Abstract:
A blower device and a respirator including the blower device. The blower device comprises a case, a blower vibration source disposed within the case and a buffering assembly for associating the blower vibration source and the case, wherein the vibration absorption assembly comprises at least two of a locating buffering member associated with a top portion of the blower vibration source, a connection buffering member in which at least a part of the blower vibration source is received and a support buffering member associated with a bottom portion of the blower vibration source. The blower device is capable of effectively buffering vibration of the blower device, decreasing noise transmission and has a simple structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of PCT international application No. PCT/CN2014/091579 filed on Nov. 19, 2014, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201410003968.X, filed on Jan. 3, 2014, titled “Blower Device and Respirator Including Blower Device”, in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, all contents of these applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a small-sized blower device, more particularly to a blower device having improved vibration absorption function. The present invention also relates to a respirator including such a blower device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    As an important component in a respirator, a blower is used to generate gas for breathing and deliver the gas to patients. During rotation of a blower with a high speed, blades of the blower cut air with a high speed so as to produce air flow vibration. The air flow vibration will be transmitted to the blower. Thus, operation of the blower with a high speed will result in high-frequency vibration. Frequency and amplitude of the vibration are spread outwards, which causes a lot of secondary damages, such as life reduction of a component, vibration and noise radiated from the device, and so on. 
         [0004]    In order to minimalize the secondary damages, special protective treatments are required for the vibration of the blower. However, a large number of components will be added to implement the special protective treatments, resulting in a very complicated structure of the blower. Moreover, in the prior art, usually a blower with special protective treatments is connected and located via rigid connections, which has adverse influence on high-frequency vibration of the blower and decrease of noise transmission due to the vibration. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a blower device which is capable of effectively buffering vibration of the blower, decreasing noise transmission and has a simple structure. 
         [0006]    A technical solution of the present invention is to provide a blower device comprising a case, a blower vibration source disposed within the case and a vibration absorption assembly for associating the blower vibration source and the case, wherein the vibration absorption assembly comprises at least two of a locating buffering member associated with a top portion of the blower vibration source, a connection buffering member in which at least a part of the blower vibration source is received and a support buffering member associated with a bottom portion of the blower vibration source. 
         [0007]    Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: combination of two or three of the locating buffering member, the connection buffering member and the support buffering member functions as connection, locating and buffering for the blower vibration source. An amplitude of high-frequency vibration of the blower vibration source during operation is buffered, and noise transmission out of the case due to the high-frequency vibration is decreased, thereby effectively reducing secondary damage. Moreover, there are a small number of components, thus the structure is simple and the assembling is easy. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment, the locating buffering member comprises a locating ring disposed at the top portion of the blower vibration source and a locating seat which is provided at the case and is used to receive the locating ring. Cooperation between the locating ring disposed at the top portion of the blower vibration source and the locating seat provided at the case functions as limiting displacement and buffering for the blower vibration source, thus not only lateral movement of the blower vibration source due to high-frequency vibration can be controlled, but also a portion of vibration can be effectively dispersed. 
         [0009]    In a preferred embodiment, the blower device comprises a plurality of support buffering members which are uniformly disposed on a bottom surface of the connection buffering member. The plurality of support buffering members can effectively disperse vibration of the blower vibration source. 
         [0010]    In a further preferred embodiment, each of the support buffering members comprises a support pillar extended from the bottom surface of the connection buffering member and three support legs which are spaced apart from each other and are extended from an end surface of the support pillar, the support legs collectively form a horn-shaped component extended and gradually expanded from the end surface of the support pillar, and are received in a respective receiving groove disposed at a bottom wall of the case. The support buffering members having such a structure can maximize dispersion of vibration of the blower vibration source, and provide a stable support. Cooperation between the support buffering members and the receiving grooves can effectively limit rotation and downward movement of the blower vibration source. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, rigid stoppers are provided between adjacent ones of the support pillars, the rigid stoppers are provided at the bottom surface of the connection buffering member and extended more from the bottom surface of the connection buffering member than the support pillars. When the blower vibration source produces excessive vibration, the rigid stoppers will be brought into contact with a bottom surface of the lower case, thereby limiting further downward movement of the blower vibration source. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the blower vibration source comprises a blower seal ring tightly connected with the case. The blower seal ring can effectively reduce an amplitude of high-frequency vibration of the blower vibration source. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the vibration absorption assembly comprises the locating buffering member associated with the top portion of the blower vibration source and the connection buffering member in which at least a part of the blower vibration source is received only, the connection buffering member is configured as being hung within the case. Such a structure benefits dispersion of vibration energy and decrease of noise. 
         [0014]    In a preferred embodiment, the connection buffering member comprises a connection part extended horizontally from a side wall of the connection buffering member, the case comprises a circumferential platform located at an inner side wall of the case, and the connection part is supported on the circumferential platform via a tapered support part. The circumferential support table can buffer and disperse high-frequency vibration of the blower vibration source more effectively. 
         [0015]    In yet another embodiment, the connection buffering member comprises a hook-shaped connection part extended horizontally from a side wall of the connection buffering member, the case comprises a hook support part located at an inner side wall of the case, and the hook-shaped connection part is hung on the hook support part. Such a connection structure is relatively simple, but also benefits dispersing of high-frequency vibration of the blower vibration source. 
         [0016]    In yet another embodiment, the connection buffering member is configured as a box body in which the blower vibration source is completely received, the locating buffering member comprises buffering members fixed on a top portion of the connection buffering member and extended to the case with cross-sections being gradually decreased, and the support buffering member comprises buffering members fixed on a bottom portion of the connection buffering member and extended to a bottom wall of the case with cross-sections being gradually decreased. By combining the connection buffering member having a box body and the support buffering member, the high-frequency vibration can be buffered and the secondary damage can be reduced greatly. 
         [0017]    In yet another embodiment, the connection buffering member is configured as a box body in which the blower vibration source is completely received, the locating buffering member comprises buffering members fixed on a top wall of the case and extended to the connection buffering member with cross-sections being gradually decreased, and the support buffering member comprises buffering members fixed on a bottom wall of the case and extended to the connection buffering member with cross-sections being gradually decreased. Combination of the connection buffering member having a box body, the tapered locating buffering member and the tapered support buffering member can effectively locate and buffer the blower vibration source, thus maximizing buffering of the high-frequency vibration and reducing secondary damage. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the connection buffering member comprises a hook-shaped connection part extended horizontally from a side wall of the connection buffering member, the case comprises a hook support part located at an inner side wall of the case, and the hook-shaped connection part is hung on the hook support part. The connection between the hook-shaped connection part and the hook support part enables hanging the blower vibration source within the case, a vibration amplitude of the blower vibration source is buffered and limited in both an up and down direction and a left and right direction, thus effectively dispersing high-frequency vibration of the blower vibration source and reducing noise. 
         [0019]    In yet another embodiment, the connection buffering member is configured as a box body in which the blower vibration source is completely received, the support buffering member comprises a buffering block connected to a bottom surface of the box body and bottom wall buffering members extended from a bottom surface of the buffering block with cross-sections being gradually decreased. Combination of the buffering block and the bottom wall buffering members can effectively disperse high-frequency of the blower vibration source and limit a downward vibration amplitude of the blower vibration source. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the case comprises an upper case and a lower case which are engaged with each other, the connection buffering member comprises a connection part extended from a side wall of the connection buffering member, and the connection part is pressed between engagement surfaces of the upper case and the lower case. This structure is simple. 
         [0021]    In yet another embodiment, the vibration absorption assembly comprises the locating buffering member associated with the top portion of the blower vibration source and the support buffering member associated with the bottom portion of the blower vibration source, the support buffering member comprises a support pillar extended through a bottom wall of the case, a clamping block and a support leg are provided at two ends of the support pillar respectively, a buffering material is filled in an opening through which the support pillar passes the case. The support buffering member limits a magnitude of downward movement of the blower vibration source, and the locating buffering member limits lateral movement of the blower vibration source in a certain extent. Combination of the locating buffering member and the support buffering member can disperse high-frequency vibration of the blower vibration source. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment, the locating buffering member, the connection buffering member and the support buffering member are made of silicone. Silicone materials can play a role in supporting and buffering. 
         [0023]    The present invention also relates to a respirator comprising a blower device as described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a structure of a blower device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the blower device shown in  FIG. 1  with a case being removed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic bottom view of the structure shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view along plane A shown in  FIG. 2  according to the first embodiment, in which some components are omitted for clarity. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  schematically illustrates a structure of a blower device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a structure of a blower device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates a structure of a blower device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a structure of a blower device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates a structure of a blower device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates a structure of a blower device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Hereinafter the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments. 
         [0035]    First, a blower device  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  10  comprises a case  2  and a blower vibration source  1  mounted in the case  2 . The blower vibration source  1  is, for example, a motor of the blower device. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the blower device  10  also includes some other conventional components, which are well known in the art and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. 
         [0036]    According to the present invention, a locating buffering member  3  is disposed at a top portion of the blower vibration source  1 , and is used to connect the blower vibration source  1  to an inner side of a top wall of the case  2 . In this embodiment, as more clearly shown in  FIG. 4 , the locating buffering member  3  may include a locating ring  3 . 1  which is extended into a corresponding locating seat  2 . 4  disposed at the inner side of the top wall of the case  2 . The locating seat  2 . 4  is configured to have an inner diameter which is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the locating ring  3 . 1 , so that point contact or line contact can be formed between the locating ring  3 . 1  and the locating seat  2 . 4 . In addition, the locating ring  3 . 1  may be disposed at the top portion of the blower vibration source  1  via a well-known structure, such as a complementary engagement projection-groove structure. By providing the locating ring  3 . 1 , not only lateral movement of the blower vibration source  1  due to high-frequency vibration can be controlled, but also a portion of vibration can be effectively dispersed. 
         [0037]    According to the present invention, the blower device  10  includes a connection buffering member  4  associated with the blower vibration source  1 . In the first embodiment of the present invention, the connection buffering member  4  is configured as a cylindrical component in which at least a part of the blower vibration source  1  is received. The blower device  10  also includes a support buffering member  5  for supporting the connection buffering member  4  in which at least a part of the blower vibration source  1  is received on a bottom wall of the case  2 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  illustrates the support buffering member  5  clearly. As shown, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the blower device  10  includes three support buffering members  5  which are preferably arranged uniformly in a circumferential direction. It will be readily understood that more support buffering members  5  may be disposed as required. Each of the support buffering members  5  comprises a support pillar  5 . 1  extended outwards from a bottom end of the connection buffering member  4  and three support legs  5 . 2  which are spaced apart from each other and extended outwards from an end surface of the support pillar  5 . 1 . The three support legs  5 . 2  of each of the support buffering members  5  collectively form a horn-shaped part extended and expanded gradually from the end surface of the support pillar  5 . 1 . The three support legs  5 . 2  of each of the support buffering members  5  are received in a respective receiving groove  2 . 5  (referring to  FIG. 4 ) disposed on a bottom surface of the case  2 . Preferably, the receiving grooves  2 . 5  each is sized and shaped to just receive the three support legs  5 . 2 . By providing the support buffering members  5  each having three independent support legs  5 . 2 , vibration from the blower vibration source  1  can be effectively dispersed. In addition, in the case of the blower vibration source  1  producing a downward displacement, the receiving grooves  2 . 5  can limit each of the support legs  5 . 2  inside, thereby limiting downward movement and freedom of rotation of the blower vibration source  1 . 
         [0039]    The above-mentioned locating buffering member  3  and the connection buffering member  4  are made of a material which can provide buffering function. For example, they may be made of a silicone material. For the support buffering member  5 , at least the support legs  5 . 2  are made of a material which can provide buffering function, e.g., a silicone material. The support pillars  5 . 1  may be made of a rigid material such as plastic, alternatively it may be made of a silicone material. 
         [0040]    According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the case  2  may include a lower case  2 . 1 , a middle case  2 . 2  and an upper case  2 . 3 . Here, the locating seat  2 . 4  is disposed at the upper case  2 . 3 , and the receiving grooves  2 . 5  are disposed at the lower case  2 . 1 . Compared with a case having an integral structure, the case having this three-part structure can disperse the high-frequency vibration from the blower vibration source  1  more effectively. 
         [0041]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a blower seal ring  6  is connected with the blower vibration source  1 , and is tightly connected with the case  2 , specifically the middle case  2 . 2 . After the blower vibration source  1  is mounted into the case  2 , the blower seal ring  6  can function as limiting rotation of the blower vibration source  1 . In addition, a thin-walled butterfly-shaped vibration absorbing structure may be provided in the blower seal ring  6 , so that an amplitude of high-frequency vibration of the blower vibration source  1  can be effectively dispersed. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , rigid stoppers  4 . 1  can be provided optionally on a bottom surface of the connection buffering member  4 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of three rigid stoppers  4 . 1  is arranged between two adjacent support buffering members  5 . The rigid stoppers  4 . 1  are configured to be extended further than the support pillars  5 . 1  of the support buffering member  5 . Thus, when the blower vibration source  1  produces excessive vibration, the rigid stoppers  4 . 1  will be brought into contact with a bottom surface of the lower case  2 . 1 , thereby limiting further downward movement of the blower vibration source  1 . 
         [0043]    Hereinafter the blower devices according to the second to the seventh embodiments will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5-10 . In order to avoid redundancy, only differences from the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4  will be described and repeated description can be referred to the description above. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrates a blower device  20  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the blower device  20  does not include the support buffering member  5  shown in the first embodiment. However, a connection buffering member  24  of the blower device  20  includes a cylindrical part  24 . 1  in which at least a part of the blower vibration source  1  is received and a connection part  24 . 2  extended horizontally from a peripheral wall of the cylindrical part  24 . 1  The connection part  24 . 2  is supported on a support platform  22 . 6  disposed at an inner wall of a case  22 . For example, the connection part  24 . 2  can be supported on the support platform  22 . 6  via a structure with reduced contact surface (such as a tapered portion). The cylindrical part  24 . 1  and the connection part  24 . 2  each is made of a material which can provide buffering function, e.g., a silicone material. Thus, in the second embodiment, the blower vibration source  1  is actually hung in the case  22  via the connection buffering member  24 . In this case, vibration of the blower vibration source  1  can be dispersed effectively by a locating buffering member  23  and the connection buffering member  24 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates a blower device  30  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The blower device  30  is substantially the same as the blower device  20  according to the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . The difference lies in that, in the blower device  30 , a connection part  34 . 2  and an inner wall of a case  32  are engaged with each other via a hook structure. Specifically, a hook support part  32 . 6  is provided at the inner wall of the case  32 , and a free end of the connection part  34 . 2  is configured as a hook which can be hung on the hook support part  32 . 6 . In this way, the blower vibration source  1  can be hung within the case  32  reliably, which will benefit dispersion of vibration energy. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  illustrates a blower device  40  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the connection buffering member  44  is configured as a box body, and a blower vibration source  41  is completely received in the connection buffering member  44 . In addition, a locating buffering member  43  and a support buffering member  45  are integrated with a top surface and a bottom surface of the connection buffering member  44  respectively. The locating buffering member  43  and the support buffering member  45  may have the same structures as those in the first embodiment, alternatively they may be simple tapered buffering members, so that point contact or line contact is formed between the buffering members and the case. In addition, a connection part  44 . 2  similar to the connection part shown in  FIG. 6  may be provided at a side wall of the connection buffering member  44 , and is used to form hook engagement with an inner wall of a case  42 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  illustrates a blower device  50  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the connection buffering member  54  has the same structure as the fourth embodiment. However, a locating buffering member  53  and a support buffering member  55  are not provided on the connection buffering member  44 , rather they are provided on a top wall and a bottom wall of a case  52  respectively. The locating buffering member  53  and the support buffering member  55  are configured as tapered buffering members, so that point contact or line contact is formed between them and the case  52 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  illustrates a blower device  60  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a case  62  is configured to include an upper case  62 . 1  and a lower case  62 . 2 . A locating buffering member  63  is disposed on a top wall of the upper case  62 . 1 , and has point contact or line contact with a top wall of a box-shaped connection buffering member  64 . A support buffering member  65  is connected to a bottom wall of the connection buffering member  64  via a buffering block  65 . 1 , and a bottom surface of the buffering block  65 . 1  is connected to bottom wall buffering members  65 . 2  which each has gradually reduced cross-section toward a bottom wall of the lower case  62 . 2 . Preferably, the buffering block  65 . 1  and the bottom wall buffering members  65 . 2  are formed integrally. 
         [0049]    Moreover, point contact or line contact is formed between each of the bottom wall buffering members  65 . 2  and the bottom wall of the lower case  62 . 2 . The connection buffering member  64  also comprises a connection part  64 . 2  extended horizontally from the side wall of the connection buffering member  64 , and the connection part  64 . 2  is pressed between engagement surfaces of the upper case  62 . 1  and the lower case  62 . 2 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  illustrates a blower device  70  according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the blower device  70  includes a locating buffering member  73  similar to that according to the first embodiment, however it doesn&#39;t include a connection buffering member. In addition, the blower device  70  includes support buffering members  75  extended outwards from a bottom surface of a blower vibration source  71 . The support buffering members  75  each includes a support pillar  75 . 1  extended through a case  72  and a support leg  75 . 2  disposed at a free end of a side of the support pillar  75 . 1  which is outside the case  72 . In order to prevent each of the support buffering members  75  from dropping out from the case  72 , a clamping block  75 . 3  is provided at another side of the support pillar  75 . 1  which is inside the case  72 . In this embodiment, buffering members  72 . 1  which are made of, for example, silicon are respectively provided at places through which the support pillars  75 . 1  pass the case  72 . And there is a small gap between each of the buffering members  72 . 1  and the respective clamping block  75 . 3  and/or the respective support leg  75 . 2 , so that a better buffering function is provided. 
         [0051]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. In particular, various features of the above-described embodiments can be mixed provided that there is no conflict in structure, and the combined technical features still fall into the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, rather, all technical schemes within the scope of the claims are covered.