Indoor unit of air conditioners

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indoor air-conditioning unit designs with movable sensors lead to elongated and complicated wiring, which is prone to degradation and damage, and result in a larger unit size.

Innovation Solution

The indoor unit design fixes the motors to the case, allowing only the sensor box wiring to move with the sensor, reducing wiring length and complexity, and using a gearbox mechanism to stabilize the sensor box's movement and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the motor and sensor are fixed to a movable case that moves up and down, then the sensor can move along with the case, but the wiring becomes elongated and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor movement capabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the system into a stationary motor assembly and a movable sensor box assembly. The motor is fixed to the housing while the sensor box can move independently, allowing wiring to be routed through a guide that separates movement of the sensor from movement of the motor and main wiring harness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wiring guide as an intermediary component that allows the sensor box to move while constraining the wiring path. This mediator enables relative movement between the sensor and motor without requiring the entire assembly to move, thus preventing wiring entanglement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor box moves up and down along with the case, then the sensor position is adjustable, but the wiring must be elongated to accommodate the movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor position adjustmentVSAvoidwiring length
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sensor assembly from the motor assembly, allowing only the sensor box to move while the motor remains stationary. This reduces the amount of wiring that must be elongated, as only the connection between the sensor box and the stationary motor needs to accommodate movement, not the entire wiring harness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the sensor rotates and moves along the first axis, then the sensor has enhanced detection capability, but the wiring leading becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor detection capabilityVSAvoidwiring leading complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a wiring guide as an intermediary that accommodates the rotational and linear movement of the sensor box while maintaining a controlled wiring path. This guide allows the sensor to rotate and move for enhanced detection capability without creating complicated wiring leading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If the motors are fixed to the case while only the sensor box wiring moves, then the wiring layout is simplified, but the sensor box must be decoupled from the motor assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring layout simplicityVSAvoidmechanical coupling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the motor assembly from the sensor box assembly, fixing the motor to the housing while allowing the sensor box to move independently. This mechanical decoupling simplifies the wiring layout by eliminating the need for the entire assembly to move, while the gearbox maintains the necessary mechanical connection for sensor actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration minimizes wiring degradation, reduces the unit's size, and simplifies the wiring layout, enhancing durability and compactness.

Implementation Method 1

a first motor configured to generate a rotational force that causes the sensor box to rotate about the first axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a second motor configured to generate a force that moves the gear box along the first axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a gear, through which the shaft is inserted and that transmits a rotational force transmitted from the shaft to the sensor box

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3330619B1Indoor unit of air conditioners
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3330619B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3330619B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3330619B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus including: a sensor box accommodating a sensor configured to detect light; a gearbox configured to hold the sensor box so as to be rotatable, and to be moved along a first axis together with the sensor box; a first motor configured to apply a force causing the sensor box to rotate; a second motor configured to apply a force causing the gearbox to move along the first axis; and a shaft inserted through the gearbox to be rotated by receiving the force from the first motor, in which, in the gearbox, the shaft is inserted, and the gear is accommodated so that a rotational force transmitted from the shaft is transmitted to the sensor box, the gear being movable along the first axis.