Flow guide and air management device having same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flow guide and an air management device having same, wherein a nozzle (20) is formed at the entrance of a curved surface (18) which is formed on a surface of the flow guide (14) and has a predetermined radius of curvature. The nozzle (20) may have uniform sections (21' and 21") having uniform distances from a driving fan (32) or a heat exchanger (30) and a variable section (21) having varying distances therefrom along the rotational axis direction of the driving fan (32). The respective distances from the uniform sections (21' and 21") to the driving fan (32) or the heat exchanger (30) are different from each other.

Description

Flow guide and air management device equipped therewith

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow guide that guides the flow of air and an air management device having the same.

[0002]

[0003] An air management system (AMS) is designed to maintain the air within a given space in an optimal condition, depending on its intended purpose. For example, in the summer, it can discharge indoor heat to the outside, lowering the indoor air temperature. In the winter, it can also increase the temperature of the exhausted air, ensuring that the indoor air remains relatively warmer than the outdoor air. Alternatively, it can purify the air within a given space and re-circulate it.

[0004] Among these air management devices, wall-mounted air conditioners use a cross-flow fan to generate airflow. As the air from the cross-flow fan is guided to the curved surface of the flow guide, the flow develops and is discharged to the outside.

[0005] In prior art, Korean Patent No. 10-0406035, airflow generated by a cross-flow fan in a wall-mounted air conditioner flows through a duct member, guided by the cross-flow fan. In this case, the duct member lacks a structure that regulates the area where air flows from the heat exchanger to the cross-flow fan. Furthermore, there is no structure that blocks condensate generated in the heat exchanger from being transferred to the cross-flow fan.

[0006] Prior document 2, Korean Publication No. 20-1999-0007257, discloses a wall-mounted air conditioner of the same type as prior document 1. However, prior document 2 also does not have a configuration for regulating the area in which air flows from a heat exchanger to a blower fan in a receiving portion corresponding to the duct member of prior document 1, nor does it have a configuration for blocking condensate generated in the heat exchanger from being transferred to the blower fan.

[0007] That is, Fig. 1 illustrates that air that has passed through a heat exchanger (1) in a conventional air conditioner passes through a cross-flow fan (3) and is transferred to a flow guide (5) and flows. Here, there is no configuration to block condensation between the heat exchanger (1) and the cross-flow fan (3). Therefore, the area where the air that has passed through the heat exchanger (1) enters the cross-flow fan (3) becomes relatively wide, and the guide starting point (GP) where the air that has exited the cross-flow fan (3) begins to be guided in the flow guide (5) is relatively past the upstream part of the flow guide (5), so there was also a problem that the air flow that had exited the cross-flow fan (3) could not develop properly.

[0008] In order to solve this problem, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a nozzle (7) is provided in the flow guide (5) to regulate the air flow area, and this nozzle (7) functions to prevent overflow of condensate. In addition, the nozzle (7) has a baffle shape that is perpendicular to the direction of air flow from the heat exchanger (1) to the cross-flow fan (3), so that when the air flow that has passed through the heat exchanger (1) flows to the cross-flow fan (3), separation occurs at the end of the nozzle (7) and collides with the blade (4) of the cross-flow fan (3) at a high velocity. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the configuration of the nozzle (7) is constant, so that the distance between the heat exchanger (1) and the cross-flow fan (3) is constant in all areas of the nozzle (7).

[0009] Accordingly, there is a problem that the collision noise generated across the entire area of ​​the nozzle (7) has a constant frequency, and thus peak noise is generated due to frequency overlap, resulting in a significant increase in noise.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, and to make the distance between the surface of the nozzle formed in the flow guide and the heat exchanger along the axial direction of the driving fan different.

[0011] In the present invention, the angle of the surface forming the nozzle of the flow guide is changed depending on the position in the axial direction of the driving fan.

[0012] In the present invention, the nozzle of the flow guide is configured so as not to come into contact with the expansion arc of the flow guide.

[0013] According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention can vary the distance from the nozzle surface of the flow guide inlet to the heat exchanger or the driving fan depending on the section.

[0014] The flow guide of the present invention is a flow guide having a curved surface that is installed to face a driving fan at a predetermined distance on a path through which air flows and guides the flow of air, and a nozzle at the entrance of the flow guide may have a different distance from the driving fan depending on the area of ​​the surface as it goes in the axial direction of the driving fan.

[0015] The surface of the above nozzle may have a fixed section in which the distance from the driving fan is constant and a variable section in which the distance from the driving fan is variable.

[0016] The above schedule section includes a first schedule section and a second schedule section, and the gap between the nozzle and the driving fan may be formed differently in the first schedule section and the second schedule section.

[0017] The angles of the nozzle surface in the first and second schedule sections may be formed differently.

[0018] The relationship between the width l1 of the first schedule section, the width l2 of the second schedule section, and the length B of one stage of the driving fan is 1.4 < 2*(l 1 + l2) / B < 1.6 can be achieved.

[0019] The above nozzle may be an offset nozzle offset by a predetermined distance from a virtual line extending the curved surface of the flow guide.

[0020] The air management device of the present invention may include a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port, a driving fan that creates an air flow that flows through the intake port and the exhaust port, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the air and a working fluid as the air flowed by the driving fan passes through it, and a flow guide that guides the air discharged from the driving fan and has a predetermined curved surface facing the outer surface of the driving fan to guide the air, and a nozzle is provided at the inlet of the flow guide in an area where the air discharged from the heat exchanger passes through and enters the driving fan, and the nozzle may be formed such that the gap between the driving fan and the heat exchanger varies depending on the area along the axial direction of the driving fan.

[0021] The surface of the above nozzle may have a fixed section in which the distance from the driving fan is constant and a variable section in which the distance from the driving fan is variable.

[0022] The above-mentioned period may be provided with multiple intervals having different values.

[0023] The above schedule section includes a first schedule section and a second schedule section, and the gap between the nozzle and the driving fan or heat exchanger may be formed differently in the first schedule section and the second schedule section.

[0024] The angles of the nozzle surface in the first and second schedule sections may be formed differently.

[0025] The relationship between the width l1 of the first schedule section, the width l2 of the second schedule section, and the length B of one stage of the driving fan is 1.4 < 2*(l 1 + l2) / B < 1.6 can be achieved.

[0026] The above nozzle may be an offset nozzle offset by a predetermined distance from a virtual line extending the curved surface of the flow guide.

[0027] The flow guide according to the present invention and the air management device having the same may have at least one of the following effects.

[0028] In the present invention, the distance between the surface of the nozzle formed in the flow guide and the outer surface of the heat exchanger and / or the cross-flow fan varies as it moves in the axial direction of the driving fan. With this configuration, the point where the flow passing through the heat exchanger separates from the nozzle tip can be dispersed, thereby changing the point where it collides with the blade and the magnitude of the impact force. Accordingly, the frequency of the noise generated by the nozzle is dispersed, thereby reducing the overall noise and reducing flow loss.

[0029] In particular, in the present invention, the angle of the surface forming the nozzle is varied in the axial direction of the driving fan. In other words, the angle of the surface facing the heat exchanger or the driving fan and the nozzle is varied regularly or irregularly in the axial direction of the driving fan. Accordingly, the point at which the flow passing through the heat exchanger separates from the nozzle tip varies in the axial direction of the driving fan, thereby dispersing the frequency of noise generated by the nozzle. Accordingly, the overlap of noise frequencies is minimized, thereby reducing the overall noise.

[0030] In the present invention, the gap between the heat exchanger or drive fan and the nozzle formed in the flow guide can be varied in a variable section and a fixed section with a constant gap. In particular, the distance between the surface of the fixed section and the drive fan or heat exchanger can be varied. This configuration characteristic can minimize noise generated by the nozzle.

[0031] In addition, in the present invention, the nozzle is designed so as not to overlap with the expanded arc of the flow guide. In other words, the nozzle formed in the flow guide is designed as an offset nozzle. Therefore, the effects of improved power consumption and noise can be obtained.

[0032] Figure 1 is a drawing showing the flow passing through a cross-flow fan in a case where a nozzle is not used in a flow guide in the prior art.

[0033] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the flow passing through a cross-flow fan in a case where a nozzle is used in a flow guide in the prior art.

[0034] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing that the distance between the surface of the nozzle and the heat exchanger and the cross-flow fan is formed at a constant level in the prior art.

[0035] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the important components of an air management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view showing the configuration of an air management device of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a chassis equipped with a fluid guide constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a nozzle of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the nozzle of an embodiment of the present invention from another direction.

[0040] Figure 9 is an explanatory drawing providing an explanation of the configuration and angle of the nozzle in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing one stage of a driving fan in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 11 is a graph showing experimental results related to the length of a constant section and a variable section in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Fig. 12 is a partial perspective view showing the relationship between a heat exchanger, a nozzle, and a driving fan in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 13 is an explanatory drawing explaining that the nozzle of the embodiment of the present invention is an offset nozzle.

[0045] Figure 14 is a graph showing noise levels for each frequency in the nozzle of the present invention and the conventional nozzle.

[0046] Figure 15 is an operational state diagram showing the flow of air in an embodiment of the present invention, indicated by arrows.

[0047] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components will be given the same reference numerals, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present invention, if a detailed description of a related known structure or function is deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an air management device employing a preferred embodiment of the flow guide of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view. The flow guide (14) of the embodiment of the present invention can be used in various types of air management devices. The drawing shows the application of the embodiment of the present invention to a wall-mounted and detachable air management device. However, the flow guide (14) of the embodiment of the present invention can be used in various air management devices.

[0049] The exterior of the air management device illustrated may be formed by a housing (10). The housing (10) may form most of the front, top, rear, both sides, and bottom of the air management device. Of course, some parts of the exterior of the air management device may be made of other components, but the housing (10) may constitute most of the exterior of the air management device.

[0050] A chassis (12) may be installed inside the housing (10). The chassis (12) is a portion to which various components may be mounted and may form the frame of the air conditioner. In the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, the chassis (12) forms the rear exterior. The shape of the chassis (12) is not limited to that shown in the drawing and may have various shapes.

[0051] In this embodiment, a flow guide (14) is formed in a part of the chassis (12). The flow guide (14) is a part that guides the managed air to be discharged to the outside of the housing (10). The space formed by the flow guide (14) may be a part of a fan installation space (16). The fan installation space (16) is a part surrounded by the flow guide (14) and a heat exchanger (30) to be described below.

[0052] In the illustrated example, the inner surface of the fan installation space (16), which is the surface of the flow guide (14), is a curved surface (18) having a predetermined radius of curvature. The curved surface (18) faces the outer surface of the driving fan (32) to be described below and forms a flow path between the driving fan (32). The radius of curvature of the curved surface (18) may be formed to be gradually larger downward than in the upstream portion. That is, the radius of curvature at each point in the air flow direction of the curved surface (18) of the flow guide (14) may change.

[0053] The curvature radii of the above-mentioned curved surface (18) can be formed to be larger than the radius of the driving fan (32). Therefore, there is a nozzle (20) at the starting area of ​​the above-mentioned curved surface (18). The nozzle (20) is formed over the entire width of the flow guide (14) at the inlet of the upstream portion of the flow guide (14). The nozzle (20) also serves to prevent condensate generated in the heat exchanger (30) from overflowing toward the driving fan (32). The nozzle (20) also serves to expand the effective discharge port so that the air from the driving fan (32) is guided to the flow guide (14) more quickly by controlling the area in which the air passing through the heat exchanger (30) enters the driving fan (32).

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the configuration of the nozzle (20) includes a variable section (21) and a constant section (21', 21"). The variable section (21) is a section in which the distance from the heat exchanger (30) and the driving fan (32) varies depending on the position (in the axial direction of the driving fan (32)). The constant section (21', 21") is a section in which the distance from the heat exchanger (30) and the driving fan (32) is constant regardless of the position (in the axial direction of the driving fan (32)).

[0055] The above-described fixed sections (21', 21") include a first fixed section (21') and a second fixed section (21"). The first fixed section (21') protrudes relatively toward the driving fan (32), and the second fixed section (21") protrudes relatively toward the heat exchanger (30). Here, the widths of the first fixed section (21') and the second fixed section (21") are designated as l1, and the width of the variable section (21) is designated as l2.

[0056] And, the angle of the first schedule section (21') with respect to the horizontal plane is A, and the angle of the second schedule section (21") with respect to the horizontal plane is A + α. This is well indicated in Fig. 9.

[0057] Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, the first schedule section (21'), the variable section (21), and the second schedule section (21") alternately occur. However, alternatively, there may be multiple schedule sections (21', 21"). That is, in the illustrated embodiment, there are only the first schedule section (21') and the second schedule section (21"), but there may be a third schedule section, a fourth schedule section, etc. The angles of these schedule sections with respect to the horizontal plane may also be more varied than in the illustrated embodiment.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement of the above-mentioned regular sections (21', 21") is regular, but the arrangement of the regular sections (21', 21") may be irregular.

[0059] There may be various embodiments as examples of the arrangement of the above-mentioned fixed and variable sections. For example, in the case of three fixed sections, they may be arranged in the following order: first fixed section, variable section, second fixed section, variable section, third fixed section, variable section, first fixed section. In other words, various arrangements may be made to avoid overlapping noise frequencies and generating peaks.

[0060] In the present invention, a configuration for improving the performance of the nozzle (20) is described. Basically, the noise is reduced by dispersing the frequency of the noise generated. By giving a periodic change in the nozzle angle, the separation point is dispersed without a flow shield. At this time, one variable period (= 2*(l) 1 + If l2)) is less than twice the length B of one section (which divides between the cylindrically arranged blades (33)) of the driving fan (32), power consumption and noise are improved compared to the existing nozzle. The optimal performance is achieved by having the following correlation. For reference, l1 and The correlation between one cycle of the variable and the length (B) of one stage of the driving fan (32) is more important than the ratio of l2.

[0061] 1.4 < 2*(l 1 + l2) / B < 1.6

[0062] 2*(l 1 + l2) / B < 2.0

[0063] This relationship was obtained experimentally, and means that the flow separation structure dispersed by the nozzle (20) must be smaller than the length (B) of one stage of the driving fan (32). For reference, if the cut-off shape of the stabilizer (34) has a three-dimensional cross-section, it must be designed so that the shapes are opposite to each other (out-of-phase).

[0064] Meanwhile, the nozzle (20) is an offset nozzle. That is, as can be seen in FIG. 13, the nozzle (20) is offset from the extension of the curved surface (18) of the flow guide (14). That is, one surface of the nozzle (20) is located radially outside the arc of the curved surface (18). At this time, the offset value is approximately 1 mm.

[0065] In this way, when an offset nozzle is used as the nozzle (20), as compared to a conventional nozzle, it can be seen that power consumption and noise are relatively reduced, as can be seen in the table below.

[0066] Rotation speed (PM)Power consumption (W)Noise (dB)Conventional nozzle 113921.440.7Offset nozzle L1114121.040.5Offset nozzle L2114121.040.5

[0067] In the table above, L1 and L2 are offset values, so L1 < L2. It can be seen that when using an offset nozzle compared to a conventional nozzle, power consumption (1.9% reduction) and noise (0.2 dB reduction) are reduced. However, the offset value cannot increase infinitely; for example, the distance from the heat exchanger (30) may be a limiting condition.

[0068] Next, there is a suction port (22) on one side of the housing (10). The suction port (22) may be on the upper surface of the housing (10). The suction port (22) serves as an inlet through which air in an indoor space outside the housing (10) flows into the interior of the housing (10). The suction port (22) may be formed to extend left and right on the upper surface of the housing (10) when the housing (10) is viewed from the front.

[0069] The front lower portion of the housing (10) may have a front outlet (24). The front outlet (24) is a portion through which managed air is discharged. The front outlet (24) may also be formed to extend longwise from side to side on the front of the housing (10) when the housing (10) is viewed from the front.

[0070] The bottom surface of the housing (10) may have a bottom discharge port (26). The bottom discharge port (26) may be located adjacent to the front discharge port (24). That is, the bottom discharge port (26) may be located at the front of the bottom surface of the housing (10). Air may be discharged toward the front and bottom of the housing (10) through the front discharge port (24) and the bottom discharge port (26).

[0071] A vane (28) may be provided to control the opening and closing of the above-mentioned bottom discharge port (26) and the direction of flow of air discharged from the above-mentioned bottom discharge port (26). The specific configuration of the vane (28) is omitted for explanation.

[0072] A heat exchanger (30) may be provided inside the housing (10). The heat exchanger (30) is a portion where the working fluid of the heat exchange cycle and the air sucked in from the indoor space through the intake port (22) exchange heat. The working fluid circulating in the heat exchange cycle flows inside the heat exchanger (30), and the working fluid and the air sucked in from the indoor space exchange heat with each other. The heat exchanger (30) may be arranged to surround approximately half of the outer surface of the driving fan (32). In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger (30) is arranged to surround an angular area that is approximately half of the cross-section of the driving fan (32).

[0073] The driving fan (32) sucks in air from the indoor space through the intake port (22) and creates a flow of air so that it is discharged through the front outlet port (24) or the bottom outlet port (26). The driving fan (32) may be a cross-flow fan. The driving fan (32) is divided into sections by a plurality of blades (33) arranged in a cylindrical shape. The driving fan (32) has an overall cylindrical shape and sucks in air through one outer surface. The air sucked into the driving fan (32) passes through the interior and is discharged through an area facing the curved surface (18) of the flow guide (14) and guided along the curved surface (18).

[0074] The above driving fan (32) is installed so that one outer surface thereof is adjacent to the curved surface (18) of the flow guide (14) with a predetermined gap therebetween. Since the radius of the driving fan (32) is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved surface (18), the gap between the outer surface of the driving fan (32) and the curved surface (18) of the flow guide (14) increases from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the flow guide (14).

[0075] There is a stabilizer (34) facing a portion of the downstream portion of the curved surface (18) of the above flow guide (14). The stabilizer (34) forms one side of the flow path through which air flows, and is located adjacent to the front outlet (24) and the bottom outlet (26).

[0076] There may be a louver (36) on the flow path between the stabilizer (34) and the area adjacent to the downstream portion of the flow guide (14). The louver (36) can control the direction of air flow in the left and right directions when looking at the front outlet (24) or the bottom outlet (26) from the front.

[0077] Hereinafter, the operation of a flow guide according to the present invention having the configuration described above and an air management device equipped therewith will be described.

[0078] The air management device of the embodiment of the present invention is a split-type air conditioner, and the drawing shows an indoor unit. The indoor unit is also of a type that can be hung on a wall. In this type of air management device, heat exchange occurs as the working fluid from the outdoor unit passes through the heat exchanger (30), and the air for air conditioning, which is drawn in through the intake port (22) by the driving fan (32), passes through the heat exchanger (30).

[0079] Air that has been heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger (30) and has, for example, a relatively low temperature enters the driving fan (32) and is discharged toward the curved surface (18) facing the flow guide (14) of the driving fan (32). In this process, the air that has come out of the heat exchanger (30) passes through the nozzle (20). As described above, the nozzle (20) has a variable section (21) and a constant section (21', 21").

[0080] In the above-described schedule sections (21', 21"), there are a first schedule section (21') and a second schedule section (21"), so that, for example, the distance from the heat exchanger (30) to the first schedule section (21') is different from the distance to the second schedule section (21"). Accordingly, the time it takes to exit the heat exchanger (30) and reach the first schedule section (21') is different from the time it takes to reach the second schedule section (21"). Accordingly, the time at which flow separation occurs in the first schedule section (21') and the second schedule section (21") cannot but be different.

[0081] Accordingly, the point of impact on the blade (33) of the driving fan (32) and the magnitude of the force are bound to change. Therefore, the peak value of the noise generated overall is dispersed, so the noise is bound to be reduced. As can be seen in Fig. 14, in the conventional nozzle, noise is largely generated in the area A indicated by the dotted line, but in the nozzle (20) of the present invention, it can be confirmed that the impact noise in that area is relatively reduced.

[0082] Meanwhile, in Fig. 15, air in the indoor space is sucked in through the suction port (22), passes through the heat exchanger (30) and the driving fan (32), and is guided along the curved surface (18) of the flow guide (14) to be discharged into the indoor space through the front discharge port (24) or the bottom discharge port (26), as indicated by arrows.

[0083] Although all components constituting embodiments of the present invention have been described as being combined or operating in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the present invention, all components may be selectively combined and operated in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. In a flow guide having a curved surface that guides the flow of air and is installed facing the driving fan at a predetermined distance on a path through which air flows, A nozzle at the entrance of the above flow guide is a flow guide whose surface goes in the axial direction of the driving fan and has a different value at the gap from the driving fan depending on the area.

2. In the first paragraph, a flow guide having a fixed section on the surface of the nozzle in which the gap from the driving fan is constant and a variable section in which the gap from the driving fan is variable.

3. In the second paragraph, the predetermined period includes a first predetermined period and a second predetermined period, and the flow guide is formed such that the gap between the nozzle and the driving fan is different in the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period.

4. In the third paragraph, a flow guide in which the angles of the nozzle surface in the first and second schedule sections are formed differently.

5. In the fourth paragraph, the width of the first scheduled section l 1 , the width of the second schedule section l 2 , the relationship between the length B of one stage of the driving fan is 1.4 < 2*(l 1 + l 2 ) / B < 1.6 fluid guide.

6. A flow guide according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the nozzle is an offset nozzle offset by a predetermined distance from an imaginary line extending the curved surface of the flow guide.

7. Housing having an intake port and an exhaust port; A driving fan that creates airflow through the above intake and exhaust ports, A heat exchanger in which heat is exchanged between air and working fluid as air flowing through the above driving fan passes through it. The air discharged from the above driving fan is guided and includes a flow guide having a predetermined curved surface facing the outer surface of the above driving fan to guide the air. An air management device in which a nozzle is provided at the inlet of the above-mentioned flow guide in an area through which air from the above-mentioned heat exchanger passes and enters the driving fan, and the nozzle has a surface formed at a different distance from the driving fan or the heat exchanger depending on the area along the axial direction of the driving fan.

8. An air management device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the surface of the nozzle has a fixed section in which the gap from the driving fan is constant and a variable section in which the gap from the driving fan is variable.

9. An air management device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the predetermined interval is provided in multiple numbers with different values.

10. In the 8th paragraph, the predetermined period includes a first predetermined period and a second predetermined period, and the air management device is formed such that the gap between the nozzle and the driving fan or heat exchanger is different in the first predetermined period and the second predetermined period.

11. An air management device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the angles of the nozzle surfaces in the first and second schedule sections are formed differently.

12. In the 11th paragraph, the width of the first scheduled section l 1 , the width of the second schedule section l 2 , the relationship between the length B of one stage of the driving fan is 1.4 < 2*(l 1 + l 2 ) / B < 1.6 air management device.

13. An air management device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the nozzle is an offset nozzle offset by a predetermined distance from a virtual line extending the curved surface of the flow guide.

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