Indoor Airflow Flap Control for Wall-Side Heating Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners often fail to evenly distribute warm air throughout indoor spaces, leading to temperature differences between central and peripheral areas, particularly near walls, due to cold air infiltration from these regions.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with an indoor unit that includes an airflow direction adjusting flap, a temperature detector, and a controller to switch operational modes when the indoor heat exchanger temperature exceeds a predetermined value, directing warm air horizontally to prevent cold air entry and increasing airflow when necessary to ensure thorough coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is supplied downward to deliver warm air to the feet, then heating comfort is improved, but warm air cannot reach the wall area and cold air infiltration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioner dynamically adjusts the airflow direction based on the detected temperature of the indoor heat exchanger. When the heat exchanger temperature is high, the system supplies air downward for comfort heating. When the temperature drops below a threshold, the system switches to horizontal airflow direction to prevent cold air infiltration at the walls, thus adapting the airflow pattern to changing thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airflow direction parameter from vertical (downward) to horizontal based on the temperature parameter of the indoor heat exchanger. This parameter change allows the system to switch between two distinct airflow modes: downward supply for comfort heating and horizontal supply for preventing cold air infiltration at wall areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air is supplied horizontally to reach the wall, then cold air infiltration is prevented, but warm air distribution throughout the space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between horizontal and downward airflow directions based on real-time temperature detection. When horizontal supply is needed to block cold air at walls, the system activates this mode. When comprehensive space heating is needed, the system transitions to downward supply mode, thus dynamically balancing the two competing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioner periodically monitors the indoor heat exchanger temperature and switches between horizontal and downward airflow modes based on the detected temperature conditions. This periodic detection and switching ensures that the system alternates between preventing cold air infiltration and providing comprehensive warm air distribution throughout the space.
3Temperature
If the amount of air supplied is increased to improve heating coverage, then temperature distribution is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing airflow throughout the space, the system applies horizontal airflow direction specifically at the wall areas where cold air infiltration occurs. This localized approach targets the problem area (wall periphery) with horizontal supply to block cold air, while maintaining energy efficiency by not unnecessarily increasing overall airflow volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies horizontal airflow direction partially, specifically targeting the wall areas prone to cold air infiltration, rather than uniformly distributing air throughout the entire space. This partial action focuses energy on the critical area needing heating coverage, improving temperature distribution uniformity without proportionally increasing overall energy consumption.
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 solution effectively blocks cold air from entering the space near walls, reduces temperature differences within the indoor space, and ensures warm air wraps around the entire area, enhancing heating efficiency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an indoor heat exchanger (32) which is provided in the indoor casing (20) and heats the air by a refrigerant before the air is supplied from the outlet opening (24a to 24d)
Data Source
AI summary
Entrance of cold air from near a wall of an indoor space is avoided. An airflow direction adjusting flap is provided at a main outlet opening of the casing, and changes a direction of air supplied from the main outlet opening in a vertical direction. The heat exchange temperature sensor detects a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger. A motor controller controls the airflow direction adjusting flap to operate in an airflow mode, in which air is supplied from the main outlet opening at least horizontally, when a value detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor is greater than a first predetermined value in the heating operation.