U.S. patent application number 09/833901 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for circumferential ridge for a centrifugal fan.
Invention is credited to Streeter, James.
Application Number | 20020148067 09/833901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25265569 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020148067 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Streeter, James |
October 17, 2002 |
Circumferential ridge for a centrifugal fan
Abstract
An air impeller or circumferential fan includes one or more fan
blades disposed between first and second plates. The first plate is
tapered with respect to the second plate and includes an orifice
that allows air to flow through the first plate and past the fan
blades. The first plate also includes a circumferential ridge
located away from the orifice which provides for more consistent
construction of the first plate and, therefore, cheaper
manufacturing of the air impeller.
Inventors: |
Streeter, James; (Oxford,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 SOUTH WACKER
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6357
US
|
Family ID: |
25265569 |
Appl. No.: |
09/833901 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/327.1 ;
15/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20130101; A47L
5/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/327.1 ;
15/186 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/36 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An air impeller comprising: first and second plates; an orifice
disposed in the first plate adapted to allow air to flow through
the first plate; one or more fan blades disposed between the first
and second plates; and a circumferential ridge located on the first
plate, wherein the circumferential ridge is located away from the
orifice.
2. The air impeller of claim 1, wherein the circumferential ridge
is located along an outer rim of the first plate.
3. The air impeller of claim 1, wherein the circumferential ridge
is formed of the same material as the first plate.
4. The air impeller of claim 1, wherein the first plate is radially
tapered toward the second plate.
5. The air impeller of claim 1, further comprising a shaft mounting
hole disposed in one of the first and second plates.
6. The air impeller of claim 5, wherein the shaft mounting hole is
disposed in the second plate.
7. The air impeller of claim 1, wherein the first plate includes an
axial ridge forming the orifice.
8. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a housing; a motor disposed in the
housing; an air impeller having a circumferential ridge and an
orifice, wherein the circumferential ridge is located away from the
orifice; a shaft extending between the motor and the air impeller;
and a collection tank adapted to be connected to the housing.
9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, wherein the air impeller further
includes first and second plates.
10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the circumferential
ridge is located along an outer rim of the first plate.
11. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the circumferential
ridge is formed of the same material as the first plate.
12. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the first plate is
radially tapered toward the second plate.
13. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, further comprising a shaft
mounting hole disposed in one of the first and second plates.
14. The vacuum cleaner of claim 13, wherein the shaft mounting hole
is disposed in the second plate.
15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 9, wherein the first plate includes
an orifice adapted to allow air to flow through the first
plate.
16. The vacuum cleaner of claim 15, wherein the first plate
includes an axial ridge forming the orifice.
17. The vacuum cleaner of claim 8, further comprising a hose
connector adapted to direct air.
18. A method of manufacturing an air impeller for a vacuum cleaner
comprising the steps of: forming a first plate having a
circumferential ridge and having an orifice adapted to allow air to
flow through the first plate, wherein the circumferential ridge is
located away from the orifice; forming a second plate; and
attaching at least one fan blade between the first and the second
plates.
19. The method of manufacturing an air impeller of claim 18,
wherein the step of forming the first plate further includes the
step of forming the circumferential ridge on an outside rim of the
first plate.
20. The method of manufacturing an air impeller of claim 18,
wherein the step of forming the first plate further includes the
step of forming the circumferential ridge of the same material as
the first plate.
21. The method of manufacturing an air impeller of claim 18,
wherein the step of attaching at least one fan blade further
includes the step of attaching at least one fan blade between the
first and second plates so that the first plate is radially tapered
toward the second plate.
22. The method of manufacturing an air impeller of claim 18,
further comprising the step of forming a shaft mounting hole in one
of the first and second plates.
23. The method of manufacturing an air impeller of claim 22,
wherein the step of forming a shafting mounting hole further
includes the step of forming the shaft mounting hole in the second
plate.
24. The method of manufacturing an air impeller of claim 18,
wherein the step of forming the first plate further includes the
step of forming an axial ridge in the first plate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to vacuum cleaners and, more
particularly, to an air impeller or centrifugal fan for a vacuum
cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Known tank-type vacuum cleaners are capable of suctioning or
receiving dry materials such as debris or dirt and may also be used
for suctioning liquids. Additionally, many vacuum cleaners have the
capability of being used as a blower to blow debris away using a
flexible or rigid hose attached to a blower port of the vacuum
cleaner. These tank-type vacuum cleaners typically include a motor
having one or more air impellers or centrifugal fans, the rotation
of which creates low pressure in the tank to draw material into the
tank or creates high pressure in the machine to blow material
away.
[0003] Air impellers used in vacuum cleaners usually include two
plates with at least one fan blade, and usually a number of fan
blades, disposed between the two plates. The fan blades generally
extend in a radial direction (and usually in a slightly spiral
path) away from the center of the plates towards the outer edges of
the plates. Additionally, a hole is disposed in the center of one
of the plates to allow air flow created by the rotation of the air
impeller to flow through the hole in a generally radial direction
between the fan blades and then out through the edges of the
plates. In some instances, the hole is surrounded or formed by an
axial ridge disposed in the plate. Furthermore, in some cases, the
plates of the air impellers are tapered toward each other.
[0004] During the manufacturing process, the plates of known air
impellers are typically created using a stamping process. However,
the stamping process causes some inconsistencies in the plates,
including warping of the plates, incorrect or inconsistent
thickness of the plates, and incorrect sizes of the plates.
Additionally, chemistry and temper of the material used to create
the plates can cause the shape of the plates to vary greatly. This
is especially true when one of the plates is created having a
tapered or conical contour. However, consistent production of the
plates is beneficial to the efficient manufacture of the air
impellers. For example, consistent production of the plates could
provide such benefits as faster and easier production of the air
impellers and more efficient conversion of raw materials as these
materials would not be wasted on incorrectly produced plates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an air
impeller has first and second plates, an orifice disposed in the
first plate to allow air to flow through the first plate, one or
more fan blades disposed between the first and second plates, and a
circumferential ridge located on the first plate at a position away
from the orifice. Preferably, the circumferential ridge is located
along an outer rim of the first plate and is formed of the same
material as the first plate.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a vacuum
cleaner includes a housing, a motor and an air impeller with a
circumferential ridge disposed within the housing. The vacuum
cleaner further includes a shaft extending between the motor and
the air impeller, as well as a collection tank adapted to be
connected to the housing.
[0007] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a
method of manufacturing an air impeller for a vacuum cleaner
includes the steps of forming a first plate with a circumferential
ridge and an orifice adapted to allow air to flow through the first
plate, forming a second plate, and attaching at least one fan blade
between the first and the second plates. The step of forming the
first plate may include the step of forming the circumferential
ridge on an outside rim of the first plate.
[0008] Generally speaking, the formation of the circumferential
ridge on the plate reduces the inconsistencies in the plate forming
process and enables the manufacture of consistently sized and
shaped plates.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner having a blower
attachment which enables the vacuum cleaner to operate as a
blower;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum cleaner of
FIG. 1 illustrating an air impeller of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an air
impeller having a circumferential ridge;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the air impeller of FIG.
3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the air
impeller of FIG. 3 and;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the air impeller of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vacuum cleaner 30
includes a tank 32 and an upper vacuum assembly 34. The tank 32 is
supported by casters 36 and includes a pair of handles 38 which may
be used to assist the user in lifting and moving the vacuum cleaner
30. The tank 32 supports the upper vacuum assembly 34. The upper
vacuum assembly 34 includes a motor housing 46 having a cover 48.
The cover 48 further includes a blower opening 49. The upper vacuum
assembly 34 may be of conventional construction.
[0016] A motor 66 is disposed within the motor housing 46 and is
connected to or includes a shaft 68 which, in turn, is connected to
an air impeller or centrifugal fan 70. When a source of electrical
power is applied to the motor 66, the motor 66 rotates the shaft 68
which rotates the air impeller 70. As the air impeller 70 is
rotated, air pressure is created in the tank 32. This air pressure
can be used to suck debris into the tank 32 via an inlet 71 or can
be used to blow debris away by connecting a hose (not shown) to the
blower opening 49.
[0017] The motor housing 46 includes a pair of blower air discharge
slots 72 disposed such that air drawn into the vacuum cleaner 30
through the inlet 71 is expelled through the blower air discharge
slots 72 after being filtered by a filter 74 within the tank 32
when the vacuum cleaner 30 is in the vacuum mode. Alternatively,
when the vacuum cleaner 30 is in blower mode, the air is discharged
through the blower opening 49. Of course the air impeller 70 and
motor 66 are disposed in a conventional manner within the housing
46 to provide proper or desired air flow.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the air impeller 70 includes a
first plate 76, a second plate 78 and one or more fan blades 80
disposed in a slightly spiral pattern between the plates 76 and 78.
The first plate 76 includes an orifice 81 bounded by an axial ridge
82 and further includes a circumferential ridge 84 disposed, for
example, at an outer rim of the first plate 76. Preferably, the
circumferential ridge 84 is formed of the same material as the
first plate 76 and is formed in the first plate 76 using the same
stamping process used to form the first plate 76. The orifice 81 is
disposed on the first plate 76 to allow air to flow through the air
impeller 70. When rotated, air flows through the orifice 81 into
the areas bounded by the plates 76 and 78 and the fan blades 80 and
is expelled from the outer edges of the air impeller 70 by the fan
blades 80.
[0019] As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first plate 76 may
be radially tapered toward the second plate 78 so that the plates
76 and 78 are closer together at the outer edges thereof than at
the middle portions thereof. To accomplish this feature, the first
plate 76 may be formed having a tapered or conical contour. Also,
as illustrated in FIG. 5, the fan blades 80 may be attached to the
plates 76 and 78 using tabs extending through holes in the plates
76 and 78. Of course, any other manner of attaching the fan blades
80 to the plates 76 and 78, such as welding, glueing, etc., may be
used instead. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a shaft mounting hole 90
disposed within the second plate 78 to enable the attachment of the
motor 66 (FIG. 2) to the air impeller 70.
[0020] During construction of the air impeller 70, the
circumferential ridge 84 is formed on, for example, the outside rim
of the first plate 76 or at any other location away from the
orifice 81. Additionally, the first plate 76 and the
circumferential ridge 84 are preferably formed from the same
material. The first plate 76 is also formed with the axial ridge 82
which, in turn, creates the orifice 81. The first plate 76 may be
formed using a stamping process which stamps the first plate 76
having the ridges 81 and 84. However, the first plate 76 may be
molded or formed using any other conventional technique to include
the circumferential ridge 84. The second plate 78 is formed in any
conventional manner, such as by stamping, molding, etc. to include
the shaft mounting hole 90 which allows for the attachment of the
motor 66 to the air impeller 70. Alternatively, the mounting hole
90 may be drilled, stamped or cut into the second plate 78 after
the second plate 78 has been formed. Thereafter, the fan blades 80
are attached between the first plate 76 and the second plate 78.
The air impeller 70 is typically constructed of a thin metal such
as aluminum or of any plastic or other suitable material known in
the art. Of course, the air impeller 70 may be constructed of a
various number of other materials, including various types of
metals. If desired, the second plate 78 may also or alternatively
be formed to include a circumferential ridge and may be formed to
have a tapered contour.
[0021] It has been found that the construction of the first plate
76 including a circumferential ridge such as the ridge 84 at the
outer edge of the first plate 76 provides more consistent
manufacture of the first plate 76, especially when the first plate
76 is formed to include a tapered contour as illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 5. This consistent manufacture leads to less waste in the
manufacturing process, which reduces the overall cost of
manufacturing the vacuum cleaner 30. Furthermore, it has been found
that the use of the tapered plates on the air impeller 70 provides
for a high efficiency blower.
[0022] During operation of the vacuum cleaner, the air impeller 70
is rotated by the shaft 68 connected to the motor 66. When the air
impeller 70 is rotated, low pressure is created in the tank 32
which allows debris and other materials to be sucked into the tank
32 through the inlet 71. Alternatively, high pressure created by
rotation of the air impeller 70 at the blower opening 49 may enable
the vacuum cleaner 30 to function as blower. Highly pressurized air
provided by rotation of the air impeller 70 can be concentrated and
directed toward debris in order to move the debris from its present
location. Of course the air impeller 70 can be used in other types
of vacuum cleaners and blowers if so desired and is not limited for
use to those illustrated herein.
[0023] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, one skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *