Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connection devices for drainage pipes in air conditioners face difficulties in assembly and disassembly, especially during maintenance when the air conditioner is in a hung state, due to limited space and structural challenges, making it hard to achieve convenient and stable connections.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a snap ring structure with a fixing ring, snap bracket, and snap ring, along with a quick-release head, which includes a movable in-pipe sleeve, spring, shell, sealing ring, and water-pipe joint, allowing for bidirectional fixing and easy assembly/disassembly, and made from stainless steel to prevent rusting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional drainage pipe connection structure is used, then the connection is stable and secure, but the assembly and disassembly become difficult due to structural problems and limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device is divided into separate components: a connection body with a snap ring structure, a drainage pipe with a fixing post, and a water pipe with a fixing ring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling stable connection while facilitating easy assembly and disassembly through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap ring structure incorporates elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically adapt during assembly. The snap ring can elastically deform to accommodate the fixing post during insertion, then automatically locks into place, providing both ease of assembly and secure connection. The dynamic elastic property enables the connection to be made simple while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the air conditioner is in a hung state during maintenance, then space for movement is limited, but assembly and disassembly of drainage pipe becomes even more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device uses a snap ring with excessive elastic deformation capability that exceeds the minimum required for connection. This allows the snap ring to be easily deformed during assembly even in limited spaces, and the excessive elastic energy stored enables automatic locking without requiring precise positioning or complex alignment, thus facilitating assembly in hung state conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap ring structure is designed to automatically lock the drainage pipe to the water pipe through its own elastic deformation, without requiring additional fastening operations or external tools. The fixing post and fixing ring engage through the snap ring's self-actuating mechanism, enabling assembly and disassembly to be performed easily even when the air conditioner is in a hung state with limited access space.
3Ease of operation
If a simple connection structure is used, then assembly and disassembly are convenient, but the connection stability and sealing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection device merges multiple functions into a single integrated snap ring structure: positioning, sealing, and locking are all achieved through the snap ring's design. The snap ring simultaneously provides the sealing interface against the water pipe and the locking mechanism against the fixing post, combining simplicity of operation with reliable connection and sealing in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap ring acts as an intermediary element between the drainage pipe's fixing post and the water pipe's fixing ring. It mediates the connection by providing both the sealing surface and the locking mechanism, enabling convenient assembly while ensuring stable connection and effective sealing through its intermediate positioning and dual-function design.
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
The solution provides a stable and secure connection, enhances sealing performance, and facilitates quick assembly and disassembly, even in limited spaces, ensuring the drainage process is efficient and leak-proof.
Implementation Method 1
a movable in-pipe sleeve, a spring, a shell
Implementation Method 2
The snap is an unclosed ring structure, and includes a fixing ring, a snap bracket, and a snap ring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a connection device for a drainage pipe (1) of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, including a snap (2) and a fixing post (4). The fixing post (4) is arranged on an outer wall of the drainage pipe (1), the drainage pipe (1) is arranged to the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the snap (2) is arranged to an upper end of a water pipe (3), a lower end of the drainage pipe (1) is inserted in the upper end of the water pipe (3), and the snap (2) is snapped with the fixing post (4).