Patent Publication Number: US-2015071800-A1

Title: Impeller for electric blower and electric blower having the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. KR 10-2013-0108617, entitled, “Impeller for Electric Blower and Electric Blower Having the Same,” filed on Sep. 10, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an impeller for an electric blower and an electric blower having the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, an impeller for an electric blower is connected to a motor to suck a fluid. In more detail, an upper part of a fan-motor for a vacuum cleaner is provided with an impeller which is a centrifugal fan for air suction, in which the impeller rotates by being connected to a rotating shaft of a driving motor. 
     However, an impeller, as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0014080 of Fang (“Fang”), includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a blade, but the upper plate, the lower plate, and the blade are separately manufactured and are coupled with each other, and thus when the impeller rotates, a stress is concentrated on the coupled parts due to a centrifugal force and an aerodynamic force, such that the coupled parts may be damaged due to the stress concentration when the impeller rotates at a high speed. 
     Further, the impeller, as described in Fang, is manufactured by an injection molding product using an aluminum material, such that raw material cost may be increased, equipment investment cost may be increased, and production efficiency may be reduced. Further, the stress due to the centrifugal force and aerodynamic force of the impeller is concentrated on the coupled parts, such as a caulking part with which the upper and lower plates of the impeller are coupled, such that the impeller may be damaged due to the stress concentration when the impeller rotates at a high speed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention have been made to provide an impeller for an electric blower in which a blade portion of an upper plate integrated with a blade is primarily coupled with a slit of a lower plate, the blade portion is secondarily coupled with the slit by inserting a coupling protrusion into a coupling groove, and the blade portion is thirdly coupled with the slit by fusing the coupling protrusion with the lower plate to improve an adhesion and as a stress concentration on a coupled part of the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate is reduced, vibration stability of the impeller may be obtained and strength thereof may be improved, such that the impeller may rotate at a high speed. 
     Further, embodiments of the present invention have been made in an effort to provide an impeller for an electric blower in which as the impeller is elaborately manufactured by injection-molding a thermoplastic resin, the impeller is precisely aligned with a cover, such that a process of applying silicon on the cover may be omitted, thereby improving productivity and reliability. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an impeller for an electric blower, including an upper plate integrated with a blade portion which is provided with a coupling protrusion, and a lower plate provided with a coupling hole corresponding to the coupling protrusion of the blade portion. The upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate are made of a thermoplastic resin, and the coupling protrusion of the blade portion is inserted into the coupling hole of the lower plate and is fused and fixed. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the upper plate integrated with the blade is configured of an upper plate portion and the blade portion, and a center of the upper plate portion is provided with an air inflowing hole. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the blade portion is arrayed with a plurality of blades at an equal distance, wherein the blades extend to an outside of the upper plate portion from a central portion thereof adjacent to the air inflowing hole. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the lower plate is provided with a slit corresponding to the blade portion and the blade portion is inserted into the slit. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the slit of the lower plate is provided with the coupling hole corresponding to the coupling protrusion of the blade portion, the blade portion is inserted into the slit, the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole, and the coupling protrusion and the lower plate are fused and fixed. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate are made of any one selected from PA, PC, PEEK, PPS, PET, PP, PPA, FRPP, ABS, and PC+ABS which are the thermoplastic resin. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the upper plate integrated with the blade is manufactured by integrally injection-molding the upper plate portion and the blade portion. 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electric blower, including an impeller provided with a blade to suck external air, a diffuser guiding the external air inflowing by the impeller, a cover covering the impeller and the diffuser, a driving module including a rotating shaft coupled with the impeller, and a housing receiving the driving module and coupled with the cover. The impeller is integrally formed with a blade portion, the blade portion includes an upper plate integrated with the blade provided with a coupling protrusion and a lower plate provided with a coupling hole corresponding to the coupling protrusion, the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate is made of a thermoplastic resin, and the coupling protrusion of the blade portion is inserted into the coupling hole of the lower plate and is fused and fixed. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the upper plate integrated with the blade is configured of an upper plate portion and the blade portion, and the upper plate portion are provided with an air inflowing hole and is provided with a guide portion, which protrudes toward the cover to form an air inflowing portion. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the cover is provided with the air inflowing part corresponding to the air inflowing hole of the impeller and is provided with the guide portion, which protrudes to form the air inflowing portion. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the guide portion of the cover is disposed inwardly of the guide portion of the impeller. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the lower plate is provided with a slit corresponding to the blade portion and the blade portion is inserted into the slit. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the slit of the lower plate is provided with the coupling hole corresponding to the coupling protrusion of the blade portion, the blade portion is inserted into the slit, the coupling protrusion is inserted into the coupling hole, and the coupling protrusion and the lower plate are fused and fixed. 
     Various objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention are better understood with regard to the following Detailed Description, appended Claims, and accompanying Figures. It is to be noted, however, that the Figures illustrate only various embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention&#39;s scope as it may include other effective embodiments as well. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an impeller for an electric blower, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an upper plate integrated with a blade in the impeller for an electric blower illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a lower plate in the impeller for an electric blower illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate in the impeller for an electric blower illustrated in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are enlarged cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a coupling process of the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate of the impeller for an electric blower illustrated by A in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an electric blower having an impeller, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an impeller for an electric blower, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an upper plate integrated with a blade in the impeller for an electric blower illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a lower plate in the impeller for an electric blower illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , an impeller  10  for an electric blower includes an upper plate  11  integrated with a blade and a lower plate  12 . 
     In more detail, the upper plate  11  integrated with the blade is configured of an upper plate portion  11   a  and a blade portion  11   b.    
     Further, the upper plate portion  11   a  has a disk shape and a center thereof is provided with a protruding air inflow hole  11   a   1 . Further, the upper plate portion  11   a  is formed so that the air inflow hole  11   a   1  protrudes. 
     Further, the blade portion  11   b  is arrayed with a plurality of blades at an equal distance, in which the plurality of blades extend toward an outside of the upper plate portion from a central part thereof adjacent to the air inflow hole  11   a   1  of the upper plate portion  11   a . Further, the blade portion  11   b  has one surface which is coupled with the lower plate and is provided with a coupling protrusion  11   b   1 . 
     Next, the lower plate portion  12  has a disk shape corresponding to a shape of the upper plate portion  11   a  and is provided with a slit  12   a  and a coupling hole  12   b.  The slit  12   a  is inserted with the blade portion  11   b  of the upper plate  11  integrated with the blade and is formed to correspond to the blade portion  11   b.  Further, the coupling hole  12   b  is inserted with the coupling protrusion  11   b   1  of the blade portion  11   b  and is formed to correspond to the coupling protrusion  11   b   1 . Therefore, the coupling hole  12   b  is formed in the slit  12   a.    
     Further, a central part of the lower plate portion  12  is provided with a rotating shaft coupling hole  12   c,  in which the rotating shaft coupling hole  12   c  is to fix a rotating shaft (not illustrated) with which the impeller is coupled. 
     Further, the upper plate  11  integrated with the blade and the lower plate  12  are made of a thermoplastic resin and each is manufactured by injection molding. 
     Further, a material of the thermoplastic resin may be PA, PC, PEEK, PPS, PET, PP, PPA, FRPP, ABS, PC+ABS, and the like. Further, a melting point for strength and fusion of the impeller needs to be considered at the time of adopting the materials. 
     Hereinafter, the coupling of the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A, and  5 B. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a coupling relationship between the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate in the impeller for an electric blower illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are enlarged cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a coupling process of the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate of the impeller for an electric blower illustrated by A in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     As described above, the blade portion  11   b  of the upper plate  11  integrated with the blade is inserted into the slit  12   a  of the lower plate  12  and the coupling protrusion  11   b  formed on the blade portion  11   b  is inserted into the coupling hole  12   b  formed in the slit  12   a.    
     Further, the lower plate  120  is fused with the coupling protrusion  11   b  coupled with the coupling hole  12   b  to form a fusion portion W and the coupling protrusion  11   b  is fixed to the lower plate. 
     By the configuration, in the impeller  10  for an electric blower according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blade portion of the upper plate integrated with the blade is primarily coupled with the slit of the lower plate, the blade portion is secondarily coupled with the slit by inserting the coupling protrusion into the coupling groove  12   b,  and the blade portion is thirdly coupled the slit by fusing the coupling protrusion with the lower plate. Therefore, as an adhesion between the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate is improved and a stress concentration is reduced, vibration stability of the impeller may be obtained and strength thereof may be improved, such that the impeller may rotate at a high speed. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an electric blower having an impeller, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the electric blower  100  includes an impeller  110 , a cover  120 , a housing  130 , a diffuser  140 , and a driving module  150 . 
     In more detail, the impeller  110  is connected to the driving module  150  to suck external air and includes an upper plate  111  integrated with the blade and a lower plate  112 . 
     Further, the upper plate  111  integrated with the blade is configured of an upper plate portion  111   a  and a blade portion  111   b,  in which the upper plate portion  111   a  is provided with an air inflow hole  111   a   1  and is provided with a guide portion  111   a   2  protruding toward the cover to form the air inflow hole  111   a   1 . 
     Further, the blade portion  111   b  has one surface which is coupled with the lower plate and is provided with a coupling protrusion  111   b   1 . 
     Further, the lower plate portion  112  is provided with the slit and the coupling hole and the blade portion  111   b  and the coupling protrusion  111   b   1  are inserted in the slit and coupling groove of the lower plate portion  112  and are fused and fixed. 
     Further, the impeller  110  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 5B  and is the same as the above-mentioned impeller  10  and the technical configuration, shape, and organic coupling relation corresponding thereto are described above and therefore the detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Next, the cover  120  covers the impeller  110  and the diffuser  140  and is coupled with the housing  130 . 
     Further, the cover  120  is provided with an air inflow portion  121  corresponding to the air inflow hole  111   a   1  of the impeller  110  and is provided with a guide portion  122  which protrudes to form the air inflow portion  121 . 
     Further, the guide portion  122  is disposed inwardly of the guide portion  111   a   2  which protrudes to form the air inflow hole  111   a   1  of the impeller  110 . Further, as described above, the impeller  110  is formed by injection-molding the thermoplastic resin and may be implemented to have a more elaborate shape. By doing so, in the electric blower according to the prior art, air is efficiently sucked into the guide portion  122  of the cover facing the guide portion  111   a   2  without applying silicon. 
     Further, the housing  130  receives a driving module  150  including a rotating shaft  151  coupled with the impeller  110  to drive the impeller  110  and is coupled with the cover  120 . 
     Further, the diffuser  140  is to guide the external air inflowing by the impeller  110  and is disposed to face the impeller. 
     By the configuration, in the electric blower  100  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as the impeller may be elaborately manufactured by injection-molding the thermoplastic resin and is precisely aligned with the cover, the process of applying silicon on the cover may be removed, thereby improving productivity and reliability. Further, according to the impeller for an electric blower, the blade portion of the upper plate integrated with the blade is primarily coupled with the slit of the lower plate, the blade portion is secondarily coupled with the slit by inserting the coupling protrusion into the coupling groove, and the blade portion is thirdly coupled with the slit by fusing the coupling protrusion with the lower plate to improve the adhesion between the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate and as the stress concentration is reduced, the vibration stability of the impeller may be obtained and the strength thereof may be improved, such that the impeller may rotate at a high speed. 
     According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the impeller for an electric blower in which the blade portion of the upper plate integrated with the blade is primarily coupled with the slit of the lower plate, the blade portion is secondarily coupled with the slit by inserting the coupling protrusion into the coupling groove, and the blade portion is thirdly coupled with the slit by fusing the coupling protrusion with the lower plate to improve the adhesion and as the stress concentration on the coupled part of the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate is reduced, the vibration stability of the impeller may be obtained and the strength thereof may be improved, such that the impeller may rotate at a high speed. 
     Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the impeller for an electric blower in which as the impeller is elaborately manufactured by injection-molding the thermoplastic resin, the impeller is precisely aligned with the cover, such that a process of applying silicon on the cover may be omitted, thereby improving productivity and reliability. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step. 
     The terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to typical meanings or dictionary definitions, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts relevant to the technical scope of the present invention based on the rule according to which an inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to describe the best method he or she knows for carrying out the invention. 
     As used herein, terms such as “first,” “second,” “one side,” “the other side” and the like are arbitrarily assigned and are merely intended to differentiate between two or more components of an apparatus. It is to be understood that the words “first,” “second,” “one side,” and “the other side” serve no other purpose and are not part of the name or description of the component, nor do they necessarily define a relative location or position of the component. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the mere use of the term “first” and “second” does not require that there be any “third” component, although that possibility is contemplated under the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. 
     The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein and in the appended claims, the words “comprise,” “has,” and “include” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps. 
     Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereupon without departing from the principle and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims and their appropriate legal equivalents.