Cassette Air Conditioner Indoor Unit With Sliding Suction Grill

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cassette type air conditioner indoor units face challenges in easily opening and closing the suction grill due to its shape and coupling structure, which can interfere with the panel, making it difficult to mount and maintain.

Innovation Solution

The indoor unit design features a suction grill with concave parts matching the inner line of discharge holes, a round groove connecting discharge holes and vanes, and a connection member that slides and rotates to open or close without interference, allowing for easy access and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the suction grill is rotatably coupled to the panel using a hinge, then the suction grill can be opened or closed, but the suction grill may interfere with the panel edges or protruding parts, making it difficult to mount and operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening and closing of suction grillVSAvoidcoupling structure between suction grill and panel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction grill is divided into multiple sections that can move independently, allowing each segment to navigate around panel edges and protruding parts during opening and closing operations, thus avoiding interference while maintaining functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction grill transitions from a simple rotational movement in one dimension to a combined sliding and rotating motion in multiple dimensions, enabling it to clear obstacles on the panel surface during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If the suction grill covers the entire panel surface, then the exterior appearance is improved, but the suction grill becomes difficult to open and close due to interference with panel features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexterior appearance of indoor unitVSAvoidopening and closing of suction grill
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction grill employs a dynamic coupling mechanism that allows it to adapt its movement path during opening and closing, transitioning between different motion modes to avoid static interference with panel features while maintaining full surface coverage when closed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the suction grill is designed with a simple coupling structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the suction grill may interfere with panel edges, making it difficult to mount and maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling structure between suction grill and panelVSAvoidmaintenance of suction grill
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

A connection member is introduced as an intermediary component between the suction grill and panel, facilitating easy attachment and detachment while preventing interference with panel edges, thus improving both mounting ease and maintainability without adding significant complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2857763B1Indoor unit for cassette type air conditioner
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2857763B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857763B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2857763B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an indoor unit of a cassette type air conditioner. In the indoor unit of the cassette type air conditioner according to an embodiment, an outer end of a suction grill extends to form an inner line of a discharge hole of a panel, and the suction grill is opened while slidably moving without interfering according to a shape thereof.