Indoor Unit Sensor Air Intake Layout for Accurate Room Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing indoor units for air-conditioning apparatuses face challenges in precisely detecting room temperature due to ventilation holes that are either too small for adequate air flow or visually unappealing, leading to impaired design and reduced detection accuracy when installed near walls.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design features a room temperature sensor positioned on an air passage connecting an air intake port and a main air passage, with the air intake port located on the rear surface, allowing for a larger ventilation hole area that is less visible, ensuring sufficient air flow and precise temperature detection without affecting the unit's design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the ventilation hole area is increased to ensure sufficient air flow for accurate temperature detection, then the air flow amount is improved, but the number of slits must be increased which makes the internal structure more visible and impairs the design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the ventilation hole from the side surface to the rear surface of the housing, changing the spatial dimension and location. This allows the ventilation hole to be positioned in an area less visible to users, thereby maintaining design appearance while enabling sufficient air flow area for accurate temperature detection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ventilation hole is formed as a slit-like shape to prevent fingertip entry, then safety is improved, but the opening area is reduced which limits air flow and temperature detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the ventilation hole to the rear surface, the patent can use a larger opening area without the same safety concerns, as the rear surface is less accessible to users compared to side surfaces
3Quantity of substance
If the ventilation hole is positioned on the side surface for easy air intake, then air flow is improved, but the hole is always visible to users which impairs the design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the ventilation hole from the side surface to the rear surface of the housing. This dimensional relocation places the opening in a location that is less visible to users during normal operation, thereby maintaining design appearance while still allowing sufficient air intake for temperature detection
4Adaptability or versatility
If the indoor unit is installed close to the wall to save space, then installation flexibility is improved, but the air intake area is reduced which affects temperature detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the ventilation hole on the rear surface rather than the side surface, the patent ensures that air intake is not blocked when the unit is installed close to walls. The rear surface opening maintains access to ambient air even in constrained installation spaces, preserving temperature detection accuracy while allowing flexible installation
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 enables precise room temperature detection without thermal interference from the heat exchanger and maintains a visually appealing design, ensuring effective air flow and accurate temperature measurement even when installed near walls.
Implementation Method 1
a room temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an intake air
Implementation Method 2
air to be sent to the room temperature sensor is allowed to be taken through the air intake port
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, which is capable of detecting a room temperature without impairing a design of the air-conditioning apparatus. The indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention includes: a housing having a rear surface mounted to a wall and having an air inlet and an air outlet formed therein; a heat exchanger and an air-sending device arranged on a main air passage extending from the air inlet to the air outlet; and a room temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an intake air. The housing has an air intake port from which air to be sent to the room temperature sensor is allowed to be taken, the air intake port being provided in a side surface adjacent to the rear surface. The room temperature sensor is arranged on an air passage connecting the air intake port and the main air passage. The air intake port is opened toward a rear surface side of the housing.