Connecting block and air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention provides a connection block for connecting a first component and a second component of an air conditioner. The connection block (1) comprises: a main body structure (10) and a connection part (12), wherein the connection part (12) can move relative to the main body structure (10); and at least one elastic band (11) is arranged between the connection part (12) and the main body structure (10). The elastic band (11) and the main body structure (10) are an assembly structure formed in one step and / or the elastic band (11) and the connection part (12) are an assembly structure formed in one step. The connection block has two mutually movable two-part structures, and a plurality of elastic bands are arranged between the two relatively movable structures. Since the elastic band has resilience, the hook structure connected by the elastic band can return to its original position after being stretched or compressed for a certain distance and the external force is removed, thereby preventing the hook from sliding out of the upper bottom shell of the air conditioner and increasing the stability of the clamping connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning, and in particular to a connecting block and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] The bottom shell of the air conditioner is a very complex part. For mold removal or assembly, the bottom shell of the air conditioner can be split into two parts, and then the upper and lower bottom shells are connected. After the bottom shell is split into two parts, the user can directly disassemble the lower bottom shell for cleaning, which improves the user experience.

[0003] At present, the left and right sides of the upper and lower bottom shells are connected together by a connecting assembly, and the structures of the left and right sides are consistent. Generally, the connecting assembly is installed on the lower bottom shell, and then inserted into the groove of the upper bottom shell through the connecting bottom shell, and the upper and lower bottom shells are connected together by a spring rebound fastening method. During the assembly process, first, the spring that is wound into a ball needs to be taken out, and then the spring is installed on the connecting block and the connecting block is put on the right handle, and then the right handle is fixed on the lower bottom shell (same, the operation relative to the left is the same), and finally, the connecting block is inserted into the lower bottom shell. Since the connecting block is connected with the spring at the bottom, the hook of the connecting block can move relative to the right handle, so that the hook quickly bounces back after entering the upper bottom shell, and the spring is always supported, thereby realizing permanent locking of the upper and lower bottom shells. However, this assembly method has many processes, and the spring is a flexible part, which is easy to entangle, affecting efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an electric control box and an air conditioner, which are used to at least partially solve the above technical problems.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a connecting block on one hand, which is used to connect the first component and the second component of the air conditioner. The connecting block 1 includes: a main body structure 10, which is used to connect the first component; a connecting part 12, which is used to connect the second component, and the connecting part 12 can move relative to the main body structure 10; at least one elastic band 11 is provided between the connecting part 12 and the main body structure 10.

[0006] Therefore, the connecting block has two two-part structures that can move relative to each other, and multiple elastic bands are arranged between the two relatively moving structures. Since the elastic bands have resilience, the hook structure connected by the elastic bands can return to its original position after being stretched or compressed for a certain distance and the external force is removed, thereby preventing the hook from slipping out of the upper bottom shell of the air conditioner and increasing the stability of the clamping.

[0007] Optionally, the elastic band 11, the main body structure 10 and the connecting portion 12 are an assembled structure formed in one step, and at least one of the two ends where the connecting portion 12 is connected to the main body structure 10 is provided with at least one elastic band 11 near at least one end.

[0008] The elastic band 11 and the main body structure 10 are an assembled structure formed in one step, or the elastic band 11 and the connecting portion 12 are an assembled structure formed in one step; the elastic band 11 is arranged near the pressing end 122 of the connecting portion 12, and the elastic band 11 is stretched.

[0009] The elastic band 11 and the main body structure 10 are an assembled structure formed in one step, or the elastic band 11 and the connecting portion 12 are an assembled structure formed in one step; the elastic band 11 is arranged near the other end of the connecting portion 12 opposite to the pressing end 122, and the elastic band 11 is compressed.

[0010] Thus, the elastic band is formed with the connecting portion and the main body structure at one time, or only with one of them at one time, which reduces the number of parts of the assembly component and improves assembly efficiency. In addition, during the manufacturing process, the object of the elastic band being formed at one time can be flexibly selected, which improves the processing flexibility and further improves the processing efficiency.

[0011] The elastic band 11 is in a bow shape, a wave shape or a broken line shape.

[0012] Therefore, by arranging the elastic band into a bow shape, a wave shape or a broken line shape, the total length of the elastic band is increased, so that the elastic band has better resilience, thereby improving the stability of the clamping.

[0013] The main body structure 10 and the connecting portion 12 are formed at one time, and the main body structure 10 and the connecting portion 12 are connected.

[0014] Thus, the three parts of the traditional connection assembly are combined into one part through one-piece molding, eliminating the process of installing the connection block and the handle in the traditional installation process, thereby improving the assembly efficiency. In addition, the main body structure and the connection part are detachable, which is convenient for cleaning and improves the user experience.

[0015] The connection direction of the elastic band 11 is parallel to the movement direction of the connection portion 12 relative to the main body structure 10 .

[0016] Therefore, since the connection direction of the elastic band is parallel to the direction of mutual movement, the inclination of the connecting part when moving downward is smaller during the installation of the upper and lower bases of the air conditioner, thereby preventing the connecting part from getting stuck.

[0017] The elastic band 11 is snap-connected or hook-connected with the main body structure 10 or the connecting portion 12 .

[0018] Therefore, when the elastic band is integrated with the main body structure or one of the connecting parts, the hook is fixed to the upper base for clamping when the elastic band rebounds by means of clamping or hooking.

[0019] A clearance gap is defined between the connecting portion 12 and the main body structure 10 .

[0020] Therefore, even if the connection direction of the elastic band is parallel to the direction of mutual movement, the connection part will inevitably tilt when moving downward due to uneven force during installation. By setting a clearance gap, the connection part can be prevented from getting stuck.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner, comprising the connection block described above.

[0022] The air conditioner has the same advantages as the above-mentioned connecting block, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 The structure diagram of the connection block provided by the first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0024] Figure 2 The enlarged view of the clearance fit between the main body structure and the connecting part provided by the first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an enlarged view of the elastic band structure of the connecting block provided by the first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 4 The structure diagram of the connection block provided by the second embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0027] Figure 5 The structure diagram of the connection block provided by the third embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0028] Figure 6 A process diagram of connecting the upper base and the lower base of the air conditioner using the outdoor connection block of the above embodiment provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the application purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention provides a connecting block for connecting a first component and a second component of an air conditioner, namely, an upper base and a lower base of an air conditioner in this embodiment. Compared with a traditional connecting assembly formed by assembling three parts together, the connecting block is combined into one part, which is introduced in detail below with a specific embodiment.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] Figure 1 The structure diagram of the connection block provided by the first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 2 The enlarged diagram schematically shows the clearance fit between the main body structure and the connecting part provided by the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 The enlarged view of the elastic band structure of the connecting block provided by the first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0033] See also Figure 1 The connecting block 1 may include a main body structure 10 and a connecting portion 12, wherein the connecting portion 12 can move left and right relative to the main body structure 11, and the left and right direction refers to the direction from Figure 1 The direction shown does not limit the present invention. Specifically, the main body structure 10 is provided with two circular holes, a first hole 101 and a second hole 102, and the two ends of the connecting portion 12 can pass through the two holes and be connected to the main body structure 10. A handle 103 can also be provided on the main body structure 10. During the installation process, the handle 103 can be held by hand for assembly, which is convenient to operate. One end of the connecting portion is a pressing end 122. During the assembly process, the pressing end 122 can be pressed to move the connecting portion 12 relative to the main body structure 10. A hook 121 is also provided on the connecting portion 12 for hooking with the upper base to connect the lower base with the upper base.

[0034] See also Figure 2 In a feasible manner of the present embodiment, there is a matching gap 123 between the main body structure 10 and the connecting portion 12, so that the connecting portion 12 can better move relative to the main body structure 10.

[0035] See also Figure 3 In this embodiment, at least one elastic band 11 is provided near the pressing end 122, and the elastic band 11 connects the main structure 10 and the connecting portion 12. The specific number of the elastic bands 11 is determined according to actual needs, and the present invention does not limit it. The elastic band 11 has resilience. When the pressing end 122 on the connecting portion 12 is pressed, the elastic band 11 will be stretched and deformed. When the pressing end 122 is released, the elastic band 11 will return to its original state due to the resilience, thereby applying a pulling force to the connecting portion 12, so that it also returns to its original position.

[0036] In a feasible manner of the present embodiment, the elastic band 11 is configured to be in an arch shape, a wavy shape, or a broken line shape. Compared with a straight line shape, the total length of the elastic band is increased, so it has better resilience and can apply a greater pulling force to the connecting part 12, so that the hook 121 of the connecting part 12 tightly hooks the upper bottom shell, thereby improving the stability of the clamping.

[0037] In a feasible way of the present embodiment, the elastic band 11, the main body structure 10 and the connecting part 12 are an assembly structure formed at one time, or only the elastic band 11 and the main body structure 10 are an assembly structure formed at one time, or only the elastic band 11 and the connecting part 12 are an assembly structure formed at one time. The assembly structure formed at one time is manufactured by a one-time molding method, and the one-time molding includes a plurality of parts that are integrally molded or assembled together in a mold at one time, such as the "molding method of assembling the hook 121 and the connecting part 12 after one-time molding" in the present embodiment. Among them, when the elastic band 11 is only an assembly structure formed at one time with the main body structure 10 or the connecting part 12, it can be connected to another part by a snap connection or a hook connection. When this design not only reduces the number of parts of the assembly component, improves the assembly efficiency, but also improves the flexibility in the processing process. In the actual processing of the connecting block, different structures need to be processed by different molds, and the difficulty of the processing is also different. For example, the processing mold corresponding to the assembly structure in which the elastic band 11, the main body structure 10 and the connecting portion 12 are formed at one time is different from the processing mold corresponding to the assembly structure in which the elastic band 11 is only formed at one time with the main body structure 10 or the connecting portion 12. When any one of the molds has a problem, other molds can be used for processing, and the entire production line will not be affected by a problem with one mold, thereby improving processing efficiency.

[0038] In a feasible mode of the first embodiment, the main body structure 10 and the connecting part 12 are formed in one step, and the main body structure (10) and the connecting part 12 are detachable. The one-step forming mode is adopted to combine the connecting assembly composed of three parts in the traditional solution into one part, thereby eliminating the process of installing the connecting block and the handle in the traditional installation process, thereby improving the assembly efficiency. The main body structure and the connecting part are designed to be detachable, which is convenient for cleaning and improves the user experience.

[0039] In a feasible way of the present embodiment, in order to make the hook 121 tightly buckle the upper base and improve the stability of the clamping, the connection direction of the elastic band 11 can be parallel to the movement direction of the connecting part 12 relative to the main body structure 10. In this way, when the elastic band 11 rebounds, the direction of the restoring force is parallel to the direction in which the connecting part 12 is pressed, and as large a restoring force as possible is applied to the hook 121. In addition, the direction of the restoring force is parallel to the direction in which the connecting part 12 is pressed, so that the connecting part 12 is not tilted as much as possible during the pressing process, and the connecting part 12 is prevented from being stuck in the hole of the main body structure 10. Since the direction of the force applied to the handle 103 is uncertain in actual operation, a clearance gap is also provided between the connecting part 12 and the main body structure 10 to prevent the connecting part 12 from being stuck due to uneven tilting due to external force.

[0040] In a feasible manner of the first embodiment of the present invention, a handle 103 may be further provided on the main body structure 10. During the installation process, the handle 103 may be held by hand for assembly, which is convenient to operate.

[0041] Please refer again Figure 1 At least one threaded hole 104 can be designed on the main body structure 10. After the upper base and the lower base are assembled through the connecting block 1, the connecting block 1 can be fixed to the lower base through the threaded hole 104 using screws to further increase the firmness of the connection.

[0042] Embodiment 2

[0043] Figure 4 The structure diagram of the connection block provided by the second embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 4 As shown, the difference from the first embodiment is that the elastic band 11 is arranged near the other end of the connecting part 12 opposite to the pressing end 122. Based on this design, when the pressing end 122 on the connecting part 12 is pressed, the elastic band 11 will undergo compression deformation instead of stretching deformation. When the pressing end 122 is released, the elastic band 11 will return to its original state due to its resilience, thereby applying a thrust to the connecting part 12, so that the connecting part 12 also returns to its original position, thereby hooking the buckle 121 on the upper base.

[0044] For details not provided in this embodiment, please refer to Embodiment 1.

[0045] Embodiment 3

[0046] Figure 5 The structure diagram of the connection block provided by the third embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 5 As shown, the difference from Example 1 and Example 2 is that: the elastic band 11 is not only arranged near the pressing end 122 of the connecting part 12, but also arranged near the other end of the connecting part 12 opposite to the pressing end 122. Based on this design, when the pressing end 122 on the connecting part 12 is pressed, the elastic band 11 near the pressing end 122 is tensilely deformed, and the elastic band 11 at the other end is compressively deformed. When the pressing end 122 is released, all the elastic bands 11 will return to their original state due to the rebound elasticity. The elastic band 11 near the pressing end 122 applies a pulling force to the connecting part 12, and the elastic band 11 at the other end applies a pushing force to the connecting part 12. The two work together to restore the connecting part 12 to its original position, thereby hooking the buckle 121 on the upper base, further improving the stability of the clamping.

[0047] For details not provided in this embodiment, please refer to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2.

[0048] Embodiment 4

[0049] Figure 6 A process diagram of connecting the upper base and the lower base of the air conditioner using the outdoor connection block of the above embodiment provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, first, the connection block 1 is fixed on the lower base (the lower base is not shown in the figure) through the main body structure 10, and then, it is inserted into the upper bottom shell 2 according to the insertion direction F shown in the figure. Before insertion, the elastic band 11 of the connection block 1 is in a natural state, and the connecting part 12 is not subjected to external force. When the hook 121 is inserted into the slot of the upper base 2, the pressing end 122 of the connecting part 12 is pressed, and the connecting part 12 moves relative to the main body structure 10, so that the hook 121 avoids the corresponding slot structure of the upper base 2. At this time, the elastic band 11 is in a deformed state (as shown in the state diagram during the insertion process in the figure). When inserted into place, due to the resilience of the elastic band 11, after the pressing force is removed, the hook 121 in the connection block 1 will enter the corresponding slot of the upper base 2, and the elastic band 11 will return to its original natural state. At this point, the assembly connection between the upper base and the lower base is completed.

[0051] In this embodiment, only one part (connecting block) is needed to complete the assembly connection between the upper base and the lower base, thereby improving assembly efficiency. At the same time, the elastic band 11 is generally in a natural state without external force, thereby increasing the service life of the elastic band and providing reliability.

[0052] Embodiment 5

[0053] This embodiment provides an air conditioner, which includes the connection block provided in the above embodiment. The upper base and the lower base of the air conditioner are connected through the connection block.

[0054] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A connecting block for connecting a first component and a second component of an air conditioner, characterized in that: The connection block (1) comprises: A body structure (10) for connecting the first component; A connecting portion (12) is used to connect the second component, and the connecting portion (12) can move relative to the main body structure (10); at least one elastic band (11) is provided between the connecting portion (12) and the main body structure (10); the elastic band (11) is in an arch shape, a wave shape, or a broken line shape; The elastic band (11), the main body structure (10) and the connecting portion (12) are an assembled structure formed in one step, and at least one of the two ends where the connecting portion (12) is connected to the main body structure (10) is provided with at least one elastic band (11); The elastic band (11) and the main body structure (10) are an assembled structure formed in one step, or the elastic band (11) and the connecting portion (12) are an assembled structure formed in one step; wherein the elastic band (11) is arranged near the pressing end (122) of the connecting portion (12), and the elastic band (11) is stretched; or, the elastic band (11) is arranged near the other end of the connecting portion (12) opposite to the pressing end (122), and the elastic band (11) is compressed; The connection direction of the elastic band (11) is parallel to the movement direction of the connection portion (12) relative to the main body structure (10).

2. The connection block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body structure (10) and the connecting portion (12) are formed at one time, and the main body structure (10) and the connecting portion (12) are detachable.

3. The connection block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic band (11) is snap-connected or hook-connected with the main body structure (10) or the connecting portion (12).

4. The connection block according to claim 1, characterized in that: A clearance gap is provided between the connecting portion (12) and the main body structure (10).

5. An air conditioner, characterized in that: The air conditioner comprises a connection block as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, and the connection block connects the upper and lower bases of the air conditioner.

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