Air Conditioner Linear UV Lamp Design for Uniform Fan Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges in sterilizing large fan areas due to contamination from foreign matter, require multiple light sources for effective sterilization, and experience airflow resistance from light source modules, making uniform sterilization difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a sterilizer mounted on a guide extending along the fan's rotation axis, with a lamp positioned to provide uniform sterilization and minimize airflow resistance, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of light sources are used to sterilize the entire fan area, then the sterilization coverage is improved, but the production cost increases and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using multiple point light sources distributed across the fan area to a single linear light source positioned along the airflow path. This dimensional change from point-to-plane illumination to linear-path illumination achieves complete sterilization coverage through the extended exposure time of air passing along the light source, reducing the number of components while maintaining effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a light source module is disposed in the airflow passage to sterilize the fan, then the sterilization function is added, but the airflow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective surface as an intermediary element that redirects airflow along the light source path. This mediator allows the air to be exposed to UV radiation without requiring the light source module to physically obstruct the main airflow path, thus maintaining sterilization function while minimizing impact on airflow and reducing resistance.
3Reliability
If multiple light sources are used for sterilization, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the assembly and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sterilization function from a multi-component light source module arrangement and implements it through a single linear light source (such as a UV tube) positioned along the airflow path. This simplification makes the component easier to install, replace, and maintain, as a single linear element can be accessed and replaced without disassembling multiple individual light sources.
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 sterilizes the entire fan area uniformly, reduces production costs, and minimizes airflow resistance, simplifying the assembly and maintenance of the sterilizer.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilizer mounted to the guide at a position facing the fan, and provided with a lamp extending in a direction in which the fan extends
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner. The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a case having an inlet and an outlet; a heat exchanger disposed inside the case; a fan disposed inside the case and elongated in a direction of a rotation axis; a guide extending toward the outlet in a rotation direction of the fan; and a sterilizer mounted to the guide at a position facing the fan, and provided with a lamp extending in a direction in which the fan extends, thereby providing a uniform sterilizing effect in the longitudinal direction of the fan.