FAN DRIP-PROOF STRUCTURE

A fan drip-proof structure of an embodiment includes a housing, one or more open-close members, and a regulation member. The housing accommodates a fan. The one or more open-close members open and close a vent port formed on the housing in response to a wind force of an air flow of the fan. The regulation member regulates an open degree of the vent port by the open-close member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a fan drip-proof structure.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, an electric power control apparatus that includes a fan inside a housing which accommodates an electronic device is known. The fan cools the electronic device by air introduced to the inside from the outside through an intake port of the housing. The fan discharges the air that has cooled the electronic device to the outside from the inside through an exhaust port of the housing.

However, in a case where a vent port formed in the housing is exposed to the outside, when a foreign object such as a water droplet enters the inside of the housing through the vent port, there is a possibility that an abnormality such as a short circuit may occur at the electronic device inside the housing.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fan drip-proof structure capable of preventing a foreign object from entering the inside of a housing of a fan.

Means for Solving the Problem

A fan drip-proof structure of an embodiment includes a housing, one or more open-close members, and a regulation member. The housing accommodates a fan. The one or more open-close members open and close a vent port formed on the housing in response to a wind force of an air flow of the fan. The regulation member regulates an open degree of the vent port by the open-close member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a fan drip-proof structure according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electrical device unit1that includes a fan drip-proof structure10according to the embodiment.FIG.2is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a ventilation state in the electrical device unit1that includes the fan drip-proof structure10according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, each axis direction of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis orthogonal to one another in a three-dimensional space is in a direction parallel to each axis of the electrical device unit1. For example, a rightward-leftward direction of the electrical device unit1is parallel to the X-axis direction. A forward-rearward direction of the electrical device unit1is parallel to the Y-axis direction. An upward-downward direction and a vertical direction of the electrical device unit1are parallel to the Z-axis direction. The positive direction of the Z-axis direction is a direction toward an upper part from a lower part of the electrical device unit1.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the electrical device unit1of the embodiment is, for example, a board provided to an electrical facility or the like. The board is a switchboard, a distribution board, a control board, and the like that constitute an electric power conversion apparatus, an electric power supply apparatus, a motor drive apparatus, or the like.

The electrical device unit1includes a unit housing2that accommodates a variety of electrical devices therein. The variety of electrical devices may be, for example, an electric power converter such as an inverter, a control device, or the like. The variety of electrical devices may include, for example, a variety of circuit components such as a semiconductor element, a conductor, a fuse, a capacitor, a transformer, a switch, a circuit breaker, and a measurement device.

The outer shape of the unit housing2may be, for example, a box shape. A plurality of intake ports3and a plurality of exhaust ports4by which the outside and the inside communicate with each other are formed in the unit housing2. The plurality of intake ports3are formed, for example on a front part2F of the unit housing2. A plurality of exhaust ports4are formed, for example, on an upper part2U of the unit housing2. The plurality of intake ports3and the plurality of exhaust ports4ventilate cooling air that flows through the inside of the unit housing2.

The unit housing2includes, for example, an air filter5that covers each of the plurality of intake ports3. The outer shape of the air filter5is, for example, a mesh shape in which a plurality of through holes are formed. The air filter5separates and collects a foreign object such as dust from air that passes through the plurality of through holes and thereby flows to the inside of the unit housing2from the intake port3.

The electrical device unit1includes a plurality of fans6that are arranged on the upper part2U of the unit housing2. The number of the plurality of fans6is the same as, for example, the number of the plurality of exhaust ports4formed in the unit housing2. The fan6is, for example, a centrifugal fan. The fan6is arranged such that a suction port (not shown) of the fan6faces the exhaust port4of the unit housing2in the Z-axis direction.

The fan6suctions air outside the unit housing2to the inside from the plurality of intake ports3of the unit housing2and discharges the air inside the unit housing2to the outside from the plurality of exhaust ports4of the unit housing2. The fan6cools various electrical devices by the air that flows through the inside of the unit housing2.

The electrical device unit1includes the fan drip-proof structure10provided on each of the plurality of fans6.

FIG.3is a cross-sectional view showing the fan drip-proof structure10according to the embodiment broken at a cross-section parallel to an X-Z plane and is a

As shown inFIG.3, the fan drip-proof structure10includes a fan housing11, a plurality of open-close members12, and a plurality of regulation members13.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the outer shape of the fan housing11is, for example, a box shape in which an opening is formed in a lower part11B. The fan housing11is fixed to an upper part2U of the unit housing2. The lower part11B of the fan housing11is in contact with the upper part2U of the unit housing2at a circumferential edge of the exhaust port4so as to surround the exhaust port4of the unit housing2. The fan housing11accommodates the fan6therein.

A plurality of blowing ports21by which the inside and the outside communicate with each other are formed on the fan housing11. The plurality of blowing ports21are formed, for example, on each of both end parts (that is, right and left side parts)11RS and11LS in the rightward-leftward direction of the fan housing11and a rear part11R. Each blowing port21is, for example, an opening having a rectangular shape elongated in the Y-direction. The plurality of blowing ports21discharge air that is introduced to the inside of the fan housing11to the outside from the inside of the unit housing2by the air flow of the fan6.

As shown inFIG.3, each of the plurality of open-close members12includes, for example, a shaft part12aand a plate-shape part12b.

The shaft part12ais supported by a circumferential edge22of each blowing port21of the fan housing11. The shaft part12arotates about a center axis line C as a rotation axis. The center axis line C of the shaft part12ais parallel to a direction orthogonal to the upward-downward direction of the fan housing11. For example, in a case of each open-close member12arranged on the blowing port21at each of the right and left end parts (that is, right and left side parts)11RS and11LS of the fan housing11, the center axis line C of each shaft part12ais parallel to the forward-rearward direction. For example, in a case of the open-close member12arranged on the blowing port21at the rear part11R of the fan housing11, the center axis line C of the shaft part12ais parallel to the rightward-leftward direction.

The outer shape of the plate-shape part12bis, for example, a rectangular plate shape elongated in the Y-direction so as to correspond to the shape of the blowing port21. The plate-shape part12bis integral with the shaft part12a. For example, among a longer direction and a shorter direction that are orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate-shape part12b, the longer direction is parallel to the center axis line C of the shaft part12a. One end in the shorter direction of the plate-shape part12bis connected to a circumferential surface of the shaft part12a. The plate-shape part12brotates together with the shaft part12aaround the center axis line C of the shaft part12a.

The plurality of open-close members12are arranged side-by-side in the upward-downward direction. The plurality of open-close members12are parallel to each other in a direction (for example, the Y-direction) orthogonal to the upward-downward direction. The open-close member12becomes a closed state by its own weight. Any two adjacent open-close members12in the upward-downward direction are arranged, for example, so as to partially overlap each other in a closed state.

The plurality of open-close members12open and close the blowing port21in response to a wind force of the air flow of the fan6. The plate-shape part12bof each open-close member12receives the wind force of air F toward the outside from the inside via the blowing port21of the fan housing11by the air flow of the fan6. Each plate-shape part12brotates about the center axis line C of the shaft part12ato cause the blowing port21to be in an open state by receiving a wind force having a predetermined amplitude or more. The wind force, having a predetermined amplitude or more, rotates the plate-shape part12babout the center axis line C against the weight of the plate-shape part12b, the friction of the shaft part12a, and the like.

Each plate-shape part12bbecomes an attitude that causes the blowing port21to be in a closed state by its own weight when receiving a wind force having an amplitude which is less than the predetermined amplitude.

The outer shape of each of the plurality of regulation members13is, for example, a rod shape that is elongated in the Y-direction. The number of the plurality of regulation members13is the same as the number of the plurality of open-close members12. Each regulation member13is fixed, for example, to the circumferential edge22at a further outside of the blowing port21than each open-close member12. Each regulation member13is parallel to the shaft part12aof each open-close member12.

Each regulation member13regulates the open degree of the blowing port21by each open-close member12. For example, each regulation member13permits rotation around the center axis line C of the plate-shape part12bwithout contacting the plate-shape part12bwhen an inclination angle θ of the plate-shape part12bof each open-close member12relative to a lower direction in the vertical direction is less than a predetermined angle. Each regulation member13prohibits an increase in the inclination angle θ by contacting the plate-shape part12bwhen the inclination angle θ of the plate-shape part12bis a predetermined angle.

Each regulation member13permits such rotation of the plate-shape part12bthat the inclination angle θ becomes smaller than the predetermined angle and prohibits such rotation of the plate-shape part12bthat the inclination angle θ becomes larger than the predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is an angle required for ensuring a desired drip-proof performance and is, for example, 60° or the like.

Hereinafter, an operation of the fan drip-proof structure10according to the embodiment is described.

As shown inFIG.2, when each fan6operates, first, the cooling air F passes through the plurality of intake ports3and flows to the inside from the outside of the unit housing2. Next, the air F flows through the inside of the unit housing2, cools various electrical devices, and then flows to the outside from the plurality of exhaust ports4.

Next, the air F passes through an opening (not shown) in the lower part11B of the fan housing11and flows to the inside of the fan housing11. Next, the air F passes through a suction port (not shown) of the fan6, is suctioned to the inside of the fan6, and is then discharged from a discharge port (not shown) to the outside.

Next, the air F flows toward each blowing port21of the fan housing11and applies a wind pressure to the plate-shape part12bof each open-close member12. The air F rotates the plate-shape part12bof each open-close member12by a wind force having a predetermined amplitude or more and thereby causes each blowing port21to be in an open state. Next, the air F passes through each blowing port21and flows to the outside of the fan housing11.

FIG.4is a perspective view showing an example of the operation in the fan drip-proof structure10according to the embodiment. As shown inFIG.4, when only a fan6which is part of the plurality of fans6operates, the plurality of open-close members12become an open state in the fan housing11of an operating fan6, and the plurality of open-close members12are maintained to be in a closed state in the fan housing11of a stopping fan6.

In the fan housing11of the stopping fan6, since each blowing port21is closed, it is prohibited, for example, that air flows back to the inside from the outside through each blowing port21. For example, it is prohibited to form such a circulating air flow that the air suctioned from the fan housing11of the stopping fan6is discharged from the fan housing11of the operating fan6through the unit housing2.

Here, the open-close member12(the plate-shape part12b) in the open state is regulated so as not to rotate larger than an angle required for ensuring the desired drip-proof performance by the regulation member13. Therefore, even when the plurality of open-close members12are maintained in the open state, it is prevented that a foreign object such as a water droplet W enters the inside of the fan housing11through each blowing port21.

According to the embodiment described above, the fan drip-proof structure10includes the open-close member12that opens and closes the blowing port21formed on the fan housing11in response to the wind force of the air flow of the fan6and can thereby prevent a foreign object such as the water droplet W from entering the inside of the fan housing11. The fan drip-proof structure10includes the regulation member13that regulates the open degree of the blowing port21by the open-close member12and can thereby ensure desired drip-proof and dust-proof performances.

The fan drip-proof structure10includes the plurality of open-close members12that open and close the blowing port21by rotating by the wind force of the air flow of the fan6or its own weight, and thereby, it is possible to ensure the desired drip-proof and dust-proof performances while preventing the configuration from being complicated and preventing the configuration from being enlarged. For example, as compared to a case in which configurations such as a drip-proof cover and a shutter for preventing the backflow of the air are added to the fan housing11, it is possible to prevent the increase and complication of the configuration.

By including a plurality of open-close members12which become a closed state during stopping of the fan6, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of backflow of air between the fan housing11of the stopping fan6and the fan housing11of the operating fan6.

Hereinafter, a modified example is described.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which the electrical device unit1includes the fan drip-proof structure10provided on each of the plurality of fans6; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The electrical device unit1may include a single fan6and a fan drip-proof structure10provided on the single fan6.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which the outer shape of the fan housing11is a box shape; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the outer shape of the fan housing11may be any suitable shape such as a cylindrical shape.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which each of the plurality of open-close members12includes the shaft part12athat is supported by the fan housing11and the plate-shape part12bthat is integral with the shaft part12a; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, each open-close member12may include a shaft part12athat is fixed to the fan housing11and a plate-shape part12bthat is supported by the shaft part12a. The shaft part12ain this case does not rotate, and only the plate-shape part12brotates about the center axis line C of the shaft part12a.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which the plurality of regulation members13are provided on the fan housing11; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, each regulation member13may be provided on each open-close member12. In this case, for example, the regulation member of each open-close member12prohibits an increase in the inclination angle θ by contacting the circumferential edge22of the blowing port21in the open state of each open-close member12.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which the outer shape of each regulation member13is a rod shape; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The outer shape of each regulation member13may be any suitable shape.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which each of the plurality of open-close members12opens and closes the blowing port21by the rotation about the center axis line C; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the plate-shape part12bof each open-close member12may be formed of an elastic material and may open and close the blowing port21by elastically deforming in response to the wind force of the air flow of the fan6.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which the plurality of blowing ports21are formed on the fan housing11; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Alternatively, a single blowing port21may be formed on the fan housing11.

The above embodiment is described using an example in which the blowing port21is formed on each of the rear part11R and both end parts11RS and11LS in the rightward-leftward direction of the fan housing11; however, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The blowing port21may be formed on a suitable portion of the fan housing11.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the fan drip-proof structure10includes the open-close member12that opens and closes the blowing port21formed on the fan housing11in response to the wind force of the air flow of the fan6and can thereby prevent a foreign object such as a water droplet W from entering the fan housing11. The fan drip-proof structure10includes the regulation member13that regulates the open degree of the blowing port21by the open-close member12and can thereby ensure desired drip-proof and dust-proof performance.

The fan drip-proof structure10includes the plurality of open-close members12that open and close the blowing port21by rotating by the wind force of the air flow of the fan6or its own weight, and thereby, it is possible to ensure the desired drip-proof and dust-proof performance while preventing the configuration from being complicated and preventing the configuration from being enlarged. For example, as compared to a case in which configurations such as a drip-proof cover and a shutter for preventing the backflow of the air are added to the fan housing11, it is possible to prevent the increase and complication of the configuration.

By including a plurality of open-close members12which become a closed state during stopping of the fan6, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of backflow of air between the fan housing11of the stopping fan6and the fan housing11of the operating fan6.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and a variety of omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the appended claims and equivalence thereof.

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