Cooling unit for generating cooled area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning and cooling for outdoor areas face challenges due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment, making it difficult to efficiently provide cooled areas.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling unit with a base, cooling tower, and air distribution system, incorporating a heat exchanger to cool water, blower for air movement, and water dispenser to enhance cooling efficiency, along with solar panels for power generation and modular design for easy installation and customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If outdoor cooling is implemented using conventional air conditioning units, then cooling effect is provided, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and heat dissipation challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple independent modules including base modules, tower modules, and air distribution modules. Each module can function independently or in combination with others, allowing flexible deployment and optimized energy usage for different outdoor spaces. The segmentation enables localized cooling rather than attempting to cool entire outdoor areas uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
Water is introduced as an intermediary substance to enhance heat transfer efficiency. The system circulates water through the cooling towers and uses it as a medium to absorb and dissipate heat more effectively than air alone, addressing the energy efficiency problem in outdoor cooling applications.
2Temperature
If conventional air conditioning is used for outdoor areas, then cooling is provided, but system complexity increases due to challenges in containing and directing cooled air
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent air distribution modules with individual blowers and dispensers rather than a single centralized system. This segmentation simplifies the overall architecture by breaking down complex air distribution into manageable local units that can be independently controlled and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables easy self-installation and self-maintenance of the cooling system. Modules can be independently assembled, positioned, and serviced without requiring complex system-wide disassembly or specialized installation procedures, reducing operational complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If outdoor cooling areas are created, then cooled zones are generated, but adaptability decreases due to lack of containment and control over moving air currents
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent air distribution modules can be strategically positioned to create customized cooling zones of various shapes and sizes. Each module independently controls its local air flow, allowing flexible adaptation to different outdoor space configurations and usage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable components including variable speed blowers and reconfigurable module arrangements that allow dynamic adaptation of cooling patterns. Users can modify air flow rates, directional patterns, and zone configurations to match changing outdoor conditions and requirements.
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
The modular cooling unit effectively generates cooled areas by efficiently distributing cooled air and water, providing energy-efficient and customizable solutions for outdoor cooling, suitable for areas that typically cannot be cooled.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger located within the base and configured to cool water that flows through the outdoor cooling unit
Implementation Method 2
a blower located in at least one of the base, the cooling tower, or the air distribution system, the blower configured to move air through the cooling unit
Implementation Method 3
a water dispenser located proximate to the second end of the cooling tower, the water dispenser configured to generate at least one of (i) water droplets that fall through the inner flow path or (ii) a cascade of water that flows down the exterior surface
Implementation Method 4
the cover is at least on solar panel, the solar panel configured to supply power to at least the control components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Cooling unit (100, 200) including a base (102, 202) having a housing with control components (110, 112, 212), a cooling tower (104, 204) attached to the base (102, 202) at a first end of the cooling tower (104, 204), the cooling tower (104, 204) having an inner flow path and an exterior surface, and an air distribution system (106, 206) attached to the cooling tower (104, 204) at a second end of the cooling tower (104, 204). The air distribution system (106, 206) has a first enclosure (130), a second enclosure (132) defining an air distribution chamber (126) between the first and second enclosures, a cool air dispenser (138) configured in the first enclosure (130), a warm air (142) dispenser configured in the first enclosure (130) at a location different from the cool air dispenser (138), and a cover (144) disposed on an exterior surface of the second enclosure (132). The control components (110, 112, 212) are configured to convey air through the base (102, 202), the cooling tower (104, 204), and the air distribution system (106, 206) to dispense air through the cool air dispenser (138) and the warm air dispenser (142).