Evaporator housing structure, evaporator assembly and air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention provides an evaporator housing structure, an evaporator assembly and an air conditioner. The housing structure includes a housing with a drainage cavity at the bottom. A rib assembly is provided on the bottom surface of the drainage cavity. The rib assembly includes a first rib and a second rib. The first rib divides the drainage cavity into two adjacent cavities. The first rib has at least one break in its extending direction, and the break is used to fluidly connect the adjacent cavities. At least one second rib is provided on one side of the first rib. The second rib is spaced from the first rib, and the second rib is configured to at least partially block the break. Based on the technical solution of the present invention, the rib assembly is used to divide the drainage cavity, so that the volumes of the divided cavities are miniaturized and the direct communication paths between the cavities are blocked, which can effectively reduce the amplitude of the agitation and fluctuation of the water in the drainage cavity, ensure the smooth discharge of the water in the drainage cavity, and at the same time avoid the problem of water overflow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning equipment, and particularly to an evaporator housing structure, an evaporator assembly, and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] Existing vehicle air conditioning boxes are divided into integral type and split type. The split type includes an air inlet assembly, an evaporator box assembly, and a heater blower assembly (also known as a blower box assembly). The evaporator box assembly includes an evaporator housing and an evaporator. The evaporator housing plays a role in supporting the evaporator and draining water. Currently, the drainage structure of the evaporator housing is complex, which is not conducive to production, and the complex structure increases the probability of condensate leakage.

[0003] Currently, the patent with the publication number CN203837224U discloses a drainage structure at the bottom of an evaporator core of an automotive air conditioning box, including an air conditioning box housing, the bottom of the evaporator core, a cavity, and a drainage hole; this patent ensures better water conduction by adding a baffle plate so that condensate can smoothly drain from the drainage port. However, adding a baffle plate makes the structure more complex; in addition, it increases the parts and assembly steps, which will lead to an increase in the overall cost of the product.

[0004] Therefore, in order to meet the requirements of drainage and convenient installation simultaneously, the present invention proposes an evaporator housing structure, an evaporator assembly, and an air conditioner, which ensure the simplicity of the structure on the premise of meeting the drainage smoothness and improve the product assembly efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the problems of complex structure and inconvenient assembly operation caused by the existing evaporator housing structure to meet the drainage requirements, the present invention proposes an evaporator housing structure, an evaporator assembly, and an air conditioner.

[0006] In a first aspect, an evaporator housing structure proposed by the present invention includes a housing. The bottom of the housing has a drainage cavity and a drainage hole communicating with the drainage cavity. A rib assembly for supporting the evaporator is provided on the bottom surface of the drainage cavity. The rib assembly includes a first rib and a second rib;

[0007] The first rib divides the drainage cavity into two adjacent cavities. The first rib has at least one break in its extending direction, and the break is used for fluid communication between the adjacent cavities;

[0008] At least one second rib is provided on one side of the first rib. The second rib is spaced from the first rib, and the second rib is configured to at least partially block the break.

[0009] In one embodiment, the extending direction of the first rib intersects with the direction of the airflow flowing through the evaporator.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second ribs are respectively disposed in the cavities on both sides of the first rib, and both sides of the corresponding fracture have the second ribs.

[0011] In one embodiment, the extension path of the first rib passes through the drain hole, and the position of the drain hole corresponds to the position of one of the fractures on the first rib.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second ribs are respectively disposed in the cavities on both sides of the first rib, and both sides of the fracture where the drain hole is located have the second ribs.

[0013] In one embodiment, the rib assembly further includes a third rib disposed in the cavity, and the number of the third ribs in each cavity is at least one; the extension direction of the third rib faces the position where the drain hole is located to direct the water in the cavity to the drain hole.

[0014] In one embodiment, the third ribs in the two cavities on both sides of the first rib are staggered in the extension direction of the first rib.

[0015] In one embodiment, one end of the third rib extends close to the first rib and the other end extends to be in contact with the wall surface of the cavity.

[0016] In one embodiment, a leak-proof air component capable of cooperating with the top of the evaporator is further provided at the top of the housing. The leak-proof air component includes a sealing rib, and the extension direction of the sealing rib intersects with the direction of the air flow passing through the evaporator, and the sealing rib can be in sealing contact with the top surface of the evaporator.

[0017] In one embodiment, the leak-proof air component further includes wind-shielding ribs disposed on both sides of the sealing rib respectively. The height by which the wind-shielding ribs protrude relative to the top surface of the housing is greater than that of the sealing rib, and an installation area for the top of the evaporator is defined between the two wind-shielding ribs.

[0018] In one embodiment, the side surfaces of the wind-shielding ribs close to the installation area both have protruding installation parts, and the installation parts can abut against the side surfaces of the top of the evaporator.

[0019] In one embodiment, the protruding height of the installation part relative to the side surface of the wind-shielding rib gradually decreases in the direction away from the top surface of the housing, so that the installation part can abut against the side surface of the top of the evaporator to form a guiding inclined surface.

[0020] In a second aspect, an evaporator assembly proposed by the present invention includes the above-described evaporator housing structure, and thus has all the technical effects thereof.

[0021] In a third aspect, an air conditioner proposed by the present invention includes the above-described evaporator assembly, and thus has all the technical effects thereof.

[0022] The above technical features can be combined in various suitable ways or replaced by equivalent technical features, as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, an evaporator housing structure, an evaporator assembly, and an air conditioner provided by the present invention at least have the following beneficial effects:

[0024] For an evaporator housing structure, an evaporator assembly, and an air conditioner of the present invention, a rib assembly is used to divide and separate the drainage cavity, so that the volume of the separated cavities is miniaturized and the direct communication paths between the cavities are blocked, which can effectively reduce the amplitude of the agitation and fluctuation of the water in the drainage cavity, ensure the smooth discharge of the water in the drainage cavity, and at the same time avoid the problem of water overflow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments and with reference to the drawings. Among them:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a schematic external structure view of the evaporator housing structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the side of the evaporator housing structure of the present invention (the evaporator is assembled);

[0028] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the side of the evaporator housing structure of the present invention (the evaporator is not assembled);

[0029] Figure 4 shows a top view of the rib assembly at the bottom of the evaporator housing structure of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the air leakage prevention assembly at the top of the evaporator housing structure of the present invention.

[0031] In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0032] Reference Numerals:

[0033] 1. Housing; 11. Drainage cavity; 111. Cavity; 12. Drainage hole; 2. Evaporator; 3. Rib assembly; 31. First rib; 311. Notch; 32. Second rib; 33. Third rib; 4. Air leakage prevention assembly; 41. Sealing rib; 42. Windshield rib; 421. Mounting portion; 5. Mounting area. Detailed implementation manner

[0034] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Embodiment 1

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention provides an evaporator housing structure, including a housing 1. The bottom of the housing 1 has a drainage cavity 11 and a drainage hole 12 communicating with the drainage cavity 11. A rib assembly 3 for supporting the evaporator 2 is provided on the bottom surface of the drainage cavity 11. The rib assembly 3 includes a first rib 31 and a second rib 32.

[0037] The first rib 31 divides the drainage cavity 11 into two adjacent cavities 111. The first rib 31 has at least one notch 311 in its extending direction. The notch 311 is used to make the fluids in the adjacent cavities 111 communicate. At least one second rib 32 is provided on one side of the first rib 31. The second rib 32 is spaced from the first rib 31, and the second rib 32 is configured to at least partially block the notch 311.

[0038] Specifically, as shown in the attached drawings Figure 1 shown, the evaporator 2 is installed inside the housing 1. The opposite sides of the housing 1 respectively have an inlet and an outlet. Referring to the figure Figures 2 to 4 , the area near the bottom of the housing 1 is the drainage cavity 11. The bottom of the housing 1 has a drainage hole 12 communicating with the drainage cavity 11. A rib assembly 3 is provided on the bottom surface of the drainage cavity 11. In fact, the drainage cavity 11 is formed after the evaporator 2 is supported by the rib assembly 3 and lifted by a certain height. The first rib 31 in the rib assembly 3 divides the drainage cavity 11 into two adjacent cavities 111. The adjacent cavities 111 communicate with each other through the notch 311 on the first rib 31. The drainage hole 12 can be located in any one of the cavities 111 or at the junction between the two cavities 111. The second rib 32 in the rib assembly 3 is provided on at least one side of the notch 311, that is, at least in the cavity 111 on one side of the first rib 31. Its main function is to block the notch 311 to a certain extent; preferably, the second rib 32 completely blocks the notch 311. The number of notches 311 is at least one, so the number of corresponding second ribs 32 is also at least one. In this embodiment, as shown in the attached drawings Figure 4As shown, the rib assembly 3 composed of the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 divides the spatial structure of the drainage cavity 11, forming two cavities 111, and the two cavities 111 are not completely directly connected at the fracture 311 under the blockage of the second rib 32.

[0039] The main purpose of the rib assembly 3 in this embodiment is to ensure the smooth drainage of the drainage cavity 11. The means to achieve this purpose is to avoid large-scale agitation and fluctuation of the water in the drainage cavity 11, because the drainage of water that is generally in a static state is smoother. Especially when the evaporator 2 and the air conditioner corresponding to the present invention are applied to a vehicle, the problem of drainage smoothness is more serious, because the bumps of the vehicle cause large-scale agitation and fluctuation of the water, seriously affecting the drainage smoothness and also prone to water overflow problems.

[0040] The present invention uses the rib assembly 3 to divide and separate the space of the drainage cavity 11, making the volume of the separated cavity 111 smaller and blocking the direct communication path between the cavities 111, which can effectively reduce the amplitude of agitation and fluctuation of the water in the drainage cavity 11, ensure the smooth discharge of the water in the drainage cavity 11, and at the same time avoid the problem of water overflow. This problem of water overflow may be caused by the poor discharge of water in the drainage cavity 11 resulting in excessive water volume, or by the excessive amplitude of agitation and fluctuation of the water in the drainage cavity 11 causing the water to overflow from the drainage cavity 11.

[0041] Further, referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 and Figure 4 , the extending direction of the first rib 31 intersects with the direction of the airflow flowing through the evaporator 2. The purpose of this is to achieve a wind blocking function based on the rib assembly 3 composed of the first rib 31 and the second rib 32, to prevent the airflow from directly flowing through the drainage cavity 11 at the bottom of the housing 1 without passing through the evaporator 2, and to ensure that the airflow passes through the heat exchange area of the evaporator 2 as much as possible. To ensure the wind blocking effect, it is preferably that the two directions are orthogonal to each other to prevent the airflow from directly entering the interval area between the first rib 31 and the second rib 32 at a certain angle and directly passing through the fracture 311 resulting in air leakage; to ensure the wind blocking effect, the number of fractures 311 on the first rib 31 is preferably set to one to avoid increasing the possibility of air leakage due to too many fractures 311.

[0042] Further, referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 4, the second ribs 32 are respectively arranged in the cavities 111 on both sides of the first rib 31, and both sides of the corresponding fracture 311 have the second ribs 32, and the two second ribs 32 together completely cover the fracture 311. The purpose of doing this is, firstly, to ensure the symmetry of the structures of the second ribs 32 on both sides of the fracture 311, so that the two symmetric second ribs 32 on both sides of the fracture 311 can improve the stability of the rib assembly 3 in supporting the evaporator 2 at the fracture 311; secondly, based on the wind shielding function of the rib assembly 3, a double-layer wind shielding structure is formed by the two symmetric second ribs 32 on both sides of the fracture 311, which can improve the wind shielding effect at the fracture 311 and further reduce the airflow flowing through the fracture 311.

[0043] Further, referring to the attached drawings Figure 4 , the extension path of the first rib 31 passes through the drain hole 12, the position of the drain hole 12 corresponds to the position of a fracture 311 on the first rib 31, the second ribs 32 are respectively arranged in the cavities 111 on both sides of the first rib 31, and both sides of the fracture 311 where the drain hole 12 is located have the second ribs 32. Setting the drain hole 12 at the junction of the two cavities 111, that is, corresponding to the extension path of the first rib 31, can simultaneously meet the convenience of draining water from the two cavities 111. In addition, a relatively independent water outlet cavity is formed at the fracture 311 where the drain hole 12 is located by using the first rib 31 and the two second ribs 32, which can further prevent the water in the drain cavity 11 from agitating at the drain hole 12, making the water flow into the water outlet cavity in a relatively stable state and ensuring the smoothness of drainage.

[0044] Embodiment 2

[0045] This embodiment is an improvement based on Embodiment 1. For some identical contents, refer to Embodiment 1, and this embodiment will not be elaborated here.

[0046] An embodiment of the present invention provides an evaporator housing structure. The rib assembly 3 of the housing structure further includes a third rib 33 arranged in the cavity 111, and the number of the third ribs 33 in each cavity 111 is at least one; the extension direction of the third rib 33 faces the position where the drain hole 12 is located to guide the water in the cavity 111 to the drain hole 12.

[0047] Specifically, referring to the attached drawings Figure 4 , the third rib 33 is arranged in the corresponding cavity 111, further dividing the cavity 111 to form smaller sub-cavities, realizing further reducing the amplitude of water agitation and fluctuation, and the third rib 33 can also guide the water to the drain hole 12, all of which can improve the smoothness of drainage.

[0048] Further, referring to the attached drawings Figure 4, the third ribs 33 in the two cavities 111 on both sides of the first rib 31 are staggered in the extending direction of the first rib 31. The staggered arrangement of the third ribs 33 is beneficial to the stability of the support and fixation of the evaporator 2, especially in the case where there are multiple third ribs 33 spaced apart in the cavity 111 and the spacing distance is large.

[0049] Further, referring to the attached drawings Figure 4 , one end of the third rib 33 extends close to the first rib 31, and the other end extends to contact the wall surface of the cavity 111. In this way, the third rib 33 divides the cavity 111 into multiple sub-cavities, and the side of the multiple sub-cavities close to the first rib 31 has an outlet. In this way, the water in the sub-cavity can flow along the first rib 31 from the outlet, and finally flow to the drain hole 12, realizing the direction guidance during the water flow process and improving the flow smoothness. When the drain hole 12 is on the extending path of the first rib 31, the guiding effect is better.

[0050] Preferably, the distance between one end of the third rib 33 close to the first rib 31 and the first rib 31 is not greater than the distance between the second rib 32 and the first rib 31. In this way, when the water flows along the first rib 31 from the outlet of the sub-cavity separated by the third rib 33, it can directly enter the channel between the second rib 32 and the first rib 31, and then directly enter the drain hole 12, and the flow direction is clearer. The guiding effect is better.

[0051] Embodiment 3

[0052] This embodiment is an improvement based on the above embodiment. For some identical contents, refer to the above embodiment, and this embodiment will not be elaborated here.

[0053] An embodiment of the present invention provides an evaporator housing structure. A leak-proof air component 4 capable of cooperating with the top of the evaporator 2 is further provided at the top of the outer shell 1 of the housing structure. The leak-proof air component 4 includes a sealing rib 41. The extending direction of the sealing rib 41 intersects with the direction of the air flow passing through the evaporator 2, and the sealing rib 41 can be in sealing contact with the top surface of the evaporator 2.

[0054] Specifically, referring to the attached drawings Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the sealing rib 41 is used to be in sealing contact with the top surface of the evaporator 2 in the installed state, avoiding the air flow directly passing through the gap between the top of the outer shell 1 and the evaporator 2 without passing through the evaporator 2, and ensuring that the air flow passes through the heat exchange area of the evaporator 2 as much as possible.

[0055] Further, referring to the attached drawings Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5, the air leakage prevention component 4 further includes wind blocking ribs 42 disposed on both sides of the sealing rib 41 respectively. The height by which the wind blocking ribs 42 protrude relative to the top surface of the housing 1 is greater than that of the sealing rib 41, and an installation area 5 for the top of the evaporator 2 is defined between the two wind blocking ribs 42. The wind blocking ribs 42 can define the installation area 5, firstly for the limit installation of the evaporator 2; at the same time, the wind blocking ribs 42 can block the gap between the top of the housing 1 and the evaporator 2, firstly to prevent air flow from entering the position between the top of the housing 1 and the evaporator 2, reduce the air flow rate that may flow to the sealing rib 41, and improve the air leakage prevention effect.

[0056] Further, referring to the attached drawings Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 , on the side of the wind blocking rib 42 close to the installation area 5, there are protruding installation parts 421. The installation parts 421 can abut against the side surface of the top of the evaporator 2. The protruding height of the installation parts 421 relative to the side surface of the wind blocking rib 42 gradually decreases in the direction away from the top surface of the housing 1, so that the installation parts 421 can abut against the side surface of the top of the evaporator 2 to form a guiding slope. The installation parts 421 are in direct contact with the side surface of the evaporator 2, and the contact area between the two is small, with a certain amount of interference. The pressure at the contact is large and the static friction is large. The installation parts 421 on both sides jointly clamp the evaporator 2, and the assembly structure is more stable. In addition, the guiding slope of the installation parts 421 has a certain slope, which can guide the evaporator 2 into the installation area 5 for convenient installation.

[0057] Embodiment 4

[0058] An embodiment of the present invention provides an evaporator assembly, which includes the above-mentioned evaporator housing structure, and thus has all the technical effects thereof.

[0059] Embodiment 5

[0060] An embodiment of the present invention provides an air conditioner, which includes the above-mentioned evaporator assembly, and thus has all the technical effects thereof.

[0061] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "bottom", "top", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", "left", "right", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the attached drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0062] While the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of the principles and applications of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments, and other arrangements may be devised, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that different dependent claims and the features described herein may be combined in ways different from those described in the original claims. It should also be understood that features described in connection with separate embodiments may be used in other described embodiments.

Claims

1. An evaporator housing structure, including a housing, the bottom of the housing having a drainage cavity and a drainage hole communicating with the drainage cavity, characterized in that, On the bottom surface of the drainage cavity, there is a rib component for supporting the evaporator, and the rib component includes a first rib and a second rib; The first rib divides the drainage cavity into two adjacent cavities, and the first rib has at least one break in its extending direction, and the break is used for fluid communication between the adjacent cavities; At least one second rib is arranged on one side of the first rib, the second rib is arranged at an interval from the first rib, and the second rib is configured to at least partially block the break; The extending path of the first rib passes through the drain hole, and the position of the drain hole corresponds to the position of one break on the first rib; The second ribs are respectively arranged in the cavities on both sides of the first rib, and there are second ribs on both sides of the break where the drain hole is located; The top surfaces of the first rib and the second rib are in contact with the bottom surface of the evaporator.

2. The evaporator housing structure according to claim 1, wherein The extending direction of the first rib intersects with the direction of the air flow passing through the evaporator.

3. The evaporator housing structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second ribs are respectively arranged in the cavities on both sides of the first rib, and there are second ribs on both sides of the corresponding break.

4. The evaporator housing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The rib component further includes a third rib arranged in the cavity, and the number of the third ribs in each cavity is at least one; the extending direction of the third rib faces the position where the drain hole is located to guide the water in the cavity to the drain hole.

5. The evaporator housing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The third ribs in the two cavities on both sides of the first rib are staggered in the extending direction of the first rib.

6. The evaporator housing structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, One end of the third rib extends to be close to the first rib, and the other end extends to be connected to the wall surface of the cavity.

7. The evaporator housing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, At the top of the housing, there is also an air leakage prevention component that can cooperate with the top of the evaporator. The air leakage prevention component includes a sealing rib, and the extending direction of the sealing rib intersects with the direction of the air flow passing through the evaporator, and the sealing rib can be in sealing contact with the top surface of the evaporator.

8. The evaporator housing structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The air leakage prevention component further includes wind blocking ribs arranged on both sides of the sealing rib respectively. The height by which the wind blocking ribs protrude relative to the top surface of the housing is greater than that of the sealing rib, and an installation area for the top of the evaporator is defined between the two wind blocking ribs.

9. The evaporator housing structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, On the side surfaces of the wind blocking ribs close to the installation area, there are protruding installation parts, and the installation parts can abut against the side surfaces of the top of the evaporator.

10. The evaporator housing structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The protruding height of the installation part relative to the side surface of the wind blocking rib gradually decreases in the direction away from the top surface of the housing, so that the installation part can abut against the side surface of the top of the evaporator to form a guiding slope.

11. An evaporator assembly, characterized in that, Including the evaporator housing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Including the evaporator assembly according to claim 11.

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