Ceiling Air Outlet Vane Module for 3D Airflow Direction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners lack the ability to precisely control the wind direction in both upward-downward and leftward-rightward directions due to limited vane configurations, leading to reduced management convenience and limited air flow rate, especially in ceiling-type models where the discharge port length is restricted.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner incorporates a vane module with both horizontal and vertical vanes that rotate perpendicular to the discharge port, allowing for precise control of air direction and utilizing a single motor to drive multiple vanes, reducing noise and cost while improving space efficiency, and features a detachable design for enhanced assembly and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple vanes are provided in a single discharge port to precisely control wind direction, then wind direction control precision is improved, but device complexity increases and management convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind direction control precisionVSAvoiddischarge port structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge port is divided into multiple independent discharge ports (first discharge port, second discharge port, etc.) arranged in different directions. Each discharge port has its own vane structure, allowing independent control of air discharge direction for each port. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by achieving precise wind direction control through spatial distribution rather than through complex multi-vane mechanisms within a single port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from controlling wind direction within a single discharge port (two-dimensional vane rotation) to controlling wind direction across multiple discharge ports arranged in three-dimensional space. By distributing discharge ports in different spatial directions and independently controlling each, the system achieves precise three-dimensional wind direction control while maintaining simple individual port structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a single vane rotates in upward-downward direction only, then device complexity is reduced, but wind direction control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevane structure simplicityVSAvoidwind direction control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wind direction control function is segmented across multiple discharge ports rather than concentrated in a single complex vane. Each discharge port has its own simple vane structure that rotates in the upward-downward direction, but the combination of multiple ports oriented in different directions enables precise three-dimensional wind direction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple discharge ports with identical simple vane structures are used to achieve multiple functions: each port can independently control air discharge in its specific direction, and collectively they provide comprehensive three-dimensional wind direction control. This universal design maintains structural simplicity while achieving precise control.

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

3Ease of operation

If discharge port length is limited to fit ceiling housing, then ease of installation is improved, but air flow rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidair flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention compensates for the limited length of individual discharge ports by adding spatial distribution through multiple ports arranged in different directions. The total effective discharge area is increased by utilizing three-dimensional space within the ceiling housing, allowing sufficient air flow rate while maintaining compact individual port lengths that fit installation constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20230366586A1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2023.11.16 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US20230366586A1 patent drawing
  • US20230366586A1 patent drawing
  • US20230366586A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An air conditioner is provided that may include a cabinet in which a suction port and a discharge port are respectively formed; a fan that is disposed inside of the cabinet and blows air from the suction port to the discharge port; a heat exchanger that is disposed inside of the cabinet and exchanges heat with flowing air; and a vane module having at least one horizontal vane that is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the discharge port and guides air flowing through the discharge port, and at least one vertical vane that is rotated in a direction horizontal to the discharge port and guides air flowing through the discharge port.