Snap-Fit Housing Assembly for Air Handler to Reduce Assembly Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of air handling apparatus, such as window air conditioners, is time-consuming and requires a certain skill level due to the need for precise alignment and adjustment of components, leading to low assembly efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A housing assembly design featuring centrosymmetrically arranged snap joint members and positioning members on the face plate and frame, allowing for easy alignment and snap-fit connection, along with elastic hooks and convex ribs for stability, enables efficient and reliable assembly, even after 180-degree rotation, and limits displacement to enhance assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the face plate is fixed at the frame by snap joint or screw with preset position and angle requirements, then the assembly structure is stable and reliable, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and requires high skill level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the face plate structure asymmetric with respect to the frame, where the face plate includes a first connecting end with first snap joint members that correspond to second snap joint members on the frame, while the second connecting end has different positioning features. This asymmetric design ensures the face plate can only be assembled in the correct orientation, eliminating the need for skillful alignment and angle adjustment while maintaining stable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the snap joint members and positioning members on both the face plate and frame before assembly. The first snap joint members are pre-installed at specific locations on the face plate, and the positioning members are pre-configured with limiting features. This preliminary preparation allows the face plate to be quickly and accurately assembled without requiring skillful alignment during the assembly process, significantly improving assembly efficiency while ensuring reliable connection.
2Manufacturing precision
If the face plate requires precise alignment and angle adjustment during assembly, then the mounting position accuracy is improved, but the assembly time increases and skill level requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the snap joint members and positioning members on both the face plate and frame before assembly. The first snap joint members are pre-installed at specific locations on the face plate, and the positioning members are pre-configured with limiting features. This preliminary preparation allows the face plate to be quickly and accurately assembled without requiring skillful alignment during the assembly process, significantly improving assembly efficiency while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service through self-aligning features where the positioning members on the face plate automatically align with corresponding positioning structures on the frame during assembly. The asymmetric design and pre-positioned snap joint members guide the face plate into the correct position and orientation automatically, eliminating the need for operator skill in alignment and angle adjustment. The assembly structure itself performs the alignment function, reducing assembly time while maintaining mounting precision.
3Productivity
If the face plate is designed with centrosymmetric snap joint members allowing 180-degree rotation mounting, then the assembly efficiency is improved by eliminating correction time, but the positioning precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the face plate structure asymmetric with respect to the frame, where the face plate includes a first connecting end with first snap joint members that correspond to second snap joint members on the frame, while the second connecting end has different positioning features. This asymmetric design ensures the face plate can only be assembled in the correct orientation, eliminating the need for skillful alignment and angle adjustment while maintaining stable connection.
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
The design significantly reduces assembly time and increases efficiency by allowing for misalignment correction and stable mounting, while maintaining structural stability and ventilation capacity.
Implementation Method 1
the second snap joint member is configured as an elastic hook hooked on the first snap joint member, the elastic hook providing a certain elastic margin for assembly while enabling stable connection effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A housing assembly includes a face frame and a face plate. The face frame includes a main vent and a plurality of first snap joint members located at two opposite sides of the main vent. The face plate includes an air hole in communication with the main vent and a plurality of second snap joint members distributed at two opposite sides of the face plate and arranged centrosymmetrically. The plurality of second snap joint members are configured to be fitted with the plurality of first snap joint members in one-to-one correspondence.