Air-Conditioning Unit Frame-to-Base Engagement for Easy Panel Removal

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing air-conditioning apparatus faces poor operability due to an engagement state between the front surface panel and the unit body that is either easily released or difficult to release, depending on the engagement allowance, making maintenance challenging.

Innovation Solution

The air-conditioning apparatus features a frame body with a frame body-side engagement section and an extension section on its back side, which engages with a base body-side engagement section and is supported by a support base on the front side of the base body, allowing for easy engagement and release during assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the engagement allowance between the front surface panel and the unit body is reduced, then the front surface panel can be easily removed for maintenance, but the engagement state becomes not firm and the panel may fall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of removalVSAvoidengagement firmness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement structure is divided into two independent functional sections: the engagement section (with engagement protrusions and recesses) that provides firm connection, and the extension section that acts as a maintenance handle. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension section serves as an intermediary element between the user and the engagement mechanism. By providing a dedicated maintenance handle section, users can easily grip and remove the panel without directly manipulating the engagement protrusions, thus maintaining firm engagement during normal use while enabling easy removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the engagement allowance between the front surface panel and the unit body is increased, then the engagement state becomes firm, but the front surface panel cannot be easily removed for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement firmnessVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement structure is divided into two independent functional sections: the engagement section (with engagement protrusions and recesses) that provides firm connection, and the extension section that acts as a maintenance handle. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension section serves as an intermediary element between the user and the engagement mechanism. By providing a dedicated maintenance handle section, users can easily grip and remove the panel without directly manipulating the engagement protrusions, thus maintaining firm engagement during normal use while enabling easy removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the engagement allowance is optimized for firm engagement, then the front surface panel remains securely mounted, but operability for maintenance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement firmnessVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement structure is divided into two independent functional sections: the engagement section (with engagement protrusions and recesses) that provides firm connection, and the extension section that acts as a maintenance handle. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extension section serves as an intermediary element between the user and the engagement mechanism. By providing a dedicated maintenance handle section, users can easily grip and remove the panel without directly manipulating the engagement protrusions, thus maintaining firm engagement during normal use while enabling easy removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10619865B2Air-conditioning unit

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

To obtain an air-conditioning apparatus with good operability.The air-conditioning apparatus includes a main body 1 including a frame body 2 and a base body 3 provided on a back surface side of the frame body 2, a frame body-side engagement section 2a and an extension section 2b that extends backward on both sides of the frame body-side engagement section 2a are provided on a back side of the frame body 2, a base body-side engagement section 3a that engages with the frame body-side engagement section 2a, and a support base 3b that is located below the extension section 2b are provided on a front side of the base body 3, and when the frame body 2 is mounted to the base body 3, the frame body-side engagement section 2a and the base body-side engagement section 3a engage with each other, and the extension section 2b is supported by the support base 3b.