Air amplifier

Abstract

An air amplifier (3) for directing airflow from a fan assembly (1), and a fan assembly (1) comprising an air amplifier (3). The air amplifier (3) comprises an inlet for receiving airflow from a fan assembly and an airflow cavity. The airflow cavity (7) comprises a first wall (11) and a second wall (13) defining an airflow passage (15) extending towards an exhaust outlet (17) for discharging air. A partition body (21) is disposed within the passage (15). The partition body (21) divides the airflow passage (15) into a first exhaust passage (23) and a second exhaust passage (25). The partition body (21) tapers towards the exhaust outlet (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an air amplifier for guiding airflow from a fan assembly, and a fan assembly including the air amplifier. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of heating and cooling systems, bladeless heating and / or cooling systems are known and are becoming a popular alternative to traditional bladed fans. Known bladeless systems are available for home environments and can also be used as air purifiers and / or humidifiers / dehumidifiers. Although called "bladeless," bladeless heating and / or cooling systems typically include a base that houses a fan assembly powered by a motor. An air amplifier is usually located above the base and configured to direct air away from the fan assembly and out through an exhaust outlet. The air amplifier typically has an annular shape with an airfoil-shaped inner surface. As air from the fan assembly exits through the exhaust outlet, air is drawn in through the annular surface on the airfoil. This multiplies the airflow as it passes through the air amplifier.

[0003] The goal is to improve airflow generated by the heating / cooling system while achieving high energy efficiency and low noise. This requires a low-pressure system.

[0004] Air amplifiers used in bladeless heating / cooling systems are known to have a single-slot exhaust outlet, typically approximately 3.5 mm wide. Increasing the width of the exhaust outlet slot may reduce the air pressure at the outlet. However, increasing the slot width increases the risk of foreign objects entering the slot. This could pose a safety hazard and potentially damage the system. Furthermore, if the slot width is significantly increased, the air amplifier may become visible to the user, which is aesthetically undesirable.

[0005] It is well known that using dividers can increase the number of different exhaust slots. While this may help reduce air pressure, it does not prevent foreign objects from entering the slots and heading towards the back of the air amplifier. Furthermore, dividers may not improve the aesthetics of the design, as there may still be a clear view from the exhaust slots to the back of the air amplifier.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a safe and aesthetically pleasing low-pressure air amplifier to improve airflow, increase energy efficiency, and reduce noise. This invention attempts to solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect, this disclosure provides an air amplifier for guiding airflow from a fan assembly. The air amplifier includes an inlet for receiving airflow from the fan assembly and an airflow chamber. The airflow chamber includes a first wall and a second wall defining an airflow passage extending toward an exhaust outlet for discharging air. A separator body is disposed within the passage, dividing the airflow passage into a first exhaust passage and a second exhaust passage. The separator body tapers towards the exhaust outlet.

[0008] An air amplifier can be configured to be located above a fan assembly housed in a base of a heating or cooling system. An air inlet can be located at or towards the base of the air amplifier and can be configured to guide air upwards from the fan assembly into an airflow chamber. The air inlet can direct air towards the back of the airflow chamber. The airflow chamber can have a smooth, curved back wall, and a first and second wall of the airflow chamber can extend forward from the back wall toward the front of the air amplifier, thereby forming an airflow channel. The first and second walls defining the airflow channel can be smooth, curved walls that reduce the pressure of the air flowing toward the exhaust outlet. The airflow chamber as a whole can have a smooth internal geometry. The airflow chamber may widen toward the back wall and narrow toward the airflow channel and the front of the air amplifier. An exhaust outlet can be located at the front of the airflow channel. The exhaust outlet may include a slot, and the leading edge of the airflow channel may define the slot.

[0009] The air amplifier can have a circular or rounded oblong annular shape. The inner surface of the ring can include a smooth airfoil surface. As air exits from the exhaust outlet, air can be drawn in through the back of the air amplifier and pass over the airfoil surface. This can result in a multiplication of the airflow exiting from the front of the air amplifier.

[0010] The partition body can be positioned facing the front of the airflow channel. The partition body can be a solid or hollow body. The partition body can widen towards the rear of the air cavity to partially or completely block the line of sight from the exhaust outlet to the back wall of the airflow cavity. The partition body can be centrally positioned in the airflow channel such that the first and second exhaust flow channels have the same width. Advantageously, because the partition body gradually tapers towards the exhaust outlet, good airflow from the exhaust outlet can be achieved, while reducing the risk of foreign objects entering the air cavity and limiting the field of vision entering the air cavity.

[0011] The separator body may be wedge-shaped. The separator body may have a first side and a second side that taper to a point. The separator body may have a first side and a second side that taper towards a third side. The third side may be a straight side or a curved side. Any side of the separator body may be a surface of a solid separator body or a wall of a hollow separator body. The separator body may be rhomboid. The separator body may include a portion that tapers towards the exhaust outlet and a portion that tapers away from the exhaust outlet. The separator body may include two sides radiating from a point at the front of the exhaust outlet, and two other sides converging towards the rear of the air cavity away from the exhaust outlet.

[0012] The partition body can be V-shaped or wedge-shaped. The partition body can have at least two tapering straight sides to form the V-shape. The partition body can have a third straight side, making the partition body triangular.

[0013] The separator body may have at least one curved side. The separator body may have at least one concave side and / or at least one convex curved side.

[0014] The first and second walls of the airflow channel may gradually taper toward the exhaust outlet, making the airflow channel narrower toward the exhaust outlet. The first side of the separator body may be parallel to the first wall of the airflow channel, and the second side of the separator body may be parallel to the second wall of the airflow chamber, so that the first exhaust channel and / or the second exhaust channel have a substantially constant width.

[0015] The first side of the separator body may gradually taper towards the exhaust outlet along the first wall of the airflow channel, thereby narrowing the width of the first exhaust channel towards the exhaust outlet. Alternatively or additionally, the second side of the separator body may gradually taper towards the exhaust outlet along the second wall of the airflow channel, thereby narrowing the width of the second exhaust channel towards the exhaust outlet.

[0016] The front end of the partition body can project forward from the front edge of the exhaust outlet. This helps prevent foreign objects from entering the front of the exhaust channel. Alternatively, the front end of the partition body can be flush with the front edge of the exhaust outlet. The front end of the partition body can be a pointed tip, or a flat or curved wall, side, or surface.

[0017] The lip can be located at or towards the leading edge of the first wall of the air passage, extending toward the separator body to partially suppress airflow from the first exhaust passage. The first wall of the airflow passage can be the outermost wall, forming part of the outer surface of the ring, and the second wall can be the inner wall, forming part of the inner surface of the ring. The lip can change the direction of airflow in a manner similar to a Gurney flap. Thus, the lip can extend toward the center of the air amplifier, guiding air toward the center of the air amplifier, thereby increasing the inward momentum of the airflow toward the center of the air amplifier. The lip may also narrow the exhaust outlet, resulting in an increased airflow velocity from the exhaust outlet. The lip does not extend across the entire width of the exhaust channel, allowing air to still exit from the exhaust channel. The lip can be an extension of the first wall or can be attached to the first wall.

[0018] At its widest point, the partition body can extend across 30% to 70% of the airflow channel. By significantly spanning the width of the airflow channel, the partition body effectively reduces the risk of objects entering the airflow cavity. At its widest point, the partition body can extend across at least 50% of the airflow channel. At its narrowest point, the partition body can extend across at most 50% of the airflow channel.

[0019] The airflow channel can have a width between 10 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 12 mm and 13 mm. The exhaust outlet width can be between 10 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 12 mm and 13 mm. This relatively large exhaust outlet enables a low-pressure system, which is required to achieve low noise and high energy efficiency while maintaining high airflow. The width of the first exhaust channel can be between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. The width of the second exhaust channel can be between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. The separator can be centrally positioned in the airflow channel such that the first and second exhaust channels have the same width and / or the same width profile.

[0020] The partition body can be arranged to block any line of sight from the exhaust outlet to the back of the airflow chamber. The width of the partition body can increase towards the back of the airflow chamber, thereby blocking the line of sight. The walls of the airflow passage can be curved to help block the line of sight from the exhaust outlet to the back of the airflow chamber. The airflow chamber may include a heating element. The partition body can be arranged to block any line of sight from the exhaust outlet to the heating element. This can improve the appearance of the air amplifier and also serve as a safety feature, preventing or reducing the risk of foreign objects entering the exhaust outlet or reaching the back of the airflow chamber.

[0021] According to a second aspect, this disclosure provides a fan assembly including an air amplifier. The air amplifier is an air amplifier that includes any of the features described above. The fan assembly may be part of a heating and / or cooling system. The heating and / or cooling system may also function as an air amplifier. The fan assembly may be a fan assembly for a domestic environment.

[0022] It will be understood, of course, that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a fan assembly including an air amplifier according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 2(a) is Figure 1 Front view of the fan assembly;

[0026] Figure 2(b) is a cross-section of a portion of the air amplifier along the AA line section shown in Figure 2(a), showing the main body of the diamond-shaped separator;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a close-up view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 2(b);

[0028] Figure 4(a) is a front view of a fan assembly including an air amplifier according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4(b) is a cross-section taken along line AA shown in Figure 4(a), showing the teardrop-shaped separator body;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a close-up view of a portion of the cross-section shown in Figure 4(b), showing the teardrop-shaped separator body;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a close-up view of a portion of the cross-section of an air amplifier, showing the angled lip. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1A perspective view of a fan assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, the fan assembly including an air amplifier 3 disposed above a base 5. The air amplifier 3 has an elongated annular shape, and the inner surface of the annulus includes a smooth airfoil surface 6. The base 5 houses a fan impeller (not shown) powered by a motor (not shown). An air inlet (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the air amplifier 3, which receives air from the fan impeller when the fan assembly 1 is in use. Air from the base 5 is guided upward toward the back of the airflow chamber 7 via the air inlet.

[0033] Figure 2(a) shows Figure 1 The front view of the fan assembly 1 shown in Figure 2(b) illustrates a cross-section taken along line AA through the air amplifier 3. The airflow chamber 7 has a smoothly curved rear wall 9, which is designed to reduce the air pressure within the airflow chamber 7. The first wall 11 and the second wall 13 of the air amplifier (as shown in Figure 2(b) and Figure 3 (As shown) Extending forward toward the front of the air amplifier 3, it forms an airflow channel 15. An exhaust outlet 17 is provided at the front of the airflow channel 15. The exhaust outlet is a groove defined by the front edges 11a and 13a of the first wall 11 and the second wall 13. A diamond-shaped separator body 21 is provided within the airflow channel 15 and divides the airflow channel 15 into a first exhaust outlet 23 and a second exhaust outlet 25.

[0034] In use, air flows forward from the back of the airflow cavity 7 along the airflow channel 15 to the exhaust outlet 17 and is discharged from the exhaust slot 17. As air is discharged from the exhaust slot 17, it is drawn in through the back of the air amplifier 3 and passes over the airfoil surface 4 of the ring. The partition body 21 is positioned facing the front of the airflow channel 15 and divides the airflow channel into a first exhaust channel 23 and a second exhaust channel 25. The partition body is a hollow rhomboid body comprising four sides 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d. The first side 22a and the second side 22b of the partition body 21 gradually taper to a point that slightly protrudes in front of the exhaust slot 17. The first side 22a and the second side 22b of the partition body widen towards the rear of the airflow cavity 7. The partition body 21 thereby blocks the line of sight from the exhaust slot 17 to the back wall 9 of the airflow cavity 7 and helps prevent objects from entering the exhaust slot 17. The first side 22a and the second side 22b of the partition body 21 are substantially parallel to the first wall 11 and the second wall 13 of the airflow channel 15, respectively. The partition body 21 is centrally positioned within the airflow channel 15, such that the widths of the first exhaust channel 23 and the second exhaust channel 25 are equal and have a constant width. The third side 22c and the fourth side 22d of the partition body 21 gradually taper towards the rear of the airflow channel 15, thus forming a rhombus shape.

[0035] A fan assembly 101 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 5. In this embodiment, the partition body 121 disposed in the airflow channel 115 is a teardrop-shaped hollow body. The partition body 121 includes a first wall 122a, a second wall 122b, and a third curved side 122c, the first wall 122a and the second wall 122b gradually tapering to a point protruding in front of the exhaust slot 117, and the third curved side 122c forming the back of the partition body 121. The first wall 111 of the airflow channel 111 and the second wall 113 of the airflow channel 115 gradually taper toward the front of the air amplifier 103, and the front edges of the first wall 111a and the second wall 113a define the exhaust slot 117. The first wall 112a and the second wall 112b of the partition body 121 are parallel to the first wall 111 and the second wall 113 of the airflow channel, and the partition body 121 is centrally disposed in the airflow channel, such that the width of the first exhaust channel 123 and the second exhaust channel 125 are equal and have a constant width.

[0036] The fan assembly 201 according to the third embodiment of this disclosure is shown in Figure 6 In this embodiment, the separator body 221 disposed in the airflow channel 215 is a teardrop-shaped hollow body, and a lip 227 is disposed on the front edge 211a of the first wall 211 of the airflow channel. The lip 227 extends perpendicularly to the first wall 211 of the airflow channel toward the front edge 213a of the second wall 213, thereby partially obstructing the first exhaust channel 223. The lip 227 changes the direction of airflow in a manner similar to a Gurney flap. By partially obstructing the first exhaust channel 223, the lip 227 narrows the exhaust outlet 217 and increases the inward momentum of the air flowing out of the exhaust slot 217 from the first exhaust channel. The lip 227 forms a sharp 90-degree wall angle within the airflow channel 215, which, compared to a smooth, curved inner wall, results in a significant increase in inward momentum in a small space, thereby improving the performance of the air amplifier 203.

[0037] While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention is suitable for many different variations not specifically described herein. Some possible variations will now be described by way of example only.

[0038] In some embodiments, the separator body is a solid body rather than a hollow body.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first and second walls of the airflow passage gradually narrow relative to the side or wall of the separator body, such that the first and second exhaust flow passages narrow toward the exhaust outlet.

[0040] In some embodiments, the front portion of the separator body is flush with the front portion of the exhaust outlet.

[0041] In some embodiments, the air amplifier is part of a cooling system and / or a heating system. In some embodiments, the heating and / or cooling system is also an air purifier. In some embodiments, the heating element is located at the rear of the airflow chamber, and the partition body obstructs the view from the exhaust outlet to the heating element.

[0042] In the foregoing description, where references are made to an element or component having a known, obvious, or foreseeable equivalent, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if separately described. The true scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims, which should be interpreted as including any such equivalents. The reader will also understand that elements or features of the invention described as preferred, advantageous, convenient, etc., are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that such optional elements or features, while potentially beneficial in some embodiments of the invention, may be undesirable in others and therefore may be absent.

Claims

1. An air amplifier for directing airflow from a fan assembly, the air amplifier comprising: The inlet is used to receive airflow from the fan assembly; as well as An airflow chamber, wherein the airflow chamber includes a first wall and a second wall, the first wall and the second wall defining an airflow passage extending toward an exhaust outlet for discharging air; The separator body is disposed within the channel, and the separator body divides the airflow channel into a first exhaust channel and a second exhaust channel. The separator body gradually tapers toward the exhaust outlet, and the first exhaust channel and the second exhaust channel have the same width and a constant width.

2. The air amplifier of claim 1, wherein, The main body of the separator is wedge-shaped.

3. The air amplifier of claim 2, wherein, The main body of the separator is rhomboid in shape.

4. The air amplifier of claim 2, wherein, The main body of the separator is V-shaped wedge.

5. The air amplifier of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The separator body has at least one curved side.

6. The air amplifier of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first and second walls of the airflow channel gradually taper toward the exhaust outlet.

7. The air amplifier of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first side of the separator body is parallel to the first wall of the airflow cavity, and the second side of the separator body is parallel to the second wall of the airflow cavity.

8. The air amplifier of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first side of the separator body gradually tapers towards the exhaust outlet as the first wall of the airflow channel approaches the exhaust outlet, and / or the second side of the separator body gradually tapers towards the exhaust outlet as the second wall of the airflow channel approaches the exhaust outlet.

9. The air amplifier of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The front end of the separator body protrudes forward from the front edge of the exhaust outlet.

10. The air amplifier according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The front end of the separator body is flush with the front edge of the exhaust outlet.

11. The air amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, A lip is disposed at or toward the front edge of the first wall of the airflow passage, wherein the lip extends toward the body of the separator, thereby partially suppressing the airflow from the first exhaust passage.

12. The air amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, At its widest point, the separator body extends across at least 50% of the width of the airflow channel.

13. The air amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The width of the first exhaust channel is between 1.5mm and 3.5mm, and the width of the second exhaust channel is between 1.5mm and 3.5mm.

14. The air amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The main body of the separator is arranged to block any line of sight from the exhaust outlet to the back of the airflow cavity.

15. The air amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The airflow cavity includes a heating element.

16. The air amplifier according to claim 15, wherein, The main body of the separator is arranged to block any line of sight from the exhaust outlet to the heating element.

17. The air amplifier according to claim 15, wherein, The separator body is arranged to block access to the heating element from the exhaust outlet.

18. A fan assembly comprising an air amplifier according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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