Pipe layout structure and indoor unit of air conditioning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-conditioning apparatuses have limited pipe accommodation spaces, leading to issues with accommodating pipes of varying diameters and numbers, resulting in potential pipe damage during installation due to lack of securing members.

Innovation Solution

A pipe setting structure featuring a back housing with recesses and a cover with ribs that project into these recesses, creating separate accommodation spaces for pipes of different diameters and numbers, ensuring secure positioning and preventing movement or damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single pipe accommodation space is provided in the indoor unit, then the structure is simple, but pipes of varying diameters and numbers cannot be accommodated and secured properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpipe accommodation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single pipe accommodation space is divided into two separate recesses (first recess and second recess) with different depths. The first recess accommodates larger diameter pipes while the second recess accommodates smaller diameter pipes. This segmentation allows the structure to adapt to different pipe configurations (one or two pipes of varying diameters) while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If no securing member is provided for the pipe, then the installation is simple, but the pipe moves during installation causing twisting and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidpipe security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rib is pre-formed as an integral part of the cover structure, projecting into the first recess to create a securing mechanism before pipe installation. This preliminary action ensures that when the pipe is placed in the first recess, it is automatically held in position by the rib, preventing movement, twisting, and breakage during installation without requiring additional securing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of moving object

If the pipe accommodation space is made deeper to accommodate larger pipes, then larger diameter pipes can be accommodated, but smaller pipes cannot be secured properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation space volumeVSAvoidpipe positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire accommodation space uniformly deep, the design creates two recesses with different depths: the first recess is deeper to accommodate larger diameter pipes, while the second recess is shallower for smaller diameter pipes. Each recess has locally optimized depth and rib positioning, ensuring that pipes of any size are securely held at the appropriate depth without excessive space or poor positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3751215B1Pipe layout structure and indoor unit of air conditioning device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A pipe setting structure includes a back housing, and a cover attached to the back housing. The back housing has a first recess and a second recess. The first recess is recessed from a surface of the back housing, and includes a first back portion. The second recess is adjacent to the first recess and recessed from the surface of the back housing, and includes a second back portion. The second back portion is located closer to the surface of the back housing than the first back portion. Between the first back portion and the second back portion, a step is provided.