Air Conditioner Front Panel Design to Prevent Recess Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing design of air-conditioning apparatus indoor units with a flat front panel and a horizontal recess in the center for air intake is prone to deformation and breakage at the end portions due to external forces during mounting or dismounting, compromising strength and design aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flat and flush recess side portions on both sides of the front panel, covered by an upper and lower design cover, creating a shadow effect that enhances visual appeal and prevents deformation and breakage by eliminating recessed shapes at the end portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a horizontal recess is formed in the vertical center of the front panel to increase air intake and enhance design, then the amount of air to be sucked is increased and designing ability is enhanced, but the recess at the right or left end portion is liable to deform and break due to external force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different structural qualities to different regions of the front panel. The central recess region maintains its air intake function while the end portions are reinforced with extended flat surfaces that are less prone to deformation. This local differentiation allows the panel to simultaneously achieve good air intake performance and enhanced structural strength at vulnerable areas.
2Strength
If the recess depth is reduced at the end portions to reinforce strength, then strength is improved, but the recess at the end portion remains most liable to deform and break under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the strength issue not by changing the recess depth in the vertical dimension, but by extending the flat surface area in the horizontal dimension at the end portions. This dimensional approach provides additional structural support and load distribution without compromising the air intake function of the central recess.
3Shape
If the front panel is made with a flat surface shape to blend with interior design, then design aesthetics are improved, but the air intake from the top becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is segmented into functional zones: a central recessed area for air intake and flat end portions for structural strength and aesthetic continuity. This segmentation allows the panel to maintain an overall flat surface shape that blends with interior design while providing sufficient air intake through the strategically positioned central recess.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus, including: a front panel arranged on a front side of an indoor unit body and having a flat shaped front surface; and a design cover mounted on a front side of the front panel, the front panel including: a recess formed in a center of the front panel in an up-and-down direction in front view, and extending from an inner side of a left end portion of the front panel to an inner side of a right end portion of the front panel; an air inlet formed below the recess; a left-hand recess side portion positioned on a left side of the recess of the front panel in front view; and a right-hand recess side portion positioned on a right side of the recess of the front panel in front view, the design cover including: an upper design cover configured to cover a region extending from an upper end portion of the recess to an upper end portion of the front panel and extending from a left end portion to a right end portion of the front panel in front view; and a lower design cover configured to cover a region extending from a lower end portion of the recess to a lower end portion of the front panel and extending from the left end portion to the right end portion of the front panel in front view, the left-hand recess side portion being flat and flush with flat surfaces above and below the left-hand recess side portion, the right-hand recess side portion being flat and flush with flat surfaces above and below the right-hand recess side portion.