Fresh Air Assembly Layout to Prevent Exhaust Loss in AC Indoor Units

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioners with fresh air components inefficiently exchange indoor and outdoor air, leading to high carbon dioxide concentrations indoors and waste of resources, as fresh air is often discharged outdoors instead of being utilized effectively.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner indoor unit with a fresh air component is designed to improve gas exchange efficiency by positioning the fresh air component at the bottom of the unit, incorporating an air port module with a dirty air exhaust port and a fresh air inlet port at the same height to increase circulation paths and prevent fresh air from being discharged outdoors, and utilizing a total heat exchange core to transfer heat between indoor and outdoor air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fresh air component is added to exchange indoor and outdoor air, then gas exchange efficiency is improved, but fresh air is easily discharged to outdoor environment resulting in low-efficient gas exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas exchange efficiencyVSAvoidfresh air discharge loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement of air flow paths by positioning the fresh air inlet port and dirty air exhaust port at the same height on the rear plate, while the dirty air inlet port is on the side plate. This dimensional reconfiguration creates intersecting but separate flow paths that prevent fresh air from being discharged outdoors, resolving the contradiction between gas exchange efficiency and fresh air retention.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The total heat exchange core acts as an intermediary between indoor and outdoor air streams. It enables heat transfer between the two air flows while maintaining their physical separation, allowing efficient gas exchange through the heat exchanger without direct mixing or discharge of fresh air to the outdoor environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If fresh air inlet port and dirty air exhaust port are positioned at the same height, then circulation paths are increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecirculation path efficiencyVSAvoidair port module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fresh air inlet port and dirty air exhaust port into the same rear plate structure at the same height, creating a compact air port module. This consolidation achieves increased circulation path efficiency while minimizing device complexity by integrating multiple functions into a unified structural arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rear plate structure serves multiple functions: it contains both the fresh air inlet port and dirty air exhaust port, provides structural support, and enables the intersecting air flow paths. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired circulation path efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design enhances gas exchange efficiency, improves temperature experience by slowly changing indoor temperatures, and increases energy efficiency by preventing waste heat, while ensuring fresh air is effectively supplied to the indoor environment.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a total heat exchange core to transfer heat between indoor and outdoor air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3869109B1Air conditioner indoor unit having fresh air assembly
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 QINGDAO HAIER AIR CONDITIONER GENERAL CORP LTD
  • EP3869109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3869109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3869109B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air conditioner indoor unit (10), comprising an indoor unit case (100) and a fresh air assembly (200). A rear plate of an air outlet housing (211) of the fresh air assembly (200) is separately provided with a turbid air outlet (212) for communicating with a turbid air exhaust pipe and a fresh air inlet (213) for communicating with a fresh air intake pipe, and a side plate is provided with a turbid air inlet (214) for communicating with the interior of a room; a turbid air duct is formed from the turbid air inlet (214) to the turbid air outlet (212). The turbid air inlet (214) and the turbid air outlet (212) are arranged so that the number of circulation paths for the indoor air is increased, the temperature change of the indoor environment is slow, and the temperature experience of a user is improved. The fresh air inlet (213) is connected to a fresh air duct leading to the outside of the fresh air assembly (200), and the extending direction of the turbid air duct and the extending direction of the fresh air duct intersect with each other, so that according to the configuration mode, the air conditioner indoor unit (10) prevents fresh air just discharged into the room from being discharged to the outside during operation, thereby improving the efficiency of gas exchange.