Indoor AC Airflow Control Using Auxiliary Fans and Flow Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners lack efficient control over airflow direction and pattern, leading to suboptimal cooling and heating performance and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit of the air conditioner incorporates a system with multiple auxiliary fans and a flow passage structure that adjusts the rotational speed and direction of airflow, allowing for variable airflow patterns and directions without the need for traditional blade structures, enhancing airflow control and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional blade structures are used to control airflow direction, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the airflow control efficiency and distribution performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical blade structure with an airflow control device that uses auxiliary fans and flow passage structures to generate and control airflow. This substitution eliminates the need for complex blade mechanisms while achieving superior airflow direction control and distribution performance through multiple auxiliary fans that can be independently controlled
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using auxiliary fans to generate airflow currents and employing flow passage structures to guide and control the airflow patterns. This approach uses fluid dynamics to achieve precise airflow control without mechanical moving parts, improving both control efficiency and manufacturing simplicity
2Productivity
If multiple auxiliary fans are used to improve airflow control, then the airflow distribution and control efficiency are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple auxiliary fans serve multiple functions simultaneously: they generate primary airflow, control airflow direction, create airflow patterns, and can operate independently or in combination. This multi-functionality justifies the increased number of components by eliminating the need for separate blade mechanisms and flow control devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by enabling independent speed and on/off control of each auxiliary fan through a control unit. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt airflow patterns to different operational requirements, optimizing performance while managing complexity through electronic control rather than mechanical mechanisms
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 improves airflow distribution and control, leading to more efficient cooling and heating performance, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced user comfort by allowing for tailored airflow patterns and directions.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary fan (230) and a flow passage portion (260), the auxiliary fan (230) being disposed in the housing (250) and configured to generate airflow
Implementation Method 2
the flow passage portion (260) being connected to an inlet portion (260a) to guide a flow direction of airflows
Implementation Method 3
heat-exchanges the drawn air in the indoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
rotates a fan provided near an indoor heat exchanger to draw indoor air
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner includes a housing having a suction port and a discharge port, a main fan configured to draw air into the housing through the suction port and discharge air from the housing through the discharge port, an auxiliary fan configured to draw, into the housing, air discharged by the main fan and a controller configured to control a rotational speed of the auxiliary fan to change a direction in which air is discharged from the housing.