Ceiling Air Conditioner with Integrated Lighting and Cooling Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners interfere with lighting devices when installed, leading to dark areas and requiring additional lighting or repositioning, as they cannot integrate lighting functionality efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design that integrates a lighting device with a heat sink and cooling channel, allowing the lighting device to be installed at the same location as the air conditioner, using a metallic heat sink and temperature sensor to manage heat dissipation and fan operation for efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lighting device is installed separately from the air conditioner, then the lighting function is provided, but it creates dark areas and requires additional lighting or repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting device with the air conditioner indoor unit by positioning the lighting device at the lower surface of the housing, integrating two separate functions (air conditioning and lighting) into a single device. This merging eliminates the need for separate lighting installation and prevents dark areas that would otherwise require additional lighting solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioner indoor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: air conditioning (cooling/heating) and lighting. The housing structure accommodates both the air handling components and the lighting device, allowing a single installation to provide both climate control and illumination, thereby expanding the versatility of the device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a lighting device is integrated into the air conditioner housing, then space utilization is enhanced, but heat dissipation becomes a concern
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling structure originally designed for the air conditioner is merged with the lighting device by positioning the heat sink within the air conditioner housing. This integration allows the lighting device to benefit from the existing cooling infrastructure, enabling efficient heat dissipation while maintaining compact space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink acts as an intermediary between the lighting device (heat source) and the cooling structure. The heat sink receives heat from the lighting device and transfers it to the cooling airflow, facilitating efficient heat dissipation. The cooling structure serves as a mediator that channels airflow to cool both the heat sink and the lighting device.
3Temperature
If the blowing fan operates continuously to cool the lighting device, then heat dissipation is efficient, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing fan operates periodically rather than continuously. It runs at high speed when cooling is needed (when lighting is on and heat accumulation is significant) and at low speed or stops when cooling demand is low. This periodic operation maintains effective heat dissipation while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blowing fan speed is made dynamic and adjustable based on cooling demand. The controller adjusts the fan speed according to operational conditions: high speed when the lighting device generates significant heat, low speed during moderate cooling needs, and stopped when cooling is not required. This dynamic operation optimizes the balance between cooling efficiency and energy consumption.
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 integration enhances space utilization by preventing dark areas and allowing efficient heat dissipation of the lighting device, reducing the need for additional lighting and expanding installation options without interfering with existing lighting.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink configured to radiate heat generated at the light source
Implementation Method 2
a cooling channel provided at the housing and configured to guide suctioned air to pass the heat sink
Implementation Method 3
a blowing fan positioned inside the housing and configured to flow air
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner that further provides a lighting function is provided. The air conditioner can increase space utilization of a ceiling by the lighting device being integrally installed in the indoor unit. In addition, heat generated at the lighting device can be radiated by the cooling structure provided in the indoor unit, and thereby overheating of the lighting device can be prevented. The air conditioner includes a blowing fan configured to flow air, a housing in which an intake port is formed to suction air by the blowing fan, a lighting device provided in the housing, and a cooling channel configured to guide the air suctioned by the blowing fan to pass the lighting device.