Indoor Fan and Deflector Control for Cold-Start Heating Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners take time to initiate heating operations, resulting in cold air being blown towards occupants at the start, which is annoying, and struggle to balance initiation speed with cold air reduction.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with an indoor heat exchanger, fan, vertical deflector, and temperature sensor, controlled by a device that restricts fan volume and deflector position initially, increasing fan volume and deflector direction as the heat exchanger temperature rises, ensuring minimal cold air is blown until the temperature reaches a non-annoying level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the air volume of the indoor fan is increased at the start of a heating operation to accelerate heating initiation, then the heating initiation speed is improved, but the amount of cold air blown toward occupants increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air volume of the indoor fan variable rather than fixed. The air volume controller dynamically adjusts the fan air volume based on the indoor heat exchanger temperature, increasing it in stages as the temperature rises. This allows the system to accelerate heating initiation while preventing cold air blowout during the temperature buildup phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the indoor fan based on temperature conditions. The air volume controller modifies the fan air volume parameter in response to temperature changes from the heat exchanger temperature sensor, transitioning from restricted air volume at low temperatures to maximum air volume at target temperature, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the air volume of the indoor fan is restricted at the start of a heating operation to reduce cold air blowout, then occupant comfort is improved, but the heating initiation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through staged air volume control. The air volume controller increases the fan air volume in discrete stages (first air volume, second air volume, maximum air volume) as the heat exchanger temperature progresses through different phases. This periodic adjustment allows the system to balance comfort during temperature buildup with efficient heating initiation once the target temperature is reached.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-restricting the air volume at the start of heating operation before the heat exchanger reaches target temperature. This preliminary restriction prevents cold air blowout during the critical startup phase, and the system prepares for subsequent air volume increases once the heat exchanger is sufficiently warm.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vertical deflector position is restricted to face upward at the start of a heating operation, then the amount of cold air blown toward occupants is reduced, but the air distribution efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics to the vertical deflector control by making its position variable based on operating conditions. The air direction controller dynamically adjusts the deflector position from a restricted upward-facing position at startup to optimized positions during normal operation, thereby improving air distribution efficiency while preventing cold air blowout during the heating initiation phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deflector position parameter in response to temperature conditions. The air direction controller modifies the vertical deflector position parameter as the indoor heat exchanger temperature increases, transitioning from restricted upward positioning to optimal air distribution positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between comfort and efficiency.
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 accelerates the heating operation initiation while minimizing cold air blown to occupants, ensuring comfort by adjusting fan volume and deflector direction based on heat exchanger temperature, reducing cold air annoyance and improving heating speed.
Implementation Method 1
an indoor heat exchanger (4), an indoor fan (3)... which has undergone heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
an indoor fan (3)... circulates air, which has undergone heat exchange in the indoor heat exchanger (4), indoors
Implementation Method 3
The vertical deflector (6) is arranged in the indoor outlet (14) to change an air direction in a vertical direction
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This air conditioner includes: an indoor heat exchanger; an indoor fan; an indoor discharge port; an up/down air direction plate; an indoor heat exchanger temperature sensor; and a control device. The control device has an air volume control unit for restricting the air volume of the indoor fan at the start of a heating operation, and an air direction control unit for controlling the up/down air direction of the up/down air direction plate. The air volume control unit controls the air volume of the indoor fan at the start of the heating operation so that the air volume increases as the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger increases. The air direction control unit restricts the position of the up/down air direction plate at the start of the heating operation so that the up/down air volume plate is oriented toward at least an upward direction within a discharge direction adjustment range.