Indoor Unit Coanda Blade Control for Natural Wind Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner indoor units fail to replicate the natural flow of wind, leading to a lack of variation in airflow, which can result in discomfort for occupants.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner indoor unit employs the Coanda effect through a Coanda blade and wind direction adjusting blade to create fluctuating airflow patterns, including modes that generate 'unexpected breeze' and airflow without it, by varying the flow of conditioned air to mimic natural wind more closely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wind direction adjusting blade is used to create fluctuating airflow, then the airflow variation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of the Coanda blade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wind direction adjusting blade and the Coanda blade into a single integrated system. The Coanda blade is positioned downstream of the wind direction adjusting blade, and both blades work together to create fluctuating airflow patterns. This merging of functions allows the system to achieve natural wind effects without requiring completely separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by enabling the Coanda blade to switch between different operational states: generating Coanda airflow and not generating Coanda airflow. The control portion dynamically adjusts the Coanda blade's position and the wind direction adjusting blade's angle in real-time to create varied airflow patterns that mimic natural wind, rather than using a static configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the Coanda blade is added to generate Coanda airflow, then the natural wind effect is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the airflow control function into two distinct components: the wind direction adjusting blade for basic direction control and the Coanda blade for generating Coanda airflow effects. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying the manufacturing process for each part while achieving the combined effect of natural wind simulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The Coanda blade is designed to serve multiple purposes: it generates Coanda airflow to create natural wind effects, it can be positioned at different angles to control airflow direction, and it can operate in different modes (with and without Coanda effect). This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby controlling manufacturing costs while achieving versatile airflow control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Coanda blade switches between generating and not generating Coanda airflow, then the airflow variation is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control portion implements periodic switching between different airflow modes, creating rhythmic variations in the airflow pattern. By alternating between generating and not generating Coanda airflow in a periodic manner, the system mimics the natural fluctuations of wind without requiring complex real-time adjustments, thereby simplifying the control logic while achieving diverse airflow variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the natural Coanda effect phenomenon itself to control airflow direction and variation. Once the Coanda blade is positioned to generate Coanda airflow, the physical phenomenon automatically directs the airflow along the blade surface without requiring additional active control mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces control complexity by leveraging inherent fluid dynamics rather than requiring complex electronic control systems.
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 provides a more comfortable air-conditioned space by creating airflow patterns that closely resemble natural wind, offering variation and improving occupant experience through the use of the Coanda effect and control modes.
Implementation Method 1
Through the Coanda effect, the Coanda blade, provided in the vicinity of an outlet port, forms the conditioned air into a Coanda airflow caused to follow the lower face of the blade itself, guided in a predetermined direction.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
To provide an air conditioner indoor unit that through providing a variety of flows of wind is capable of realizing conditioned air closer to natural wind. In an air conditioner indoor unit (10), a control portion (40), during fluctuating airflow control, controls the operation of a Coanda blade implementing modes including a Coanda generating condition that generates Coanda airflow, and a Coanda airflow not generated condition that does not generate Coanda airflow, thus during fluctuating airflow control, the flow of wind is varied by suddenly generating Coanda airflow, enabling conditioned air closer to natural wind to be provided to the occupant.