Indoor Airflow Blade Venting for Wider AC Air Direction Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning indoor units have a limited airflow direction adjusting range when blow-out air is at low temperatures, leading to potential dew condensation issues on the airflow direction adjusting blade.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a through hole at the longitudinal end of the airflow direction adjusting blade allows part of the blow-out air to pass in the thickness direction, preventing separation of the air flow and inhibiting dew condensation by guiding the air flow towards the downstream end, even at low blow-out air temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the airflow direction adjusting blade is angled to a larger position to widen the airflow direction adjusting range, then the airflow direction adjusting range is improved, but dew condensation is likely to form on the blade when blow-out air temperature is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow direction adjusting rangeVSAvoiddew condensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow is segmented into two paths: part of the blow-out air flows along the lower surface of the blade (first airflow), while another part passes through the through-hole in the thickness direction (second airflow). This segmentation allows the second airflow to prevent separation of the first airflow from the lower surface, thereby preventing dew condensation even when the blade is angled to a larger position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The through-hole provides an additional dimension for airflow (thickness direction) beyond the conventional planar flow along the lower surface. By introducing this third-dimensional flow path, the patent enables the blade to be angled more extensively while maintaining attached airflow and preventing dew condensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the through hole is made as a long hole extending in the longitudinal direction to increase air passing through, then the effectiveness of preventing airflow separation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow separation prevention effectivenessVSAvoidthrough hole configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The long hole extending in the longitudinal direction segments the airflow control into multiple effective zones along the blade length. This segmentation increases the total area for air passage and enhances the effectiveness of preventing airflow separation without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the through hole is inclined to extend downward toward the tip of the blade, then the airflow guidance toward the downstream end is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow guidance effectivenessVSAvoidthrough hole inclination angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The through-hole is designed with an asymmetric inclination, extending downward toward the tip of the blade at a specific angle. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the airflow guidance effect, directing air more effectively toward the downstream end to prevent separation, while the specific angle range (10 to 45 degrees) balances performance with manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 enables a wider airflow direction adjusting range and prevents dew condensation, allowing the airflow direction adjusting blade to be angled within a broader range (0-35 degrees) even at low blow-out air temperatures, enhancing usability and performance.

Implementation Method 1

Air passing the through hole flows toward a downstream end of the lower surface to attract the blow-out air flowing along the lower surface from an upstream end and prevent separation of the blow-out air from the lower surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow attachment prevention: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3690341B1Air conditioner indoor unit
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3690341B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3690341B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3690341B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is an object of the invention to provide an air conditioning indoor unit configured to have an airflow direction adjusting range wider than a conventional range, of blow-out air by an airflow direction adjusting blade even when the blow-out air has a low temperature. An air conditioning indoor unit (1) has a through hole (43) allowing part of blow-out air to pass in a thickness direction of a second airflow direction adjusting blade (40). Air passing the through hole (43) accordingly flows toward a downstream end of a convex surface (40a) during cooling operation to attract the blow-out air flowing along the convex surface (40a) from an upstream end and prevent separation of the blow-out air from the convex surface (40a). This prevents entry of the warm air for inhibition of dew condensation.