Segmented Air Outlet Vanes for Wider Air Conditioner Throw

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wall-mounted air conditioners face limitations in expanding the wind direction range of discharged air due to fixed vane arrangements, leading to restricted airflow and potential distortion or heavy load on moving parts.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner features a discharge passage formed at a lower front side with a first vane and second vane arrangement, utilizing links and a motor to rotate the vanes, allowing for increased airflow distance and stable movement, while maintaining control over the wind direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the discharge passage is formed at a lower side in a wall-mounted air conditioner, then the wind direction range can be expanded, but the vanes require larger rotation range which increases device complexity and may cause distortion or heavy load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind direction rangeVSAvoidvane rotation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge port is divided into multiple segments (first discharge port, second discharge port, third discharge port) arranged at different positions and orientations. Each segment can be independently covered by corresponding vanes, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive wind direction control without requiring excessive rotation range from individual vanes, thus reducing mechanical complexity and distortion risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the discharge port has a long horizontal length to discharge air through a single port, then the air discharge function is simplified, but the vanes covering the discharge port become long which causes distortion and imposes heavy load on links

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair discharge efficiencyVSAvoidvane structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The long horizontal discharge port is segmented into multiple shorter discharge ports (first, second, and third discharge ports) positioned at different locations. Each segment is covered by correspondingly sized vanes, eliminating the need for long vanes that would be prone to distortion and heavy loading, while maintaining effective air discharge capability through the distributed port arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If two vanes are used to cover the discharge port, then the wind direction control is improved, but the links for moving the vanes experience heavy load and potential distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind direction control capabilityVSAvoidload on links
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The wind direction control function is segmented across multiple discharge ports and multiple vanes (first vane, second vane, third vane). Each vane manages a specific discharge port and wind direction sector, distributing the mechanical load on links rather than concentrating it on fewer vanes, thereby reducing stress and distortion while maintaining comprehensive wind direction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4001779B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4001779B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4001779B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4001779B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner. The air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a case having a suction port, a discharge port, and a discharge passage; a blower fan disposed inside the case; a first vane and a second vane for guiding air; a first link and a second link connected to each of the case and the first vane; a third link connected to each of the first link and the second vane; and a motor rotating the first link, wherein when the first vane is in a first position for guiding the air, discharged through the discharge port, in a forward direction, a front end of the first vane is disposed in front of a front wall of the case.