Pivoting Impeller Air Supply Apparatus for Wide-Angle Airflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner indoor units have limited draught direction and air supply distance due to the use of thin and long cross flow impellers and fixed air channels, leading to inefficient air distribution and increased windage, which affects room comfort and temperature uniformity.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner indoor unit with an annular outer frame and impeller assembly, where the impeller assembly is pivotally connected to the outer frame and rotatable within the air outlet channel, allowing for wide-angle air supply by rotating in multiple planes without the need for air guide blades, thus improving air flow directionality and reducing windage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air guide blades are used to change air direction, then draught direction can be adjusted, but windage increases and condensation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the impeller assembly rotatable relative to the housing through a rotation apparatus. The impeller assembly can rotate about a first axis and the mounting bracket can rotate about a second axis, enabling dynamic adjustment of air supply direction without using fixed air guide blades. This dynamic rotation mechanism eliminates the harmful effects of windage and condensation associated with traditional air guide blades while maintaining adjustable draught direction capability.
2Device complexity
If cross flow impeller and fixed air channel are used, then air supply structure is simple, but draught direction and air supply distance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed air supply structure into a dynamic one by enabling the impeller assembly to rotate relative to the housing. The rotation apparatus allows the impeller assembly to change its orientation about a first axis, and the mounting bracket to rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. This dynamic configuration enables wide-angle air supply in multiple directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing rotation about two different axes (first axis for impeller assembly, second axis for mounting bracket). This two-axis rotation system enables the air supply apparatus to operate in multiple planes, significantly expanding the draught direction range from a single plane to three-dimensional space, thereby enhancing adaptability without substantially increasing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If air guide blades are used to change air direction, then draught direction can be adjusted, but the air guide blade itself causes big windage in the air channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for air guide blades by using a dynamic rotation mechanism. The impeller assembly rotates as a whole unit relative to the housing, changing the air supply direction at the source rather than using stationary guide blades to redirect air flow. This approach completely removes the windage losses associated with air guide blades while maintaining the capability to adjust draught direction through rotational movement.
4Ease of operation
If air guide blades are used to change air direction, then draught direction can be adjusted, but temperature difference on two sides of the air guide blades produces condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates condensation issues by removing the air guide blades that cause temperature differences. Instead of using stationary blades that create thermal gradients and condensation on their surfaces, the invention uses a dynamic rotation mechanism where the entire impeller assembly rotates. This approach adjusts air direction at the source without creating the thermal conditions that lead to condensation on guide blade surfaces.
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 solution enables smooth air flow with enhanced directionality and concentration, eliminating windage and condensation issues, resulting in improved air distribution and room comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the air supply apparatus is rotatable along at least one axis of the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
the annular outer frame has an outer surface formed as a partial spherical surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An air supply apparatus used for an air conditioner, includes: an annular outer frame (21), having an outer surface formed as a partial spherical surface and having an accommodating space (24) therein; and the impeller assembly (22) provided in the accommodating space (24) and pivotally connected to the outer frame (21), in which the impeller assembly (22) has an air suction side and an air outlet side. Also disclosed is an air conditioner having the air supply apparatus.