Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a propeller fan, a propeller fan apparatus, and
an outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus.
Background Art
[0002] Related-art propeller fan shapes may include a propeller fan shape as disclosed in
Japanese Patent No.
2590514 (page 7, FIG. 9). In this propeller fan, a blade mounting angle β gradually decreases
from a blade root portion to a blade intermediate portion, and the blade mounting
angle β increases from the blade intermediate portion to a blade distal edge. With
such a configuration, the blade mounting angle β at the blade distal edge is set large
to increase axial velocity at the blade distal edge, thereby achieving the suppression
of turbulence of air at the distal edge and reduction of noise. Further, the blade
mounting angle β is set large at the blade root portion to secure a high airflow rate.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003] [PLT 1] Japanese Patent No.
2590514 (page 7, FIG. 9)
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004] With the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1, an airflow velocity distribution
on downstream of the fan is not equalized, with the result that a region having a
high airflow velocity is locally formed. Thus, there has been a problem in that noise
is increased when a structure such as a grille is present on downstream of the fan.
[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problem described above, and has
an object to provide a propeller fan which is reduced in noise.
Solution to Problem
[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a propeller fan, including: a boss; and a blade
fixed to the boss, in which the blade has one of a shape in which a part of a leading
edge of the blade protrudes toward a positive pressure surface side and a shape in
which a part of a trailing edge of the blade protrudes toward a negative pressure
surface side, and in which a center of a protrusion in a radial direction of the blade
is located on a radially outer side with respect to a radial position at a half of
a blade radius from a rotation center line.
[0007] In order to achieve the same object, according to one embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a propeller fan apparatus, including: the above-mentioned propeller
fan of the present invention, a bellmouth; and a fan grille, in which the bellmouth
surrounds a downstream portion of the propeller fan in an air-blowing direction in
plan view, in which an upstream portion of the propeller fan in the air-blowing direction
is located on an outside of the bellmouth in plan view, and in which the fan grille
is arranged on downstream of the propeller fan in the air-blowing direction.
[0008] Further, in order to achieve the same object, according to one embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided an outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus,
including the above-mentioned propeller fan of the present invention.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009] According to the present invention, the propeller fan which is reduced in noise can
be provided.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus according
to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view for illustrating an internal configuration of the outdoor unit
for an air conditioning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a propeller fan according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a blowing airflow velocity distribution of a propeller
fan according to a comparison example.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of a blowing airflow velocity distribution of the propeller
fan according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a graph for showing the blowing airflow velocity distribution of the propeller
fan according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view for illustrating a propeller fan and a periphery thereof according
to a second embodiment and a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a propeller fan according to a fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a graph for showing L/Rt and a maximum value of a normalized airflow velocity
of the propeller fan according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Description of Embodiments
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying
drawings. As is applied in common throughout the entire description of the specification
and the drawings, the same reference symbols in the drawings denote the same or corresponding
components. Further, the reference symbols relating to a plurality of blades are given
to only one representative blade.
First Embodiment
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of an outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus according
to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an internal
configuration of the outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus according to the
first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a propeller
fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an outdoor unit 100 for an air conditioning apparatus
includes a case 51. The case 51 is configured as a housing which has a pair of left
and right side surfaces 51a and 51c, a front surface 51b, a back surface 51d, a top
surface 51e, and a bottom surface 51f. The side surface 51a and the back surface 51d
have opening portions for taking air from outside (see the arrows A). Further, the
front surface 51b has an air outlet being an opening portion for blowing air to outside
(see the arrows A). The air outlet is covered with a lattice-shaped fan grille 4.
[0014] In the case 51 of the outdoor unit 100 for an air conditioning apparatus, there are
accommodated a propeller fan 1, a fan motor (drive source) 61, a bellmouth 3, and
a heat exchanger 68. The propeller fan 1, as one example, is connected to the fan
motor 61 which is arranged on the back surface 51d side with respect to the propeller
fan 1, and is rotated by a driving force of the fan motor 61.
[0015] The heat exchanger 68 is arranged in the vicinity of the side surface 51a and the
back surface 51d, and extends to form a substantially L-shape in plan view along the
side surface 51a and the back surface 51d.
[0016] On a radially outer side of the propeller fan 1, the bellmouth 3 is arranged. The
bellmouth 3 forms a loop shape or a ring shape along a rotation direction of the propeller
fan 1.
[0017] The arrows A in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 exemplify a flow of air. However, the arrows A
are mere examples for illustration, and do not accurately represent an actual flow.
[0018] The propeller fan 1 includes a boss 1a and a plurality of blades 2. As one example,
in the first embodiment, the propeller fan 1 includes three blades 2.
[0019] The boss 1a forms a center portion of the propeller fan 1. In other words, a rotation
center line RC of the propeller fan 1 extends through the boss 1a. The shape of the
boss 1a is not particularly limited, and may be formed into, for example, a columnar
shape or a conical shape.
[0020] The three blades 2 are fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the boss 1a. The blades
2 are partially surrounded by the bellmouth 3 in plan view. That is, respective downstream
portions of the blades 2 are located, in plan view, within an inner region of the
bellmouth 3 which is surrounded by the bellmouth 3, and respective upstream portions
of the blades 2 are located, in plan view, outside the inner region of the bellmouth
3 which is surrounded by the bellmouth 3. That is, the respective upstream portions
of the blades 2 are located on upstream of an upstream end, which is an inlet end,
of the bellmouth 3. Further, the fan grille 4 is arranged on downstream of the propeller
fan 1.
[0021] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the three blades 2 have the same
shape, though not particularly limited. Thus, description is made of one blade 2.
According to the present invention, the blade has, as extending from an inner peripheral
edge 23 to an outer peripheral edge 24 in a radial direction of the blade, at least
one of a shape in which a part of a leading edge 21 protrudes toward a positive pressure
surface 2a side, or a shape in which a part of a trailing edge 22 protrudes toward
a negative pressure surface 2b side. In other words, the blade 2 has, as extending
from an innermost periphery to an outermost periphery in the radial direction, at
least one of a shape in which the leading edge 21 locally protrudes toward the positive
pressure surface 2a side, or a shape in which the trailing edge 22 locally protrudes
toward the negative pressure surface 2b side. The blade 2 of the illustrated example
has both the shape in which a part of the leading edge 21 protrudes toward the positive
pressure surface 2a side and the shape in which a part of the trailing edge 22 protrudes
toward the negative pressure surface 2b side. Further, in another form of description,
with respect to an air-blowing direction as viewed in an extending direction of the
rotation center line RC, that is, the direction exemplified with the arrows A in FIG.
3, the above-mentioned protrusion at a part of the leading edge 21 is a protrusion
toward downstream in the air-blowing direction, and the above-mentioned protrusion
at a part of the trailing edge 22 is a protrusion toward upstream in the air-blowing
direction.
[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 5 which is described later, when a radius from the rotation
center line RC to the outer peripheral edge 24 of the blade 2 is a blade radius Rt,
a center 28 of the protrusion at the leading edge 21 in the radial direction and a
center 28 of the protrusion at the trailing edge 22 in the radial direction are located
on a radially outer side with respect to a radial position of 0.5Rt from the rotation
center line RC, that is, located on a radially outer side with respect to a radial
position at a half of the blade radius from the rotation center line RC. Each of the
center 28 of the protrusion at the leading edge 21 in the radial direction and the
center 28 of the protrusion at the trailing edge 22 in the radial direction represents
a central position in the radial direction between a protrusion-start radial position
26, which is an innermost position of the protrusion in the radial direction, and
a protrusion-end radial position 27, which is an outermost position of the protrusion
in the radial direction.
[0023] Further, both a partial leading edge-side protrusion area 31, which starts from the
above-mentioned protrusion at a part 21a of the leading edge 21, and a partial trailing
edge-side protrusion area 32, which starts from the above-mentioned protrusion at
a part 22a of the trailing edge 22, extend in front-back direction of a rotation trajectory.
[0024] Further, a protrusion height of the partial leading edge-side protrusion area 31,
which starts from the protrusion at the part 21a of the leading edge 21, is maximum
at the leading edge 21 and gradually decreases toward the trailing edge 22. Similarly,
a protrusion height of the partial trailing edge-side protrusion area 32, which starts
from the protrusion at the part 22a of the trailing edge 22, is maximum at the trailing
edge 22 and gradually decreases toward the leading edge 21. That is, the partial leading
edge-side protrusion area 31, which starts from the protrusion at the part 21a of
the leading edge 21, is lost in the positive pressure surface 2a without reaching
the trailing edge 22, and the partial trailing edge-side protrusion area 32, which
starts from the protrusion at the part 22a of the trailing edge 22, is lost in the
negative pressure surface 2b without reaching the leading edge 21.
[0025] Further, on an imaginary plane obtained by developing a cylindrical surface-shaped
cross section, which is taken along a cross-sectional line V arcuately extending about
the rotation center line RC as a center at a radial position passing through the partial
leading edge-side protrusion area 31 which starts from the protrusion at the part
21a of the leading edge 21 and the partial trailing edge-side protrusion area 32 which
starts from the protrusion at the part 22a of the trailing edge 22, further into a
flat surface, a curved line of a blade surface connecting the leading edge 21 or the
part 21a to the trailing edge 22 or the part 22a has a substantially arc shape.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, description is made of an effect which can be
obtained with the configuration described above. FIG. 4 is an illustration of a blowing
airflow velocity distribution of a propeller fan according to a comparison example.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of a blowing airflow velocity distribution of the propeller
fan according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a graph for showing the blowing
airflow velocity distribution of the propeller fan according to the present invention.
[0027] As the comparison example, the blowing airflow velocity distribution of the propeller
fan including only blades 2' each having neither the leading edge-side protrusion
area 31 nor the trailing edge-side protrusion area 32 described above exhibits the
airflow velocity distribution in which, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the airflow velocity
is maximum in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge 24 of the blade 2'. The airflow
velocity gradually increases from the inner peripheral edge 23 toward the outer peripheral
edge 24 of the blade 2' because the movement velocity of the blade 2' is higher on
the outer peripheral side of the blade 2' to increase the amount of work of the blade
2'. The airflow velocity decreases at the outermost part in the vicinity of the outer
peripheral edge 24 because there is leakage through a clearance between the blade
2' and the bellmouth 3 at the outer peripheral edge 24 of the blade 2' or because
the amount of work is originally small due to protrusion at a part of the blade 2'
on upstream in the air-blowing direction from the bellmouth 3.
[0028] In such a propeller fan according to the comparison example, when a blowing air stream
from the propeller fan passes through the fan grille 4 arranged on downstream of the
propeller fan, noise is generated. In general, the noise which is generated when the
air stream passes through the fan grille 4 increases in proportion to the sixth power
of the flow velocity. Thus, the presence of the maximum portion in the blowing airflow
velocity distribution from the propeller fan may become a source of large noise.
[0029] In contrast, with regard to the blowing airflow velocity distribution, the above-mentioned
configuration of the propeller fan 1 according to the first embodiment of the present
invention reduces the velocity component in the turning direction in the region having
the maximum airflow velocity in the blowing airflow velocity distribution from the
propeller fan 1, thereby being capable of effectively decreasing the amount of work
of the blade 2 and relatively increasing the amount of work of the blade 2 at the
inner peripheral edge 23. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5, more equalized blowing airflow
velocity distribution can be achieved in the radial direction of the blade 2 so that
the noise which is generated when the air stream passes through the fan grille 4 arranged
on downstream of the propeller fan 1 is reduced, thereby being capable of reducing
noise of the propeller fan.
[0030] Further, as described above, on the imaginary plane obtained by developing the cylindrical
surface-shaped cross section, which is taken along the cross-sectional line V arcuately
extending about the rotation center line RC as a center at the radial position passing
through the partial leading edge-side protrusion area 31 which starts from the protrusion
at the part 21a of the leading edge 21 and the partial trailing edge-side protrusion
area 32 which starts from the protrusion at the part 22a of the trailing edge 22,
further into a flat surface, the curved line of the blade surface connecting the leading
edge 21 or the part 21a to the trailing edge 22 or the part 22a has the substantially
arc shape. Thus, the airflow smoothly proceeds along the blade surface. Such smooth
airflow along the blade surface can effectively suppress generation of a vortex being
a source of noise, thereby further reducing the noise of the propeller fan.
[0031] Further, in FIG. 6, with regard to comparison of the blowing airflow velocity distribution,
the propeller fan according to the comparison example and the propeller fan 1 according
to the first embodiment of the present invention are compared. With regard to the
propeller fan according to the comparison example, an apparent maximum portion of
the airflow velocity can be seen near a radius ratio of 0.8. With regard to the propeller
fan according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the airflow velocity
near the radius ratio of 0.8 is reduced as compared to the case of the propeller fan
according to the comparison example. Further, the airflow velocity in the region at
the radius ratio of 0.6 or less on an inner peripheral side of the blade is increased
as compared to the case of the propeller fan according to the comparison example.
That is, with regard to the propeller fan according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, an apparent maximum portion of the airflow velocity like the case
of the propeller fan according to the comparison example cannot be seen. Thus, it
can be understood that the airflow velocity distribution is more equalized as compared
to the case of the propeller fan according to the comparison example. The radius ratio
is a ratio of a radial position on the blade when the blade radius Rt, which is a
radius of the propeller fan, is 1. The normalized airflow velocity is the airflow
velocity which is normalized when a maximum value of the blowing airflow velocity
distribution of the propeller fan according to the comparison example is 1.
[0032] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a
propeller fan and an outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus which are reduced
in noise can be provided.
Second Embodiment
[0033] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, description is made of a second embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view for illustrating a propeller fan and a periphery
thereof according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second
embodiment, details other than those described below are the same as the details of
the above-mentioned first embodiment.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the propeller fan according to the second embodiment
of the present invention, maximum protrusion radial positions 25 of the protrusion
at the leading edge 21 and the protrusion at the trailing edge 22 are located on an
outer side in the radial direction with respect to a radial position of the centers
28 of the protrusions in the radial direction between the protrusion-start radial
position 26 and the protrusion-end radial position 27.
[0035] Description is made of an effect which can be obtained with such a configuration.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, it can be understood that a gradient of a change in blowing
airflow velocity distribution of the propeller fan 1 is relatively smaller on the
inner peripheral side of the maximum portion of the airflow velocity distribution,
and is relatively larger on the outer peripheral side of the maximum portion of the
airflow velocity distribution. In contrast, with the configuration of the second embodiment,
a change in gradient of the protrusion at the leading edge 21 and a change in gradient
of the protrusion at the trailing edge 22 more suitably match with the gradient of
the change in airflow velocity distribution. Thus, the blowing airflow velocity distribution
from the propeller fan can be further equalized, and the noise which is generated
when the air stream passes through the grille arranged on downstream of the propeller
fan is reduced, thereby being capable of reducing noise of the propeller fan.
Third Embodiment
[0036] Next, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, description is made of a third embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view for illustrating a propeller fan and
a periphery thereof according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In
the third embodiment, details other than those described below are the same as the
details of the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 7, similar to the above-mentioned second embodiment, in the
propeller fan according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the maximum
protrusion radial positions 25 of the protrusion at the leading edge 21 and the protrusion
at the trailing edge 22 are located on the outer side in the radial direction with
respect to the radial position of the centers 28 of the protrusions in the radial
direction between the protrusion-start radial position 26 and the protrusion-end radial
position 27.
[0038] In addition to the description above, in the propeller fan according to the third
embodiment of the present invention, the maximum protrusion radial positions 25 of
the protrusion at the leading edge 21 and the protrusion at the trailing edge 22 are
arranged at positions substantially matching with the maximum portion of the blowing
airflow velocity distribution. That is, when the maximum protrusion radial positions
25 are to be set, the blowing airflow velocity distribution is obtained with regard
to a blade which is different only in condition that the protrusion is arranged neither
at the leading edge nor at the trailing edge. Then, the maximum protrusion radial
positions 25 are set at positions of the maximum portion of the blowing airflow velocity
distribution. Specifically, as described above in relation to FIG. 6, the blowing
airflow velocity distribution of the propeller fan according to the comparison example
has a maximum portion of the airflow velocity distribution near the radius ratio of
0.8, which is a radial position at 0.8Rt from the rotation center line RC. Thus, the
maximum protrusion radial positions 25 of the protrusion at the leading edge 21 and
the protrusion at the trailing edge 22 are arranged at the radial positions of 0.8Rt
from the rotation center line RC.
[0039] With the above-mentioned configuration, the following advantage can be obtained.
That is, at the maximum protrusion radial positions 25 of the protrusion at the leading
edge 21 and the protrusion at the trailing edge 22 of the blade 2, the airflow velocity
can be reduced at most. Thus, the positions at which the airflow velocity is reduced
at most are set so as to substantially match with the maximum portion of the blowing
airflow velocity distribution of the propeller fan 1. With this, the blowing airflow
velocity distribution of the propeller fan 1 can be further equalized, and the noise
which is generated when the air stream passes through the fan grille 4 arranged on
downstream of the propeller fan 1 is reduced, thereby being capable of reducing noise
of the propeller fan.
Fourth Embodiment
[0040] Next, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, description is made of a fourth embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a propeller fan according
to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a graph for showing L/Rt
and a maximum value of a normalized airflow velocity of the propeller fan according
to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, details
other than those described below are the same as the details of any one of the first
embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment described above.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the propeller fan according to the fourth embodiment
of the present invention, a protrusion height L of the maximum protrusion radial positions
25 of the protrusion at the leading edge 21 and the protrusion at the trailing edge
22 of the blade 2 is set so as to satisfy L/Rt<0.1.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 9, description is made of an effect which can be obtained
with the above-mentioned configuration. As shown in FIG. 9, in the range of L/Rt<0.1,
the maximum value of the normalized airflow velocity is reduced as L/Rt increases.
However, in the range of L/Rt≥0.1, the maximum value of the normalized airflow velocity
is constant. Herein, when a part of the leading edge 21 is caused to protrude toward
the positive pressure surface 2a side, or a part of the trailing edge 22 is caused
to protrude toward the negative pressure surface 2b side as described above, the blade
surface of the protruding portion comes closer to a plane which is perpendicular to
or orthogonal to the rotation center line RC. Thus, the relative velocity of the air
stream which flows along the blade surface is increased. Such an increase in relative
velocity may become a factor of increasing the noise. In particular, in the range
of L/Rt≥0.1, the maximum value of the normalized airflow velocity is constant. Thus,
the factor of increasing the noise may be dominant. As a result, there is a risk in
that a sufficient noise reduction effect is not obtained. In contrast, according to
the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion is formed so as to
satisfy L/Rt<0.1 as described above. Thus, such increase of noise can be avoided,
thereby being capable of further reducing noise of the propeller fan.
[0043] The details of the present invention are described above with reference to the exemplary
embodiments. However, it is apparent that a person skilled in the art may employ various
modified modes based on the basic technical idea and teaching of the present invention.
[0044] In the above-mentioned embodiments, description is made of the propeller fan incorporated
into an outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus. However, the propeller fan
according to the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can
be carried out as a propeller fan apparatus including the propeller fan, the bellmouth,
and the fan grille, which are described above. The bellmouth surrounds a portion of
the propeller fan on downstream in the air-blowing direction in plan view, and a portion
of the propeller fan on upstream in the air-blowing direction is arranged outside
the bellmouth in plan view. The fan grille is arranged on downstream of the propeller
fan in the air-blowing direction. One of embodiments employing such a propeller fan
apparatus in combination with the heat exchanger corresponds to the embodiment of
the outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus described above. Therefore, as
another example, the propeller fan apparatus according to the present invention can
be used for a refrigeration cycle system (system with a refrigeration circuit including
at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator) such as
a refrigeration apparatus other than the air conditioning apparatus. Further, the
propeller fan apparatus can also be used for a ventilation device, an air-sending
device, and a drier, which do not require employment of a heat-exchanging element.
[0045] Further, in the examples described above, the case where three blades are arranged
is illustrated as the preferred mode of carrying out the present invention. However,
the present invention can also be carried out with the number of blades other than
three. Also with such a configuration, the above-mentioned advantageous actions and
effects can be obtained.
[0046] Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, illustration is made of the mode in
which the blade has both the shape in which a part of the leading edge protrudes toward
the positive pressure surface side and the shape in which a part of the trailing edge
protrudes toward the negative pressure surface side. However, this mode is a mere
example of the present invention. The blade in relation to the present invention may
be in a mode of having the protrusion at the leading edge and no protrusion at the
trailing edge, or in a mode of having the protrusion at the trailing edge and no protrusion
at the leading edge.
Reference Sings List
[0047] 1 propeller fan, 1a boss, 2 blade, 2a positive pressure surface, 2b negative pressure
surface, 3 bellmouth, 4 fan grille, 21 leading edge, 22 trailing edge, 24 outer peripheral
edge, 25 maximum protrusion radial position, 28 center of the protrusion in the radial
direction, 100 outdoor unit for an air conditioning apparatus