Blowing device and refrigeration device

Abstract

An outdoor fan unit, which is a blowing device according to the present invention, comprises: an impeller that is a rotating member; and a fixed guide (55) that is a fixed member. The impeller has a plurality of moving blades. The fixed guide (55) has a plurality of stationary blades (60), and is arranged on the leeward side of the impeller. The plurality of stationary blades (60) of the fixed guide (55) include porous blades (70) each having a portion that is a porous section (71). Each of the porous blades (70) includes a non-porous section (72) that is continuous from a blade root (64) to a blade end (63) of the porous blade (70).

Description

Blower and refrigeration equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blower device and a refrigeration device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an axial flow fan. In this axial flow fan, porous portions are provided on the blades (moving blades) of an impeller. This axial flow fan aims to reduce noise by improving the airflow around the moving blades using the porous portions.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-272499

[0004] A known blower includes a rotating member (impeller) having rotor blades and a fixed member having stator blades. In this blower, the stator blades are arranged downstream of the impeller, which is the rotating member, and the airflow generated by the impeller is guided by the stator blades.

[0005] However, while the use of porous portions to improve the airflow around rotor blades has been studied, the use of porous portions to improve the airflow around stator vanes has not been sufficiently studied, and the structure for ensuring the strength of stator vanes with porous portions has not been sufficiently studied.

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to reduce noise in a blower device that includes a rotating member having rotor blades and a fixed member having stator blades by improving the airflow around the stator blades while ensuring the strength of the stator blades.

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a blower (40) including a rotating member (50) having a plurality of rotor blades (52) and rotating, and a fixed member (55) having a plurality of stator vanes (60) and arranged on the downwind side of the rotating member (50), wherein the fixed member (55) has a first holding portion (56) connected to the blade roots (64) of the stator vanes (60) and a second holding portion (57) connected to the blade tips (63) of the stator vanes (60), and the plurality of stator vanes (60) of the fixed member (55) include porous vanes (70) having a porous portion (71) in part, and the porous vanes (70) have a non-porous portion (72) that is continuous from the blade roots (64) to the blade tips (63) of the porous vanes (70).

[0008] In a first aspect, the plurality of stator vanes (60) of the fixed member (55) include porous vanes (70). Some or all of the plurality of stator vanes (60) of the fixed member (55) are porous vanes (70). A portion of the porous vane (70) is a porous portion (71). The porous portion (71) improves the airflow around the porous vane (70). As a result, the noise of the blower (40) is reduced.

[0009] Furthermore, the porous blade (70) of the first embodiment has a non-porous portion (72). The non-porous portion (72) is continuous from the blade root (64) of the porous blade (70) connected to the first retaining portion (56) to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70) connected to the second retaining portion (57). Therefore, by providing the non-porous portion (72), which has a strength greater than that of the porous portion (71), from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70), the strength of the porous blade (70) is ensured.

[0010] A second aspect of the present disclosure is the first aspect, wherein one or both of the leading edge (61) and the trailing edge (62) of the porous vane (70) are formed by the non-porous portion (72).

[0011] In the porous vane (70) of the second embodiment, the non-porous portion (72) forms one or both of the leading edge (61) and the trailing edge (62) of the porous vane (70).

[0012] A third aspect of the present disclosure is the first aspect, wherein the porous blade (70) has a plurality of porous portions (71), and the non-porous portions (72) are provided between adjacent porous portions (71).

[0013] In the porous vane (70) of the third embodiment, a non-porous portion (72) is provided between adjacent porous portions (71).

[0014] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the porous portion (71) is provided from the pressure surface (65) to the negative pressure surface (66) of the porous blade (70), and pores are formed in the porous portion (71) from the pressure surface (65) to the negative pressure surface (66) of the porous blade (70).

[0015] In the porous vane (70) of the fourth aspect, the porous portion (71) is provided from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous vane (70). Pressure fluctuations caused by vortices in the airflow flowing near the pressure surface (65) are transmitted to the suction surface (66) through gaps in the porous portion (71). This suppresses the growth of vortices in the airflow flowing near the pressure surface (65).

[0016] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the first aspect, wherein the porous portion (71) is provided so as to cover a surface of the non-porous portion (72).

[0017] In the porous vane (70) of the fifth embodiment, the surface of the non-porous portion (72) is covered with the porous portion (71).

[0018] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the plurality of stator vanes (60) provided on the fixed member (55) include non-porous vanes (75) whose entirety is a non-porous portion (72).

[0019] In the sixth embodiment, the stationary member (55) is provided with both porous vanes (70) and non-porous vanes (75).

[0020] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a refrigeration system (10) including a blower (40) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and a heat exchanger (23) that exchanges heat between the air supplied by the blower (40) and a heat medium.

[0021] In a seventh aspect, the air blower (40) according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is provided in a refrigeration system (10).

[0022] FIG. 1 is a piping diagram showing a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an outdoor unit according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the top plate of the casing is omitted. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an impeller and a fixed guide constituting an outdoor fan unit according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the impeller and the fixed guide are assembled. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an impeller of the outdoor fan unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fixed guide of the outdoor fan unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of the fixed guide according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a stator vane (perforated vane) taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a stator vane (perforated vane) according to a modification of the first embodiment, showing a cross section corresponding to FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of a fixed guide according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of a fixed guide according to a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of a fixed guide according to a third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of a fixed guide according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a stator vane (perforated vane) of embodiment 5, showing a cross-section corresponding to Fig. 7. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a stator vane (perforated vane) of a modified example of embodiment 5, showing a cross-section corresponding to Fig. 7. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a fixed guide of a first modified example of other embodiments. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a stator vane of a reference example, showing a cross-section corresponding to Fig. 7.

[0023] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is an air conditioner (10). The air conditioner (10) is a refrigeration device that operates in a refrigeration cycle.

[0024] -Air Conditioner- As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner (10) includes an outdoor unit (11) and an indoor unit (12).

[0025] <Outdoor Unit> The outdoor unit (11) is installed outdoors and includes a compressor (21), a four-way switching valve (22), an outdoor heat exchanger (23), an expansion valve (24), a liquid-side shut-off valve (26), a gas-side shut-off valve (27), and an outdoor fan unit (40).

[0026] The compressor (21) is, for example, a scroll or rotary hermetic compressor. The outdoor heat exchanger (23) is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger (23) is, for example, a fin-and-tube air heat exchanger. The expansion valve (24) is an electrically operated expansion valve with a variable opening.

[0027] The four-way switching valve (22) is a valve for switching the flow path of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (15). The four-way switching valve (22) switches between a first state shown by a solid line in Fig. 1 and a second state shown by a dashed line in Fig. 2. In the first state, the first port communicates with the third port, and the second port communicates with the fourth port. In the second state, the first port communicates with the fourth port, and the second port communicates with the third port.

[0028] <Indoor Unit> The indoor unit (12) is installed in a room, which is a space to be air-conditioned. The indoor unit (12) has an indoor heat exchanger (25) and an indoor fan (13). The indoor heat exchanger (25) exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the indoor air. The indoor heat exchanger (25) is a fin-and-tube air heat exchanger.

[0029] <Refrigerant Circuit> In the air conditioner (10), the outdoor unit (11) and the indoor unit (12) are connected to each other via a pair of interconnecting pipes (16, 17). In the air conditioner (10), the outdoor unit (11), the indoor unit (12), and the interconnecting pipes (16, 17) form a refrigerant circuit (15) that performs a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

[0030] In the refrigerant circuit (15), a discharge pipe of the compressor (21) is connected to a first port of a four-way switching valve (22), and a suction pipe of the compressor (21) is connected to a second port of the four-way switching valve (22). In the refrigerant circuit (15), an outdoor heat exchanger (23) and an expansion valve (24) are arranged in this order from a third port of the four-way switching valve (22) toward a liquid-side stop valve (26). A gas-side stop valve (27) is connected to a fourth port of the four-way switching valve (22). The liquid-side stop valve (26) is connected to a liquid-side end of the indoor heat exchanger (25) via a liquid-side connecting pipe (16). The gas-side stop valve (27) is connected to a gas-side end of the indoor heat exchanger (25) via a gas-side connecting pipe (17).

[0031] —Operation of the Air Conditioner— The air conditioner (10) performs cooling operation and heating operation.

[0032] <Cooling Operation> In cooling operation, the four-way selector valve (22) is set to the first position, and refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit (15). In the refrigerant circuit (15), the outdoor heat exchanger (23) functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger (25) functions as an evaporator. The indoor unit (12) cools air drawn in from the indoor space in the indoor heat exchanger (25) and blows the cooled air into the indoor space.

[0033] <Heating Operation> In heating operation, the four-way selector valve (22) is set to the second state, and refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit (15). In the refrigerant circuit (15), the indoor heat exchanger (25) functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger (23) functions as an evaporator. The indoor unit (12) heats air drawn in from the indoor space in the indoor heat exchanger (25) and blows the heated air into the indoor space.

[0034] --Structure of the Outdoor Unit-- As shown in Fig. 2, the outdoor unit (11) includes a rectangular parallelepiped casing (30). The casing (30) has intake ports (31) formed on the rear and left side surfaces thereof, and an outlet port (32) formed on the front surface thereof. An outlet grill (33) is provided on the front surface of the casing (30). The outlet grill (33) covers the outlet port (32).

[0035] A partition plate (34) is provided in the internal space of the casing (30). The partition plate (34) divides the internal space of the casing (30) into an equipment chamber (36) on the right side and an air passage (35) in the remaining part. The equipment chamber (36) accommodates the compressor (21) and the like. The air passage (35) communicates with the intake port (31) and the outlet port (32). The air passage (35) accommodates an outdoor heat exchanger (23) and an outdoor fan unit (40).

[0036] The outdoor heat exchanger (23) is L-shaped in plan view. The outdoor heat exchanger (23) is provided along the back surface and left side surface of the casing (30) and faces the air inlet (31). The outdoor fan unit (40) is provided downstream of the outdoor heat exchanger (23) in the air passage (35).

[0037] 2, the outdoor fan unit (40) includes an impeller (50), an electric motor (41), and a fixed guide (55). The outdoor fan unit (40) is a blower including the impeller (50) which is a rotating member and the fixed guide (55) which is a fixed member.

[0038] The electric motor (41) is connected to the impeller (50) and drives the impeller (50) to rotate. The electric motor (41) is fixed to the outdoor heat exchanger (23) via a support base (37). The fixed guide (55) is disposed downstream of the impeller (50). The fixed guide (55) is disposed to face the air outlet (32) of the casing (30). The fixed guide (55) is fixed to the casing (30) or the air outlet grill (33).

[0039] <Impeller> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the impeller (50) includes a hub (51) and three rotor blades (52). The impeller (50) is a propeller fan. The impeller (50) is a rotating member that is rotationally driven by the electric motor (41). Note that the number of rotor blades (52) included in the impeller (50) is merely an example.

[0040] The hub (51) is a cylindrical part with a closed front end. The hub (51) is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor (41). The hub (51) is disposed coaxially with the output shaft of the electric motor (41).

[0041] Each of the rotor blades (52) protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the hub (51) and extends radially outward from the hub (51). The rotor blades (52) are arranged at regular angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the hub (51).

[0042] The impeller (50) is a resin component formed by injection molding. The impeller (50) is formed integrally with one hub (51) and three rotor blades (52). The hub (51) and each of the rotor blades (52) are made of non-porous resin.

[0043] <Fixed Guide> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the fixed guide (55) includes a hub (56), eleven stator vanes (60), and an outer peripheral ring (57).

[0044] The hub (56) is a cylindrical portion with closed ends. The hub (56) is disposed substantially coaxially with the hub (51) of the impeller (50). The outer diameter of the hub (56) is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the hub (51) of the impeller (50). The material of the hub (56) is a non-porous resin. The hub (56) is connected to the blade roots (64) of all the stator blades (60). The hub (56) is a first retaining portion that is connected to the blade roots (64) of the stator blades (60).

[0045] The outer ring (57) is a ring-shaped or short cylindrical portion. The outer ring (57) is disposed substantially coaxially with the hub (56). The inner diameter of the outer ring (57) is larger than the outer diameter of the impeller (50). The outer ring (57) is made of a non-porous resin. The outer ring (57) connects to the blade tips (63) of all the stator blades (60). The outer ring (57) is a second retaining portion that connects to the blade tips (63) of the stator blades (60).

[0046] Each stator vane (60) protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the hub (56) and extends radially outward from the hub (56). Each stator vane (60) is provided from the hub (56) to the outer peripheral ring (57). Each stator vane (60) has its blade root (64) fixed to the hub (56) and its blade tip (63) fixed to the outer peripheral ring (57). Each stator vane (60) is arranged at regular angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the hub (56).

[0047] As shown in Fig. 6, each stator vane (60) has one porous portion (71) and one non-porous portion (72). Each stator vane (60) is a porous vane (70) that is partially constituted by the porous portion (71). In the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, all of the stator vanes (60) are porous vanes (70).

[0048] In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the non-porous portion (72) is formed in a frame shape along the leading edge (61), blade tip (63), trailing edge (62), and blade root (64) of the porous blade (70). In other words, the leading edge (61), blade tip (63), trailing edge (62), and blade root (64) of the porous blade (70) of this embodiment are formed by the non-porous portion (72). The non-porous portion (72) is a portion in which substantially no pores are formed. The non-porous portion (72) of this embodiment is a solid portion made of resin.

[0049] In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the porous portion (71) is provided inside the frame-shaped non-porous portion (72). In other words, the porous portion (71) of this embodiment is surrounded by the frame-shaped non-porous portion (72).

[0050] A large number of pores are formed in the porous portion (71) constituting each of the porous blades (70). The average diameter of the pores in the porous portion (71) is, for example, 140 μm. The average diameter of the pores in the porous portion (71) is preferably, for example, 15 μm or more and 300 μm or less. The porosity of the porous portion (71) (= total volume of pores / total volume of the porous portion) is, for example, 48%. The porosity of the porous portion (71) is preferably, for example, 35% or more and 90% or less.

[0051] In the cross section of the stator vane (60) shown in FIG. 7 , the right end is the leading edge (61), the left end is the trailing edge (62), the upper surface is the pressure surface (65), and the lower surface is the suction surface (66). In the stator vane (60) of this embodiment, the porous portion (71) is the portion between the "non-porous portion (72) along the leading edge (61)" and the "non-porous portion (72) along the trailing edge (62)". Therefore, the porous portion (71) constituting the porous vane (70) extends from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous vane (70). The pores formed in the porous portion (71) are continuous from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous vane (70).

[0052] The porous portion (71) constituting the porous blade (70) is formed by filling a mold with minute resin pellets and heating them. When the resin pellets filled in the mold are heated, adjacent resin pellets are welded to each other at their contact points, thereby joining the resin pellets in the mold to each other. In this way, the porous portion (71) made of resin and having a large number of minute pores formed therein is formed.

[0053] The fixed guide (55) is formed by so-called insert molding. Specifically, the eleven stator vanes (60) are placed at predetermined positions in a mold, and the mold is filled with resin to form the hub (56) and the outer ring (57), which are then joined to the stator vanes (60).

[0054] As described above, in the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, all the stator vanes (60) are porous vanes (70). In the porous vanes (70) of this embodiment, the portion along the leading edge (61) and the portion along the trailing edge (62) each have a non-porous portion (72) that is continuous from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63). Therefore, in each porous vane (70) of the fixed guide (55), the non-porous portion (72) is provided from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63), one end of the non-porous portion (72) is joined to the hub (56), and the other end of the non-porous portion (72) is joined to the outer peripheral ring (57).

[0055] —Operation of Outdoor Fan Unit— The impeller (50) is driven by the electric motor (41) and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4 (counterclockwise when viewed from the front). By rotating in this direction, the impeller (50) draws in air that has passed through the outdoor heat exchanger (23) and blows the drawn-in air toward the fixed guide (55).

[0056] The flow of air blown out from the impeller (50) swirls in the rotation direction of the impeller (50). This swirling air flow is guided by the stationary blades (60) of the fixed guide (55) and its direction is changed to the front direction of the fixed guide (55) (in other words, the direction toward the air outlet of the casing (30)). The air that has passed through the fixed guide (55) is blown out of the casing (30) through the air outlet (32).

[0057] <Noise Reduction Effect of Perforated Blades> In the fixed guide (55), air flows along the surface of the stator blade (60) from the leading edge (61) to the trailing edge (62) of the stator blade (60). In the stator blade (60), airflow separation occurs midway from the leading edge (61) to the trailing edge (62). When airflow separation occurs, a vortex is generated, and noise is generated due to the vortex.

[0058] The origin of separation of the airflow flowing along the pressure surface (65) of the stator vane (60) is located in a region between the leading edge (61) and the trailing edge (62). When a vortex is generated near the pressure surface (65) of the stator vane (60) due to separation of the airflow, pressure fluctuates near the pressure surface (65), resulting in a local increase in pressure.

[0059] On the other hand, in the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, all the stator vanes (60) are porous vanes (70). In each porous vane (70), a porous portion (71) is arranged in an intermediate region between the leading edge (61) and the trailing edge (62). In the porous portion (71), pores are formed extending from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous vane (70).

[0060] Therefore, the pressure that has locally increased near the pressure surface (65) of the porous vane (70) is released to the suction surface (66) of the stator vane (60) through the pores in the porous portion (71). As a result, the pressure fluctuation near the pressure surface (65) of the stator vane (60) is attenuated, the growth of vortices near the pressure surface (65) is suppressed, and the noise caused by vortices near the pressure surface (65) is reduced.

[0061] Feature (1) of First Embodiment In the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) of this embodiment, all of the stator blades (60) are porous blades (70). In the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, each porous blade (70) has one porous portion (71) and one non-porous portion (72).

[0062] The non-porous portion (72) of this embodiment is formed in a frame shape along the leading edge (61), the tip (63), the trailing edge (62), and the base (64) of the porous blade (70). Therefore, the non-porous portion (72) having a strength greater than that of the porous portion (71) is disposed along the periphery of the porous blade (70). In particular, in each porous blade (70) of the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, the non-porous portion (72) is provided from the base (64) to the tip (63), with one end of the non-porous portion (72) joined to the hub (56), and the other end of the non-porous portion (72) joined to the outer ring (57). Therefore, the non-porous portion (72) having a strength greater than that of the porous portion (71) is provided from the base (64) to the tip (63) and joined to the hub (56) and the outer ring (57). Therefore, according to this embodiment, the strength of the perforated vanes (70) can be ensured, and as a result, the strength of the entire fixed guide (55) can be ensured.

[0063] Feature (2) of First Embodiment As described above, the origin of separation of the airflow flowing along the pressure surface (65) of the stator vane (60) is located in the region intermediate between the leading edge (61) and the trailing edge (62). On the other hand, in the porous vane (70) of the present embodiment, the porous portion (71) is arranged in the region intermediate between the leading edge (61) and the trailing edge (62). Therefore, in the porous vane (70) of the present embodiment, the region of the pressure surface (65) of the porous vane (70) where the origin of separation of the airflow is located can be formed by the porous portion (71). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the growth of vortices generated by separation of the airflow, and to reduce noise caused by vortices near the pressure surface (65) of the porous vane (70).

[0064] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the strength of the porous blade (70) is ensured by forming the portion along the periphery of the porous blade (70) with the non-porous portion (72), while the growth of vortices caused by separation of airflow can be suppressed by the porous portion (71), and as a result, the noise generated by the operation of the outdoor fan unit (40) can be reduced.

[0065] 8, in the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the porous portion (71) may be provided only in a region closer to the leading edge of the porous blade (70). In the porous blade (70) of this modification, the porous portion (71) is provided between a center line (C) in the width direction of the porous blade (70) and the leading edge (61). The center line (C) in the width direction of the porous blade (70) is a line connecting the midpoints of the chord lines (67) in each cross section from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63).

[0066] The origin of separation of airflow flowing along the pressure surface (65) of the stationary vane (60) is often located in a region between the leading edge (61) and the center line (C). Therefore, in the porous vane (70) of this modified example, similarly to the porous vane (70) shown in Figures 6 and 7 , the region of the pressure surface (65) of the porous vane (70) where the origin of separation of airflow is located can be formed by the porous portion (71). Therefore, in this modified example, the strength of the porous vane (70) can be ensured by providing the non-porous portion (72), and the growth of vortices caused by separation of airflow can be suppressed by the porous portion (71). As a result, noise generated by the operation of the outdoor fan unit (40) can be reduced.

[0067] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described. The air conditioner (10) of this embodiment is the air conditioner (10) of the first embodiment, except that the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) is modified. Here, the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the fixed guide (55) of the first embodiment.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 9, in the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, each porous blade (70) has one porous portion (71) and one non-porous portion (72), similar to the porous blade (70) of the first embodiment. In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, approximately half of the width direction of the porous blade (70) on the leading edge (61) side is the porous portion (71), and approximately half of the width direction of the porous blade (70) on the trailing edge (62) side is the non-porous portion (72). In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, each of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) extends from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70). One end of each of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) is joined to the hub (56), and the other end of each of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) is joined to the outer peripheral ring (57).

[0069] In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the configurations of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) are the same as those of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72), respectively, of Embodiment 1. In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the porous portion (71) extends from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous blade (70). In addition, the pores formed in the porous portion (71) are continuous from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous blade (70).

[0070] Features of Second Embodiment In the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) of this embodiment, all of the stator blades (60) are porous blades (70). In each porous blade (70), a non-porous portion (72) is provided from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70). Therefore, the entire portion along the trailing edge (62) of the porous blade (70) is formed of the non-porous portion (72) that is stronger than the porous portion (71), thereby ensuring the strength of the porous blade (70).

[0071] As described above, the origin of separation of the airflow flowing along the pressure surface (65) of the stationary vane (60) is often located in a region between the leading edge (61) and the center line (C). On the other hand, in the porous vane (70) of the present embodiment, approximately half of the width of the porous vane (70) on the leading edge (61) side is the porous portion (71). Therefore, in the porous vane (70) of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the region of the pressure surface (65) of the porous vane (70) where the origin of separation of the airflow is located can be formed by the porous portion (71). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the strength of the porous vane (70) can be ensured by providing the non-porous portion (72), while the growth of vortices due to separation of the airflow can be suppressed by the porous portion (71). As a result, noise generated during operation of the outdoor fan unit (40) can be reduced.

[0072] -Variation of embodiment 2- As shown in Figure 10, in the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, approximately half of the width of the porous blade (70) on the leading edge (61) side may be composed of a non-porous portion (72), and the remaining approximately half of the width of the porous blade (70) on the trailing edge (62) side may be composed of a porous portion (71).

[0073] Third Embodiment A third embodiment will be described. The air conditioner (10) of this embodiment is the air conditioner (10) of the first embodiment, except that the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) is modified. Here, the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on the differences from the fixed guide (55) of the first embodiment.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 11, in the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, each porous blade (70) has one porous portion (71) and one non-porous portion (72), similar to the porous blade (70) of embodiment 1. In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the portion on the blade tip (63) side of the porous blade (70) including the corner on the leading edge side is the porous portion (71), and the remaining portion on the blade root (64) side is the non-porous portion (72). In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the non-porous portion (72) is continuous from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70).

[0075] In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the configurations of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) are the same as those of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72), respectively, of Embodiment 1. In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the porous portion (71) extends from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous blade (70). In addition, the pores formed in the porous portion (71) are continuous from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous blade (70).

[0076] Features of the Third Embodiment In the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) of the present embodiment, all of the stator blades (60) are porous blades (70). In each porous blade (70), a portion extending from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70) is formed of a non-porous portion (72) having greater strength than the porous portion (71). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the strength of the porous blade (70) can be ensured.

[0077] Here, the speed of the airflow sent from the impeller (50) increases toward the outer periphery of the impeller (50). Therefore, a relatively high-speed airflow blown out from near the outer periphery of the impeller (50) flows into a region of the stator vane (60) closer to the blade tip (63). Therefore, in each stator vane (60), airflow separation is more likely to occur in the region closer to the blade tip (63) than in the region closer to the blade root (64).

[0078] On the other hand, in each porous blade (70) of the present embodiment, the region close to the blade tip (63) is formed by the porous portion (71). Therefore, the porous portion (71) can have an effect of suppressing the growth of vortices in the region close to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70), where airflow separation is likely to occur. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the strength of the porous blade (70) is ensured by providing the non-porous portion (72), and the growth of vortices caused by airflow separation can be suppressed by the porous portion (71). As a result, the noise generated by the operation of the outdoor fan unit (40) can be reduced.

[0079] Fourth Embodiment A fourth embodiment will be described. The air conditioner (10) of this embodiment is the air conditioner (10) of the first embodiment, except that the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) is modified. Here, the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on the differences from the fixed guide (55) of the first embodiment.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 12, in the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, each porous blade (70) includes a plurality of porous portions (71) (six in this embodiment) and one non-porous portion (72). In each porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the non-porous portion (72) is formed in a lattice pattern. The plurality of porous portions (71) are fitted into the lattice-shaped non-porous portion (72). In each porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the plurality of porous portions (71) are arranged in a direction from the leading edge (61) to the trailing edge (62) of the porous blade (70) and in a direction from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous blade (70).

[0081] In this manner, in each porous blade (70), a plurality of porous portions (71) are arranged at intervals from one another, and a non-porous portion (72) is provided between adjacent porous portions (71). In each porous blade (70), similarly to the first embodiment, the portion along the leading edge (61) and the portion along the trailing edge (62) are each formed by a non-porous portion (72) that is continuous from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63).

[0082] In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the configurations of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) are the same as those of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) of Embodiment 1. In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, each porous portion (71) extends from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous blade (70). In addition, the pores formed in each porous portion (71) are continuous from the pressure surface (65) to the suction surface (66) of the porous blade (70).

[0083] Features of the Fourth Embodiment In the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) of the present embodiment, all of the stator blades (60) are porous blades (70). Each porous blade (70) is provided with a lattice-shaped non-porous portion (72), and a plurality of porous portions (71) are fitted into the lattice-shaped non-porous portion (72). Therefore, by forming the non-porous portion (72), which is stronger than the porous portions (71), in a lattice pattern, the strength of the porous blade (70) can be ensured. Furthermore, since the plurality of porous portions (71) are fitted into the lattice-shaped non-porous portion (72), the plurality of porous portions (71) are reliably held by the non-porous portions (72).

[0084] Also in the porous blade (70) of the present embodiment, the region of the pressure surface (65) of the porous blade (70) where the starting point of airflow separation is located can be formed by the porous portion (71). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the strength of the porous blade (70) can be ensured by providing the non-porous portion (72), and the growth of vortices caused by airflow separation can be suppressed by the porous portion (71), thereby reducing noise generated by the operation of the outdoor fan unit (40).

[0085] Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment will be described. The air conditioner (10) of this embodiment is the air conditioner (10) of the first embodiment, except that the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) is modified. Here, the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on the differences from the fixed guide (55) of the first embodiment.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 13 , in the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, each porous vane (70) has one porous portion (71) and one non-porous portion (72), similar to the porous vane (70) of the first embodiment. The porous vane (70) of this embodiment is mostly made up of the non-porous portion (72). The non-porous portion (72) of this embodiment extends from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous vane (70) and from the leading edge (61) to the trailing edge (62) of the porous vane (70). The porous portion (71) of this embodiment is formed in a thin plate shape and covers the upper surface of the non-porous portion (72) in FIG. 13 . In the porous vane (70) of this embodiment, the entire pressure surface (65) is formed by the porous portion (71), and the entire suction surface (66) is formed by the non-porous portion (72).

[0087] In the porous blade (70) of this embodiment, the configurations of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) are the same as those of the porous portion (71) and the non-porous portion (72) of embodiment 1. However, the porous portion (71) of this embodiment forms only the pressure surface (65) of the porous blade (70) and does not form the suction surface (66) of the porous blade (70).

[0088] Features of the Fifth Embodiment In the fixed guide (55) of the outdoor fan unit (40) of the present embodiment, all of the stator vanes (60) are porous vanes (70). In each porous vane (70) of the fixed guide (55) of the present embodiment, the pressure surface (65) of the porous vane (70) is formed by a porous portion (71). Therefore, pressure fluctuations caused by vortices generated near the pressure surface (65) of the porous vane (70) are attenuated by the action of the pores in the porous portion (71) forming the pressure surface (65). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce noise generated in association with the operation of the outdoor fan unit (40).

[0089] - Modification of Embodiment 5 - As shown in Fig. 14, in each porous vane (70) of the fixed guide (55) of this embodiment, the porous portion (71) may be provided so as to cover the lower surface of the non-porous portion (72) in Fig. 14. In the porous vane (70) of this modification, the entire positive pressure surface (65) is formed by the non-porous portion (72), and the entire negative pressure surface (66) is formed by the porous portion (71).

[0090] Although not shown, in each porous vane (70) of the fixed guide (55) of this modified example, the porous portion (71) may be provided so as to cover the entire surface of the non-porous portion (72). In the porous vane (70) of this modified example, both the pressure surface (65) and the suction surface (66) are formed by the porous portion (71).

[0091] Other Embodiments First Modification In the outdoor fan unit (40) of each of the above-described embodiments, the stator vanes (60) constituting the fixed guide (55) may include both porous vanes (70) and non-porous vanes (75). In the fixed guide (55) of this modification, some of the multiple stator vanes (60) constituting the fixed guide (55) are porous vanes (70) and the rest are non-porous vanes (75). The non-porous vanes (75) are stator vanes (60) entirely composed of non-porous portions (72).

[0092] As shown in Fig. 15 , in the fixed guide (55) of this modification, the order in which the porous vanes (70) and the non-porous vanes (75) are arranged in the circumferential direction of the fixed guide (55) may be irregular. By making the intervals between the porous vanes (70) in the circumferential direction of the fixed guide (55) irregular, it may be possible to reduce periodically fluctuating components of the noise generated by the operation of the outdoor fan unit (40). Note that Fig. 15 shows the fixed guide (55) of embodiment 1 to which this modification is applied.

[0093] Second Modification In the outdoor fan unit (40) of each of the above-described embodiments, a part or the whole of the rotor blades (52) constituting the impeller (50) may be the porous portion (71).

[0094] -Third Modification- In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the blower is used as the outdoor fan unit (40) of the air conditioner (10), but the use of the blower is not limited to the outdoor fan unit (40). Examples of uses of the blower include an indoor fan unit provided in an indoor unit of an air conditioner, an internal fan unit of a container refrigeration unit, etc.

[0095] Reference Example In the outdoor fan unit (40) of the first to fourth embodiments, the stationary blade (60) of the fixed guide (55) may be formed with a plurality of small diameter holes (100) instead of the porous portion (71).

[0096] 16 shows an application of this reference example to the stator vane (60) of the first embodiment. Each small diameter hole (100) is a through-hole that penetrates the stator vane (60) in the thickness direction. One end of each small diameter hole (100) opens to the pressure surface (65) of the stator vane (60) and the other end opens to the suction surface (66) of the stator vane (60). The diameter of each small diameter hole (100) is, for example, 0.3 mm or less.

[0097] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, it will be understood that various modifications in form and detail are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, elements of the above embodiments, modifications, and other embodiments may be combined or substituted as appropriate. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between terms to which these terms are attached, and do not limit the number or order of those terms.

[0098] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present disclosure is useful for air blowers and refrigeration devices.

[0099] 10 Air conditioning device (refrigeration device) 23 Outdoor heat exchanger (heat exchanger) 40 Outdoor fan unit (blower) 50 Impeller (rotating member) 52 Rotating blade 55 Fixed guide (fixed member) 56 Hub (first holding portion) 57 Outer ring (second holding portion) 60 Stationary blade 61 Leading edge 62 Trailing edge 63 Blade tip 64 Blade root 65 Pressure surface 66 Suction surface 70 Perforated blade 71 Porous portion 72 Non-porous portion 75 Non-perforated blade

Claims

1. A blower (40) comprising: a rotating member (50) having a plurality of rotor blades (52) and rotating; and a fixed member (55) having a plurality of stator vanes (60) and arranged on the leeward side of the rotating member (50), wherein the fixed member (55) has a first retaining portion (56) connected to the blade root (64) of the stator vane (60) and a second retaining portion (57) connected to the blade tip (63) of the stator vane (60), wherein the plurality of stator vanes (60) of the fixed member (55) include a porous vane (70) a portion of which is a porous portion (71), and the porous vane (70) has a non-porous portion (72) continuing from the blade root (64) to the blade tip (63) of the porous vane (70).

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein one or both of a leading edge (61) and a trailing edge (62) of said porous vane (70) are formed by said non-porous portion (72).

3. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein the porous vane (70) comprises a plurality of the porous portions (71), and the non-porous portions (72) are provided between adjacent ones of the porous portions (71).

4. The blower device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the porous portion (71) is provided from the positive pressure surface (65) to the negative pressure surface (66) of the porous vane (70), and pores are formed in the porous portion (71) from the positive pressure surface (65) to the negative pressure surface (66) of the porous vane (70).

5. The blower device according to claim 1, wherein the porous portion (71) is provided so as to cover a surface of the non-porous portion (72).

6. A blower device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of stator vanes (60) provided on the fixed member (55) include a non-porous vane (75) whose entirety is a non-porous portion (72).

7. A refrigeration system comprising: a blower (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and a heat exchanger (23) for exchanging heat between the air supplied by the blower (40) and a heat medium.

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