Ceiling Cassette Airflow Layout for Corner Coverage and Sensor Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ceiling-embedded air conditioners with omnidirectional air blowoff structures often cause uneven room temperatures due to lack of air distribution from corner portions, and human sensors can malfunction from direct airflow strikes, leading to potential malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

The ceiling-embedded air conditioner incorporates windbreak ribs and a specific corner panel design with a sensor housing concave portion to guide airflow away from human sensors, using wind direction plates and wind guide paths to distribute air effectively while preventing direct strikes on the sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air blowoff openings are provided only at four sides of the decorative panel, then the structure is simple, but air distribution to corner portions is insufficient causing uneven room temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroom temperature uniformityVSAvoidair blowoff structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air blowoff function is segmented into multiple independent paths: four side blowoff openings and four corner blowoff openings. Each path operates independently to distribute air to different regions, achieving comprehensive coverage without requiring a completely redesigned complex structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air blowoff structure transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement (four sides only) to a three-dimensional omnidirectional arrangement by adding corner blowoff openings that utilize the vertical and diagonal dimensions, enabling air distribution in all directions including previously unreachable corner areas

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

2Reliability

If human sensor is exposed at corner panel, then the sensor can detect humans effectively, but direct airflow from wind guide path causes sensor malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor detection accuracyVSAvoidairflow impact on sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The windbreak rib acts as an intermediary element positioned between the wind guide path and the human sensor. It intercepts and redirects the airflow, preventing direct contact with the sensor while allowing the sensor to remain exposed for human detection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The windbreak rib provides preliminary protection by blocking harmful airflow before it reaches the sensor. This preventive measure counteracts the potential malfunction caused by direct air impact, ensuring reliable sensor operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 design enhances air distribution to all directions, including corners, and prevents airflow from striking human sensors, thereby maintaining sensor functionality and improving temperature uniformity.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger disposed in the casing main body to surround the outer periphery of the turbo fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

wind direction plates rotatably disposed in the air blowoff openings for guiding part of conditioned air blown therefrom to the wind guide path, said part of conditioned airflow being guided into a base end portion of the corner panel along inclined portions included in the wind direction plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow guidance:

Implementation Method 3

windbreak ribs that are erected from the specific corner panel to suppress direct strike, on the human sensor, by the conditioned air flowing from the wind guide path toward the specific corner panel through a panel surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow blocking:

Data Source

PatentEP3088807B1Ceiling-embedded air conditioner
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 FUJITSU GENERAL LTD
  • EP3088807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3088807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3088807B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A ceiling-embedded air conditioner includes: a decorative panel; a turbo fan; a heat exchanger; an air suction path; air blowoff paths; an air suction opening and air blowoff openings that are provided in the decorative panel; corner panels disposed at corner portions between the adjacent air blowoff openings; a human sensor that is provided on a specific corner panel; a wind guide path that flows conditioned air blown from the air blowoff openings; and windbreak ribs that are erected from the specific corner panel to suppress direct strike, on the human sensor, of the conditioned air flowing from the wind guide path to the specific corner panel.