Discharge Blade Airflow Segmentation for Quiet, Low-Draft Air Conditioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners often result in uncomfortable temperature and humidity conditions due to high wind speeds, noise, and inefficient air discharge methods, which can lead to user discomfort and increased construction costs.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner features a discharge blade with blade holes that can open or close the outlet, controlling air flow and direction, and includes a flow path guide with a first and second flow path to manage air discharge speed and direction, allowing for adjustable wind speed and radiant air conditioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the RPM of the blower fan is increased to realize a fast wind speed, then the air conditioning capability is improved, but noise is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind speedVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge path is segmented into multiple paths: a first discharge path for high-speed direct discharge and a second discharge path for low-speed radiant discharge. The discharge plate includes multiple discharge holes that can selectively direct airflow through different paths, allowing the system to achieve air conditioning without requiring high blower fan RPM, thereby reducing noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the RPM of the blower fan is increased to maximize wind speed and wind volume, then air conditioning capability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to direct contact with discharged air

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair conditioning capabilityVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge plate is segmented into multiple regions with different discharge characteristics. Some regions discharge air at high speed for rapid cooling, while other regions discharge air at low speed for comfortable radiant cooling that does not directly contact the user. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of air conditioning capability and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the discharge plate have different local qualities: some areas are designed for high-velocity direct discharge to achieve rapid temperature reduction, while other areas are designed for low-velocity diffuse discharge to provide comfortable radiant cooling. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between air conditioning effectiveness and user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a radiant air conditioner is used to condition air without a blower fan, then noise is reduced, but a large panel is required and air conditioning speed becomes very slow

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidair conditioning speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the advantages of both blower fan-based systems and radiant systems. It includes a blower fan for forced airflow but combines it with a discharge plate structure that enables both direct discharge (for speed) and radiant discharge through multiple holes (for noise reduction). This hybrid approach achieves rapid air conditioning without the downsides of purely radiant systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design minimizes wind speed, reduces noise, and enhances user comfort by providing adjustable air conditioning and heating, while maintaining effective air distribution and reducing construction costs.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger (40) that performs heat exchanging with air introduced into the housing (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a blower fan (45) that blows the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3401615B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3401615B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3401615B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3401615B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air conditioner includes a discharge blade configured to move between a guide position at which a direction of air blown from a blower fan and discharged to an outlet is controlled, and a closing position at which the outlet is closed, wherein the discharge blade includes a plurality of blade holes through which the air is discharged through the discharge blade at the closing position, wherein the discharge blade moves between the guide position and the closing position and controls an air flow from the blower fan to a discharge plate or the outlet. Through this configuration, an air flow discharged to the outside of the housing can be controlled by operation of the discharge blade.