Tower Air Conditioner Heater Assembly for Compact Directed Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioners with axial fans struggle to provide intense airflow in narrow regions, have limited control over air discharge direction, and are prone to space inefficiency, heat-related reliability issues, and oxidation due to their design.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner design incorporates a heater with heat-radiating pins connected to heat-radiating tubes, allowing for controlled air discharge direction, improved space utilization, and enhanced resistance to heat, shock, and oxidation, using a combination of heat-radiating pins and tubes to efficiently heat and direct airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a straight sheath heater is used for heating air, then the heater structure is simple, but the heater occupies excessive space and has limited heat exchange efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheater volumeVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heater is segmented into multiple heat-radiating pins arranged in parallel, each pin acting as an independent heat exchange element. This segmentation increases the total heat exchange surface area within a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between small volume and high heat exchange efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-radiating pins are arranged in a multi-dimensional configuration rather than a single linear arrangement. This spatial distribution maximizes the use of available three-dimensional space, achieving high heat exchange efficiency while maintaining a compact overall heater volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If a welding method is used to connect heater components, then the assembly is strong, but the welded areas are prone to oxidation and heat damage reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidresistance to oxidation and heat

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The welding process is replaced with a mechanical interference fit system. The heat-radiating pins are inserted into the heat-radiating tube through precision-machined holes, creating a strong mechanical connection without thermal or chemical processes that could cause oxidation or heat damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The interference fit acts as an intermediary connection mechanism between the heat-radiating pins and tube. This mechanical intermediary provides both structural strength and protection against environmental degradation, eliminating the need for welding while maintaining connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If an axial fan is used to discharge air, then the air can be distributed over a wide range, but the airflow cannot be concentrated in a narrow region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair distribution areaVSAvoidairflow concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge port is designed with localized quality variations - certain regions have optimized geometries to concentrate airflow while other areas maintain broader distribution. This allows the same fan system to achieve both wide area coverage and localized high-concentration airflow streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Speed

If the discharged air flow velocity is increased to reach distant users, then the air can reach farther, but the energy consumption increases and flow control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow velocityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge port geometry is designed to be dynamically optimized for different operating conditions. The port shape and size can be adjusted or are inherently designed to adapt to varying flow requirements, enabling efficient airflow at different velocities without excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables precise temperature control of discharged air, reduces space occupation, and enhances the reliability and durability of the heater assembly by improving heat transfer and resistance to external factors.

Implementation Method 1

a heater configured to be disposed inside the tower case to heat the air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

heat-radiating tube and heat-radiating pins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a fan which rotates about a rotation axis, and a motor rotates the fan to generate wind

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20220412603A1Air conditioner

Publication Date: 2022.12.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An air conditioner of the present disclosure includes a base case configured to include a suction port through which air is sucked and accommodate a filter therein, a tower case configured to be disposed above the base case and to include a discharge port through which the air sucked from the suction port is discharged, and a heater configured to be disposed inside the tower case to heat the air.