Air Passage Extension Structure for Low-Loss Air Conditioner Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners with smaller height dimensions lack sufficient air passage length, resulting in inefficient airflow distribution due to pressure losses at the interface between the air passage wall and movable flaps.
Innovation Solution
An air passage extension mechanism that integrates with the air passage wall via a stepped portion, extending the airflow path and minimizing pressure losses by eliminating gaps and level differences, allowing for efficient airflow distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the air conditioner housing height is reduced, then the device size is compact, but the air passage length becomes insufficient resulting in poor airflow distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The air passage wall is divided into a fixed portion and a movable extension portion that can be separated and repositioned. This segmentation allows the air passage length to be extended without increasing the housing dimensions, resolving the contradiction between compact size and sufficient air passage length.
Solution Approach 2:
The air passage extension portion is designed as a movable flap that can rotate between a stored position (when air conditioner is off) and an extended position (when air conditioner is on). This dynamic configuration enables the air passage length to change based on operational requirements while maintaining a compact housing.
2Length of moving object
If movable flaps are used to extend airflow, then airflow can be directed farther, but pressure loss increases due to gaps and level differences
Solution Approach 1:
The movable extension portion is integrated with the fixed air passage wall through a stepped portion configuration. When extended, the extension portion merges seamlessly with the fixed portion, eliminating gaps and level differences that would cause pressure loss, while still achieving extended airflow distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped portion is strategically positioned at the joint between the fixed and movable portions to create a smooth transition surface. This local structural feature ensures continuous airflow path without turbulence or pressure loss at the junction, allowing the movable portion to extend airflow effectively.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
AI summary
An air conditioner includes: a stepped portion 61 provided on a side of an outlet 5 of an air passage wall 6; an air passage extension 8 having a rotary shaft 82 in the outlet 5, the air passage extension 8 being rotatable in an opening direction about the rotary shaft 82 to bring a rear end 81 into abutment with the stepped portion 61 in such a manner that the air passage extension 8 integrates with the air passage wall 6 to form a curved surface of a predetermined curvature; and a rotary mechanism configured to cause the air passage extension 8 to rotate in such a manner as to bring the rear end 81 into abutment with the stepped portion 61 when the air conditioner is put into operation.