Indoor Unit Suspension Bracket Layout to Reduce Bolt Swing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suspension systems for indoor units, such as air-conditioning apparatuses, face issues with suspension bolts swinging excessively and potentially breaking when the distance between the ceiling and the unit is large, leading to instability and risk of the unit falling, even with added braces.

Innovation Solution

The unit attaching device features suspension brackets installed on the ceiling side of the unit's housing, reducing the distance between the base point of the suspension bolt's swing and the unit's installation position, thereby minimizing swing and enhancing stability through strategic placement and design features like elongate holes and slits for suspension bolts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suspension brackets are installed on the lower side of the unit (conventional method), then the unit can be suspended from the ceiling, but the suspension bolts swing largely and may be broken when the distance between ceiling and unit is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension bolt reliabilityVSAvoidunit stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional installation position of suspension brackets from the lower side of the unit to the upper side (ceiling side). This inversion shortens the distance between the suspension bolt's base point and the unit, reducing swing amplitude and preventing bolt breakage while maintaining suspension functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If braces are added to increase strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the suspension bolts still swing about lower attachment parts and may be broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidsuspension bolt reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the suspension bracket position to the upper side of the unit, which fundamentally changes the swing dynamics. This eliminates the problem of bolts swinging about lower attachment points, making additional braces unnecessary for preventing bolt breakage from swing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the distance between ceiling and unit is long, then the unit can be installed further from the ceiling, but the suspension bolts swing largely and the unit may fall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidunit suspension reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the suspension bracket position to the upper side of the unit, the patent shortens the effective suspension length even when installed far from the ceiling. This reduces swing amplitude and maintains reliability while preserving installation flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10006658B2Unit attaching device and indoor unit

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

The unit attaching device of the present invention has suspension brackets that have a hole for passing a suspension bolt suspended from a ceiling and that are installed to an indoor unit that is a unit to be suspended. The suspension brackets are installed on the ceiling side of the side surface of a housing of the indoor unit. For example, when an earthquake or the like occurs, the distance between a part that is the base point of the swing of the suspension bolt and the installation position of the unit can be reduced.