End cover, air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides an end cover, an air-conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioner, and relates to the technical field of air-conditioning structures. The end cover provided by the embodiment of the present invention has a first clip and a second clip for being clipped to a middle frame. The first clip and the second clip are located on the same side of the front-to-back direction of the end cover, and the first clip and the second clip are spaced apart from each other. At the same time, the first clip has a first clipping protrusion, and the second clip has a second clipping protrusion. The first clipping protrusion and the second clipping protrusion are oriented in opposite directions. In this way, when the first clip and the second clip are clipped to the end of the middle frame, the clipping direction of the first clip is opposite to the clipping direction of the second clip. Thus, the clipping stability of the end cover and the middle frame is ensured by the multi-directional clipping, thereby making the end cover and the middle frame fit more tightly, reducing the possibility of a gap between the end cover and the middle frame, and making the appearance more beautiful.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air-conditioning structures, and in particular to an end cover, an air-conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] Air conditioners are currently commonly used devices for regulating indoor temperature. Air conditioners generally have two types: wall-mounted and cabinet-type. Wall-mounted air conditioners are the type of structure in which the indoor unit of the air conditioner is hung on the wall, and cabinet-type air conditioners are the type of structure in which the indoor unit of the air conditioner is placed on the ground.

[0003] Wall-mounted units typically feature a middle frame for mounting indoor unit components, with end caps mounted at both ends of the middle frame. However, existing end caps, when mounted on the middle frame, suffer from poor clamping stability and often form gaps between the end caps and the middle frame, negatively impacting the appearance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem solved by the present invention is how to improve the clamping stability between the end cover and the middle frame.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an end cover, an air conditioner indoor unit and an air conditioner, which can effectively improve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0006] The present invention can be implemented like this:

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides an end cover for being installed on the end of a middle frame, the end cover having a first clip and a second clip for being clipped to the middle frame, the first clip and the second clip being located on the same side of the front-to-back direction of the end cover, and the first clip and the second clip being spaced apart up and down; wherein the first clip has a first clipping protrusion, the second clip has a second clipping protrusion, and the direction of the first clipping protrusion is opposite to the direction of the second clipping protrusion.

[0008] By setting the direction of the first snap-fit ​​protrusion to be opposite to the direction of the second snap-fit ​​protrusion, when the end cover is snapped to the middle frame, the snap-fit ​​direction of the first snap is opposite to the snap-fit ​​direction of the second snap. The snap-fit ​​stability of the end cover and the middle frame is ensured through multi-directional snapping, and at the same time it helps to reduce the possibility of gaps between the end cover and the middle frame, making the appearance more beautiful.

[0009] Optionally, the first snap-fit ​​protrusion is arranged toward the outside of the end cover, and a through hole is provided on the main body of the first buckle; the snap-fit ​​surface of the first snap-fit ​​protrusion is coplanar with the circumferential surface of the through hole, or the snap-fit ​​surface protrudes from the circumferential surface.

[0010] The first clamping protrusion is arranged toward the outside of the end cover, and a through hole is provided on the main body of the first clamping buckle. At the same time, the clamping surface of the first clamping protrusion is coplanar with the circumferential surface of the through hole or the clamping surface protrudes from the circumferential surface of the through hole. In this way, when the first clamping protrusion is formed by the mold, the mold can simultaneously realize the forming of the through hole and the first clamping protrusion. After the molding is completed, the mold moves in the direction from the outside of the end cover to the inside of the end cover and disengages from the through hole, so that the inner mold of the end cover molds the first clamping protrusion toward the outside of the end cover, solving the problem that the outer mold is limited in demoulding movement and cannot form the first clamping protrusion, making the molding of the first clamping protrusion more convenient, and at the same time, the mold for molding the first clamping protrusion can be demoulded in the same direction as the mold for molding the second clamping protrusion.

[0011] Optionally, the end cap is provided with a base, the first buckle is provided on the base, and the opening of the glue stealing groove of the base is provided toward the inner side of the end cap. The opening of the glue stealing groove of the base is toward the inner side of the end cap, so that the glue stealing groove can be formed by a mold forming the engaging surface of the first engaging protrusion.

[0012] Optionally, the main body has elastic arms formed on either side of the through-hole, one end of each elastic arm connected to the base, and the sidewalls of the elastic arms are flush with the sidewalls of the base. Since the main body of the first clip is provided with a through-hole, the portions of the main body located on either side of the through-hole serve as elastic arms, and the elastic deformation of these elastic arms enables the first engaging protrusion to engage or disengage with the middle frame. The sidewalls of the elastic arms are flush with the sidewalls of the base, thereby minimizing the space occupied by the overall structure of the first clip and the base.

[0013] Optionally, the first clip further comprises a reinforcing rib provided on the side wall of the elastic arm, the reinforcing rib extending from the elastic arm to the base of the base. By providing the reinforcing rib on the side wall of the elastic arm, the strength of the elastic arm is enhanced, the reliability of the elastic arm is ensured, and the possibility of failure of the first clip is reduced.

[0014] Optionally, the through hole has an opening dimension at one end adjacent to the first engaging protrusion along the length of the first engaging protrusion, and the opening dimension is greater than or equal to the length of the first engaging protrusion. Since the opening dimension of the through hole is greater than the length of the first engaging protrusion, the dimension of the portion where the mold forms the first engaging protrusion can be less than or equal to the dimension of the portion where the mold forms the through hole. In this manner, after the mold forms the engaging surface of the first engaging protrusion, the mold can be smoothly removed from the through hole along the edge of the end cap toward the interior.

[0015] Optionally, the first clip and the second clip are both located at the front end of the end cover. This enhances the reliability of the connection between the front end of the end cover and the middle frame, and the front end of the end cover and the front end of the middle frame fit more tightly, thereby ensuring the aesthetic appearance of the indoor unit of the air conditioner facing the room.

[0016] Optionally, the end cap further comprises a plurality of third clips, which are arranged along the edge of the end cap, with the engaging protrusions of the third clips all facing outward from the end cap. Providing multiple third clips on the edge of the end cap further improves the reliability of the engagement between the end cap and the middle frame, ensuring a tight fit between the end cap and the middle frame and reducing the possibility of gaps between the end cap and the middle frame.

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an air conditioner indoor unit, comprising a middle frame and an end cover. The end cover has a first clip and a second clip for engaging with the middle frame. The first clip and the second clip are located on the same side of the end cover in a front-to-back direction and are spaced apart from each other. The first clip has a first engaging protrusion, and the second clip has a second engaging protrusion, with the first engaging protrusion oriented opposite to the second engaging protrusion.

[0018] Since the air conditioner indoor unit includes the end cover, it also has the advantages of high reliability of the clamping between the end cover and the middle frame, a small gap between the end cover and the middle frame, and a more beautiful appearance.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an air conditioner including the aforementioned indoor air conditioner. Due to the inclusion of the indoor air conditioner, the air conditioner also has the advantages of high reliability of the connection between the end cover and the middle frame, a small gap between the end cover and the middle frame, and a more beautiful appearance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an air-conditioning indoor unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of an end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention at a first viewing angle;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention at a second viewing angle;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of the local structure at point IV in the middle;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the molding structure of the first buckle in the end cover provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of the end cap provided by an embodiment of the present invention from a third viewing angle;

[0026] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged schematic diagram of the local structure at point VII.

[0027] Description of reference numerals:

[0028] 10-air conditioner indoor unit; 100-end cover; 110-plate; 111-protrusion matching structure; 112-convex edge; 113-notch; 120-first buckle; 121-first snap-fit ​​protrusion; 122-through hole; 123-elastic arm; 124-reinforcement rib; 130-second buckle; 131-second snap-fit ​​protrusion; 140-base; 141-glue stealing water tank; 150-third buckle; 200-middle frame; 311-first mold; 312-second mold. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the air-conditioning indoor unit 10 provided in this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the end cap 100 provided in this embodiment at a first viewing angle. Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides an end cover 100 for installation at the end of a middle frame 200. Accordingly, an air-conditioning indoor unit 10 and an air conditioner (not shown) are also provided.

[0031] The air conditioner includes an indoor air conditioner unit 10, and the air conditioner also includes an outdoor air conditioner unit (not shown in the figure). Obviously, when in use, the indoor air conditioner unit 10 is installed indoors, and the outdoor air conditioner unit is installed outdoors. At the same time, the indoor air conditioner unit 10 is connected to the outdoor air conditioner unit to form a circulation path for the flow of heat exchange medium, thereby realizing heat exchange between indoor and outdoor, so as to achieve the purpose of regulating the indoor air temperature.

[0032] The air conditioner indoor unit 10 includes an end cap 100 and a middle frame 200. The end caps 100 are mounted at both ends of the middle frame 200 in the longitudinal direction. The end caps 100 seal both ends of the middle frame 200 in the longitudinal direction and ensure the aesthetic appearance of the middle frame 200. Specifically, the end caps 100 are fixed to the ends of the middle frame 200 by snap fastening.

[0033] The end cover 100 has a first buckle 120 and a second buckle 130 for engaging with the middle frame 200. The first buckle 120 and the second buckle 130 are located in the front-to-back direction of the end cover 100 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 AB direction), and the first buckle 120 and the second buckle 130 are on the same side ( Figure 1 and Figure 2The first clip 120 has a first engaging protrusion 121, and the second clip 130 has a second engaging protrusion 131. The first engaging protrusion 121 and the second engaging protrusion 131 are oriented in opposite directions. Therefore, when the first clip 120 and the second clip 130 engage with the end of the middle frame 200, the engaging direction of the first clip 120 is opposite to that of the second clip 130. This multi-directional engaging ensures the engaging stability of the end cover 100 and the middle frame 200, thereby making the end cover 100 and the middle frame 200 fit more tightly together, reducing the possibility of a gap between the end cover 100 and the middle frame 200, and improving the appearance.

[0034] It should be noted that, in the description of this embodiment, the "front-rear direction of the end cover 100" refers to the front-rear direction of the air-conditioning indoor unit 10 when the end cover 100 is installed to form the air-conditioning indoor unit 10. Specifically, the front side direction of the air-conditioning indoor unit 10 ( Figure 1 The direction A in the middle is the direction toward the indoor side when the air conditioner indoor unit 10 is hung on the wall. Similarly, the direction toward the rear side of the air conditioner indoor unit 10 ( Figure 1 The "center B" direction refers to the side of the air conditioner indoor unit 10 facing the wall when it is mounted on the wall. Accordingly, the front-to-back direction of the middle frame 200 also corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the air conditioner indoor unit 10. The first and second clips 120, 130 are located on the same side of the end cover 100 in the front-to-back direction. That is, if the end cover 100 is divided into two halves along its centerline, the first and second clips 120, 130 are located in the same section.

[0035] The end cap 100 provided in this embodiment is further described below:

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the end cap 100 provided in this embodiment at a second viewing angle, Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of the local structure at point IV in the middle. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the molding structure of the first buckle 120 in the end cover 100 provided in this embodiment. Figure 1-Figure 5 In this embodiment, the first and second snaps 120, 130 are both positioned near the periphery of the end cap 100, and the line connecting the first and second snaps 120, 130 extends vertically in the vertical direction. That is, in the front-to-back direction, the first and second snaps 120, 130 are located at approximately the same position. Furthermore, the first and second snaps 120, 130 are spaced apart vertically. Specifically, the first snap 120 is located in the upper half of the end cap 100, and the second snap 130 is located in the lower half of the end cap 100. This ensures that the edges of the end cap 100 corresponding to the first and second snaps 120, 130, can tightly mate with the middle frame 200.

[0037] Furthermore, the first clip 120 and the second clip 130 are both located at the front end of the end cover 100, that is, the first clip 120 and the second clip 130 are both located in the front half of the end cover 100. When the air conditioner indoor unit 10 is installed, the front end of the end cover 100 faces the indoor room. The first clip 120 and the second clip 130 set at the front end of the end cover 100 can effectively ensure that the front end of the end cover 100 and the front end of the middle frame 200 are tightly fitted, making the appearance more beautiful. The first snap protrusion 121 is set toward the outside of the end cover 100, and the second snap protrusion 131 is set toward the inside of the end cover 100. In other words, the first snap protrusion 121 is set toward the front of the end cover 100, and the second snap protrusion 131 is set toward the rear of the end cover 100. Specifically, the first clip 120 and the second clip 130 are both set near the front vertical edge of the end cover 100.

[0038] It should be noted that, in the description of this embodiment, “the outside of the end cover 100” and “the inside of the end cover 100” are relative positions. Since the first clip 120 and the second clip 130 of this embodiment are both located on the front side of the end cover 100, for the first clip 120 and the second clip 130, the outside of the end cover 100 is the direction toward the front side of the end cover 100, and the inside of the end cover 100 is the direction toward the rear side of the end cover 100.

[0039] Furthermore, a through hole 122 is provided on the main body of the first clip 120, and the engaging surface of the first engaging protrusion 121 is coplanar with the circumferential surface of the through hole 122. Specifically, the engaging surface of the first engaging protrusion 121 is the wall surface of the first engaging protrusion 121 facing the through hole 122. The cross-section of the through hole 122 is roughly square with rounded corners, that is, a square structure with four rounded corners. At the same time, the circumferential surface of the through hole 122 located at the upper end of the through hole 122 is flat, and the first engaging protrusion 121 is located on the upper side of the through hole 122, and the engaging surface of the first engaging protrusion 121 is coplanar with this plane. In this way, the engaging surface of the first engaging protrusion 121 can be molded synchronously with the through hole 122, and the molded first engaging protrusion 121 does not restrict the movement of the mold from the outside of the end cap 100 to the inside of the end cap 100.

[0040] Specifically, the first clip 120 is formed by the joint action of two molds, namely the first mold 311 and the second mold 312. The first mold 311 is used to form the portion of the first clip 120 facing the front side of the end cover 100, and the second mold 312 is used to form the portion of the second clip 130 facing the rear side of the end cover 100. At the same time, part of the second mold 312 extends to the first mold 311 to form the snapping surface of the first snapping protrusion 121, and simultaneously forms the through hole 122. In this way, when demolding, the first mold 311 is directly demolded in the direction of the plate 110 away from the end cover 100, and the second mold 312 first slides toward the rear side of the end cover 100 until it is separated from the through hole 122 and then moves in the direction of the plate 110 away from the end cover 100 to achieve demolding (such as Figure 5 Furthermore, since the first mold 311 only needs to move in the direction of the plate 110 away from the end cover 100 when demolding, the demolding of the first mold 311 will not be affected by the protruding matching structure 111 provided on the periphery of the end cover 100, thereby facilitating the demolding operation.

[0041] At the same time, because the second engaging protrusion 131 is disposed toward the inner side of the end cap 100, when the second clip 130 is formed, the mold for forming the engaging surface of the second engaging protrusion 131 (hereinafter referred to as the third mold) is demolded by first sliding toward the rear side of the end cap 100 until it disengages from the engaging surface of the second engaging protrusion 131 and then moving away from the plate 110 of the end cap 100. That is, the demolding direction of the third mold is consistent with the demolding direction of the second mold 312. In this way, the third mold and the second mold 312 can be demolded simultaneously, making the demolding process more convenient.

[0042] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the clamping surface of the first clamping protrusion 121 is coplanar with the circumferential surface of the through hole 122 to ensure that the second mold 312 can be smoothly demolded after the first clamping protrusion 121 is formed. It can be understood that in some other embodiments, the clamping surface can also be set to the form of a circumferential surface protruding from the through hole 122 to ensure that the second mold 312 can be smoothly demolded.

[0043] Furthermore, the dimension of the through hole 122 at one end adjacent to the first engaging protrusion 121 along the length direction of the first engaging protrusion 121 is the opening dimension, and this opening dimension is greater than or equal to the length dimension of the first engaging protrusion 121. That is, in this embodiment, the opening dimension of the through hole 122 refers to the dimension of the upper plane of the through hole 122 along the length direction of the first engaging protrusion 121. Accordingly, the molding requirements can be met if the dimension of the engaging surface of the second mold 312 molding the first engaging protrusion 121 is less than or equal to the dimension of the upper plane of the through hole 122 molded by the second mold 312.

[0044] Figure 6This is a schematic structural diagram of the end cap 100 provided in this embodiment from a third viewing angle. Figure 7 for Figure 6 The enlarged diagram of the local structure at VII in the middle. Please refer to Figure 1-Figure 7 In this embodiment, a base 140 is further provided on the end cover 100, the first buckle 120 is provided on the base 140, and the opening of the glue stealing groove 141 of the base 140 is provided toward the inner side of the end cover 100, so that the glue stealing groove 141 of the base 140 can also be formed by the second mold 312.

[0045] Furthermore, the main body of the first clip 120 has large elastic arms 123 formed on both sides of the through hole 122. That is, the elastic arms 123 are the physical parts of the first clip 120 located on the sides of the through hole 122. There are two elastic arms 123, and the ends of the two elastic arms 123 are connected to the base 140. In this way, the first engaging protrusion 121 and the middle frame 200 are engaged or disengaged through the elastic deformation of the elastic arms 123. The side walls of the elastic arms 123 are flush with the side walls of the base 140. In this way, the base 140 has a relatively short length while ensuring the effective connection between the base 140 and the first clip 120.

[0046] Furthermore, the first clip 120 also includes a reinforcing rib 124 arranged on the side wall of the elastic arm 123, and the reinforcing rib 124 extends from the elastic arm 123 to the root of the base 140, thereby increasing the strength of the elastic arm 123 and reducing the possibility of failure of the first clip 120.

[0047] Please continue to refer to Figure 1-Figure 7 In this embodiment, a plurality of third clips 150 are further provided on the end cover 100. The plurality of third clips 150 are arranged along the edge of the end cover 100, and the snapping protrusions of the third clips 150 are all arranged toward the outside of the end cover 100. By snapping the plurality of third clips 150 with the middle frame 200, the snapping reliability of the end cover 100 and the middle frame 200 can be further ensured, and the problem of gaps between the end cover 100 and the middle frame 200 can be improved.

[0048] Furthermore, the end cover 100 also has a convex edge 112 arranged along the edge, and the convex edge 112 is arranged closer to the outside of the end cover 100 than the third clip 150, and a notch 113 is provided at the position corresponding to the position of the convex edge 112 and the third clip 150, which facilitates the demolding of the mold for forming the snap-fit ​​protrusion of the third clip 150.

[0049] The end cap 100, air conditioner indoor unit 10, and air conditioner provided by the embodiments of the present invention are characterized by providing two snaps with engaging protrusions facing in opposite directions on the same side of the end cap 100 in the front-to-back direction. This allows the two snaps to engage in opposite directions during engagement. This ensures the reliability of the engagement between the end cap 100 and the middle frame 200 through multiple-directional engagement, thereby improving the problem of gaps between the end cap 100 and the middle frame 200 and enhancing the appearance. Furthermore, the structural arrangement of the first snap 120 ensures that the engaging protrusions with different orientations are released from the mold in the same direction during molding, facilitating the manufacture of the end cap 100 and ensuring the structural stability of the first snap 120.

[0050] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An end cap for mounting on the end of a middle frame (200), characterized in that: The end cover (100) has a first snap fastener (120) and a second snap fastener (130) for snapping with the middle frame (200), the first snap fastener (120) and the second snap fastener (130) are located on the same side of the end cover (100) in the front-rear direction, and the first snap fastener (120) and the second snap fastener (130) are arranged at intervals up and down, the end cover (100) is provided with a base (140), the first snap fastener (120) is arranged on the base (140), and the opening of the glue stealing groove (141) of the base (140) is arranged toward the inner side of the end cover (100); The first clip (120) has a first clipping protrusion (121), the second clip (130) has a second clipping protrusion (131), and the orientation of the first clipping protrusion (121) is opposite to the orientation of the second clipping protrusion (131); The first clamping protrusion (121) is arranged toward the outside of the end cover (100), and a through hole (122) is provided on the main body of the first clamp (120); the clamping surface of the first clamping protrusion (121) is coplanar with the peripheral surface of the through hole (122), or the clamping surface is arranged to protrude from the peripheral surface; The main body has elastic arms (123) formed on both sides of the through hole (122), one end of the elastic arm (123) is connected to the base (140), and the side wall of the elastic arm (123) is flush with the side wall of the base (140); The dimension of one end of the through hole (122) close to the first clamping protrusion (121) along the length direction of the first clamping protrusion (121) is an opening dimension, and the opening dimension is greater than or equal to the length dimension of the first clamping protrusion (121).

2. The end cap according to claim 1, wherein: The first buckle (120) further comprises a reinforcing rib (124) provided on a side wall of the elastic arm (123), wherein the reinforcing rib (124) extends from the elastic arm (123) to the root of the base (140).

3. The end cap according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The first buckle (120) and the second buckle (130) are both located at the front end of the end cover (100).

4. The end cap according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The end cover (100) also has a plurality of third buckles (150), which are arranged along the edge of the end cover (100), and the clamping protrusions of the third buckles (150) are all arranged toward the outside of the end cover (100).

5. An air conditioner indoor unit, characterized in that: The air-conditioning indoor unit (10) comprises a middle frame (200) and an end cover (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end cover (100) is mounted on an end portion of the middle frame (200).

6. An air conditioner, characterized in that: The air conditioner includes the air conditioner indoor unit (10) according to claim 5.

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