Ceiling AC Indoor Unit Airflow Guide for Uniform Quiet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing configuration of air conditioner inside units, where the heat exchanger is seated on the drain pan, leads to issues such as the need for disassembly of both components for maintenance, potential damage to the drain pan, uneven air discharge, and noise due to concentrated airflow.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a supporting guide between the heat exchanger and the fan, which surrounds the perimeter of the fan, provides a stable support for the heat exchanger and guides airflow to ensure even distribution through the panel outlet ports, preventing local concentration and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the heat exchanger is seated on the drain pan, then the heat exchanger is supported, but the drain pan may be damaged or separated and maintenance requires disassembly of both components
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting guide is divided into a guide body fixed to the cabinet and a guide portion that extends toward the fan, creating a segmented structure that provides support while allowing independent maintenance of the drain pan and heat exchanger
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting guide acts as an intermediary component between the drain pan and the heat exchanger, providing structural support without requiring the heat exchanger to be directly seated on the drain pan, thus facilitating easier maintenance
2Strength
If the heat exchanger is seated on the drain pan, then the heat exchanger is supported, but the entire load of the heat exchanger is supported by the drain pan causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting function is extracted from the drain pan and transferred to the supporting guide, which is fixed to the cabinet. This removes the excessive load burden from the drain pan while maintaining heat exchanger support
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting guide serves as an intermediary structure that bears the load of the heat exchanger, preventing the drain pan from supporting the entire weight and thus improving its reliability
3Productivity
If air blown by the fan passes through the heat exchanger, then heat exchange occurs, but discharge of air may be concentrated to a certain section causing degraded airflow and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is positioned at a specific location to locally adjust the airflow direction, creating uniform air discharge across the panel outlet port rather than concentrated discharge, thereby reducing noise while maintaining heat exchange efficiency
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 stable support of the heat exchanger during maintenance, reduces the load on the drain pan, enhances airflow uniformity, and improves cooling efficiency by preventing airflow concentration, thus minimizing noise.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioner is a cooling and heating system which heats and cools a room by repeatedly suctioning inside air, exchanging heat with a low temperature or high temperature refrigerant, and then discharging the heat-exchanged air into the room
Implementation Method 2
when air blown by rotation of a fan passes through the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An inside unit of an air conditioner including a cabinet installed at a ceiling of an inside space; a front panel configured to shield the cabinet, and having a suction port through which inside air is suctioned and a panel outlet port through which heat-exchanged air is discharged; a fan provided at an inside of the cabinet; a heat exchanger provided inside the cabinet, and disposed to surround a perimeter of the fan; and a supporting guide installed on the cabinet between the heat exchanger and the fan, and configured to guide the air discharged from the fan to be distributed and discharged toward the panel outlet port.