US20140161594A1

US20140161594A1 - Portable blower

Info

Publication number: US20140161594A1
Application number: US14/237,608
Authority: US
Inventors: Kota Kurihara; Yoshifumi Yamamoto
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2011-08-09
Filing date: 2012-04-18
Publication date: 2014-06-12
Also published as: CN202597165U; WO2013021689A1; JP2013036411A; JP5679932B2

Abstract

A portable blower capable of improving safety is provided. The blower is placed on a setting surface by support of the leg and is capable of holding an inclined position at a plurality of inclined angles to the setting surface. In addition, the blower includes a housing having an intake port and a discharge port opened on a lower surface and an upper surface thereof, respectively, an air passage connecting the intake port and the discharge port which are provided in the housing, and a blowing fan, and the outdoor air flows into the air passage from the intake port by driving of the blowing fan and is sent forth from the discharge port passing through the blowing fan.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2012/060404 which has an International filing date of Apr. 18, 2012 and designated the United States of America.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a portable blower including a blowing fan provided in a portable housing.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional portable blower is disclosed in a Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-57519. The portable blower includes an intake port opened on a rear surface of a portable thin box-like housing and a discharge port opened on a front surface thereof. The housing includes an air passage formed therein to connect the intake port and the discharge port and a blowing fan which consists of an axial fan and is arranged in the air passage. Further, the housing is provided with a stand pivotably attached to a side surface thereof. When an end of the pivotable stand abuts a setting surface of a desk, the housing can be supported by the stand to be erected on the desk.
When the blowing fan is driven with the housing erected on the setting surface of the desk by the stand, outdoor air flows into the air passage from the intake port. At this time, as the rear surface of the housing is arranged to incline toward the setting surface, an airflow outflowing from the discharge port of the front surface is sent forth upward to a head region etc. of a user. Therefore, it is possible to obtain coolness easily both outdoors and indoors.

SUMMARY

However, according to the conventional portable blower, there is a problem in which the appearance of the blower is not good due to the stand being exposed to be directly seen from outside when the stand is not used.
In order to achieve the object, a portable blower of the present invention includes: a blowing fan; a housing which houses the blowing fan; an intake port which is formed in the housing to suck air by the blowing fan; and a discharge port configured to emit the sucked air; wherein the portable blower comprises: a leg which is pivotably supported on the housing so as to support the housing on a setting surface; and a retracting section which is formed as a concave portion on the housing to retract the leg.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that the leg is configured to be pivoted at an angle of less than 180 degrees from a state retracted in the retracting section.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that the leg is configured to be pivoted at an angle of 90 degrees or more to less than 180 degrees from the state retracted in the retracting section.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that, the leg is arranged so as not to block the intake port regardless of whether the leg is in the state retracted in the retracting section or not.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that the leg is arranged so as not to change an opening area of the intake port regardless of whether the leg is in the state retracted in the retracting section or not.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and the portable blower includes: a gear provided in the upper end portion concentrically with the leg, a shaft arranged between adjacent teeth of the gear, and a spring configured to bias the shaft in a direction where the shaft is pressed against the gear.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that, the retracting section is formed on a portion other than the intake port and the discharge port.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that, the leg is formed in a U shape and each of open ends thereof is pivotably supported, and when the leg is retracted in the retracting section, the intake port is positioned at the opening end side with respect to the base portion of the leg.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that the upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and the intake port is formed on an opposite side of the upper end portion with respect to the retracting section.
The portable blower of the present invention characterized in that the upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and the upper end portion is positioned between the intake port and the discharge port in a blowing direction of the blowing fan.
In the portable blower of the present invention, the portable blower is provided with a standing leg which can have the portable blower installed on the desk and the leg is pivotably supported at a substantially center in a longer direction of a body, so that the opening/closing angles of the leg can increase.
In addition, since the leg is configured to be retracted in the retracting section of the body so as to be appeared integrally with the body in appearance when the leg is not used, the aesthetic appearance thereof may be maintained.
Further, since the leg is configured so as to make consideration for not blocking the intake port either when the leg is used or retracted, the blowing performance may be not largely influenced by the posture of the portable blower.
According to the present invention, since the housing has the retracting section formed thereon as a concave portion for retracting the leg, the aesthetic appearance of the blower can be achieved.
In addition, since the blower is provided with the leg for installing on the desk, it is possible to carry the blower, as well as use it, such that it is placed on the desk.
Further, since the leg is configured to be retracted in the body while the intake port is not blocked by the leg even when the leg is retracted, it is possible to sufficiently provide the blowing performance when using the blower placed on the desk and when using the blower hung from a neck.
The above and further objects and features will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an outer appearance of a portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating the outer appearance of the portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the outer appearance of the portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a right side view illustrating the portable blower of the present invention with a leg closed;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the portable blower cut away by a center line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a plan view illustrating an example of the shape of the leg of the portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a side view illustrating the example of the shape of the leg of the portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view illustrating the example of the shape of the leg of the portable blower of the present invention taken on line C-C;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a desk-installed state 1 of the portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a desk-installed state 2 of the portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a desk-installed state 3 of the portable blower of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a rear view illustrating an outer appearance of a portable blower according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a plan view illustrating the shape of a leg of the portable blower according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11B is a side view illustrating the shape of the leg of the portable blower according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an outer appearance of a portable blower 1 of the present invention. The portable blower 1 includes a thin box-like housing 2 of substantially rectangular shape as seen from the front, which is formed in a portable size of about 100 mm in length, 80 mm in width, and 25 mm in thickness as an example. In FIG. 1, a discharge port 7 is formed on an upper end portion of the housing 2 and an intake port 6 is formed on a lower end portion thereof, although hidden in FIG. 1 (see FIG. 2).
In addition, the housing 2 includes a front (a face side) case 2 a with a display unit 4 mounted thereon. The display unit 4 displays operation information of the portable blower 1 using a display means such as an LED or the like. Further, it is preferable that an operation condition, an operation time, an accumulated operation time, and a residual amount of a battery are displayed using a display means such as an LED, a liquid crystal or the like.
FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating the outer appearance of the portable blower 1 of the present invention, and shows a leg 3 in a closed state. The housing 2 includes a rear (a back side) case 2 b which is positioned on a side opposite to the front case 2 a to form an external section of the housing 2 by engaging with the front case 2 a. The leg 3 is a substantially U-shaped bar, and both ends thereof are pivotably supported on both sides of the housing 2 in a body central portion when a direction linking the discharge port 7 formed at the upper end portion and the intake port 6 formed on the lower end portion is defined as a longitudinal direction of the housing to be described below. The housing 2 has a retracting section 2 f formed on a portion of the rear case 2 b other than the intake port 6 thereof as a groove-shaped recess to retract the leg. Therefore, the leg 3 is retracted in a lower portion of the rear case in a vertical direction (a lower half section) when not in use.
Rotation axes of the leg 3 are provided in substantially the center left and right in the vertical direction of the rear case 2 b, so that the leg 3 can be pivoted at an angle of less than 180° as seen from a retracted state. The leg 3 can be held at a plurality of open angles, so that the housing 2 can be supported at various angles by the leg 3 in the open state. Therefore, the portable blower 1 may be placed on the setting surface of the desk in any erected-shape to be described below. As a result, the leg 3 forms a support unit for supporting the housing 2 during when the portable blower 1 is placed on the setting surface of the desk.
The intake port 6 for sucking outer air is formed on the lower end portion of the rear case 2 b in the lower portion of the housing 2. A net is attached to the intake port 6 to prevent suction of dust. The intake port 6 is designed to be seen from outside of the rear case 2 b side at all times, so as to suck air without being affected by the opening and closing of the leg 3.
The front case 2 a and the rear case 2 b consisting the housing 2 are formed in a curved surface over the vertical and horizontal directions, and a curved surface having a large radius is provided on a portion which corresponds to the ridge line of a conventional housing (see FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and the like). Therefore, the portable blower 1 has no clear ridge line compared to the conventional housing formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. By this configuration, the housing 2 is formed in a largely swollen shape on a central portion in a thickness direction thereof.
FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the outer appearance of the portable blower 1 according to the present invention, and the discharge port 7 is opened on the top surface of the external section formed by the front case 2 a and the rear case 2 b. The discharge port 7 is provided with a discharge grid 2 d in the opening thereof, and the discharge port 7 of the opening is formed in the largely deviated state toward the front case 2 a. Since the housing 2 is formed in the curved surface having a large radius and the discharge port 7 is biased to the front case 2 a side, when the portable blower 1 is directly placed on the desk etc., or using the blower hung from a neck without using the leg 3, it is possible to keep a distance between a contact surface such as the desk or a human body and a central portion of the discharge port 7. Therefore, the air can be flowed well without being disturbed.
FIG. 4 is a right side view illustrating the portable blower 1 of the present invention with the leg closed, wherein a side cover 2 c is provided with a power switch 5. If the power switch 5 is located in the [ON] position, a blowing fan 17 and an ion generator 18 shown in FIG. 5 starts to operate by a power applied thereto. Then, the display unit 4 displays operation status, as well as the operation information such as an ion generating condition of the ion generator 18, the residual amount of a battery 19 (see FIG. 5) or the like.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the portable blower 1 cut away by a center line A-A of FIG. 1. The rear case 2 b includes isolated cavities 22 b and 22 c formed therein to house the ion generator 18 and the battery 19, respectively. A control board 15 with a control circuit of the portable blower 1 mounted thereon is attached inside of the rear case 2 b. Notch sections are formed in each of the isolated cavities 22 b and 22 c, and a terminal portion 15 a facing toward the isolated cavity 22 b storing the ion generator 18 and the isolated cavity 22 c storing the battery 19 is connected with a control board 15. The ion generator 18 and the battery 19 housed in each of the isolated cavities 22 b and 22 c are connected with the control circuit through the terminal portion 15 a.
In addition, the blowing fan 17 is provided between the control board 15 and the front case 2 a. The blowing fan 17 is received onto a boss erected from the rear case 2 b through a vibration absorbing rubber. The blowing fan 17 may be a double face suction-type turbofan, and two air intake ports (not shown) of the blowing fan 17 opened in an axial direction of a fan housing are arranged in the thickness direction of the housing 2, respectively. In this configuration, the sucked air can be flowed and supplied through two passage including a passage in which the air sucked from the intake port 6 passes through a gap between the control board 15 and the blowing fan 17, and a passage in which the air passes through a gap 25 between the front case 2 a and the blowing fan 17.
Since one sucking passage passes through a gap between the control board 15 and the isolated cavity 22 c, the air flowing therein cools each of the bottom walls of the control board 15 and the isolated cavity 22 c and indirectly cools the battery 19. In addition, since the other sucking passage bypasses a side of the control board 15 and leads to the gap 25 with the front case 2 a, the air flowing therein cools the control board 15.
Further, an air passage 8 is formed inside the front case 2 a and covered with a partition panel 22 connecting the blowing fan 17 and the discharge port 7. The partition panel 22, which is a wall body having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, forms the air passage 8 in combination with the bottom wall of the isolated cavity 22 b. Therefore, the air flowing in the air passage 8 cools the bottom wall of the isolated cavity 22 b and indirectly cools the ion generator 18.
In addition, a straightening guide (not shown) for straightening the blowing airflow is provided on the bottom wall of the isolated cavity 22 b toward the air passage 8. The straightening guide is a plurality of plates erected on the bottom wall of the isolated cavity 22 b and serves to increase the surface area of the isolated cavity 22 b to efficiently cool the isolated cavity 22 b.
Further, an attaching portion 2 h having an attaching hole for attaching a neck strap is provided on the upper end portion of the rear case 2 b outside of the housing 2. Therefore, it is possible to carry the portable blower 1 by connecting the neck strap to the attaching portion 2 h and hanging it from the neck of a user.
Next, a configuration of the leg 3 will be described. FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are a plan view, a side view and a cross-sectional view taken on line C-C for illustrating an example of the shape of the leg 3 of the portable blower 1 of the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the leg 3 is formed in a substantially U shape and has a leg body portion 3 c with a triangle-shaped cross-section. The leg 3 is pivotably supported on the housing 2 by a hinge mechanism. Two opening end portions of the leg are positioned between the intake port 6 and the discharge port 7 in a blowing direction of the blowing fan 17. The hinge mechanism of the leg 3 includes gears 3 a and 3 b which are provided in the two opening end portions of the leg which face each other as a latch structure, and tension springs (not shown). In FIG. 2, the gears 3 a and 3 b are integrally provided in both opening end portions of the U-shaped leg 3 and each of left and right ends thereof is inserted into penetration holes formed on both sides of the rear case 2 b to be pivotably supported thereon. The gears 3 a and 3 b include a plurality of teeth formed along the entire circumference of the axis portions of the leg 3. Shafts (not shown) are arranged between the adjacent teeth of the gears. The tension spring forms a pressing means whose one end is hooked to the shaft and the other end is hooked to a boss erected on the rear case 2 b to bias the shaft in a direction where the shaft is pressed against the gear.
When the gears 3 a and 3 b integrally rotate by the rotation of the leg 3, the shaft moves in a direction of the tooth end of the gears 3 a and 3 b against the pressing force of the tension spring. Then, the shaft is relatively moved in a circumferential direction between the teeth, and thereby the opening/closing angles of the leg 3 can be limited. By this, it is possible to hold (limit) the leg 3 at any appropriate angle less than 180° in combination with the shape of the retracting section 2 f of the housing 2. Therefore, the leg 3 can be held at any angle state, and when the blower is placed on the setting surface of the desk, the rear case 2 b of the housing 2 can hold the position at any angle facing the setting surface.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 8 to be described below, when the rear surface of the housing 2 faces the desk by largely opening the leg 3 to about 160° in relation to 0° at the time of the retracting, the portable blower 1 holds a low position, thereby it is possible to emit airflow at an elevation angle of about 10° as shown by an arrow A3. Further, as shown in FIG. 9 to be described below, when the blower is placed so as to lower the discharge port 7 by narrowly opening the leg 3 to about 40°, it is possible to emit airflow downward about 15° as shown by the arrow A3 and to send the airflow to a user at bedtime while the blower is placed on a headboard of a bed (a plate which is in a head portion of the bed). In this embodiment, the blower is configured to limit the opening angle of the leg to about 40° each, however the opening angle may be appropriately determined by design. Further, it is not necessary to make the angle adjustment equiangular.
Next, the intake port 6 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the intake port 6 is formed on the lower end portion of the rear case 2 b. The retracting section 2 f of a concave shape is formed on the lower end portion and both side end portions of the rear case 2 b to retract the leg 3. Therefore, the leg 3 is laid along an outer wall surface so as not to damage the outer appearance of the rear case 2 b at the time of retracting.
In addition, the rear case 2 b is provided with a lid 2 g in a portion facing the above-mentioned isolated cavities 22 b and 22 c detachably so as to open (expose) the isolated cavities 22 b and 22 c and exchange the battery 19 and the ion generator 18. A gap is formed between an interior face of the leg 3 while it is retracted in the retracting section 2 f and a lower end face of the lid 2 g so as to ensure the airflow sucking through the intake port 6 as shown by an arrow A1.
The intake port 6 is formed on the lower end portion of the rear case 2 b corresponding to the gap. That is, when the leg 3 is retracted in the retracting section 2 f, the position of the intake port 6 is defined on the opening end side with respect to a base portion (a closed end of the U shape) of the leg 3. Therefore, even if the leg 3 is retracted in the retracting section 2 f (see FIG. 5), the airflow can be always ensured without closing the intake port 6.
The leg 3 maintains a prescribed distance from both the rear case 2 b and the lower end of the lid 2 g to provide the gap between both parts and the leg 3 in the closed state (the retracted state). Since the gap is provided over the full width of the leg 3, the opening area of the intake port 6 remains the same either when the leg 3 is closed or opened.
As mentioned above, it is possible to acquire blowing performance of the blowing fan 17 either when the leg 3 is used or not used.
Herein, the intake port 6 is formed on the lower end portion of the rear case 2 b corresponding to the retracting section 2 f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the intake port 6 is formed in a portion which is further concave with respect to the setting surface of the rear case 2 b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, even when the lid 2 g is placed on the setting surface of the desk, the intake port 6 is never closed. Thereby, it is possible to ensure the airflow in the intake port 6 at all times.
Next, the ion generator 18 mounted on the portable blower 1 will be described. The ion generator 18 arranged in the isolated cavity 22 b has a plurality of electrodes (not shown) facing toward the air passage 8. The ion generator 18 includes a high voltage electricity generating circuit embedded therein to be operated by the power received from the battery 19. The high voltage electricity generating circuit applies a high voltage including an AC waveform or impulse waveform to the electrodes. The ion generator 18 has a plurality of discharge electrodes. When a positive voltage is applied to one discharge electrode and an ion generated by ionization is coupled with moisture in the air, a positive cluster of ions is formed mainly including H+(H₂O)m. Meanwhile, when a negative voltage is applied to another discharge electrode and an ion generated by ionization is coupled with the moisture in the air, a negative cluster of ions is formed mainly including O₂ ⁻(H₂O)n. Herein, m and n are any natural number.
When the positive ion H+(H₂O)m and the negative ion O₂ ⁻(H₂O)n are simultaneously emitted into the air, these ions aggregate on surfaces of floating fungus and odorous substances in the air to surround them. In addition, as shown in formula (1) to (3), “.OH” of an active species (hydroxyl radical) and H₂O₂(hydrogen peroxide) are generated on the surfaces of the floating fungus and odorous substances to destroy them. Herein, m′ and n′ are any natural number.
H⁺(H₂O)m+O₂ ⁻(H₂O)n→.OH+1/2O₂+(m+n)H₂O (1)
H⁺(H₂O)m+H⁺(H₂O)m′+O₂ ⁻(H₂O)n+O₂ ⁻(H₂O)n′→2.OH+O₂+(m+m′+n+n′)H₂O (2)
H⁺(H₂O)m+H⁺(H₂O)m′+O₂ ⁻(H₂O)n+O₂ ⁻(H₂O)n′→H ₂O₂+O₂ ⁺(m+m′+n+n′)H₂O (3)
FIG. 7 illustrates a desk-installed state 1 of the portable blower 1 of the present invention. If the blower is put on the setting surface of the desk by opening the leg 3 to a desired angle, the housing 2 is erected on the desk by the support of the leg 3. When the power switch 5 is turned on, the blowing fan 17 and the ion generator 18 are driven. By driving the blowing fan 17, the outer air flows into the air passage 8 through the intake port 6 as shown by the arrow A1. At this time, dust contained in the outer air is collected by a filter.
The air flown into the air passage 8 via the blowing fan 17 flows inside the air passage 8 as shown by an arrow A2 (see FIG. 5) and ions generated from the ion generator 18 are included to the air. Then, as shown by the arrow A3, the airflow containing the positive ions and the negative ions is emitted upward to the head region, etc. of the user from the discharge port 7. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain coolness either outdoors or indoors, and perform sterilization and odor removal around the user.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are views illustrating a desk-installed state 2 and 3 of the portable blower 1 of the present invention, respectively. FIG. 8 illustrates a state that the leg 3 is opened to a maximum angle, whereby the rear surface portion of the housing 2 comes close to the desk so as to make the airflow direction a slightly upward direction from the horizontal, as shown by the arrow A3. In this regard, such as the use at a bedside during bedtime may be assumed. In addition, FIG. 9 illustrates a state that the leg 3 is opened to about 40°, whereby the discharge port 7 comes close to the desk. By this state, a downward airflow shown by the arrow A3 can be obtained. In this regard, such as a case of placing the portable blower 1 of the present invention on a headboard or a shelf (generally called “Miya”) provided in the headboard, or a case of placing it on an adjacent shelf during working in a study may be assumed. As the discharge port 7 is provided in a space, that is on the front side of the housing 2, opposite to a space where the leg 3 is pivoted, that is on the rear side of the housing 2 as seen from a center line in the thickness direction of the housing 2, the installation method and usage are enabled.
Further, it is naturally possible to put the blower on the desk in such a way that the rear face of the housing 2 directly contacts thereon with the leg 3 retracted. In this case, the blowing airflow is emitted in a substantially horizontal direction.
Further, in this embodiment, the leg 3 is formed in the U shape and pivotably supported on both sides of the housing 2, so that the blower has a structure in which the ion generator 18 and the battery 19 are contained in the housing 2 of inside the leg 3. It is possible to change the shape of the leg 3 by changing the shape of the battery 19.
FIG. 10 is a rear view illustrating an outer appearance of a portable blower 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a leg 30 is configured to be pivotably supported on a substantially center portion of a housing 2 and formed in a T shape. An intake port 6 is positioned on an opposite side of the end portion on which the leg is pivotably supported with respect to the retracting section. The leg 30 is retracted in a recess-shaped retracting section which is formed on a lid 2 g detachably provided in a rear case 2 b. FIGS. 11A and 11B are a plan view and a side view illustrating the shape of the leg 30 of a portable blower 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the leg 30 is formed in a T shape by providing a mounting portion for installation on one end portion of a leg body portion 30 c of a linear shape. Gears 30 a are provided in the other end of the leg body portion 30 c for selectively acquiring opening/closing angles. The gears 30 a are pivotably supported just like the leg 3 and the rotation angle thereof is similarly limited, so as to acquire any opening or closing angle.
Further, the leg 30 may be configured to be an L-shaped leg by providing a mounting portion protruding in one direction on one end of the leg body portion 30 c without having the T shape.
It is possible to carry the portable blower 1 by using the neck strap for hanging it from the neck of the user. The neck strap is used by fastening it to the attaching portion 2 h provided on the rear case 2 b to be a rear surface of the housing 2. In the state of using the neck strap, the length of the neck strap may be set so as to position the portable blower 1 adjacent to an upper abdomen from a chest of the user. While it is self-evident, the portable blower 1 has a position in which the discharge port 7 faces substantially directly above in this state. When the power switch 5 is turned on in a state that the user carries the portable blower 1 hung from the neck thereof or grasps it by a hand, the outer air is guided to the intake port 6 through a gap between the user and the housing 2. And, the airflow containing ions is sent forth upward from the discharge port 7. Because a position of a human face is slightly forward compared to the position of the human chest during walking or sitting, it works dominantly to arrange the discharge port 7 biased to the front of the housing 2. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain coolness at the time of carrying the portable blower 1, and perform sterilization and odor removal around the user due to the action of the positive and negative ions.
In addition, the discharge port 7 is provided with a shutter 7 a (see FIG. 5) which operates in connection with the power switch 5 so as to make consideration for preventing the intrusion of foreign object. When the portable blower 1 is used by being hung from the head, it is expected that the discharge port 7 is facing upward. Therefore, it is also conceivable that a scrap of food or drink may be spilled when the user is eating, and unfortunately drops into the discharge port 7. An accidental event like this may be prevented from occurring by the shutter.
The shutter 7 a will be further described with reference to FIG. 5. The power switch 5 is provided with a protrusion penetrating the rear case 2 b on the rear surface. When an arm (not shown) of the shutter 7 a is operated by the protrusion, the position of the shutter 7 a moves to the rear case 2 b side. During blowing, the shutter 7 a moves upward of the isolated cavity 22 b formed in the rear case 2 b so as not to obstruct the blowing.
In the above embodiments, only the negative ions may be released by the ion generator 18. Thereby, the user may obtain relaxation effects.
According to the present invention, it is possible to be applied in the portable blower, a portable air refresher, or the like including a blowing fan provided in the portable housing.
As this description may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A portable blower comprising:

a blowing fan;

a housing which houses the blowing fan;

an intake port which is formed in the housing to suck air by the blowing fan; and

a discharge port configured to emit the sucked air;

wherein the portable blower comprises:

a leg which is pivotably supported on the housing so as to support the housing on a setting surface; and

a retracting section which is formed as a concave portion on the housing to retract the leg.

12. The portable blower according to claim 11, wherein the leg is configured to be pivoted at an angle of less than 180 degrees from a state retracted in the retracting section.

13. The portable blower according to claim 11, wherein the leg is configured to be pivoted at an angle of 90 degrees or more to less than 180 degrees from the state retracted in the retracting section.

14. The portable blower according to claim 11, wherein the leg is arranged so as not to block the intake port regardless of whether the leg is in the state retracted in the retracting section or not.

15. The portable blower according to claim 11, wherein the leg is arranged so as not to change an opening area of the intake port regardless of whether the leg is in the state retracted in the retracting section or not.

16. The portable blower according to claim 11, wherein an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and the portable blower includes:

a gear provided in the upper end portion concentrically with the leg,

a shaft arranged between adjacent teeth of the gear, and

a spring configured to bias the shaft in a direction where the shaft is pressed against the gear.

17. The portable blower according to claim 12, wherein an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and the portable blower includes:

a gear provided in the upper end portion concentrically with the leg,

a shaft arranged between adjacent teeth of the gear, and

18. The portable blower according to claim 13, wherein an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and the portable blower includes:

a gear provided in the upper end portion concentrically with the leg,

a shaft arranged between adjacent teeth of the gear, and

19. The portable blower according to claim 11, wherein the retracting section is formed on a portion other than the intake port and the discharge port.

20. The portable blower according to claim 19, wherein the leg is formed in a U shape and each of opening ends thereof is pivotably supported, and

when the leg is retracted in the retracting section, the intake port is positioned at the opening end side with respect to the base portion of the leg.

21. The portable blower according to claim 19, wherein an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and

the intake port is formed on an opposite side of the upper end portion with respect to the retracting section.

22. The portable blower according to claim 12, wherein the retracting section is formed on a portion other than the intake port and the discharge port,wherein

the leg is formed in a U shape and each of opening ends thereof is pivotably supported, and

23. The portable blower according to claim 12, wherein the retracting section is formed on a portion other than the intake port and the discharge port,wherein

an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and

24. The portable blower according to claim 13, wherein the retracting section is formed on a portion other than the intake port and the discharge port,wherein

25. The portable blower according to claim 13, wherein the retracting section is formed on a portion other than the intake port and the discharge port,wherein

an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and

26. The portable blower according to claim 11, wherein an upper end portion of the leg is pivotably supported, and

the upper end portion is positioned between the intake port and the discharge port in a blowing direction of the blowing fan.