Air duct machine with switchable air-out directions and control method thereof and air-conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air duct machines with fixed air-out directions face challenges in maximizing air return and minimizing noise due to the influence of one fan's motion on return air, leading to reduced air return amounts and unnecessary noise.
Innovation Solution
An air duct machine with switchable air-out directions, featuring a housing with two cross-flow fans and a control mechanism that allows one fan to serve as an air-out fan while the other rotates oppositely as a regulating fan, optimizing airflow and reducing noise by adjusting vent positions and rotational speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a static fan is positioned at air return position, then air supply structure is simplified, but the fan generates unnecessary noises through contact between return air and blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the static fan configuration by making both fans rotatable. During air return operation, both fans rotate to create a coordinated airflow pattern that guides return air smoothly through the housing, preventing turbulent contact with stationary blades that generates noise.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having one fan static and one rotating, the patent inverts the approach by having both fans rotate during air supply mode and both rotate in reverse during air return mode. This inversion of the static-fan concept eliminates noise-generating interactions between air flow and stationary blades.
2Device complexity
If one fan rotates as air supply fan while the other remains static, then control mechanism is simplified, but the motion state of static fan greatly influences return air and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Both fans are designed with universal functionality to operate as air supply fans or air return fans. The control mechanism manages this duality by coordinating both fans' rotation directions and speeds, allowing flexible adaptation to different operational modes while maintaining high air return efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control where both fans can independently adjust their rotation states. During air return mode, both fans rotate in reverse to actively draw return air through the housing, creating a dynamic airflow pattern that significantly improves air return efficiency compared to a static fan configuration.
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 increases air output and reduces noise by optimizing the flow field and enlarging the return air area, enhancing overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a first fan and a second fan, both mounted in the housing... the first fan serves as an air-out fan and the second fan serves as a regulating fan... control the first fan to supply air to the first vent and to control the second fan to rotate in a direction opposite to a direction in which air is supplied to the second vent
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides an air duct machine with switchable air-out directions and a control method thereof, and an air-conditioning apparatus. The air duct machine with switchable air-out directions comprises: a housing, a first fan (3), a second fan (4) and a control mechanism, wherein the first fan (3) and the second fan (4) are both mounted in the housing, the housing has a first vent (1) at a side corresponding to the first fan (3) and a second vent (2) at a side corresponding to the second fan (4), and a communicating air channel is formed between the first vent (1) and the second vent (2); the control mechanism is used for linkage control of the rotation of two fans, and when one fan serves as an air supply fan, the other fan is controlled as a regulating fan to rotate in a direction opposite to a direction in which air is supplied to a corresponding vent, and reverse rotation of the regulating fan reduces obstruction to return air, optimizes a flow field of return air, enlarges the area of return air, increases the air output amount, and effectively lowers the noise.