(19)
(11) EP 1 574 716 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
13.08.2008 Bulletin 2008/33

(21) Application number: 05004577.2

(22) Date of filing: 02.03.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F04D 29/28(2006.01)

(54)

Blower

Lüfter

Ventilateur


(84) Designated Contracting States:
ES IT

(30) Priority: 05.03.2004 JP 2004061493

(43) Date of publication of application:
14.09.2005 Bulletin 2005/37

(73) Proprietor: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Tatsumu, Yoshikimi
    Osaka-shi Osaka 547-0027 (JP)
  • Sakai, Hirokazu
    Kyoto-shi Kyoto 607-8005 (JP)

(74) Representative: Grünecker, Kinkeldey, Stockmair & Schwanhäusser Anwaltssozietät 
Leopoldstrasse 4
80802 München
80802 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 1 249 617
GB-A- 723 706
DE-U1- 20 016 414
US-A1- 2002 064 460
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


    Field of the Invention



    [0001] The present invention relates to a centrifugal turbo type blower.

    Description of the Related Art



    [0002] Centrifugal turbo type blowers are used for ceiling type or cassette type air conditioners and various ventilators.

    [0003] A conventional blower is shown in FIGS. 20 to 23 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2001-263294).

    [0004] As shown in FIG. 20, in a general blower of this kind, a rotation body 2 is rotated by a motor 1, and the rotation body 2 includes a hub 3, a plurality of blades 4 which are radially mounted on an outer periphery of the hub 3, and a shroud 5 disposed on an opposite side from the hub 3 for connecting the blades 4 to one another.

    [0005] According to this structure, when the rotation body 2 is rotates in a direction of the arrow A, separation of airflow is generated around a negative pressure surface of the blade 4 in the vicinity of the connection portion between the blade 4 and the shroud 5 as shown with hatchings B in FIG. 21 and thus, noise is high.

    [0006] Thereupon, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the shroud 5 is formed into such a shape that a portion between the adjacent blades 4 becomes an inclined surface 6 in a stepwise manner, the separation region of air from the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 is reduced, thereby reducing the noise.

    [0007] If the rotating body is formed as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the noise can be reduced, but since the shroud 5 is formed in the stepwise manner to form the inclined surface 6, air turbulence 7 is generated at that portion.

    [0008] EP 1 249 617 A2 discloses a blower having a plurality of blades, which are interleaved by flaps coupled either to the blades or to the impeller body, and which work as valves to permit air flow only in case of the rotational speed exceeding a threshold range.

    [0009] DE 200 16 414 U1 discloses a blower with blades which are formed out of a single piece of flat metal by pressing, such that different parts of the blades are in angular positions to one another.

    Summary of the invention



    [0010] The present invention has been achieved to solve the Conventional problem, and has the object to provide a blower capable of further reducing a separation region of air from a negative pressure surface of a blade. This object is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are addressed by the sub claims.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0011] 

    FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blower according to a first embodiment of the present;

    FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the blade of the embodiment;

    FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an essential part of FIG. 1;

    FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are a front view, a sectional view of an upper portion, a sectional view of a central portion and a sectional view of a lower portion, respectively of the blower of the embodiment;

    FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a blower according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

    FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an essential part of FIG. 5;

    FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D are a front view, a sectional view of an upper portion, a sectional view of a central portion and a sectional view of a lower portion, respectively of the blower of the embodiment;

    FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a blower according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

    FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an essential part of FIG. 8;

    FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D are a front view, a sectional view of an upper portion, a sectional view of a central portion and a sectional view of a lower portion, respectively of the blower of the embodiment;

    FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a blower according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

    FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an essential part of FIG. 11;

    FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are a front view, a sectional view of an upper portion, a sectional view of a central portion and a sectional view of a lower portion, respectively of the blower of the embodiment;

    FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a blower according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

    FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of an essential part of FIG. 14;

    FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D are a front view, a sectional view of an upper portion, a sectional view of a central portion and a sectional view of a lower portion, respectively of the blower of the embodiment;

    FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a blower according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

    FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of an essential part of FIG. 17;

    FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C and 19D are a front view, a sectional view of an upper portion, a sectional view of a central portion and a sectional view of a lower portion, respectively of the blower of the embodiment;

    FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a conventional blower;

    FIG. 21 is a front view of the conventional blower;

    FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another conventional example;

    FIG. 23 is a front view of FIG. 22; and

    FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C are a front view, a sectional view of an upper portion and a sectional view of a central portion, respectively of a blower according to a seven embodiment of the present invention.


    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS



    [0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 to 19, and 24.

    (First Embodiment)



    [0013] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a blower according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

    [0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a rotation body 2 is rotated by a motor 1, and the rotation body 2 includes a hub 3, a plurality of blades 4 which are radially mounted on an outer periphery of the hub 3, and a shroud 5 disposed on an opposite side from the hub 3 for connecting the blades 4 to one another.

    [0015] The arrow A shows a rotation direction. Substantially one-wing shaped projections 8 are formed on an outer periphery of negative pressure surfaces of the blades 4. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the blade 4. A phantom line 9 shows a shape of the conventional blade formed with no projection 8. A maximum height portion of the projection 8 is disposed at outer side of a substantially central portion 10 of the projection 8.

    [0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 show detailed shapes of the blade 4 and the projection 8 formed on the blade 4. The projection 8 of each blade 4 is formed such that a width of the projection 8 from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side of the hub 3 are the same (W1=W2=W3) over the entire height of the blade 4, and a height of the projection 8 is the same (H1=H2=H3). FIG. 4A is a front view of the blade 4 on the side of the negative pressure surface. FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D are sectional views of an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion of the blade 4.

    [0017] According to this structure, since the projections 8 are formed on the blades 4 on the side of the negative pressure surface, airflow which is once separated adheres again and flows along the blade 4. Therefore, even if the shroud 5 is not formed in the stepwise manner as in the conventional technique, the separation region of air from the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 can extremely be reduced, turbulence is not generated almost at all on the discharging side of the blower, and the volume of air is increased.

    (Second Embodiment)



    [0018] FIGS. 5 to 7 show a blower according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

    [0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the blower, and a portion of the shape of the projection 8 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other portions are the same. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an essential portion of the blower.

    [0020] FIG. 7A is a front view of the blade 4 on the side of the negative pressure surface. FIGS. 7B, 7C and 7D are sectional views of an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion of the blade 4, respectively.

    [0021] The projection 8 of the blade 4 of the second embodiment is formed such that a width of the projection 8 from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side of the hub 3 are the same (W1=W2=W3) over the entire height of the blade 4, but a height of the projection 8 is gradually reduced toward the hub 3 (H1>H2>H3).

    [0022] With this structure, airflow which is once separated again adheres to the substantially one-wing shaped projection 8 in which its maximum height is located at the outer side of the substantially central portion over the entire height of the blade on the side of the negative pressure surface of the blade 4, and the airflow flows along the projection 8. Therefore, the separation region of air from the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 is reduced, and the height of the projection 8 on the side of the hub 3 is lowered and thus, reduction in the volume of air can be suppressed. That is, turbulence is not generated almost at all on the discharging side of the blower, and the volume of air is increased. With this, noise can be reduced.

    (Third Embodiment)



    [0023] FIGS. 8 to 10 shows a blower according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

    [0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the blower, and a portion of the shape of the projection 8 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other portions are the same. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an essential portion of the blower.

    [0025] FIG. 10A is a front view of the blade 4 on the side of the negative pressure surface. FIGS. 10B, 10C and 10D are sectional views of an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion of the blade 4, respectively.

    [0026] The projection 8 of the blade 4 of the third embodiment is formed such that the maximum height over the entire height of the blade is the same (H1=H2=H3), but the width of the projection 8 from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side is reduced toward the hub 3 (W1>W2>W3).

    [0027] With this structure, airflow which is once separated again adheres to the substantially one-wing shaped projection 8 in which its maximum height is located at the outer side of the substantially central portion over the entire height of the blade on the side of the negative pressure surface of the blade 4, and the airflow flows along the projection 8. Therefore, the separation region of air from the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 can extremely be reduced. That is, turbulence is not generated almost at all on the discharging side of the blower, and the volume of air is increased. Since the width of the projection 8 on the side of the hub 3 is reduced, the reduction of volume of air can be suppressed. That is, turbulence is not generated almost at all on the discharging side of the blower, and the volume of air is increased. With this, noise can be reduced.

    (Fourth Embodiment)



    [0028] FIGS. 11 to 13 show a blower according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

    [0029] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the blower, and a portion of the shape of the projection 8 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other portions are the same. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an essential portion of the blower.

    [0030] FIG. 13A is a front view of the blade 4 on the side of the negative pressure surface. FIGS. 13B, 13C and 13D are sectional views of an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion of the blade 4, respectively.

    [0031] The projection 8 of the blade 4 of the fourth embodiment is formed such that the projection 8 is not formed over the entire height of the blade but is formed to a midpoint from the side of the shroud 5, and the width of the projection 8 from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the hub 3 is the same (W1=W2), and the maximum height of the projection 8 is the same (H1=H2).

    [0032] With this structure, airflow which is once separated from the projection 8 on the side of the negative pressure surface again adheres and flows along the projection 8. Thus, the separation region of air from the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 can be reduced. Further, the length of the projection 8 on the side of the shroud 5 is set to an appropriate position. With this, the reduction in the volume of air can be suppressed. That is, turbulence is not generated almost at all on the discharging side of the blower, and the volume of air is increased. With this, noise can be reduced.

    (Fifth Embodiment)



    [0033] FIGS. 14 to 16 show a blower according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

    [0034] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the blower, and a portion of the shape of the projection 8 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other portions are the same. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of an essential portion of the blower.

    [0035] FIG. 16A is a front view of the blade 4 on the side of the negative pressure surface. FIGS. 16B, 16C and 16D are sectional views of an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion of the blade 4, respectively.

    [0036] The projection 8 of the blade 4 of the fifth embodiment is formed such that the projection 8 is not formed over the entire height of the blade but is formed to a midpoint from the side of the shroud 5, and the width of the projection 8 from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the hub 3 is the same (W1=W2), and the maximum height of the projection 8 is reduced toward the hub 3 (H1>H2).

    [0037] With this structure, airflow which is once separated on the side of the negative pressure surface again adheres to the projection 8 and flows along the projection 8. Thus, the separation region of air from the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 can be reduced. Further, the length of the projection 8 on the side of the shroud 5 is set to an appropriate position, and the height of the projection 8 on the side of the hub 3 is reduced. With this, the reduction in the volume of air can be suppressed. That is, turbulence is not generated almost at all on the discharging side of the blower, and the volume of air is increased. With this, noise can be reduced. Thus, the effect of the first to fourth embodiments is enhanced, whereby noise can be reduced and the volume of air is increased.

    (Sixth Embodiment)



    [0038] FIGS. 17 to 19 show a blower according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

    [0039] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the blower, and a portion of the shape of the projection 8 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other portions are the same. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of an essential portion of the blower.

    [0040] FIG. 19A is a front view of the blade 4 on the side of the negative pressure surface. FIGS. 19B, 19C and 19D are sectional views of an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion of the blade 4, respectively.

    [0041] The projection 8 of the blade 4 of the sixth embodiment is formed such that the projection 8 is not formed over the entire height of the blade but is formed to a midpoint from the side of the shroud 5, and the width of the projection 8 from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the hub 3 is reduced toward the hub 3 (W1>W2), and the maximum height of the projection 8 is the same (H1=H2).

    [0042] With this structure, airflow which is once separated on the side of the negative pressure surface again adheres to the projection 8 and flows along the projection 8. Thus, the separation region of air from the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 can be reduced. Further, the length of the projection 8 on the side of the shroud 5 is set to an appropriate position, and the width of the projection 8 on the side of the hub 3 is reduced. With this, the reduction in the volume of air can be suppressed. That is, turbulence is not generated almost at all on the discharging side of the blower, and the volume of air is increased. With this, noise can be reduced. Thus, the effect of the first to fourth embodiments is enhanced, whereby noise can be reduced and the volume of air is increased.

    (Seventh Embodiment)



    [0043] FIGS. 24 show another concrete example according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 13.

    [0044] As in the side of the negative pressure surface of the blade 4 shown in FIG. 24A, a cross sectional shape of the blade taken along the line K1-K1 passing through the projection 8 which is formed from the shroud 5 to a midpoint is formed such that the wing thickness is gently increased from a front edge F1 of the blade 4 along a rear edge E1 as shown in FIG. 24B, the blade wing thickness becomes maximum at a point P1 and then, is reduced on the opposite side gently to a point P2. At the point P2, the wing thickness on the side of the negative pressure surface is increased, and the wing thickness becomes maximum at the rear edge E1 from the point P2 in a point P3. The cross sectional shape of the blade taken along the line K2-K2 passing through the projection 8 which is formed from the shroud 5 to the midpoint is formed as shown in FIG. 24C.

    [0045] The blade 4 of the seventh embodiment is formed such that the wing thickness becomes constricted at the point 2 which is a boundary with respect to the projection 8 to the midpoint to the rear edge E1 from the front edge F1.

    [0046] That is, the projection 8 extends from the point P2 to the rear edge E1, and the position of the maximum wing thickness point (point P3) is located (outside of the blower) closer to the rear edge E1 than the substantially central portion of the projection 8.

    [0047] With this shape, even if air which flows along the surface of the blade 4 separates, the air reliably adheres to the surface of the blade 4 and thus, swirl is prevented from being generated and noise can be reduced.

    [0048] Although the seventh embodiment is a different example from the fourth embodiment, the shape of the projection 8 of the blade 4 shown FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, the shape of the projection 8 of the blade 4 shown in FIG. 7 in the second embodiment, and the shape of the projection 8 of the blade 4 shown in FIG. 10 in the third embodiment can also be employed.

    INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY



    [0049] The present invention can be applied to blowers of ceiling type or cassette type air conditioners and various ventilators.


    Claims

    1. A blower comprising a hub (3), a shroud (5), and a plurality of blades (4) radially disposed between the hub and the shroud (5),
    characterized in that
    each blade (4) has a substantially half-wing shaped projection (8) formed on a negative pressure surface of an outer periphery portion thereof, and has two blade wing thickness maxima (P1, P3), from which one blade wing thickness maximum (P3) is located at the rear edge of the blade (4) such that in a sectional view of the projection (8) its maximum height point (P3) is located at the rear side of a substantially central portion (19) of the projection (8);
    the projection (8) extending from the shroud side in the direction of the hub side.
     
    2. A blower according to claim 1
    characterized in that
    the projection (8) extends from the shroud side to the hub side.
     
    3. A blower according to claim 1
    characterized in that
    the projection (8) is reduced in height from the shroud side toward the hub side.
     
    4. A blower according to claim 2,
    characterized in that
    the projection (8) is the same in height from the shroud side toward the hub side and
    being reduced in width from the shroud side toward the hub side,
    the width being in a direction from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side of the hub.
     
    5. A blower according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the projection (8) extends from the shroud side to a midpoint toward the hub side.
     
    6. A blower according to claim 5,
    characterized in that
    the projection (8) is reduced in height from the shroud side toward the hub side.
     
    7. A blower according to claim 6,
    characterized in that
    the width of the projection (8) is reduced from the shroud side to the hub side and the width being in a direction from an inner peripheral side toward an outer peripheral side of the hub.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Ein Gebläse bestehend aus einer Drehscheibe (3), einem Schirmblech (5), und mehreren Luftschaufelblättem (4), die radial zwischen der Drehscheibe und dem Schirmblech (5) angeordnet sind,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    jedes Luftschaufelblatt (4) eine im Wesentlichen halb-flügelförmige Projektion (8) hat, ausgebildet an der Seite, an der ein Unterdruck herrscht, an ihrer äußeren Peripherie, und die zwei Luftschaufelblattdicke-Maxima (P1, P3) hat, wovon sich ein Luftschaufelblattdicke-Maximum (P3) am hinteren Ende des Luftschaufelblatts (4) befindet, so dass in einer Schnittansicht der Projektion (8) der maximale Dickepunkt (P3) sich am hinteren Ende eines im Wesentlichen zentralen Abschnitts (10) der Projektion (8) befindet; und
    sich die Projektion (8) von der Seite des Schirmblechs in Richtung der Drehscheibe geht.
     
    2. Ein Gebläse nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Projektion (8) sich von der Seite des Schirmblechs bis zur Drehscheibe erstreckt.
     
    3. Ein Gebläse nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Projektion (8) von der Schirmblechseite zur Drehscheibe hin sich in der Dicke verringert.
     
    4. Ein Gebläse nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Projektion (8) von gleicher Dicke von der Schirmblechseite bis zur Drehscheibe ist, und sich von der Schirmblechseite zur Drehscheibe hin in der Länge in Richtung der inneren Peripherie bis zur äußeren Peripherie verringert.
     
    5. Ein Gebläse nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    sich die Projektion (8) von der Schirmblechseite bis zu einem Mittelpunkt in Richtung der Drehscheibe hin erstreckt.
     
    6. Ein Gebläse nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Projektion (8) sich in ihrer Dicke von der Schirmblechseite zur Drehscheibe hin verringert.
     
    7. Ein Gebläse nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    die Länge der Projektion (8) sich von der Schirmblechseite zur Drehscheibe hin verringert, und sich die Länge in Richtung der inneren Peripherie bis zur äußeren Peripherie erstreckt.
     


    Revendications

    1. Soufflante comprenant un moyeu (3), un flasque (5), et une pluralité d'aubes (4) disposées radialement entre le moyeu et le flasque (5),
    caractérisée en ce que
    chaque aube (4) possède une projection essentiellement en forme de demi-aile (8) formée sur une surface de pression négative d'une portion de périphérie extérieure de celle-ci, et possède deux maximum d'épaisseur de l'aile d'une aube (P1, P3), parmi lesquels un maximum d'épaisseur de l'aile d'une aube (P3) est situé au niveau du bord arrière de l'aube (4) de telle sorte que dans une vue en coupe transversale de la projection (8) son point de hauteur maximale (P3) soit situé au côté arrière d'une portion essentiellement centrale (19) de la projection (8);
    la projection (8) s'étendant du côté du flasque dans la direction du côté du moyeu.
     
    2. Soufflante selon la revendication 1
    caractérisée en ce que
    la projection (8) s'étend du côté du flasque vers le côté du moyeu.
     
    3. Soufflante selon la revendication 1,
    caractérisée en ce que
    la hauteur de la projection (8) est réduite à partir du côté du flasque vers le côté du moyeu.
     
    4. Soufflante selon la revendication 2,
    caractérisée en ce que
    la hauteur de la projection (8) reste la même du côté du flasque vers le côté du moyeu et sa largeur est réduite du côté du flasque vers le côté du moyeu,
    la largeur étant dans une direction partant d'un côté périphérique intérieur vers un côté périphérique extérieur du moyeu.
     
    5. Soufflante selon la revendication 1,
    caractérisée en ce que
    la projection (8) s'étend du côté du flasque à un point médian vers le côté du moyeu.
     
    6. Soufflante selon la revendication 5,
    caractérisée en ce que
    la hauteur de la projection (8) est réduite depuis le côté du flasque vers le côté du moyeu.
     
    7. Soufflante selon la revendication 6,
    caractérisée en ce que
    la largeur de la projection (8) est réduite depuis le côté du flasque vers le côté du moyeu et la largeur étant dans une direction partant d'un côté périphérique intérieur vers un côté périphérique extérieur du moyeu.
     




    Drawing












































    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description