Ceiling Air Conditioner Holder Structure for Heat Exchanger Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceiling-type air conditioners experience noise issues due to airflow turbulence in the heat exchanger, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling-type air conditioner design featuring a holder with an air guide and cover structure that directs airflow from a centrifugal fan, reducing noise by guiding airflow parallel to heat exchange fins and covering the gap between the heat exchanger and holder, thereby minimizing turbulence and noise generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a holder structure is added to support the heat exchanger and guide airflow, then noise is reduced and airflow is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to integrate multiple functions: supporting the heat exchanger, guiding airflow parallel to fins, and covering gaps between components. By combining these functions into a single integrated structure rather than separate components, the design reduces overall complexity while achieving noise reduction through proper airflow guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder serves as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical support, airflow guidance, and gap coverage. This universal design approach allows a single structure to address multiple issues (noise, airflow, support) without requiring additional separate components, thereby managing complexity effectively.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the holder structure with cover is installed to cover the gap between heat exchanger and holder, then turbulence and noise are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is integrated into the holder as a unified component rather than a separate part. This merging of the cover and holder into a single molded structure simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of parts that need to be produced, assembled, and sealed, while still achieving turbulence reduction through proper gap coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover's thickness is optimized within a specific range (1/4 to 2/3 times the body thickness) to balance manufacturing ease with functional effectiveness. This parameter optimization ensures the cover is thin enough for easy manufacturing but thick enough to properly cover gaps and guide airflow, reducing turbulence without excessive complexity.
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 solution effectively reduces noise levels by up to 7 dBA around the 4000 Hz frequency region, improving the operational quietness and efficiency of the air conditioner.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger disposed on a radially outer side of the centrifugal fan and configured to heat exchange with air discharged from the centrifugal fan
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal fan disposed within the cabinet
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a ceiling-type air conditioner including: a cabinet mountable on a ceiling, a centrifugal fan disposed within the cabinet, a heat exchanger disposed on a radially outer side of the centrifugal fan and configured to exchange heat with air discharged from the centrifugal fan, and a holder adjacent to the heat exchanger and disposed between the heat exchanger and the centrifugal fan and configured to support the heat exchanger, wherein the holder includes a body extending vertically along an inside of the heat exchanger, an air guide protruding from the body toward the centrifugal fan side and configured to guide airflow discharged from the centrifugal fan, and a cover protruding from the body toward the heat exchanger configured to cover between the body and the heat exchanger.