Cross-Flow Fan Air Guide for Uniform Inlet Flow and Low Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cross-flow fans in air conditioners experience non-uniform air flow velocity distribution due to internal obstructions, leading to vortex formation and noise generation, with existing solutions failing to uniformly address flow angle changes and structural adaptability.
Innovation Solution
An air guide system with a first inclined guide surface and a second guide surface, featuring distribution guides that protrude or depress to concentrate air flow towards the center of the cross-flow fan, reducing friction and noise by uniformly distributing air along the rotary shaft direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cross-flow fan is used as the blower fan, then the air flow can be generated, but non-uniform flow velocity distribution occurs due to internal obstructions, causing vortex formation and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is positioned upstream of the cross-flow fan to pre-condition the air flow before it enters the fan. The guide surfaces and distribution guides are designed in advance to uniformly distribute air across the fan inlet, preventing vortex formation at the source and reducing noise generation during fan operation
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide acts as an intermediary component between the air source and the cross-flow fan. It includes guide surfaces that direct air flow and distribution guides that evenly distribute air across the fan inlet, mediating the air flow to eliminate non-uniform velocity distribution and reduce noise
2Productivity
If air is suctioned into the cross-flow fan, then cooling function is achieved, but friction with case wall causes flow loss
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide serves as an intermediary that channels air flow away from the case wall toward the center of the cross-flow fan. The guide surfaces and distribution guides work together to concentrate air flow to the fan center, minimizing contact with the case wall and reducing friction-induced flow loss
3Manufacturing precision
If distribution guides are added to the air guide, then air flow uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution guides are integrated into the air guide structure, merging the air guiding function with the flow distribution function into a single component. This consolidation achieves uniform air flow distribution across the fan inlet while avoiding the need for separate distribution mechanisms, thus reducing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution guides are strategically positioned and dimensioned to create local variations in air flow distribution. By optimizing the location and geometry of distribution guides in specific regions, uniform air flow is achieved across the entire fan inlet without requiring complex structures throughout the entire air guide
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air guide system effectively suppresses vortex formation and noise generation, minimizes flow loss, and simplifies structural modifications, maintaining noise reduction performance without significant increases in manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the vortex causes friction with a suctioned air flow, thereby generating noise
Implementation Method 2
The non-uniform flow velocity distribution generates a vortex around the cross-flow fan
Implementation Method 3
minimize flow loss due to friction with a case wall by concentrating suctioned air to a center of the cross-flow fan
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and an air guide for an air conditioner are provided, the air guide being configured to guide air to a cross-flow fan of the air conditioner. The air conditioner may include a case including a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel including an intake grill and an outlet, a cross-flow fan and a heat exchanger being disposed inside of the case. The rear panel may include an air guide. The air guide may include a first guide surface inclined toward the cross-flow fan, and a second guide surface positioned at a downstream side of the first guide surface. The first guide surface may include at least one distribution guide that distributes and guides air, and thus, the air having been equally distributed by means of the at least one distribution guide may be suctioned into the cross-flow fan so that vortex generation is prevented, thereby enabling noise to be reduced.