Indoor unit for air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner indoor units face challenges in supporting a heat exchanger when it is positioned in front of the air blower, particularly due to the increased air-flow resistance caused by high efficiency particulate air filters, which reduces the volume of air blown out.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design includes a heat exchanger placed only in front of the air-blowing fan's rotation center, with inlets provided at the rear and outlets in front, and a cabinet with protrusions that support the heat exchanger, ensuring stable positioning and airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heat exchanger is provided in front of the air blower to enable air purification with HEPA filter, then air purification function is improved, but the cabinet cannot appropriately support the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple independent support portions (first support portion, second support portion, third support portion) distributed at different locations on the cabinet. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger to be supported at multiple points, providing stable support even when positioned in front of the air blower, while enabling the air purification function with HEPA filter.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger is placed only in front of the rotation center of the air-blowing fan, then airflow volume is improved, but the conventional support structure cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet is designed with multiple support portions that can support the heat exchanger regardless of its specific position in front of the air blower. This universal support structure allows the heat exchanger to be placed optimally for airflow volume while maintaining stable support, accommodating the multi-functional requirement of both high airflow and stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes three-dimensional space within the cabinet by positioning support portions at different locations (front, rear, left, right sides). This spatial distribution of support portions provides stable support for the heat exchanger placed in front of the air blower, resolving the conflict between optimized positioning for airflow and structural support requirements.
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
This configuration allows the cabinet to effectively support the heat exchanger even when it is positioned in front of the air blower, maintaining airflow and supporting the heat exchanger's weight, thus addressing the structural and airflow limitations of conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
an air-blowing fan that blows air, which is sucked from the inlet, at the heat exchanger and that blows the air out from the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger that is placed only in front of a rotation center of the air-blowing fan
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger placed in front of an air blower is appropriately supported by a cabinet. In an indoor unit, the heat exchanger is placed only in front of a rotation center of an air-blowing fan. The cabinet includes: an upper left protrusion and an upper right protrusion protruding forward from an upper portion of the cabinet; and a lower left protrusion and a lower right protrusion protruding forward from a lower portion of the cabinet, so that the protrusions support the heat exchanger.