Indoor AC Filter Cleaner Rail Design for Rear Filter Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor air conditioner units with rear-mounted filters face challenges in cleaning due to limited space and weight, requiring users to access filters from the back, which is inconvenient and inefficient, especially when filters need to be moved or deformed for cleaning, and existing filter cleaners are limited in their ability to remove stuck foreign substances effectively.
Innovation Solution
An indoor air conditioner unit with a filter cleaner that moves upward and downward along a guide rail, equipped with a suction fan, agitator, and dust container, allowing for effective removal of foreign substances from filters without deformation, and featuring a design that enables easy detachment and reinsertion of the dust container for simple maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter is disposed at the rear air suction port, then the indoor unit can be installed with outlet facing indoor space, but user access for filter cleaning becomes inconvenient due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaner is positioned at the front of the cabinet instead of the rear, and it moves backward to clean the filter. This inversion allows users to access and maintain the filter cleaner from the convenient front position rather than reaching the restricted rear space.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide rail is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the front-positioned filter cleaner and the rear-mounted filter. The guide rail enables the cleaner to move backward along a defined path to reach the filter, bridging the gap between the convenient front access point and the rear filter location.
2Productivity
If the filter cleaner moves upward and downward, then it can clean the filter surface, but foreign substances stuck in the filter cannot be removed effectively by airflow alone
Solution Approach 1:
An agitator is introduced that mechanically vibrates or scrubs the filter surface, enabling effective removal of foreign substances that are stuck in the filter. This mechanical action complements the airflow-based suction system, providing comprehensive cleaning capability for both surface and embedded contaminants.
3Productivity
If the filter cleaner includes multiple cleaning elements, then cleaning capability is improved, but the weight increases making upward and downward movement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A suction fan is used to replace heavy mechanical scraping or brushing systems. The suction fan creates airflow that removes loosened foreign substances without requiring heavy mechanical cleaning elements, thus maintaining effective cleaning capability while minimizing the weight of the moving filter cleaner.
4Reliability
If the filter structure includes dust collecting device or deodorization filter, then filtration performance is improved, but arrangement and shape deformation are strictly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaner is designed with universal functionality that can clean various types of filters (pre-filters, dust collecting filters, deodorization filters) without requiring specific adaptations. The cleaner's structure and cleaning mechanism are versatile enough to handle different filter arrangements and shapes, making it compatible with multiple filter configurations.
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 solution allows for efficient cleaning of filters without the need for user-accessible rear maintenance, maintaining filter cleanliness and indoor air quality while simplifying the process of removing dust and debris, enhancing user convenience and filter longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan configured to form airflow so that the foreign substances separated from the filter module due to rotation of the agitator flows into the dust container
Implementation Method 2
an agitator configured to separate foreign substances stuck in the filter module by rotation in friction with the filter module
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an indoor unit for an air conditioner. The indoor unit for the air conditioner according to the present invention includes: a cabinet assembly forming an external appearance of the indoor unit and having an air suction port formed in a rear of the cabinet assembly; a filter module disposed at the air suction port to filter dust contained in air being introduced through the air suction port; a filter cleaner configured to move upward and downward in a rear of the filter module to remove foreign substances stuck in the filter module; a guide rail vertically disposed on one side of the filter module and configured to guide upward and downward movement of the filter cleaner, wherein the filter cleaner comprises: a mobile gear configured to rotate while engaged with the guide rail to move the filter cleaner upward and downward with respect to the filter module, a gear motor configured to rotate the mobile gear, an agitator configured to rotate in friction with the filter module, a dust container disposed downward of the agitator and collecting foreign substances separated from the filter module due to the rotation of the agitator, and a guide roller bringing the filter cleaner into close contact with the filter module so that part of the agitator rotates while in contact with the filter module.