Air Outlet Frame Snap-Fit Assembly to Reduce Mounting Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air conditioner designs face inefficiencies in mounting the air outlet frame due to passive mounting methods, which are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring alignment and screw studs for stability.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner indoor unit employs a panel assembly with snap hooks and insertion plates that fit into through holes and sub-through holes, allowing for active, screw-less mounting by limiting movement in multiple dimensions, enabling reliable and efficient attachment of the air outlet frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long screw studs are used to connect the air outlet frame to the housing, then mounting stability is ensured, but mounting becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the screw connection mechanism and replaces it with a snap-fit structure consisting of positioning protrusions and positioning grooves. The air outlet frame includes positioning protrusions that engage with corresponding positioning grooves in the housing, eliminating the need for screw studs while maintaining mounting stability through precise geometric fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw-fastening system with a geometric interlocking system. The positioning protrusions and positioning grooves create a passive alignment mechanism that automatically guides the air outlet frame into correct position during installation, substituting the active screw-tightening process with a simple insertion motion.
2Reliability
If long screw studs are used to connect the air outlet frame to the housing, then mounting stability is ensured, but mounting becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex screw-fastening operation and replaces it with a simple snap-fit mechanism. The positioning protrusions on the air outlet frame engage with positioning grooves in the housing through a straightforward insertion motion, eliminating the need for tools and complex alignment procedures while ensuring stable mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using threaded fasteners that require rotational motion and tool operation, the patent inverts the approach by using direct geometric interlocking. The positioning protrusions and grooves create an immediate mechanical lock upon insertion, reversing the traditional fastening sequence from active tightening to passive engagement.
3Reliability
If passive mounting method is used with screw studs, then connection stability is achieved, but mounting efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time-consuming screw fastening process and replaces it with an immediate snap-fit engagement. The positioning protrusions and positioning grooves create automatic alignment and secure connection in a single insertion motion, eliminating the multiple steps of alignment, insertion, and tightening required by screw studs, thereby dramatically improving mounting efficiency while maintaining connection stability.
4Manufacturing precision
If alignment and screw studs are required for mounting, then mounting precision is achieved, but the process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features directly into the structure of the air outlet frame and housing. The positioning protrusions are pre-formed with precise geometric dimensions and orientations, and the corresponding positioning grooves are pre-positioned in the housing. This preliminary structuring of alignment features eliminates the need for manual alignment operations and complex fastening procedures during the mounting process.
Data Source
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AI summary
An air conditioner indoor unit (10), comprising a panel assembly (13) and an air outlet frame (14). A mounting through cavity (131) is formed in the panel assembly (13); the air outlet frame (14) is mounted at the mounting through cavity (131); the panel assembly (13) is provided with an assembly strip (132) at the edge of the mounting through cavity (131); a first through hole (133) and a second through hole (134) are arranged on the assembly strip (132); a snap hook (141) and an insertion plate (142) are arranged at the edge of the air outlet frame (14); the snap hook (141) passes through the first through hole (133) and is hooked to the outside of the assembly strip (132); the insertion plate (142) is inserted into the second through hole (134) and clamped on the front end of the second through hole (134) in an insertion direction.