Air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioners with electrostatic filters face challenges in size flexibility, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the need for standardized filters that may not fit varying inlet sizes, making it difficult to adapt to changes in inlet dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The air conditioner design includes an electrostatic dust collector with modular electrostatic filters that can be easily coupled or decoupled using a sliding mechanism, allowing for adjustable sizing and electrical connection between filters, which simplifies assembly and enhances safety by preventing accidents during attachment or detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standardized electrostatic filters are used for different air conditioner sizes, then manufacturing process is simplified, but manufacturing cost increases and adaptability to varying inlet sizes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplificationVSAvoidadaptability to inlet size variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic filter is divided into multiple modular sections that can be coupled together in different combinations. Each section has standardized connection structures (coupling protrusions and coupling recesses) that allow flexible assembly. This segmentation enables the filter to adapt to different inlet sizes while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized coupling structures (protrusions and recesses) are designed to be universal across all filter sections. These universal connection mechanisms allow the same standardized components to be used in different configurations, enabling one filter section to be coupled with another or with the air conditioner housing, providing multi-functionality and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If fixed-size electrostatic filters are installed, then manufacturing and installation is simplified, but the ability to adapt to changes in inlet dimensions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to inlet size changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The coupling protrusions and recesses enable filter sections to be easily assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured according to different inlet size requirements. This dynamic design maintains installation simplicity through standardized interfaces while providing adaptability through modular reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular electrostatic filters with coupling mechanisms are used, then adaptability to inlet sizes improves, but electrical connection reliability during assembly may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to inlet size variationsVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection structures (electrical connection protrusions and recesses) are pre-configured and integrated into the coupling mechanisms before assembly. This preliminary integration ensures that when filter sections are coupled together, electrical connections are automatically established in the correct position and orientation, maintaining reliability while enabling modular adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling protrusions and recesses serve as intermediary structures that simultaneously provide both mechanical coupling and electrical connection functions. This intermediary design integrates two functions (mechanical assembly and electrical connection) into a single unified interface, ensuring that adaptability and reliability work together rather than conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design allows for flexible sizing of the electrostatic dust collector to match varying inlet sizes, reduces manufacturing costs by enabling easier assembly and disassembly, and ensures safe operation by preventing electrical hazards during filter handling.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatic filter configured to correspond to each other, allowing a plurality of electrostatic filters to be coupled to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS20230288083A1Air conditioner

Publication Date: 2023.09.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An air conditioner includes: a housing having an inlet on one side thereof and an outlet on another side thereof; a fan disposed in the housing and by which air flows from the inlet to the outlet; and an electrostatic dust collector disposed in the housing and configured to remove foreign matter from air introduced into the inlet, allowing the air introduced into the inlet to be filtered. The electrostatic dust collector includes: at least one electrostatic filter including a first side wall and a second side wall disposed in an opposite direction to the first side wall; a first filter handle coupled to the first side wall; and a second filter handle coupled to the second side wall.