Ceiling Air Conditioner Partition Air Guide to Prevent Air Returning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceiling-type air conditioners face issues with air flow control at corner portions and performance degradation due to re-absorption of weakly spreading flows at discharge ports, leading to air returning phenomena and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

An air guide with parallel partitions and a curved arc-shaped connection is inserted into the discharge port, partitioning the inner space of the discharge panel to prevent air from being re-intaken and maintain maximum air volume discharge, while being detachable and easily manufacturable and mountable, and capable of detecting indoor temperature to reduce operation stoppages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a ring-shaped integrated discharge port is used to discharge air in all directions, then air discharge coverage is improved, but air flow control at corner portions deteriorates and air returning phenomenon occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge port coverageVSAvoidair flow control
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide divides the ring-shaped discharge port into multiple segments using partition walls. Each partition wall creates a separate discharge region that can control air flow independently, preventing air returning phenomenon at corner portions while maintaining overall 360-degree coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide acts as an intermediary component installed within the discharge port. It includes partition walls and guide surfaces that mediate the air flow between the blowing passages and the room, directing air away from corner portions where returning occurs while preserving the ring-shaped discharge pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the air guide is installed to prevent air returning, then air flow performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair discharge efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge port structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide includes a rotatable curved portion that can change orientation to adjust air flow patterns. This dynamic element allows the system to adapt between different discharge modes (horizontal for cooling, vertical for heating) without requiring multiple fixed structures, managing complexity through controlled mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide serves multiple functions: it prevents air returning, directs horizontal air flow for cooling, directs vertical air flow for heating, and can be rotated to form swing air flows. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing overall device complexity.

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

3Ease of operation

If a fixed air guide structure is used to control air flow, then air flow direction is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow direction controlVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide is designed as a pre-assembled unit that can be installed into the discharge port without modifying the original air conditioner structure. The partition walls and curved portion are pre-positioned to achieve optimal air flow control, simplifying installation while maintaining effective air direction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air guide uses simple geometric shapes (partition walls and curved surfaces) that provide sufficient air flow control without over-engineering. The partition walls extend only as needed to prevent air returning, and the curved portion provides adequate guidance without excessive complexity, balancing manufacturing ease with functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

The air guide effectively prevents air returning and maintains maximum air volume discharge, reduces performance degradation, and enhances horizontal and vertical air flows, improving user comfort and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the air guide includes at least two partitions formed to be parallel to a radial direction of the opening and partitioning the inner space of the discharge panel in a circumferential direction; and a curved portion connecting the at least two partitions and having an arc shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Data Source

PatentEP3633274B1Air guide for ceiling-type air conditioner and ceiling-type air conditioner having same
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3633274B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3633274B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3633274B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

According to the present disclosure, an air guide for a ceiling-type air conditioner is applied to the ceiling-type air conditioner comprising: an indoor unit having a heat exchanger and a blower embedded therein, and having a plurality of blowing passages for discharging, to the outside, air which has passed through the heat exchanger; a plurality of inlets for receiving the air discharged through the plurality of blowing passages; and a discharge panel having an inner space, of which at least a portion communicates with the plurality of inlets, and a ring or arc-shaped opening for discharging, into a room, air which has flowed into the inner space. The air guide includes: at least two partition parts formed in parallel to the radial direction of the opening, and dividing the inner space in the circumferential direction; and a curved part connecting the at least two partition parts, and formed in an arc shape, and is detachably inserted into the inside of the opening from the outside of the opening.