Ceiling Air Conditioner Outlet Control for Uniform Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor air conditioners with ceiling-mounted units face challenges in distributing air evenly, leading to discomfort due to direct air hits and temperature differences within the space, as increasing wind speed to improve distribution can result in discomfort from direct air hits.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit incorporates an air current blocking mechanism and a controller to switch between full and partial blowout modes, adjusting wind speed and direction to ensure air reaches farther areas without direct hits, using wind direction adjusting slats to direct air horizontally during partial blowout modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the blowing wind speed is increased to allow the flow of blowing air to reach farther areas, then the air distribution coverage is improved, but the blowing air directly hits on a person's body causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between full blowout mode and partial blowout mode in periodic cycles. During full blowout mode, all outlet openings operate at normal speed for comprehensive air distribution. During partial blowout mode, the air current blocking mechanism blocks part of the outlet openings and increases wind speed at remaining openings to reach farther areas. This periodic switching prevents continuous direct air hits while maintaining far-reaching air distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation state of outlet openings using the air current blocking mechanism. The controller can switch between different operational modes (full blowout, partial blowout with different blocking patterns) based on real-time conditions. The wind direction adjusting slats also dynamically change air flow directions to horizontal during partial blowout modes, adapting the air distribution pattern to prevent direct hits while maintaining coverage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the blowing wind speed is kept low to avoid direct air hits on persons, then comfort is improved, but the air flow cannot reach farther areas and air temperature difference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic switching between full blowout mode (all openings at normal speed) and partial blowout mode (part blocked, remaining at high speed) to achieve both comfort and temperature uniformity. The periodic high-speed operation allows air to reach farther areas and reduce temperature differences, while the periodic low-speed operation ensures comfort by avoiding continuous direct hits.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind direction adjusting slats change the dimension of air flow direction from primarily downward to horizontal during partial blowout modes. This dimensional change allows the air flow to travel farther horizontally across the room without directly hitting persons below, thereby reducing temperature differences while maintaining comfort.
3Area of stationary object
If all outlet openings are used for air supply, then the air distribution coverage is maximized, but the blowing wind speed decreases and air cannot reach farther areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system periodically switches between full blowout mode (all openings active for maximum coverage) and partial blowout mode (selective openings at high speed for far-reaching distribution). This periodic alternation allows the system to achieve both maximum coverage and far-reaching air flow at different times, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and wind speed.
Solution Approach 2:
During partial blowout mode, the system deliberately blocks part of the outlet openings (partial action) to concentrate air flow through remaining openings, achieving higher wind speeds that can reach farther areas. The wind direction adjusting slats direct this concentrated flow horizontally to maximize coverage distance.
Data Source
AI summary
The indoor unit includes a plurality of outlet openings. In airflow rotation of the indoor unit, a full blowout mode and a partial blowout mode are executed. In the full blowout mode, all the outlet openings blow conditioned air. In the partial blowout mode, the flow of the blowing air of part of the outlet openings are blocked by the air current blocking mechanism, and thus the blowing wind speeds of the remaining outlet openings increases. As a result, an air temperature difference among parts of the indoor space decreases, and the comfort of the indoor space is improved.