Loop Filter Support Frame for Smooth Air Conditioner Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning indoor units with filter cleaning devices face issues due to the mechanical durability of metal filters and interference from borders or ribs on flexible resin filters, which affect the smooth operation and maintenance of the filter cleaning process.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioning indoor unit employs a filter supported by a frame without borders or ribs, using a support frame to maintain the filter's shape and include features like a filter pressing member, handgrip, and directional turnaround portions to ensure smooth revolving and easy maintenance, along with a roller with brush material for enhanced friction and a partition member to prevent interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal filter is used in the filter cleaning device, then mechanical durability with respect to repetitive revolving motion is improved, but flexibility is reduced and the filter becomes less adaptable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical durabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into multiple independent reinforcement portions (first, second, third reinforcement portions) that are distributed at different locations. This segmentation allows each portion to independently provide structural support without requiring the entire filter to be rigid, thus maintaining flexibility while improving mechanical durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcement portions are selectively placed at specific locations (both end portions and intermediate portions) where structural support is most needed during repetitive revolving motion. This local reinforcement approach provides mechanical durability exactly where required while leaving other areas flexible and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If borders or ribs are disposed on a flexible resin filter to maintain its shape, then shape stability is improved, but interference with other members increases and the revolving action is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidrevolving action smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a flexible resin filter without traditional rigid borders or ribs. Instead, reinforcement portions are integrated into the filter structure in a way that maintains flexibility while providing shape stability, allowing the filter to revolve smoothly without interfering with other members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement is segmented into multiple discrete portions rather than continuous borders or ribs. This segmentation reduces the overall interference with surrounding members while maintaining shape stability through distributed reinforcement points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a support frame is introduced to maintain filter shape without borders or ribs, then interference is reduced and revolving action is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverevolving action smoothnessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame and filter reinforcement functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The support frame itself provides the necessary shape maintenance, eliminating the need for separate borders or ribs on the filter, thus reducing overall device complexity while improving revolving action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If reinforcement portions are added to the filter, then mechanical durability is improved, but the filter structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical durabilityVSAvoidfilter structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcement portions are strategically placed only at specific locations (end portions and intermediate portions) where mechanical stress is highest during repetitive revolving. This localized approach improves mechanical durability without adding unnecessary complexity to the entire filter structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for smooth filter operation and maintenance, reduces mechanical stress, and prevents interference between filter components, enhancing the durability and effectiveness of the filter cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

The roller has a brush material on its surface and rotates in a state where the surface is in contact with the filter... the brush material eats into the mesh of the filter, raises the frictional force, and suppresses slippage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2392870B1Air-conditioning indoor unit
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2392870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2392870B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2392870B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide an air conditioning indoor unit equipped with a filter cleaning device that can smoothly actuate a filter at the time of filter cleaning without borders or ribs for reinforcement being disposed on a flexible filter. An air Conditioning indoor unit (2) has a body (10) inside of which is disposed a filter cleaning device (70) that actuates a filter (21) placed on an upwind side of an indoor heat exchanger (12) and removes dirt and dust adhered to the filter (21). The filter (21) is formed in a loop shape and is supported such that it may freely revolve on a support frame (40) that forms a predetermined revolving orbit. The support frame (40) is held in, such that it may be freely attached to and detached from, the body (10). The predetermined shape of the filter (21) is maintained by the support frame (40) even without borders and ribs, so interference between the filter (21) and another member is suppressed and the revolving action of the filter (21) is smooth.