Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners have cumbersome operations for mounting and maintenance of the electric control box, requiring removal of the face frame and cover plate, which complicates the process.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design includes a detachable electric control box mounted at the front of the face frame, with a panel that can be opened to facilitate direct access and maintenance, allowing for easy dismounting and mounting of the electric control box, and incorporates a waterproof design to prevent moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electric control box is mounted under the face frame with the panel closed, then the appearance is compact and neat, but the maintenance operation becomes cumbersome requiring removal of face frame and cover plate
Solution Approach 1:
The electric control box is segmented from the face frame through detachable connection structures (snap-fit connections, positioning protrusions, and recesses). This allows the control box to be independently removed from the face frame without requiring removal of the entire face frame assembly or cover plates, thereby simplifying maintenance operations while preserving the compact appearance when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric control box is extracted as a separate, detachable component from the face frame assembly. The control box can be easily removed through the front opening when maintenance is needed, and the face frame can be reassembled without the control box. This extraction approach eliminates the need to disassemble the entire face frame or remove cover plates, directly addressing the cumbersome maintenance operation problem.
2Ease of operation
If the electric control box is made detachable for easy maintenance, then the maintenance accessibility improves, but the waterproof performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Waterproof sealing structures (sealing rings, gaskets, or sealed connection interfaces) are pre-installed at the detachable connection points between the control box and face frame. These sealing elements are positioned in advance to ensure that when the control box is detached for maintenance and reattached, the waterproof performance is automatically restored without requiring additional sealing operations or compromising the seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Sealing elements (such as rubber gaskets, sealing rings, or waterproof membranes) act as intermediary components between the control box and face frame at the detachable connection interfaces. These intermediaries maintain the waterproof barrier even when the connection is made and broken during maintenance operations, allowing easy accessibility while preserving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes a chassis, a face frame over the chassis, an electric control box mounted at the face frame and located at a front portion of the face frame, and a panel configured to openably cover the front portion of the face frame and the electric control box. At least a portion of the electric control box is detachably connected to the face frame.