Movable Front Panel for Protecting Air Conditioner Side Vanes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners with side discharge vanes are vulnerable to damage and have an unattractive outer appearance due to the exposed vane.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioner design featuring a movable front panel that covers the side discharge vane when not in use, incorporating a front panel drive mechanism to move the panel back and forth, ensuring the vane is protected and maintaining a neat appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the side discharge vane is always exposed to control wind direction, then the air conditioning function is improved, but the outer appearance becomes untidy and the vane becomes vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to switch between covering and exposing the side discharge vane based on operational status. The panel can move forward to cover the vane when not in use, and move backward to expose it when needed, thus protecting the vane while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The front panel is positioned to cover the side discharge vane in advance before the air conditioner is operated. This preliminary covering action protects the vane from damage and maintains a tidy appearance, and the panel is moved back only when actually needed for operation.
2Productivity
If the side discharge vane is always exposed, then the air discharge function is improved, but the outer appearance becomes untidy
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel's movable design allows it to dynamically adjust its position based on operational requirements. When the air conditioner is not operating, the panel moves forward to cover the side discharge vane, presenting a clean and tidy outer appearance. When operation is needed, the panel moves backward to expose the vane for proper air discharge.
3Reliability
If the front panel is made movable to cover the side discharge vane, then the protection and appearance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel drive mechanism is controlled automatically based on the operational status of the air conditioner. The system self-manages the panel's position by moving it forward when not in use and backward when needed, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the complexity of control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An air conditioner of the present invention includes a body (2) having an air inlet (4) formed in a front side thereof, and a side air outlet (6,6A,6B) formed at least one of a left side and a right side thereof, a side discharge vane (20,20A,20B) for controlling a wind direction of air from the side air outlet (6,6A,6B), a front panel (30) for covering the air inlet (4), and a front panel drive mechanism (40) for moving the front panel (30) back and forth, wherein the front panel (30) includes a front body (31) positioned in front of the body, and a side body (32) for being spaced from the side discharge vane (20,20A,20B) when the front body moves forward, and covering at least a portion of the side discharge vane (20,20A,20B) when the front body (31) moves backward, thereby permitting the side body (32) of the front panel (30) to protect the side discharge vane (20,20A,20B), and making the side appearance of the air conditioner neat and tidy.