Horizontal Airflow Flap Control to Block Wall Cold Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
During heating operations, especially in winter, cold air often enters indoor spaces from near walls, creating temperature differences between central and peripheral areas due to the directional airflow from existing air conditioners, which fail to effectively block cold air intrusion.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with an indoor unit that includes an airflow direction adjusting flap, a temperature detector, and a controller to switch to an airflow mode when the indoor heat exchanger temperature exceeds a predetermined value, directing warm air horizontally to block cold air entry and increase airflow volume to ensure thorough coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is supplied downward when the indoor heat exchanger temperature is higher than the predetermined value, then the area right under the indoor heat exchanger is warmed, but cold air still enters the indoor space from near the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic airflow direction control by switching between downward airflow mode and horizontal airflow mode based on real-time temperature detection. When the heat exchanger temperature exceeds the predetermined value, the system dynamically changes the airflow direction from downward to horizontal to prevent cold air entry from walls, thereby resolving the contradiction between warming the area under the heat exchanger and preventing cold air intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airflow direction parameter from vertical downward to horizontal based on the temperature parameter of the heat exchanger. This parameter change allows the warm air to flow along the wall and wrap around the indoor space, effectively blocking cold air entry while maintaining heating efficiency.
2Temperature
If air is supplied in horizontal direction when the indoor heat exchanger temperature is lower than the predetermined value, then cold air may be cooled even more near the wall, but this prevents warm air from reaching the wall area
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts airflow direction based on heat exchanger temperature. When temperature is below the predetermined value, air is supplied downward to warm the area under the heat exchanger. When temperature exceeds the value, airflow switches to horizontal direction to reach the wall area and prevent cold air entry, thus avoiding over-cooling while ensuring proper heating distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating by supplying air downward when the heat exchanger temperature is low, warming the air before it can be distributed horizontally to the wall area. This preliminary action ensures that when horizontal airflow is activated, the air is already warm and will not cause over-cooling near the wall.
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 reduces temperature differences within the indoor space by blocking cold air entry from walls and ensuring warm air wraps around the entire space, enhancing heating efficiency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an indoor heat exchanger (32) which is provided in the indoor casing (20) and heats the air by a refrigerant before the air is supplied from the outlet opening (24a to 24d)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Entrance of cold air from near a wall of an indoor space is avoided. An airflow direction adjusting flap (51) is provided at a main outlet opening (24a to 24d) of the casing (20), and changes a direction of air supplied from the main outlet opening (24a to 24d) in a vertical direction. The heat exchange temperature sensor (61) detects a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger (32). A motor controller (72) controls the airflow direction adjusting flap (51) to operate in an airflow mode, in which air is supplied from the main outlet opening (24a to 24d) at least horizontally, when a value detected by the heat exchange temperature sensor (61) is greater than a first predetermined value in the heating operation.