Duct-type air conditioner and assembling method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ducted air conditioners have high labor consumption and low production efficiency due to the use of numerous screws for assembly, complicated assembly steps, and issues with screw hole misalignment and thread slipperiness, which complicates automated production and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The ducted air conditioner design incorporates a heat-retaining and drainage device that integrates with the housing, reducing the need for screws and simplifying assembly by using bayonets, slideways, and clamping mechanisms, along with a simplified fan system and heat exchanger installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a separate drain hole is formed in the heat exchanger for removing condensed water, then condensed water can be effectively removed, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the condensed water drainage function with the existing sensor hole structure. The sensor hole, which already exists for inserting temperature/humidity sensors, is repurposed to also serve as the drain hole for condensed water. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate drain hole structure, reducing part count while maintaining effective condensed water removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor hole is designed to serve multiple functions: it allows insertion of temperature and humidity sensors for environmental monitoring, and simultaneously serves as a drainage pathway for condensed water removal. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making one structure perform both sensing and drainage roles without requiring additional components.
2Ease of operation
If the number of holes in the heat exchanger is increased for sensor insertion and drainage, then sensing and drainage functions are improved, but tightness and airtightness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor insertion hole and drain hole into a single opening. Instead of creating separate holes for sensor insertion and drainage (which would compromise tightness), the design uses one multi-functional hole that serves both purposes. This reduces the number of penetrations in the heat exchanger structure, thereby maintaining better tightness and airtightness while still enabling both sensing and drainage operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a duct-type air conditioner is installed in a small hole of a building wall, then installation flexibility and space utilization are improved, but sealing performance and airtightness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sealing ring (made of rubber or similar elastic material) that can deform and adapt to the irregularities of the wall opening. This flexible sealing element maintains effective sealing performance even when installed in small or non-ideal wall holes, resolving the contradiction between installation flexibility and sealing reliability. The flexible nature of the sealing ring allows it to conform to various opening sizes and shapes while maintaining airtightness.
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 design reduces labor consumption, improves assembly efficiency, lowers material and labor costs, and enhances production efficiency while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing air passage for allowing the air to be blown by the blowing fan
Implementation Method 2
a suction air passage for allowing the air to be sucked by the suction fan
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger provided in a duct which is inserted into a hole formed in a building wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is a duct-type air conditioner, comprising a housing (1), a heat preservation drainage device (2), a fan system (4) and a heat exchange system (3). The heat preservation drainage device (2) comprises an upper heat preservation member (21) and a water pan (22); the water pan (22) is located below the upper heat preservation member (21) and connected to the upper heat preservation member (21), and divides an inner cavity of the housing (1) into a first cavity and a second cavity which are independent; the fan system (4) is fixedly mounted in the first cavity; and the heat exchange system (3) is fixedly installed in the second cavity and located between the upper heat preservation member (21) and the water pan (22). The housing (1) comprises a box body with a downward opening, and the box body comprises a bottom plate (11). An assembly method for the duct-type air conditioner comprises: placing the box body with the opening facing upwards; installing the upper heat preservation member (21) on the bottom plate (11); installing the heat exchange system (3) above the upper heat preservation member (21); installing the water pan (22) above the heat exchange system (3) to be connected to the upper heat preservation member (21); and fixedly installing the fan system (4) in the first cavity. The number of parts is reduced, and so the number of screws to be used is reduced, such that the assembly efficiency is improved.