Air Conditioner Resonator for Upstream Fan Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners with blower fans generate noise, and existing noise reduction structures are ineffective in minimizing noise generated upstream of the blower fan in the air flow direction while also disturbing the airflow.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a resonator formed by a through hole and a closed space in the air conditioning case, positioned upstream of the blower fan, which absorbs noise by matching its resonance frequency with the noise generated by the blower fan, thereby reducing noise effectively without disturbing the airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a noise reducing structure is provided in the blower, then noise generated by the blower fan rotation is reduced, but noise generated upstream of the blower fan in the air flow direction is not effectively reduced and airflow may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
A resonator is introduced as an intermediary component between the noise source (upstream airflow) and the blower fan. The resonator absorbs specific frequency noise through resonance while being positioned and designed to minimize interference with the main airflow path, thus reducing upstream noise without significantly disturbing airflow
Solution Approach 2:
The resonator's physical parameters (volume, shape, opening size) are specifically designed and tuned to match the frequency characteristics of upstream noise. By adjusting these parameters, the resonator selectively absorbs noise at target frequencies while maintaining airflow performance
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 resonator effectively reduces noise generated upstream of the blower fan by matching its resonance frequency with the noise frequencies, providing a muffling effect while minimizing airflow disturbance.
Implementation Method 1
The through hole and the closed space configure a resonator having a predetermined resonance frequency. Thus, noise generated upstream of the blower fan in the air flow direction can be effectively reduced.
Implementation Method 2
noise generated upstream of the blower fan in the air flow direction can be effectively reduced
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes an air conditioning case, a blower fan, and a facing wall portion. The air conditioning case configures an air passage through which air to be blown into an interior flows. The blower fan is disposed inside the air conditioning case. The facing wall portion is disposed on an air flow upstream side of the blower fan to face a suction port of the blower fan. The air conditioning case has a facing surface that faces the facing wall portion and in which through holes are formed. The air conditioning case has a closed space formed therein on an opposite side of the facing surface with respect to the air passage and communicating with the air passage via the through holes. The through holes and the closed space form a resonator having a predetermined resonance frequency.