Air conditioner
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges in sterilizing the internal components without obstructing air flow and in preventing ultraviolet light from escaping, which can be harmful to humans.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a sterilization device with a UV lamp positioned within a groove of the lower guide, emitting light towards the blower fan while being shielded by a lamp cover to limit UV exposure and a net steel to prevent external access, ensuring safe and effective sterilization without obstructing air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterilization lamp is placed adjacent to the blower fan with a separate reflector to transmit light, then sterilization function is provided, but the range and performance of sterilization is limited and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization lamp is integrated directly into the blower fan assembly, with the lamp positioned at the center of the fan and the fan blades themselves serving as the reflector structure. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate reflector components while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The blower fan structure serves dual purposes: it performs air circulation and simultaneously acts as a reflector for ultraviolet light distribution. The fan blades are designed to reflect and distribute UV light throughout the case interior, combining mechanical and optical functions in a single component.
2Reliability
If a sterilization module is placed in the case to sterilize internal components, then bacterial propagation is prevented, but dew forms at the lower end and disrupts air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization lamp is positioned at the center of the blower fan, utilizing the rotational motion of the fan blades to distribute UV light in all directions throughout the case. This central positioning with rotational distribution eliminates dead zones and prevents dew formation that would occur with traditional lower-positioned sterilization modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization function is activated during the normal operation of the blower fan, utilizing the existing air flow and fan rotation to simultaneously achieve sterilization and maintain proper air circulation patterns, preventing dew accumulation before it can disrupt flow.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet light is emitted through the sterilization lamp for sterilization, then sterilization is effective, but the light may escape through the outlet and cause harmful effects to human bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization lamp operates in conjunction with the rotating blower fan, creating a dynamic sterilization system where UV light is continuously distributed throughout the case interior. The rotation ensures comprehensive coverage while the case structure and outlet design prevent light escape to the exterior environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The case structure and outlet design are configured to contain and redirect UV light within the interior space, converting what could be a harmful escaping radiation into a beneficial contained sterilization field that protects both users and internal components.
4Reliability
If the sterilization lamp is positioned to maximize sterilization coverage, then sterilization performance is improved, but the lamp may obstruct the flow of air through the blower fan
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization lamp is positioned asymmetrically at the center of the blower fan, utilizing the rotational symmetry of the fan blades to achieve uniform UV light distribution without creating asymmetric obstructions to air flow. The central positioning ensures equal distance to all fan blades, maximizing sterilization coverage while minimizing flow resistance.
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 blower fan while maintaining unobstructed air flow and prevents external exposure to UV light, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilization lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light toward the blower fan
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a case in which an inlet and an outlet provided below the inlet are formed, a heat exchanger configured to exchange external air introduced into a housing through the inlet, a blower fan disposed below the heat exchanger and rotating with respect to a rotational shaft formed in a left-right direction so as to send air inside the case from the inlet to the outlet, a lower guide for guiding air, which is flowing to a lower side of the blower fan by the blower fan, to the outlet, an upper guide spaced apart from the lower guide to form a discharge passage with the lower guide, and a sterilization device disposed on one side of the lower guide and having a sterilization lamp configured to emit ultraviolet light toward the blower fan. A lower end of the sterilization lamp is disposed lower than an upper surface of the lower guide.