Method of assembling indoor unit of air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air conditioner assembly methods face difficulties in assembling the inlet panel, which covers a suction port, due to the need to connect the link mechanism in a narrow gap between the inlet panel and the air-conditioning main body, making the process cumbersome and challenging in terms of workability.
Innovation Solution
The indoor unit design includes an inlet base, an inlet panel, an opening and closing link mechanism accommodated in a link case, and a driving mechanism that allows the link mechanism to be connected to the inlet panel in advance, enabling the inlet panel to be assembled to the air-conditioning main body without direct connection to the link mechanism, along with locking portions and a slide rail mechanism for easy operation and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inlet panel is connected to the link mechanism in a narrow gap between the inlet panel and the air-conditioning main body, then the inlet panel can be assembled to the air-conditioning main body, but the assembly workability deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process is segmented into two distinct phases: first, the link mechanism is connected to the inlet panel in a separate, accessible location; second, the pre-assembled inlet panel-link mechanism assembly is installed to the air-conditioning main body. This segmentation eliminates the need to perform connecting operations in the narrow gap between the inlet panel and main body, significantly improving assembly workability.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism is preliminarily connected to the inlet panel before the inlet panel is installed to the air-conditioning main body. This preliminary action allows the connecting operation to be performed in an accessible location with sufficient space, rather than in the narrow gap that exists only after installation, thereby improving assembly workability and reducing process complexity.
2Length of stationary object
If the gap between the inlet panel and the air-conditioning main body is narrowed, then the structural compactness is improved, but the connecting operation becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is preliminarily connected to the inlet panel before installation, when sufficient space is available for the connecting operation. This allows the gap between the inlet panel and air-conditioning main body to be narrowed for structural compactness without compromising the feasibility of the connecting operation, as the connection is already established.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet panel serves as an intermediary component that is first connected to the link mechanism in an accessible location, and then the entire assembly is installed to the air-conditioning main body. This intermediary approach allows the connecting operation to be performed outside the narrow gap, enabling both structural compactness and connecting operation feasibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the link mechanism is connected to the inlet panel after installation, then the structural integration is improved, but the assembly time and labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is preliminarily connected to the inlet panel before installation to the air-conditioning main body. This preliminary connection reduces the assembly time and labor required during the final installation, as the complex connecting operation is performed in advance when access is easier, while still achieving the desired structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process is segmented into the pre-assembly of the inlet panel with the link mechanism, followed by installation to the air-conditioning main body. This segmentation allows the time-consuming connecting operation to be performed separately, reducing the overall assembly time and labor while maintaining structural integration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
An indoor unit 10 includes an air-conditioning main body 11; an inlet base 21 that is provided on a front surface of the air-conditioning main body 11 to form a suction port 17 of air and is a member separate from the air-conditioning main body 11; an inlet panel 22 that is provided on a front surface of the inlet base 21 to cover the suction port 17; an opening and closing link mechanism 24 that connects the inlet base 21 and the inlet panel 22 to each other to allow the suction port 17 to be openable and closable by the inlet panel 22; a link case 23 that is capable of attaching to the inlet base 21 in a state where the opening and closing link mechanism 24 is accommodated in or attached to the link case 23, and the opening and closing link mechanism 24 is connected to the inlet panel 22; and a driving mechanism 12 that is provided in the air-conditioning main body 11 to operate the opening and closing link mechanism 24.