Indoor Unit Filter Cartridge Layout for Compact Auto-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing indoor air-conditioning units with automatic filter cleaning mechanisms face challenges in maintaining a compact design and avoiding size limitations of the heat exchanger due to the placement of the dust box in front of the heat exchanger, which increases the unit's depth and restricts the heat exchanger's shape.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cartridge system with a filter drive shaft and motor that allows the filter to be moved in the right-and-left direction, enabling the dust box to be positioned above the heat exchanger, thus maintaining a compact form factor and preventing size limitations while providing automatic filter cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the dust box is arranged in front of the heat exchanger to enable automatic filter cleaning, then the filter cleaning function is achieved, but the depth dimension of the indoor unit is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The dust box is repositioned from the front direction to the upper direction relative to the heat exchanger, changing the spatial arrangement from horizontal placement to vertical placement. This dimensional change allows the filter cleaning function to be maintained while reducing the depth dimension of the indoor unit.
2Extent of automation
If the dust box is arranged in front of the heat exchanger, then automatic filter cleaning is enabled, but the shape and size of the heat exchanger are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the dust box to the upper direction, the spatial constraint on the heat exchanger is reduced, allowing for greater flexibility in heat exchanger design without compromising the automatic filter cleaning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor unit is divided into functionally independent modules: the heat exchanger module and the filter cleaning module (dust box). This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, enabling the heat exchanger to have flexible shape and size while the dust box handles the cleaning function.
3Length of moving object
If the dust box is positioned above the heat exchanger to maintain compact design, then the depth dimension is reduced, but the filter cleaning mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaning mechanism uses a movable brush that can dynamically adjust its position to contact the filter surface. This dynamic approach simplifies the overall structure compared to fixed mechanisms, as the brush can adapt to different filter positions and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
A brush is introduced as an intermediary element between the dust box and the filter. This brush mediates the cleaning action, allowing the dust box to be positioned above the heat exchanger while still effectively contacting and cleaning the filter surface through the brush's flexible contact.
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 configuration allows for efficient automatic filter cleaning without increasing the unit's depth and maintains a compact design, ensuring effective airflow and reduced noise generation while allowing for easy maintenance and precise filter mounting.
Implementation Method 1
a filter provided to an air inlet of a casing, which is configured to remove dust from air sucked into the casing
Implementation Method 2
a fan and a heat exchanger provided inside the casing
Implementation Method 3
a fan and a heat exchanger provided inside the casing
Implementation Method 4
a brush configured to clean the filter
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a cartridge provided to an air inlet so as to be freely mountable and dismountable. The cartridge accommodates a filter so as to be freely movable in a fore-and-aft direction and has an opening port formed in one end portion in the fore-and-aft direction. A dust box is provided on a side of the end portion of the cartridge. The dust box includes a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the filter and a dust collecting portion configured to collect dust.