U.S. patent application number 13/125449 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for propeller fan, fluid feeder and molding die.
Invention is credited to Masaki Ohtsuka, Yasukata Takeda.
Application Number | 20110200445 13/125449 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42119061 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110200445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takeda; Yasukata ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
PROPELLER FAN, FLUID FEEDER AND MOLDING DIE
Abstract
In a propeller fan, a plurality of blades for blowing are
coupled together with a space in a rotational direction kept
therebetween, and a coupled region has a form for performing the
blowing according to the rotation thereof. This structure provides
a propeller fan greatly contributing to energy-saving properties
and resource-saving design.
Inventors: |
Takeda; Yasukata; (Osaka,
JP) ; Ohtsuka; Masaki; (Osaka, JP) |
Family ID: |
42119061 |
Appl. No.: |
13/125449 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
November 14, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/070759 |
371 Date: |
April 21, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
416/223R ;
249/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/329 20130101;
F04D 29/054 20130101; F04D 29/263 20130101; F04D 29/388 20130101;
F04D 29/38 20130101; F05D 2240/304 20130101; F04D 29/646 20130101;
F05D 2240/303 20130101; F04D 29/384 20130101; F04D 29/325
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
416/223.R ;
249/204 |
International
Class: |
F01D 5/14 20060101
F01D005/14; B22D 41/14 20060101 B22D041/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 22, 2008 |
JP |
2008-272314 |
Oct 22, 2008 |
JP |
2008-272354 |
Claims
1. A propeller fan, wherein a plurality of blades for blowing are
coupled together with a space kept in a rotational direction
therebetween, and a coupled region has a form for performing the
blowing according to rotation.
2. The propeller fan according to claim 1, wherein said coupled
region has a blade-surface-like form for performing the blowing
according to the rotation.
3. The propeller fan according to claim 1, wherein a member for
performing rotational driving around said coupled region is
integrally arranged.
4. The propeller fan according to claim 1, wherein said plurality
of blades and the coupled region are integrally molded.
5. A propeller fan comprising: a plurality of blades
circumferentially spaced from each other for performing blowing
according to rotation; and a connection portion having a
blade-surface-like surface for performing the blowing according to
the rotation, and connecting base portions of said plurality of
neighboring blades.
6. The propeller fan according to claim 5, wherein said connection
portion extends radially outward from a rotation shaft for driving
and rotating the propeller fan.
7. The propeller fan according to claim 5, wherein said connection
portion forms said blade-surface-like surface.
8. The propeller fan according to claim 5, wherein said plurality
of blades and said connection portion form a blade surface having
an integral and continuously smooth form.
9. The propeller fan according to claim 5, further comprising: a
rotation shaft arranged coaxially to a rotation center of said
blades and protruding from said connection portion toward at least
one of the intake side and the outlet side.
10. The propeller fan according to claim 9, wherein when the
propeller fan is viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a
minimum distance from the rotation axis to an outer periphery of
said connection portion on a line perpendicularly crossing the
rotation axis is longer than a distance from the rotation axis to
the outer periphery of said rotation shaft on said line.
11. The propeller fan according to claim 5, wherein said blade has
a front edge located on a forward side in the rotational direction
and a rear edge located on the opposite side in the rotational
direction, and a base portion of said front edge of a first blade
included among said plurality of blades is connected to a base
portion of said rear edge of a second blade neighboring to said
first blade.
12. The propeller fan according to claim 11, wherein said
connection portion extends from the intake side toward the outlet
side as the position moves from the base portion of said front edge
toward the base portion of said rear edge.
13. The propeller fan according to claim 11, wherein said
connection portion continues to the blade surface of said blade and
extends in a blowing direction from the intake side toward the
outlet side as the position moves from the base portion of said
front edge toward the base portion of said rear edge.
14. The propeller fan according to claim 11, wherein said
connection portion is configured to have a function of blowing air
in the blowing direction of the propeller fan from the intake side
to the outlet side.
15. The propeller fan according to claim 11, wherein said front
edge is provided with a first convex portion protruding toward a
suction surface side of the blade.
16. The propeller fan according to claim 11, wherein a coupling
portion between said rear edge and said connection portion is
provided with a second convex portion protruding oppositely to the
rotational direction of said blade.
17. The propeller fan according to claim 11, wherein a coupling
portion between said rear edge and an outer peripheral portion of
said blade is provided with a third convex portion protruding
oppositely to the rotational direction of said blade.
18. The propeller fan according to claim 11, wherein said rear edge
is provided with a concave portion hollowed in the rotational
direction of said blade.
19. The propeller fan according to claim 18, wherein a length X of
a line between opposite ends of said concave portion or a common
tangential line with respect to unclear opposite ends of said
concave portion is equal to or larger than 0.33 times an outer
diameter of said blades, and a length Y from the line between the
opposite ends of said concave portion or said tangential line to
the deepest position of said concave portion is equal to or smaller
than 0.068 times the outer diameter of said blades.
20. The propeller fan according to claim 5, wherein said plurality
of blades and said connection portion have a thin-thickness form,
and are formed integrally with each other.
21. The propeller fan according to claim 5, wherein said
blade-surface-like surface is formed continuously to the blade
surface of said blade.
22. The propeller fan according to claim 21, wherein a blade
surface of a first blade among said plurality of blades and a blade
surface of a second blade neighboring to said first blade are
formed to continue to each other through said blade-surface-like
surface.
23. The propeller fan according to one claim 21, wherein said
blade-surface-like surface includes a first portion continuing from
a blade surface of a first blade among said plurality of blades,
and a second portion continuing from a blade surface of a second
blade neighboring to said first blade, and said connection portion
further has a surface of a not-blade-surface form formed between
said first and second portions and arranged coaxially to the
rotation center of said blades.
24. The propeller fan according to claim 1, wherein said propeller
fan is formed by twisting a single plate-like member.
25. The propeller fan according to claim 1, wherein said propeller
fan is made of a thin integral member having a curved surface.
26. The propeller fan according to claim 1, wherein said propeller
fan is molded from resin.
27. A fluid feeder comprising the propeller fan according to claim
1.
28. A molding die used for molding the propeller fan according to
claim 1 from resin.
29. The molding die according to claim 28, comprising: a gate for
supplying flowable resin, wherein said blade has a front edge
located on a forward side in the rotational direction and a rear
edge located on the opposite side, and said gate is formed in said
connection portion or said coupled region, and is located in a
position corresponding to a boundary between said front edge of the
first blade among said plurality of blades and said rear edge of
the second blade neighboring to said first blade.
30. The molding die according to claim 28, comprising: a gate for
supplying flowable resin, wherein said blade has a front edge
located on a forward side in the rotational direction, and said
gate is formed in said connection portion continuing to the base
portion of said blade or said coupled region, and is located in a
position corresponding to a vicinity of said front edge.
31. A propeller fan comprising: a plurality of blades
circumferentially spaced from each other for performing blowing
according to rotation; a connection portion having a
blade-surface-like surface for performing the blowing according to
the rotation, and connecting base portions of the plurality of
neighboring blades; a rotation shaft arranged coaxially to a
rotation center of said blades, protruding from the intake side of
said connection portion, and having an end surface parallel to a
plane perpendicular to a direction of a rotation axis of said
blades, a minimum distance from the rotation axis to an outer
periphery of said connection portion on a line perpendicularly
crossing the rotation axis being longer than a distance from the
rotation axis to the outer periphery of said rotation shaft on said
line, when the propeller fan is viewed in the direction of the
rotation axis; and a flat surface portion arranged on the outlet
side of said connection portion, having an outer form larger than
an outer form of said rotation shaft when projected in a direction
of the rotation axis of said blades, and having a flat surface
parallel to said end surface.
32. The propeller fan according to claim 31, further comprising: an
annular protrusion protruding from the outlet side of said
connection portion, and arranged coaxially to a rotation center of
said blades, wherein said annular protrusion has an inner form
larger than the outer form of said rotation shaft when projected in
the direction of the rotation axis of said blades.
33. A propeller fan comprising: a plurality of blades
circumferentially spaced from each other for performing blowing
according to rotation; a connection portion having a
blade-surface-like surface for performing the blowing according to
the rotation, and connecting base portions of the plurality of
neighboring blades; a rotation shaft arranged coaxially to a
rotation center of said blades, and protruding from the intake side
of said connection portion, a minimum distance from the rotation
axis to an outer periphery of said connection portion on a line
perpendicularly crossing the rotation axis being longer than a
distance from the rotation axis to the outer periphery of said
rotation shaft on said line, when the propeller fan is viewed in
the direction of the rotation axis; and an annular protrusion
arranged on the intake side of said connection portion, arranged
radially outside said rotation shaft and protruding to a position
higher than said rotation shaft in the direction of the rotation
axis of said blades.
34. The propeller fan according to claim 31, wherein a blade
surface of a first blade among said plurality of blades continues
to a second blade surface of a second blade neighboring to said
first blade through said blade-surface-like surface.
35. The propeller fan according to claim 31, wherein said propeller
fan is molded from resin.
36. A fluid feeder comprising the propeller fan according to claim
31.
37. A molding die used for molding the propeller fan according to
claim 31 from resin.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a propeller fan, a fluid
feeder and a molding die, and particularly to a propeller fan for
an air blower, a molding die for molding the propeller fan from
resin and a fluid feeder provided with the propeller fan such as an
outdoor unit of an air conditioner, an air purifier, a humidifier,
a fan heater, a cooling device and a ventilating device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In connection with conventional propeller fans, for example,
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 3-88999 has disclosed an axial fan
aimed at increasing a lifting power of propeller blades and also
increasing a strength thereof by supplying, in a separated fashion,
positive and negative pressures to positive and suction surfaces of
each propeller blade, respectively (Patent Document 1). The axial
fan disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of propeller
blades that are formed on an outer periphery of a hub and extend
radially outward from an axis of the hub.
[0003] Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-314399 has disclosed a
propeller fan aimed at eliminating necessity of after-treatment on
a boss having a rotation axis aperture, and improving gate
processing (Patent Document 2). The propeller fan disclosed in
Patent Document 2 has the hub of a cylindrical or a
circular-conical form as well as blades formed integrally with the
hub.
[0004] Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 6-74196 has disclosed a
propeller fan aimed at providing a form of a hub that improves air
flowing, exhibiting a good performance in connection with
improvement of forms of blades and a head, a rib and a boss of the
hub, allowing an easy manufacturing operation, improving a stacking
property and an improved strength, and exhibiting a good
transporting property (Patent Document 3). The propeller fan
disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a boss arranged at a center of
rotation. The boss has an outer surface formed of a large round
head and a cylindrical portion. In a manufacturing process of the
propeller fan, the round head serves as a guide so that the
manufactured propeller fans can be successively and deeply stacked
on each other.
[0005] Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-133392 has disclosed an
axial blade wheel that is aimed at achieving an inexpensive and
efficient packing without impeding any blowing performance (Patent
Document 4). In the axial blade wheel disclosed in Patent Document
4, a radius of a hub on an intake side is partially reduced, and
each end of the hub has a round from. [0006] Patent Document 1:
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 3-88999 [0007] Patent Document 2:
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-314399 [0008] Patent Document
3: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 6-74196 [0009] Patent Document
4: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-133392
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0010] Conventionally, propeller fans have been used in air blowers
and refrigeration machines. For example, an outdoor unit of an air
conditioner is provided with a propeller fan for blowing air on a
heat exchanger. The propeller fan has such characteristics that the
blowing capacity near a center of the fan where a peripheral speed
is low is smaller than that on a radially outer side of the fan.
Due to such characteristics, when a resistance object causing a
large pressure loss such as a heat exchanger is arranged in an air
flow passage, the air flows forward on the radially outer side of
the fan, but a reverse flow occurs near the center of the fan. This
results in a problem that pressure-flow rate characteristics (i.e.,
characteristics relating to a pressure and a flow rate) of the fan
deteriorate in a high static-pressure range.
[0011] Also, as disclosed in the foregoing patent documents, such a
structure of the propeller fan has been known that a large boss hub
is arranged at the center of rotation, and the plurality of blades
extend from the outer periphery of the boss hub. In these propeller
fans, since the large boss hub closes a reverse flow region near
the center of the fan, it is possible to prevent reverse flow and
to suppress deterioration of the pressure-flow rate characteristics
of the fan near a high static-pressure range. Usually, the blade
has an attack angle. Therefore, base portions of the blades exhibit
a twisted positional relationship if the base portions of the
blades extend as there are. However, the provision of the large
boss hub facilitates the integral formation of the plurality of
blades that perform the air blowing.
[0012] However, the above propeller fan with the large boss hub
suffers from a plurality of problems described below.
[0013] A first problem is as follows. It is possible to suppress
the deterioration of the pressure-flow rate characteristics in the
high static-pressure range to a certain extent. However, the
rotation center portion cannot be sufficiently and effectively
utilized in a range of a low pressure and a large air flow rate,
resulting in a problem that a blowing efficiency is low. A second
problem is as follows. The provision of the large boss hub
increases a mass of the propeller fan, and therefore increases the
load on a drive motor, resulting in a problem of increased power
consumption. A third problem is increase in material cost and
therefore increase in manufacturing cost. These three problems
result in remarkable disadvantages in energy-saving properties and
resource-saving design in view of recent consideration of global
environment.
[0014] As disclosed in above Patent Documents 3 and 4, the
propeller fan requires the structure that allows stable stacking of
the plurality of propeller fans in the direction of its rotation
axis when the manufactured propeller fans are to be stored or
transported.
[0015] Accordingly, an object of the invention is to overcome the
above problems, and particularly to provide a propeller fan greatly
contributing to energy-saving properties and resource-saving
design. Another object of the invention is to overcome the above
problems, and particularly to provide a propeller fan that greatly
contributes to energy-saving properties and resource-saving design,
and allows stacking for storing, transporting and the like.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0016] A propeller fan according to the invention is a propeller
fan in which a plurality of blades for blowing are coupled together
with a space kept in a rotational direction therebetween, and a
coupled region has a form for performing the blowing according to
rotation.
[0017] According to the propeller fan thus configured, since the
region where the plurality of blades are coupled together has the
form for performing the blowing (i.e., creating an air flow), the
blowing in a forward direction can be performed even near a
rotation center of the blades so that a blowing capacity can be
improved. This can implement the propeller fan greatly contributing
to energy-saving properties and resource-saving design.
[0018] Preferably, the coupled region has a blade-surface-like form
for performing the blowing according to the rotation. According to
the propeller fan thus configured, the region coupling the
plurality of blades and having the blade-surface-like form can
contribute to the blowing.
[0019] Preferably, the propeller fan is integrally provided with a
member for performing rotational driving around the coupled region.
This configuration can simplify the structure of the propeller
fan.
[0020] Preferably, the plurality of blades and the coupled region
are integrally molded to form the propeller fan. This configuration
can simplify the structure of the propeller fan.
[0021] A propeller fan according to another aspect of the invention
includes a plurality of blades circumferentially spaced from each
other for performing blowing according to rotation; and a
connection portion having a blade-surface-like surface for
performing the blowing according to the rotation, and connecting
base portions of the plurality of neighboring blades.
[0022] According to the propeller fan thus configured, since the
blade-surface-like surface formed on the connection portion
contributes to the blowing, the blowing in a forward direction can
be performed even near a rotation center of the blades so that a
blowing capacity can be improved. This can implement the propeller
fan greatly contributing to energy-saving properties and
resource-saving design.
[0023] Preferably, the connection portion extends radially outward
from a rotation shaft for driving and rotating the propeller
fan.
[0024] In the propeller fan thus configured, it is possible to
increase an area of the blade surfaces contributing to the blowing,
to reduce a size of the rotation shaft and to reduce a mass of the
propeller fan. Thereby, it is possible to reduce a power required
for driving the propeller fan, and the structure can greatly
contribute to energy-saving properties and resource-saving
design.
[0025] Preferably, the connection portion forms the
blade-surface-like surface. The propeller fan thus configured
effectively uses the blade-surface-like surface formed on the
connection portion, and thereby can improve the blowing
capacity.
[0026] Preferably, the plurality of blades and the connection
portion form a blade surface having an integral and continuously
smooth form. According to the propeller fan thus configured, the
blades and the connection portion form the blade surface having an
integral and continuously smooth form, and this blade surface
contributes to the blowing so that the blowing capacity can be
significantly improved.
[0027] Preferably, the propeller fan further includes a rotation
shaft arranged coaxially to a rotation center of the blades and
protruding from the connection portion toward at least one of the
intake side and the outlet side. Preferably, when the propeller fan
is viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a minimum distance
from the rotation axis to an outer periphery of the connection
portion on a line perpendicularly crossing the rotation axis is
longer than a distance from the rotation axis to the outer
periphery of the rotation shaft on the line. According to the
propeller fan thus configured, it is possible to increase an area
of the blade surfaces contributing to the blowing, to reduce a size
of the rotation shaft and to reduce a mass of the propeller fan.
Thereby, it is possible to reduce a power required for driving the
propeller fan, and the structure can greatly contribute to
energy-saving properties and resource-saving design.
[0028] Preferably, the blade has a front edge located on a forward
side in the rotational direction and a rear edge located on the
opposite side in the rotational direction. A base portion of the
front edge of a first blade included among the plurality of blades
is connected to a base portion of the rear edge of a second blade
neighboring to the first blade. Preferably, the connection portion
extends from the intake side toward the outlet side as the position
moves from the base portion of the front edge toward the base
portion of the rear edge. Preferably, the connection portion
continues to the blade surface of the blade and extends in a
blowing direction from the intake side toward the outlet side as
the position moves from the base portion of the front edge toward
the base portion of the rear edge. Preferably, the connection
portion is configured to have a function of blowing air in the
blowing direction of the propeller fan from the intake side to the
outlet side.
[0029] According to the propeller fan thus configured, the
connection portion connects the base portions of the plurality of
neighboring blades together, and such a fan form is implemented
that the blade-surface-like surface formed on the connection
portion can contribute to the blowing.
[0030] Preferably, the front edge is provided with a first convex
portion protruding toward a suction surface side of the blade.
According to the propeller fan thus configured, the front edge is
provided with the first convex portion protruding toward the
suction surface side of the blade, the first convex portion forms a
vortex, which flows on the blade surface along a flow line to
prevent separation of the flow on the blade surface. Therefore, the
performance and efficiency of the propeller fan can be improved,
and noises due to the separation can be reduced, resulting in
reduction of the fan noises.
[0031] Preferably, a coupling portion between the rear edge and the
connection portion is provided with a second convex portion
protruding oppositely to the rotational direction of the blade.
According to the propeller fan thus configured, the portion
provided with the second convex portion increases a chord length so
that the blowing can be performed by a larger force.
[0032] Preferably, a coupling portion between the rear edge and an
outer peripheral portion of the blade is provided with a third
convex portion protruding oppositely to the rotational direction of
the blade. According to the propeller fan thus configured, the
portion provided with the third convex portion increases a chord
length so that the blowing can be performed by a larger force.
[0033] Preferably, the rear edge is provided with a concave portion
hollowed in the rotational direction of the blade. According to the
propeller fan thus configured, the provision of the concave portion
reduces an area of the blade to reduce efficiently a drag. Since
the area of the blade decreases, the air flow rate decreases when
the rotation speed is constant, but the drag efficiently decreases
so that the power consumption can be reduced when the air flow rate
is constant.
[0034] Preferably, a length X of a line between opposite ends of
the concave portion or a common tangential line with respect to
unclear opposite ends of the concave portion is equal to or larger
than 0.33 times an outer diameter of the blades. A length Y from
the line between the opposite ends of the concave portion or the
above tangential line to the deepest position of the concave
portion is equal to or smaller than 0.068 times the outer diameter
of the blades. According to the propeller fan thus configured,
owing to the setting in which the length Y from the line between
the opposite ends of the concave portion or the above tangential
line to the deepest position of the concave portion is equal to or
smaller than 0.068 times the outer diameter of the blades, it is
possible to suppress more effectively the rate of decrease in air
flow rate when the rotation speed is constant. Also, owing to the
setting that the length X of a line between opposite ends of the
concave portion or the above tangential line is equal to or larger
than 0.33 times the outer diameter of the blades, it is possible to
increase more effectively the rate of decrease in power consumption
at the constant air flow rate.
[0035] Preferably, the plurality of blades and the connection
portion have a thin-thickness form, and are formed integrally with
each other. According to the propeller fan thus configured, the
mass of the propeller fan can be reduced, and rigidity thereof can
be improved.
[0036] Preferably, the blade-surface-like surface is formed
continuously to the blade surface of the blade. According to the
propeller fan thus configured, the blade surface of the blade and
the blade-surface-like surface of the connection portion are
integrated to contribute to the blowing so that the blowing
capacity can be significantly improved.
[0037] Preferably, a blade surface of a first blade among the
plurality of blades and a blade surface of a second blade
neighboring to the first blade are formed to continue to each other
through the blade-surface-like surface. According to the propeller
fan thus configured, the blowing capacity can be further improved
significantly.
[0038] Preferably, the blade-surface-like surface includes a first
portion continuing from a blade surface of a first blade among the
plurality of blades, and a second portion continuing from a blade
surface of a second blade neighboring to the first blade. The
connection portion further has a surface of a not-blade-surface
form formed between the first and second portions and arranged
coaxially to the rotation center of the blades. According to the
propeller fan thus configured, even when the connection portion
partially has the surface of the not-blade-surface form, the
blade-surface-like surface formed on the connection portion can
improve the blowing capacity.
[0039] Preferably, the propeller fan is formed by twisting a single
plate-like member. According to the propeller fan thus configured,
the propeller fan according to the invention can be obtained by
effecting twisting work on a metal plate for example.
[0040] Preferably, the propeller fan is made of a thin integral
member having a curved surface. Since the propeller fan thus
configured is made of the thin integral member having the curved
surface, the propeller fan according to the invention can be simply
formed.
[0041] Preferably, the propeller fan is molded from resin.
According to the propeller fan thus configured, it is possible to
implement the propeller fan having a small weight and a high
rigidity.
[0042] A fluid feeder according to the invention includes one of
the propeller fans described above. According to the fluid feeder
thus configured, it is possible to implement the fluid feeder that
greatly contributes to the energy-saving properties and the
resource-saving design.
[0043] A molding die according to the invention is used for molding
one of the propeller fans described above. According to the molding
die thus configured, it is possible to manufacture the propeller
fan having a small weight and a high rigidity.
[0044] Preferably, the molding die includes a gate for supplying
flowable resin. The blade has a front edge located on a forward
side in the rotational direction and a rear edge located on the
opposite side. The gate is formed in the connection portion or the
coupled region, and is located in a position corresponding to a
boundary between the front edge of the first blade among the
plurality of blades and the rear edge of the second blade
neighboring to the first blade. According to the molding die thus
configured, occurrence of a weld line in the connection portion or
the coupled region can be suppressed in a boundary position between
the front edge of the first blade and the rear edge of the second
blade. Thereby, lowering of the breaking rigidity of the propeller
fan can be prevented.
[0045] Preferably, the molding die includes a gate for supplying
flowable resin. The blade has a front edge located on a forward
side in the rotational direction. The gate is formed in the
connection portion continuing to the base portion of the blade or
the coupled region, and is located in a position corresponding to a
vicinity of the front edge. According to the molding die thus
configured, it is possible to suppress occurrence of a weld line in
the front edge portion of the coupled region or the connection
portion continuing to the base portion of the blade. Thereby, it is
possible to prevent lowering of the breaking rigidity of the
propeller fan.
[0046] A propeller fan according to still another aspect of the
invention includes a plurality of blades circumferentially spaced
from each other for performing blowing according to rotation; a
connection portion having a blade-surface-like surface for
performing the blowing according to the rotation, and connecting
base portions of the plurality of neighboring blades; and a
rotation shaft arranged coaxially to a rotation center of the
blades, protruding from the intake side of the connection portion,
and having an end surface parallel to a plane perpendicular to a
direction of a rotation axis of the blades. When the propeller fan
is viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a minimum distance
from the rotation axis to an outer periphery of the connection
portion on a line perpendicularly crossing the rotation axis is
longer than a distance from the rotation axis to the outer
periphery of the rotation shaft on the above line. The propeller
fan further includes a flat surface portion arranged on the outlet
side of the connection portion, having an outer form larger than an
outer form of the rotation shaft when projected (i.e.,
image-projected) in a direction of the rotation axis of the blades,
and having a flat surface parallel to the end surface.
[0047] According to the propeller fan thus configured, the
blade-surface-like surface formed on the connection portion
contributes to the blowing so that the propeller fan can blow the
air in the forward direction even near the rotation center of the
blades. This reduces the power required for driving the propeller
fan. Consequently, it is possible to achieve the propeller fan
greatly contributing to the energy-saving properties and the
resource-saving design.
[0048] Since the propeller fan has the flat surface portion having
a larger outer form than the rotation axis and having a flat
surface parallel to the end surface, the plurality of propeller
fans can be stacked such that the end surface of the rotation shaft
is in close contact with the flat surface of the flat surface
portion. This allows stable stacking of the plurality of propeller
fans in a simple manner for storing or transporting the propeller
fans.
[0049] Preferably, the propeller fan further includes an annular
protrusion protruding from the outlet side of the connection
portion, and arranged coaxially to a rotation center of the blades.
The annular protrusion has an inner form larger than the outer form
of the rotation shaft when projected in the direction of the
rotation axis of the blades. According to the propeller fan thus
configured, when the upper and lower propeller fans are stacked,
the annular protrusion is engaged with the rotation shaft. This
engagement restricts the horizontal shifting of the positions so
that the plurality of propeller fans can be stacked more
stably.
[0050] The propeller fan according to further another aspect of the
invention includes a plurality of blades circumferentially spaced
from each other for performing blowing according to rotation; a
connection portion having a blade-surface-like surface for
performing the blowing according to the rotation, and connecting
base portions of the plurality of neighboring blades; and a
rotation shaft arranged coaxially to a rotation center of the
blades, and protruding from the intake side of the connection
portion. When the propeller fan is viewed in a direction of a
rotation axis, a minimum distance from the rotation axis to an
outer periphery of the connection portion on a line perpendicularly
crossing the rotation axis being longer than a distance from the
rotation axis to the outer periphery of the rotation shaft on the
line. The propeller fan further includes an annular protrusion
arranged on the intake side of the connection portion, arranged
radially outside the rotation shaft and protruding to a position
higher than the rotation shaft in the direction of the rotation
axis of the blades.
[0051] According to the propeller fan thus configured, the
blade-surface-like surface formed on the connection portion
contributes to the blowing so that the propeller fan can blow the
air in the forward direction even near the rotation center of the
blades. This increases the area of the blade surface contributing
to the blowing and reduces the size of the rotation shaft so that
the mass of the propeller fan can be small. This reduces the power
required for driving the propeller fan. Consequently, it is
possible to achieve the propeller fan greatly contributing to the
energy-saving properties and the resource-saving design. Further,
the plurality of propeller fans can be stacked together through the
annular protrusions. This allows stable stacking of the plurality
of propeller fans in a simple manner for storing or transporting
the propeller fans.
[0052] Preferably, a blade surface of a first blade among the
plurality of blades continues to a second blade surface of a second
blade neighboring to the first blade through the blade-surface-like
surface. According to the propeller fan thus configured, the blade
surface of the blade and the blade-surface-like surface of the
connection portion are integrated to contribute to the blowing, and
therefore can significantly improve the blowing capacity.
[0053] Preferably, the propeller fan is molded from resin. The
propeller fan thus configured can have a small weight and a high
rigidity.
[0054] A fluid feeder according to another aspect of the invention
includes one of the propeller fans described above. Since the fluid
feeder fan thus configured has the propeller fan according to the
invention, it is possible to achieve the fluid feeder greatly
contributing to the energy-saving properties and the
resource-saving design.
[0055] A molding die according to another aspect of the invention
is used for molding one of the propeller fans described above from
resin. This molding die thus configured can produce the propeller
fan made of resin and having a small weight and a high
rigidity.
Effects of the Invention
[0056] As described above, the invention can provide the propeller
fan greatly contributing to the energy-saving properties and the
resource-saving design. Also, the invention can provide the
propeller fan that greatly contributes to the energy-saving
properties and the resource-saving design, and allows stacking for
the storing or transporting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a propeller fan according to a
first embodiment of the invention.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a
direction (from an intake side) of an arrow II in FIG. 1.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a
direction (from an outlet side) of an arrow III in FIG. 1.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the propeller fan in FIG. 1
viewed from the intake side.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a plan showing an example of a propeller fan in
FIG. 1.
[0062] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a sectional form of the
propeller fan in FIG. 5 taken in a position of 295 mm in
diameter.
[0063] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sectional form of the
propeller fan in FIG. 5 taken in a position of 130 mm in
diameter.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a sectional form of the
propeller fan in FIG. 5 taken in a position of 95 mm in
diameter.
[0065] FIG. 9 is a plan showing a propeller fan for comparison.
[0066] FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between a rotation
speed and an air flow rate of the propeller fan according to the
embodiment.
[0067] FIG. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between the air
flow rate and power consumption of a drive motor according to the
embodiment.
[0068] FIG. 12 shows pressure-flow rate characteristics of the
propeller fan according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and the
propeller fan for the comparison in FIG. 9.
[0069] FIG. 13 illustrates a mechanism of the propeller fan
according to the embodiment.
[0070] FIG. 14 is another view for illustrating a mechanism of the
propeller fan according to the embodiment.
[0071] FIG. 15 is further another view for illustrating the
mechanism of the propeller fan according to the embodiment.
[0072] FIG. 16 is a plan showing a propeller fan according to a
second embodiment of the invention.
[0073] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the propeller fan in FIG.
16 viewed from the intake side.
[0074] FIG. 18 is a cross section showing the propeller fan taken
along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17.
[0075] FIG. 19 is a plan showing a central portion of the propeller
fan viewed in a direction of an arrow XIX in FIG. 18.
[0076] FIG. 20 is a cross section showing a stacked state of the
plurality of propeller fans in FIG. 18.
[0077] FIG. 21 is a cross section showing a first modification of
the structure for stacking a plurality of propeller fans.
[0078] FIG. 22 is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a
direction of an arrow XXII in FIG. 21.
[0079] FIG. 23 is a cross section showing the stacked state of the
plurality of propeller fans in FIG. 21.
[0080] FIG. 24 is a cross section showing a second modification of
the structure for stacking the plurality of propeller fans.
[0081] FIG. 25 is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a
direction of an arrow XXV in FIG. 24.
[0082] FIG. 26 is a cross section showing the stacked state of the
plurality of propeller fans in FIG. 24.
[0083] FIG. 27 is a side view showing a propeller fan according to
a fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0084] FIG. 28 is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a
direction (from the intake side) of an arrow XXVIII in FIG. 27.
[0085] FIG. 29 is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a
direction (from the outlet side) of an arrow XXIX in FIG. 27.
[0086] FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the propeller fan in
FIG. 27 viewed from the intake side.
[0087] FIG. 31 is a side view showing a propeller fan of a fifth
embodiment of the invention.
[0088] FIG. 32 is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a
direction of an arrow XXXII in FIG. 31.
[0089] FIG. 33 is a plan showing a modification of the propeller
fan in FIGS. 31 and 32.
[0090] FIG. 34 is a plan showing a propeller fan according to a
sixth embodiment of the invention.
[0091] FIG. 35 is a graph showing a relationship between a rotation
speed and an air flow rate of the propeller fan according to the
sixth embodiment of the invention.
[0092] FIG. 36 is a graph showing a relationship between the air
flow rate of the propeller fan and a power consumption of a drive
motor according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.
[0093] FIG. 37 illustrates, for comparison, the air flow rates
exhibited corresponding to the same rotation speed.
[0094] FIG. 38 illustrates, for comparison, the power consumptions
of the drive motors exhibited corresponding to the same air flow
rate.
[0095] FIG. 39 is a graph illustrating, for comparison, the power
consumption of the drive motor exhibited when X/D changes while Y/D
is constant (=0.068) and the air flow rate is constant.
[0096] FIG. 40 is a graph illustrating, for comparison, an air flow
rate exhibited when Y/D changes while X/D is constant (=0.33) and
the rotation speed is constant.
[0097] FIG. 41 is a plan showing a modification of the propeller
fan in FIG. 34.
[0098] FIG. 42 is a plan showing a propeller fan according to a
seventh embodiment of the invention.
[0099] FIG. 43 is a cross section showing molding dies used for
producing the propeller fan in FIG. 1.
[0100] FIG. 44 is a plan showing an example of positions where
gates are located in the molding die for producing a propeller fan
with two blades according to the embodiment.
[0101] FIG. 45 is a plan showing an example of the positions where
the gates are located in the molding die for producing a propeller
fan with three blades according to the embodiment.
[0102] FIG. 46 shows an example for comparison of a propeller fan
having a gate located in a position other than those shown in FIG.
44.
[0103] FIG. 47 shows an example for comparison of a propeller fan
having gates located in positions other than those shown in FIG.
45.
[0104] FIG. 48 is a plan showing another example of the positions
where the gates are located in the molding die for producing the
two-blade propeller fan according to the embodiment.
[0105] FIG. 49 is a plan showing another example of the positions
where the gates are located in the molding die for producing the
three-blade propeller fan according to the embodiment.
[0106] FIG. 50 shows, as an example for comparison, a propeller fan
provided with gates in positions other than those shown in FIG.
48.
[0107] FIG. 51 shows, as an example for comparison, a propeller fan
provided with gates in positions other than those shown in FIG.
49.
[0108] FIG. 52 shows an outdoor unit of an air conditioner with the
propeller fan in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SIGNS
[0109] 10, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 56 and 57 propeller fan, 21, 21A,
21B and 21C blades, 21b front edge, 21c rear edge, 22 concave
portion, 26, 36, 36M and 36N blade surface, 31 connection portion,
37 surface, 41 boss hub, 42 end surface, 43 flat surface portion,
44 flat surface, 45 and 46 protrusion, 58, 59 and 60 convex
portion, 61 molding die, 66 gate, 75 outdoor unit, 101 center
axis
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0110] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same
or corresponding members bear the same reference numbers.
First Embodiment
[0111] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a propeller fan according to a
first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a plan showing the
propeller fan viewed in a direction (from an intake side) of an
arrow II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan showing the propeller fan
viewed in a direction (from an outlet side) of an arrow III in FIG.
1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the propeller fan in FIG. 1
viewed from the intake side.
[0112] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a basic structure of a propeller
fan 10 according to the embodiment is described below. Propeller
fan 10 has a plurality of blades 21A and 21B that are
circumferentially spaced from each other for performing air blowing
according to rotation, and also has a connection portion 31 that
has a blade surface 36 as a surface of a blade-surface-like form
for performing the blowing, and is located between the plurality of
blades 21A and 21B neighboring to each other for connecting base
portions of blades 21A and 21B together.
[0113] Propeller fan 10 rotates around a center axis 101 that is an
imaginary axis, and blows the air from an intake side to an outlet
side in FIG. 1. In the figure, when propeller fan 10 is viewed in
the direction of center axis 101 and imaginary circle 102 is drawn
to separate blades 21A and 21B from each other in the
circumferential direction around center axis 101, connection
portion 31 is defined inside imaginary circle 102, and blades 21A
and 21B are defined outside imaginary circle 102.
[0114] The basic structure of propeller fan 10 can be also
described or expressed as follows. Propeller fan 10 has a form in
which the plurality of blades 21A and 21B for the blowing are
spaced from each other in the rotational direction and are coupled
together, and the region of such coupling has a form that perform
the blowing according to the rotation.
[0115] Then, a structure of propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment will be described below. Propeller fan 10 is prepared by
integral molding of synchronous resin such as glass-fiber-filled AS
(Acrylonitrile-Styrene) or the like.
[0116] Propeller fan 10 is of a two-blade type, and has blades 21A
and 21B, which may be collectively referred to as "blades 21"
hereinafter.
[0117] Blades 21A and 21B are equally spaced from each other in the
circumferential direction of the rotation axis of propeller fan 10,
i.e., center axis 101. Blades 21A and 21B have the same forms,
which can match each other when one of them rotates around center
axis 101 toward the other.
[0118] Blade 21 has a front edge 21b located on a forward side in
the rotational direction of propeller fan 10, a rear edge 21c
located on the opposite side in the rotational direction, an outer
edge 21a located on the radially outermost side with respect to
center axis 101, a leading blade edge 21d smoothly connecting front
edge 21b and outer edge 21a together, and a trailing blade edge 21e
smoothly connecting rear edge 21c and outer edge 21a together.
Leading blade edge 21d has a crescent- or scythe-like sharp
form.
[0119] Blade 21 has a blade surface 26 that performs the blowing
according to the rotation of propeller fan 10 (i.e., blowing the
air from the intake side to the outlet side).
[0120] Blade surface 26 is formed on each of the sides facing to
the inlet side and the outlet side, respectively. Blade surface 26
is formed in a region surrounded by front edge 21b, leading blade
edge 21d, outer edge 21a, trailing blade edge 21e and rear edge
21c. Blade surface 26 is formed throughout the area of the region
surrounded by front edge 21b, leading blade edge 21d, outer edge
21a, trailing blade edge 21e and rear edge 21c. Each of blade
surfaces 26 of blades 21A and 21B is formed of a curved surface
that inclines to move from the intake side toward the outlet side
as the position moves in the circumferential direction from front
edge 21b toward rear edge 21c.
[0121] Blades 21A and 21B are coupled together by connection
portion 31 arranged round center axis 101.
[0122] Connection portion 31 has blade surfaces 36 on the sides
facing to the intake side and the outlet side, respectively, and
has a blade-like form. Blade surface 36 is formed continuously to
each of blade surfaces 26 of blades 21A and 21B. Blade surfaces 26
of blades 21A and 21B is formed continuously to each other through
blade surface 36. In this embodiment, front edge 21b of blade 21A
is opposed to rear edge 21c of blade 21B in the direction of a line
passing through blades 21A and 21B, and front edge 21b of blade 21B
and rear edge 21c of blade 21A are opposed to each other in the
same direction. Therefore, the direction of inclination of the
blade surface of blade 21A and the direction of inclination of the
blade surface of blade 21B exhibit such a positional relationship
that these directions are twisted with respect to each other with
center axis 101 located therebetween. The inclination of the blade
surface decreases as the position moves from blade surface 26 of
each of blades 21A and 21B to blade surface 36 of connection
portion 31, and blade surface 36 of blade 21A is smoothly connected
to blade surface 36 of blade 21B on a line passing through center
axis 101. Thus, blades 21A and 21B as well as connection portion 31
form blade surfaces 26 and blade surface 36, respectively, which
extend continuously to each other in a tangential fashion.
[0123] In propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment, the region
coupling blades 21A and 21B together has a form that performs the
blowing according to the rotation The region coupling blades 21A
and 21B together has a blade-surface-like form for blowing the air
according to the rotation.
[0124] The base portions of front and rear edges 21b and 21c of
respective blades 21A and 21B are connected together, and the base
portions of front and rear edges 21b and 21c of respective blades
21B and 21A are connected together. Connection portion 31 has such
a form that the position changes from the intake side toward the
outlet side as the position moves from the base portion of front
edge 21b of blade 21A toward the base portion of rear edge 21c of
blade 21B, and such that the position moves from the intake side
toward the outlet side as the position moves from the base portion
of front edge 21b of blade 21B toward the base portion of rear edge
21c of blade 21A.
[0125] Connection portion 31 has such a form that the position
changes from the portion continuing to blade surface 26 of blade 21
extends from the intake side, in the blowing direction, to the
outlet side as the position moves from the base portion of front
edge 21b of blade 21A toward the base portion of rear edge 21c of
blade 21B, and the portion continuing to blade surface 26 of blade
21 extends from the intake side, in the blowing direction, toward
the outlet side as the position moves from the base portion of
front edge 21b of blade 21B toward the base portion of rear edge
21c of blade 21A. Connection portion 31 is configured to have a
function of supplying the air flow from the intake side, in the
blowing direction, of propeller fan 10 toward the outlet side.
[0126] Blades 21A and 21B as well as connection portion 31 have
thin forms, respectively, and are integral with each other. Thus,
propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment has the two blades,
each of which has an integral form as a whole and extends radially
outward from the center of center axis 101, and blades 21A and 21B
are integrally formed with connection portion 31 therebetween.
Propeller fan 10 has an integral form including blades 21A and 21B
as well as the region coupling blades 21A and 21B together.
[0127] Propeller fan 10 has a boss hub 41 as a rotation shaft. Boss
hub 41 connects propeller fan 10 to a drive source, i.e., an output
shaft of an electric motor (not shown). Boss hub 41 has a circular
cylindrical form, and is connected at a position overlapping center
axis 101 to connection portion 31. Boss hub 41 extends in a
direction of center axis 101 from blade surface 36 on the intake
side. In propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment, boss hub 41
that is a member for rotationally driving blades 21A and 21B is
formed integrally with them and is located coaxially to the region
coupling blades 21A and 21B together.
[0128] The form of boss hub 41 is not restricted to the cylindrical
form, and can be appropriately changed according to the structure
connected to the output shaft of the motor. Boss hub 41 may extend
from blade surface 36 on the outlet side, and also may extend from
blade surfaces 36 on the intake and outlet sides.
[0129] Connection portion 31 has a form extending radially outward
from an outer peripheral surface of boss hub 41. In other words,
when viewed in the direction of center axis 101 of propeller fan
10, connection portion 31 is formed such that a minimum distance L1
from center axis 101 to the outer edge of connection portion 31 on
an imaginary line Z perpendicularly crossing center axis 101 is
larger than a distance L2 from center axis 101 to the outer edge of
boss hub 41 on imaginary line Z (see FIG. 2).
[0130] In an example of the preferable form of propeller fan 10, a
section of propeller fan 10 taken along imaginary plane that
contains center axis 101 and imaginary line Z in FIG. 2 has a
substantially elliptical form, and a ratio of b/a is equal to 0.078
where "a" and "b" indicates a length in a circumferential direction
(long axis) and a length in the axial direction (short axis),
respectively.
[0131] When the resin molding is performed so that the ratio b/a
between a and b falls within a range from 0.03 to 0.15, it is
possible to provide the propeller fan that does not impair the
molding property and the blowing performance, and does not have a
problem in strength.
[0132] When the ratio b/a is smaller than 0.03, connection portion
31 has an excessively small resin thickness, resulting in a problem
in strength. Further preferably, the ratio b/a is set to or above
0.046.
[0133] When the ratio b/a is larger than 0.150, connection portion
31 has an excessively large thickness so that a problem such as
molding sink occurs in molding property, and the propeller fan has
an excessively large mass, which impairs the blowing performance.
Further preferably, the ratio b/a is set to or below 0.089
[0134] FIG. 5 is a plan showing an example of the propeller fan in
FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 5, propeller fan 10 has an outer diameter
of 460 mm when viewed in the direction of center axis 101.
[0135] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a sectional form of the
propeller fan in FIG. 5 taken in a position of 295 mm in diameter.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a sectional form of the
propeller fan in FIG. 5 taken in a position of 130 mm in diameter.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a sectional form of the
propeller fan in FIG. 5 taken in a position of 95 mm in diameter.
FIG. 6 shows a section of blade 21, FIG. 7 shows a section of a
boundary portion between blade 21 and connection portion 31, and
FIG. 8 shows a section of connection portion 31.
[0136] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, blade 21 has the blade-like
form, and the section thereof in the circumferential direction
extending between front and rear edges 21b and 21c has the
thickness that decreases as the position moves from a position near
the center of the blade toward front edge 21b or rear edge 21c, and
particularly has the largest thickness in the position shifted from
the center of the blade toward front edge 21b. Referring to FIG. 8,
connection portion 31 has substantially the same blade-like form as
blade 21 described above. Thus, propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment has the section of the blade-like form in any section
position between outer edge 21a and center axis 101.
[0137] The description has been given on propeller fan 10 that is
integrally formed of the synthetic resin, but the material of the
propeller fan according to the invention is not restricted to the
resin. For example, propeller fan 10 may be formed by effecting
twist working on a single metal plate, or may be formed of an
integral thin member having a curved surface. In these cases, boss
hub 41 that is independently formed may be joined to the rotation
center of propeller fan 10.
[0138] Description will now be given on operations and effects
implemented or offered by propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment.
[0139] Propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment is provided
with connection portion 31 of a blade-like form connecting blades
21A and 21B together. Owing to this structure, even the rotation
center portion that could not be practically and sufficiently used
as the boss hub in the conventional structure can be effectively
used as the blade having a blade-like sectional form and a large
attack angle. This significantly enhances the blowing performance
near the center where the peripheral speed is lower than that in
the outer peripheral portion, and the blowing performance of the
whole fan can be significantly improved.
[0140] By increasing the area of the blade for the blowing, it is
possible to increase the air flow rate at the constant rotation
speed. Further, a major portion of the large boss hub that is
present in and near the rotation center in the conventional
structure is replaced with connection portion 31 having the section
of the blade-like form so that the mass of the propeller fan can be
reduced. This reduces the load on the drive motor, and can reduce
the electric power consumption at the constant air flow rate.
[0141] Further, the effects derived from the above operations and
effects can be as follows:
[0142] (1) Since the air flow rate at the constant rotation speed
can be reduced, the noise can be reduced. (In recent years, there
is a tendency, e.g., in the air conditioner, that the air flow rate
is increased for improving the energy-saving properties. This
results in a problem that the noises increase to impair the degree
of comfort in housing conditions. Conversely, propeller fan 10
according to the embodiment can increase the air flow rate without
increasing the noise.)
[0143] (2) Since the pressure-flow rate characteristics can be
improved, the fan performance can be improved. (In recent years,
there is a tendency, e.g., in the air conditioner, that the
pressure loss increases as the performance of a heat exchanger is
increased for improving the energy-saving properties. Since the air
flow rate lowers as the pressure loss of the heat exchanger
increases (i.e., the trade-off relationship), there is a problem
that the effect by the increase in performance of the heat
exchanger cannot be sufficiently achieved. Conversely, propeller
fan 10 according to the embodiment can improve the pressure-flow
rate characteristics, and therefore can suppress the lowering of
the air flow rate in the heat exchanger causing a large pressure
loss. Consequently, it is possible to achieve sufficiently the
effect of increasing the performance of the heat exchanger.)
[0144] (3) The fan efficiency can be improved and the power
consumption can be reduced. (In recent years, there is a tendency,
e.g., in the air conditioner, that the air flow rate is increased
for improving the energy-saving properties. This results in a
problem that the power consumption of the motor increases.
Conversely, propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment can
suppress the increase in power consumption of the motor even when
the air flow rate is increased. When the air flow rate is not
increased, the power consumption of the motor can be reduced owing
to the improvement of the efficiency.)
[0145] (4) Reduction in weight can reduce a material, and can
further reduce the power consumption of the motor. (When the fan
has a large weight, bearing loss of a motor shaft and the like
increase, and additional power consumption is required. Conversely,
propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment can significantly
reduce the weight of the fan, and thereby the bearing loss of the
motor shaft and the like can be reduced so that the power
consumption of the motor can be reduced.)
[0146] For the reasons described above, propeller fan 10 according
to the embodiment can implement the propeller fan that greatly
contributes to the energy-saving properties and the resource-saving
design in connection with the global environment conservation.
[0147] Then, description will be given on the practical examples
that were implemented for confirming the foregoing operations and
effects offered by propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment.
[0148] FIG. 9 is a plan showing a propeller fan for comparison.
Referring to FIG. 9, a propeller fan 110 for comparison is provided
at its rotation center with a boss hub 141 having an outer diameter
of 130 mm, and is also provided with blades 121 (121A and 121B)
extending radially outward from boss hub 141. The shape and size of
blade 121 is substantially the same as those of blade 21 in FIG.
5.
[0149] FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between the
rotation speed and the air flow rate of the propeller fan according
to the embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the air flow rates were
measured at various rotation speeds, using propeller fan 10
according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and propeller fan 110 for the
comparison in FIG. 9. As can be seen from the graph of FIG. 10, the
air flow rate of propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment was
larger than that of propeller fan 110 for the comparison in every
rotation speed range. For example, when the rotation speed was 900
rpm, propeller fan 110 for the comparison exhibited the air flow
rate of 44.49 m.sup.3/min, and propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment exhibited the air flow rate of 46.79 m.sup.3/min (equal
to 105.2% of that of the comparison example).
[0150] FIG. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between the air
flow rate of the propeller fan and the power consumption of the
drive motor (i.e. motor for driving) according to the embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 11, propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5 and propeller fan 110 for comparison in FIG. 9 were
used, and the power consumption of each drive motor was measured at
various air flow rates. As can be seen from the graph in the
figure, the power consumption of propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment was smaller than that of propeller fan 110 for the
comparison in every air flow range. For example, when the air flow
rate was 40 m.sup.3/min, the power consumption of propeller fan 110
for the comparison was 49.8 W, and propeller fan 10 according to
the embodiment was 46.2 W (equal to 107.8% of that of the
comparison example).
[0151] It can be confirmed from the practical example described
above that propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment can
increase the air flow rate at the constant rotation speed, and can
reduce the power consumption of the drive motor at the constant air
flow rate.
[0152] Then, the description will be given on a mechanism of
improving the performance of propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment.
[0153] FIG. 12 shows the pressure-flow rate characteristics of the
propeller fan according to the embodiment in FIG. 5 and the
propeller fan for the comparison in FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 12,
the comparison was made between propeller fan 10 of 460 mm in outer
diameter according to the embodiment and propeller fan 110 of 460
mm in outer diameter for the comparison, and particularly was made
in connection with the pressure-flow rate characteristics (P:
static pressure-Q: flow rate) at the rotation speed of 700 rpm.
[0154] As can be seen from the graph in the figure, propeller fan
10 according to the embodiment improved the P-Q characteristics at
the constant rotation speed, as compared with propeller fan 110 for
the comparison. Also, the power consumption of the drive motor at
the constant air flow rate was reduced, and the motor efficiency
was significantly improved.
[0155] FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate the mechanism of the propeller fan
according to the embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the
mechanism of the propeller fan according to the embodiment will be
specifically described below.
[0156] When blades 21 of the fan are driven to rotate, the wind
passes over blade surfaces 26. In this operation, the wind first
meets front edge 21b of blade 21, then flows along blade surface 26
and flows out beyond rear edge 21c of blade 21.
[0157] A phenomenon occurring near a center of the action of blades
21 will now be discussed. On the propeller fan for the comparison
(see FIG. 13), the wind flows onto blade surface 26 through front
edge 21b (S1 in FIG. 13) at the position where the base portion of
blade 21 is in contact with boss hub 141, Thereafter, it turns and
is affected by the centrifugal force so that a flow line expands
slightly outward as indicated by R1 in FIG. 13 beyond a concentric
circle. A hatched portion (area A) inside line R1 cannot perform
the work of the blower producing the wind.
[0158] Conversely, according to the propeller fan of the
embodiment, boss hub 41 is extremely small, and even a portion
thereof near the center operates as the blade, in contrast to the
propeller fan for the comparison. Therefore, the wind flows onto
blade surface 36 through front edge 21b (S2 in FIG. 14) of
connection portion 31 forming a boundary with respect to the base
portion of blade 21. Thereafter, the flow line slightly expands
beyond the concentric circle as indicated by R2 in FIG. 14.
Similarly to the propeller fan for the comparison, the hatched
portion (area B) inside the line R2 cannot perform the work of the
blower producing the wind. FIG. 15 shows an area difference (A-B)
between the regions of them where the fans cannot perform the work
of the blower producing the wind.
[0159] It is well known in aerodynamics that a lift is proportional
to an area. The propeller fan according to the embodiment can
increase the lift by an amount corresponding to the above area
difference (A-B). It is known that the wind is produced by a
reaction force caused by the reaction of the lift, and the larger
lift causes the larger reaction force, and increases the blowing
performance.
Second Embodiment
[0160] FIG. 16 is a plan showing the propeller fan according to a
second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 corresponds to FIG. 3
relating to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of
the propeller fan in FIG. 16 viewed from the intake side. FIG. 18
is a cross section showing the propeller fan taken along line
XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17.
[0161] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 16, 17 and 18, description will be
given on a basic structure of propeller fan 10 according to the
embodiment. Propeller fan 10 has the plurality of blades 21A and
21B that are circumferentially spaced from each other for
performing the blowing according to the rotation, and connection
portion 31 that has blade surface 36 as a blade-surface-like
surface for performing the blowing according to the rotation and
connects the base portions of blades 21A and 21B neighboring to
each other. In other words, propeller fan 10 is formed by coupling
the plurality of blades 21A and 21B, which perform the blowing, to
each other and providing the coupled region that assumes the form
for performing the blowing according to the rotation.
[0162] Propeller fan 10 further has boss hub 41 serving as the
rotation shaft that is arranged coaxially to the rotation center of
blades 21A and 21B, protrudes from the intake side of connection
portion 31 and has an end surface 42 parallel to the plane
perpendicular to the rotation axis of blades 21A and 21B. When
propeller fan 10 is viewed in the direction of its rotation axis,
minimum distance L1 from the rotation axis to the outer edge of
connection portion 31 on imaginary line Z perpendicularly crossing
the center axis is larger than distance L2 from the center axis to
the outer edge of boss hub 41 on imaginary line Z. Propeller fan 10
further has a flat surface portion 43 parallel to end surface 42.
When boss hub 41 is projected (i.e., image-projected) in the
direction of the rotation axis of blades 21A and 21B, an outer form
of flat surface portion 43 is larger than that of boss hub 41.
[0163] Propeller fan 10 rotates around center axis 101 that is an
imaginary axis, and thereby performs the blowing from the intake
side in FIG. 1 to the outlet side. In the figure, when propeller
fan 10 is viewed in the direction of center axis 101 and imaginary
circle 102 is drawn to separate blades 21A and 21B from each other
in the circumferential direction around center axis 101, connection
portion 31 is defined inside imaginary circle 102, and blades 21A
and 21B are defined outside imaginary circle 102.
[0164] Then, description will be given on the structure employed
for stacking the plurality of propeller fans 10 for storing or
transporting. FIG. 19 is a plan showing a central portion of the
propeller fan viewed in a direction of an arrow XIX in FIG. 18.
[0165] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, boss hub 41 has end surface 42
on a portion extending in the direction of center axis 101 from
connection portion 31 on the intake side. End surface 42 extends
parallel to the plane perpendicular to the direction of center axis
101. In this embodiment, when the intake side of propeller fan 10
is viewed in the direction of center axis 101, end surface 42 has a
circular outer shape, and has an outer diameter d1 with respect to
center axis 101.
[0166] Propeller fan 10 has flat surface portion 43 providing flat
surface 44. Flat surface portion 43 is located on the side remote
from the intake side where boss hub 41 is arranged, i.e., on
connection portion 31 on the outlet side. Flat surface 44 is formed
as the end surface of flat surface portion 43, and extends parallel
to end surface 42 of boss hub 41. Flat surface 44 is formed in a
position protruding from blade surface 36 of connection portion 31
in the direction of center axis 101. In this embodiment, when the
outlet side of propeller fan 10 is viewed in the direction of
center axis 101, flat surface 44 has a circular outer form, and has
an outer diameter d2 larger than outer diameter d1 with respect to
the center defined by center axis 101. Flat surface 44 is formed
coaxially to end surface 42.
[0167] The embodiment has been described in connection with the
case where end surface 42 and flat surface 44 have the circular
outer forms, respectively. This is not restrictive, and these may
have polygonal forms or elliptic forms, respectively.
[0168] FIG. 20 is a cross section showing a stacked state of the
plurality of propeller fans in FIG. 18. Referring to FIG. 20, the
plurality of propeller fans 10 are stacked in the height direction
thereof (i.e., in the direction of center axis 101). In this case,
the plurality of propeller fans 10 are stacked such that the inlet
side and therefore the outlet side of each propeller fan 10 are
directed in the vertically same directions as those of the others,
respectively. The plurality of propeller fans are stacked such that
flat surface 44 of upper propeller fan 10 is placed on end surface
42 of lower propeller fan 10.
[0169] Propeller fan 10 according to the second embodiment of the
invention thus configured can achieve substantially the same effect
as the first embodiment.
[0170] Additionally, propeller fan 10 according to the embodiment
has boss hub 41 pf reduced sizes owing to provision of the
blade-like connection portion 31. Since flat surface portion 43 is
configured such that flat surface 44 has a larger outer form than
end surface 42 formed on boss hub 41 of the reduced sizes, the
plurality of propeller fans 10 can be stacked stably.
[0171] When the propeller fan (i.e., propeller fan 110 for
comparison in FIG. 9) has the large boss hub from which the
plurality of blades extends radially outward, the vertically
neighboring boss hubs of the propeller fans can be combined so that
the plurality of propeller fans can be stacked relatively easily.
However, when the portion provided with the boss hub of the
propeller fan is replaced with blade-like connection portion 31 for
improving the blowing capacity of the fan, blade surface 36 of
connection portion 31 formed at the rotation center causes another
problem that propeller fans 10 cannot be stacked without
difficulty.
[0172] Conversely, according to the embodiment, flat surface
portion 43 is located on the outlet side opposite to the intake
side on which boss hub 41 is located. Thereby, propeller fans 10
can be stacked through boss hub 41 and flat surface portion 43.
Consequently, the plurality of propeller fans 10 can be stably
stacked together by a simple manner for storing or
transporting.
Third Embodiment
[0173] This embodiment will be described below in connection with a
modification of the structure for stacking the plurality of
propeller fans for storing or transporting as described in the
second embodiment.
[0174] FIG. 21 is a cross section showing a first modification of
the structure for stacking the plurality of propeller fans. FIG. 22
is a plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a direction of an
arrow XXII in FIG. 21.
[0175] Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, a propeller fan 48 in this
modification includes a protrusion 45 in addition to the structures
in FIG. 18. Protrusion 45 is arranged on the same side as flat
surface portion 43, i.e., on connection portion 31 on the outlet
side. Protrusion 45 has an annular form coaxial to center axis 101,
and protrudes in the direction of center axis 101 from flat surface
44. In this embodiment, when the outlet side of propeller fan 48 is
viewed in the direction of center axis 101, protrusion 45 has the
annular form having a circular section, and an inner diameter d3
thereof with respect to a center defined by center axis 101 is
larger than outer diameter d1 of boss hub 41.
[0176] The annular section of protrusion 45 may be appropriately
modified according to the form of boss hub 41.
[0177] FIG. 23 is a cross section showing the stacked state of the
plurality of propeller fans in FIG. 21. According to the
modification, as shown in FIG. 23, annular protrusion 45 of upper
propeller fan 48 is fitted around boss hub 41 of lower propeller
fan 48 when the plurality of propeller fans 48 are stacked such
that flat surface 44 of upper propeller fan 48 is placed on end
surface 42 of lower propeller fan 48, as is done in the form shown
in FIG. 20.
[0178] According to the structure, the fitting of boss hub 41 into
annular protrusion 45 can prevent horizontal shifting of the
positions of propeller fans 48 so that propeller fans 48 can be
stacked more stably.
[0179] FIG. 24 is a cross section showing a second modification of
the structure for stacking the plurality of propeller fans, and
corresponds to FIG. 18 showing the first embodiment. FIG. 25 is a
plan showing the propeller fan viewed in a direction of an arrow
XXV in FIG. 24.
[0180] Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, a propeller fan 49 according
to this modification has a protrusion 46. Protrusion 46 protrudes
from the same side as boss hub 41, i.e., from connection portion 31
on the intake side. Protrusion 46 has the annular form and is
located on the outer periphery of boss hub 41. When the intake side
of propeller fan 49 is viewed in the direction of center axis 101,
protrusion 46 is coaxial to center axis 101 and has an annular form
having an outer diameter d4 larger than outer diameter dl of boss
hub 41. Protrusion 46 protrudes in the direction of center axis 101
to a position higher than boss hub 41.
[0181] FIG. 26 is a cross section showing the stacked state of the
plurality of propeller fans shown in FIG. 24. Referring to FIG. 26,
the plurality of propeller fans 49 are stacked in the height
direction thereof (i.e., in the direction of center axis 101). The
plurality of propeller fans 49 are stacked such that the inlet side
and therefore the outlet side of each propeller fan 49 are directed
in the vertically same directions as those of the others,
respectively. The plurality of propeller fans 49 are stacked such
that blade surface 36 on the outlet side of upper propeller fan 49
is placed on annular protrusion 46 of lower propeller fan 49.
[0182] According to this structure, the plurality of propeller fans
49 can be stably stacked through annular protrusions 46. Also, a
balance piece can be attached to annular protrusion 46 to eliminate
an imbalance of propeller fan 49.
[0183] Propeller fans 48 and 49 according to the third embodiment
of the invention having the above structure can achieve
substantially the same effect as that of the second embodiment.
Fourth Embodiment
[0184] A propeller fan according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention basically and substantially has the same structure as
propeller fan 10 according to the first embodiment. Description of
the same structures is not repeated.
[0185] FIG. 27 is a side view showing the propeller fan according
to the fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 28 is a plan
showing the propeller fan viewed in a direction (from the intake
side) of an arrow XXVIII in FIG. 27. FIG. 29 is a plan showing the
propeller fan viewed in a direction (from the outlet side) of an
arrow XXIX in FIG. 27. FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing the
propeller fan in FIG. 27 viewed from the intake side.
[0186] Referring to FIGS. 27 to 30, description will be given on
the basic structure of a propeller fan 50 according to the
embodiment. Propeller fan 50 has the plurality of blades 21 (21A,
21B and 21C) that are circumferentially spaced from each other for
performing the blowing according to the rotation, and also has
connection portion 31 that has blade surface 36 serving as the
blade-surface-like surface for performing the blowing according to
the rotation, and connects the base portions of blades 21A, 21B and
21C of the plurality of neighboring blades 21 together.
[0187] Propeller fan 50 rotates around center axis 101 that is an
imaginary axis, and thereby performs the blowing from the intake
side to the outlet side in FIG. 16. In the figure, when propeller
fan 50 is viewed in the direction of center axis 101 and such
imaginary circle 102 is drawn that separates blades 21A, 21B and
21C from each other in the circumferential direction around center
axis 101, connection portion 31 is defined inside imaginary circle
102 and blades 21A, 21B and 21C are defined outside imaginary
circle 102. When a propeller fan has four or more blades 21,
imaginary circle 102 is drawn similarly to propeller fan 50.
[0188] Propeller fan 50 is a three-blade fan having blades 21A, 21B
and 21C. Blades 21A, 21B and 21C are equally spaced from each other
in the circumferential direction around center axis 101. Blades
21A, 21B and 21C have the same forms.
[0189] Blades 21A, 21B and 21C are connected together by connection
portion 31 arranged around center axis 101. In propeller fan 50
according to the embodiment, the three blades that are formed of a
single member and extend radially outward from center axis 101 are
integrally formed of blades 21A, 21B and 21C as well as connection
portion 31.
[0190] Propeller fan 50 has boss hub 41 as the center shaft.
Connection portion 31 extends radially outward from the outer
peripheral surface of boss hub 41. In other words, when propeller
fan 50 is viewed in the direction of center axis 101, connection
portion 31 is formed such that minimum length L1 of connection
portion 31 measured from center axis 101 along imaginary line Z
passing through center axis 101 is longer than length L2 of boss
hub 41 measured from center axis 101 along imaginary line Z (see
FIG. 28).
[0191] Propeller fan 50 according to the fourth embodiment of the
invention having the above structure can achieve substantially the
same effect as the first embodiment.
[0192] The propeller fan according to the invention may have four
or more blades.
Fifth Embodiment
[0193] A propeller fan according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention basically and substantially has the same structure as
propeller fan 10 according to the first embodiment. Description of
the same structures is not repeated.
[0194] FIG. 31 is a side view showing the propeller fan of the
fifth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 32 is a plan showing the
propeller fan viewed in a direction of an arrow XXXII in FIG.
31.
[0195] Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, blade surface 36 of connection
portion 31 in a propeller fan 52 according to the embodiment is
formed of a blade surface 36M that is a first portion continuously
extending from blade surface 26 of blade 21A and a blade surface
36N that is a second portion continuously extending from blade
surface 26 of blade 21B.
[0196] Connection portion 31 further has a flat surface 37 that is
a surface of a not-blade-surface form. Flat surface 37 has a form
that does not contribute to the blowing by propeller fan 52, and is
flat in this embodiment. Flat surface 37 is formed between blade
surfaces 36M and 36N. Flat surface 37 is arranged coaxially to
center axis 101, and extends radially outward from boss hub 41. In
a direction of a line connecting blade surfaces 36M and 36N, flat
surface 37 has a larger width than boss hub 41.
[0197] FIG. 33 is a plan showing a modification of the propeller
fan in FIGS. 31 and 32. FIG. 33 corresponds to FIG. 32. Referring
to FIG. 33, a propeller fan 53 according to this modification has
flat surface 37 of which width in the direction of the line
connecting between blade surfaces 36M and 36N is smaller than that
of boss hub 41.
[0198] In the case where connection portion 31 has flat surface 37,
connection portion 31 may have blade surface 36 contributing to the
blowing, whereby the blowing performance can likewise be improved.
As is done in the modification shown in FIG. 33, the width of flat
surface 37 can be minimized as far as possible so that the areas of
blade surfaces 36M and 36N can be increased, and the blowing
performance can be effectively improved.
[0199] Propeller fans 52 and 53 according to the fifth embodiment
of the invention having the above structure can achieve
substantially the same effect as the firs embodiment.
Sixth Embodiment
[0200] A propeller fan of a sixth embodiment of the invention
basically and substantially has the same structure as propeller fan
10 according to the first embodiment. Description of the same
structures is not repeated.
[0201] FIG. 34 is a plan showing a propeller fan according to the
sixth embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 34, a
propeller fan 56 according to the embodiment has concave portions
22 formed at rear edges 21c of blades 21A and 21B, respectively.
Each concave portion 22 is hollowed from rear edge 21c of blade 21
toward front edge 21b, i.e., in a direction opposite to the
rotational direction of the blades 21. Concave portion 22 is formed
to have trailing blade edge 21 e of a crescent- or scythe-like
form.
[0202] In this embodiment, X indicates a length of the line
extending between the opposite ends of concave portion 22 and, when
the opposite ends are not clear, X indicates a length of a common
tangential line with respect to the opposite ends. Length X is
equal to or larger than 0.33 times outer diameter D of the blades
(0.33.ltoreq.X/D), and a length Y from the deepest position of the
concave portion to the above line extending between the opposite
ends of the concave portion, or to the above tangential line is
equal to or smaller than 0.068 times outer diameter D of the blades
(Y/D.ltoreq.0.068).
[0203] FIG. 35 is a graph indicating a relationship between the
rotation speed of the propeller fan and the air flow rate in the
sixth embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 35, propeller
fan 56 (outer diameter D=460 mm, X/D=0.37 and Y/D=0.068) according
to the embodiment shown in FIG. 34 and propeller fan 110 for
comparison in FIG. 9 were used to measure the air flow rates at
various rotation speeds.
[0204] FIG. 36 is a graph showing a relationship between the air
flow rate of the propeller fan and the power consumption of the
drive motor according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 36, propeller fan 56 (outer diameter D=460 mm,
X/D=0.37 and Y/D=0.068) according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
34 and propeller fan 110 for comparison in FIG. 9 were used to
measure the power consumption of the drive motor at various
rotation speeds.
[0205] Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, the provision of concave
portions 22 reduces the area of the blades to reduce efficiently a
drag or resistance. Since the area of blades decreases, the air
flow rate at a constant rotation speed decreases, but the drag
efficiently decreases so that the power consumption can be reduced
when the air flow rate is constant.
[0206] FIG. 37 illustrates, for comparison, the air flow rates
exhibited corresponding to the same rotation speed. FIG. 37 shows
values of the air flow rates attained when the propeller fans
(outer diameter D=460 mm) having different values of X/D and Y/D
are used and the rotation speed is 900 rpm. A value under each flow
rate indicates a ratio of the air flow rate with respect to the air
flow rate (44.49 m.sup.3/min) of propeller fan 110 for comparison
in FIG. 9.
[0207] FIG. 38 illustrates, for comparison, the power consumptions
of the drive motors exhibited corresponding to the same air flow
rate. FIG. 38 shows values of the power consumptions of the drive
motor attained when the propeller fans (outer diameter D=460 mm)
having different values of X/D and Y/D are used and the air flow
rate is 40 m.sup.3/min. A value under each power consumption
indicates a ratio of the power consumption with respect to the
power consumption (49.8 W) exhibited by propeller fan 110 for the
comparison in FIG. 9.
[0208] Referring to FIGS. 37 and 38, as Y/D changes while X/D is
constant, the air flow rate at the constant rotation speed
increases in accordance with decreasing of Y/D, and the power
consumption at the constant rotation speed is substantially
constant. By employing concave portion 22 satisfying the
relationship of (Y/D.ltoreq.0.068), it is possible to reduce more
effectively the decreasing ratio of the air flow rate with respect
to the air flow rate of propeller fan 110 for comparison shown in
FIG. 9.
[0209] As X/D changes while Y/D is substantially constant, the
power consumption at the constant air flow rate decreases according
to increase in X/D. By employing concave portion 22 satisfying the
relationship of (0.33.ltoreq.X/D), it is possible to increase more
effectively the relative efficiency with respect to the power
consumption of propeller fan 110 for comparison shown in FIG.
9.
[0210] FIG. 39 is a graph illustrating, for comparison, the power
consumption of the drive motor exhibited when X/D changes, Y/D is
constant (=0.068) and the air flow rate is constant. The ordinate
in the figure gives a relative efficiency that is a ratio of the
power consumption attained by propeller fan 56 in FIG. 34 with
respect to that of propeller fan 110 for comparison in FIG. 9 when
the air flow rate is 40 m.sup.3/min.
[0211] FIG. 40 is a graph illustrating, for comparison, the air
flow rate exhibited when Y/D changes, X/D is constant (=0.33) and
the rotation speed is constant. The ordinate in the figure gives a
relative ratio of the air flow rate that is attained by propeller
fan 56 in FIG. 34 with respect to that of propeller fan 110 for
comparison in FIG. 9 when the rotation speed is 900 rpm.
[0212] In propeller fan 56 shown in FIG. 34, since concave portion
22 is formed at rear edge 21c of blade 21, the value of X/D does
not exceed 0.5. Referring to FIG. 39, concave portion 22 is more
preferably formed to satisfy the relationship of
(0.37.ltoreq.X/D<0.5). The case where the value of Y/D is zero
corresponds to propeller fan 10 of the first embodiment. Referring
to FIG. 40, concave portion 22 is more preferably formed to satisfy
the relationship of (0<Y/D.ltoreq.0.043).
[0213] The mechanism of the operations and effects achieved by
concave portion 22 will be described below.
[0214] When a resistant object causing a large pressure loss such
as a heat exchanger is present in an air flow path, the propeller
fan is likely to cause such a phenomenon that a flow from a central
portion of the fan, i.e., a portion of a low peripheral speed
separates from the blade surface.
[0215] When the pressure loss is extremely large and may exceed the
capacity of the fan, the separation occurs throughout the blade
surfaces of the fan. When the pressure loss is within the capacity
of the fan, the separation occurs on a part (a region near the
center) of the blade surfaces of the fan.
[0216] When the complete separation occurs in the hatched portion
in FIG. 15 (i.e., the region where the propeller fan according to
the embodiment is superior to the propeller fan for the
comparison), the performance of the propeller fan according to the
embodiment lowers similarly to the propeller fan for the
comparison. When there is a method of effectively suppressing this
separation, the invention can exhibit its effect to the maximum
extent.
[0217] Usually, the pressure loss is present in the air flow path,
and the portion near the center of the blades is in such a
situation that the separation is likely to occur. It can be assumed
that the separation partially occurs in the hatched region in FIG.
15 of the propeller fan according to the embodiment. The following
structure is employed for completely preventing the separation in
the hatched portion and effectively deriving the effect of the
invention.
[0218] Thus, a vortex (blade tip vortex) occurring on leading blade
edge 21d is guided to this hatched portion to refill it with
kinetic energy. By forming concave portion 22 at rear edge 21c, the
tip vortex can be fixed in this position so that the region of the
hatched portion in FIG. 15 can always be refilled with the kinetic
energy. Consequently, the separation in the region of the hatched
portion in FIG. 15 is suppressed, and the effect of the invention
can be efficiently derived.
[0219] FIG. 41 is a plan showing a modification of the propeller
fan in FIG. 34. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 41, three blades
21A, 21B and 21C are provided at their rear edges 21c with concave
portions 22, respectively. Concave portion 22 has substantially the
same form as concave portion 22 formed in propeller fan 56 having
the two blades. When concave portions 22 are formed in the
propeller fan having the three blades, it is possible to reduce the
power consumption at the constant air flow rate, while reducing the
area of the blades to reduce efficiently the drag.
[0220] Propeller fan 56 thus structured according to the sixth
embodiment of the invention can achieve substantially the same
effect as that of the first embodiment.
Seventh Embodiment
[0221] The propeller fan according to a seventh embodiment of the
invention basically and substantially has the same structure as
propeller fan 10 according to the first embodiment. Description of
the same structures is not repeated.
[0222] FIG. 42 is a plan showing the propeller fan according to the
seventh embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 42, a
propeller fan 57 according to the embodiment has convex portions
58, i.e., first convex portions formed at front edges 21b of blades
21A and 21B, respectively. Convex portion 58 has a round form
protruding toward the suction surface side (intake side) of blade
surface 21. When viewed from the suction surface side, convex
portion 58 has a curved surface rising from the surface of blade
surface 26. Convex portion 58 is formed near the periphery of
connection portion 31.
[0223] According to the structure described above, convex portions
58 form a vortex 104 according to the rotation of blades 21, and
vortex 104 thus formed moves on blade surfaces 26 and 36. This
vortex 104 prevents the separation or peeling of the air flow that
occurs in a region 103 on blade surfaces 26 and 36, or in the
region of the hatched portion in FIG. 15. Consequently, the
performance and efficiency of the fan are improved, and the noises
due to the separation can be reduced. The effect of suppressing the
separation on blade surfaces 26 and 36 improves the pressure-flow
rate characteristics so that the air blowing can be performed
corresponding to the high pressure loss.
[0224] In this embodiment, a convex portion 59 expanding oppositely
to the rotational direction of blades 21 is formed as a second
convex portion in a coupling portion between connection portion 31
and each of rear edges 21c of respective blades 21A and 21B. Convex
portion 59 formed at rear edge 21c of blade 21A protrudes toward
front edge 21b of blade 21B, and convex portion 59 formed at rear
edge 21c of blade 21B protrudes toward front edge 21b of blade
21A.
[0225] In this embodiment, a convex portion 60 expanding oppositely
to the rotational direction of blades 21 is formed as a third
convex portion in a coupling portion between the outer peripheral
portion (outer edge 21a) of each blade 21 and rear edge 21c of each
of blades 21A and 21B. Convex portion 60 formed at trailing blade
edge 21e of blade 21A protrudes toward leading blade edge 21d of
blade 21B, and convex portion 60 formed at trailing blade edge 21e
of blade 21B protrudes toward leading blade edge 21d of blade
21A.
[0226] The above structure increases a chord length of the portion
provided with convex portions 59 and 60, and can blow the air flow
by a larger force. In general, the blowing capacity is small in a
position where a radius of rotation is short. However, the effect
of extending the chord by provision of convex portion 59 can
achieve a larger blowing capacity in spite of the fact that the
radius of rotation is small. The fan has a large blowing capacity
in a position where the radius of rotation is large. The chord of
the region where the largest blowing capacity is obtained is
extended so that the air flow rate of the fan at the constant
rotation speed can be increased, and the larger blowing capacity
can be obtained.
[0227] The embodiment has been described in connection with
propeller fan 57 provided with convex portions 58 to 60. However,
the convex portion(s) may be formed of one or an appropriate
combination of convex portions 58 to 60.
[0228] Propeller fan 57 thus structured according to the seventh
embodiment of the invention can achieve substantially the same
effect as the first embodiment.
[0229] The structures of the various propeller fans have been
described as the first to seventh embodiments. However, these are
not restrictive, and the structures of the propeller fans described
in connection with the first to seventh embodiment can be
appropriately combined to configure a new propeller fan.
Eight Embodiment
[0230] This embodiment will now be described in connection with a
structure of molding dies for molding propeller fan 10 according to
the first embodiment from resin.
[0231] FIG. 43 is a cross section showing the molding dies used for
producing the propeller fan in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 43,
molding dies 61 have a stationary die 62 and a movable die 63.
Stationary and movable dies 62 and 63 define a cavity having
substantially the same shapes as propeller fan 10 for injecting
flowable resin thereinto.
[0232] Molding die 61 may be provided with a heater (not shown) for
increasing the flowability of the resin injected into the cavity.
Such arrangement of the heater is particularly effective when
synthetic resin having an increased strength such as glass-filled
AS resin is used.
[0233] Molding die 61 shown in FIG. 43 is employed on the
assumption that stationary die 62 forms a pressure surface of
propeller fan 10, and movable die 63 forms a suction surface.
However, stationary die 62 may form the suction surface of
propeller fan 10, and movable die 63 may form the pressure
surface.
[0234] The propeller fan is made of metal, and is integrally formed
by draw forming of press working. A thick metal plate cannot be
used for such drawing without difficulty, and increases a mass or
weight so that a thin metal plate is generally used. In this case,
a large propeller fan cannot have a sufficient strength (rigidity)
without difficulty. Also, a part that is formed of a metal plate
thicker than the blade portion and is called "spider" may be used
for fixing the blade portion to the rotation axis. However, this
results in a problem that the mass is large, a fan balance is
impaired. In general, the metal plate used for it is thin and has a
constant thickness, which results in a problem that the blade
portion cannot have a blade-like sectional form.
[0235] Conversely, the above problems can be collectively overcome
by using the resin for forming propeller fan 10.
[0236] FIG. 44 is a plan showing an example of positions where
gates are located in the molding die for producing a propeller fan
with two blades of the embodiment. FIG. 45 is a plan showing an
example of the positions where the gates are located in the molding
die for producing a propeller fan with three blades according to
the embodiment.
[0237] Referring to FIGS. 44 and 45, molding dies 61 have gates 66
for supplying or injecting the resin into the cavity defined by
stationary and movable dies 62 and 63 in FIG. 43. Preferably, gates
66 are formed in connection portion 31 and are located in positions
corresponding to boundaries each defined between front and rear
edge 21b and 21c of neighboring blades 21. In the case of the
two-blade fan, these are formed in the boundaries between front
edge 21b of blade 21A and rear edge 21c of blade 21B, and between
front edge 21b of blade 21B and rear edge 21c of blade 21A,
respectively, In the case of the three-blade fan, these are formed
in the boundaries between front edge 21b of blade 21A and rear edge
21c of blade 21C, between front edge 21b of blade 21C and rear edge
21c of blade 21B, and between front edge 21b of blade 21B and rear
edge 21c of blade 21A, respectively.
[0238] FIGS. 46 and 47 show comparison examples of the propeller
fans that have the gates in positions other than those shown in
FIGS. 44 and 45, respectively.
[0239] Referring to FIGS. 46 and 47, when gate 66 is located in the
position shown in FIG. 46 or 47 other than the foregoing positions,
a weld line 67 (where the flows of flowable resin joined together
in the dies so that a crack is liable to occur due to a low
strength) may occur in the boundary between front edge 21b of each
blade 21 and rear edge 21c of the neighboring blade 21. In the
propeller fan according to the embodiment, stress concentration
occurs in the boundary between front edge 21b of each blade 21 and
rear edge 21c of neighboring rear edge 21c so that a crack is
liable to occur along weld line 67, and the breaking strength of
the fan is remarkably low.
[0240] Referring to FIGS. 44 and 45, however, gates 66 are formed
in connection portion 31 and particularly in the positions that
correspond to the respective boundaries each defined between front
and rear edges 21b and 21c of neighboring blades, so that weld line
67 can be produced in the position that does not significantly
lower the breaking strength of the fan as shown in the figures.
Thus, the lowering of the breaking strength of the fan can be
prevented.
[0241] FIG. 48 is a plan showing another example of the positions
where the gates are located in the molding die for producing the
two-blade propeller fan according to the embodiment. FIG. 49 is a
plan showing another example of the positions where the gates are
located in the molding die for producing the three-blade propeller
fan according to the embodiment.
[0242] Referring to FIGS. 48 and 49, gates 66 are preferably
located in connection portion 31 continuing to the base portions of
blades 21, and particularly in the positions corresponding to the
vicinities of the front edges 21b, i.e., in the positions that are
circumferentially closer to front edges 21b of blades 21 than rear
edges 21c of the same blades, respectively.
[0243] FIGS. 50 and 51 show, as examples for comparison, propeller
fans provided with gates in positions other than those shown in
FIGS. 48 and 49.
[0244] Referring to FIGS. 50 and 51, when gates 66 are located,
e.g., in the illustrated positions shifted from the foregoing
positions, weld line 67 may occur in the positions on connection
portion 31 continuing to the base portion of blades 21, and
particularly in the positions near front edges 21b. In the
propeller fan according to the embodiment, since the stress
concentration occurs in the positions on connection portion 31
continuing to the base portions of blades 21, and particularly in
the positions near front edge 21b, the crack is liable to occur
along weld line 67, and the breaking strength of the fan remarkably
lowers.
[0245] Referring to FIGS. 48 and 49, however, gates 66 are arranged
in the positions on connection portion 31 continuing to the base
portions of blades 21, and particularly in the positions near front
edge 21b, and this structure can form weld line 67 in the
illustrated position that does not significantly lower the breaking
strength of the fan. Consequently, the lowering of the breaking
strength of the fan can be prevented.
[0246] Then, description will be given on an outdoor unit of an air
conditioner as an example of a fluid feeder having propeller fan 10
according to the first embodiment.
[0247] FIG. 52 shows an outdoor unit of an air conditioner with the
propeller fan in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 52, an outdoor unit 75
of the air conditioner includes a blower 73 having propeller fan 10
according to the first embodiment and a drive motor 72. Blower 73
feeds a fluid. Outdoor unit 75 has an outdoor heat exchanger 74,
and performs efficient heat exchange, using blower 73. Blower 73 is
arranged in outdoor unit 75 by a motor angle 76.
[0248] In this structure, outdoor unit 75 has propeller fan 10
already described in connection with the first embodiment, and
therefore can suppress generation of noises to attain low operation
noises.
[0249] Further, propeller fan 10 improves the air flow efficiency
so that the energy consumption of outdoor unit 75 can be low.
Similar effect can be achieved by using the propeller fan already
described in connection with one of the second to seventh
embodiments.
[0250] In this embodiment, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner
has been described as an example of the fluid feeder. However,
substantially the same effect can be achieved by applying the
propeller fan of the invention to various devices for feeding the
fluid such as an air purifier, a humidifier, an electric fan, a fan
heater, a cooling device and a ventilating device.
[0251] Technical ideas of the propeller fan according to the
invention can be summarized as follows.
[0252] The invention is a propeller fan that has a plurality of
blades for blowing air by rotation, and is characterized in that
base portions of the plurality of blades are continuously coupled
together.
[0253] Also, the invention is a propeller fan that has a plurality
of blades for blowing air by rotation, and is characterized in that
the propeller fan has a convex portion including a rotation shaft
located coaxially to a rotation center of the blades and protruding
toward an inlet side and/or an outlet side, and at least a part of
the base portions of the blades is not continuously connected to
the convex portion.
[0254] Further, the invention is a propeller fan that has a
plurality of blades for blowing air by rotation, and is
characterized in that the minimum length of the convex portion from
the rotation center is smaller than the minimum length of the base
portions of the blades from the rotation center. According to this
structure, the convex portion is small so that the blades have a
large area and the propeller fan has a small mass. Since the blades
have the large area, the blades can be effectively used even in the
rotation-central portion that is conventionally a dead angle
region, and the air flow rate can be increased when the rotation
speed is constant. Since the propeller fan has a small mass, this
reduces a load on the motor, and can reduce the power consumption
at the constant air flow rate.
[0255] Further, according to the invention, the propeller fan
described above is characterized in that the propeller fan includes
a front edge located on a forward side in the rotational direction,
a rear edge located on the opposite side in the rotational
direction and a peripheral portion extending in a circumferential
direction between a tip end portion of the front edge and a tip end
portion of the rear edge, and the base portion of the front edge of
each of blades and the base portion of the rear edge of the
neighboring blade match with each other and are continuously
coupled together.
[0256] Further, according to the invention, the propeller fan
described above is characterized in that the front edge of each of
the plurality of blades is coupled in a direction from the intake
side to the outlet side to the rear edge of the neighboring
blade.
[0257] Further, according to the invention, the propeller fan
described above is characterized in that the rear edge has a
concave portion (recessed portion) extending toward the front edge,
line between the opposite ends of the concave portion, or a common
tangential line with respect to the opposite ends that are nor
clear has a length equal to or larger than 0.33 times the outer
diameter of the fan, and a length from the line between the
opposite ends of the concave portion or from the above tangential
line to the deepest position of the concave portion is equal to or
smaller than 0.068 times the outer diameter of the fan. This
structure reduces the area of the blades to reduce effectively a
drag. Since the area of the blades decreases, the air flow rate
decreases when the rotation speed is constant, but the drag
effectively decreases so that the power consumption can be reduced
when the air flow rate is constant. It is assumed that X (the width
of the concave portion) indicates the length of the line between
the opposite ends of the concave portion or the length of the above
tangential line, and Y (depth of the concave portion) indicates the
length from the line between the opposite ends of the concave
portion or from the above tangential line to the deepest position
of the concave portion. When Y changes while X is substantially
constant, the ratio of the air flow rate with respect to a constant
rotation speed decreases, and the ratio of input with respect to a
constant air flow rate is substantially constant. Therefore, it is
desirable to reduce Y. When X changes while Y is substantially
constant, the ratio of the air flow rate with respect to a constant
rotation speed decreases, and the ratio of input with respect to a
constant air flow rate decreases. Therefore, it is desired to
decrease X when the air flow rate with respect to a constant
rotation speed is to be increased, and to increase X when the air
flow rate with respect to a constant rotation speed is to be
reduced.
[0258] Further, according to the invention, the propeller fan
described above is characterized in that it is molded from resin.
This structure can provide the blade portion having a section of a
blade-like form in contrast to the case where it is made of metal.
Further, this structure can reduce a mass of the propeller fan of
large sizes. Since this structure can provide the blade portion
having a section of a blade-like form in contrast to the case where
it is made of metal, the blowing performance can be improved. Since
this structure can reduce a mass of the propeller fan of large
sizes, the load on the motor can be reduced, and the power
consumption can be reduced.
[0259] Further, the invention is a fluid feeder provided with the
propeller fan described above.
[0260] Further, the invention is a molding die for molding the
propeller fan described above from resin.
[0261] The present invention is a propeller fan that has a
plurality of blades for blowing air by rotation, and has a
connection portion continuously coupling base portions of the
plurality of blades, and is characterized in that the propeller fan
has a convex portion including a rotation shaft located coaxially
to a rotation center of the blades and protruding toward an inlet
side and/or an outlet side, a circumferential width of the base
portion of the blade is smaller than a circumferential width of the
convex portion, and a rotation center portion on the outlet side is
provided with a flat surface portion larger than a circumferential
width of the convex portion on the intake side.
[0262] This structure can improve the blowing performance of the
propeller fan, and allows axial stacking (i.e., stacking in the
direction of height) of the propeller fans by a very simple manner
for storing or transporting them.
[0263] Further, the present invention is a propeller fan that has a
plurality of blades for blowing air by rotation, and has a
connection portion continuously coupling base portions of the
plurality of blades, and is characterized in that the propeller fan
has a convex portion including a rotation shaft located coaxially
to a rotation center of the blades and protruding toward an inlet
side and/or an outlet side, a circumferential width of the base
portion of the blade is smaller than a circumferential width of the
convex portion, a rotation center portion on the outlet side is
provided with an annular protrusion, and a circumferential width of
an inner side of the annular protrusion is equal to or larger than
a circumferential width of the outer side of the convex portion on
the intake side.
[0264] This structure can improve the blowing performance of the
propeller fan. Also, horizontal shifting or deviation can be
prevented so that this structure allows axial and stable stacking
(i.e., stable stacking in the direction of height) of the propeller
fans for storing or transporting them. Further, a balance piece may
be attached to the annular protrusion for eliminating imbalance of
the propeller fan.
[0265] Further, the present invention is a propeller fan that has a
plurality of blades for blowing air by rotation, and has a
connection portion continuously coupling base portions of the
plurality of blades, and is characterized in that the propeller fan
has a convex portion including a rotation shaft located coaxially
to a rotation center of the blades and protruding toward an inlet
side and/or an outlet side, a circumferential width of the base
portion of the blade is smaller than a circumferential width of the
convex portion, and an annular protrusion is arranged on a radially
outer side of the convex portion on the intake side.
[0266] When the annular protrusion on the intake side has an axial
height larger than a height of the convex portion, the above
structure improves the blowing performance of the propeller fan,
and allows stacking (i.e., stacking in the direction of height) of
the propeller fans for storing or transporting them. Further, when
the annular protrusion on the intake side has an axial height
smaller than a height of the convex portion, a balance piece may be
attached to the annular protrusion for eliminating imbalance of the
propeller fan.
[0267] Further, according to the invention, the propeller fan
described above is characterized in that it is molded from resin.
This structure can provide the blade portion having a section of a
blade-like form in contrast to the case where it is made of metal.
Further, this structure can reduce a mass of the propeller fan of
large sizes. Since this structure can provide the blade portion
having a section of a blade-like form in contrast to the case where
it is made of metal, the blowing performance can be improved. Since
this structure can reduce a mass of the propeller fan of large
sizes, the load on the motor can be reduced, and the power
consumption can be reduced.
[0268] Further, the invention is a fluid feeder provided with the
propeller fan described above.
[0269] Further, the invention is a molding die for molding the
propeller fan described above from resin.
[0270] Although the present invention has been described and
illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by
way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way
of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted
by the terms of the appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0271] The present invention is primarily applied to a fluid feeder
such as an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, an air purifier, a
humidifier, a dehumidifier, a fan heater, a cooling device and a
ventilating device.
* * * * *