U.S. patent number RE48,538 [Application Number 16/425,374] was granted by the patent office on 2021-04-27 for ceiling fan having reinforcements.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Panasonic Intellectual Property Mangement Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Kuramochi, Hironari Ogata, Daiki Sakito.
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United States Patent |
RE48,538 |
Kuramochi , et al. |
April 27, 2021 |
Ceiling fan having reinforcements
Abstract
A ceiling fan includes blade (11) that is integrally formed of
root (12), vane (13), and step (14) for maintaining vane (13) in a
state inclined from horizontal. Blade (11) includes bend (16)
.Iadd.on upstream side (11c).Iaddend., first reinforcement (17) on
.[.upstream.]. .Iadd.downstream .Iaddend.side .[.(11c).].
.Iadd.(11b).Iaddend., and a plurality of second reinforcements (18)
between bend (16) and first reinforcement (17). First reinforcement
length (17a) is longer than second reinforcement length (18a).
Further, the ceiling fan includes blade drop prevention portion
(37) for locking blade (11) to support (10).
Inventors: |
Kuramochi; Hiroyuki (Aichi,
JP), Ogata; Hironari (Gifu, JP), Sakito;
Daiki (Aichi, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. |
Osaka |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Panasonic Intellectual Property
Mangement Co., Ltd. (Osaka, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
49258968 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/425,374 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2019 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 21, 2013 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2013/001919 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
September 11, 2014 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2013/145656 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
October 03, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
14384679 |
Mar 21, 2013 |
9915268 |
Mar 13, 2018 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 26, 2012 [JP] |
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2012-069316 |
Mar 26, 2012 [JP] |
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2012-069317 |
Jan 29, 2013 [JP] |
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2013-014020 |
Jan 29, 2013 [JP] |
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2013-014021 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D
25/088 (20130101); F04D 29/388 (20130101); F04D
29/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F04D
29/34 (20060101); F04D 29/38 (20060101); F04D
25/08 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
2787893 |
|
Jun 2006 |
|
CN |
|
101772650 |
|
Jul 2010 |
|
CN |
|
101946093 |
|
Jan 2011 |
|
CN |
|
3-030599 |
|
Mar 1991 |
|
JP |
|
3-104511 |
|
Oct 1991 |
|
JP |
|
5-069400 |
|
Sep 1993 |
|
JP |
|
10-252692 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
JP |
|
2009-121243 |
|
Jun 2009 |
|
JP |
|
2010-048119 |
|
Mar 2010 |
|
JP |
|
2009/019838 |
|
Feb 2009 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Indian Office Action dated Apr. 15, 2019 for the related Indian
Patent Application No. 6965/CHENP/2014. cited by applicant .
English Translation of Chinese Search Report dated Feb. 2, 2016 for
the related Chinese Patent Application No. 201380017039.8. cited by
applicant .
International Search Report of PCT application No.
PCT/JP2013/001919 dated Jun. 25, 2013. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Flanagan; Beverly M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Panasonic IP Management Culpepper;
Kerry S.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A ceiling fan comprising: a junction to be engaged with a
ceiling; a motor provided in a lower part of the junction; a
support configured to rotate in a circumference of the motor; and a
plurality of blades detachably fixed to the support, wherein each
of the blades is integrally formed of: a root fixed to the support;
a vane configured to blow air by rotation of a rotor that
constitutes the motor; and a step provided between the root and a
tip of the vane, the step maintaining the vane in a state inclined
from horizontal, each of the blades includes: a bend on an upstream
side in a rotational direction of each of the blades, the bend
being bent downward; a first reinforcement on the .[.upstream.].
.Iadd.downstream .Iaddend.side in the rotational direction of each
of the blades, the first reinforcement extending from the root
partway to the tip; and a plurality of second reinforcements
between the bend and the first reinforcement, the second
reinforcements extending from the root partway to the tip, wherein
a first reinforcement length of the first reinforcement is longer
than a .[.second reinforcement.]. length of each of the second
reinforcements extending from the root partway to the tip, and
wherein the .[.second reinforcement.]. length .Iadd.of each of the
plurality of second reinforcements .Iaddend.becomes continuously
shorter from a downstream side toward the upstream side.
2. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein, in the step, a
distance extending obliquely downward from the root becomes larger
from the downstream side toward the upstream side.
3. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein, in the step, a
distance extending obliquely downward from the root becomes larger
from the downstream side toward the upstream side, and a second
reinforcement width that is a length of each of the second
reinforcements from the upstream side toward the downstream side
becomes larger on the downstream side than on the upstream
side.
4. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the support
comprises a plurality of fixing portions, the root has a plurality
of fixing holes, each of the blades is fixed to the support with a
connecting member through the fixing holes, and the first
reinforcement and the plurality of second reinforcements extend to
vicinities of the fixing holes.
5. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein .Iadd.each of the
blades includes a blade end, and .Iaddend. the plurality of second
reinforcements extend to .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.blade end of
each of the blades.
6. The ceiling fan according to claim 1, wherein the first
reinforcement is located on a root side, and is formed of a first
root side reinforcement having a protruded shape in cross section
along a plane perpendicular to the rotational direction.
7. A ceiling fan comprising: a junction to be engaged with a
ceiling; a motor provided in a lower part of the junction; a
support configured to rotate in a circumference of the motor; and a
plurality of blades detachably fixed to the support, wherein each
of the blades is integrally formed of: a root fixed to the support;
a vane configured to blow air by rotation of a rotor that
constitutes the motor; and a step provided between the root and a
tip of the vane, the step maintaining the vane in a state inclined
from horizontal, each of the blades includes: a bend on an upstream
side in a rotational direction of each of the blades, the bend
being bent downward; a first reinforcement on the .[.upstream.].
.Iadd.downstream .Iaddend.side in the rotational direction of each
of the blades, the first reinforcement extending from the root
partway to the tip .Iadd.and over the step.Iaddend.; and a
plurality of second reinforcements between the bend and the first
reinforcement, the second reinforcements extending from the root
partway to the tip, wherein a first reinforcement length of the
first reinforcement is longer than a .[.second reinforcement.].
length of each of the second reinforcements, wherein the first
reinforcement .[.is located on a root side, and.]. is further
formed of: a first root side reinforcement .Iadd.located on the
root and .Iaddend.having a protruded shape in cross section along a
plane perpendicular to the rotational direction; and a first tip
side reinforcement located on a tip side and having a protruded
shape in cross section, .[.and.]. wherein a first tip side
reinforcement height of the first tip side reinforcement is lower
than a first root side reinforcement height of the first root side
reinforcement.Iadd., a first root side reinforcement length of the
first root side reinforcement is longer than the length of each of
the plurality of second reinforcements.Iaddend..
8. The ceiling fan according to claim 7, wherein a first tip side
reinforcement length of the first tip side reinforcement is longer
than .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.first root side reinforcement
length of the first root side reinforcement.[., and the first root
side reinforcement length is longer than the second reinforcement
length.]..
9. The ceiling fan according to claim 8, further comprising: a
first inclination reinforcement provided between the first root
side reinforcement and the first tip side reinforcement, for
connecting the first root side reinforcement and the first tip side
reinforcement.
Description
.Iadd.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS.Iaddend.
.Iadd.This application is a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No.
9,915,268 issued on Mar. 13, 2018 issued from U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/384,679, filed on Sep. 11, 2014, which is a
U.S. national stage application of the PCT International
Application No. PCT/JP2013/001919 filed on Mar. 21, 2013, which
claims the benefit of foreign priority of Japanese patent
applications 2012-069316 filed on Mar. 26, 2012, 2012-069317 filed
on Mar. 26, 2012, 2013-014020 filed on Jan. 29, 2013 and
2013-014021 filed on Jan. 29, 2013..Iaddend.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a ceiling fan.
BACKGROUND ART
A conventional ceiling fan suspended from a ceiling has the
following configuration. That is, the ceiling fan includes a
junction engageable with the ceiling, a motor provided in a lower
part of the junction, a support rotatably provided in a
circumference of the motor, and a plurality of metallic blades
provided detachably from and attachably to the support. Each of the
blades is formed of a root fixed to the support, a vane for blowing
air by rotation of the support, and a step provided between the
root and the vane, the step maintaining the vane in a state
inclined from horizontal. In addition, the blade includes a bend on
a downstream side in a rotational direction of the blade, the bend
being bent downward, and a plurality of reinforcements in a center
of the blade (see PTL 1).
In the above-described conventional example, strength of the blade
is weak in some cases. That is, as a reaction of the blade rotating
and pushing air down, stress occurs in the step of the blade. When
the ceiling fan is used over a long period of time, the blade is
sometimes damaged by metal fatigue caused by repeated loading.
Conventionally, a reinforcement is provided in the blade, and the
strength is improved by this reinforcement. While the strength
improves in a portion in which the reinforcement is provided, the
stress concentrates on a portion in which the reinforcement is not
provided. In the portion in which the stress concentrates, the
blade is sometimes damaged by metal fatigue caused by repeated
loading in a prolonged use of the ceiling fan.
In addition, the conventional ceiling fan includes a blade drop
prevention portion for locking the blade to the support. However,
mounting of this blade drop prevention portion is sometimes
forgotten. Conventionally, in a field of mounting the ceiling fan,
the blade drop prevention portion is fastened together with the
blade to the support with screws.
This blade drop prevention portion is locked to the blade and fixed
with tape, etc. Then, the blade drop prevention portion is screwed
to the support together with the blade in a state where the blade
drop prevention portion is fixed to the blade with tape, etc.
Accordingly, in the field, due to the tape, etc. peeling off, the
blade drop prevention portion and the blade are not fastened
together to the support with screws by mistake, and only the blade
is screwed to the support in some cases.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-121243
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a ceiling fan that includes a
junction to be engaged with a ceiling, a motor provided in a lower
part of the junction, a support for rotating in a circumference of
the motor, and a plurality of blades detachably fixed to the
support. Each of the blades is integrally formed of a root fixed to
the support, a vane for blowing air by rotation of a rotor that
constitutes the motor, and a step provided between the root and a
tip of the vane, the step maintaining the vane in a state inclined
from horizontal. In addition, the blade includes a bend on .[.a
downstream.]. .Iadd.an upstream .Iaddend.side in a rotational
direction of the blade, the bend being bent downward, a first
reinforcement on .[.an upstream.]. .Iadd.a downstream .Iaddend.side
in the rotational direction of the blade, the first reinforcement
extending from the root partway to the tip, and a plurality of
second reinforcements between the bend and the first reinforcement,
the second reinforcements extending from the root partway to the
tip. In addition, a first reinforcement length of the first
reinforcement is longer than a second reinforcement length of each
of the second reinforcements.
Thus, the first reinforcement and the plurality of second
reinforcements are provided in a position in which the stress
easily concentrates. Moreover, since the first reinforcement length
is longer than the second reinforcement length, the strength
increases on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the
blade where stress concentration particularly easily occurs.
Accordingly, the strength of the entire blade improves.
In addition, the present invention is a ceiling fan that includes a
junction to be engaged with the ceiling, a motor provided in a
lower part of the junction, a support for rotating in a
circumference of the motor, a plurality of fixing portions provided
in the support, a plurality of blades detachably fixed to the
fixing portions, and a blade drop prevention portion for locking
each of the blades to the support. The blade is integrally formed
of a root fixed to the support, a vane for blowing air by rotation
of a rotor that constitutes the motor, and a step provided between
the root and a tip of the vane, the step maintaining the vane
inclined from horizontal. The root has a locking hole and a
plurality of fixing holes. The blade drop prevention portion
includes a locking portion extending from the support and the
locking hole locked by the locking portion. In addition, the blade
is fixed to the support by connecting members fixed to the fixing
portions via the fixing holes as well as by the locking portion
inserted into the locking hole.
That is, unless the locking portion is inserted into the locking
hole, the blade is not fixed to the fixing portions of the support
with the connecting members. This prevents a failure to mount the
blade drop prevention portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a ceiling fan
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a ceiling fan body
of the ceiling fan.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a root of a blade
in the ceiling fan.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blade in the ceiling fan.
FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an overview of a first
reinforcement of the blade in the ceiling fan.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of the
first and second reinforcements of the blade in the ceiling
fan.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of another blade of the ceiling fan.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the ceiling fan
according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the ceiling fan
body of the ceiling fan.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the root of the
blade in the ceiling fan.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the blade in the ceiling fan.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of another blade of the ceiling fan.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described
below with reference to the drawings.
First Exemplary Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a ceiling fan
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a ceiling fan body
of the ceiling fan. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of
a root of a blade in the ceiling fan.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the ceiling fan includes suspending
portion 2 fixed to ceiling 1 and ceiling fan body 3 engaged via
suspending portion 2. Ceiling fan body 3 includes junction 4, motor
7, blades 11, and body cover 22.
Ceiling fan body 3 includes junction 4 in an upper part for being
suspended by suspending portion 2. Junction 4 engages with ceiling
1. In addition, junction 4 includes joint 5 directly hooked on
suspending portion 2 and cylindrical pipe 6 fixed to a lower part
of joint 5.
Motor 7 is fixed to a lower part of pipe 6. Motor 7 includes
generally disc-shaped stator 8 fixed to a lower part of pipe 6 and
generally ring-shaped rotor 9 for rotating in a periphery of stator
8. Support 10 for rotating is provided in a circumference of rotor
9. That is, support 10 rotates in a circumference of motor 7.
Support 10 includes two fixing portions 23 that are screw
holes.
The plurality of metallic blades 11 detachably fixed to support 10
are fixed to fixing portions 23 with screws 24 that are connecting
members. In addition, blades 11 are each fixed so as to extend from
rotor 9 in an outward horizontal direction. As described above, the
ceiling fan includes junction 4, motor 7, support 10, and blades
11.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blade according to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4,
blade 11 is integrally formed of root 12, vane 13, and step 14. In
addition, a material of blade 11 is a metallic plate.
Root 12 is located on one side of blade 11, on a motor 7 side
illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, root 12 is fixed to support 10
illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, root 12 has two
fixing holes 15. Fixing holes 15 are each a circular hole formed in
a generally square flat board and fixed to support 10 illustrated
in FIG. 2. Fixing holes 15 are each located near an end on upstream
side 11c in rotational direction 11a of blade 11, and near an end
on downstream side 11b. Blade 11 is fixed via fixing holes 15 to
fixing portions 23 illustrated in FIG. 2 on an upper surface of
support 10 with screws 24 illustrated in FIG. 3.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, support 10 is formed of fixing portions
23 and receptacle 25. Receptacle 25 is a ring-shaped flat board. As
illustrated in FIG. 3, receptacle 25 is located in a circumference
of generally disc-shaped motor upper cover 26. Receptacle 25 has a
plurality of holes through which screws 24 pass. Receptacle 25 and
motor upper cover 26 are integrally formed. As illustrated in FIG.
2 to FIG. 4, screws 24 are fixed to fixing portions 23 of support
10 via the holes in receptacle 25 and fixing holes 15 of blade 11.
Blade 11 and motor upper cover 26 are fixed to support 10.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, vane 13 is located on another side, on an
outward side of blade 11. Vane 13 blows air by rotation of rotor 9
illustrated in FIG. 2. Step 14 is located between root 12 and tip
13a of vane 13. In addition, step 14 maintains vane 13 in a state
inclined from horizontal. In addition, step 14 is flat board-shaped
extending from an end of root 12 to an end of vane 13. In step 14,
a distance extending obliquely downward from root 12 becomes larger
from downstream side 11b toward upstream side 11c. That is, step 14
is a generally triangle-shaped flat board.
These root 12, vane 13, and step 14 are integrally formed. That is,
root 12, vane 13, and step 14 are manufactured from one sheet of
metallic plate by press working.
Next, air-blowing operation of the ceiling fan will be described.
In the ceiling fan, rotor 9 of motor 7 illustrated in FIG. 2
rotates by applying electric power to motor 7 illustrated in FIG.
1. This rotation also rotates blade 11 fixed to support 10 that is
in a circumference of rotor 9. Herein, vane 13 illustrated in FIG.
4 inclines, by step 14, obliquely downward from downstream side 11b
toward upstream side 11c in rotational direction 11a of blade 11,
and thus air flowing along a lower surface of vane 13 is blown in a
direction of a floor from a ceiling 1 side illustrated in FIG.
1.
A feature of the ceiling fan in the present first exemplary
embodiment is in a shape of blade 11. Specifically, as illustrated
in FIG. 4, blade 11 includes bend 16 on upstream side 11c in
rotational direction 11a of blade 11, bend 16 being bent downward.
In addition, blade 11 is provided with first reinforcement 17 on
downstream side 11b in rotational direction 11a of blade 11, first
reinforcement 17 extending from root 12 via step 14 partway to tip
13a of vane 13. Furthermore, blade 11 includes a plurality of
second reinforcements 18 between bend 16 and first reinforcement
17, second reinforcements 18 extending from root 12 via step 14
partway to tip 13a of vane 13. Moreover, first reinforcement length
17a is longer than second reinforcement length 18a.
In step 14 on downstream side 11b illustrated in FIG. 4, stress
easily concentrates by a moment produced when blade 11 blows air.
However, since first reinforcement length 17a is longer than second
reinforcement length 18a, the stress on downstream side 11b is
dispersed. As a result, degrees of stress concentration approach
each other between upstream side 11c and downstream side 11b of
blade 11, and overall strength of blade 11 improves. Herein, first
reinforcement 17 may extend from root 12 via step 14 to a vicinity
of tip 13a of vane 13. This suppresses hanging down of tip 13a of
vane 13 caused by the tip's own weight.
FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an overview of first
reinforcement 17 of blade 11 in the ceiling fan according to the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a
cross-sectional view illustrating an overview of first
reinforcement 17 and second reinforcements 18 of blade 11 in the
ceiling fan. As illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, first
reinforcement 17 is formed of first root side reinforcement 19 and
first tip side reinforcement 20. First root side reinforcement 19
is located on a root 12 side of blade 11, and is a drawing portion
produced by applying drawing bead processing. First tip side
reinforcement 20 is located on a tip 13a side of blade 11, and is a
drawing portion produced by applying drawing bead processing. These
drawing portions have a protruded shape in a direction from a lower
surface to an upper surface of blade 11. That is, a first root side
reinforcement 19 and first tip side reinforcement 20 has a
protruded curved shape in cross section along a plane perpendicular
to rotational direction 11a of blade 11.
First tip side reinforcement 20 is located on a tip 13a side where
an amount of blowing air is large compared with on the root 12
side. Since first tip side reinforcement height 20a is lower than
first root side reinforcement height 19a, turbulent flow occurrence
in first tip side reinforcement 20 is suppressed.
In addition, first tip side reinforcement length 20b is longer than
first root side reinforcement length 19b. Moreover, first root side
reinforcement length 19b is longer than second reinforcement length
18a. Furthermore, first tip side reinforcement 20 is disposed in a
position lower than a position of first root side reinforcement 19.
Accordingly, the turbulent flow occurrence in first tip side
reinforcement 20 is further suppressed.
In step 14 on downstream side 11b, the stress easily concentrates
by a moment produced when blade 11 blows air. However, first root
side reinforcement length 19b is longer than second reinforcement
length 18a. Accordingly, the stress on downstream side 11b is
dispersed, and the degrees of stress concentration approach each
other between upstream side 11c and downstream side 11b.
In addition, first inclination reinforcement 21 is provided between
first root side reinforcement 19 and first tip side reinforcement
20. First inclination reinforcement 21 smoothly connects first root
side reinforcement 19 and first tip side reinforcement 20. First
inclination reinforcement 21 inclines obliquely downward from an
end of first root side reinforcement 19, and extends to an end of
first tip side reinforcement 20. This suppresses the stress
concentration between first root side reinforcement 19 and first
tip side reinforcement 20, both of which differ in height.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, in step 14, a distance extending
obliquely downward from root 12 becomes larger from downstream side
11b toward upstream side 11c. Second reinforcement length 18a
illustrated in FIG. 4 is longer as a vertical height in step 14 is
lower. That is, second reinforcement length 18a becomes shorter
from downstream side 11b toward upstream side 11c. In addition, an
end on the tip 13a side of each of the plurality of second
reinforcements 18 that extend partway to tip 13a of vane 13 is more
distant from the root 12 side from upstream side 11c toward
downstream side 11b.
In step 14, a distance extending obliquely downward from root 12
becomes larger from downstream side 11b toward upstream side 11c.
Accordingly, step 14 relieves the stress concentration more on
upstream side 11c than on downstream side 11b. In contrast, second
reinforcement length 18a is longer from upstream side 11c toward
downstream side 11b. Accordingly, second reinforcements 18 relieve
the stress concentration more on downstream side 11b than on
upstream side 11c. As a result, step 14 on upstream side 11c
relieves the stress concentration on upstream side 11c. Second
reinforcements 18 on downstream side 11b relieve the stress
concentration on downstream side 11b. Therefore, the strength of
overall blade 11 improves.
In addition, ends of first reinforcement 17 and the plurality of
second reinforcements 18 on the root 12 side in blade 11 extend to
vicinities of fixing holes 15. That is, in the vicinities of fixing
holes 15, the strength is small compared with in step 14, and thus
the stress concentrates.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, since first reinforcement 17 and the
plurality of second reinforcements 18 extend to above receptacle
25, the strength in the vicinities of fixing holes 15 improves. As
a result, the stress that occurs in the vicinities of fixing holes
15 is dispersed, and the strength of blade 11 further improves.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, since the ends of second reinforcements
18 on the root 12 side in blade 11 are located in the vicinities of
fixing holes 15 that support weight of blade 11, the stress
concentrates compared with on the tip 13a side. However, the ends
of the plurality of second reinforcements 18 on the root 12 side in
blade 11 extend to blade end 11d, and thus the strength of the ends
on the root 12 side improves. As a result, the stress that occurs
in the ends of second reinforcements 18 on the root 12 side is
dispersed, and the strength of blade 11 further improves.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of second
reinforcements 18 has a protruded shape in cross section. Second
reinforcement width 18b of the protruded shape is larger than
second reinforcement separation length 18c between adjacent second
reinforcements 18.
That is, second reinforcement width 18b is larger than second
reinforcement separation length 18c, and thus second reinforcements
18 have a stronger structure, and the strength improves. As a
result, the stress that occurs in root 12 and step 14 in blade 11
having second reinforcements 18 is dispersed, and the strength of
blade 11 further improves.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of another blade of the ceiling fan according
to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, second reinforcements 27 have a shape
different from a shape of second reinforcements 18 of FIG. 4. Vane
13 is provided with first reinforcement 17 that extends from root
12 via step 14 partway to tip 13a of vane 13. In addition, second
reinforcements 27 that extend from root 12 via step 14 partway to
tip 13a of vane 13 are provided between bend 16 and first
reinforcement 17.
Second reinforcement length 27a of each of second reinforcements 27
is almost identical. Second reinforcement width 27b is smaller on
upstream side 11c than on downstream side 11b in rotational
direction 11a of blade 11. Second reinforcement length 27a is a
length of each of second reinforcements 27 from root 12 via step 14
partway to tip 13a of vane 13. Second reinforcement width 27b is a
length of each of second reinforcements 27 from upstream side 11c
toward downstream side 11b.
In step 14, a distance extending obliquely downward from root 12
becomes smaller from upstream side 11c toward downstream side 11b.
Accordingly, the stress applied to downstream side 11b is large
compared with the stress applied to upstream side 11c. In contrast,
second reinforcement width 27b becomes larger on downstream side
11b than on upstream side 11c. Accordingly, in second
reinforcements 27, the stress applied to downstream side 11b is
small compared with the stress applied to upstream side 11c. As a
result, the stress that occurs in step 14 and the plurality of
second reinforcements 27 is dispersed by step 14 and the plurality
of second reinforcements 27, and the strength of blade 11 further
improves.
In the vicinities of fixing holes 15, the strength is small
compared with in step 14, and thus the stress concentrates. In
contrast, the ends of first reinforcement 17 and the plurality of
second reinforcements 27 on the root 12 side extend to the
vicinities of fixing holes 15. That is, first reinforcement 17 and
the plurality of second reinforcements 27 extend to above
receptacle 25, and thus the strength in the vicinities of fixing
holes 15 improves. As a result, the stress that occurs in the
vicinities of fixing holes 15 is dispersed, and the strength of
blade 11 further improves.
Since the ends of the plurality of second reinforcements 27 on the
root 12 side in blade 11 extend to blade end 11d, the strength of
the ends on the root 12 side improves. As a result, the stress that
occurs in the ends of second reinforcements 27 on the root 12 side
in blade 11 is dispersed, and the strength of blade 11 further
improves.
In addition, each of the plurality of second reinforcements 27 in a
plane perpendicular to rotational direction 11a has a curved shape
in cross section. A width of this curved shape is larger than a
length between adjacent second reinforcements 27. That is, since
the width of the curved shape of each of second reinforcements 27
is larger than a length between adjacent second reinforcements 27,
second reinforcements 27 have a stronger structure, and the
strength improves. As a result, the stress that occurs in root 12
and step 14 in blade 11 having second reinforcements 27 is
dispersed, and the strength of blade 11 further improves.
Second Exemplary Embodiment
In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
identical reference numerals are used to refer to components
identical to components of the first exemplary embodiment, and only
a different point will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram
illustrating an overview of a ceiling fan according to the second
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram
illustrating an overview of a ceiling fan body of the ceiling fan.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a root of a blade
in the ceiling fan. As illustrated in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the
ceiling fan includes junction 4, motor 7, support 10, blades 11,
and blade drop prevention portion 37. Herein, support 10 is
provided with a plurality of fixing portions 23. In addition, the
plurality of metallic blades 11 are detachably fixed to portions
23. In addition, blade drop prevention portion 37 locks blade 11 to
support 10.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of blade 11 according to the second
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in
FIG. 11, root 12 has fixing holes 15 and locking hole 29 that is
one T-shaped hole.
Locking hole 29 is located in root 12 in a center in rotational
direction 11a of blade 11. As illustrated in FIG. 10, locking hole
29 includes first square hole 30 and second square hole 31. Herein,
first square hole 30 is rectangle-shaped extending in a direction
from root 12 to step 14. Second square hole 31 communicates with an
opening end on the root 12 side of first square hole 30, and is
rectangle-shaped. Second square hole length 31a of second square
hole 31 in rotational direction 11a is longer than first square
hole length 30a of first square hole 30 in rotational direction
11a.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, fixing portions 23 are located in a
circumference of rotor 9. In addition, fixing portions 23 are each
generally ring-shaped and include a plurality of screw holes.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, locking portion 28 extends from
receptacle 25. Locking portion 28 is a T-shaped flat board
extending perpendicularly upward from a peripheral end of
receptacle 25. Locking portion 28 includes first square flat board
32 and second square flat board 33. Herein, first square flat board
32 is a rectangle-shaped flat board extending perpendicularly
upward from the peripheral end of receptacle 25. Second square flat
board 33 is a rectangle-shaped flat board provided in an upper end
of first square flat board 32. Second square flat board length 33a
of second square flat board 33 in rotational direction 11a is
longer than first square flat board length 32a of first square flat
board 32 in rotational direction 11a. In addition, second square
flat board length 33a is longer than first square hole length 30a,
and is shorter than second square hole length 31a. Furthermore,
first square flat board length 32a is shorter than first square
hole length 30a.
In addition, when blade 11 illustrated in FIG. 10 is fixed to
support 10, first, locking portion 28 extending from receptacle 25
is inserted into locking hole 29 of blade 11. Herein, second square
flat board 33 is inserted into second square hole 31. Blade 11 is
moved in a direction of a tip of blade 11 by a predetermined
distance. Then, first square flat board 32 enters first square hole
30. Then, fixing holes 15, holes in receptacle 25, and the screw
holes in fixing portions 23 illustrated in FIG. 9 each communicate.
Screws 24 are inserted into two screw holes that are fixing
portions 23 via the holes in receptacle 25 and fixing holes 15.
Then, blade 11 and motor upper cover 26 are fixed to support
10.
Next, air-blowing operation of the ceiling fan will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, in the ceiling fan, rotor 9
rotates by applying electric power to motor 7. This rotation also
rotates blade 11 fixed to support 10. Herein, vane 13 inclines, by
step 14, obliquely downward from upstream side 11c toward
downstream side 11b, and thus the air flowing along a lower surface
of vane 13 is blown in a direction of a floor from the ceiling 1
side.
A feature of the present second exemplary embodiment is in blade
drop prevention portion 37. Blade drop prevention portion 37 locks
blade 11 to support 10. Blade drop prevention portion 37 includes
locking portion 28 extending from support 10 and locking hole 29.
Herein, locking hole 29 is a hole in root 12, the hole being locked
by locking portion 28. Blade 11 is fixed to support 10 by locking
portion 28 being inserted into locking hole 29, and by screws 24
that are fixed to fixing portions 23 via fixing holes 15.
That is, blade 11 is not fixed to fixing portions 23 with screws 24
unless locking portion 28 is inserted into locking hole 29.
Accordingly, a failure to mount blade drop prevention portion 37 is
prevented, thereby improving mounting work efficiency.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, fixing holes 15 are each located in root
12 on upstream side 11c and downstream side 11b in rotational
direction 11a of blade 11. In addition, blade 11 includes a
plurality of reinforcements 34 extending from root 12 partway to
tip 13a of vane 13.
As illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, at least part of
reinforcements 34 provided between the plurality of fixing holes 15
is located right above support 10, the part of reinforcements 34
approaching fixing holes 15. In addition, reinforcements 34
provided in an end on upstream side 11c and in an end on downstream
side 11b are located distant from right above support 10,
reinforcements 34 approaching fixing holes 15. Stress concentrates
most between fixing holes 15 and reinforcements 34 provided in the
end on upstream side 11c and in the end on downstream side 11b,
respectively, reinforcements 34 approaching fixing holes 15.
Accordingly, portions between fixing holes 15 and reinforcements 34
approaching fixing holes 15 may be damaged by metal fatigue
resulting from repeated loading in prolonged use of the ceiling
fan.
However, even when the portions between fixing holes 15 and
reinforcements 34 approaching fixing holes 15 are damaged, blade 11
is securely locked by locking portion 28 extending from support 10,
locking portion 28 being inserted into locking hole 29, thereby
preventing drop. As illustrated in FIG. 11, blade 11 includes bend
16 on upstream side 11c, bend 16 being bent downward. Blade 11 is
provided with first reinforcement 17 on downstream side 11b, first
reinforcement 17 extending from root 12 via step 14 partway to tip
13a of vane 13. In addition, blade 11 includes a plurality of
second reinforcements 18 between bend 16 and first reinforcement
17, second reinforcements 18 extending from root 12 via step 14
partway to tip 13a of vane 13. First reinforcement length 17a is
longer than second reinforcement length 18a. Herein, reinforcements
34 include first reinforcement 17 and second reinforcements 18.
The stress easily concentrates in step 14 on upstream side 11c by a
moment produced when blade 11 blows air. However, since first
reinforcement length 17a is longer than second reinforcement length
18a, the stress on downstream side 11b is dispersed. As a result,
the stress applied to upstream side 11c and the stress applied to
downstream side 11b are almost equal. Thus, the stress that occurs
in blade 11 is dispersed, and strength of step 14 in blade 11
improves. Accordingly, damage easily occurs between fixing holes 15
and reinforcements 34 approaching fixing holes 15 by metal fatigue
resulting from repeated loading in prolonged use.
Herein, ends of the plurality of second reinforcements 18 on the
root 12 side in blade 11 may extend to blade end 11d. This enlarges
an area of second reinforcements 18 located right above receptacle
25, and thus the strength further improves by second reinforcements
18 in root 12. As a result, second reinforcements 18 disperse the
stress that occurs in the end on the root 12 side, and further
improves the strength of blade 11.
Herein, first reinforcement 17 may extend from root 12 via step 14
to a vicinity of tip 13a of vane 13. This suppresses hanging down
of the tip of vane 13 caused by the tip's own weight.
In addition, first reinforcement 17 is formed of first root side
reinforcement 19 and first tip side reinforcement 20. First root
side reinforcement 19 is located on the root 12 side of blade 11,
and is a drawing portion produced by applying drawing bead
processing. First tip side reinforcement 20 is located on the tip
13a side of blade 11, and is a drawing portion produced by applying
drawing bead processing. These drawing portions have a protruded
shape in a direction from a lower surface to an upper surface of
blade 11. That is, each of first root side reinforcement 19 and
first tip side reinforcement 20 has a protruded curved shape in
cross section along a plane perpendicular to rotational direction
11a of blade 11.
Herein, first tip side reinforcement height 20a is lower than first
root side reinforcement height 19a. Accordingly, first tip side
reinforcement 20, which is located on the tip 13a side where an
amount of blowing air is large compared with on the root 12 side of
blade 11, suppresses turbulent flow occurrence.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, first tip side reinforcement length 20b
is longer than first root side reinforcement length 19b. Moreover,
first root side reinforcement length 19b is longer than second
reinforcement length 18a. As a result, first tip side reinforcement
20, which is located on the tip 13a side where the amount of
blowing air is large compared with on the root 12 side of blade 11,
suppresses turbulent flow occurrence.
In step 14 on downstream side 11b, the stress easily concentrates
by a moment produced when blade 11 blows air. However, first root
side reinforcement length 19b is longer than second reinforcement
length 18a, and thus the stress on downstream side 11b is
dispersed, and the stress applied to upstream side 11c and the
stress applied to downstream side 11b are almost equal.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, first inclination reinforcement 21 is
provided between first root side reinforcement 19 and first tip
side reinforcement 20. First inclination reinforcement 21 smoothly
connects first root side reinforcement 19 and first tip side
reinforcement 20. First inclination reinforcement 21 inclines
obliquely downward from an end of first root side reinforcement 19,
and extends to an end of first tip side reinforcement 20.
This suppresses the stress concentration between first root side
reinforcement 19 and first tip side reinforcement 20, both of which
differ in height.
In step 14, a distance extending obliquely downward from root 12
becomes larger from downstream side 11b toward upstream side 11c.
Moreover, second reinforcement length 18a is longer as a vertical
height in step 14 is lower. That is, second reinforcement length
18a becomes shorter from downstream side 11b toward upstream side
11c. In addition, an end on the tip 13a side of each of the
plurality of second reinforcements 18 that extend partway to tip
13a of vane 13 is more distant from the root 12 side from upstream
side 11c toward downstream side 11b.
In step 14, a distance extending obliquely downward from root 12
becomes larger from downstream side 11b toward upstream side 11c.
Accordingly, step 14 relieves the stress concentration more on
upstream side 11c than on downstream side 11b. In contrast, second
reinforcement length 18a becomes longer from upstream side 11c
toward downstream side 11b. Accordingly, second reinforcements 18
relieve the stress concentration more on downstream side 11b than
on upstream side 11c. Accordingly, step 14 on upstream side 11c
relieves the stress concentration on upstream side 11c. Second
reinforcements 18 on downstream side 11b relieve the stress
concentration on downstream side 11b.
As a result, the stress that occurs in step 14 and the plurality of
second reinforcements 18 is dispersed by step 14 and the plurality
of second reinforcements 18. In view of the foregoing, damage
easily occurs between fixing holes 15 and reinforcements 34
approaching fixing holes 15 by metal fatigue resulting from
repeated loading in prolonged use.
In addition, each of the plurality of second reinforcements 18 in a
plane perpendicular to rotational direction 11a has a curved shape
in cross section. A width of this curved shape is larger than a
length between adjacent second reinforcements 18.
That is, since the width of the curved cross-sectional shape of
each of second reinforcements 18 is larger than the length between
adjacent second reinforcements 18, second reinforcements 18 have a
stronger structure, and the strength improves. As a result, the
stress that occurs in root 12 and step 14 in blade 11 having second
reinforcements 18 is dispersed, and the strength of blade 11
further improves.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of another blade of the ceiling fan
according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. As illustrated in FIG. 12, first reinforcement 17
extends from root 12 via step 14 partway to tip 13a of vane 13. In
addition, second reinforcements 35 are provided between bend 16 and
first reinforcement 17, second reinforcements 35 extending from
root 12 via step 14 partway to tip 13a of vane 13.
Second reinforcement length 35a of each of second reinforcements 35
is almost identical, and second reinforcement width 35b is smaller
on upstream side 11c than on downstream side 11b. Herein, second
reinforcement length 35a is a length in a direction extending from
root 12 via step 14 to tip 13a of vane 13. In addition, second
reinforcement width 35b is a length from upstream side 11c toward
downstream side 11b.
A distance of step 14 extending obliquely downward from root 12
becomes smaller from upstream side 11c toward downstream side 11b.
Accordingly, the stress applied to upstream side 11c is larger than
the stress applied to downstream side 11b. In contrast, second
reinforcement width 35b is larger on downstream side 11b than on
upstream side 11c. Accordingly, second reinforcements 35 relieve
the stress applied to downstream side 11b more than the stress
applied to upstream side 11c. As a result, the stress that occurs
in step 14 and the plurality of second reinforcements 35 is
dispersed by step 14 and the plurality of second reinforcements 35.
Accordingly, damage easily occurs between fixing holes 15 and
second reinforcements 35 approaching fixing holes 15 by metal
fatigue resulting from repeated loading in prolonged use of the
ceiling fan.
Herein, the ends of the plurality of second reinforcements 35 on
the root 12 side in blade 11 may extend to blade end 11d. This
enlarges an area of second reinforcements 35 located right above
receptacle 25 illustrated in FIG. 10, and thus the strength of root
12 further improves by second reinforcements 35. That is, the
stress that occurs in the ends of second reinforcements 35 on the
root 12 side is dispersed, and the strength of blade 11 further
improves. Herein, second reinforcement width 35b may become smaller
from downstream side 11b toward upstream side 11c.
In addition, each of the plurality of second reinforcements 35 in a
plane perpendicular to rotational direction 11a has a curved shape
in cross section. A width of this curved shape is larger than a
length between adjacent second reinforcements 35.
That is, since the width of the curved cross-sectional shape of
each of second reinforcements 35 is larger than the length between
adjacent second reinforcements 35, second reinforcements 35 have a
stronger structure, and the strength improves. As a result, the
stress that occurs in root 12 and step 14 in blade 11 having second
reinforcements 35 is dispersed, and the strength of blade 11
further improves.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
Utilization of the present invention is expected as a ceiling fan
for home use and office use.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
1 ceiling
2 suspending portion
3 ceiling fan body
4 junction
5 joint
6 pipe
7 motor
8 stator
9 rotor
10 support
11 blade
11a rotational direction
11b downstream side
11c upstream side
11d blade end
12 root
13 vane
13a tip
14 step
15 fixing hole
16 bend
17 first reinforcement
17a first reinforcement length
18 second reinforcement
18a second reinforcement length
18b second reinforcement width
18c second reinforcement separation length
19 first root side reinforcement
19a first root side reinforcement height
19b first root side reinforcement length
20 first tip side reinforcement
20a first tip side reinforcement height
20b first tip side reinforcement length
21 first inclination reinforcement
22 body cover
23 fixing portion
24 screw (connecting member)
25 receptacle
26 motor upper cover
27, 35 second reinforcement
27a, 35a second reinforcement length
27b, 35b second reinforcement width
28 locking portion
29 locking hole
30 first square hole
30a first square hole length
31 second square hole
31a second square hole length
32 first square flat board
32a first square flat board length
33 second square flat board
33a second square flat board length
34 reinforcement
37 blade drop prevention portion
* * * * *