Indoor unit of air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire can spread from the joint of a flame-retardant resin electrical component box in air conditioners due to air flow and melting of the resin, making it difficult to reinforce with sheet metal in complex shapes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing flexible first fire spread prevention members made of non-flammable materials inside and outside the electrical component box, optionally with harder second members for additional reinforcement, to prevent fire spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical component box is formed of flame-retardant resin, then the degree of freedom in shape is increased, but fire can spread from the joint due to resin melting
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical component box is formed by combining flame-retardant resin and a fire spread prevention member made of non-flammable material (such as metal plate or fire-retardant paint). This composite structure allows the box to maintain complex shapes provided by the resin while the non-flammable member prevents fire spread at joints, resolving the contradiction between shape freedom and fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire spread prevention member is selectively applied at specific locations (joints between lid and main body portions) rather than throughout the entire electrical component box. This localized approach maintains the advantages of flame-retardant resin for the overall structure while providing targeted fire protection where it is most needed, preventing fire spread without compromising shape design freedom.
2Reliability
If sheet metal is added to reinforce the joint, then fire spread is prevented, but it is difficult to process to match complex shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The fire spread prevention member is designed as a thin, flexible component that can be easily conform ed to complex joint geometries. This thin-film approach provides effective fire protection at joints while being simple to manufacture and install, avoiding the processing difficulties associated with rigid sheet metal and complex shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the fire prevention material by using non-flammable materials with different properties (metal plates, fire-retardant paints, or other coatings) instead of traditional thick sheet metal. These material parameter changes allow the prevention member to be easily processed and conform ed to various joint shapes while maintaining fire spread prevention effectiveness.
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
Prevents fire spread by maintaining joint integrity and thermal strength, even in complex shapes, while allowing easy installation and reducing electrical short-circuit risks.
Implementation Method 1
A first fire spread prevention member formed of a first non-flammable material having flexibility is provided at a joint formed when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined or at a portion adjacent to the joint in the electrical component box
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit of an air conditioner prevents spread of fire from an electrical component box. An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is an indoor unit of an air conditioner, including an electrical component box that includes a main body portion and a lid portion and houses an electrical component. The electrical component box includes the lid portion and the main body portion into which the lid portion is fitted. A first fire spread prevention member formed of a first non-flammable material having flexibility is provided at a joint formed when the main body portion and the lid portion are combined or at a portion adjacent to the joint in the electrical component box.