Cassette Air Conditioner Vane Layout for Hidden Drive and Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cassette type air conditioners have limitations in exterior design due to the exposure of wind direction adjusting driving parts and limited ejection hole size, which affects air discharge efficiency and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The indoor unit features a vane driving assembly covered by a vane with rounded ends, where the vane driving assembly's stopper guides the vane to prevent interference and ensures efficient air discharge, and the discharge holes have a shape with rounded curves to improve airflow and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wind direction adjusting driving parts are disposed between the inner frame panel and outer frame panel, then the wind direction can be adjusted, but the driving parts are exposed and the exterior is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind direction adjustmentVSAvoidexterior appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The vane driving assembly is nested within the space between the inner frame panel and outer frame panel, with the vane covering the driving assembly. This nesting arrangement allows the driving parts to be concealed behind the vane, maintaining a clean exterior appearance while preserving the wind direction adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The vane acts as a flexible cover that can rotate to adjust wind direction while simultaneously serving as a shield to conceal the driving assembly. The vane's rotation capability allows it to perform its wind direction adjustment function while maintaining coverage over the driving parts, thus improving exterior appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the wind direction adjusting part is disposed between the driving parts, then interference is prevented, but the ejection hole size is limited and air discharge efficiency is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of interferenceVSAvoidair discharge efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vane driving assembly is positioned in the depth dimension between the inner and outer frame panels, rather than constraining the ejection hole size in the horizontal plane. This dimensional repositioning allows for larger ejection holes to be formed in the panel while the driving assembly remains concealed and functional in the vertical space.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The space between the inner and outer frame panels is segmented to accommodate the vane driving assembly, allowing the ejection holes to be positioned in the panel surface without spatial conflict. This segmentation enables both large ejection holes for efficient air discharge and proper positioning of driving parts to prevent interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If the vane driving assembly is covered by the vane, then exterior appearance is improved, but the driving assembly space is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexterior appearanceVSAvoiddriving assembly space
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vane driving assembly is relocated to the depth dimension between the inner and outer frame panels, utilizing previously unused vertical space. This dimensional change allows the assembly to be covered by the vane for improved exterior appearance while maintaining sufficient volume for the driving components to operate.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2860462B1Indoor unit for cassette type air conditioner
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2860462B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2860462B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2860462B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an indoor unit for a cassette type air conditioner. The indoor unit may be improved in exterior so that a vane driving assembly for operating a vane that guides discharge air is covered by the vane. Also, both ends of the vane may be rounded, and an outer surface of the vane driving assembly for operating the vane may contact the vane to improve a flow of the discharge air.