Air-conditioning indoor unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning indoor units face pressure loss increases when directing conditioned air towards the front panel, obstructing the air outlet and affecting temperature distribution.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning indoor unit employs a Coanda effect utilization mode with a first and second air direction adjustment plate, controlled by a unit to guide outlet air without obstructing the air outlet, using the Coanda effect to direct air along the undersurface of the second adjustment plate, maintaining low air resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the up and down air direction plate moves closer to the upper end portion of the air outlet to direct conditioned air toward the front panel, then the air direction control is improved, but the pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair direction controlVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The air direction control is divided into two independent plates: a first air direction adjustment plate for up-down direction control and a second air direction adjustment plate for left-right direction control. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized for its specific function without interfering with the other, enabling effective air direction control without the first plate needing to obstruct the air outlet excessively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second air direction adjustment plate acts as an intermediary element that redirects air flow horizontally after the first plate has directed it vertically. This intermediary plate enables the air to be guided toward the front panel without the first plate needing to move close to the air outlet, thereby maintaining lower pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the second air direction adjustment plate is housed in the indoor unit front portion, then the device structure is compact, but the air outlet is obstructed and pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The second air direction adjustment plate is designed to be movable between a housed position (when air conditioning is not in use) and an extended position (when air conditioning is in use). This dynamic configuration allows the plate to be compact during storage while providing air direction control functionality during operation, without permanently obstructing the air outlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The second air direction adjustment plate is positioned and configured in advance to extend from the indoor unit front portion when air conditioning operation is required. This preliminary positioning ensures that the plate is ready to guide air flow without obstruction before the air conditioning system activates, preventing pressure loss from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Length of moving object

If the air direction adjustment plates are positioned to guide air along the front panel, then the air delivery distance is extended, but the air resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair delivery distanceVSAvoidair resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of guiding air along the front panel in a horizontal plane, the second air direction adjustment plate redirects air flow in a vertical dimension by extending downward from the front panel. This dimensional change allows the air to travel farther distances by utilizing vertical space, reducing the need for high air resistance to achieve long delivery distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration allows for efficient guidance of outlet air in a predetermined direction without significant pressure loss, ensuring effective temperature distribution and reducing air resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the control unit controls postures of the first air direction adjustment plate and the second air direction adjustment plate in such a way that the second air direction adjustment plate assumes a posture in which it is spaced apart from the indoor unit front portion and the second air direction adjustment plate and the first air direction adjustment plate form a predetermined angle to thereby change the outlet air to a Coanda air flow along an undersurface of the second air direction adjustment plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2762795B1Air-conditioning indoor unit
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2762795B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2762795B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2762795B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present invention provides an air conditioning indoor unit that can guide outlet air in a predetermined direction without obstructing an air outlet. In an air conditioning indoor unit (10), a control unit (40) executes a Coanda effect utilization mode, whereby outlet air whose air direction has been adjusted by a first air direction adjustment plate (31) can be changed to a Coanda air flow which, because of the Coanda effect, flows along an undersurface of a second air direction adjustment plate (32) positioned away from an indoor unit front portion. As a result, compared to a conventional configuration that generates an air flow along a front panel (11b), the outlet air is guided in a predetermined direction in a state in which air resistance is kept low and with an air outlet (15) remaining unobstructed.