Outdoor Unit Electrical Mounting With Guided Partition Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing size of outdoor air-conditioning units due to expanded cooling and heating capacity leads to a higher mounting position of electrical component units, making it difficult for workers to visually determine the fixing position, resulting in decreased work efficiency during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating inclined surface portions on the receiving surface of the partition plate that guide the positioning protrusion to a cutout portion, allowing for easy alignment and positioning of the electrical component unit, thereby simplifying the mounting process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the outdoor unit size is increased to expand cooling and heating capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the mounting position of electrical component unit becomes too high for workers to visually check and determine fixing position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling and heating capacityVSAvoidease of mounting electrical component unit
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The partition plate is designed in advance with an inclined surface portion that guides the positioning protrusion to the cutout portion, and the receiving surface portion is pre-formed to receive the electrical component unit. This preliminary design of the guiding structure eliminates the need for workers to climb step stools during assembly, as the inclined surface automatically guides positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Power

If the outdoor unit size is increased to expand cooling and heating capacity, then the capacity is improved, but the work efficiency at the time of manufacture is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling and heating capacityVSAvoidwork efficiency during manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition plate is designed in advance with an inclined surface portion that guides the positioning protrusion to the cutout portion, and the receiving surface portion is pre-formed to receive the electrical component unit. This preliminary design of the guiding structure eliminates the need for workers to climb step stools during assembly, as the inclined surface automatically guides positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the electrical component unit is positioned at a high location to avoid dew condensation water and drain water, then reliability is improved, but the fixing position becomes difficult to determine visually

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from dew condensation water and drain waterVSAvoiddifficulty of visually checking fixing position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The partition plate is designed in advance with an inclined surface portion that guides the positioning protrusion to the cutout portion, and the receiving surface portion is pre-formed to receive the electrical component unit. This preliminary design of the guiding structure eliminates the need for workers to climb step stools during assembly, as the inclined surface automatically guides positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined surface portion acts as an intermediary guiding structure between the positioning protrusion and the cutout portion. It mediates the positioning process by providing a visual and physical guide that leads the worker's eye and hand to the correct fixing position, even when the component is mounted at a high location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the receiving surface portion is made planar for mounting electrical component unit, then ease of mounting is improved, but the positioning protrusion cannot be easily guided to the cutout portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of receiving electrical component unitVSAvoidease of positioning electrical component unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving surface portion is segmented into two functional zones: a planar area for receiving and supporting the electrical component unit, and an inclined surface portion for guiding the positioning protrusion to the cutout portion. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the receiving surface have different geometric properties: the main receiving area is planar to provide stable support, while the end portion leading to the cutout has an inclined surface to provide guiding functionality. This local differentiation of surface quality optimizes both receiving and positioning functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3550214B1Outdoor unit of air conditioning device
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3550214B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3550214B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3550214B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An outdoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a fan chamber, a machine chamber, a partition plate, and an electrical component unit. The partition plate is provided, in its upper part, with a planar receiving surface portion for receiving a holder. The holder is provided with a positioning protrusion protruding downward. A cutout portion into which the positioning protrusion is inserted is formed in the receiving surface portion. At least one inclined surface portion that is inclined downward from the receiving surface portion and guides the positioning protrusion to the cutout portion is provided at an end portion of the receiving surface portion that leads to the cutout portion.