Indoor Air Outlet Flap Layout for Uniform Cooling and Less Condensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In air conditioning apparatuses with horizontal flaps, support members can cause uneven exposure to cool air, leading to potential dew condensation on surfaces not adequately cooled, as the distances between the support member and perpendicular flaps are non-uniform, making it difficult for cool air to evenly touch all surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design includes a support member that rotatably supports the first airflow direction adjusting plate at non-end portions and employs smaller second airflow direction adjusting plates, such as the fourth airflow direction adjusting plate, which is positioned closest to the support member, to ensure even airflow and reduce temperature irregularities, thereby suppressing dew condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a support member is disposed to support the horizontal flap, then the horizontal flap can be prevented from bending, but the distances between the perpendicular flaps and support member become non-uniform, making it difficult to evenly expose surfaces to cool air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the perpendicular flap near the support member smaller in size compared to other perpendicular flaps. This local modification ensures that the reduced surface area of the smaller perpendicular flap compensates for its closer proximity to the support member, allowing uniform exposure to cool air across all perpendicular flap surfaces while maintaining the support member's structural function.
2Manufacturing precision
If the perpendicular flap near the support member is made smaller, then uniform exposure to cool air is achieved, but the airflow direction adjustment capability in that region is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the perpendicular flaps into different sizes based on their positions relative to the support member. The perpendicular flap near the support member is segmented to be smaller, while other perpendicular flaps maintain their standard size. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific airflow and cooling requirements.
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 allows for effective airflow direction adjustment while minimizing dew condensation on both the support member and second airflow direction adjusting plates, ensuring uniform cooling and preventing temperature differences that could lead to condensation.
Implementation Method 1
The fan generates an airflow leading from the air inlet to the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchanger is placed inside the casing
Implementation Method 3
The first airflow direction adjusting plate can, by rotating taking a first direction as its axial direction, adjust the direction of the airflow blown out from the air outlet
Implementation Method 4
The plural second airflow direction adjusting plates can, by rotating taking a second direction that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the first direction as their axial direction, adjust the direction of the airflow blown out from the air outlet
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air conditioning apparatus includes a casing, a heat exchanger, a fan, a first airflow direction adjusting plate adjusting a direction of airflow blown out from an air outlet by rotation about a first axial direction, a plurality of second airflow direction adjusting plates adjusting the direction of the airflow blown out from the air outlet by rotation about a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a support member rotatably supporting the first airflow direction adjusting plate in the air outlet other than at both end portions. The second airflow direction adjusting plates include a third airflow direction adjusting plate and a fourth airflow direction adjusting plate placed in a location such that a distance to the support member from the fourth airflow direction adjusting plate is smaller than a distance to the support member from the third airflow direction adjusting plate.