Ceiling Indoor AC Air Path Layout for Lower Fan Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning indoor units face challenges in reducing electric power consumption, particularly in minimizing the input to the motor driving the fan, as current techniques for reducing pressure loss have limitations.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning indoor unit incorporates a pressure loss suppressing mechanism where a grill and filter can be moved away from the suction opening, and a louver can be retracted along the air discharge flow path, reducing pressure loss and thereby decreasing the power input to the fan motor. This mechanism allows for a power-saving mode that lowers electric power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the grill and filter are positioned to cover the suction opening for normal operation, then air intake function is ensured, but pressure loss in the unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidair intake function
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grill and filter are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to change position between covering the suction opening during normal operation and moving away during power-saving mode, dynamically adapting to different operational requirements to minimize pressure loss while maintaining air intake function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If the louver is positioned in the air discharge flow path to control wind direction, then air distribution control is improved, but pressure loss at the air outlet opening increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidair distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The louver is designed to be movable along the air discharge flow path, enabling it to dynamically adjust its position between controlling wind direction during normal operation and retracting to minimize pressure loss during power-saving mode, thus balancing adaptability with energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If the grill, filter, and louver are fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure loss cannot be minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure lossVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces movable components (grill, filter, and louver) that can change position based on operational mode, accepting increased structural complexity to achieve the goal of minimizing pressure loss and reducing power consumption during power-saving operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2244029B1Air conditioning indoor unit
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2244029B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2244029B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2244029B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an air conditioning indoor unit capable of reducing the input to a motor for driving a fan and further reducing electric power consumption. A grill 20 and a filter 21, which are provided at a suction opening 16 in the center of a decorative panel 19, are adapted to move up and down with respect to a case body 11 fixed to a ceiling. A louver 30 provided in an air discharge flow path 18 is adapted to be able to retract to a position along the wall surface of the air discharge flow path 18. By lowering and separating the grill 20 and the filter 21 from the case body 11 and by setting the louver 30 at a retracted position, the pressure loss in the unit is reduced, and thereby the input to the motor for driving the fan of a blower 14 is reduced.