Coandă Airflow Vane Control for Irregular Indoor AC Air Direction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners fail to create a natural, irregular airflow pattern, as the airflow direction adjustment vanes only allow for gradual changes, not meeting the need for more sudden and varied airflow directions.
Innovation Solution
The air-conditioning indoor unit employs a Coandă effect by using a Coandă vane and a control unit to automatically switch between a Coandă effect state and a normal state, allowing for instant changes in airflow direction, including switching between airflow that contacts a person and airflow that does not, by manipulating the orientation of the Coandă vane and airflow direction adjustment vane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional airflow direction adjustment vanes are used, then the airflow direction can be adjusted, but the adjustment is gradual and cannot create natural irregular airflow patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Coandă effect dynamically by using a Coandă vane that can be rapidly positioned to different locations relative to the blow-out port. This creates instantaneous airflow direction changes rather than gradual adjustments, enabling natural irregular airflow patterns while maintaining simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position parameter of the Coandă vane relative to the blow-out port to control airflow direction. By varying the distance and angle parameters of the Coandă vane positioning, the system achieves multiple airflow directions and patterns without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Speed
If airflow direction is changed gradually using conventional vanes, then the system is simple to control, but it cannot instantly switch between airflow contacting a person and airflow not contacting a person
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gradual mechanical vane rotation with a positioning mechanism that rapidly moves the Coandă vane to predetermined locations. This substitution enables instant airflow direction switching while maintaining simple control through automated positioning based on occupancy detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions the Coandă vane at specific locations that correspond to different airflow directions. When occupancy is detected, the vane is rapidly moved to the appropriate pre-determined position, enabling instant switching without complex real-time adjustment operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Coandă vane is added to create instant airflow direction changes, then natural irregular airflow is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Coandă vane serves multiple functions: it creates the Coandă effect for airflow attachment, directs airflow to different positions, and enables both contact and non-contact airflow patterns. This multi-functionality achieves diverse airflow patterns while minimizing the number of additional components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The Coandă vane acts as an intermediary element between the blow-out port and the room space. By positioning this single intermediate component, the system achieves complex airflow patterns and direction changes without requiring multiple separate control mechanisms.
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 solution enables the creation of a more natural, irregular airflow pattern that can be instantly varied, providing a more comfortable and effective air distribution by controlling the airflow direction automatically based on user preferences or occupancy detection.
Implementation Method 1
capable of causing a flow of blown air blown out from a blow-out port to be diverted in a predetermined direction due to the Coandă effect
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning indoor unit causes a flow of air blown out from a blow-out port to be diverted in a predetermined direction due to the Coand{hacek over (a)} effect. The air-conditioning indoor unit includes an airflow direction adjustment vane varying a blowout angle of blown air relative to a horizontal plane, a Coand{hacek over (a)} vane turning the blown air into a Coand{hacek over (a)} airflow along a bottom surface, and a control unit. The Coand{hacek over (a)} vane is provided in proximity to the blow-out port. The control unit executes an airflow direction automatic switching mode automatically switching between a Coand{hacek over (a)} effect use state in which the blown air is turned into a Coand{hacek over (a)} airflow along a predetermined surface and diverted in the predetermined direction, and a normal state in which the Coand{hacek over (a)} airflow is not created. The airflow direction adjustment vane and the Coand{hacek over (a)} vane having incline angles relative to a horizontal plane that are variable.