Air Conditioner Ceiling Panel Sealing to Prevent Crazing and Cracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioners with ceiling panels suffer from crazing due to adhesion of oil or detergent, leading to cracks and damage at screw attachment points, as outside air enters through gaps and causes chemical changes in the resin, reducing the lifespan and aesthetic appearance.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a panel with a panel air suction port positioned to overlap the air suction port, an attachment portion with a protruding wall and a lid portion that locks to seal the screws, preventing adhesion of oil or detergent and thus suppressing crazing and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the ceiling panel is fixed to the indoor unit using panel fixing screws, then the panel can be securely attached, but outside air enters through gaps between corner covers and corner portions, causing oil or detergent adhesion and crazing in the resin
Solution Approach 1:
A lid portion is introduced as an intermediary component to cover and seal the attachment portion where screws are inserted. This lid portion prevents outside air containing oil or detergent from reaching the resin at the attachment portion, thereby eliminating the cause of crazing while maintaining secure attachment through the screws
2Shape
If corner covers are used to cover corner portions, then the appearance is improved, but gaps between corner covers and corner portions allow outside air entry and oil or detergent adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The lid portion serves as a mediator that provides complete sealing at the attachment portion, overcoming the insufficient gap-sealing capability of corner covers. While corner covers address only cosmetic appearance, the lid portion specifically addresses the harmful air entry pathway without compromising aesthetics
3Ease of operation
If the attachment portion is exposed to outside air, then installation and maintenance are easier, but oil or detergent adhesion causes crazing and reduces the lifespan of the ceiling panel
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling panel assembly is segmented into a removable lid portion and a main body. The lid portion can be detached for installation and maintenance access, while the attachment portion remains sealed when assembled. This segmentation allows easy operation during installation/maintenance while protecting against crazing during normal operation, thereby extending lifespan
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner which suppresses crazing of an attachment portion for screws in a panel attached to an indoor unit using the screws and suppresses cracking and damage of the panel is provided. The air conditioner includes the indoor unit that suctions air from an air suction port and blows out the suctioned air from an air blowout port through an indoor heat exchanger, the panel that is attached to the indoor unit and has a panel air suction port at a position where at least a portion of the panel overlaps the air suction port, and a lid portion. The panel includes an attachment portion that is provided around the panel air suction port and to which screws for fixing the panel to the indoor unit are attached. The lid portion covers the screws and seals the attachment portion.