INDOOR UNIT AND AIR CONDITIONING

Abstract

The indoor unit comprises: a housing having a housing air inlet and a housing air outlet, recessed into a ceiling; a plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices, each comprising an air conveying device fan and a spiral casing, the air conveying device fan having a plurality of blades and configured to expel air drawn into the housing through the housing air inlet to the outside of the housing through the housing air outlet, the spiral casing housing containing the air conveying device fan; a fan motor configured to drive the air conveying device fan; and a heat exchanger configured to provide heat exchange between a refrigerant and the air drawn into the housing through the housing air inlet by the air conveying device fan.The spiral casing comprises a spiral section defining an air passage configured to convert the dynamic pressure of an airflow generated by the air conveying device fan into a static pressure, and an air outlet section defining an air outlet through which air is expelled after being expelled from the air conveying device fan and passing through the spiral section. The plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices and the fan motor are located upstream of the heat exchanger and are arranged in the width direction. With respect to the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices, outer end sections of the spiral sections of the spiral casings of the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices are provided at both ends within a range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger in the width direction from the respective end sections of the heat exchanger.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an indoor unit embedded in the ceiling and an air conditioning system. Background on the state of the art

[0002] In existing indoor units recessed into the ceiling, a heat exchanger and a fan located upstream of the heat exchanger are positioned closer together for a more compact design. However, in such indoor units, the air blown out by the fan is not sufficiently diffused before passing through the heat exchanger, resulting in uneven air distribution through the heat exchanger and a reduction in heat exchange efficiency. To reduce this uneven air distribution through the heat exchanger, an indoor unit has been proposed in which the outlet of a spiral housing of the fan is widened in the lateral direction of the heat exchanger (see, for example, patent reference 1). Reference list of patent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-99444 Summary of the invention Technical task

[0004] Patent literature 1 has the following objective. Since patent literature 1 describes the outlet of the fan's spiral housing as being extended in the width direction of the heat exchanger, a housing must be extended in its width direction to accommodate the fan, corresponding to the extension of the spiral housing's outlet.

[0005] The present disclosure is applied to solve the above problem and relates to an indoor unit and air conditioner embedded in the ceiling, in which the expansion of the housing in the lateral direction is minimized and the uneven air distribution is reduced. Solution to the problem

[0006] An indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an indoor unit comprising: a housing having a housing air inlet and a housing air outlet and being embedded in a ceiling; a plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices, each comprising an air conveying device fan and a spiral casing, wherein the air conveying device fan has a plurality of blades and is configured to expel air drawn into the housing through the housing air inlet to the outside of the housing through the housing air outlet, the spiral casing housing containing the air conveying device fan; a fan motor configured to drive the air conveying device fan; and a heat exchanger configured to facilitate heat exchange between a refrigerant and the air drawn into the housing by the air conveying device fan through the housing air inlet.The spiral casing comprises a spiral section defining an air passage configured to convert the dynamic pressure of an airflow generated by the air conveying device fan into a static pressure, and an air outlet section defining an air outlet through which air is expelled after being expelled from the air conveying device fan and passing through the spiral section. The plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices and the fan motor are located upstream of the heat exchanger and are arranged in the width direction. With respect to the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices, the outer end sections of the spiral sections of the spiral casing are positioned at both ends within a range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger in the width direction of the respective end sections of the heat exchanger.

[0007] An air conditioning system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the aforementioned indoor unit. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0008] In the indoor unit and the air conditioning system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, with regard to the plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices, outer end parts of the spiral parts of the spiral housings are provided at both end sides within a range of ±5% of a width of the heat exchanger in the width direction from the respective end parts of the heat exchanger.

[0009] Therefore, it is possible to allow the air expelled by the respective multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices to pass through the entire body of the heat exchanger, which includes the end sections of the heat exchanger, thus reducing air flow irregularities. Furthermore, the air outlet of the spiral casing of each multi-vane centrifugal air conveying device does not widen in the lateral direction of the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the lateral expansion of the casing housing the multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices. Brief description of the drawings [ Fig. 1] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an indoor unit according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 2] Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic side view to illustrate an internal configuration of the indoor unit according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 3] Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic top view to illustrate the internal configuration of the indoor unit according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 4] Fig. Figure 4 is a view that schematically shows a configuration of a multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device of the indoor unit according to embodiment 1, viewed in the direction of a rotation axis. [ Fig. 5] Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device of the indoor unit according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 6] Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic front view showing an air velocity distribution of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices of an existing indoor unit. [ Fig. 7] Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic front view showing an air velocity distribution of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices of the indoor unit according to embodiment 1. [ Fig. 8] Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic top view showing an internal configuration of an indoor unit according to embodiment 2. [ Fig. 9] Fig. Figure 9 is a top view of an air conveying device fan of a multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device in an indoor unit according to embodiment 3. [ Fig. 10] Fig. Figure 10 is a schematic side view showing a multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device in the existing indoor unit. [ Fig. 11] Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic side view showing the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device in the indoor unit according to embodiment 3. [ Fig. 12] Fig. Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a ceiling on which an indoor unit according to embodiment 4 is installed. [ Fig. 13] Fig. Figure 13 shows a configuration of an air conditioning system according to embodiment 5. Description of embodiments

[0010] Indoor units according to the embodiments are described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, the size ratios between the components in the figures referenced below may differ from the actual size ratios. In the following description, terms indicating directions (e.g., "top," "bottom," "right," "left," "front," and "back") are used to facilitate understanding of the embodiments. However, these terms are used for the sake of simplicity and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, these directional terms refer to directions when the indoor unit is viewed in a front view.In each figure, elements identical to those in a preceding figure or figures are identified by the same reference symbols. The same applies to the entire text of the application. Design 1

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic side view to illustrate an internal configuration of the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic top view to illustrate the internal configuration of the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1. It should be noted that the outlined arrows IR in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Indicate air being drawn into a housing air inlet 3, and an outlined arrow OR indicates air being expelled from a housing air outlet 5. Additionally, the dashed arrows in Fig. 3 a width direction WD and a depth direction DD of a housing 1.

[0012] The indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1 is a ceiling-integrated device, installed, for example, above a ceiling, such as an air conditioner, humidifier, dehumidifier, or refrigeration unit, to heat, cool, humidify, or dehumidify a target room. In the following description, it is assumed that the indoor unit 100 is an indoor unit of an air conditioner and that the gas is air.

[0013] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1 comprises the housing 1. The housing 1 can be formed into any desired shape. In the following embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the housing 1 has the shape of a cuboid. The housing 1 has a top surface 1a, a bottom surface 1b, a front surface 1c, a rear surface 1d, a left side surface 1e, and a right side surface 1f.

[0014] The housing air inlet 3 is located on the lower surface 1b of the housing 1, on a side closer to the rear surface 1d than the other sides. A filter 4 is provided in the housing air inlet 3 to remove dust from the air and prevent foreign particles or other contaminants from entering the housing. The filter 4 is attached to a decorative panel such that it covers the housing air inlet 3, with the decorative panel forming the lower surface 1b. The housing air outlet 5 is located on the lower surface 1b of the housing 1, on a side closer to the front surface 1c than the other sides. An outlet wall section 5a is provided on a circumferential edge portion of the housing air outlet 5.It should be noted that for the indoor unit 100, a surface forming the front surface 1c of the housing 1 is the front (front surface); a vertical direction, viewed from the front, is a height direction or an up-down direction; a lateral direction is a width direction or the direction of an axis of rotation; and a front-to-back direction is a front-back direction or a depth direction.

[0015] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the housing air inlet 3 and the housing air outlet 5 are each rectangular. The shape of each housing air inlet 3 and housing air outlet 5 is not limited to a rectangular shape, but can be, for example, circular, oval, or otherwise shaped.

[0016] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the interior of the housing 1 is divided by a partition plate 2 into an air conveying chamber 6 and a heat exchange chamber 7, wherein the air conveying chamber 6 is a chamber located on an intake side of a spiral housing 40, and the heat exchange chamber 7 is a chamber located on an exhaust side of the spiral housing 40. The partition plate 2 separates the interior of the housing 1 into the air conveying chamber 6, in which multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are provided, and into the heat exchange chamber 7, in which a heat exchanger 8 is provided.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, two multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10, a fan motor 20, the heat exchanger 8, and a power supply box 30 are housed in the enclosure 1. The number of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 housed in the enclosure 1 is not limited to two, and three or more multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 can also be housed in the enclosure 1. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger 8 is positioned in an airflow duct extending from the air outlet side of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 to the housing air outlet 5. The heat exchanger 8 adjusts at least one of the temperature or humidity parameters of the air supplied by the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10. In this case, it is assumed that the heat exchanger 8 has a rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the housing air outlet 5. The heat exchanger 8 according to embodiment 1 is a known heat exchanger, not a special heat exchanger.In the case where the heat exchanger 8 is, for example, a finned tube heat exchanger, it causes a heat exchange to take place between air passing through the heat exchanger 8 and refrigerant passing through a heat transfer tube (not shown) in order to adjust at least one of the temperature or humidity of the air. Fan motor 20

[0018] The fan motor 20 is supported by a motor bracket (not shown) which is attached to the housing 1. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the fan motor 20 has a motor shaft 21 connected to the air conveying device fans 11. The motor shaft 21 is designed to extend in the lateral direction WD of the housing 1, i.e., parallel to the upper surface 1a and the lower surface 1b of the housing 1. Two air conveying device fans 11 of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are arranged in parallel and attached to the motor shaft 21. The two multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are thus arranged in the lateral direction WD. Power supply box 30

[0019] The power supply box 30 is a box-shaped element that, as a whole, has an essentially cuboid shape. The power supply box 30 houses a circuit board for driving the fan motor 20 and other components. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the energy supply box 30 is provided next to the two multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 and is, as in Fig. Figure 2 shows that, when viewing the casing 1 from the side, it is positioned higher than the base of the spiral casing 40. It should be noted that in Fig. 2 a dashed two-dot line Y1 indicates the position of the bottom part of the spiral housing 40 of the centrifugal air conveying device 10 and a dashed two-dot line Y2 indicates the position of the bottom part of the power supply box 30.

[0020] Fig. Figure 4 is a view that schematically shows a configuration of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device 10 of the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1, viewed in the direction of a rotation axis RA. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device 10 of the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1. It should be noted that in Fig. 4 a solid arrow indicates a direction of rotation R of the air conveying device fan 11 and a dashed arrow indicates a circumferential direction CD of the air conveying device fan 11. Fig. Figure 5 is an illustrative view of the external appearance of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10, and the internal configuration of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 is shown in simplified form. A basic structure of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 is shown based on Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 described.

[0021] The multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 is a device that discharges air with a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the air conveying device fan 11. The multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 is a double-suction centrifugal air conveying device in which air is drawn in from both sides of the spiral casing 40 in the axial direction of the rotational axis RA of the air conveying device fan 11, which is an imaginary axis. The multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 is not limited to the double-suction centrifugal air conveying device, but can also be a single-suction centrifugal air conveying device in which the air is drawn in from one side of the spiral casing 40 in the axial direction of the rotational axis RA. As shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device 10 comprises the air conveying device fan 11, which is configured to generate an airflow, and the spiral casing 40 in which the air conveying device fan 11 is housed. Air conveyor fan 11

[0022] The air conveying device fan 11 is, for example, a Sirocco fan and is driven by the fan motor 20 to rotate about the axis of rotation RA when the fan motor 20 is driven. When the air conveying device fan 11 rotates, gas flowing outside the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device 10 passes through an air inlet 45 formed in the spiral housing 40 and a fan air inlet 11e of the air conveying device fan 11 and is drawn into a space surrounded by a main plate 11a and a plurality of blades 11d. Due to the rotation of the air conveying device fan 11, the air drawn into the space surrounded by the main plate 11a and the plurality of blades 11d then passes through the spaces provided between the adjacent blades 11d and is directed into an outer region in the radial direction of the air conveying device fan 11. Spiral casing 40

[0023] The spiral housing 40 regulates the air blown out by the air conveying device fan 11 and has, as in the Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows a first side wall 40a1 and a second side wall 40a2 as side walls 40a. That is, the spiral casing 40 comprises at least one side wall 40a with a bell-shaped opening 48, which forms the air inlet 45, which is connected to the space bounded by the main plate 11a and the plurality of vanes 11d.

[0024] The air inlet 45 provided in the side wall 40a is formed by the bell-shaped opening 48. That is, the bell-shaped opening 48 defines the air inlet 45, which causes a space located outside the spiral casing 40 to communicate with the space defined by the main plate 11a and the plurality of vanes 11d. The bell-shaped opening 48 regulates the gas drawn into the air conveying device fan 11 and causes the gas to flow into the fan air inlet 11e of the air conveying device fan 11.

[0025] The bell-shaped opening 48 is designed such that it has an opening diameter that gradually decreases from the outside of the spiral housing 40 towards the inside. The bell-shaped opening 48 extends in the axial direction of the axis of rotation RA. The inner circumferential end portion of the bell-shaped opening 48, which forms the inner edge of the bell-shaped opening 48, is located inside the spiral housing 40. Air near the air inlet 45 flows uniformly along the bell-shaped opening 48 and efficiently flows from the air inlet 45 into the air conveying device fan 11. The spiral housing 40 also includes a spiral section 41 and an air outlet section 42. Spiral part 41

[0026] The spiral section 41 defines an air passage that converts the dynamic pressure of the airflow generated by the air conveying device fan 11 into a static pressure. The air passage of the spiral section 41 widens in the direction of airflow, in the direction of rotation of the air conveying device fan 11, from an upstream side to a downstream side. The spiral section 41 comprises a side wall 41a and a circumferential wall 41c. The side wall 41a covers the air conveying device fan 11 in the axial direction of the rotational axis RA of a hub section 11b contained within the air conveying device fan 11 and has the air inlet 45 from which air is drawn in, with the circumferential wall 41c surrounding the air conveying device fan 11 in the radial direction of the rotational axis RA of the hub section 11b. The hub part 11b has a shaft hole 11b1 into which the motor shaft 21 is inserted.Although the hub part 11b is shaped, for example, in a circular column shape, its shape is not limited to this. It is sufficient that the hub part 11b is columnar and can, for example, be polygonal. The main plate 11a is driven to rotate by the fan motor 20 via the hub part 11b.

[0027] The spiral section 41 has a tongue section 43 located between the spiral section 41 and the air outlet section 42, and also a curved surface, which directs an airflow generated by the air conveying device fan 11 over the spiral section 41 to an air outlet 42a. The radial direction of the axis of rotation RA is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the axis of rotation RA. An interior space within the spiral section 41, comprising the circumferential wall 41c and the side wall 41a, is a space through which the air blown out by the air conveying device fan 11 flows along the circumferential wall 41c. Air outlet part 42

[0028] The air outlet section 42 is designed to include the air outlet 42a, which allows air blown out by the air conveying device fan 11 and passing through the spiral section 41 to be discharged from the air outlet 42a. The air outlet section 42 consists of a hollow channel with a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction in which the air flows along the circumferential wall 41c. The cross-sectional shape of the air outlet section 42 is not limited to a rectangular shape. The air outlet section 42 defines a flow channel that directs air such that the air flows out of the spiral housing 40 to the outside, with the air to be directed being emitted by the air conveying device fan 11 and flowing through a space between the circumferential wall 41c and the air conveying device fan 11. Tongue part 43

[0029] The spiral casing 40 has a tongue section 43, which is configured to have a curved surface at a bend start portion of the circumferential wall 41c located near the axis of rotation RA of the air conveying device fan 11. The tongue section 43 directs an airflow generated by the air conveying device fan 11 to the air outlet 42a. The circumferential wall 41c includes the tongue section 43, which is formed at one of the end portions of the circumferential wall 42c that is closer to the air outlet portion 42a than the other end. The tongue section 43 is formed at the bend start portion of the circumferential wall 41c, which is spirally shaped. That is, the tongue section 43 is located at the position where the wall begins to bend and form its spiral shape, and it divides the airflow discharged by the air conveying device fan 11.

[0030] The tongue section 43 is located at a boundary section with a diffuser plate 42c of the air outlet section 42. The diffuser plate 42c is formed integrally with the tongue section 43 and is located opposite an extension plate 42b, which is seamlessly formed with a bent end section 41b located downstream of the circumferential wall 41c and thus integrally formed with the circumferential wall 41c. This diffuser plate 42c is designed to be inclined at a specific angle relative to the extension plate 42b, so that, for example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel gradually increases in the direction in which air flows in the air outlet section 42. However, the configuration of the diffuser plate 42c is not limited to this configuration. The tongue section 43 is designed to have a curved surface and, viewed in the axial direction of the axis of rotation RA, has an arc shape.The tongue section 43 is designed to have a predetermined radius of curvature, and the circumferential wall 41c is smoothly connected to the diffuser plate 42c over the tongue section 43. Viewed from the outlet opening 42a, the tongue section 43 has essentially the same shape in the axial direction of the rotation axis RA and is designed to extend along the axial direction of the rotation axis RA.

[0031] The tongue section 43 reduces the air supply from the bend end to the bend start of the spiral flow channel in the spiral housing 40. The tongue section 43 is located upstream of the air passage and serves to separate the airflow flowing in the direction of rotation of the air conveying device fan 11 from the airflow flowing from the downstream part of the air passage in the discharge direction to the air outlet 42a. The static pressure of the air flowing into the air outlet section 42a increases to a high level as the air passes through the spiral housing 40. The tongue section 43 thus functions to separate airflows with different pressures. Furthermore, the tongue section 43, due to its curved surface, directs the air flowing into the air outlet section 42a into flow channels.

[0032] The following describes how air flows when the air conveying device fans 11 of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are rotated. When power is supplied from the power supply box 30, the fan motor 20 is driven, causing each of the air conveying device fans 11 to rotate. When the air conveying device fan 11 is rotating, air from a room, which is designated, for example, as an air conditioning destination, flows through the housing air inlet 3 into the housing. The air drawn into the housing 1 passes through the air inlet 45 formed in the spiral housing 40 and is guided through the bell opening 48, flowing into the air conveying device fan 11. The air flowing into the air conveying device fan 11 is also blown outwards in the radial direction of the air conveying device fan 11.The air blown out by the air conveying device fan 11 flows through the interior of the spiral housing 40 and is then expelled from the air outlet 42a formed in the spiral housing 40. The expelled air passes through the heat exchanger 8. As it passes through the heat exchanger 8, the air supplied to the heat exchanger 8 undergoes heat exchange, and the humidity is adjusted. The air is then blown out of the housing 1 through the housing air outlet 5.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the two multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 and the fan motor 20 are provided upstream of the heat exchanger 8 and arranged in the lateral direction WD. With respect to the two multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10, outer end parts of the spiral sections 41 of the spiral housings 40 of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are provided on both end faces within a range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 in the lateral direction WD of a connected end part of the heat exchanger 8. Fig. 3. A dashed-dotted line X1L indicates the position of the outer end of the spiral section 41 of the spiral housing 40 of the left of the multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices 10, and a dashed-dotted line X1R indicates the position of the outer end of the spiral section 41 of the spiral housing 40 of the right of the multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices 10. That is, a region in which X1L is to be arranged in the lateral direction is a region of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 with respect to the left end of the heat exchanger 8 (0%), where the left side of the left end of the heat exchanger 8 is the positive side (+) and the middle side of the heat exchanger 8 with respect to the left end of the heat exchanger 8 is the negative side (-).Furthermore, a region in which X1R is to be arranged in the width direction is a region of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 with respect to the right end part of the heat exchanger 8 (0%), wherein the right side of the right end part of the heat exchanger 8 is the positive side (+) and the middle side of the heat exchanger 8 is the negative side (-) of the right end part of the heat exchanger 8.

[0034] Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic front view showing an air velocity distribution of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 of an existing indoor unit. Fig. Figure 7 is a schematic front view showing an air velocity distribution of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 of the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The dashed-dotted line X1L indicates the position of the outer end of the spiral section 41 of the spiral housing 40 of the left of the multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices 10, and the dashed-dotted line X1R indicates the position of the outer end of the spiral section 41 of the spiral housing 40 of the right of the multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices 10. Additionally, a dashed-dotted line X2L indicates the position of the left end of the heat exchanger 8, and a dashed-dotted line X2R indicates the position of the right end of the heat exchanger 8.

[0035] Referring to Fig. 6 On both sides, the outer end parts of the spiral sections 41 of the spiral housings 40 of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are arranged outside the range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 in the lateral direction WD of the respective end parts of the heat exchanger 8. More precisely, the outer end part (X1L) of the spiral section 41 of the spiral housing 40 of the left of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 is located 5% or more of the width of the heat exchanger 8 to the right of the left end part (X2L) of the heat exchanger 8. Referring to Fig. In contrast, the outer end parts (X1L, X1R) of the spiral sections 41 of the spiral housings 40 of the multi-vane centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are arranged on both sides within a range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 in the lateral direction WD of the respective end parts (X2L, X2R) of the heat exchanger 8. It should be noted that the range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 corresponds to the range of manufacturing defects of the indoor unit 100. Referring to Fig. 7 are arranged on the two sides the outer end parts of the spiral parts 41 of the spiral housings 40 of the multi-winged centrifugal air conveying devices 10 on the negative side (-) with reference to the respective end parts of the heat exchanger 8.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, in the existing indoor unit, between the left end part (X2L) of the heat exchanger 8 and the outer end part (X1L) of the spiral part 41 of the spiral housing 40, there is an area through which no air passes, so that no air passes the left end part of the heat exchanger 8. In contrast, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1, the distance between the left end part (X2L) of the heat exchanger 8 and the outer end part (X1L) of the spiral part 41 of the spiral housing 40 is very small, so that there are almost no areas through which air cannot pass. The air therefore passes through the left end part of the heat exchanger 8, and the air passes uniformly through the entire heat exchanger 8. Thus, as shown in Fig. Figure 7 shows the outer end sections of the spiral parts 41 of the spiral housings 40 of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 arranged on both sides within a range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 in the lateral direction WD of the respective end sections of the heat exchanger 8, that is, they are located within the area of ​​a manufacturing defect of the indoor unit 100. With such a configuration, it is possible to allow the air blown out by the respective multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 to pass through the entire body of the heat exchanger 8, which has the end sections of the heat exchanger 8. It is therefore possible to reduce the unevenness of the air compared to the existing indoor unit, to carry out efficient heat exchange and thus to reduce the required air volume.

[0037] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the heat exchanger 8 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the lower surface 1b of the housing 1 in the side view. In this way, the heat exchanger 8 is positioned perpendicular to the lower surface 1b of the housing 1, thereby minimizing the area for wastewater collection and reducing the width of the housing 1 in the depth direction DD.

[0038] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the spiral housing 40 has the tongue part 43, and the position of the tongue part 43 is lower than that of the rotation axis RA (or the motor shaft 21) of the air conveying device fan 11. With such a configuration, the air outlet 42a of the spiral housing 40 can be enlarged, and thus it is possible to increase the amount of air blown out of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 and to improve the efficiency of the heat exchange.

[0039] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the energy supply box 30 is located next to the two multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the energy supply box 30 is located next to the two multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10. Fig. Figure 2 shows the power supply box 30, when viewed from the side of the housing 1, positioned higher than the bottom part of the spiral housing 40 of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10. The power supply box 30 is provided as described above next to the two multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10. The multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 can be extended in the depth direction DD, so that it is possible to increase the volume of air that is blown out of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10.Since the power supply box 30 is also provided at a higher position than the bottom part of the spiral housings 40 when the power supply box 30 is viewed from the side, the spiral housings 40 themselves are provided at positions away from the housing air inlet 3 even in the case where the power supply box 30 is located in an area where, viewed from the side, the power supply box 30 interferes with the housing air inlet 3, and it is therefore possible to reduce a decrease in the volume of air drawn into the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10.

[0040] As described above, the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1 is a ceiling-mounted indoor unit comprising: the housing 1, which has the housing air inlet 3 and a housing air outlet 5 and is recessed into a ceiling; the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10, each comprising the air conveying device fan 11 and the spiral housing 40, wherein the air conveying device fan 11 has the plurality of blades 11d and is configured to expel air drawn into the housing 1 through the housing air inlet 3 to the outside of the housing 1 through the housing air outlet 5, the spiral housing 40 accommodating the air conveying device fan 11; the fan motor 20, which is configured to drive the air conveying device fan 11; and the heat exchanger 8, which is configured to provide heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air.to cause the air drawn into the housing 1 by the air conveying device fan 11 through the housing air inlet 3. The spiral housing 40 comprises the spiral section 41 and the air outlet section 42, wherein the spiral section 41 defines the air passage configured to convert a dynamic pressure of an airflow generated by the air conveying device fan 11 into a static pressure, wherein the air outlet section 42 is configured to have the air outlet 42a through which the air blown out by the air conveying device fan 11 and passing through the spiral section 41 is expelled from the air outlet 42a. The plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 and the fan motor 20 are provided upstream of the heat exchanger 8 and arranged in the lateral direction WD.and of the multitude of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10, the outer end parts of the spiral parts 41 of the spiral housings 40 are provided within the range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 in the width direction WD of the respective end parts of the heat exchanger 8 with respect to the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10.

[0041] In the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1, with respect to the plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 at both end sides, the outer end parts of the spiral sections 41 of the spiral housings 40 are arranged within a range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger 8 in the lateral direction WD of the respective end parts of the heat exchanger 8. Thus, it is possible to allow the air blown out by the respective multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 to pass through the entire body of the heat exchanger 8, which includes the end parts of the heat exchanger 8, and to reduce air inconsistency.Furthermore, the air outlet 42a of the spiral housing 40 of each of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 is not extended in the width direction of the heat exchanger 8, and it is therefore possible to reduce the width direction of the housing 1 in which the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 are housed.

[0042] Furthermore, in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1, the heat exchanger 8 is provided perpendicular to the lower surface 1b of the housing 1.

[0043] Since in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1 the heat exchanger 8 is provided perpendicular to the lower surface 1b of the housing 1, it is possible to minimize an area for collecting wastewater and thus reduce the width of the housing 1 in the depth direction DD.

[0044] In the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1, the spiral housing 40 also has the tongue part 43, which is provided at the bend start position of the spiral shape and divides the airflow blown out by the air conveying device fan 11. The position of the tongue part 43 is lower than that of the rotation axis RA of the air conveying device fan 11.

[0045] Since, in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1, the position of the tongue part 43 is set lower than that of the rotation axis RA of the air conveying device fan 11, it is possible to enlarge the air outlet 42a of the spiral housing 40. Consequently, it is possible to increase the volume of air blown out of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 and thus improve the efficiency of the heat exchange.

[0046] The indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1 comprises the power supply box 30, in which a circuit board for driving the fan motor 20 is housed. The power supply box 30 is located adjacent to the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 and is positioned higher than the bottom parts of the spiral housings 40 of the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 when the housing 1 is viewed from the side.

[0047] Since the power supply box 30 is provided next to the two multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 1, it is possible to extend the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 in the depth direction DD and thus increase the volume of air blown out of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10. Furthermore, the power supply box 30 is positioned higher than the bottom parts of the spiral housings 40 when viewed from the side. With such a configuration, even if the power supply box 30 is located in an area that, viewed from above, obstructs the housing air inlet 3, it is possible to reduce the amount of air drawn into the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10, since the spiral housings 40 are provided separately from the housing air inlet 3. Design 2

[0048] Embodiment 2 is described. However, with regard to Embodiment 2, the components already described with regard to Embodiment 1 are not described again unless necessary. That is to say, with regard to Embodiment 2, components that are the same or equivalent as those in Embodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are therefore omitted.

[0049] Fig. Figure 8 is a schematic top view showing an internal configuration of an indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 2. It should be noted that the dashed arrows in Fig. 8. Specify a width direction WD and a depth direction DD of a housing 1. As in Fig. As shown in figure 8, in embodiment 2 a power supply box 30 and a fan motor 20 are arranged in a line and also adjacent to a plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 in the lateral direction WD and are closer to the same side surface (a left side surface 1e in Fig. 8) than the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 provided when the housing 1 is viewed in a top view. It should be noted that when the housing 1 is viewed in a top view, the power supply box 30 and the fan motor 20 may be located closer to the left side face 1e than the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10, or closer to a right side face 1f than the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10. The arrangement of the power supply box 30 and the fan motor 20 described above ensures space in the lateral direction WD within the housing 1.This allows the multi-winged centrifugal air conveying devices 10 to be extended in the lateral direction WD by a circumference corresponding to the space provided above, and it is therefore possible to increase the volume of air that is blown out of the multi-winged centrifugal air conveying devices 10.

[0050] As described above, in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 2, the fan motor 20 and the power supply box 30 are arranged in a line and also along the plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 in the lateral direction WD and are provided closer to the same side surface than the plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices 10 when the housing 1 is viewed in a top view.

[0051] In the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 2, it is possible to provide a space in the lateral direction WD within the housing 1. This allows the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10 to be extended in the lateral direction WD by a circumference corresponding to the space provided above, thus increasing the air volume that is blown out of the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices 10. embodiment 3

[0052] Embodiment 3 is described. However, with regard to embodiment 3, components already described with regard to embodiment 1 or 2 are not described again unless necessary. That is to say, with regard to embodiment 3, components that are the same or equivalent as those in embodiment 1 and / or 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are therefore omitted.

[0053] An air conveying device fan 11A of a multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device 10 according to embodiment 3 is a turbo-in-sirocco fan.

[0054] Fig. Figure 9 is a top view of the air conveying device fan 11A of the multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying device 10 in an indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 3. Fig. Figure 10 is a schematic side view showing a multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 in the existing indoor unit. Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic side view showing the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 3. To illustrate the shape of the blades 11d, the following are shown in Fig. 9 the wings 11d are shown in the view through a side plate 11c. A solid arrow in Fig. 9 indicates a direction of rotation R of the air conveying device fan 11A and a dashed arrow in Fig. 9 indicates a circumferential direction CD of the air conveying device fan 11A. The solid arrows in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 indicates air that is blown out of an air outlet 42a of a spiral casing 40, and the length of each of the solid arrows varies depending on the wind speed.

[0055] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, each blade 11d of the air conveying device fan 11A is inclined such that a leading edge 24a tilts in a direction away from an axis of rotation RA when the blade 11d extends from a side adjacent to the main plate 11a to a side adjacent to the side plate 11c. The leading edge 24a of each blade 11d is inclined such that the inner diameter of the blade increases in a direction from the side adjacent to the main plate 11 to the side adjacent to the side plate 11c.

[0056] Each wing 11d has a turbo wing section 26 and a siroco wing section 27. The turbo wing section 26 has an inner circumferential end 24 and is configured as a backward-curved wing. The siroco wing section 27 has an outer circumferential end 25 and is configured as a forward-curved wing. Specifically, in each of the plurality of wings 11d, the turbo wing section 26 is a section configured as a backward-curved wing on an inner circumferential side in the radial direction of the air conveying device fan 11A, and the siroco wing section 27 is a section configured as a forward-curved wing on an outer circumferential side in the radial direction of the air conveying device fan 11A.

[0057] In the wing 11d, the turbo wing section 26 and the sirocco wing section 27 are formed as a single unit. In the wing 11d, the turbo wing section 26 and the sirocco wing section 27 are formed continuously and as a single unit in this order from the axis of rotation RA to the outer circumferential side in the radial direction of the air conveying device fan 11A. The wing 11d has a turbo-in-sirocco shape, such that a turbo wing is formed on the inner circumferential side in the radial direction and a sirocco wing is formed on the outer circumferential side in the radial direction.

[0058] The air conveying device fan 11A, which is the one in Fig. The turbo-in-Siroco fan shown in Figure 11 is more resistant to high pressure loss than an existing Sirocco fan 11B, as shown in Figure 11B. Fig. Figure 10 is shown. Even if a flow passage causes a higher pressure loss due to a decrease in the size of the housing 1, it is therefore possible to reduce the performance degradation.

[0059] The air conveying device fan 11A, which is the one in Fig. In the case of the turbo-in-Syrocco fan shown in Figure 11, the speed of the air blown out of the air outlet 42a of the spiral housing 40 is lower than in the case of the fan shown in Figure 11. Fig. 10 shown existing air conveying device fan 11B. This makes it possible to reduce disturbing noises between the air and the heat exchanger 8 provided perpendicular to the lower surface 1b of the housing 1.

[0060] As described above, in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 3, the air conveying device fan 11A is a turbo-in-sirocco fan.

[0061] Since the turbo-in-sirocco fan in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 3 is more resistant to high pressure drop than the sirocco fan, it is possible to reduce the performance degradation even if the flow path causes a higher pressure drop due to a reduction in the size of the housing 1. Furthermore, since the velocity of the air blown out of the air outlet in the turbo-in-sirocco fan is lower than in the sirocco fan, it is possible to reduce disruptive noise between the air and the heat exchanger 8, which is provided perpendicular to the lower surface 1b of the housing 1. Design 4

[0062] Embodiment 4 is described. However, with regard to embodiment 4, the components already described with respect to any of embodiments 1 to 3 are not described again unless necessary. That is to say, with respect to embodiment 4, components that are the same or equivalent as those in any of embodiments 1-3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are therefore omitted.

[0063] Fig. Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a ceiling 80 on which an indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 4 is installed. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the ceiling 80, for example in an office, is a suspended ceiling in which a large number of square panels 70 are arranged to simplify construction. In the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 4, a housing 1 smaller than a panel 70 of the suspended ceiling is formed, having a width W of 640 mm × a depth D of 640 mm. By manufacturing the housing 1 to be smaller than a panel 70 of the suspended ceiling, as described above, its manufacturability can be improved. Furthermore, the square shape of the housing 1 in plan view improves loading efficiency during transport of the indoor unit 100.

[0064] As described above, the housing 1 in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 4 has a size that is smaller than a width of 640 mm × a depth of 640 mm.

[0065] Since the size of the housing 1 in the indoor unit 100 according to embodiment 4 is smaller than the size of a panel 70 of the grid ceiling, it is possible to improve machinability. Furthermore, the housing 1 is manufactured to have a square shape in plan view, which improves loading efficiency during transport of the indoor unit 100. Design 5

[0066] Embodiment 5 is described. However, with regard to embodiment 5, the components already described with respect to any of embodiments 1 to 4 are not described again unless necessary. That is to say, with respect to embodiment 5, components that are the same or equivalent as those in any of embodiments 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are therefore omitted.

[0067] Fig. Figure 13 shows a configuration of an air conditioner according to embodiment 5. In embodiment 5, the air conditioner comprises the indoor unit 100, which is described with respect to each of embodiments 1 to 4 and is explained below. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, the air conditioning system according to embodiment 5 comprises an indoor unit 100 and an outdoor unit 200, which are connected to each other by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit in which refrigerant circulates. Of the refrigerant lines, one line through which gaseous refrigerant flows is a gas line 300, and one line through which liquid refrigerant or two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flows is a liquid line 400.

[0068] The indoor unit 100 comprises the heat exchanger 8 and the multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10. The heat exchanger 8 facilitates a heat exchange between the refrigerant and air. In heating operation, for example, the heat exchanger 8 acts as a condenser and facilitates a heat exchange between air and the refrigerant flowing from gas line 300 into the heat exchanger 8, causing the refrigerant to condense and liquefy (or be brought into a two-phase gas-liquid state), and the heat exchanger 8 then causes the refrigerant to flow out into liquid line 400. In contrast, during cooling operation, the heat exchanger 8 acts as an evaporator and facilitates a heat exchange between air and refrigerant, which, for example,The refrigerant is brought into a low-pressure state by an expansion device 205, causing it to absorb heat from the air in order to evaporate and vaporize. The heat exchanger 8 then causes the refrigerant to flow out to the gas line 300. The multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device 10 is driven to rotate at a speed determined by setting an air volume, e.g., by the user.

[0069] The outdoor unit 200, on the other hand, comprises a compressor 201, a flow switching device 202, an outdoor heat exchanger 203, an outdoor air conveying device 204 and the expansion device 205.

[0070] Compressor 201 compresses refrigerant that is drawn into it and then discharges the refrigerant. It is assumed that compressor 201 has an inverter and other components and that its capacity (the amount of refrigerant supplied per unit of time) can be precisely adjusted by changing its operating frequency. The flow switching device 202 is, for example, a four-way valve and, upon instruction from a control unit (not shown), switches the refrigerant flow between cooling and heating operation.

[0071] The external heat exchanger 203 facilitates heat exchange between the refrigerant and air (outside air). During heating operation, the external heat exchanger 203 acts, for example, as an evaporator and facilitates heat exchange between the air and the low-pressure refrigerant flowing into it from the liquid line 400, causing the refrigerant to evaporate. During cooling operation, the external heat exchanger 203 acts as a condenser and facilitates heat exchange between the air and the refrigerant flowing into it from the flow control device 202 and being compressed by the compressor 201, causing the refrigerant to condense and liquefy. The external heat exchanger 203 is provided with the outside air supply device 204. It should be noted that the multi-blade centrifugal air supply device 10 can be used in the outside air supply device 204 according to any of embodiments 1 to 4.The expansion device 205 is, for example, an expansion valve and adjusts the pressure of the refrigerant by changing its degree of opening.

[0072] As described above, the air conditioning system according to embodiment 5 is designed to include the indoor unit 100 described in relation to each of embodiments 1 to 4, thereby achieving advantages equivalent to those obtained in each of embodiments 1 to 4. Reference symbol list

[0073] 1: Housing, 1a: upper surface, 1b: lower surface, 1c: front surface, 1d: rear surface, 1e: left side surface, 1f: right side surface, 2: partition plate, 3: housing air inlet, 4: filter, 5: housing air outlet, 5a: outlet wall section, 6: air conveying device chamber, 7: heat exchanger chamber, 8: heat exchanger, 10: multi-blade centrifugal air conveying device, 11: air conveying device fan, 11A: air conveying device fan, 11B: Sirocco fan, 11a: main plate, 11b: hub section, 11b1: shaft hole, 11c: side plate, 11d: blade, 11e: fan air inlet, 20: fan motor, 21: motor shaft, 24: inner circumferential end, 24a: leading edge 25: outer circumferential end, 26: turbo wing section, 27: sirocco wing section, 30: power supply box, 40: spiral housing, 40a: side wall, 40a1: first side wall, 40a2: second side wall, 41: spiral section, 41a: side wall, 41b: bend end section, 41c: circumferential wall, 42: air outlet section, 42a: air outlet, 42b: extension plate, 42c: diffuser plate, 43: tongue section,45: Air inlet, 48: Bell outlet, 70: Plate, 80: Ceiling, 100: Indoor unit, 200: Outdoor unit, 201: Compressor, 202: Flow control device, 203: Outdoor heat exchanger, 204: Outdoor air supply device, 205: Expansion device, 300: Gas line, 400: Liquid line.

Claims

[1] Indoor unit comprising: a housing which has a housing air inlet and a housing air outlet and is embedded in a ceiling; a plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices, each comprising an air conveying device fan and a spiral casing, wherein the air conveying device fan has a plurality of blades and is configured to blow air drawn into the casing through the casing air inlet to the outside of the casing through the casing air outlet, wherein the spiral casing accommodates the air conveying device fan; a fan motor configured to drive the air conveying device fan; and a heat exchanger designed to effect heat exchange between a refrigerant and the air drawn into the housing through the housing air inlet by the air conveying device fan, where the spiral casing a spiral section that defines an air passage designed to convert the dynamic pressure of an airflow generated by the air conveying device fan into a static pressure, and an air outlet part that defines an air outlet through which air is blown out after it has been blown out of the air conveying device fan and has passed through the spiral part, the multitude of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices and the fan motor are provided upstream of the heat exchanger and arranged in the lateral direction, and With regard to the multitude of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices, outer end parts of the spiral parts of the spiral housings are provided on both end sides of the multitude of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices, each within a range of ±5% of the width of the heat exchanger in the width direction of the respective end parts of the heat exchanger. [2] Indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is arranged perpendicular to a lower surface of the housing. [3] Indoor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spiral housing has a tongue section that is provided at a bend start position of a spiral shape to divide a stream of air blown out of the air conveying device fan, and a position of the tongue part is lower than a position of a rotation axis of the air conveying device fan. [4] Indoor unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a power supply box in which a circuit board for driving the fan motor is housed, wherein the power supply box is provided adjacent to the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices and is provided at a higher position than a bottom part of the spiral housing of each of the plurality of multi-blade centrifugal air conveying devices when the housing is viewed from the side. [5] Indoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the fan motor and the power supply box together with the plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices are arranged in the width direction and are provided closer to the same side surface than the plurality of multi-bladed centrifugal air conveying devices when the housing is viewed in a top view. [6] Indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air conveying device fan is a turbo-in-sirocco fan. [7] Indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing has a size that is less than a width of 640 mm × a depth of 640 mm. [8] Air conditioning system comprising the indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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