Air deflector and air management device provided with same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flow guide and an air management device having the same. In the present invention, ribs (20) are formed in rows along the rotation axis of a drive fan (32) on a curved surface (18) having a predetermined radius of curvature formed on the surface of the flow guide (14). The ribs (20) are configured to extend elongated along the direction of airflow guided by the curved surface (18). The ribs (20) cause the airflow from the drive fan (32) to form vortices, thereby converging and homogenizing the surrounding airflow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a guide element for guiding airflow and an air management device incorporating the same. Background Technology

[0002] An air management system is a device used to maintain the air in a designated space at an optimal state for a specific purpose. For example, in summer, it can relatively lower the indoor air temperature by expelling indoor heat to the outside. In winter, it can relatively increase the temperature of the air exhausted from the air management system, making the indoor temperature relatively higher than the outdoor temperature. Alternatively, it can purify the air present in the designated space and then reintroduce it into that space.

[0003] In this air management device, a crossflow fan is used in a wall-mounted air conditioner to generate airflow. The air flowing out from the crossflow fan is guided along the curved surface of the guide, allowing the airflow to develop and be expelled to the outside.

[0004] In Korean Patent No. 10-0406035, which is the first prior art document, airflow generated by a crossflow fan in a wall-mounted air conditioner flows out of the crossflow fan and is guided by a duct component. The airflow guided by the duct component is discharged to the outside through an air outlet.

[0005] In Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-1999-0007257, which is existing document 2, a wall-mounted air conditioner of the same type as existing document 1 is disclosed. As shown in the figure, the blower fan of existing document 2 has guide vanes divided into multiple groups, and the receiving part of the blower fan is configured as a curved surface without protrusions, corresponding to the pipe component of existing document 1.

[0006] Previously, the flow of crossflow fans was typically assumed to be two-dimensional, without considering the actual three-dimensional flow along the fan's axis. Therefore, under conditions of active three-dimensional flow, this can actually hinder exhaust and reduce airflow performance.

[0007] Figure 1The diagram illustrates the flow characteristics formed when airflow from a crossflow fan flows along a guide vane. Specifically, it shows the following results: in the direction of rotation of the crossflow fan, from -90° to -45°, at 15° intervals in four planes, the rotational velocities and velocity distributions are shown as point dimensions and vectors, respectively. It is evident that, contrary to theories assuming a two-dimensional flow around the crossflow fan, the rotational velocities are identical along the axial direction of the crossflow fan. That is, due to the counter-rotating streamwise vortices (C-rv) developed between the crossflow fan and the guide vane, high velocities are locally present at the vortex confluence points. In particular, the maximum velocity is observed when the vortices collide with the guide vane wall, resulting in a repeating velocity pattern along the axial direction.

[0008] The above-mentioned content can also be achieved through three-dimensional vortex structures. Figure 2 This has been confirmed. Figure 2 The left-hand diagram shows the vortex structure colored by vorticity (the degree of vortex) (red (5000) and blue (-5000) vortex directions are opposite), demonstrating that vortices with opposite vorticity signs develop and form. The right-hand diagram shows regions of high velocity, showing that high-speed regions repeatedly develop and form. Here, the green area represents regions with flow velocities of, for example, 10 m / s. It can be seen that although most of the flow velocity is 10 m / s, there are still parts where it is not.

[0009] As described above, the airflow emitted from the crossflow fan and flowing along the guide has a three-dimensional flow characteristic with a deviation in flow velocity in the axial direction due to the effect of the flow vortex. Therefore, flows with different flow velocities are mixed along the guide, resulting in flow loss.

[0010] This phenomenon is common in products using crossflow fans. The reason is the frictional resistance caused by the walls on both sides of the air outlet and the unevenness of the eccentric vortex inside the crossflow fan. As the unevenness of the flow increases, the flow loss increases, which leads to problems such as increased power consumption and noise. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0012] The purpose of this invention is, as described above, to solve existing problems by providing ribs along the curved surface of the guide member constituting the discharge flow path to guide airflow and form vortices.

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to stabilize the discharge flow by utilizing the energy of the vortex generated from the flow of the driving fan and guided by the ribs of the guide member.

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to guide and stabilize airflow before it becomes unbalanced from the airflow of the driving fan.

[0015] means for solving problems

[0016] According to the features of the present invention used to achieve the above-described objectives, the present invention has a plurality of ribs arranged in a row in the airflow direction for the air guide.

[0017] The air guide of the present invention is an air guide that is disposed opposite to a driving fan at a predetermined interval in the air flow path to guide the air flow. In the air guide, the surface that guides the air flow is a curved surface opposite to the driving fan, and ribs that extend along the air flow direction may be provided on the curved surface.

[0018] The ribs can be arranged in rows at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the curved surface.

[0019] The rib can be located in the upstream part of the curved surface, or the rib can be located in the middle part of the curved surface.

[0020] In the flow guide, the curved surface can be formed to have a radius of curvature larger than that of the driving fan, and the distance between the outer surface of the driving fan and the curved surface gradually increases from the upstream to the downstream of the flow.

[0021] The rib has a specified width and a length longer than the width, and extends along the direction of airflow. The upper surface of the front end of the rib is a plane that is continuous with the surface of the curved surface. From the front end to the rear end of the rib, the degree to which the rib protrudes from the curved surface gradually increases.

[0022] The ribs can be formed with arc-shaped edges.

[0023] The air management device of the present invention may include: a housing having an intake port for drawing in air into an indoor space and an outlet port for discharging air into the indoor space; a drive fan for forming an airflow through the intake port and the outlet port; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air and a working fluid as the airflow formed by the drive fan flows through it; and a guide member for guiding the air discharged from the drive fan and having a predetermined curved surface opposite to the outer surface of the drive fan; ribs may be arranged in rows at predetermined intervals along the rotation axis direction of the drive fan on the curved surface of the guide member, the ribs extending in the direction of airflow.

[0024] The rib can be located in the upstream part of the curved surface, or the rib can be located in the middle part of the curved surface.

[0025] The ribs can be respectively disposed in the upstream and midstream portions of the curved surface.

[0026] The surface of the air guide can be formed to have a radius of curvature larger than that of the driving fan.

[0027] The rib may have a specified width and a length longer than the width, and extend along the direction of airflow. The upper surface of the front end of the rib is a plane that is continuous with the surface of the curved surface. From the front end to the rear end of the rib, the degree to which the rib protrudes from the curved surface may gradually increase.

[0028] The ribs can be formed with arc-shaped edges.

[0029] One outer surface of the drive fan can be configured to have a predetermined gap with the curved surface of the guide member, the gap being formed to gradually increase towards the downstream portion of the airflow guided by the guide member.

[0030] The effects of the invention

[0031] The airflow guide of the present invention and the air management device provided thereon can have at least one of the following effects.

[0032] In this invention, the surface of the guide member opposite to the outer surface of the drive fan is curved. A plurality of ribs are provided at predetermined intervals on the curved surface of the guide member, and these ribs extend in a direction corresponding to the rotation direction of the drive fan. In particular, the ribs are provided in the upstream or midstream portion of the airflow exiting the drive fan. Therefore, when the air exiting the drive fan flows at a high speed across the surface of the guide member, it collides with the ribs, generating vortices and gaining energy. This stabilizes the uneven airflow exiting the drive fan, causing it to mix and become more stable.

[0033] The ribs are formed in the upstream or midstream portion of the airflow from the drive fan along the guide. In this way, uneven airflow can be corrected in the early or mid-stages of the airflow along the guide, thereby reducing power consumption and noise generation compared to the same airflow volume. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the distribution of rotational flow velocity and velocity vector in two blocks of a crossflow fan, classified by point size in the prior art.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the three-dimensional flow structure formed by a crossflow fan in the prior art.

[0036] Figure 3This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the internal structure of an air management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of an air management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing a frame provided with a flow guide that constitutes an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a detailed enlarged perspective view showing the ribs that constitute an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the driving fan and the airflow guide in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the operational state of an indoor space in an embodiment of the present invention, where air is drawn in through an intake port and expelled through a front air outlet and a bottom air outlet.

[0042] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the operational state in which vortices are generated by ribs and energy is supplied to the airflow in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the various drawings, even if the same constituent element is shown in different drawings, the same reference numerals should be used as much as possible. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well-known structures or functions will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 3 The figure shows a cross-sectional perspective view of an air management device used in a preferred embodiment of the air guide of the present invention. Figure 4 A side sectional view is shown in the figure. The airflow guide 14 of the embodiment of the present invention can be used in various air management devices. A diagram in the figure shows an embodiment of the present invention applied in a wall-mounted and split-type air management device. However, the airflow guide 14 of the embodiment of the present invention can be used in various air management devices.

[0045] The cover 10 can form the appearance of the air management device shown in the figure. The cover 10 can form most of the front, top, back, two sides, and bottom of the air management device. Of course, although some parts of the appearance of the air management device can be made of other components, the cover 10 can constitute most of the appearance of the air management device.

[0046] A frame 12 can be installed inside the enclosure 10. The frame 12, as a part capable of mounting various components, can form the skeleton of the air conditioner. In this embodiment, referring to... Figure 4 The frame 12 forms the rear appearance. The shape of the frame 12 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings, and can have various shapes.

[0047] In this embodiment, a guide 14 is formed in a portion of the frame 12. The guide 14 is a portion that guides managed air to be expelled to the outside of the enclosure 10. The space formed by the guide 14 can be part of the fan mounting space 16. The fan mounting space 16 is the portion surrounded by the guide 14 and the heat exchanger 30 described below.

[0048] In the illustrated example, the inner surface of the fan mounting space 16, which serves as the surface of the airflow guide 14, is formed as a curved surface 18 with a predetermined radius of curvature. This curved surface 18 faces the outer surface of the drive fan 32, which will be described below, and forms a flow path between them. The radius of curvature of the curved surface 18 can be formed to gradually increase downwards compared to the upstream portion. That is, the radius of curvature along the airflow direction of the curved surface 18 of the airflow guide 14 is variable at each position.

[0049] The radius of curvature of the surface 18 can be made larger than the radius of the drive fan 32. Therefore, if the outer surface of the drive fan 32 is positioned adjacent to the throat 19, which forms the starting region of the surface 18, the distance between the outer surface of the drive fan 32 and the surface 18 gradually increases as the surface moves downstream. This is shown in detail in [the diagram / document / etc.]. Figure 4 In other words, the flow space between the curved surface 18 of the guide member 14 and the drive fan 32 gradually widens from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. Alternatively, the distance between the curved surface 18 of the guide member 14 and the outer surface of the drive fan 32 further gradually widens from the upstream portion to the downstream portion.

[0050] A plurality of ribs 20 are formed on the curved surface 18. For example, in... Figure 5 As shown, the ribs 20 can be observed to be formed in rows along the left-right direction of the curved surface 18. The plurality of ribs 20 can be formed at predetermined intervals. The plurality of ribs 20 can be formed at fixed intervals. Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of the ribs 20 are formed across the entire width of the air guide 14. The ribs 20 may be positioned in an area corresponding to the width of the drive fan 32 described below.

[0051] In the ribs 20, the ribs located in the upstream portion extend a predetermined length from the throat 19 along the airflow direction. In this embodiment, rows of the ribs 20 are formed in the upstream portion, i.e., at the position passing through the throat 19, and in the midstream portion, where the flow is guided by the guide member 14. According to flow experiments, the rows of ribs 20 provide almost similar performance whether they are only located in the upstream portion of the guide member 14 or only in the midstream portion. In the illustrated embodiment, rows of ribs 20 are formed in both the upstream and midstream portions of the guide member 14.

[0052] Each of the ribs 20 is formed with a predetermined width and a length much longer than the width, but the upper surface of the front end 21 is continuous with the curved surface 18. However, from the front end 21 to the rear end 21', the height of the rib protruding from the curved surface 18 gradually increases. Therefore, at the rear end 21', the rib 20 has a shape that protrudes from the curved surface 18 by a predetermined width. However, at the rear end 21', the height of the rib 20 decreases sharply. The portion of the ribs 20 arranged in the middle section overlaps with the airflow deflector 36 described below in a certain area along the airflow direction.

[0053] All edges of the rib 20 are formed in an arc shape. Therefore, although the height of the rib 20 decreases sharply in the rear end portion 21', the rear end portion 21' is also formed in an arc shape overall.

[0054] As the flow exiting the drive fan 32 flows rapidly along the curved surface 18, the ribs 20 function to create vortices. That is, they provide energy to the airflow along the curved surface 18, causing the originally uneven outflow across the entire width of the curved surface 18 to mix and form a stable overall flow. Specifically, when viewed along the axial direction of the drive fan 32, the ribs 20 can eliminate flow imbalances caused by the presence of the guide vanes 33 and eccentric vortices within the drive fan 32.

[0055] An intake port 22 is provided on one side of the cover 10. The intake port 22 may be located on the top surface of the cover 10. The intake port 22 serves as an inlet for air from the interior space outside the cover 10 to flow into the interior of the cover 10. When viewed from the front, the intake port 22 may be formed to extend long from left to right along the top surface of the cover 10.

[0056] A front air outlet 24 may be provided on the lower front of the cover 10. The front air outlet 24 is the portion from which managed air is expelled. When the cover 10 is viewed from the front, the front air outlet 24 may also be configured to extend long from left to right along the front of the cover 10.

[0057] The bottom surface of the cover 10 may have a bottom air outlet 26. The bottom air outlet 26 may be located adjacent to the front air outlet 24. That is, the bottom air outlet 26 may be located on the front side of the bottom surface of the cover 10. Through the front air outlet 24 and the bottom air outlet 26, air can be expelled to the front and lower part of the cover 10.

[0058] To control the opening and closing of the bottom air outlet 26 and the flow direction of the air discharged from the bottom air outlet 26, blades 28 may be provided. A detailed description of the structure of the blades 28 is omitted.

[0059] A heat exchanger 30 may be disposed inside the housing 10. The heat exchanger 30 is the portion where the working fluid of the heat exchange cycle exchanges heat with the air drawn in through the intake 22 within the indoor space. The working fluid undergoing the heat exchange cycle flows within the heat exchanger 30, and exchanges heat with the air drawn in from the indoor space. The heat exchanger 30 may be configured to surround approximately half of the outer surface of the drive fan 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger 30 is configured to surround an angular region approximately halfway across the cross-section of the drive fan 32.

[0060] The drive fan 32 draws in air from the indoor space through the intake 22 and exhausts it through the front exhaust 24 or the bottom exhaust 26, thereby creating airflow. The drive fan 32 can be a crossflow fan. In the drive fan 32, a plurality of guide vanes 33 divide the space and are arranged in a cylindrical shape. The drive fan 32 is generally cylindrical and draws in air through one outer surface. The air drawn into the drive fan 32 flows through the interior and is exhausted through the area opposite the curved surface 18 of the guide member 14 and guided along the curved surface 18.

[0061] One outer surface of the drive fan 32 and the curved surface 18 of the guide member 14 are provided with a predetermined gap and are arranged adjacent to each other. Since the radius of the drive fan 32 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved surface 18, the gap between the outer surface of the drive fan 32 and the curved surface 18 of the guide member 14 gradually increases from the upstream part to the downstream part of the guide member 14.

[0062] A stabilizer 34 is provided, a portion of which is opposite to the downstream portion of the curved surface 18 of the air guide 14. The stabilizer 34 forms one side of the airflow path and is located adjacent to the front air outlet 24 and the bottom air outlet 26.

[0063] A flow deflector 36 may be provided in the flow path between the downstream portion of the stabilizer 34 and the downstream portion of the guide member 14. When viewed from the front of the front air outlet 24 or the bottom air outlet 26, the flow deflector 36 can adjust the airflow direction in the left-right direction.

[0064] The operation of the air guide of the present invention having the configuration described above, and the air management device provided thereon, will be explained below.

[0065] The air management device of this invention is a split-type air conditioner, and the accompanying drawings show an indoor unit. The indoor unit is, in particular, wall-mounted. In this air management device, working fluid from the outdoor unit flows through the heat exchanger 30, and air drawn into the air-conditioned space by the drive fan 32 through the intake port 22 flows through the heat exchanger 30, forming a heat exchange.

[0066] For example, air that has been cooled by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 30 enters the drive fan 32, which then ejects the air toward the curved surface 18 opposite the guide member 14. The air flowing out of the drive fan 32 moves along the curved surface 18 of the guide member 14 and forms vortices using the ribs 20, thereby replenishing the flow energy.

[0067] At this time, since a plurality of ribs 20 are provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the drive fan 32, the vortex flow generated by these individual ribs 20 merges with the adjacent flow and mixes with the surrounding flow as a whole to form a stable discharge flow.

[0068] exist Figure 8 In the diagram, arrows indicate that air is drawn into the indoor space through the intake 22, flows through the heat exchanger 30 and the drive fan 32, and is guided along the curved surface 18 of the guide 14 and discharged into the indoor space through the front air outlet 24 or the bottom air outlet 26.

[0069] in addition, Figure 9 The diagram shows the generation of vortices in each rib 20. As described above, the vortices generated in each rib 20 allow the airflow to gain energy, and as the energy of the vortex is transferred to the surrounding flow, the exhaust flow unevenly discharged from the drive fan 32 mixes with each other to form a stable exhaust flow.

[0070] As explained above, in the illustrated embodiment, the rows of ribs 20 are formed in the upstream and midstream portions of the flow guide 14, respectively. The rows of ribs 20 may be formed only in the upstream portion or only in the midstream portion.

[0071] In fact, it can be confirmed that when the rib 20 is formed only in the upstream part of the guide member 14 and only in the midstream part, when comparing the effects under the same air volume, the power consumption is reduced by about 2.0% compared with the existing structure.

[0072] Furthermore, as illustrated in the embodiment, when the rib 20 is simultaneously positioned in the upstream and midstream portions of the flow guide 14, test results show that under the same airflow conditions, power consumption is reduced by approximately 2.4 to 2.5%, and noise is also improved by approximately 0.4 dB.

[0073] However, if the ribs 20 are not formed in the upstream and midstream sections, but are instead located in the downstream section, for example, at the position where the airflow passes through the guide grille 36, then the airflow along the curved surface 18 is already in an uneven state and has no effect.

[0074] On the other hand, the air flowing out through the guide member 14 is controlled by the guide grille 36 to control the flow direction and is discharged through the front air outlet 24, or through the front air outlet 24 and the bottom air outlet 26.

[0075] Although in the embodiments of the present invention all constituent elements are described as being combined as a single unit or operating after combination, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. That is, as long as it is within the scope of the purpose of the present invention, all constituent elements can also be selectively combined with more than one of them to operate.

Claims

1. A flow guide, wherein the flow guide is disposed opposite to a driving fan at a predetermined interval in an airflow path to guide the airflow, wherein, The surface of the air guide that guides the airflow is curved and opposite to the drive fan. Ribs extending along the airflow direction are provided on the curved surface.

2. The flow guide according to claim 1, wherein, The ribs are arranged in rows at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the curved surface.

3. The flow guide according to claim 1, wherein, The rib is located at the upstream portion of the curved surface.

4. The flow guide according to claim 1, wherein, The rib is located in the middle of the curved surface.

5. The flow guide according to claim 1, wherein, The curved surface is formed with a radius of curvature larger than that of the driving fan, and the distance between the outer surface of the driving fan and the curved surface gradually increases from the upstream to the downstream of the flow.

6. The flow guide according to claim 1, wherein, The rib has a specified width and a length longer than the width, and extends along the direction of airflow. The upper surface of the front end of the rib is a plane that is continuous with the surface of the curved surface. From the front end to the rear end of the rib, the degree to which the rib protrudes from the curved surface gradually increases.

7. The guide member according to claim 6, wherein, The ribs are formed with arc-shaped edges.

8. An air management device, wherein, include: The enclosure has an intake port for drawing in air into the indoor space and an exhaust port for expelling air into the indoor space. Drive the fan to create an airflow that passes through the intake and the outlet; A heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air and working fluid as airflow forms through it, as the driving fan passes by it. as well as A guide element that guides the air expelled from the drive fan and has a defined curved surface opposite to the outer surface of the drive fan; Ribs are arranged in rows at predetermined intervals on the curved surface of the air guide along the rotation axis of the driving fan, and the ribs extend in the direction of air flow.

9. The air management device according to claim 8, wherein, The rib is located at the upstream portion of the curved surface.

10. The air management device according to claim 8, wherein, The rib is located in the middle of the curved surface.

11. The air management device according to claim 8, wherein, The ribs are respectively located in the upstream and midstream portions of the curved surface.

12. The air management device according to claim 8, wherein, The surface of the air guide is formed to have a radius of curvature larger than that of the driving fan.

13. The air management device according to claim 12, wherein, The rib has a specified width and a length longer than the width, and extends along the direction of airflow. The upper surface of the front end of the rib is a plane that is continuous with the surface of the curved surface. From the front end to the rear end of the rib, the degree to which the rib protrudes from the curved surface gradually increases.

14. The air management device according to claim 12, wherein, The ribs are formed with arc-shaped edges.

15. The air management device according to claim 8, wherein, One side of the outer surface of the drive fan is configured to have a predetermined gap with the curved surface of the guide member, the gap being formed to gradually increase towards the downstream portion of the airflow guided by the guide member.

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