Annular Air Guide Structure for Mixed and Milder AC Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air-conditioners have low air flow rates and supply uncomfortable, directly cooled air, leading to slow indoor air circulation and user discomfort, with limited flexibility in selecting and controlling the air supply structure.

Innovation Solution

An air-conditioner air supply apparatus comprising multiple annular air guiding bodies with curved radial sections, allowing for mixed air supply by combining heat-exchanged and non-heat-exchanged air, increasing air intake volume and circulation while enabling flexible structure control and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all supplied air is heat-exchanged air from the heat exchanger, then the air conditioning function is achieved, but the air flow rate is low and indoor air circulation is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow rateVSAvoidair supply structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply device segments the air supply path into multiple independent channels: a through-duct for heat-exchanged air and multiple annular air outlet ducts for non-heat-exchanged air. This segmentation allows separate control and optimization of different air flows, enabling high air flow rate while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single central air outlet to a multi-dimensional air supply system with both axial (through-duct) and radial (annular ducts) outlets. This dimensional expansion increases the total air discharge area and improves indoor air circulation efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity

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

2Ease of operation

If all supplied air is heat-exchanged air, then cooling effect is achieved, but the supplied air is not mild and directly blows on users causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidair supply structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply device provides different air qualities to different locations: heat-exchanged air through the central through-duct for effective cooling, and non-heat-exchanged ambient air through the annular air outlet ducts for mild, comfortable air supply. This local quality differentiation ensures user comfort while achieving cooling objectives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Non-heat-exchanged ambient air acts as an intermediary that mixes with heat-exchanged air to moderate its temperature and reduce direct cold air impact on users. This intermediary air source softens the cooling effect, making it more comfortable while maintaining the essential cooling function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If annular deflectors and annular air outlet ducts are both formed on an annular cover body, then mixed air supply is achieved, but it is not convenient to flexibly select and control the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure selection flexibilityVSAvoidair supply structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the annular deflectors and annular air outlet ducts into independent components rather than integrating them into a single annular cover body. This segmentation enables flexible selection and independent optimization of each component's structure, improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for dynamic configuration and adjustment of the annular air outlet ducts and deflectors, enabling flexible adaptation to different application requirements. This dynamic approach enhances structural versatility without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances air supply performance by increasing air flow rates, improving air uniformity and comfort, and expanding application scope through flexible structure design and efficient production.

Implementation Method 1

the radial section of each of the annular air guiding bodies is a curved surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance through curved surfaces:

Implementation Method 2

an air inlet of a rear-end annular air guiding body located at the rear end is a non-heat-exchanged air inlet of the air supply apparatus, and an air outlet of a front-end annular air guiding body located at the front end is a mixed air outlet of the air supply apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP3006853B1Air conditioner with an air supply device
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 HAIER GROUP CORP
  • EP3006853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3006853B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3006853B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Disclosed is an air-conditioner air supply apparatus, including at least two annular air guiding bodies (11, 12, 13) that are hollow and have front and rear openings. Each of the annular air guiding bodies (11, 12, 13) is a single component. The rear openings of the annular air guiding bodies (11, 12, 13) are air inlets, and the front openings thereof are air outlets. The at least two annular air guiding bodies (11, 12, 13) are arranged sequentially from front to rear, and a through-duct which runs from front to end is formed in the middle. An annular heat-exchanged air duct (14, 15) is formed between two adjacent annular air guiding bodies (11, 12, 13). An air inlet of a rear-end annular air guiding body (12) located at the rear end is a non-heat-exchanged air inlet (31) of the air supply apparatus, and an air outlet of a front-end annular air guiding body (11) located at the front end is a mixed air outlet (21) of the air supply apparatus. The radial section of each of the annular air guiding bodies (11, 12, 13) is a curved surface.