Air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention can provide a vehicle air conditioner, which includes: a thermistor for measuring the temperature at the outlet side of an evaporator provided in an air conditioner housing. The air conditioner housing includes a groove for allowing communication between the inside and the outside of the air conditioner housing. The thermistor includes: a main body; a first end portion provided on one side of the main body to contact the housing; a second end portion provided on the other side of the main body; and a sensor provided at the second end portion. When the thermistor is inserted into the groove, the sensor is spaced apart from the surface of the evaporator by a predetermined distance, and when the thermistor is fully assembled in the groove, the sensor contacts the surface of the evaporator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner including a thermistor. Background Art

[0002] An evaporator and a heater may be provided in an air conditioner housing of the air conditioner. The air passing through the evaporator is cooled, and the air passing through the heater is heated.

[0003] During the cooling process, when the temperature at the periphery of the evaporator decreases, water condenses on the surface of the evaporator. The problem is that when water condenses on the surface of the evaporator, the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator deteriorates. Therefore, it is important to measure the temperature at the outlet of the evaporator by using a thermistor.

[0004] The sensor of the thermistor may be inserted into the evaporator to measure the temperature of the evaporator. When the thermistor is in contact with the evaporator such that the sensor is inserted into the evaporator, the reactivity and accuracy in detecting the temperature of the evaporator are high. However, since the sensor is inserted into the evaporator, the problem is that it is difficult to separate the thermistor from the air conditioner housing when repairing the thermistor.

[0005] To solve this problem, the sensor of the thermistor may be provided adjacent to the surface of the evaporator. That is, the sensor of the thermistor is provided to be spaced apart from the surface of the evaporator by a predetermined distance. Since the sensor of the thermistor is positioned to be spaced apart from the evaporator, an operator can easily separate the thermistor from the air conditioner housing to repair the thermistor. However, since the sensor of the thermistor is spaced apart from the evaporator, the reactivity in detecting the temperature of the surface of the evaporator deteriorates, which poses a risk that water condenses on the evaporator before an abnormality in the temperature of the evaporator is detected. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem

[0007] To solve the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an air conditioner including a thermistor that is easily separable from the air conditioner housing and has high reactivity and accuracy in detecting the temperature of the evaporator.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above technical problems, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned above according to the following description.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] The present disclosure may provide an air conditioner for a vehicle. The air conditioner includes a thermistor configured to measure the temperature at the outlet side of an evaporator disposed in an air-conditioning housing. The air-conditioning housing includes a groove configured to allow the exterior and interior of the air-conditioning housing to communicate with each other. The thermistor includes a body, a first end disposed at one side of the body and configured to contact the air-conditioning housing, a second end disposed at the other side of the body, and a sensor disposed at the second end. When the thermistor is inserted into the groove, the sensor is disposed at a predetermined interval from the surface of the evaporator. When the thermistor is fully assembled in the groove, the sensor contacts the surface of the evaporator.

[0011] The first end may be slidably disposed in the groove. The second end may be bent from the body toward the evaporator. As the first end moves in the groove, the sensor may selectively contact or separate from the surface of the evaporator.

[0012] The groove may include a first groove and a second groove connected to the first groove. The width of the second groove may be greater than the width of the first groove. A part of the first end may be caught by the first groove and penetrate the second groove in a direction from the interior to the exterior of the air-conditioning housing.

[0013] The body and the second end may be made of a flexible material.

[0014] The first end may include a base configured to contact the surface of the air-conditioning housing and a hook-shaped guide protruding from the base and configured to penetrate the groove and be caught by the inner surface of the air-conditioning housing.

[0015] The base may have a larger size than the groove, and the body and the second end may be smaller than the groove.

[0016] The base may include a first part on which the guide is disposed and a second part extending from the first part. The second part may include a second protrusion protruding from the second part. The air-conditioning housing may include a recess disposed near the groove such that the second protrusion is caught by the recess.

[0017] The thickness of the second part excluding the second protrusion may be less than the thickness of the first part.

[0018] The main body may include a receiving portion that is recessed in the first surface and configured to receive a cable connected to the sensor.

[0019] The air conditioner may include ribs that protrude on the second surface of the main body.

[0020] Among the multiple surfaces of the main body, the first surface may be the surface arranged to face the evaporator, and the second surface may be the surface arranged to face the first surface.

[0021] The main body may be detachably and hingedly coupled to the outer surface of the air conditioner housing, and as the main body rotates, the sensor may come into contact with or separate from the surface of the evaporator.

[0022] The main body may include a first main body on which the sensor is disposed, and a second main body that extends from the first main body and is coupled to the air conditioner housing. The air conditioner housing may include a slot penetrated by the first main body, and a hinge groove disposed in the outer surface of the air conditioner housing. The second main body may include a hinge shaft that protrudes from one surface of the second main body and is disposed in the hinge groove.

[0023] The air conditioner housing may include a boss protruding from the outer surface of the air conditioner housing, and the slot and the hinge groove may be disposed in the boss.

[0024] With the hinge shaft disposed in the hinge groove, a portion of the main body may be detachably coupled to the boss.

[0025] The second main body may include a first protrusion protruding from one surface of the second main body. The air conditioner housing may include a second protrusion protruding from the boss. When the first protrusion is elastically deformed and caught by the second protrusion, the second main body may be fixed to the boss so that the second main body does not rotate about the hinge shaft.

[0026] With the first protrusion caught by the second protrusion, the sensor may come into contact with the surface of the evaporator.

[0027] The longitudinal direction of the main body may be perpendicular to the axial direction of the hinge shaft.

[0028] The first body may include a first-first body and a first-second body. The sensor may be disposed at an end of the first-first body. The first-second body may be connected to the second body. Further, the first-first body may be configured to be bent from the first-second body such that, in a state where the body is mounted on the air conditioner housing, the first-first body points to the evaporator.

[0029] The first body may include a receiving portion that is recessedly formed in an outer surface of the first body and is configured to receive a cable connected to the sensor. The second body may include a groove formed inside the second body and disposed at an edge of the second body. Further, the groove may be connected to the receiving portion.

[0030] Based on the first body, the second protrusion may be disposed at one side of the first body, and the hinge shaft may be disposed at the other side of the first body.

[0031] Advantageous Effects

[0032] The advantages of the present embodiment are that the thermistor is easily separable from the air conditioner housing, and the reactivity and accuracy in detecting the temperature of the evaporator are high.

[0033] The advantages of the present embodiment are that, since the thermistor slides and the sensor comes into contact with the surface of the evaporator, damage to the surface of the evaporator is greatly reduced.

[0034] The advantages of the present embodiment are that, since the thermistor is detachably and hingedly coupled to the outer surface of the air conditioner housing, the thermistor is easily assembled and separated.

[0035] The advantages of the present embodiment are that, during the process of mounting the thermistor on the air conditioner housing, the sensor naturally comes into contact with the surface of the evaporator. Therefore, the time taken to assemble the thermistor to the air conditioner housing is greatly reduced.

[0036] The advantages of the present embodiment are that, during the process of separating the thermistor from the air conditioner housing, the sensor naturally separates from the surface of the evaporator. Therefore, the time taken to separate the thermistor from the air conditioner housing is greatly reduced.

[0037] The advantages of the present embodiment are that the hinge shaft provided on the body of the thermistor has a simple structure, the hinge groove provided in the air conditioner housing has a simple structure, and the structure for assembling the thermistor is completely simplified. Description of the Drawings

[0038] Figure 1 is a view showing an air conditioner housing of an air conditioner according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing an evaporator and a thermistor.

[0040] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a tank.

[0041] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a thermistor.

[0042] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the main body of the thermistor taken along line A-A in

[0043] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the first end of the thermistor.

[0044] Figure 7 It is a top view of the thermistor when viewed from above.

[0045] Figure 8 It is a side view of the thermistor when viewed from the lateral side.

[0046] Figures 9 to 11 It is a diagram showing the process of assembling the thermistor into the air conditioner housing.

[0047] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing the air conditioner housing of an air conditioner according to another embodiment.

[0048] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing an evaporator and a thermistor.

[0049] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing a thermistor.

[0050] Figure 15 It is Figure 14 A top view of the first main body of the thermistor shown in

[0051] Figure 16 It is an enlarged view of the second main body.

[0052] Figure 17 It is a diagram showing an air conditioner housing including a boss.

[0053] Figure 18 It is along Figure 17 A side view of the boss when viewed in the direction indicated by V in

[0054] Figures 19 to 21 It is a diagram showing the process of assembling the thermistor into the air conditioner housing.

[0055] Figure 22 It is a diagram showing the process of separating the thermistor from the air conditioner housing. Detailed implementation mode

[0056] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] However, the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to some embodiments described herein, but can be implemented in various different forms. Within the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure, one or more constituent elements in the embodiments can be selectively combined and replaced.

[0058] In addition, unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined and explained, the terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be interpreted as meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains. The meanings of common terms (such as terms defined in a dictionary) can be interpreted in consideration of the context meaning of the related technology.

[0059] In addition, the terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are for explaining the embodiments, rather than limiting the present disclosure.

[0060] In this specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, the singular form may also include the plural form. The expression “at least one (or one or more) of A, B, and C” may include one or more of all combinations that can be obtained by combining A, B, and C.

[0061] In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe the constituent elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0062] These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another, and the nature, sequence, or order of the constituent elements is not limited by these terms.

[0063] In addition, when a constituent element is described as “connected,” “coupled,” or “attached” to another constituent element, one constituent element can be directly connected, coupled, or attached to another constituent element, or can be connected, coupled, or attached to another constituent element by means of yet another constituent element interposed therebetween.

[0064] In addition, the interpretation of “one constituent element is formed or disposed above (on top of) or below (beneath) another constituent element” includes not only the case where the two constituent elements are in direct contact with each other, but also the case where one or more additional constituent elements are formed or disposed between the two constituent elements. In addition, the expression “above (on top of) or below (beneath)” may include the meanings of the downward direction and the upward direction based on one constituent element.

[0065] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioner housing of an air conditioner according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a diagram showing an evaporator and a thermistor.

[0066] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The air conditioner housing 10 may include a groove 11. The groove 11 is provided to allow the inside and the outside of the air conditioner housing 10 to communicate with each other. The thermistor 30 is installed in the air conditioner housing 10 through the groove 11. The evaporator 20 and a heater core (not shown) may be provided in the air conditioner housing 10.

[0067] The air (indicated by F as shown in Figure 2 ) introduced into the inlet of the evaporator 20 is cooled by the evaporator 20 and discharged to the outlet of the evaporator 20 (indicated by R as shown in Figure 2 ). The thermistor 30 may be in contact with the outlet side surface of the evaporator 20 and detect the outlet side temperature of the evaporator 20. The thermistor 30 may be arranged to linearly move toward or away from the evaporator 20.

[0068] Figure 3 is a view showing the groove 11. In Figure 3 , the z-axis indicates the height direction of the air conditioner housing 10, and the x-axis indicates the forward / backward direction of the air conditioner housing 10.

[0069] Reference Figure 3 The thermistor 30 penetrates through the groove 11 and slides in the groove 11. The groove 11 may be provided in a receiving groove 12 which is recessed in the surface of the air conditioner housing 10. The groove 11 may include a first groove 11a and a second groove 11b. The first groove 11a and the second groove 11b are provided to be connected to each other. The width W2 of the second groove 11b is greater than the width W1 of the first groove 11a. When the thermistor 30 is assembled to the air conditioner housing 10 or separated from the air conditioner housing 10, the thermistor 30 penetrates through the second groove 11b. In a state where the thermistor 30 is assembled to the air conditioner housing 10, the thermistor 30 slides in the first groove 11a. The thermistor 30 is caught by the first groove 11a so as not to be separated from the air conditioner housing 10.

[0070] A first protrusion 13 may be provided at one side of the groove 11. A recess 14 may be provided outside the first protrusion 13. The first protrusion 13 and the recess 14 are used to fix the air conditioner housing 10 and the thermistor 30.

[0071] Figure 4 is a view showing the thermistor 30.

[0072] Reference Figure 4, the thermistor 30 may include a body 100, a first end 200, a second end 300, and a sensor 400. The first end 200 may be disposed at one side of the body 100, and the second end 300 may be disposed at the other side of the body 100. The sensor 400 may be fixed to the second end 300. The body 100 may be made of a flexible material and elastically deformed by an external force.

[0073] The body 100 may support a cable 410 connected to the sensor 400 ( Figure 8 ). When the thermistor 30 is installed in the air conditioner housing 10, the body 100 may be positioned inside the air conditioner housing 10. The first end 200 may be coupled to the air conditioner housing 10.

[0074] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the body 100 of the thermistor 30 taken along line A-A in Figure 4 .

[0075] Refer to Figure 5 , the body 100 of the thermistor 30 may be elongated such that the sensor 400 may contact the outlet side surface of the evaporator 20. The body 100 may include a first surface 101 and a second surface 102. When the thermistor 30 is installed on the air conditioner housing 10, the first surface 101 is the surface facing the evaporator 20, and the second surface 102 is the surface opposite to the first surface 101. The body 100 may include a receiving portion 110 and ribs 120. The receiving portion 110 may be recessed in the first surface 101. The receiving portion 110 may receive the cable 410 connected to the sensor 400 ( Figure 8 ). The cable 410 ( Figure 8 ) received in the receiving portion 110 is guided to the outside of the air conditioner housing 10. The ribs 120 may be provided to protrude from the second surface 102. The ribs 120 may ensure the rigidity of the body 100. At the same time, the second surface 102 may be a curved surface.

[0076] Figure 6 is a view showing the first end 200 of the thermistor 30.

[0077] Refer to Figure 6 , the first end 200 may be slidably connected to a groove 11 of the air conditioner housing 10. The first end 200 may include a base 210 and a hook-shaped guide 220.

[0078] The base 210 contacts the surface of the air conditioner housing 10. The base 210 may be received in a receiving groove 12 of the air conditioner housing 10. The base 210 may be a flat plate-like member.

[0079] The guide member 220 protrudes from the base 210. The end of the guide member 220 protrudes in a hook shape, penetrates the groove 11, and is caught by the inner surface of the air conditioner housing 10. The guide member 220 enables the first end 200 to move along the groove 11 without separating from the air conditioner housing 10. The guide member 220 may be provided as a plurality of guide members 220. The plurality of guide members 220 may be provided spaced apart from each other.

[0080] The base 210 may include a first portion 211 and a second portion 212. The guide member 220 is provided on the first portion 211. The second protrusion 230 may be provided on the second portion 212. The second protrusion 230 protrudes from the second portion 212 in the direction in which the guide member 220 protrudes from the first portion 211. The second protrusion 230 is for fixing the thermistor 30 and the air conditioner housing 10. The second protrusion 230 moves along the first protrusion 13 and is caught by the groove 14 during the process of mounting the base 210 in the receiving groove 12 of the air conditioner housing 10.

[0081] The thickness t2 of the second portion 212 may be smaller than the thickness t1 of the first portion 211. This is to allow the second portion 212 to be easily elastically deformed during the process in which the second protrusion 230 is constrained by the groove 14 or the second protrusion 230 is released by separating from the groove 14.

[0082] Figure 7 is a top view showing the thermistor 30 when viewed from above, Figure 8 is a side view showing the thermistor when viewed from the lateral side.

[0083] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 and, the sensor 400 may be fixed to the second end 300 of the thermistor 30. In a state where the thermistor 30 is mounted in the groove 11, the thermistor 30 moves in the forward / backward direction z of the air conditioner housing 10. The second end 300 may be provided to bend from the main body 100 toward the evaporator 20. When the thermistor 30 moves in the forward / backward direction z, the sensor 400 at the second end 300 also moves in the forward / backward direction z. The second end 300 may be provided to bend from the main body 100 such that the sensor 400 protrudes further in the forward / backward direction z than the end of the base 210.

[0084] The cross-sectional shape of the second end 300 may be the same as the cross-sectional shape of the main body 100. In addition, the second end 300 may be arranged to bend from the main body 100 at a predetermined angle. When the thermistor 30 moves in the forward / backward direction z and gets closer to the evaporator 20, before the main body 100 or the second main body 1120 contacts the surface of the evaporator 20, the sensor 400 contacts the surface of the evaporator 20. For example, when the thermistor 30 slides in a state where the thermistor 30 is installed in the groove 11 such that the guide 221 is positioned in the first groove 11a, the sensor 400 may contact the surface of the evaporator 20 and electrically measure the temperature of the evaporator 20. Since the sensor 400 is in direct contact with the surface of the evaporator 20, the reactivity of measuring the temperature on the outlet side of the evaporator 20 is high.

[0085] In addition, the displacement of the thermistor 30 is restricted by the groove 11, and the thermistor 30 is made of a flexible material, which makes it possible to prevent the sensor 400 from being damaged due to physical contact with the evaporator 20.

[0086] In the case where the thermistor 30 moves away from the evaporator 20 in the forward / backward direction z, for example, when the thermistor 30 slides in a state where the thermistor 30 is installed in the groove 11 such that the guide 221 is positioned in the second groove 11b, the sensor 400 is separated from the surface of the evaporator 20. Therefore, the thermistor 30 can be separated from the air conditioner housing 10. In this case, since the sensor 400 is immediately separated from the surface of the evaporator 20 without friction as the thermistor 30 moves, damage to the sensor 400 can be prevented.

[0087] The base 210 of the thermistor 30 may have a larger size than the groove 11. On the contrary, the sizes of the main body 100 and the second end 300 of the thermistor 30 may be smaller than the size of the groove 11. Since the main body 100 and the second end 300 are smaller in size than the groove 11, the thermistor 30 can be easily separated from the air conditioner housing 10 or easily installed on the air conditioner housing 10.

[0088] Figures 9 to 11 is a diagram showing the process of assembling the thermistor 30 to the air conditioner housing 10.

[0089] Reference Figure 9 , the thermistor 30 enters the groove 11 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 100 such that the main body 100 first penetrates the groove 11. Next, as Figure 10 shown, the thermistor 30 is pushed into the groove 11 such that the thermistor 30 is installed in the groove 11. Next, as Figure 11As shown, when the thermistor 30 slides, the sensor 400 can come into contact with the surface of the evaporator 20 and electrically measure the temperature of the evaporator 20. Thereafter, when the thermistor 30 slides in the opposite direction, the sensor 400 moves away from the surface of the evaporator 20, and the thermistor 30 can be separated from the air conditioner housing 10.

[0090] Figure 12 is a view showing an air conditioner housing according to another embodiment, Figure 13 is a view showing an evaporator and a thermistor.

[0091] Reference Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the air conditioner housing 110A can include a boss 111, and the boss includes a groove 112. The groove 112 is provided to allow the inside and outside of the air conditioner housing 110A to communicate with each other. The thermistor 130 is installed in the air conditioner housing 110A through the groove 112. The evaporator 120A and a heater core (not shown) can be provided in the air conditioner housing 110A.

[0092] The air (as indicated by F in Figure 13 ) introduced into the inlet of the evaporator 120A is cooled by the evaporator 120A and discharged to the outlet of the evaporator 120A (as indicated by R in Figure 13 ). The thermistor 130 can come into contact with the outlet side surface of the evaporator 120A and detect the outlet side temperature of the evaporator 120A. The thermistor 130 can be arranged to move toward or away from the evaporator 120A.

[0093] Figure 14 is a view showing the thermistor 130.

[0094] Reference Figure 14 , the thermistor 130 can include a body 1100 and a sensor 1200. In the figure, the x-axis indicates the longitudinal direction of the thermistor 130, the y-axis indicates the forward / backward direction of the thermistor 130, and the z-axis indicates the upward / downward direction of the thermistor 130.

[0095] The body 1100 is arranged to be elongated in the longitudinal direction x. The body 1100 can support a cable connected to the sensor 1200.

[0096] The body 1100 can include a first body 1110, a second body 1120, and a third body 1130. The first body 1110, the second body 1120, and the third body 1130 are only described as being distinguished based on shape and functional characteristics, and the first body 1110, the second body 1120, and the third body 1130 can be vertically connected to define a single device.

[0097] The first body 1110 defines a space in which the sensor 1200 is disposed. The sensor 1200 may be disposed at an end of the first body 1110.

[0098] The second body 1120 may be defined as a portion extending from the first body 1110 and mounted on the air conditioner housing 110A. The second body 1120 may be a flat plate-like member.

[0099] The third body 1130 may extend from the second body 1120. The third body 1130 is a portion held by an operator. The third body 1130 may guide a cable connected to the sensor 1200 to the outside of the air conditioner housing 110A.

[0100] Figure 15 is Figure 14 A top plan view of the first body 1110 of the thermistor shown in

[0101] Reference Figure 15 , the first body 1110 may be divided into a first-first body 1111 and a first-second body 1112. The first-first body 1111 is a portion on which the sensor 1200 is disposed. The first-first body 1111 may be formed to be bent from the first-second body 1112. An angle R defined between a reference line L1 indicating the longitudinal direction of the first-first body 1111 and a reference line L2 indicating the longitudinal direction of the first-second body 1112 may be an obtuse angle.

[0102] When the thermistor 130 is mounted on the air conditioner housing 110A in the direction indicated by the arrow P in Figure 4 , the first-first body 1111 may be disposed to be bent and point from the first-second body 1112 toward the evaporator 120A.

[0103] Figure 16 is an enlarged view of the second body 1120.

[0104] Reference Figure 16 , the second body 1120 includes a hinge shaft 1122. The hinge shaft 1122 is hinge-coupled to the outer surface of the air conditioner housing 110A. The hinge shaft 1122 may protrude from a first surface S1 of the second body 1120. In the region of the second body 1120, when the thermistor 130 is mounted on the air conditioner housing 110A, the first surface S1 may be defined as the surface pointing toward the air conditioner housing 110A.

[0105] The second body 1120 may include a first protrusion 1123. The first protrusion 1123 protrudes from the first surface S1 of the second body 1120. The first protrusion 1123 is for fixing the body 1100 to the air conditioner housing 110A. The first protrusion 1123 may have a hook shape.

[0106] The first body 1110 may be positioned at the center of the second body 1120. The first body 1110 may include a receiving portion 1113 that is configured to receive a cable connected to the sensor 1200. The receiving portion 1113 may be formed recessedly in the outer surface of the first body 1110. Based on the first body 1110, a hinge shaft 1122 may be provided at one side of the first body 1110, and a first protrusion 1123 may be provided at the other side of the first body 1110.

[0107] Meanwhile, the second body 1120 may include a groove 1124. The groove 1124 may be formed at the edge of the second body 1120 and point to the first body 1110. The groove 1124 is connected to the receiving portion 1113 provided in the first body 1110 and communicates with the receiving portion 1113. The cable connected to the sensor 1200 may pass through the groove 1124 and be received in the receiving portion 1113.

[0108] Based on the groove 1124, the hinge shaft 1122 may be divided into a first hinge shaft 1122a and a second hinge shaft 1122b. The first hinge shaft 1122a may be provided at one side of the groove 1124 based on the up / down direction z, and the second hinge shaft 1122b may be provided at the other side of the groove 1124.

[0109] The hinge shaft 1122 is provided to be elongated in the up / down direction z and serves as the axis about which the thermistor 130 rotates. Thus, the axial direction of the hinge shaft 1122 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x of the main body 1100.

[0110] Figure 17 is a view showing an air conditioner housing 110A including a boss, Figure 18 is a side view of the boss 111 when viewed in the direction indicated by V in Figure 11 .

[0111] Referring to Figure 12 , Figure 17 and Figure 18 , the air conditioner housing 110A may include a boss 111 protruding from its outer surface. A groove 112 may be provided in the boss 111, and the groove is formed by means of the outer surface and the inner surface of the air conditioner housing 110A. The groove 112 is a portion penetrated by the thermistor 130. In addition, the boss 111 may include a hinge groove 113 and a second protrusion 114.

[0112] The hinge groove 113 may be formed recessedly in the outer surface of the boss 111. The hinge groove 113 may include a rounded curved surface corresponding to the outer surface of the hinge shaft 1122. The hinge shaft 1122 of the main body 1100 is detachably coupled to the hinge groove 113. The hinge groove 113 may be disposed in the up / down direction z. In addition, the hinge groove 113 is disposed adjacent to the groove 112. The second protrusion 114 may protrude from the lateral surface of the boss 111. The second protrusion 114 is disposed to be coupled to the first protrusion 1123 of the main body 1100.

[0113] Figures 19 to 20 FIG. is a view showing a process of assembling the thermistor 130 to the air conditioner housing 110A.

[0114] Reference Figure 19 , the thermistor 130 enters the groove 112 in the longitudinal direction of the first-first body 1111 such that the first-first body 1111 first penetrates the groove 112. Next, as Figure 20 shown, the thermistor 130 is pushed such that the hinge shaft 1122 is seated in the hinge groove 113. In this case, the sensor 1200 and the first body 1110 are positioned inside the air conditioner housing 110A. The hinge shaft 1122 is rotatably engaged with the hinge groove 113. Next, as Figure 21 shown, when the third body 1130 rotates (clockwise in the figure) about the hinge shaft 1122, the first body 1110 rotates in cooperation with the rotation of the third body 1130. When the first protrusion 1123 is caught by the second protrusion 114, the second body 1120 is fixed to the air conditioner housing 110A. In this case, the sensor 1200 comes into contact with the surface of the evaporator 120A.

[0115] The sensor 1200 may come into contact with the surface of the evaporator 120A and electrically measure the temperature of the evaporator 120A. Since the sensor 1200 is in direct contact with the surface of the evaporator 120A, the responsiveness of measuring the temperature at the outlet side of the evaporator 120A is high.

[0116] As described above, since the sensor 1200 naturally comes into contact with the surface of the evaporator 120A during the process of mounting the thermistor 130 on the air conditioner housing 110A, the time taken to assemble the thermistor 130 to the air conditioner housing 110A can be greatly reduced. In a state where the first protrusion 1123 is caught by the second protrusion 114, the thermistor 130 is constrained and does not rotate in a direction in which the sensor 1200 moves away from the surface of the evaporator 120A. Therefore, while fixing the thermistor 130 to the air conditioner housing 110A, the contact between the sensor 1200 and the surface of the evaporator 120A can be stably maintained.

[0117] In addition, by simply inserting the hinge shaft 1122 of the thermistor 130 into the hinge groove 113 of the air conditioner housing 110A, a rotational structure of the thermistor 130 can be achieved when assembling the thermistor 130 to the air conditioner housing 110A mainly. Therefore, the assembly speed is increased and the structure is simple.

[0118] Figure 22 FIG. is a view showing a process of separating the thermistor 130 from the air conditioner housing 110A.

[0119] Reference Figure 22 , when the thermistor 130 rotates in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in the figure) about the hinge shaft 1122, the first protrusion 1123 moves upward, so that the first protrusion 1123 is separated from the second protrusion 114, and as the first body 1110 rotates, the sensor 1200 is separated from the surface of the evaporator 120A. Next, when the thermistor 130 is pulled out, the hinge shaft 1122 can be separated from the hinge groove 113, and the thermistor 130 can be separated from the air conditioner housing 110A.

[0120] As described above, since the sensor 1200 is naturally separated from the surface of the evaporator 120A during the process of separating the thermistor 130 from the air conditioner housing 110A, the time taken to separate the thermistor 130 from the air conditioner housing 110A can be significantly reduced.

[0121] The air conditioner according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has been specifically described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0122] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are described for illustrative purposes in all aspects and are not restrictive, and the scope of the present disclosure is represented by the appended claims rather than the specific embodiments. In addition, it should be understood that the meaning and scope of the claims and all changes or variations derived from the equivalent concepts thereof fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An air conditioner for a vehicle, the air conditioner comprising: A thermistor configured to measure the temperature at the outlet side of an evaporator disposed in an air conditioner housing, wherein the air conditioner housing includes a groove configured to allow the exterior and interior of the air conditioner housing to communicate with each other, wherein the thermistor includes: A body; A first end disposed at one side of the body and configured to contact the air conditioner housing; A second end disposed at the other side of the body; and A sensor disposed at the second end, wherein when the thermistor is inserted into the groove, the sensor is disposed at a predetermined interval from the surface of the evaporator, and wherein when the thermistor is fully assembled in the groove, the sensor contacts the surface of the evaporator, wherein the groove includes: A first groove; and A second groove connected to the first groove, wherein the width of the second groove is greater than the width of the first groove, and wherein a part of the first end is caught by the first groove and penetrates the second groove in a direction from the interior to the exterior of the air conditioner housing.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The first end is slidably disposed in the groove, the second end is bent from the body toward the evaporator, and as the first end moves in the groove, the sensor selectively contacts or separates from the surface of the evaporator.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein, The body and the second end are made of a flexible material.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The first end includes: A base configured to contact the surface of the air conditioner housing; and A hook-shaped guide protruding from the base and configured to penetrate the groove and be caught by the inner surface of the air conditioner housing.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein, The base has a larger size than the groove, and the body and the second end are smaller than the groove.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The body includes a receiving portion recessed in a first surface and configured to receive a cable connected to the sensor.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, the air conditioner comprising: Ribs protruding on a second surface of the body.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein, Among the multiple surfaces of the body, the first surface is the surface disposed to face the evaporator, and the second surface is the surface disposed to face the first surface.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, The body is detachably and hingedly coupled to the outer surface of the air conditioner housing, and as the body rotates, the sensor contacts or separates from the surface of the evaporator.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 1, Among them, The first end includes: A base configured to contact the surface of the air conditioner housing; and A hook-shaped guide protruding from the base and configured to penetrate the groove and be caught by the inner surface of the air conditioner housing, wherein the base includes: A first portion on which the guide is disposed; and A second portion extending from the first portion, wherein the second portion includes a second protrusion protruding from the second portion, and Among them, the air conditioner housing includes a groove disposed near the groove such that the second protrusion is caught by the groove.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein, The thickness of the second part excluding the second protrusion is less than the thickness of the first part.

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