Volute assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit

Abstract

The invention provides a volute assembly, a centrifugal fan and an indoor unit. The volute assembly comprises a fixed volute; a movable volute; a limiting structure is arranged between the movable volute and the fixed volute. According to the volute assembly, the centrifugal fan and the indoor unit, axial movement of the fixed volute and the movable volute is limited through the limiting structure, the movable volute is prevented from being driven by airflow of the fan blades to generate axial movement, and therefore it is guaranteed that the positions of the movable volute and the fixed volute are relatively reliable; and meanwhile, the limiting structure can seal a gap between the end face of the fixed volute and the end face of the movable volute, so that the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of air treatment equipment, in particular to a volute component, a centrifugal fan and an indoor unit. Background Art

[0002] With the popularization of air conditioning, users have put forward higher requirements for air conditioning comfort, especially the distribution of indoor air flow. Due to the difference in density of cold and hot air flow, in order to meet the higher requirements of indoor air conditioning comfort, it is necessary to use cold air side delivery and hot air downward delivery to achieve the effect of "waterfall cooling and carpet heating". The key to achieving this demand lies in the design of variable-direction air outlet fans.

[0003] Centrifugal fans usually consist of an impeller and a volute, where the volute concentrates and guides the gas leaving the impeller and further converts part of the kinetic energy into static pressure. The reasonable design of the volute profile plays a key role in the performance of the fan.

[0004] The prior art variable-direction centrifugal fan includes a volute and forward multi-blade centrifugal blades, wherein the volute is composed of a fixed volute and a movable volute, wherein the movable volute can rotate inside the fixed volute to cover and open different air outlets on the fixed volute, thereby adjusting the air outlet direction of the centrifugal fan. Since the fixed volute and the movable volute need to move relative to each other, and the airflow generated by the blades in the volute assembly will drive the movable volute to move relative to the fixed volute in the axial direction, the movable volute will interfere with the fixed volute in the axial direction, get stuck or even fall out, which seriously affects the working reliability of the centrifugal fan. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the fixed volute and the movable volute interfere with each other, get stuck or even come out in the axial direction, thus affecting the working reliability of the centrifugal fan, a volute assembly, a centrifugal fan and an indoor unit are provided, which use a limiting structure to axially limit the fixed volute and the movable volute to ensure working reliability.

[0006] A volute assembly, comprising:

[0007] A fixed volute, wherein a first air outlet and a second air outlet are arranged on a peripheral side surface of the fixed volute;

[0008] A movable volute, wherein the movable volute is rotatably disposed in the fixed volute, and the volute assembly has a first state in which the first air outlet is opened and the second air outlet is closed, and a second state in which the second air outlet is opened and the first air outlet is closed;

[0009] A limiting structure is arranged between the movable volute and the fixed volute.

[0010] The fixed volute has a first end surface, on which a fixed air inlet is arranged; the movable volute has a second end surface, on which a movable air inlet is arranged; the movable air inlet is connected to the fixed air inlet, and the limiting structure is arranged between the first end surface and the second end surface.

[0011] A limiting groove is formed on the second end surface, and the edge of the fixed air inlet extends into the limiting groove, and the limiting groove constitutes the limiting structure.

[0012] The limiting structure includes a limiting ring, which is arranged on the second end surface, and the limiting groove is formed between the limiting ring and the second end surface.

[0013] The limiting structure also includes a connecting ring, and the limiting ring is arranged on the second end face through the connecting ring. The first end face, the connecting ring and the limiting ring together constitute the limiting groove, and there is a distance between the edge of the fixed air inlet and the connecting ring.

[0014] The connecting ring is provided with a rolling element, and the rolling element is in rolling cooperation with the edge of the fixed air inlet; or, the first end surface is provided with a rolling element, and the rolling element is in rolling cooperation with the connecting ring.

[0015] A protruding structure is provided on the inner wall of the limiting groove, and the height of the protruding structure is smaller than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face; or a protruding structure is provided on the first end face located in the limiting groove, and the height of the protruding structure is smaller than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face.

[0016] The height L3 of the protruding structure has a value range of 0.2mm≤L3≤3mm; and / or the height of the protruding structure is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute; and / or the height of the protruding structure is proportional to the length of the movable volute.

[0017] The range of the distance L1 between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end face is 1mm≤L1≤4mm; and / or the range of the distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face is 0.5mm≤L2≤3mm.

[0018] A centrifugal fan comprises the volute assembly mentioned above.

[0019] An indoor unit comprises the above-mentioned volute assembly or the above-mentioned centrifugal fan.

[0020] The volute assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit provided by the present invention utilize a limiting structure to limit the axial movement of the fixed volute and the movable volute, thereby limiting the axial movement of the movable volute caused by the airflow of the fan blades, thereby ensuring that the positions of the movable volute and the fixed volute are relatively reliable. At the same time, the limiting structure can also seal the gap at the end faces of the fixed volute and the end faces of the movable volute, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a fixed volute provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a movable volute provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a volute assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a volute assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 A flow diagram of leakage airflow at the limiting groove and the first end surface provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the distance between the limiting groove and the first end surface provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the protrusion structure and the rolling element on the movable volute provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the spacing of the protrusion structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a movable volute provided in an embodiment of the present invention is installed behind a fixed volute and a limiting ring is hidden;

[0030] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of an indoor unit for side air outlet provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of the indoor unit for downward air discharge provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] In the figure:

[0033] 1. Fixed volute; 11. First air outlet; 12. Second air outlet; 2. Movable volute; 13. First end face; 14. Fixed air inlet; 21. Second end face; 22. Movable air inlet; 3. Limiting ring; 4. Connecting ring; 5. Rolling element; 6. Raised structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0035] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the scheme of the present invention, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so as to describe the embodiments of the present invention described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0037] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "setting", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0039] A centrifugal fan usually includes an impeller and a volute, wherein the volute is used to concentrate and guide the gas leaving the impeller and further convert part of the kinetic energy into static pressure. The reasonable design of the volute profile plays a key role in the performance of the fan. The variable-direction centrifugal fan of the prior art includes a volute and a forward multi-blade centrifugal fan blade. The volute is composed of a fixed volute and a movable volute. The movable volute can rotate inside the fixed volute to cover and open different air outlets on the fixed volute, thereby adjusting the air outlet direction of the centrifugal fan. Since the fixed volute and the movable volute need to move relative to each other, and the airflow generated by the fan blades in the volute assembly will drive the movable volute to move relative to the fixed volute in the axial direction, the movable volute will interfere with the fixed volute in the axial direction, get stuck or even fall out, which seriously affects the working reliability of the centrifugal fan.

[0040] To this end, the present application provides a Figures 1 to 11 The volute assembly shown includes: a fixed volute 1, a first air outlet 11 and a second air outlet 12 are arranged on the peripheral side surface of the fixed volute 1; a movable volute 2, the movable volute 2 is rotatably arranged in the fixed volute 1, and the volute assembly has a first state of opening the first air outlet 11 and closing the second air outlet 12 and a second state of opening the second air outlet 12 and closing the first air outlet 11; a limiting structure is arranged between the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1. The limiting structure is used to limit the axial movement of the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2, and the movable volute 2 is limited to be driven by the airflow of the fan blades and produce axial movement, thereby ensuring that the positions of the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1 are relatively reliable, and at the same time, the limiting structure can also seal the gaps at the end faces of the fixed volute 1 and the end faces of the movable volute 2, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan.

[0041] Since the first air outlet 11 and the second air outlet 12 are provided on the peripheral side wall of the fixed volute 1, the volute assembly can only take in air from the end of the fixed volute 1, that is, the fixed volute 1 has a first end face 13, and the first end face 13 is provided with a fixed air inlet 14, and the movable volute 2 has a second end face 21, and the second end face 21 is provided with a movable air inlet 22, and the movable air inlet 22 is connected with the fixed air inlet 14, and the relative movement of the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1 causes a gap to exist at the end position of the movable volute 2 and the end position of the fixed volute 1, and this gap causes airflow leakage. At this time, the limiting structure is provided between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, and the limiting structure can achieve blocking of airflow leakage between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan.

[0042] As an embodiment, a limiting groove is formed on the second end face 21, and the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 extends into the limiting groove, and the limiting groove constitutes the limiting structure. By extending the first end face 13 into the limiting groove, the relative restriction between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 can be utilized to suppress the axial movement of the movable volute 2. At the same time, since the first end face 13 extends into the limiting groove, the first end face 13 can form a labyrinth sealing structure with the U-shaped shape of the limiting groove, thereby achieving the purpose of blocking airflow leakage.

[0043] Specifically, the limiting structure includes a limiting ring 3, which is arranged on the second end face 21, and the limiting groove is formed between the limiting ring 3 and the second end face 21. At this time, the second end face 21 is located on the side of the first end face 13 close to the center of the volute assembly, and the limiting ring 3 is located on the side of the first end face 13 away from the center of the volute assembly. When the movable volute 2 moves in the axial direction, the second end face 21 and the first end face 13 can contact and limit the movable volute 2 to move in the axial first direction, and the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13 can contact and limit the movable volute 2 to move in the axial second direction, thereby achieving the purpose of limiting the movable volute 2, and because there is an overlapping portion between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, there is also an overlapping portion between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13, so that the leakage airflow needs to make multiple turns, thereby achieving a labyrinth sealing effect.

[0044] Furthermore, the limiting structure also includes a connecting ring 4, and the limiting ring 3 is arranged on the second end face 21 through the connecting ring 4. The first end face 13, the connecting ring 4 and the limiting ring 3 together constitute the limiting groove, and there is a distance between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4. At this time, the first end face 13 and the limiting ring 3 respectively constitute the two side walls of the limiting groove, and the connecting ring 4 constitutes the bottom wall of the limiting groove. Since the gas leaked from the volute assembly from this gap will flow in the axial direction, that is, it will flow in the direction perpendicular to the first end face 13, and since there is an overlapping part between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, there is also an overlapping part between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13. This part of the airflow needs to change the flow direction, so that the purpose of labyrinth sealing can be formed. Specifically, when the leaked gas flows through this limiting structure, its flow direction is: axial direction-perpendicular to the axial direction (there is an overlapping part between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21)-axial direction-perpendicular to the axial direction (between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13), and multiple deflections are required to achieve a sealing effect.

[0045] Since the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2 may not be on the same axis, the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 may interfere with the connecting ring 4. For this reason, a rolling element is provided on the connecting ring 4, and the rolling element and the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 are rolled together to replace the possible surface-to-surface friction between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4 with the rolling friction between the rolling element and the fixed air inlet 14, thereby reducing the friction resistance of the movable volute 2 during the movement, thereby improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0046] Alternatively, a rolling element 5 is provided on the first end surface 13, and the rolling element 5 and the connecting ring 4 are rollingly matched, so that the possible surface-to-surface friction between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4 is replaced by the rolling friction between the rolling element 5 and the connecting ring 4, thereby reducing the friction resistance of the movable volute 2 during the movement, thereby improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0047] Since the movable volute 2 may also move axially, a protrusion structure 6 is provided on the inner wall of the limiting groove. The height of the protrusion structure 6 is smaller than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13. The protrusion structure 6 is used to replace the possible surface-to-surface friction between the first end face 13 and the inner wall of the limiting groove with point-to-surface contact between the protrusion structure 6 and the first end face 13, thereby further reducing the friction resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement and improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0048] Alternatively, a protruding structure 6 is provided on the first end face 13 located in the limiting groove, and the height of the protruding structure 6 is smaller than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13. The protruding structure 6 is used to replace the possible surface-to-surface friction between the first end face 13 and the inner wall of the limiting groove with point-to-surface contact between the protruding structure 6 and the inner wall of the limiting groove, thereby further reducing the friction resistance of the movable volute 2 during the movement and improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0049] The height L3 of the protruding structure 6 is in the range of 0.2 mm ≤ L3 ≤ 3 mm, preferably 1 mm ≤ L3 ≤ 2 mm, to prevent the protruding structure 6 from being too high and affecting the sealing effect on the leaking airflow, and to prevent the protruding structure 6 from being too short and unable to reduce friction.

[0050] The height of the raised structure 6 is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute 2, that is, the larger the diameter of the movable volute 2, the higher the height of the raised structure 6. At this time, the amount of leakage airflow is smaller than the airflow driven in the volute assembly, and the larger the linear expansion coefficient of the movable volute 2, the height of the raised structure 6 can be appropriately increased to improve the friction reducing effect of the raised structure 6.

[0051] The height of the protruding structure 6 is proportional to the length of the movable volute 2, that is, the larger the length of the movable volute 2, the higher the height of the protruding structure 6. At this time, the movable amount of the movable volute 2 in the axial direction is larger, and the larger the linear expansion coefficient of the movable volute 2 is, the height of the protruding structure 6 needs to be increased to improve the friction reducing effect of the protruding structure 6.

[0052] The value range of the distance L1 between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 is 1mm≤L1≤4mm, preferably 1.5mm≤L1≤3mm. It can avoid that the distance L1 is too large to reduce the sealing effect, and it can also avoid that the distance L1 is too small to cause frequent interference between the first end face 13 and the side wall of the limiting groove.

[0053] The range of the distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 is 0.5mm≤L2≤3mm, preferably 1mm≤L2≤2mm. This can avoid reducing the sealing effect due to the distance L2 being too large, and can also avoid frequent interference between the first end face 13 and the bottom wall of the limiting groove due to the distance L2 being too small. Figure 6 As shown, the distance L2 is the distance between the connecting ring 4 and the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 .

[0054] A centrifugal fan comprises the volute assembly mentioned above.

[0055] An indoor unit, comprising the above-mentioned volute assembly or the above-mentioned centrifugal fan

[0056] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A volute assembly, characterized in that: include: A fixed volute (1), wherein a first air outlet (11) and a second air outlet (12) are provided on a peripheral side surface of the fixed volute (1); a movable volute (2), the movable volute (2) being rotatably disposed in the fixed volute (1), and the volute assembly having a first state in which the first air outlet (11) is opened and the second air outlet (12) is closed, and a second state in which the second air outlet (12) is opened and the first air outlet (11) is closed; A limiting structure is provided between the movable volute (2) and the fixed volute (1).

2. The volute assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed volute (1) has a first end surface (13), and a fixed air inlet (14) is arranged on the first end surface (13); the movable volute (2) has a second end surface (21), and a movable air inlet (22) is arranged on the second end surface (21); the movable air inlet (22) is connected to the fixed air inlet (14), and the limiting structure is arranged between the first end surface (13) and the second end surface (21).

3. The volute assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A limiting groove is formed on the second end surface (21), and the edge of the fixed air inlet (14) extends into the limiting groove, and the limiting groove constitutes the limiting structure.

4. The volute assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting structure comprises a limiting ring (3), the limiting ring (3) is arranged on the second end surface (21), and the limiting groove is formed between the limiting ring (3) and the second end surface (21).

5. The volute assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting structure also includes a connecting ring (4), and the limiting ring (3) is arranged on the second end surface (21) through the connecting ring (4); the first end surface (13), the connecting ring (4) and the limiting ring (3) together constitute the limiting groove, and there is a distance between the edge of the fixed air inlet (14) and the connecting ring (4).

6. The volute assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: A rolling member (5) is provided on the connecting ring (4), and the rolling member (5) is in rolling cooperation with the edge of the fixed air inlet (14); or a rolling member (5) is provided on the first end surface (13), and the rolling member (5) is in rolling cooperation with the connecting ring (4).

7. The volute assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: A protruding structure (6) is provided on the inner wall of the limiting groove, and the height of the protruding structure (6) is smaller than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13); or a protruding structure (6) is provided on the first end face (13) located in the limiting groove, and the height of the protruding structure (6) is smaller than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13).

8. The volute assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The height L3 of the protruding structure (6) has a value range of 0.2 mm ≤ L3 ≤ 3 mm; and / or the height of the protruding structure (6) is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute (2); and / or the height of the protruding structure (6) is proportional to the length of the movable volute (2).

9. The volute assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The range of the distance L1 between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13) is 1mm≤L1≤4mm; and / or the range of the distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13) is 0.5mm≤L2≤3mm.

10. A centrifugal fan, characterized in that: A volute assembly comprising the volute assembly described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An indoor unit, characterized in that: It comprises the volute assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or the centrifugal fan according to claim 10.

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