Air conditioner indoor unit with movable top cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air conditioner indoor units face challenges in collecting external information while maintaining user privacy and providing a satisfactory user experience, as existing collection devices often leak user data and compromise privacy.

Innovation Solution

An air conditioner indoor unit design featuring a housing with a movable top cover driven by a lifting device, allowing the collection device to switch between a storage and detection position, ensuring user privacy and improving user experience by controlling the collection angle and concealment of the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a collection device is installed in the air conditioner indoor unit to collect external information, then the functionality of collecting external information is improved, but user privacy is compromised and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection functionVSAvoidprivacy leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The top cover is designed to be movable between a storage position (flush with the body) and a detection position (extended above the body). The lifting device dynamically adjusts the top cover position based on operational needs, allowing the collection device to switch between concealed and exposed states, thus resolving the contradiction between collection functionality and privacy protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The top cover is separated from the main body and can be independently positioned by the lifting device. This segmentation allows the collection device mounted on the top cover to be isolated from the main housing, enabling it to be concealed when not in use and exposed only when needed for information collection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the collection device is always exposed to collect information, then the collection efficiency is improved, but user privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation collection efficiencyVSAvoidprivacy leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The top cover alternates between stored and extended positions based on operational requirements. The lifting device activates the top cover to extend only during periods when information collection is needed, and retracts it during periods when privacy should be maintained, implementing periodic exposure rather than continuous exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the top cover is made movable to ensure privacy, then user experience is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device replaces complex mechanical linkages with a more streamlined actuation system. By using a lifting mechanism that directly raises and lowers the top cover without complex joints or linkages, the patent reduces structural complexity while maintaining the privacy-protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The top cover serves multiple functions: it houses the collection device, provides structural support, and acts as a privacy shield when stored. The lifting device that moves the top cover is integrated into the existing air conditioner structure, allowing one component to fulfill multiple roles rather than adding separate mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively collects external information while ensuring user privacy and enhancing user experience through controlled data collection and concealment of the collection device, maintaining a simple and stable structure.

Implementation Method 1

a lifting device positioned within the body, the lifting device being coupled to the top cover to drive the top cover to be movable between a storage position and a detection position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a motor which is positioned within the body; a gear which cooperates with the motor to be driven to rotate by the motor; a rack engaged with the gear, a top end of the rack being coupled to the top cover to drive the top cover to move

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the top of the lifting device is snap-fitted with the top cover, thereby facilitating disassembly and assembly between the lifting device and the top cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11796220B2Air conditioner indoor unit with movable top cover

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 GD MIDEA AIR CONDITIONING EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

An air conditioner indoor unit includes a housing, a collection device, and a lifting device. The housing includes a body and a top cover. A top of the body includes a fitting port and the top cover is disposed at the fitting port. The collection device is disposed at the top cover. The lifting device is coupled to the top cover and configured to drive the top cover to move between a storage position and a detection position that allows the collection device to collect external information outside the housing.