Air Conditioner Controller Modular Board Layout for Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner controllers require inefficient maintenance processes due to the need to pull out circuit boards for switch operation and LAN cable replacement, which complicates maintenance and reduces work efficiency, especially in densely installed systems.
Innovation Solution
The controller design includes circuit boards with connectors and electronic components positioned to be accessible from the exterior, allowing for plug insertion and removal without removing the boards, and a configuration that allows for efficient maintenance without displacing the boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If circuit boards are overlapped and arranged to miniaturize the controller, then the installation space is reduced, but maintenance efficiency deteriorates because switches and connectors become inaccessible without removing the board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional arrangement by placing connectors and switches on different layers (circuit boards arranged in thickness direction) while ensuring that operational components on lower layers remain accessible from the front. This allows miniaturization through vertical stacking without sacrificing maintenance accessibility, as technicians can operate switches and connectors without removing upper circuit boards.
2Ease of repair
If space is secured in the periphery to pull out the board for maintenance, then maintenance work can be performed, but the controller size increases and cannot be densely installed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional stacked layout. Circuit boards are arranged in the thickness direction (vertical dimension) rather than spreading out horizontally. This allows the controller to maintain a compact footprint for dense installation while providing front-accessible operational interfaces that eliminate the need for peripheral space to pull out boards during maintenance.
3Ease of repair
If the controller is removed from the control panel to perform maintenance, then all maintenance work can be completed, but work efficiency decreases and the control panel configuration is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the operational components (switches and connectors) from the internal structure of the controller, making them accessible from the front exterior. This allows maintenance personnel to perform switch operations and connector replacements without removing the entire controller from the control panel, thereby maintaining system configuration integrity while improving work efficiency through in-situ maintenance capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller includes a control board, a transmitting board, a display board, and a USB board. A modular jack is arranged at a position on one surface of the transmitting board, the surface on which the modular jack is arranged faces the control board, and the position of the modular jack is not covered by the control board. A switch is arranged at a position on one surface of the control board, the surface on which the switch is arranged faces the display board and the USB board, and the position of the switch is not covered by the display board and the USB board.