Ceiling type indoor unit of air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceiling-type indoor air conditioner units fail to effectively control floor temperature, leading to temperature differences between the floor and upper areas of a room, which can result in inefficient heating or cooling.

Innovation Solution

A control method for ceiling-type indoor air conditioner units that includes a system to sense floor temperature and adjust the discharge directions of vanes to minimize temperature differences between the floor and upper areas, using a vane module with a first and second vane pair to dynamically change inclination angles based on temperature comparisons and predetermined times to optimize heating or cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the ceiling-type indoor unit provides only airflow control according to indoor temperature and target temperature, then the control system is simple, but the floor temperature cannot be effectively controlled leading to temperature differences between floor and upper areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor temperatureVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary action by detecting floor temperature in advance and adjusting airflow direction before significant temperature differences develop. The vane module proactively changes inclination angles based on floor temperature comparisons, preventing temperature stratification rather than reacting to it after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by making the vane inclination angles adjustable and variable based on real-time floor temperature conditions. The control method dynamically changes airflow direction parameters according to detected floor temperature, transitioning from static airflow control to adaptive dynamic control that responds to thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If the vane module frequently adjusts inclination angles to minimize temperature differences, then temperature uniformity improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements periodic action by adjusting vane inclination angles at specific time intervals and under specific temperature conditions rather than continuously. The method compares floor temperature with indoor air temperature at predetermined times and adjusts vanes only when temperature differences exceed thresholds, creating a rhythmic, periodic control pattern that reduces unnecessary adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters selectively by adjusting only the vane inclination angle parameter when floor temperature conditions warrant it, rather than continuously adjusting all control parameters. This selective parameter change approach minimizes energy consumption by making adjustments only when and where needed to maintain temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the system uses multiple vanes with independent control to optimize temperature distribution, then temperature control precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidvane module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system applies segmentation by dividing the airflow control function into multiple independent vane elements that can be individually adjusted. Each vane can be controlled independently to target specific airflow directions, allowing precise control of air distribution patterns to different zones within the room, thereby improving temperature control precision through segmented control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vane module achieves universality by designing a multi-functional control mechanism that can serve multiple purposes: controlling overall airflow direction, adjusting inclination angles for different temperature conditions, and distributing air to various zones. This single multi-functional vane module replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate control systems, maintaining precision while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3671054B1Ceiling type indoor unit of air conditioner
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3671054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3671054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3671054B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present disclosure, it is determined whether or not the room is heated according to a temperature difference between a room temperature Tp and a set temperature Ts, and even when there is litte or no heating load due to the temperature difference between the room temperature Tp and the set temperature Ts, the floor heating is performed by determining a temperature difference beteen the room temperature Tp and a floor temperature Tb.