Air Outlet Deflector Structure With Elastic Thermal Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air deflectors in air conditioners undergo significant deformation due to temperature changes, leading to airflow irregularities, condensation issues, aesthetic problems, and increased friction noise, affecting the appliance's performance and reliability.

Innovation Solution

An air port component with elastically connected plate bodies, utilizing an elastic plate and buckle structures to compensate for thermal expansion differences, reducing plastic deformation and maintaining airflow consistency while preventing condensation and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid air deflector structure is used, then the airflow guidance function is achieved, but the structure deforms under temperature changes causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow guidance reliabilityVSAvoidstructural stability under temperature changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the connection between plate bodies from rigid to elastic, allowing the connection to dynamically adjust its properties. The elastic connection enables the structure to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction by deforming within elastic limits, thereby maintaining structural stability while preserving airflow guidance functionality under varying temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the air deflector structure by using elastic connections between plate bodies. This allows the structure to adapt to temperature changes through elastic deformation, transforming from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can self-adjust to environmental conditions while maintaining its primary function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the air deflector is made from a single material, then the manufacturing is simple, but the thermal expansion differences cause deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddimensional stability under thermal stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air deflector into multiple plate bodies that are connected elastically rather than as a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows each plate to expand and contract independently under thermal stress, accommodating differences in thermal expansion coefficients without causing overall structural deformation, while still maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining multiple plate bodies with elastic connections between them. This composite approach allows the use of different materials with varying thermal expansion properties in different plates, while the elastic connections harmonize their thermal responses, preventing deformation caused by thermal expansion differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the plate bodies are rigidly connected, then the structural strength is high, but the deformation causes friction and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidfriction noise
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the connection parameter from rigid to elastic, allowing the structure to maintain strength through elastic deformation rather than rigid constraints. The elastic connection absorbs thermal stresses through controlled deformation, preventing the plate bodies from rubbing against each other and generating friction noise, while still providing sufficient structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If the air deflector deforms, then the material stress is relieved, but the airflow performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress reliefVSAvoidairflow outlet precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the deformation mode from plastic to elastic, allowing the plate bodies to flex within elastic limits under thermal stress. This elastic deformation relieves internal stresses while maintaining the precise geometric relationships needed for proper airflow guidance, preventing the permanent deformation that would compromise manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution effectively reduces deformation, ensures reliable airflow, prevents condensation, and maintains the aesthetic appearance of the air conditioner, while reducing operational noise and improving overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

two longitudinal ends of the first plate body are elastically connected with two longitudinal ends of the second plate body respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

due to the influence of the global environmental use temperature, the temperature difference is large, resulting in a large deformation of the wind deflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3640560B1Wind port component and air conditioner
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WUHAN
  • EP3640560B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3640560B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3640560B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an air port component and an air conditioner, wherein the air port component includes a first plate body (1) and a second plate body (2), wherein two longitudinal ends of the first plate body (1) and the second plate body (2) are elastically connected respectively. when the working environment temperature difference is relatively large, even if the difference between the linear expansion coefficients of materials used by the two plate bodies is relatively large, extension or shrinkage generated between the plate bodies due to temperature changes is be compensated by the elastic connection so as to reduce the degree of plastic deformation of the plate bodies due to temperature changes after being used for a period of time, thereby improving the reliability of the operation of the air port component, preventing blockage during the operation, as well as ensuring that the airflow of the air outlet meets the design requirements to prevent condensation due to local overcooling.