Outdoor Unit Hinge Structure With Integrated Burring Pivot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioner outdoor units require additional hinge elements, increasing the number of components and reducing space utilization, leading to degraded productivity and higher production costs.

Innovation Solution

A hinge structure composed of a fixed frame with a through hole and a rotating frame with a burring portion and fastening member, where the burring portion protrudes to facilitate rotation without additional elements, allowing for reduced component count and improved space efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate hinge element is used to connect the rotating frame to the fixed frame, then the rotating frame can be properly hinged, but the number of elements increases and space utilization is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge connection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hinge element function into the fastening member that already connects the rotating frame to the fixed frame. The fastening member includes a through-hole that receives a hinge pin, integrating the hinge functionality into an existing structural component rather than adding a separate hinge element. This reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the rotational connection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening member serves multiple functions: it provides structural connection between frames and simultaneously acts as a hinge mechanism through its integrated through-hole and hinge pin. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated hinge elements, reducing component count while maintaining both connection and rotation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate hinge element is used to connect the rotating frame to the fixed frame, then the rotating frame can be properly hinged, but predetermined space is required for arranging the hinge element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge connection reliabilityVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge functionality is merged into the fastening member structure. The through-hole in the fastening member serves as the hinge axis, eliminating the need for separate hinge element space. The rotational movement is achieved through the hinge pin passing through the integrated through-hole, maintaining connection reliability while optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge pin is nested within the through-hole of the fastening member, and the fastening member itself is nested within the overall frame structure. This nesting arrangement allows the hinge functionality to be compactly integrated into the existing structural space, minimizing the area required for hinge operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If additional hinge elements are used, then the hinge structure can be properly formed, but the number of components increases leading to degraded productivity and higher production costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge structure integrityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge element functionality is combined with the fastening member, reducing the total component count. This integration simplifies the assembly process as fewer parts need to be handled, positioned, and fastened during production, directly improving manufacturing productivity while maintaining hinge structure integrity through the integrated through-hole and hinge pin mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separate hinge element is extracted from the component list and its functionality is integrated into the fastening member. This extraction eliminates unnecessary components, simplifying the bill of materials and assembly instructions, which directly improves production efficiency and reduces manufacturing costs while preserving the required hinge functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11635215B2Outdoor unit and air conditioner having the same

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an air conditioner including a first frame including a through hole, a second frame rotatably coupleable to the first frame, the second frame including a burring portion at least a portion of which is insertable into the through-hole in a first direction, where while the burring portion is inserted into the through-hole of the first frame, the burring portion protrudes in the first direction, and a burring hole formed by the burring portion, and a fastening member insertable into the burring hole in a second direction opposite to the first direction and configured to function as a rotary shaft of the second frame, where while the fastening member is inserted into the burring hole, the fastening member protrudes in the second direction.