Integrated Air Conditioner Central Frame for Simplified Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated air conditioners with a partition wall that only serves a single function face challenges in ease of assembly and production efficiency due to the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of multiple components, leading to increased part counts and assembly time.
Innovation Solution
The partition wall is transformed into a central frame that integrates wind-path forming parts, drain-water pathways, and wind-direction adjusting mechanisms through integral molding or subassembly, reducing the number of parts and assembly hours by incorporating these functions into a single multifunctional frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the partition wall is designed as a simple single-function structure, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the partition wall with the central frame into a single integrated structure. The partition wall is not a separate component but is formed as part of the central frame's side walls, eliminating the need for a distinct partition wall component and reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The central frame is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, forms the partition between upper and lower chambers, and integrates the wind-path forming parts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are used for wind-path forming, drain-water pathway, and wind-direction adjusting mechanism, then each component can be optimized independently, but assembly time and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wind-path forming parts, drain-water pathway, and wind-direction adjusting mechanism are all integrated into the central frame structure. These functions are combined into a single molded piece rather than being separate components, which eliminates multiple assembly steps and reduces production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The central frame is pre-formed with all the necessary wind-path forming parts, drain-water pathways, and wind-direction adjusting mechanisms already integrated during the molding process. This preliminary integration of multiple functions into a single component eliminates the need for subsequent assembly operations.
3Device complexity
If the partition wall is made multifunctional by integrating other components, then the number of parts is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing complexity of the partition wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is transformed into a multifunctional central frame that simultaneously serves as a partition, structural support, and integrates wind-path forming parts, drain-water pathways, and wind-direction adjusting mechanisms. This single component performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall is merged with the central frame and additional functional components into a single integrated structure. This consolidation reduces the total part count and simplifies the assembly process, as the integrated central frame is installed as one unit rather than multiple separate components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an integrated air conditioner (1) in which a partition plate that used to have only the function of a partition wall (3) constitutes a central frame, and other functional parts or mechanisms are integrally molded or subassembled thereon to achieve functional integration, thereby improving ease of assembly. In an integrated air conditioner 1 in which the inside of a unit main body (2) is partitioned into two, namely, upper (4) and lower (5), chambers by a partition wall, indoor-side component devices are accommodated in an upper chamber (4), and outdoor-side component devices are accommodated in a lower chamber (5), the partition wall constitutes a central frame (3), and a windpath forming part (23) that forms at least part of a blownwind path for temperature-adjusted wind, a drain-water pathway (24) that guides drain water produced on an indoor side to an outdoor side, and a wind-direction adjusting mechanism (17) that adjusts the blowing direction of temperature-adjusted wind are integrated on the central frame (3) through integral molding or subassembly.