Scroll Arrangement Bell Mouth Segmentation for Airflow Stability
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scroll arrangements in air conditioners with sirocco fans suffer from unstable suction flow due to pressure distribution issues around the bell mouth, leading to degraded blowing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A scroll arrangement with a bell mouth formed in a two-step structure and specific geometric ratios between the scroll body and sirocco fan, along with optimized blade shapes and angles, to stabilize air flow and enhance blowing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional round-shaped bell mouth is used, then the structure is simple, but the suction flow becomes unstable due to pressure distribution differences
Solution Approach 1:
The bell mouth is divided into multiple sections with different diameters (first bell mouth section, second bell mouth section, third bell mouth section) instead of using a single round shape. This segmentation allows different sections to have different functions: the first section reduces flow resistance, the second section stabilizes pressure distribution, and the third section controls flow direction, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the bell mouth are designed with different local properties (different diameters and orientations). The first section has a larger diameter for reducing resistance, the second section has a specific diameter for pressure stabilization, and the third section is oriented at an angle for flow control. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making each part optimized for its specific function rather than using a uniform simple shape.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bell mouth is extended inwardly with smaller inner diameters, then the pressure distribution becomes uniform, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bell mouth is segmented into three distinct sections with progressively smaller diameters extending inwardly. This segmentation creates a gradual pressure equalization effect where each section contributes to uniform pressure distribution, resolving the contradiction between achieving uniform pressure and maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell mouth sections use curved surfaces with specific radii of curvature to guide flow smoothly. The curved geometry of each section helps distribute pressure uniformly while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the need for complex angular or faceted designs.
3Productivity
If the ratio of scroll body height to fan diameter is optimized, then blowing efficiency is maximized, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific parameter ranges (0.75 ≤ D/H ≤ 0.85 and 0.45 ≤ d/D ≤ 0.55) to optimize blowing efficiency. By defining these parameter relationships, the design achieves maximum productivity without requiring complex geometric configurations, as the optimization is achieved through parameter selection rather than complex structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The scroll body and fan are designed as a composite system where the geometric parameters of both components are coordinated. The relationship between scroll body dimensions and fan dimensions creates an optimized composite structure that achieves high blowing efficiency through parameter coordination rather than individual component complexity.
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 proposed design stabilizes air flow, improves blowing efficiency, reduces noise, and decreases power consumption by ensuring uniform pressure distribution and optimized air flow patterns within the sirocco fan.
Implementation Method 1
When the sirocco fan rotates, the sirocco fan generates a pressure change to form a flow field
Implementation Method 2
The scroll has a function that collects air discharged from the sirocco fan and pushes the air toward of the outside of the scroll. The scroll changes dynamic pressure of the air discharged from the sirocco fan into static pressure, thereby increasing the static pressure at the outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An air conditioner includes a scroll body (31) comprising an inlet (32) through which air is introduced, an outlet (34) through which the air is discharged, and an air passage (35) between the inlet (32) and the outlet (34), a sirocco fan (40)rotatably disposed in the scroll body (31), the sirocco fan (40) configured to allow the air to be sucked through the inlet (32) and to be discharged through the outlet (34) when the sirocco fan (40) rotates, and a bell mouth (50) formed around the inlet (32) of the scroll body (31), wherein the scroll body (31) and the sirocco fan (40) satisfy a following formula: 0.76 ≤ D/H ≤ 0.8, where H (mm) is a height of the scroll body, namely the height from a bottom surface (36-5) of the scroll body (31) extending from the outlet (34) to a top end of the scroll body (31) measured on a vertical line passing through the rotational center (O1) of the sirocco fan (40), and D (mm) is an outer diameter of the sirocco fan (40).