Outlet Blade Support Structure for Quiet Airflow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners experience noise and vibration due to the rotation of blades, and bending occurs due to the blade's weight or fatigue deformation, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner incorporates a blade support unit featuring a coil spring and a blade holder, with a coupler extending into the coil spring to apply torque, allowing the blade to be rotated by a single drive device without noise and vibration, and includes a case to accommodate the coupler and elastic member, with stoppers to limit the rotation range and prevent excessive deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the blade is rotated by a single drive device, then device complexity is reduced, but noise and vibration occur at the unsupported end of the rotating shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring acts as a counterbalancing element that applies torque to the blade holder at the unsupported end, compensating for the imbalance caused by single-sided drive device mounting. This reduces the harmful vibrations and noise generated during blade rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade support unit with coil spring serves as an intermediary mechanism between the blade and the housing, providing rotational support and torque application at the unsupported end, thereby eliminating the need for a second drive device while reducing noise and vibration.
2Ease of manufacture
If the blade is rotated by a single drive device, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but bending and fatigue deformation occur due to blade weight
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring provides a counterbalancing torque that offsets the gravitational force acting on the blade, preventing bending and fatigue deformation caused by the blade's own weight during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil spring is pre-loaded to apply continuous torque to the blade holder, creating a preliminary counteracting force against the blade's weight before rotation begins, thereby preventing deformation throughout the rotation cycle.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a blade support unit with coil spring is added, then noise and vibration are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade support unit integrates multiple functions into a single assembly: the coil spring provides torque, the blade holder provides rotational mounting, and the case provides structural support and accommodation, combining these elements into one compact unit that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade support unit serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it supports the blade rotation, applies counterbalancing torque to reduce vibration, provides mounting structure, and accommodates the elastic member, making it a multi-functional component that justifies its addition.
4Strength
If stoppers are added to limit rotation range, then blade deformation is prevented, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stoppers are positioned to limit the blade's rotation range before excessive deformation can occur, providing a pre-set mechanical constraint that prevents damage while allowing sufficient operational range for normal function.
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 solution reduces noise and vibration, prevents blade bending, and allows for efficient manufacturing and easy mounting of the blade support unit, minimizing material costs and maintaining the blade's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring having a coil and configured to apply torque to the blade
Implementation Method 2
The coil spring may include a first extended portion provided to extend from one side of the coil and a second extended portion provided to extend from the other side of the coil
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet, and a blade rotatably provided to open and close the outlet. A blade drive device is connected to one end of the blade in a longitudinal direction of the blade to rotate the blade. A blade support unit is configured to rotatably support the other end of the blade in the longitudinal direction of the blade. The blade support unit includes a coil spring configured to apply torque to the blade and a blade holder is coupled to the other end of the blade. A first coupler is coupled to the coil spring, and is configured to penetrate the coil of the coil spring. A case is configured to accommodate the first coupler of the blade holder and is mounted to the housing. The air conditioner is capable of reducing deformation and noise in a blade.