Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceiling-type air conditioners face issues with blade separation from the housing due to self-weight and require reinforcement of the housing structure around discharge ports, while also aiming for improved aesthetics and efficient air discharge methods.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner incorporates a blade drive unit with first and second support members having different-sized coupling portions, allowing the blade to close the discharge port effectively by rotating further after initial contact with the housing, and features a flexible blade with multiple air discharge holes for efficient air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single support member is used to support the blade, then the structure is simple, but the blade may separate from the housing due to self-weight when closing the discharge port
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple support members (first support member and second support member) instead of using a single support member. Each support member has different blade coupling portion sizes, allowing them to share the load and prevent blade separation caused by self-weight while maintaining rotational movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different support members are designed with different blade coupling portion sizes to match different regions of the blade. The first blade coupling portion has a first size and the second blade coupling portion has a second size, optimizing the support distribution according to local structural requirements and preventing separation at critical points.
2Strength
If the housing structure around the discharge port is reinforced, then the strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is segmented between the multiple support members and the blade coupling portions rather than requiring comprehensive reinforcement of the entire housing structure. The support members are strategically positioned to provide localized reinforcement where needed, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Shape
If the blade is made flexible to improve appearance, then the aesthetic quality is enhanced, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is designed as a flexible component that can deform during rotation and closing operations. This flexibility allows the blade to conform to the housing shape and improve appearance quality, while the multiple support members provide the necessary structural reinforcement to maintain adequate strength despite the flexible construction.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
An air conditioner includes a housing having a discharge port, a blade rotatably provided in the discharge port, a blade drive unit configured to rotate the blade, a first support member configured to rotatably support the blade and comprising a first blade coupling portion, a second support member configured to rotatably support the blade, located to be closer to the blade drive unit than the first support member, and comprising a second blade coupling portion having a size different from that of the first blade coupling portion.