Indoor Air Conditioner Layout Using Diagonal Flow Fans
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vertical arrangement of blower fans and heat exchangers in traditional indoor air conditioner units is inefficient in terms of space utilization, leading to increased energy consumption, limited airflow volume and speed, and higher noise levels due to increased air resistance during heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
The indoor air conditioner unit incorporates a diagonal flow fan design with a horizontal arrangement of suction inlets, heat exchangers, and discharge outlets, along with independently controllable diagonal flow fan units, which allows for improved airflow direction and volume adjustment, reducing noise and enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the blower fan and heat exchanger are disposed vertically close to each other for compact design, then the indoor unit size is reduced, but air resistance in heat exchange increases and noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement of components. The blower fan, heat exchanger, and discharge outlet are disposed horizontally in sequence, changing the spatial dimension of airflow passage. This dimensional change allows for optimized component spacing that reduces air resistance while maintaining a compact overall unit size.
2Device complexity
If the blower fan is disposed at the lower portion and heat exchanger at the upper portion vertically, then the structure is simplified, but the flow passage becomes long and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal linear arrangement. The components are disposed horizontally in the order: blower fan → heat exchanger → discharge outlet. This dimensional reconfiguration shortens the airflow passage length significantly, reducing the energy required by the blower fan while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Volume of moving object
If the vertical arrangement is used for compact design, then space utilization is improved, but the airflow volume and speed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal arrangement creates a more efficient airflow path with reduced resistance, enabling higher airflow volumes and speeds. The linear horizontal configuration allows air to flow smoothly through the blower fan, heat exchanger, and discharge outlet without the spatial constraints of vertical stacking, thus improving productivity while maintaining compact dimensions.
4Device complexity
If the flow passage is made long to accommodate vertical component arrangement, then component placement is simplified, but the load on blower fan increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the conflict between component placement simplicity and energy efficiency by transitioning to a horizontal arrangement. This configuration naturally provides a short, direct airflow passage that minimizes blower fan load and energy loss, while the linear sequence of components maintains ease of assembly and placement.
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 increases operational efficiency, reduces noise levels, and allows for a more compact unit design by optimizing airflow pathways and reducing energy consumption while enabling convenient adjustment of airflow characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one heat exchanger may be disposed at a front portion of the suction inlet to absorb heat from air introduced through the suction inlet or transfer heat to the air introduced through the suction inlet
Implementation Method 2
The at least one diagonal flow fan may be disposed between the heat exchanger and the discharge outlet to suction air passing through the heat exchanger and discharge the air through the discharge outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air conditioner having improved structures of suction, discharge and/or flow passages which may increase operation efficiency, reduce noises and realize a compact size. The indoor unit includes a housing comprising a front panel and a rear panel coupled to a rear portion of the front panel, at least one discharge outlet exposed to a front of the front panel, at least one suction inlet formed in the rear panel at a position corresponding to the discharge outlet, at least one heat exchanger disposed at a front portion of the suction inlet to absorb heat from air introduced through the suction inlet or transfer heat to the air introduced through the suction inlet, and at least one diagonal flow fan disposed between the heat exchanger and the discharge outlet to suction air passing through the heat exchanger and discharge the air through the discharge outlet.