Air Conditioner Intake Reconfiguration for Flexible Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning devices have fixed suction and outflow directions, limiting their versatility and making them unsuitable for installation in various locations, especially in limited concealed ceilings, requiring additional equipment to achieve flexible air circulation.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning device with a modular shielding plate and filter that can be interchangeably mounted on the main body, allowing the air suction direction to be changed without additional parts, enabling use in horizontal, vertical, and concealed ceiling spaces by adjusting the air inlet and outlet directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the air conditioning device uses fixed suction and outflow directions, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot be installed in various locations such as limited concealed ceilings and ground level
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding plate is designed with universal mounting capabilities through multiple mounting holes positioned at different locations and orientations. This allows the same shielding plate to be installed in various configurations (horizontal ceiling, vertical wall, ground level) by simply changing which mounting holes are used, enabling one component to serve multiple installation purposes without requiring location-specific parts
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding plate transitions from a fixed-position component to a dynamically reconfigurable element. By providing multiple mounting holes that can accommodate different fastening positions and orientations, the shielding plate's functional configuration becomes adaptable to various installation scenarios, allowing the air intake direction to be dynamically adjusted based on installation location requirements
2Productivity
If additional equipment is added to enable flexible air circulation in limited concealed ceilings, then the air circulation efficiency improves, but the cost and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding plate serves multiple functions: it acts as both a protective cover and an air intake component, and its mounting structure allows it to function in various installation orientations (horizontal, vertical, angled) without requiring additional adapters or auxiliary equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for extra components while maintaining installation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding plate integrates multiple functions into a single component: it combines the protective shielding function with the air intake function, and incorporates multiple mounting hole patterns that enable various installation configurations. This merging of functions into one component eliminates the need for separate air intake devices or additional mounting hardware, reducing both material cost and installation labor
3Adaptability or versatility
If the air intake area is located only at the back for horizontal use, then the device is simple to manufacture, but the device cannot be mounted at ground level or in vertical concealed ceiling positions
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding plate is segmented into multiple functional zones with mounting holes distributed at different positions (front, back, sides) and orientations. This segmentation allows different portions of the shielding plate to be activated depending on the installation location, enabling the same component to adapt to horizontal ceiling, vertical wall, or ground level mounting without requiring manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding plate is designed as a universal component with multiple mounting hole patterns that enable it to serve as the air intake structure in various installation orientations. The same shielding plate can be configured for back-intake (horizontal use), side-intake (vertical use), or front-intake (ground level use) by selecting different mounting hole combinations, eliminating the need for position-specific manufacturing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an air conditioning device and related installation method allowing the air suction direction to be changed without the need for an extra main part by changing the location of the existing parts, thus making it possible to use versatile (horizontal, vertical, limited concealed ceiling spaces, etc.) by the means of suction in different directions.