Indoor Unit Layout With Rear Pipe Routing for Compact Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioner indoor units face challenges in compact design due to the positioning of the pipe unit, fan motor, and control box, which increases the product size and complicates installation, as the pipe unit often interferes with the fan motor and control box, making it difficult to achieve a compact and efficient layout.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design positions the pipe unit behind the control box, allowing the fan motor and control box to be adjacent, minimizing the horizontal size and eliminating the need for additional space to avoid the pipe unit, with a compact chassis and optimized fan motor and control box seating that reduces the overall product size and facilitates easier installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pipe unit, fan motor, and control box are positioned in conventional locations, then the components can be installed, but the product size increases and installation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe unit is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement that interferes with other components to a vertical arrangement extending from the rear surface of the chassis. This dimensional change allows the pipe unit to occupy vertical space rather than horizontal space, eliminating interference with the fan motor and control box while reducing the overall horizontal footprint of the indoor unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible pipe routing that can adapt to the compact internal arrangement. The pipe unit is configured to extend vertically from the rear surface and can be routed through or alongside other components without rigid constraints, allowing for easier installation and accommodation in compact spaces.
2Device complexity
If the pipe unit is positioned to avoid interference, then component layout is simplified, but additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from horizontal to vertical pipe routing, the patent eliminates the need for additional horizontal clearance space that would otherwise be required to avoid pipe interference. The vertical arrangement utilizes the depth dimension of the chassis, maintaining compact horizontal dimensions while simplifying the layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe unit is routed to pass through or alongside existing structural elements of the chassis and component housings. The pipes are integrated into the vertical space already defined by the chassis structure, nesting the piping within the existing form factor rather than requiring additional external space.
3Volume of moving object
If the fan motor and control box are positioned adjacent to each other, then horizontal size is minimized, but interference with the pipe unit occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe unit is routed vertically along the rear surface of the chassis, passing behind or between the fan motor and control box in the vertical dimension. This allows the fan motor and control box to be positioned adjacent to each other horizontally without interference, as the pipe unit occupies the vertical space rather than the horizontal space between these components.
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 results in a more compact indoor unit with improved installation ease and enhanced space utilization, as the pipe unit's rear positioning eliminates interference with the fan motor and control box, allowing for a smaller product size and easier component installation.
Implementation Method 1
an indoor unit in which a compressor is received and an outdoor unit that is mounted indoors to allow refrigerant to perform a heat exchange with indoor air
Implementation Method 2
an outdoor unit that is mounted indoors to allow refrigerant to perform a heat exchange with indoor air
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present embodiment provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The indoor unit of the air conditioner includes: a main body that includes a chassis and a front frame coupled to the chassis; a fan that is provided inside the main body to compulsorily flow air; a fan motor that rotates the fan; a fan motor cover that covers the fan motor; a fan motor seating part that is formed at the chassis; a heat-exchanger that is provided inside the main body; a control box in which control components for operating the main body are included; and a control box seating part that is formed at the chassis and on which the control box is seated, wherein in a state where the fan motor is seated on the fan motor seating part, the fan motor cover fixes the position of one side of the fan motor and the control box fixes the position of the other side of the fan motor.