Indoor unit and air-conditioning apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty in determining if the rotation shaft of an airflow direction louver is properly inserted into the gear during assembly, leading to variations in rotation shaft direction and assembly issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an insertion indicator on the rotation shaft and a visible hole in the louver gear to confirm complete insertion, allowing operators to verify the correct positioning visually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the rotation shaft is inserted into the bearing hole without an insertion indicator, then the assembly process is simpler, but it becomes difficult to determine whether the rotation shaft is properly inserted, leading to assembly errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a visual indicator mechanism where the insertion indicator (such as a mark or colored feature) on the rotation shaft becomes visible through the bearing hole when properly inserted. This uses visual change (from invisible to visible) to indicate correct positioning, resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple assembly while enabling precise positioning verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing hole serves as an intermediary element that allows visual verification of insertion. By designing the bearing hole to allow visibility of the insertion indicator when properly positioned, the system mediates between the simple insertion action and the need for precision verification, eliminating assembly errors without complicating the manufacturing process.
2Manufacturing precision
If an insertion indicator and visible hole are added to verify proper insertion, then assembly precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from a separate complex checking process and integrates it into the existing bearing hole structure. By making the bearing hole transparent or open to allow visibility of the insertion indicator, the system achieves precision verification without adding separate verification mechanisms, thus minimizing device complexity while improving positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing hole serves multiple functions: it supports the rotation shaft mechanically and simultaneously serves as a visual verification window for insertion accuracy. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate verification structures, resolving the contradiction by achieving high positioning precision without increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the rotation shaft insertion is not verified, then the assembly process is faster, but variations in rotation shaft direction occur, affecting product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion indicator system enables self-verification by the assembler during the insertion process itself. The visual feedback is immediately available during assembly, allowing the worker to confirm proper insertion without additional checking steps, thus maintaining high assembly speed while ensuring consistent rotation shaft direction and improving product reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An indoor unit 1 includes: an airflow direction louver 4 that rotates about a vane shaft 4a and changes a direction of air that is blowing from an air outlet 3b; and a louver gear 10 that transmits a force from a vane drive motor part 9 to the airflow direction louver 4. The airflow direction louver 4 has an insertion indicator such as a nail. The louver gear 10 has a fitting hole 10a that allows the insertion indicator to become visible when the airflow direction louver 4 is inserted into a bearing hole 10b of the louver gear 10 and reaches the bottom of a bearing hole 10b.