U.S. patent application number 12/716515 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-09 for fan assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED. Invention is credited to James Dyson, Peter David Gammack.
Application Number | 20100226749 12/716515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40580581 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100226749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gammack; Peter David ; et
al. |
September 9, 2010 |
FAN ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A bladeless fan assembly includes a nozzle and a device for
creating an air flow through the nozzle. The nozzle includes an
interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the
interior passage, and a surface located adjacent the mouth and over
which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow. The nozzle is
mounted on a height adjustable pedestal.
Inventors: |
Gammack; Peter David;
(Malmesbury, GB) ; Dyson; James; (Malmesbury,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
1650 TYSONS BOULEVARD, SUITE 400
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Malmesbury
GB
|
Family ID: |
40580581 |
Appl. No.: |
12/716515 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04F 5/46 20130101; F04D
25/08 20130101; F04D 29/601 20130101; F24F 7/065 20130101; F24F
13/32 20130101; F24F 2221/28 20130101; F04F 5/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/90 |
International
Class: |
F01D 1/36 20060101
F01D001/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 4, 2009 |
GB |
0903685.6 |
Claims
1. A bladeless fan assembly comprising a nozzle and a device for
creating an air flow through the nozzle, the nozzle comprising an
interior passage, a mouth for receiving the air flow from the
interior passage, and a surface located adjacent the mouth and over
which the mouth is arranged to direct the air flow, wherein the
nozzle is mounted on a height adjustable pedestal.
2. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the pedestal houses said
device for creating an air flow.
3. The fan assembly of claim 2, wherein the pedestal comprises a
duct for conveying the air flow to the nozzle.
4. The fan assembly of claim 3, wherein the pedestal comprises a
base housing said device for creating an air flow, and wherein the
duct extends between the base and the nozzle.
5. The fan assembly of claim 4, wherein said device for creating an
air flow comprises an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller,
and a diffuser located downstream from the impeller.
6. The fan assembly of claim 5, comprising a plurality of vanes for
guiding the air flow emitted from the diffuser into the duct.
7. The fan assembly of claim 5, comprising a plurality of vanes
each for guiding a respective portion of the air flow emitted from
the diffuser towards the duct.
8. The fan assembly of claim 7, comprising a plurality of radial
vanes located at least partially within the duct, each of the
radial vanes adjoining a respective one of the plurality of
vanes.
9. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior passage is
shaped to divide the received air flow into two air streams each
flowing along a respective side of the opening.
10. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior passage is
continuous.
11. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior passage is
substantially annular.
12. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the mouth extends about
the opening, and is preferably concentric with the interior
passage.
13. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises an
inner casing section and an outer casing section which together
define the interior passage and the mouth.
14. The fan assembly of claim 13, wherein the mouth comprises an
outlet located between an external surface of the inner casing
section of the nozzle and an internal surface of the outer casing
section of the nozzle.
15. The fan assembly of claim 14, wherein the outlet is in the form
of a slot extending at least partially about the opening.
16. The fan assembly of claim 14, wherein the outlet has a width in
the range from 0.5 to 5 mm.
17. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a
Coanda surface.
18. The fan assembly of claim 17, wherein the Coanda surface
extends about the opening.
19. The fan assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a
diffuser surface located downstream of the mouth.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of United Kingdom
Application No. 0903685.6, filed 4 Mar. 2009, the entire contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a fan assembly. In a
preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a domestic
fan, such as a pedestal fan, for creating an air current in a room,
office or other domestic environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A conventional domestic fan typically includes a set of
blades or vanes mounted for rotation about an axis, and drive
apparatus for rotating the set of blades to generate an air flow.
The movement and circulation of the air flow creates a `wind chill`
or breeze and, as a result, the user experiences a cooling effect
as heat is dissipated through convection and evaporation.
[0004] Such fans are available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
For example, a ceiling fan can be at least 1 m in diameter, and is
usually mounted in a suspended manner from the ceiling to provide a
downward flow of air to cool a room. On the other hand, desk fans
are often around 30 cm in diameter, and are usually free standing
and portable. Floor-standing pedestal fans generally comprise a
height adjustable pedestal supporting the drive apparatus and the
set of blades for generating an air flow, usually in the range from
300 to 500 l/s.
[0005] A disadvantage of this type of arrangement is that the air
flow produced by the rotating blades of the fan is generally not
uniform. This is due to variations across the blade surface or
across the outward facing surface of the fan. The extent of these
variations can vary from product to product and even from one
individual fan machine to another. These variations result in the
generation of an uneven or `choppy` air flow which can be felt as a
series of pulses of air and which can be uncomfortable for a
user.
[0006] In a domestic environment it is undesirable for parts of the
appliance to project outwardly, or for a user to be able to touch
any moving parts, such as the blades. Pedestal fans tend to have a
cage surrounding the blades to prevent injury from contact with the
rotating blades, but such caged parts can be difficult to clean.
Furthermore, due to the mounting of the drive apparatus and the
rotary blades on the top of the pedestal, the centre of gravity of
a pedestal fan is usually located towards the top of the pedestal.
This can render the pedestal fan prone to falling if accidentally
knocked unless the pedestal is provided with a relatively wide or
heavy base, which may be undesirable for a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a bladeless fan assembly
comprising a nozzle and means for creating an air flow through the
nozzle, the nozzle comprising an interior passage, a mouth for
receiving the air flow from the interior passage, and a surface
located adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to
direct the air flow, wherein the nozzle is mounted on a height
adjustable pedestal.
[0008] Through use of a bladeless fan assembly an air current can
be generated without the use of a bladed fan. In comparison to a
bladed fan assembly, the bladeless fan assembly leads to a
reduction in both moving parts and complexity. Furthermore, without
the use of a bladed fan to project the air current from the fan
assembly, a relatively uniform air current can be generated and
guided into a room or towards a user. The air current can travel
efficiently out from the nozzle, losing little energy and velocity
to turbulence.
[0009] The term `bladeless` is used to describe a fan assembly in
which air flow is emitted or projected forward from the fan
assembly without the use of moving blades. Consequently, a
bladeless fan assembly can be considered to have an output area, or
emission zone, absent moving blades from which the air flow is
directed towards a user or into a room. The output area of the
bladeless fan assembly may be supplied with a primary air flow
generated by one of a variety of different sources, such as pumps,
generators, motors or other fluid transfer devices, and which may
include a rotating device such as a motor rotor and/or a bladed
impeller for generating the air flow. The generated primary air
flow can pass from the room space or other environment outside the
fan assembly through the telescopic duct to the nozzle, and then
back out to the room space through the mouth of the nozzle.
[0010] Hence, the description of a fan assembly as bladeless is not
intended to extend to the description of the power source and
components such as motors that are required for secondary fan
functions. Examples of secondary fan functions can include
lighting, adjustment and oscillation of the fan assembly.
[0011] The shape of the nozzle of a fan assembly is not constrained
by the requirement to include space for a bladed fan. Preferably,
the nozzle surrounds the opening. The nozzle may be an annular
nozzle which preferably has a height in the range from 200 to 600
mm, more preferably in the range from 250 to 500 mm.
[0012] Preferably, the mouth of the nozzle extends about the
opening, and is preferably annular. The nozzle preferably comprises
an inner casing section and an outer casing section which define
the mouth of the nozzle. Each section is preferably formed from a
respective annular member, but each section may be provided by a
plurality of members connected together or otherwise assembled to
form that section. The outer casing section is preferably shaped so
as to partially overlap the inner casing section. This can enable
an outlet of the mouth to be defined between overlapping portions
of the external surface of the inner casing section and the
internal surface of the outer casing section of the nozzle. The
outlet is preferably in the form of a slot, preferably having a
width in the range from 0.5 to 5 mm. The nozzle may comprise a
plurality of spacers for urging apart the overlapping portions of
the inner casing section and the outer casing section of the
nozzle. This can assist in maintaining a substantially uniform
outlet width about the opening. The spacers are preferably evenly
spaced along the outlet.
[0013] The interior passage is preferably continuous, more
preferably annular, and is preferably shaped to divide the air flow
into two air streams which flow in opposite directions around the
opening. The interior passage is preferably also defined by the
inner casing section and the outer casing section of the
nozzle.
[0014] The fan assembly preferably comprises means for oscillating
the nozzle so that the air current is swept over an arc, preferably
in the range from 60 to 120.degree.. For example, a base of the
pedestal may comprise means for oscillating an upper part of the
base, to which the nozzle is connected, relative to a lower part of
the base.
[0015] As mentioned above, the nozzle comprises a surface located
adjacent the mouth and over which the mouth is arranged to direct
the air flow emitted therefrom. This surface is preferably a Coanda
surface, and the external surface of the inner casing section of
the nozzle is preferably shaped to define the Coanda surface. The
Coanda surface preferably extends about the opening. A Coanda
surface is a type of surface over which fluid flow exiting an
output orifice close to the surface exhibits the Coanda effect. The
fluid tends to flow over the surface closely, almost `clinging to`
or `hugging` the surface. The Coanda effect is already a proven,
well documented method of entrainment in which a primary air flow
is directed over a Coanda surface. A description of the features of
a Coanda surface, and the effect of fluid flow over a Coanda
surface, can be found in articles such as Reba, Scientific
American, Volume 214, June 1966 pages 84 to 92. Through use of a
Coanda surface, an increased amount of air from outside the fan
assembly is drawn through the opening by the air emitted from the
mouth.
[0016] In the present invention an air flow created by the fan
assembly enters the nozzle. In the following description this air
flow will be referred to as primary air flow. The primary air flow
is emitted from the mouth of the nozzle and passes over the Coanda
surface. The primary air flow entrains air surrounding the mouth of
the nozzle, which acts as an air amplifier to supply both the
primary air flow and the entrained air to the user. The entrained
air will be referred to here as a secondary air flow. The secondary
air flow is drawn from the room space, region or external
environment surrounding the mouth of the nozzle and, by
displacement, from other regions around the fan assembly, and
passes predominantly through the opening defined by the nozzle. The
primary air flow directed over the Coanda surface combined with the
entrained secondary air flow equates to a total air flow emitted or
projected forward from the opening defined by the nozzle.
Preferably, the entrainment of air surrounding the mouth of the
nozzle is such that the primary air flow is amplified by at least
five times, more preferably by at least ten times, while a smooth
overall output is maintained. The maximum air flow of the air
current generated by the fan assembly is preferably in the range
from 300 to 800 litres per second, more preferably in the range
from 400 to 700 litres per second.
[0017] Preferably, the nozzle comprises a diffuser surface located
downstream of the Coanda surface. The external surface of the inner
casing section of the nozzle is preferably shaped to define the
diffuser surface.
[0018] The nozzle is mounted on an adjustable pedestal. Preferably,
the pedestal houses said means for creating an air flow so that the
fan assembly has a compact appearance. The pedestal may comprise a
duct for conveying the air flow to the nozzle. Thus, the pedestal
may serve both to support the nozzle through which an air flow
created by the fan assembly is emitted and to convey the created
air flow to the nozzle. The means for creating an air flow through
the nozzle may be located towards the bottom of the pedestal,
thereby lowering the centre of gravity of the fan assembly in
comparison to prior art pedestal fans where a bladed fan and drive
apparatus for the bladed fan are connected to the top of the
pedestal and rendering the fan assembly less prone to falling over
if knocked. For example, in a preferred embodiment the pedestal
comprises a base housing said means for creating an air flow, with
the duct extending between the base and the nozzle. Alternatively,
the means for creating an air flow may be located within the
duct.
[0019] Preferably the means for creating an air flow through the
nozzle comprises an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller,
and a diffuser located downstream from the impeller. The impeller
is preferably a mixed flow impeller. The motor is preferably a DC
brushless motor to avoid frictional losses and carbon debris from
the brushes used in a traditional brushed motor. Reducing carbon
debris and emissions is advantageous in a clean or pollutant
sensitive environment such as a hospital or around those with
allergies. While induction motors, which are generally used in
pedestal fans, also have no brushes, a DC brushless motor can
provide a much wider range of operating speeds than an induction
motor.
[0020] The diffuser may comprise a plurality of spiral vanes,
resulting in the emission of a spiraling air flow from the
diffuser. As the air flow through the duct will generally be in an
axial or longitudinal direction, the fan assembly preferably
comprises means for guiding the air flow emitted from the diffuser
into the duct. This can reduce conductance losses within the fan
assembly. The air flow guiding means preferably comprises a
plurality of vanes each for guiding a respective portion of the air
flow emitted from the diffuser towards the duct. These vanes may be
located on the internal surface of an air guiding member mounted
over the diffuser, and are preferably substantially evenly spaced.
The air flow guiding means may also comprise a plurality of radial
vanes located at least partially within the duct, with each of the
radial vanes adjoining a respective one of the plurality of vanes.
These radial vanes may define a plurality of axial or longitudinal
channels within the duct which each receive a respective portion of
the air flow from channels defined by the plurality of vanes. These
portions of the air flow preferably merge together within the
duct.
[0021] The duct may comprise a base mounted on the base of the
pedestal, and a plurality of tubular members connected to the base
of the duct. The curved vanes may be located at least partially
within the base of the duct. The axial vanes may be located at
least partially within means for connecting one of the tubular
members to the base of the duct. The connecting means may comprise
an air pipe or other tubular member for receiving one of the
tubular members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fan assembly, in which a
telescopic duct of the fan assembly is in a fully extended
configuration;
[0024] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the fan assembly of
FIG. 1, in which the telescopic duct of the fan assembly is in a
retracted position;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the base of the pedestal of
the fan assembly of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the telescopic duct of the fan
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a side view of the duct of FIG. 4 in a fully
extended configuration;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the duct taken along line A-A
in FIG. 5;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the duct taken along line B-B
in FIG. 5;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the duct of FIG. 4 in a
fully extended configuration, with part of the lower tubular member
cut away;
[0031] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 8, with various
parts of the duct removed;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a side view of the duct of FIG. 4 in a retracted
configuration;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the duct taken along line C-C
in FIG. 10;
[0034] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the nozzle of the fan
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a front view of the nozzle of FIG. 12;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the nozzle, taken along line
P-P in FIG. 13; and
[0037] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of area R indicated in FIG.
14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective views of an embodiment
of a fan assembly 10. In this embodiment, the fan assembly 10 is a
bladeless fan assembly, and is in the form of a domestic pedestal
fan comprising a height adjustable pedestal 12 and a nozzle 14
mounted on the pedestal 12 for emitting air from the fan assembly
10. The pedestal 12 comprises a floor-standing base 16 and a
height-adjustable stand in the form of a telescopic duct 18
extending upwardly from the base 16 for conveying a primary air
flow from the base 16 to the nozzle 14.
[0039] The base 16 of the pedestal 12 comprises a substantially
cylindrical motor casing portion 20 mounted on a substantially
cylindrical lower casing portion 22. The motor casing portion 20
and the lower casing portion 22 preferably have substantially the
same external diameter so that the external surface of the motor
casing portion 20 is substantially flush with the external surface
of the lower casing portion 22. The lower casing portion 22 is
mounted optionally on a floor-standing, disc-shaped base plate 24,
and comprises a plurality of user-operable buttons 26 and a
user-operable dial 28 for controlling the operation of the fan
assembly 10. The base 16 further comprises a plurality of air
inlets 30, which in this embodiment are in the form of apertures
formed in the motor casing portion 20 and through which a primary
air flow is drawn into the base 16 from the external environment.
In this embodiment the base 16 of the pedestal 12 has a height in
the range from 200 to 300 mm, and the motor casing portion 20 has a
diameter in the range from 100 to 200 mm. The base plate 24
preferably has a diameter in the range from 200 to 300 mm.
[0040] The telescopic duct 18 of the pedestal 12 is moveable
between a fully extended configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 1,
and a retracted configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The duct
18 comprises a substantially cylindrical base 32 mounted on the
base 12 of the fan assembly 10, an outer tubular member 34 which is
connected to, and extends upwardly from, the base 32, and an inner
tubular member 36 which is located partially within the outer
tubular member 34. A connector 37 connects the nozzle 14 to the
open upper end of the inner tubular member 36 of the duct 18. The
inner tubular member 36 is slidable relative to, and within, the
outer tubular member 34 between a fully extended position, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, and a retracted position, as illustrated in
FIG. 2. When the inner tubular member 36 is in the fully extended
position, the fan assembly 10 preferably has a height in the range
from 1200 to 1600 mm, whereas when the inner tubular member 36 is
in the retracted position, the fan assembly 10 preferably has a
height in the range from 900 to 1300 mm. To adjust the height of
the fan assembly 10, the user may grasp an exposed portion of the
inner tubular member 36 and slide the inner tubular member 36 in
either an upward or a downward direction as desired so that nozzle
14 is at the desired vertical position. When the inner tubular
member 36 is in its retracted position, the user may grasp the
connector 37 to pull the inner tubular member 36 upwards.
[0041] The nozzle 14 has an annular shape, extending about a
central axis X to define an opening 38. The nozzle 14 comprises a
mouth 40 located towards the rear of the nozzle 14 for emitting the
primary air flow from the fan assembly 10 and through the opening
38. The mouth 40 extends about the opening 38, and is preferably
also annular. The inner periphery of the nozzle 14 comprises a
Coanda surface 42 located adjacent the mouth 40 and over which the
mouth 40 directs the air emitted from the fan assembly 10, a
diffuser surface 44 located downstream of the Coanda surface 42 and
a guide surface 46 located downstream of the diffuser surface 44.
The diffuser surface 44 is arranged to taper away from the central
axis X of the opening 38 in such a way so as to assist the flow of
air emitted from the fan assembly 10. The angle subtended between
the diffuser surface 44 and the central axis X of the opening 38 is
in the range from 5 to 25.degree., and in this example is around
7.degree.. The guide surface 46 is arranged at an angle to the
diffuser surface 44 to further assist the efficient delivery of a
cooling air flow from the fan assembly 10. The guide surface 46 is
preferably arranged substantially parallel to the central axis X of
the opening 38 to present a substantially flat and substantially
smooth face to the air flow emitted from the mouth 40. A visually
appealing tapered surface 48 is located downstream from the guide
surface 46, terminating at a tip surface 50 lying substantially
perpendicular to the central axis X of the opening 38. The angle
subtended between the tapered surface 48 and the central axis X of
the opening 38 is preferably around 45.degree.. In this embodiment,
the nozzle 14 has a height in the range from 400 to 600 mm.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view through the base 16 of
the pedestal 12. The lower casing portion 22 of the base 16 houses
a controller, indicated generally at 52, for controlling the
operation of the fan assembly 10 in response to depression of the
user operable buttons 26 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and/or
manipulation of the user operable dial 28. The lower casing portion
22 may optionally comprise a sensor 54 for receiving control
signals from a remote control (not shown), and for conveying these
control signals to the controller 52. These control signals are
preferably infrared signals. The sensor 54 is located behind a
window 55 through which the control signals enter the lower casing
portion 22 of the base 16. A light emitting diode (not shown) may
be provided for indicating whether the fan assembly 10 is in a
stand-by mode. The lower casing portion 22 also houses a mechanism,
indicated generally at 56, for oscillating the motor casing portion
20 of the base 16 relative to the lower casing portion 22 of the
base 16. The oscillating mechanism 56 comprises a rotatable shaft
56a which extends from the lower casing portion 22 into the motor
casing portion 20. The shaft 56a is supported within a sleeve 56b
connected to the lower casing portion 22 by bearings to allow the
shaft 56a to rotate relative to the sleeve 56b. One end of the
shaft 56a is connected to the central portion of an annular
connecting plate 56c, whereas the outer portion of the connecting
plate 56c is connected to the base of the motor casing portion 20.
This allows the motor casing portion 20 to be rotated relative to
the lower casing portion 22. The oscillating mechanism 56 also
comprises a motor (not shown) located within the lower casing
portion 22 which operates a crank arm mechanism, indicated
generally at 56d, which oscillates the base of the motor casing
portion 20 relative to an upper portion of the lower casing portion
22. Crack arm mechanisms for oscillating one part relative to
another are generally well known, and so will not be described
here. The range of each oscillation cycle of the motor casing
portion 20 relative to the lower casing portion 22 is preferably
between 60.degree. and 120.degree., and in this embodiment is
around 90.degree.. In this embodiment, the oscillating mechanism 56
is arranged to perform around 3 to 5 oscillation cycles per minute.
A mains power cable 58 extends through an aperture formed in the
lower casing portion 22 for supplying electrical power to the fan
assembly 10.
[0043] The motor casing portion 20 comprises a cylindrical grille
60 in which an array of apertures 62 is formed to provide the air
inlets 30 of the base 16 of the pedestal 12. The motor casing
portion 20 houses an impeller 64 for drawing the primary air flow
through the apertures 62 and into the base 16. Preferably, the
impeller 64 is in the form of a mixed flow impeller. The impeller
64 is connected to a rotary shaft 66 extending outwardly from a
motor 68. In this embodiment, the motor 68 is a DC brushless motor
having a speed which is variable by the controller 52 in response
to user manipulation of the dial 28 and/or a signal received from
the remote control. The maximum speed of the motor 68 is preferably
in the range from 5,000 to 10,000 rpm. The motor 68 is housed
within a motor bucket comprising an upper portion 70 connected to a
lower portion 72. The upper portion 70 of the motor bucket
comprises a diffuser 74 in the form of a stationary disc having
spiral blades. The motor bucket is located within, and mounted on,
a generally frusto-conical impeller housing 76 connected to the
motor casing portion 20. The impeller 64 and the impeller housing
76 are shaped so that the impeller 64 is in close proximity to, but
does not contact, the inner surface of the impeller housing 76. A
substantially annular inlet member 78 is connected to the bottom of
the impeller housing 76 for guiding the primary air flow into the
impeller housing 76.
[0044] Preferably, the base 16 of the pedestal 12 further comprises
silencing foam for reducing noise emissions from the base 16. In
this embodiment, the motor casing portion 20 of the base 16
comprises a first annular foam member 80 located beneath the grille
60, and a second annular foam member 82 located between the
impeller housing 76 and the inlet member 78.
[0045] The telescopic duct 18 of the pedestal 12 will now be
described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. The base
32 of the duct 18 comprises a substantially cylindrical side wall
102 and an annular upper surface 104 which is substantially
orthogonal to, and preferably integral with, the side wall 102. The
side wall 102 preferably has substantially the same external
diameter as the motor casing portion 20 of the base 16, and is
shaped so that the external surface of the side wall 102 is
substantially flush with the external surface of the motor casing
portion 20 of the base 16 when the duct 18 is connected to the base
16. The base 32 further comprises a relatively short air pipe 106
extending upwardly from the upper surface 104 for conveying the
primary air flow into the outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18.
The air pipe 106 is preferably substantially co-axial with the side
wall 102, and has an external diameter which is slightly smaller
than the internal diameter of the outer tubular member 34 of the
duct 18 to enable the air pipe 106 to be fully inserted into the
outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18. A plurality of
axially-extending ribs 108 may be located on the outer surface of
the air pipe 106 for forming an interference fit with the outer
tubular member 34 of the duct 18 and thereby secure the outer
tubular member 34 to the base 32. An annular sealing member 110 is
located over the upper end of the air pipe 106 to form an air-tight
seal between the outer tubular member 34 and the air pipe 106.
[0046] The duct 18 comprises a domed air guiding member 114 for
guiding the primary air flow emitted from the diffuser 74 into the
air pipe 106. The air guiding member 114 has an open lower end 116
for receiving the primary air flow from the base 16, and an open
upper end 118 for conveying the primary air flow into the air pipe
106. The air guiding member 114 is housed within the base 32 of the
duct 18. The air guiding member 114 is connected to the base 32 by
means of co-operating snap-fit connectors 120 located on the base
32 and the air guiding member 114. A second annular sealing member
121 is located about the open upper end 118 for forming an
air-tight sealing between the base 32 and the air guiding member
114. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the air guiding member 114 is
connected to the open upper end of the motor casing portion 20 of
the base 16, for example by means of co-operating snap-fit
connectors 123 or screw-threaded connectors located on the air
guiding member 114 and the motor casing portion 20 of the base 16.
Thus, the air guiding member 114 serves to connect the duct 18 to
the base 16 of the pedestal 12.
[0047] A plurality of air guiding vanes 122 are located on the
inner surface of the air guiding member 114 for guiding the
spiraling air flow emitted from the diffuser 74 into the air pipe
106. In this example, the air guiding member 114 comprises seven
air guiding vanes 122 which are evenly spaced about the inner
surface of the air guiding member 114. The air guiding vanes 122
meet at the centre of the open upper end 118 of the air guiding
member 114, and thus define a plurality of air channels 124 within
the air guiding member 114 each for guiding a respective portion of
the primary air flow into the air pipe 106. With particular
reference to FIG. 4, seven radial air guiding vanes 126 are located
within the air pipe 106. Each of these radial air guiding vanes 126
extends along substantially the entire length of the air pipe 126,
and adjoins a respective one of the air guiding vanes 122 when the
air guiding member 114 is connected to the base 32. The radial air
guiding vanes 126 thus define a plurality of axially-extending air
channels 128 within the air pipe 106 which each receive a
respective portion of the primary air flow from a respective one of
the air channels 124 within the air guiding member 114, and which
convey that portion of the primary flow axially through the air
pipe 106 and into the outer tubular member 34 of the duct 18. Thus,
the base 32 and the air guiding member 114 of the duct 18 serve to
convert the spiraling air flow emitted from the diffuser 74 into an
axial air flow which passes through the outer tubular member 34 and
the inner tubular member 36 to the nozzle 14. A third annular
sealing member 129 may be provided for forming an air-tight seal
between the air guiding member 114 and the base 32 of the duct
18.
[0048] A cylindrical upper sleeve 130 is connected, for example
using an adhesive or through an interference fit, to the inner
surface of the upper portion of the outer tubular member 34 so that
the upper end 132 of the upper sleeve 130 is level with the upper
end 134 of the outer tubular member 34. The upper sleeve 130 has an
internal diameter which is slightly greater than the external
diameter of the inner tubular member 36 to allow the inner tubular
member 36 to pass through the upper sleeve 130. A third annular
sealing member 136 is located on the upper sleeve 130 for forming
an air-tight seal with the inner tubular member 36. The third
annular sealing member 136 comprises an annular lip 138 which
engages the upper end 132 of the outer tubular member 34 to form an
air-tight seal between the upper sleeve 130 and the outer tubular
member 34.
[0049] A cylindrical lower sleeve 140 is connected, for example
using an adhesive or through an interference fit, to the outer
surface of the lower portion of the inner tubular member 36 so that
the lower end 142 of the inner tubular member 36 is located between
the upper end 144 and the lower end 146 of the lower sleeve 140.
The upper end 144 of the lower sleeve 140 has substantially the
same external diameter as the lower end 148 of the upper sleeve
130. Thus, in the fully extended position of the inner tubular
member 36 the upper end 144 of the lower sleeve 140 abuts the lower
end 148 of the upper sleeve 130, thereby preventing the inner
tubular member 36 from being withdrawn fully from the outer tubular
member 34. In the retracted position of the inner tubular member
36, the lower end 146 of the lower sleeve 140 abuts the upper end
of the air pipe 106.
[0050] A mainspring 150 is coiled around an axle 152 which is
rotatably supported between inwardly extending arms 154 of the
lower sleeve 140 of the duct 18, as illustrated in FIG. 7. With
reference to FIG. 8, the mainspring 150 comprises a steel strip
which has a free end 156 fixedly located between the external
surface of the upper sleeve 130 and the internal surface of the
outer tubular member 34. Consequently, the mainspring 150 is
unwound from the axle 152 as the inner tubular member 36 is lowered
from the fully extended position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,
to the retracted position, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. The
elastic energy stored within the mainspring 150 acts as a
counter-weight for maintaining a user-selected position of the
inner tubular member 36 relative to the outer tubular member
34.
[0051] Additional resistance to the movement of the inner tubular
member 36 relative to the outer tubular member 34 is provided by a
spring-loaded, arcuate band 158, preferably formed from plastics
material, located within an annular groove 160 extending
circumferentially about the lower sleeve 140. With reference to
FIGS. 7 and 9, the band 158 does not extend fully about the lower
sleeve 140, and so comprises two opposing ends 161. Each end 161 of
the band 158 comprises a radially inner portion 161a which is
received within an aperture 162 formed in the lower sleeve 140. A
compression spring 164 is located between the radially inner
portions 161a of the ends 161 of the band 158 to urge the external
surface of the band 158 against the internal surface of the outer
tubular member 34, thereby increasing the frictional forces which
resist movement of the inner tubular member 36 relative to the
outer tubular member 34.
[0052] The band 158 further comprises a grooved portion 166, which
in this embodiment is located opposite to the compression spring
164, which defines an axially extending groove 167 on the external
surface of the band 158. The groove 167 of the band 158 is located
over a raised rib 168 which extends axially along the length of its
internal surface of the outer tubular member 34. The groove 167 has
substantially the same angular width and radial depth as the raised
rib 168 to inhibit relative rotation between the inner tubular
member 36 and the outer tubular member 34.
[0053] The nozzle 14 of the fan assembly 10 will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. The nozzle 14 comprises an
annular outer casing section 200 connected to and extending about
an annular inner casing section 202. Each of these sections may be
formed from a plurality of connected parts, but in this embodiment
each of the outer casing section 200 and the inner casing section
202 is formed from a respective, single moulded part. The inner
casing section 202 defines the central opening 38 of the nozzle 14,
and has an external peripheral surface 203 which is shaped to
define the Coanda surface 42, diffuser surface 44, guide surface 46
and tapered surface 48.
[0054] The outer casing section 200 and the inner casing section
202 together define an annular interior passage 204 of the nozzle
14. Thus, the interior passage 204 extends about the opening 38.
The interior passage 204 is bounded by the internal peripheral
surface 206 of the outer casing section 200 and the internal
peripheral surface 208 of the inner casing section 202. The base of
the outer casing section 200 comprises an aperture 210.
[0055] The connector 37 which connects the nozzle 14 to the open
upper end 170 of the inner tubular member 36 of the duct 18
comprises a tilting mechanism for tilting the nozzle 12 relative to
the pedestal 14. The tilting mechanism comprises an upper member
which is in the form of a plate 300 which is fixedly located within
the aperture 210. Optionally, the plate 300 may be integral with
the outer casing section 200. The plate 300 comprises a circular
aperture 302 through which the primary air flow enters the interior
passage 204 from the telescopic duct 18. The connector 37 further
comprises a lower member in the form of an air pipe 304 which is at
least partially inserted through the open upper end 170 of the
inner tubular member 36. This air pipe 304 has substantially the
same internal diameter as the circular aperture 302 formed in the
upper plate 300 of the connector 37. If required, an annular
sealing member may be provided for forming an air-tight seal
between the inner surface of the inner tubular member 36 and the
outer surface of the air pipe 304, and inhibits the withdrawal of
the air pipe 304 from the inner tubular member 36. The plate 300 is
pivotably connected to the air pipe 304 using a series of
connectors indicated generally at 306 in FIG. 12 and which are
covered by end caps 308. A flexible hose 310 extends between the
air pipe 304 and the plate 300 for conveying air therebetween. The
flexible hose 310 may be in the form of an annular bellows sealing
element. A first annular sealing member 312 forms an air-tight seal
between the hose 310 and the air pipe 304, and a second annular
sealing member 314 forms an air-tight seal between the hose 310 and
the plate 300. To tilt the nozzle 12 relative to the pedestal 14,
the user simply pulls or pushes the nozzle 12 to cause the hose 310
to bend to allow the plate 300 to move relative to the air pipe
304.
[0056] The force required to move the nozzle 12 depends on the
tightness of the connection between the plate 300 and the air pipe
304, and is preferably in the range from 2 to 4 N. The nozzle 12 is
preferably moveable within a range of .+-.10.degree. from an
untilted position, in which the axis X is substantially horizontal,
to a fully tilted position. As the nozzle 12 is tilted relative to
the pedestal 14, the axis X is swept along a substantially vertical
plane.
[0057] The mouth 40 of the nozzle 14 is located towards the rear of
the nozzle 10. The mouth 40 is defined by overlapping, or facing,
portions 212, 214 of the internal peripheral surface 206 of the
outer casing section 200 and the external peripheral surface 203 of
the inner casing section 202, respectively. In this example, the
mouth 40 is substantially annular and, as illustrated in FIG. 15,
has a substantially U-shaped cross-section when sectioned along a
line passing diametrically through the nozzle 14. In this example,
the overlapping portions 212, 214 of the internal peripheral
surface 206 of the outer casing section 200 and the external
peripheral surface 203 of the inner casing section 202 are shaped
so that the mouth 40 tapers towards an outlet 216 arranged to
direct the primary flow over the Coanda surface 42. The outlet 216
is in the form of an annular slot, preferably having a relatively
constant width in the range from 0.5 to 5 mm. In this example the
outlet 216 has a width in the range from 0.5 to 1.5 mm. Spacers may
be spaced about the mouth 40 for urging apart the overlapping
portions 212, 214 of the internal peripheral surface 206 of the
outer casing section 200 and the external peripheral surface 203 of
the inner casing section 202 to maintain the width of the outlet
216 at the desired level. These spacers may be integral with either
the internal peripheral surface 206 of the outer casing section 200
or the external peripheral surface 203 of the inner casing section
202.
[0058] To operate the fan assembly 10, the user depresses an
appropriate one of the buttons 26 on the base 16 of the pedestal
12, in response to which the controller 52 activates the motor 68
to rotate the impeller 64. The rotation of the impeller 64 causes a
primary air flow to be drawn into the base 16 of the pedestal 12
through the apertures 62 of the grille 60. Depending on the speed
of the motor 68, the primary air flow may be between 20 and 40
litres per second. The primary air flow passes sequentially through
the impeller housing 76 and the diffuser 74. The spiral form of the
blades of the diffuser 74 causes the primary air flow to be
exhausted from the diffuser 74 in the form of spiraling air flow.
The primary air flow enters the air guiding member 114, wherein the
curved air guiding vanes 122 divide the primary air flow into a
plurality of portions, and guide each portion of the primary air
flow into a respective one of the axially-extending air channels
128 within the air pipe 106 of the base 32 of the telescopic duct
18. The portions of the primary air flow merge into an axial air
flow as they are emitted from the air pipe 106. The primary air
flow passes upwards through the outer tubular member 34 and the
inner tubular member 36 of the duct 18, and through the connector
37 to enter the interior passage 86 of the nozzle 14.
[0059] Within the nozzle 14, the primary air flow is divided into
two air streams which pass in opposite directions around the
central opening 38 of the nozzle 14. As the air streams pass
through the interior passage 204, air enters the mouth 40 of the
nozzle 14. The air flow into the mouth 40 is preferably
substantially even about the opening 38 of the nozzle 14. Within
the mouth 40, the flow direction of the air stream is substantially
reversed. The air stream is constricted by the tapering section of
the mouth 40 and emitted through the outlet 216.
[0060] The primary air flow emitted from the mouth 40 is directed
over the Coanda surface 42 of the nozzle 14, causing a secondary
air flow to be generated by the entrainment of air from the
external environment, specifically from the region around the
outlet 216 of the mouth 40 and from around the rear of the nozzle
14. This secondary air flow passes through the central opening 38
of the nozzle 14, where it combines with the primary air flow to
produce a total air flow, or air current, projected forward from
the nozzle 14. Depending on the speed of the motor 68, the mass
flow rate of the air current projected forward from the fan
assembly 10 may be up to 400 litres per second, preferably up to
600 litres per second, and more preferably up to 800 litres per
second, and the maximum speed of the air current may be in the
range from 2.5 to 4.5 m/s.
[0061] The even distribution of the primary air flow along the
mouth 40 of the nozzle 14 ensures that the air flow passes evenly
over the diffuser surface 44. The diffuser surface 44 causes the
mean speed of the air flow to be reduced by moving the air flow
through a region of controlled expansion. The relatively shallow
angle of the diffuser surface 44 to the central axis X of the
opening 38 allows the expansion of the air flow to occur gradually.
A harsh or rapid divergence would otherwise cause the air flow to
become disrupted, generating vortices in the expansion region. Such
vortices can lead to an increase in turbulence and associated noise
in the air flow which can be undesirable, particularly in a
domestic product such as a fan. The air flow projected forwards
beyond the diffuser surface 44 can tend to continue to diverge. The
presence of the guide surface 46 extending substantially parallel
to the central axis X of the opening 38 further converges the air
flow. As a result, the air flow can travel efficiently out from the
nozzle 14, enabling the air flow can be experienced rapidly at a
distance of several metres from the fan assembly 10.
* * * * *