Rear-Intake AC Filter Cleaner With Rail-Guided Dust Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor air conditioner units with rear-mounted air suction ports face challenges in filter cleaning due to limited space and weight constraints, making it difficult to maintain filters in a clean condition, especially when foreign substances are stuck and require physical force to separate, and there is no efficient mechanism for dust re-introduction prevention.
Innovation Solution
An indoor air conditioner unit with a filter cleaner that moves upward and downward, utilizing a guide rail system, mobile gear, guide rollers, and an agitator to separate foreign substances from the filter, and a dust container for easy dust collection and prevention of re-introduction, allowing for effective cleaning and maintenance without burdening the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a filter cleaner capable of moving upward and downward is used to clean the filter, then the filter can be cleaned in the limited left-right area, but the filter cleaner requires heavy weight and complex structure to move against gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by utilizing the weight of the dust container and its contents to balance the weight of the filter cleaner components, enabling the cleaner to move upward and downward along the guide rail without requiring excessive motor power or complex mechanical structures to overcome gravity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the filter cleaner moves upward and downward with respect to a fixed filter, then the filter arrangement and shape can remain unchanged, but the cleaner structure becomes more complex to achieve the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the filter cleaner a movable component that can dynamically adjust its position upward and downward along the guide rail, while the filter remains fixed in its arrangement and shape, allowing the system to adapt to different cleaning needs without changing the filter configuration
3Device complexity
If a suctioning method is used to remove foreign substances from the filter, then the cleaning process is simple, but foreign substances stuck in the filter cannot be removed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by incorporating a vibration mechanism in the filter cleaner that generates vibrational forces to physically dislodge foreign substances stuck in the filter, complementing the suctioning method to achieve both simple operation and effective removal of adhered particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines pneumatic suction with mechanical action by using a suction fan to create negative pressure that draws loosened foreign substances into the dust container, working in conjunction with the vibration mechanism to ensure complete removal of particles from the filter
4Reliability
If the filter cleaner includes multiple components for effective cleaning, then the cleaning performance improves, but the weight and burden on the user increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by integrating multiple cleaning components including the vibration mechanism, suction fan, and dust container into a single unified filter cleaner assembly that moves together along the guide rail, consolidating functions while managing weight through strategic component placement and counterbalancing
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 enables efficient cleaning of filters by separating and collecting foreign substances, maintaining the filter in a clean condition, ensuring a pleasant indoor environment by removing dust through airflow, and allowing easy insertion and removal of the dust container, thus simplifying the maintenance process.
Implementation Method 1
a guide roller bringing the filter cleaner into close contact with the filter module by moving along a guide rail
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.