Indoor Unit Airflow Zoning for Multi-Temperature Room Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning systems require multiple units to create different temperatures in a single indoor space, leading to high costs and complex operation, making it difficult to easily divide an indoor space into areas with varying temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A single indoor unit of an air conditioner equipped with an airflow direction adjusting flap and an adjuster that adjusts the amount of heat processed for each area, allowing for the creation of multiple areas with different temperatures by controlling airflow direction and volume, using temperature sensors for feedback adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple air conditioners are used to create different temperatures in a single indoor space, then temperature differentiation between areas is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the indoor space into multiple areas (first area and second area) and uses a single air conditioner with multiple blow-out openings to serve different zones. The indoor unit segments the airflow into different directions using airflow direction adjusting flaps, allowing temperature differentiation without requiring multiple separate air conditioners, thus reducing system cost while achieving the desired temperature variation across areas.
2Temperature
If multiple air conditioners are operated in synchronization to divide areas by airflow, then temperature differentiation is achieved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple air conditioning functions into a single air conditioner unit. The indoor unit includes multiple blow-out openings with airflow direction adjusting flaps that can be independently controlled to direct airflows to different areas. This merging of functions allows a single unit to perform what previously required multiple synchronized units, greatly simplifying operation while maintaining the capability to create different temperatures in different areas.
3Device complexity
If a single indoor unit is used to serve multiple areas, then system cost and operation simplicity are maintained, but temperature differentiation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates airflow direction adjusting flaps at each blow-out opening that can dynamically change the direction of airflow. These flaps are controlled to direct airflows to different areas based on temperature requirements. The dynamic adjustment capability allows a single static indoor unit to achieve dynamic temperature differentiation across multiple areas, overcoming the limitation of fixed airflow patterns while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different airflow control mechanisms for different areas. Each blow-out opening has its own airflow direction adjusting flap that can be independently positioned to serve specific areas. This localized control allows the single indoor unit to provide customized temperature control for each area, achieving temperature differentiation capability without requiring multiple separate units.
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
Enables the reliable creation of multiple areas with distinct temperatures within a single indoor space using a single air conditioner unit, reducing costs and simplifying system operation.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow direction adjusting flap (51) provided at the blow-out opening (24a to 24d) and capable of guiding air blown out of the blow-out opening (24a to 24d) to each of the areas (500A, 500B)
Implementation Method 2
an adjuster (92) which adjusts an amount of heat to be processed for each of the plurality of areas (500A, 500B) by the air blown out of the blow-out opening (24a to 24b) so that temperatures in at least two of the areas (500A, 500B) are different from each other
Implementation Method 3
the indoor unit (10) further includes a temperature sensor (81a, 81b) which detects a temperature of at least one of the plurality of areas (500A, 500B)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an indoor unit which can easily create a plurality of areas having different temperatures in a single indoor space, with even a single indoor unit. An indoor space is divided into a plurality of areas. An airflow direction adjusting flap provided at a blow-out opening is capable guiding blown air to each of the areas. An amount of heat to be processed for each of the plurality of areas by the air blown out of the blow-out opening is adjusted so that temperatures of at least two of the areas are different from each other.