Air Conditioner Front Panel Recess Design to Reduce Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning indoor units face issues with condensation on the front surface due to temperature differences, which can degrade the design and require visible grooves to mitigate condensation, compromising aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning indoor unit design featuring a recess between the air outlet and the panel, with a projecting scroll and horizontal flaps that cover the recess during non-operation, reducing the likelihood of condensation and enhancing design aesthetics by minimizing visible recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a groove is added to the front surface of the casing to reduce condensation, then condensation occurrence is reduced, but the design aesthetics are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the condensation-prevention function from the visible front surface by creating a recess in the internal structure. The recess is positioned to intercept cold airflow before it reaches the front surface, while remaining hidden from external view, thus separating the functional requirement from the aesthetic requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary structure between the cold air outlet and the front surface. It intercepts and redirects the cold airflow through an internal path, preventing direct contact with the front surface that would cause condensation, while maintaining the smooth external appearance.
2Ease of operation
If the horizontal flap upwardly adjusts the air direction of cold air, then air direction control is improved, but condensation occurs on the front surface due to temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the airflow path into two distinct zones: an internal zone with the recess that handles cold air redirection, and an external zone with the smooth front surface that maintains aesthetics. The horizontal flap controls air direction in the internal zone while the recess prevents condensation before air reaches the external zone.
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 design effectively reduces condensation on the front surface and improves aesthetics by hiding the recess and air outlet during non-operation, maintaining design integrity without the need for anti-dew materials.
Implementation Method 1
when the horizontal flaps upwardly adjust the air direction of cold air as conditioned air, due to a difference in temperature between the outside and the inside of a casing, condensation may occur on a portion constituting the front surface of the casing
Implementation Method 2
the likelihood of occurrence of condensation on the front surface of the panel can be reduced when the cold air enters between a front surface of the body and a back surface of the panel
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an air conditioning indoor unit which can reduce the occurrence of condensation on the front surface thereof and can improve the design thereof. The air conditioning indoor unit includes a body, a front panel (20), and a horizontal flap (17a). The body is provided with an air outlet (16). The front panel (20) is positioned in such a way as to cover the front of the body. The horizontal flap (17a) is able to vary the air direction of conditioned air blown out from the air outlet (16). A recess (124) recessed toward the back side of the air conditioning indoor unit is disposed between an upper edge (16a) of an open peripheral edge of the air outlet (16) and a lower end (20a) of the front panel (20). During non-operation, the recess and the air outlet (16) are covered by the horizontal flap (17a).