Air Supply Unit with Rotatable Annular Outlet for Uniform 360° Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air supply units suffer from air recirculation, dead zones, non-uniform airflow, and uneven distribution, particularly failing to provide simultaneous and uniform air supply to the sides and downwards effectively.
Innovation Solution
An air supply unit with a movable airflow guiding element and displacement unit, featuring a continuous annular outlet opening that allows 360° airflow, ensuring uniform distribution and adjustable airflow direction between sideways and downwards modes, eliminating dead zones and preventing air recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If air is supplied both sideways and downwards simultaneously, then air supply coverage is improved, but airflow uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow guiding element is divided into multiple functional surfaces: a first surface for sideways airflow, a second surface for downwards airflow, and a third surface for intermediate airflow. This segmentation allows each surface to independently control airflow in specific directions, achieving both comprehensive coverage and uniform distribution within each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow guiding element is made rotatable around the longitudinal axis, enabling dynamic adjustment of airflow distribution. By rotating the element, the system can smoothly transition between different airflow patterns (sideways, downwards, or intermediate), maintaining uniformity while adapting coverage areas to different operational requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If a continuous annular outlet opening is used, then airflow uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is designed as a continuous annular (ring-shaped) structure surrounding the longitudinal axis. This curved, symmetrical geometry naturally promotes uniform airflow distribution in all radial directions, eliminating dead zones and ensuring consistent coverage without requiring complex internal flow control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous annular outlet opening serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides 360-degree airflow coverage, acts as a mounting structure for the rotatable airflow guiding element, and ensures uniform pressure distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If airflow guiding element is made rotatable, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow guiding element is designed to rotate around the longitudinal axis, enabling smooth and continuous adjustment of airflow direction. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to various operational requirements by redirecting airflow sideways, downwards, or at intermediate angles, significantly improving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism is integrated directly into the airflow guiding element structure, combining the guiding function and rotation function into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex actuation systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full rotational adjustability.
4Speed
If outlet opening is positioned at the bottom, then downwards airflow is improved, but sideways airflow coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow guiding element introduces a rotational dimension around the longitudinal axis, allowing the system to control airflow in multiple directions from a single bottom-positioned outlet. By rotating the guiding element, airflow can be directed sideways, downwards, or at intermediate angles, effectively expanding the coverage area without compromising downwards airflow velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable airflow guiding element dynamically redirects airflow from the bottom outlet opening to cover both downward and sideways zones. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain high downwards airflow velocity while simultaneously expanding sideways coverage area, resolving the trade-off between the two airflow directions.
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 achieves a large air supply area with even temperature distribution and uniform airflow around the unit, eliminating dead zones and ensuring smooth regulation of airflow, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and coverage.
Implementation Method 1
A fan is placed in the enclosure, which forces the airflow from the inlet to the outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
the air flows through a heat exchanger where the air can be heated or cooled
Data Source
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AI summary
The air supply unit (1) comprises: an enclosure (2) comprising a first part (3) and a second part (4); an inlet opening (29) arranged on top of the first portion (3); an outlet opening (18) arranged at the bottom of the enclosure (2) and between the first part (3) and the second part (4); The outlet opening (18) comprises an outer circumference and an inner circumference and is in the form of a continuous endless loop. The air supply unit (1) comprises further: an airflow guiding element (14) arranged movably in the outlet opening (18); a displacement unit (13) attached to the enclosure (2) and to the airflow guiding element (14); The airflow guiding element (14) extends in the outlet opening (18) in a circumferential direction for 360°; and the airflow guiding element (14) comprises a surface for guiding air to the sides of the air supply unit (1) and for contact with the first part (3) of the enclosure (2) at the outer circumference of the outlet opening (18), a surface for guiding airflow downwards under the air supply unit (1) and a portion for contacting with the second part (4) of the enclosure (2) at the inner circumference of the outlet opening (18).