Indoor Unit Airflow Blocking to Prevent Draft Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceiling-mounted indoor air-conditioning units with multiple outlet openings can create drafts when adjacent units blow air currents that collide and flow downward, potentially directing air directly onto users.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates airflow blocking mechanisms and adjustable flaps at outlet openings, controlled by a controller to prevent air from colliding by blocking certain outlets and redirecting airflow, ensuring that air currents do not merge and are distributed efficiently across the space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple indoor units blow air currents from all outlet openings simultaneously, then the air supply coverage is maximized, but air currents collide and are forced to flow downward creating drafts
Solution Approach 1:
The controller selectively activates only certain outlet openings (partial action) rather than all outlets simultaneously. By controlling the airflow blocking mechanism to close specific outlets, the system prevents air current collision while still providing adequate air supply coverage through the remaining open outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which outlet openings are active based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors air current patterns and dynamically blocks or unblocks outlets to prevent draft formation while maintaining optimal air distribution, making the air supply pattern adaptable rather than static.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If airflow blocking mechanism is used to prevent air current collision, then drafts are reduced, but the air supply volume may be decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The controller periodically switches between different outlet configurations. By alternating which outlets are blocked and which remain open over time, the system ensures that all areas receive air supply over a complete cycle, maintaining overall air supply volume while preventing draft at any given moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically redistributes airflow by activating different outlet combinations. When some outlets are blocked to prevent draft, other outlets are activated to compensate for the air supply volume, ensuring that the total air supply to the room remains sufficient.
Data Source
AI summary
A draft perceived by a user under an indoor unit is reduced. A controller makes each of a plurality of indoor units perform a partial supply operation. In the partial supply operation, the controller controls an airflow blocking mechanism such that, regarding the indoor units adjacent to each other with a predetermined distance α interposed therebetween, no air current is blown from one of the outlet openings which face each other with the predetermined distance α interposed therebetween.