Air cooling unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioning and cooling for outdoor areas face challenges due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment, making efficient cooling difficult.

Innovation Solution

A modular and customizable cooling unit with a base, cooling tower, and air distribution system that generates cooled areas by distributing conditioned air through cool and warm air dispensers, utilizing water cooling and insulation, and incorporating solar power for energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If outdoor areas are cooled using conventional air conditioning systems, then cooling effect is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to moving air currents, thermal transfer, and lack of containment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution system is segmented into multiple enclosures (first enclosure, second enclosure) with separate air paths for cool and warm air. This segmentation allows targeted delivery of conditioned air to specific zones, reducing energy waste from cooling entire outdoor areas and improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides different air temperatures (cool and warm) to different locations within the outdoor area through separate dispensers. Cool air is directed to areas requiring cooling while warm air is directed to areas needing heating or protection from cold drafts, optimizing energy efficiency by addressing local thermal needs rather than uniform cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If modular design is implemented in cooling unit, then adaptability and ease of installation are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components (base, cooling tower, air distribution system)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular customizationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling unit is divided into distinct modular components: base, cooling tower, and air distribution system. Each module can be independently manufactured, installed, and maintained. This segmentation enables adaptability and customization for different applications while managing complexity through standardized interfaces and separate functional units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed with universal functionality that can be adapted to various outdoor cooling applications. The base provides structural support and housing for control components, the cooling tower handles thermal processing, and the air distribution system can be configured in multiple ways (enclosures, ducts, dispensers) to suit different spatial requirements, making the system versatile across diverse installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The cooling unit provides efficient, energy-efficient cooling for outdoor areas, creating comfortable zones with customizable designs and integrated energy generation, suitable for various environments.

Implementation Method 1

cooling tower... arranged to cool air within the cooling unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

cooling tower... having an inner flow path and an exterior surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

air cooled chiller is mounted on top of the air distribution system, wherein water from the cooling unit water supply is conveyed to the air cooled chiller to provide cooling to the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

a pump arranged to pump water from the cooling unit water supply to the air cooled chiller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 5

a thermal insulating layer applied to the air distribution system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3746714B1Air cooling unit
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 CARRIER CORP
  • EP3746714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3746714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3746714B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Cooling units are provided. The cooling units include a base having a housing with control components, a cooling tower attached to the base at a first end of the cooling tower, with an inner flow path and an exterior surface, and an air distribution system attached to the cooling tower at a second end. The air distribution system includes an air distribution chamber defined between first and second enclosures with air dispensers configured in the first enclosure and a cover. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the air dispensers. A cooling unit water supply is arranged to cool air within the cooling unit and an air cooled chiller is provided such that water from the cooling unit water supply is conveyed to the air cooled chiller to provide cooling to the water.