U.S. patent application number 12/126949 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for tower fan.
Invention is credited to Meng-Yun Lee, Yung Ming Tai, Chi-Hsiang Wang.
Application Number | 20090290973 12/126949 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41342251 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090290973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Chi-Hsiang ; et
al. |
November 26, 2009 |
TOWER FAN
Abstract
An air blowing apparatus is disclosed having an elongate housing
with an elongate scroll defining an airflow passage. An elongate
blower is surrounded by the scroll and adapted when energized to
move air through the airflow passage. The airflow passage is
partially helically-shaped to cause the moved air to be distributed
into the surrounding environment in a partially helical
pattern.
Inventors: |
Wang; Chi-Hsiang; (Taipei,
TW) ; Tai; Yung Ming; (Tao-Yaun City, TW) ;
Lee; Meng-Yun; (Taipei, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRANCIS EDWARD MARINO
394 MEREDITH NECK ROAD
MEREDITH
NH
03253
US
|
Family ID: |
41342251 |
Appl. No.: |
12/126949 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/53.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/53.1 |
International
Class: |
F04D 5/00 20060101
F04D005/00 |
Claims
1. An air blowing apparatus comprising: a housing defining an
airflow passage; a blower retained by the housing and adapted when
energized to aerodynamically engage and move air through the
airflow passage; wherein said airflow passage is partially
helically-shaped to cause the moved air to be distributed into the
surrounding environment in a partially helical pattern.
2. The air blowing apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said housing
defines a vertical axis; said blower rotates when energized about
said vertical axis; and said partially helically-shaped airflow
passage partially surrounds said blower and vertical axis.
3. The air blowing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said housing has a
height to width ratio exceeding two-to-one.
4. The air blowing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate an upper end thereof by said moved air.
5. The air blowing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said blower rotates
in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said airflow
passage is right-hand helically shaped.
6. The air blowing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate a lower end thereof by said moved air.
7. The air blowing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said blower rotates
in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said airflow
passage is left-hand helically shaped.
8. The air blowing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate an upper end thereof by said moved air.
9. The air blowing apparatus of claim 8 wherein said blower rotates
in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said airflow
passage is right-hand helically shaped.
10. The air blowing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate a lower end thereof by said moved air.
11. The air blowing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said blower
rotates in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said
airflow passage is left-hand helically shaped.
12. An air blowing apparatus comprising: an elongate housing
comprising an elongate scroll defining an airflow passage; an
elongate blower surrounded by said scroll and adapted when
energized to aerodynamically engage and move air through the
airflow passage; wherein said airflow passage is partially
helically-shaped to cause the moved air to be distributed into the
surrounding environment in a partially helical pattern.
13. The air blowing apparatus of claim 12 wherein: said housing
defines a vertical axis; said blower rotates when energized about
said vertical axis; and said partially helically-shaped airflow
passage partially surrounds said blower and vertical axis.
14. The air blowing apparatus of claim 13 wherein said housing has
a height to width ratio exceeding two-to-one.
15. The air blowing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate an upper end thereof by said moved air.
16. The air blowing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said blower
rotates in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said
airflow passage is right-hand helically shaped.
17. The air blowing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate a lower end thereof by said moved air.
18. The air blowing apparatus of claim 17 wherein said blower
rotates in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said
airflow passage is left-hand helically shaped.
19. The air blowing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate an upper end thereof by said moved air.
20. The air blowing apparatus of claim 19 wherein said blower
rotates in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said
airflow passage is right-hand helically shaped.
21. The air blowing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said
helically-shaped airflow passage is initially aerodynamically
engaged approximate a lower end thereof by said moved air.
22. The air blowing apparatus of claim 21 wherein said blower
rotates in a direction clockwise in top view, and wherein said
airflow passage is left-hand helically shaped.
23. A method of blowing air with an air blowing apparatus; wherein
the air blowing apparatus comprises: an elongate housing defining a
partially helically-shaped airflow passage; an elongate blower
retained by the housing and adapted when energized to move air
through the airflow passage; and wherein the method comprises;
energizing said blower to move the air; shaping the moved air with
the partially helically-shaped airflow passage; and distributing
the moved air into the surrounding environment in a partially
helical pattern.
24. The method of claim 23 further comprising initially
aerodynamically engaging the moved air with the partially
helically-shaped airflow passage approximate an upper end
thereof.
25. The method of claim 23 further comprising initially
aerodynamically engaging the moved air with the partially
helically-shaped airflow passage approximate a lower end thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to household fans and blowers, and
more specifically, to tower fans having upright centrifugal blower
wheels and scrolls for directing a cooling breeze into the
surrounding environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There is an ever-increasing need to provide cooling or
ventilating air flow at home and in the work place. Existing air
blower apparatuses typically prevail in two main types; axial fans
and centrifugal blowers. Axial fans have an electric motor
typically oriented such that its rotational axis is aligned with
the direction of air movement. A fan blade affixed to the motor's
rotor rotates about the axis and causes air to be pushed forwardly
from the fan in the direction along the axis. Centrifugal blowers
have an electric motor typically oriented such that its rotational
axis is perpendicular to the direction of air movement. A blower
wheel affixed to the motor's rotor rotates about the axis and
causes air to be pushed forwardly from the fan in a direction
perpendicular to the axis.
[0003] A desirable function of many fans and blowers is an
oscillatory redirection of the airflow in a sweeping pattern. When
embodied in an axial fan, such an oscillation is typically caused
by an elaborate and expensive oscillation gearing system that
converts rotational energy from the motor's rotor and causes the
orientation of the motor and its rotor to sweep back and forth
relative to the environment. Not only are such gearing systems
expensive to manufacture, but the multitude of moving parts renders
them somewhat short-lived and their parasitic use of the motor's
rotational energy reduces the desired airflow from the fan.
[0004] Oscillation is also caused in some centrifugal blowers and
some axial fans by the use of an additional and smaller oscillation
motor. In the case of upright "tower" type blowers, commonly
referred to as "tower fans", such oscillation motors typically
cause a sweeping motion to the entire elongate upright fan housing,
thereby causing the exhaust of the fan to move back and forth in an
equivalent sweeping motion. Because of the structural limitations
of such tower fans, in order to obtain an oscillation of sufficient
breadth and smoothness, the auxiliary oscillation motors must be
somewhat expensive, noisy, and powerful, using relatively high
amounts of costly electrical energy that could otherwise be fed to
the fan motor to increase airflow.
[0005] There exists the need for an efficient air blowing apparatus
which overcomes the above problems of fans and blowers by providing
means for causing a sweeping airflow from an air blowing apparatus
that requires no auxiliary gearing systems, no auxiliary motors, no
additional moving parts, and no additional energy input, and which
does not provide sweeping airflow at the cost of reduced air moving
performance.
[0006] Alternatively, there exists the need for an oscillating air
blowing apparatus with means for enhancing the sweeping effects of
its airflow with no additional gearing systems, motors, moving
parts, or energy input.
[0007] Other needs and objects will become apparent upon a reading
of the following disclosure in combination with the appended
drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is preferably embodied as an air
blowing apparatus having an elongate housing with an elongate
scroll defining an airflow passage. As embodied, an elongate blower
is surrounded by the scroll and adapted when energized to move air
through the airflow passage. The airflow passage is preferably
partially helically-shaped to cause the moved air to be distributed
into the surrounding environment in a partially helical
pattern.
[0009] According to one aspect of the invention in its preferred
mode, the air blowing apparatus has an elongate housing with an
elongate scroll defining an airflow passage, and an elongate blower
surrounded by the scroll and adapted when energized to
aerodynamically engage and move air through the airflow
passage.
[0010] According to another aspect of the inventions, the airflow
passage is partially helically-shaped to cause the moved air to be
distributed into the surrounding environment in a partially helical
pattern.
[0011] According to another respect of the invention, the helical
pattern of the distributed air gives a perceived effect that
imitates the swept airflow of an oscillating fan or blower.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, this
advantageous airflow distribution is achieved without additional or
auxiliary components.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, this
advantageous airflow distribution is achieved without additional
noise or power consumption.
[0014] Additional aspects of the invention can be appreciated upon
perusal of the following detailed description of an exemplary air
blower according to the invention along with the accompanying
drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to
scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the
principles of the invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like
reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of a portable air blower
in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a right perspective view of the portable air
blower of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the air blower of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of the air blower
of FIG. 1 taken at Line 3A-3A of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the air blower
of FIG. 1 taken at Line 3B-3B of FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 3C is a partial cross-sectional view of the air blower
of FIG. 1 taken at Line 3C-3C of FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the air blower of
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a left side cross-sectional view of the air blower
of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a right side cross-sectional view of the air
blower of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top view of the air blower of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the air blower of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a left side view of the air blower of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the air blower of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a left perspective view of a portable air blower
in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a right perspective view of the portable air
blower of FIG. 11;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a front view of the air blower of FIG. 11;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a top view of the air blower of FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 15 is a left side view of the air blower of FIG.
11;
[0033] FIG. 16 is a right side view of the air blower of FIG.
11;
[0034] FIG. 17 is a rear view of the air blower of FIG. 11;
[0035] FIG. 18 is a left perspective view of a portable air blower
in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 19 is a right perspective view of the portable air
blower of FIG. 18;
[0037] FIG. 20 is a front view of the air blower of FIG. 18;
[0038] FIG. 21 is a top view of the air blower of FIG. 18;
[0039] FIG. 22 is a left side view of the air blower of FIG.
18;
[0040] FIG. 23 is a right side view of the air blower of FIG. 18;
and
[0041] FIG. 24 is a rear view of the air blower of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] FIGS. 1-10 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a
tower fan 100 according to the present invention. The tower fan has
a base portion 102, a blower portion 104 and a control portion 106.
The base portion has a stationary base plate 110 for resting on a
support surface such as a floor or tabletop, and a motorized
oscillation mechanism 112.
[0043] The blower portion includes an elongate upright housing 114
made of front housing 114F and rear housing 114R, which are affixed
together to encapsulate an electric blower motor 120 and an
elongate upright blower wheel 122. The assembled housing is
supported on the base plate of the base portion and pivotable
there-about in a back-and-forth direction. The assembled housing is
pivotably linked to the base plate through the oscillation
mechanism.
[0044] The control portion is rigidly affixed atop the housing 114
and includes control housing 124 and control electronics 126 for
controlling the various operations of the fan.
[0045] In operation, the user turns on the power to motor 120 by
activating a power switch on the control housing, and selects a
speed of operation, which is proportional to the selected speed of
the motor. Blower wheel 122 rotates to cause an airflow in a
typical centrifugal blower manner, as will be discussed.
[0046] The user may also choose between stationary or oscillating
operation. During oscillating operation, oscillation motor 130 of
the oscillation mechanism is energized and causes housing 114 to
sweep back and forth in an oscillatory motion relative to the
stationary base plate, via linkage of the mechanism.
[0047] Such a tower fan as so far described could alternatively be
constructed in accordance with prior art oscillating tower fans,
such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,953,322, 7,118,323, or
7,217,098, the specifications of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0048] Among the novelties of the present invention is the sweeping
effect of the exhausted airflow relative to the housing that is
derived from the helical shape of the housing's exhaust vent 140
and its cooperation with the helically-twisted exhaust guide 142.
In oscillating embodiments, this helical shaped vent and twisted
guide are found to enhance the broadcasting benefits of the
oscillating the airflow, and in non-oscillating embodiments, or in
oscillating embodiments during non-oscillating mode, this helical
shaped vent and twisted guide are found to provide a unique and
comforting cooling experience not fully provided by oscillation,
and without the aforementioned drawbacks of oscillation.
[0049] As seen best in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 3A to 3B, housing 114 and
guide 142 form a scroll shape so that clockwise (when viewed from
above as in FIGS. 3A-3C) rotation of blower wheel causes air to be
pulled into housing 114 through intake vent 144, to be moved
through the housing, and to be forced out of the housing through
exhaust vent 140. The shape of the exhaust vent and guide form a
right-handed helix that is first impinged by the moved air near to
the top of the housing, where it is guided directly forwardly from
the fan, as seen in FIG. 3A, which is taken at upper section line
3A-3A of FIG. 3. Air moved further vertically down the blower
impinges the vent and guide at a later clock-wise point, causing
that moved air to be guided in a more positive angular direction,
as seen in FIG. 3B, which is taken at mid section line 3B-3B of
FIG. 3. Air moved even further vertically down the blower impinges
the vent and guide at an even later clock-wise point, causing that
moved air to be guided in an even more positive angular direction,
as seen in FIG. 3C, which is taken at lower section line 3C-3C of
FIG. 3.
[0050] While the helical pitch of vent 140 and guide 142 may seem
slight, the results on the exhausted airflow are found to be
surprisingly significant. Due to the combined effects of airflow
turbulence and the helical shape of the airflow as it exits the
vent, the slight angular initial spread of airflow is increased
dramatically as it travels downstream form the fan. Additionally,
the exiting air experiences a compounding of the turbulence as it
exits further down the vent compared to the air impinging on the
guide and vent higher and earlier in the blower's rotation, so that
the exiting air is more focused and faster towards the top of the
fan and more spread out towards the floor. The resulting breeze
along the floor is more subtle towards the user's feet, where less
cooling is generally desired, and more powerful towards the user's
upper body, where more cooling is generally desired. As can be
appreciated, this rather complicated effect would be difficult to
achieve by even a much more complicated array of air blowing
apparatuses.
[0051] And while the forgoing embodiment practices a clockwise
blower rotation coupled with a right-handed helical exhaust vent,
an opposite arrangement is found to provide a differently unique
airflow. When the same blower rotation is coupled to a left-handed
helical vent and guide (or else, when a counter-clockwise blower
rotation is coupled with the same right-handed helical vent and
guide), the exhausted airflow is found to be more focused and
faster towards floor and more spread out towards the top of the
apparatus. Such an arrangement may be particularly beneficial in
such devices as a heating fan, where the stronger heated airflow
towards one's feet and a more subtle heated airflow towards one's
face are more desirable.
[0052] FIGS. 11 through 17 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment
of a tower fan 200 according to the present invention. This tower
fan has a base portion 202 including stationary base plate 210, a
blower portion 204 including housing 214, and a control portion 206
including control housing 224. The housing includes intake vent
244, helical exhaust vent 240, and (not visible) an equivalent
internal blower and guide arrangement to the first embodiment.
[0053] FIGS. 18 through 24 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment
of a tower fan 300 according to the present invention, differing
substantially from the first and second embodiments only in
ornamental design. This tower fan has a base portion 302 including
stationary base plate 310, a blower portion 304 including housing
314, and a control portion 306 including control housing 324. The
housing includes intake vent 344, helical exhaust vent 340, and
(not visible) an equivalent internal blower and guide arrangement
to the first embodiment
[0054] In summary, the present invention may be embodied as an air
blowing apparatus having a housing defining an airflow passage, and
a blower retained by the housing and adapted when energized to
aerodynamically engage and move air through the airflow passage,
where the airflow passage is partially helically-shaped to cause
the moved air to be distributed into the surrounding environment in
a partially helical pattern. The housing may define a vertical
axis, and the blower may rotate when energized about the vertical
axis, and the partially helically-shaped airflow passage may
partially surround the blower and vertical axis.
[0055] The housing may have a height to width ratio exceeding
two-to-one. The helically-shaped airflow passage may be initially
aerodynamically engaged approximate an upper end by the moved air.
For instance, the blower may rotate in a direction clockwise in top
view, and the airflow passage may be right-hand helically
shaped.
[0056] Or, the helically-shaped airflow passage may be initially
aerodynamically engaged approximate a lower end by the moved air.
For instance, the blower may rotate in a direction clockwise in top
view, and the airflow passage may be left-hand helically
shaped.
[0057] The invention may more specifically be embodied as an air
blowing apparatus having an elongate housing having an elongate
scroll defining an airflow passage, and an elongate blower
surrounded by the scroll and adapted when energized to
aerodynamically engage and move air through the airflow passage,
where the airflow passage is partially helically-shaped to cause
the moved air to be distributed into the surrounding environment in
a partially helical pattern. The housing may define a vertical
axis, and the blower may rotate when energized about the vertical
axis, and the partially helically-shaped airflow passage may
partially surround the blower and vertical axis.
[0058] The invention may also be embodied in a method of blowing
air with an air blowing apparatus having an elongate housing
defining a partially helically-shaped airflow passage, and an
elongate blower retained by the housing and adapted when energized
to move air through the airflow passage. The method may include
energizing the blower to move the air, shaping the moved air with
the partially helically-shaped airflow passage, and distributing
the moved air into the surrounding environment in a partially
helical pattern. The method may further include initially
aerodynamically engaging the moved air with the partially
helically-shaped airflow passage approximate an upper end thereof.
Or the method may alternatively further include initially
aerodynamically engaging the moved air with the partially
helically-shaped airflow passage approximate a lower end
thereof.
[0059] From the foregoing, it will be clear that the present
invention has been shown and described with reference to a
preferred embodiment that merely exemplifies the broader invention
revealed herein. Certainly, those skilled in the art can conceive
of alternative embodiments. For instance, those with the major
features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that
incorporate one or more major features while not incorporating all
aspects of the foregoing exemplary embodiment.
[0060] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be
understood, therefore, that the invention can be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described. With this in mind, the
claims that follow will define the scope of protection to be
afforded the invention, and those claims shall be deemed to include
equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Certain of these claims
may express certain elements as a means for performing a specific
function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As
the law demands, any such claims shall be construed to cover not
only the corresponding structure and material expressly described
in the specification but also equivalents thereof.
* * * * *