Ceiling-mounted indoor unit for air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ceiling type indoor units of air conditioners have difficulty in efficiently heating rooms, as they lack the ability to control multiple vane modules to provide both direct and indirect wind simultaneously, leading to inefficient heating distribution.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring four vane modules into two pairs, where one pair provides direct wind and the other pair provides indirect wind, allowing for alternating modes of air discharge at different angles and directions to effectively heat a room.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional ceiling type indoor unit uses a single discharge vane that is simply controlled, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it is difficult to satisfy user desires for heating and creates dead zones in temperature distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidvane control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge vane is divided into multiple independent vane modules (first discharge pair and second discharge pair), each capable of independent control. This segmentation allows different parts of the discharged air to be directed to different locations, eliminating dead zones and improving overall heating effectiveness without requiring a completely complex new system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vane modules are configured to be dynamically adjustable with different angles of attack. The first discharge pair and second discharge pair can be controlled independently to discharge air at different angles, allowing the system to adapt to different heating requirements and user preferences, transforming a static simple control into a dynamic multi-functional system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If opposite two of four vane modules constitute discharge pairs that discharge air at different angles, then uniform temperature distribution is achieved and dead zones are minimized, but the control system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidvane module configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different vane modules are assigned different local functions based on their position and discharge angle. The first discharge pair and second discharge pair have distinct roles in directing air flow to different areas of the room. This local differentiation of functionality allows precise control over temperature distribution patterns, ensuring uniform heating throughout the space while maintaining a systematic rather than random configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If four vane modules are used to provide both direct and indirect wind, then rapid room heating is achieved and user needs are satisfied, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidvane module system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functions of multiple vane modules into two coordinated discharge pairs that work together to provide both direct and indirect wind. By combining the capabilities of four individual vane modules into an integrated system with coordinated control, the patent achieves rapid room heating through multi-directional air discharge while avoiding the complexity of four completely independent control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vane module system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same physical structure can provide different types of wind (direct and indirect) by adjusting the discharge angles of different pairs. This universal design allows a single system to perform multiple heating functions, increasing productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity

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

Data Source

PatentEP3686508B1Ceiling-mounted indoor unit for air conditioner
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3686508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3686508B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3686508B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Opposite two of four vane modules constitute a first discharge pair, the other two constitute a second discharge pair, and the first discharge pair and the second discharge pair alternately provide indirect wind and direct wind, whereby it is possible to rapidly heat a room. In addition, the first discharge pair and the second discharge pair discharge air at different angles, whereby it is possible to minimize a dead zone that discharged air does not reach.