Ceiling Air Conditioner Indoor Unit with Integrated Dust Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing indoor air conditioner units installed on ceilings require additional space for a separate dust collecting case, leading to increased unit size.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a container portion within the cover portion of the air filter to hold dust, eliminating the need for a separate dust collecting case, and providing a removal port for easy dust collection without the need for workers to access high elevations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate dust collecting case is provided in the indoor unit, then dust can be effectively collected and stored, but the size of the indoor unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dust collecting case with the cover portion that covers the room-facing side of the air filter. The container portion is integrated into the cover structure, allowing the cover to serve dual functions: protecting the filter and collecting dust. This merging eliminates the need for a separate dust collecting case, thereby reducing the overall unit size while maintaining effective dust collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portion is designed to perform multiple functions: it covers the air filter to protect it, and simultaneously serves as a dust collecting case through its integrated container portion. This multi-functionality allows the same component to address both filter protection and dust collection needs, eliminating redundant structures and reducing unit size.
2Device complexity
If the container portion is integrated with the cover portion, then the parts count is reduced and unit size is minimized, but dust may disperse into the surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collecting container is nested within the cover portion structure. The container portion fits inside the cover, creating a contained space for dust collection. This nesting arrangement ensures that dust is trapped within the integrated structure and cannot escape into the surrounding environment, while still maintaining a compact, integrated design with reduced parts count.
3Ease of operation
If workers need to access the dust collecting case for maintenance, then dust can be collected, but workers must access high elevations which reduces safety
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collecting container portion is designed to be detachable from the cover portion. This allows the container to be easily removed and taken out for dust disposal without requiring workers to access high elevations. The extraction principle enables maintenance to be performed at ground level, significantly improving worker safety while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If an opening is formed in the top surface of the container portion, then dust can be efficiently held without dispersing, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is strategically positioned in the top surface of the container portion at a location where it provides optimal dust containment while minimizing impact on structural integrity. The opening is designed with specific dimensions and positioning that allow dust to be effectively held without compromising the overall strength of the cover portion. The local modification is carefully engineered to balance containment efficiency with structural requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention intends to reduce the size of an indoor unit of an air conditioner installed on a ceiling, while saving space for holding dust removed from a filter. A rotating brush (61) is provided for removing dust trapped on a filter (21) arranged on an inlet side of an indoor fan (13). Space for retraining the dust removed by the rotating brush (61) is provided in a center cover (17) for covering a room-facing side of the filter (21).