Blower and air conditioner

Abstract

A blower comprising an impeller which is rotationally driven by a motor and has a plurality of blades, and a cylindrical bell mouth which covers the outer periphery of the impeller and rectifies the flow of air introduced by the rotation of the impeller, wherein the bell mouth comprises a cylindrical suction part on the side into which air introduced by the rotation of the impeller is sucked, and a blowout part which is connected to the whole of the suction part on the side where the air introduced by the rotation of the impeller is blown out, which extends from the suction part obliquely at a uniform inclination angle, and a part of which is a cut-out notched part.

Description

Fans and air conditioners

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a blower and an air conditioner equipped with a bell mouth that straightens air.

[0002] Conventionally, blowers including a bellmouth for rectifying air and air conditioners including such blowers are known. Patent Document 1 (JP-A-2005-102626) discloses a blower including a bellmouth with a circular cross section located radially outward of a propeller fan and a diffuser connected to the downstream end of the bellmouth. In Patent Document 1, at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the diffuser is inclined radially outward toward the downstream side, and the downstream end opening of the diffuser is shaped differently from a circular shape. The angle between the inclined surface and the rotation axis of the fan is defined as the diffuser angle, which varies circumferentially. The diffuser angle is larger in areas with a high volume of air passing through the propeller fan than in areas with a low volume of air. Patent Document 1 proposes a larger diffuser angle in areas with a high volume of air to suppress viscous losses due to turbulence and a smaller diffuser angle in areas with a low volume of air to suppress unstable flow.

[0003] Patent No. 6385752

[0004] However, in the blower disclosed in Patent Document 1, the diffuser angle of the bell mouth is changed for each position, which may result in a complex shape and an increase in size.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a blower and an air conditioner that have a simplified shape while preventing an increase in size.

[0006] The blower of the present disclosure comprises an impeller that is driven to rotate by a motor and has a plurality of blades, and a cylindrical bell mouth that covers the outer periphery of the impeller and straightens the air introduced by the rotation of the impeller. The bell mouth has a cylindrical suction section on the side where air introduced by the rotation of the impeller is sucked in, and a blowing section that is connected to the entire suction section on the side where air introduced by the rotation of the impeller is blown out, extends at a uniform inclination angle from the suction section, and has a cutout section with a portion cut out.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the blowout portion of the bellmouth extends at a uniform inclination angle from the suction portion. This simplifies the shape. Furthermore, a portion of the blowout portion opposite the suction portion is cut out. This prevents the bellmouth from becoming larger. In other words, the shape can be simplified while preventing the bellmouth from becoming larger.

[0008] 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air conditioner according to embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 in a state where a blower is exposed. FIG. 4 is a front view showing an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 in a state where a blower is exposed. FIG. 5 is a top view showing an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 in a state where a blower is exposed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a bell mouth according to embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a three-view view showing a bell mouth according to embodiment 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the inclination angle of the bell mouth according to embodiment 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining the inclination angle of the bell mouth according to embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram explaining the inclination angle of the bell mouth according to embodiment 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining the inclination angle of the bell mouth according to a comparative example. FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining the inclination angle of the bell mouth according to a comparative example. FIG. 13 is an assembled perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to a comparative example. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to a comparative example. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an outdoor unit according to a comparative example in a state where a blower is exposed. FIG. 16 is a front view showing an outdoor unit according to a comparative example in a state where a blower is exposed. Fig. 1 is a top view showing a state in which a blower is exposed in an outdoor unit according to a comparative example. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 is connected. Fig. 3 is a front view showing a state in which an outdoor unit according to embodiment 1 is connected.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a blower and an air conditioner according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, in the following drawings, including FIG. 1, the dimensional relationships between components may differ from the actual ones. Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating directions are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, but these terms are used only to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the present disclosure. Examples of terms indicating directions include "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," and "rear."

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing an air conditioner 1 pertaining to embodiment 1. The air conditioner 1 is a device that conditions the air in a space to be air-conditioned, and as shown in Figure 1, is equipped with an outdoor unit 2 and an indoor unit 3. The outdoor unit 2 is equipped with, for example, a compressor 6, a flow path switching device 7, an outdoor heat exchanger 8, a blower 9, an expansion section 10, and a control box 13. The indoor unit 3 is equipped with, for example, an indoor heat exchanger 11 and an indoor blower 12. The control box 13 is a box that houses a control board that controls the operation of the air conditioner 1.

[0011] The refrigerant circuit 4 is configured by connecting a compressor 6, a flow switching device 7, an outdoor heat exchanger 8, an expansion section 10, and an indoor heat exchanger 11 via refrigerant piping 5. The compressor 6 draws in low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it as high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor 6 is, for example, a capacity-controllable inverter compressor. The flow switching device 7 switches the direction of refrigerant flow in the refrigerant circuit 4 and is, for example, a four-way valve. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 exchanges heat between, for example, outdoor air and the refrigerant. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 functions as a condenser during cooling operation and as an evaporator during heating operation. The expansion section 10 is a pressure-reducing valve or expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant and expands it. The expansion section 10 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve whose opening is adjustable.

[0012] The indoor heat exchanger 11 exchanges heat between, for example, indoor air and a refrigerant. The indoor heat exchanger 11 acts as an evaporator during cooling operation and as a condenser during heating operation. The indoor blower 12 is a device that sends indoor air to the indoor heat exchanger 11.

[0013] (Operation Modes, Cooling Operation) Next, the operation modes of the air conditioner 1 will be described. First, cooling operation will be described. In cooling operation, the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 6 is compressed by the compressor 6 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 passes through the flow switching device 7 and flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8, which functions as a condenser. In the outdoor heat exchanger 8, the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the blower 9, condensing and liquefying. The condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion section 10, where it expands and is decompressed to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11, which functions as an evaporator. In the indoor heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant exchanges heat with indoor air sent by the indoor blower 12, evaporating and gasifying. At this time, the indoor air is cooled, and cooling is performed in the room. The evaporated refrigerant in a low-temperature, low-pressure gas state passes through the flow switching device 7 and is sucked into the compressor 6 .

[0014] (Operation Mode, Heating Operation) Next, the heating operation will be described. In the heating operation, the refrigerant drawn into the compressor 6 is compressed by the compressor 6 and discharged in a high-temperature, high-pressure gas state. The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 6 passes through the flow switching device 7 and flows into the indoor heat exchanger 11, which functions as a condenser. In the indoor heat exchanger 11, the refrigerant condenses and liquefies through heat exchange with indoor air sent by the indoor blower 12. This warms the indoor air, providing heating in the room. The condensed liquid refrigerant flows into the expansion section 10, where it expands and decompresses to become a low-temperature, low-pressure, two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant then flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 8, which functions as an evaporator. In the outdoor heat exchanger 8, the refrigerant exchanges heat with outdoor air sent by the blower 9, evaporating and gasifying. The evaporated low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the flow switching device 7 and is drawn into the compressor 6.

[0015] The air conditioner 1 does not necessarily have to have the flow path switching device 7. In this case, the air conditioner 1 becomes a dedicated cooling machine or a dedicated heating machine.

[0016] (Outdoor unit 2) Fig. 2 is an assembled perspective view showing the outdoor unit 2 according to embodiment 1, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the outdoor unit 2 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the outdoor unit 2 has a housing 20, an outdoor heat exchanger 8, and a blower 9. The outdoor unit 2 is of a top-blowing type in which air introduced from the blower 9 is blown out from above. Note that, although the present embodiment 1 illustrates a case in which the outdoor unit 2 is of a top-blowing type, the outdoor unit 2 may also be of a side-blowing type.

[0017] (Housing 20) The housing 20 includes a bottom panel 21, four pillars 22, a front panel 23, a pair of upper side panels 24, a rear panel 25, and a fan guard 26. The bottom panel 21 is a rectangular plate-like member placed on the floor. The pillars 22 are rod-shaped members extending upward from the four corners of the bottom panel 21. The front panel 23 is a rectangular plate-like member covering the front surface. The front panel 23 is openably and closably provided between the two pillars 22 on the front side so that it can be opened and closed during maintenance of the outdoor unit 2. The pair of upper side panels 24 are rectangular plate-like members provided above the two pillars 22 on the side sides. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 is provided below the upper side panel 24. The rear panel 25 is a rectangular plate-like member provided above the two pillars 22 on the rear side. The outdoor heat exchanger 8 is provided below the rear panel 25. The fan guard 26 is a rectangular plate-like member that is provided on the upper ends of the four pillars 22 and covers the top surface of the blower 9 and the housing 20 .

[0018] (Outdoor heat exchanger 8) The outdoor heat exchangers 8 are provided between two pillar portions 22 on both side surfaces and the rear surface. That is, three outdoor heat exchangers 8 are provided, and are arranged in a U-shape. Note that, although the first embodiment illustrates a case where the three outdoor heat exchangers 8 are arranged in a U-shape, the outdoor heat exchangers 8 may be arranged in a V-shape or in some other arrangement.

[0019] (Blower 9) FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1 in a state where the blower 9 is exposed. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1 in a state where the blower 9 is exposed. FIG. 6 is a top view showing the outdoor unit 2 according to Embodiment 1 in a state where the blower 9 is exposed. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 , the blower 9 includes an impeller 30 and a bell mouth 40. The blower 9 is provided in a position surrounded by a portion of the front panel 23 of the outdoor unit 2, a pair of upper side panels 24, and the rear panel 25. That is, the blower 9 is provided above the outdoor heat exchanger 8 in the vertical direction. As a result, air drawn in from the outdoor heat exchanger 8 below the outdoor unit 2 passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 8, enters the interior of the housing 20, then passes through the upper blower 9 and is blown out from the top of the housing 20.

[0020] (Impeller 30) The impeller 30 is a member having a plurality of blades that is rotationally driven by a motor. The axis of the impeller 30 is aligned in the vertical direction.

[0021] (Bellmouth 40) Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the bellmouth 40 according to embodiment 1, and Fig. 8 is a three-view diagram showing the bellmouth 40 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the bellmouth 40 is a cylindrical member that covers the outer periphery of the impeller 30 and rectifies the air introduced by the rotation of the impeller 30. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the bellmouth 40 has an intake section 41 and an outlet section 42.

[0022] (Suction section 41) The suction section 41 is attached to the upper part of the housing 20 and is a cylindrical member that sucks in air introduced by the rotation of the impeller 30. The diameter of the suction section 41 decreases from bottom to top. That is, the diameter of the suction section 41 decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the air flow.

[0023] (Blowout Section 42) FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating the inclination angle of the bellmouth 40 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view of section A in FIG. 9 . FIG. 11 is a side view of section B in FIG. 9 . The blowout section 42 is a tubular member connected to the entire suction section 41 on the side where air introduced by the rotation of the impeller 30 is blown out. As shown in FIG. 9 , the blowout section 42 extends from the suction section 41 at a uniform inclination angle. A portion of the blowout section 42 on the side opposite the suction section 41 is cut out to form a notched section 44, and the portion not corresponding to the notched section 44 is a non-notched section 43. The inclination angle refers to the angle of inclination with respect to the axial direction of the blower 9. As shown in FIG. 10 , the inclination angle of the non-notched section 43 is 45°, and the non-notched section 43 extends from the lower end to the upper end. As shown in FIG. 11 , the inclination angle of the notched section 44 is 45°, and the upper end of the notched section 44 is cut out. In this way, the notched portion 44 is lower in height than the non-notched portion 43. The inclination angle is preferably 30° to 60°.

[0024] 9, the blowing section 42 is arranged in the order of a notched portion 44, a non-notched portion 43, a notched portion 44, and a non-notched portion 43. Two notched portions 44 face each other, and two non-notched portions 43 also face each other. The notched portions 44 and the non-notched portions 43 are connected by a smooth curve.

[0025] According to the first embodiment, the blowout portion 42 of the bellmouth 40 extends at a uniform inclination angle from the suction portion 41. This results in a simple shape. Furthermore, a portion of the blowout portion 42 on the side opposite the suction portion 41 forms a notch 44. This makes it possible to prevent the bellmouth 40 from becoming larger. In other words, it is possible to prevent the bellmouth 40 from becoming larger while simplifying the shape.

[0026] 12 to 14 are diagrams illustrating the inclination angle of a bellmouth 140 according to a comparative example. FIG. 13 is a side view of part A in FIG. 12 . FIG. 14 is a side view of part B in FIG. 12 . Next, the bellmouth 140 according to the comparative example will be described. As shown in FIG. 12 , the bellmouth 140 according to the comparative example has a uniform height and does not have a notched portion 44. In the bellmouth 140 according to the comparative example, the portion corresponding to the non-notched portion 43 of the bellmouth 40 of embodiment 1 is referred to as the first blowing portion 143, and the portion corresponding to the notched portion 44 of the bellmouth 40 of embodiment 1 is referred to as the second blowing portion 144. As shown in FIG. 13 , there are portions where the inclination angle is 45°, and as shown in FIG. 14 , there are also portions where the inclination angle gradually decreases from 45° radially from the center to 1°.

[0027] Fig. 15 is an assembled perspective view showing the outdoor unit 102 according to the comparative example, and Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the outdoor unit 102 according to the comparative example. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the outdoor unit 102 according to the comparative example has one blower 9.

[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an outdoor unit 102 according to a comparative example in which the blower 9 is exposed. FIG. 18 is a front view showing an outdoor unit according to a comparative example in which the blower is exposed. FIG. 19 is a top view showing an outdoor unit according to a comparative example in which the blower is exposed. As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 , the blower 9 is provided above the outdoor heat exchanger 8 in the housing 20. In the comparative example, when multiple outdoor units 102 are lined up, there is a risk that the bell mouths 140 of adjacent outdoor units 102 may interfere with each other. For this reason, in the comparative example, the inclination angle is reduced in the portions where the bell mouths 140 are adjacent to each other, thereby reducing the protrusion of the bell mouths 140 and preventing interference between the bell mouths 140. However, in the comparative example, the inclination angles of the bell mouths 140 are not uniform, which may disrupt the air flow and deteriorate the blowing performance.

[0029] In contrast, in the blower 9 according to the first embodiment, the inclination angle of the bell mouth 40 is uniform, and therefore the air can be properly rectified, thereby improving the blowing performance.

[0030] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which outdoor units 2 according to Embodiment 1 are connected, and FIG. 21 is a front view showing a state in which outdoor units according to Embodiment 1 are connected. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , multiple outdoor units 2 may be lined up. In Embodiment 1, the inclination angles of the bell mouths 40 are uniform, but the height of the notched portions 44 is lower than the height of the non-notched portions 43, thereby preventing interference between the bell mouths 40 of adjacent outdoor units 2. In this way, Embodiment 1 has the special effect of preventing interference between the bell mouths 40 even when multiple outdoor units 2 are connected. Embodiment 1 is particularly effective in an embodiment in which a fan guard is not attached to the bell mouth 40.

[0031] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Air conditioner, 2 Outdoor unit, 3 Indoor unit, 4 Refrigerant circuit, 5 Refrigerant piping, 6 Compressor, 7 Flow path switching device, 8 Outdoor heat exchanger, 9 Blower, 10 Expansion section, 11 Indoor heat exchanger, 12 Indoor blower, 13 Control box, 20 Housing, 21 Bottom panel, 22 Pillar section, 23 Front panel, 24 Upper side panel, 25 Rear panel, 26 Fan guard, 30 Impeller, 40 Bell mouth, 41 Intake section, 42 Blowing section, 43 Non-notched section, 44 Notched section, 102 Outdoor unit, 140 Bell mouth, 143 First blowing section, 144 Second blowing section.

Claims

1. A blower comprising: an impeller rotated by a motor and having a number of blades; and a cylindrical bell mouth covering the outer periphery of the impeller and straightening the air introduced by the rotation of the impeller, wherein the bell mouth has: a cylindrical suction section on the side where the air introduced by the rotation of the impeller is sucked in; and a blowing section connected to the entire suction section on the side where the air introduced by the rotation of the impeller is blown out, extending at a uniform angle from the suction section and having a cutout section with a portion of it cut out.

2. The blower according to claim 1, wherein the suction portion is provided below and the blowing portion is provided above, and the notched portion of the blowing portion is lower in height than a non-notched portion other than the notched portion.

3. The blower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inclination angle is between 30° and 60°.

4. An air conditioner comprising a blower according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images