Dual-Wind-Wheel Fan Layout for Longer Air Throw and Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioner fans face limitations in extending air supply distance while maintaining efficiency, with multiple fans in parallel improving flow rate but not efficiency, and existing solutions like counter-rotating fans do not adequately address noise and efficiency issues.

Innovation Solution

A fan design featuring two wind wheels with different rotation velocities and axes orientations, where the first wind wheel is diagonal or axial flow and the second is also diagonal or axial flow, arranged to enhance airflow direction and pressure, allowing for gentle or breezeless air supply over longer distances with improved efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If axial fan or cross-flow fan is used, then air supply efficiency is improved, but air supply distance is short

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply efficiencyVSAvoidair supply distance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fan is segmented into two separate wind wheels (first wind wheel and second wind wheel) with different rotation velocities and blade configurations. The first wind wheel handles high-speed airflow generation while the second wind wheel optimizes for directional control and extended throw distance, allowing each segment to specialize in different aspects of air supply performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic operation by allowing the first and second wind wheels to rotate at different velocities that can be independently controlled. This dynamic configuration enables the system to optimize performance for different operating conditions, achieving both high efficiency and extended air supply distance by coordinating the rotational speeds of the two wind wheels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If centrifugal blower is used, then air supply distance is extended, but air supply efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply distanceVSAvoidair supply efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of different fan types by combining a first wind wheel (optimized for efficiency similar to axial/cross-flow fans) with a second wind wheel (optimized for distance similar to centrifugal blowers). This hybrid configuration integrates the high efficiency of axial flow design with the extended throw capability of centrifugal design into a single unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple fans are arranged in parallel, then air circulation flow rate is improved, but fan efficiency cannot be enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair circulation flow rateVSAvoidfan efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding fans in parallel (horizontal dimension), the patent transitions to a series arrangement where the first and second wind wheels are positioned one after another along the airflow path (vertical dimension in terms of airflow sequence). This dimensional change in configuration allows the system to maintain high flow rate while improving efficiency through the coordinated action of the two wind wheels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 fan design increases wind pressure and air supply distance, enhances efficiency, and provides a gentle or breezeless air supply experience by optimizing airflow direction and pressure, outperforming single cross-flow, axial, or diagonal fans in terms of distance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first wind wheel (1) and a second wind wheel (2)... the first wind wheel and the second wind wheel operate with different velocities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP3708842B1Fan and air conditioner indoor unit having same
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 GD MIDEA AIR CONDITIONING EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3708842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708842B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3708842B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A fan (100) and an air conditioner indoor unit (1000) having same are provided. The fan (100) includes a first wind wheel (1) and a second wind wheel (2). The first wind wheel (1) includes a plurality of first blades (11), and the second wind wheel (2) includes a plurality of second blades (21). An orthographic projection of each first blade (11) on a reference plane is a first projection, the first projection is provided with two first intersections, a connecting line of the two first intersections is a first connecting line, and a straight line perpendicular to the first connecting line is first vertical line. An orthographic projection of each second blade (21) on the reference plane is a second projection, the second projection is provided with two second intersections, a connecting line of the two second intersections is a second connecting line, and a straight line perpendicular to the second connecting line is a second vertical line. One of the first vertical line and the second vertical line has a positive included angle, which is an acute angle, with the X-axis, and the other one thereof has another positive included angle, which is an obtuse angle, with the X-axis.