Ceiling Cassette Airflow Path Layout for Uniform 4-Way Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ceiling-embedded air conditioners face challenges in evenly distributing conditioned air due to air blowoff openings being limited to the sides, leading to temperature variations and increased complexity and costs with additional parts and assembly time, as well as mechanical strength issues with foamed polystyrene resin air blowoff paths.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling-embedded air conditioner design featuring a cuboidal air blowoff path integrated with a foamed resin drain pan, including airflow guide vanes and attachment portions made from the same material as the drain sheet, which directs airflow to all directions, reducing parts count and enhancing mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air blowoff openings are provided only at four sides of the decorative panel, then the structure is simple, but air distribution is uneven and corner portions receive no airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowoff path is divided into multiple independent channels: four side blowoff paths along the sides of the decorative panel and four corner blowoff paths at the corner portions. This segmentation allows air to be distributed to both side openings and corner openings, achieving uniform air distribution throughout the room while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the decorative panel are provided with different blowoff configurations: side blowoff openings along the four sides and corner blowoff openings at the four corner portions. This local differentiation ensures that each region receives appropriate airflow, eliminating the problem of corner portions receiving no air while keeping the structure adaptable to local requirements.
2Ease of operation
If auxiliary blowoff openings and wind direction plates are added to achieve octagonal ring shape air blowoff openings, then air flows to all directions, but the structure becomes more complex and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side blowoff paths and corner blowoff paths are merged into a single integrated air blowoff system that shares common components such as the heat exchanger and fan. The air blowoff openings are designed to form a continuous rectangular ring shape that incorporates both side and corner openings, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary openings and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowoff path structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides airflow to side openings, corner openings, and creates a continuous rectangular ring pattern. The wind direction plates are designed to control airflow in multiple directions from a single structure, reducing the need for additional components and assembly steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If air blowoff paths are made from foamed polystyrene resin, then manufacturing is simple, but mechanical strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowoff path is constructed using composite materials: a foamed polystyrene resin base structure combined with reinforcing elements such as resin sheets or other high-strength materials. This composite construction maintains the ease of manufacture associated with foamed resin while significantly improving the mechanical strength and structural integrity of the blowoff paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowoff paths are nested within the casing structure, with the foamed polystyrene resin paths embedded in and supported by the stronger casing walls. This nesting arrangement allows the lightweight foamed resin to provide airflow channels while the surrounding casing structure provides the necessary mechanical strength and support.
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 efficiently blows conditioned air to all directions, reducing temperature variations and assembly costs while maintaining mechanical strength, achieving effective air distribution with a simpler and more robust structure.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger disposed in the casing main body to surround the outer periphery of the turbo fan
Implementation Method 2
a turbo fan disposed in the casing main body
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A ceiling-embedded air conditioner includes: a decorative panel; a turbo fan; a heat exchanger; a drain pan including a drain sheet; an air suction path; cuboidal air blowoff paths that are provided at four places surrounding the air suction path; and rectangular air blowoff openings that are provided in the decorative panel. The air blowoff paths are integrated with the drain pan. Airflow guide vanes are provided in the air blowoff paths to direct part of the blown airflow toward the short side of the air blowoff opening. Attachment portions formed of the same material as that for the drain sheet and configured to attach the airflow guide vanes are provided at an inflow-side opening portions of the air blowoff paths.