Multi-Outlet Airflow Control for Low-Wind Air Conditioner Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners often fail to provide effective dehumidification without cooling and struggle to minimize wind velocity, leading to discomfort and increased noise, while also facing challenges in preventing condensation.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner with a controller that adjusts outlet openings and blower fan speed based on room temperature and humidity to reduce wind velocity, provide dehumidification, and prevent condensation, featuring multiple outlets and a blower fan that operates based on time and temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the air conditioner operates at high cooling capacity, then the cooling effect is improved, but the wind velocity increases causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air discharge system into multiple outlets (first outlet and second outlet) with different functions. The first outlet discharges air at high velocity for rapid cooling, while the second outlet discharges air at low velocity for comfort maintenance, allowing the system to achieve both cooling effectiveness and user comfort simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of outlet openings based on room temperature conditions. When the room temperature is high, both outlets are opened to maximize cooling capacity. When the room temperature approaches the setpoint, the first outlet is closed and only the second outlet operates at low velocity, dynamically adapting to maintain comfort while minimizing wind sensation
2Quantity of substance
If the air conditioner provides dehumidification function, then the humidity control is improved, but the cooling effect increases causing over-cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different discharge characteristics to different outlets based on local requirements. The second outlet is specifically designed for dehumidification operation with low velocity discharge to prevent over-cooling, while the first outlet provides high velocity discharge for rapid cooling when needed, allowing localized optimization of each outlet's function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic operation cycles where the compressor and first outlet operate intermittently to provide dehumidification without continuous cooling. The controller adjusts the operation timing to achieve humidity control while minimizing unnecessary cooling, using the second outlet to maintain comfortable temperature conditions
3Use of energy by moving object
If the blower fan stops immediately after cooling operation, then the energy consumption is reduced, but condensation occurs on the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action by controlling the blower fan to continue operating for a predetermined time period after the cooling operation stops. This preliminary continued operation prevents condensation on the heat exchanger by maintaining air flow that prevents moisture accumulation, while the controller optimizes the duration to minimize unnecessary energy consumption
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 air conditioner maintains a pleasant indoor environment by reducing wind velocity, providing effective dehumidification, and preventing condensation, enhancing user comfort and reducing noise and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to heat-exchange air drawn into the inside of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a blower fan configured to move the heat-exchanged air to discharge the heat-exchanged air to the outside of the housing
Implementation Method 3
the evaporator evaporates the decompressed refrigerants to a gas state at low temperature
Implementation Method 4
the condenser provides liquid-state refrigerants at room-temperature, high-pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a control method thereof perform cooling through an outlet if room temperature or room humidity is high to reduce the room temperature or the room humidity, and closing the outlet to perform cooling at low velocity through an outlet hole if room temperature or room humidity reaches a predetermined value so that a user can little feel the wind velocity of cooling of the air conditioner, while maintaining indoor space at pleasant temperature or humidity. By performing cooling at low velocity through the outlet hole formed in the lower portion of the air conditioner, it is possible to cool the lower area of indoor space at pleasant temperature when a user is asleep.