Air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioner designs face challenges in maintaining filter cleanliness without scattering dust, optimizing spatial utilization, and minimizing damage to filters and other components during cleaning.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner incorporates a prefilter, roller, roller rotation mechanism, and brush unit, where the prefilter moves along the outer circumference of the roller within the filter case, allowing for effective cleaning without exposing the filter to the outside, thus maintaining cleanliness and minimizing spatial and component damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a movable cleaning kit with a brush is used to clean the filter, then the filter can be cleaned, but dust separated from the brush or filter may be scattered around the filter and the periphery of the filter may not be maintained in the clean state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter cleaning capabilityVSAvoiddust scattering
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dust collection chamber is introduced as an intermediary space between the brush unit and the external environment. The chamber contains the brush unit and collects dust particles separated during cleaning, preventing them from scattering around the filter. The chamber includes a dust outlet that allows controlled removal of collected dust.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a movable cleaning kit body is used for brush movement, then the brush can move along the filter, but a separate space is required between air suction hole and filter, reducing spatial utilization and making compact design difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrush movement capabilityVSAvoidspatial utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dust collection chamber is merged with the filter housing structure, eliminating the need for a separate movable cleaning kit body. The brush unit is positioned within the chamber that is integrated into the existing housing between the air suction hole and filter, optimizing space utilization and enabling compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the filter is reciprocally disposed within main body cabinet by a slider to allow cleaning, then cleaning can be performed, but the filter may be partially withdrawn out of the air conditioner and disposed outside, causing damage or contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter accessibility for cleaningVSAvoidfilter protection from damage and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brush unit and dust collection chamber are extracted as a separate removable module from the main housing. This allows the brush module to be easily installed and removed for cleaning operations without requiring the filter itself to be withdrawn or exposed to external environment, protecting the filter from damage and contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design ensures the filter is cleaned without scattering dust, enhances spatial utilization within the air conditioner, and reduces the risk of filter and component damage, allowing for easy maintenance and improved air filtration efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a roller (370), a roller rotation mechanism (375) allowing the roller (370) to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRoller rotation: Roller

Implementation Method 2

a brush unit (380) disposed to contact the prefilter (340) when the roller (370) rotates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrush abrasion: Brush

Data Source

PatentEP4227589B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4227589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4227589B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4227589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a prefilter (340) made of a flexible material, the prefilter (340) being disposed to face an air suction hole (312) through which air is suctioned, a roller (372) configured to support one side of the prefilter (340) in a longitudinal direction, the roller (372) being configured to allow the prefilter (340) to move in a left-right direction, a roller rotation mechanism configured to allow the roller (372) to rotate, and a brush unit (380) disposed to contact the prefilter (340) when the roller (372) rotates, the brush unit (380) being spaced apart from the roller rotation mechanism.