Air Conditioner Humidity-Controlled Drying to Reduce Noise and Mold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners generate excessive 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 proliferation and odor.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner operates the fan at a low speed during the drying process and includes a humidity sensor to control the drying operation based on internal humidity, ensuring thorough drying of the heat exchanger edges while minimizing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the fan rotates at high speed during the drying process, then the drying time is reduced, but the noise increases and the edge of the heat exchanger is not sufficiently dried
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-stage drying process with periodic changes in fan speed. The drying process is divided into multiple stages where the fan speed varies - initially rotating at high speed to remove bulk moisture, then transitioning to lower speeds for continued drying, creating a periodic action pattern that balances efficiency and noise reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts fan rotation speed based on drying progress and environmental conditions. The controller modifies the fan speed from high to low during the drying process, making the system dynamic rather than static, allowing optimization of both drying effectiveness and noise levels at different stages
2Productivity
If the fan rotates at high speed during the drying process, then the central part of the heat exchanger dries quickly, but the edge of the heat exchanger dries slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different fan rotation speeds to address different regions of the heat exchanger. By adjusting fan speed over time, the system provides intensified air flow initially for the central area, then maintains sufficient air flow at reduced speeds for the edge areas, creating local quality differentiation in the drying process
Solution Approach 2:
The drying process is segmented into multiple stages with different fan speed settings. This segmentation allows the central part of the heat exchanger to be dried efficiently in early stages while subsequent stages focus on completing the drying of edge areas, ensuring uniform drying across the entire heat exchanger surface
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the fan rotates at low speed during the drying process, then the noise is reduced, but the drying effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing multiple drying stages with varying fan speeds. Low fan speeds are used in later stages when noise sensitivity increases, while maintaining adequate drying effectiveness through the cumulative effect of extended multi-stage drying rather than continuous high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The drying system utilizes natural evaporation and ambient conditions to supplement the drying process during low fan speed operation. The heat exchanger surface temperature and ambient air conditions contribute to moisture removal, reducing reliance on high fan speeds and thereby reducing noise while maintaining drying effectiveness
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 approach reduces noise during the drying process, effectively dries the entire heat exchanger, including edges, and allows precise humidity control, preventing mold growth.
Implementation Method 1
rotate the fan provided near the indoor heat exchanger to drop the condensed moisture on the indoor heat exchanger or evaporate the moisture
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner for performing a drying operation in which the inside of the air conditioner is dried after a cooling operation is performed. The air conditioner can comprise: 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; 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.