Nozzle for fan assembly
阅读说明:本技术 用于风扇组件的喷嘴 (Nozzle for fan assembly ) 是由 N.E.C.麦昆 于 2019-06-26 设计创作,主要内容包括:提供了一种用于风扇组件的喷嘴。喷嘴包括进气口,用于从喷嘴发射空气流的一个或多个出气口,一个或多个出气口一起限定喷嘴的总出气口,以及单个内部空气通道,其在进气口和所述一个或多个出气口之间延伸,以及阀,用于改变喷嘴的总出气口的尺寸。阀布置为使得,在引导模式中,总出气口的所述一个或多个第一区段被闭塞且总出气口的所述一个或多个第二区段至少部分地敞开,且在扩散模式中,总出气口的所述一个或多个第一区段和所述一个或多个第二区段两者都至少部分地敞开。(A nozzle for a fan assembly is provided. The nozzle includes an air inlet, one or more air outlets for emitting an air flow from the nozzle, the one or more air outlets together defining a total air outlet of the nozzle, and a single internal air passage extending between the air inlet and the one or more air outlets, and a valve for varying the size of the total air outlet of the nozzle. The valve is arranged such that, in the guiding mode, the one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open, and, in the diffusing mode, both the one or more first sections and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open.)
1. A nozzle for a fan assembly, the nozzle comprising:
an air inlet;
one or more air outlets for emitting an air flow from the nozzle, the one or more air outlets together defining a total air outlet of the nozzle;
a single internal air passage extending between the air inlet and the one or more air outlets; and
a valve for varying the open area of the total air outlet of the nozzle by varying the open area of one or more first sections of the total air outlet without varying the open area of one or more second sections of the total air outlet.
2. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is arranged such that, in a first mode, the one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open, and in a second mode, both the one or more first sections and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open.
3. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises one or more valve members movable to adjust one or more first section open areas of the total air outlet.
4. A nozzle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more valve members are arranged such that they do not occlude the one or more second sections of the total air outlet.
5. The nozzle of claim 2, wherein the one or more valve members are movable between a first end position in which one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded and a second end position in which the one or more first sections are at least partially open.
6. A nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the one or more valve members are arranged such that in either of the first and second end positions they do not occlude the one or more second sections of the total air outlet.
7. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a plurality of air outlets and the valve is arranged to vary the open area of a first subset of the plurality of air outlets without varying the open area of a second subset of the plurality of air outlets.
8. The nozzle of claim 7, wherein the valves are arranged such that, in a first mode, only a first subset of the plurality of air outlets are occluded by the valves and, in a second mode, the first subset of the plurality of air outlets are at least partially open.
9. The nozzle of claim 8, wherein the valve comprises one or more valve members movable to adjust the open area of a first subset of the plurality of air outlet ports, and the one or more valve members are arranged such that they do not occlude a second subset of the plurality of air outlet ports.
10. The nozzle of claim 9, wherein the one or more valve members are movable between a first end position in which a first subset of the plurality of air outlets are occluded and a second end position in which the first subset of the plurality of air outlets are at least partially open.
11. The nozzle of claim 10, wherein the one or more valve members are arranged such that they do not occlude the second subset of the plurality of air outlets in either of the first and second end positions.
12. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a single air outlet and the valve is arranged to vary the open area of one or more first sections of the single air outlet without varying the open area of one or more second sections of the single air outlet.
13. A nozzle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the valve is arranged such that, in a first mode, only one or more first sections of a single air outlet are occluded by the valve, and in a second mode, one or more first sections of the single air outlet are at least partially open.
14. A nozzle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the valve comprises one or more valve members which are movable to adjust the open area of one or more first sections of the single air outlet, and the one or more valve members are arranged such that they do not occlude one or more second sections of the single air outlet.
15. The nozzle of claim 14, wherein the one or more valve members are movable between a first end position in which the one or more first sections of the single air outlet are occluded and a second end position in which the one or more first sections of the single air outlet are at least partially open.
16. A nozzle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the one or more valve members are arranged such that in either of the first and second end positions they do not occlude the one or more second sections of the single air outlet.
17. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the one or more air outlets are oriented toward a convergence point.
18. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the one or more air outlets comprise a plurality of adjacent arcuate slots disposed on a face of the nozzle, and preferably wherein the adjacent arcuate slots define a total air outlet that is generally elliptical in shape, and more preferably wherein the total air outlet is generally circular in shape.
19. The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle further comprises an intermediate surface spanning the area between the one or more air outlets.
20. The nozzle of claim 19, wherein the one or more air outlets are oriented to direct an air flow over at least a portion of the intermediate surface.
21. The nozzle of claim 19, wherein a face of the nozzle comprises an intermediate surface.
22. The nozzle of claim 21, wherein the nozzle further comprises a nozzle body defining one or more outermost surfaces of the nozzle, wherein the face of the nozzle further comprises a portion of the nozzle body extending around a perimeter of the intermediate surface.
23. The nozzle of claim 20, wherein the nozzle defines an opening between the intermediate surface and the nozzle body, and wherein each of the one or more air outlets is provided by a separate portion of the opening.
24. A fan assembly comprising an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller to generate an air flow and a nozzle as claimed in claim 1 for receiving the air flow.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a nozzle for a fan assembly, and a fan assembly comprising such a nozzle.
Background
Conventional domestic fans typically include a set of blades or vanes mounted for rotation about an axis, and a drive arrangement for rotating the set of blades to generate an air flow. The movement and circulation of the air flow creates a "cold" or breeze, and as a result, the user experiences a cooling effect as heat is dissipated by convection and evaporation. The blades are typically located in a cage that allows airflow through the housing while preventing a user from contacting the rotating blades during use of the fan.
US 2,488,467 describes a fan that does not use vanes enclosed in a cage for emitting air from the fan assembly. Instead, the fan assembly includes a base housing a motor-driven impeller to draw an air flow into the base, and a series of concentric annular nozzles connected to the base, the annular nozzles each including an annular outlet positioned at the front of the fan for emitting the air flow from the fan. Each nozzle extends about a bore axis to define a bore about which the nozzle extends.
Each nozzle of the airfoil shape may thus be considered to have a leading edge at the rear of the nozzle, a trailing edge at the front of the nozzle, and a chord line extending between the leading and trailing edges. In US 2,488,467, the chord line of each nozzle is parallel to the eye axis of the nozzle. The air outlet is located on the chord line and is arranged to emit an air flow in a direction extending along the chord line away from the nozzle.
Another fan assembly is described in WO 2010/100451 which does not use blades enclosed in a cage to emit air from the fan assembly. The fan assembly comprises a cylindrical base which also houses a motor-driven impeller for drawing a primary air flow into the base, and a single annular nozzle connected to the base and comprising an annular mouth through which the primary air flow is emitted from the fan. The nozzle defines an opening through which air in the environment surrounding the fan assembly is drawn by the primary air flow emitted from the mouth, expanding the primary air flow. The nozzle includes a coanda surface over which the mouth is arranged to direct the primary air flow. The coanda surfaces extend symmetrically about the central axis of the opening so that the air flow produced by the fan assembly is in the form of an annular jet having a cylindrical or frusto-conical profile.
The user may change the direction in which the air stream is emitted from the nozzle in one of two ways. The base includes an oscillating mechanism that is actuatable to oscillate the nozzle and a portion of the base about a vertical axis that passes through a center of the base so that the air flow generated by the fan assembly sweeps about an arc of about 180 °. The base further comprises a tilting mechanism to allow the nozzle and the upper part of the base to be tilted to an angle of up to 10 ° with respect to the horizontal with respect to the lower part of the base.
Disclosure of Invention
According to a first aspect, a nozzle for a fan assembly is provided. The nozzle comprises an air inlet; one or more air outlets for emitting an air flow from the nozzle, the one or more air outlets together defining a total air outlet of the nozzle; a single internal air passage extending between the air inlet and the one or more air outlets; and a valve for varying the open area (i.e. size) of the total air outlet of the nozzle by varying the open area of one or more first sections of the total air outlet without varying the open area of one or more second sections of the total air outlet. In other words, the valve is arranged to vary the open area of the total air outlet of the nozzle by varying the extent to which one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded without varying the extent to which one or more second sections of the total air outlet are occluded. The valve is arranged such that, in a first mode or configuration (hereinafter referred to as the pilot mode), the one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open, and in a second mode or configuration (hereinafter referred to as the diffusion mode), both the one or more first sections and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open.
The valve may include one or more valve members movable to adjust the open area of one or more first sections of the total air outlet port and thereby vary the cumulative size of the total air outlet port. In other words, the valve may comprise one or more valve members which are movable to vary the extent to which one or more first sections of the overall air outlet are occluded. Preferably, the one or more valve members are arranged such that they do not occlude (i.e. do not obstruct or affect) the one or more second sections of the overall air outlet.
The one or more valve members are movable between a first end position in which the one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded by the one or more valve members, and a second end position in which the one or more first sections are at least partially open. The one or more valve members may be arranged such that in either of the first and second end positions they do not occlude (i.e. do not obstruct or affect) the one or more second sections of the overall air outlet. In the first mode, the one or more valve members may then be in a first end position such that the one or more first segments are occluded. In the second mode, the one or more valve members may then be in the second end position such that the one or more first sections are at least partially open.
Preferably, the nozzle comprises a face, wherein the one or more outlets of the nozzle are provided on the face of the nozzle. The face of the nozzle may have an elliptical shape, and preferably the face of the nozzle is circular.
The nozzle may comprise a plurality of air outlets. The valve may then be arranged to vary the open area of the total air outlet of the nozzle by varying the open area of a first subset of the plurality of air outlets without varying the open area of a second subset of the plurality of air outlets. . The valves may be arranged such that, in the first mode, only a first subset of the plurality of air outlets is occluded by the valves, and in the second mode, the first subset of the plurality of air outlets is at least partially open and preferably maximally open. The valve is then arranged such that in both the first mode and the second mode a second subset of the plurality of air outlets is at least partially open. The one or more first sections of the total air outlet may then consist of a first subset of the plurality of air outlets, while the one or more second sections of the total air outlet consist of a second subset of the plurality of air outlets.
The valve comprises one or more valve members movable to adjust the open area of a first subset of the plurality of air outlet ports, and the one or more valve members are arranged such that they do not occlude (i.e. do not obstruct or affect) a second subset of the plurality of air outlet ports. The one or more valve members are movable between a first end position in which a first subset of the plurality of air outlet ports is occluded and a second end position in which the first subset of the plurality of air outlet ports is at least partially open. The one or more valve members may be arranged such that in either of the first end position or the second end position they do not occlude the second subset of the plurality of air outlets.
The nozzle may comprise a single air outlet. The valve is then arranged to vary the open area of the total air outlet of the nozzle by varying the open area of the one or more first sections of the single air outlet without varying the open area of the one or more second sections of the single air outlet. The valve is arranged such that, in a first mode, only one or more first sections of a single air outlet are occluded by the valve, and in a second mode, one or more first sections of the single air outlet are at least partially open, preferably maximally open. The valve is then arranged such that in both the first mode and the second mode, one or more second sections of a single air outlet are at least partially open. The one or more first sections of the total gas outlet may consist of said one or more first sections of the single gas outlet, while the one or more second sections of the total gas outlet consist of the one or more second sections of the single gas outlet.
The valve may comprise one or more valve members movable to adjust the open area of one or more first sections of said single air outlet, and arranged such that they do not occlude (do not obstruct or affect) one or more second sections of said single air outlet. The one or more valve members are movable between a first end position in which the one or more first sections of the single air outlet are occluded and a second end position in which the one or more first sections of the single air outlet are at least partially open. The one or more valve members may be arranged such that in either of the first end position or the second end position they do not occlude the one or more second sections of the single air outlet.
The one or more valve members may be arranged for translational movement (i.e. not rotation) and preferably for linear movement (i.e. in a straight line). The one or more valve members may be arranged for lateral movement relative to the body of the nozzle.
Preferably, the one or more air outlets are oriented towards the convergence point. The convergence point may be located on a central axis of the face of the nozzle. The one or more air outlets may be oriented toward a central axis of the face of the nozzle.
The one or more air outlets may comprise a plurality of adjacent arcuate slots provided on the face of the nozzle; preferably, adjacent arcuate slots define a generally oval shaped overall air outlet, and more preferably a generally circular shaped overall air outlet.
The one or more second sections of the total air outlet may comprise two identical arc-shaped slots diametrically opposed on the face of the nozzle body, and preferably shaped as circular arcs. Each of the two identical arcuate slots may have an arcuate angle of from 20 to 110 degrees, preferably from 45 to 90 degrees, and more preferably from 60 to 80 degrees. One or more first sections of the total air outlet can then comprise two further identical arc-shaped slots which are diametrically opposed on the face of the nozzle body and are preferably formed in the shape of a circular arc.
The nozzle may further comprise an intermediate surface spanning the region between the one or more air outlets. In other words, the intermediate surface may extend across a space or distance separating the first and second air outlets. Preferably, the intermediate surface is outwardly facing (i.e. facing away from the centre of the nozzle). The intermediate surface may be flat or partially convex. The first and second air outlets may be oriented to direct the air flow over at least a portion of the intermediate surface. The one or more air outlets may be arranged to direct the air flow emitted therefrom to pass the air flow across at least a portion of the intermediate surface. The one or more air outlets may be arranged to direct the air flow over portions of the intermediate surface adjacent the respective air outlet.
The face of the nozzle may comprise an intermediate surface. The nozzle may also include a nozzle body or outer housing that defines an outermost surface of the one or more nozzles. The nozzle body or outer housing thereby generally defines the outer shape or form of the nozzle. The face of the nozzle may thus comprise the intermediate surface and a portion of the nozzle body (which extends around or around the periphery of the intermediate surface). The nozzle body may define an opening, and the intermediate surface may then be exposed within the opening. The opening may be provided at a face of the nozzle. Preferably, the intermediate surface defines a portion of the one or more air outlets. Each of the one or more air outlets may include a slot defined between a portion of the nozzle body and the intermediate surface. The nozzle may define a generally elliptical gap/opening between the intermediate surface and the nozzle body, and each of the one or more air outlets may then be provided by a separate portion of the gap/opening. For each of the one or more air outlets, a portion of the intermediate surface (i.e. the portion that partially defines the air outlet) may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the opposing portion of the nozzle body. In particular, the portion of the intermediate surface defining the air outlet may have a radius of curvature which is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the opposite portion of the nozzle body.
The nozzle may further comprise a base arranged to be connected to the fan assembly, and the base may define an air inlet of the nozzle. Preferably, the angle of the face relative to the base is fixed. The angle of the face of the nozzle relative to the base may be from 0-90 degrees, more preferably from 0-45 degrees, and still more preferably from 20-35 degrees.
As mentioned above, the nozzle body may have the general shape of a truncated sphere, with the first truncation forming the face of the nozzle and the second truncation forming the base of the nozzle body. The nozzle body may have a general shape of a truncated sphere, with the first truncation forming a circular face of the nozzle and the second truncation forming at least a portion of a circular base of the nozzle body.
Preferably, the one or more second sections of the total air outlet define a first guide mode air outlet and a second guide mode air outlet. The first and second guide mode air outlets are discrete. In other words, the first guide mode air outlet and the second guide mode air outlet are physically separated from each other. The nozzle may then further comprise a further, flow directing valve arranged to adjust the size of the first directing mode air outlet relative to the size of the second directing mode air outlet while maintaining the combined/cumulative open area of the first and second directing mode air outlets constant. The further valve may comprise one or more further valve members, each of the one or more further valve members being movable through a range of positions between a first end position in which the first guide mode air outlet is maximally occluded and the second guide mode air outlet is maximally open and a second end position in which the first guide mode air outlet is maximally open and the second guide mode air outlet is maximally occluded.
According to a second aspect, a nozzle for a fan assembly is provided. The nozzle includes an air inlet, one or more air outlets for emitting an air flow from the nozzle, the one or more air outlets together defining a total air outlet of the nozzle, and a single internal air passage extending between the air inlet and the one or more air outlets, and a valve for varying the size/open area of the total air outlet of the nozzle. The valve is arranged such that, in a first/guiding mode, the one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open, and in a second/diffusing mode, both the one or more first sections and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open.
According to a third aspect, there is provided an assembly comprising an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller to generate an air flow, and a nozzle according to any of the first and second aspects for receiving the air flow. The fan assembly may comprise a base on which the fan assembly is supported, and the angle of the face of the nozzle relative to the base of the fan assembly is then preferably fixed. Preferably, the angle of the face of the nozzle relative to the base of the fan assembly is from 0-90 degrees, more preferably from 0-45 degrees, and still more preferably from 20-35 degrees. The base of the fan assembly is preferably provided at a first end of the body of the fan assembly and the nozzle is then preferably mounted to an opposite second end of the body of the fan assembly. Preferably, the motor and impeller are housed within the body of the fan assembly.
Drawings
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a fan assembly;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the fan assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spherical nozzle of the fan assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a spherical nozzle of the fan assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a front view of a spherical nozzle of the fan assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 6 is a side view of a spherical nozzle of the fan assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the spherical nozzle taken along line A-A in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the spherical nozzle taken along line B-B in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the spherical nozzle of FIG. 3 with an upper portion removed;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spherical nozzle of FIG. 3 with an upper portion removed;
FIG. 11a is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view of the spherical nozzle showing the valve member in a first position;
FIG. 11b is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view of the spherical nozzle showing the valve member in a second position; and
FIG. 11c is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view of the spherical nozzle showing the valve member in a third position.
Detailed Description
A nozzle for a fan assembly that provides two independent modes of delivery from a single configured outlet will now be described. In particular, the nozzle can be switched between a guiding air delivery mode and a diffusing air delivery mode by changing the size of the cumulative or total air outlet of the nozzle, wherein the total air outlet is defined by the combination/cumulative of a single set of one or more air outlets. The present invention thus provides a user with a fan assembly that has various options as to how air is delivered by the fan assembly. The term "fan assembly" refers herein to a fan assembly configured to generate and deliver an air flow for the purposes of thermal comfort and/or environmental or climate control. Such a fan assembly may be capable of generating one or more of a dehumidified air stream, a humidified air stream, a purified air stream, a filtered air stream, a cooled air stream, and a heated air stream.
The nozzle includes an air inlet for receiving an air flow, one or more air outlets for emitting the air flow from the nozzle, wherein the one or more air outlets together define a cumulative or total air outlet of the nozzle, and a single internal air passage extending between the air inlet and the one or more air outlets. The nozzle then further comprises a mode switching valve for changing the open area (size) of the total air outlet of the nozzle by changing the open area of one or more first sections of the total air outlet without changing the open area of one or more second sections of the total air outlet. In other words, the valve is arranged to vary the open area of the total air outlet of the nozzle by varying the extent to which one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded without varying the extent to which one or more second sections of the total air outlet are occluded. Thus, the valve is arranged such that, in a first configuration mode (hereinafter referred to as the pilot mode), one or more first sections of the total air outlet are occluded and one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open. The valve is then also arranged such that, in a second configuration mode (hereinafter diffusion mode), both the one or more first sections and the one or more second sections of the total air outlet are at least partially open.
For example, the mode switching valve may include one or more valve members movable to adjust the open area of one or more first sections of the total air outlet port, and thereby vary the cumulative size of the total air outlet port. In other words, the valve may comprise one or more valve members which are movable to vary the extent to which one or more first sections of the overall air outlet are occluded. The one or more valve members may then be arranged such that they do not occlude (i.e. do not obstruct or affect) the one or more second sections of the overall air outlet. Each of the one or more valve members is movable between a first end position in which the one or more first sections of the total air outlet opening are occluded by the one or more valve members, and a second end position in which the one or more first sections are at least partially open, and preferably maximally open (i.e. open to the greatest extent possible). The one or more valve members are preferably arranged such that they do not occlude (i.e. do not obstruct or affect) the one or more second sections of the overall air outlet port, whether in the first end position or the second end position. In the first mode, the one or more valve members may then be in a first end position such that the one or more first segments are occluded. In the second mode, the one or more valve members may then be in the second end position such that the one or more first sections are at least partially open.
The nozzle may comprise a plurality of air outlets, wherein the total air outlet of the nozzle is then formed by the combination/accumulation of all of the plurality of air outlets. The one or more first sections of the total air outlet may then comprise a first subset of the plurality of air outlets, while the one or more second sections of the total air outlet comprise a second subset of the plurality of air outlets. Alternatively, the nozzle may comprise only a single air outlet, which thus forms the total air outlet. The one or more first sections of the overall gas outlet may then comprise one or more first portions/sections of the single gas outlet, while the one or more second sections of the overall gas outlet comprise one or more second portions/sections of the single gas outlet, wherein said one or more second portions/sections will comprise those portions separating adjacent first portions/sections.
The term "air outlet" as used herein refers to the portion of the nozzle through which the air stream exits the nozzle. In particular, in the embodiments described herein, each air outlet comprises a duct or conduit defined by the nozzle and through which the air flow exits the nozzle. Each air outlet can thus alternatively be referred to as an exhaust port. This is different from the other parts of the nozzle, in that the other parts are upstream of the air outlet and serve to direct the air flow between the air inlet and the air outlet of the nozzle.
This dual mode configuration is particularly useful when the nozzle is used with a fan assembly configured to provide purified air, as a user of such a fan assembly may wish to continue to receive purified air from the fan assembly without the cooling effect created by the high pressure concentrated air flow provided in the pilot mode. For example, in winter conditions, at which point the user considers the temperature too low to use the cooling effect provided by the guided mode air flow. In this case, the user may manipulate the user interface to control the air delivery mode. In response to these user inputs, the main control circuit will then cause the mode switching valve member to move from the closed position to the open position so that the entire accumulation/total air outlet of the nozzle is at least partially open, providing a more diffuse, low pressure air flow.
Fig. 1 and 2 are external views of a first embodiment of a
The
In this embodiment,
In the illustrated embodiment, the
The
In the illustrated embodiment, the first cutoff is such that the diameter (D) of nozzle body 1230N) Is the diameter (D) of the
The
In the illustrated embodiment, this
The
In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of arc-shaped slots (which provide the first and second guide
The first and second pilot
The structure and operation of the
As described above, the
The
The
In this embodiment, two separate valve mechanisms are then positioned below the
The
In the illustrated embodiment, the internal air passage 1270 (which extends between the
The flow directing valve includes a
When minimized, the first and second guide
In the illustrated embodiment, the
The flow directing valve also includes a
As previously described, the mode switching valve is arranged to change the air delivery mode of the
In the illustrated embodiment, the mode switching valve includes a pair of mode switching
In the illustrated embodiment, the mode switching
The mode
The mode shift valve also includes a mode
In the embodiment shown in fig. 7-10, the mode switching valve further comprises two pairs of movable baffles 1293, 1294 arranged to help direct air emitted from the first and second guide
Each pair of movable baffles 1293, 1294 comprises a first
In this embodiment, the pair of movable stops 1293, 1294 is arranged to move laterally (i.e., translationally) relative to the
In fig. 7-10, the
To switch the
In the embodiment shown in fig. 7-10, the
Turning now to fig. 11a-11c, three possible resultant air flows are illustrated, which may be achieved by varying the size of the first guide
In fig. 11a, the flow directing valve is arranged with the flow directing
In fig. 11b, the flow directing valve is arranged with the flow directing
In fig. 11c, the flow directing valve is arranged with the flow directing
It should be understood that the embodiments of fig. 11a, 11b and 11c are merely schematic and may actually represent some extreme cases. By controlling the flow directing
As noted above, the dual mode configuration of the nozzle is particularly useful when the nozzle is used with a fan assembly configured to provide purified air, as a user of such a fan assembly may wish to continue to receive purified air from the fan assembly without the cooling effect created by the high pressure concentrated air flow provided in the pilot mode. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment described above, the angle of the face of the nozzle relative to the base of the nozzle, and hence the base of the fan assembly, is arranged such that, when placed on a near horizontal surface, the resultant air flow generated by the fan assembly when the nozzle is in the diffuser mode will be directed generally upwardly. These embodiments thus also enable the diffusion mode airflow to be indirectly delivered to the user, thereby further reducing the cooling effect produced by the airflow.
It will be understood that each of the articles shown may be used alone or in combination with other articles shown in the figures or described in the specification, and that articles mentioned in the same paragraph or in the same figure are not necessarily used in combination with each other. Furthermore, the word "device" may be replaced by a suitable actuator or system or apparatus. Furthermore, references to "comprising" or "constituting" are not intended to limit anything in any way and the reader should interpret the corresponding description and claims accordingly.
Furthermore, while the present invention has been described in the terms of the preferred embodiments mentioned above, it should be understood that those embodiments are merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and variations, in view of this disclosure, within the scope of the appended claims. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the described invention may be equally applicable to other types of environmentally controlled fan assemblies, not just free-standing fan assemblies. By way of example, the fan assembly can be any of a free-standing fan assembly, a ceiling or wall mounted fan assembly, and an onboard fan assembly, for example.
As a further example, although the nozzle has been described in the above embodiments as having a generally frusto-spherical shape and the slot and face defining the overall outlet opening of the nozzle are then generally circular in shape, the nozzle and slot may have different shapes. For example, rather than having a spherical general shape, the nozzles in the above-described embodiments have a general cylindrical shape, such as a right circular cylinder, an aspherical ellipsoid or a non-spherical spheroid (sphere) general shape. Further, rather than being circular, the face of the nozzle may have a non-circular, elliptical shape. Similarly, rather than being circular, the slot defining the outlet port of the nozzle may have a non-circular elliptical shape, with the first and second guide mode outlet ports then each being non-circular, elliptical arcs.
Furthermore, although in the above described embodiments the nozzle has only a single air outlet in the form of a gap, the nozzle may equally comprise a plurality of air outlets. For example, the space between the intermediate guide surface and the nozzle body may be divided into a plurality of independent arcuate slots, each forming an independent air outlet, which together define the overall air outlet of the nozzle. In this case, the mode switching valve may be arranged such that in the guiding mode only a first subset of the air outlets are occluded by the one or more valve members, whereas in the diffusing mode a first subset of the plurality of air outlets will be at least partially open and preferably maximally open. In both the guiding and the diffusion mode, a second subset of the plurality of air outlets will then all be at least partially open (i.e. the valve will be arranged such that the valve member does not obstruct/influence the second subset of the plurality of air outlets), wherein this second subset then provides the guiding mode air outlets of the nozzle.
Further, while the above embodiments all use a valve motor for driving movement of one or more valve members, the nozzles described herein may alternatively include a manual mechanism for driving movement of a valve member, wherein force applied by a user will be translated into movement of a valve member. For example, it may take the form of a rotatable dial or wheel or a sliding dial or switch, wherein rotation or sliding of the dial by the user causes rotation of the pinion.
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