Indoor Unit Sealing Structure for Air Leakage and Noise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Air leakage between the ventilator and the panel or frame components in air conditioning indoor units reduces air output and increases noise and condensation, compromising the air exchange capacity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a sealer, such as sealing rings, between the frame and ventilator, and between the frame and panel, to seal gaps and prevent air leakage, thereby enhancing the air exchange capacity and reducing noise and condensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a gap exists between the ventilator and the frame or between the panel and the frame, then the assembly is easier to manufacture and install, but air leakage occurs from the air outlet of the ventilator, reducing air output and air exchange capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidair exchange capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A sealer is introduced as an intermediary component between the ventilator/frame and panel to prevent air leakage while maintaining assembly ease. The sealer fills the gap without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances, thus preserving ease of manufacture while eliminating air leakage that would reduce air exchange capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealer is implemented as a flexible sealing ring that can deform to accommodate gaps between components. This flexible film structure allows for easy assembly while effectively blocking air leakage, thereby maintaining both ease of manufacture and high air exchange capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If a gap exists between the ventilator and the frame or between the panel and the frame, then the assembly structure is simpler, but air leakage induces noise and condensation when air enters the air conditioning indoor unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly structureVSAvoidnoise and condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealer acts as a mediator that blocks the pathway for harmful factors (noise and condensation) without complicating the assembly structure. By placing this simple sealing component in the gap, the system prevents air leakage-induced noise and condensation while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing structure converts the potential harm of gaps (which would cause noise and condensation) into a benefit by using the same gap space for installing the sealer. The previously harmful air leakage path is transformed into a controlled sealing interface that eliminates noise and condensation issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11913669B2Air conditioning indoor unit, and air conditioner

Publication Date: 2024.02.27 GD MIDEA AIR CONDITIONING EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an air conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioner. The air conditioning indoor unit includes a housing and a ventilator in the housing. The housing has a frame and a panel. The panel defines a first ventilation opening, and the frame defines a second ventilation opening corresponding to the first ventilation opening. The ventilator is communicated with the second ventilation opening. The air conditioning indoor unit further includes a sealer disposed at the second ventilation opening and configured to seal a gap between the frame and the ventilator and/or to seal a gap between the frame and the panel.