Outdoor Unit Grip Structure for Easy Mold Release and Carrying
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing outdoor unit air-conditioning systems face manufacturing challenges due to grips being difficult to remove from molds, restricting shape design and reducing operability during transportation.
Innovation Solution
The outdoor unit incorporates grips formed by two separate components, allowing for easier mold removal and expanded finger insertion spaces, enhancing carrying operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the grip is manufactured as an integral molding by injection molding, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the grip cannot be smoothly taken out from the mold due to shape restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is divided into two separate components: a first component (base portion) and a second component (cover portion). The first component is formed by injection molding and fitted into the mold, while the second component is separately formed and then fitted onto the first component. This segmentation allows the first component to be easily removed from the mold after injection molding, solving the removal difficulty while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the grip shape is restricted by mold removal requirements, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the finger insertion space becomes narrow reducing operability
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the grip into two components, the design freedom is greatly increased. The first component can be designed with a simple shape suitable for injection molding and easy mold removal, while the second component can be designed to provide a wide finger insertion space. The two components are then fitted together to form the complete grip, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and operational comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The second component is fitted onto the first component, forming a nested structure. This allows the outer shape of the grip to be optimized for finger insertion while the inner structure maintains manufacturing simplicity. The nested configuration enables the finger insertion space to extend beyond what would be possible with a single integral molding.
3Ease of operation
If the grip is designed with a wide finger insertion space, then operability is improved, but the grip cannot be smoothly taken out from the mold
Solution Approach 1:
The grip structure is segmented into a first component that interfaces with the mold and a second component that forms the user-facing surface. The first component is designed with a shape suitable for mold removal, while the second component provides the wide finger insertion space. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between operational comfort and manufacturing ease.
Data Source
AI summary
[Object] To provide an outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, which solves a manufacturing problem in that a grip is not easily taken out from a mold, and an air-conditioning apparatus including the outdoor unit.[Solution] There is included a grip formed by fitting two components.