Indoor Unit Display Panel Icons That Stay Clear Despite Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display configurations for air-conditioning indoor units face issues with blurring of the desired shape when a gap forms between the display window and the front panel, due to insufficient urging force or improper positioning of the display board fixture, leading to reduced visibility.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves forming a light blocking layer on the surface of the display panel using ink that blocks light transmission, allowing the icon to be visually recognized as a shadow even with gaps, eliminating the need for additional components to prevent gaps and enhancing visibility by diffusing light from a light-emitting device onto the panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the display window is closely fixed to the back surface of the front panel, then the shape visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring urging components like coil springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-blocking function from a separate physical component (display window) and integrates it directly into the front panel through coating or printing. This eliminates the need for separate display window components and urging mechanisms like coil springs, while maintaining the light-blocking effect for shape visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the display window function with the front panel structure by applying light-blocking coating or printing directly onto the front panel. This integration eliminates the interface between separate components, removing the need for urging mechanisms and simplifying the overall device structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a coil spring is used to urge the display board fixture, then the display window remains closely fixed, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the display window as a separate component and integrates the light-blocking function directly into the front panel. This eliminates the mechanical interface that would require precise positioning and urging mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
3Device complexity
If the display window is separated from the front panel, then the device complexity decreases, but the shape visibility deteriorates due to gap formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-blocking function with the front panel through coating or printing, creating an integrated structure that eliminates gaps while maintaining simplicity. The light-blocking pattern is applied directly to the front panel surface, ensuring continuous optical function without requiring separate components.
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 approach ensures that the icon remains clear and visible even with gaps, reduces the number of components required, and improves designability by assimilating the icon with the panel when not in use, while maintaining enhanced visibility and fine shape expression.
Implementation Method 1
a light blocking layer 61 is formed on a display panel 3
Implementation Method 2
a light-emitting device 72 mounted on a display board 71
Implementation Method 3
diffusing portion 732 formed into a tapered shape so that a diameter thereof is gradually reduced toward an inner side of the indoor unit 100
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Provided is an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, including: 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.