Ducted Air Conditioner Fan Panel Rail Assembly for Screw Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Duct type air conditioners face difficulties in withdrawing the fan mechanism horizontally due to weight-induced tilting, leading to misalignment of screw holes during installation, especially when ducts are required around the casing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of L-shaped vertical rails and panel retainers with inclined surfaces and stopper portions allows for controlled descent and proper alignment of fan panels, ensuring accurate mounting and easy screw insertion, while reducing the weight and size of fan units by using divided fan panels and spacers to distribute load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the fan mechanism is withdrawn horizontally along rails for maintenance, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the heavy motor weight causes the mechanism to tilt inward, resulting in misalignment of screw holes for mounting the fan panel
Solution Approach 1:
The fan mechanism is divided into separate fan units that can be independently handled. Each fan unit has its weight distributed and can be positioned separately, allowing the alignment function to engage properly without the entire mechanism tilting inward as a single heavy unit
Solution Approach 2:
An alignment function is introduced as an intermediary component between the fan panel and the mounting structure. This alignment function includes guide rails and positioning features that ensure proper alignment of screw holes during the withdrawal and maintenance process, preventing misalignment caused by weight-induced tilting
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper rail is made detachable to allow vertical withdrawal of the fan mechanism, then adaptability to different installation sites is improved, but the entire fan mechanism tilts inward due to motor weight, causing loss of screw hole registration
Solution Approach 1:
The fan mechanism is segmented into individual fan units with separate handling capabilities. This segmentation allows each unit to be positioned and aligned independently using the alignment function, preventing the collective tilting effect that occurs when the entire heavy mechanism is moved as one unit
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function serves as a mediator between the detachable rail system and the fan panel mounting. It provides guide rails, positioning features, and alignment references that ensure screw holes remain properly registered even when the mechanism is withdrawn vertically in detached configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A fan mechanism includes fan units having fan panels, motors mounted inwardly of said fan panels, fans positioned inwardly of the fan panels and driven by the motors, where a pair of vertical rails is mounted on both sides of each of discharge openings inwardly of the front plate so that the inner portions thereof face each other, panel retainers are attached inwardly to the lower portions of the discharge openings, press portions are formed at upper portions of both sides of the fan panels, both sides of each fan panel are pushed down into the vertical rails downward from above while being guided by the pair of vertical rails, the lower edge of the fan panel rides on the panel retainer, and the press portions are pushed down into the vertical rails, so that the fan panel is pressed against the inside of the front plate.