Volute assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit

Abstract

The utility model 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, the axial movement of the fixed volute and the axial movement of the movable volute are 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 utility model relates to air treatment equipment technical field, especially a volute assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the popularization of air conditioner use, the user puts forward higher requirement to the air conditioner comfort, especially indoor airflow organization distribution. Due to the density difference of cold and hot airflow, to meet higher air conditioner indoor comfort requirement, cold air side sending and hot air down sending need to be used to achieve the effect of " waterfall type refrigeration, carpet type heating". And the key to realize this demand is the design of variable direction air outlet fan.

[0003] Centrifugal fan usually includes impeller and volute, wherein the volute plays the role of concentrating and guiding the gas leaving the impeller and further converting part of kinetic energy into static pressure. The reasonable design of volute profile plays a key role in fan performance.

[0004] The prior art variable direction air outlet centrifugal fan includes volute and forward multi-wing centrifugal fan blade, the volute is composed of fixed volute and movable volute, wherein the movable volute can rotate in the fixed volute to realize the shielding and opening of different air outlets on the fixed volute, so as to realize the adjustment of centrifugal fan air outlet direction. Since the fixed volute and the movable volute need to move relatively, and the airflow generated by the fan blade in the volute assembly can drive the movable volute to move relatively along the axial direction of the fixed volute, the movable volute will interfere with the fixed volute in the axial direction, be stuck or even be pulled out, which seriously affects the working reliability of the centrifugal fan. SUMMARY

[0005] In order to solve the technical problem of the interference, sticking or even pulling out of the fixed volute and the movable volute in the axial direction in the prior art, which affects the working reliability of the centrifugal fan, a volute assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit are provided, which use a limiting structure to axially limit the fixed volute and the movable volute to ensure the working reliability.

[0006] A volute assembly comprises:

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

[0008] A movable volute, the movable volute is rotatably arranged in the fixed volute, and the volute assembly has a first state of opening the first air outlet and closing the second air outlet and a second state of opening the second air outlet and closing the first air outlet;

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

[0010] The fixed volute has a first end face, and a fixed air inlet is arranged on the first end face; the movable volute has a second end face, and a movable air inlet is arranged on the second end face; the movable air inlet is communicated with the fixed air inlet; and the first end face and the second end face are provided with the limiting structure.

[0011] The second end face is formed with a limiting groove, 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 comprises a limiting ring, and the limiting ring is arranged on the second end face, and the limiting groove is formed between the limiting ring and the second end face.

[0013] The limiting structure further comprises 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 jointly constitute the limiting groove; and the edge of the fixed air inlet and the connecting ring have a spacing.

[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 face is provided with a rolling element, and the rolling element is in rolling cooperation with the connecting ring.

[0015] The inner wall of the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure, and the height of the protruding structure is less than the spacing between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face; or the first end face located in the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure, and the height of the protruding structure is less than the spacing between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face.

[0016] The height L3 of the protruding structure is in the 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 spacing L1 between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end face is in the range of 1mm≤L1≤4mm; and / or the spacing L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face is in the range of 0.5mm≤L2≤3mm.

[0018] A centrifugal fan comprising the volute assembly.

[0019] An indoor unit comprising the volute assembly or the centrifugal fan.

[0020] The volute assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit provided by the utility model utilize the limiting structure to limit the axial movement of the fixed volute and movable volute, limit the movable volute from being driven by the airflow of the fan blade to produce axial movement, thereby guaranteeing that the positions of the movable volute and fixed volute are relatively reliable, and the limiting structure can also seal the gap at the end face of the fixed volute and the end face of the movable volute, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 The structure schematic view of the fixed volute provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0022] Figure 2 The structure schematic view of the movable volute provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0023] Figure 3 The structure schematic view of the volute assembly provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0024] Figure 4 The sectional view of the volute assembly provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0025] Figure 5 The leakage airflow flow direction view of the limiting groove and the first end face provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0026] Figure 6 The spacing schematic view of the limiting groove and the first end face provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0027] Figure 7 The structure schematic view of the convex structure and rolling element on the movable volute provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0028] Figure 8 The spacing schematic view of the convex structure provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0029] Figure 9 The structure schematic view of the movable volute provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0030] Figure 10 The structure schematic view of the indoor unit for side air outlet provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0031] Figure 11 The structure schematic view of the indoor unit for down air outlet provided by the utility model embodiment is provided.

[0032] In the drawings:

[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, protruding structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the utility model clearer and more understandable, the utility model will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are only used to explain the utility model and should not be used to limit the utility model.

[0035] In order to make the person in the art better understand the utility model scheme, the technical scheme in the utility model example will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the drawings in the utility model example. Obviously, the described examples are only a part of the examples of the utility model, rather than all the examples. Based on the examples in the utility model, all other examples obtained by the person skilled in the art without creative labor should belong to the protection scope of the utility model.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second" and the like in the description of the utility model and claims and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not have to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the utility model described herein can be implemented. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units does not have to be limited to the clearly listed steps or units, but can include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to the process, method, product or device.

[0037] It should be noted that in the description of the utility model, the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "in", "out" and the like indicate the direction or position relationship of the terms based on the direction or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it cannot be understood as a limitation on the utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] Centrifugal fans typically consist of an impeller and a volute. The volute concentrates and guides the gas leaving the impeller, further converting some of its kinetic energy into static pressure. The rational design of the volute profile plays a crucial role in the fan's performance. Existing variable-direction centrifugal fans include a volute and forward-curving multi-blade centrifugal blades. The volute consists of a fixed volute and a movable volute. The movable volute can rotate within the fixed volute to open and close different outlets on the fixed volute, thereby adjusting the centrifugal fan's outlet direction. Because the fixed and movable volutes need to move relative to each other, and the airflow generated by the blades within the volute assembly drives the movable volute to move axially relative to the fixed volute, problems such as interference, jamming, or even detachment of the movable volute from the fixed volute in the axial direction can occur, severely affecting the centrifugal fan's operational reliability.

[0040] Therefore, this application provides a method such as Figures 1 to 11 The volute assembly shown includes: a fixed volute 1, on which a first air outlet 11 and a second air outlet 12 are provided; and a movable volute 2, rotatably disposed within the fixed volute 1. The volute assembly has a first state where the first air outlet 11 is open and the second air outlet 12 is closed, and a second state where the second air outlet 12 is open and the first air outlet 11 is closed. A limiting structure is provided between the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1. The limiting structure restricts the axial movement of the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2, limiting the axial movement of the movable volute 2 caused by the airflow from the fan blades. This ensures that the positions of the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1 are relatively reliable. Simultaneously, the limiting structure can seal the gaps at the end faces of the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan.

[0041] Due to the first air outlet 11 and the second air outlet 12 arranged on the peripheral wall of the fixed volute 1, the air inlet of the volute assembly can only be performed at the end of the fixed volute 1, that is, the fixed volute 1 has a first end face 13, the first end face 13 is provided with a fixed air inlet 14, the movable volute 2 has a second end face 21, the second end face 21 is provided with a movable air inlet 22, the movable air inlet 22 is communicated with the fixed air inlet 14, and the relative movement of the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1 causes a gap between the end of the movable volute 2 and the end of the fixed volute 1. The gap will cause air leakage, and the limiting structure is arranged between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, which can block the air 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, 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 inhibit 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 seal structure with the U-shaped limiting groove, thereby achieving the purpose of blocking air leakage.

[0043] Specifically, the limiting structure includes a limiting ring 3, the limiting ring 3 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 can contact the first end face 13 to limit the movement of the movable volute 2 in the first axial direction, and the limiting ring 3 can contact the first end face 13 to limit the movement of the movable volute 2 in the second axial direction, thereby achieving the purpose of limiting the movable volute 2. Moreover, since there is an overlapping part between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, and there is also an overlapping part between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13, the leakage air flow needs to be diverted multiple times, thereby achieving the effect of labyrinth seal.

[0044] Further, the limiting structure further comprises a connecting ring 4, 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 jointly constitute the limiting groove, and the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4 have a spacing. At this time, the first end face 13 and the limiting ring 3 constitute two side walls of the limiting groove respectively, and the connecting ring 4 constitutes a bottom wall of the limiting groove. Since the gas leaked from the volute assembly flows in the axial direction, that is, perpendicular to the direction of the first end face 13, and since there is an overlapping part between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, and there is an overlapping part between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13, the gas flow needs to change the flow direction, so as to form the purpose of labyrinth seal. Specifically, when the leaked gas flows through the limiting structure, the 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), which needs to be folded several times, so as to realize the sealing effect.

[0045] Since the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2 may have different shafts, at this time, the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 will interfere with the connecting ring 4. Therefore, the connecting ring 4 is provided with a rolling part, and the rolling part is in rolling cooperation with the edge of the fixed air inlet 14. The face-to-face friction between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4 is replaced by the rolling friction between the rolling part and the fixed air inlet 14, so as to reduce the friction resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement, thereby improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0046] Alternatively, the first end face 13 is provided with a rolling part 5, and the rolling part 5 is in rolling cooperation with the connecting ring 4. The face-to-face friction between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4 is replaced by the rolling friction between the rolling part 5 and the connecting ring 4, so as to reduce the friction resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement, thereby improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0047] Since the movable volute 2 also has the possibility of axial movement, therefore, the inner wall of the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure 6, the height of the protruding structure 6 is less than the spacing between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13, and the face-to-face friction between the first end face 13 and the inner wall of the limiting groove is replaced by the point-to-face contact between the protruding structure 6 and the first end face 13, so as to further reduce the friction resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement, thereby improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0048] Or, the first end face 13 located in the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure 6, the height of the protruding structure 6 is less than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13, and the possible surface-to-surface friction between the first end face 13 and the inner wall of the limiting groove is replaced by point-to-surface contact between the protruding structure 6 and the inner wall of the limiting groove, so that the frictional resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement is further reduced, and the movement reliability of the movable volute 2 is improved.

[0049] The height L3 of the protruding structure 6 is in the range of 0.2mm≤L3≤3mm, preferably 1mm≤L3≤2mm, so as to avoid that the protruding structure 6 is too high to affect the sealing effect on the leakage airflow, and also avoid that the protruding structure 6 is too low to reduce the friction.

[0050] The height of the protruding 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 protruding structure 6, at this time, the amount of leakage airflow is small compared with the airflow driven in the volute assembly, and the larger the linear expansion coefficient of the movable volute 2, the height of the protruding structure 6 can be appropriately increased to improve the effect of reducing friction of the protruding 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, the height of the protruding structure 6 needs to be increased to improve the effect of reducing friction of the protruding structure 6.

[0052] The distance L1 between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 is in the range of 1mm≤L1≤4mm, preferably 1.5mm≤L1≤3mm, so as to avoid that the distance L1 is too large to reduce the sealing effect, and also avoid that the distance L1 is too small to cause the first end face 13 and the side wall of the limiting groove to frequently interfere.

[0053] The distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 is in the range of 0.5mm≤L2≤3mm, preferably 1mm≤L2≤2mm, so as to avoid that the distance L2 is too large to reduce the sealing effect, and also avoid that the distance L2 is too small to cause the first end face 13 and the bottom wall of the limiting groove to frequently interfere. Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the distance L2 is the distance between the connecting ring 4 and the edge of the fixed air inlet 14.

[0054] A centrifugal fan, comprising the volute assembly.

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

[0056] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation manners of the utility model, the description is more specific and detailed, but can not therefore be understood as the limitation of the utility model patent range. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled person in the art, without departing from the utility model concept, several deformations and improvements can be made, which belong to the protection range of the utility model. Therefore, the protection range of the utility model patent should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A volute assembly, characterized by: The application relates to a fixed volute (1) provided with a first air outlet (11) and a second air outlet (12) on the peripheral side surface; a movable volute (2) 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); and a limiting structure arranged between the movable volute (2) and the fixed volute (1). The fixed volute (1) is provided with a fixed air inlet (14) on the first end surface (13), the movable volute (2) is provided with a movable air inlet (22) on the second end surface (21), the movable air inlet (22) is communicated with the fixed air inlet (14), and the limiting structure is arranged between the first end surface (13) and the second end surface (21). The second end surface (21) is formed with a limiting groove, and the edge of the fixed air inlet (14) extends into the limiting groove, and the limiting groove constitutes the limiting structure. The limiting structure comprises a limiting ring (3) arranged on the second end surface (21), and the limiting groove is formed between the limiting ring (3) and the second end surface (21).

2. The volute assembly of claim 1, wherein: The limiting structure further comprises a connecting ring (4), 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) jointly constitute the limiting groove, and the edge of the fixed air inlet (14) has a spacing with the connecting ring (4).

3. The volute assembly of claim 2, wherein: The connecting ring (4) is provided with a rolling part (5) which is rolling matched with the edge of the fixed air inlet (14); or the first end surface (13) is provided with a rolling part (5) which is rolling matched with the connecting ring (4).

4. The volute assembly of claim 3, wherein: The inner wall of the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure (6), the height of the protruding structure (6) is less than the spacing between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end surface (13); or the first end surface (13) located in the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure (6), and the height of the protruding structure (6) is less than the spacing between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end surface (13).

5. The volute assembly of claim 4, wherein: The height L3 of the protruding structure (6) is in the range of 0.2mm<=L3<=3mm; 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).

6. The volute assembly of claim 5, wherein: The spacing L1 between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end surface (13) is in the range of 1mm<=L1<=4mm; and / or the spacing L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end surface (13) is in the range of 0.5mm<=L2<=3mm.

7. The volute assembly of claim 3, wherein: ​ 8. The volute assembly of claim 7, wherein: ​ 9. The volute assembly of claim 3, wherein: ​ 10. A centrifugal fan characterized by: A volute assembly comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An indoor unit, characterized by: A centrifugal fan comprising the volute assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9 or the centrifugal fan of claim 10.

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