Indoor Unit Curved Casing Design for Easy Filter Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In known indoor air conditioner units, the cross flow fan's air supply is insufficient to its central part due to a constant inlet port width, and curving the casing to enhance air supply worsens the unit's appearance, while a protruding filter design makes filter detachment difficult.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit features a curved casing with a protruding wall surface inclined downward, allowing easy filter removal, parallel filter attachment to the heat exchanger for improved airflow, and a handle on the filter for easy gripping, along with a mechanism to cancel movement restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the top plate portion of the casing is enlarged to increase the inlet port width, then the air amount supplied to the central part of the cross flow fan is increased, but the casing is enlarged and hence the appearance of the indoor unit is significantly deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The top plate portion is designed with a curved surface that protrudes forward at its central part, creating a bulging shape. This curvature increases the inlet port width at the central region without enlarging the overall casing dimensions, thereby improving air supply to the cross flow fan while maintaining an acceptable appearance.
2Quantity of substance
If the front surface of the casing is curved to bulge so that its central part is at the foremost, then the inlet port is enlarged and air volume supplied to the central part of the cross flow fan is increased, but a protruding wall surface is formed at around the lower end portion of the filter, making filter detachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The front surface of the casing is divided into multiple regions with different functions: the upper central part is curved to bulge for increasing air supply, while the lower part around the filter is kept flat or designed with a different curvature to provide easy access for filter detachment. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Area of stationary object
If the front surface of the casing is curved to bulge, then the inlet port width is increased, but the lower end portion of the filter is positioned away from the front end of the protruding wall surface, making it impossible for users to hold and detach the filter
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the casing front surface are given different geometric properties: the upper central region has a curved bulging shape to maximize inlet port width, while the lower region where the filter is located is designed with a flat or gently sloped surface to ensure user accessibility. This local differentiation of geometric quality allows both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
In an indoor unit in which a front surface of a casing is curved to bulge so that its central part is at the foremost, a filter cannot be easily taken out. An indoor unit 1 of the present invention includes a casing 5, a front panel 7 provided forward of the casing 5, and a filter 36 arranged to be attachable to a mounting position to cover an opening 24 formed on a front surface of the casing 5. On the front surface 31 of the casing 5, a protruding wall surface 37 is provided around a lower end portion of the opening 24 to protrude forward, a front end of the protruding wall being curved so that a central part of the front end protrudes forward. The front panel 7 is rotatable relative to the casing 5 so that the lower end portion thereof moves forward, and the protruding wall surface 37 is inclined forward in a downward direction.