Air volume regulation method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cabinet air conditioners with a single internal fan face limitations in air volume and cooling/heating speed, leading to inefficient operation when multiple fans are started at low rotating speeds to achieve required air outlet and cooling speeds.
Innovation Solution
An air volume regulation method utilizing a fan system with multiple independently controlled motors and an air door structure to regulate outlet air volume, allowing for optimized real-time control and energy efficiency by adjusting fan speeds and turning off unnecessary fans based on current rotating speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple fans are simultaneously started to achieve required air outlet and cooling speed, then the air volume requirement is met, but the fans operate at low rotating speeds in a low-efficiency state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of fan operating states by transitioning from static simultaneous operation to dynamic sequential operation. The controller activates fans in sequence based on real-time air volume requirements, allowing each fan to operate at optimal rotating speeds rather than all fans running at low speeds simultaneously. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction by adapting fan operation to actual system needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the control strategy to activate fans sequentially rather than simultaneously. The controller is programmed to activate the first fan before the second fan, ensuring that each fan has adequate time to reach optimal operating speed before the next fan is activated. This preliminary planning prevents the low-efficiency state of simultaneous low-speed operation.
2Device complexity
If a single internal fan is used, then the control manner is simple, but the air volume is limited and cooling/heating speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fan system into multiple independently controlled fans (first fan and second fan) instead of using a single fan. Each fan is equipped with its own motor and can be controlled independently by the controller. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher air volume by combining the output of multiple fans while maintaining relatively simple control logic through sequential activation strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by activating only the necessary number of fans based on current air volume requirements. Rather than always running all fans at full capacity, the controller activates the first fan for basic requirements and adds the second fan only when additional air volume is needed. This approach maintains simple control while achieving the required productivity when necessary.
3Productivity
If motor power is increased to improve air volume, then the air volume and cooling speed increase, but the fan becomes more complicated in control and larger in size
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the power of a single fan, the patent segments the air volume requirement across multiple fans with relatively lower individual power ratings. The first fan and second fan each have simpler control requirements compared to a single high-power fan. This segmentation reduces individual control complexity while achieving the same or greater total air volume through coordinated operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3b~4
AI summary
An air volume regulation device and method and a cabinet air conditioner are provided. The air volume regulation device includes: a fan system (1a) in the cabinet air conditioner, an upper air outlet (1b) at an upper part of the cabinet air conditioner, a lower air outlet (1c) at a lower part of the cabinet air conditioner and a control system used for controlling fans (2a, 2b, 2c), wherein the fan system (1a) includes a plurality of motors (2a, 2b, 2c) driven by motors (2d, 2e, 2f) respectively, a port of each of the fans (2a, 2b, 2c) is communicated with a main air passage formed by at least a part of an air conditioner housing (3c), and the control system controls each of the motors (2d, 2e, 2f) of the plurality of motors (2a, 2b, 2c) to execute at least one operation of starting, stopping and power regulation, thereby regulating an outlet air volume. The air volume regulation method includes that multiple groups of independently controlled motors (2d, 2e, 2f) and an air door capable of opening and closing the lower air outlet are controlled according to an environmental temperature. The cabinet air conditioner includes the air volume regulation device. The air volume regulation device and method implement integrated air volume control, improve comfort and energy efficiency and achieve energy saving.