Air Conditioner Wind Guide Plate Control to Reduce Cold Air Sensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning apparatuses reduce comfort levels during heating operations by blowing cold air, even when the air speed is decreased, due to the temperature of the air blown from the indoor unit decreasing, leading to a perceived cold sensation for individuals in the indoor space.

Innovation Solution

An air-conditioning apparatus with an indoor unit featuring a rotatable wind guide plate, temperature sensors, and a controller that adjusts the wind guide plate's angle and operation of the compressor and fan to maintain comfort by directing air flow and managing heat distribution within the space, ensuring warm air is effectively circulated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the speed of air blown from the indoor unit is reduced to improve comfort, then the air temperature perceived by the person decreases, but the person feels cold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort levelVSAvoidair temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The wind guide plate is made rotatable to dynamically adjust the air blowing direction. By rotating the wind guide plate between a first state (blowing air in a first direction) and a second state (guiding air upwardly inclined), the system adapts the air flow direction to prevent cold air from reaching the person while maintaining comfortable air speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes the operating parameters of the wind guide plate by rotating it to different states. This parameter change (angular position of the wind guide plate) modifies the air flow characteristics, directing air away from the person's position to eliminate the cold sensation without reducing air speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the wind guide plate is rotated to change air blowing direction, then air can be directed away from the person, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort controlVSAvoidwind guide mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wind guide plate is designed as a rotatable component that can switch between discrete states (first state and second state). This dynamic mechanism allows flexible air direction control while maintaining a relatively simple structure, avoiding the need for complex multi-component guide systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable wind guide plate serves multiple functions: it controls air blowing direction, prevents cold air from reaching the person, and can be adjusted based on different operating conditions. This single component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate control elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the perceived cold sensation and maintains comfort by adjusting air flow and heat distribution, ensuring that the air-conditioning apparatus maintains a comfortable indoor environment during heating operations.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a pressure-reducing device, and a second heat exchanger included in the indoor unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

when the detected temperature of the air in the target space is higher than a set temperature for the target space and the detected temperature of the second heat exchanger is lower than or equal to a first reference temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

a fan included in the indoor unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 4

a wind guide plate included in the indoor unit, and allowed to be rotated to be in a first state in which the wind guide plate causes air to be blown from the air outlet in a first direction, and to be in a second state in which the wind guide plate guides causes air to be blown from the air outlet in a direction upwardly inclined to the first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentEP3608599B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3608599B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3608599B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B(b)
  • EP3608599B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an air-conditioning apparatus, in the case where a compressor is in operation, a fan is in operation, a wind guide plate is in a first state and a second heat exchanger operates as a condenser, when a detected temperature of target space for air-conditioning is higher than a set temperature for the target space and a detected temperature of a second heat exchanger is lower than or equal to a first reference temperature, a controller performs a first control to keep the compressor and the fan in operation and switch the state of the wind guide plate from the first state to a second state.