BACKGROUND

Field

The present application relates generally to ventilation devices. More particularly, some embodiments relate to a blower that is particularly useful for providing a flow of temperature-controlled air in confined spaces, such as seats (e.g., vehicle seats, wheelchair seats, and other seating assemblies), beds, and other occupant support assemblies.

Description of the Related Art

Certain modern seats, such as some automobile seats, are equipped with ventilation systems that supply air to, or receive air from, a portion of the seat. Some such seats also include temperature control systems that allow the occupant to vary the temperature of the seat by flowing temperature-controlled air through the seat covering. One such system comprises a seat having a fan unit and a thermoelectric element mounted therein. The thermoelectric element is configured to heat or cool air that is moved over the element by the fan unit, which is also mounted within the seat. The conditioned air is distributed to the occupant by passing the air through the seat surface via a series of air ducts within the seat. In another system, air is fed into the ventilation and/or temperature control system via the ducts within the seat.

In many instances, the amount of space available within, below, and around the seat for such ventilation and/or temperature control systems is severely limited. For example, in some cars, to save weight or increase passenger room, the seats are only a few inches thick and abut the adjacent structure of the car, such as the floorboard or the back of the car. Further, automobile manufacturers are increasingly mounting various devices, such as electronic components or variable lumbar supports, within, below, and around the seat. Additionally, the size of the seat, particularly the seat back, needs to be as small as possible to reduce the amount of cabin space consumed by the seat.

Certain conventional ventilation and/or temperature control systems are too large to be mounted within, below, or around vehicle seats. For example, some systems may have a housing containing a squirrel-cage fan five or six inches in diameter and over two inches thick. The fan generates an air flow that passes through a duct to reach a heat exchanger that is several inches wide and long and at least an inch or so thick. From the heat exchanger, the air is transported through ducts to the bottom of the seat cushion and to the seat cushion back. Such systems are bulky and difficult to fit underneath or inside car seats. Furthermore, such a large fan to can generate more noise, which is generally undesirable, and is especially undesirable inside the closed space of a motor vehicle.

In light of at least these drawbacks, there is a need for a more compact ventilation blower for automobile seats, wheelchair seats, other vehicle seats, beds, and other occupant support assemblies.

SUMMARY

Several variations and/or combinations of an improved blower are disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower has a low-profile (e.g., reduced axial thickness) configuration. Some embodiments have an integrated filter configured to inhibit contaminants from entering the blower. In certain embodiments, the blower has impeller blades having a reduced thickness, which can reduce noise and/or turbulence. Moreover, certain embodiments have a wire channel configured to route wires therethough, which can reduce the axial thickness of the blower. In some embodiments, the blower has an exposed backplate, thereby enhancing the heat transfer between the blower and the surrounding environment. The blower can include a circuit board on which the electronic components are arranged at least partly on their height. In some embodiments, the blower has a motor base configured to reduce the axial thickness of the blower. Certain embodiments include vanes configured to direct a fluid flow to enhance the operation of a thermoelectric device. Furthermore, the blower can have a circuit board that is snap-fit into the blower. In certain embodiments, the blower has a sweeping impeller, which is configured to reduce noise and/or turbulence. In some embodiments, the blower has a humidity sensor. Moreover, some embodiments include one or more vanes that are configured to provide a substantially uniform flow velocity distribution at a blower outlet. Certain embodiments have a protection member that is configured to inhibit wires from contacting the impeller. In certain embodiments, the blower includes a shroud which covers portions of the impeller, thereby reducing friction between fluid entering the blower and the impeller. Furthermore, the blower can include a connector joined or integrated with a blower housing.

In some embodiments, a low-profile blower includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing can include an inlet and an outlet. The housing can have a first side and a second side joined by a sidewall. An electric motor assembly can be disposed within the interior space. The motor assembly can comprise a backplate, which can be coupled to the housing. An impeller having a plurality of blades can be coupled with the motor assembly. The motor assembly can be configured to selectively rotate the impeller. The impeller can be configured to draw a fluid into the interior space of the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid from the interior space via the outlet. The blower can be configured such that the fluid proceeds through a portion of the interior space with a non-uniform velocity. The portion can be in communication with the outlet. A filter can be disposed at least partly in the inlet such that at least some of the fluid passes through the filter. A circuit board can be positioned in the interior space and below the impeller. The circuit board can have an outer periphery and a plurality of electronic components coupled to the circuit board. The blades can be axially disposed generally (e.g., completely, substantially, a majority, or partially) above the circuit board by an axial distance (e.g., spaced apart from the circuit board by the axial distance). The blades can be disposed at least partly within the outer periphery by a radial distance. At least one conductor (e.g., wire, trace, cable, or otherwise) can be configured to supply electric power to the electric motor assembly. The least one conductor can extend from outside the housing into the interior space. At least one channel can be formed in the housing. The at least one channel can extend at least partly between the sidewall and the circuit board. Further, the at least one channel can be configured to at least partly receive the at least one conductor. Additionally, the channel can be configured to axially fully receive the conductor. In some embodiments, the at least one wire does not axially protrude into the interior space. For example, in some embodiments the at least one conductor does not axially project into the interior space beyond an inner surface of the housing.

In some embodiments, the filter comprises a mesh. In some embodiments, the filter generally inhibits or prevents the passage of contaminants that are at least about 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, and/or greater than 5 mm in size (e.g., diameter, cross-sectional dimension, etc.). In certain embodiments, the filter has a mesh size of about 0.05-3.0 mm (e.g., 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, values between such ranges, etc.), less than 0.05 mm (0.01 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.03 mm, 0.04 mm, etc.), or greater than 3 mm, as desired or required. In certain embodiments, the filter is integrated (e.g., unitarily formed with, permanently joined with, molded as a part of, or otherwise configured so as not to be separated during normal use) with the housing. In some instances, the filter is formed of the same material as the housing. In some embodiments, some of the housing is located in voids in the filter. For example, in certain embodiments, at least a portion of the housing material is disposed in the filter (e.g., flowed into voids in the mesh during forming). In certain configurations, the filter is axially thinner than the housing. In some arrangements, an exterior surface of the filter is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the housing. In other arrangements, an exterior surface of the filter is axially recessed from an exterior surface of the housing. In some variants, at least one rib at least partly spans the inlet. The at least one rib can be configured to support the filter. In some embodiments, the filter is molded with the housing. In some embodiments, the blower also includes a humidity sensor or a moisture sensor. In certain such embodiments, the sensor is positioned at or near the inlet.

In some embodiments, the channel comprises a void in the housing. In some instances, at least a portion of the channel is covered with a cover member. In some such arrangements, an exterior surface of the housing comprises a recess. The recess can be configured to receive the cover member such that a surface of the cover member is generally flush with the exterior surface of the housing.

In some embodiments, the backplate of the motor assembly is connected with the housing via a snap fit, and the backplate forms a part of an exterior of the blower. In certain variants, the housing further comprises an aperture configured to at least partly receive the backplate. In some arrangements, the backplate is fastened to the housing with one or more fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, or the like).

In certain configurations, during operation, the motor assembly produces heat, and at least a portion of the heat is dissipated to the surrounding environment via the backplate. In some such instances, the backplate is coupled to the circuit board. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the back plate is open to the surrounding environment. In some such instances, during operation, the circuit board produces heat, and at least a portion of the heat is dissipated to the surrounding environment via the backplate.

Typically, some or all of the electronic components of the circuit board has an axial height above the circuit board. In some instances, impeller also has a central hub having a radial extent. In certain such cases, at least one of the electronic components has an axial height above the circuit board of at least 1.0 mm (e.g., 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, values between such ranges, etc.). The at least one of the electronic components can be positioned within the radial extent of the impeller hub. In some variants, the electronic components with an axial height above the circuit board of at least 1.0 mm (e.g., 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, values between such ranges, etc.) are positioned radially outward of the blades of the impeller. In some embodiments, at least one of the electrical components is a humidity sensor or a moisture sensor.

In certain embodiments, the fluid proceeds through a portion of the interior space with a non-uniform velocity, the portion being in communication with the outlet. The blower can also include a vane or vanes positioned in the portion. The vane or vanes can be configured to direct at least a portion of the fluid, thereby promoting a substantially uniform fluid velocity across the length (e.g., laterally) of the outlet. In some embodiments, the vane comprises a plurality of pins. In certain instances, the pins together form an overall shape similar to a continuous vane. In some embodiments, the pins axially extend from one side of the housing to the other, thereby providing support against collapse of the housing.

In some embodiments, a low noise blower includes a housing, which defines an interior space and includes an inlet and an outlet. The housing can also include a first side and a second side joined a sidewall. An electric motor assembly can be located within the interior space. An impeller can have a central hub portion and a plurality of blades. The impeller can be coupled with the motor assembly. The motor assembly can be configured to selectively rotate the impeller. The impeller can be configured to draw a fluid into the interior space of the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid from the interior space via the outlet. The blower can be configured such that the fluid proceeds through a portion of the interior space with a non-uniform velocity. The portion can be in communication with the outlet. A filter can be disposed at least partly in the inlet such that at least some of the fluid passes through the filter. A circuit board can be positioned in the interior space and below the impeller. The circuit board can include a plurality of electronic components. The blower can also include at least one wire, which can be configured to supply electric power to the electric motor assembly. The least one wire can extend from outside the housing into the interior space. Furthermore, when the fluid is air, the blower can be capable of discharging an airflow of at least 15 standard cubic feet per minute via the outlet. Moreover, in some embodiments, at an airflow rate of about 5 standard cubic feet per minute, the noise generated by the low noise blower is no more than about 47 dBA. In certain embodiments, the noise generated by the low noise blower is measured at a distance of about 200 mm from the inlet. In some embodiments, the outlet of the blower is generally open to the surrounding environment (e.g., not connected to any downstream conduits). In other embodiments, the outlet of the blower is connected with a conduit in communication with a TED. In certain embodiments, at an airflow rate of about 10 standard cubic feet per minute, the noise generated by the low noise blower is no more than about 64 dBA. In some embodiments, the noise generated by the low noise blower is at least about 8% (e.g., 8.0%, 8.5%, 9.0%, 9.5% 10%, 11%, 12%, values between such ranges, etc.) quieter than prior art blowers.

In certain embodiments, the filter is integrated with the housing. For example, the filter can be molded with the housing (e.g., formed during the same molding operation). In some embodiments, the impeller has an axial centerline (e.g., the axis of rotation of the impeller) and the filter has an axial centerline as well. In certain configurations, the filter is disposed such that the axial centerline of the filter is offset from the axial centerline of the impeller. In some cases, the axial centerline of the filter is not collinear with the axial centerline of the impeller. In some embodiments, the blower includes a backplate. The backplate can be coupled to the circuit board and/or the motor. In some configurations, the backplate is open to the surrounding environment. Such a configuration can, for example, facilitate heat transfer from the blower to the surrounding environment via the backplate, which in turn can allow the blower to be run at a greater speed, higher power level, or the like, while maintaining the blower at or below an acceptable temperature limit. In some embodiments, the additional heat transfer via the backplate can allow the blower to operate at a cooler temperature, which can, for example, increase life expectancy for the blower. In some embodiments, the blower includes a plurality of outlets. In certain embodiments, the blower includes a plurality of inlets. In certain instances, the blower comprises layers or a coating of material. For example, in some embodiments, the blower includes polypropylene layered or otherwise deposited on polycarbonate. Such layered configurations can, for example, reduce resonance of the blower, which in turn can reduce noise and/or vibration. Certain embodiments of the blower include layers (e.g., polypropylene layered or otherwise deposited on polycarbonate) to shift or modify the natural frequency of the blower (e.g., so that the blower does not substantially generate vibrations at its own natural frequency).

In certain embodiments, the blower includes a channel formed in the housing. The channel can be configured to receive the at least one wire, thereby positioning the at least one wire outside of the airflow. Such a configuration can, for example, reduce backpressure and/or turbulence in the airflow, and thus reduce noise. In some variants, the channel comprises a void in the housing. In some embodiments, the circuit board further comprises an outer periphery. In some such instances, the electronic components having an axial height above the circuit board of at least 1.0 mm (e.g., 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, values between such ranges, etc.) are positioned within the central hub portion of the impeller. Such a configuration can, for example, reduce backpressure and/or turbulence in the airflow, and thus reduce noise.

In certain embodiments, the blower includes a vane. The vane can be positioned to direct at least a portion of the airflow. In certain such instances, the vane thus promotes a substantially uniform air velocity across the length of the outlet. Such a configuration can, for example, decrease the level of noise generated by the blower. In certain instances, the vane comprises pins configured to direct the airflow yet allow a portion of the airflow to pass between the pins.

In some embodiments, a blower includes a housing having a first side and a second side and defining an interior space. In some arrangements, the housing also has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet can define a periphery. The blower can also include a motor positioned within the interior space of the housing. Further, the blower can have an impeller positioned within the interior space. The impeller can have an axial centerline and a plurality of blades and can be configured to rotate about the axial centerline by the motor. When in use, the impeller can draw a fluid into the interior space via the inlet and encourage the fluid out of the interior space via the outlet. Additionally, the blower can include a filter at least partially covering the inlet. The filter can be configured to inhibit at least some contaminants from passing into the interior space. Also, the filter can be integrated into the housing at least at a portion of the periphery of the inlet.

In some embodiments, the blower also includes at least one rib. In some variants, the rib fully spans the inlet. In other variants, the rib only partially spans the inlet. In some arrangements, the rib provides support and/or reinforcement for the filter. For example, the filter can be integrated with the rib. In some embodiments, the ribs are about equally spaced apart from each other at the periphery of the inlet. In other embodiments, the ribs are unequally radially spaced apart from each other at the periphery of the inlet.

In certain embodiments, an axial centerline of the impeller is collinear with an axial centerline of the filter. In some arrangements, the filter is made of a mesh. For example, the mesh can have a size (e.g., the distance between adjacent parallel strands of the mesh) of about 1 mm. In other embodiments, the filter is adapted to generally inhibit or prevent the passage of contaminants that are at least about 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, and/or greater than 5 mm in size (e.g., diameter, cross-sectional dimension, etc.). In some embodiments, the filter is plastic. In other instances, the filter is metal, a natural material, synthetic material, foam, fiberglass, ceramic, or otherwise. In certain variants, the filter is made of the same material as the housing. In some embodiments, the filter and the housing are integrated, such as being molded together (e.g., formed during the same molding operation). In other embodiments, the filter and the housing are integrated by glue. In some embodiments, the first side and the second side cooperate to form the outlet.

In certain embodiments, a low-profile blower has a housing defining an interior space, which can include an inlet and an outlet. The housing can also include a first side and a second side joined by a sidewall. The blower can also have an electric motor disposed in the interior space and an impeller with a plurality of blades. The impeller can be coupled with the motor so as to be rotated by the motor. Also, the impeller can be configured to draw a fluid into the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid from the housing via the outlet. Some variants of the blower further include at least one conductor (e.g. wire). The conductor can be configured to supply electric power to the motor. Additionally, the blower can have a channel formed in the housing. The channel can be disposed between the sidewall and the motor in a radial direction. Also, the channel can be configured to at least partly receive the at least one conductor. Some embodiments of the blower further include a first retaining member and a second retaining member. The first and second retaining members can be configured to direct the at least one conductor at least partly in an axial direction, thereby maintaining the at least one conductor an axial distance apart from the impeller.

In some embodiments, the channel comprises a gap in the housing. In some arrangements, the gap extends fully through housing in an axial direction, e.g., the gap can be a void in the housing. In certain variants, the channel is formed fully through one of the first and second sides of the housing. In other embodiments, the gap extends only partially through the housing.

In certain embodiments, the first retaining member is a bridge and the second retaining member is an arm. The second retaining member can be positioned, for example, outside or inside the housing (e.g., across or otherwise spanning the channel). In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second retaining members further comprises one or more separation members. The separation members can be configured to, for example, separate elongate conductors from each other. In certain variants, at least a portion of the channel is covered with a cover member along an exterior of the housing. Indeed, in some embodiments, the exterior of the housing at the location of the channel further comprises a recess configured to receive the cover member so that the exterior of the cover member is generally flush with the exterior of the housing.

In some embodiments, a low-profile blower includes a housing, which defines an inlet and an outlet. The housing can also have a mounting aperture and an outer face. The blower can further include a shaft rotated about an axis by a motor. An impeller can be coupled with the shaft such that rotation of the shaft by the motor in turn rotates the impeller, thereby drawing a fluid into the housing through the inlet and discharging the fluid through the outlet. Also, the blower can include a backplate having an inside face and an outside face. The backplate can be positioned at least partially in the mounting aperture. Furthermore, the blower can have a containment system including a hollow member and a cap. Certain instances of the hollow member penetrate the backplate and are coupled with the backplate. Certain instances of the cap are coupled with the hollow member and recessed from a topmost side of the hollow member. In some arrangements, the topmost side of the hollow member is about coplanar with the outer face of the housing. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the containment system inhibits the shaft from moving along the axis in at least one direction. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the motor is at least partially positioned within the housing. In certain variants, at least part of the hollow member is brass. In some cases, the containment system also includes a retaining ring.

In certain embodiments, a blower apparatus includes a housing having a first side and a second side, and an inlet and an outlet. The blower apparatus can also include an impeller positioned in the housing. The impeller can be rotatable by a motor so as to draw a fluid into the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid from the housing via the outlet. The blower apparatus can further have a circuit board positioned below the impeller. The circuit board can include a plurality of electronic components disposed within a board periphery. Each electronic component can have an axial height above the circuit board. Additionally, the impeller can include a central yoke and a plurality of blades. The blades can be axially disposed above the printed circuit board by an axial distance and can be radially disposed at least partly within the board periphery. Further, the electronic components can be arranged on the circuit board based on height. For example, the electronic components having a height greater than the axial distance that the blades are disposed above the printed circuit board can be disposed under the central yoke. In other embodiments, the electronic components having a height greater than about 1.0 mm are disposed radially outward of the impeller blades.

In some embodiments, a blower with increased heat transfer includes a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces can be joined by a sidewall. The housing can also have at least one inlet and at least one outlet and can define an interior space. Further, the blower can include an impeller positioned within the interior space to facilitate a fluid flow through the at least one outlet. A motor can be positioned within the interior space. The motor can have a backplate positioned adjacent to the lower surface of the housing. Moreover, the blower can include an aperture along the lower surface of the housing. The aperture can expose at least a portion of the backplate to the surrounding environment. Further, at least a portion of the heat produced by the motor can be convected from the backplate to the surrounding environment.

In certain embodiments, the aperture comprises a plurality of apertures. For example, the blower can have one, two, three, four, five, or more apertures. In some embodiments, the backplate spans substantially the entire aperture. For example, substantially no area of the aperture can be left uncovered by the backplate. In some instances, the backplate is aluminum or steel. In some variants, the backplate is about 0.03-0.30 mm thick. Some embodiments of the backplate are coupled to a printed circuit board.

In some embodiments, a blower with a snap-fit motor assembly includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet. The housing can also have a first side and a second side joined by a sidewall. The second side can include a first mounting member and a second mounting member. A mounting aperture can be defined in the housing. A motor assembly can be configured to mount at least partly within the mounting aperture. Further, the blower can include an impeller rotated by the motor assembly. The impeller can be configured to draw a fluid into the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid from the housing via the outlet. During mounting of the motor assembly in the mounting aperture, the motor assembly can abut against the first mounting member. Also, during mounting of the motor assembly in the mounting aperture, the motor assembly can deflect the second mounting member toward the sidewall. Furthermore, at least one of the first and second mounting members can inhibit removal of the motor assembly from the mounting aperture.

In some embodiments, the first mounting member comprises a ledge. In certain embodiments, the second mounting member comprises a strut and a hook. The motor assembly comprises a motor and a circuit board. In some arrangements, the mounting aperture further defines a centerline passing through the second mounting member, and the axial dimension of the second mounting member is greater than the radial dimension of the second mounting member at the centerline. In certain such arrangements, the axial dimension of the second mounting member decreases and the radial dimension of the second mounting member increases as a function of distance from the centerline. In certain variants, the housing also has one or more guide features and the motor assembly also has one or more corresponding recesses to receive the guide features.

In certain embodiments, a blower for transferring heat to or from a seating surface has a housing that defines an interior space and includes a first side and a second side. The housing can also include an inlet duct and an outlet duct. Some instances of the housing are blow-molded. Also, a motor can be positioned within the interior space. An impeller can be positioned within the interior space of the housing as well. The impeller can have a plurality of blades and can be rotatable by the motor to encourage fluid flow through the outlet. A thermoelectric device can be positioned within the fluid flow. Furthermore, one or more vanes can be disposed in the outlet duct of the housing. In some arrangements, one or more of the vanes can facilitate a substantially equal distribution of fluid across the thermoelectric device.

In some embodiments, a blower housing includes a housing that defines an interior space and has an inlet, an outlet, a first side, and a second side. A motor can be positioned within the interior space of the housing. Also, an impeller can be positioned within the interior space. The impeller can have an axial centerline and a plurality of blades. The impeller can be configured to rotate about the axial centerline by the motor to draw a fluid flow through the inlet and encourage the fluid flow out of the outlet. The first side can have a first sidewall, and the second side can have a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall can be coupled to form the housing. At least one of the sidewalls can be made of a first and a second substrate. In some embodiments, the first substrate is harder, denser, and/or less subject to plastic deformation than the second substrate. In certain arrangements, the second substrate is deformed when the first sidewall and the second sidewall are coupled, thereby inhibiting the fluid flow from escaping between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

In certain embodiments, a method of manufacturing a blower housing includes injecting a first substrate into an injection mold and molding the first substrate into a first side having a sidewall. The method can also include injecting a second substrate into the injection mold. Furthermore, the method can include molding the second substrate onto the sidewall. In some embodiments, the first substrate has a higher hardness than the second substrate. Moreover, the method can include coupling the first side to a second side to form the housing. In some such cases, the coupling deforms the second substrate.

In some embodiments, a blower includes a housing defining an inner space and having a base and a sidewall. The housing can also define an inlet and an outlet. The sidewall can define a transition portion with a first longitudinal axis. A motor can be disposed in the inner space. Further, an impeller can be rotatable by the motor, thereby encouraging a fluid flow through the inlet and the outlet of the housing. The impeller can have an arm portion and a plurality of blades. The arm portion can define an end and a second longitudinal axis. The arm portion and the sidewall can be separated by a gap. In some variants, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are generally aligned with one another across the gap. Additionally, a slope of the first axis can be substantially similar to a slope of the second axis near a location where the arm portion is near the housing. In certain embodiments, the angles of the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are within 0-10° of each other. In some variants, the arm portion is curved or straight. In some instances, the distance between the end and the transition portion is less than about 5.0 mm.

In some embodiments, a blower includes a housing defining an inner space and including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface can at least partly define an inlet and the second surface can at least partly define an outlet. The first and second surfaces can be joined by a sidewall. A motor can be disposed in the inner space. An impeller can be rotatable by the motor. The impeller can be configured to draw a fluid into the housing via the inlet, encourage the fluid into a space in communication with the outlet, and discharge the fluid from the housing via the outlet. The fluid can include a first portion and a second portion. In certain arrangements, the second portion of the fluid is closer to the sidewall than the first portion of the fluid. Likewise, in certain arrangements, the second portion of the fluid can have a greater velocity than the first portion of the fluid. The blower can also include a vane disposed in the inner space. The vane can be configured to direct some of the second portion of the fluid toward the first portion of the fluid, thereby promoting a substantially uniform velocity of the first and second flows at the outlet. In some embodiments, the blower includes a plurality of vanes. In certain variants, in the direction of the flow of the fluid, the vane is curved away from the sidewall. Also, in some arrangements, the vane comprises a plurality of pins. For example, the pins can be spaced-apart elongate members.

In some embodiments, a blower includes a housing defining a cavity, the housing having a first side and a second side, and an inlet and an outlet. A motor can be disposed in the cavity. An impeller can be connected with the motor such that the motor can rotate the impeller. The impeller can be configured to draw a fluid into the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid via the outlet. The impeller can comprise an upper portion in proximity (e.g., near, adjacent to, immediately adjacent to, or otherwise) to the inlet and a plurality of blades. A shroud can be connected with the housing. The shroud can substantially cover the upper portion of the impeller. The shroud can be configured to inhibit the fluid from contacting the upper portion of the impeller, thereby reducing friction between the fluid and the impeller. In some embodiments, an exterior surface of the shroud is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the housing. In other arrangements, an exterior surface of the shroud is axially recessed from an exterior surface of the housing. In certain embodiments, the shroud is integrated with the one or more ribs. In some embodiments, the shroud is located axially external of a filter.

In certain arrangements, the impeller further comprises an annular side portion. In some such instances, the shroud substantially covers the side portion and is configured to inhibit the fluid from contacting the side portion. In some embodiments, the impeller also has a lower disk shaped portion. In some such instances, the shroud substantially covers the lower portion and is configured to inhibit the fluid from contacting the lower portion.

In some embodiments, a blower includes a body defining a cavity, the body having a first side, a second side, an inlet, and an outlet. A motor can be disposed in the cavity. The motor can have a shaft. An impeller can be disposed in the cavity. The impeller can have a plurality of blades. The impeller can be coupled with the shaft such that rotation of the shaft rotates the impeller. Furthermore, the impeller can be configured to draw a fluid into the housing via the inlet and to discharge the fluid via the outlet. A plurality of conductors can be in electrical communication with the motor. A cover can be joined with the first side. A connector can be joined with the second side. The connector can include an open top configured to receive the cover. The connector can at least partly enclose at least a portion of the conductors.

In certain embodiments, the connector is unitarily formed with the second side. In some embodiments, the conductors are received in grooves in the body. In certain embodiments, at least one of the conductors comprises a tab and the connector comprises at least one recess. The at least one recess can be configured to receive the tab and inhibit movement of the conductors when the connector is mated with another connector.

In some embodiments, a blower includes a housing defining an inner chamber, comprising a first side, a second side, an inlet, and an outlet. The second side can have an axial thickness. A motor can be disposed in the inner chamber. An impeller can be coupled with the motor such that the motor can rotate the impeller within the housing. The impeller can be configured to encourage a flow of fluid into the housing via the inlet and out of the housing via the outlet. A conductor can be configured to transmit electrical power to the motor. The conductor can be configured to connect with a mating conductor. A groove can extend in a radial direction and be substantially continuous. The groove can at least partly penetrate the axial thickness of the second side of the housing. Furthermore, the groove can be configured to receive the conductor and to inhibit removal of the conductor from the groove.

In certain embodiments, the groove fully penetrates the axial thickness of the second side. In some embodiments, the conductor has a tab and the second side has a channel and a recess. The channel can extend in a radial direction and be configured to receive at least a portion of the conductor. In some arrangements the recess intersects the channel and is configured to receive the tab. In some embodiments, the conductor is coupled with a printed circuit board.

In certain variants, the blower includes a plurality of conductors and a plurality of grooves. In some such instances, the number of grooves is the same as the number of conductors. In some embodiments, the groove is configured to fully receive the conductor. In certain variants, the groove also includes a projection that is configured to facilitate holding the conductor in the groove. The housing can further include a protection member, which is configured to inhibit the conductor from contacting the impeller.

