Indoor Unit Airflow Flap Control to Block Cold Wall Drafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning device indoor units fail to effectively prevent cold air from entering the indoor space from near the walls during heating operations, leading to temperature differences between central and peripheral areas.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit incorporates an airflow direction adjusting flap, a load detector, and a controller to direct warm air horizontally or upward when the load is high, ensuring warm air reaches the walls to block cold air entry, with optional features like increased fan speed and reduced outlet opening area to enhance airflow speed and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is directed downward when load is high during heating operation, then the air right under the indoor unit is heated, but cold air enters the indoor space from near the walls
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directing air downward to heat the area under the indoor unit, the patent inverts the approach by directing air horizontally or upward when load is high. This allows warm air to reach the walls first and block cold air entry, solving the problem of cold air infiltration while still achieving heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by sending warm air to the walls before cold air can enter. The warm air creates a protective layer along the walls that prevents cold air from infiltrating the indoor space, addressing the harmful effect of cold air entry in advance.
2Temperature
If air is directed downward to heat the central area, then the central area temperature increases, but the temperature difference between central and wall areas is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing air flow differently based on the specific condition (load level). When load is high, air is directed horizontally or upward to reach the walls; when load is low, air can be directed downward. This localized adjustment of air flow direction optimizes temperature distribution and reduces temperature differences between central and wall areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the air flow direction adjustable based on operating conditions. The air flow direction adjusting flap can change its angle to direct air horizontally or upward when load is high, and downward when load is low. This dynamic adjustment optimizes heating effectiveness and temperature distribution uniformity under different operating conditions.
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 effectively reduces temperature differences between central and peripheral areas by ensuring warm air reaches the walls, preventing cold air ingress and maintaining a more uniform indoor temperature.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow direction adjusting flap (51) which is provided at each of the outlet openings (24a to 24d) and changes a direction of air coming from the outlet openings (24a to 24d) in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
Relatively warm air therefore reaches the vicinity of the wall of the indoor space (500) from where cold air is likely to enter the indoor space (500). The relatively warm air blocks the cold air from coming into the indoor space (500) from near the wall.
Data Source
AI summary
Entrance of cold air from near a wall of an indoor space is avoided. An airflow direction adjusting flap is provided at a main outlet opening, and changes the direction of airflow coming from the main outlet opening in a vertical direction. A load detector detects a load of an indoor space. When the load of the indoor space is higher than a predetermined value in a heating operation, the airflow direction adjusting flap guides the air coming from the main outlet opening in a horizontal direction or in an upward direction with respect to the horizontal direction.