Outdoor unit of air conditioner

Abstract

An outdoor unit of an air conditioner is provided. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes: a case configured to accommodate a printed circuit board therein, in which the case includes a case opening formed on one side of the case and a frame provided along an edge of the case opening; a housing cover configured to cover the housing opening and at least a portion of the frame, and the housing cover having a rear surface facing an interior of the housing; and a gasket configured to seal a gap between the housing cover and the frame. The frame includes a first surface disposed to face a rear surface of the housing cover and a second surface extending from the first surface toward an interior of the housing. The gasket includes a first sealing portion configured to contact each of a rear surface of the housing cover and a first surface of the frame and a second sealing portion configured to contact a second surface of the frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner including a control box. Background Art

[0002] An air conditioner is a device that uses a refrigeration cycle to adjust the temperature, humidity, air flow, distribution, etc. suitable for human activities. The compressor, condenser, evaporator, air supply fan, etc. are included as the main components constituting the refrigeration cycle.

[0003] Air conditioners may be classified into separate air conditioners in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separately installed, and integrated air conditioners in which the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are installed together in one casing.

[0004] The outdoor unit of a split-type air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat with outdoor air, a compressor for compressing refrigerant, an expansion valve unit for reducing the refrigerant's pressure, and a blower fan for generating airflow. Furthermore, the outdoor unit may include a housing for accommodating the outdoor heat exchanger, expansion valve unit, compressor, and blower fan. A control box containing a printed circuit board assembly for controlling the air conditioner may be located within the housing.

[0005] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with respect to the present disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having an improved structure to prevent foreign matter from being introduced into a control box.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having an improved structure to prevent refrigerant from being introduced into a control box.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having an improved structure to prevent fire from occurring due to contact of flammable substances with electronic components or wires within a control box.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an outdoor unit of an air conditioner having an improved structure to prevent the spread of fire due to flammable substances within the outdoor unit.

[0011] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] According to aspects of the present disclosure, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner is provided. The outdoor unit may include: a case configured to accommodate a printed circuit board therein, and including a case opening formed on one side of the case and a frame provided along an edge of the case opening; a case cover configured to cover at least a portion of the case opening and the frame, and having a rear surface facing the interior of the case; and a gasket configured to seal a gap between the case cover and the frame. The frame may include: a first surface configured to face the rear surface of the case cover; and a second surface extending from the first surface toward the interior of the case. The gasket may include: a first sealing portion configured to contact the rear surface of the case cover and the first surface of the frame; and a second sealing portion configured to contact the second surface of the frame.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an outdoor unit for an air conditioner is provided. The outdoor unit may include: a housing configured to accommodate a printed circuit board therein, and including a housing opening formed on one side of the housing and a frame provided along an edge of the housing opening; a housing cover configured to be coupled to the housing so as to cover at least a portion of the housing opening and the frame when coupled to the housing; and a gasket configured on a rear surface of the housing cover to seal a gap between the housing cover and the frame when the housing cover is coupled to the housing. The gasket may include: a first sealing portion configured to contact a first surface of the frame facing the rear surface of the housing cover when the housing cover is coupled to the housing; and a second sealing portion configured to contact a second surface of the frame extending from the first surface toward the interior of the housing when the housing cover is coupled to the housing.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an outdoor unit for an air conditioner is provided. The outdoor unit may include: a printed circuit board; a housing forming a storage space for accommodating the printed circuit board, and including a housing opening formed on one side of the storage space and a frame provided along the circumference of the housing opening; a housing cover covering at least a portion of the housing opening and the frame; and a gasket disposed between the housing cover and the frame. The housing cover may include a rear surface facing the storage space and a cover rib protruding from the rear surface toward the storage space. The frame may include a first surface facing the rear surface of the housing cover, and a second surface connected to the first surface and facing the cover rib. The gasket may include a first sealing portion configured to seal a gap between the first surface and the rear surface of the housing cover, and a second sealing portion configured to seal a gap between the second surface and the cover rib.

[0016] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent through the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 is an exploded view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a first control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 8is an exploded view of a partial configuration of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second cover included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second gasket included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second housing included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing that a second cover is separated from a second housing in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a second cover is coupled to a second housing in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 14 is an exploded view of a second cover included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 15 is a cutaway perspective view of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a housing cover removed;

[0033] Figure 16 is an exploded view of a second housing included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 17 is a front view of a partial configuration of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 18 A second outer shell included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0036] Figure 19 shows the interior of a second housing included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0037] Figure 20 is a view showing that an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is cut away and viewed from the rear.

[0038] Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, is provided to facilitate a fuller understanding of the various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to aid understanding, but these details are to be considered merely as exemplary. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications may be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known functions and structures may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0040] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0041] It should be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0042] In conjunction with the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals may be used for the same or related elements.

[0043] In this document, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C" and "at least one of A, B or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase in the phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0044] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related components or any one of a plurality of related components.

[0045] Terms such as “first,” “second,” “primary,” and “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish a given component from other corresponding components and do not limit the corresponding components in any other respects (eg, importance or order).

[0046] When any (e.g., a first) component is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., a second) component with or without the term “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that any component may be connected to the other component directly (e.g., by a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0047] The terms “comprises” and “has” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in this document, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0048] When any component is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact” with another component, this includes the case where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other via a third component as well as the case where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact with each other.

[0049] When any component is referred to as being “on” or “over” another component, this includes not only a case where any component is in contact with another component but also a case where another component exists between the two components.

[0050] An air conditioner according to various embodiments is a device that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling, or heating in an air-conditioned space (hereinafter referred to as an "indoor space"), and refers to a device equipped with at least one of these functions.

[0051] According to one embodiment, an air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform cooling or heating functions. The heat pump device may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates through a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. All components of the heat pump device may be built into a single housing that forms the exterior of the air conditioner, and such an air conditioner may be a window air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. Alternatively, some components of the heat pump device may be divided and built into multiple housings forming a single air conditioner, and such an air conditioner may be a wall-mounted air conditioner, a floor-standing air conditioner, or a system air conditioner.

[0052] An air conditioner including multiple housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are connected via a refrigerant pipe. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units via a refrigerant pipe. For example, the air conditioner may be configured such that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected via multiple refrigerant pipes.

[0053] The outdoor unit can be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner can be input through an input interface provided on the outdoor unit or the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to the user input.

[0054] The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in an outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in an indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0055] The outdoor heat exchanger can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air using a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, when the refrigerant condenses in the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant can emit heat to the outdoor air, and when the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the outdoor air.

[0056] Indoor units are installed indoors. For example, depending on the arrangement method, indoor units can be classified into ceiling-type indoor units, floor-standing indoor units, wall-mounted indoor units, etc. For example, depending on the air exhaust method, ceiling-type indoor units can be divided into four-way indoor units, one-way indoor units, and duct-type indoor units.

[0057] Similarly, the indoor heat exchanger can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air using the refrigerant's phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, when the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, it absorbs heat from the indoor air and can be blown through the cooled indoor air by the cool indoor heat exchanger to cool the indoor space. Furthermore, when the refrigerant condenses in the indoor heat exchanger, it can dissipate heat into the indoor air and can be blown through the heated indoor air by the hot indoor heat exchanger to heat the indoor space.

[0058] In other words, an air conditioner performs cooling or heating functions through a phase change process of a refrigerant circulating through an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger. Therefore, it may include a compressor to compress the refrigerant for circulation. The compressor may draw in refrigerant gas through an intake port to compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas through a discharge port. The compressor may be located inside the outdoor unit.

[0059] The refrigerant may circulate sequentially along the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger through the refrigerant pipe, or sequentially along the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger through the refrigerant pipe.

[0060] As an example, in a case where one of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the air conditioner may be configured such that the refrigerant circulates between the one outdoor unit and the indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.

[0061] For example, in an air conditioner where one outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units via refrigerant pipes, the air conditioner can be configured so that refrigerant flows to the multiple indoor units via refrigerant pipes branching from the outdoor unit. Refrigerant exhausted from the multiple indoor units can be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, the multiple indoor units can be directly connected in parallel to a single outdoor unit via separate refrigerant pipes.

[0062] Each of the multiple indoor units can operate independently depending on the operating mode set by the user. That is, some of the multiple indoor units can operate in cooling mode, while others can operate in heating mode. In this case, refrigerant can be selectively introduced into each of the indoor units at high or low pressure along a designated circulation route via a flow path switching valve (described later), and then discharged from each indoor unit and circulated to the outdoor unit.

[0063] As an example, in a case where two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected by multiple refrigerant pipes, the air conditioner can be configured so that the refrigerant discharged from the multiple outdoor units can merge and flow through one of the refrigerant pipes, and then separate again at a certain point and introduced into the multiple indoor units.

[0064] Depending on the operating load of the multiple indoor units, all of the multiple outdoor units may be driven, or at least some of the multiple outdoor units may not be driven. In this case, the air conditioner can be configured so that refrigerant is introduced into and circulates through the outdoor units, which are selectively driven via a flow path switching valve. The air conditioner may include an expansion device to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant to be introduced into the heat exchanger. As an example, the expansion device may be located within the indoor units, within the outdoor units, or within both.

[0065] As an example, an expansion device can use a throttling effect to reduce the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The expansion device can include an orifice that can reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path. The temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the orifice can be reduced.

[0066] As an example, the expansion device may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve capable of adjusting an opening ratio (the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the valve in a partially open state to the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the valve in a fully open state). Depending on the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve, the amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device can be controlled.

[0067] The air conditioner may further include a flow path switching valve disposed on the refrigerant circulation flow path. The flow path switching valve may include, for example, a four-way valve. The flow path switching valve may also determine the refrigerant circulation route depending on the operating mode of the indoor unit (e.g., cooling or heating). The flow path switching valve may be connected to the discharge side of the compressor.

[0068] The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the suction side of the compressor. Low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger may be introduced into the accumulator.

[0069] The accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas when refrigerant as a mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas is introduced thereinto, and supply the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid has been separated to the compressor.

[0070] An outdoor fan may be provided adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger to blow outdoor air toward the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.

[0071] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, the sensor of the outdoor unit may be provided as an environmental sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be disposed at any location inside or outside the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor for detecting the air temperature surrounding the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor for detecting the air humidity surrounding the outdoor unit, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant passing through a refrigerant pipe of the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting the refrigerant pressure passing through a refrigerant pipe of the outdoor unit.

[0072] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit communication device may be provided to receive control signals from a controller of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, which will be described later. The outdoor unit may control the operation of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, a flow path switching valve, a accumulator, or an outdoor fan based on the control signals received via the outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit may also transmit sensed values ​​detected by outdoor unit sensors to the controller of the indoor unit via the outdoor unit communication device.

[0073] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a casing, a blower for circulating air to the inside or outside of the casing, and an indoor heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the air introduced into the casing.

[0074] The housing may include a suction hole through which indoor air may be introduced into the interior of the housing.

[0075] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter provided to filter foreign matter from air to be introduced into the casing through the suction hole.

[0076] The housing may include a discharge hole, and air flowing inside the housing may be discharged to the outside of the case through the discharge hole.

[0077] An airflow guide may be provided in the housing of the indoor unit to guide the direction of air to be discharged through the exhaust hole. For example, the airflow guide may include blades located above the exhaust hole. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for regulating the exhaust airflow. The airflow guide is not limited thereto and may be omitted.

[0078] An air blower and an indoor heat exchanger disposed on a flow path connecting the suction hole and the discharge hole may be provided inside a casing of the indoor unit.

[0079] The blower can include an indoor fan and a fan motor. As an example, the indoor fan can include an axial flow fan, a diagonal flow fan, a cross flow fan or a centrifugal fan.

[0080] The indoor heat exchanger can be positioned between the blower and the exhaust port, or between the intake port and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger can absorb heat from the air introduced through the intake port, or transfer heat to the air introduced through the intake port. The indoor heat exchanger can include heat exchange tubes through which the refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins that contact the heat exchange tubes to increase the heat transfer area.

[0081] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain pan disposed below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensed water generated from the indoor heat exchanger. The condensed water collected in the drain pan may be drained to the outside through a drain hose. The drain pan may be provided to support the indoor heat exchanger.

[0082] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input component, including buttons, switches, touch screens, and / or touch pads. A user may directly input setting data (e.g., a desired indoor temperature, a setting for an operating mode for cooling / heating / dehumidification / air purification, a setting for an exhaust vent selection, and / or a setting for an air volume) through the input interface.

[0083] The input interface can be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface can be electrically connected to a wired remote control. The wired remote control can be installed at a specific location in the indoor space (e.g., a portion of a wall). The user can input setting data related to the operation of the air conditioner by operating the wired remote control. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained by the wired remote control can be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface can include an infrared sensor. The user can also remotely input setting data related to the operation of the air conditioner using a wireless remote control. The setting data entered via the wireless remote control can be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.

[0084] In addition, the input interface may include a microphone. The user's voice command can be obtained through the microphone. The microphone can convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and send the converted electrical signal to the indoor unit controller. The indoor unit controller can control the components of the air conditioner so as to operate the function corresponding to the user's voice command. The setting data obtained through the input interface (for example, the desired indoor temperature, the setting of the operating mode for cooling / heating / dehumidification / air purification, the setting of the exhaust hole selection and / or the setting of the air volume) can be sent to the indoor unit controller, which will be described later. As an example, the setting data obtained through the input interface can be sent to the outside, i.e., the outdoor unit or server, through the indoor unit communication device, which will be described later.

[0085] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.

[0086] The indoor unit of an air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an environmental sensor located in a space inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and / or humidity sensors located in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may also include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant pipes of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting the inlet temperature, intermediate temperature, and / or outlet temperature of the refrigerant pipes passing through the indoor heat exchanger.

[0087] As an example, each environmental information detected by the indoor unit sensor may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller, which will be described later, or may be transmitted to the outside through the indoor unit communication device, which will be described later.

[0088] The indoor unit of an air conditioner may include an indoor unit communication device. The indoor unit communication device may include at least one of a short-range communication module and a long-range communication module. The indoor unit communication device may also include at least one antenna for wireless communication with other devices. The outdoor unit may include an outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit communication device may also include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range communication module.

[0089] The short-range wireless communication module may include but is not limited to a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module, a near-field communication module, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication module, a ZigBee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication module, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (U-wave) communication module, and the like.

[0090] The long-distance communication module may include a communication module for performing various types of long-distance communications and may include a mobile communication device that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0091] The indoor unit communication device can communicate with external devices such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances through a nearby access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect the local area network (LAN) to which the air conditioner or user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The air conditioner or user device can connect to the server via the WAN. The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit controller to control its components, including the blower. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller to control its components, including the compressor. The indoor unit controller can communicate with the outdoor unit controller through the indoor unit communication device and the outdoor unit communication device. The outdoor unit communication device can transmit control signals generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication device, or it can transmit control signals sent from the indoor unit communication device to the outdoor unit controller. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can also perform two-way communication. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit can send and receive various signals generated during air conditioner operation.

[0092] The outdoor unit controller can be electrically connected to the components in the outdoor unit and control the operation of each component. For example, the outdoor unit controller can adjust the frequency of the compressor and control the flow path switching valve to change the circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller can also control the rotation speed of the outdoor fan. The outdoor unit controller can also generate a control signal to adjust the opening of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant can circulate along the refrigerant circulation loop including the compressor, the flow path switching valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.

[0093] The various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected temperature to the outdoor unit controller and / or the indoor unit controller, respectively. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit can transmit electrical signals corresponding to the detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and / or the indoor unit controller, respectively.

[0094] The indoor unit controller may receive user input from a user device, including a mobile device, via the indoor unit communication device, and may receive user input directly through an input interface or through a remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the indoor unit, including the blower, in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information regarding the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.

[0095] The outdoor unit controller can control components in the outdoor unit, including the compressor, based on information about user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to user input for selecting an operating mode such as cooling, heating, blowing, defrosting, or dehumidifying is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller can control components in the outdoor unit so that the air conditioner operation corresponding to the selected operating mode is performed.

[0096] Each of the outdoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may include a processor and a memory. The indoor unit controller may include at least one first processor and at least one first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one second processor and at least one second memory.

[0097] The memory can memorize / store various information required for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory can store instructions, applications, data, and / or programs required for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory can store various programs for the air conditioner's cooling, heating, dehumidification, and / or defrosting operations. The memory can include volatile memory for temporary data storage, such as static random access memory (S-RAM) and dynamic random access memory (D-RAM). Furthermore, the memory can include non-volatile memory for long-term data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

[0098] The processor can generate control signals for controlling the operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and / or programs stored in the memory. The processor, as hardware, may include logic circuits and arithmetic circuits. The processor can process data according to programs and / or instructions provided from the memory and generate control signals based on the results of the processing. The memory and processor can be implemented as one control circuit or multiple circuits.

[0099] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface may be electrically connected to an indoor unit controller and, under the control of the indoor unit controller, may output information related to the operation of the air conditioner. For example, information such as operating mode, wind direction, air volume, and temperature selected by user input may be output. The output interface may also output sensing information obtained from indoor unit sensors or outdoor unit sensors and warning / error messages.

[0100] The output interface may include a display and a speaker. A speaker is an audio device that can output various sounds. The display can display information input by the user or provided to the user as various graphical elements. For example, air conditioner operating information can be displayed as at least one of an image and text. The display may also include an indicator that provides specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel), a light-emitting diode panel (LED panel), an organic light-emitting diode panel (OLED panel), a micro-LED panel, and / or multiple LEDs.

[0101] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0102] The terms "upward", "downward", "front", "rear" and the like used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions of the components are not limited by these terms. Figure 2 In the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the directions in which the outlet grille 180 and the front cover 190 are each pointed can be defined as the forward direction (+X direction), and the direction opposite thereto can be defined as the rearward direction (-X direction). Furthermore, the vertical direction in which the top cover 171 of the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 is pointed can be defined as the upward direction (+Z direction), and the direction opposite thereto can be defined as the downward direction (-Z direction). Furthermore, the direction in which the first side frame 150 of the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 is located can be defined as the left direction (-Y direction), and the direction opposite thereto can be defined as the right direction (+Y direction).

[0103] Figure 1 An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0104] refer to Figure 1 , the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an indoor unit 20 provided in an indoor space and an outdoor unit 10 provided in an outdoor space.

[0105] The air conditioner 1 can absorb the heat inside the air-conditioned space and emit the heat to the outside of the air-conditioned space to cool the air-conditioned space as the air-conditioned object. In addition, the air conditioner 1 can absorb the heat outside the air-conditioned space and emit the heat to the inside of the air-conditioned space to heat the air-conditioned space.

[0106] The outdoor unit 10 can also exchange heat with the outdoor air outside the air-conditioned space. The outdoor unit 10 can use a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air. For example, the outdoor unit 10 can also use condensation of the refrigerant to dissipate heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air. Furthermore, the outdoor unit 10 can use evaporation of the refrigerant to absorb heat from the outdoor air into the refrigerant.

[0107] Figure 1 One outdoor unit 10 is shown, but the number of outdoor units 10 is not limited to Figure 1 For example, the air conditioner 1 may also include a plurality of outdoor units 10 .

[0108] The outdoor unit 10 may include an outdoor heat exchanger 11 (refer to Figure 3 ) and a compressor 12 (reference Figure 3 ).

[0109] The components in the outdoor unit 10 will be described in detail later.

[0110] The indoor unit 20 can exchange heat with the indoor air within the air-conditioned space. The indoor unit 20 can also use the refrigerant's phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air. For example, the indoor unit 20 can cool the air-conditioned space by absorbing heat from the indoor air into the refrigerant through evaporation of the refrigerant. Alternatively, the indoor unit 20 can heat the air-conditioned space by dissipating heat from the refrigerant to the indoor air through condensation of the refrigerant.

[0111] The indoor unit 20 may include an indoor heat exchanger provided to exchange heat with indoor air, an indoor air supply fan provided to suck and blow indoor air so that the indoor air passes through the indoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve unit provided to decompress and expand refrigerant.

[0112] Figure 1 One indoor unit 20 is shown, but the number of indoor units 20 is not limited to Figure 1 For example, the air conditioner may include a plurality of indoor units 20. A plurality of different indoor units 20 may be installed in a plurality of different air-conditioned spaces.

[0113] In this way, the air conditioner 1 can also perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air outside the air-conditioned space and heat exchange between the refrigerant and the indoor air inside the air-conditioned space.

[0114] In this case, the air conditioner 1 may include a refrigerant pipe 30 provided to transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit 20 and the outdoor unit 10 to transfer heat between the outside of the air-conditioned space and the inside of the air-conditioned space. The refrigerant pipe 30 may allow the refrigerant to flow between the outside of the air-conditioned space and the inside of the air-conditioned space. The outdoor unit 10 may be connected to the indoor unit 20 through the refrigerant pipe 30 that transfers the refrigerant.

[0115] The air conditioner 1 described above is merely an example of an air conditioner to which the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure can be applied, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The configuration of an air conditioner such as the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure and components such as the indoor unit and the refrigerant pipe included therein can be provided in various ways.

[0116] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 2 to 20 The outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail.

[0117] Figure 2 An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 is an exploded view of an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0118] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an outdoor heat exchanger 11 provided to exchange heat with outdoor air, a compressor 12 provided to compress refrigerant, an outdoor fan 13 provided to suck and blow outdoor air so that the outdoor air passes through the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and a casing 100 forming the exterior of the outdoor unit 10.

[0119] The housing 100 may form the exterior of the outdoor unit 10. Various components within the outdoor unit 10, such as the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the compressor 12, the outdoor fan 13, and control boxes 1000, 2000 to be described later, may be accommodated inside the housing 100.

[0120] The housing 100 may include inlet holes 131 and 151 formed to allow air to be introduced, and an exhaust hole 111 formed to allow air to be exhausted. When the outdoor fan 13 rotates, air outside the housing 100 may be introduced through the inlet holes 131 and 151, exchange heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and then be exhausted to the outside of the housing 100 through the exhaust hole 111.

[0121] The outdoor unit 10 may include a heat exchange chamber R1 formed inside the housing 100. Outdoor air may be introduced into the heat exchange chamber R1, and the introduced air may then be exhausted back to the outside. In the heat exchange chamber R1, heat exchange may be performed between the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the air introduced from the outside. In the heat exchange chamber R1, components such as the outdoor heat exchanger 11 and the outdoor fan 13 may be provided.

[0122] The outdoor unit 10 may include a machine room R2 formed inside a housing 100. In the machine room R2, components such as a compressor 12 and a control box 1000, 2000 to be described later may be provided.

[0123] Inside the housing 100, the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine room R2 may be partitioned from each other. The outdoor unit 10 may include a partition 16 that separates the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine room R2. The partition 16 may be disposed between the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine room R2. As an example, the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine room R2 may be arranged in the left-right direction (Y direction) in the drawing, and the partition 16 may extend in the up-down direction (Z direction) in the drawing to separate the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine room R2.

[0124] As an example, the housing 100 may be formed to have a substantially box shape.

[0125] An example of the structure of the housing 100 will be described below.

[0126] The housing 100 may include a first front frame 110 . The first front frame 110 may cover the front (+X direction) of the heat exchange chamber R1 . A discharge hole 111 may be formed on the first front frame 110 .

[0127] The housing 100 may include a second front frame 120. The second front frame 120 may cover the front (+X direction) of the heat exchange chamber R1. As an example, the second front frame 120 may be formed in a substantially flat plate shape.

[0128] As an example, the first front frame 110 and the second front frame 120 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y direction).The first front frame 110 and the second front frame 120 may be coupled to each other.

[0129] As an example, a plurality of heat dissipation holes may be formed on the second front frame 120 so that the machine room R2 communicates with the outside of the outdoor unit 10 to dissipate heat in the machine room R2 .

[0130] The housing 100 may include a first rear frame 130. The first rear frame 130 may form a portion of the rear exterior of the outdoor unit 10. The first rear frame 130 may be disposed at the rear (-X direction) of the heat exchange chamber R1. An inlet hole 131 may be formed on the first rear frame 130.

[0131] The first front frame 110 and the first rear frame 130 may be disposed to face each other.

[0132] The housing 100 may include a second rear frame 140. The second rear frame 140 may form another portion of the rear exterior of the outdoor unit 10. The second rear frame 140 may cover the rear (-X direction) of the machine room R2.

[0133] As an example, a plurality of heat dissipation holes may be formed on the second rear frame 140 so that the machinery room R2 may communicate with the outside of the outdoor unit 10 to dissipate heat within the machinery room R2.

[0134] The second front frame 120 and the second rear frame 140 may be arranged to face each other.

[0135] The housing 100 may include a first side frame 150. The first side frame 150 may form one surface of the outdoor unit 10 in a left direction (-Y direction).

[0136] The first side frame 150 may cover the heat exchange chamber R1 . The first side frame 150 may cover the heat exchange chamber R1 from the left direction (−Y direction). An inlet hole 151 may be formed on the first side frame 150 .

[0137] The first side frame 150 may be coupled to the first front frame 110 . The first side frame 150 may be connected to the first rear frame 130 .

[0138] As an example, the first side frame 150 may be provided to extend in the forward direction and the rearward direction (X direction).

[0139] The housing 100 may include a second side frame 160. The second side frame 160 may form one surface of the outdoor unit 10 in the right direction (+Y direction).

[0140] The second side frame 160 may cover the machinery room R2. The second side frame 160 may cover the machinery room R2 from the right direction (+Y direction).

[0141] As an example, a plurality of heat dissipation holes may be formed on the second side frame 160 so that the machine room R2 communicates with the outside of the outdoor unit 10 to dissipate heat within the machine room R2.

[0142] The second side frame 160 may be coupled to the second front frame 120. The second side frame 160 may be coupled to the second rear frame 140.

[0143] As an example, the second side frame 160 may be provided to extend in the forward and rearward directions (X directions).

[0144] The first side frame 150 and the second side frame 160 may be disposed to face each other.

[0145] The housing 100 may include a base 172. The base 172 may form the bottom surface of the outdoor unit 10. The base 172 may be disposed on a side of the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine chamber R2 in a downward direction (-Z direction). The base 172 may support various components of the outdoor unit 10 housed within the housing 100 from the bottom side.

[0146] The base 172 may be coupled to a lower portion of each of the first front frame 110 , the second front frame 120 , the second rear frame 140 , the first side frame 150 , and the second side frame 160 .

[0147] The base 172 may be formed to have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0148] The housing 100 may include a top cover 171. The top cover 171 may form an upper surface of the outdoor unit 10.

[0149] The top cover 171 may cover upper sides (+Z direction) of the heat exchange chamber R1 and the machine chamber R2 . The top cover 171 may cover various components of the outdoor unit 10 accommodated inside the housing 100 from the upper side of the housing 100 .

[0150] The top cover 171 may be coupled to an upper portion of each of the first front frame 110 , the second front frame 120 , the second rear frame 140 , the first side frame 150 , and the second side frame 160 .

[0151] The top cover 171 may be formed to have a substantially flat plate shape.

[0152] The top cover 171 and the base 172 may be arranged to face each other.

[0153] The housing 100 may include a discharge grill 180. The discharge grill 180 may cover the front (+X direction) of the first front frame 110. The discharge grill 180 may cover the front (+X direction) of the discharge holes 111. The discharge grill 180 may be coupled to the first front frame 110. The discharge grill 180 may form a portion of the front exterior of the outdoor unit 10.

[0154] The exhaust hole grill 180 covers the exhaust hole 111 and may be formed to have a substantially grill shape so that air can be exhausted from the exhaust hole 111 .

[0155] The housing 100 may include a front cover 190. The front cover 190 may cover the front (+X direction) of the second front frame 120. The front cover 190 may be coupled to the second front frame 120. The front cover 190 may form another portion of the front exterior of the outdoor unit 10.

[0156] As an example, the discharge hole grill 180 and the front cover 190 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y direction).The discharge hole grill 180 and the front cover 190 may be coupled to each other.

[0157] Each component included in the housing 100 may be provided to be separable from each other. As an example, the second front frame 120 may be provided to be separable from the first front frame 110, the second side frame 160, the top cover 171, and the base 172. As an example, the second side frame 160 may be provided to be separable from the second front frame 120, the second rear frame 140, the top cover 171, and the base 172. As an example, the top cover 171 may be provided to be separable from the first front frame 110, the second front frame 120, the second rear frame 140, the first side frame 150, and the second side frame 160.

[0158] Therefore, when work such as inspection, replacement, or repair of components within the outdoor unit 10 needs to be performed, a worker can perform the work by separating at least one component of the housing 100 .

[0159] The configuration of the housing that may be included in the air conditioner according to the present disclosure is not limited to what has been described above.

[0160] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be provided to exchange heat with outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be provided so that refrigerant flows therein. In the outdoor heat exchanger 11, heat exchange of the refrigerant with the outdoor air may be performed.

[0161] For example, during the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1, high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant gas may condense in the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and when the refrigerant condenses, the refrigerant may dissipate heat to the outdoor air. During the cooling operation of the air conditioner 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 may discharge refrigerant liquid.

[0162] During the heating operation of the air conditioner 1, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant liquid evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and when the refrigerant evaporates, the refrigerant can absorb heat from the outdoor air. During the heating operation of the air conditioner 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 can discharge the refrigerant gas.

[0163] The outdoor heat exchanger 11 may be disposed to face the inlet holes 131 , 151 in the heat exchange chamber R1 .

[0164] The compressor 12 may also compress the refrigerant gas and discharge the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas. For example, the compressor 12 may include a motor and a compression mechanism, and the compression mechanism may compress the refrigerant gas through the torque of the motor.

[0165] The outdoor unit 10 may include an outdoor fan 13 provided to flow air, and a fan motor 14 provided to generate a rotation force for rotating the outdoor fan 13 .

[0166] As an example, the outdoor unit 10 may include a motor bracket 15 provided to support the outdoor fan 13 and the fan motor 14. The motor bracket 15 may be disposed in the heat exchange chamber R1.

[0167] As an example, the outdoor unit 10 may also include a plate heat exchanger 21. The plate heat exchanger 21 may be provided to exchange heat between the refrigerant and water. The plate heat exchanger 21 may be disposed inside the housing 100. As an example, the plate heat exchanger 21 may be disposed in the machine room R1.

[0168] As an example, the outdoor unit 10 may include a water pipe 23 provided to allow water to be introduced from the outside or discharged to the outside. The water pipe 23 may be connected to the plate heat exchanger 21. At least a portion of the water pipe 23 may be provided inside the housing 100. As an example, at least a portion of the water pipe 23 may be provided in the machine room R1.

[0169] Water introduced from the outside into the outdoor unit 10 through the water pipe 23 can exchange heat with the high-temperature refrigerant in the plate heat exchanger 21. The water in the plate heat exchanger 21 can absorb heat from the high-temperature refrigerant and be discharged back to the outside of the outdoor unit 10 through the water pipe 23.

[0170] As an example, the outdoor unit 10 may also include an expansion tank 22. As the water temperature increases through the plate heat exchanger 21, the volume in the water pipe 23 may increase, and therefore, the expansion tank 22 may be provided to prevent a sudden increase in water pressure. The expansion tank 22 may be located within the outdoor unit housing 100. As an example, the expansion tank 22 may be located in the machine room R2.

[0171] In this way, the outdoor unit 10 according to one embodiment may constitute a part of a heating system for supplying hot water, including the plate heat exchanger 21 , the water pipe 23 , and the expansion tank 22 .

[0172] However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in the air conditioner according to one embodiment, the plate heat exchanger, the water pipe, and the expansion tank may be provided outside the outdoor unit. Alternatively, the air conditioner according to one embodiment may not be equipped with a heating system.

[0173] The outdoor unit 10 may include a plurality of printed circuit boards 200, 300, and 400 (see Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 , etc.) to control the operations of various components in the outdoor unit 10. Various electronic components may be mounted on the plurality of printed circuit boards 200, 300, and 400. The outdoor unit 10 may include control boxes 1000 and 2000 to accommodate the plurality of printed circuit boards 200, 300, and 400.

[0174] For example, the outdoor unit 10 may include a first control box 1000. The first control box 1000 may be accommodated inside the housing 100. The first control box 1000 may be provided in the machine room R2.

[0175] like Figure 3 As shown, as an example, the first control box 1000 may be located at the front of the machine room R2 and may be covered by the second front frame 120 .

[0176] For example, the outdoor unit 10 may also include a second control box 2000. The second control box 2000 may be accommodated inside the housing 100. The second control box 2000 may be provided in the machine room R2.

[0177] like Figure 3 As shown, as an example, the second control box 2000 may be located on the right side of the machine room R2 and may be covered by the second side frame 160 .

[0178] As an example, the outdoor unit 10 may also include a duct 17. The duct 17 may be provided so that the interior of the first control box 1000 communicates with the heat exchange chamber R1. Alternatively, the duct 17 may be provided so that the interior of the second control box 2000 communicates with the heat exchange chamber R1.

[0179] When the outdoor fan 13 is driven, air can flow from each of the first and second control boxes 1000 and 2000 to the heat exchange chamber R1 through the duct 17 by the suction force of the outdoor fan 13. Therefore, heat generated inside the first and second control boxes 1000 and 2000 can be dissipated to the outside.

[0180] The configuration of the outdoor unit 10 described above is merely an example of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure may be configured in various ways to allow outdoor air to be introduced through the inlet hole and to allow the introduced air to be discharged to the outside after heat exchange.

[0181] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0182] refer to Figure 4 , the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first control box 1000 and a second control box 2000 .

[0183] The first control box 1000 and the second control box 2000 may be provided to respectively accommodate a portion of printed circuit boards among a plurality of printed circuit boards provided in the outdoor unit 10 .

[0184] For example, the outdoor unit 10 may include a first printed circuit board 200 (refer to Figure 6 ), the second printed circuit board 300 and the third printed circuit board 400. The first control box 1000 and the second control box 2000 may be provided to respectively accommodate the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ), some of the second printed circuit board 300 and the third printed circuit board 400.

[0185] As an example, the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ) may be housed in the first control box 1000. As an example, the second printed circuit board 300 may be housed in the second control box 2000. As an example, the third printed circuit board 400 may be housed in the second control box 2000.

[0186] The first control box 1000 may include a first housing 1100. As an example, the first housing 1100 may be provided to accommodate the third printed circuit board 400. The first accommodation space 1101 (see Figure 5 ) may be formed in the first housing 1100 to accommodate the third printed circuit board 400 .

[0187] The first housing 1100 may be formed so that one side thereof is open. That is, the first housing 1100 may include a first housing opening 1100a formed on one side. For example, the third printed circuit board 400 may be inserted into or removed from the first housing 1100 through the first housing opening 1100a. A worker can perform work by accessing the third printed circuit board 400 housed within the first housing 1100 through the first housing opening 1100a.

[0188] As an example, the first housing opening 1100a may be formed on one side of the front (+X direction) of the first housing 1100. That is, the first housing 1100 may be formed so that the front (+X direction) of the first housing 1100 is open. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the direction in which the one side of the first housing 1100 is opened may be designed in various ways depending on factors such as the position of the first housing 1100 within the housing 100.

[0189] As an example, the first housing 1100 may be formed to have a substantially box shape.

[0190] The first control box 1000 may include a first housing cover 1200 that is provided to be detachably coupled to the first housing 1100. The first housing cover 1200 may be coupled to the first housing 1100 to close the first housing opening 1100a. The first housing cover 1200 may be separated from the first housing 1100 to open the first housing opening 1100a. For example, the manufacturer of the first control box 1000 may insert the third printed circuit board 400 into the first housing 1100 and then couple the first housing cover 1200 to the first housing 1100, thereby covering the interior space of the first housing 1100. A worker who intends to inspect the third printed circuit board 400 inside the first control box 1000 or replace or repair a component may access the third printed circuit board 400 by separating the first housing cover 1200 from the first housing 1100.

[0191] As an example, the first housing cover 1200 may be coupled to the front (+X direction) of the first housing 1100. That is, the first housing cover 1200 may cover the third printed circuit board 400 from the front (+X direction).

[0192] As an example, the first housing cover 1200 may be formed in a substantially flat plate shape.

[0193] In this way, the third printed circuit board 400 in the first housing 1100 can be properly protected from external impact, foreign matter introduced from the outside, leaked refrigerant gas, etc. by the first housing cover 1200. In addition, since the first housing cover 1200 can be removed when necessary, workers can access the third printed circuit board 400.

[0194] The second control box 2000 may include a second housing 2100. As an example, the second housing 2100 may be provided to accommodate the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 A second receiving space 2101 may be formed in the second housing 2100 to receive the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ) and a second printed circuit board 300.

[0195] The second housing 2100 may be formed so that one side thereof is open. That is, the second housing 2100 may include a second housing opening 2100a formed on one side. For example, the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ) and the second printed circuit board 300 can be inserted into or withdrawn from the second housing 2100 through the second housing opening 2100a. A worker can approach the first printed circuit board 200 housed inside the second housing 2100 through the second housing opening 2100a (see Figure 6 ) or the second printed circuit board 300 to perform the work.

[0196] As an example, the second housing opening 2100a may be formed on one side of the second housing 2100 in the right direction (+Y direction). That is, the second housing 2100 may be formed to be open in the right direction (+Y direction). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the direction in which the one side of the second housing 2100 opens may be designed in various ways depending on factors such as the position of the second housing 2100 within the housing 100.

[0197] As an example, the second housing 2100 may be formed to have a substantially box shape.

[0198] The second control box 2000 may include a second housing cover 2200 provided to be detachably coupled to the second housing 2100. The second housing cover 2200 may be coupled to the second housing 2100 to close the second housing opening 2100a. The second housing cover 2200 may be separated from the second housing 2100 to open the second housing opening 2100a. For example, the manufacturer of the second control box 2000 may remove the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ) and the second printed circuit board 300 are inserted into the second housing 2100, and then the second housing cover 2200 is coupled to the second housing 2100, thereby covering the inner space of the second housing 2100. It is intended to inspect the first printed circuit board 200 inside the second control box 2000 (see Figure 6 ) or the second printed circuit board 300 or a worker who replaces or repairs the component can access the first printed circuit board 200 by separating the second housing cover 2200 from the second housing 2100 (see Figure 6 ) and a second printed circuit board 300.

[0199] As an example, the second housing cover 2200 may be coupled to the second housing 2100 from the right direction (+Y direction). That is, the second housing cover 2200 may cover the first printed circuit board 200 (see FIG. 2100 ) from the right direction (+Y direction). Figure 6 ) and a second printed circuit board 300.

[0200] As an example, the second housing cover 2200 may be formed in a substantially flat plate shape.

[0201] In this way, the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ) and the second printed circuit board 300 can be normally protected from external impact, foreign matter introduced from the outside, leaked refrigerant gas, etc. by the second housing cover 2200. In addition, since the second housing cover 2200 can be removed when necessary, workers can access the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ) or a second printed circuit board 300.

[0202] A detailed description of the structure of the second control box 2000 will be described later.

[0203] A plurality of printed circuit boards may be provided in the outdoor unit 10 to control the operations of various components in the outdoor unit 10, such as the compressor 12, the fan motor 14, the plate heat exchanger 21, and the expansion tank 22. Alternatively, a plurality of printed circuit boards 200, 300, 400 may be provided to receive detection signals from various sensors (not shown) provided in the compressor 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 11, etc. The plurality of printed circuit boards may be electrically connected to the various components in the outdoor unit 10 via electrical wires.

[0204] For example, the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ), the second printed circuit board 300, and the third printed circuit board 400 may be electrically connected to various components in the outdoor unit 10 via wires. Alternatively, the first printed circuit board 200, the second printed circuit board 300, and the third printed circuit board 400 may be electrically connected to each other via wires. Alternatively, the first printed circuit board 200, the second printed circuit board 300, and the third printed circuit board 400 may be connected to a device (not shown) located outside the outdoor unit 10 via wires.

[0205] For example, the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ) can be connected to the third printed circuit board 400 by wires passing through the first housing 1100 and the second housing 2100. For example, the first printed circuit board 200 can be connected to various components in the outdoor unit 10 by wires passing through the second housing 2100. For example, the first printed circuit board 200 can be connected to the second printed circuit board 300 by wires provided inside the second housing 2100.

[0206] For example, the second printed circuit board 300 can be connected to the third printed circuit board 400 by means of wires passing through the first housing 1100 and the second housing 2100. For example, the second printed circuit board 300 can be connected to various components in the outdoor unit 10 by means of wires passing through the second housing 2100. For example, the second printed circuit board 300 can be connected to the first printed circuit board 200 by means of wires disposed inside the second housing 2100 (see Figure 6 ).

[0207] For example, the third printed circuit board 400 may be connected to the first printed circuit board 200 by a wire passing through the first housing 1100 and the second housing 2100 (see Figure 6 ) or the second printed circuit board 300. For example, the third printed circuit board 400 may be connected to various components in the outdoor unit 10 by wires passing through the second housing 2100.

[0208] The first housing 1100 may include wire penetration portions 1180 and 1190 provided to allow wires to pass therethrough. For example, the first housing 1100 may include a first wire penetration portion 1180 provided to allow connection of the third printed circuit board 400 with the first printed circuit board 200 (see FIG. Figure 6 ) or the wires of the second printed circuit board 300 pass through. For example, the first housing 1100 may include a second wire penetration portion 1190 provided to allow wires connecting the third printed circuit board 400 and various components in the outdoor unit 10 to pass through.

[0209] As an example, the first wire penetration portion 1180 may be disposed above the second wire penetration portion 1190 , but is not limited thereto.

[0210] As an example, the wire penetration portions 1180 and 1190 of the first housing 1100 may be provided on one side of the first housing 1100 adjacent to the second housing 2100. As an example, the wire penetration portions 1180 and 1190 of the first housing 1100 may be provided on one surface on the right side (+Y direction side) of the first housing 1100.

[0211] The second housing 2100 may include wire penetration portions 2180 and 2190 provided to allow wires to pass therethrough. For example, the second housing 2100 may include a third wire penetration portion 2180 provided to allow connection to the first printed circuit board 200 (see FIG. 21). Figure 6 ) or the wires of the second printed circuit board 300 and the third printed circuit board 400 pass through. For example, the second housing 2100 may include a fourth wire penetration portion 2190 provided to allow wires connecting the third printed circuit board 400 and various components in the outdoor unit 10 to pass through.

[0212] As an example, the third wire penetration portion 2180 may be disposed above the fourth wire penetration portion 2190 , but is not limited thereto.

[0213] As an example, the wire penetration portions 2180 and 2190 of the second housing 2100 may be provided on one side of the second housing 2100 adjacent to the first housing 1100. As an example, the wire penetration portions 2180 and 2190 of the second housing 2100 may be provided on one surface of the front (+X direction side) of the second housing 2100.

[0214] As an example, the first printed circuit board 200 or the second printed circuit board 300 provided inside the second control box 2000 may be connected to an external power source to receive power from the external power source, or may be connected to an electric wire provided to transmit and receive communication signals with an external device. The second housing 2100 may include an external wire penetration portion 2170 (see Figure 6 ), the external wire penetration portion 2170 is provided to allow the wire to pass therethrough. As an example, the external wire penetration portion 2170 may be formed on one side of the rear (-X direction) of the second housing 2100.

[0215] The outdoor unit 10 may include a wire guide 50. The wire guide 50 may be provided to be fixed / supported to the first printed circuit board 200 (see Figure 6 ), some of the wires of the second printed circuit board 300 and the third printed circuit board 400. As an example, the wire guide 50 may be provided to fix / support the wires passing through the second wire penetration portion 1190 and the fourth wire penetration portion 2290.

[0216] The first control box 1000 and the second control box 2000 may be supported within the housing 100 .

[0217] For example, the outdoor unit 10 may include a first support frame 60 provided inside the housing 100. As an example, the first support frame 60 may support lower portions of the first and second control boxes 1000 and 2000. As an example, the first support frame 60 may be supported by the base 172.

[0218] For example, the outdoor unit 10 may include a second supporting frame 70 provided inside the housing 100. For example, the second supporting frame 70 may support a lower portion of the second control box 2000. As an example, the second supporting frame 70 may be supported by the first supporting frame 60.

[0219] The configuration of the first control box 1000 and the second control box 2000 described above is merely an example of a control box included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure to accommodate a printed circuit board, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0220] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a first control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0221] refer to Figure 5 The first housing 1100 included in the first control box 1000 of the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to accommodate the third printed circuit board 400. The first housing 1100 may form a first accommodation space 1101 in which the third printed circuit board 400 is accommodated.

[0222] As described above, the first housing 1100 may include a first housing opening 1100a. The first housing opening 1100a may be formed on one side of the first housing 1100. The first housing opening 1100a may be formed on one side of the first accommodating space 1101. In other words, the first housing 1100 may be formed so that one side thereof is open. As an example, the first housing 1100 may be formed so that its front (+X direction) is open, and the first housing opening 1100a may be formed on the front side (+X direction) of the first accommodating space 1101.

[0223] In detail, the first housing 1100 of the first control box 1000 may include a first outer housing 1110 and a first inner housing 1120 .

[0224] The first outer housing 1110 may form the exterior of the first control box 1000. The first outer housing 1110 may be disposed in the machine room R2. An outer surface of the first outer housing 1110 may be disposed to be exposed to the machine room R2.

[0225] The first housing body 1110 may be supported by the housing 100 or a component inside the housing 100. As an example, the first housing body 1110 may be supported by the first supporting frame 60.

[0226] As an example, the first outer housing 1110 may be provided with the first wire penetration portion 1180 and the second wire penetration portion 1190 described above.

[0227] The first inner case 1120 may be provided inside the first outer case 1110. In detail, the first inner case 1120 may be coupled to the inside of the first outer case 1110.

[0228] The first inner case 1120 may be provided to accommodate the third printed circuit board 400. The first inner case 1120 may form a first accommodation space 1101 in which the third printed circuit board 400 is accommodated. The third printed circuit board 400 may be mounted on the first inner case 1120.

[0229] The first outer shell 1110 and the first inner shell 1120 of the first shell 1100 may each be open on the first shell opening 1100a side. The first shell opening 1100a of the first shell 1100 may be regarded as the first shell opening 1100a of the first outer shell 1110 and the first shell opening 1100a of the first inner shell 1120.

[0230] The first housing 1100 may include a first frame 1130. The first frame 1130 may be provided along the edge of the first housing opening 1100a. In detail, the first frame 1130 may have a shape extending from the edge of the first housing opening 1100a toward the outside of the edge.

[0231] As an example, the first frame 1130 may be coupled to one side of the first inner case 1120 in a direction of the first case opening 1100 a .

[0232] A detailed description of the first housing 1100 of the first control box 1000 will be described later.

[0233] The first housing cover 1200 of the first control box 1000 may be provided to be couplable to the first housing 1100 . The first housing cover 1200 may be provided to cover the first housing opening 1100 a . The first housing cover 1200 may be provided to cover at least a portion of the first frame 1130 .

[0234] In detail, the first case cover 1200 may be provided to cover the first case opening 1100a by being coupled to the first case 1100. In addition, the first case cover 1200 may be provided to cover at least a portion of the first frame 1130 by being coupled to the first case 1100.

[0235] In other words, the first housing cover 1200 may be formed to have a size large enough to cover the first housing opening 1100a and further cover at least a portion of the first frame 1130. That is, when the first housing cover 1200 is coupled to the first housing 1100, the edge of the first housing cover 1200 may be positioned outside the edge of the first housing opening 1100a.

[0236] A detailed description of the first housing cover 1200 of the first control box 1000 will be described later.

[0237] The first control box 1000 may include a first gasket 1300 provided to seal a gap between the first housing 1100 and the first housing cover 1200. In detail, the first gasket 1300 may be provided to seal a gap between the first housing cover 1200 and the first frame 1130 when the first housing cover 1200 is coupled to the first housing 1100.

[0238] The first gasket 1300 may be provided to prevent foreign matter outside the first housing 1100 and refrigerant leaked from components provided in the machine room R2 or the like from being introduced into the first housing 1100 .

[0239] The first gasket 1300 of the first control box 1000 will be described in detail later.

[0240] As an example, the first control box 1000 may include a heat sink 1900. The heat sink 1900 may be provided to dissipate heat generated inside the first control box 1000 to the outside of the first control box 1000. In detail, the heat sink 1900 may be provided to dissipate heat generated by the third printed circuit board 400 to the outside of the first housing 1100.

[0241] As an example, the heat sink 1900 may be connected to the third printed circuit board 400. Heat generated from the third printed circuit board 400 may be conducted to the heat sink 1900. The heat sink 1900 is provided with a plurality of heat dissipation fins, and thus heat dissipation efficiency may be improved.

[0242] As an example, the heat sink 1900 may be coupled to the rear (-X direction) of the first housing 1100. In this case, the heat sink 1900 may be provided to dissipate heat toward the rear (-X direction) of the first housing 1100.

[0243] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and as Figure 5 The illustrated heat sink 1900 may not be provided in the first control box 1000 .

[0244] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0245] refer to Figure 6 The second housing 2100 included in the second control box 2000 of the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to accommodate the first printed circuit board 200 and the second printed circuit board 300. The second housing 2100 may form a second accommodation space 2101 in which the first printed circuit board 200 and the second printed circuit board 300 are accommodated.

[0246] As described above, the second housing 2100 may include a second housing opening 2100a. The second housing opening 2100a may be formed on one side of the second housing 2100. The second housing opening 2100a may be formed on one side of the second storage space 2101. In other words, the second housing 2100 may be formed so that one side thereof is open. As an example, the second housing 2100 may be formed so as to be open in the right direction (+Y direction), and the second housing opening 2100a may be formed on the right side (+Y direction) of the second storage space 2101.

[0247] In detail, the second housing 2100 of the second control box 2000 may include a second outer housing 2110 and a second inner housing 2120 .

[0248] The second outer housing 2110 may form the exterior of the second control box 2000. The second outer housing 2110 may be disposed in the machine room R2. An outer surface of the second outer housing 2110 may be disposed to be exposed to the machine room R2.

[0249] The second housing body 2110 may be supported by the housing 100 or a component inside the housing 100. As an example, the second housing body 2110 may be supported by the first supporting frame 60 and the second supporting frame 70.

[0250] As an example, the second outer housing 2110 may be provided with the third wire penetration portion 2180 and the fourth wire penetration portion 2190 described above.

[0251] The second inner case 2120 may be provided inside the second outer case 2110. In detail, the second inner case 2120 may be coupled to the inside of the second outer case 2110.

[0252] The second inner case 2120 may be provided to accommodate the first and second printed circuit boards 200 and 300. The second inner case 2120 may form a second accommodation space 2101 in which the first and second printed circuit boards 200 and 300 are accommodated. The first and second printed circuit boards 200 and 300 may be mounted on the second inner case 2120.

[0253] The second outer shell 2110 and the second inner shell 2120 of the second shell 2100 may each be open on the second shell opening 2100a side. The second shell opening 2100a of the second shell 2100 may be regarded as the second shell opening 2100a of the second outer shell 2110 and the second shell opening 2100a of the second inner shell 2120.

[0254] As an example, Figure 6As shown, the first printed circuit board 200 may be disposed further inside the second housing 2100 than the second printed circuit board 300. That is, the first printed circuit board 200 may be disposed further inward from the second housing opening 2100a of the second housing 2100 than the second printed circuit board 300.

[0255] As an example, the first printed circuit board 200 may be mounted on an inner surface of the second housing 2100 opposite to the second housing opening 2100 a .

[0256] As an example, the second control box 2000 may include a board frame 2400. The board frame 2400 may be provided to support the second printed circuit board 300. The second printed circuit board 300 may be mounted on the board frame 2400.

[0257] As such, when the first printed circuit board 200 and the second printed circuit board 300 are housed together inside the second housing 2100 in a multi-layered structure arranged in the Y direction, space utilization within the second control box 2000 may be improved.

[0258] As an example, the board frame 2400 may be provided to be movable relative to the second housing 2100. As an example, the second control box 2000 may include a first frame guide 2500 and a second frame guide 2600 provided to guide the movement of the board frame 2400. The first frame guide 2500 and the second frame guide 2600 may movably support the board frame 2400.

[0259] As an example, the second inner shell 2120 may include a guide mounting portion 2123 provided so that the first frame guide 2500 is mounted thereon, which will be described later. The first frame guide 2500 may be detachably mounted by the guide mounting portion 2123. The guide mounting portion 2123 may be formed to pass through one surface of the inner shell 2120. A portion of the first frame guide 2500 may pass through the guide mounting portion 2123 to be disposed inside the inner shell 2120, and another portion may be supported by the outer surface of the inner shell 2120. As an example, Figure 6 As shown, the guide mounting portion 2123 may be formed on the upper surface of the inner housing 2120 .

[0260] With this configuration, a worker can efficiently access the first printed circuit board 200 by moving the board frame 2400 as needed.

[0261] The second housing 2100 may include a second frame 2130. The second frame 2130 may be provided along the edge of the second housing opening 2100a. In detail, the second frame 2130 may have a shape extending from the edge of the second housing opening 2100a toward the outside of the edge.

[0262] As an example, the second frame 2130 may be coupled to one side of the second inner case 2120 in a direction of the second case opening 2100 a .

[0263] The second housing cover 2200 of the second control box 2000 may be provided to be couplable to the second housing 2100 . The second housing cover 2200 may be provided to cover the second housing opening 2100 a . The second housing cover 2200 may be provided to cover at least a portion of the second frame 2130 .

[0264] In detail, the second case cover 2200 may be provided to cover the second case opening 2100a by being coupled to the second case 2100. In addition, the second case cover 2200 may be provided to cover at least a portion of the second frame 2130 by being coupled to the second case 2100.

[0265] In other words, the second housing cover 2200 may be formed to have a size large enough to cover the second housing opening 2100a and further cover at least a portion of the second frame 2130. That is, when the second housing cover 2200 is coupled to the second housing 2100, the edge of the second housing cover 2200 may be positioned outside the edge of the second housing opening 2100a.

[0266] The second control box 2000 may include a second gasket 2300 provided to seal a gap between the second housing 2100 and the second housing cover 2200. In detail, the second gasket 2300 may be provided to seal a gap between the second housing cover 2200 and the second frame 2130 when the second housing cover 2200 is coupled to the second housing 2100.

[0267] The second gasket 2300 may be provided to prevent foreign matter outside the second housing 2100 and refrigerant leaked from components provided in the machine room R2 or the like from being introduced into the second housing 2100 .

[0268] As an example, the second control box 2000 may include a noise filter unit 2900 provided to reduce current noise. As an example, the noise filter unit 2900 may be coupled to the left side (-Y direction) of the second housing 2100.

[0269] The above reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The described configurations of the first control box 1000 and the second control box 2000 are merely examples of configurations that a control box provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure may have, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0270] For example, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to one embodiment may also include a housing in which the outer housing, the inner housing, and the frame are integrally formed rather than separately formed. Alternatively, the frame may be integrally formed with a component of the housing (such as the inner housing).

[0271] As described above, the air conditioner 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be operated using heat exchange that occurs during evaporation / condensation of the refrigerant.

[0272] However, some types of refrigerants that can be used in the air conditioner 1 may include highly flammable substances. For example, R290 refrigerant, a refrigerant that can be used in the refrigeration cycle of various types of air conditioners (including the air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment), is a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant containing propane and is an eco-friendly refrigerant with very low ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP), but has relatively high flammability compared to other types of refrigerants.

[0273] Therefore, when a highly flammable refrigerant such as R290 refrigerant is used in the air conditioner 1 of the embodiment, there is a risk of fire if the refrigerant leaks from various components in the outdoor unit 10, such as the compressor 12, the outdoor heat exchanger 11, and the refrigerant pipes connecting them. In particular, if the leaked refrigerant is introduced into the control boxes 1000 and 2000, the possibility of fire occurring may increase when the refrigerant is exposed to various electronic components or wires within the control boxes 1000 and 2000.

[0274] As will be referenced below Figures 7 to 20 As described, the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include various components that are provided to prevent refrigerant from being introduced into the control boxes 1000 and 2000 when highly flammable refrigerant leaks from various components in the outdoor unit 10, and to prevent the spread of fire even when a fire occurs due to the refrigerant.

[0275] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 7 to 20 The components of the first control box 1000 of the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are described in detail. However, some components of the first control box 1000 (e.g., the housing 1100, the housing cover 1200, the gasket 1300, etc.) can also be applied to corresponding components in the second control box 2000, so for convenience, a detailed description of the second control box 2000 will be omitted.

[0276] Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the first control box 1000 may be referred to as "control box 1000". In addition, the first shell 1100 may be referred to as "shell 1100". In addition, the first shell opening 1100a may be referred to as "shell opening 1100a". In addition, the first accommodating space 1101 may be referred to as "accommodating space 1101". In addition, the first outer shell 1110 may be referred to as "outer shell 1110". In addition, the first inner shell 1120 may be referred to as "inner shell 1120". In addition, the first frame 1130 may be referred to as "frame 1130". In addition, the first gasket 1300 may be referred to as "gasket 1300". In addition, the third printed circuit board 400 may be referred to as "printed circuit board 400".

[0277] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0278] refer to Figure 7 In the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing cover 1200 may be detachably coupled to the housing 1100. As described above, the housing cover 1200 may cover the housing opening 1100a and at least a portion of the frame 1130 when coupled to the housing 1100.

[0279] In detail, the case cover 1200 may be coupled to the frame 1130. The case cover 1200 may be coupled to the case 1100 by being coupled to the frame 1130. The case cover 1200 may be separated from the case 1100 by being separated from the frame 1130.

[0280] For example, the frame 1130 may include a first cover coupling portion 1135a provided to fix the housing cover 1200. The first cover coupling portion 1135a may be provided to be coupled to an edge of the housing cover 1200. In detail, the first cover coupling portion 1135a may be formed to have a hook structure so as to be hook-coupled to the edge of the housing cover 1200.

[0281] As an example, Figure 7 As shown, the first cover coupling portion 1135a may be formed to extend from one surface of the frame 1130 (corresponding to the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130, which will be described later, see Figure 11 ) protrudes.

[0282] As an example, a plurality of first cover coupling portions 1135a may be provided. As an example, the first cover coupling portions 1135a may be provided to be coupled to the upper edge and the lower edge of the housing cover 1200, respectively (see FIG. Figure 8 ).

[0283] With this configuration, the housing cover 1200 can be securely coupled to the frame 1130 .

[0284] For example, the frame 1130 may include a second cover coupling portion 1135b provided to fix the housing cover 1200. The second cover coupling portion 1135b may be provided adjacent to one side of the edge of the housing cover 1200. The second cover coupling portion 1135b may be provided as a hook coupled to one side of the edge of the housing cover 1200.

[0285] Correspondingly, the housing cover 1200 may include a frame locked portion 1222 provided to be coupled to the second cover coupling portion 1135b. The frame locked portion 1222 may be formed on one side of the edge of the housing cover 1200. The frame locked portion 1222 may be provided to be hook-coupled with the second cover coupling portion 1135b.

[0286] As an example, Figure 7 As shown, the second cover coupling portion 1135b may be formed to extend from one surface of the frame 1130 (corresponding to the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130, which will be described later, see Figure 11 ) protrudes. The second cover coupling portion 1135b may form an insertion space. The insertion space may be formed between the second cover coupling portion 1135b and one surface of the frame 1130 to allow the frame locked portion 1222 to be inserted therein. When the frame locked portion 1222 is inserted into the insertion space formed by the second cover coupling portion 1135b, the frame locked portion 1222 may be hooked and coupled to the second cover coupling portion 1135b.

[0287] With this configuration, the housing cover 1200 can be securely coupled to the frame 1130 .

[0288] As an example, the outer shell 1110 may include a metal material. Specifically, as an example, the outer shell 1110 may be manufactured by a process of pressing a metal plate such as a steel plate.

[0289] As an example, the frame 1130 may include a resin material. Specifically, as an example, the frame 1130 may be manufactured using a resin injection molding process. When the frame 1130 is manufactured using the resin injection molding process, for the sake of manufacturing efficiency, it may be appropriate to provide a relatively complex structure, such as a structure for securely coupling the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130, on the frame 1130 rather than on the outer housing 1110.

[0290] In addition, since the structure formed by resin injection may have a certain elasticity, the ease of assembly between the case cover 1200 and the frame 1130 may be improved, and the case cover 1200 may also be more easily separated from the frame 1130 .

[0291] As such, it may be appropriate to form a first cover coupling portion 1135 a , a second cover coupling portion 1135 b , and the like for hook-coupling the housing cover 1200 to the frame 1130 .

[0292] As will be described later, as an example, the housing cover 1200 may include an outer cover 1210 and an inner cover 1220 (see Figure 14 ). The outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 may be coupled to each other. The outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 may be coupled to each other to form one housing cover 1200.

[0293] In this case, as an example, the outer cover 1210 may include a metal material. In detail, as an example, the outer cover 1210 may be manufactured by a process of pressing a metal plate such as a steel plate.

[0294] Furthermore, as an example, the inner cover 1220 may include a resin material. Specifically, as an example, the inner cover 1220 may be manufactured using a resin injection molding process. When the inner cover 1220 is manufactured using a resin injection molding process, for the sake of manufacturing efficiency, it may be appropriate to provide the inner cover 1220 with a relatively complex structure, such as a structure for securely coupling the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130.

[0295] In addition, since the structure formed by resin injection may have a certain elasticity, the ease of assembly between the case cover 1200 and the frame 1130 may be improved, and the case cover 1200 may also be more easily separated from the frame 1130 .

[0296] Therefore, as in the above-described case, it may be appropriate to form a frame locked portion 1222 for hook-coupling the case cover 1200 to the frame 1130 to the inner cover 1220 .

[0297] However, unlike the above case, the frame 1130 may not include a resin material. Even in this case, a structure for coupling the housing cover 1200 to the housing 1100, such as the first cover coupling portion 1135a and the second cover coupling portion 1135b, may be provided on the frame 1130. Alternatively, the housing cover 1200 may be provided so as to be coupled to the housing 1100 via a coupling structure provided on another component of the housing 1100 other than the frame 1130.

[0298] For example, the housing cover 1200 may include a housing fastening portion 1212 (see Figure 14 In detail, the housing fastening portion 1212 may be provided on the outer cover 1210 (see Figure 14 ), which will be described later. A screw hole through which a screw can pass may be formed on the housing fastening portion 1212 .

[0299] The housing 1100 may include a cover fastening portion 1110f (see Figure 16 ). In detail, a cover fastening portion 1110f may be provided on the outer housing 1110. A screw hole, through which a screw may pass, may be formed on the cover fastening portion 1110f.

[0300] The housing cover 1200 and the housing 1100 may be fastened by screws passing through the housing fastening portion 1212 and the outer housing 1110 .

[0301] As described above, the outer housing 1110 may include a metal material. Therefore, in the case where the cover fastening portion 1110 f is provided on the outer housing 1110 , the case cover 1200 may be firmly fastened to the case 1100 due to the high rigidity of the outer housing 1110 .

[0302] Likewise, as described above, the outer cover 1210 may include a metal material. Therefore, in the case where the case fastening portion 1212 is provided on the outer cover 1210 , the case cover 1200 may be firmly fastened to the case 1100 due to the high rigidity of the outer cover 1210 .

[0303] However, unlike the above case, the outer housing 1110 or the outer cover 1210 may not include a metal material. Even in this case, structures for screwing the housing cover 1200 to the housing 1100, such as the cover fastening portion 1110f and the housing fastening portion 1212, are provided on the outer housing 1110 and the outer cover 1210, respectively. In addition, the housing cover 1200 may be provided so as to be screwed to the housing 1100 by screw fastening structures of various configurations provided to the housing 1100.

[0304] With this configuration, the housing cover 1200 can be more securely fixed to the housing 1100, and the interior of the housing 1100 can be more effectively sealed by the housing cover 1200. Therefore, foreign matter or refrigerant leaked from the outside of the housing 1100 can be prevented from being introduced into the interior of the housing 1100, and in particular, a fire caused by the leaked refrigerant can be effectively prevented.

[0305] Reference above Figure 7 The described configuration for detachably coupling the housing cover 1200 to the housing 1100 is merely an example of a coupling structure applicable to a control box included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0306] Figure 8 is an exploded view of a partial configuration of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0307] refer to Figure 8 , the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a gasket 1300 .

[0308] Even when housing cover 1200 is securely coupled to housing 1100 as described above, a gap may form between housing cover 1200 and frame 1130 covered by housing cover 1200. In particular, when housing cover 1200 is provided to be detachable from housing 1100, there is a possibility that a large gap may form between housing cover 1200 and frame 1130 due to a design for ease of assembly / detachment. Therefore, when refrigerant is introduced into the gap formed between housing cover 1200 and frame 1130, the refrigerant may sequentially pass through the gap and housing opening 1100a and be introduced into the interior of housing 1100.

[0309] To address this situation, a gasket 1300 may be provided to seal a gap between the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130 when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100. The gasket 1300 may be disposed between the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130 when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100. The gasket 1300 may be provided to contact the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130, respectively, when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100.

[0310] The gasket 1300 may include an elastically deformable material. For example, the gasket 1300 may include various elastic materials such as rubber.

[0311] Thus, since the gasket 1300 is provided to be elastically deformable, when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100, the gasket 1300 can be compressed between the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130. Therefore, not only can the housing cover 1200 be easily coupled to the housing 1100 without significant resistance, but also after the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100, the gap between the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130 can be effectively sealed.

[0312] As an example, the gasket 1300 may be provided along the edge of the housing opening 1100a. The gasket 1300 may be formed to have a shape substantially corresponding to the housing opening 1100a. However, even when the shapes of the gasket 1300 and the housing opening 1100a substantially correspond to each other, the size of the gasket 1300 may be provided to be larger than the size of the edge of the housing opening 1100a.

[0313] As an example, a gasket 1300 may be provided on the housing cover 1200. Specifically, the gasket 1300 may be provided on the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200. Herein, the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 refers to a surface of the housing cover 1200 that faces the interior of the housing 1100 (in other words, faces the direction of the accommodating space 1101) when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100. This surface covers at least a portion of the housing opening 1100a and a surface of the frame 1130 (corresponding to a first surface 1131 of the frame 1130, which will be described later). As an example, when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100, the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 may face rearward (in the -X direction) and may cover at least a portion of the housing opening 1100a and the first surface 1131, which is the front surface of the housing 1100 that faces forward (in the +X direction).

[0314] As an example, the gasket 1300 may be provided along the circumferential direction of the housing cover 1200. In detail, the gasket 1300 may be provided at a position adjacent to the edge of the housing cover 1200 along the circumferential direction of the housing cover 1200.

[0315] As an example, the gasket 1300 may be coupled to the housing cover 1200. In detail, the gasket 1300 may be coupled to the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200.

[0316] As an example, the gasket 1300 is formed to be elastically deformable so as to be coupled and fixed to the housing cover 1200 in a forced fitting manner.

[0317] The position of the gasket 1300 is not limited to the above-described positioning, and for example, the gasket 1300 may be provided on the frame 1130. Alternatively, a portion of the gasket 1300 may be provided on the housing cover 1200, and another portion may be provided on the frame 1130.

[0318] However, for ease of explanation, the following description will be based on the case where the gasket 1300 is referenced Figures 9 to 13 An embodiment is provided on the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 .

[0319] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second cover included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second gasket included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of a second case included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 12is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a second cover is separated from a second case in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that a second cover is coupled to a second case in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0320] refer to Figures 9 to 13 , the frame 1130 included in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first surface 1131 and a second surface 1132 .

[0321] In detail, the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 may be disposed to face the rear surface 1201 of the case cover 1200. When the case cover 1200 is coupled to the case 1100, the rear surface 1201 of the case cover 1200 may cover at least a portion of the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130.

[0322] The first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 may be defined as one surface of the frame 1130 facing the outside of the housing 1100 .

[0323] In the case where the housing opening 1100 a is defined as being provided in “one direction” relative to the accommodation space 1101 inside the housing 1100 , the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 may be defined as one surface of the frame 1130 directed in “one direction”.

[0324] As an example, the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 may be one surface of the frame 1130 facing forward (+X direction).

[0325] The rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 may include a cover portion 1201a. The cover portion 1201a may be defined as a portion of the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 that covers the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130. Therefore, the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 may be disposed to face the cover portion 1201a.

[0326] As an example, the cover portion 1201 a may be a portion of the rear surface 1201 of the case cover 1200 that is positioned more outward in the edge direction of the case cover 1200 than another portion on the rear surface 1201 of the case cover 1200 .

[0327] The second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 may be arranged to point in a direction different from the first surface 1131. As an example, the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 may extend from the first surface 1131 toward the interior of the housing 1100. As an example, the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 may extend from the first surface 1131 in a direction away from the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200. As an example, the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 may be arranged to point toward the inner edge of the housing opening 1100a.

[0328] The first surface 1131 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 may be connected to each other.

[0329] In the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gasket 1300 may include a first sealing portion 1310 and a second sealing portion 1320 .

[0330] The first sealing portion 1310 may be provided to contact the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130, respectively. The first sealing portion 1310 may be provided to seal the gap between the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130. The first sealing portion 1310 may be disposed between the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130. That is, the first sealing portion 1310 may be provided to contact the cover portion 1201a of the housing cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130, respectively, so as to seal the gap between the cover portion 1201a and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130.

[0331] In detail, when the housing cover 1200 is separated from the housing 1100 (see Figure 12 ), the first sealing portion 1310 may be in contact with only the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200, and when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100 (see Figure 13 ), the first sealing portion 1310 can be in contact with the housing cover 1200 and the rear surface 1201 respectively.

[0332] The second sealing portion 1320 may be provided to contact the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130. When the first and second sealing portions 1310 and 1320 are provided to contact the first and second surfaces 1131 and 1132 of the frame 1130, respectively, the interior of the housing 1100 may be more effectively sealed.

[0333] In detail, as the first surface 1131 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 are connected to each other, the first sealing portion 1310 and the second sealing portion 1320 may be respectively in contact with both surfaces of the frame 1130 in a state of being connected to each other. Therefore, the first sealing portion 1310 and the second sealing portion 1320 may be provided to continuously block the inflow of the refrigerant through the first surface 1131 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130.

[0334] When the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100, Figure 13 As shown, the refrigerant gas (RG) may be introduced into the gap between the housing cover 1200 and the rear surface of the frame 1130 from the outer edge direction of the housing cover 1200 .

[0335] The first sealing portion 1310 may primarily prevent the inflow of refrigerant gas (RG) by contacting the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 , respectively, and the second sealing portion 1320 may secondarily prevent the inflow of refrigerant gas (RG) by contacting the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 .

[0336] The housing cover 1200 may include a cover rib 1202. The cover rib 1202 may extend from the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 toward the interior of the housing 1100. In other words, the cover rib 1202 may extend from the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 toward the accommodating space 1101. As an example, the cover rib 1202 may extend from the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface 1201. As an example, the cover rib 1202 may extend from the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 toward the rear (-X direction).

[0337] The cover rib 1202 may be disposed to face the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130. In this case, the cover rib 1202 may be spaced apart from the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 by a predetermined distance, and thus a gap may be formed therebetween.

[0338] The second sealing portion 1320 may be provided to contact the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 and the cover rib 1202, respectively, when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100. The second sealing portion 1320 may be disposed between the cover rib 1202 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130. The second sealing portion 1320 may be provided to seal the gap between the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 and the cover rib 1202.

[0339] When the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100, the second sealing portion 1320 may be pressed by the cover rib 1202 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130. Therefore, the second sealing portion 1320 may more effectively block the inflow of the refrigerant.

[0340] A specific structure that the first sealing portion 1310 may have will be described below as an example.

[0341] The first sealing portion 1310 may include a first base portion 1311 and a first convex portion 1312 .

[0342] The first base 1311 may be coupled to the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200. More specifically, the first base 1311 may be coupled to the cover portion 1201a.

[0343] The first protrusion 1312 may protrude from the first base 1311 toward the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130. Figure 12 As shown, the first protrusion 1312 may protrude from the first base 1311 by a first length l1.

[0344] The first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 may include a base contact portion 1131a that contacts the first base 1311 when the case cover 1200 is coupled to the case 1100. As an example, the base contact portion 1131a may be provided to substantially correspond to the cover portion 1201a.

[0345] In this case, the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 may include a recess 1131b recessed from the base contact portion 1131a in a direction away from the first base 1311. The recess 1131b may be provided at a position corresponding to the first protrusion 1312. The recess 1131b may be provided so that the first protrusion 1312 is inserted therein when the case cover 1200 is coupled to the case 1100.

[0346] The first protrusion 1312 can be provided to be inserted into the recess 1131b so as to be pressed against one surface of the recess 1131b. Herein, one surface of the recess 1131b can refer to one surface of the recess 1131b facing the first protrusion 1312, and can also refer to one surface of the recess 1131b that is most recessed from the base contact portion 1131a.

[0347] The first convex portion 1312 may be provided to be elastically deformable. Therefore, the first convex portion 1312 may be provided to be elastically deformed in a pressed direction when pressed by one surface of the concave portion 1131b.

[0348] As an example, Figure 12 and Figure 13As shown, the concave portion 1131b can be formed to be recessed from the base contact portion 1131a by a second length l2 shorter than the first length l1. Therefore, when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100, the first convex portion 1312 can be elastically deformed and compressed, and finally deformed to protrude from the base 1311 by the second length l2.

[0349] In this way, when the first sealing portion 1310 includes a first protrusion 1312 provided to be inserted into a recess 1131b formed on the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 and elastically deformed, the first sealing portion 1310 can more effectively seal the gap between the rear surface 1201 of the shell cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130.

[0350] As an example, the first length l1 of the first protrusion 1312 protruding from the first base 1311 can be approximately 1.5 mm, and the second length l2 of the recess 1131b recessed from the base contact portion 1131a can be approximately 1.2 mm. In other words, the first protrusion 1312 can be deformed to be compressed by approximately 0.3 mm. However, the protruding and deformed lengths of the first protrusion 1312 and the recessed length of the recess 1131b are not limited thereto.

[0351] As an example, the first protrusion 1312 may be formed along the circumference of the housing cover 1200. Correspondingly, the recess 1131b may be formed along the circumference of the housing opening 1100a.

[0352] As an example, the first convex portion 1312 may be formed to protrude from a portion of the first base portion 1311 between one end toward the outside of the edge of the first base portion 1311 and the other end toward the inside of the edge of the first base portion 1311 .

[0353] As an example, the first convex portion 1312 may be formed such that a portion of a cross section cut in a direction in which the first convex portion 1312 protrudes from the first base portion 1311 has a substantially semicircular shape, but the shape thereof is not limited thereto.

[0354] As an example, the first base portion 1311 may be formed to have a substantially flat plate shape, but the shape thereof is not limited thereto.

[0355] As an example, the base contact portion 1131 a may include an outer base contact portion 1131 aa and an inner base contact portion 1131 ab .

[0356] The outer base contact portion 1131aa may be located outside the recess 1131b in the edge direction of the housing opening 1100a, and the inner base contact portion 1131ab may be located inside the recess 1131b in the edge direction of the housing opening 1100a.

[0357] The outer base contact portion 1131aa may be provided to contact the base 1311. Therefore, the base 1311 may seal a gap between the rear surface 1201 of the case cover 1200 and the outer base contact portion 1131aa on the outer side farther than the first convex portion 1312 in the edge direction.

[0358] The inner base contact portion 1131ab may be provided to contact the base 1311. Therefore, the base 1311 may seal a gap between the rear surface 1201 of the case cover 1200 and the inner base contact portion 1131ab on the inner side further than the first convex portion 1312 in the edge direction.

[0359] With this configuration, the first base portion 1311 can more effectively seal the gap between the rear surface 1201 of the housing cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130 .

[0360] With this configuration, the first sealing portion 1310 may more effectively seal the gap between the housing cover 1200 and the first surface 1131 of the frame 1130. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first sealing portion 1310 may have various structures.

[0361] An example of a specific structure that the second sealing portion 1320 may have will be described below.

[0362] The second sealing portion 1320 may include a second base portion 1321 and a second convex portion 1322 .

[0363] The second base 1321 may be supported on the cover rib 1202. The second base 1321 may be supported on the cover rib 1202 to be disposed between the cover rib 1202 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130.

[0364] The second protrusion 1322 may protrude from the second base 1321 toward the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 .

[0365] The second protrusion 1322 may be provided to be pressed by the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 when the case cover 1200 is coupled to the case 1100. The second protrusion 1322 may be elastically deformed and compressed when pressed by the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130.

[0366] As an example, a plurality of second protrusions 1322 may be provided. The plurality of second protrusions 1322 may be provided to be spaced apart from each other.

[0367] As an example, the second base portion 1321 may be provided to be spaced apart from the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130. The length of the second protrusion 1322 protruding from the second base portion 1321 when the case cover 1200 is separated from the case 1100 may be provided to be longer than the separation distance between the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 and the second base portion 1321 when the case cover 1200 is coupled to the case 1100.

[0368] With this configuration, when the shell cover 1200 is connected to the shell 1100, the resistance caused by the friction between the second sealing portion 1320 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 can be reduced, and the gap between the cover rib 1202 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 can be sealed using the second protrusion 1322.

[0369] As an example, when the housing cover 1200 is coupled to the housing 1100, the spacing distance between the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130 and the second base 1321 may be provided to be approximately 0.4 mm, and the compressed length of the second protrusion 1322 may be provided to be approximately 0.5 mm. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0370] The second base 1321 may be coupled to the housing cover 1200. As an example, the second base 1321 may be fitted into the housing cover 1200.

[0371] As an example, the housing cover 1200 may include a fixing rib 1203 extending from the cover rib 1202 toward the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130. The second sealing portion 1320 may include a fixing groove 1321c provided so that the fixing rib 1203 is inserted therein. When the fixing rib 1203 is inserted into the fixing groove 1321c, the second sealing portion 1320 and the housing cover 1200 may be coupled.

[0372] More specifically, the second base portion 1321 of the second sealing portion 1320 may include a first fitting portion 1321 a and a second fitting portion 1321 b , each of which may be seated on the cover rib 1202 .

[0373] The fixing groove 1321c may be concavely formed between the first fitting portion 1321a and the second fitting portion 1321b. The first fitting portion 1321a and the second fitting portion 1321b may each be provided to be elastically deformable and elastically biased in a direction narrowing the fixing groove 1321c (i.e., in a direction approaching each other).

[0374] In this case, when the fixing rib 1203 is inserted into the fixing groove 1321 c , the first fitting portion 1321 a and the second fitting portion 1321 b may firmly fix the fixing rib 1203 .

[0375] With this configuration, the second sealing portion 1320 may more effectively seal the gap between the housing cover 1200 and the second surface 1132 of the frame 1130. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second sealing portion 1320 may have various structures.

[0376] As reference Figures 9 to 12 As described above, the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a gasket 1300 to effectively seal the gap between the housing cover 1200 and the frame 1130, and more effectively seal the interior of the housing 1100. Therefore, foreign matter or refrigerant leaked from the outside of the housing 1100 can be prevented from being introduced into the interior of the housing 1100, and in particular, a fire caused by the leaked refrigerant can be effectively prevented.

[0377] As an example, the gasket 1300 may be provided to seal a gap between the inner cover 1220 and the frame 1130 , which will be described later. As an example, the rear surface 1201 of the case cover 1200 may refer to a rear surface of the inner cover 1220 .

[0378] Therefore, the above-mentioned structures such as the cover rib 1202 and the fixing rib 1203 can be provided on the inner cover 1220.

[0379] According to one embodiment, in the case where the inner cover 1220 includes a resin material and is manufactured through a resin injection molding process, when structures such as the cover rib 1202 and the fixing rib 1203 are formed on the inner cover 1220, the efficiency of the manufacturing process can be further improved.

[0380] Figure 14 is an exploded view of a second cover included in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0381] refer to Figure 14 , the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an outer cover 1210 and an inner cover 1220. The outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 may be coupled to each other to form one housing cover 1200.

[0382] The outer cover 1210 may be located in a direction toward the outside of the control box 1000. The inner cover 1220 may be located in a direction toward the inside of the housing 1100. The inner cover 1220 may cover the housing opening 1100a between the outer cover 1210 and the housing 1100.

[0383] As an example, the outer cover 1210 may be provided at the front (+X direction) of the inner cover 1220 .

[0384] The outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 may include different materials.

[0385] As an example, the outer cover 1210 may include a metal material. In detail, as an example, the outer cover 1210 may be manufactured by a process of pressing a metal plate such as a steel plate.

[0386] As an example, the inner cover 1220 may include a resin material. In detail, as an example, the inner cover 1220 may be manufactured by a resin injection molding process.

[0387] For example, in the event that a fire occurs due to refrigerant leaking from the interior of the outdoor unit 10, it is important to prevent the fire from spreading. In the event that a fire occurs outside the control box 1000 and spreads to the inside of the control box 1000, the fire may become larger.

[0388] According to one embodiment, since the outer cover 1210 forming the outer surface of the control box 1000 includes a metal material, fire may be effectively prevented from spreading to the inside of the control box 1000 .

[0389] However, due to processing difficulties, it may be difficult for the outer cover 1210 formed by processing a metal material to provide a structure for firmly coupling the housing cover 1200 to the housing 1100. In this case, since the housing cover 1200 is not fixed to the housing 1100, a gap may be formed between the housing cover 1200 and the housing 1100, and the possibility of refrigerant leaking through the gap being introduced into the interior of the housing 1100 may increase.

[0390] According to one embodiment, the inner cover 1220 can be manufactured by a resin injection molding process, and therefore, for efficiency in the manufacturing process, it may be appropriate to provide a relatively complex structure on the inner cover 1220, such as a structure for securely connecting the shell cover 1200 and the frame 1130.

[0391] In addition, since the structure formed by resin injection may have a certain elasticity, the ease of assembly between the case cover 1200 and the frame 1130 may be improved, and the case cover 1200 may also be more easily separated from the frame 1130 .

[0392] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the case cover 1200 includes the outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 , not only can the spread of fire be prevented when a fire occurs in a product, but the case cover 1200 can also be securely coupled to the case 1100 .

[0393] As an example, the outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 may be hook-coupled to each other. Figure 14 As shown, the outer cover 1210 may include a cover hole 1211 formed therethrough, and the inner cover 1220 may include a cover protrusion 1221 provided to pass through the cover hole 1211 to be hook-coupled to the cover hole 1211. The cover protrusion 1221 may be formed to protrude from one surface of the inner cover 1220 facing the outer cover 1210.

[0394] As described above, since the inner cover 1220 may be manufactured through a resin injection molding process, it may be appropriate to provide a structure such as the cover protrusion 1221 on the inner cover 1220 for efficiency in the manufacturing process.

[0395] As an example, the outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 may be fastened by rivets passing through the rivet fixing portion 1213 of the outer cover 1210 and the rivet fixing portion 1223 of the inner cover 1220 , thereby being more firmly fixed to each other.

[0396] The outer cover 1210 may include a protruding portion 1210a formed on one surface in contact with the inner cover 1220 so as to protrude toward the inner cover 1220. Correspondingly, the inner cover 1220 may include an outer cover seating surface 1220a formed concavely in a direction away from the outer cover 1210 on one surface in contact with the outer cover 1210 so that the protruding portion 1210a is seated thereon.

[0397] Therefore, the ease of assembling the outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 can be improved, and the manufacturing efficiency of the case cover 1200 can be improved.

[0398] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the outer cover 1210 and the inner cover 1220 may be coupled to each other through various structures.

[0399] Figure 15 is a cutaway perspective view of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with a housing cover removed. Figure 16 is an exploded view of a second housing included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 17 is a front view of a partial configuration of a second control box in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0400] refer to Figures 15 to 17The outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an outer shell 1110 and an inner shell 1120. The outer shell 1110 and the inner shell 1120 may be coupled to each other to form one shell 1100. The inner shell 1120 may be provided inside the outer shell 1110. The outer shell 1110 may be formed to surround the outside of the inner shell 1120.

[0401] The outer case 1110 and the inner case 1120 may include different materials.

[0402] As an example, the outer housing 1110 may include a metal material. In detail, as an example, the outer housing 1110 may be manufactured by a process of pressing a metal plate such as a steel plate.

[0403] As an example, the inner case 1120 may include a resin material. In detail, as an example, the inner case 1120 may be manufactured by a resin injection molding process.

[0404] According to one embodiment, since the outer case 1110 forming the outer surface of the control box 1000 includes a metal material, fire may be effectively prevented from spreading to the inside of the control box 1000 .

[0405] However, due to processing difficulties, the outer housing 1110 formed by processing a metal material may have difficulty in providing a structure for firmly coupling the housing cover 1200 to the housing 1100 , a structure for firmly fixing the frame 1130 , and a structure for stably mounting the printed circuit board 400 .

[0406] According to one embodiment, the inner housing 1120 can be manufactured by a resin injection molding process, and therefore, for efficiency in the manufacturing process, it may be appropriate to provide relatively complex structures to be processed in the inner cover 1220, such as a structure for mounting the printed circuit board 400 to the housing 1100 and a structure for fixing the frame 1130.

[0407] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the housing 1100 includes the outer housing 1110 and the inner housing 1120 , not only can the fire be prevented from spreading when a fire occurs in the product, but also the ease of assembling the housing 1100 and its surrounding components can be improved.

[0408] Will refer to it later Figure 18 and Figure 19 etc. describe the additional effects that the inner shell 1120 can provide.

[0409] As an example, the outer housing 1110 and the inner housing 1120 may be coupled to each other by being fastened by a screw S. As an example, the outer housing 1110 and the inner housing 1120 may be fastened by a screw S passing through one surface of the outer housing 1110 and one surface of the inner housing 1120, which respectively face the housing opening 1100a.

[0410] When based on Figures 15 to 17 When illustrated, the outer housing 1110 and the inner housing 1120 may be fastened by screws S passing through rear surfaces thereof.

[0411] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the outer case 1110 and the inner case 1120 may be coupled by various structures.

[0412] As an example, the frame 1130 may be coupled to the inner case 1120. In detail, the frame 1130 may be provided as a hook coupled to the inner case 1120.

[0413] As an example, the inner housing 1120 may include a frame coupling portion 1124 provided so that the frame 1130 is coupled thereto. Accordingly, the inner housing 1120 may include an inner housing coupling portion 1134 provided so as to be coupled to the frame coupling portion 1124. As an example, the frame coupling portion 1124 may be formed in a shape having a protrusion protruding from the inner wall of the inner housing 1120, and a hole provided to allow the frame coupling portion 1124 to be inserted therein may be formed in the inner housing coupling portion 1134. Thus, the frame coupling portion 1124 and the inner housing coupling portion 1134 may be hook-coupled to each other.

[0414] With this configuration, not only can the frame 1130 be stably fixed to the inner shell 1120, but the frame 1130 and the inner shell 1120 can be connected to each other without separate components such as screws, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency, and the frame 1130 can be easily separated from the inner shell 1120 as needed.

[0415] The frame 1130 may further include support ribs 1133 provided to support the inner housing 1120. The support ribs 1133 may support one side of the inner housing 1120 in the direction of the housing opening 1100a. As an example, the support ribs 1133 may be formed to extend from one surface of the rear (-X direction) of the frame 1130 toward the rear (-X direction). As an example, the support ribs 1133 may be provided along the circumference of the frame 1130.

[0416] With this configuration, the frame 1130 can be more stably supported on the inner case 1120. When the frame 1130 is not stably fixed, a gap may be formed between the frame 1130 and the case cover 1200, and eventually refrigerant may be introduced into the case 1100 through the case opening 1100a.

[0417] However, as described above, due to the nature of the inner case 1120 manufactured by the resin injection process, various structures in which the frame 1130 can be fixed to the inner case 1120 can be efficiently manufactured. Therefore, the frame 1130 can be stably supported on the inner case 1120 to maintain a fixed position, and ultimately, the refrigerant can be prevented from being introduced into the case 1100 through the case opening 1100a.

[0418] Additional features of the housing 1100 in one embodiment will now be described.

[0419] As an example, the housing 1100 may include a board mounting portion 1123 provided so that the printed circuit board 400 is mounted thereon. The board mounting portion 1123 may be formed to protrude from an inner surface of the housing 1100 (e.g., a surface on the rear side (-X direction) opposite to the housing opening 1100a) to support the board mounting portion 1123.

[0420] As an example, the heat sink 1900 may pass through one side of the housing 1100 and be connected to the printed circuit board 400. As an example, a heat sink mounting hole 1112 provided to allow the heat sink 1900 to pass through may be formed on one surface of the outer housing 1110. On one surface of the inner housing 1120 corresponding to the one surface of the outer housing 1110 on which the heat sink mounting hole 1112 is formed, a heat sink connection hole 1122h may be formed to allow the heat sink 1900 to be connected to the printed circuit board 400. The heat sink 1900 may be connected to the printed circuit board 400 by sequentially passing through the heat sink mounting hole 1112 and the heat sink connection hole 1122h.

[0421] In this case, as an example, a radiator support portion 1122 that supports the radiator 1900 may be provided on one surface of the inner case 1120 through which the radiator 1900 passes. The radiator support portion 1122 may extend to pass through the radiator mounting hole 1112 of the outer case 1110. The radiator support portion 1122 may be provided along the edge of the radiator mounting hole 1112 to firmly support the radiator 1900. In detail, the radiator support portion 1122 may be continuously formed along the edge of the radiator mounting hole 1112 to more firmly support the radiator 1900.

[0422] Due to the difference in manufacturing processes between the outer housing 1110 and the inner housing 1120 , it may be more efficient for the various structures provided on the inner housing 1120 described above to be manufactured so as to be provided on the inner housing 1120 .

[0423] Figure 18 A second outer casing included in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0424] refer to Figure 18 The outer shell 1110 included in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first outer shell surface 1110a facing the shell opening 1110a, a second outer shell surface 1110b arranged between the first outer shell surface 1110a and the shell opening 1110a, and a third outer shell surface 1110c that is orthogonal to and in contact with the second outer shell surface 1110b and is arranged between the first outer shell surface 1110a and the shell opening 1100a.

[0425] In this case, one vertex 1110V formed between the first, second, and third outer shell surfaces 1110 a, 1110 b, and 1110 c among the vertices of the outer shell 1110 may be defined.

[0426] In other words, when defining a first shell edge 1110e1 where the first shell surface 1110a and the second shell surface 1110b intersect, a second shell edge 1110e2 where the second shell surface 1110b and the third shell surface 1110c intersect, and a third shell edge 1110e3 where the third shell surface 1110c and the first shell surface 1110a intersect, a vertex 1110V provided adjacent to a point where extension lines of the first shell edge 1110e1, the second shell edge 1110e2, and the third shell edge 1110e3 intersect can be defined.

[0427] In this case, at the vertex 1110V of the outer shell 1110, as shown in FIG. Figure 18 As shown, a gap may be formed to connect the inside and outside of the outer shell 1110. In other words, at the vertex 1110V of the outer shell 1110, a hole may be formed to communicate the inside and outside of the outer shell 1110.

[0428] As described above, this structure may be particularly effective when the outer shell 1110 is manufactured by processing a metal material for purposes such as preventing the spread of fire. In the case of manufacturing the outer shell 1110 in a box shape by bending a flat metal plate, manufacturing without forming a gap at the vertex 1110V may be very difficult due to the nature of the manufacturing process.

[0429] Because the outer housing 1110 is disposed in the machinery room R2 , the vertex 1110V of the outer housing 1110 may be exposed to the machinery room R2 . That is, a gap formed at the vertex 1110V of the outer housing 1110 may connect the machinery room R2 and the interior of the outer housing 1110 .

[0430] When using the Figure 20 While the vertex 1110V of the outer shell 1110 in the illustrated region A is described as an example, in the event that flammable refrigerant leaks from any component of the outdoor unit 10 provided in the machine room R2, as shown in FIG. Figure 18 and Figure 20 As shown, the refrigerant may be easily introduced into the outer housing 1110 through a gap formed at the vertex 1110V of the outer housing 1110 facing the machine room R2.

[0431] As such, when the refrigerant introduced into the outer case 1110 is directly introduced into the inner case 1120 , as described above, a fire may occur due to exposure of the refrigerant to electronic components or circuits.

[0432] Figure 19 The interior of a second housing included in the outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0433] refer to Figure 19 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner shell 1120 included in the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 may include a first inner shell surface 1120a facing the shell opening 1110a, a second inner shell surface 1120b arranged between the first inner shell surface 1120a and the shell opening 1110a, and a third inner shell surface 1120c that is orthogonal to and in contact with the second inner shell surface 1120b and is arranged between the first inner shell surface 1120a and the shell opening 1100a.

[0434] In this case, the first inner housing surface 1120a may correspond to the first outer housing surface 1110a, the second inner housing surface 1120b may correspond to the second outer housing surface 1110b, and the third inner housing surface 1120c may correspond to the third outer housing surface 1110c.

[0435] In this context, the meaning that “the outer housing surface and the inner housing surface correspond to each other” means that the corresponding outer housing surface and inner housing surface are parallel to each other and are provided on the same side of the housing.

[0436] In this case, one vertex 1120V formed between the first inner case surface 1120 a , the second inner case surface 1120 b , and the third inner case surface 1120 c among the vertices of the inner case 1120 may be defined.

[0437] In other words, when defining a first inner shell edge 1120e1 where the first inner shell surface 1120a and the second inner shell surface 1120b intersect, a second inner shell edge 1120e2 where the second inner shell surface 1120b and the third inner shell surface 1120c intersect, and a third inner shell edge 1120e3 where the third inner shell surface 1120c and the first inner shell surface 1120a intersect, a vertex 1120V provided adjacent to a point where extension lines of the first inner shell edge 1120e1, the second inner shell edge 1120e2 and the third inner shell edge 1120e3 intersect can be defined.

[0438] In this case, at the vertex 1120V of the inner shell 1120, as shown in FIG. Figure 19 As shown, the blocking portion 1120V may be formed to block the inside and outside of the inner case 1120. That is, the vertex 1120V where the first, second, and third inner case surfaces 1120a, 1120b, and 1120c meet each other may be completely blocked.

[0439] As an example, as described above, the inner case 1120 may include a resin material. Specifically, the inner case 1120 may be formed by a resin injection molding process, so that the inner case 1120 may be manufactured relatively easily, such that the blocking portion 1120V is formed at the vertex as described above.

[0440] The blocking portion 1120V of the inner case 1120 as described above may be provided to block a formed gap at the vertex 1110V of the outer case 1110 and the accommodation space 1101 formed inside the inner case 1120 .

[0441] With this configuration, the interior of the inner shell 1120 is separated from the outer shell 1110, making it possible to more effectively seal the interior of the inner shell 1120. Therefore, even when refrigerant leaked from the machine room R2 is introduced into the outer shell 1110, the refrigerant can be prevented from being introduced into the inner shell 1120, and further, the occurrence of a fire caused by the leaked refrigerant can be effectively prevented.

[0442] The first inner housing surface 1120a of the inner housing 1120 may be coupled to contact the first outer housing surface 1110a of the outer housing 1110. As an example, the first inner housing surface 1120a and the first outer housing surface 1110a may be fastened to each other by screws S to contact each other. When described based on the drawings, the outer housing 1110 and the inner housing 1120 may be fastened by screws S passing through the rear surfaces thereof, and the rear surfaces may contact each other.

[0443] As described above, according to one example, the outer shell 1110 and the inner shell 1120 may each be formed so that the rear surface thereof is penetrated by the radiator 1900. Therefore, the rear surface of the outer shell 1110 and the rear surface of the inner shell 1120 are configured to contact each other, so that the refrigerant introduced into the outer shell 1110 through the gap formed at the vertex 1110V of the outer shell 1110 can be prevented from being introduced into the inner shell 1120 through the gap formed on the rear surface of the inner shell 1120 (that is, the gap formed in the portion penetrated by the radiator 1900).

[0444] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the outer case 1110 and the inner case 1120 may be provided such that respective surfaces thereof contact each other.

[0445] The structures of the apex 1110V of the outer shell 1110 and the apex 1120V of the inner shell 1120 as described above can be applied to form Figure 17 Vertices 1100V1 , 1100V2 , 1100V3 , and 1100V4 at the rear (−X direction) portion of the housing 1100 are shown.

[0446] Figure 20 is a view showing that an outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is cut away and viewed from the rear.

[0447] refer to Figure 20 , the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a pipe 17 connected to the inside of the control box 1000. The pipe 17 may communicate the control box 1000 and the heat exchange chamber R1.

[0448] like Figure 20 As shown, the conduit 17 may include a first conduit flow path 17P1 and a second conduit flow path 17P2 .

[0449] For example, the duct 17 may be provided to dissipate heat inside the control box 1000 through a first duct flow path 17P1 and a second duct flow path 17P2 .

[0450] The outer housing 1110 may include a first pipe connection hole 1111 connected to the pipe 17. The inner housing 1120 may include a second pipe connection hole 1121 formed at a position corresponding to the first pipe connection hole 1111 (see Figure 17 ).

[0451] In this case, the inner space of the inner case 1120 may be connected to the first pipe flow path 17P1 of the pipe 17 through the first and second pipe connection holes 1111 and 1121 .

[0452] Furthermore, the duct 17 may be coupled to one side (eg, rear (-X direction)) of the radiator 1900 , and the radiator 1900 may be connected to the second duct flow path 17P2 .

[0453] In this configuration, when the outdoor fan 13 in the heat exchange chamber R1 is driven, airflow from the first duct flow path 17P1 and the second duct flow path 17P2 toward the heat exchange chamber R1 may be formed due to a pressure difference generated by the outdoor fan 13 .

[0454] Through this principle, the heat inside the housing 1100 can be dissipated to the outside.

[0455] On the other hand, despite the reference Figures 7 to 19 The structure of the control box 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described, but refrigerant leaked from the machine room R2 may be introduced into the housing 1100 due to various reasons.

[0456] Even in this case, the interior of the housing 1100 may be connected to the pipe 17, and the refrigerant introduced into the housing 1100 when the outdoor fan 13 is driven may flow through the pipe 17 (through the first pipe flow path 17P1, based on Figure 20 ) passes through the heat exchange chamber R1 and the discharge hole 111 and is then discharged to the outside of the outdoor unit 10.

[0457] With this configuration, although the refrigerant leaks, the risk of fire occurring due to exposure of components within the control box 1000 to the refrigerant can be prevented.

[0458] Although not described above, the pipe 17 may also be connected to the second control box 2000 and may also provide the same functions as described above to the second control box 2000 .

[0459] In addition, the structures of the above-described control boxes 1000 and 2000 may be applied to control boxes provided in various types of equipment other than the outdoor unit 10 of the air conditioner 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0460] An outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a housing 1100 configured to accommodate a printed circuit board 400 therein and including a housing opening 1100a formed on one side of the housing and a frame 1130 provided along an edge of the housing opening; a housing cover 1200 configured to cover at least a portion of the housing opening and the frame and having a rear surface 1201 facing the interior of the housing; and a gasket 1300 configured to seal a gap between the housing cover and the frame. The frame 1130 may include a first surface 1131 positioned to face the rear surface of the housing cover, and a second surface 1132 extending from the first surface toward the interior of the housing. The gasket 1300 may include a first sealing portion 1310 configured to contact the rear surface of the housing cover and the first surface of the frame, and a second sealing portion 1320 configured to contact the second surface of the frame.

[0461] The first sealing portion 1310 may include a base 1311 coupled to the rear surface of the housing cover, and a protrusion 1312 protruding from the base toward the first surface of the frame. The first surface 1131 of the frame may include a base contact portion 1131a in contact with the base, and a recess 1131b configured to be recessed from the base contact portion in a direction away from the base to allow the protrusion to be inserted therein.

[0462] The convex portion 1312 may be configured to be pressed against one surface of the concave portion by being inserted into the concave portion, and to be elastically deformed in a direction in which it is pressed by the one surface of the concave portion.

[0463] The base contact portion 1131a may include an outer base contact portion 1131aa located outside the recess in the direction of the edge of the housing opening and an inner base contact portion 1131ab located inside the recess in the direction of the edge of the housing opening. The outer base contact portion and the inner base contact portion may each be configured to contact the base.

[0464] The convex portion 1312 may be formed along the circumference of the housing cover 1200. The concave portion 1131b may be formed along the circumference of the housing opening 1100a.

[0465] The housing cover 1200 may include a cover rib 1202 extending from a rear surface of the housing cover toward the interior of the housing and disposed to face the second surface of the frame. A second sealing portion 1320 may be disposed between the cover rib and the second surface of the frame.

[0466] The second sealing portion 1320 may include a base 1321 supported on the cover rib and spaced apart from the second surface of the frame, and a protrusion 1322 protruding from the base toward the second surface of the frame. The protrusion 1322 may be configured to be pressed against the second surface 1132 of the frame.

[0467] The protrusion 1322 may include a plurality of ribs. The plurality of ribs may be configured to elastically deform toward the base 1321 when pressed against the second surface 1132 of the frame.

[0468] The plurality of ribs may be provided to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0469] The housing cover 1200 may further include a fixing rib 1203 extending from the cover rib toward the second surface of the frame. The second sealing portion 1320 may further include a fixing groove 1321c into which the fixing rib is inserted, so that the second sealing portion and the housing cover are coupled.

[0470] The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may also include a machine room R2 in which the compressor is provided. The housing may further include an outer housing 1110 provided in the machine room, and an inner housing 1120 provided inside the outer housing to form an accommodation space in which the printed circuit board is accommodated.

[0471] The outer shell 1110 may include a first outer shell surface 1110a facing the shell opening, a second outer shell surface 1110b disposed between the first outer shell surface and the shell opening, and a third outer shell surface 1110c disposed between the first outer shell surface and the shell opening and perpendicular to and in contact with the second outer shell surface. A gap connecting the machine compartment and the interior of the outer shell may be formed at an outer shell vertex 1110V formed between the first, second, and third outer shell surfaces. The inner shell 1120 may include a first inner shell surface 1120a corresponding to the first outer shell surface, a second inner shell surface 1120b corresponding to the second outer shell surface, and a third inner shell surface 1120c corresponding to the third outer shell surface. A blocking portion 1120V may be provided at the inner shell vertex formed between the first, second, and third inner shell surfaces. The blocking portion 1120V may be configured to block the gap formed at the outer shell vertex 1110V and the accommodation space 1101.

[0472] The first inner housing surface 1120a may be coupled to be in contact with the first outer housing surface 1110a.

[0473] The outer case 1110 may include a metal material, and the inner case 1120 may include a resin material.

[0474] The frame 1130 may be hook-coupled to the inner case 1120 .

[0475] The case cover 1200 may include an outer cover 1210 including a metal material and an inner cover 1220 coupled to the outer cover to cover a case opening between the outer cover and the case and including a resin material.

[0476] A gasket 1300 may be coupled to a rear surface of the inner cover to seal a gap between the inner cover and the frame.

[0477] An outdoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a housing 1100 configured to accommodate a printed circuit board therein and including a housing opening 1100a formed on one side of the housing and a frame 1130 provided along an edge of the housing opening; a housing cover 1200 configured to be coupled to the housing so as to cover at least a portion of the housing opening and the frame when coupled to the housing; and a gasket 1300 disposed on a rear surface 1201 of the housing cover to seal a gap between the housing cover and the frame when the housing cover is coupled to the housing. The gasket may include a first sealing portion 1310 configured to contact a first surface 1131 of the frame facing the rear surface of the housing cover when the housing cover is coupled to the housing, and a second sealing portion 1320 configured to contact a second surface 1132 of the frame extending from the first surface toward the interior of the housing when the housing cover is coupled to the housing.

[0478] First sealing portion 1310 may include a base 1311 and a protrusion 1312, wherein the protrusion 1312 protrudes from the base by a first length when the housing cover is separated from the housing. First surface 1131 of the frame may include a base contact portion 1131a configured to contact the base when the housing cover is coupled to the housing, and a recess 1131b formed to be recessed from the base contact portion by a second length shorter than the first length. The protrusion may be configured to be inserted into the recess when the housing cover is coupled to the housing.

[0479] The housing cover 1200 may include a cover rib 1202 extending from the rear surface of the housing cover in a direction perpendicular to the rear surface of the housing cover. The cover rib may be configured to face the second surface of the frame when the housing cover is coupled to the housing. The second sealing portion 1320 may be configured to seal a gap between the cover rib and the second surface of the frame when the housing cover is coupled to the housing.

[0480] The second sealing portion 1320 may include a base 1321 supported on the cover rib and spaced apart from the second surface of the frame, and a protrusion 1322 protruding from the base toward the second surface of the frame. The protrusion may be configured to be pressed against the second surface of the frame.

[0481] An outdoor unit for an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a printed circuit board; a housing 1100 defining a housing space 1101 for housing the printed circuit board and including a housing opening 1100a formed on one side of the housing space and a frame 1130 provided along the periphery of the housing opening; the housing 1100 covering at least a portion of the housing opening and the frame; and a gasket 1300 disposed between the housing cover and the frame. The housing cover 1200 may include a rear surface 1201 facing the housing space and a cover rib 1202 projecting from the rear surface toward the housing space. The frame 1130 may include a first surface 1131 facing the rear surface of the housing cover and a second surface 1132 connected to the first surface and facing the cover rib. The gasket may include a first sealing portion 1310 configured to seal a gap between the first surface and the rear surface of the housing cover, and a second sealing portion 1320 configured to seal a gap between the second surface and the cover rib.

[0482] According to the disclosure, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a gasket configured to seal a gap between a case cover and a case of a control box, thereby preventing foreign matter from being introduced into the control box.

[0483] According to the disclosure, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a gasket configured to seal a gap between a case cover and a case of a control box, thereby preventing refrigerant from being introduced into the control box.

[0484] According to the disclosure, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes a gasket configured to seal a gap between a housing cover and a housing of a control box, thereby preventing fire from occurring due to contact of flammable substances with electronic components or wires inside the control box.

[0485] According to the disclosure, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes an outer case and an inner case made of different materials, thereby preventing the spread of fire caused by flammable substances inside the outdoor unit.

[0486] According to the disclosure, an outdoor unit of an air conditioner includes an outer cover and an inner cover made of different materials, thereby preventing the spread of a fire caused by flammable substances inside the outdoor unit.

[0487] Effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0488] While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a housing configured to accommodate a printed circuit board therein and including a housing opening formed on one side of the housing and a frame provided along an edge of the housing opening; a housing cover configured to cover the housing opening and at least a portion of the frame and having a rear surface facing an interior of the housing; and a gasket configured to seal a gap between the housing cover and the frame, The framework includes: a first surface disposed to face the rear surface of the housing cover, and a second surface extending from the first surface toward the interior of the housing, and Wherein, the gasket comprises: a first sealing portion configured to contact the rear surface of the housing cover and the first surface of the frame, and The second sealing portion is configured to contact the second surface of the frame.

2. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, in, The first sealing portion comprises: a base coupled to the rear surface of the housing cover, and a protrusion protruding from the base toward the first surface of the frame, and Wherein, the first surface of the frame comprises: a base contact portion in contact with the base, and The recessed portion is configured to be recessed from the base contact portion in a direction away from the base to allow the protrusion to be inserted therein.

3. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, wherein: The convex portion is configured to be pressed against one surface of the concave portion by being inserted into the concave portion, and to be elastically deformed in a direction in which it is pressed by the one surface of the concave portion.

4. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, in, The base contact portion comprises: an outer base contact portion located outside the housing opening in an edge direction relative to the recess, and an inner base contact portion located on an inner side of the housing opening in the direction of the edge relative to the recess, and wherein the outer base contact portion and the inner base contact portion are each configured to contact the base.

5. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, in, The protrusion is formed along the periphery of the housing cover, and The recess is formed along the periphery of the shell opening.

6. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, in, the housing cover includes a cover rib extending from the rear surface of the housing cover toward the interior of the housing and disposed to face the second surface of the frame, and The second sealing portion is provided between the cover rib and the second surface of the frame.

7. The outdoor unit according to claim 6, in, The second sealing portion comprises: a base supported on the cover rib and disposed to be spaced apart from the second surface of the frame, and a protrusion protruding from the base toward the second surface of the frame, and The protrusion is configured to be pressed against the second surface of the frame.

8. The outdoor unit according to claim 7, in, The protrusion includes a plurality of ribs, and Wherein, the plurality of ribs are configured to elastically deform toward the base when pressed against the second surface of the frame.

9. The outdoor unit according to claim 8, wherein The plurality of ribs are provided to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

10. The outdoor unit according to claim 6, in, The housing cover further includes a fixing rib extending from the cover rib toward the second surface of the frame, and The second sealing portion further includes a fixing groove, and the fixing rib is inserted into the fixing groove, so that the second sealing portion and the housing cover are coupled.

11. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, further comprising: The machine room, where the compressor is located, Wherein, the housing further comprises: an outer shell disposed in the machine room, and An inner housing is provided inside the outer housing to form an accommodation space for accommodating the printed circuit board therein.

12. The outdoor unit according to claim 11, in, The outer shell comprises: a first outer shell surface, facing the shell opening, a second outer shell surface disposed between the first outer shell surface and the shell opening; a third outer shell surface, orthogonal to and in contact with the second outer shell surface and disposed between the first outer shell surface and the shell opening, and a gap formed at a vertex of the outer shell formed between the first outer shell surface, the second outer shell surface, and the third outer shell surface, connecting the machine room with the interior of the outer shell, Wherein, the inner shell comprises: a first inner shell surface, corresponding to said first outer shell surface, a second inner shell surface, corresponding to the second outer shell surface, and a third inner shell surface, corresponding to the third outer shell surface, wherein a blocking portion is provided at an apex of the inner casing formed between the first inner casing surface, the second inner casing surface, and the third inner casing surface, and The blocking portion is configured to block the gap formed at the vertex of the outer shell and the accommodation space.

13. The outdoor unit according to claim 12, wherein The first inner housing surface is coupled in contact with the first outer housing surface.

14. The outdoor unit according to claim 11, wherein The outer case includes a metal material, and the inner case includes a resin material.

15. The outdoor unit according to claim 11, wherein The frame is hook-coupled to the inner case.

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