Outdoor machine and air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioners face challenges in easily attaching and detaching base heaters while ensuring reliable fixation due to the base heater's position and the dense arrangement of devices within the outdoor machine's housing, making maintenance and inspection cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor machine incorporates a two-way and three-way fixing tool that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the base heater by contacting opposite and peripheral portions, eliminating the need for screws, thereby simplifying the fixing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base heater is fixed to the bottom plate by screwing to prevent shifting or lifting during vibration, then the fixing reliability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to the need for bulky tools and difficult access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-based mechanical fixing system with a clip-based mechanical system. The clip has a clamp portion that engages with the base heater and a latch portion that locks onto the bottom plate, eliminating the need for screws and bulky tools while maintaining reliable fixation during vibration and transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily attached and detached. This allows the base heater to be quickly replaced during maintenance without requiring complex tools or extensive disassembly, significantly improving the ease of repair while keeping the fixing mechanism reliable.
2Reliability
If the base heater is positioned on the back side of the outdoor machine to perform its heating function, then the functional effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult accessibility for maintenance workers
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the screw-based fixing system with a clip-based system, the patent enables easy access and manipulation of the base heater from the front service panel. The clip can be opened and closed using simple hand movements or small tools, allowing maintenance workers to reach and service the back-side positioned base heater without needing to contort into difficult positions or use bulky screwdrivers.
3Productivity
If various devices are densely disposed inside the housing to optimize space utilization, then the productivity is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to obstacles blocking access to the base heater
Solution Approach 1:
The clip-based fixing system requires minimal space and can be manipulated through narrow gaps. The simple clamp-and-latch mechanism can be operated using small tools or even fingers, allowing maintenance workers to access and service the base heater through the service panel without needing wide clearance. This overcomes the obstacle problem created by densely disposed devices while maintaining reliable fixation.
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 enables reliable and efficient fixing of the base heater, reducing maintenance complexity and improving accessibility for workers, ensuring the base heater remains securely in place during operation and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a base heater disposed on the bottom plate, and the bottom plate is warmed by energizing the base heater to generate heat
Data Source
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AI summary
A base heater can be easily attached and detached while ensuring reliable fixing of the base heater to a bottom plate. An outdoor machine (1) including a housing (2); a base heater (BH) disposed between a heat exchanger unit (4) that is disposed on a side of a rear plate of the housing (2) and the base (B) of the housing (2), and fixed to a base (B); and a fixing tool (8) configured to fix the base heater (BH) to the base (B), in which the fixing tool (8) includes a two-way fixing tool (81) configured to come into contact with an upper portion (BH2) on a side opposite to a lower portion (BH1) in a case in which a side coming into contact with the base (B) is the lower portion (BH1) and a back portion (BH4) on the side of the rear plate in portions connecting the lower portion (BH1) and the upper portion (BH2) in a periphery of the base heater (BH), and to fix the base heater (BH) to the base (B), and a three-way fixing tool (82) configured to come into contact with portions other than the lower portion (BH1), and fix the base heater (BH) to the base (B).