Volute casing assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit

Abstract

Provided in the present disclosure are a volute casing assembly, a centrifugal fan, and an indoor unit. The volute casing assembly comprises a fixed volute casing and a movable volute casing, with a limiting structure being provided between the movable volute casing and the fixed volute casing. According to the volute casing assembly, the centrifugal fan and the indoor unit provided by the present disclosure, the axial movement of the fixed volute casing and the movable volute casing is limited by the limiting structure, so as to restrict the movable volute casing from being driven by the airflow of fan blades to move axially, thereby ensuring relatively reliable positions of the movable volute casing and the fixed volute casing. In addition, the limiting structure can also seal a gap between an end face of the fixed volute casing and an end face of the movable volute casing, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan.

Description

volute assembly, centrifugal fan and indoor unit

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510024436.2, filed on January 7, 2025, entitled "Vortex Assembly, Centrifugal Fan and Indoor Unit", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of air handling equipment technology, and in particular to a volute assembly, a centrifugal fan, and an indoor unit. Background Technology

[0003] With the widespread use of air conditioning, users have placed higher demands on its comfort, especially regarding indoor airflow organization and distribution. Due to the density difference between cold and hot air, to meet higher requirements for indoor comfort, it is necessary to adopt side-discharge of cold air and bottom-discharge of hot air to achieve the effect of "waterfall-like cooling and carpet-like heating." The key to achieving this lies in the design of a variable-direction air outlet fan.

[0004] Centrifugal fans typically consist of an impeller and a volute. The volute concentrates and guides the gas leaving the impeller, further converting some of its kinetic energy into static pressure. The proper design of the volute profile plays a crucial role in the fan's performance.

[0005] The variable-direction centrifugal fan of related technology includes a volute and forward-curving multi-blade centrifugal impellers. The volute consists of a fixed volute and a movable volute. The movable volute can rotate within the fixed volute to shield and open different air outlets on the fixed volute, thereby adjusting the airflow direction of the centrifugal fan. Because the fixed and movable volutes need to move relative to each other, and the airflow generated by the impellers within the volute assembly drives the movable volute to move axially relative to the fixed volute, problems such as interference, jamming, or even detachment of the movable and fixed volutes in the axial direction can occur, severely affecting the operational reliability of the centrifugal fan. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the technical problem of axial interference, jamming, or even detachment between the fixed and movable volutes in related technologies, which affects the operational reliability of centrifugal fans, a volute assembly, centrifugal fan, and indoor unit are provided that utilize a limiting structure to axially limit the fixed and movable volutes to ensure operational reliability.

[0007] This disclosure provides a volute assembly, including:

[0008] A fixed volute is provided with a first air outlet and a second air outlet on its peripheral side surface.

[0009] The movable volute is rotatably disposed within the fixed volute, and the volute assembly has a first state of opening the first air outlet and closing the second air outlet, and a second state of opening the second air outlet and closing the first air outlet.

[0010] A limiting structure is provided between the movable volute and the fixed volute.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fixed volute has a first end face with a fixed air inlet, the movable volute has a second end face with a movable air inlet, the movable air inlet is connected to the fixed air inlet, and the limiting structure is provided between the first end face and the second end face.

[0012] In some embodiments, a limiting groove is formed on the second end face, and the edge of the fixed air inlet extends into the limiting groove, the limiting groove constituting the limiting structure.

[0013] In some embodiments, the limiting structure includes a limiting ring disposed on the second end face, and the limiting ring and the second end face form the limiting groove.

[0014] In some embodiments, the limiting structure further includes a connecting ring, which is disposed on the second end face via the connecting ring. The first end face, the connecting ring, and the limiting ring together constitute the limiting groove, and there is a gap between the edge of the fixed air inlet and the connecting ring.

[0015] In some embodiments, a rolling element is provided on the connecting ring, and the rolling element rolls into contact with the edge of the fixed air inlet; or, a rolling element is provided on the first end face, and the rolling element rolls into contact with the connecting ring.

[0016] In some embodiments, a protruding structure is provided on the inner wall of the limiting groove, and the height of the protruding structure is less than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face; or, a protruding structure is provided on the first end face located in the limiting groove, and the height of the protruding structure is less than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face.

[0017] In some embodiments, the height L3 of the protrusion structure is in the range of 0.2mm≤L3≤3mm; and / or, the height of the protrusion structure is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute; and / or, the height of the protrusion structure is proportional to the length of the movable volute.

[0018] In some embodiments, the distance L1 between the sidewall of the limiting groove and the first end face is in the range of 1mm ≤ L1 ≤ 4mm; and / or, the distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face is in the range of 0.5mm ≤ L2 ≤ 3mm.

[0019] This disclosure also provides a centrifugal fan including the aforementioned volute assembly.

[0020] This disclosure also provides an indoor unit, including the aforementioned volute assembly or the aforementioned centrifugal fan.

[0021] The volute assembly, centrifugal fan, and indoor unit disclosed herein utilize a limiting structure to restrict the axial movement of the fixed volute and the movable volute, limiting the axial movement of the movable volute caused by the airflow of the fan blades, thereby ensuring that the positions of the movable and fixed volutes are relatively reliable. At the same time, the limiting structure can also seal the gaps at the end faces of the fixed and movable volutes, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the fixed volute structure provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the movable volute provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the volute assembly provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the volute assembly provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the flow direction of the leakage airflow at the limiting groove and the first end face provided in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the distance between the limiting groove and the first end face provided in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the protrusion structure and rolling element on the movable volute provided in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the spacing of the protrusion structure provided in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the movable volute is installed after the fixed volute and the limiting ring is hidden.

[0031] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit with side air outlet provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the indoor unit with downward air outlet provided in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] In the figure: 1. Fixed volute; 11. First air outlet; 12. Second air outlet; 2. Movable volute; 13. First end face; 14. Fixed air inlet; 21. Second end face; 22. Movable air inlet; 3. Limiting ring; 4. Connecting ring; 5. Rolling element; 6. Protruding structure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0035] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present disclosure, the technical solutions of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate for the embodiments of this disclosure described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0037] It should be noted that in the description of this disclosure, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," which indicate directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are used merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setup," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] Centrifugal fans typically consist of an impeller and a volute. The volute concentrates and guides the gas leaving the impeller, further converting some of its kinetic energy into static pressure. The rational design of the volute profile plays a crucial role in the fan's performance. Related technologies for variable-direction centrifugal fans include a volute and forward-curved multi-blade centrifugal blades. The volute consists of a fixed volute and a movable volute. The movable volute can rotate within the fixed volute to open and close different outlets on the fixed volute, thereby adjusting the centrifugal fan's outlet direction. Because the fixed and movable volutes need to move relative to each other, and the airflow generated by the blades within the volute assembly drives the movable volute to move axially relative to the fixed volute, problems such as interference, jamming, or even detachment of the movable volute and fixed volute in the axial direction can occur, severely affecting the reliability of the centrifugal fan.

[0040] To address this, this disclosure provides a volute assembly as shown in Figures 1 to 11, comprising: a fixed volute 1, wherein a first air outlet 11 and a second air outlet 12 are provided on the peripheral side of the fixed volute 1; and a movable volute 2, which is rotatably disposed within the fixed volute 1, and the volute assembly has a first state of opening the first air outlet 11 and closing the second air outlet 12, and a second state of opening the second air outlet 12 and closing the first air outlet 11; a limiting structure is provided between the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1. The limiting structure restricts the axial movement of the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2, limiting the axial movement of the movable volute 2 caused by the airflow from the fan blades, thereby ensuring that the positions of the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1 are relatively reliable. Simultaneously, the limiting structure can also seal the gaps at the end faces of the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan.

[0041] Because the fixed volute 1 has a first air outlet 11 and a second air outlet 12 on its peripheral sidewall, the volute assembly can only receive air from the end of the fixed volute 1. That is, the fixed volute 1 has a first end face 13 with a fixed air inlet 14. The movable volute 2 has a second end face 21 with a movable air inlet 22. The movable air inlet 22 communicates with the fixed air inlet 14. The relative movement of the movable volute 2 and the fixed volute 1 causes a gap between the end of the movable volute 2 and the end of the fixed volute 1. This gap will cause airflow leakage. At this time, the limiting structure is provided between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21. The limiting structure can block the airflow leakage between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, thereby improving the working efficiency of the centrifugal fan.

[0042] In one implementation, a limiting groove is formed on the second end face 21, and the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 extends into the limiting groove, which constitutes the limiting structure. By extending the first end face 13 into the limiting groove, the relative restriction between the sidewall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 can suppress the axial movement of the movable volute 2. At the same time, since the first end face 13 extends into the limiting groove, it can form a labyrinth seal structure with the U-shaped shape of the limiting groove, thereby achieving the purpose of sealing airflow leakage.

[0043] Specifically, the limiting structure includes a limiting ring 3, which is disposed on the second end face 21, and the limiting ring 3 and the second end face 21 form the limiting groove. At this time, the second end face 21 is located on the side of the first end face 13 closer to the center of the volute assembly, while the limiting ring 3 is located on the side of the first end face 13 away from the center of the volute assembly. When the movable volute 2 moves axially, the second end face 21 and the first end face 13 can contact each other to restrict the movable volute 2 from moving in the first axial direction, and the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13 can contact each other to restrict the movable volute 2 from moving in the second axial direction, thereby achieving the purpose of limiting the movable volute 2. Moreover, since there is an overlapping part between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, and there is also an overlapping part between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13, the leaking airflow needs to undergo multiple turns, thereby achieving a labyrinth seal effect.

[0044] In some embodiments, the limiting structure further includes a connecting ring 4, and the limiting ring 3 is disposed on the second end face 21 through the connecting ring 4. The first end face 13, the connecting ring 4 and the limiting ring 3 together constitute the limiting groove, and there is a gap between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4. At this time, the first end face 13 and the limiting ring 3 respectively form the two side walls of the limiting groove, and the connecting ring 4 forms the bottom wall of the limiting groove. Since the gas leaking from this gap in the volute assembly will flow in the axial direction, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the first end face 13, and since there is an overlapping part between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21, and there is also an overlapping part between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13, this part of the airflow needs to change its flow direction, thus forming a labyrinth seal. Specifically, when the leaked gas flows through this limiting structure, its flow direction is as follows: axial direction - perpendicular to the axial direction (there is an overlapping part between the first end face 13 and the second end face 21) - axial direction - perpendicular to the axial direction (between the limiting ring 3 and the first end face 13), which requires multiple deflections to achieve the sealing effect.

[0045] Since the fixed volute 1 and the movable volute 2 may have different axes, the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 may interfere with the connecting ring 4. To address this, the connecting ring 4 is provided with a rolling element that rolls with the edge of the fixed air inlet 14. This replaces the surface-to-surface friction between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4 with the rolling friction between the rolling element and the fixed air inlet 14, thereby reducing the frictional resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement and improving the reliability of the movable volute 2's movement.

[0046] Alternatively, a rolling element 5 is provided on the first end face 13. The rolling element 5 rolls with the connecting ring 4, replacing the surface-to-surface friction between the edge of the fixed air inlet 14 and the connecting ring 4 with the rolling friction between the rolling element 5 and the connecting ring 4, thereby reducing the frictional resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement and improving the reliability of the movement of the movable volute 2.

[0047] Since the movable volute 2 may also move axially, a protruding structure 6 is provided on the inner wall of the limiting groove. The height of the protruding structure 6 is less than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13. The protruding structure 6 replaces the surface-to-surface friction that may exist between the first end face 13 and the inner wall of the limiting groove with point-to-surface contact between the protruding structure 6 and the first end face 13, thereby further reducing the frictional resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement and improving the reliability of the movement of the movable volute 2.

[0048] Alternatively, a protruding structure 6 may be provided on the first end face 13 located within the limiting groove. The height of the protruding structure 6 is less than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13. The protruding structure 6 replaces the surface-to-surface friction that may exist between the first end face 13 and the inner wall of the limiting groove with point-to-surface contact between the protruding structure 6 and the inner wall of the limiting groove, thereby further reducing the frictional resistance of the movable volute 2 during movement and improving the movement reliability of the movable volute 2.

[0049] The height L3 of the protruding structure 6 is in the range of 0.2mm≤L3≤3mm. In some embodiments, 1mm≤L3≤2mm is used to avoid the protruding structure 6 being too high and affecting the sealing effect on the leaking airflow, while also avoiding the protruding structure 6 being too low and failing to reduce friction.

[0050] The height of the protruding structure 6 is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute 2. That is, the larger the diameter of the movable volute 2, the higher the height of the protruding structure 6. At this time, the amount of leaked airflow is smaller than the airflow driven in the volute assembly. Moreover, the larger the linear expansion coefficient of the movable volute 2, the higher the height of the protruding structure 6 can be appropriately increased to improve the friction reduction effect of the protruding structure 6.

[0051] The height of the protruding structure 6 is directly proportional to the length of the movable volute 2. That is, the greater the length of the movable volute 2, the higher the height of the protruding structure 6. At this time, the movable volute 2 has a larger axial displacement and a larger coefficient of linear expansion. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the height of the protruding structure 6 to improve the friction reduction effect of the protruding structure 6.

[0052] The distance L1 between the sidewall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 is in the range of 1mm ≤ L1 ≤ 4mm, and in some embodiments, 1.5mm ≤ L1 ≤ 3mm. This avoids reducing the sealing effect due to an excessively large distance L1, and also avoids frequent interference between the first end face 13 and the sidewall of the limiting groove due to an excessively small distance L1.

[0053] The distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face 13 ranges from 0.5mm ≤ L2 ≤ 3mm, and in some embodiments, 1mm ≤ L2 ≤ 2mm. This avoids reducing the sealing effect due to an excessively large distance L2, and also avoids frequent interference between the first end face 13 and the bottom wall of the limiting groove due to an excessively small distance L2. As shown in Figure 6, the distance L2 is the distance between the connecting ring 4 and the edge of the fixed air inlet 14.

[0054] A centrifugal fan includes the aforementioned volute assembly.

[0055] An indoor unit includes the aforementioned volute assembly or the aforementioned centrifugal fan.

[0056] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this disclosure, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent disclosure. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this disclosure, and these all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent disclosure should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A volute assembly, comprising: A fixed volute (1) is provided with a first air outlet (11) and a second air outlet (12) on its peripheral side surface; The movable volute (2) is rotatably disposed inside the fixed volute (1), and the volute assembly has a first state of opening the first air outlet (11) and closing the second air outlet (12) and a second state of opening the second air outlet (12) and closing the first air outlet (11). A limiting structure is provided between the movable volute (2) and the fixed volute (1).

2. The volute assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The fixed volute (1) has a first end face (13) and a fixed air inlet (14) is provided on the first end face (13). The movable volute (2) has a second end face (21) and a movable air inlet (22) is provided on the second end face (21). The movable air inlet (22) is connected to the fixed air inlet (14), and the limiting structure is provided between the first end face (13) and the second end face (21).

3. The volute assembly according to claim 2, wherein: A limiting groove is formed on the second end face (21), and the edge of the fixed air inlet (14) extends into the limiting groove, and the limiting groove constitutes the limiting structure.

4. The volute assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The limiting structure includes a limiting ring (3), which is disposed on the second end face (21), and the limiting ring (3) and the second end face (21) form the limiting groove.

5. The volute assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The limiting structure also includes a connecting ring (4), and the limiting ring (3) is disposed on the second end face (21) through the connecting ring (4). The first end face (13), the connecting ring (4) and the limiting ring (3) together constitute the limiting groove, and there is a gap between the edge of the fixed air inlet (14) and the connecting ring (4).

6. The volute assembly according to claim 5, wherein: A rolling element (5) is provided on the connecting ring (4), and the rolling element (5) rolls with the edge of the fixed air inlet (14); or, a rolling element (5) is provided on the first end face (13), and the rolling element (5) rolls with the connecting ring (4).

7. The volute assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The inner wall of the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure (6), the height of which is less than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13); or, the first end face (13) located in the limiting groove is provided with a protruding structure (6), the height of which is less than the distance between the inner wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13).

8. The volute assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The height L3 of the protruding structure (6) is in the range of 0.2mm≤L3≤3mm.

9. The volute assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The height of the protruding structure (6) is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute (2).

10. The volute assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The height of the protruding structure (6) is proportional to the length of the movable volute (2).

11. The volute assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The height L3 of the protrusion structure (6) is in the range of 0.2mm≤L3≤3mm; the height of the protrusion structure (6) is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute (2).

12. The volute assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The height L3 of the protrusion structure (6) is in the range of 0.2mm≤L3≤3mm; the height of the protrusion structure (6) is proportional to the diameter of the movable volute (2); the height of the protrusion structure (6) is proportional to the length of the movable volute (2).

13. The volute assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The distance L1 between the sidewall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13) is 1mm≤L1≤4mm.

14. The volute assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13) is 0.5mm≤L2≤3mm.

15. The volute assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The distance L1 between the side wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13) is 1mm≤L1≤4mm; the distance L2 between the bottom wall of the limiting groove and the first end face (13) is 0.5mm≤L2≤3mm.

16. A centrifugal fan comprising the volute assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. An indoor unit comprising a volute assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 15 or a centrifugal fan as described in claim 16.

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