Air blowing device and air blowing machine for generating rising air

Abstract

An air blowing device includes: an air blower provided in connection with a support stand, the air blower being configured to generate rising air; a support frame attached to the support stand; and a wind-direction changing device configured to change a wind direction to a direction crossing a direction of the rising air upon receipt of the rising air, wherein descending air blown to periphery around the air blower is generated by the wind-direction changing device, and the wind-direction changing device is supported by the support frame.

Claims

1. An air blowing device comprising: an air blower provided in connection with a support stand, the air blower being configured to blow air from a discharge opening to generate rising air, the air blower including a body, and a flange protruding outwardly from the body and being supported by the support stand; a support frame attached to the support stand; and a wind-direction changing device configured to change a wind direction to a direction crossing a direction of the rising air upon receipt of the rising air, wherein the wind-direction changing device is configured to generate descending air in a direction in which the descending air is blown to an area around the air blower, the wind-direction changing device is supported by the support frame, the wind-direction changing device includes an umbrella unit that is formed to have a shape of a circular or polygonal umbrella in plan view, and the air blown from the air blower is caused to rise along a center line of the umbrella unit and collide against an inner surface of the umbrella unit.

2. The air blowing device according to claim 1, wherein the support stand is a table usable for eating and drinking.

3. The air blowing device according to claim 1, wherein the air blower is capable of blowing warm air.

4. An air blowing device comprising: an air blower provided in connection with a support stand, the air blower being configured to blow air from a discharge opening to generate rising air, the air blower including a body, and a flange protruding outwardly from the body and being supported by the support stand; a support frame attached to the support stand; and a wind-direction changing device configured to change a wind direction to a direction crossing a direction of the rising air upon receipt of the rising air, wherein the wind-direction changing device is configured to generate descending air in a direction in which the descending air is blown to an area around the air blower, the wind-direction changing device is supported by the support frame, and a plurality of shield plates are provided on the discharge opening of the air blower to allow a part of the discharge opening to be opened and closed by the plurality of shield plates so that air blow in a desired direction is blocked.

5. An air blowing machine, comprising: a support stand; and an air blowing device including an air blower provided in connection with the support stand and being configured to blow air from a discharge opening to generate rising air, the air blower including a body, and a flange protruding outwardly from the body and being supported by the support stand, a support frame attached to the support stand, and a wind-direction changing device configured to change a wind direction to a direction crossing a direction of the rising air upon receipt of the rising air, wherein the wind-direction changing device is configured to generate descending air in a direction in which the descending air is blown to an area around the air blower, the wind-direction changing device is supported by the support frame, and the air blowing device is supported by the support stand while the discharge opening is directed upward, the support frame includes a support rod portion configured to receive a shaft of the wind-direction changing device, and a plurality of legs connected to the support rod portion and surrounding a periphery of the air blower, and the flange includes a plurality of mounting holes to receive the plurality of legs respectively.

6. The air blowing machine according to claim 5, wherein the air blowing machine for generating rising air is capable of blowing warm air.

7. The air blowing machine according to claim 5, wherein the support stand is a table usable for eating and drinking.

8. An air blowing device comprising: an air blower provided in connection with a support stand, the air blower being configured to blow air from a discharge opening to generate rising air, the air blower including a body, and a flange protruding outwardly from the body and being supported by the support stand; a support frame attached to the support stand; and a wind-direction changing device configured to change a wind direction to a direction crossing a direction of the rising air upon receipt of the rising air, wherein the wind-direction changing device is configured to generate descending air in a direction in which the descending air is blown to an area around the air blower, the wind-direction changing device is supported by the support frame, the support frame includes a support rod portion configured to receive a shaft of the wind-direction changing device, and a plurality of legs connected to the support rod portion and surrounding a periphery of the air blower, and the flange includes a plurality of mounting holes to receive the plurality of legs respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a first embodiment of an air blowing device and an air blowing machine for generating rising air according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the air blowing device illustrated in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along a line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view for explaining a second embodiment of the air blowing device and the air blowing machine for generating rising air according to the present invention, and illustrates a section of a part of a table corresponding to a support stand.

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the air blowing device and the air blowing machine for generating rising air illustrated in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view for explaining the air blowing device and the air blowing machine for generating rising air illustrated in FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a third embodiment of the air blowing device and the air blowing machine for generating rising air according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(8) Hereinafter, an air blowing device and an air blowing machine for generating rising air according to the present invention will be specifically described based on preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

(9) FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the air blowing device and the air blowing machine for generating rising air according to the present invention. An air blowing device 1 mainly includes an air blower 2, an air guide umbrella 3 serving as a wind-direction changing device, and a support frame 4 that supports the air guide umbrella 3. Though this embodiment illustrates a state in which the air blower 2 is mounted on a circular table 5 that is a support stand, a workbench for manual work, a writing desk on which papers or the like can be spread, or the like can be used as a support stand. Further, a shape of a top plate of a support stand is not limited to a circular shape. Then, the air blower 2 and the table 5 that is a support stand form a rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7.

(10) The air blower 2 is provided with a discharge opening 2a which is directed upward so that rising air to be blown upward is generated. The discharge opening 2a may be covered with a cover of a porous plate formed with many through holes or a cover of a net so that air discharged therefrom can be sent through such a cover as mentioned above (not illustrated). As the discharge opening 2a is directed upward, it is preferable to provide the discharge opening 2a with an appropriate cover because the cover can prevent foreign matters or the like from entering from the discharge opening.

(11) Further, a suction opening of the air blower 2 is provided on an opposite side of the discharge opening 2a and an opening 5a is formed at an approximate center of the table 5 as illustrated in FIG. 2. While the air blower 2 is in a state of being mounted on the table 5, the suction opening of the air blower 2 is positioned in alignment with the opening 5a and air is taken in through the opening 5a.

(12) Respective legs 4b of four rods 4a of the support frame 4 are arranged in a state of surrounding the air blower 2. In the support frame 4, lower ends of the legs 4b are fixed to the table 5 with fixing screws 41 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, the air blower 2 is confined by the legs 4b and is restrained from moving from a mounting position.

(13) The support frame 4 includes the four rods 4a each being bent in a crank form. The legs 4b are formed in one ends and support portions 4c are formed in the other ends. As illustrated in FIG. 3, those support portions 4c are provided close to each other and a support rod portion 4d having a cylindrical section is arranged in a center of the support portions 4c. Then, each of the support portions 4c is fixed to the support rod portion 4d by welding or the like.

(14) The air guide umbrella 3 has a configuration in which an umbrella unit 3b having a shape of a circular or polygonal umbrella in plan view is supported on one end of a shaft 3a. The other end of the shaft 3a of the air guide umbrella 3 is removably inserted into the support rod portion 4d and the height of the umbrella unit 3b is to be changed depending on the insertion position of the shaft 3a. Further, the shaft 3a may have a telescopic configuration such that the length of the shaft 3a may be adjusted. This allows the length of the shaft 3a to be changed. Moreover, it is preferable that various kinds of air guide umbrellas 3 have interchangeability by supporting various kinds of air guide umbrellas 3 that are different in shape, outer diameter, or the like of the umbrella unit 3b on the support rod portion 4d. Additionally, a fixing means that fixes a tip end of the shaft 3a to the support rod portion 4d is provided. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, there can be provided a structure in which through holes are formed in respective appropriate positions of the support rod portion 4d and the shaft 3a, a fixing bolt 6a is inserted through the through holes being aligned with each other, and a fixing nut 6b is fastened to a screw portion of the fixing bolt 6a. Using this structure or other structures can fix the shaft 3a of the air guide umbrella 3 to the support rod portion 4d.

(15) Operations of the air blowing device 1 according to the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described below.

(16) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the air blower 2 is mounted on the table 5 such that the suction opening of the air blower 2 faces the opening 5a, the four legs 4b are provided in a state of surrounding the air blower 2, and the tip ends of the legs 4b are fixed to the table 5 with the fixing screws 41. As a result of this, the air blower 2 is placed in a state of being surrounded by the rods 4a of the support frame 4, and thus the air blower 2 is positionally restricted and is connected with the table 5. This prevents accidental movement.

(17) Subsequently, the shaft 3a of the air guide umbrella 3 is inserted into the support rod portion 4d and the shaft 3a of the air guide umbrella 3 is fixed using a fixing means formed of a structure including the fixing bolt 6a and the fixing nut 6b or other structures, which results in a state where the air blowing device 1 is mounted on the table 5 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

(18) Additionally, the rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7 having the discharge opening 2a directed upward is assembled from the air blower 2 and the table 5.

(19) When the air blower 2 is operated to blow air through the discharge opening 2a, rising air indicated by an arrow P in FIG. 1 is generated along the shaft 3a of the air guide umbrella 3. When the rising air P reaches the air guide umbrella 3, the rising air is guided by the inner surface of the umbrella unit 3b and the direction thereof is changed. When air is guided by the inner surface of the umbrella unit 3b, the direction thereof is changed to a direction indicated by an arrow R in FIG. 1 because the inner surface of the umbrella unit 3b is formed of a curved surface or a part of a sloping surface. Then, after the air gets out of guide of the umbrella unit 3b, descending air indicated by an arrow Q in FIG. 1 is generated. The descending air Q is blown from all portions of an outer edge of the circular umbrella unit 3b, and thus air is blown over a 360-degree range along a circumference centered at the air blower 2. Thus, air is blown to users present around the table 5 from above. In addition, the descending air Q surely reaches users because there is no obstruction that blocks air blown from above. Therefore, users who do work, eat and drink, have conversation, or do other things at the table 5 can receive a wind to keep out the heat in summer, thereby enhancing comfort during working or eating/drinking.

(20) Further, when the descending air Q reaches a lower portion of the table 5, the descending air Q is again taken in through the suction opening of the air blower 2 and is discharged from the discharge opening 2a to generate the rising air P. Thus, a part of air circulates between the air blower 2 and the air guide umbrella 3, which reduces an amount of heated air supplied from outside. This lessens discomfort caused by the heat in the descending air Q blown to users.

(21) By allowing a user of the table 5 to turn on and off the air blower 2 by the user's operation, it is possible to prevent the air blower 2 from operating in the absence of a user. Alternatively, the air blower 2 can be turned on and off using a motion sensor.

(22) Moreover, by forming the air blower 2 such that it can blow warm air, it is possible to supply the descending air Q as warm air. Then, also in winter, using the air blowing device 1 can improve comfort during outdoor working, eating/drinking, and the like.

(23) Next, the air blowing device and the air blowing machine for generating rising air according to the present invention will be described based on a second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6. Note that the same parts as the parts described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs.

(24) In the second embodiment, an air filter 21 is attached to a suction opening of an air blower 2. The air filter 21, which preferably meets specifications that enable capture of PM 2.5, allows air from which particulate matters are removed by the air filter 21 to be blown from the discharge opening 2a.

(25) In a table 8 forming a rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7, an opening 8a through which the air blower 2 can be inserted is formed as illustrated in FIG. 6. A discharge opening 2a of the air blower 2 is directed upward with the air blower 2 inserted through the opening 8a. As illustrated in FIG. 6, four insertion holes 8c are formed at regular intervals around periphery of the opening 8a. A flange 22 is provided in a center of a body of the air blower 2. When the body of the air blower 2 is inserted through the opening 8a, the flange 22 comes into contact with an upper periphery of the opening 8a and a lower portion of the air blower 2 is positioned below a top plate 8b of the table 8. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, mounting holes 22a of the flange 22 are formed in positions aligned with the insertion holes 8c.

(26) Respective legs 4b of four rods 4a of a support frame 4 are located in a state of surrounding the periphery of the air blower 2 inserted through the opening 8a. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, lower ends of the legs 4b of the support frame 4 pass through the mounting holes 22a of the flange 22 and the insertion holes 8c of the top plate 8b of table 8. Male screws are formed in the tip ends of the legs 4b and nuts formed of female threads screwed to the male screws can be used as fixing members 4e. Additionally, there can be adopted a configuration in which fixing is achieved using a combination of a bolt or the like separate from the leg 4b, and the fixing member 4e such as a nut.

(27) Operations of the air blowing device 1 according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 will be described below.

(28) As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the air blower 2 is inserted through the opening 8a formed in the top plate 8b of the table 8, the flange 22 comes into contact with the periphery of the opening 8a on the upper surface of the top plate 8b and the air blower 2 is held. At that time, the mounting holes 22a formed in the flange 22 and the insertion holes 8c formed around the periphery of the opening 8a in the top plate 8b are aligned with each other, and the tip ends of the four legs 4b of the support frame 4 are inserted through the mounting holes 22a and the insertion holes 8c. The tip ends of the legs 4b protruding downward from the top plate 8b are connected with the fixing members 4e, thereby fixing the four legs 4b. In a case where male screws are formed in the tip ends of the legs 4b, the fixing members 4e of nuts are screwed to the male screws and fastened, thereby achieving fixing simply and easily.

(29) As a result of this, the air blower 2 is fixed to and connected with the table 8 via the flange 22, thereby preventing accidental movement. Then, a rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7 having the discharge opening 2a directed upward is assembled from the air blower 2 and the table 8.

(30) Next, a shaft 3a of an air guide umbrella 3 is inserted into a support rod portion 4d and the shaft 3a is fixed using a fixing means formed of a structure including a fixing bolt 6a and a fixing nut 6b or other structures, so that the air blowing device 1 is assembled as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(31) When the air blower 2 is operated to blow air through the discharge opening 2a, rising air indicated by an arrow P in FIG. 4 is generated along the shaft 3a of the air guide umbrella 3.

(32) An air filter 21 is attached to the suction opening of the air blower 2 and captures dust or the like from air to be taken in by the air blower 2. Thus, dust or the like is removed from the rising air P and clean air is blown. In a case where the air filter 21 is capable of capturing PM 2.5, the rising air P contains no particulate matters and cleaner air is discharged.

(33) When the rising air P reaches the air guide umbrella 3, the air is guided by the inner surface of an umbrella unit 3b and the direction thereof is changed to a direction indicated by an arrow R in FIG. 4. Subsequently, descending air Q is generated and air is blown to users present around the table 8 from above without being hindered.

(34) In particular, dust or the like is removed from air being blown to a user by the air filter 21 attached to the air blower 2, which reduces damages caused by dust or the like in a case where the user is eating and drinking, for example.

(35) Further, as described above, when the descending air Q reaches a lower portion of the table 8, the air is again taken in through the suction opening of the air blower 2 and removal of dust by the air filter 21, together with circulation of air, is efficiently achieved.

(36) FIG. 7 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the air blowing device 1 according to the present invention.

(37) It is also preferable to form the air blowing device 1 using a combination of a self-standing tent 10 such as a sunshade tent supported by struts and a rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7 in the same manner as in the third embodiment. FIG. 7 outlines the air blowing device 1 including that kind of tent 10. A roof 10a including a sheet formed to have a shape of a rectangular pyramid is supported by struts 10b and is used as a sunshade or the like that blocks direct sunlight.

(38) The rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7 including a support stand such as a table 5 (or 8) and an air blower 2 is placed below the roof 10a of the tent 10. In this case, the roof 10a functions as a wind-direction changing device. The direction of rising air blown from the air blower 2 is changed to a direction along the inner surface of the roof 10a and air flows along the inner surface of the roof 10a. The direction is changed to a downward direction along a skirt portion 10c in a lower end of the roof 10a, which generates descending air. This descending air is blown to people present in the tent 10 and enhances their comfort.

(39) For the tent 10 of this kind, which has an area of a length of approximately 2500 mm by a width of 2500 mm, installing one rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7 can provide comfort to users. Additionally, the specifications and the number of the rising-air generating air-blowing machines 7 to be installed can be set depending on the kind of work to be done in a tent or on the size of the tent 10.

(40) Further, in a case where the rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7 is used in the tent 10, the table 5 (or 8) can be replaced by a stand or the like having an appropriate height in accordance with the situation or environment in which the tent 10 is used, the height of the roof, or the like. Alternatively, the table 5 (or 8) can also be used by placing the table 5 (8) on a stand having an appropriate height.

(41) Further, the rising-air generating air-blowing machine 7 can be placed below a so-called tarpaulin tent in which poles are supported in a state of standing erect by a supporting means formed of a combination of at least two pieces of rope and pegs and a sheet for sunshade is stretched across the upper ends of the poles. In this case, the sheet functions as a wind-direction changing device. Rising air from the air blower 2 collides against the sheet to change the direction thereof, and air flows along a lower surface of the sheet and then is blown to a person present near a lower end of the sheet, thereby making the person comfortable.

(42) Furthermore, the discharge opening 2a of the air blower 2 is divided into the arbitrary number of sections, and each of the sections is provided with a shield plate, to block air blow from an arbitrary portion. Closing a part of the discharge opening with the shield plate can prevent air from being blown to a user who does not like to face a wind. Moreover, it is preferable that the opening degree of the discharge opening can be adjusted using the shield plate.

(43) Further, by attaching a mist generation device to the wind-direction changing device, it is possible to mix mist into air blown from the air blower 2. Additionally, in a case where mist is mixed, it is preferable to mix mist in air at the time when the direction of rising air is being changed or in descending air.

(44) Further, though it has been described above that an air filter is attached to the suction opening of the air blower 2, the air filter may be attached to the discharge opening 2a. The configuration in which the air filter is attached to the suction opening is preferable because it can prevent dust from entering into the air blower 2.

(45) Further, there has been described above a configuration in which the air blower 2 is held by the circular table 5 and the air guide umbrella 3 including the umbrella unit 3b that has a shape of a circular or polygonal umbrella in plan view is used as the wind-direction changing device. However, their shapes are not limited to those described above. For example, there can be provided a configuration formed of a combination of an air blower including a discharge opening having a shape of a long narrow band and a wind-direction changing device including eaves having a shape of a sloping roof. In this case, the lower tip ends of the eaves are curved so as to be directed downward and the rising air is caused to collide against upper portions of the eaves, the direction is changed along the slope of the eaves and descending air can be generated by the curved portions in the lower ends of the eaves. Further, in this case, a rectangular table having sides substantially equal in length to the discharge opening can be used as the support stand.

(46) Moreover, descending air can be generated also when the air blower 2 is mounted on a central portion of a rectangular table, and further, the rectangular table can be combined with an air guide umbrella including an umbrella unit that has a rectangular shape in plan view.

(47) Furthermore, though the above description has dealt with a case where the air blowing device 1 is installed outdoors, the air blowing device 1 can be installed indoors, of course.

(48) The air blowing device according to the present invention blows air to an area around an installed table or the like from above, so that people can avoid the heat in doing various kinds of work or enjoying eating/drinking or conversation outdoors in summer. Further, warm air is blown from above in winter, and thus a comfortable space can be provided in both summer and winter. Comfortable eating/drinking space can be provided in an outdoor area of a convenience store, a coffee shop and the like, for example, so as to contribute to customer attraction to those stores.