Indoor Unit Suction Port Structure for Uniform Light Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of indoor air-conditioning units with suction ports in the front panel, extending in the width direction, results in light and dark fringes due to the reflection of light from reinforcement units, compromising the aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a front panel with a recessed suction port extending rearward, featuring a connecting portion with a bottom wall and inner wall configuration that reflects light below the horizontal line, preventing the brightening of the connecting portion and minimizing light and dark fringes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a suction port is formed in the front design panel extending in the width direction, then heat exchange performance is improved, but the front design panel strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is divided into a bottom wall and an inner wall, where the bottom wall extends rearward from the lower panel and the inner wall extends upward to connect to the upper panel. This segmented structure provides reinforcement while maintaining the suction port functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion extends in the depth direction (rearward from the front panel), adding a third dimension to the reinforcement structure. This allows strength enhancement without compromising the front panel's aesthetic appearance or suction port performance.
2Strength
If a reinforcement unit is provided to connect upper and lower parts of the front design panel, then panel strength is improved, but light reflection causes brightening and light-dark fringes that spoil design
Solution Approach 1:
The inner wall is positioned and angled specifically to control light reflection in the local area where the connecting portion is located. By configuring the inner wall to reflect light onto positions below the horizontal line passing through the upper edge of the lower panel, uniform appearance is achieved without compromising overall panel strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration of the bottom wall and inner wall controls the reflection of light to prevent brightening effects. By directing reflected light below the visible horizontal line, the visual appearance remains uniform and aesthetically pleasing, effectively managing light interaction with the reinforcement structure.
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 configuration inhibits the brightening of the connecting portion, maintaining the design integrity by ensuring that both the suction port and connecting portions appear uniform in lighting, thus enhancing the visual appeal and allowing for strength reinforcement without design compromise.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom wall and the inner wall are configured so that light traveling along a line connecting a lower end of the upper panel and an upper edge of the lower panel is reflected off the bottom wall onto a position on the inner wall, the position being below a horizontal line passing through the upper edge of the lower panel
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a front design panel in which a recess is formed as a suction port through which air is sucked, the recess being depressed rearward from a front face and extending in a width direction, wherein the front design panel includes a lower panel extending in the width direction below the recess, an upper panel extending in the width direction above the recess, and a connecting portion connecting a back side of the lower panel and a back side of the upper panel, the connecting portion includes a bottom wall extending rearward from the lower panel, and an inner wall extending upward from the bottom wall and connecting to the upper panel, and the bottom wall is located below an upper edge of the lower panel.