WO2023218555A1

WO2023218555A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2023218555A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/019925
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大輔秋山; 宏典薮内
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2022-05-11
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2023-11-16

Abstract

This air conditioner comprises a fan, a bell mouth disposed so as to surround the fan, and a housing that forms the outline and has a plate-shaped panel surrounding the bell mouth, wherein: the bell mouth has a pair of split bell mouth portions that are symmetric about the rotational axis of the fan and disposed inside the housing with a space therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis; the pair of split bell mouth portions have an arc-shaped main body section as seen in a plan view; and a gap between the pair of split bell mouth portions, which is a gap between both ends of the main body section in the arc direction, is closed off by the panel.

Description

air conditioner

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner used for refrigeration or air conditioning applications.

A conventional air conditioner has an upper unit composed of a fan unit, and a lower unit housing a compressor, a heat exchanger, etc. The fan unit includes a fan, a cylindrical bell mouth arranged to surround the fan, and a casing having a plate-like panel surrounding four sides of the bell mouth.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-143847

In air conditioners, there is a need to increase the air volume in the fan unit. Patent Document 1 states that the loss of air volume blown by the fan can be reduced by devising the shape of the bell mouth, but there is room for further improvement in terms of increasing the air volume.

The present disclosure has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner that can increase the amount of air.

An air conditioner according to the present disclosure includes a fan, a bell mouth arranged to surround the fan, and a casing having a plate-like panel surrounding the bell mouth and forming an outer shell. , the bell mouth is symmetrical about the rotational axis of the fan, and has a pair of split bellmouth parts disposed within the housing with a space between each other in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis, the pair of split bellmouth parts has an arc-shaped main body when viewed from above, and the gap between a pair of split bell mouth parts, and the gap between both ends of the main body in the arc direction is closed with a panel. be.

The air conditioner according to the present disclosure has a configuration in which the bell mouth has a pair of split bell mouth parts, and the pair of split bell mouth parts are arranged in a housing with a space between them in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. . The gap between the pair of split bell mouths, and the gap between both ends of the main bodies of the pair of split bell mouth parts in the arc direction, is closed with a panel. By closing the gap with the panel, the panel, together with the pair of split bell mouth parts, functions as part of an air path forming member that introduces air into the fan. In this way, the pair of split bell mouth parts are arranged at intervals from each other in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and the panel that forms the outer shell of the air conditioner functions as a part of the air passage forming member, so that the air passage diameter can be adjusted. is expanded, and the air conditioner can increase its air volume.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an air conditioner according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 with the outlet grille removed. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 with the blowout grill and fan removed. FIG. 2 is an exploded partial perspective view of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, including a bell mouth. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the split bellmouth portion according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the fixed portion of the split bell mouth according to the first embodiment, viewed from the outside. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fixed portion of the split bell mouth according to the first embodiment, viewed from inside. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 taken at the second through hole from the top. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an air conditioner using a bell mouth according to a comparative example, with the outlet grille removed. FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. 9; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bell mouth of a comparative example. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1 with the outlet grille removed. It is a reference diagram, and is a diagram when the length of the main body portion of the split bellmouth portion in the arc direction is shortened. This is a modification of the air conditioner according to Embodiment 1, and is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship between bell mouths in a configuration in which two bell mouths are arranged in one housing. It is a reference diagram, and is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship between the bell mouths in a configuration in which two bell mouths are arranged in one housing and the dividing direction is the transverse direction (vertical direction). FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation during manufacturing of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described based on the drawings. In addition, in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the size relationship of each component may differ from the actual one. Furthermore, in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are the same or correspond to the same, and this is common throughout the entire specification. Further, the forms of the constituent elements shown in the entire specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these descriptions.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment with the outlet grille 23 removed. The air conditioner 1 of Embodiment 1 is a so-called outdoor unit, and is connected to an indoor unit to circulate refrigerant to form a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration cycle. The air conditioner has a vertical rectangular parallelepiped shape. Hereinafter, the near side of FIG. 1 will be referred to as the front surface, and the top and bottom, left and right, front and back, front, and back will be defined based on this front surface. When viewed from above, the air conditioner has a rectangular shape, and the longitudinal direction of the rectangle is the left-right direction.

The air conditioner 1 has a housing 2 that forms the outer shell of the air conditioner 1, and a plurality of devices (not shown) such as a heat exchanger 5 that constitutes a refrigerant circuit are installed in the lower part of the housing 2. We are prepared. The housing 2 includes a rectangular bottom plate 20, four columns 21 provided at the four corners of the bottom plate 20 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and four panels 22 that connect the upper ends of the four columns 21. It is equipped with. The four panels 22 are a front panel 22a, a back panel 22b, a right side panel 22c, and a left side panel 22d. When the panels are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as panels 22.

A blowout grill 23 is arranged above the space surrounded by the four panels 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the outlet grille 23 is fixed to the upper surface of a flange portion 24 extending inward from the upper end of each panel 22 with a fixing member (not shown) such as a screw.

A horizontally long stay 21a (see FIG. 4 described later), which is a reinforcing member, is provided between the left and right columns 21 and between the front and rear columns 21. Four stays 21a are provided on the front, rear, left and right sides. Each stay 21a is provided inside each panel 22 along the lower end of each panel 22. The stay 21a on the front side and the stay 21a on the back side are each members having a substantially C-shaped longitudinal section.

On the front of the housing 2, below the front panel 22a, two panels 25 are arranged vertically side by side. The two panels 25 are fixed to the two front right and left pillars 21 with fixing members (not shown) such as screws, and close the front surface of the housing 2 .

Of the four sides of the casing 2, front, back, left, and right, the front is covered by a front panel 22a and two panels 25. The other back, right side, and left side surfaces have upper portions closed by the back panel 22b, right side panel 22c, and left side panel 22d, and lower portions are open. A heat exchanger 5 having a U-shape in plan view is disposed at the lower portions of the back, right side, and left side of the casing 2.

The air conditioner 1 further includes a fan 3 as shown in FIG. ) and. The fan 3, bell mouth 4, and motor are arranged in the upper part of the housing 2. The bell mouth 4 is surrounded by four panels 22 on four sides.

The air conditioner 1 takes air into the casing 2 from the open part of the casing 2 through the rotation of the fan 3, passes it through the heat exchanger 5, and directs the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 5 upward. The air is blown out from the blow-off grille 23.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment with the outlet grille 23 and fan 3 removed. FIG. 4 is an exploded partial perspective view of the surroundings including the bell mouth 4 of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the split bellmouth section 40 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the fixing portion 44 of the split bellmouth portion 40 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the outside. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fixing portion 44 of the split bellmouth portion 40 according to the first embodiment, viewed from inside. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at the height of the second through hole 46 from the top in the split bell mouth portion 40 of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment.

The bell mouth 4 has a pair of split bell mouth parts 40. The pair of split bell mouth parts 40 have the same shape and are symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis O of the fan 3. The pair of split bell mouth parts 40 are arranged in the housing 2 in a state separated from each other in the left-right direction. Since the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 have the same shape, the configuration of the left split bell mouth part 40 will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the split bellmouth portion 40 has a main body portion 41 that is arcuate in plan view, and a plate-like portion 42 that extends outward from the lower end of the main body portion 41. The main body portion 41 and the plate-like portion 42 are integrally formed.

The main body portion 41 includes fixing portions 44 at both ends in the arc direction. Specifically, the main body portion 41 includes a circular arc portion 43 having an arc shape when viewed from above, and fixing portions 44 provided at both ends of the circular arc portion 43 in the arc direction. The inner surface 43a of the arcuate portion 43 forms an air path through which the airflow generated by the fan 3 passes. The arc portion 43 includes a flat portion 45 at both ends of the arc portion 43 in the arc direction, excluding the upper end. As shown in FIG. 3, the flat portion 45 is attached to the right side panel 22c when the split bell mouth portion 40 is attached to the housing 2 using a mounting seat (not shown), which will be described later, provided on the plate portion 42. and is formed into a planar shape extending parallel to the left side panel 22d.

The fixing part 44 is a part that is fixed to the panel 22. Specifically, of the two front and rear fixing parts 44, the front fixing part 44 is a part fixed to the front panel 22a, and the rear fixing part 44 is a part fixed to the back panel 22b. . The fixing portion 44 is formed into a flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction and the left-right direction from both ends of the circular arc portion 43 in the circular arc direction. The fixing part 44 is attached to the front panel 22a and the back panel 22b when the split bell mouth part 40 is attached to the housing 2 using a mounting seat (not shown), which will be described later, provided on the plate part 42. It is made up of parallel planes. The fixing part 44 is formed with three through holes 46 that penetrate the fixing part 44 in the thickness direction. The three through holes 46 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction. Note that the number of through holes 46 is not limited to three.

The upper portion 44a of the fixed portion 44 is connected to the arcuate portion 43 at an end side 44A1 on the opposite side to the side facing the right split bell mouth portion 40. A lower portion 44b below the upper portion 44a of the fixing portion 44 is connected to the flat portion 45 at an edge 44A2 on the side opposite to the split bell mouth portion 40 on the right side. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner surface 44b1 of the lower portion 44b of the fixing portion 44 faces the outer surface 43b of the arc portion 43, and has a gap therebetween. The upper portion 44a of the fixing portion 44 is a portion that includes the uppermost through hole 46. The lower portion 44b of the fixing portion 44 is a portion below the upper portion 44a and includes the remaining two through holes 46.

The plate-shaped portion 42 has a flat plate shape, and its external shape when viewed in plan is such that it follows the front panel 22a, the rear panel 22b, and the left side panel 22d when installed in the housing 2. It is formed. The plate portion 42 is provided with a mounting seat (not shown) for attaching the split bell mouth portion 40 to the stay 21a. The split bell mouth portion 40 is fixed to the stay 21a at the mounting seat using a fixing member (not shown) such as a bolt.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 are fixed to the front and rear two stays 21a with an interval left and right. In other words, the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 are fixed to the housing 2 at the stay 21a portion with a space between them in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis O.

Attachment holes 26 are formed in the front panel 22a and the back panel 22b at positions corresponding to the through holes 46 of the pair of split bell mouth parts 40. The attachment hole 26 is formed to penetrate the front panel 22a and the back panel 22b in the thickness direction. A fixing member 30 such as a pop nut is attached to the attachment hole 26 . The front panel 22a and the back panel 22b are fixed to fixing parts 44 of a pair of split bell mouth parts 40 using fixing members 30. In this way, the pair of split bellmouth parts 40 are fixed to the front panel 22a and the back panel 22b in surface contact with the flat fixing parts 44.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tip 30a of the fixing member 30 inserted from the outside of the front panel 22a into the second through hole 46 from the top in the split bell mouth part 40 is connected to the inner surface 44b1 of the fixing part 44. It is located in the gap between the circular arc portion 43 and the outer surface 43b. That is, the tip portion 30a of the fixing member 30 does not protrude inside the arcuate portion 43. Thereby, the tip end 30a of the fixing member 30 can be prevented from protruding into the air path and interfering with the airflow. This also applies to the fixing member 30 inserted into the third through hole 46 from the top.

By fixing the front panel 22a and the back panel 22b to the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 in the above manner, the gap between the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 is fixed to both ends of the main body part 41 in the arc direction. The gap 50 between them (see FIGS. 4 and 8) is closed. Specifically, the front panel 22a closes the gap 50 between the two fixing parts 44 spaced apart from each other in the left and right directions on the front side of the pair of split bell mouth parts 40. Furthermore, a gap 51 between two fixing parts 44 spaced apart from each other in the left and right directions on the back side of the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 is closed by the back panel 22b. A rectangular first portion 22a1 (see FIG. 8) that closes the gap 50 on the front panel 22a and a rectangular second portion 22b1 (see FIG. 8) that closes the gap 51 on the back panel 22b are a bell. Together with the mouse 4, it forms an air path forming member that introduces air into the fan 3.

The effect of the above configuration will be explained.
First, as a comparative example, a conventional structure in which the bell mouth is not divided will be described. In the air conditioner of the comparative example, an undivided bell mouth is placed in a housing having the same size as the housing 2 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of an air conditioner using a bell mouth according to a comparative example, with the outlet grille removed. FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a bell mouth of a comparative example. The bell mouth 400 of the comparative example has an oval shape that is long in one direction when viewed from above. The entire inner surface 400a of the bell mouth 400 constitutes an air passage. When trying to increase the inner diameter of the bell mouth 400 in order to increase the air volume, as shown in FIG. , the clearance t becomes smaller. For this reason, in an air conditioner using an undivided bell mouth 400, if an attempt is made to increase the inner diameter of the bell mouth 400 in order to increase the air volume, the bell mouth 400 and the panel 220 will come into contact with each other due to vibration etc., causing noise. invite. Therefore, in the air conditioner using the bell mouth 400 of the comparative example, there is a limit to the increase in the inner diameter of the bell mouth 400, which is the diameter of the air passage, and there is a limit to the increase in the air volume.

In contrast, in the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, the bell mouth 4 has a pair of split bell mouth parts 40, so to speak, the bell mouth 4 has a split structure. A pair of split bell mouth portions 40 are arranged in the housing 2 at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis O, and

gaps

50 and 51 between the fixed portions 44 form the outer wall of the air conditioner 1. It is covered by a panel 22 of the casing 2 that constitutes the casing 2. As described above, in the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 are arranged at intervals from each other in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis O, and the panel 22 forming the outer shell is an air passage forming member. By functioning as a part of the air passage, the diameter of the air passage is expanded. That is, the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment can have a larger air passage diameter than a configuration in which the bell mouth 400 is not divided like the air conditioner of the comparative example.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment with the outlet grille 23 removed. In FIG. 12, d1 is the air passage diameter of the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, and d2 is the air passage diameter of the comparative example. As is clear from FIG. 12, in the air conditioner 1 of Embodiment 1, the air passage diameter can be expanded more than in the comparative example. In the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, since the diameter of the air passage can be increased, the diameter of the fan 3 disposed inside the bell mouth 4 can also be increased, and the air volume can be increased. Further, since the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 constituting the bell mouth 4 are fixed to the front panel 22a and the back panel 22b, the noise problem in the comparative example does not occur.

Further, in the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, the bell mouth 4 has a split structure, so that the number of molds used during manufacturing can be reduced, and mold costs can be reduced. Specifically, in the case of an undivided bell mouth 400 as shown in FIG. 11, the inner surface of the bell mouth 400 is divided into four surfaces in the circumferential direction, and the outer surface is formed into two upper and lower surfaces. The need arises, and a total of six molds are required. In contrast, in the air conditioner 1 of the first embodiment, the bell mouth 4 has a split structure, so that the inner surface of the bell mouth 4 is divided into two surfaces in the circumferential direction, and the outer surface is formed into two upper and lower surfaces. Since it can be formed separately, only a mold with four sides is required.

Next, the length of the main body portion 41 of the split bell mouth portion 40 in the arc direction will be considered.

FIG. 13 is a reference diagram, and is a diagram when the length of the main body portion of the split bell mouth portion in the arc direction is shortened. The length of the main body portion 41 of the split bellmouth portion 40 in the arc direction is preferably shorter from the viewpoint of reducing the material cost of the split bellmouth portion 40 . However, as shown in FIG. 13, if the length of the main body portion 41 in the arc direction is too short, the inner surface shape of the air passage becomes distorted, which may cause turbulence in the airflow and cause noise. For this reason, it is preferable that the length of the main body portion 41 in the arc direction is long to some extent. However, if the length of the main body part 41 in the arc direction is made too long, the length of the flat part 45 becomes too short as shown by the dotted line, and the gap for accommodating the tip part 30a of the fixing member 30 becomes small, and the fixing member 30 ends up protruding beyond the inner surface 43a of the arcuate portion 43 into the air passage. Therefore, the length of the main body portion 41 in the arc direction may be determined by comprehensively considering these conditions.

Next, the direction in which the bell mouth 4 is divided will be considered. The bell mouth 4 is divided in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction) of the housing 2 when viewed from above. The reason for this will be explained using FIG. 14 below.

FIG. 14 is a modification of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship between the bell mouths in a configuration in which two bell mouths 4 are arranged in one housing 2A. FIG. 15 is a reference diagram, and is an explanatory diagram of the positional relationship between the bell mouths in a configuration in which two bell mouths are arranged in one housing 2A and the dividing direction is the transverse direction (front and back direction). . First, as a premise, when multiple bell mouths 4 are arranged in the housing 2A, due to the installation space where the air conditioner 1 is installed, the two bell mouths 4 are are arranged in the longitudinal direction.

Here, as shown in the reference diagram of FIG. 15, if the dividing direction of the bell mouth 4 is the short direction (back and forth direction) of the housing 2A, two bell mouths 4 arranged in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction) will be separated. The internal air passages communicate with each other through the gap between the pair of split bell mouth parts 40. In other words, the air passages of two adjacent bell mouths 4 communicate with each other. In this way, when the air paths of two adjacent bell mouths 4 communicate with each other, the intended airflow cannot be formed in each bell mouth 4, resulting in a decrease in performance. For the above reasons, the bell mouth 4 is divided in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 14, when the bell mouth 4 is divided in the longitudinal direction, the air passages of two longitudinally adjacent bell mouths 4 do not communicate with each other, so the above-mentioned inconvenience does not occur and the intended air flow can be achieved. can be formed.

Although not shown, in addition to the two bell mouths 4 disposed within the housing 2A, two plurality of devices such as the fan 3 and the heat exchanger 5 constituting the refrigerant circuit are also disposed. ing. In other words, two sets of a plurality of devices, such as the bell mouth 4, the fan 3, and the heat exchanger 5 constituting the refrigerant circuit, are arranged in the housing 2A. Further, here, it is assumed that two sets of the bell mouth 4 and other devices are arranged in the housing 2A, but a configuration in which three or more sets are arranged is also possible. In this way, the air conditioner 1 may have a configuration in which a plurality of bell mouths 4 and other devices are arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation during manufacturing of the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the split bellmouth parts 40 can be stacked with the split surface 40a facing down. Therefore, the divided bellmouth portions 40 can be stored and transported in a stacked state during manufacture, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the first embodiment includes the fan 3, the bell mouth 4 arranged to surround the fan 3, and the plate-like panel surrounding the bell mouth 4. and a housing 2 forming an outer shell. The bell mouth 4 is symmetrical about the rotation axis O of the fan 3, and has a pair of split bell mouth parts 40 arranged in the housing 2 at a distance from each other in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis O. The pair of split bell mouth parts 40 have main bodies 41 that are arcuate in plan view, and the gaps between the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 are the gaps between both ends of the main parts 41 in the arc direction. is covered by a panel.

With the above configuration, the air conditioner 1 can increase the diameter of the air passage and the volume of air.

Each of the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 has a flat plate-shaped fixing part 44 fixed to the panel 22 at both ends of the main body part 41 in the arc direction, and the fixing part 44 is fixed to the panel 22.

With the above configuration, the air conditioner 1 can prevent noise caused by vibration caused by contact between the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 and the panel 22.

The housing 2 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and the pair of split bell mouth parts 40 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2. The air conditioner 1 includes a plurality of bell mouths 4, and the plurality of bell mouths 4 are arranged in the housing 2 in a plurality of lines in the longitudinal direction.

With the above configuration, the air conditioner 1 can be configured so that the air paths of adjacent bell mouths 4 do not communicate with each other, and the intended airflow can be formed.

1 air conditioner, 2 housing, 2A housing, 3 fan, 4 bell mouth, 5 heat exchanger, 20 bottom plate, 21 pillar, 21a stay, 22 panel, 22a front panel, 22a1 first part, 22b back panel, 22b1 Second part, 22c Right side panel, 22d Left side panel, 23 Blowout grille, 24 Flange part, 25 Panel, 26 Mounting hole, 30 Fixing member, 30a Tip part, 40 Divided bell mouth part, 40a Divided surface, 41 Main body part, 42 plate-shaped part, 43 arc part, 43a inner surface, 43b outer surface, 44 fixed part, 44A1 edge, 44A2 edge, 44a upper part, 44b lower part, 44b1 inner surface, 45 plane part, 46 through hole, 50 gap , 51 gap, 220 panel, 400 bell mouth, 400a inner surface, O rotation axis, t clearance.

Claims

with fans,
a bell mouth arranged to surround the fan;
A casing having a plate-like panel surrounding the bell mouth and forming an outer shell,
The bell mouth is symmetrical about the rotation axis of the fan, and has a pair of split bell mouth parts arranged in the housing with a space between them in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis,
The pair of split bell mouth parts have arcuate body parts when viewed from above, and the gap between the pair of split bell mouth parts and the gap between both ends of the main body part in the arc direction is An air conditioner that is blocked by the panel.
Each of the pair of split bell mouth parts includes a flat plate-shaped fixing part fixed to the panel at both ends of the main body part in the arc direction,
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the fixing part is fixed to the panel.
The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and the pair of split bell mouth portions are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Machine.
comprising a plurality of the bell mouths,
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the bell mouths are arranged in the housing in a line in the longitudinal direction.