Indoor AC Filter Cleaning Layout for Compact Heat Exchanger Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing indoor units for air-conditioning apparatuses with automatic filter cleaning mechanisms have a larger fore-and-aft dimension and limited heat exchanger shape due to the placement of cleaning mechanisms and dust boxes in front of the heat exchanger.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design includes a casing with axial-flow fans and a heat exchanger, where the cleaning mechanism and dust box are positioned above the heat exchanger, allowing for side-by-side arrangement of filters and fans, and the dust box is freely mountable and dismountable in the fore-and-aft direction, preventing an increase in unit dimension and heat exchanger size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the cleaning mechanism and dust box are arranged in front of the heat exchanger, then the automatic cleaning function is achieved, but the fore-and-aft dimension of the indoor unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the arrangement of the cleaning mechanism and dust box from the fore-and-aft direction (in front of the heat exchanger) to the right-and-left direction (between adjacent filters and fans). This dimensional change allows the automatic cleaning function to be maintained while preventing an increase in the fore-and-aft dimension of the indoor unit.
2Extent of automation
If the cleaning mechanism and dust box are arranged in front of the heat exchanger, then the automatic cleaning function is achieved, but the shape and size of the heat exchanger are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the cleaning mechanism and dust box to the right-and-left direction between adjacent filters and fans, the patent removes the spatial constraints that previously limited heat exchanger design. This allows the heat exchanger to have greater design freedom in shape and size without being constrained by the need to accommodate cleaning components in front of it.
3Ease of operation
If the dust box is made freely mountable and dismountable in the fore-and-aft direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dust box into a separable component that can be freely mounted and dismounted from the main indoor unit. This segmentation allows users to easily remove the dust box for cleaning or maintenance purposes, improving ease of operation while using simple mounting structures that minimize added complexity.
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 configuration maintains the automatic cleaning function while preventing an increase in the indoor unit's fore-and-aft dimension and heat exchanger size, enhancing design efficiency and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of axial-flow fans provided on a downstream side of the air inlet
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger provided at a position located on a downstream side of the plurality of axial-flow fans and on an upstream side of the air outlet
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of filters provided to the air inlet and configured to remove dust from air sucked into the casing
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a plurality of axial-flow fans arranged side by side in a horizontal direction below an air inlet. Further, the indoor unit includes a plurality of filters provided to the air inlet so as to be arranged side by side. A cleaning mechanism and a dust box are further provided to the air inlet. Further, the dust box is arranged at a position between adjacent filters and adjacent axial-flow fans.