Volute fan assembly structure and floor-standing air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large air conditioning devices, such as vertical air conditioners, face challenges with insufficient air volume due to the limitations of volute fans, which require increased power and size, leading to space constraints and installation difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A volute fan combination structure where one volute fan has an inclined air outlet between adjacent fans, reducing disturbance and allowing for a staggered arrangement that maintains air blowing volume without increasing the overall size, using a mounting plate with specific fan mounting portions to minimize thickness and width expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the power of a volute fan is raised to increase air volume, then the air blowing volume is improved, but the volume of the volute fan increases, requiring enlargement of the overall air conditioner size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair blowing volumeVSAvoidoverall size of air conditioner
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single large volute fan into multiple smaller volute fans (first volute fan, second volute fan, third volute fan) arranged in sequence. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the required total air blowing volume without increasing the size of individual fans, thereby maintaining a compact overall air conditioner structure while improving productivity through multiple fans working together

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent arranges multiple volute fans in a longitudinal sequence along the air flow direction rather than stacking them in width or height. This dimensional arrangement allows the air conditioner to maintain its width and height dimensions while extending the air blowing capacity through the longitudinal dimension, effectively increasing air volume without enlarging the overall device footprint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple volute fans are arranged sequentially to increase air volume, then the air blowing volume is improved, but the volute of adjacent fans disturbs the air blowing of intermediate fans

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair blowing volumeVSAvoidair flow disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the second volute fan forward of the first and third fans in the longitudinal direction, creating a staggered three-dimensional arrangement. This spatial configuration allows the air outlets of the second fan to be inclined forward, directing air flow away from the volutes of adjacent fans and reducing aerodynamic interference, thus minimizing energy loss while maintaining high air blowing volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric air outlet orientations for the second volute fan, with the air outlets inclined forward relative to the fan's rotational plane. This asymmetric design creates a non-uniform air flow pattern that strategically directs air away from interfering with adjacent fans, reducing turbulence and energy loss while preserving the overall air blowing capacity of the multi-fan system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution enhances air blowing volume while minimizing the increase in size, allowing for smoother air flow and reduced energy loss, facilitating easier installation and use of vertical air conditioners without significant changes to the existing volute fans.

Implementation Method 1

one volute fan has an inclined air outlet between adjacent fans, reducing disturbance and allowing for a staggered arrangement that maintains air blowing volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3348840B1Volute fan assembly structure and floor-standing air conditioner
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP3348840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3348840B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3348840B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A volute fan combination structure, comprises a mounting plate (4) and at least two adjacent volute fans mounted on the mounting plate (4), one volute fan of the two adjacent volute fans havs an intermediate inclined air outlet that located between the two adjacent volute fans, the intermediate inclined air outlet extending such as to be inclined towards a direction away from said mounting plate (4). The volute fan combination structure is capable of allowing that the air outlet of a second volute fan (2) is staggered from a first volute fan (1) and a third volute fan (3), so as to reduce disturbance. There is further provided with a vertical air conditioner having the aforementioned volute fan combination structure.