Blade-Free Ceiling AC Outlet for Quiet Airflow Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner indoor units with blade mechanisms for controlling discharged air currents suffer from reduced airflow due to interference and increased noise from turbulence, and are limited to straight outlet shapes.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit features a track-shaped or oval-shaped outlet with an auxiliary flow path and auxiliary fan to redirect discharged air currents without blades, utilizing a combination of straight and curved sections and bridge flow paths to control airflow direction efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a blade mechanism is used to control discharged air current direction, then airflow direction control is achieved, but the amount of discharged air is reduced due to blade interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the blade mechanism from the air conditioner outlet. Instead of using blades to control airflow direction, the patent employs a curved outlet structure that passively guides air flow through its geometry. This elimination of the blade component directly resolves the contradiction by removing the source of interference while maintaining directional control capability through the curved outlet shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical blade system with a geometric flow guidance system. The curved outlet structure uses fluid dynamics principles rather than mechanical moving parts to control airflow direction. This substitution eliminates the interference caused by blades while achieving the same airflow direction control function through the outlet's curved geometry.
2Ease of operation
If a blade mechanism is used to control discharged air current, then airflow direction can be adjusted, but circulating noise increases due to turbulence around the blade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the blade mechanism entirely, extracting the source of turbulence-induced noise. By replacing the blade with a curved outlet structure, the system eliminates the harmful turbulence and associated circulating noise while retaining airflow direction control through geometric guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of turbulence into beneficial smooth flow guidance. Instead of using blades that create turbulence, the curved outlet structure leverages fluid dynamics to guide air flow smoothly around the curve, transforming what would be a noisy turbulent flow into a controlled, low-noise flow pattern.
3Device complexity
If a straight pivot axis for the blade is used, then the blade structure is simple, but the outlet shape is restricted to straight shape
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a straight outlet with a rotating blade to change direction, the invention inverts the approach by using a curved outlet structure. This inversion allows the outlet itself to provide directional control through its geometry, eliminating the need for a straight pivot axis and enabling flexible outlet shapes including curved and circular configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies curvature to the outlet structure, replacing straight lines with curved geometries. The curved outlet not only provides aesthetic versatility but also functional airflow guidance. This curvilinear design enables the outlet to adapt to various spatial configurations while maintaining simple internal structure without requiring complex pivot mechanisms.
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 enhances airflow quantity and reduces noise by eliminating blade interference, allowing for improved airflow distribution and increased cooling or heating performance with a more flexible outlet shape.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary flow path guiding an auxiliary air current to change a direction of an air current discharged from the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger provided inside the housing and arranged in a main flow path between the inlet and the outlet
Implementation Method 3
a blower fan configured to suck in air through the inlet, allow the air to exchange heat with the heat exchanger, and discharge the air through the outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner (AC) indoor unit including a housing installed on the ceiling and having an inlet and an outlet provided around the inlet and having a pair of straight sections facing each other and a pair of curved sections facing each other; a heat exchanger provided inside the housing and arranged in a main flow path between the inlet and the outlet; a blower fan configured to suck in air through the inlet, allow the air to exchange heat with the heat exchanger, and discharge the air through the outlet; and an auxiliary flow path guiding an auxiliary air current to change a direction of an air current discharged from the outlet. The direction of the discharged air current may be controlled by sucking in air around the outlet or blowing air to the periphery of the outlet through the auxiliary flow path without a blade.