Airflow Flap Swing Control for Draft-Free Cooling and Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning control devices fail to effectively manage airflow direction and rate, leading to discomfort due to drafts and inefficient temperature distribution, especially during air-cooling and air-warming operations, as they lack flexible swing patterns and adaptive control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A control device that determines operation modes and selects optimal swing patterns based on temperature distribution and phases, adjusting the frequency and direction of airflow to minimize drafts and enhance comfort, using a system with operation mode determining, swing pattern storage, and control command generation units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the flap transitions quickly between horizontal and downward blowing (12 seconds), then temperature distribution in the indoor space is improved, but the user experiences discomfort due to direct exposure to cold airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic swing action where the flap alternates between horizontal blowing and downward blowing states with specific time intervals. During air-cooling operation, the flap performs swing actions with a period where it stays in each state for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds or more) before transitioning, rather than rapid switching. This periodic action with controlled duration resolves the contradiction by maintaining temperature distribution effectiveness while preventing direct cold airflow exposure to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the flap's blowing state based on operation mode. During air-cooling operation, the flap dynamically switches between horizontal and downward blowing with controlled timing. During air-warming operation, the flap maintains downward blowing continuously. This dynamic adaptation to different operation modes resolves the contradiction by optimizing airflow patterns for each specific operational context.
2Temperature
If the flap remains in downward blowing state for a long time (60 seconds), then temperature distribution is enhanced, but the user experiences discomfort due to prolonged direct exposure to airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic swing actions with controlled time intervals where the flap alternates between horizontal and downward blowing states. The predetermined time interval (e.g., 10 seconds or more) in each state prevents prolonged continuous downward blowing while still achieving temperature distribution. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by limiting the maximum duration of direct airflow exposure to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of flap operation based on operation mode. During air-cooling operation, it uses periodic swing actions with specific time intervals. During air-warming operation, it changes to continuous downward blowing. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the airflow pattern duration to the specific operational requirements and user comfort needs.
3Quantity of substance
If the airflow rate is reduced when discharge temperature is low, then the strength of discharged air is reduced, but the low-temperature airflow still directly reaches the user causing draft discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic swing actions where the flap alternates between horizontal and downward blowing states with controlled time intervals. This periodic action ensures that even when airflow rate is reduced, the low-temperature airflow does not continuously reach the user, thereby preventing draft discomfort while maintaining effective temperature distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically controls the flap's blowing direction based on operation mode and temperature conditions. During air-cooling operation with low discharge temperature, the flap dynamically switches between horizontal and downward blowing states rather than maintaining a fixed position. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by preventing continuous direct exposure to low-temperature airflow while maintaining adequate cooling effectiveness.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple swing patterns are implemented for different operation modes, then user comfort and temperature distribution are optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control where the flap's swing pattern automatically adapts based on the operation mode detected by the control device. During air-cooling operation, it executes periodic swing actions with horizontal and downward blowing states. During air-warming operation, it executes continuous downward blowing. This dynamic adaptation based on operation mode resolves the contradiction by providing optimized comfort control without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple independent control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control system that handles multiple operation modes (air-cooling and air-warming) using a single integrated control device that automatically selects appropriate swing patterns. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by optimizing user comfort across different operation modes while avoiding the complexity of separate control systems for each mode.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus includes a control device that controls a swing action of flaps of an air conditioning apparatus. The flaps are swung up and down. The control device includes an operation mode determining section, a swing pattern storage area and a control command generator. The operation mode determining section determines at least an air-cooling operation mode and an air-warming operation mode that are operation modes of the air conditioning apparatus. The swing pattern storage area stores a plurality of swing patterns that include information pertaining to the swing action. The control command generator generates a control command of the air conditioning apparatus on the basis of a swing pattern corresponding to the mode determined by the operation mode determining section from among the plurality of swing patterns.