Protective Grille Box Assembly Without Unit Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective solutions for external air conditioning units require disassembly of the pre-existing unit, are complex to assemble, and costly due to numerous screws and nuts, and are prone to rust issues, making them inefficient and expensive to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A grille box with a frame of parallelogram shape that can be fixed to the wall without disassembling the unit, using a removable C-shaped crosspiece and S-shaped sections with bayonet couplings for easy assembly and a design adaptable to various sizes and surfaces, made from easily processed and resistant materials like steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional grille boxes are used to protect external air conditioning units, then protection against vandalism and weather is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to numerous screws and nuts required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function with the mounting function into a single integrated grille box structure. The grille box is designed to be mounted directly over the external air conditioning unit without requiring separate mounting brackets or multiple fastening components, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining protection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The grille box is designed as a universal protective structure that can accommodate different sizes and types of external air conditioning units. The standardized design with adjustable dimensions allows a single product type to serve multiple protection needs, reducing the variety of components required and simplifying assembly procedures
2Strength
If traditional grille boxes with many screws and nuts are used, then structural strength is improved, but installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grille box is segmented into modular components that can be assembled in a standardized sequence. The structure is divided into frame elements and panel sections that connect through simplified interfaces, reducing the number of fastening operations required while maintaining overall structural strength through the distributed load-bearing design
Solution Approach 2:
The grille box components are pre-assembled or pre-configured to facilitate rapid installation. The design incorporates pre-drilled mounting holes, pre-attached securing mechanisms, and pre-configured dimensions that eliminate the need for on-site measurements and custom fabrication, thereby reducing installation time without compromising structural integrity
3Reliability
If traditional grille boxes are used, then protection is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to requirement of disassembling pre-existing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The grille box incorporates removable and adjustable components that allow for dynamic configuration during installation. The modular design enables installers to adapt the grille box to different unit sizes and mounting positions without requiring disassembly of the protected unit, making the assembly process more flexible and easier to perform
4Reliability
If nuts and screws are used extensively, then fastening reliability is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases due to rust and blocked threads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs corrosion-resistant fastening components that are designed to be replaced rather than repaired. By using inexpensive, rust-proof screws and nuts (or alternative fastening methods), the system prioritizes ease of maintenance over long-term durability of individual fasteners, allowing quick replacement without specialized tools or procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The design substitutes traditional screw-and-nut fastening systems with alternative connection methods such as snap-fits, interlocking mechanisms, or welded joints that eliminate threaded fasteners entirely. This substitution prevents rust-related blocking and simplifies maintenance by removing the need for thread cleaning or lubrication
Data Source
AI summary
Grille box (1) for the protection from atmospheric elements, vandalism and theft, of appliances hanging on a wall or resting on a floor or other support surface. Said box (1) allows easy and quick assembling which does not require the prior disassembly of the appliance to protect.