JP7675303B2 - Blower, individual booth equipped with blower - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a blower and a private booth equipped with a blower.

A ceiling-mounted blower equipped with a nozzle capable of generating a surface airflow by induced airflow is known.

JP 2017-115629 A

Patent Document 1 discloses a blower device that has multiple nozzles in an atrium connecting the first and second floors of a house, with the outlet facing the first floor, a housing (not shown) in the space between the first floor ceiling and the second floor, and an intake port in the first floor ceiling.

According to the blower device described in Patent Document 1, air near the first floor ceiling is taken in through an intake port and blown out through an outlet port, generating a blown airflow. As the blown airflow is generated, a negative pressure area is generated between the nozzles, but the air on the second floor becomes an induced airflow, and the induced airflow passes between the nozzles, alleviating the negative pressure area. As the negative pressure area is alleviated, the amount of blown airflow attracted to the negative pressure area is reduced, and a surface airflow is sent out to the first floor.

To generate an induced airflow, a certain distance must be secured between the nozzle and the ceiling surface. This posed a problem in that the height of the blower was limited relative to the location where it could be placed.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art, and to provide a blower capable of generating a surface airflow, and a private booth equipped with the blower, which can alleviate the restriction on the height of the blower in relation to the space in which the blower is placed.

To achieve this object, a blower according to one aspect of the present invention includes a hollow columnar nozzle that stands on a wall surface as a base end and has a first outlet at a tip end for blowing out a first airflow, and a second outlet between adjacent nozzles for blowing out a second airflow. The nozzles are arranged in parallel in the short side direction of the nozzle. The second outlet is arranged on one end side of the long side direction of the nozzle.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a blower capable of generating a surface airflow, and a private booth equipped with the blower, which can alleviate the limitations on the height of the blower in relation to the space in which the blower is placed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an air blower and a private booth according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the blower and the individual booth shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the blower and the individual booth of FIG. Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an airflow and a negative pressure region generated by the blower device of Fig. 1. Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing an airflow and a negative pressure region generated by a comparative example. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a blower and a private booth according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view showing the configuration of the blower and the individual booth of FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear view showing the configuration of the blower and the individual booth shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the blower and the individual booth shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing in detail the configuration of a nozzle of the blower device of FIG.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments and the modified examples, the same or equivalent components and members are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. In addition, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted in each drawing.
Furthermore, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component, and the components are not limited by these terms.

(Embodiment 1)
1 to 4, the configurations of a blower 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a private booth 200 including the blower 100 will be described.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the air blower 100 and the private booth 200. Figure 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the air blower 100 and the private booth 200. Figure 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the air blower 100 and the private booth 200. Figure 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing the airflow (airflow F1 and airflow F2) and negative pressure region generated by the air blower 100. Figure 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing the airflow (airflow F1) and negative pressure region generated by the comparative example.

(200 private booths)
The private booth 200 is a rectangular housing that forms an internal space S where a user can stay depending on the purpose of the user, such as working or resting. The private booth 200 may have a chair 300, a desk 400, etc. arranged in the internal space S depending on the purpose of the user. The private booth 200 includes a floor panel 210, a left side panel 220, a back panel 230, a top panel 240, a right side panel 250, and a front panel 260.

The floor board 210 is a flat plate that forms the internal space S. The floor board 210 is positioned below the user when the user is seated on the chair 300. The floor board 210 can be made of a metal material, wood, resin material, or the like.

The left side plate 220 is a flat plate for forming the internal space S. The left side plate 220 stands vertically upward from the floor plate 210 as its base end. The left side plate 220 is positioned on the left side of the user when the user is seated on the chair 300. The left side plate 220 can be made of a metal material, wood, resin material, or the like. The left side plate 220 is positioned opposite the right side plate 250 in the internal space S.

The right side panel 250 is a flat panel that forms the internal space S. The right side panel 250 is positioned on the right side of the user when the user is seated on the chair 300. The right side panel 250 can be made of a metal material, wood, resin material, or the like.

The back panel 230 is a flat plate for forming the internal space S. The back panel 230 stands vertically upward from the floor panel 210 as its base end. The back panel 230 is positioned behind the user when the user is seated on the chair 300. The back panel 230 can be made of a metal material, wood, resin material, or the like. The back panel 230 is positioned opposite the front panel 260 in the internal space S.

The front panel 260 is a flat plate that forms the internal space S. The front panel 260 is positioned in front of the user when the user is seated on the chair 300. The front panel 260 can be made of a metal material, wood, resin material, or the like.

The top plate 240 is a flat plate for forming the internal space S. The top plate 240 is disposed at the tips of the left side plate 220, the right side plate 250, the rear plate 230 and the front plate. The top plate 240 is disposed opposite the floor plate 210 in the internal space S. The top plate 240 is disposed above the user when the user is seated on the chair 300. The top plate 240 has an air intake port 241.

The air intake 241 is an opening for connecting to the first duct 10 described below.

The private booth 200 forms an interior space S using a floor panel 210, a left panel 220, a right panel 250, a rear panel 230, a front panel 260 and a top panel 240.

The internal space S does not have to be a completely sealed space (closed space). For example, the internal space S may be connected to the external space of the private booth 200 by gaps that occur at the contact points of the components that form the internal space S.

In addition, a door (not shown) for users to enter and exit the private booth 200 may be provided on at least one of the left side panel 220, the right side panel, the rear panel 230, and the front panel.

The private booth 200 may be either a stationary or portable type.

The above is the configuration of the private booth 200.

(Blower device 100)
The blower device 100 is disposed in the interior space S, and generates a surface airflow from the top plate 240 toward the floor plate 210. The blower device 100 includes a first duct 10, a second duct 20, a first blower 30, an intake port 40, a third duct 50, a duct wall 60, a fourth duct 70, a second blower 80, and a nozzle 90.

The first duct 10 is an air transport path for transporting air from the external space of the private booth 200 to the first blower 30. One end of the first duct 10 is connected to the air intake port 241, and the other end is connected to the first blower 30.

The second duct 20 is an air transport path for transporting the air transported to the first blower 30 via the first duct 10 to the nozzle 90. One end of the second duct 20 is connected to the first blower 30, and the other end is connected to the nozzle 90. The second duct 20 branches into a number corresponding to the number of nozzles 90. For example, when four nozzles 90 are arranged, the second duct 20 branches into four.

The first blower 30 generates an airflow F1 in the first duct 10 and the second duct 20. The first blower 30 has a first fan (not shown) and a first motor (not shown) that axially supports the fan so that it can rotate. The first fan can be a known centrifugal impeller. The first motor can be a known AC motor or a known DC motor.

The suction port 40 is a square-shaped opening for communicating the internal space S with the third duct 50. The suction port 40 is located below the chair 300, on the side of the floor board 210. For example, when a user is seated on the chair 300, the suction port 40 is located near the user's feet.

The third duct 50 is a rectangular air transport passage for transporting air from the interior space S to the fourth duct 70 via the air inlet 40. The third duct 50 is disposed between the floorboard 210 and the chair 300. The third duct 50 contains the first blower 30 and the second blower 80.

The duct wall 60 is a flat plate for forming the fourth duct 70. The duct wall 60 is disposed opposite the rear panel 230 in the fourth duct 70. The duct wall 60 can be made of a metal material, wood, resin material, or the like. The duct wall 60 has a second air outlet 61.

The second air outlet 61 is a square-shaped opening for connecting the internal space S with the fourth duct 70. The second air outlet 61 corresponds to the "second air outlet" which is a feature of the present invention. The second air outlet 61 is disposed between adjacent nozzles 90, at one end side in the long side direction of the nozzle 90. The number of second air outlets 61 disposed is at least the number corresponding to the number of nozzles 90. For example, when four nozzles 90 are disposed, at least four second air outlets 61 are disposed. Note that the opening shape of the second air outlet 61 is shown as a square shape in this embodiment, but it may be a round shape or other angular shape.

The fourth duct 70 is a rectangular air transport passage for transporting the air in the internal space S transported via the third duct 50 to the second air outlet 61. The fourth duct 70 is disposed between the duct wall 60 and the rear panel 230. One end of the fourth duct 70 is connected to the third duct 50, and the other end is connected to the second air outlet 61.

The second blower 80 generates an airflow F2 in the third duct 50 and the fourth duct 70. The second blower 80 has a second fan (not shown) and a second motor (not shown) that rotatably supports the fan. The second fan may be a known centrifugal impeller. The second motor may be a known AC motor or a known DC motor.

The nozzle 90 is a hollow columnar air transport path for transporting air from the external space of the private booth 200, which has been transported through the second duct 20, to the internal space S. The nozzle 90 corresponds to the "nozzle" which is a feature of the present invention. The nozzle 90 stands with the top plate 240 as its base end, and is formed so that the direction between the front plate 260 and the back plate 230 is the long side, and the direction between the right plate 250 and the left plate 220 is the short side. The nozzles 90 are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals in the direction between the right plate 250 and the left plate 220. In other words, the nozzles 90 are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals in the short side direction of the nozzle 90. In the first embodiment, four nozzles 90 are arranged in parallel. The base end of the nozzle 90 is in contact with the top plate 240. The nozzle 90 has an opening (not shown) for communicating with the second duct 20, and a first blowing outlet 91 at the tip. The top plate 240 corresponds to the "wall surface" in the claims.

The first air outlet 91 is a square opening for blowing out the airflow F1. The first air outlet 91 corresponds to the "first air outlet" which is a feature of the present invention. The first air outlet 91 communicates with the nozzle 90 and the internal space S. The first air outlet 91 is formed so that the long side is in the direction between the front plate 260 and the back plate 230, and the short side is in the direction between the right plate 250 and the left plate 220. Adjacent first air outlets 91 are preferably arranged so that they are at approximately the same height.

The above is the configuration of the blower device 100.

(Features of the blower device 100)
When operation of the blower device 100 is started, an airflow F1 is generated by the first blower 30, and an airflow F2 is generated by the second blower 80. The airflow F1 is blown out from the first air outlet 91 into the internal space S. The airflow F2 is blown out from the second air outlet 61 into the internal space S. When the airflow F1 is blown out from the first air outlet 91, air in the space around the airflow F1 is pulled in by the airflow F1, generating a negative pressure region P in the space between adjacent nozzles 90.

Here, as a comparative example, the airflow F1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4(b) assuming that the duct wall 60 does not have the second air outlet 61. When a negative pressure area P is generated in the space between adjacent nozzles 90, a force that tries to eliminate the negative pressure area P acts, and the airflow F1 is attracted to the negative pressure area P. Because the nozzle 90 is in contact with the top plate 240, the blower device 100 cannot guide air (induced airflow) for eliminating the negative pressure area P from the space above the top plate 240 to the negative pressure area P. Therefore, the amount of airflow F1 attracted to the negative pressure area P is larger than when there is an induced airflow, and the airflow F1 is prevented from becoming a linear airflow in the blowing direction (in this application, this airflow may be referred to as a "surface airflow" or "surface airflow").

Next, the case where the duct wall 60 has the second air outlet 61, that is, the generation of F1 and surface airflow in the blower device 100 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4(a). When a negative pressure area P is generated in the space between adjacent nozzles 90, a force that tries to eliminate the negative pressure area P acts, as in the comparative example. In the case of the blower device 100, the airflow F2 blown out from the second air outlet 61 enters the negative pressure area P, so the negative pressure area P becomes smaller. By reducing the negative pressure area P, the amount of airflow F1 attracted to the negative pressure area P becomes smaller than when there is no airflow F2, so that the generation of a surface airflow by the airflow F1 becomes easier. In other words, by providing the second air outlet 61, the blower device 100 does not need to secure a height (space) for generating an induced airflow between the nozzle 90 and the top plate 240. This makes it possible to alleviate the restriction on the height of the blower 100 in order to generate a surface airflow with respect to the space in which the blower 100 is placed (in this embodiment, the internal space S formed in the private booth 200).

[Modification 1]
The following describes Modification 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of Modification 1, the same reference numerals are used for components and members that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment. Descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configuration that differs from the first embodiment.

Although the blower device 100 is configured to include a first blower 30 and a second blower 80, the present invention is not limited thereto. The blower device 100 may be configured to include either the first blower 30 or the second blower 80 and to generate the airflow F1 and the airflow F2. For example, when the blower device 100 does not include the second blower 80, the first blower 30 has an outlet (opening) communicating with the third duct 50, so that the first blower 30 alone can generate the airflow F1 and the airflow F2. At this time, the first blower 30 may have an airflow adjustment plate (damper) for adjusting the amount of the airflow F1 and the amount of the airflow F2. Also, when the blower device 100 does not include the first blower 30, the second blower 80 is connected to the first duct 10 and the second duct 20, so that the second blower 80 alone can generate the airflow F1 and the airflow F2. In this case, the second blower 80 may have an air volume adjustment plate (damper) for adjusting the volume of the airflow F1 and the volume of the airflow F2.

The blower device 100 may further include a filter for collecting dust, pollen, and the like contained in the airflows F1 and F2. For example, by providing a filter in the first duct 10 and the air intake 40, the amount of dust and pollen contained in the airflows F1 and F2 after passing through the filter can be made smaller than the amount before passing through the filter. This makes it possible to purify the air in the interior space S by using the airflows F1 and F2.

The air blower 100 may further include a functional component generating section for adding functional components (components for sterilization, fragrance, and deodorization) to the airflows F1 and F2. This makes it possible to sterilize, fragrance, and deodorize the interior space S using the airflows F1 and F2.

The blower device 100 may further include an air conditioner that performs air conditioning (at least one of heating, cooling, humidification, and dehumidification) on at least one of the air flows F1 and F2. An example of an air conditioner is an air conditioner. This makes it possible to control the temperature and humidity of the air flows F1 and F2, which is expected to have the effect of improving the comfort of users staying in the internal space S.

Although the blower device 100 is disposed in the internal space S of the private booth 200, this is not limiting. For example, the blower device 100 may be disposed in an office space that is larger than the private booth 200 and can accommodate a large number of people.

The nozzle 90 is arranged in contact with the top plate 240, but is not limited to this. For example, a predetermined spatial distance (gap) may be provided between the top plate 240 and the base end of the nozzle 90. The predetermined distance is, for example, a distance (gap) that does not generate an induced airflow that is effective in eliminating the negative pressure region P when generating a surface airflow.

The floor plate 210 may have an exhaust port for exhausting a part of the air in the internal space S to the external space of the private booth 200. In this case, the second blower 80 communicates with the exhaust port and can exhaust a part of the air in the internal space S sucked in from the intake port 40 to the external space of the private booth 200. The amount of the airflow F2 generated by the second blower 80 and the amount of air exhausted to the external space of the private booth 200 can be adjusted by the ratio of the opening area of the exhaust port to the opening area of the third duct and the fourth duct. The adjustment of the ratio of the opening area of the exhaust port to the opening area of the third duct and the fourth duct can be realized, for example, by adopting a known air volume adjustment plate (damper) provided on the second blower 80.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of the air blower 100a according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the individual booth 200a equipped with the air blower 100a will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Note that in Figures 5 to 9, the same components as those in Figures 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the air blower and private booth according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a top view showing the configuration of the air blower 100a and private booth 200a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a rear view showing the configuration of the air blower 100a and private booth 200a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the air blower 100a and private booth 200a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing in detail the configuration of the nozzle of the air blower 100a according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

(Private booth 200a)
Since the private booth 200a has the same configuration as the private booth 200, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Blower device 100a)
The blower device 100a differs in configuration from the blower device 100 in that it does not have a second air outlet 61, does not have a second blower 80, and has a nozzle 90a, but in other respects has the same configuration as the blower device 100.

The nozzle 90a is a hollow columnar air transport path for transporting the air in the external space of the private booth 200a transported through the second duct 20 to the internal space S. The nozzle 90a corresponds to the "nozzle" which is a feature of the present invention. The nozzle 90a stands with the top plate 240 as its base end, and is formed so that the direction between the front plate 260 and the back plate 230 is the long side, and the direction between the right plate 250 and the left plate 220 is the short side. The nozzles 90a are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals in the direction between the right plate 250 and the left plate 220. In other words, the nozzles 90a are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals in the short side direction of the nozzles 90a. In the second embodiment, four nozzles 90a are arranged in parallel. The base end of the nozzle 90a is in contact with the top plate 240. The nozzle 90a has an opening (not shown) for communicating with the second duct 20, and a first outlet 91a at its upright tip.

The first air outlet 91a is a square-shaped opening for blowing out the airflow F1. The first air outlet 91a corresponds to the "air outlet" which is a feature of the present invention. The first air outlet 91a communicates with the nozzle 90a and the internal space S. The first air outlet 91a is formed so that the long side is in the direction between the front plate 260 and the back plate 230, and the short side is in the direction between the right side plate 250 and the left side plate 220. It is preferable that adjacent first air outlets 91 are arranged so that they are approximately the same height. Here, a division line L is imaginary which divides the length of the long side of the nozzle 90a exposed to the internal space S. The division line L divides the length L1 of the long side of the nozzle 90a in the ratio A:B. When the side of the dividing line L toward the front plate 260 is defined as one end, and the side of the dividing line L toward the rear plate 230 is defined as the other end, the first blowing outlet 91a is disposed on the side of the front plate 260 from the dividing line L, that is, on the one end side of the nozzle 90a. The first blowing outlet 91a opens from the dividing line L toward the front plate 260. In other words, the length of the long side of the first blowing outlet 91a is calculated by B×L1÷(A+B). The ratio of division by the dividing line L is preferably in the range of A:B=1:4 to A:B=1:1.

The above is the configuration of the blower device 100a.

(Features of the blower device 100a)
When the blower device 100a starts operating, an airflow F1 is generated by the first blower 30. The airflow F1 is blown out from the first blower port 91a into the internal space S. When the airflow F1 is blown out from the first blower port 91a, the air in the space around the airflow F1 is pulled by the airflow F1, and a negative pressure area P is generated in the space between the adjacent nozzles 90a. When a negative pressure area P is generated in the space between the adjacent nozzles 90a, a force that tries to eliminate the negative pressure area P acts, as in the first embodiment. In the case of the blower device 100a, an induced airflow F3 that flows into the negative pressure area P is generated from the other end side of the nozzle 90a, i.e., the side where the first blower port 91a is not arranged, into the space between the adjacent nozzles 90a. When the airflow F3 flows into the negative pressure area P, the negative pressure area P becomes smaller. That is, the induced airflow F3 suppresses the force of the adjacent airflows F1 being drawn to the negative pressure region P and merging. Therefore, the blower 100a can easily generate an airflow in which the merging of the adjacent airflows F1 is suppressed, that is, an airflow (surface airflow) in which the airflow F1 is linear in the blowing direction. That is, the blower 100a has the first air outlet 91a disposed at one end side in the long side direction of the nozzle 90a, so that the induced airflow is generated in the space between the adjacent nozzles 90a at the other end side, and therefore there is no need to ensure a height (space) for generating the induced airflow between the nozzle 90 and the top plate 240. This makes it possible to alleviate the restriction on the height of the blower 100a for generating a surface airflow with respect to the space in which the blower 100a is disposed (in this embodiment, the internal space S formed in the private booth 200a).

In addition, the air blower 100a generates a surface airflow toward the space below the first air outlet 91a, rather than toward the entire interior space S, so that it is possible to provide a surface airflow toward a desired location (e.g., a desk 400).

[Modification 2]
The following describes Modification 2 of the second embodiment. In the description of Modification 2, the same or equivalent components and members as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Descriptions that overlap with those of the second embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configuration that differs from the second embodiment.

In the blower device 100a, the first blowing outlet 91a is arranged on one end side of the nozzle 90a, but is not limited to this. The first blowing outlet 91a may be arranged on the other end side of the nozzle 90a. When the first blowing outlet 91a is arranged on the other end side of the nozzle 90a, the other end side corresponds to the one end side described in the claims of the present application. When the first blowing outlet 91a is arranged on the other end side of the nozzle 90a, the blower device 100a generates a surface airflow toward the space below the first blowing outlet 91a, rather than toward the entire internal space S, and therefore provides a surface airflow to the chair 300.

The present invention has been described above based on an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. In the above-mentioned embodiment, content for which such design changes are possible is explained using notations such as "in the embodiment" or "in the embodiment", but this does not mean that design changes are not permitted for content that does not have such notations.

The air blower according to the present invention is capable of generating a surface airflow, and since it is possible to alleviate the limitations on the height of the air blower relative to the space in which it is placed, it can be placed and used in spaces such as conference rooms and offices.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 First duct 20 Second duct 30 First blower 40 Intake port 50 Third duct 60 Duct wall 61 Second blower 70 Fourth duct 80 Second blower 90 Nozzle 90a Nozzle 91 First blower 91a First blower 100 Blower 100a Blower 200 Private booth 200a Private booth 210 Floor panel 220 Left panel 230 Back panel 240 Top panel 241 Air inlet 250 Right panel 260 Front panel 300 Chair 400 Desk

Claims (3)

The device includes a wall surface, a back panel, a duct wall, and a nozzle;
The wall surface is connected to the back panel,
The duct wall is disposed opposite the back panel,
the nozzle is a hollow columnar shape that stands with the wall surface as a base end and has a first air outlet for blowing out a first airflow ,
The nozzles are arranged in parallel in a direction of a short side of the nozzles,
The duct wall has a second air outlet,
The second air outlet is provided at one end side of the nozzle in a long side direction so as to blow out a second airflow between adjacent nozzles.
Blower device. The device includes a wall surface, a back panel, a duct wall, and a nozzle;
The wall surface is connected to the back panel,
The duct wall is disposed opposite the back panel,
the nozzle is disposed with a predetermined spatial distance between the wall surface and a base end of the nozzle, and has a hollow columnar shape having a first air outlet for blowing out a first airflow,
The nozzles are arranged in parallel in a direction of a short side of the nozzles,
The duct wall has a second air outlet,
The second air outlet is provided at one end side of the nozzle in a long side direction so as to blow out a second airflow between adjacent nozzles.
Blower device. A fan comprising: the blower device according to claim 1 or 2 ; a left side panel; and a right side panel ;
The left side plate faces the right side plate,
The wall surface is connected to the left side plate and the right side plate.
Private booth.