Air-conditioning appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning units for vehicles, such as mobile homes and caravans, suffer from noise issues due to compressor vibrations being transmitted to the housing, leading to discomfort and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning device incorporates a unique fastening system with a bracing element, guide element, and stop elements that allow for variable axial distance adjustment, distributing compressor forces more evenly across multiple fastening devices, including a spring unit and vibration-damping materials like foamed plastic, to reduce noise and vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the compressor is rigidly fastened to the housing base, then the mechanical coupling ensures stable mounting, but vibrations and noise are transmitted directly to the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration-damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the compressor and the housing base. This mediator absorbs and dampens vibrations, preventing them from being transmitted to the housing while maintaining secure mounting stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device employs composite construction combining rigid components (bracing element, guide element) for structural stability with vibration-damping materials (foamed plastic, elastomers) to reduce noise transmission. This composite approach simultaneously achieves mounting stability and vibration isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If multiple fastening devices are used to distribute compressor forces, then vibration transmission is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into multiple identical fastening devices, each handling a portion of the compressor's forces. This segmentation distributes vibration transmission paths while maintaining a standardized, modular design that limits overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each fastening device is designed as a universal, multi-functional component that simultaneously provides mechanical support, vibration damping, and positioning functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the axial distance between stop elements is variable in unassembled state, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidaxial distance precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stop elements are designed with variable axial positioning capability during assembly, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and facilitate ease of assembly. Once assembled, the structure transitions to a fixed configuration that maintains sufficient precision for operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The axial distance parameter between stop elements is designed to be variable during the assembly process, enabling operators to adjust positioning for ease of installation. After assembly, the parameters are fixed at values that satisfy the required manufacturing precision for normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration significantly reduces noise and vibration transmission, enhancing the operational quietness and stability of the air conditioning unit, thereby improving user experience and device longevity.

Implementation Method 1

vibration-damping materials like foamed plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

spring unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4251446B1Air-conditioning appliance
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 TRUMA GERATETECHNIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4251446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4251446B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an air-conditioning appliance (1). A fastening device (200) fastens a compressor (2) to a base (11) of a housing (10) by means of a bearing component (20). A clamping element (201) is situated within a guide element (202). The guide element (202) is situated in a recess (12) of the base (11) of the housing (10) and has a shorter length than the recess (12). Two stop elements (203) are associated in each case with an end face of the clamping element (201), wherein an axial spacing between the stop elements (203) is variable when not installed and fixed when installed.