Low-profile blowers and methods

Abstract

A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blower comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space, the housing comprising:
 an inlet; 
 an outlet; and 
 a first side and a second side joined by a sidewall, the interior space at least partly between the first and second sides, the first and second sides extending radially inwards from the sidewall to move fluid radially to the outlet; 
   an impeller comprising a plurality of blades configured to draw fluid from the inlet to the outlet;   an electric motor disposed in the housing, the electric motor configured to rotate the impeller to draw fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and   a filter disposed at least partly in the inlet, the filter configured to pass through the filter at least a portion of fluid drawn from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the filter comprises a mesh and is integrated with the housing,   wherein the inlet and the filter are at least partially positioned axially over the impeller.   
     
     
         2 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of interconnected strands. 
     
     
         3 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is formed of different material from the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet is positioned on the first side of the housing, the inlet formed at least partly by a wall forming the first side, wherein at least a portion of the filter radially extends into the wall of the first side. 
     
     
         5 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a rib disposed in the inlet, the rib supporting the filter. 
     
     
         6 . The blower of  claim 5 , wherein the filter is integrated with the rib. 
     
     
         7 . The blower of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the filter radially extends into the rib. 
     
     
         8 . The blower of  claim 7 , wherein the at least the portion of the filter radially extends through the rib. 
     
     
         9 . The blower of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises another rib disposed in the inlet, the other rib supporting the filter, wherein the rib and the other rib radially converge at a center of the inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The blower of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises a shroud, the rib supporting the shroud at a center of the inlet, the shroud configured to inhibit fluid flow over the impeller from the inlet, and wherein the filter is positioned radially about the shroud. 
     
     
         11 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein some of the housing is located in voids of the filter. 
     
     
         12 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the filter has an axial thickness that is less than an axial thickness of a portion of the housing at least partly forming the inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is axially recessed relative to an exterior surface of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The blower of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is at the sidewall to direct fluid radially through the outlet at least partially within an axial extent of the impeller. 
     
     
         15 . The blower of  claim 1 , further comprising another filter, the other filter positioned at the inlet over the filter. 
     
     
         16 . A blower comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space, the housing comprising:
 an inlet; 
 an outlet; and 
 a first side and a second side joined by a sidewall, the interior space at least partly between the first and second sides; 
   an impeller comprising a plurality of blades configured to draw fluid from the inlet to the outlet,   wherein the outlet is on the sidewall connecting the first and second sides of the housing to direct fluid radially through the outlet at least partially within an axial extent of the impeller;   an electric motor disposed in the housing, the electric motor configured to rotate the impeller to draw fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and   a filter disposed at least partly in the inlet, the filter configured to pass through the filter at least a portion of fluid drawn from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the filter is integrated with the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The blower of  claim 16 , wherein the filter is formed of the same material as the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The blower of  claim 16 , wherein the filter is flush with an exterior surface of the housing forming the inlet. 
     
     
         19 . The blower of  claim 16 , wherein the filter has an axial thickness that is the same as an axial thickness of a portion of the housing at least partly forming the inlet. 
     
     
         20 . A blower comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space, the housing comprising:
 an inlet; 
 an outlet; and 
 a first side and a second side joined by a sidewall, the interior space at least partly between the first and second sides, wherein the outlet is on the sidewall connecting the first and second sides of the housing to direct fluid radially through the outlet; 
   an impeller comprising a plurality of blades configured to draw fluid from the inlet to the outlet;   an electric motor disposed in the housing, the electric motor configured to rotate the impeller to draw fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and   a filter disposed at least partly in the inlet, the filter configured to pass through the filter at least a portion of fluid drawn from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the filter comprises a mesh,   wherein the inlet and the filter are at least partially positioned axially over the impeller.   
     
     
         21 . The blower of  claim 20 , wherein the inlet is positioned on the first side of the housing, the inlet formed at least partly by a wall forming the first side, wherein at least a portion of the filter radially extends into the wall of the first side. 
     
     
         22 . The blower of  claim 20 , wherein some of the housing is located in voids of the filter at a periphery of the filter. 
     
     
         23 . The blower of  claim 20 , wherein the housing comprises a rib disposed in the inlet, the rib supporting the filter. 
     
     
         24 . The blower of  claim 23 , wherein at least a portion of the filter radially extends into the rib.