Air conditioner

Abstract

The air conditioner includes a fan housing that houses a fan and an annular flared opening mounted on the fan housing. The periphery of the upstream opening of the flared opening has a minimum portion, where the distance from the central axis of the downstream opening of the flared opening is minimal; and a maximum portion, where the distance from the central axis of the downstream opening is maximum. When viewed from the upstream opening, multiple hooks provided on the flared opening are arranged along an imaginary arc centered on a position moving away from the central axis in the direction of the maximum portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an air conditioner having a flared opening and a fan housing capable of mounting the flared opening. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioner having: a fan housing with a circular intake port; and a flared opening mounted on the fan housing. In the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, claws provided on the outer periphery of the flared opening are detachably mounted to a circular cutout uniformly arranged along the intake port side of the fan housing.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-106700

[0004] In air conditioners, to suppress noise caused by air stripping through the flare, the shape of a portion of the inlet on the inner circumference of the flare is sometimes deformed by increasing its size. In the case of this deformation, in the air conditioner of Patent Document 1, the claws provided on the outer circumference of the flare are arranged in a circular shape based on the maximum distance between the center and outer circumference of the flare. Therefore, in the circumferential direction of the inlet, a portion is created where the distance between the outer and inner circumference of the flare increases, making it difficult to miniaturize the flare. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide an air conditioner that can suppress noise from the horn and achieve miniaturization of the horn.

[0006] The air conditioner disclosed herein includes: a fan housing having an intake inlet and an outlet, and housing a fan that blows air from the intake inlet toward the outlet; and an annular flare installed on the fan housing to guide the air toward the intake inlet, the flare having: a flared wall, the inner diameter of the upstream opening for air inflow being larger than the inner diameter of the downstream opening for guiding the air toward the intake inlet; an outer periphery wall provided on the outer periphery of the flared wall; and hooks provided on the downstream opening side of the outer periphery wall, detachably mounted on the fan housing, the periphery of the upstream opening having: a minimum portion, the distance from the central axis of the downstream opening being minimal; and a maximum portion, the distance from the central axis of the downstream opening being maximum, and, when viewed from the upstream opening, a plurality of hooks are arranged along an imaginary arc centered on a position away from the central axis in the direction of the maximum portion.

[0007] In this disclosure, since multiple hooks are arranged along an imaginary arc centered on a position away from the central axis in the direction of maximum extent, the widening of the gap between the tube wall and the outer contour wall can be suppressed. Therefore, in this disclosure, noise from the flared mouth can be suppressed, and the flared mouth can be miniaturized. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view that schematically represents an example of an air conditioner implementation.

[0009] Figure 2 It means from Figure 1 The front view of the air conditioner after the lower exterior panel has been removed.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of region A.

[0011] Figure 4 It means from Figure 2 An exploded 3D view of the air conditioner after the horn and fan casing have been removed.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a front view of the flared opening involved in the implementation of the air conditioner.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a front view showing the state in which the flared end of the air conditioner according to the embodiment is installed on the fan housing.

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 XX sectional view.

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of region B.

[0016] Figure 9 This is the front view of the previous flared mouth design.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a front view showing the state after the previous horn was installed on the previous fan housing.

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 YY sectional view.

[0019] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A magnified view of region C.

[0020] Figure 13 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the flared end of the air conditioner according to the embodiment is installed before the fan housing.

[0021] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the flared opening of the air conditioner as seen from the front side.

[0022] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the flared opening of the air conditioner as seen from the rear side.

[0023] Figure 16 It will Figure 15 The three-dimensional view of the hook in region D is shown in magnification.

[0024] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of the fan housing involved in the implementation of the air conditioner, viewed from the front side.

[0025] Figure 18 This is a perspective view of the fan housing involved in the implementation of the air conditioner, viewed from the rear side.

[0026] Figure 19 It will Figure 18 The three-dimensional view shows the enlarged locking hole in area E.

[0027] Figure 20 This is a perspective view that schematically illustrates a method of securing the flared end of the air conditioner in the embodiment to the fan housing.

[0028] Figure 21 This is a front view of the flared opening involved in the implementation of the air conditioner.

[0029] Figure 22 yes Figure 21 A magnified view of region F. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The air conditioner 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 This is a perspective view that schematically illustrates an example of an air conditioner 100 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, a floor-standing indoor unit is shown as an example of the air conditioner 100, but it is not limited to this. Furthermore, the positional relationships between the various components of the air conditioner 100 described below, such as vertical, horizontal, and front-back positions, are, in principle, the positional relationships when the air conditioner 100 is set up in an usable state. Additionally, in the context of... Figure 1 In the following figures, the dimensional relationships and shapes of the constituent parts may sometimes differ from the actual figures. Furthermore, in the following figures, the same reference numerals may be used to label the same parts or components, or parts or components with the same function, or reference numerals may be omitted.

[0031] The air conditioner 100 has a housing 1 with a front opening, an upper exterior panel 2 covering the upper part of the opening of the housing 1, and a lower exterior panel 3 covering the lower part of the opening of the housing 1. The housing 1, the upper exterior panel 2, and the lower exterior panel 3 are formed, for example, by molding a thermoplastic resin such as plastic. The upper exterior panel 2 has, for example, an exhaust grille 2a with a plurality of rectangular vents. The lower exterior panel 3 has, for example, an intake grille 3a with a plurality of rectangular vents. Inside the air conditioner 100, the air drawn in from the intake grille 3a of the lower exterior panel 3 undergoes heat exchange and is blown out from the exhaust grille 2a of the upper exterior panel 2.

[0032] Figure 2 It means from Figure 1 The front view of the air conditioner 100 after the lower exterior panel 3 has been removed. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of area A. The air conditioner 100 includes a fan cover 5, a flare 10, and a fan housing 20. The fan cover 5, flare 10, and fan housing 20 are positioned opposite the back of the lower exterior panel 3. The fan cover 5 is detachably mounted to the flare 10. The fan cover 5 prevents the fingers of users of the air conditioner 100 or maintenance personnel from being inserted into the flare 10 and the fan housing 20. The fan cover 5 has multiple concentric arc-shaped slits 5a to draw air passing through the intake grille 3a into the flare 10. Alternatively, the fan cover 5 may be omitted depending on the intended use of the air conditioner 100.

[0033] Figure 4 It means from Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the air conditioner 100 after the horn 10 and fan housing 20 have been removed.

[0034] The fan housing 20 has a frame 22 for housing the fan 30 and a duct 24 connected to the frame 22. An outlet 24a is formed at the upper end of the duct 24. The outlet 24a can be, for example, rectangular in shape. A mounting surface 26 for mounting the horn 10 is formed on the frame 22. An intake port 26a with a circular opening is formed on the mounting surface 26. Furthermore, while not limited, centrifugal fans such as multi-bladed Silco fans or turbo fans can be used as the fan 30.

[0035] By forming an intake port 26a on the mounting surface 26, the rotation of the fan 30 draws air from the horn 10 into the intake port 26a, and then into the interior of the frame 22 of the fan housing 20. Additionally, the rotation of the fan 30 causes the air guided into the frame 22 to be blown out through the duct 24 from the outlet 24a formed at the upper end of the duct 24. Although not shown, the air blown out from the outlet 24a undergoes heat exchange in a heat exchanger housed in the housing 1. The air that has undergone heat exchange in the heat exchanger is then blown out from the exhaust grille 2a of the upper exterior panel 2.

[0036] Next, use Figures 5-8 The construction of the bell mouth 10 of this disclosure will be described. Figure 5 This is a front view of the flared opening 10 of the air conditioner 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 This is a front view showing the state after the horn 10 of the air conditioner 100 of the embodiment is installed on the fan housing 20. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 XX sectional view. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of region B.

[0037] Furthermore, the construction of the previous 10X flared mouth is shown in Figures 9-12 . Figures 9-12 The previous 10X horn-shaped nozzles are shown in the attached diagrams. Figures 5-8 Comparative examples of the accompanying drawings of the bell mouth 10 of this disclosure. Figure 9 This is the front view of the previous 10X horn-shaped port. Figure 10 This is a front view showing the state after the conventional 10X horn is installed on the conventional 20X fan housing. Figure 11 yes Figure 10 YY sectional view. Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A magnified view of region C. Furthermore, in Figures 9-12 In previous constructions, only the parts that differed from the construction of this disclosure were marked with reference numerals. For such reference numerals, an "X" was appended to the end of the reference numerals corresponding to the construction of this disclosure.

[0038] The flare 10 disclosed herein is mounted on a fan housing 20 and guides air into the intake 26a of the fan housing 20. The flare 10 is formed, for example, in an annular shape. The flare 10 has a radiating wall 12, which forms a conical airflow path for guiding air into the intake 26a of the fan housing 20. The radiating wall 12 has an annular upstream opening 12a for air inflow and an annular downstream opening 12b for guiding air into the intake 26a of the fan housing 20. The inner diameter of the radiating wall 12 is formed such that the inner diameter of the upstream opening 12a is larger than the inner diameter of the downstream opening 12b for guiding air into the intake 26a. In addition, the downstream opening 12b can be formed, for example, in a circular shape. Furthermore, the downstream opening 12b can also be configured with other shapes depending on the application, as long as it can guide air into the intake 26a of the fan housing 20.

[0039] The peripheral portion of the upstream opening 12a has a minimum portion 12a1, which is a point or region on the periphery of the upstream opening 12a where the distance between the central axis O1 and the upstream opening 12a is the minimum. Additionally, the peripheral portion of the upstream opening 12a has a maximum portion 12a2, which is a point or region on the periphery of the upstream opening 12a where the distance from the central axis O1 is the maximum. Figure 5 In the diagram, the distance between the central axis O1 and the minimum part 12a1 is designated as the first distance R1, represented by a dashed arrow. An imaginary circle IC1, centered on the central axis O1 and with a radius equal to the first distance R1, is also represented by a dashed line. Furthermore, in... Figure 5 In the diagram, the distance between the central axis O1 and the maximum portion 12a2 is represented by a solid arrow, known as the second distance R2. Furthermore, the central axis O1 of the downstream opening 12b is a straight line extending along the normal direction in the opening region of the downstream opening 12b. For example, if the downstream opening 12b is circular, the central axis O1 of the downstream opening 12b is a straight line extending along the normal direction in the circular region of the downstream opening 12b, passing through the center of the circle.

[0040] Furthermore, the periphery of the upstream opening 12a has two curved portions 13 extending between the minimum portion 12a1 and the maximum portion 12a2. The two curved portions 13 are formed by a first curved portion 13a extending clockwise from the minimum portion 12a1 to the maximum portion 12a2, and a second curved portion 13b extending counterclockwise from the minimum portion 12a1 to the maximum portion 12a2. When viewed from the central axis O1, the two curved portions 13 are convex in shape. The distance between the central axis O1 and the upstream opening 12a, where the downstream opening 12b is located, varies circumferentially in at least a portion of the region.

[0041] The periphery of the upstream opening 12a can, for example, be a shape formed by a first arc portion and a second arc portion. The first arc portion is a semicircle with a radius of a first distance R1, and the second arc portion is a semi-ellipse connected to the first arc portion, with a minor radius of the first distance R1 and a major radius of a second distance R2. In this case, the first arc portion becomes the minimum portion 12a1 of the upstream opening 12a, and the position of the major radius in the first arc portion becomes the maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a.

[0042] The maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a is positioned in the direction of the intake grille 3a of the lower exterior panel 3. In the flared opening 10, noise increases with the airflow from the maximum portion 12a2 towards the minimum portion 12a1. Furthermore, noise increases with the airflow through the flared opening 10. Therefore, the maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a is preferably positioned in the direction of the intake grille 3a of the lower exterior panel 3, where the airflow is greater.

[0043] On the other hand, the smallest portion 12a1 of the upstream side opening 12a is preferably positioned in a direction away from the intake grille 3a of the lower exterior panel 3, where the airflow is greater. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the relative position between the minimum portion 12a1 and the maximum portion 12a2 in the horn mouth 10 is represented by the clockwise central angle θ between the minimum portion 12a1 and the maximum portion 12a2. Since if the central angle θ is greater than 90 degrees and less than 270 degrees, the minimum portion 12a1 will be positioned in a direction away from the intake grille 3a of the lower exterior panel 3, thus suppressing noise generation in the horn mouth 10. Furthermore, if the central angle θ is set to 180 degrees, the minimum portion 12a1 will be positioned in a direction furthest from the intake grille 3a of the lower exterior panel 3, thus further suppressing noise generation in the horn mouth 10. Moreover, although the direction of the central angle θ is set to clockwise in the above description, the same relationship holds even when the direction of the central angle θ is set to counterclockwise.

[0044] Furthermore, the bell mouth 10 of this disclosure has an outer contour wall 14 disposed on the outer periphery of the expanding pipe wall 12. The end of the outer contour wall 14 located on the upstream side opening 12a side of the expanding pipe wall 12 is connected to the periphery of the upstream side opening 12a.

[0045] In the conventional bell mouth 10X, the upstream opening 12aX and the downstream opening 12bX of the expanding pipe wall 12X are coaxially formed with a circular shape along the central axis O1X. In the bell mouth 10 of this disclosure, the periphery of the upstream opening 12a of the expanding pipe wall 12 has a maximum portion 12a2 at a distance from the central axis O1 that is the maximum distance. Hereinafter, compared with the conventional bell mouth 10X in which the upstream opening 12aX of the expanding pipe wall 12X is formed with a circular shape, the effect achieved by the upstream opening 12a of the expanding pipe wall 12 having a maximum portion 12a2 in the bell mouth 10 of this disclosure will be explained.

[0046] exist Figure 7 The image shows a cross-section of the expanded pipe wall 12, cut along a section line passing through the maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a and the central axis O1. (Compared to...) Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 Compared to the cross-section of the expander wall 12X of the conventional flared mouth 10X, the length of the cross-section of the expander wall 12 at the maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a is greater than the length of the cross-section of the expander wall 12X of the conventional flared mouth 10X. That is, the surface area of ​​the expander wall 12 at the maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a is greater than the surface area of ​​the expander wall 12X of the conventional flared mouth 10X. Therefore, in the expander wall 12 at the maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a, the stripping of air drawn into the flared mouth 10 is suppressed compared to the expander wall 12X of the conventional flared mouth 10X. Therefore, in the flared mouth 10 of this disclosure, by having the upstream opening 12a of the expander wall 12 have a maximum portion 12a2, the stripping of air in the expander wall 12 at the maximum portion 12a2 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing noise caused by air stripping.

[0047] Next, use Figures 13-20 The construction and method of mounting the horn 10 onto the fan housing 20 are described. Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the flared opening 10 of the air conditioner 100 as seen from the front side. Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the flared opening 10 of the air conditioner 100 as described in the rear embodiment. Figure 16 It is Figure 15 The three-dimensional view of the hook 16 in region D is shown in magnification. Figure 17 This is a perspective view of the fan housing 20 of the air conditioner 100 according to the embodiment, viewed from the front side. Figure 18 This is a perspective view of the fan housing 20 of the air conditioner 100 according to the embodiment, viewed from the rear side. Figure 19 It is Figure 18 The three-dimensional view of the locking hole 28 in area E is shown in magnification.

[0048] Figure 20This is a perspective view schematically illustrating the method of engaging the flared end 10 of the air conditioner 100 according to the embodiment with the fan housing 20. Figure 20 The arrow indicates the direction of rotation when the horn 10 is installed on the fan housing 20.

[0049] At the downstream end of the outer wall 14, located downstream of the flared opening 10, a hook 16 is provided for mounting the flared opening 10 to the fan housing 20. The hook 16 has a claw 16a for engaging with the fan housing 20, and an arm 16b forming an L-shaped wall. The arm 16b has a first arm 16b1 connected to the outer wall 14, and a second arm 16b2 extending from the end of the first arm 16b1, with the claw 16a positioned at its end. Additionally, the arm 16b has a rib 16b3 that connects to the first arm 16b1 and the outer wall 14, reinforcing the first arm 16b1. The hook 16 is integrally formed with the outer wall 14. Furthermore, at the connection point between the outer wall 14 and the first arm 16b1, a window 16c is provided that penetrates the outer wall 14 and is formed to allow viewing of the claw 16a.

[0050] Additionally, a locking hole 28 is formed on the mounting surface 26 of the fan housing 20, located on the outer periphery of the intake port 26a. The locking hole 28 is formed into a rectangular or arc-shaped hole. Furthermore, a guide wall 29 is provided in the locking hole 28, which has a recess 29a and guides the claw 16a of the hook 16 into the recess 29a.

[0051] By passing the hook 16 through and locking it in the locking hole 28, the flared end 10 can be detachably mounted to the fan housing 20. When mounting the flared end 10 to the fan housing 20, the hook 16 is inserted into the locking hole 28, causing the flared end 10 to... Figure 20 Rotate in the direction of the arrow shown, causing the claw 16a to move toward and lock into the recess 29a of the guide wall 29. Additionally, to suppress the flared mouth 10 from moving toward... Figure 20 Rotating in the opposite direction of the arrow, the flared end 10 disengages from the fan housing 20, and is then secured to the fan housing 20 by screws or the like. Furthermore, the number of hooks 16 and locking holes 28 is not limited, but as long as at least three are provided, the flared end 10 can be stably locked to the fan housing 20.

[0052] Figure 21 This is a front view of the flared opening 10 of the air conditioner 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 22 yes Figure 21 A magnified view of region F.

[0053] Furthermore, when viewed from the upstream opening 12a, multiple hooks 16 and locking holes 28 are arranged along an imaginary arc IC2 centered at a position O2 away from the central axis O1 in the direction towards the maximum portion 12a2 of the upstream opening 12a. Additionally, the hooks 16 and locking holes 28 are arranged such that the radius R3 of the imaginary arc IC2 is shorter than the second distance R2 between the central axis O1 and the maximum portion 12a2. According to this structure, since the arrangement positions of the hooks 16 and locking holes 28 in the long axis direction of the upstream opening 12a can be adjusted so that they do not separate from the upstream opening 12a, miniaturization of the flared mouth 10 can be facilitated.

[0054] For example, consider the case where the hooks 16 and locking holes 28 are uniformly arranged in a circular shape around the central axis O1 at a position of the second distance R2. In this case, for example, near the minimum portion 12a1 of the upstream opening 12a, since the hooks 16 and locking holes 28 are arranged at the position of the second distance R2, they are effectively arranged at intervals from the position of the minimum portion 12a1. On the other hand, when the hooks 16 and locking holes 28 are arranged along an imaginary arc IC2, since they are uniformly arranged in an arc shape at a position with a radius R3 shorter than the second distance R2, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the gap between the expansion tube wall 12 and the outer contour wall 14. Therefore, in the bell mouth 10 of this disclosure, noise can be suppressed by having a maximum portion 12a2, and miniaturization can be achieved by arranging multiple hooks 16 and locking holes 28 along the imaginary arc IC2.

[0055] Furthermore, the content of this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. For example, the structure of the above-described embodiments can also be applied to air conditioners 100 other than indoor units, such as outdoor units and integrated air conditioners 100. In addition, the content of this disclosure can be applied not only to air conditioners 100, but also to other refrigeration cycle devices having a flared nozzle 10 and a fan housing 20.

[0056] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0057] 1... Enclosure; 2... Upper exterior panel; 2a... Exhaust grille; 3... Lower exterior panel; 3a... Intake grille; 5... Fan shroud; 5a... Slit hole; 10... Trumpet mouth; 10X... Trumpet mouth; 12, 12X... Expander wall; 12a, 12aX... Upstream side opening; 12b, 12bX... Downstream side opening; 14... Outer wall; 16... Hook; 16a... Claw; 16b... Arm; 16b1... First arm; 16b2... Second arm; 16b3... Rib; 20, 20X... Fan housing; 22... Frame; 24... Pipe; 24a... Exhaust outlet; 26... Mounting surface; 26a... Intake port; 28... Locking hole; 29... Guide wall; 29a... Recess; 30... Fan; 100... Air conditioner.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, wherein, The air conditioner has the following features: A fan housing having an intake port and an outlet port, and housing a fan from which air is blown out from the intake port toward the outlet port; and A ring-shaped horn-shaped nozzle, installed on the fan housing, guides the air into the intake port. The flared opening has: The pipe wall is expanded such that the inner diameter of the upstream opening for air inflow is larger than the inner diameter of the downstream opening for guiding air toward the intake port. The outer periphery wall is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the expanded tube wall; and A hook, located on the downstream opening side of the outer contour wall, is detachably mounted to the fan housing. The peripheral portion of the upstream side opening has: The minimum distance from the central axis of the downstream opening is the smallest. and The distance from the central axis of the downstream opening becomes the maximum. When viewed from the upstream opening, multiple hooks are arranged along an imaginary arc centered on a position away from the central axis in the direction of the maximum extent. The radius of the imaginary arc is shorter than the distance between the central axis and the maximum part.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The peripheral portion of the upstream opening is composed of a first arc portion in the shape of a semicircle and a second arc portion in the shape of a semiellipse. The second arc portion is connected to the first arc portion and has a major radius larger than that of the first arc portion. The minimum portion is formed as the first arc portion. The maximum portion is located at the position of the long radius of the second arc portion.

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