Modular Radiant Ceiling Air Conditioner for Large Hall Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-conditioning devices with radiant ceiling structures are inefficient in large rooms due to heat loss to walls and ceilings, and they complicate temperature control and ventilation, especially in high halls where the distance between the ceiling and the floor area to be heated is significant, and their assembly and retrofitting are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An air-conditioning device with a modular design where at least one section of a radiant plate forms a housing with a duct segment surrounding the pipe register, incorporating an air duct connection for fresh air supply and outlet openings on the radiant plates, allowing for adjustable installation height and efficient heat transfer and air distribution, using metallic or plastic materials for radiant plates and duct segments, and an insulating layer to direct heat to the desired area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If radiant ceiling panels are attached directly to the ceiling with fresh air supply implemented within the ceiling, then temperature control is achieved, but the assembly and retrofitting becomes unnecessarily complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning device is divided into separate modular components: a housing unit containing the pipe register, and separate radiant panels that can be independently assembled and installed. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly and retrofitting compared to integrated ceiling-mounted systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional ceiling-mounted radiant panels to a suspended housing structure that operates in the vertical space between the ceiling and the area to be heated. This dimensional change enables installation without direct ceiling attachment, simplifying assembly and retrofitting processes.
2Loss of energy
If a cavity is formed via an intermediate ceiling of porous acoustic panels parallel to the ceiling, then some temperature control is achieved, but thermal energy is lost to the walls forming the cavity and the ceiling of the room
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pipe register from the ceiling structure and places it in a suspended housing that can be positioned closer to the area requiring heating. This extraction eliminates the thermal energy loss to cavity walls and ceiling that occurs with intermediate ceiling installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves as an intermediary between the heat source (pipe register) and the area to be heated, containing and directing thermal energy efficiently. This intermediary structure replaces the ineffective porous acoustic panel cavity, reducing thermal energy loss while maintaining temperature control functionality.
3Length of moving object
If the ceiling is several meters above the floor in large halls, then space is available for installation, but the heated air does not reach the area of the room to be heated or at least not sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure utilizes the vertical dimension by suspending the pipe register at an optimized height between the ceiling and the floor area to be heated. This dimensional positioning reduces the travel distance of heated air while maintaining effective space utilization in large halls.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure pre-positions the heat source (pipe register) in optimal proximity to the area requiring heating, eliminating the need for heated air to travel several meters from the ceiling. This preliminary positioning ensures reliable heating effectiveness while maintaining the benefits of ceiling-proximity installation.
4Device complexity
If separate fresh air supply devices are used, then ventilation is provided, but temperature control and ventilation become separate systems requiring more complex installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges temperature control and ventilation functions into a single integrated device. The housing contains both the pipe register for thermal energy transfer and the air duct connection for fresh air supply, allowing both functions to be installed and operated together rather than as separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both heating/cooling (via the pipe register) and ventilation (via the air duct connection and outlet openings) in a single unit. This universal design allows the device to perform multiple functions simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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 device provides effective temperature control and ventilation in large rooms by ensuring that thermal energy is directed to the desired area below, allowing for quick and easy installation and adaptation to various room conditions, enhancing heat radiation and air distribution while minimizing energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe register with pipes 2 through which a heat transfer medium can flow
Implementation Method 2
radiant plates 6 which extend essentially between the pipes 2 and are in thermal contact with them
Implementation Method 3
an insulating layer 12 is provided within the housing on the side of the tube register facing away from the radiant plates 6
Implementation Method 4
The temperature of the fresh air is controlled by contact with the pipes through which the heat transfer medium flows and by contact with radiant plates
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The air conditioner has a roof radiating surface structure which has multiple pipes (2) of a pipe register and radiating sheets (6). A section of the radiating sheet forms housing together with a channel segment. The housing is provided with an air duct connection for supply of fresh air into the housing and is provided with an outlet opening (10) in one of the radiation sheets for releasing tempered air into the room.