Air Conditioner Front Panel Cam Assembly for Safe Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner front panel opening and closing structures have poor durability, require professional knowledge, and pose user safety risks due to potential panel falling and exposure of internal components.
Innovation Solution
A cam assembly with a cam and panel assembly that allows easy detachment of the front panel from the main body using a lifting structure, incorporating upper and lower hooks, magnetic forces, and a cam friction pad to ensure safe and secure operation, preventing accidental fan activation when the panel is separated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hinge structure is used to open and close the front panel, then the panel can be opened and closed, but the durability is poor and it is difficult to replace
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing structure is divided into independent components: a cam mechanism with cam lobes and cam followers, upper and lower hooks, and a panel assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving durability and ease of replacement while maintaining the overall functionality of the opening and closing system.
2Ease of operation
If professional knowledge is required to open and close the front panel, then the operation can be controlled, but service costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed to be manually operable by users without requiring professional knowledge. The cam lobes and followers automatically engage and disengage the panel assembly from the main body through simple rotational motion, enabling users to perform opening and closing operations themselves, thereby reducing service costs while maintaining controlled operation.
3Ease of operation
If the front panel is directly opened or closed by a user, then the operation is simple, but user product liability may occur due to panel falling
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism incorporates safety features that prevent panel falling before it can cause harm. The cam followers are designed to maintain continuous contact with the cam lobes throughout the rotation, ensuring the panel assembly remains securely supported during the entire opening and closing process. This prior cushioning eliminates the risk of panel dropping and associated user injuries.
4Ease of repair
If the panel assembly is separated from the main body, then the panel can be removed for cleaning or repair, but the fan may become exposed and activate accidentally
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed so that the panel assembly must be completely detached from the main body before the fan can be exposed. The cam followers maintain engagement with the cam lobes until the final stage of removal, preventing accidental fan activation during the separation process. This preliminary anti-action ensures safe panel removal for cleaning or repair while preventing harmful fan exposure.
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 easy and safe separation of the front panel, enhances durability, and prevents user safety accidents by ensuring the panel remains secure and the fan stops when the panel is removed, thus reducing service costs and improving user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a cam assembly including a cam and disposed below the panel assembly, wherein the cam includes a cam contact surface formed along a rotation direction of the cam
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic assembly disposed below the panel assembly and configured to be magnetically coupled to the panel assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an air conditioner including a main body, a panel assembly configured to cover a front surface of the main body and coupled to the main body, and a cam assembly including a cam and disposed below the panel assembly, wherein the cam includes a cam contact surface formed along a rotation direction of the cam, the cam contact surface includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion formed to be in contact with the panel assembly at different heights, and the panel assembly is configured to be detachable from the main body by moving up and down with the rotation of the cam.