Sirocco Fan Rounded Scroll Inlet for Noise and Flow Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sirocco fans generate noise due to rapid air flow direction changes and collisions with the fan housing, leading to inefficiencies and increased noise levels.
Innovation Solution
The sirocco fan design features a rounded portion between the left and right plate connection portions of the scroll unit, with a varying radius of curvature, minimizing air flow direction changes and reducing collisions, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If air flows directly from the impeller to the scroll housing with a sharp transition, then the structure is simple, but the air flow direction changes rapidly causing strong noise and flow loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming a rounded portion at the inlet of the scroll housing where air enters from the impeller. This rounded transition replaces a sharp corner with a curved surface, allowing air to change direction more gradually. The rounding radius is specifically designed to be between 5-15mm to optimize the transition, reducing turbulence and noise while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If air flow direction changes rapidly at the scroll housing inlet, then the structure is simple, but flow loss increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded portion with optimized curvature radius (5-15mm) creates a smooth transition path for air flow. This curved geometry reduces flow separation and turbulence at the inlet, minimizing energy loss and improving overall fan efficiency without requiring complex modifications to the scroll housing structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the scroll housing inlet is designed with a rounded portion, then noise is reduced and efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a rounded portion with a curvature radius of 5-15mm, which balances the need for smooth air flow transition with manufacturability. This parameter range is large enough to be easily formed using conventional manufacturing methods while still providing sufficient curvature to reduce noise and improve efficiency, avoiding overly tight tolerances that would increase manufacturing 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
This design minimizes flow loss, reduces noise, and optimizes space usage, making the sirocco fan more efficient and compact when integrated into air-conditioners.
Implementation Method 1
a rounded portion, convex in the opposite direction of the impeller, is formed between a left plate connection portion connected to the left plate of the scroll unit and a right plate connection portion connected to the right plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A sirocco fan includes: an impeller in which a plurality of first blades are formed on one of left and right faces of a main plate and a plurality of second blades are formed on the other of the left and right faces of the main plate; and a scroll housing covering the impeller, wherein the scroll housing includes air suction holes formed on both of left and right plates and a rounded portion formed to be convex in the opposite direction of the impeller on a scroll unit connecting both of the left and right plates, and an interval from the main plate to the rounded portion in a direction perpendicular to a rotation central axis of the impeller is the largest. A rapid change in the direction of air flowing to the scroll unit from the impeller can be minimized, and collision of air with the scroll unit is lessened, reducing a flow loss and enhancing efficiency.