Axial Fan Heat Exchanger Layout for Compact Airflow Split
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning apparatuses face challenges in reducing size while maintaining efficient air distribution between evaporator and condenser heat exchangers, often resulting in dead spaces and inefficient use of space, especially when using a single blower.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning apparatus incorporates a refrigerant circuit with a plurality of heat exchangers and an axial fan, where the heat exchangers are arranged orthogonally to the airflow direction, and the axial fan is positioned on one side, distributing air effectively between the condenser and evaporator without forming dead spaces, utilizing a fan duct with specific protrusions and restrictors to optimize airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the number of blowers is reduced to one, then the space occupied by blowers is reduced, but it becomes difficult to distribute airflow between evaporator and condenser at a given ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single blower's airflow into separate paths using flow dividing partitions. These partitions segment the airflow into a blowing side path and an exhaust side path, enabling controlled distribution to evaporator and condenser respectively while maintaining compact single-blower configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flow dividing partitions as intermediary structures between the blower and heat exchangers. These partitions act as mediators to direct and control airflow distribution, solving the problem of achieving balanced airflow distribution with a single blower
2Volume of stationary object
If one blower is disposed on the windward side of evaporator and condenser at intermediate position, then the number of blowers is reduced, but dead spaces are formed on each side reducing space utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rearranges heat exchangers in a direction orthogonal to the blower's airflow direction, utilizing three-dimensional space more effectively. This dimensional change eliminates dead spaces on either side of the blower and improves overall space utilization in the case
3Reliability
If heat exchangers are arranged parallel to each other in the case, then the air conditioning performance is achieved, but the case size increases when sufficient space is secured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges heat exchangers in a direction orthogonal to the airflow direction, utilizing vertical or lateral space instead of horizontal expansion. This dimensional reorientation maintains adequate heat exchange performance while minimizing the case's footprint
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 configuration allows for a compact design that efficiently distributes air between the heat exchangers, reducing the apparatus's size without dead spaces and ensuring uniform airflow, thereby enhancing space utilization and air conditioning performance.
Implementation Method 1
an axial fan configured to send air to the heat exchangers
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant circuit including a plurality of heat exchangers
Implementation Method 3
heat exchangers are disposed in a direction orthogonal to an air flow direction
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit including a plurality of heat exchangers (a condenser and an evaporator), and an axial fan configured to send air to the heat exchangers. The refrigerant circuit and the axial fan are accommodated in a case. The heat exchangers are disposed in a direction orthogonal to an air flow direction, and the axial fan is disposed on one side of an arrangement direction of the heat exchangers, and supplies the air to the heat exchangers.