FAN

Abstract

 A blower which comprises an outer box (1) having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein; blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box (1); a terminal mount (11) having a fast coupling terminal (10) for electrically connecting a power supply line to the motor to supply electric power to the motor; and a slide mount (24) that slidably supports the terminal mount (11) such that the fast coupling terminal (10) appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening (1a) made in the outer box (1). The terminal mount (11) slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the fast coupling terminal (10) to the power supply line (17) appears from the in-and-out opening (1b) and a housed position where the fast coupling terminal (10) is housed in the outer box (1). Because the terminal mount (11) appears from and disappears into the in-and-out opening (1b), when connecting the power supply line (17), it is pulled out to the connection work position (D) to make workability good, and after the connection finishes, it is housed at the housed position to make the fire prevention safety measure sufficient.

Description

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blower to be installed at a high place in a room.

Background

[0002] Conventionally, for example, for duct ventilation fans wherein a motor and a fan driven by the motor are provided inside an outer box open at the underside which box is provided being inserted in an attaching opening in a ceiling and wherein a plastic-made fan casing is provided surrounding the fan, the configuration has been known where an electric component housing having an opening at the underside is formed integrally with the fan casing at the periphery, where a connection terminal having a connection for connecting a lead of the motor to a power supply line is housed in the electric component housing such that the connection faces the opening, where a lid to open and close the underside opening is provided being pivotably coupled to the electric component housing, and where the lid is provided with a protrusion facing the opening of the electric component housing from below to receive the connection terminal when the lid is open.

[0003] With this configuration, because connecting and detaching the power supply line to and from the connection terminal can be performed from the inside of the room, workability is improved. In addition, by providing a protrusion on the inside of the lid opening and closing the opening of the electric component housing, when the lid is open, the connection terminal does not fall off, and hence the works of connecting and detaching the power supply line and confirming the insertion can be performed further easily. Further, because the connection terminal is restricted by the protrusion to be not pulled out beyond a predetermined limit, excess tension is not imposed on the lead of the motor connected to the connection terminal, and thus failures such as breaking can be reduced (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1).

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Registered Utility Model Publication No. 2538003

Summary

Technical Problem

[0005] According to the above conventional technique, attaching and detaching the power supply line to and from the connection terminal can be performed via the opening in the underside of the outer box from the inside of the room. However, since the connection terminal is inside the opening and it is difficult to insert a hand, workability is poor and thus an improvement is desired. Further, according to the above conventional technique, the connection terminal may free fall by its own weight, and because the connection terminal is not fixed when connecting the power supply line to the connection terminal, there is the problem that when the power supply line is inserted into the connection terminal, the connection terminal retracts to the back, resulting in difficulty in connecting the power supply line. As such, the electrical contact of the power supply line is made insufficient, posing a safety problem and eventually causing a fire, and thus an improvement is desired. Further, where a VVF cable is used as the power supply line, since the copper wires incorporated therein are thick and stiff, there is the problem that if the cable is rapidly bent when executing power supply connection, the wires break, resulting in a contact failure.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide a blower which can facilitate the work of attaching the power supply line to the connection terminal and make a fire prevention safety measure sufficient.

Solution to Problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problem and in order to attain the above object, a blower according to a first aspect of the present invention, includes: an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein; attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface; blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box; a terminal mount having a connection terminal for electrically connecting a power supply line to the motor to supply electric power to the motor; and a slide mount that slidably supports the terminal mount such that the connection terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box. The terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the connection terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the connection terminal is housed in the outer box.

[0008] A blower according to a second aspect of the present invention, includes: an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein; attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface; blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box; a terminal mount having a fast coupling terminal that bites a power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in a connection place, the terminal mount supplying electric power to the motor via the fast coupling terminal; a slide mount that supports the terminal mount slidably in an insertion direction for the power supply line such that the fast coupling terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box; and a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box. The terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the fast coupling terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the fast coupling terminal is housed in the outer box. Additionally, there is provided a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

[0009] A blower according to a third aspect of the present invention, includes: an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein; attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface; blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box; a terminal mount having a fast coupling terminal that bites a power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in a connection place, the terminal mount supplying electric power to the motor via the fast coupling terminal; a slide mount that supports the terminal mount slidably in an insertion direction for the power supply line such that the fast coupling terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box; and a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box. A slide surface of the slide mount on which the terminal mount slides is sloped with respect to a side surface of the outer box in which the in-and-out opening is made. Additionally, the terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the fast coupling terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the fast coupling terminal is housed in the outer box. More additionally, there is provided a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

[0010] In a blower according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, which includes an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein; and a fan for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the fan, the fan and the motor being housed in the outer box, the blower, includes: a first fan unit and a second fan unit adjacent to each other that each have a plurality of sets of the fan and the motor. The first fan unit and the second fan unit have their engaging portions engage with engagement-receiving portions of a separation control member for separation control and are fastened together to the outer box with a screw interposed between the fan units.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0011] According to the first present invention, the terminal mount appears from and disappears into the in-and-out opening made in the side surface of the outer box, and hence the effect is produced that when connecting the power supply line, the terminal mount is pulled out to the connection work position to make workability good and that after the connection finishes, it is housed at the housed position to make the fire prevention safety measure sufficient.

[0012] Further, according to the second present invention, in addition to the first present invention, the connection terminal is a fast coupling terminal; the slide mount supports the terminal mount slidably in an insertion direction for the power supply line; and there is provided a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position. Hence, even when inserting a cable having high rigidity like a VVF cable into the fast coupling terminal, the fast coupling terminal does not move back, so that the work of connecting the power supply line can be performed well.

[0013] Yet further, according to the third present invention, in addition to the second present invention, because a slide surface of the slide mount on which the terminal mount slides is sloped with respect to a side surface of the outer box in which the in-and-out opening is made, the miniaturization of the apparatus can be achieved, and the angle that the power supply line has to be bent can be made smaller.

[0014] Still further, according to the fourth present invention, one fan unit comprises a plurality of sets of the fan and the motor, whereas conventionally one fan unit comprises one set of the fan and the motor, and in addition the fan units are fastened together to the outer box with a screw interposed between them. Hence the number of necessary screws can be reduced.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0015] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a blower according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the blower as viewed from the blowing outlet side.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the blower as viewed from the sucking inlet side.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the blower.

FIG. 5 is a view of the blower end as seen through the lateral cover.

FIG. 6 is a view of the same part as in FIG. 5 as seen through the lateral cover from the side.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blower end with the lateral cover being removed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power supply line and the way that its end divided into three parts looks.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing the way that the terminal mount is seen through an in-and-out opening made in the side surface of the outer box.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the way that the terminal mount inside the in-and-out opening looks.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the way that the terminal mount is pulled out to a connecting work position.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the way that the terminal mount is at a housed position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lateral cover as viewed from the back.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the way that fan units are being incorporated in the outer box.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the screws, the number of which is reduced according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the screws used in a conventional fan unit for comparison.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the way that two adjacent fan units are being fastened together with one screw at the position G in FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a first orifice member and a second orifice member alone from FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing at an enlarged scale an end of a fan unit shown in FIG. 14.

Description of Embodiments

[0016] An embodiment of a blower according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment is not intended to limit the present invention.

First embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a blower according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the blower as viewed from the blowing outlet side; and FIG. 3 is a front view of the blower as viewed from the sucking inlet side. A blower 100 has an outer box 1 in a long rectangular parallelepiped box shape forming the outer shell. A blowing outlet 2 and a sucking inlet 3 are formed in opposite surfaces of the outer box 1. The blowing outlet 2 is formed to have two sections, upper and lower, and as indicated by arrows A in FIG. 1, air is blown out from each of the sections. The outer box 1 is installed so as to be suspended from, e.g., the ceiling by attachment plates 7 provided at opposite ends. In this embodiment, a pair of attachment plates 7 provided on the ceiling surface (not shown) to extend straight downward, pivotably supports the opposite ends of the outer box 1. By this means, the outer box 1 can pivot to change the direction of wind as indicated by an arrow B. The attachment plate 7 is covered by a lateral cover 8. Note that the blower 100 may be installed on a vertical wall or the like, not being limited to a ceiling surface.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the blower. An orifice member 36 and an air guide member 37 are housed as wind path forming members in the outer box 1. The orifice member 36 and the air guide member 37 form wind paths from the sucking inlet 3 to the blowing outlet 2 in the outer box 1. The air guide member 37 divides the wind paths into upper and lower portions, and eight of the wind paths are formed to be arranged in a longitudinal direction of the outer box 1. For each wind path, a fan 4 to move air from the sucking inlet 3 to the blowing outlet 2 and a motor 5 to drive this fan 4 are provided. The orifice member 36 and the air guide member 37 that are wind path forming members are divided into units, with two sets of the fan 4 and the motor 5 as one unit. That is, two sets of the fan 4 and the motor 5 and an orifice member 36 and an air guide member 37 corresponding thereto form one fan unit 40. Four fan units 40 are housed to be arranged in the longitudinal direction in the outer box 1.

[0019] On the sucking inlet side of the four fan units 40 arranged in the longitudinal direction, there is provided a guard 38 to protect the fans 4, this guide being a continuous member of a sheet shape. A support bolt 12, which is to be a pivot axis center when supported by the attachment plates 7, is provided extending out from a side surface 1a of the outer box 1. At opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of the outer box 1, there are provided the attachment plates 7 shaped substantially like an L in cross section and the lateral covers 8 covering the attachment plates 7. The lateral cover 8 is 80 to 150 mm wide and 10 to 70 mm thick.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a view of the blower end as seen through the lateral cover 8, and FIG. 6 is a view of the same part as in FIG. 5 as seen through the lateral covers 8 from the side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blower end with the lateral cover 8 being removed, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of the power supply line and the way that its end divided into three parts looks. The attachment plate 7 is shaped substantially like an L in cross section, and comprises a fastening portion 7b along a ceiling surface 9 and a body 7a bent at a right angle from the fastening portion 7b and extending downward. The attachment plate 7 of the present embodiment is fixed to the ceiling surface 9 by fastening the fastening portion 7b to a hanger bolt 15 extending downward from the ceiling surface 9 with use of a nut 16.

[0021] The attachment plate 7 pivotably supports the outer box 1 with the support bolt 12 extending through a through hole made in the lower end of the body 7a. A plurality of angle adjusting holes 7c are made at pitches of 11.25 degrees along an arc in the body 7a, and by selecting one of them and fixing an angle adjusting bolt 14 therein, the outer box 1 can be installed at an angle between a position where the outer box 1 is rotated through 90 degrees from a horizontal state shown in FIG. 5 so as to orient the blowing outlet 2 downward vertically and a position where, being rotated in reverse, the blowing outlet 2 is oriented upward at an angle of 22.5 degrees.

[0022] A power supply line 17 to supply power to the motor 5 extends from the ceiling, being led around inside the lateral cover 8 and then is inserted into the outer box 1. The power supply line 17 is a three-wire VVF cable as shown in FIG. 8 and has three electric wires 17a arranged laterally and covered by a sheath 17b to have a flat shape in cross section, but has very high rigidity to be difficult to bend in that direction when trying to bend in a plane including a principal surface 17c (bend sideways without bending the principal surface 17c). Hence, the power supply line 17 is bent in a direction that the principal surface 17c is bent or in a direction close thereto. Considering the safety, the technical standards concerning electrical equipment specifies that when a power supply line of a VVF cable is bent, in order to avoid damage to the power supply line, the radius of the inside of a bend be six times or more greater than the outside diameter of the power supply line.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 7, the power supply line 17 goes into the lateral cover 8 from the ceiling side, passes through a guide hook 26, then extends downward along the side surface 1a of the outer box 1, curves large in a hook shape along the arc downward with being lifted off the outer box 1 as if going away, then after passing through a tension suppression unit 20, turns around to change direction toward the outer box 1 with touching a guide pole and being twisted, and extends through a center hole 18a of a terminal mount cover 18 fixed to the side surface 1a into the outer box 1. A not-shown terminal mount is housed in the space inside the outer box 1 further back than the terminal mount cover 18, and the power supply line 17 is electrically connected to the leads of the motor 5 via this terminal mount. The terminal mount cover 18 is fixed to the side surface 1a with a screw 25a and is removed at the work of connecting the power supply line 17 to the terminal mount.

[0024] The tension suppression unit 20 is for preventing the tension from being imposed on the terminal mount or the connection place between the terminal mount and the power supply line 17, for example, when the power supply line 17 is pulled toward the ceiling, is fastened together with the attachment plate 7 to the support bolt 12, and holds the power supply line 17 with use of a cord clip 21 provided on top thereof. The cord clip 21 has one end engaging with the tension suppression unit 20 and the other end coupled to the tension suppression unit 20 with use of a screw 25b, and the power supply line 17 is fastened between the cord clip 21 and the tension suppression unit 20 with use of a nip screw 25b to clamp the power supply line 17 strongly. The tension suppression unit 20 is provided in the middle of the hook-shaped large curve of the power supply line 17, and a support surface 20a of the tension suppression unit 20 to support the power supply line 17 with the cord clip 21 slopes in such a direction that the power supply line 17 having a flat shape in cross section is made easy to bend. That is, in the present embodiment, the support surface 20a is at an angle of 15 degrees to the side surface 1a of the outer box 1 as if rising up outward in a direction of the radius of curvature of the power supply line 17 (FIG. 6).

[0025] The guide hook 26 and a guide pole 19 correct the position which the power supply line 17 passes through so that the power supply line 17 is led around without largely deviating from a predetermined route at the side surface 1a of the outer box 1. That is, the guide hook 26 and a guide pole 19 form a positioning member to touch the power supply line 17 to correct its position so that the power supply line 17 is led around along a predetermined route at the side surface 1a of the outer box 1. Especially, the guide pole 19 of the two is subject to a reaction force when the power supply line 17 curves between the terminal mount cover 18 and the tension suppression unit 20. Without the guide pole 19, the power supply line 17 would not bend in a predetermined shape, and hence the guide pole 19 is an indispensable member in the structure of the present embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a front view showing the way that the terminal mount is seen through an in-and-out opening made in the side surface 1a of the outer box 1; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the way that the terminal mount inside the in-and-out opening looks; FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the way that the terminal mount is pulled out to a connecting work position; and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the way that the terminal mount is at a housed position. A terminal mount 11 is housed in an end space of the outer box 1. The terminal mount 11 is configured with a fast coupling terminal (connection terminal) 10 mounted on top thereof.

[0027] The fast coupling terminal 10 has three insertion openings 10a into which three electric wires 17a of the power supply line 17 are to be inserted respectively. The three insertion openings 10a are open at its surface facing an in-and-out opening 1b of the fast coupling terminal 10 and extend in a slide direction described later. The fast coupling terminal 10 is structured such that, when the electric wires 17a are inserted through the insertion openings 10a, a bite-in structure inside (not shown) operates, thereby tightly holding the electric wires 17a and that thereafter the electric wires 17a cannot be pulled out even if a force is exerted in a direction that the electric wires 17a are pulled out.

[0028] A slide mount 24 is provided in the end space of the outer box 1. The terminal mount 11 is placed on a slide surface 24a formed on the slide mount 24 and is slidable. To be specific, the terminal mount 11 is slidable between a connection work position D where part including the insertion openings 10a at the front of the fast coupling terminal 10 appears from the in-and-out opening 1b made in the outer box 1 (FIG. 11) and a housed position E where its whole is housed in the outer box 1 (FIG. 12). The slide surface 24a of the slide mount 24 is sloped at an angle to the side wall of the outer box 1 where the in-and-out opening 1b is made (the wall of the outer box 1 forming the side surface 1a). The slide surface 24a is sloped in such a direction as to make the angle that the power supply line 17 has to be bent smaller (i.e., the angle that the power supply line 17 is bent larger, namely, in such a direction that the power supply line 17 is closer to being a straight line), and the slope is set at an optimum angle in terms of the structure where the terminal mount 11 is housed in the outer box 1, the appear-and-disappear operation of the terminal mount 11, and easiness to perform connection work. In the present embodiment, for example, in the case where the blower 100 is installed horizontally, the slide surface 24a has a slope of about 30 degrees so as to go up from the in-and-out opening 1b toward the back.

[0029] The terminal mount 11 is made, for example, by bending a plate member and has the fast coupling terminal 10 mounted on its principal surface in the middle. The front in the slide direction of the terminal mount 11 divides into two parts, each of which is bent at the front end like a step to form a grip portion 11a. The back in the slide direction of the terminal mount 11 is bent up to a height higher than that of the fast coupling terminal 10 to form a rise portion 11b. Further, above the fast coupling terminal 10, there is provided a step portion (stopper) 24c to engage with the rise portion 11b of the terminal mount 11 to hold the terminal mount 11 at the connection work position D when the terminal mount 11 is at the connection work position D.

[0030] At the execution of power supply connection, a power supply practician removes the terminal mount cover 18 and grasps the grip portion 11a to pull the terminal mount 11 out to the connection work position D. Then, in this position, he grasps the grip portion 11a and pulls down so that the terminal mount 11 rotates with a support point 24b as the center. Thus, the rise portion 11b rises and engages with the step portion (stopper) 24c to be held. By this means, when the electric wires 17a are inserted into the fast coupling terminal 10, the fast coupling terminal 10 does not move back so that the connection work of the electric wires 17a can be performed well. After the connection work finishes, according to a procedure opposite to the above, he pulls up the grip portion 11a to disengage from the step portion 24c, pushes in the terminal mount 11 to the housed position E, and covers with the terminal mount cover 18. Although in the present embodiment the step portion (stopper) 24c is provided above the fast coupling terminal 10, not being limited to this, the step portion may be formed as a step portion at the back of the slide surface 24a, which engages with the back end of the terminal mount 11 when the grip portion 11a is pulled up. Note that a structure to prevent the entire terminal mount 11 from being pulled out when the terminal mount 11 is pulled out is realized by making part of the terminal mount 11 from the middle to the back larger in width than the in-and-out opening 1b.

[0031] As such, with the blower 100 of the present embodiment, because the terminal mount 11 appears from and disappears into the in-and-out opening 1b made in the side surface 1a of the outer box 1, when connecting the power supply line 17, the terminal mount 11 is pulled out to the connection work position D to make workability good, and after the connection finishes, it is housed at the housed position E so as to make the fire prevention safety measure sufficient. Further, because the step portion (stopper) 24c is provided to engage with the terminal mount 11 when the terminal mount 11 is at the connection work position D so as to prevent the terminal mount 11 from moving back toward the housed position E, the fast coupling terminal 10 does not move back even if a cable having large rigidity like a VVF cable is inserted into the fast coupling terminal 10, so that the connection work of the power supply line 17 can be performed well. Yet further, because the grip portion 11a is provided at the front in the slide direction of the terminal mount 11, the terminal mount 11 is easy to pull out. Still further, because the slide surface 24a of the slide mount 24 is sloped with respect to the side surface 1a of the outer box 1 where the in-and-out opening 1b is made, the longitudinal space necessary in the outer box 1 can be made smaller to achieve miniaturization, with making the angle that the power supply line 17 has to be bent smaller.

[0032] A method of fixing the lateral cover 8 will be described. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lateral cover 8 as viewed from the back. The outer box 1 is provided at opposite ends respectively with the lateral covers 8 from the viewpoint of design. The lateral cover 8 is attached by inserting the support bolt 12 (FIGS. 5, 6) protruding from the outer box 1 into a cylindrical insertion guide 8b protruding from the lower portion of the back surface and, with this as a guide, moving it toward the outer box 1 in parallel and pushing an elastic engaging protrusion 8a protruding from the upper portion of the back surface into an engaging hole 7d (FIGS. 5, 6) made in the upper portion of the attachment plate 7 to bite it in and in addition having a pair of magnets 29 provided on opposite sides laterally attract the attachment plate 7.

[0033] Conventionally, there has been proposed a method using a magnet as a method of attaching a designed cover to a general apparatus. Since the cover is fixed by the attracting force of the magnet, screwing or the like is not necessary, so that the cover is easy to attach and detach. However, there is the anxiety that if the attracting force of the magnet degrades over years, the attraction may not hold, resulting in the cover falling off.

[0034] In the present embodiment, with the above structure, an attachment screw is unnecessary, and the process of attaching and detaching is easy to perform, resulting in higher workability. Further, since the slide pushing-in structure formed of the engaging protrusion 8a and the insertion guide 8b is used together with the pair of magnets 29, even if the attraction of the magnets 29 does not hold, the lateral cover 8 will not fall off, because of the slide pushing-in structure. Conversely, even if the engaging protrusion 8a and the insertion guide 8b disengage or are damaged, the lateral cover 8 will not fall off, because of the magnets 29. Note that the lateral cover 8 has marked on its side a mark (arrow) 31 indicating that direction so that the direction in which to detach the cover is easy to understand (FIG. 7).

[0035] Next, a method of fixing fan units 40 to the outer box 1 will be described. In the fixing method of the present embodiment, the number of screws used is greatly reduced. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the way that the fan units 40 are being incorporated in the outer box 1; FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the screws, the number of which is reduced according to the present embodiment; FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the screws used in a conventional fan unit for comparison; FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the way that two adjacent fan units are being fastened together with one screw at the position G in FIG. 14; and FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a first orifice member and a second orifice member alone from FIG. 17; and FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing at an enlarged scale an end of a fan unit shown in FIG. 14.

[0036] The fan unit 40 comprises, as mentioned in the beginning, two sets of the fan 4 and the motor 5, and an orifice member 36 and an air guide member 37 which are of a size corresponding thereto. Four fan units 40 are arranged in a longitudinal direction and housed in the outer box 1. The four fan units 40 are each fastened to the outer box 1 with a screw 25c and a screw 25d. The screws 25c fasten the upper corners of opposite ends of the fan units 40 to the outer box 1. Meanwhile, the screws 25d fasten the middle lower portions of the fan units 40 to the outer box 1 (FIGS. 14, 15). Note that in FIG. 14 only one screw 25c and one screw 25d are depicted with the other screws being omitted.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 16, conventionally, one fan unit has been composed of a set of the fan 4 and the motor, and an orifice member and an air guide member which are of a size corresponding thereto. A total of four fastening screws 25, one for each corner, are provided in one fan unit. Hence, as the number of fan units incorporated increases, the number of fastening screws 25 becomes enormous. As it is obvious when compared with this, in the method of fixing the fan units 40 of the present embodiment, the number of screws used is greatly reduced, which will be described below.

[0038] Here, description will be made with two adjacent fan units 40 being temporarily named as a first fan unit 40A and a second fan unit 40B. In the upper corners (indicated by G in FIG. 14) of the ends opposite each other of a first orifice member 36A and a second orifice member 36B that are the orifice members of the first fan unit 40A and the second fan unit 40B, there are respectively provided divided screw hole pieces 47A, 47B which are in a shape where a cylindrical screw hole is divided along the axis into two pieces. The divided screw hole pieces 47A, 47B form a cylindrical screw hole when fitted to each other. On the rear surfaces of the corners, there are respectively provided protrusions 46A, 46B protruding toward the outer box 1. In the opening periphery of the outer box 1 corresponding to this, a female screw hole 42 is made being threaded at the position corresponding to a screw hole formed by the divided screw hole pieces 47A, 47B; a through hole 33 is made at the position corresponding to the protrusion 46A; and an elongate hole 34 is made at the position corresponding to the protrusion 46B.

[0039] The through hole 33 and the elongate hole 34 engage with the protrusions 46A, 46B respectively. By this means, the first orifice member 36A and the second orifice member 36B are restricted from separating. In this state, the first orifice member 36A and the second orifice member 36B are fastened together with a screw 25c inserted into the screw hole formed by the divided screw hole pieces 47A, 47B. Taking into account the shaping accuracy and assembly error of the orifice members 36, the hole corresponding to the protrusion 46B is formed as an elongate hole. Note that as to the engage/engagement-receiving structure formed by the through hole 33, the elongate hole 34, and the protrusions 46A, 46B, holes may be made on the orifice members 36A, 36B side with protrusions being provided on the outer box 1 side.

[0040] As to the coupling of the orifice member 36 and the air guide member 37, as shown in FIG. 19, an engaging hole 35 made in the end of an extension extending from the upper surface of the orifice member 36 toward the air guide member 37 engages with an engaging protrusion 43 formed on the upper surface of the air guide member 37, thereby performing the coupling. Likewise, this engaging structure of the engaging hole 35 and the engaging protrusion 43 is provided also on the back side of the orifice member 36 and the air guide member 37. The orifice member 36 and the air guide member 37 are coupled in this way, thereby assembling the fan unit 40.

[0041] Wind path walls 37a, 37a forming a wind path are provided in a pair on the upper portion and lower portion of the air guide member 37. Also, fit-together walls 36a, 36a forming a wind path are provided in a pair on the upper portion and lower portion of the orifice member 36. Both the fit-together walls 36a, 36a and the fit-together walls 36a, 36a form a wind path from the sucking inlet 3 to the blowing outlet 2 by overlapping each other. That is, air sucked by the fan 4 through the sucking inlet 3 is then divided into the upper part and lower part in the apparatus by the orifice member 36 and the air guide member 37 and blown out from the blowing outlet 2 having two sections, upper and lower (FIG. 1).

[0042] As to the coupling of the guard 38 and the orifice member 36 (the fan unit 40), as shown in FIG. 19, a protrusion extending from an upper corner of the guard 38 toward the orifice member 36 is provided, and an engaging claw 45 formed at the end of this protrusion engages with an engaging hole 41 made in the upper corner of the opposite surface of the orifice member 36, thereby performing the coupling. Likewise, this engaging structure of the engaging claw 45 and the engaging hole 41 is provided also on the other three corners of the opposite surfaces of the guard 38 and the orifice member 36. The guard 38 and the orifice member 36 (the fan unit 40) coupled in this way are fastened to the outer box 1 with the screw 25d (FIG. 14).

Industrial Applicability

[0043] As described above, the blower according to the present invention is useful when applied to a blower to be installed at a high place in a room and especially the most suitable for a blower with the connection terminal being a fast coupling terminal.

Reference Signs List

[0044] 

1

Outer box

1a

Side surface

1b

In-and-out opening

2

Blowing outlet

3

Sucking inlet

4

Fan

5

Motor

7

Attachment plate

7a

Body

7b

Fastening portion

7c

Angle adjusting hole

7d

Engaging hole (fit structure)

8

Lateral cover

8a

Engaging protrusion (fit structure)

8b

Insertion guide (guide structure)

9

Ceiling surface

10

Fast coupling terminal (connection terminal)

10a

Insertion openings

11

Terminal mount

11a

Grip portion

11b

Rise portion

12

Support bolt

14

Angle adjusting bolt

15

Hanger bolt

16

Nut

17

Power supply line

17a

Electric wire

17b

Sheath

17c

Principal surface

18

Terminal mount cover

18a

Center hole

19

Guide pole (electric wire positioning member)

20

Tension suppression unit

20a

Support surface

21

Cord clip

24

Slide mount

24a

Slide surface

24b

Support point

24c

Step portion (stopper)

25a

to 25d Screw

26

Guide hook (electric wire positioning member)

29

Magnet

31

Mark

33

Through hole

34

Elongate hole

35

Engaging hole

36,

36A, 36B Orifice member

36a

Fit-together wall

37

Air guide member

37a

Fit-together wall

38

Guard

40,

40A, 40B Fan unit

41

Engaging hole

42

Female screw hole

43

Engaging protrusion

45

Engaging claw

46A, 46B

Protrusion

47A, 47B

Divided screw hole piece

100

Blower

Claims

1. A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a connection terminal for electrically connecting a power supply line to the motor to supply electric power to the motor; and

a slide mount that slidably supports the terminal mount such that the connection terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box,

wherein the terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the connection terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the connection terminal is housed in the outer box.

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein a slide surface of the slide mount on which the terminal mount slides is sloped with respect to a side surface of the outer box in which the in-and-out opening is made.

3. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is a fast coupling terminal that bites the power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in the connection place.

4. The blower according to claim 3, comprising a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

5. The blower according to claim 1, wherein a grip portion is provided at the front in a slide direction of the terminal mount.

6. The blower according to claim 1, comprising a tension suppression unit provided on a side surface of the outer box and tightly holding the power supply line, thereby preventing tension exerted on the power supply line from being imposed on the connection terminal or the connection place between the connection terminal and the power supply line,
wherein a support surface of the tension suppression unit to hold the power supply line is sloped in such a direction that the power supply line having a flat shape in cross section is made easy to bend.

7. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the power supply line is a VVF cable.

8. The blower according to claim 7, wherein an electric wire positioning member to touch the power supply line so as to correct a position through which the power supply line passes so that the power supply line is led around along a predetermined route at an outer surface of the outer box is provided on a side surface of the outer box.

9. The blower according to claim 1, comprising a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box,
wherein the lateral cover is fixed by a guide structure that is guided perpendicularly to the side surface of the outer box, by a fit structure that fits perpendicularly to the side surface of the outer box, and by a magnet that attracts the attachment plate or the outer box at a position where the fit structure fits.

10. The blower according to claim 9, wherein a mark indicating the direction in which to detach the lateral cover from the outer box is provided on the lateral cover.

11. A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a fast coupling terminal that bites a power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in a connection place, the terminal mount supplying electric power to the motor via the fast coupling terminal;

a slide mount that supports the terminal mount slidably in an insertion direction for the power supply line such that the fast coupling terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box; and

a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box,

wherein the terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the fast coupling terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the fast coupling terminal is housed in the outer box, and

wherein there is provided a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

12. A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a fast coupling terminal that bites a power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in a connection place, the terminal mount supplying electric power to the motor via the fast coupling terminal;

a slide mount that supports the terminal mount slidably in an insertion direction for the power supply line such that the fast coupling terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box; and

a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box,

wherein a slide surface of the slide mount on which the terminal mount slides is sloped with respect to a side surface of the outer box in which the in-and-out opening is made,

wherein the terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the fast coupling terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the fast coupling terminal is housed in the outer box, and

wherein there is provided a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

13. A blower which includes an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein; and a fan for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the fan, the fan and the motor being housed in the outer box, the blower comprising:

a first fan unit and a second fan unit adjacent to each other that each have a plurality of sets of the fan and the motor,

wherein the first fan unit and the second fan unit have their engaging portions engage with engagement-receiving portions of a separation control member for separation control and are fastened together to the outer box with a screw interposed between the fan units.

14. The blower according to claim 13, wherein the separation control member is the outer box.

15. The blower according to claim 13, wherein the first fan unit, the second fan unit, and a guard to protect the fans are fastened together with the same screw.

Amended claims

Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT

1. (Currently amended) A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a connection terminal for electrically connecting a power supply line to the motor to supply electric power to the motor; and

a slide mount that slidably supports the terminal mount such that the connection terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box,

wherein the terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the connection terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the connection terminal is housed in the outer box, and

wherein a grip portion is provided at the front in a slide direction of the terminal mount.

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein a slide surface of the slide mount on which the terminal mount slides is sloped with respect to a side surface of the outer box in which the in-and-out opening is made.

3. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is a fast coupling terminal that bites the power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in the connection place.

4. The blower according to claim 3, comprising a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

5. (Deleted)

6. (Currently amended) A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a connection terminal for electrically connecting a power supply line to the motor to supply electric power to the motor; and

a tension suppression unit provided on a side surface of the outer box and tightly holding the power supply line, thereby preventing tension exerted on the power supply line from being imposed on the connection terminal or the connection place between the connection terminal and the power supply line,

wherein a support surface of the tension suppression unit to hold the power supply line is sloped in such a direction that the power supply line having a flat shape in cross section is made easy to bend.

7. (Currently amended) The blower according to claim 6, wherein the power supply line is a VVF cable.

8. The blower according to claim 7, wherein an electric wire positioning member to touch the power supply line so as to correct a position through which the power supply line passes so that the power supply line is led around along a predetermined route at an outer surface of the outer box is provided on a side surface of the outer box.

9. (Currently amended) A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a connection terminal for electrically connecting a power supply line to the motor to supply electric power to the motor; and

a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box,

wherein the lateral cover is fixed by a guide structure that is guided perpendicularly to the side surface of the outer box, by a fit structure that fits perpendicularly to the side surface of the outer box, and by a magnet that attracts the attachment plate or the outer box at a position where the fit structure fits.

10. The blower according to claim 9, wherein a mark indicating the direction in which to detach the lateral cover from the outer box is provided on the lateral cover.

11. A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a fast coupling terminal that bites a power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in a connection place, the terminal mount supplying electric power to the motor via the fast coupling terminal;

a slide mount that supports the terminal mount slidably in an insertion direction for the power supply line such that the fast coupling terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box; and

a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box,

wherein the terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the fast coupling terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the fast coupling terminal is housed in the outer box, and

wherein there is provided a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

12. A blower comprising:

an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein;

attachment plates provided at the sides of the outer box to support the outer box from a ceiling surface or a wall surface;

blades for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the blades, the blades and the motor being housed in the outer box;

a terminal mount having a fast coupling terminal that bites a power supply line in for connection by an operation of inserting the power supply line into an insertion opening provided in a connection place, the terminal mount supplying electric power to the motor via the fast coupling terminal;

a slide mount that supports the terminal mount slidably in an insertion direction for the power supply line such that the fast coupling terminal appears from and disappears into an in-and-out opening made in the outer box; and

a lateral cover that covers the attachment plate and the power supply line led around at a side of the outer box,

wherein a slide surface of the slide mount on which the terminal mount slides is sloped with respect to a side surface of the outer box in which the in-and-out opening is made,

wherein the terminal mount slides between a connection work position where a connection place of the fast coupling terminal to the power supply line appears from the in-and-out opening and a housed position where the fast coupling terminal is housed in the outer box, and

wherein there is provided a stopper that, when the terminal mount is at the connection work position, engages with the terminal mount to prevent the terminal mount from moving back toward the housed position.

13. A blower which includes an outer box having a sucking inlet and a blowing outlet formed therein; and a fan for blowing from the sucking inlet to the blowing outlet and a motor for driving the fan, the fan and the motor being housed in the outer box, the blower comprising:

a first fan unit and a second fan unit adjacent to each other that each have a plurality of sets of the fan and the motor,

wherein the first fan unit and the second fan unit have their engaging portions engage with engagement-receiving portions of a separation control member for separation control and are fastened together to the outer box with a screw interposed between the fan units.

14. The blower according to claim 13, wherein the separation control member is the outer box.

15. The blower according to claim 13, wherein the first fan unit, the second fan unit, and a guard to protect the fans are fastened together with the same screw.

Statement under Art. 19.1 PCT

The original claim 1 has been deleted because we determined that it was publicly known from the contents of the search report. Cited reference 1 discloses a configuration where on a slide mount, a terminal mount slides between a connection work position and a housed position, which we think is equivalent in configuration and advantage to that of the present application (in the cited reference 1, the connection work position is under control by a protrusion of a lid so that the terminal mount does not come off).

The original claim 1 and the original claim 5 have been combined into the new claim 1. The original claims 2 to 4 remain dependent on the new claim 1. Cited reference 2 discloses a structure where a terminal mount can slide to be removed. In the cited reference 2, the terminal mount being fixed by a protrusion and a claw, when the claw disengages, the terminal mount can freely come off without means to bind the terminal mount to the connection work position. However, since the slide surface slopes at an angle of 20°, it has the advantage of an improvement in workability.

The claim 6 and the claim 9 each have been combined with the original claim 1 except the feature of the slide structure of the terminal mount into a new independent claim.

The claims 13 to 15 have not been amended. The claims 13 to 15 have a feature that a plurality of fan units comprising motors and fans are arranged to be adjacent and fastened together and that the separation control of adjacent fan units is performed by the outer box. Due to the above feature, the advantage of a reduction in the number of fixing screws is obtained. In the cited reference, there being one unit, a structure where a plurality of units are fastened together or what implies that is not disclosed.

Drawing