Split-Outlet Air Conditioner Control for Low-Velocity Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners often fail to maintain a pleasant indoor temperature and reduce wind velocity effectively, leading to discomfort and noise issues, especially when trying to cool at low velocities or prevent condensation.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner employs a controller to manage outlet openings and blower fan RPM based on room temperature, closing outlets at low velocities when temperature reaches a set value and increasing fan speed when temperatures are higher, while also using a lower blower fan to discharge air through a second outlet for low-velocity cooling and condensation prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the air conditioner discharges air through the outlet at high velocity to cool the indoor space quickly, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the user feels discomfort due to high wind velocity and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is divided into multiple outlet holes instead of a single large opening. This segmentation allows the air flow to be distributed across multiple smaller channels, reducing the wind velocity at each individual hole while maintaining the total cooling capacity through the cumulative effect of all holes working together
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the outlet structure are given different functions: the upper portion contains the main outlet for high-velocity cooling when needed, while the lower portion contains outlet holes specifically designed for low-velocity discharge. This allows the system to select the appropriate discharge mode based on the required cooling intensity and comfort level
2Reliability
If the air conditioner operates the blower fan at high RPM to maintain pleasant temperature, then the temperature control is improved, but the noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the blower fan RPM based on the selected operating mode. In the first mode, higher RPM is used for rapid cooling when the outlet is open. In the second mode, lower RPM is used when discharging through outlet holes, reducing noise while maintaining adequate temperature control through the distributed hole structure
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet structure serves multiple functions: it can operate as a high-velocity discharge path when the outlet is open for rapid cooling, and as a low-velocity distributed discharge path through outlet holes for quiet operation. This multi-functionality allows the same physical structure to address different operational requirements without needing separate systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the air conditioner closes the outlet to discharge air through outlet holes for low velocity cooling, then the wind velocity is reduced, but the cooling capacity is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from one-dimensional high-velocity flow through a single outlet to two-dimensional distributed flow through multiple outlet holes arranged in a pattern. This dimensional change allows the air to be dispersed over a larger area, reducing velocity while maintaining total flow capacity through the combined effect of multiple discharge points
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 approach allows for efficient temperature regulation with reduced wind velocity, enhancing user comfort and preventing condensation, thus improving indoor climate control and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
heat-exchanging the warm air with low-temperature refrigerants
Implementation Method 2
the evaporator evaporates the decompressed refrigerants to a gas state at low temperature
Implementation Method 3
Air drawn and blown by the blower fan moves to the upper portion of the indoor unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
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.