US20240102484A1

US20240102484A1 - Ceiling fan having double-layer blades

Info

Publication number: US20240102484A1
Application number: US18/526,606
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Warren Harris; Tim Liu
Original assignee: Air Cool Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Air Cool Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-10
Filing date: 2023-12-01
Publication date: 2024-03-28
Also published as: US20230143101A1; US20230332616A1; US11686321B2

Abstract

A ceiling fan has blades spaced apart circumferentially about and extending outward radially from a rotating component of a motor. The blades include upper blades and lower blades. Each lower blade is between and extends below a pair of adjacent upper blades. The motor, when activated, rotates the rotating component, concurrently rotating the upper blades and the lower blades in the same rotational direction. Each of the upper blades leading an adjacent one of the lower blades is configured to generate and direct an air current rearwardly and downwardly therefrom in front of the adjacent one of the lower blades and each of the lower blades trailing an adjacent one of the upper blades is configured to intercept the air current from the adjacent one of the upper blades and accelerate it rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor is activated.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ceiling fans and, more particularly, to ceiling fans having double-layer blades.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A conventional double-motor ceiling fan structure includes a ceiling fan body. Either side of the ceiling fan body is connected with a motor. Each motor has a motor housing. The motor housing has a plurality of blade holders each provided with a blade. The motors drive the dual-motor ceiling fan structure to rotate the corresponding blades. Compared with a single-motor ceiling fan, the dual-motor ceiling fan structure can generate a greater current of air for cooling.
However, the above-mentioned dual-motor ceiling fan structure is complicated, cumbersome and expensive. Another conventional dual-motor ceiling fan structure is configured to rotate its blades reversely. This reverse rotation offsets air current and cannot generate more airflow volume. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need to solve these and other problems inherent in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed are ceiling fans having double-layer blades, which increase the current of air for cooling and have the advantages of saving costs and favorably influencing installation costs.
Briefly, a ceiling fan having double-layer blades includes a motor unit, a blade frame unit, a first blade unit, and a second blade unit. The motor unit includes a motor. The motor has a rotating component. The blade frame unit has a blade frame body. The blade frame body is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the motor. The blade frame body is fixedly connected to the rotating component of the motor. An upper end of the blade frame body has an upper mounting portion. A lower end of the blade frame body has a lower mounting portion. The first blade unit includes a plurality of first blades. The first blades each have a first fixing portion, a first extension wall, and a first blade portion. The first fixing portions of the first blades are fixed to the upper mounting portion. The first extension wall and the first blade portion of each first blade are connected to each other. The first extension walls of the first blades extend axially along the blade frame body. The first extension walls of the first blades surround an outside of the blade frame body to collectively form a first casing. The first casing has a first accommodating space therein. The second blade unit includes a plurality of second blades. The second blades each have a second fixing portion, a second extension wall, and a second blade portion. The second fixing portions of the second blades are fixed to the lower mounting portion. The second extension wall and the second blade portion of each second blade are connected to each other. The second extension walls of the second blades extend axially along the blade frame body. The second extension walls of the second blades surround the outside of the blade frame body to collectively form a second casing. The second casing has a second accommodating space therein. The first accommodating space of the first casing and the second accommodating space of the second casing are configured to accommodate the blade frame body and the motor. The first casing formed by the first blades and the second casing formed by the second blades collectively surround the outside of the blade frame body, so that there is no need for the motor unit to provide a motor housing for connecting the first blade unit and the second blade unit, thereby saving costs and installation costs. With the multi-layer arrangement of the first blades of the first blade unit and the second blades of the second blade unit, the ceiling fan having double-layer blades can increase the current of air for cooling.
According to other aspects of the invention, a ceiling fan constructed and arranged according to the invention includes a motor having a rotating component and blades spaced apart circumferentially about and extending outward radially from the rotating component. The blades include upper blades and lower blades. Each lower blade is between and extends below a pair of adjacent upper blades. The motor, when activated, rotates the rotating component, concurrently rotating the upper blades and the lower blades in the same direction of rotation. Each of the upper blades leading an adjacent one of the lower blades is configured to generate and direct an air current rearwardly and downwardly therefrom in front of the adjacent one of the lower blades and each of the lower blades trailing an adjacent one of the upper blades is configured to intercept the air current from the adjacent one of the upper blades and accelerate it rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor is activated. The upper blades are identical. The lower blades are identical. Preferably, the upper blades and the lower blades are identical. The upper blades and the lower blades define a first casing and a second casing, respectively, surrounding the rotating component. In another embodiment, the upper blades and the lower blades define a casing surrounding the rotating component.
According to still other aspects of the invention, a ceiling fan constructed and arranged according to the invention includes a motor including a rotating component and blades spaced apart circumferentially about and extending outward radially from the rotating component. The blades include upper blades and lower blades. Each lower blade is between and extends below a pair of adjacent upper blades. Each upper blade has a first leading edge, a first trailing edge, and a first deflecting surface between the first leading edge and the first trailing edge. Each lower blade has a second leading edge, a second trailing edge, and a second deflecting surface between the second leading edge and the second trailing edge. The motor, when activated, rotates the rotating component, concurrently rotating the upper blades and the lower blades in the same direction of rotation leading with the first leading edges of the upper blades and the second leading edges of the lower blades. Each of the upper blades leading an adjacent one of the lower blades is configured to generate and direct, by its first deflecting surface, an air current rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge to in front of the adjacent one of the lower blades and each of the lower blades trailing an adjacent one of the upper blades is configured to intercept, by its second deflecting surface, the air current from the adjacent one of the upper blades and accelerate it, by its second deflecting surface, rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge, when the motor is activated. The upper blades are identical. The lower blades are identical. Preferably, the upper blades and the lower blades are identical. The upper blades and the lower blades define a first casing and a second casing, respectively, surrounding the rotating component. In another embodiment, the upper blades and the lower blades define a casing surrounding the rotating component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a ceiling fan constructed and arranged according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is another side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 is a partly fragmentary exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , seen from above;

FIG. 8 is another partly fragmentary exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , seen from above;

FIG. 9 is yet another partly fragmentary exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , seen from below;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the installation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a ceiling fan constructed and arranged according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 15 ; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 1 , portions of the ceiling fan broken away for illustrative purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

I.

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a ceiling fan 100 constructed and arranged according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is another side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , a view looking between adjacent fan blades of the ceiling fan 100. FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 4 . FIG. 7 is a partly fragmentary exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , seen from above. The ceiling fan 100 has a motor unit 10, a blade frame unit 20, double-layer blades, including a first blade unit 30 and a second blade unit 40, an upper cover 50, and a lamp 60. The first blade unit 30 is above the second blade unit 40. Accordingly, the first blade unit 30 is the ceiling fan's 100 upper blade unit and the second blade unit 40 is the ceiling fan's 100 lower blade unit.
The motor unit 10 includes a motor 11. The motor 11 has a rotating component 12. An upper retaining portion 13 is fixedly connected to the top of the motor 11. The upper retaining portion 13 is fixedly connected to a down rod 14, so as to be fixed to the ceiling. The upper retaining portion 13 is fixedly connected to the down rod 14 through a connecting seat 15. A lower retaining portion 16 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the motor 11.
FIG. 8 is another partly fragmentary exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , seen from above. FIG. 9 is yet another partly fragmentary exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , seen from below. The blade frame unit 20 has a blade frame body 21. The blade frame body 21 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the motor 11. The blade frame body 21 is fixedly connected to the rotating component 12 of the motor 11. The upper end of the blade frame body 21 has an upper mounting portion 22. The upper mounting portion 22 may be composed of screw holes. The lower end of the blade frame body 21 has a lower mounting portion 23. The lower mounting portion 23 may be composed of screw holes. The blade frame body 21 has an annular wall 24. The top end of the annular wall 24 has an upper flange 25 extending radially and outwardly. The upper mounting portion 22 is disposed on the upper flange 25. The bottom end of the annular wall 24 has a lower flange 26 extending radially and outwardly. The lower mounting portion 23 is disposed on the lower flange 26. A motor mounting portion 27 extends from the inner side of the annular wall 24 toward the axis. The rotating component 12 of the motor 11 is connected to the motor mounting portion 27. The rotating component 12 rotates, when the motor 11 is activated.
The first or upper blade unit 30 includes a plurality of first or upper blades 31. The second or lower blade unit 40 includes a plurality of identical second or lower blades 41. The first blades 31 are identical to each other. The second blades 41 are identical to each other. The first blades 31 and the second blades 41 are identical to each other. The first blades 31 are equal in number to the second blades 41. In this example, there are two first blades 31 and two second blades 41. The first blades 31 are spaced apart circumferentially about and extend outward radially from the motor's 11 rotating component 12 and the blade frame unit 20. The second blades 41 are spaced apart circumferentially about and extend outward radially from the motor's 11 rotating component 12 and the blade frame unit 20. The first blades 31 and the second blades 41 are offset circumferentially, in which each first or upper blade 31 is between and extends above the second or lower blades 31 on either side of the ceiling fan 100, and each second or lower blade 41 is between and extends below the first or upper blades 31 on either side of the ceiling fan 100. The first blades 31 are offset 180 degrees, the second blades are offset 180 degrees, and each first blade 31 is offset 90 degrees from each adjacent second blade 41. Accordingly, the first blades 31 and the second blades 41 alternate circumferentially, are offset 90 degrees from one another, and the second blades 41 extend below the first blades 31 for intercepting and inherently accelerating air currents developed by the first blades 31 when the motor 11 is activated, concurrently rotating the upper blade unit 30 and the lower blade unit 40. Each of the first or upper blades 31 leading an adjacent one of the second or lower blades 41 is configured to generate and direct an air current rearwardly and downwardly therefrom in front of the adjacent one of the second or lower blades 41 and each of the second or lower blades 41 trailing an adjacent one of the first or upper blades 31 is configured to intercept the air current from the adjacent one of the first or upper blades 31 and inherently accelerate it rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor 11 is activated.
The first blades 31 each includes a first fixing portion 32, a first extension wall 33, and a first blade portion 34 extending outward from the first fixing portion 32 and the first extension wall 33 to a first outer end 70 and, with respect to the motor's 11 rotating component 12, outward radially from the motor's 11 rotating component 12 to the first outer end 70. The first blade portion 34 of each first blade 31 has a first leading edge 72 and an opposed first trailing edge 74 extending along the length of the first blade portion 34 between the first extension wall 33 and the first outer end 70. The first blade portion 34 of each first blade 31 also has an upward-facing first top surface 76 and an opposed downward-facing first bottom or deflecting surface 78 extending between the first leading edge 72 and the first trailing edge 74 and along the length of the first blade portion 34 between the first extension wall 33 and the first outer end 70. The first blade portion 34 of each first blade 31 has a downward pitch from the first leading edge 72 to the first trailing edge 74. The profile of the first top surface 76 and the profile of the first bottom or deflecting surface 78 of each first blade 31 follow the downward pitch of the first blade portion 34 from the first leading edge 72 to the first trailing edge 74. The first extension wall 33 and the first blade portion 34 of each first blade 31 are connected to each other. The first fixing portions 32 of the first blades 31 are fixed to the upper mounting portion 22. The first fixing portions 32 of the first blades 31 may be composed of screw holes, and are locked to the upper mounting portion 22 with screws. The first extension walls 33 of the first blades 31 extend axially along the blade frame body 21. The first extension walls 33 of the first blades 31 surround the outside of the blade frame body 21 to collectively form a first casing 35. The first casing 35 has a first accommodating space 36 therein. One side of the top of the first extension wall 33 of each first blade 31, adjacent to the first blade portion 34, and the first blade portion 34 have a first inner arc portion 37 extending toward the axis of the blade frame body 21. The first inner arc portions 37 are arranged on top of the upper flange 25 so that the upper flange 25 supports the first inner arc portions 37. The first fixing portions 32 of the first blades 31 are disposed on the first inner arc portions 37, respectively. The other side of the top of the first extension wall 33 of each first blade 31, opposite to the first blade portion 34, is formed with a first edge 38. The first edge 38 of each first blade 31 is lower than the first inner arc portion 37. Each first edge 38 corresponds to the first inner arc portion 37 of the coupled first blade 31 for the first inner arc portion 37 of the coupled first blade 31 to pass therethough. One side of the first inner arc portion 37 of each first blade 31, adjacent to the first edge 38, is provided with a first abutting surface 39 to abut against the first inner arc portion 37 of the coupled first blade 31.
The second blades 41 each includes a second fixing portion 42, a second extension wall 43, and a second blade portion 44 extending outward from the second fixing portion 42 and the second extension wall 43 to a second outer end 80 and, with respect to the motor's 11 rotating component 12, outward radially from the motor's 11 rotating component 12 to the second outer end 80. The second blade portion 44 of each second blade 41 has a second leading edge 82 and an opposed second trailing edge 84 extending along the length of the second blade portion 44 between the second extension wall 43 and the second outer end 80. The second blade portion 44 of each second blade 41 also has an upward-facing second top surface 86 and an opposed downward-facing second bottom or deflecting surface 88 extending between the second leading edge 82 and the second trailing edge 84 and along the length of the second blade portion 44 between the second extension wall 43 and the second outer end 80. The second blade portion 44 of each second blade 41 has a downward pitch from the second leading edge 82 to the second trailing edge 84. The profile of the second top surface 86 and the profile of the second bottom or deflecting surface 88 of each second blade 41 follow the downward pitch of the second blade portion 44 from the second leading edge 82 to the second trailing edge 84. The second extension wall 43 and the second blade portion 44 of each second blade 41 are connected to each other. The second fixing portions 42 of the second blades 41 are fixed to the lower mounting portion 23. The second fixing portions 42 of the second blades 41 may be composed of screw holes, and are locked to the lower mounting portion 23 with screws. The second extension walls 43 of the second blades 41 are adjacent to and beneath the first extension walls 33 of the first blades 31. The second extension wall 43 and the second blade portion 44 of each second blade 41 are connected to each other. The second blade portion 44 extends outward from the second extension wall 43. The second extension walls 43 of the second blades 41 extend axially along the blade frame body 21. The second extension walls 43 of the second blades 41 surround the outside of the blade frame body 21 to collectively form a second casing 45. The second casing 45 has a second accommodating space 46 therein. The first accommodating space 36 of the first casing 35 and the second accommodating space 46 of the second casing 45 are configured to accommodate the blade frame body 21 and the motor 11. One side of the top of the second extension wall 43 of each second blade 41, adjacent to the second blade portion 44, and the second blade portion 44 have a second inner arc portion 47 extending toward the axis of the blade frame body 21. The second inner arc portions 47 are arranged on top of the lower flange 26 so that the lower flange 26 supports the second inner arc portions 47. The second fixing portions 42 of the second blades 41 are disposed on the second inner arc portions 47, respectively. The other side of the top of the second extension wall 43 of each second blade 41, opposite to the second blade portion 44, is formed with a second edge 48. The second edge 48 of each second blade 41 is lower than the second inner arc portion 47. Each second edge 48 corresponds to the second inner arc portion 47 of the coupled second blade 41 for the second inner arc portion 47 of the coupled second blade 41 to pass therethough. One side of the second inner arc portion 47 of each second blade 41, adjacent to the second edge 48, is provided with a second abutting surface 49 to abut against the second inner arc portion 47 of the coupled second blade 41. In this embodiment of the present invention, the first blade portions 34 of the first blades 31 and the second blade portions 44 of the second blades 41 are arranged crosswise. The second blade portions 44 of the second blades 41 are adjacent to and beneath the first blade portions 34 of the first blades 31.
The upper cover 50 is disposed on the outside of the connecting seat 15. The upper cover 50 is located above the blade frame body 21. The down rod 14 is inserted through the upper cover 50. The upper cover 50 has a flange 51. The flange 51 of the upper cover 50 is located between the first inner arc portions 37 of the first blades 31.
The lamp 60 has a lamp module 61 and a lampshade 62. The lamp module 61 is fixedly connected to the lower retaining portion 16. The lampshade 62 is fixed to the outside of the lamp module 61 and located under the second extension walls 43 of the second blades 41.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the installation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 . When the ceiling fan 100 having double-layer blades is to be assembled, the first fixing portions 32 of the first blades 31 are first aligned with the upper mounting portion 22 of the blade frame body 21, and the second fixing portions 42 of the second blades 41 are aligned with the lower mounting portion 23 of the blade frame body 21. The first abutting surface 39 of each first blade 31 abuts against the first inner arc portion 37 of the coupled first blade 31. The second abutting surface 49 of each second blade 41 abuts against the second inner arc portion 47 of the coupled second blade 41. The first extension wall 33 of each first blade 31 abuts against the first extension wall 33 of the coupled first blade 31. The second extension wall 43 of each second blade 41 abuts against the second extension wall 43 of the coupled second blade 41. The first fixing portions 32 of the first blades 31 are locked to the upper mounting portion 22 by screws, respectively. The second fixing portions 42 of the second blades 41 are locked to the lower mounting portion 23 by screws, respectively. The first casing 35 formed by the first blades 31 and the second casing 45 formed by the second blades 41 collectively surround the outside of the blade frame body 21. The blade frame body 21 is accommodated in the first accommodating space 36 and the second accommodating space 46 to quickly complete the assembly of the ceiling fan 100 with double-layer blades.
In the ceiling fan 100 having double-layer blades of the present invention, the first casing 35 formed by the first blades 31 and the second casing 45 formed by the second blades 41 collectively surround the outside of the blade frame body 21, so that there is no need for the motor unit 10 to provide a motor housing for connecting the first blade unit 30 and the second blade unit 40, thereby saving costs and installation costs. With the multi-layer arrangement of the first blades 31 of the first blade unit 30 and the second blades 41 of the second blade unit 40, the ceiling fan 100 having double-layer blades can increase the current of air for cooling.
The motor 11, when activated, rotates the rotating component 12 in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow A in FIGS. 1-6 , concurrently rotating the first or upper blades 31 of the upper blade unit 30 and the second or lower blades 41 of the lower blade unit 40 in the same arrow A direction of rotation leading with the first leading edges 72 of the fist or upper blades 31 and the second leading edges 82 of the second or lower blades 41. As the first blades 31 and the second blades 41 rotate concurrently, the first deflecting surfaces 78 of the first blades 31 and the second deflecting surfaces 88 of the second blades 41 generate downdrafts, streams or currents of air for cooling. Arrows C1 designate the air currents or currents of air from the respective first deflecting surfaces 78. Arrows C2 designate the air currents or currents of air from the respective second deflecting surfaces 88. The first blades 31 of the upper blade unit 30 produce air currents C1 that the second blades 41 of the lower blade unit 40 intercept to produce air currents C2, when the motor 11 activates. The downwardly-pitched profiles of the first bottom or deflecting surface 78 of each first blade 31 and the second bottom surface 88 of each second blade 41 face the arrow A direction of rotation. This allows the first bottom or deflecting surfaces 78 of the various first blades 31 and the second bottom or deflecting surfaces 88 of the various second blades 41 to produce the downdrafts or air currents that move around the room to produce the cooling sensation, when the motor 11 is activated.
In FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6 , each of the first blades 31 leading an adjacent one of the lower blades 31 generates and directs, by its first deflecting surface 78, its air current C1 rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge 74 toward and in front of the adjacent one of the lower blades 41 and each of the lower blades 41 trailing an adjacent one of the upper blades 31 intercepts, by its second deflecting surface 88, the air current C1 from the adjacent one of the upper blades 31 and accelerates it, by its second deflecting surface 88, rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge 84 as air current C2, when the motor 11 is activated, increasing or otherwise intensifying the currents C1 or air from the first blades 31 to the comparatively increased or more intense currents C2 of air from the second blades 41, according to the invention. In short, the upper blades 31 generate air currents C1 and direct them rearwardly and downwardly to the respective lower blades 41. The lower blades 41 intercept the respective air currents C1 and accelerate them to the respective air currents C2 rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor 11 is activated. The lower blades 41 intensify air currents C1 from the respective upper blades 31 to air currents C2, intensified downdrafts, streams or currents C2 of air for cooling, according to the invention. Compared to a standard ceiling fan having single-layer blades, the ceiling fan 100 having the double-layer blades of the present invention develops increased or otherwise more intense currents of air for cooling, according to the invention. The upper blades 31 generate air currents and directs them rearwardly and downwardly to the respective lower blades 41, which intercept and accelerate the respective air currents rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor 11 is activated.

II.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a ceiling fan 200 constructed and arranged according to the invention. FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 , FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 . FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 . FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 . FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 15 . FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to FIG. 1 , portions of the ceiling fan broken away for illustrative purposes. The ceiling fan 200 has double-layer blades, including a first blade unit 230 and a second blade unit 240, an upper cover 250, a lamp 260 and, in FIG. 17 , a motor unit 270. The first blade unit 230 is above the second blade unit 240. Accordingly, the first blade unit 230 is the ceiling fan's 100 upper blade unit and the second blade unit 240 is the ceiling fan's 100 lower blade unit.
Portions of the upper cover 250 are broken away in FIG. 17 , illustrating the motor unit 270. The motor unit includes a motor 271. The motor 271 has a rotating component 272. The rotating component 272 rotates, when the motor 271 is activated. An upper retaining portion 273 is fixedly connected to the top of the motor 271. The upper retaining portion 273 is fixedly connected to a down rod 274, so as to be fixed to the ceiling. The upper retaining portion 273 is fixedly connected to the down rod 274. A standard lower retaining portion concealed by the lamp 260 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the motor 271.
The first or upper blade unit 230 includes a plurality of first or upper blades 231. The second or lower blade unit 240 includes a plurality of identical second or lower blades 241. The first blades 231 are identical to each other. The second blades 241 are identical to each other. The first blades 231 and the second blades 241 are identical to each other. The first blades 231 are equal in number to the second blades 241. In this example, there are four first blades 231 and four second blades 241. The first blades 31 are spaced apart circumferentially about and extend outward radially from the motor's 271 rotating component 272. The second blades 241 are spaced apart circumferentially about and extend outward radially from the motor's 271 rotating component 272. The first blades 231 and the second blades 241 are offset circumferentially, in which each first or upper blade 231 is between and extends above a pair of the second or lower blades 31, and each second or lower blade 241 is between and extends below a pair of the first or upper blades 231. The first blades 231 are offset 90 degrees, the second blades are offset 90 degrees, and each first blade 231 is offset 45 degrees from each adjacent second blade 241. Accordingly, the first blades 231 and the second blades 241 alternate circumferentially, are offset 45 degrees from one another, and the second blades 241 extend below the first blades 231 for intercepting and inherently accelerating air currents developed by the first blades 231 when the motor 271 is activated, concurrently rotating the upper blade unit 230 and the lower blade unit 240. Each of the first or upper blades 231 leading an adjacent one of the second or lower blades 241 is configured to generate and direct an air current rearwardly and downwardly therefrom in front of the adjacent one of the second or lower blades 241 and each of the second or lower blades 241 trailing an adjacent one of the first or upper blades 231 is configured to intercept the air current from the adjacent one of the first or upper blades 231 and inherently accelerate it rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor 271 is activated.
The first blades 231 each includes a first bracket 280 and a first blade portion 290. The first bracket 280 includes a first extension wall 281 and a first connecting arm 282. The first extension wall 281 is on the outer peripheral side of the motor's 271 rotating unit 272 and is connected to the rotating unit 272 with fasteners, such as screws, as is known in the art. Each first connecting arm 282 extends outward radially from its first extension wall 281 and the motor's 271 rotating unit 272 to a first distal extremity 283 connected to one of the first blade portions 290. The first blade portion 290 of each first blade 231 has a first inner end 291 and an opposed a first outer end 292. The first inner end 291 of each first blade portion 290 is connected to the first distal extremity 283 of the first connecting arm 282 of one of the first brackets 280. The first blade portion 290 of each first blade 231 extends radially outward from the motor 271 and its rotating component 272 to its first outer end 292 from its first inner end 291 connected to the first distal extremity 283 of the first connecting arm 282 of one of the first brackets 280. The first blade portion 290 of each first blade 231 also includes a first leading edge 293 and an opposed first trailing edge 294 extending along the length of the first blade portion 290 between the first inner end 291 and the first outer end 292. The first blade portion 290 of each first blade 231 also has an upward-facing first top surface 295 and an opposed downward-facing first bottom or deflecting surface 296 extending between the first leading edge 293 and the first trailing edge 294 and along the length of the first blade portion 290 between the first inner end 291 and the first outer end 292. The first blade portion 290 of each first blade 231 has a downward pitch from the first leading edge 293 to the first trailing edge 294. The profile of the first top surface 295 and the profile of the first bottom or deflecting surface 296 of each first blade 231 follow the downward pitch of the first blade portion 290 from the first leading edge 293 to the first trailing edge 294. The first inner end 291 of the first blade portion 290 of each first blade is connected to the first distal extremity 283 of the first connecting arm 282 of one of the first brackets 280 with fasteners 298, such as screws or nut-and-bolt assemblies that extend through appropriate holes therein, as is known in the art.
The second blades 241 each includes a second bracket 300 and a second blade portion 310. The second bracket 300 includes a second extension wall 301 and a second connecting arm 302. The second extension wall 301 is on the outer peripheral side of the motor's 271 rotating unit 272 and is connected to the rotating unit 272 with fasteners, such as screws, as is known in the art. Each second connecting arm 302 extends outward radially from its second extension wall 301 and the motor's 271 rotating unit 272 to a second distal extremity 303 connected to one of the second blade portions 310. The second blade portion 310 of each second blade 231 has a second inner end 311 and an opposed a second outer end 312. The second inner end 311 of each second blade portion 310 is connected to the second distal extremity 303 of the second connecting arm 302 of one of the second brackets 300. The second blade portion 310 of each second blade 231 extends radially outward from the motor 271 and its rotating component 272 to its second outer end 312 from its second inner end 311 connected to the second distal extremity 303 of the second connecting arm 302 of one of the second brackets 300. The second blade portion 310 of each second blade 231 also includes a second leading edge 313 and an opposed second trailing edge 314 extending along the length of the second blade portion 310 between the second inner end 311 and the second outer end 312. The second blade portion 310 of each second blade 231 also has an upward-facing second top surface 315 and an opposed downward-facing second bottom or deflecting surface 316 extending between the second leading edge 313 and the second trailing edge 314 and along the length of the second blade portion 310 between the second inner end 311 and the second outer end 312. The second blade portion 310 of each second blade 231 has a downward pitch from the second leading edge 313 to the second trailing edge 314. The profile of the second top surface 315 and the profile of the second bottom or deflecting surface 316 of each second blade 231 follow the downward pitch of the second blade portion 310 from the second leading edge 313 to the second trailing edge 314. The second inner end 311 of the second blade portion 310 of each second blade is connected to the second distal extremity 303 of the second connecting arm 302 of one of the second brackets 300 with fasteners 318, such as screws or nut-and-bolt assemblies that extend through appropriate holes therein, as is known in the art.
The first extension walls 281 and the second extension walls 301 connected directly to the rotating component 272 of the motor unit 270 surround the outside of the motor's 271 rotating unit 272 to collectively form a casing 320, so there is no need for the motor unit 270 to provide a motor housing for connecting the first blade unit 330 and the second blade unit 240, thereby saving costs and installation costs. The second connecting arm 302 and the connected second blade portion 290 of each second blade 241 extends below the first connecting arm 282 and the connected first blade portion 290 of each first blade 231.
The upper cover 250 covers the motor unit 270 between the upper retaining portion 273 and the casing 320. The down rod 274 is inserted in the upper retaining portion 273, which extends upright from the upper cover 250. The lamp 260 under the casing 320 is of standard construction and includes as a standard lamp module 261 enclosing a standard lamp module fixedly connected to motor unit's 270 lower retaining portion.
With the multi-layer arrangement of the first blades 231 of the first blade unit 230 and the second blades 241 of the second blade unit 240, the ceiling fan 200 having double-layer blades can increase the current of air for cooling.
The motor 271, when activated, rotates the rotating component 22 in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow B in FIGS. 11-17 , concurrently rotating the first or upper blades 231 of the upper blade unit 230 and the second or lower blades 241 of the lower blade unit 240 in the same arrow B direction of rotation leading with the first leading edges 293 of the first or upper blades 231 and the second leading edges 313 of the second or lower blades 241. As the first blades 231 and the second blades 241 rotate concurrently, the first deflecting surfaces 296 of the first blades 231 and the second deflecting surfaces 316 of the second blades 241 generate downdrafts, streams or currents of air for cooling. Arrows C3 designate the air currents or currents of air from the respective first deflecting surfaces 296. Arrows C4 designate the air currents or currents of air from the respective second deflecting surfaces 316. The first blades 231 of the upper blade unit 330 produce air currents C3 that the second blades 241 of the lower blade unit 240 intercept to produce air currents C4, when the motor 271 activates. The downdrafts or air currents move around the room, producing a cooling sensation. The downwardly-pitched profiles of the first bottom or deflecting surface 296 of each first blade 231 and the second bottom surface 316 of each second blade 241 face the arrow B direction of rotation. This allows the first bottom or deflecting surfaces 296 of the various first blades 231 and the second bottom or deflecting surfaces 316 of the various second blades 241 to produce the downdrafts or air currents that move around the room to produce the cooling sensation, when the motor 271 is activated.
In FIGS. 12, 15, and 16 , each of the first blades 231 leading an adjacent one of the lower blades 231 generates and directs, by its first deflecting surface 296, its air current C3 rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge 294 toward and in front of the adjacent one of the lower blades 241 and each of the lower blades 241 trailing an adjacent one of the upper blades 231 intercepts, by its second deflecting surface 316, the air current C3 from the adjacent one of the upper blades 231 and accelerates it, by its second deflecting surface 316, rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge 314 as air current C4, when the motor 271 is activated, increasing or otherwise intensifying the currents C3 or air from the first blades 231 to the comparatively increased or more intense currents C4 of air from the second blades 241, according to the invention. In short, the upper blades 231 generate air currents C3 and direct them rearwardly and downwardly to the respective lower blades 241. The lower blades 241 intercept the respective air currents C3 and accelerate them to the respective air currents C4 rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor 271 is activated. The lower blades 241 intensify air currents C3 from the respective upper blades 231 to air currents C4, intensified downdrafts, streams or currents C4 of air for cooling, according to the invention. Compared to a standard ceiling fan having single-layer blades, the ceiling fan 200 having the double-layer blades of the present invention develops increased or otherwise more intense currents of air for cooling, according to the invention. The upper blades 231 generate air currents and directs them rearwardly and downwardly to the respective lower blades 241, which intercept and accelerate the respective air currents rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor 271 is activated.
The ceiling fan 200 has more upper blades than the ceiling fan 100 and more lower blades than the ceiling fan. This inherently allows the ceiling fan 200 to generate more air currents for cooling compared to ceiling fan 100. A ceiling fan constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention can have other equal numbers of upper and lower blades, such as three upper blades and three lower blades, five upper blades and five lower blades, etc.

III.

The present invention is described above with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Claims

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

1. A ceiling fan, comprising:

a motor including a rotating component;

blades spaced apart circumferentially about and extending outward radially from the rotating component, the blades including upper blades and lower blades, each lower blade between and extending below a pair of adjacent upper blades;

the motor, when activated, rotates the rotating component, concurrently rotating the upper blades and the lower blades in the same direction of rotation;

each of the upper blades leading an adjacent one of the lower blades configured to generate and direct an air current rearwardly and downwardly therefrom in front of the adjacent one of the lower blades and each of the lower blades trailing an adjacent one of the upper blades configured to intercept the air current from the adjacent one of the upper blades and accelerate it rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, when the motor is activated.

2. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the upper blades are identical.

3. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the lower blades are identical.

4. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the upper blades and the lower blades are identical.

5. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the upper blades and the lower blades define a first casing and a second casing, respectively, surrounding the rotating component.

6. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the upper blades and the lower blades define a casing surrounding the rotating component.

7. A ceiling fan, comprising:

a motor including a rotating component;

each of the upper blades having a first leading edge, a first trailing edge, and a first deflecting surface between the first leading edge and the first trailing edge;

each of the lower blades having a second leading edge, a second trailing edge, and a second deflecting surface between the second leading edge and the second trailing edge;

the motor, when activated, rotates the rotating component, concurrently rotating the upper blades and the lower blades in the same direction of rotation leading with the first leading edges of the upper blades and the second leading edges of the lower blades; and

each of the upper blades leading an adjacent one of the lower blades configured to generate and direct, by its first deflecting surface, an air current rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge to in front of the adjacent one of the lower blades and each of the lower blades trailing an adjacent one of the upper blades configured to intercept, by its second deflecting surface, the air current from the adjacent one of the upper blades and accelerate it, by its second deflecting surface, rearwardly and downwardly from its trailing edge, when the motor is activated.

8. The ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein the upper blades are identical.

9. The ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein the lower blades are identical.

10. The ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein the upper blades and the lower blades are identical.

11. The ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein the upper blades and the lower blades define a first casing and a second casing, respectively, surrounding the rotating component.

12. The ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein the upper blades and the lower blades define a casing surrounding the rotating component.