Indoor Unit Display Panel Icons That Resist Gap-Induced Blurring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display configurations for air-conditioning apparatus indoor units face issues with maintaining the desired shape visibility when the light-emitting device is turned on, as gaps between the display window and the front panel can blur the shape due to insufficient urging force or improper positioning of the display board fixture.
Innovation Solution
An indoor unit design featuring a display panel with a light-emitting device and icons formed on its surface, utilizing a light-blocking layer printed with ink to block light transmission, allowing the icons to be visually recognized from the inner side even if a gap forms between the display device and the panel, eliminating the need for additional components to prevent gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the display window is closely fixed to the back surface of the front panel using a coil spring, then the shape visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light blocking function from a separate display window component and integrates it directly into the front panel through printed icons. This eliminates the need for a separate display window, coil spring, and display board fixture, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining visibility function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the display window, icon, and light blocking layer into a single integrated structure on the front panel. The icon is directly formed on the front panel surface, combining multiple previously separate components into one unified element, reducing assembly complexity and part count
2Illumination intensity
If a coil spring is used to urge the display board fixture against the front panel, then the shape visibility is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coil spring urging mechanism entirely, replacing it with a printed icon structure that inherently maintains its position on the front panel. This eliminates the need for precise arrangement and urging force control, significantly reducing manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The printed icon on the front panel serves its own positioning function through the printing process itself, eliminating the need for external urging mechanisms. The icon structure is self-sufficient in maintaining its relative position to the light-emitting device without requiring additional components or precise assembly
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
Enhances visibility of the display icons by preventing blurring due to gaps and reduces the number of components required, while allowing for improved designability and fine shape expression.
Implementation Method 1
a light blocking layer which is printed on the surface of the display panel with ink that blocks transmission of light
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus: a display panel arranged on a front surface side; a display device, which includes a light-emitting device that is allowed to control turning on and turning off, and is arranged so as to be opposed to a back surface of the display panel; and an icon, which is formed on a surface of the display panel, and is configured to notify predetermined information. The icon includes a light blocking layer that is printed with ink that blocks transmission of light, and is visually recognized by radiating light emitted from the light-emitting device from an inner side of the indoor unit.