Grille device and air handling apparatus comprising the same

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of grating devices (100) for air treatment equipment (200), comprising: multiple flow guides (102), multiple flow guides are connected to air treatment equipment. Multiple flow guides (102) are configured to make air flow in the form of direct current pass through grating device (100) in the first direction. Flow guide (102) includes the cross section defined by the first direction and the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the cross section has the maximum chord length (L) along the first direction and the maximum thickness (t) along the second direction, the ratio between maximum thickness (t) and maximum chord length (L) is set to be able to reduce noise caused by air flow while maintaining or increasing the air flow rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a grille device for an air handling equipment and an air handling equipment including such a grille device. Background Technology

[0002] Various air handling devices (such as air purifiers and fans) are increasingly widely used in industrial, medical, commercial, and residential fields to provide a clean, safe, and comfortable air environment by promoting airflow, improving heat dissipation efficiency, improving air quality, and reducing pollution. Air velocity (i.e., wind speed) and airflow rate (the volume of air delivered per unit time) are the main factors determining the efficiency of air handling equipment. For example, tower fans are a relatively new fan structure designed to provide users with a cooling sensation. Similar to traditional fans (such as floor fans and ceiling fans), the cooling sensation is achieved by increasing heat dissipation from the skin, which is caused by the fan promoting airflow circulation. More specifically, this is achieved by the impeller inside the fan drawing in air and accelerating it before expelling it. Thus, air velocity and airflow rate are two main factors determining the cooling effect perceived by the user. Similarly, for air purifiers, air velocity and airflow rate are the main factors determining air purification efficiency.

[0003] However, for such air handling equipment, especially home air handling equipment, increasing air velocity or airflow leads to a significant increase in noise, which is highly undesirable and greatly degrades the user experience. Therefore, noise limits the efficiency of air handling equipment. To reduce noise to an acceptable level, it is necessary to reduce air velocity or airflow.

[0004] Therefore, a solution is needed that can overcome the above-mentioned defects, enabling the maintenance or increase of airflow or volume while allowing for noise reduction. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a better solution to the above-mentioned problems, so that air handling equipment including such grille devices can effectively reduce noise caused by airflow without reducing airflow and / or velocity, or enable the delivery of higher airflow with the same noise.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a grille device for an air handling equipment is provided, comprising:

[0007] Multiple air deflectors are connected to an air handling unit and configured to direct airflow through a grille device at an airflow velocity along a first direction. Each air deflector includes a cross-section defined by the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. This cross-section has a maximum chord length along the first direction and a maximum thickness along the second direction. The ratio between the maximum thickness and the maximum chord length is set to reduce noise caused by the airflow while maintaining or increasing the airflow velocity.

[0008] The grille device of this disclosure enables the maintenance or increase of air velocity or airflow through the grille device while reducing noise. Multiple guide vanes prevent turbulence in the airflow, allowing it to flow in a near-straight line. Furthermore, the grille device lengthens the airflow path, also allowing for noise reduction.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the ratio between the maximum thickness and the maximum chord length is between 2% and 30%.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the ratio between the maximum thickness and the maximum chord length is between 3% and 15%.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the ratio between the maximum thickness and the maximum chord length is between 3% and 9%.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the ratio between the maximum thickness and the maximum chord length is approximately 6%. According to other embodiments of this disclosure, the ratio between the maximum thickness and the maximum chord length is approximately 6.8%.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a plurality of guide vanes are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a first distance, the first distance being in the range of 0.3 cm to 3.0 cm.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the first distance is in the range of 0.4 cm to 1.5 cm.

[0015] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the first distance is in the range of 0.6 cm to 1.0 cm.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the maximum chord length of the guide vane along the first direction is in the range of 0.3 cm to 10 cm.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the leading edge of the guide vane is spaced a second distance from the outer edge of the impeller of the air handling device that generates the rotating airflow, so as to form an air chamber between the guide vane and the outer edge of the impeller, thereby further reducing the noise generated by the airflow rotating from the impeller cutting against the guide vane. In some embodiments, the second distance is in the range of 2 cm to 10 cm. In some embodiments, the second distance is 3 cm.

[0018] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the grille device includes a frame configured to be connected to an air handling unit and to allow fluid to pass through the air handling unit. The frame includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein a guide vane is connected to the frame and located between the first and second sides of the frame.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the frame has a rectangular shape in a plane defined by a second direction and a third direction, wherein the ratio of the third length of the frame along the third direction to the second length along the second direction is in the range of 2:1 to 20:1, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. In some embodiments, the ratio of the third length of the frame along the third direction to the second length along the second direction is in the range of 2:1 to 15:1.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the grille device includes a connector configured to connect a plurality of deflectors to an air handling unit.

[0021] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, multiple guide vanes are identical.

[0022] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, at least two of the plurality of guide vanes are different from each other.

[0023] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, at least two of the plurality of guide vanes have different lengths or different maximum thicknesses.

[0024] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the guide vane has a symmetrical airfoil shape in cross-section. The airfoil has: a leading edge, a first curved surface, a second curved surface, and a trailing edge opposite to the leading edge.

[0025] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the guide vane has an elliptical or polygonal shape in cross-section. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the guide vane has a rectangular shape in cross-section.

[0026] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the cross-section of the guide vane is in a horizontal plane or in a vertical plane.

[0027] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an air handling device is provided, which includes any of the grille devices described above.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air handling apparatus further includes: a housing; an air inlet through which air is drawn into the housing; and an air outlet through which air leaves the air handling apparatus.

[0029] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, it further includes: an impeller driven by a motor to rotate; and a volute defining an airflow path within the air handling unit and guiding airflow from the air inlet toward the air outlet.

[0030] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the grille device is connected to the air inlet and / or air outlet of an air handling unit.

[0031] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the air handling device is one of a tower fan, a floor fan, a table fan, an air purifier, an air humidifier, and a dehumidifier.

[0032] Experiments have shown that, with other components of the air handling unit remaining the same, the grille device according to this disclosure significantly reduces the noise of the air handling unit by approximately 3 dB (a noise level clearly distinguishable by the human ear) compared to a traditional air outlet, significantly reducing operational interference and thus significantly improving the user experience and enhancing the unit's market competitiveness. This also means that, with the grille device of this disclosure, the airflow rate of the air handling unit can be further increased by increasing the motor speed, while simultaneously reducing or maintaining the noise level. For example, experimental results show that, compared to the case without the grille device of this disclosure and with other conditions remaining the same, when using the grille device of this disclosure attached to the air outlet of a tower fan, the motor speed increased by 3.4%, the maximum wind speed measured at a distance of 1.2 meters from the fan increased by 0.2 m / s (from 3.8 m / s to 4.0 m / s), and the noise was reduced by 2.2 dB. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 A portion of an air handling apparatus including a grille device according to the present invention is shown schematically.

[0034] Figure 2 A portion of an air handling apparatus according to some embodiments is illustrated schematically.

[0035] Figure 3 A portion of an air handling apparatus according to some embodiments is illustrated schematically.

[0036] Figure 4 A schematic front view of a portion of an air handling device having a grille assembly according to some embodiments is shown.

[0037] Figure 5 A schematic front view of a portion of an air handling device having a grille assembly according to some other embodiments is shown.

[0038] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a grille device according to some embodiments is shown schematically.

[0039] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the guide vanes of a grid device according to some embodiments is shown schematically.

[0040] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a grille device according to some other embodiments is shown schematically.

[0041] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a flow deflector according to several embodiments is schematically shown.

[0042] Figures 10-11 A cross-sectional view of a grid device according to several embodiments is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples illustrate exemplary embodiments of the grille device connected to the outlet of a tower fan, they are intended for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of the disclosure. The air handling device can also be any suitable air handling device such as a floor fan, table fan, air purifier, air humidifier, and dehumidifier. These and other features, aspects, principles, and advantages of the grille device and air handling device of the present disclosure can be better understood in conjunction with the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts throughout the drawings. The directional expressions mentioned in this specification are merely descriptions with reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings and are not intended to limit the scope thereto.

[0044] Figure 1 A portion of an air handling apparatus 200, including a grille assembly 100 according to this disclosure, is shown schematically. Although Figure 1 The image shows a tower fan, but the air handling unit 200 can also be a floor fan, table fan, air purifier, air humidifier, or dehumidifier. Figures 1-3The coordinate system (x, y, z) is indicated, where x represents a first direction, y represents a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and z represents a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions. In some embodiments, the first direction x and the second direction y may together define a horizontal surface, and the third direction z may define a vertical direction, but this disclosure is not limited to this orientation. In another example, the first direction x and the second direction y may also together define a vertical surface, and the third direction may define a horizontal direction.

[0045] Reference Figures 1-3 The air handling unit 200 includes a housing 201 and an air inlet 202 through which airflow is drawn into the housing 201. The air handling unit 200 also includes an impeller 203 within the housing 201, which is driven by a motor to rotate and accelerate the drawn-in airflow. The air handling unit 200 also includes a volute 204 that defines an airflow path within the air handling unit and guides the airflow from the air inlet 202 toward an air outlet 205. The airflow exits the air handling unit 200 through the air outlet 205.

[0046] The grille device 100 can be connected to the air inlet 202 and / or air outlet 205 of the air handling equipment 200. Figures 1-3 The diagram shows the grille assembly 100 being connected to the air outlet 205.

[0047] In some embodiments, the grille device 100 includes a frame 101 configured to be connected to the air handling unit 200 and to allow fluid to pass through the air handling unit 200. (See also...) Figures 1-3 The frame 101 is connected to the air outlet 205 of the air handling unit 200. The frame 101 includes a first side 101a and a second side 101b opposite to the first side. The frame 101 has a first length L1 along a first direction x, a second length L2 along a second direction y, and a third length L3 along a third direction z. In some embodiments, the frame 101 may be mounted on the housing 201.

[0048] In some embodiments, the frame 101 has a rectangular shape in a plane defined by the second direction y and the third direction z. In some embodiments, the ratio of the third length L3 of the frame 101 along the third direction z to the second length L2 along the second direction y is in the range of 2:1 to 20:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of the third length L3 of the frame 101 along the third direction z to the second length L2 along the second direction y can be in the range of 2:1 to 15:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of the third length L3 to the second length L2 is 10:1.

[0049] A plurality of air guide vanes 102 are disposed between a first side 101a and a second side 101b of a frame 101. The air guide vanes 102 are connected to the frame 101. For example, the air guide vanes may be integrally formed with the frame, or the air guide vanes may be formed separately from the frame and subsequently connected to the frame. The air guide vanes 102 are configured to direct airflow through the grille device at an airflow velocity, for example, to make the airflow flow as straight as possible, such as in a planar or linear manner.

[0050] Figure 4 A schematic front view, i.e., a view viewed towards the grille device 100, is shown for a portion of an air handling unit 200 having a grille device 100 according to some embodiments. In another example, the grille device 100 may include a connector 120 configured to connect a plurality of deflectors 102 to the air handling unit 200. Figure 4 As shown, the air handling unit 200 includes an opening 211 and a housing 210. A connector 120 secures a deflector 102 to the opening 211 of the air handling unit 200. This opening 211 can be an air inlet 202 or an air outlet 205. The housing 210 can be the outer shell 201 or the volute 204 of the air handling unit 200, or any other suitable housing. For example, the tip of the connector 120 can be designed to mate with mating components in the outer shell 201 or the volute 204 of the air handling unit 200, for example, forming a snap-fit ​​engagement to hold the deflector in place. Furthermore, the connector 120 may also include threaded fasteners, rivets, magnetic adsorption components, or other securing mechanisms. Figure 4 In the example shown, the guide vanes 102 are vertically arranged in the openings 211. Multiple connectors 120 can be evenly distributed on the multiple guide vanes to achieve stress balance.

[0051] Figure 5 A schematic front view of a portion of an air handling device equipped with a grille assembly according to other embodiments is shown. Figure 5 In the example shown, the deflector plates 102 are horizontally disposed in the openings 211. The connector 120 connects the deflector plates 102 to the housing 210 of the air handling unit.

[0052] In a cross-section defined by a first direction x and a second direction y, the guide vane 102 has a maximum chord length L along the first direction x and a maximum thickness t along the second direction y. The ratio between the maximum thickness t and the maximum chord length L is set such that noise caused by the airflow can be reduced while maintaining or increasing the airflow velocity. "Maximum chord length" refers to the largest chord length among multiple different chord lengths along the first direction in which the cross-section of the guide vane has such lengths. "Maximum thickness" refers to the largest thickness among multiple different thicknesses along the second direction in which the cross-section of the guide vane has such thicknesses.

[0053] In some embodiments, the ratio between the maximum thickness t and the maximum chord length L is set between 2% and 30%, for example, between 3% and 15%, preferably between 3% and 9%. In some embodiments, the ratio between the maximum thickness t and the maximum chord length L is set to 6.8%.

[0054] In some embodiments, the maximum chord length L of the guide vane 102 along the first direction x is in the range of 0.3 cm to 10 cm. In some embodiments, the maximum chord length L is 5 cm. In some embodiments, the maximum thickness is 0.34 cm. In this case, the ratio between the maximum thickness t and the maximum chord length L is 6.8%.

[0055] In some examples, the cross section defined by the first direction x and the second direction y can be in a horizontal plane, for example... Figure 4 As shown. In this case, the z-direction is along the vertical direction. In other examples, the cross-section defined by the first direction x and the second direction y can be in a vertical plane, for example... Figure 5 As shown. At this time, the third direction z lies in the horizontal plane.

[0056] Figure 6 An enlarged schematic diagram of the grille device 100 is shown, a) showing the air handling unit off, and b) showing the air handling unit on. The unidirectional arrows in b) indicate airflow. As shown in b), the airflow passes through the space between the plurality of guide vanes and / or between the guide vanes and the frame. The plurality of guide vanes 102 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by a first distance d1. The first distance d1 is configured to prevent a user's fingers or other objects from entering the grille device. Increasing the first distance d1 also allows for noise reduction, but increases the risk of a user's fingers or other objects inserting into the grille device. In some embodiments, the first distance d1 is set in the range of 0.3 cm to 3.0 cm. In some embodiments, the first distance d1 is in the range of 0.4 cm to 1.5 cm. In some embodiments, the first distance d1 is in the range of 0.6 cm to 1.0 cm. In some embodiments, the first distance d1 is 0.8 cm.

[0057] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 2-3 The leading edge of the airflow (i.e., the end closer to the air outlet 205) 1021 of the guide vane 102 first contacts the outer edge of the impeller of the air handling unit 200. Figures 2-3The tangent line at the outer edge shown by the dashed line in the figure) separates the second distance d2 to form an air chamber between the deflector 102 and the outer edge of the impeller, so as to further reduce the noise generated by the cutting of the air flow rotating out from the impeller by the deflector. In some examples, the range of the second distance d2 satisfies: 2 cm < d2 < 10 cm. In some examples, the second distance d2 is 3 cm. By setting the second distance d2 in this way, the cutting noise between the high-speed rotating air flow leaving the impeller and the deflector can be reduced. Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of the deflector 102 is shown. As Figure 7 shown, the shape of the deflector 102 in the x-y cross-section is a symmetric airfoil, which has: a leading edge 1021, a first curved surface 1022, a second curved surface 1023, and a trailing edge 1024 opposite to the leading edge. The shape of the deflector 102 is not limited to Figure 7 shown in the figure, but can have any shape that allows the air flow to flow in a straight line, such as a water droplet shape.

[0058] Figure 8 Another exemplary embodiment of the deflector 102 is shown in the figure, where the deflector 102 has a cross-section close to an ellipse. Figure 9 More possible shapes of the deflector 102 are shown in the figure. The shape of the deflector 102 in the cross-section can be an ellipse or a polygon. Figure 9 In (a) of the figure, the deflector is shown in a rectangular shape, and (b) shows Figure 8 the elliptical shape in the figure, (c) shows the deflector 102 in a hexagonal shape, and (d) shows the deflector 102 in a rhombus shape.

[0059] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 8 , the deflectors 102 in the grille device can be the same, that is, multiple deflectors 102 can have the same arrangement with each other. Specifically, the multiple deflectors 102 have the same length, the same thickness, and are arranged at the same distance from the opening of the air handling device.

[0060] Figures 10-11 Other exemplary arrangements of the deflector 102 in the grille device are shown. Referring to Figure 10 , at least two of the multiple deflectors 102 in the grille device have different maximum thicknesses. For example, the maximum thicknesses of the multiple deflectors 102 can be different from each other. Alternatively, the maximum thicknesses of at least some of the multiple deflectors 102 are the same, and the maximum thicknesses of the other deflectors are different.

[0061] Figure 11Another exemplary arrangement of a plurality of guide vanes 102 in a grille assembly is shown. For example, at least two of the guide vanes 102 have different lengths. Alternatively, at least some of the guide vanes 102 may have the same length, while others may have different lengths. Figure 11 In the arrangement shown, the trailing edges of the plurality of guide vanes 102 are aligned with each other along the second direction. In an alternative example, the leading edges of the plurality of guide vanes are aligned with each other along the second direction. In an example not shown, the plurality of guide vanes 102 may also be configured not to be aligned with each other along the second direction. In an example also not shown, at least two of the plurality of guide vanes 102 may be configured to have different distances from the opening of the air handling device.

[0062] The inventors of this disclosure conducted comparative experiments on tower fans with and without the grille device according to this disclosure connected to the air outlet. The experimental results show that the tower fan with the grille device according to this disclosure allows for a noise reduction of approximately 3 dB under the same conditions. Simultaneously, a slight increase in maximum wind speed was measured at a distance of 1.2 meters from the tower fan with the grille device of this disclosure. In other words, by means of the grille device of this disclosure, not only is noise reduction achieved, but the efficiency of air handling is also maintained or improved. Thus, air handling equipment is improved in a cost-effective manner, enhancing the user experience.

[0063] In implementing the claimed utility model, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments by studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple elements. Features recited in different dependent claims or embodiments may be combined, provided it is technically feasible.

[0064] The foregoing description has been given with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussion above is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit this disclosure to the precise forms described. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible. This enables others skilled in the art to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications suitable for various uses.

[0065] Although this disclosure and examples have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. These changes and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A grille device (100) for an air handling device (200), characterized in that, Comprising: a plurality of vanes (102) connected to the air handling device (200), the plurality of vanes (102) configured to pass air flow in a straight manner along a first direction at an air flow rate through the grille device (100), the vane (102) comprising a cross-section bounded by the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the cross-section having a maximum chord length (L) along the first direction and a maximum thickness (t) along the second direction, a ratio between the maximum thickness (t) and the maximum chord length (L) being set to reduce noise caused by air flow while maintaining or increasing the air flow rate.

2. The grating device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The ratio between the maximum thickness (t) and the maximum chord length (L) is between 2% and 30%, the maximum chord length (L) of the vane (102) along the first direction (x) is in the range of 0.3cm to 10cm.

3. The grating device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The ratio between the maximum thickness (t) and the maximum chord length (L) is between 3% and 15%.

4. The grating device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of vanes (102) are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other by a first distance (d1), the first distance (d1) is in the range of 0.3cm to 3.0cm.

5. The grating device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that The first distance (d1) is in the range of 0.4cm to 1.5cm.

6. The grating device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that A leading edge of the vane (102) that first contacts the air flow is spaced apart from an outer edge of an impeller of the air handling device (200) that generates a rotating air flow by a second distance (d2) to form an air chamber between the vane (102) and the outer edge of the impeller to further reduce noise generated by the air flow rotating out of the impeller and cutting through the vane.

7. The grating device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that Wherein the second distance is in the range of 2cm to 10cm.

8. The grating device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized by The grille device comprises a frame (101) arranged to be connected to the air handling device (200) and for the fluid of the air handling device (200) to pass through, the frame (101) comprising a first side (101a) and a second side (101b) opposite to the first side, wherein the vane (102) is arranged to the frame (101) and between the first side (101a) and the second side (101b) of the frame (101).

9. The grating device (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that The frame (101) has a rectangular shape in a plane defined by a second direction (y) and a third direction (z), a ratio of a third length (L3) of the frame (101) along the third direction (z) to a second length (L2) of the frame (101) along the second direction (y) is in the range of 2:1 to 20:1, wherein the third direction (z) is perpendicular to the first direction (x) and the second direction (y).

10. The grating device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized by The grille device comprises a connector configured to connect the plurality of vanes to the air handling device (200).

11. The grating device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized by At least two vanes of the plurality of vanes are identical.

12. The grating device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized by At least two vanes of the plurality of vanes are different from each other.

13. The grating device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized by At least two vanes of the plurality of vanes have different lengths or different maximum thicknesses.

14. The grating device (100) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized by The shape of the guide vanes (102) in the cross section is a symmetrical airfoil, an oval or a polygon; and / or The cross section of the guide vanes (102) is in a horizontal plane or in a vertical plane.

15. An air treatment device (200) characterized in that, The air treatment device (200) comprises: The grille device (100) according to any one of claims 1-14; an air inlet (202) via which an air flow is drawn into the air treatment device; an air outlet (205) via which an air flow exits the air treatment device; wherein the grille device (100) is connected to the air inlet (202) and / or the air outlet (205) of the air treatment device (200).

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