Removable protection member for brackets supporting air-conditioning units

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning unit brackets are prone to corrosion from weather agents, requiring multiple sizes of protection members, leading to high production and management costs due to the need for custom-made covers for varying bracket sizes and reduced load-bearing capacity.

Innovation Solution

A removable protection member with adjustable 'L'-shaped covering members that can be easily fitted over the brackets, featuring slidable cross members and snap-fit connections, allowing for flexible adaptation to different bracket sizes and improved corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sizes of protection members are produced for different bracket sizes, then each bracket type can be adequately protected, but production costs and management costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protection member is designed with adjustable characteristics that allow a single universal design to accommodate multiple bracket sizes. The covering member includes adjustable elements (such as movable connection pieces or extendable sections) that can be configured to match different distances between bracket supports, enabling one protection member design to serve multiple bracket types without requiring custom-sized covers for each variant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple sizes of protection members are produced for different bracket sizes, then each bracket type can be adequately protected, but storage and transport costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidinventory variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The protection member is designed with adjustable characteristics that allow a single universal design to accommodate multiple bracket sizes. The covering member includes adjustable elements (such as movable connection pieces or extendable sections) that can be configured to match different distances between bracket supports, enabling one protection member design to serve multiple bracket types without requiring custom-sized covers for each variant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If antioxidant materials or surface treatments are applied to brackets, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the brackets remain vulnerable to weather agents over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protection member serves as a preventive protective barrier that is installed on the bracket before the bracket is exposed to harsh weather conditions. By covering the metal bracket with this protective element, the system provides beforehand cushioning against corrosion from rain, humidity, and other environmental factors, extending the bracket's service life beyond what surface treatments alone can achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between bracket supports is adjusted for different air conditioning unit sizes, then adaptability to various units is achieved, but a new protection member size is required for each bracket configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebracket size adjustmentVSAvoidprotection member variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection member incorporates dynamic, adjustable elements that allow it to adapt to different bracket configurations. The covering member can be adjusted in length or shape (through movable connection pieces, telescopic sections, or reconfigurable components) to match the specific distance between bracket supports, enabling a single protection member design to accommodate variable bracket dimensions without requiring multiple fixed-size protection member variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3765752B1Removable protection member for brackets supporting air-conditioning units
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 2 EMME CLIMA SRL
  • EP3765752B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3765752B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3765752B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A removable protection member (1) for brackets (S) configured to support air conditioning units, wherein the support bracket (S) comprises at least two substantially "L"-shaped supports (B) suited to be secured to a bearing wall and at least one cross member (T) suited to be secured to the bearing wall and to connect the supports (B), said protection member (1) comprising at least one pair of first covering members (2) intended to cover the supports (B), each first covering member (2) being substantially "L"-shaped; at least one second covering member (32) suited to cover a corresponding cross member (T); quick connection means (21 ) associated with the pair of first covering members (2) and with the covering member (32), the quick connection means (21) being suited to make it easier to maintain the pair of first covering members (2) removably attached to the respective supports (B) and the second covering member (32) removably attached to the corresponding cross member (T) through interference. Each first covering member (2) and each second covering member (32) have a side (2, 33) substantially in the shape of an open half shell, in order to allow the removable insertion of the supports (B) and of at least one cross member (T).