Slanted Air Filter Layout for Uniform Heat Exchanger Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air conditioners, uneven air flow through the heat exchanger can lead to reduced efficiency due to high flow velocity near the peripheral edge of the air introduction opening, causing unevenness in the air flow and potential drops in heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design features a filter with a slanted outer shape relative to the heat exchanger, and in some configurations, a panel portion with slanted or convex surfaces, which alters the air flow direction and transmission ease, thereby alleviating uneven air flow through the heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the filter has a parallel outer shape with respect to the heat exchanger, then the structure is simple, but uneven flow arises in the air passing through the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed with an asymmetric slanted outer shape relative to the heat exchanger, creating intentional flow resistance differences across the filter surface. This asymmetric configuration redirects air flow to achieve more uniform distribution across the heat exchanger, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the filter are designed with varying slant angles or thicknesses, creating local variations in air flow resistance. This local quality differentiation ensures that regions with naturally higher flow velocity (peripheral areas) have greater resistance, while central regions have lesser resistance, thereby achieving uniform overall flow distribution and maintaining high heat exchange efficiency.
2Reliability
If the filter has a slanted outer shape, then uneven flow in air passing through the heat exchanger is alleviated, but the filter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs an asymmetric slanted design where one or more sides of the filter frame are inclined at specific angles relative to the heat exchanger surface. This asymmetric configuration is strategically simple yet effective in redistributing air flow, achieving uniform heat exchange efficiency without requiring complex multi-component structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure utilizes parameter changes in the form of slant angles and thickness variations across different portions of the filter. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the design achieves optimal flow distribution characteristics, improving heat exchange efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and avoiding excessive structural complexity.
3Productivity
If high flow velocity occurs near the peripheral edge of the air introduction opening, then air circulation is enhanced, but unevenness arises in air flow through the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed with local quality variations where peripheral portions have greater thickness or steeper slant angles compared to central portions. This creates localized flow resistance that counteracts the naturally higher velocity at peripheral edges, redistributing air flow to achieve uniform distribution across the heat exchanger surface and maintaining high heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The slanted filter structure acts as an intermediary element between the air introduction opening and the heat exchanger. It modifies the air flow pattern by introducing controlled resistance variations, transforming the non-uniform flow from the opening into uniform flow across the heat exchanger, thereby resolving the contradiction between air circulation and heat exchange efficiency.
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 design effectively reduces uneven air flow through the heat exchanger, enhancing heat exchange efficiency by modifying the air flow patterns and ensuring consistent air transmission across different portions of the filter.
Implementation Method 1
the flow velocity of the air to become large in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the air introduction opening, and the flow rate of the air flowing in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the air introduction opening becomes large. For this reason, it becomes easy for unevenness to arise in the flow of air that passes through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the heat exchanger is disposed facing the filter downstream of the filter and performs heat exchange with air that passes through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
The centrifugal fan generates a flow of air that is sucked in from the suction openings, passes through the filter, the heat exchanger and the blowout passages, and is blown out from the blowout openings
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
AI summary
To provide an air conditioner that can alleviate uneven flow in a flow of air that passes through a heat exchanger. An air conditioner is disposed with a casing, a filter (3a), an indoor heat exchanger (4), a blower and a blowout passage. The casing includes a suction opening through which air that is taken in from indoors passes and a blowout opening through which air that is blown out to the indoors passes. The filter (3a) is a member that is disposed downstream of the suction opening and transmits air. The indoor heat exchanger (4) is disposed facing the filter (3a) downstream of the filter (3a) and performs heat exchange with air that passes through the indoor heat exchanger. The blower is disposed downstream of the indoor heat exchanger (4) and generates a flow of air that is sucked in from the suction opening and is blown out from the blowout opening. The blowout passage includes an air introduction opening that is disposed facing the indoor heat exchanger (4) downstream of the indoor heat exchanger (4) and guide air from the air introduction opening to the blowout opening. Additionally, the filter (3a) has an outer shape that is slanted with respect to the indoor heat exchanger (4).