Multi-Port Airflow Mixing for Low-Draft Air Conditioner Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air conditioners often discharge air at velocities that are either too cold or too hot, causing discomfort, and lack the ability to control wind direction effectively, leading to inefficient temperature distribution and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a housing with multiple inlets and discharge ports, including a main discharge port and guide discharge ports, along with a distribution device that controls airflow rates and directions, allowing for the mixing of heat-exchanged air with indoor air and adjustable wind direction without additional structural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is discharged directly to the user at high velocity, then cooling or heating effect is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to cold or hot sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into multiple discharge ports (main discharge port and guide discharge ports) that can operate independently or in combination. This allows the air flow to be divided and distributed in a way that reduces direct high-velocity contact with the user while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different discharge ports are positioned to serve different local areas - the main discharge port for central areas and guide discharge ports for peripheral areas. This creates localized air distribution patterns that avoid direct high-velocity streams on the user while maintaining overall room temperature control.
2Productivity
If wind velocity is increased to improve temperature distribution, then cooling or heating coverage is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to excessive wind sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is segmented into multiple streams from different discharge ports, reducing the velocity of each individual stream while maintaining overall coverage. The guide discharge ports redirect air along walls or ceilings to achieve distributed temperature control without high-velocity direct exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution is extended into additional spatial dimensions by using guide discharge ports that direct air along walls, ceilings, or peripheral areas. This three-dimensional distribution approach improves coverage without requiring high velocity in any single direction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discharge ports are added to improve air distribution, then temperature control versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple discharge ports are integrated into a unified housing structure with shared airflow pathways. The main discharge port and guide discharge ports are combined in a way that allows coordinated operation, reducing the overall structural complexity compared to separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge system is designed with multi-functionality where the same housing and airflow generation components serve multiple discharge ports. The distribution device can control different combinations of ports for different operating modes, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
4Productivity
If wind direction control is improved to enhance user experience, then air distribution effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control structures
Solution Approach 1:
The wind direction control is achieved through dynamic adjustment of airflow distribution rather than fixed mechanical directionals. The distribution device can dynamically control which discharge ports are active and at what flow rates, allowing flexible wind direction control without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical wind direction control structures are replaced with a distribution device that controls airflow characteristics through fluid dynamics. The direction of air flow is controlled by adjusting flow rates and activation of different discharge ports rather than physical directional vanes or mechanical adjustments.
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 design enables pleasant temperature distribution at minimum wind velocity, provides mixed air for improved comfort, and allows for controlled wind direction, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger arranged in a first fluid path formed between the first inlet and the main discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a first blower device arranged to suck in air through the first inlet and discharge the air through the main discharge port
Implementation Method 3
a second blower device arranged to suck in air through the second inlet and discharge the air through the first guide discharge port and the second guide discharge port
Implementation Method 4
a distribution device arranged to control a rate of flow of air discharged through the first guide discharge port and second guide discharge port
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner. The disclosed air conditioner comprises: a main discharge port formed in a housing so as to discharge air introduced through a first inlet; a first guide discharge port configured to discharge a portion of air introduced through a second inlet such that the portion of the air introduced through the second inlet is mixed with the air discharged from the main discharge port; a second guide discharge port configured to discharge another portion of the air introduced through the second inlet such that the another portion of the air introduced through the second inlet is mixed with the air discharged from the main discharge port; and a distribution device configured to adjust the flow rate of the air discharged through the first guide discharge port and the second guide discharge port.