Grille Mounting Structure With Integrated Guiding Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting structures for air conditioner grilles are either time-consuming and labor-intensive to install, prone to deformation, or lack secure fastening mechanisms, posing safety concerns during installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A mounting structure comprising an integrated fixing and guiding member that aligns the grille in a predetermined position and hooks onto the device, ensuring secure fastening without disassembling parts, using a guiding member that extends from the fixing member to facilitate easy alignment and prevent the grille from falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latch members are used to securely engage with coupling holes from the internal surface of the panel, then the grille is securely fixed onto the panel, but the mounting process becomes time-consuming and labor intensive as the panel must be disassembled first
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of engaging the latch members from the internal surface of the panel (as in prior art), the invention inverts the approach by enabling engagement from the external surface. The latch members are designed to be operable from outside the panel, allowing the grille to be mounted without disassembling the panel first, thus reducing mounting time while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the mounting operation from the panel assembly process. By designing the latch members to be independently operable from the external surface, the grille mounting is separated from the panel assembly sequence, allowing the grille to be installed after the panel is already in place, thereby eliminating the need to disassemble the panel for mounting purposes.
2Ease of operation
If elastic coupling members are used to couple with holes on the panel, then the mounting structure can be easily removed and mounted, but the elastic material may deform or crack after long exposure to heat and rainwater
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the durable but environmentally vulnerable elastic material with a conventional, simpler material that is less susceptible to environmental degradation. The latch members are designed as replaceable components that can be easily installed and removed without relying on elastic properties, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving long-term reliability under heat and rainwater exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from elastic material to a more environmentally stable material. By altering the material composition and mechanical properties of the latch members, the design maintains the ease of mounting and removal functionality while significantly improving resistance to deformation and cracking caused by prolonged exposure to heat and rainwater.
3Reliability
If a separate mounting structure is used that is not integrally connected to the grille or main body, then additional fixation processes are required, but this makes the mounting process more complex and the coupling slot difficult to locate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the mounting structure with the grille assembly by integrally connecting the latch members to the grille. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and additional fixation processes, simplifying the overall device while maintaining secure attachment. The coupling holes are also strategically positioned to be easily locatable during the mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch members serve multiple functions: they provide secure attachment to the panel, guide the mounting process through easily locatable coupling holes, and can be operated from the external surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and additional fixation processes, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If the coupling slot is hidden from view during mounting, then the grille can be securely attached, but the slot becomes difficult to locate and the coupling is not efficiently tightened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the coupling holes in advance at locations that are easily accessible and visible from the external surface of the panel. This preliminary positioning ensures that the coupling holes can be easily located during the mounting process without requiring the grille to be forced into position or the panel to be disassembled, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining secure coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting structure of a grille for mounting the grille onto a device comprises a fixing member having a fixing aperture for receiving a fastening means and a guiding member extending away from the fixing member for inserting into an opening on the device so that the grille is placed in a pre-determined position and the fixing aperture is aligned with a corresponding fastening means receiving slot on the device to facilitate the fastening of the grille onto the device. The fixing member and the guiding member are integrally formed as a single piece on the grille.