IMPELLER FOR ELECTRIC BLOWER AND ELECTRIC BLOWER HAVING THE SAME

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide 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.

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'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 11a and a blade portion 11b.

Further, the upper plate portion 11a has a disk shape and a center thereof is provided with a protruding air inflow hole 11a1. Further, the upper plate portion 11a is formed so that the air inflow hole 11a1 protrudes.

Further, the blade portion 11b 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 11a1 of the upper plate portion 11a. Further, the blade portion 11b has one surface which is coupled with the lower plate and is provided with a coupling protrusion 11b1.

Next, the lower plate portion 12 has a disk shape corresponding to a shape of the upper plate portion 11a and is provided with a slit 12a and a coupling hole 12b. The slit 12a is inserted with the blade portion 11b of the upper plate 11 integrated with the blade and is formed to correspond to the blade portion 11b. Further, the coupling hole 12b is inserted with the coupling protrusion 11b1 of the blade portion 11b and is formed to correspond to the coupling protrusion 11b1. Therefore, the coupling hole 12b is formed in the slit 12a.

Further, a central part of the lower plate portion 12 is provided with a rotating shaft coupling hole 12c, in which the rotating shaft coupling hole 12c 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, 5A, and 5B.

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 11b of the upper plate 11 integrated with the blade is inserted into the slit 12a of the lower plate 12 and the coupling protrusion 11b formed on the blade portion 11b is inserted into the coupling hole 12b formed in the slit 12a.

Further, the lower plate 120 is fused with the coupling protrusion 11b coupled with the coupling hole 12b to form a fusion portion W and the coupling protrusion 11b 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 12b, 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 111a and a blade portion 111b, in which the upper plate portion 111a is provided with an air inflow hole 111a1 and is provided with a guide portion 111a2 protruding toward the cover to form the air inflow hole 111a1.

Further, the blade portion 111b has one surface which is coupled with the lower plate and is provided with a coupling protrusion 111b1.

Further, the lower plate portion 112 is provided with the slit and the coupling hole and the blade portion 111b and the coupling protrusion 111b1 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 111a1 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 111a2 which protrudes to form the air inflow hole 111a1 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 111a2 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.

Claims

1. An impeller for an electric blower, comprising:

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,

wherein the upper plate integrated with the blade and the lower plate are made of a thermoplastic resin, and

wherein the coupling protrusion of the blade portion is inserted into the coupling hole of the lower plate and is fused and fixed.

2. The impeller for an electric blower as set forth in claim 1, wherein 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 a protruding air inflowing hole.

3. The impeller for an electric blower as set forth in claim 2, wherein the blade portion is arrayed with a plurality of blades at an equal distance, the blades extending to an outside of the upper plate portion from a central portion thereof adjacent to the air inflowing hole.

4. The impeller for an electric blower as set forth in claim 2, wherein the lower plate is provided with a slit corresponding to the blade portion and the blade portion is inserted into the slit.

5. The impeller for an electric blower as set forth in claim 4, wherein 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.

6. The impeller for an electric blower as set forth in claim 1, wherein 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.

7. The impeller for an electric blower as set forth in claim 2, wherein the upper plate integrated with the blade is manufactured by integrally injection-molding the upper plate portion and the blade portion.

8. An electric blower, comprising:

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,

wherein the impeller is integrally formed with a blade portion, the blade portion includes an upper portion 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 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.

9. The electric blower as set forth in claim 8, wherein the upper plate integrated with the blade is configured of an upper plate portion and the blade portion, and

wherein the upper plate portion is provided with an air inflowing hole and is provided with a guide portion which protrudes toward the cover to form an air inflowing portion.

10. The electric blower as set forth in claim 9, wherein 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.

11. The electric blower as set forth in claim 10, wherein the guide portion of the cover is disposed inwardly of the guide portion of the impeller.

12. The electric blower as set forth in claim 8, wherein the lower plate is provided with a slit corresponding to the blade portion and the blade portion is inserted into the slit.

13. The electric blower as set forth in claim 12, wherein 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.