Dual-Guide Airflow Mechanism With Single-Motor Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners require multiple driving parts to control airflow direction, which increases manufacturing and operational costs and complicates the process of adjusting airflow.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a single motor to control two guides that can rotate in opposite directions, using a gear system and pin mechanism to synchronize their movement, allowing for adjustable airflow direction with reduced components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driving parts are used to control airflow direction in conventional air conditioners, then the airflow control capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving functions into a single motor by using a gear mechanism. The first gear is connected to the motor output shaft, and through gear engagement, it simultaneously drives the first guide vane and second guide vane. This merging of multiple driving parts into one motor reduces device complexity while maintaining the capability to control airflow in multiple directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor serves multiple functions by controlling both the first guide vane and second guide vane through the gear mechanism. The motor can independently control the rotation of each guide vane, enabling it to perform the functions that would traditionally require separate motors, thereby reducing the overall number of components while maintaining full airflow control versatility.
2Device complexity
If a single motor controls two guides, then the device complexity is reduced, but the synchronization of guide rotation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The gear mechanism acts as an intermediary between the single motor and the two guide vanes. The first gear engages with both the first guide vane and second guide vane, mediating the transmission of rotational motion from the motor to both guides. This intermediary mechanism ensures synchronized rotation and reliable coordination of the two guide vanes while allowing independent control through the gear's rotational degrees of freedom.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two guides rotate in opposite directions, then the airflow direction control is improved, but the mechanical synchronization mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex mechanisms to directly force the two guide vanes to rotate in opposite directions, the patent uses the gear mechanism's inherent rotational properties. The first gear can rotate in either direction, and through its engagement with both guide vanes, it naturally enables opposite rotation when needed. This inverts the approach from actively forcing opposite rotation to allowing the gear's flexibility to accommodate both same-direction and opposite-direction rotation as required.
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
Enables efficient control of airflow direction with reduced manufacturing and operational costs, allowing for quick switching between different airflow settings.
Implementation Method 1
a motor configured to rotate the first guide and the second guide
Implementation Method 2
a first gear configured to be connected to the first guide, and a second gear configured to connect the first gear to the motor
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes a housing having a blowing port, a first guide configured to cover a portion of the blowing port, a second guide configured to cover another portion of the blowing port, a motor configured to rotate the first guide and the second guide, a first gear configured to be connected to the first guide, a guide holder configured to be connected to the second guide, and a second gear configured to connect the first gear to the motor.