Electrical Component Box Mounting for Vibration-Resistant Air Conditioners

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ceiling suspended indoor air conditioner units face challenges with the strength and rigidity of the electrical component box's engaging portion, leading to difficulties in attachment and vibration resistance during transportation, due to the limited contact area and positioning issues in the small space between the air supply device and the unit body.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner incorporates a drawn portion in the unit body to closely contact the electrical component box, featuring a cut-and-raised projection and hole configuration that allows for secure engagement and easy attachment, enhancing the rigidity and stability of the electrical component box through a sliding and hooking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the electrical component box is attached in the small space between the air supply device and the back surface plate using conventional holes and projections, then the attachment is achieved, but the strength and rigidity of the engaging portion are insufficient and the attachment process is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of engaging portionVSAvoidease of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging structure is divided into multiple independent elements: multiple projections (at least two) are provided on the back surface plate, and corresponding multiple holes are provided on the electrical component box. This segmentation distributes the engagement load across multiple points, increasing overall strength while maintaining ease of attachment through simple alignment and insertion of each individual projection-hole pair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The projections are designed with a cut-and-raised configuration, creating a three-dimensional structure that engages with the holes not only through simple insertion but also through mechanical interlocking. The cut portions of the projections create hooks that engage with the holes, adding a dimensional aspect to the engagement that increases strength without complicating the attachment process.

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

2Strength

If the projections are connected to the top plate portion on only one side, then the attachment structure is simple, but the strength of the projections is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of projectionsVSAvoidcomplexity of projection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projections are designed with asymmetric geometry through the cut-and-raised process. The cuts are made asymmetrically to create hooks that engage with the holes in a specific orientation. This asymmetric design increases the strength of the projections by creating mechanical interlocking features while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through standard cutting and raising operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If the electrical component box position is not regulated, then the attachment is flexible, but the electrical component box is easy to move and hard to screw and fix

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of positioningVSAvoidstability of electrical component box
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple projections and corresponding holes are pre-configured in specific positions on the back surface plate and electrical component box respectively. This preliminary positioning arrangement guides the electrical component box into the correct position during attachment, making positioning easy while ensuring stable and reliable fixation. The pre-defined geometric relationship between projections and holes prevents misalignment and ensures consistent positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2980502B1Air conditioner
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 TOSHIBA CARRIER CORP
  • EP2980502B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2980502B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2980502B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an air conditioner includes a drawn portion formed in an air conditioner body to be swollen and configured to closely contact an electrical component box, a projection provided in one of the air conditioner body and the electrical component box by a cut-and-raised process, and a hole which is provided in the other one of the air conditioner body and the electrical component box, to which the projection is fitted and which is slid along the drawn portion of the air conditioner body and hooked onto the projection, and an attaching portion for screwing and fixing the electrical component box to the air conditioner body at a position at which the projection is hooked onto the hole.