Indoor unit for air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing standalone air conditioner indoor units with rear-mounted air suction ports and filters are difficult to clean due to limited space and weight, requiring users to replace or clean filters from the back, which is inconvenient, and existing filter cleaners are limited in movement and effectiveness in removing stuck foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
An indoor unit with a filter cleaner that moves upward and downward relative to a fixed filter module, using a guide rail system, agitator, and suction fan to separate and collect foreign substances, with a detachable dust container for easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a filter is disposed at the air suction port in the rear of the cabinet, then the air suction function is achieved, but the filter cleaning becomes inconvenient and requires user access from the back
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cleaner automatically moves along the guide rail and performs cleaning operations without requiring user intervention. The system self-services by autonomously navigating to the filter, activating the suction fan, and collecting dust, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail acts as an intermediary structure that enables the filter cleaner to access the rear-mounted filter conveniently. The guide rail provides a predefined path that simplifies the cleaner's movement while maintaining effective cleaning capability, bridging the gap between the cleaner mechanism and the filter location.
2Productivity
If a filter cleaner capable of moving upward and downward is used, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the cleaner requires left-right movement capability which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented into vertical movement (upward and downward along the guide rail) and horizontal cleaning (via the suction fan and dust collection). This segmentation allows the cleaner to achieve comprehensive cleaning coverage through simple vertical traversal rather than complex two-dimensional movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cleaner operates primarily in the vertical dimension by moving upward and downward along the guide rail, while the suction fan handles the horizontal dust collection. This dimensional separation simplifies the movement mechanism while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.
3Ease of operation
If the filter arrangement is changed in the left and right direction for cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the filter shape must be deformed which limits applicability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the filter arrangement or shape for cleaning, the invention inverts the approach by moving the cleaner to the filter. The filter remains stationary in its original configuration, while the cleaner autonomously navigates to perform cleaning, thereby maintaining filter compatibility while improving cleaning accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail provides a standardized path that can be applied to various filter configurations without requiring filter deformation. This standardized approach allows the same cleaning mechanism to work with different filter types and arrangements, enhancing versatility.
4Device complexity
If a suction method is used to remove foreign substances, then the cleaning process is simplified, but stuck foreign substances cannot be removed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The suction fan generates strong airflow that creates dynamic forces to dislodge and remove stuck foreign substances from the filter. The high-velocity air stream penetrates and loosens adhered particles, combining the simplicity of suction method with improved removal effectiveness for stubborn contaminants.
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
The filter cleaner effectively maintains the filter in a clean condition by removing stuck substances, ensuring a stable and efficient cleaning process with easy access to the dust container, enhancing user convenience and cleanliness of the indoor space.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan to collect dust
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic force generator and sensors for precise movement control
Data Source
AI summary
The indoor unit for the air conditioner according to the present invention includes: a cabinet assembly forming an external appearance of the indoor unit and having an air suction port formed in a rear of the cabinet assembly; a filter module disposed at the air suction port to filter dust contained in air being introduced through the air suction port; a filter cleaner configured to move upward and downward in a rear of the filter module to remove foreign substances stuck in the filter module; a guide rail vertically disposed on one side of the filter module and configured to guide upward and downward movement of the filter cleaner.