Air conditioner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in separating and maintaining suction panels in air conditioners, especially those installed at high positions, and in coupling cover members, which affects the cleaning and maintenance of suction ports.
Innovation Solution
The air conditioner design includes a suction panel that rotates circumferentially for easy separation and coupling, featuring a coupling member with a guide surface and insertion protrusion, and a cover member that is rotatable and coupled with the housing using a coupling hook and recessed portion, allowing for intuitive handling and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the suction panel is fixed to the housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation for separation and coupling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction panel is divided into separable components including the panel body, coupling members, and filters. The coupling members are further segmented into coupling protrusions and coupling recesses that can be independently engaged and disengaged, allowing the panel to be separated into manageable parts for easy maintenance while maintaining structural integrity when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
Coupling members act as intermediary elements between the suction panel and housing. These coupling members include coupling protrusions that extend from the panel and engage with coupling recesses in the housing, serving as mediators that provide both structural connection and easy separation capability through simple rotational motion
2Shape
If the suction panel is positioned at high locations for installation, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction panel transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic state where it can be easily rotated and removed. The coupling mechanism allows the panel to move between a locked position (for structural stability) and an unlocked position (for easy removal), enabling users to access high-positioned panels without complex tools or procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The panel assembly is segmented into removable components including the panel body, filters, and coupling members. This segmentation allows users to remove only the necessary components for maintenance while leaving the housing and other components in place, making high-positioned maintenance accessible and convenient
3Ease of operation
If the coupling mechanism is simplified for easy coupling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism uses asymmetric coupling protrusions and coupling recesses with specific geometric shapes. The protrusions have inclined surfaces that guide engagement, and the recesses are shaped to receive and lock the protrusions. This asymmetric design provides intuitive coupling direction while ensuring secure mechanical interlocking that prevents accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling surfaces incorporate curved and inclined surfaces that guide the coupling process. The inclined surfaces of the coupling protrusions and recesses facilitate smooth engagement through rotational motion, while the curved geometry ensures proper alignment and secure locking, combining ease of operation with connection reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an air conditioner including a suction panel which includes a suction port through which air is suctioned in inside a housing. The suction panel is formed to rotate with an axial direction of an air blowing fan or a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the air blowing fan as a rotation axis to be coupled with or separated from the housing. Accordingly, a user may easily and intuitively separate the suction panel and falling of the suction panel, which may occur when the suction panel is separated, may be effectively reduced using a supporting unit disposed at the suction panel. Also, the housing and cover members which cover an outer perimeter of a lower portion of the housing may be coupled with each other by pressurizing the cover members toward the housing, thereby allowing the user to easily coupled the cover members.