Panel assembly, air conditioner indoor unit, and air conditioner

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Airflow within air conditioner indoor units disrupts the smooth operation of sensors, leading to inaccurate detection data due to the internal structure limitations.

Innovation Solution

A panel assembly with a guide plate and air guide holes that facilitate smooth airflow to sensors, ensuring accurate detection of humidity, temperature, and gas concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are installed in the air conditioner indoor unit, then detection of environmental parameters is enabled, but airflow cannot pass through the sensor smoothly resulting in inaccurate detection data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air guide hole as an intermediary structure between the airflow path and the sensor. This air guide hole serves as a mediator that channels the airflow smoothly toward the sensor, preventing direct turbulent flow from disrupting the sensor while still delivering adequate air for accurate detection. The air guide hole acts as a buffer zone that reconciles the conflict between maintaining smooth sensor operation and providing sufficient airflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the spatial arrangement by creating a three-dimensional air guide structure with specific geometric features (air guide holes at angles, varying depths). This dimensional approach allows the airflow to be redirected through multiple spatial paths before reaching the sensor, transforming the direct linear airflow-sensor interaction into a multi-dimensional flow pattern that reduces turbulence while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the internal structure of the air conditioner is maintained for compactness, then device size is reduced, but airflow cannot pass through the sensor smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor unit sizeVSAvoidsensor detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The air guide hole structure is nested within the existing indoor unit housing, utilizing the available internal space efficiently. The air guide holes are integrated into the housing structure rather than adding external components, allowing the guidance function to be embedded within the compact design. This nesting approach enables improved sensor airflow without increasing the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local structural modifications only in the specific region where the sensor is located, rather than redesigning the entire indoor unit. The air guide holes are positioned locally around the sensor area, providing targeted airflow management precisely where needed while leaving the rest of the compact structure unchanged. This localized approach maintains overall device compactness while solving the specific sensor airflow problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Ensures accurate detection of environmental parameters by guiding airflow to sensors, thereby improving the reliability of the panel assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the guide plate is provided with an air guide hole communicating with the accommodation cavity; the inner cavity of the box is communicated with the air guide hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP4379280B1Panel assembly, air conditioner indoor unit, and air conditioner
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 GD MIDEA AIR CONDITIONING EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4379280B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4379280B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4379280B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed are a panel assembly, an air conditioner indoor unit, and an air conditioner. The panel assembly includes a panel, a back plate, a box and a sensor. The back plate and the panel are enclosed to form an accommodation cavity, and the back plate is provided with a first side extending along a length direction of the back plate. The side of the back plate away from the panel is provided with a guide plate facing the first side, and the guide plate is provided with an air guide hole communicating with the accommodation cavity. The box is provided in the accommodation cavity, and an inner cavity of the box is communicated with the air guide hole. The sensor is provided in the inner cavity, and the sensor is configured to detect air entering the inner cavity.