Window Rail Support for Portable Air Conditioners Without Sash Bowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Window sashes are bowed or marked by the weight of portable air conditioners, and existing arrangements prevent the window from being opened when the air conditioner is in use, limiting airflow and increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An elongated rail with channel engaging blocks is inserted across the window frame to support the air conditioner, transferring its weight to the window frame and allowing the sash to rest against the rail, enabling the window to be opened while the air conditioner remains in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the air conditioner is supported directly by the window sash, then the air conditioner is held in place, but the window sash becomes bowed and marked due to the heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support bar as an intermediary element between the air conditioner and the window sash. This support bar has a T-shaped cross-section with a horizontal flange that contacts the air conditioner and a vertical stem that transfers the load to the window frame's side rails, rather than directly to the sash. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by providing adequate support capacity while preventing sash distortion.
2Reliability
If the window sash is lowered to support the air conditioner, then the air conditioner is secured, but the window cannot be opened when fresh air is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar acts as a mediator that decouples the air conditioner support function from the window sash. By transferring the support load to the fixed window frame through the side rails, the sash is freed from its dual role of both supporting the air conditioner and being operable. This allows the window to be opened while the air conditioner remains securely supported by the intermediary support bar.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the air conditioner flange rests against the window sash, then the air conditioner is held stable, but the lower edge of the sash bows outwardly
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar with its T-shaped cross-section serves as an intermediary that maintains air conditioner stability while preventing sash edge bowing. The horizontal flange provides a stable resting surface for the air conditioner flange, while the vertical stem channels the stabilizing forces into the rigid window frame side rails, keeping the sash edge from bowing outwardly.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable air conditioner support arrangement for supporting a portable air conditioner in a window frame assembly. The support arrangement comprises an elongated flange-engaging rail having a first end and a second end, with a channel engaging tab arranged on the first end and the second end of the rail. Each of the tabs are arranged to mate with a channel on the sides of the window frame assembly. The rail has an elongated face to engage a flange on the upper front edge of the air conditioner and maintain the air conditioner free of support by a window sash of the window frame assembly.