Airflow Blocking Structure for Air Conditioner Cabinet Dew Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioners face challenges in preventing cold air from leaking outside and dew formation on the cabinet, which complicates assembly and increases costs due to the need for insulation materials.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner design featuring a blocking member integrated with the frame to prevent heat-exchanged air from leaking into the cabinet, and a partition member with a drain panel and rib to guide and collect dew, ensuring it forms on the blocking member rather than the cabinet, thus simplifying assembly and reducing material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If insulation material is attached to the cabinet to prevent dew formation, then dew formation on the cabinet is prevented, but the assembly process becomes complicated and product cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedew formation on cabinetVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of dew formation is extracted from the cabinet surface and redirected to a specific collection area. The blocking member and guide member work together to extract dew that would otherwise form on the cabinet, channeling it to the drain panel for collection and removal, thus preventing cabinet dew without requiring insulation materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member and guide member serve as intermediary structures between the cold air flow path and the cabinet surface. These components intercept cold air and guide it in a way that prevents direct contact with the cabinet, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for insulation while preventing dew formation on the cabinet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If insulation material is attached to the cabinet to prevent dew formation, then dew formation on the cabinet is prevented, but product cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedew formation on cabinetVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The need for insulation material is eliminated by extracting and redirecting the cold air flow path. The blocking member and guide member extract the harmful cold air flow and redirect it toward the drain area, allowing dew to form on the guide member instead of the cabinet, thus avoiding material costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution replaces expensive insulation materials with simpler, more cost-effective blocking and guide members that can be easily manufactured and installed. These components provide the necessary function at a lower material cost while achieving the same dew prevention goal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of energy

If blocking member is used to prevent cold air leakage, then cold air leakage is prevented and heat exchange efficiency is improved, but device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold air leakageVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member and guide member are merged into an integrated structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously. The blocking member prevents cold air leakage while the guide member channels the cold air flow, combining two functions into a unified component system that minimizes overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member and guide member structure serves multiple purposes: it blocks cold air from leaking into the cabinet, guides cold air along a controlled path, and provides a surface for dew collection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prevents cold air leakage and dew formation on the cabinet, enhancing the air conditioner's efficiency and reducing assembly complexity and costs by directing dew to a collection point without additional insulation.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger disposed between the cabinet and the frame to exchange heat with air introduced into the inlet port and discharged to the outlet port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a blocking member configured to connect the frame and the heat exchanger to prevent air heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger from leaking into the cabinet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier blocking: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

the guide part may guide the dew formed on the panel part to the receiving plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11982462B2Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2024.05.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11982462B2 patent drawing
  • US11982462B2 patent drawing
  • US11982462B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An air conditioner includes a cabinet including an inlet port and a frame including an outlet port and coupled to the cabinet. A heat exchanger is disposed between the cabinet and the frame to exchange heat with air introduced into the inlet port and discharged to the outlet port. A blocking member is configured to connect the frame and the heat exchanger to prevent air heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger from leaking into the cabinet. This structure inhibits dew from being generated on the cabinet.