Side panel mounting structure and indoor unit provided with same

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing side plate mounting structures in air conditioner indoor units are difficult to disassemble, hindering maintenance and detection operations due to a lack of a convenient disassembly mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A side plate mounting structure featuring a locking portion with a through hole and a locking beam that can be moved between locking and unlocking positions, allowing for easy disassembly by pulling the locking portion, which includes a connecting plate, locking beam, handle, and clamping bulges for secure snap-fitting onto a mounting base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the side panel is designed as a separate part that cooperates with surrounding parts, then the production and assembly are facilitated, but the side panel becomes difficult to disassemble for maintenance and detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction and assembly facilitationVSAvoiddisassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking portion is designed as a movable component that can switch between a locked state (engaging with the mounting base) and an unlocked state (disengaged from the mounting base). This dynamic mechanism allows the side panel to be securely fixed during operation but easily removed when maintenance is needed, resolving the contradiction between secure assembly and easy disassembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking portion can be manually operated to automatically engage or disengage from the mounting base without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. This self-service mechanism enables users to easily assemble and disassemble the side panel by simply operating the locking portion, maintaining both secure fixation and ease of maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the side panel is securely fixed to the mounting base, then the operation reliability is improved, but the disassembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliabilityVSAvoiddisassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking portion provides a reliable locked state during operation while enabling rapid transitions to an unlocked state for disassembly. This dynamic design ensures operational reliability is maintained during use, but allows quick disassembly when needed, reducing the time loss associated with maintenance activities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking portion is extracted as a separate, independently operable component from the side panel body. This allows the locking mechanism to be engaged or disengaged without requiring disassembly of the entire side panel structure, significantly reducing the time and complexity of disassembly while maintaining secure fixation during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Facilitates the disassembly of the side plate, reducing the difficulty in dismantling and improving the utility of the side plate mounting structure, enabling easier maintenance and detection of internal components within the air conditioner.

Implementation Method 1

When the locking beam is at the locking position, a lower surface of the locking beam is snap-fitted with the mounting base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSnap-fit: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3683517B1Side panel mounting structure and indoor unit provided with same
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES WUHAN
  • EP3683517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3683517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3683517B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A side plate mounting structure, including: a side plate body (10); a locking portion (20) connected to the side plate body (10), the locking portion (20) being provided with a locking position connected to a mounting base, and an unlocking position separated from the mounting base. An indoor unit having the side plate mounting structure is also provided. The side plate mounting structure effectively reduces the problem of hard to dismantle the side plate mounting structure, improves the practicability of the side plate mounting structure, and facilitates the detection and maintenance operation of the internal part of the indoor unit.