Floor-type air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional floor-positioned air-conditioning apparatuses face issues with design degradation and dust/foreign substance ingress due to open air passages during operation stop, and inability to blow air downward, as well as limitations in air-direction control.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features rotatable forward and upward blowing control members that close air outlets during operation stop and adjust to direct air flow during cooling and heating operations, allowing for both upward and downward air direction control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the air-direction control mechanism uses a single plate structure that closes one side during operation stop, then the structure is simple, but design is degraded and dust/foreign substances can enter through the open passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair-direction control mechanism structureVSAvoiddust and foreign substance ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air-direction control mechanism is divided into two separate plates: a decorative plate and an air-direction change plate. Each plate independently controls one air outlet (forward and upward respectively), allowing both outlets to be closed during operation stop, preventing dust ingress while maintaining a simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the air-direction control mechanism uses a single plate structure, then the structure is simple, but the air passage cannot be fully sealed during operation stop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair-direction control mechanism structureVSAvoidair passage sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism uses two separate control plates instead of one, with each plate responsible for sealing one air outlet. This segmentation ensures that both the forward air outlet and upward air outlet can be completely sealed during operation stop, improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the air-direction control mechanism only provides forward and upward blowing, then the control is simple, but downward air blowing is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair-direction control mechanismVSAvoidair blowing direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air-direction control mechanism uses rotatable plates that can dynamically adjust their positions. The decorative plate rotates to control the forward air outlet, while the air-direction change plate rotates to control the upward air outlet. This dynamic adjustment capability enables flexible air direction control for forward, upward, and downward blowing modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the air outlet remains open during operation stop, then air flow is maintained, but design appearance is degraded and dust can enter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow continuityVSAvoiddust ingress and design degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control plates are designed to automatically return to their closed positions during operation stop, preliminarily sealing the air outlets before any dust ingress can occur. This preliminary action maintains design appearance and prevents dust entry while the system is not actively cooling or heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures a sealed design preventing dust and foreign substances from entering, while enabling effective air direction control for both cooling and heating operations, including downward air flow during heating.

Implementation Method 1

a fan (24)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchanger (23) that can selectively execute cooling operation and heating operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat Exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2835586B1Floor-type air conditioner
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2835586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2835586B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2835586B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A housing 10 including a fan 24 and a heat exchanger 23; a forward blowing control member 30 rotatably arranged at a forward air outlet 13 formed in a housing front surface 11 at a position near a housing top surface 15; and an upward blowing control member 40 rotatably arranged at an upward air outlet 14 formed near the housing front surface 11 are included. The forward blowing control member 30 closes the forward air outlet 13 and the upward blowing control member 40 closes the upward air outlet 14 during operation stop. The forward blowing control member 30 closes the forward air outlet 13 and the upward blowing control member 40 is rotated and opens the upward air outlet 14 during cooling operation. The upward blowing control member 40 closes the upward air outlet 14 and the forward blowing control member 30 is rotated and opens the forward air outlet 13 during heating operation.