Wall-Mounted AC Filter Frame for Secure Air Cleaner Placement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wall-mounted air conditioners with a tilted heat exchanger, securing an air cleaning device is challenging due to the remote placement of the lock mechanism, leading to incomplete installation and potential abnormal discharge noise when power is applied.

Innovation Solution

The air cleaning device is secured using a securing frame with a handle and protruding portions that ensure complete placement by pressing the device into position as the body lid is closed, eliminating gaps in the power feeding units and preventing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a firm lock mechanism is used to securely fasten the air cleaning device, then the air cleaning device can be reliably secured, but it becomes difficult for the operator to visually recognize complete placement and results in incomplete installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoidplacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The body lid itself serves as the securing mechanism. When the body lid is closed, its weight automatically presses the air cleaning device onto the protruding portions of the securing frame, achieving both secure fastening and visual confirmation of proper placement without requiring separate lock mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The body lid performs dual functions: it serves as both the protective cover and the securing mechanism. The same component that closes the air conditioner also provides the pressing force to secure the air cleaning device, eliminating the need for separate locking structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the lock mechanism is placed in a position remote from the operator's hand, then the air cleaning device can be secured, but the operator cannot visually recognize complete placement leading to installation errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring reliabilityVSAvoidplacement detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses visual feedback through the alignment of the air cleaning device with the body lid closure. When the body lid is properly closed, the operator can visually confirm that the air cleaning device is correctly positioned, providing immediate detection of complete placement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding portions of the securing frame act as intermediaries that provide visual reference points. These protrusions are positioned such that when the air cleaning device is properly secured, the operator can see the alignment, serving as a visual mediator between the securing action and operator confirmation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a horizontal rail is used to simplify air cleaning device placement, then placement is simplified, but the air cleaning device falls before the body lid is closed in wall-mounted units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement easeVSAvoidsecuring reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protruding portions of the securing frame are pre-positioned to provide immediate support upon insertion of the air cleaning device. This preliminary support structure prevents the device from falling during the placement process, while the body lid closure provides the final securing action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The securing mechanism transitions from a static horizontal rail to a dynamic system where the body lid closure provides the securing force. The protruding portions remain stationary to guide placement, while the body lid moves from open to closed position to activate the securing function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2865952B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2865952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2865952B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2865952B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wall-mounted air conditioner in which an air cleaning device can be easily and reliably secured is provided. The air conditioner includes: a body including an inlet port in an upper portion and an air blowing port in a lower portion; a lid provided in a front portion of the body; a fan that is provided in the body, takes air from the inlet port and supplies the air to the air blowing port; a heat exchanger provided between the inlet port and the fan; a filter provided so as to cover the heat exchanger from a side of the lid; a securing frame provided between the filter and the heat exchanger; and an air cleaning device placed on the securing frame on a side of the filter, wherein only when the air cleaning device placed on the securing frame on the side of the filter is incompletely placed, the air cleaning device is pressed by the filter pressed by the lid that is closed and thus secured to the securing frame.