plurality of struts, and wherein the first section is arranged orthogonal to the second section.
19. The air moving device of claim 16, wherein the noise reduction system further comprises a noise attenuation assembly including a noise attenuation panel configured to divert the flow of air within the housing in a direction orthogonal to the central longitudinally extending axis.
20. The air moving device of claim 19, wherein the noise attenuation panel includes a grating member axially aligned with the central longitudinally extending axis, the grating member including a plurality of ports through which the air is flowable, and a filter is disposed around the ports of the grating member.
US13/739,393 2012-01-18 2013-01-11 Air moving devices Abandoned US20130183141A1 (en)

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CN201220026443.4 2012-01-18
CN201220026456.1 2012-01-18
CN201220025081.7 2012-01-18
CN2012200250817U CN202435936U (en) 2012-01-18 2012-01-18 Pet blowing dryer with damping function
CN2012200264608U CN202425436U (en) 2012-01-18 2012-01-18 Hair dryer for pets
CN201220026443 2012-01-18
CN2012200264561U CN202435937U (en) 2012-01-18 2012-01-18 Low-noise pet hair drier
CN201220026460.8 2012-01-18
CN201220480996.7 2012-09-18
CN201220480996 2012-09-18

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