Air treatment device

Abstract

Provided is an air treatment device comprising: a body having an inlet through which air can flow in and an outlet through which air can flow out; a guide vane that has a plurality of projections formed on the upper portion and guides filtered air so that the filtered air is discharged in a certain direction; a blower fan which is accommodated inside the body and configured to rotate about a certain center of rotation to provide a blowing force for drawing air into the body and discharging same to the outside; a duct having a discharge flow path formed therein; and a filter for filtering air that has flowed into the body.

Description

air handler

[0001] The present invention relates to an air treatment device.

[0002] Typically, air handlers are devices that purify polluted air, replacing it with fresh air. They function by passing the incoming air through an air purification filter to remove dust, bacteria, and odors. However, unintentional turbulence within the air handler can lead to low airflow efficiency if the incoming air cannot efficiently reach the filter or the filtered air cannot be efficiently discharged through the exhaust port. Furthermore, airflow separation within the air handler can lead to airflow loss.

[0003] In this regard, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s Patent Publication No. 2023-0094049, "Air Purifier" (Patent Document 1), discloses a vortex reduction chamber formed inside a bypass path of an air purifier to reduce vorticity in air flowing through the bypass path. The vortex reduction chamber of Patent Document 1 may be formed concavely on the inner surface of a filter mounting frame. The vortex reduction chamber may be formed in a shape that reduces vorticity in the air flow passing through the bypass path.

[0004] However, the chamber disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it only prevents the formation of vortices in some air passing through the bypass passage and does not recognize improvement in the flow efficiency of the overall air flowing in the air purifier. In addition, Patent Document 1 only discloses that the chamber removes vortices in the passage and does not recognize that flow efficiency can be increased by generating vortices as needed. In other words, the embodiments of the vortex prevention chamber of Patent Document 1 can change the vortex passing through the bypass passage into laminar flow, but there is a problem in that it does not improve the flow efficiency in parts other than the bypass passage, such as the blower fan and the duct.

[0005] In addition, Cheongho Nais Co., Ltd.'s patent publication No. 2021-0136399 "Blower and air purifier including the same" (patent document 2) discloses a blade having an effective thickness and curvature derived by simulating the air flow around the blower fan and guide vane of the air purifier through fluid analysis.

[0006] However, Patent Document 2 has a problem in that, unlike what is described in the specification, vortices or turbulence are generated at the ends of the guide vanes, making the flow of air discharged from the guide vanes inefficient. In addition, Patent Document 2 only discloses the thickness and curvature of the guide vane, and does not disclose changing the shape of the guide vane itself, so there is a problem in that there is a limit to improving vortices or turbulence. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 has a problem in that it does not improve the flow efficiency in parts other than the guide vane, such as the blower fan and duct, which are components other than the guide vane.

[0007] (Prior art literature)

[0008] (Patent Document)

[0009] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 2023-0094049 (Published on June 27, 2023)

[0010] (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Publication No. 2021-0136399 (Published on November 25, 2021)

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention have been invented against the background described above, and are intended to provide an air handler that improves energy efficiency by improving the flow efficiency of air inside the air handler through various structures.

[0012] An air handler according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a body having an inlet for introducing air and an outlet for discharging air to the outside; a guide vane for guiding filtered air to be discharged in one direction and having a plurality of protrusions formed on the upper portion; a blower fan accommodated inside the body and configured to rotate about a predetermined center of rotation to provide a blowing force for introducing air into the inside of the body and discharging it to the outside; a duct having a discharge path formed therein; and a filter for filtering air introduced into the inside of the body, wherein the protrusions are arranged on the upper side of the blower fan and convert a flow of air rising from one surface of the guide vane and a flow of air rising from the other surface of the guide vane into a laminar flow.

[0013] In addition, the blower fan includes a plurality of blades, at least some of which extend in a direction parallel to the rotation center; a motor that provides a driving force for rotating the blades; and a blade support portion connected to the plurality of blades and extending in a direction offset from the rotation center between the motor and the plurality of blades, wherein a support protrusion that forms a vortex may be formed on the blade support portion.

[0014] In addition, the support protrusion is arranged between the blades on the support surface of the blade support, the curvature of one side of the support protrusion is greater than the curvature of the other side opposite the one side of the support protrusion, and the vertical height of the support protrusion and the width on the support surface may be smaller than the horizontal thickness of the blade.

[0015] Additionally, the vertical height and width of the support protrusion may be 0.01 times or more and 0.3 times or less of the height and horizontal width of the blade.

[0016] In addition, a plurality of dimples having a groove shape are formed in the duct, and the plurality of dimples can reduce air resistance and speed up air flow by generating vortices in the discharged air.

[0017] Additionally, the diameter of the dimple disposed on the lower side among the plurality of dimples may be larger than the diameter of the dimple disposed on the upper side.

[0018] In addition, the discharged air flows along the slope of the duct, and the air flow is accelerated by the dimples, but is not separated by the support protrusions and can be evenly distributed along the upper surface of the blade.

[0019] Additionally, the blade may be formed with blade protrusions for forming vortices.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of preventing disturbance of air flow and changing vortices into laminar flow by forming protrusions on the guide vane, thereby maximizing flow efficiency.

[0021] Additionally, the blade's protrusions create air vortices, which delay flow separation and prevent air loss.

[0022] Additionally, dimples are formed in the duct to create vortices in the air, which delays flow separation and prevents air loss.

[0023] Additionally, by gradually forming the dimples in different sizes, there is an effect of maximizing the delay in flow separation.

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air handler.

[0025] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Ⅰ-Ⅰ of Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of A in Figure 2.

[0028] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of B in Figure 2.

[0029] Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5.

[0030] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of II-II of Figure 5.

[0031] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of C in Figure 2.

[0032] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of Ⅲ-Ⅲ of Figure 8.

[0033] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of D in Figure 9.

[0034] Hereinafter, specific embodiments for implementing the technical idea of ​​the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0035] In addition, when explaining the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0036] Additionally, when it is said that a component is 'connected' or 'supported' by another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or supported by that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

[0037] The terminology used herein is intended solely to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0038] Additionally, please note that the terms "upper side," "lower side," and "side" in this specification are based on the illustrations in the drawings and may be expressed differently if the orientation of the subject changes. For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted, and the sizes of each component do not fully reflect the actual size.

[0039] Additionally, terms that include ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by such terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0040] The term "comprising" as used in the specification means specifying a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of other particular characteristics, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups.

[0041] Hereinafter, an air processor (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The air processor (1) can purify polluted air into clean air by filtering dust, odor particles, etc. in the air introduced into the air processor (1). In addition, the air processor (1) can draw in air from outside the air processor (1) and discharge clean air purified inside to the outside. The air processor (1) can include a body (100), a guide vane (200), a blower fan (300), a duct (400), and a filter (500).

[0042] The body (100) can accommodate one or more of a guide vane (200), a blower fan (300), a duct (400), and a filter (500) therein. The body (100) can be formed with an inlet through which air can be introduced and an outlet (110) through which air is discharged to the outside. The body (100) can be formed in a cylindrical shape. External air can be introduced into the body (100) through an inlet, filtered by a filter (500), and then discharged to the outside through an outlet.

[0043] The outlet (110) can discharge the air filtered inside the air handler (1) to the outside. The outlet (110) can be formed on the upper surface of the body (100). For example, the outlet (110) can be opened upward and can be provided in multiple numbers. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the outlet (110) can be formed on the front or rear of the body (100).

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the guide vane (200) can guide the filtered air to be discharged in one direction. The filtered air can be discharged upward from at least one of the front and rear sides of the body (100) by the guide vane (200). A plurality of protrusions (201) can be formed on the guide vane (200). The guide vane (200) can include a guide vane body portion (210) and a guide portion (220).

[0045] The guide vane body (210) can support the guide portion (220). The guide vane body (210) can be arranged between the discharge port (110) and the blower fan (300). The horizontal width of the guide vane body (210) can be smaller than the horizontal width of the body (100). The guide vane body (210) can be formed in an annular shape, and the vertical height of the guide vane body (210) can be smaller than the blade height (H) described later.

[0046] A plurality of guide parts (220) are provided, and the plurality of guide parts (220) are horizontally spaced apart from each other so that the filtered air can be discharged to the outside of the body (100) through the plurality of guide parts (220). A protrusion (201) may be formed on the upper portion of the guide part (220).

[0047] The protrusion (201) can change the air flow so that turbulence is not formed directly downstream (e.g., directly above) of the guide vane (200). The protrusion (201) can be formed on the upper portion of the guide vane (200). The protrusion (201) can change the flow of air rising on one surface of the guide portion (220) and the flow of air rising on the other surface of the guide portion (220) into laminar flow. The protrusion (201) can change the air flow so that the air rising on one surface of the guide portion (220) and the air rising on the other surface of the guide portion (220) do not collide directly downstream of the guide vane (200) but join at a position spaced apart from the guide vane (200) toward the downstream. The protrusion (201) can be arranged on the upper portion of the blower fan (300). The protrusion (201) can have a shape in which a plurality of protrusions are spaced apart horizontally. The horizontal width of the plurality of protrusions may be greater than 1 / 10 and less than 1 / 5 of the horizontal width of the guide portion (220). The plurality of protrusions may have a trapezoidal shape in which the upper width is smaller than the lower width. The height of the plurality of protrusions may be less than or equal to the lower width of the plurality of protrusions.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the blower fan (300) can provide blowing force to allow external air to pass through the filter (500). The blower fan (300) can be accommodated inside the body (100). The blower fan (300) can be configured to rotate about a predetermined center of rotation to provide blowing force to introduce air into the interior of the body (100) and discharge it to the exterior. The blower fan (300) can include a blade (310), a blade support member (320), and a motor (330).

[0049] The blade (310) may be supported by a blade support member (320) and may be driven to rotate. The blade (210) may provide a blowing force to allow external air to flow into the body (100) and to discharge filtered air to the outside. At least a portion of the blade (310) may extend in a direction parallel to the center of rotation of the blower fan (300). A plurality of blades (310) may be provided. A blade protrusion (311) may be formed on the blade (310).

[0050] The blade protrusion (311) can form a vortex. The blade protrusion (311) can be arranged on the blade (310). The blade protrusion (311) can be formed on the inner curved surface of the blade (310). The curvature of one side of the blade protrusion (311) can be greater than the curvature of the other side, which is the opposite side of the blade protrusion (311). The vertical height (h1) and the width (w1) on the support surface of the blade protrusion (311) can be smaller than the horizontal width (W) of the blade (310). The vertical height (h1) and the width (w1) of the blade protrusion (311) can be 0.01 times or more and 0.3 times or less of the height (H) and the horizontal width (W) of the blade (310). For example, the vertical height (h1) and width (w1) of the blade protrusion (311) may be 0.1 times the height (H) and horizontal width (W) of the blade (310).

[0051] The blade support (320) can support the blade (310). The blade support (320) can be connected to a plurality of blades (310). The blade support (320) can extend in a direction that is offset from the center of rotation between the motor (330) and the plurality of blades (310). For example, the blade support (320) can extend in a horizontal direction. A support protrusion (321) can be formed on the blade support (320).

[0052] The support protrusion (321) can form a vortex. The support protrusion (321) can be arranged between the blades (310) on the support surface of the blade support member (320). The support protrusion (321) can be arranged to overlap the center of an imaginary line extending from a radially inner end of one blade (310) to a radially outer end of another adjacent blade (310). The curvature of one side of the support protrusion (321) can be greater than the curvature of the other side of the support protrusion (321) opposite to the one side. The vertical height (h2) of the support protrusion (321) and the width (w2) on the support surface can be smaller than the horizontal width (W) of the blade (310). The vertical height (h2) and width (w2) of the support protrusion (321) may be 0.01 times or more and 0.3 times or less of the height (H) and horizontal width (W) of the blade (310). For example, the vertical height (h2) and width (w2) of the support protrusion (321) may be 0.1 times or more of the height (H) and horizontal width (W) of the blade (310).

[0053] The motor (330) can provide a driving force to rotate the blade (310). The motor (330) can be driven to rotate the blade (310) in one direction or in a direction opposite to the one direction. In addition, the motor (330) can be configured to rotate around a rotational axis extending in the first direction.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the duct (400) can prevent leakage of flowing air. The duct (400) may have a discharge path formed therein. The duct (400) may be formed to be inclined or curved in the direction of flow of the rotating air. The duct (400) may be arranged below the blower fan (300). A dimple (401) may be formed in the duct (400). The duct (400) may include a duct discharge portion (410), a duct inlet portion (420), and a tape guide (430).

[0055] The duct discharge portion (410) is formed above the duct inlet portion (420), and the duct inlet portion (420) may be formed below the duct discharge portion (410). Air filtered by the filter (500) may flow through the duct inlet portion (420) to the duct discharge portion (410) and be discharged through the discharge port (110). The tape guide (430) is arranged above the duct inlet portion (420) and has a tapered shape that becomes narrower as it goes upward, and may guide air into the duct (400).

[0056] The dimple (401) may have a groove shape. The dimple (401) may be provided in multiple numbers. The multiple dimples (401) can reduce air resistance and accelerate air flow by generating a vortex in the discharged air. Among the multiple dimples (401), the diameter of the dimple (401) arranged on the lower side may be larger than the diameter of the dimple (401) arranged on the upper side. The dimple (401) may be formed on the inner surface of the tape guide (430).

[0057] The filter (500) can filter air introduced into the body (100). The filter (500) can filter air introduced from outside the air handler (1) into clean air. For example, the filter (500) can be an activated carbon deodorizing filter (carbon filter) or a HEPA filter. The filter (500) can be placed on the lower side of the duct (400).

[0058] Below, the operation and effect of the air handler (1) having the configuration described above will be described.

[0059] The air handler (1) of the present invention can increase energy efficiency by increasing air flow efficiency. The air handler (1) can form vortices in necessary areas and suppress vortex formation in areas that impede efficient air flow. The guide vane (200) can maximize air flow efficiency by converting the air flow from vortices to laminar flow. The air flow can be more efficient because the discharged air is converted to laminar flow by the guide vane (200) before it exits through the discharge port (110). In addition, the guide vane (200) can prevent disturbance of the air flow. If a vortex is generated above the guide vane (200), the air flow is disturbed, making it difficult for the air to be discharged smoothly through the discharge port (110). However, this can be prevented by going through the process of converting to laminar flow by the guide vane (200).

[0060] The blower fan (300) with the protrusions can prevent airflow loss by generating vortices and delaying flow separation. If flow separation occurs, in which a fluid such as air is separated from the surface of an object, air loss may occur, reducing the efficiency of the air handler (1). Therefore, by generating vortices to reduce flow separation, the performance of the air handler (1) can be efficiently improved.

[0061] A duct (400) formed with dimples (401) can also generate vortices to delay flow separation and prevent loss of air flow. The dimples (401) formed in the duct (400) have different sizes depending on the vertical height, thereby generating vortices more efficiently.

[0062] The air discharged after being filtered in the filter (500) flows along the slope of the duct (400) and the air flow can be accelerated by the dimples (401). The dimples (401) can reduce air resistance and accelerate the air flow by generating a vortex in the discharged air. The accelerated air is likely to peel off from the surface of the blower fan (300) or the guide vane (200), but the blade protrusions (311) and the support protrusions (321) prevent the peeling, thereby allowing the air to flow evenly on the blades (310) and downstream thereof. Therefore, even when the fan rotation speed (RPM) is high, the air can flow more efficiently than the surface of the blower fan (300) or the guide vane (200).

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described as specific embodiments, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto, but should be construed to have the broadest scope in accordance with the technical concepts disclosed in this specification. Those skilled in the art may combine / substitute the disclosed embodiments to implement patterns of shapes not specified, but this also does not depart from the scope of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art may easily modify or alter the disclosed embodiments based on this specification, and it is clear that such modifications or alterations also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A body having an inlet for air to flow in and an outlet for air to be discharged to the outside; A guide vane having multiple protrusions formed on the upper portion, which guides the filtered air to be discharged in one direction; A blower fan configured to be accommodated inside the body and rotate about a predetermined center of rotation to provide blowing force for introducing air into the inside of the body and discharging it to the outside; A duct having a discharge path formed inside; and It includes a filter that filters the air introduced into the interior of the above body, The above protrusion is arranged on the upper side of the blower fan to convert the flow of air rising from one side of the guide vane and the flow of air rising from the other side of the guide vane into laminar flow. Air handler.

2. In paragraph 1, The above blower fan, A plurality of blades, at least some of which extend in a direction parallel to the center of rotation; a motor providing driving force to rotate the above blade; and A blade support member connected to the plurality of blades and extending in a direction misaligned with the center of rotation between the motor and the plurality of blades, The above blade support member has a support protrusion that forms a vortex. Air handler.

3. In paragraph 2, The above support projection is arranged between the blades on the support surface of the blade support portion, The curvature of one side of the above-mentioned support protrusion is greater than the curvature of the other side, which is the opposite side of the above-mentioned support protrusion. The vertical height of the above support protrusion and the width on the support surface are smaller than the horizontal thickness of the blade. Air handler.

4. In paragraph 3, The vertical height and width of the above support protrusion are 0.01 times or more and 0.3 times or less of the height and horizontal width of the blade. Air handler.

5. In paragraph 4, A plurality of dimples having a groove shape are formed in the above duct, The above multiple dimples create vortices in the discharged air, reducing air resistance and accelerating air flow. Air handler.

6. In paragraph 5, Among the above multiple dimples, the diameter of the dimple arranged on the lower side is larger than the diameter of the dimple arranged on the upper side. Air handler.

7. In paragraph 6, The discharged air flows along the slope of the duct, and the air flow is accelerated by the dimple, but is not separated by the support protrusion and is evenly distributed along the upper surface of the blade. Air handler.

8. In paragraph 2, The above blade has blade projections formed to form vortices. Air handler.

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