Vehicle Air-Conditioning Rectifying Mechanism for Swirling Flow Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The air-conditioning units for vehicles face issues with swirling flows generated by centrifugal blower fans, which can lead to deviations in airflow distribution and temperature control, necessitating restrictive arrangements of blow-out ports to mitigate these effects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rectifying mechanism downstream of the blower fan in the air-conditioning unit to suppress swirling flows, allowing for the arrangement of multiple blow-out ports without excessive restriction, by guiding air through rectifying plates or filters that resist swirling air patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centrifugal blower fan is used to blow air, then air can be blown out toward the vehicle interior, but swirling flows are generated that cause deviations in airflow distribution and temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
A rectifying mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the centrifugal blower fan and the blow-out ports. This mechanism includes rectifying plates or filters that resist swirling air patterns and guide air flow, thereby eliminating the harmful swirling effects while maintaining the air blowing capability of the centrifugal fan
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful swirling flow generated by the centrifugal fan into a beneficial straightened flow pattern. The rectifying mechanism transforms the rotational kinetic energy into directional flow, improving airflow distribution uniformity while preserving the fan's productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If blow-out ports are arranged restrictively to mitigate swirling flow effects, then airflow distribution can be maintained, but the arrangement flexibility and number of blow-out ports are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rectifying mechanism serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between the centrifugal fan's swirling output and the blow-out ports' required uniform input. This allows blow-out ports to be arranged flexibly without compromising airflow distribution, as the rectifying mechanism ensures uniform air supply regardless of port configuration
3Adaptability or versatility
If blow-out ports are arranged flexibly without restrictive positioning, then adaptability is improved, but swirling flows cause deviations in airflow distribution and temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The rectifying mechanism acts as a buffer between the flexible blow-out port arrangement and the centrifugal fan, ensuring that regardless of how the ports are positioned, the air supplied to them remains uniform and free from swirling effects, thus maintaining both flexibility and precision
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 rectifying mechanism effectively suppresses swirling flows, ensuring uniform airflow distribution and improved temperature control without the need for overly restrictive port arrangements, enhancing air distribution performance and reducing pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
The rectifying mechanism is configured to suppress a swirling flow generated by the rotation of the blower fan in the air blown out from the blower fan
Data Source
AI summary
An air-conditioning unit for a vehicle includes an air conditioning case, a blower, and a rectifying mechanism. The blower has a blower fan rotating around a fan axis and arranged in an in-case passage of the air conditioning case, and blows out air drawn from one side in an axial direction of the fan axis by rotation of the blower fan. The rectifying mechanism is arranged downstream of the blower fan in the in-case passage, and the air passes through the rectifying mechanism. The blower fan is arranged so that the other side of the fan axis that is opposite to the one side extends toward a downstream side of the in-case passage. The rectifying mechanism suppresses a swirling flow generated by the rotation of the blower fan in the air blown out from the blower fan as compared with the blown-out air prior to flowing into the rectifying mechanism.