Air conditioning diffuser assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioners experience condensation accumulation on diffuser blades due to warm, moisture-laden air being entrained and coming into contact with cold surfaces, leading to mold, mildew, and corrosion issues.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioning diffuser assembly with pivotally mounted louvers and elastomeric sealing members that prevent condensation from entering the louver holder, using magnetic fasteners for assembly and a groove design allowing angular adjustment of the louvers, which are made of elastomeric material to enhance sealing and prevent moisture accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the diffuser blades are exposed to warm, moisture-laden air in the cold air stream, then the diffuser can direct air flow in different directions, but condensation accumulates on the blades causing mold and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow direction controlVSAvoidcondensation accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the louver holder, sealing member, and louver blades. The sealing member creates a separate sealed chamber that isolates the blade mounting area from the cold air stream, preventing condensation while allowing the blades to pivot for airflow direction control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the louver holder and the louver blades. This sealing member with its sealing channel creates a barrier that prevents moisture-laden air from contacting the blade mounting areas, thereby preventing condensation accumulation while maintaining the blades' ability to pivot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the diffuser blades are mounted directly in the louver holder, then the structure is simple, but condensation enters the mounting area causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting structureVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member serves as an intermediary component between the louver holder and louver blades. It adds a sealing channel that prevents condensation from entering the blade mounting area, protecting the structural integrity without significantly complicating the overall mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member uses a flexible sealing channel that can accommodate the pivoting motion of the louver blades while maintaining the seal. This flexible sealing approach prevents condensation ingress while allowing the necessary mechanical movement of the blades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If the louver blades are fixed in position, then the structure is stable, but the airflow direction cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidairflow direction adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The louver blades are designed to be pivotally mounted rather than fixed, allowing them to rotate to different angles for airflow direction control. The sealing channel is designed to accommodate this pivoting motion while maintaining the seal, thus providing both stability and adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The louver assembly is segmented into the stationary louver holder and the movable louver blades. The blades can pivot independently within the sealed environment, allowing airflow direction adjustment while the overall structure remains stable and protected from condensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively prevents condensation accumulation, reducing mold and mildew growth and corrosion by creating a sealed environment around the louvers, ensuring efficient airflow and maintaining the diffuser's structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the seal having sufficient sealing capability to prevent condensation from entering the louver holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

the housing includes a frame and an assembly of the louvers, the sealing members and the louver holders are affixed to the frame by magnetic fasteners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

there being a groove between the blade portion and the pivot bar, the pivot bar being received in the sealing channel. The groove allows the blade portion to pivot in an angular range before abutting against edges of the louver holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical clearance:

Data Source

PatentUS11181298B2Air conditioning diffuser assembly

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 ACP LTD

AI summary

An air conditioning diffuser assembly includes louvers mounted in a housing, each of louvers being pivotally mounted in a sealing channel formed in a sealing member received in a louver holder. The seal has sufficient sealing capability to prevent condensation from entering the louver holder.