Air management device

Abstract

According to the present invention, a housing (10) is provided with a first discharge port (24) and a second discharge port (28), the ports being arranged side by side in close proximity. A diverter guide (40) for guiding air to the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28) has repeated protrusions and grooves formed therein. Noise and power consumption caused by the guided airflow can be reduced by the protrusions and grooves.

Description

air management device

[0001] The present invention relates to an air management device that ensures smooth air flow when managed air is discharged simultaneously through discharge ports on the front and bottom of the air management device.

[0002] 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, an AMS can discharge indoor heat to the outside, lowering the indoor air temperature relative to the outdoor air temperature. In the winter, an AMS can increase the temperature of the exhaust air, maintaining a relatively warmer indoor temperature relative to the outdoor air temperature. Alternatively, it can purify the air within a given space and re-introduce it.

[0003] Prior document 1, Korean Publication No. 20-1998-0021349, discloses a wall-mounted air management device. This device discharges air directly to the user through a single outlet. However, it fails to satisfy the needs for more diverse air conditioning.

[0004] To address this, prior art document 2, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0044162, features two air vents in a housing, which are opened and closed by a door to selectively discharge air, and a guide blade is placed between the air vents to control the airflow. However, this method has the problem that the airflow path becomes longer as the air flows through the guide blades and is discharged through the corresponding air vent.

[0005] Meanwhile, in cases where the air management device discharges air at a location relatively close to the ceiling rather than the floor in a space for air conditioning, the problem of the air path becoming longer can be solved by placing the discharge port at a location adjacent to the lower front side of the air management device and the lower front end of the air management device.

[0006] An air management device having such a structure is under development in an undisclosed state, as partially shown in Fig. 1. By driving a blower fan (1), air is exchanged heat as it passes through a heat exchanger, and the air is discharged from the blower fan (1) and guided by a rear guide (3) and a stabilizer (4) to be discharged through a first discharge port (5) and / or a second discharge port (6). The first discharge port (5) has a slit (7) to determine the angle of the discharged air. The second discharge port (6) is opened and closed by a vane (8), and the discharge angle of the air is determined by the vane (8). A branch guide (9) is provided on the path through which the air flows, separated into the first discharge port (5) and the second discharge port (6). The above branch guide (9) may be configured to obstruct the flow when the air is separated and discharged simultaneously through the first discharge port (5) and the second discharge port (6) in the flow path of the discharged air.

[0007] Therefore, as can be seen in Fig. 1, the branch guide (9) acts as a resistance to air flow, generating flow disturbance and noise. That is, since the branch guide (9) acts as a resistance to flow, problems arise with BPF (Blade passage frequency) noise, noise caused by the interaction between the air flow and the branch guide (9), noise caused by the air flow directly colliding with the branch guide (9), and noise caused by the wake.

[0008] Here, BPF noise is generated when the discontinuous flow generated by the fan's rotation interacts with structures near the fan. This tonal noise, characterized by a significant development of specific frequency components, is unpleasant to the listener. Because the primary frequencies of BPF noise can be predicted from the fan's rotational speed and number of blades, ongoing research is being conducted to minimize the noise.

[0009]

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, and to minimize flow disturbance in a branch guide that guides flow to the first discharge port and the second discharge port.

[0011] The present invention stabilizes the flow guided by the branch guide by providing a rough shape on at least one of the two guide surfaces of the branch guide and the connecting curve connecting the guide surfaces.

[0012] The present invention reduces the driving force of a driving fan for generating air flow through two outlets by using a branch guide.

[0013] According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose, in the present invention, a branch guide is placed in an area where a first discharge port and a second discharge port are divided, and unevenness is formed on at least one surface of the branch guide.

[0014] The present invention may include a housing having an intake port through which air is sucked in, a first outlet port and a second outlet port through which heat-exchanged air is discharged, a driving fan for creating an air flow through the intake port and the first and second outlet ports, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between air and a working fluid as the air flow by the driving fan passes through, and a branch guide for guiding air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger and sending it to the first outlet port or the second outlet port, and the branch guide may include an upper guide surface for guiding air toward the first outlet port, a lower guide surface for guiding air toward the second outlet port, and a connecting curved surface connecting the upper guide surface and the lower guide surface and protruding toward the driving fan, and an unevenness may be formed on at least one surface of the upper guide surface and the lower guide surface.

[0015] It may include a first guide portion that is relatively protruded across the upper guide surface, the lower guide surface, and the connecting curve, a second guide portion that is relatively recessed, and a transition portion that connects the first guide portion and the second guide portion.

[0016] The first guide section may include a first upper guide surface formed on the upper guide surface, a first lower guide surface formed on the lower guide surface, and a first connecting surface formed on the connecting curved surface, and the second guide section may include a second upper guide surface formed on the upper guide surface and recessed more than the first upper guide surface, a second lower guide surface formed on the lower guide surface and recessed more than the first lower guide surface, and a second connecting surface formed on the connecting curved surface and recessed more than the first connecting curved surface, and the transition section may include an upper transition surface formed to be inclined while connecting between the first upper guide surface and the second upper guide surface, a lower transition surface formed to be inclined while connecting between the first lower guide surface and the second lower guide surface, and a connecting transition surface formed to be inclined while connecting the upper transition surface and the lower transition surface.

[0017] A guide projection and a guide channel are formed on at least one of the upper and lower guide surfaces, wherein the guide projection is formed by protruding between the guide channels, and the guide channel can be formed by extending in the direction of air flowing along the upper or lower guide surface.

[0018] The above guide protrusion can also be extended and protruded in the direction of the air flowing along the upper or lower guide surface.

[0019] A plurality of sinusoidal irregularities can be formed repeatedly across the upper surface, lower surface, and connecting surface.

[0020] The above sinusoidal wave grooves are formed by extending in the direction of air flow across the upper guide surface, lower guide surface, and connecting curved surface, and relatively protruding peaks and relatively recessed valleys can be repeatedly formed in the longitudinal direction of the branch guide.

[0021] The first discharge port may be formed to extend in the direction of the rotation axis of the driving fan at the lower front surface of the housing, and the second discharge port may be formed to extend in parallel with the first discharge port at the lower end of the housing.

[0022] A vane is provided to open and close the second discharge port, and when the second discharge port is opened and closed by the vane, discharge of air through the second discharge port can be controlled.

[0023] The period ≤ blade length / 8, the period is the period of the unevenness, and the blade is that of the driving fan.

[0024] Amplitude ≤ (driving fan tangential speed / (number of blades * target rotation speed)) / 21, where the amplitude is that of the unevenness formed in the branch guide.

[0025] The air management device according to the present invention may have at least one of the following effects.

[0026] First, in the present invention, a first discharge port is formed on the front surface of the housing and a second discharge port is formed on the bottom surface of the housing. When the first and second discharge ports are formed adjacent to each other, a branch guide is placed between the first and second discharge ports to guide the airflow flowing toward the first and second discharge ports. Therefore, when air is discharged to the outside of the housing simultaneously through the first and second discharge ports, the airflow can be made smoother, and the occurrence of flow disturbance can be minimized.

[0027] In the present invention, the upper guide surface of the branch guide guides the air flow toward the first discharge port, and the lower guide surface of the branch guide guides the air flow toward the second discharge port. By providing a bio-shaped protrusion on the upper guide surface and / or the lower guide surface, the air flow is made smooth. In other words, the protrusions on the upper guide surface and / or the lower guide surface stabilize the air flow and prevent the occurrence of flow separation.

[0028] The present invention includes a configuration that stabilizes airflow and eliminates noise on the upper and lower guide surfaces of the branch guide. Therefore, noise generated by the air management device is minimized, while the smooth flow of air reduces the driving force of the driving fan, thereby improving the efficiency of the air management device.

[0029] Figure 1 is an explanatory drawing showing that air flow is guided by a branch guide in an air management device in which a first outlet and a second outlet are positioned adjacent to each other.

[0030] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the internal configuration of an air management device of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal configuration of an air management device of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the main part of an air management device in which an example of a branch guide constituting the present invention is employed.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a branch guide constituting the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0034] Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a branch guide constituting the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0035] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the main part of an air management device in which another example of a branch guide constituting the present invention is employed.

[0036] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a branch guide constituting the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a branch guide constituting the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7.

[0038] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the main part of an air management device in which another example of a branch guide constituting the present invention is employed.

[0039] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a part of a branch guide constituting the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0040] Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a portion of a branch guide constituting the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0041] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a sinusoidal curve formed by sinusoidal protrusions formed on the surface of a branch guide constituting the example illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0042] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of each part as an example of a driving fan used in the present invention.

[0043] Figure 15 is an operational state diagram showing that air is guided to the first discharge port by the branch guide in the present invention and discharged.

[0044] Figure 16 is an operational state diagram showing that air is guided and discharged through the first discharge port and the second discharge port by the branch guide in the present invention.

[0045] 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.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an air management device employing a preferred embodiment of the branch guide of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view. The present invention can be applied to various types of air management devices. In particular, it can be applied to an air management device in which a plurality of discharge ports are formed adjacent to each other so that air flows and is discharged simultaneously through the plurality of discharge ports. Examples of air management devices to which the present invention can be applied include wall-mounted air conditioners, stand-alone air conditioners, and the like.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 skeleton of the air management device. In the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, 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.

[0049] A flow guide (14) is formed in the above chassis (12). The flow guide (14) extends in the left and right directions when the chassis (12) is viewed from the front. The flow guide (14) serves to guide the air flow. A fan installation space (16) is formed by the flow guide (14). The fan installation space (16) is a portion surrounded by the flow guide (14) and a heat exchanger (32) to be described below. The fan installation space (16) also serves as a space through which air flows. The surface of the flow guide (14) forming the fan installation space (16) is a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature to form a gap with the outer surface of a driving fan (34) to be described below, thereby forming a flow path through which air flows.

[0050] There is a stabilizer (18) to guide the downstream portion of the air flow guided by the above flow guide (14). The stabilizer (18) is manufactured separately from the chassis (12) and installed within the housing (10), and the lower portion of the one-side heat exchanger (32) to be described below can be positioned. The lower surface (based on the drawing) of the stabilizer (18) forms a part of the flow path through which the air flows.

[0051] There is a suction port (20) on one side of the housing (10). The suction port (20) may be on the upper surface of the housing (10). The suction port (20) serves as an inlet through which air outside the housing (10) flows into the interior of the housing (10). The suction port (20) may be formed to extend longwise from side to side on the upper surface of the housing (10) when the housing (10) is viewed from the front. The suction port (20) has a grid structure (22), and a filter (not shown) may be installed, for example. The filter serves to purify the air entering the interior of the housing (10) through the suction port (20).

[0052] The housing (10) may have a first discharge port (24) at the lower front side. The first discharge port (24) is a portion through which heat-exchanged air is discharged. The first discharge port (24) may be formed to extend long and left and right on the front side of the housing (10) when the housing (10) is viewed from the front. The first discharge port (24) may be formed to extend long and left and right on the lower front side of the housing (10). A slit (26) is installed in the first discharge port (24) to adjust the vertical angle at which the air discharged from the first discharge port (24) flows. That is, the discharge angle of the discharged air can be adjusted by operating the slit (26) up and down at a predetermined angle.

[0053] The bottom surface of the housing (10) may have a second discharge port (28). The second discharge port (28) may be located adjacent to the first discharge port (24). That is, the second discharge port (28) may be located at the bottom end of the housing (10). The second discharge port (28) may be formed to extend longwise from side to side on the bottom surface of the housing (10). The second discharge port (28) may be opened on the bottom surface of the housing (10) so as to face the floor of an indoor space. Air may be discharged toward the front and bottom of the housing (10) through the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28).

[0054] As can be seen in the drawing, the first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28) are opened in directions that are perpendicular to each other. The first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28) are adjacent to each other with the branch guide (40) to be described below interposed therebetween. The first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28) are positioned side by side although their opening directions are different. By forming the first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28) in this way, the air flow distance from the driving fan (34) to the first outlet (24) and the air flow distance to the second outlet (28) become almost similar. Therefore, regardless of whether the air is discharged through the first outlet (24) or the second outlet (28), the pressure and speed of the discharged air can become almost similar.

[0055] A vane (30) may be provided to control the opening and closing of the second discharge port (28) and the direction of air flow discharged from the second discharge port (28). The specific configuration of the vane (30) is omitted for explanation.

[0056] A heat exchanger (32) may be provided inside the housing (10). The heat exchanger (32) 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 (20) exchange heat. The working fluid circulating in the heat exchange cycle flows inside the heat exchanger (32), and the working fluid and the air sucked in from the indoor space exchange heat with each other. The heat exchanger (32) may be arranged to surround approximately half of the outer surface of the driving fan (34). In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger (32) is arranged to surround an angular area that is approximately half of the cross-section of the driving fan (34).

[0057] The driving fan (34) sucks in air from the indoor space through the intake port (20). The driving fan (34) can create a flow of air so that it is discharged through the first outlet (24) or the second outlet (28). The driving fan (34) can use a cross-flow fan. The specific structure of the driving fan (34) is illustrated in FIG. 14. The driving fan (34) has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a rotational axis (340) at its center of rotation. The rotational axis (340) is the rotational center of the driving fan (34) and is located at both ends. There are end plates (342) at both ends of the driving fan (34). The end plates (342) have a disc shape. The rotational axis (340) is located at the center of the disc-shaped end plates (342).

[0058] The above driving fan (34) is arranged with a plurality of blades (344) to form a cylindrical shape by dividing the blades (344) into sections. The blades (344) are divided by section ribs (346) into several blocks (348). That is, the blades (344) are connected to each other integrally by the section ribs (346). The section ribs (346) may be ring-shaped.

[0059] Among the blocks (348) of the above driving fan (34), the block (348') at one end is a motor fastening block (348') to which the motor is fastened. The length (BL) of the blade (344) is the same as the length of the block (348) (in the direction of the rotation axis (340)).

[0060] The above driving fan (34) has an overall cylindrical shape and sucks in air through one outer surface. The air sucked into the driving fan (34) passes through the interior of the driving fan (34) and is guided to the blade (344) to an area facing the curved surface of the surface of the flow guide (14) and discharged, and is guided along the curved surface of the flow guide (14).

[0061] The above-mentioned driving fan (34) is installed so that one outer surface thereof is adjacent to the curved surface of the above-mentioned flow guide (14) with a predetermined gap therebetween. Since the radius of the above-mentioned driving fan (34) is smaller than the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the above-mentioned flow guide (14), the gap between the outer surface of the above-mentioned driving fan (34) and the curved surface of the above-mentioned flow guide (14) increases from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the above-mentioned flow guide (14). For reference, the above-mentioned stabilizer (18) is positioned so that the downstream portion and a part of the curved surface of the above-mentioned flow guide (14) face each other.

[0062] There may be a louver (38) on the flow path between the stabilizer (18) and the area adjacent to the downstream portion of the flow guide (14). The louver (38) can control the direction of air flow in the left and right directions when looking at the first outlet (24) or the second outlet (28) from the front.

[0063] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the region where the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28) branch off, there is a branch guide (40). The branch guide (40) can be extended by a length corresponding to the length by which the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28) extend left and right. That is, the branch guide (40) is in the shape of a long rod. The skeleton of the branch guide (40) is formed by a guide body (41). The guide body (41) extends long and parallel to the extension direction of the rotational axis (340) of the driving fan (34).

[0064] The above branch guide (40) serves to guide air flowing toward the first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28). In particular, since the first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28) are adjacent to each other, air flowing toward these outlets (24, 28) may collide with the branch guide (40). However, since surfaces for guiding air are formed on the surface of the guide body (41) of the branch guide (40), air can be smoothly guided to the first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28). That is, the branch guide (40) is formed with an upper guide surface (41a: 43a, 45a, 47a)), a lower guide surface (41b: 43b, 45b, 47b), and a connecting curved surface (41c: 43c, 45c, 47c) to guide air.

[0065] First, the upper guide surface (41a) guides air toward the first outlet (24), and the lower guide surface (41b) guides air toward the second outlet (28). The curved surface connecting the upper guide surface (41a) and the lower guide surface (41b) is a connecting surface (41c). The connecting surface (41c) is curved so that the air flows separately between the upper guide surface (41a) and the lower guide surface (41b), while preventing disturbance in the air flow. The upper guide surface (41a) and the lower guide surface (41b) connected by the connecting surface (41c) are formed such that their virtual extensions form an acute angle.

[0066] The above guide body (41) has a protruding shape. That is, the guide body (41) has a first guide portion (43), a second guide portion (45), and a transition portion (47). The first guide portion (43) protrudes relatively forward compared to the second guide portion (45). The second guide portion (45) does not protrude compared to the first guide portion (43) but is recessed. In addition, there is a transition portion (47) that continuously connects the first guide portion (43) and the second guide portion (45). For example, if the first guide portion (43) protrudes relatively, the second guide portion (45) does not protrude but is recessed compared to the first guide portion (43) and thus has a groove shape. The transition portion (47) connects the first guide portion (43) and the second guide portion (45). The above-mentioned transfer portion (47) is formed to be inclined between the first guide portion (43) and the second guide portion (45) so as to connect the first guide portion (43) and the second guide portion (45) to each other.

[0067] The transition part (47) is located between the first guide part (43) and the second guide part (45), so that the first guide part (43), transition part (47), second guide part (45), transition part (47), first guide part (43), and transition part (47) are repeatedly positioned in this order.

[0068] In the first guide section (43), a first upper guide surface (43a) extends toward the first discharge port (24). In the first guide section (43), a first lower guide surface (43b) is formed to be inclined toward the second discharge port (28). A first connecting curved surface (43c) is formed to connect the first upper guide surface (43a) and the first lower guide surface (43b). The first connecting curved surface (43c) is formed as a curved surface. The first connecting curved surface (43c) protrudes toward the driving fan (34).

[0069] And, in the second guide part (45), a second upper guide surface (45a) extends toward the first discharge port (24). In the second guide part (45), a second lower guide surface (45b) is formed to be inclined toward the second discharge port (28). A second connecting curved surface (45c) is formed to connect the second upper guide surface (45a) and the second lower guide surface (45b). The second connecting curved surface (45c) is formed as a curved surface. The second connecting curved surface (45c) protrudes toward the direction where the driving fan (34) is located. The second upper guide surface (45a), the second lower guide surface (45b), and the second connecting curved surface (45c) protrude less than the adjacent first upper guide surface (43a), the first lower guide surface (43b), and the first connecting curved surface (43c), respectively.

[0070] The above-mentioned transition portion (47) has an upper transition surface (47a) to connect the first upper guide surface (43a) and the second upper guide surface (45a). A lower transition surface (47b) to connect the first lower guide surface (43b) and the second lower guide surface (45b) is provided. A connecting transition surface (47c) to connect the first connecting surface (43c) and the second connecting surface (45c) is provided. The upper transition surface (47a), the lower transition surface (47b), and the connecting transition surface (47c) all have a predetermined inclination between the first guide portion (43) and the second guide portion (45).

[0071] In this way, the branch guide (40) has a first guide portion (43) and a second guide portion (45) that are a kind of irregularities repeatedly formed. In particular, the direction in which the irregularities are repeatedly arranged is the extension direction of the rotation axis (340) of the driving fan (34). Accordingly, the air discharged from each block (348) of the driving fan (34) can be guided and flowed at positions corresponding to the repeated irregularities.

[0072] Next, in FIGS. 7 to 9, there is another example of a branch guide (140). The skeleton of the branch guide (140) is formed by a guide body (141), and the guide body (141) extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotational axis (340) of the driving fan (34). The guide body (141) has an upper guide surface (141a) that guides air to the first discharge port (24). The guide body (141) has a lower guide surface (141b) that guides air to the second discharge port (28). A connecting curved surface (141c) connects the upper guide surface (141a) and the lower guide surface (141b). The connecting curved surface (141c) is formed as a curved surface. The upper guide surface (141a) and the lower guide surface (141b) connected by the above connecting curve (141c) are formed so that their virtual extension surfaces form an acute angle. The above connecting curve (141c) protrudes toward the driving fan (34).

[0073] In this embodiment, the unevenness is formed on the upper guide surface (141a). A plurality of guide protrusions (143) and guide channels (145) are formed on the upper guide surface (141a). The guide channels (145) extend in a direction toward the first discharge port (24) at a predetermined interval. The plurality of guide channels (145) are all formed in parallel. The guide protrusions (143) are formed to protrude from some of the gaps between the guide channels (145). The guide protrusions (143) are formed to protrude from the upper guide surface (141a), but like the guide channels (145), their extension direction is toward the first discharge port (24).

[0074] The configuration of the guide protrusion (143) and guide channel (145) is similar to that formed in the shell of a scallop, for example.

[0075] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned protrusions are formed only on the upper guide surface (141a), but they may also be formed on the lower guide surface (141b). Alternatively, the above-mentioned protrusions, i.e., the guide protrusions (143) and the guide channels (145), may be formed only on the lower guide surface (141b).

[0076] Next, in FIGS. 10 to 13, there is another example of a branch guide (240). The skeleton of the branch guide (240) is formed by a guide body (241), and the guide body (241) extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis (340) of the driving fan (34). The guide body (241) has an upper guide surface (241a) that guides air to the first discharge port (24). The guide body (241) has a lower guide surface (241b) that guides air to the second discharge port (28). A connecting curved surface (241c) connects the upper guide surface (241a) and the lower guide surface (241b). The connecting curved surface (241c) is formed as a curved surface. The upper guide surface (241a) and the lower guide surface (241b) connected by the above connecting curve (241c) are formed so that their virtual extension surfaces form an acute angle. The above connecting curve (241c) protrudes toward the driving fan (34).

[0077] In the branch guide (240) of this embodiment, a sinusoidal recess (243) is formed across the upper guide surface (241a), the lower guide surface (241b), and the connecting curved surface (241c). The sinusoidal recess (243) has a repeatedly formed peak (245) and valley (247), so that its surface shape resembles a sine wave curve, i.e., a sinusoidal curve. This can be seen in Fig. 13, which shows a sinusoidal curve formed along the surface of the sinusoidal recess (243).

[0078] The peaks (245) and valleys (247) of the sinusoidal groove (243) are formed to extend across the upper guide surface (241a), the lower guide surface (241b), and the connecting curved surface (241c). The peaks (245) and valleys (247) constituting the sinusoidal groove (243) are repeated, and the repetition of the peaks (245) and valleys (247) is formed in the longitudinal direction of the branch guide (240).

[0079] The operation of the air management device according to the present invention having the configuration described above will be described below.

[0080] The operation of the air management device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. In the illustrated embodiment, air in an indoor space is sucked into the interior of the housing (10) through the suction port (20) by the operation of the driving fan (34). The air sucked into the interior of the housing (10) through the suction port (20) undergoes heat exchange while passing through the heat exchanger (32). For example, in the case of cooling operation, the air exchanges heat with the working fluid of the heat exchange cycle while passing through the heat exchanger (32) and becomes relatively low in temperature.

[0081] The air that passes through the heat exchanger (32) enters the interior of the driving fan (34), is pressurized, and passes through the blade (344) to exit. The air that passes through the driving fan (34) is guided by the flow guide (14) and the stabilizer (18), etc., and flows to the first discharge port (24) and / or the second discharge port (28).

[0082] First, Fig. 15 illustrates a state in which the vane (30) closes the second discharge port (28). Accordingly, heat-exchanged air is discharged only through the first discharge port (24). Fig. 15 illustrates a state in which air is discharged only through the first discharge port (24).

[0083] In this case, the branch guide (40) is not used entirely to guide the air flow. That is, the upper guide surface (41a) of the branch guide (40) is used to guide the air flow. Therefore, the branch guide (40) does not function as an obstacle to the air flowing toward the first discharge port (24). In other words, when air is discharged only through the first discharge port (24), no problem occurs in the air flow due to collision with the branch guide (40). In addition, the air flow can be guided without being disturbed or deviated by the structure of the upper guide surface (41a) of the branch guide (40).

[0084] However, as can be seen in Fig. 16, in order to discharge air simultaneously through the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28) which are adjacent to each other, the vane (30) is opened. Therefore, as air is discharged simultaneously through the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28), the branch guide (40) plays an important role in the flow of air. This is because the upper guide surface (41a), the lower guide surface (41b) and the connecting curved surface (41c) formed on the surface of the branch guide (40) are all used to guide the flow of air. In particular, since the branch guide (40) is in the middle of the flow of air flowing toward the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28), the air flow guided by the branch guide (40) is influenced by the branch guide (40).

[0085] As described above, the present invention proposes branch guides (40, 140, 240) having various structures. These branch guides (40, 140, 240) operate as described below in the airflow flowing simultaneously to the first outlet (24) and the second outlet (28), thereby reducing noise and power consumption.

[0086] First, in the case of the branch guide (40, 240), when the flowing air collides, since the unevenness is repeatedly formed in the extension direction of the rotation axis (340) of the driving fan (34), a time difference occurs when the flow coming from the driving fan (34) collides with the branch guide (40, 240), and thereby the flow noise can be reduced by the frequency interference effect of the noise. In addition, since the direction of the air flow and the unevenness collide in a way that is offset from each other, the resistance is reduced, and the operating power consumption of the driving fan (34) is reduced. In particular, when compared to the case where the surface of the branch guide (40, 240) does not have unevenness, in the case of the branch guide (40, 240) used in the present invention, the possibility of reducing the flow noise was confirmed based on the same air volume, and it was confirmed that the power consumption of the driving source of the driving fan (34) was reduced by approximately 3.2%. Here, the possibility of reducing the flow noise can be expected when the amplitude is optimized.

[0087] In addition, in the case of the branch guide (140), flow separation can be prevented by the guide protrusion (143) and guide channel (145) formed on the upper guide surface (141a) or the lower guide surface (141b). Accordingly, noise and power consumption can be reduced.

[0088] Meanwhile, in the case where a cross-flow fan is used as the driving fan (34), the branch guide (40, 140, 240) branches the air flow into the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28), and has protrusions in the direction facing the first discharge port (24) and the second discharge port (28) based on an arbitrary point of the rotation axis (340) of the cross-flow fan. In the case where these protrusions have the characteristic of being repeatedly arranged, the following equation must be satisfied.

[0089]

[0090] Period ≤ blade length / 8

[0091] Here, the period refers to the number of times the bumps are repeated. This formula uses '8' as an experimental value, and reflects that a performance change occurs only when the number of bumps is at least 8 or more based on one block (348) of the driving fan (34). Here, the blade length is BL.

[0092]

[0093] Amplitude ≤ (driving fan tangential speed / (number of blades * target rotation speed)) / 21

[0094] Here, the amplitude refers to the amplitude of the irregularities. This equation is based on the fact that the time it takes for the flow generated from the driving fan (34) to reach the branch guide (40, 140, 240) will be different for the concave and convex portions of the branch guide (40, 140, 240). In other words, this means that a time difference occurs between the concave and convex portions of the branch guide (40, 140, 240) until the air flow collides with the irregular portions. Therefore, the above equation was derived by indirectly knowing the time difference according to the amplitude from the speed of the flow generated from the driving fan (34).

[0095] Here, the tangential speed of the driving fan will increase as the diameter of the driving fan (34) and the rotational speed of the driving fan (34) increase. The number of blades and the target fan rotational speed can be determined at the product and fan design stages. The division by 21 at the end of the equation is experimentally derived. This is a factor that occurs because the flow rate decreases due to air friction, etc., when reaching the branch guide (40, 140, 240) compared to the actual fan blade speed.

[0096] Among the above branch guides (40, 140, 240), the branch guide (140) was inspired by living organisms that move in fluids, such as clams, and can be seen in the shape of the clam shell surface, etc. In the case of the branch guide (140), the separation of the flow can be minimized by the arrangement of the guide channel (145) and the guide protrusion (143).

[0097] And, among the above branch guides (40, 140, 240), noise can be reduced through offset interference due to the time difference in which the air flow from the driving fan (34) collides with the unevenness of the branch guide (40, 240).

[0098] Meanwhile, in the present invention, the inclination angle of the upper guide surface (41a, 141a, 241a) and the inclination angle of the lower guide surface (41b, 141b, 241b) can be set in various ways. For example, the inclination angle of the upper guide surface (41a, 141a, 241a) can be explained in various ways such as 30 degrees, 24 degrees, 12 degrees, etc. upward toward the first discharge port (24).

[0099] 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. A housing having an intake port through which air is sucked in and a first outlet port and a second outlet port through which heat-exchanged air is discharged; A driving fan that creates air flow through the above-mentioned intake port and the first and second exhaust ports, A heat exchanger that exchanges heat between air and working fluid as air flows through it by the above driving fan. It includes a branch guide that guides the air that has been heat-exchanged in the above heat exchanger and sends it to the first outlet or the second outlet, The above branch guide includes an upper guide surface that guides air toward the first discharge port, a lower guide surface that guides air toward the second discharge port, and a connecting curved surface that connects the upper guide surface and the lower guide surface and protrudes toward the driving fan. An air management device in which unevenness is formed on at least one of the upper and lower guide surfaces.

2. An air management device comprising, in paragraph 1, a first guide portion that is relatively protruded across the upper guide surface, the lower guide surface, and the connecting curve, a second guide portion that is relatively recessed, and a transition portion that connects the first guide portion and the second guide portion.

3. In the second paragraph, the first guide section includes a first upper guide surface formed on the upper guide surface, a first lower guide surface formed on the lower guide surface, and a first connecting surface formed on the connecting curved surface, the second guide section includes a second upper guide surface formed on the upper guide surface and recessed more than the first upper guide surface, a second lower guide surface formed on the lower guide surface and recessed more than the first lower guide surface, and a second connecting surface formed on the connecting curved surface and recessed more than the first connecting curved surface, and the transition section includes an upper transition surface formed to be inclined and connecting between the first upper guide surface and the second upper guide surface, a lower transition surface formed to be inclined and connecting between the first lower guide surface and the second lower guide surface, and a connecting transition surface formed to be inclined and connecting the upper transition surface and the lower transition surface.

4. An air management device in which, in the first paragraph, a guide projection and a guide channel are formed on at least one of the upper and lower guide surfaces, the guide projection is formed by protruding between the guide channels, and the guide channel is formed by extending in the direction of air guided and flowing along the upper or lower guide surface.

5. In the fourth paragraph, the air management device in which the guide protrusion extends and protrudes in the direction of air flowing along the upper or lower guide surface.

6. An air management device in which a plurality of sinusoidal irregularities are repeatedly formed across the upper guide surface, lower guide surface, and connecting curved surface in the first paragraph.

7. In the 6th paragraph, the sinusoidal wave groove is formed to extend in the direction of air flowing across the upper guide surface, the lower guide surface, and the connecting curve, and the air management device is formed with relatively protruding peaks and relatively recessed valleys repeatedly in the longitudinal direction of the branch guide.

8. An air management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first discharge port is formed to extend in the direction of the rotation axis of the driving fan at the lower front surface of the housing, and the second discharge port is formed to extend parallel to the first discharge port at the lower end of the bottom surface of the housing.

9. An air management device in which a vane is provided for opening and closing the second discharge port in the 8th paragraph, and the discharge of air through the second discharge port is controlled by opening and closing the second discharge port by the vane.

10. An air management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the period is ≤ blade length / 8, the period is a period of unevenness, and the blade is of a driving fan.

11. An air management device according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, wherein the amplitude is ≤ (driving fan tangential speed / (number of blades * target rotational speed)) / 21, wherein the amplitude is that of the unevenness formed in the branch guide.

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