Ceiling Cassette Prefixing Hook Design for Fast Drain Pan Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of mounting surfaces and holes in ceiling-embedded air conditioners is slow and difficult, leading to inefficient assembly and potential gaps between the drain pan and outer shell, which affects airtightness and causes condensation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first fixing structure on the outer shell and a second fixing structure on the drain pan, featuring a prefixing groove and hook mechanism for quick alignment of mounting holes, along with reinforcing ribs and an insulating shell for enhanced stability and airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mounting methods are used to align the drain pan and outer shell, then the mounting process is simple in structure, but the alignment of mounting holes is slow and difficult, reducing mounting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The prefixing groove and prefixing hook are designed to preliminarily position and align the drain pan with the outer shell before final fastening. The prefixing groove is pre-formed on the outer shell, and the prefixing hook on the drain pan engages with it to automatically align the mounting holes, eliminating the need for slow manual alignment during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The prefixing groove and prefixing hook act as intermediary structures that facilitate the connection between the drain pan and outer shell. These intermediary elements guide the alignment process and enable quick positioning, serving as a mediator that simplifies the overall mounting operation while improving efficiency
2Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used, then the structure is simple, but gaps easily exist between the drain pan and outer shell, affecting airtightness and causing condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The prefixing groove and prefixing hook structure preliminarily secures the drain pan to the outer shell in a precise position, ensuring proper alignment and contact before final fastening. This preliminary action prevents gaps from forming during assembly, thereby ensuring airtightness and preventing condensation issues
Solution Approach 2:
The prefixing groove and prefixing hook serve as intermediary structures that ensure proper positioning and contact between the drain pan and outer shell. These intermediaries maintain consistent alignment and pressure distribution, preventing gaps that would compromise airtightness while avoiding the need for complex sealing mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
A ceiling cassette (100), comprising a surface casing (10) and a water receiving pan (20). A bottom portion of the surface casing (10) is opened, and a peripheral side of the surface casing (10) is connected to a first fixing structure (11). The water receiving pan (20) fits at the bottom portion of the surface casing (10), and a peripheral side of the water receiving pan (20) is provided with a second fixing structure (231) which is connected to the first fixing structure (11). The first fixing structure (11) is provided thereon with a first installation hole (1121) and a pre-fixing groove (114), and the second fixing structure (231) is provided thereon with a second installation hole (2311) and a pre-fixing hook (2312); when the pre-fixing hook (2312) is locked in the pre-fixing groove (114), the first installation hole (1121) and the second installation hole (2311) are aligned.