Indoor AC Inlet Grille Support for Low-Resistance Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ceiling-mounted air conditioner designs face challenges in stabilizing the grille while maintaining low flow resistance at the inlet opening, leading to increased noise and reduced airflow efficiency due to the reliance on wires for suspension, which causes swaying and decreased opening area.
Innovation Solution
The use of a suspending support system that includes a plate-like first extension and a downward second extension to securely attach the grille to the air inlet, maintaining the opening area and reducing flow resistance by distributing the load more evenly and increasing the connecting strength between the support and the grille.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the grille is suspended by wires, then the device complexity is reduced, but the grille stability deteriorates causing swaying
Solution Approach 1:
The suspending support is divided into two functional extensions: a first extension that extends inward from the air inlet to provide mounting attachment, and a second extension that extends downward to connect to the grille. This segmentation allows each extension to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the stability problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspending support acts as an intermediary component between the air inlet and the grille, replacing the direct wire suspension. This intermediate structure provides a more stable connection by distributing loads and reducing the swaying motion that occurs with direct wire suspension.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the grille is lowered to reduce swaying, then the grille stability improves, but the inlet opening area decreases increasing flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the suspending support into two extensions with different orientations, the invention allows the grille to be positioned optimally for airflow (maintaining inlet opening area) while the support structure itself provides the stability needed to prevent swaying, eliminating the need to lower the grille.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameters of the suspension system from flexible wires to a rigid bifurcated support structure, which alters how forces are transmitted to the grille, allowing it to remain stable at higher positions that maintain optimal airflow characteristics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the grille is lowered to increase support stability, then the grille stability improves, but the flow resistance increases due to reduced opening area
Solution Approach 1:
The bifurcated suspending support with its two extensions allows the grille to be held in an optimal position where the inlet opening area is maximized for low flow resistance, while the support structure provides adequate stability without requiring the grille to be lowered.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspending support as an intermediary component stabilizes the grille in a position that maintains optimal airflow characteristics, preventing the need to compromise inlet opening area for stability.
4Device complexity
If wires are used to suspend the grille, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connecting strength between support and grille decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspending support is segmented into two extensions that can be independently optimized: the first extension for secure mounting to the air inlet and the second extension for connecting to the grille. This segmentation enables stronger connections at both interfaces compared to a single wire suspension system.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspending support serves as a strengthened intermediary connection between the air inlet and grille, replacing weak wire connections with a rigid structural element that provides superior connecting strength while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A suspending support (54) includes a first extension (54a) extending inward from an inner peripheral portion of the air inlet (51 a), and a second extension (54b) being integral with the first extension (54a), and extending downward from a tip portion of the first extension (54a). A grille (52) is connected to a lower end of the second extension (54b) of the suspending support (54) and provided at a lower end portion of the air inlet (51 a). The grille (52) covers a central portion of the air inlet (51a) to form an inlet opening (60) between an outer peripheral edge of the grille (52) and an opening edge of the air inlet (51a) in plan view.