Monolithic Air Conditioner Airflow Guide to Prevent Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In monolithic air conditioners, the mixing of outdoor air being introduced and exhausted can lead to reduced heat exchange efficiency, causing a decrease in overall air-cooling efficiency and increasing the load on the fan motor due to airflow resistance between the outdoor air intake and outlet.
Innovation Solution
A guide member with an inclined section and guide sections is mounted on the outdoor heat exchanger to prevent the mixing of introduced and exhausted outdoor air, directing the exhaust airflow away from the intake, thereby improving cooling efficiency and reducing fan motor load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the outdoor heat exchanger is spaced away from the cabinet sidewall to allow air intake, then the outdoor air can be introduced into the air conditioner, but the exhausted air may be reintroduced into the air conditioner through the same gap
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between the cabinet and outdoor heat exchanger is divided into two functional sections: an air intake section and an air outlet section. This segmentation allows the same physical gap to serve dual purposes - introducing fresh outdoor air while directing exhausted air away from the intake path, thereby preventing recirculation and maintaining heat exchange efficiency.
2Device complexity
If the outdoor air intake and outlet are positioned close to each other for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but airflow resistance increases causing fan motor load to increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the gap have different functional qualities - the first section (near cabinet) serves as air intake with specific flow characteristics, while the second section (near heat exchanger) serves as air outlet with different flow characteristics. This local differentiation of function allows compact positioning while maintaining proper airflow separation to reduce resistance and fan load.
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 cooling and heat exchange efficiency by preventing air recirculation, reducing airflow resistance, and saving electric power by minimizing fan motor load.
Implementation Method 1
A guide member with an inclined section and guide sections is mounted on the outdoor heat exchanger to prevent the mixing of introduced and exhausted outdoor air, directing the exhaust airflow away from the intake
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor heat exchanger mounted on a rear-inner portion of the cabinet... heat-exchanged with the refrigerant by the outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a fan assembly disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger... to introduce the outdoor air
Data Source
AI summary
A monolithic air conditioner includes a cabinet, an outdoor heat exchanger mounted on a rear-inner portion of the cabinet and spaced away from a sidewall of the cabinet, a guide member attached on a rear surface of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a fan assembly disposed in the cabinet to introduce the outdoor air. The guide member has an air exhausting guide unit and an air introduction guide unit extending from the air exhausting guide section.