Air conditioning unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling air conditioning units generate unsatisfactory noise levels, disrupting occupants in vehicles or rooms.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning unit design features a fan positioned such that at least 30% of its air output is above the average top surface of the evaporative unit, with air directed towards the chamber wall before being redirected downwards, and includes an air tunnel and plenum to reduce noise, with evaporative coils surrounding the fan and a reduced plenum thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the fan is positioned directly above the evaporative unit with standard configuration, then the airflow path is short and结构简单, but the noise level is high and disturbs occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is positioned such that at least 30% of its air output area is above the average top surface of the evaporative unit, creating a three-dimensional airflow pattern where air is directed towards chamber walls and then redirected downwards. This spatial reconfiguration separates the fan from direct alignment with the evaporative unit, reducing noise transmission while maintaining effective airflow through additional dimensional space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber walls act as intermediary surfaces that receive air from the fan output and redirect it downwards through the evaporative unit. This intermediate interaction with the chamber walls allows the airflow to be redirected in a controlled manner, reducing direct noise propagation while ensuring proper air conditioning function
2Volume of moving object
If the plenum thickness is reduced to less than 3 cm, then the overall unit size is reduced and installation space is minimized, but noise control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum thickness is reduced to less than 3 cm while maintaining noise control through optimized geometric parameters and airflow configuration. The reduced plenum dimension is compensated by the specific fan positioning and airflow redirection pattern that minimizes noise generation and transmission, allowing compact design without sacrificing noise performance
3Productivity
If evaporative coils surround at least 75% of the fan, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but airflow resistance increases and noise may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporative coils are configured to surround at least 75% of the fan when viewed from above, providing enhanced heat exchange efficiency in the regions where air flow is most effective. This localized coil placement optimizes the balance between heat transfer surface area and airflow resistance, ensuring efficient conditioning without excessive backpressure or noise generation
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 significantly reduces noise levels while maintaining or improving airflow and conditioning efficiency, providing enhanced occupant comfort with a quieter operation.
Implementation Method 1
a fan, in the conditioning chamber, with a fan air input and a fan air output; and an evaporative unit, in the conditioning chamber; wherein the fan draws in entry air to enter the air conditioning unit, then through the evaporative unit, to condition the entry air to produce conditioned air
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning unit includes a conditioning chamber, a fan with a fan air input and a fan air output, and an evaporative unit. The fan and the evaporative unit are arranged in the conditioning chamber. The fan draws in entry air to enter the air conditioning unit, then through the evaporative unit, to condition the entry air to produce conditioned air. Within the conditioning chamber, the fan is positioned and configured such that at least 30% of an area of the fan air output are positioned above an average top surface of the evaporative unit, and that air from the at least 30% of the area of the fan air output is directed towards a wall of the conditioning chamber prior to being redirected downwards and through the evaporative unit.