Ducted Air Conditioning Backflow Detection With Fan Counteraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning systems face challenges in preventing air backflow through ducts, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for additional components and power sources to detect and counteract backflow.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioning system incorporates detection devices such as differential pressure sensors, wind direction sensors, and temperature sensors to detect air backflow, allowing for the use of fan units to cancel or block backflow without requiring a separate power source for air flow generation in the heat exchanger unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If ducts are used to supply conditioned air to multiple places, then air conditioning coverage is improved, but air backflow occurs in the ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs detection devices (differential pressure sensors, wind direction sensors, or temperature sensors) to detect air backflow in the ducts, creating a feedback loop that allows the control unit to identify and respond to backflow conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between extensive coverage and backflow prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fan units as intermediary devices installed in the ducts to actively counteract air backflow. These fan units serve as mediators that can reverse or block backflow without requiring changes to the overall duct system structure, maintaining coverage while eliminating the harmful backflow effect
2Reliability
If detection devices are added to detect air backflow, then backflow detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing system components (temperature sensors already present in the air conditioning system, or readily available differential pressure sensors) to detect air backflow, allowing the system to self-monitor without requiring entirely new detection infrastructure, thus improving reliability while minimizing added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing temperature sensors serve multiple functions: their original temperature monitoring role plus the additional function of detecting air backflow by monitoring temperature changes in the ducts. This multi-functionality improves backflow detection capability without significantly increasing device complexity or cost
3Ease of operation
If separate power sources are added for air flow generation, then air flow control capability is improved, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing fan units perform multiple functions: their original function of supplying conditioned air to the air conditioned space, and the additional function of counteracting air backflow in the ducts. This eliminates the need for separate power sources dedicated solely to backflow prevention, reducing energy consumption while maintaining air flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the air supply function and backflow counteraction function into a single integrated system using the same fan units. By merging these functions, the system avoids the energy waste and cost associated with separate power sources, achieving both air flow control and backflow prevention through coordinated operation of existing components
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 effectively detects and mitigates air backflow, reducing energy consumption and costs by utilizing existing fan units to manage airflow, thereby enhancing system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the detection device includes a differential pressure sensor configured to detect a differential pressure inside the plurality of distribution flow paths
Implementation Method 2
a wind direction sensor configured to detect a direction of a flow of air through the plurality of distribution flow paths
Implementation Method 3
the detection device detects the air backflow by using temperature of air inside the plurality of distribution flow paths
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an air conditioning system that uses ducts to supply conditioned air to a plurality of places inside a building, and is configured to counteract air backflow that occurs in ducts. A heat exchanger unit (10) includes a use side heat exchanger (11). A plurality of ducts (20) are connected to the heat exchanger unit (10). A plurality of fan units (30) suction conditioned air from the heat exchanger unit (10), and supply the conditioned air to a plurality of air outlets (71) through the plurality of ducts (20). A differential pressure sensor (121) acting as a detection device detects air backflow proceeding from at least one air outlet (71) among the plurality of air outlets (71) toward the heat exchanger unit (10) in a plurality of distribution flow paths including the plurality of ducts (20), the plurality of fan units (30), and the air outlets (71) of a plurality of outlet units (70).