Air Conditioner Humidity-Based Drying to Reduce Noise and Mold Growth

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners generate noise during the drying process due to high-speed fan rotation, leading to incomplete drying of the indoor heat exchanger edges, which can result in mold growth and odor issues.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner system with a humidity sensor that controls the fan rotation speed and discharge port operation based on detected humidity levels, allowing for efficient drying of the entire heat exchanger surface while minimizing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the fan rotates at high speed for a predetermined drying time, then the drying process is completed within a fixed time, but noise is generated and the edge of the indoor heat exchanger is not sufficiently dried

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying completion timeVSAvoidnoise and incomplete drying at edges
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fan rotation speed is dynamically adjusted during the drying process. The controller initially rotates the fan at a first rotation speed to quickly remove condensed moisture, then switches to a second rotation speed (lower than the first) to continue drying. This dynamic speed adjustment allows the system to adapt to different drying stages, ensuring complete drying of all heat exchanger surfaces including edges while reducing noise during the later stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drying process incorporates feedback control through a humidity sensor that detects humidity levels in the air passing through the heat exchanger. The controller monitors this humidity feedback and adjusts the fan rotation speed accordingly, switching between different speeds based on the detected humidity conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures thorough drying while optimizing noise levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the fan rotates at high speed, then moisture is removed quickly from the central part of the heat exchanger, but the edge dries relatively slowly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture removal speed from central partVSAvoiduniformity of drying across heat exchanger surface
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic fan speed adjustment to balance drying uniformity. The controller switches between a first rotation speed for rapid moisture removal from the central part and a second, lower rotation speed for completing the drying process. This dynamic approach ensures that both central and edge regions are sufficiently dried, achieving uniform drying across the entire heat exchanger surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drying process is divided into periodic stages with different fan rotation speeds. The controller implements periodic action by switching between the first rotation speed (for rapid initial drying) and the second rotation speed (for completing drying). This periodic speed variation ensures that moisture is removed efficiently from all areas of the heat exchanger, including the edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 system effectively reduces noise and ensures thorough drying of the indoor heat exchanger, preventing mold growth and maintaining air quality by adjusting fan speed and port operation according to humidity levels.

Implementation Method 1

a humidity sensor provided in the housing and configured to detect a humidity of the air that has passed through the heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidity detection: Hygrometer

Implementation Method 2

rotate the fan provided near the indoor heat exchanger to drop the condensed moisture on the indoor heat exchanger or evaporate the moisture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12146675B2Air conditioner and method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2024.11.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US12146675B2 patent drawing
  • US12146675B2 patent drawing
  • US12146675B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An air conditioner including: a housing having a discharge port and a plurality of holes; a door capable of closing the discharge port; a heat exchanger provided in the housing; a compressor connected to the heat exchanger so as to circulate a refrigerant so that same passes through the heat exchanger; a fan for blowing air so that the air passes through the heat exchanger and is discharged through the discharge port and at least one of the plurality of holes. The air conditioner includes a humidity sensor provided inside the housing so as to sense the humidity of the air having passed through the heat exchanger; and a control unit for controlling the door so as to open or close the discharge port and rotating the fan, on the basis of the humidity sensed by the humidity sensor when the compressor has been stopped.