Outdoor Unit Bell Mouth Support for Top Panel Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing outdoor units of air conditioners with upward blow-out designs are prone to deformation at the top panel due to weak mechanical strength, especially when subjected to loads like a person or objects, as the top panel is only supported at the corners and lacks adequate structural reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a bell mouth that surrounds the blower, with its lower end fixed to the housing frame and upper end contacting the back face of the top panel, distributing the load across the housing, thereby enhancing structural support and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the top panel is supported only at the four corners, then the installation is simple and the structure is easy to assemble, but the mechanical strength is weak and the top panel easily deforms under load
Solution Approach 1:
The bell mouth serves as an intermediary structural element between the top panel and the housing frame. It contacts the back face of the top panel at the air blowing port circumference and transfers loads to the housing frame, preventing direct deformation of the top panel while maintaining the simple corner-supported installation structure.
2Device complexity
If the top panel is supported only at the four corners, then the structure is simple, but the top panel and fan guard deform easily when great load is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The bell mouth acts as a mediator that introduces minimal structural complexity while significantly improving reliability. It provides load distribution at the air blowing port area without requiring complex reinforcement structures, thereby enhancing stability under load while maintaining relative structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If the air blowing port is formed in the center of the top panel, then the air distribution is efficient, but the mechanical strength is weak and the top panel easily flexes in the vicinity of the center portion
Solution Approach 1:
The bell mouth is positioned at the air blowing port in the center of the top panel, serving as a mediator that provides mechanical support exactly where the air distribution requirement exists. It reinforces the weak center portion without obstructing the air blowing function, thereby maintaining productivity while improving strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell mouth provides localized reinforcement at the air blowing port center area where mechanical strength is most needed, while leaving the rest of the top panel structure unchanged. This local quality enhancement maintains air blowing efficiency while addressing the specific weakness at the center portion.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an outdoor unit of an air conditioner which receives a load which is applied to a top panel using an entirety of a housing, and the top panel and a fan guard do not easily deform. A lower end of a bell mouth is fixed to a front beam and a rear beam of the housing, and an upper end of the bell mouth is caused to come into contact with a back face of the top panel to support the load which is applied to the top panel with the bell mouth.