Ceiling Air Conditioner Vane and Control Box Water-Blocking Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ceiling-type air conditioners face issues with non-uniform closure of air outlets, water ingress into control boxes, and cumbersome inspection processes due to motor placement and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design incorporates a vane with bridges for uniform air outlet closure, water-blocking ribs to prevent water ingress, and inspection openings with hidden dismantling handles for improved aesthetics and maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor is installed only at the side area of the vane, then the structure is simplified, but the vane cannot uniformly close the air outlet throughout the entire range
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet closure function is segmented into multiple independent vanes (first vane and second vane) that can be controlled separately. Each vane is driven by its own motor installed at different side areas, allowing independent adjustment and uniform closure across the entire air outlet range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an asymmetric linkage mechanism where the first linkage and second linkage connect the two motors to the vanes in a non-symmetric arrangement. This asymmetric structure compensates for the non-uniform distribution of motors, enabling uniform force application and closure across the entire air outlet.
2Ease of manufacture
If the control box is mounted directly on the base panel, then the installation is simple, but condensed water flows into the control box and reaches the control board
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof seal (intermediary element) is introduced between the control box and the base panel. This seal acts as a mediator that maintains the simple mounting structure while preventing condensed water from penetrating into the control box and reaching the control board.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof sealing function is extracted as a separate component from the control box assembly. The seal is installed independently in the mounting interface, allowing the control box to maintain its simple structure while gaining protection against water ingress.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the intake and discharge unit is permanently coupled to the body, then the structure is stable, but it is cumbersome to remove for inspection of refrigerant pipes and electric wires
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the intake and discharge unit and the body is made dynamic rather than fixed. The coupling mechanism allows the unit to be securely attached during normal operation for stability, but can be easily detached when inspection or repair is required, providing adaptability between stable operation and easy maintenance states.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner that includes a control box accommodating a control board and having an open surface, and a base panel having an air inlet and an air outlet, the control box being mounted on the base panel by seating the open surface thereof on the base panel, wherein the base panel includes a first water-blocking rib surrounding an outer surface of a lower edge defining the open surface of the control box so as to prevent water from flowing into the control box.