Heat Exchange Unit Layout for Flexible Airflow Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air-conditioning apparatuses have limited flexibility in housing design due to inefficient air flow through heat exchangers located away from the air outlet, leading to decreased heat exchanger efficiency and restricted placement options in various building layouts.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange unit with a housing that includes a partition plate separating inflow and outflow air passages, a centrifugal fan positioned on the partition plate via a bellmouth, and a heat exchanger downstream of the fan, allowing the air inlet and outlet to be positioned flexibly on any surface, enhancing airflow efficiency and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If heat exchangers are disposed around the centrifugal fan with air outlet positioned at the front, then the housing structure is simple, but air hardly flows into the heat exchanger located away from the air outlet and heat exchanger efficiency decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing and a second housing that can be assembled together. The heat exchanger is disposed in the second housing, and the centrifugal fan is disposed in the first housing. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger to be positioned in a location that is not necessarily close to the air outlet, while still maintaining efficient airflow through the heat exchanger by providing a dedicated space in the second housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The air outlet is configured to be disposed at a rear end side of the housing rather than the front end. This dimensional change in air outlet positioning creates a different airflow pattern where air is drawn in from the front, passes through the heat exchanger in the second housing, and is discharged from the rear. This allows the heat exchanger to be efficiently utilized even when located away from the air outlet position.
2Volume of moving object
If heat exchangers are disposed around the centrifugal fan, then the structure is compact, but the degree of freedom in terms of disposition is restricted and housing design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a first housing and a second housing that can be assembled together. The heat exchanger is disposed in the second housing, and the centrifugal fan is disposed in the first housing. This segmentation allows the heat exchanger to be positioned in a location that is not necessarily close to the air outlet, while still maintaining efficient airflow through the heat exchanger by providing a dedicated space in the second housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The air outlet is configured to be disposed at a rear end side of the housing rather than the front end. This dimensional change in air outlet positioning creates a different airflow pattern where air is drawn in from the front, passes through the heat exchanger in the second housing, and is discharged from the rear. This allows the heat exchanger to be efficiently utilized even when located away from the air outlet position.
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 configuration improves the degree of freedom in housing design, ensures efficient airflow through the heat exchanger, and increases the space between the centrifugal fan and the housing rear, resulting in enhanced heat exchange efficiency and reduced airflow resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal fan disposed on the first partition plate via the bellmouth
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A heat exchange unit includes a housing having an inflow air passage communicating with an air inlet, and an outflow air passage communicating with an air outlet, a first partition plate that partitions an inside of the housing into the inflow air passage and the outflow air passage, a bellmouth disposed around an opening formed in the first partition plate, a centrifugal fan disposed on the first partition plate via the bellmouth, and a heat exchanger disposed on a downstream side of the centrifugal fan in the housing. The air inlet is open at any surface of the housing having the inflow air passage. The air outlet is open at any side surface of the housing having the outflow air passage. The inflow air passage is formed between a fan inlet and a main plate closest to the fan inlet to reach a rear surface. The fan inlet is an air inlet of the centrifugal fan.