Cabin Filter Case Layout for Interference-Free Vehicle Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In eco-friendly vehicles, the repositioning of blower units to the front dash panel interferes with filter replacement, causing interference with overlying vehicle components during attachment and detachment, leading to inefficient maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus with a filter case that has an inclined inner space and a fixing protrusion on the filter cover to securely hold the filter in place, allowing for interference-free attachment and detachment of the filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If filters are disposed in the vertical direction with blower winds flowing in the longitudinal direction, then the blower unit can be positioned at the front dash panel, but the filter interferes with overlying vehicle components during attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The filter case inner space is inclined at an angle of 5 to 15 degrees relative to the vertical direction, changing the orientation dimension of filter installation. This dimensional adjustment allows the filter to be installed at an inclined angle rather than strictly vertically, enabling the filter to clear overlying components like strut bars while maintaining front dash panel positioning
2Ease of repair
If the inner space is inclined to allow interference-free filter removal, then filter maintenance efficiency improves, but the filter case structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inner space of the filter case is designed with a specific inclination angle parameter (5 to 15 degrees) relative to the vertical direction. This parameter change optimizes the balance between ease of filter removal and structural complexity, allowing efficient filter maintenance while maintaining a relatively simple filter case structure
3Ease of operation
If the filter case inner space width increases from lower end to upper end, then the filter can be easily inserted and removed, but the filter may not be securely fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The filter case inner space features non-uniform width distribution with different local qualities: the width increases from lower end to upper end to facilitate filter insertion and removal, while a fixing protrusion is added at the upper end to provide secure fixation. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and fixation reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes a filter case configured to accommodate a filter, and a filter cover configured to couple to an open upper end of the filter case. The filter case defines an inner space configured to accommodate the filter therein and having the open upper end to receive and discharge the filter therethrough. The inner space is inclined with respect to a vertical direction to allow the filter to be received into and discharged from the filter case in an inclined state. The filter cover includes a fixing protrusion protruding from a lower surface of the filter cover facing the inner space of the filter case and being configured to press and fix the filter in the inner space.