Air-out panel and ceiling air conditioner indoor unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceiling embedded type air conditioner indoor units suffer from poor air induction capacity and small air volume due to inadequate air outlet duct structures.

Innovation Solution

The air outlet duct structure incorporates oppositely arranged first and second air duct walls with sequentially decreasing curvature radii, featuring concave curved surfaces and a flow guide structure to enhance air induction and volume, while minimizing condensation risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a conventional air conditioner indoor unit is installed high on a wall or ceiling, then it can cool a larger area, but cleaning the air filter becomes difficult and requires special tools or personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling areaVSAvoidfilter accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The indoor unit is divided into separable modules: the main body unit that remains installed high on the wall/ceiling, and the air filter that can be independently removed. This segmentation allows the filter to be accessed and cleaned separately without requiring removal of the entire indoor unit or special tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air filter is extracted as a removable component from the indoor unit assembly. The filter can be taken out through an accessible opening in the front panel, allowing users to remove and clean the filter independently while the main unit remains installed in its high position for optimal cooling coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Area of stationary object

If the indoor unit is installed high to maximize cooling coverage, then the cooling area increases, but the structure becomes more complex requiring additional support components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling areaVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is integrated with the main body of the indoor unit as a unified structure. The bracket extends from the rear of the unit and can be directly fastened to the mounting surface, eliminating the need for separate support structures or additional components. This merging simplifies the overall mounting system while maintaining high installation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of repair

If the air filter is made removable for easy cleaning, then maintenance becomes simpler, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter maintenanceVSAvoidpanel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel is segmented into a removable section that provides access to the air filter. This segmented design allows the filter to be accessed and removed independently through a simple panel opening, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling easy filter maintenance without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3805657B1Air-out panel and ceiling air conditioner indoor unit
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP3805657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3805657B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3805657B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An air outlet duct structure, an air outlet panel and a patio type air conditioner indoor unit are provided. The patio type air conditioner indoor unit includes an air outlet panel. The air outlet panel includes a panel body (1) and a corner cover plate (2) disposed at a corner of the panel body (1). The corner cover plate (2) and the panel body (1) constitute an air outlet duct structure. A corner air outlet of the air outlet panel is formed between the corner cover plate (2) and the panel body (1). One end (21) of the corner cover plate (2) proximate to a center of the air outlet panel is arranged to be closer to a center of the air outlet panel than one end (11) of the panel body (1) away from the center of the air outlet panel, or in a direction from a center of the air outlet panel toward an outer edge of the air outlet panel, one end of the corner cover plate (2) proximate to the center of the air outlet panel is adjacent to one end (11) of the panel body (1) away from the center of the air outlet panel, and a flow guide structure (4) may be provided between the corner cover plate (2) and the panel body (1) . A part of a lateral surface of the panel body (1) constitutes a first air duct wall (110), and a part of a lateral surface of the corner cover plate (2) constitutes a second air duct wall (210) . The air outlet duct structure includes a first air duct wall (110) and a second air duct wall (210) arranged oppositely. An air outlet passage (3) is formed between the first air duct wall (110) and the second air duct wall (210). The first air duct wall (110) includes a plurality of concave curved surfaces connected along an airflow direction, wherein curvature radii of the plurality of concave curved surfaces decrease sequentially along the airflow direction. The patio type air conditioner indoor unit presents a large air outlet volume.