Panel Interlock Assembly for Space-Constrained Air Conditioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners face limitations in installation space due to the need for separate fastening members outside the panels, which complicates disassembly and leads to corrosion and quality deterioration of these members.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design incorporates protrusions and coupling grooves on the panels to reduce the number of fastening members required, allowing for secure coupling without external fasteners, and includes guide portions to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly, minimizing the installation space needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fastening members are provided outside the panels, then the panels can be securely coupled, but the installation space is limited and the fastening members are exposed to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is merged directly into the panel structures through protrusions and coupling grooves. The protrusions are formed as integral parts of the panels, eliminating the need for separate external fastening members. This integration maintains secure coupling while removing the space requirements and corrosion vulnerability associated with external fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful aspect of external fastening members (corrosion exposure and space occupation) is extracted by relocating the fastening function inside the panel structures. The coupling grooves and protrusions are positioned within the panel thickness or at panel interfaces, removing the fastening elements from the external environment where they would be exposed to corrosion.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate fastening members are used outside the panels, then the panels can be assembled, but disassembly is difficult and requires additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system incorporates dynamic characteristics that facilitate both assembly and disassembly. The protrusions are designed to engage with coupling grooves in a controlled manner, allowing for easy insertion during assembly. For disassembly, the design enables controlled release mechanisms that allow panels to be separated without damage, overcoming the difficulty of disassembling rigid external fasteners.
3Reliability
If multiple separate fastening members are used, then the panels can be securely fastened, but the number of components increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into integrated protrusion-groove structures. Instead of using multiple separate fastening members, the design employs protrusions and coupling grooves that are formed as part of the panel structures themselves. This reduction in component count simplifies the overall system while maintaining secure fastening through the distributed protrusion-groove coupling system.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner having an improved assembly structure of panels includes a lower panel located at a bottom surface thereof, an upper panel located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels located at front and rear surfaces thereof, and side panels to couple the front and rear panels. One side of each of the lower panel and at least one panel is provided with a protrusion and the other side thereof is provided with a coupling groove, so that the lower panel is coupled to at least one of the front panel and the side panels by coupling of the protrusion and the coupling groove. It may be possible to provide an air conditioner capable of reducing the number of fastening members coupled to respective panels and being free from restraint of an installation space.