Air Conditioner Sequential Fan Drying to Reduce Noise and Odor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners produce loud noise and release microorganisms during the drying operation due to high-speed fan operation, leading to unpleasant odors and incomplete moisture evaporation.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner sequentially turns on and off multiple fans after a cooling operation to perform an automatic drying operation, reducing noise and unpleasant wind while maintaining dryness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fan rotates at high speed during the drying operation, then the drying efficiency is improved, but noise increases and microorganisms are released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fan system into multiple independent fans (first fan and second fan) that can operate separately. During the drying operation, only the first fan operates at low speed while the second fan remains off, thereby achieving drying functionality without the noise and microorganism release problems associated with high-speed operation of a single fan.
2Loss of time
If the fan rotates at high speed to evaporate moisture quickly, then the drying time is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drying function across multiple fans operating at different speeds. The first fan operates continuously at low speed to maintain basic air circulation and prevent moisture accumulation, while the second fan can be activated at higher speed when additional drying capacity is needed, optimizing the balance between drying time and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts fan operation based on real-time conditions such as humidity levels and operational phase. During different stages of the drying cycle, the controller activates or deactivates specific fans to match the actual drying needs, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring thorough moisture evaporation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drying operation is stopped early due to odor, then noise is reduced, but moisture evaporation is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fan system into multiple independently controllable units. During the drying operation, the first fan continues to operate at low speed even when the second fan is turned off due to odor concerns. This segmented approach allows the drying process to continue at a reduced capacity, ensuring complete moisture evaporation while minimizing noise and odor generation.
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 effectively reduces noise and unpleasant odors while ensuring thorough moisture evaporation, maintaining dryness and minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an apparatus that cools or heats air using transfer of heat generated in a process of evaporating and condensing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
drop or evaporate the water condensed on the heat exchanger by rotating the fan disposed around the indoor heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes: a housing including a plurality of outlets; a heat exchanger disposed in the housing; a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate a refrigerant to allow the refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger; a plurality of fans configured to blow air to allow the air to pass through the heat exchanger and be discharged to the plurality of outlets; and a controller including at least one processor, comprising processing circuitry, individually and/or collectively, configured to turn on all of the plurality of fans and sequentially turn off the plurality of fans after a cooling operation ends to perform an automatic drying operation.