A bushing and an air conditioner having the same.

Abstract

This application relates to the field of air conditioner technology, specifically, it provides a bushing and an air conditioner having the same. The bushing includes a mounting base, a bearing body, and an elastic element. The mounting base has a mounting hole; the bearing body is located within the mounting hole and has a shaft hole; the elastic element is disposed within the mounting hole and includes a first part connected to the bearing body and a second part connected to the mounting part. At least two elastic elements are provided to support the bearing body. This invention provides a method where the shaft hole engages with one end of a cross-flow fan blade to support the fan blade. The elastic element allows for better connection with the fan blade after assembly, reducing the transmission of rotational vibration during fan blade rotation. The elastic element connects the bearing body and the mounting base, improving the installation efficiency and accuracy of the bearing body. The use of at least two elastic elements enhances the reliability of the connection between the bearing body and the mounting base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to the field of air conditioner technology, and more specifically, provides a bushing and an air conditioner having the same. Background Technology

[0002] Existing split-type air conditioner indoor units all use cross-flow fan blades to provide airflow. One end of the cross-flow fan blade is connected to a motor, and the other end is inserted into a fan blade bearing. The motor provides power to drive the cross-flow fan blade to rotate in the bearing. The bearing is connected to other structural parts to form a bearing assembly, which is then fixed to the air conditioner.

[0003] Common bearing assemblies on the market typically include a bearing, a bearing rubber ring, and a bearing housing. The bearing is embedded in the bearing rubber ring, and then the bearing rubber ring is embedded in the bearing housing. However, during the process of embedding the bearing into the bearing rubber ring, the bearing's position is prone to misalignment. When the bearing's deflection angle within the bearing rubber ring is too large, the cross-flow fan blades are prone to frictional noise during rotation, affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the technical problem of easy misalignment in bearing positioning and installation in the prior art, this application provides a bushing and an air conditioner having the same.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this application, a bushing is provided, comprising:

[0007] The mounting base has mounting holes.

[0008] The bearing housing, located within the mounting hole, has a shaft hole thereon; and

[0009] An elastic element is disposed within the mounting hole. The elastic element includes a first part connected to the bearing body and a second part connected to the mounting base. At least two elastic elements are provided to support the bearing body.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this application, the bearing body is further provided with an oil reservoir, which communicates with the shaft hole.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this application, the orthographic projection of the elastic element in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft hole is a curved shape.

[0012] According to one embodiment of this application, the thinnest part of the elastic element has a thickness of A, wherein A satisfies: 0.5mm≤A≤1.6mm.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, at least a portion of the elastic element forms two included angles with the radial direction of the shaft hole, the smaller of the two included angles being B, wherein B satisfies: 5°≤B≤85°.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this application, the mounting hole and the shaft hole are coaxially arranged.

[0015] According to one embodiment of this application, the bushing is integrally formed.

[0016] According to one embodiment of this application, the bushing is made of polyoxymethylene.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this application, an air conditioner is provided, including a base and the aforementioned bushing, the bushing being disposed on the base.

[0018] According to one embodiment of this application, the mounting base is provided with ribs and snaps for connection with the base.

[0019] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the advantages and positive effects of the bushing and air conditioner having the same in this application are as follows: A bushing and air conditioner having the same are provided. The bushing includes a mounting base, a bearing body, and an elastic element. The mounting base has a mounting hole. The bearing body is located within the mounting hole and has a shaft hole. The elastic element is made of elastic material and is disposed within the mounting hole. The elastic element includes a first part connected to the bearing body and a second part connected to the mounting base. At least two elastic elements are provided to support the bearing body. In summary, this application supports the cross-flow fan blade by engaging with one end of the cross-flow fan blade through the shaft hole. The elastic element allows for better assembly with the cross-flow fan blade, reducing the transmission of rotational vibration during rotation. The elastic element connects the bearing body and the mounting base, improving the installation efficiency and accuracy of the bearing body. The provision of at least two elastic elements enhances the reliability of the connection between the bearing body and the mounting base. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram (a) of the overall structure of a bushing and an air conditioner having the bushing, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram (II) of the overall structure of a bushing and an air conditioner having the bushing, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 A bushing and an air conditioner having the bushing are shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the middle.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the main structure of a bushing and an air conditioner having the bushing according to an exemplary embodiment, which is used to embody B.

[0026] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0027] 1. Mounting base; 2. Mounting hole; 3. Bearing body; 4. Shaft hole; 5. Elastic element; 6. First part; 7. Second part; 8. Oil reservoir; 9. Snap fastener; 10. Rib. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] It should be noted that in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or specific order or sequence between these entities or operations. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," and "having," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0031] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0032] Reference Figures 1-4 This disclosure provides a bushing comprising a mounting base 1, a bearing body 3, and an elastic element 5. The mounting base 1 has a mounting hole 2. The bearing body 3 is located within the mounting hole 2 and has a shaft hole 4. The elastic element 5 is made of an elastic material and is disposed within the mounting hole 2. The elastic element 5 includes a first part 6 connected to the bearing body 3 and a second part 7 connected to the mounting base 1. At least two elastic elements 5 are provided to support the bearing body 3.

[0033] In practical use, technicians can connect the first part 6 of the elastic element 5 to the bearing body 3 to achieve a fit between the elastic element 5 and the bearing body 3. Then, the second part 7 of the elastic element 5 is connected to the mounting base 1 to achieve a fit between the elastic element 5 and the mounting base 1, thereby ensuring the bearing body 3 is stably installed within the mounting base 1. The mounting base 1 is used to connect with other components to fix the position of the bushing. The shaft hole 4 fits with one end of the cross-flow fan blade, providing support for the cross-flow fan blade. The elastic element 5 allows for better assembly with the cross-flow fan blade, reducing the transmission of rotational vibration during rotation. Connecting the bearing body 3 and the mounting base 1 together via the elastic element 5 improves the installation efficiency and accuracy of the bearing body 3. The reliability of the connection between the bearing body 3 and the mounting base 1 is improved by using at least two elastic elements 5.

[0034] Specifically, in practical use, the elastic element 5 can be a spring or a sheet spring, or other structural component with inherent elasticity. Furthermore, the elastic element 5 can also be made of elastic material or similar material to reduce the transmission of rotational vibration during the rotation of the cross-flow fan blades. In summary, those skilled in the art can select different elastic elements 5 for installation and assembly based on production and manufacturing conditions. Moreover, in the prior art, all elastic elements 5 that reduce the transmission of rotational vibration during the rotation of the cross-flow fan blades after the bearing body 3 is assembled with the fan blades are within the scope of protection of this embodiment. This application will not elaborate on the specific selection of elastic elements 5.

[0035] Furthermore, the mounting hole 2 and the shaft hole 4 are coaxially arranged. By coaxially arranging the mounting hole 2 and the shaft hole 4, after the mounting base 1 is fixed in its position, the position of the shaft hole 4 can be matched and connected to the end of the cross-flow fan blade, which facilitates the installation and use of the bushing.

[0036] Furthermore, the shape of the elastic element 5 is not limited in this application. For example, the elastic element 5 can be a rectangular strip, with the first part 6 and the second part 7 on its two sides along its length. Similarly, the elastic element 5 can also be a triangular plate-like structure or a boss-shaped structure. When the elastic element 5 is a boss-shaped structure, it has a first side and a second side that are parallel to each other. The length of the first side is shorter than the length of the second side. Therefore, to improve the reliability of the connection, the first side is the first part 6 of this embodiment, and the second side is the second part 7 of this embodiment.

[0037] Furthermore, to ensure the connection effect and elastic function of the elastic element 5 during use, the orthographic projection of the elastic element 5 in the plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft hole 4 is curved. Optionally, at least a portion of the elastic element 5 forms two included angles with the radial direction of the shaft hole 4, the smaller of the two included angles being B, where B satisfies: 5°≤B≤85°. By setting the elastic element 5 to have a curved orthographic projection in the plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft hole 4, after the elastic element 5 is assembled with the bearing body 3, the end of the cross-flow fan blade is mounted on the bearing body 3. During the rotation of the cross-flow fan blade, whether the bearing body 3 is subjected to force in the radial direction or the circumferential direction relative to the shaft hole 4, the curved elastic element 5 can effectively balance the force on the bearing body 3, thereby reducing the transmission of rotational vibration of the cross-flow fan blade and improving the user experience.

[0038] Furthermore, the width of the bent shape is the same at any position. That is, in this embodiment, the width of the elastic element 5 in the radial direction of the shaft hole 4, from the first part 6 of the elastic element 5 towards the second part 7 of the elastic element 5, is the same. This facilitates the processing and manufacturing of the elastic element 5 and also improves its aesthetics. In addition, in other usage environments, the width of the bent shape can be inconsistent at any position. That is, the elastic element 5 has a minimum thickness and a maximum thickness in the thickness direction to meet the different needs of different application scenarios. Meanwhile, optionally, the bent shape may have one or more bends.

[0039] Optionally, the thinnest part of the elastic element 5 has a thickness of A, which satisfies the condition: 0.5mm ≤ A ≤ 1.6mm. Specifically, the direction of the thinnest part of the elastic element 5 can be the axial direction of the shaft hole 4, the radial direction of the shaft hole 4, or the circumferential direction of the shaft hole 4, depending on the actual shape of the elastic element 5. It should be noted that regardless of the direction of the thinnest part of the elastic element 5, its thickness A should always satisfy 0.5mm ≤ A ≤ 1.6mm. By limiting the dimension of A, it can be ensured that the elastic element 5 has a certain elastic effect and can support the bearing body 3, thereby ensuring the reliability of the relative position of the bearing body 3 within the mounting hole 2.

[0040] Furthermore, both the first part 6 and the second part 7 of the elastic element 5 are provided with rounded corners. The rounded corners improve the connection strength between the first part 6 and the bearing body 3, as well as the connection strength between the second part 7 and the mounting base 1. In addition, the rounded corners make the connection between the elastic element 5 and the bearing body 3 and the mounting base 1 smoother, which facilitates the manufacturing of the elastic element 5.

[0041] Furthermore, when two elastic elements 5 are provided, in this embodiment, to ensure the relative position of the bearing body 3 within the mounting hole 2, the two elastic elements 5 can be optionally positioned on the upper and lower sides of the bearing body 3 respectively. This allows the elastic elements 5 to provide support for the bearing body 3 and also to achieve elastic damping. In addition, three or more elastic elements 5 can be provided. Providing more elastic elements 5 can improve the support effect of the elastic elements 5 on the bearing body 3, ensure the reliability of the bearing body 3's position, and further reduce the transmission of cross-flow fan blade vibration. It should be noted that when multiple elastic elements 5 are provided, this embodiment does not restrict the installation position of each elastic element 5.

[0042] Optionally, when there are three or more elastic elements 5, each elastic element 5 can be evenly spaced around the circumference of the mounting hole 2. By evenly distributing each elastic element 5 within the mounting hole 2, the overall reliability and aesthetics of the bushing can be improved, and manufacturing can be facilitated. Meanwhile, when there are three or more elastic elements 5, technicians can arbitrarily arrange each elastic element 5 within the mounting hole 2 according to actual needs or installation convenience, or each elastic element 5 can be symmetrically arranged within the mounting hole 3 along a certain radial direction.

[0043] Furthermore, the bearing body 3 is also provided with an oil reservoir 8, which is connected to the shaft hole 4. Specifically, the oil reservoir 8 contains a lubricating substance, for example, lubricating oil or grease. By connecting the oil reservoir 8 to the shaft hole 4, lubricating substance can be provided to the shaft hole 4 through the oil reservoir 8. When the shaft hole 4 is engaged with the cross-flow fan blade, the lubricating substance can provide lubrication to the end of the cross-flow fan blade.

[0044] Optionally, the oil reservoir 8 is connected to the shaft hole 4 in the radial direction. The oil reservoir 8 contains lubricating oil or grease. During the rotation of the cross-flow fan, the bearing body 3 experiences a force acting on the cross-flow fan in the radial direction. Since the oil reservoir 8 and the shaft hole 4 are also connected in the radial direction of the cross-flow fan, under the aforementioned force, the lubricating oil or grease located in the oil reservoir 8 can flow into the shaft hole 4, thereby providing or replenishing lubricating oil or grease for the rotation of the cross-flow fan, and thus reducing the resistance generated by the sliding friction between the end of the cross-flow fan that mates with the shaft hole 4 and the bearing body 3.

[0045] Specifically, the cross-section of the oil reservoir 8 in the radial direction of the shaft hole 4 can be a groove shape, a teardrop shape, or an ellipse shape, etc. Furthermore, in actual manufacturing, to facilitate injection molding and other processes, the cross-section of the oil reservoir 8 in the radial direction of the shaft hole 4 can also be designed with other shapes, which will not be elaborated upon in this embodiment. It should be noted that regardless of the shape of the oil reservoir 8, it should have an opening, and this opening should communicate with the shaft hole 4 in the radial direction of the shaft hole 4 to ensure that the lubricating oil or grease in the oil reservoir 8 can flow into the shaft hole 4 during the rotation of the cross-flow fan blade, thus lubricating the end of the cross-flow fan blade.

[0046] Similarly, the oil reservoir 8 can be groove-shaped, meaning that except for the through hole communicating with the shaft hole 4, the rest of the oil reservoir 8 is closed to ensure that the lubricating oil or grease in the oil reservoir 8 does not flow freely and to avoid waste. Furthermore, the oil reservoir 8 can have multiple openings. For example, when there are two openings in the oil reservoir 8, one opening communicates with the shaft hole 4 in the radial direction, while the other opening can be in another direction, such as in the axial direction of the shaft hole 4 on the bearing body 3. In this case, the lubricating oil or grease in the oil reservoir 8 can flow into the shaft hole 4 through the opening communicating with the shaft hole 4 to lubricate the shaft hole 4. The axial opening in the shaft hole 4 allows technicians to easily add lubricating oil or grease to the oil reservoir 8, enabling technicians to add lubricating oil or grease to the oil reservoir 8 while the bearing body 3 is assembled with the cross-flow fan blades, facilitating technician operation. Furthermore, the opening of the oil reservoir 8 can be configured as multiple. For example, the oil reservoir 8 can be formed by penetrating the bearing body 3 in the axial direction of the shaft hole 4. In this case, the oil reservoir 8 can also provide lubricating oil or grease to the shaft hole 4. At the same time, the oil reservoir 8 can also facilitate the manufacturing of production processes.

[0047] Optionally, multiple oil reservoirs 8 are provided, and each oil reservoir 8 is evenly spaced on the bearing body 3 in the circumferential direction of the shaft hole 4. When two oil reservoirs 8 are provided, optionally, the two oil reservoirs 8 are located in the same radial direction of the shaft hole 4, and the two oil reservoirs 8 are located on opposite sides of the shaft hole 4; therefore, when the shaft hole 4 is in contact with the cross-flow fan blade, the two oil reservoirs 8 provide lubricating oil or grease to the end of the cross-flow fan blade, improving the lubrication effect of the cross-flow fan blade and ensuring the uniform distribution of lubricating oil or grease at the end of the cross-flow fan blade. Similarly, when three or more oil reservoirs 8 are provided, the evenly spaced oil reservoirs 8 in the circumferential direction of the shaft hole 4 can ensure uniform lubrication of the end of the cross-flow fan blade, improve the lubrication effect of the cross-flow fan blade, and reduce the waste of lubricating oil or grease.

[0048] Furthermore, the bearing body 3 can be drum-shaped, cylindrical, or spindle-shaped. In some embodiments, the bearing body 3 can also be configured in other shapes, such as a rectangular, triangular, or polygonal cross-section in the radial direction of the mounting hole 2. Therefore, in practical use, this application does not limit the shape of the bearing body 3, and any shape of the bearing body 3 is within the scope of protection of this application. The bearing body 3 in this application is drum-shaped to facilitate manufacturing.

[0049] Furthermore, the bushing can be assembled from the mounting base 1, the bearing body 3, and the elastic element 5. Similarly, the bushing can also be integrally molded. The bushing in this application adopts an integrally molded design. Because existing bearing assemblies consist of three parts—the bearing, the bearing rubber ring, and the bearing rubber ring seat—and to ensure the reliability of the bearing assembly after matching and use, the bearing, bearing rubber ring, and bearing rubber ring seat are manufactured from different materials, requiring multiple production processes to produce the aforementioned bearing assembly. The bushing provided in this application, through its integral molding design, reduces the production, storage, and allocation of multiple parts, saving costs. Furthermore, the bushing provided in this application does not require assembly, greatly reducing manual assembly time, improving efficiency, reducing the labor intensity of workers, and significantly improving the assembly defect rate present in existing technologies.

[0050] Optionally, the bushing is made of polyoxymethylene (POM). POM is an engineering plastic with excellent comprehensive properties, possessing good physical, mechanical, and chemical properties, especially excellent abrasion resistance. Furthermore, POM has high hardness, high rigidity, high wear resistance, and good elasticity, ensuring that when the bushing is assembled with the cross-flow fan blades, the continuous rotation of the fan blades results in good wear resistance of the bushing, thus improving the bushing's efficiency.

[0051] Reference Figures 1-4 This disclosure provides an air conditioner comprising a base and a bushing as described above, the bushing being disposed on the base. The technical features of the bushing in this air conditioner can be referred to the preceding description and will not be repeated here. Since the air conditioner disclosed in this application includes the bushing provided in the above embodiments, the air conditioner with this bushing also possesses all the aforementioned technical effects, which will not be repeated here. Other components and operations of the air conditioner are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0052] Furthermore, the mounting base 1 can be fixedly mounted on the base or detachably mounted on the base to achieve the connection between the mounting base 1 and the base, thereby restricting the position of the bearing body 3 and ensuring the reliability and stability of the bearing body 3 when assembled with the cross-flow fan blade.

[0053] Specifically, when the mounting base 1 and the base are fixedly connected, the mounting base 1 can be connected to the base by means of bonding or welding.

[0054] Similarly, when the mounting base 1 and the base are detachably connected, the mounting base 1 can be threadedly connected to the base via bolts, facilitating the installation and removal of the mounting base 1. When any component on the bushing is damaged, the bushing can be replaced by removing the bolts between the bushing and the mounting base 1, without having to replace the entire air conditioner, thus reducing costs.

[0055] Furthermore, the mounting base 1 is provided with a snap-fit ​​9 for connecting to the base. Since bolted connections require threaded holes on both the mounting base 1 and the base to mate with the bolts, the process of creating these threaded holes may damage the strength of the mounting base 1 or the base. Therefore, in this application, the mounting base 1 and the base are detachably connected, and the mounting base 1 is connected to the base via the snap-fit ​​9. Thus, the snap-fit ​​9 is provided on the mounting base 1, and the base has a locking hole for engaging with the snap-fit ​​9. By engaging the snap-fit ​​9 into the locking hole, the mounting base 1 can be connected to the base.

[0056] Optionally, the mounting base 1 is provided with ribs 10 to restrict the position of the mounting base 1. When the mounting base 1 is installed on the base, the position of the mounting base 1 is restricted by the bottom of the ribs 10 abutting against the surface of the base used for installation. At this time, the buckle 9 can be snapped onto the base for easy installation.

[0057] Optionally, two ribs 10 are provided, and the two ribs 10 are disposed on opposite sides of the mounting base 1. Specifically, the ribs 10 can be located on both sides of the mounting base 1 in the radial direction of the mounting hole 2. By cooperating with the base, the limiting effect of the mounting base 1 is further improved, thereby improving the accuracy of the mounting base 1's setting position after the mounting base 1 is installed with the base.

[0058] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications and variations to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A bushing, characterized in that, include: Mounting base (1), which is provided with mounting holes (2); The bearing body (3) is located inside the mounting hole (2) and has a shaft hole (4) thereon; and An elastic element (5) is disposed in the mounting hole (2). The elastic element (5) includes a first part (6) connected to the bearing body (3) and a second part (7) connected to the mounting base (1). At least two elastic elements (5) are provided to support the bearing body (3). The orthographic projection of the elastic element (5) in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft hole (4) is a curved shape; At least a portion of the elastic element (5) forms two included angles with the radial direction of the shaft hole (4), the smaller of the two included angles being B, and B satisfying: 5°≤B≤85°.

2. The bushing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing body (3) is also provided with an oil storage part (8), which is connected to the shaft hole (4).

3. The bushing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thinnest part of the elastic element (5) is A, and A satisfies: 0.5mm≤A≤1.6mm.

4. The bushing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting hole (2) and the shaft hole (4) are coaxially arranged.

5. The bushing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bushing is integrally formed.

6. The bushing as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The bushing is made of polyoxymethylene.

7. An air conditioner, characterized in that, It includes a base and a bushing as described in any one of claims 1-6, the bushing being disposed on the base.

8. The air conditioner as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The mounting base (1) is provided with ribs (10) and buckles (9) for connecting with the base.

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