Air-Conditioning Diffuser with Deflecting Pockets to Reduce Draft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning diffusers, particularly those with textile or foil structures, often create undesirable drafts due to air flowing in a single direction and have insufficient outlet orifices for air distribution, which limits their ability to direct air effectively without causing drafts.
Innovation Solution
The air-conditioning diffuser incorporates air deflecting pockets shaped like truncated cones or other geometric forms attached to the outlet wall, combined with an array of auxiliary holes and through-holes, where the air deflecting pockets direct air streams tangentially or radially, preventing drafts and ensuring air flows in desired directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air flows in a single direction from the diffuser, then the air distribution is simple and the structure is straightforward, but an undesirable draft develops
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser outlet wall is segmented into multiple through-holes distributed across the surface, with each through-hole equipped with its own air deflecting pocket. This segmentation allows air to exit in multiple directions simultaneously rather than a single direction, preventing draft while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Air deflecting pockets are introduced as intermediary elements between the through-holes and the room space. These pockets act as mediators that redirect the air flow from straight ducting elements, causing the exiting air streams to flow in diverse directions and eliminating the harmful draft effect
2Quantity of substance
If the outlet orifices are made larger to increase air distribution volume, then more air can be distributed, but the ability to direct air in desired directions without causing draft is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large outlet orifice, the system segments the air distribution into multiple smaller through-holes. Each through-hole is equipped with an air deflecting pocket that directs air in specific directions. This segmentation enables the system to distribute large total air volumes while maintaining the ability to control air direction and prevent draft
Solution Approach 2:
Each through-hole and its associated air deflecting pocket have locally optimized characteristics for directing air flow. The air deflecting pockets are positioned and shaped to redirect air streams tangentially or radially, ensuring that each local air outlet contributes to overall draft-free distribution while maintaining directional control
3Ease of manufacture
If straight ducting elements are used to enable air to exit perpendicular to the walls, then the ducting is simple, but the exiting air streams flow in a single direction causing draft
Solution Approach 1:
Air deflecting pockets are introduced as intermediary elements attached to the outlet wall, positioned between the straight ducting elements and the room space. These pockets serve as mediators that receive air from the simple straight ducting and redirect it in diverse directions, eliminating draft while preserving the manufacturing simplicity of the ducting elements themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The air deflecting pockets introduce a new dimensional aspect to air flow control by redirecting air not just in the original perpendicular direction but also in tangential and radial directions. This multi-directional approach prevents draft while keeping the ducting structure simple and easy to manufacture
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 design allows for efficient air distribution without drafts, maintaining the lightweight and washable features of textile systems, by redirecting air streams to enter a room in desired directions while increasing airflow without the risk of drafts.
Implementation Method 1
An air deflecting pocket (23) is assigned to each through-hole (22), said pocket being attached to the outer surface of the corresponding wall of the air-conditioning duct. The through-hole (22) leads into a hollow space that is formed between the corresponding air deflecting pocket (23) and the outlet wall (20)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Air-conditioning element for distributing air, comprising a chamber (10) provided with an inlet orifice (30) for feeding air and with an outlet wall (20) made of a woven or non-woven fabric or foil, the outlet wall (20) comprising at least one array of through-holes (22) for distributing air into the surrounding environment. The air-conditioning element further comprises a plurality of air deflecting pockets (23) for redirecting the air flowing through the through-holes (22) out of the air- conditioning diffuser, each air deflecting pocket (23) being attached to the outlet wall (20) on the outer side of the same, overlapping at least one through-hole (22) spaced apart from the through-hole and being open towards the space adjoining the outlet wall (20).