Annular Airflow Distribution Assembly for Uniform Vertical AC Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vertical air-conditioners suffer from slow indoor air circulation, low air flow rate, and non-uniform air distribution, leading to discomfort, especially in cooling mode, due to direct blowing of heat-exchanged air without additional air supply apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

The air-conditioner air supply apparatus features an airflow distribution assembly with annular air guiding bodies and airflow distribution plates that mix heat-exchanged and non-heat-exchanged air, ensuring uniform air distribution and increased air intake volume, using a through-duct and mixed air outlets to enhance user comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If heat-exchanged air is directly blown out from the air outlet, then the air supply structure is simple, but the indoor air circulation is slow and the air flow rate is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply structureVSAvoidair flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply apparatus is divided into multiple independent components: first and second air guiding bodies, through-duct, annular heat-exchanged air duct, and airflow distribution assembly. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the system to increase air flow rate while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical through-duct running through the center of annular air guiding bodies, creating a three-dimensional air supply path. This vertical dimension allows heat-exchanged air to be distributed more effectively throughout the indoor space, increasing overall air circulation efficiency.

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

2Device complexity

If all supplied air is heat-exchanged air, then the air supply apparatus is simple, but the supplied air is not mild enough and users feel uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply apparatusVSAvoiduser discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces non-heat-exchanged air as an intermediary substance that mixes with heat-exchanged air in the annular heat-exchanged air duct. This mixing process, facilitated by the airflow distribution assembly, creates milder air that is more comfortable for users while still providing effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If annular deflectors and annular air outlet duct are formed on an annular cover body, then the structure is integrated, but it is not convenient to flexibly select and control the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure integrationVSAvoidstructural flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply apparatus is segmented into separate components: air guiding bodies, through-duct, heat-exchanged air duct, and airflow distribution assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, selected, and controlled according to specific application requirements, providing structural flexibility while maintaining overall system integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If heat-exchanged air enters the annular air outlet duct from bottom to top, then the fan supplies air efficiently, but the air volume is large at the lower end and small at the left and right sides, resulting in non-uniform air distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply efficiencyVSAvoidair distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow distribution assembly includes multiple distribution plates positioned at different locations within the annular heat-exchanged air duct. Each plate is specifically positioned to address local airflow imbalances, directing air volume to achieve uniform distribution across all directions (front, rear, left, and right) while maintaining overall supply efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 increases air intake volume, accelerates indoor air circulation, and provides more uniform and comfortable air distribution, improving user experience by mixing heat-exchanged and external air, while allowing flexible control and assembly of the air supply apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the introduced air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a blowing unit for introducing said air through the air intake port and transmitting said air toward the air discharge unit via the heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3006850B1Vertical air-conditioner comprising a vertical air supply apparatus with airflow distribution assembly
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 HAIER GROUP CORP
  • EP3006850B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3006850B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3006850B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An air-conditioner air supply apparatus (1) provided with an airflow distribution assembly is provided. The air supply apparatus (1) includes at least two annular air guiding bodies. Each of the annular air guiding bodies is a single component, annual air guiding bodies are sequentially arranged from front to rear, and an annular heat-exchanged air duct (14, 15) is formed between two adjacent annular air guiding bodies. An airflow distribution assembly (16) constituted by airflow distribution plates is disposed in the at least one annular heat-exchanged air duct (14, 15). The airflow distribution assembly (16) at least includes a pair of primary airflow distribution plates (161, 162), and the pair of primary airflow distribution plates (161, 162) are bilaterally symmetrically disposed at a lower part of the annular heat-exchanged air duct (14, 15) along an air supply direction of a heat-exchanged air, and divides the annular heat-exchanged air duct (14, 15) into two parts whose lengths are at a ratio of 1:2 to 1:4.