Electrical appliance box and air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of air conditioners, and discloses an electrical box and an air conditioner. The electrical box is used to install an electric control board. The electrical box includes a box body and at least two supports, the supports being made of insulating material and arranged in the box body. One end of the support is connected to the box body, and the other end of the support is connected to the electric control board, so that the electric control board is spaced apart from the inner wall of the box body. The electric control board is fixed in the box body by insulating supports, which prevents the electric control board from directly contacting the box body, thereby allowing the box body to be made of sheet metal or the like with lower cost. Compared with the prior art of installing the electric control board by arranging a plastic box body in a sheet metal box body, although the supports need to use insulating material, the supports use less material, which can reduce the production cost of the electrical box and is conducive to reducing the size of the box body made of sheet metal, thereby further reducing production costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and in particular to an electrical appliance box and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the electrical enclosure of an air conditioner is often a double-layered structure, consisting of an outermost sheet metal enclosure and a plastic enclosure within the sheet metal enclosure. The electronic control board is housed within the plastic enclosure to prevent direct contact between the electronic control board and the sheet metal enclosure, thereby preventing electrical leakage. A column for positioning and securing the electronic control board is located between the sheet metal and plastic enclosures, securing the sheet metal and plastic enclosures with screws. A column for securing the electronic control board is also located within the plastic enclosure, securing the electronic control board with screws.

[0003] Existing electrical appliance boxes require multiple screw driving processes, which reduces assembly efficiency; at the same time, the material cost of the plastic box body is relatively high, resulting in high overall production costs and material costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical appliance box and an air conditioner, which can solve the problem of high cost caused by the double-layer structure of the existing electrical appliance box.

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] An electrical box for installing an electrical control panel, comprising:

[0007] Box body;

[0008] At least two support members are made of insulating material and are arranged in the box body. One end of the support member is connected to the box body, and the other end of the support member is connected to the electric control board, so that the electric control board is spaced apart from the inner wall of the box body.

[0009] As an optional solution to the above-mentioned electrical appliance box, one end of the support member is snap-connected with the box body;

[0010] The other end of the support member is clamped with the electric control board.

[0011] As an optional solution to the above-mentioned electrical box, the support member includes:

[0012] Support columns;

[0013] Two elastic claws are respectively provided at both ends of the support column, one of the two elastic claws passes through the box body and abuts against the outer wall of the box body, and the other can pass through the electric control board and abut against the electric control board;

[0014] Two bearing parts are arranged on the support column at intervals and are located between the two elastic claws. One of the two bearing parts abuts against the inner wall of the box body, and the other abuts against the electric control board.

[0015] As an optional solution for the above-mentioned electrical box, the elastic claw includes two clamping arms set at an angle, one end of the two clamping arms is connected to the support column, and the other end of the two clamping arms can abut against the outer wall of the box body or the electrical control board.

[0016] As an optional solution for the above-mentioned electrical box, the supporting part includes a connecting plate and two abutment arms, the connecting plate is vertically connected to the support column, and the two ends of the connecting plate are respectively connected to the abutment arms at an angle, and the abutment arms can abut against the inner wall of the box body or the electrical control board.

[0017] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned electrical appliance box, the end of the abutting arm is configured with an abutting arc surface.

[0018] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned electrical appliance box, the support column is connected to a reinforcement rib, and the end of the reinforcement rib is connected to the bearing portion.

[0019] As an optional solution to the above-mentioned electrical appliance box, the box body is made of sheet metal.

[0020] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned electrical appliance box, the box body includes a bottom shell and a box cover that are detachably connected.

[0021] An air conditioner comprises an electric control board and the above-mentioned electrical appliance box, wherein the electric control board is arranged in the box body.

[0022] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0023] In the electrical box provided by the present invention, the electronic control board is secured within the box body by insulating supports, preventing direct contact between the electronic control board and the box body. This allows the box body to be manufactured from relatively low-cost sheet metal, for example. Compared to the prior art method of installing the electronic control board within a sheet metal box body using a plastic housing, while the supports require insulating material, the support uses less material, reducing the production cost of the electrical box and facilitating a reduction in the size of the sheet metal box body, further reducing production costs. Providing at least two supports to support the electronic control board improves its securement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical box and the electrical control panel provided by the present invention when they are not installed;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the electrical box and the electrical control panel provided by the present invention after installation;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the support member provided by the present invention.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 1. Box body; 11. Bottom shell; 111. Second through hole; 12. Box cover; 121. Reinforcing rib; 2. Support member; 21. Support column; 22. First clamping end; 221. First elastic clamping claw; 2211. First clamping arm; 222. First bearing part; 2221. First connecting plate; 2222. First abutting arm; 23. Second clamping end; 231. Second elastic clamping claw; 2311. Second clamping arm; 232. Second bearing part; 2321. Second connecting plate; 2322. Second abutting arm; 24. Reinforcing rib; 3. Electronic control board; 31. First through hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only illustrate portions relevant to the present invention, not all structures.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0031] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0032] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely for ease of description and simplified operation. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used solely for descriptive purposes and have no special meanings.

[0033] This embodiment provides an air conditioner, including an electric control board 3 and an electrical box, wherein the electric control board 3 is fixed in the electrical box. Figure 1-Figure 2 As shown, the electrical box includes a box body 1 and at least two support members 2. The support member 2 is arranged in the box body 1, one end of which is connected to the box body 1, and the other end is used to fix the electric control, and the support member 2 is made of insulating material. By providing the support member 2, the electric control board 3 can be spaced apart from the inner wall of the box body 1, avoiding direct contact between the electric control board 3 and the box body 1, so that the box body 1 can be made of sheet metal with lower cost. Although the support member 2 needs to use insulating material, compared with the plastic box body 1 in the prior art, the support member 2 uses less material, which can further reduce the production cost of the electrical box. By providing at least two support members 2 to support the electric control board 3, the fixing effect of the electric control board 3 can be improved.

[0034] Optionally, the box body 1 is made of sheet metal. Sheet metal has low cost, is easy to process, and has sufficient strength. Exemplarily, the sheet metal can be made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel.

[0035] In some embodiments, the box body 1 may also be made of other materials, and the specific material can be set according to actual needs.

[0036] Furthermore, to facilitate installation of the support member 2 and the electronic control board 3, the box body 1 includes a removably connected bottom shell 11 and a cover 12. Specifically, the bottom shell 11 comprises a base plate and side panels arranged circumferentially around the base plate. The base plate and side panels form a trough structure with one end open, into which the support member 2 and the electronic control board 3 can be installed by a switch. To facilitate the securement of the bottom shell 11 and the cover 12, a fixing flange is connected to the end of the side panel facing away from the base plate. The cover 12 abuts against the fixing flange and is secured by fasteners, thus achieving a removable connection between the cover 12 and the bottom shell 11.

[0037] Optionally, the fastener is a screw.

[0038] Optionally, the side panels may be provided with fixing flanges all along the circumference, or may be only partially connected with fixing flanges, as long as they can be used to connect the box cover 12 .

[0039] In this embodiment, the bottom plate is rectangular, and side plates are provided on all four sides of the bottom plate. To further reduce production costs, only the two opposite side plates are connected with fixing flanges to reduce the material required for the bottom shell 11.

[0040] In order to improve the strength of the box body 1, a reinforcing rib 121 is provided on the box cover 12. Further, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 121 are provided on the box cover 12, and the plurality of reinforcing ribs 121 are connected horizontally and vertically to form a grid shape, thereby further improving the strength of the box cover 12.

[0041] Optionally, in order to simplify the processing steps, the reinforcing ribs 121 on the box cover 12 can be formed by a stamping process.

[0042] Furthermore, one end of the support member 2 is clipped to the box body 1, and the other end is clipped to the electronic control board 3. This clipping method secures the support member 2 to the box body 1 and the electronic control board 3, respectively. Compared to the prior art method of securing with screws, this eliminates the need for screw driving, reduces the number of screws used, and thus reduces costs. Furthermore, since no columns are required to engage with the screws, the size of the box body 1 can be reduced, further reducing costs.

[0043] In this embodiment, one end of the support member 2 is configured as a first clamping end 22, and the other end is configured as a second clamping end 23. The first clamping end 22 is clamped to the electric control board 3, and the second clamping end 23 is clamped to the box body 1. Figure 2 As shown, the support member 2 includes a support column 21, two elastic claws, and two load-bearing portions. An elastic claw and a load-bearing portion are provided at each end of the support column 21. The support column 21, the elastic claws, and the load-bearing portions at each end constitute a first clamping end 22 and a second clamping end 23, respectively. For ease of description, the elastic claw of the first clamping end 22 is referred to as the first elastic claw 221, and the load-bearing portion of the first clamping end 22 is referred to as the first load-bearing portion 222. Correspondingly, the elastic claw of the second clamping end 23 is referred to as the second elastic claw 231, and the load-bearing portion of the second clamping end 23 is referred to as the second load-bearing portion 232.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the electrical control board 3 is provided with a first through-hole 31, through which a first elastic claw 221 can pass, extending from one side of the electrical control board 3 to the outside of the other side. When the first elastic claw 221 is within the first through-hole 31, it is squeezed and deformed. After the first elastic claw 221 reaches the other side of the electrical control board 3, it expands under its own elastic force and abuts against the electrical control board 3, achieving a locking connection between the first elastic claw 221 and the electrical control board 3. This structure requires only a through-hole in the electrical control board 3, requiring minimal structural modification to the electrical control board 3, making the electrical box more versatile.

[0045] Furthermore, the first elastic claw 221 and the first bearing portion 222 are spaced apart, and the first bearing portion 222 and the second bearing portion 232 are disposed between the first elastic claw 221 and the second elastic claw 231. When the first elastic claw 221 extends through the first through-hole 31 to the other side of the electric control board 3, the electric control board 3 is located between the first elastic claw 221 and the first bearing portion 222. The first bearing portion 222 can abut against the electric control board 3 to support the electric control board 3 and improve its stability. At the same time, the first bearing portion 222 and the first elastic claw 221 cooperate to achieve axial positioning of the electric control board 3 along the support column 21.

[0046] Furthermore, if Figure 3 As shown, the first elastic claw 221 includes two first clamping arms 2211 arranged at an angle. One end of the two first clamping arms 2211 is connected to the end of the support column 21, and the other ends of the two first clamping arms 2211 are separated from each other, so that the first elastic claw 221 forms a triangular structure. When the first elastic claw 221 passes through the first through hole 31, the end at which the two first clamping arms 2211 are connected first enters the first through hole 31. As the depth of the first elastic claw 221 inserted into the first through hole 31 increases, the contact force between the first clamping arms 2211 and the inner wall of the first through hole 31 gradually increases, thereby tending to deform the first elastic claw 221 and gradually reducing the distance between the two first clamping arms 2211, thereby ensuring that the first elastic claw 221 can smoothly pass through the first through hole 31. After the first elastic claw 221 passes through the first through hole 31, the first clamping arm 2211 is no longer subjected to the abutting force of the first through hole 31, so that the distance between the two first clamping arms 2211 can be increased, and the first clamping arm 2211 abuts against the other side of the electronic control board 3, preventing the first clamping end 22 from being separated from the electronic control board 3.

[0047] Furthermore, the first supporting portion 222 includes a first connecting plate 2221 and two first abutting arms 2222. The first connecting plate 2221 is perpendicularly connected to the support column 21. First abutting arms 2222 are connected at an angle to each end of the first connecting plate 2221. The first abutting arms 2222 can abut against the electronic control board 3. This structure gives the first supporting portion 222 a generally trapezoidal shape. The distance between the free ends of the two first abutting arms 2222 gradually increases, thereby increasing the distance between the contact points of the two first abutting arms 2222 and the electronic control board 3, thereby improving the support effect of the first supporting portion 222 on the electronic control board 3.

[0048] To prevent the first abutting arm 2222 from scratching the electric control board 3 , the end of the first abutting arm 2222 is configured with an abutting arc surface, which contacts the electric control board 3 to prevent the sharp corners or edges on the first abutting arm 2222 from scratching the electric control board 3 .

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the bottom plate of the box body 1 is provided with a second through-hole 111, through which the second elastic claw 231 can pass, extending from the inside of the box body 1 to the outside of the box body 1. When the second elastic claw 231 is within the second through-hole 111, it is squeezed and deformed. After the second elastic claw 231 extends outside the box body 1, it expands under its own elastic force and abuts against the outer wall of the box body 1, thereby achieving a locking engagement between the second elastic claw 231 and the box body 1. This structure requires only a through-hole to be provided on the box body 1, simplifying the structure of the box body 1, simplifying the processing process, and reducing production costs.

[0050] Furthermore, the second elastic claw 231 and the second bearing portion 232 are spaced apart. When the second elastic claw 231 extends outside the box body 1 through the second through hole 111, the bottom plate is located between the second elastic claw 231 and the second bearing portion 232. The second bearing portion 232 can abut against the outer wall of the bottom plate, thereby achieving axial positioning of the bottom plate along the support column 21, thereby improving the clamping effect between the second clamping end 23 and the box body 1.

[0051] Furthermore, the second elastic claw 231 includes two second clamping arms 2311 arranged at an angle. One end of the two second clamping arms 2311 is connected to the end of the support column 21, and the other ends of the two second clamping arms 2311 face away from each other, forming a triangular structure. When the second elastic claw 231 passes through the second through hole 111, the connected end of the two second clamping arms 2311 first enters the second through hole 111. As the second elastic claw 231 penetrates deeper into the second through hole 111, the contact force between the second clamping arms 2311 and the inner wall of the second through hole 111 gradually increases, thereby tending to deform the second elastic claw 231 and gradually reducing the distance between the two second clamping arms 2311, thereby ensuring that the second elastic claw 231 can smoothly pass through the second through hole 111. After the second elastic claw 231 passes through the second through hole 111, the second clamping arm 2311 is no longer subjected to the abutting force of the second through hole 111, so that the distance between the two second clamping arms 2311 can be increased, and the second clamping arm 2311 abuts against the outer wall of the bottom plate to prevent the second clamping end 23 from detaching from the box body 1.

[0052] Furthermore, the second supporting portion 232 includes a second connecting plate 2321 and two second abutting arms 2322. The second connecting plate 2321 is perpendicularly connected to the support column 21. Second abutting arms 2322 are connected at an angle to each end of the second connecting plate 2321. The second abutting arms 2322 can abut against the inner wall of the bottom plate. This structure gives the second supporting portion 232 a generally trapezoidal shape. The distance between the free ends of the two second abutting arms 2322 gradually increases, thereby increasing the distance between the contact points of the two second abutting arms 2322 and the bottom plate, thereby improving the support effect of the second supporting portion 232 on the box body 1.

[0053] Optionally, to prevent the second abutting arm 2322 from scratching the box body 1 , the end of the second abutting arm 2322 is constructed with an abutting arc surface, which contacts the box body 1 to prevent the sharp corners or edges on the second abutting arm 2322 from scratching the box body 1 .

[0054] Optionally, the maximum distance between the two first abutting arms 2222 in the first bearing portion 222 is greater than the maximum distance between the two second abutting portions in the second bearing portion 232 , so that the first bearing portion 222 can support the electric control board 3 more stably.

[0055] Optionally, the support column 21 is connected to a reinforcing rib 24, and both ends of the reinforcing rib 24 are respectively connected to the first bearing portion 222 and the second bearing portion 232. The provision of the reinforcing rib 24 can further improve the strength of the support member 2, thereby meeting the support requirements of the support member 2 for the electric control board 3.

[0056] In this embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 24 and the support columns 21 form a cross-shaped structure to further improve the strength of the support member 2 .

[0057] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art would be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical box for installing an electric control panel (3), characterized in that: The electrical box includes: Box body (1); At least two support members (2), each of which is made of an insulating material and is disposed in the box body (1), one end of each support member (2) being connected to the box body (1), and the other end of each support member (2) being connected to the electric control board (3), so that the electric control board (3) is spaced apart from the inner wall of the box body (1); One end of the support member (2) is snap-connected with the box body (1); The other end of the support member (2) is clamped to the electric control board (3); The support member (2) comprises: Support column (21); Two elastic claws are respectively provided at both ends of the support column (21), one of the two elastic claws passes through the box body (1) and abuts against the outer wall of the box body (1), and the other can pass through the electric control board (3) and abut against the electric control board (3); Two bearing parts are arranged on the support column (21) at intervals and are located between the two elastic claws, one of the two bearing parts abuts against the inner wall of the box body (1), and the other abuts against the electric control board (3); the bearing part includes a connecting plate and two abutting arms, the connecting plate is vertically connected to the support column (21), and the two ends of the connecting plate are respectively connected to the abutting arms at an angle, and the abutting arms can abut against the inner wall of the box body (1) or the electric control board (3); The elastic clamping claw comprises two clamping arms arranged at an angle, one end of each of the clamping arms is connected to the support column (21), and the other end of each of the clamping arms can abut against the outer wall of the box body (1) or the electric control board (3).

2. The electrical box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the abutting arm is configured with an abutting arc surface.

3. The electrical box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support column (21) is connected to a reinforcing rib (24), and the end of the reinforcing rib (24) is connected to the bearing portion.

4. The electrical appliance box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The box body (1) is made of sheet metal.

5. The electrical appliance box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The box body (1) comprises a detachably connected bottom shell (11) and a box cover (12).

6. An air conditioner, characterized in that: It comprises an electric control board (3) and an electrical box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric control board (3) is arranged in the box body (1).

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