Indoor Unit Casing Structure for Easy Unpacking After Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
When indoor units for air-conditioning apparatuses are stacked, the weight bearing concentrates on the designed side rib part, causing it to dig into the cushioning material, making it difficult to remove the cushioning member during unpacking.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a designed side planar part with a substantially rectangular distal end portion on the casing, in addition to the designed side rib part, to distribute the weight and prevent digging into the cushioning material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the indoor unit is stacked in multiple levels with only a designed side rib part contacting the cushioning member, then the structure is simple, but the weight bearing concentrates at the contact part causing the side rib part to dig into the cushioning material
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface of the casing is segmented into multiple contact parts: a designed side rib part and a designed side planar part. This segmentation distributes the weight bearing across multiple areas, preventing concentration of force at a single point and avoiding digging into the cushioning material during stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the casing side surface are given different geometrical properties optimized for their specific functions. The designed side rib part provides structural support while the designed side planar part provides a broader contact area for weight distribution. Each part's local geometry is optimized to prevent digging into the cushioning member while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Productivity
If the indoor unit is stacked in multiple levels, then storage efficiency increases, but the weight bearing concentrates at the contact part causing difficulty in removing the cushioning member
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface is divided into multiple contact parts (designed side rib part and designed side planar part) that distribute the weight from stacked units. This segmentation allows multiple levels of stacking without excessive force concentration, enabling both efficient storage and easy unpacking by preventing the cushioning member from becoming embedded.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing geometry is designed in advance with specific rib and planar parts that act as built-in cushioning structures. These pre-designed features distribute weight before it can concentrate and damage the cushioning material, allowing safe stacking while maintaining ease of unpacking.
3Ease of manufacture
If only a designed side rib part is provided on the casing, then manufacturing is simple, but the distal end portion digs into the cushioning material under weight bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface is segmented into a designed side rib part and a designed side planar part, both of which can be manufactured using standard molding techniques. This segmentation distributes weight bearing to prevent digging into the cushioning material while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integration into the casing mold.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local geometries (rib structure vs. planar surface) are incorporated into the casing to optimize specific functions at different locations. The rib part provides structural support while the planar part provides broader contact area. Both can be manufactured in the same molding process, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving stacking reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] Provided is an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, which prevents a part of its casing from digging into a cushioning member even when the indoor unit is stacked up in its packed state and which, therefore, archives the ease of unpacking. [Solution] An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a designed side rib part 5a and a designed side planar part 5d. The designed side rib part 5a is provided so as to protrude along the short direction of a casing 5, and has a distal end portion 5a' having a linear shape in rear view. The designed side planar part 5d is provided so as to protrude along the short direction of the casing 5, and has a distal end portion 5d' having a substantially rectangular shape in rear view. When a cushioning member 4 for packing is fitted to the side of the casing 5, both the distal end portion 5a' of the designed side rib part 5a and the distal end portion 5d' of the designed side planar part 5d contact an inner wall 4a of the cushioning member 4 opposite to the distal end portion 5a' of the designed side rib part 5a.