Air Conditioner Expandable Intake Plates for Variable Air Intake Area
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners lack the ability to adjust their air intake area, which affects both performance and appearance due to the need for a filter screen that increases the air inlet size, compromising aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring hingedly connected air intake plates that can expand and close, accompanied by a flexible filter screen, allowing variable air intake area adjustment without affecting appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter screen is added to prevent dust from entering the air inlet, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the air inlet size must be increased which affects appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The filter screen is nested within the air intake plate structure, specifically integrated into the groove formed by the first and second air intake plates. This allows the filter screen to be housed within the existing structural framework rather than adding external components, thereby preventing dust entry while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake plates are designed to be rotatable relative to each other, transforming the static filter structure into a dynamic one. The plates can rotate between an expanded state (increasing air intake area) and a closed state (reducing air intake area), allowing the filter screen to remain effective while adapting to different operational requirements without permanent structural additions
2Productivity
If the air inlet size is increased to ensure sufficient intake air, then the productivity is improved, but the appearance is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake plates are designed to be rotatable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the air intake area. In the expanded state, the plates form a larger opening for sufficient air intake; in the closed state, they reduce the opening size to maintain aesthetic appearance. This dynamic transformation enables the system to adapt between performance and appearance requirements without permanent structural compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The effective air intake area parameter is made variable through the rotatable plate mechanism. By changing the rotational position of the plates, the system adjusts the intake area parameter to match different operational conditions, allowing large intake area when performance is prioritized and small intake area when appearance is prioritized
3Productivity
If the air intake area is increased to improve performance, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the first and second air intake plates can rotate relative to each other to change the air intake area. This rotational mechanism provides variable air intake capability through a relatively simple mechanical design, avoiding complex multi-component systems while achieving the desired functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable plate structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support, a variable aperture control mechanism, and a protective cover for the filter screen. By combining these functions into a single mechanical system, the patent avoids adding separate mechanisms for each function, thereby improving air intake area without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides an air conditioner including an air conditioner body (1), air intake plates, and a filter screen. The air conditioner body is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air intake plates cover the air inlet and each has an air intake grid. The air intake plates are hingedly connected to the air conditioner body (1) and are capable of being switched between an expanded state and a closed state. The filter screen is disposed between the air intake plates and the air inlet and is configured to filter air entering the air conditioner body (1) from the air intake grid (9). In the present invention, the air intake plates are designed to be a structure capable of expanding and closing. When the air intake plates are in the expanded state, air is taken in through the entire air inlet instead of from the air intake grid (9), thereby increasing the air intake area. When the air intake plates are in the closed state, the air intake area is reduced, but the amount of the intake air reaches a certain extent, without affecting the appearance of the air conditioner.