Air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises a shell, an electric control assembly and a sensor. The shell comprises a bottom plate and a panel connected with the bottom plate, and the panel is detachably connected with the bottom plate; the electric control assembly is arranged in the shell; the sensor is used for detecting the refrigerant concentration, the sensor is arranged in the shell and close to the bottom plate, and the sensor and the panel are oppositely arranged. According to the air conditioner, the sensor is arranged at the position, close to the bottom plate, in the shell, the sensor can more easily detect the refrigerant gas accumulated at the bottom due to the fact that the density is larger than that of air, the accuracy and sensitivity of refrigerant detection are improved, and the situation that the concentration of the refrigerant gas accumulated near the electric control assembly is too high is prevented; and the sensor and the panel are oppositely arranged, and the panel is detachable, so that the maintenance of the sensor is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of household appliance technology, specifically to an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] In household appliances, especially certain air conditioning units, R454B has been used as a new type of refrigerant. R454B is a mixture of R32 and R1234yf, a non-azeotropic mixture that does not deplete the ozone layer. It is non-toxic and weakly flammable, offering advantages in terms of environmental protection. However, its flammability means that special safety precautions are required during use. Inside air conditioners, there are many components that can potentially generate sparks, such as circuit boards and compressor motors. If R454B leaks and accumulates near these components at concentrations exceeding a certain range, there is a risk of explosion. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the above problems, this application provides an air conditioner.

[0004] This application provides an air conditioner, which includes a housing, an electronic control assembly, and a sensor. The housing includes a base plate and a panel connected to the base plate, the panel being detachably connected to the base plate; the electronic control assembly is disposed within the housing; the sensor is used to detect refrigerant concentration, the sensor is disposed within the housing and close to the base plate, and the sensor is positioned opposite to the panel.

[0005] In some embodiments, the distance between the sensor and the base plate is less than or equal to 110 mm.

[0006] In some embodiments, the housing includes a perimeter panel and a mounting plate, the mounting plate abutting against the base plate and connected to the perimeter panel, and the electronic control components and the sensors are both mounted on the mounting plate.

[0007] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes a heat exchanger connected to the enclosure and the mounting plate, and the sensor is located on the side of the mounting plate away from the heat exchanger.

[0008] In some embodiments, the air conditioner further includes a fan, the enclosure and the mounting plate together form a first chamber and a second chamber, the mounting plate isolates the first chamber and the second chamber, the mounting plate is provided with a vent communicating with the first chamber and the second chamber, the electronic control components are disposed in the first chamber, the fan is disposed in the second chamber, the fan is used to generate airflow between the first chamber and the second chamber through the vent, and the sensor is spaced apart from the vent.

[0009] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes a first refrigerant pipe and a second refrigerant pipe, which are spaced apart. The air conditioner includes a partition mounted on the mounting plate, which is disposed between the first refrigerant pipe and the electronic control assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the partition is provided with a through hole that extends through the partition from the electronic control component toward the first refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner also includes a shielding member disposed between the through hole and the first refrigerant pipe, which shields the through hole along its depth direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the shielding member includes a baffle and a shielding edge connected to the edge of the baffle. The baffle is located between the through hole and the refrigerant pipe and shields the through hole along the depth direction of the through hole. The shielding edge and the baffle form an accommodating space, in which the refrigerant pipe is partially accommodated.

[0012] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes a wire guide element disposed in the through-hole for allowing wires to pass through the partition.

[0013] In some embodiments, the wire guide element includes a wire guide spool and a sealing ring sleeved on the wire guide spool, the wire guide spool passing through the through hole, and the sealing ring sealing the gap between the wire guide spool and the wall of the through hole.

[0014] In the air conditioner of this application, by setting a sensor in the outer casing near the bottom plate, the sensor can more easily detect refrigerant gas that accumulates at the bottom due to its density being greater than that of air. This improves the accuracy and sensitivity of refrigerant detection, prevents the refrigerant gas from accumulating at excessively high concentrations near the electronic control components, thereby reducing the risk of explosion. Furthermore, the sensor and the panel are arranged opposite each other, and the panel is detachable, which is beneficial for sensor maintenance.

[0015] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of an air conditioner according to some embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a front view of the internal structure of an air conditioner according to some embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged view of A in the front view of the internal structure of an air conditioner according to some embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shielding member in some embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 5 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the wire guide element in some embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of the wire guide element in some embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the partition in some embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a side view of the internal structure of an air conditioner according to some embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a partial enlarged view of B in the front view of the internal structure of an air conditioner according to some embodiments of this application.

[0026] Icon labels:

[0027] Air conditioner 100, outer casing 10, enclosure 11, mounting plate 12, first chamber 13, second chamber 14, base plate 15, panel 16, electrical control assembly 20, heat exchanger 30, refrigerant pipe 31, first refrigerant pipe 311, second refrigerant pipe 312, partition 40, through hole 41, shield 50, baffle 51, shield edge 52, flange 53, wire guide element 60, wire guide tube 61, sealing ring 62, wire guide sleeve 63, collar 631, sealing plate 632, flexible cylinder 64, fan 70, vent 80, folding plate 81, sensor 90. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0031] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments in this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, X and / or Y can represent: X existing alone, X and Y existing simultaneously, and Y existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0033] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

[0034] Please see Figures 1-3 This application provides an air conditioner 100, which includes a housing 10, an electronic control component 20, a refrigerant pipe 31, a partition 40, and a shielding member 50. The electronic control component 20 is disposed in the housing 10. The refrigerant pipe 31 is disposed in the housing 10, and the refrigerant pipe 31 is spaced apart from the electronic control component 20. The partition 40 is disposed between the electronic control component 20 and the refrigerant pipe 31, and the partition 40 has a through hole 41 that extends through the partition 40 from the electronic control component 20 toward the refrigerant pipe 31. The shielding member 50 is disposed between the through hole 41 and a portion of the refrigerant pipe 31, and shields the through hole 41 along the depth direction of the through hole 41.

[0035] Specifically, the electronic control component 20 is composed of interconnected electronic components inside the air conditioner 100, used to control the operating state of the air conditioner 100. The electronic control component 20 includes, for example, circuit boards, capacitors, relays, sensors, etc., connected by wires, receiving instructions from the user interface, and sending control signals to other parts of the air conditioner 100. The control signals can be, for example, start, stop, temperature adjustment, fan speed control, etc.

[0036] The air conditioner 100 also includes a heat exchanger 30, which consists of a series of coiled or tightly arranged refrigerant pipes 31, through which refrigerant flows. Refrigerant, also known as refrigerant fluid, is the working fluid used in an air conditioning system to transfer heat and produce a cooling effect. Heat transfer is achieved through evaporation and condensation. For example, a refrigerant can be R454B, a mildly flammable hydrofluoroolefin-based refrigerant. The air conditioner 100 absorbs heat from the external environment through the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipes 31 of the heat exchanger 30, causing it to evaporate into a gaseous state, thereby lowering the temperature of the external environment.

[0037] The refrigerant pipe 31 is spaced apart from the electrical control component 20 to prevent electromagnetic interference caused by the wires of the refrigerant pipe 31 and the electrical control component 20 being too close. The spacing is set at more than 5 cm, for example, it can be 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm or 19 cm.

[0038] The partition 40 is disposed between the electronic control component 20 and the refrigerant pipe 31 to separate the electronic control component 20 and the refrigerant pipe 31. This is to prevent the refrigerant from leaking from the refrigerant pipe 31 and splashing onto the electronic control component 20, which could damage the electronic control component 20. In addition, when the refrigerant is a flammable substance such as R454B, it is to prevent the refrigerant concentration near the electronic control component 20 from becoming too high and causing an explosion due to the electric spark of the electronic control component 20.

[0039] The partition 40 is provided with a through hole 41, which extends from the electronic control component 20 toward the refrigerant pipe 31 through the partition 40. The through hole 41 is designed to ensure that the wiring of the electronic control component 20 inside the air conditioner 100 is more standardized and neat. With a clear wiring path and a fixed position of the through hole 41, the random and messy situation of wires can be avoided, and the wires can be ensured not to be worn or broken due to external forces or internal movement.

[0040] Even with a partition 40 installed between the electronic control component 20 and the refrigerant pipe 31, there is still a risk that when refrigerant leaks, a large amount of it will enter the vicinity of the electronic control component 20 through the through hole 41, causing the refrigerant concentration to become too high and potentially leading to an explosion caused by the electric spark of the electronic control component 20.

[0041] To address this, this application embodiment adds a shielding member 50. The shielding member 50 is used to shield the through hole 41 of the partition 40, preventing refrigerant from being directly injected into the area of ​​the electronic control component 20. By reducing the diffusion speed and range when refrigerant leaks, the shielding member 50 helps to reduce the refrigerant concentration near the electronic control component 20. The shielding member 50 is a plate-like structure with multiple screw holes, which can be installed and fixed to the outer casing 10 of the air conditioner 100 with stainless steel screws. The shielding member 50 is made of a corrosion-resistant and refrigerant-resistant material, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or specific plastic materials, which can resist refrigerant corrosion and the pressure that may be generated during leakage. The shielding member 50 is fixed between the electronic control component 20 and the refrigerant pipe 31. The refrigerant pipe 31 is divided into a first refrigerant pipe 311 and a second refrigerant pipe 312 according to its positional relationship with the through hole 41. The portion of the refrigerant pipe 31 directly opposite the through hole 41 is the first refrigerant pipe 311, and the other portion is the second refrigerant pipe 312. A shielding component 50 is disposed between the through-hole 41 and the first refrigerant pipe 311, and blocks the through-hole 41 along its depth direction. This prevents refrigerant from being directly injected into the through-hole 41 in the event of a leak in the refrigerant pipe 31, thereby avoiding a large amount of refrigerant entering the vicinity of the electronic control component 20 in a short period of time. By setting up the shielding component 50, the concentration of refrigerant near the electronic control component 20 can be effectively reduced in the event of a refrigerant leak, preventing it from causing an explosion.

[0042] In the air conditioner 100 of this application embodiment, by providing a shielding member 50 between the through hole 41 and part of the refrigerant pipe 31, the refrigerant pipe 31 is prevented from cracking and leaking directly into the through hole 41, thus avoiding the refrigerant from entering a large amount from the through hole into the vicinity of the electronic control component 20 in a short period of time, which would cause the concentration to be too high and trigger an explosion due to the electric spark of the electronic control component 20.

[0043] Please see Figure 3 In some embodiments, the shielding member 50 includes a baffle 51 and a shielding edge 52 connected to the edge of the baffle 51. The baffle 51 is located between the through hole 41 and the refrigerant pipe 31 and shields the through hole 41 along the depth direction of the through hole 41. The shielding edge 52 and the baffle 51 form an accommodating space, in which a portion of the refrigerant pipe 31 is partially accommodated.

[0044] Specifically, the baffle 51 is used to block the through hole 41, reducing the leakage range and speed of refrigerant in the horizontal direction. When the leaked refrigerant reaches the baffle 51, it will adhere to the baffle 51 or turn to propagate vertically. The shielding edge 52 is the part of the shielding member 50 that connects to the edge of the baffle 51 and extends towards the refrigerant pipe 31. When the leaked refrigerant reaches the baffle 51, the shielding edge 52 will block the upward propagation of the shielding member 50, preventing the refrigerant from bypassing the baffle 51 and entering the through hole 41. Instead, it will only propagate downwards, further enhancing the shielding effect of the baffle 51. In addition, the shielding edge 52 and the baffle 51 together form a receiving space, which is a semi-enclosed area used to receive the first refrigerant pipe 311. This provides some protection for the refrigerant pipe 31 and also saves as much space as possible for installing the shielding member 50.

[0045] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the housing 10 includes a surrounding panel 11 and a mounting plate 12 connected to the surrounding panel 11. A partition 40 is mounted on the mounting plate 12. The shield 50 also includes a flange 53 connected to the baffle 51. The shield 50 is mounted on the mounting plate 12 via the flange 53. The flange 53 and the shielding edge 52 are connected to different edges of the baffle 51.

[0046] Specifically, the enclosure 11 is a major component of the outer casing 10 of the air conditioner 100. The enclosure 11 can be composed of multiple metal plates, possessing a certain strength and durability. It surrounds the air conditioner 100, forming a closed or semi-closed space to protect the internal electrical control components 20 and refrigerant system from external environmental interference. The mounting plate 12 is a flat plate connected to the enclosure 11, located inside the outer casing 10, and is used to fix and support key components such as the partition 40, electrical control components 20, and heat exchanger 30.

[0047] The flange 53 is the part of the shield 50 that connects to the other edge of the baffle 51 and extends towards the electronic control assembly 20. It is designed with multiple screw holes, so that the shield 50 can be fixed to the mounting plate 12 by screws.

[0048] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the air conditioner 100 includes a wire guide element 60 disposed in a through hole 41 for allowing wires to pass through the partition 40.

[0049] The wire guide element 60 is a hollow tubular structure. The diameter of the wire guide element 60 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the through hole 41. For example, if the diameter of the through hole 41 is 20 mm, the diameter of the wire guide element 60 can be 18 mm or 19 mm. The wire guide element 60 passes through the through hole 41, allowing the wires of the power control assembly 20 to pass through. It is used to manage the wiring of the internal circuit of the air conditioner 100, making the wires pass through the partition 40 neatly and orderly. It also provides additional protection and sealing to prevent the wires from becoming loose, worn, or interfered with by the external environment.

[0050] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the wire guide element 60 includes a wire guide cylinder 61 and a sealing ring 62 sleeved on the wire guide cylinder 61. The wire guide cylinder 61 passes through the through hole 41, and the sealing ring 62 seals the gap between the wire guide cylinder 61 and the hole wall of the through hole 41.

[0051] The wire guide spool 61 is the main body of the wire guide element 60, and is a hollow tubular structure. The wire guide spool 61 passes through the through hole 41. The wire guide spool 61 is made of a material with sufficient strength and toughness, such as metal or plastic, to ensure it can withstand the weight and tension of the wire over a long period and maintain structural stability. A sealing ring 62 is fitted onto the wire guide spool 61, located between the wire guide spool 61 and the wall of the through hole 41. Its main function is to seal the gap between them. The sealing ring 62 can be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or silicone, to ensure it fits tightly against the wire guide spool 61 and the hole wall, preventing gaps from forming between the spool and the hole wall during wire insertion, and preventing refrigerant, dust, moisture, or other external contaminants from entering the through hole 41.

[0052] Please see Figure 5 In some embodiments, the wire guide 61 has an opening, and the wire guide element 60 includes a wire guide sleeve 63 disposed at the opening. The wire guide sleeve 63 includes a collar 631 and a plurality of closing pieces 632. The collar 631 is sleeved on the wire guide 61, and one side edge of the closing piece 632 is connected to the collar 631. The closing piece 632 can be folded and deformed under the action of external force. The plurality of closing pieces 632 are arranged circumferentially along the opening and together close the opening.

[0053] The wire guide sleeve 63 is an additional component located at the opening of the wire guide spool 61, primarily used to further protect and secure the wires passing through the spool 61. The design of the wire guide sleeve 63 needs to consider the number and size of the wires to ensure it can accommodate all the wires that need to be passed through and maintain their neatness and stability. The collar 631 is the main part of the wire guide sleeve 63, a ring-shaped structure. The diameter of the collar 631 matches the diameter of the wire guide spool 61 to ensure it can be securely fitted into the opening of the spool 61. For example, if the opening diameter of the wire guide spool 61 is 20 mm, the diameter of the collar 631 can be 20.5 mm. The sealing plate 632 can be a rubber or plastic sheet. One edge of the sealing plate 632 is connected to the collar 631 and can be folded and deformed under external force to facilitate the passage of wires. The design of the sealing plate 632 considers the wire passing requirements and sealing effect to ensure that the wires can be smoothly passed through and held in the required position, while preventing foreign objects from entering. The sealing piece 632 can be fan-shaped, and there can be multiple pieces arranged circumferentially along the opening of the wire spool 61 to jointly seal the opening of the wire spool 61. For example, the sealing piece 632 can be a fan-shaped piece with a 90-degree angle, and its arc edge is connected to the collar 631. There can be 4 sealing pieces 632 to ensure that the opening of the wire spool 61 is completely sealed.

[0054] Please see Figure 6 In some embodiments, the cable guide element 60 can also have another structure, with at least one end of the cable guide spool 61 having a flexible tube 64 in the axial direction. The flexible tube 64 can be tightened by a tensioning strap. The cable guide spool 61 may have a flexible tube 64 at one end or both ends in the axial direction. The flexible tube 64 has a certain degree of elasticity and can be tightened by the tensioning strap. The tensioning strap is an elastic or rigid strip material commonly used to fix, protect, and organize cables. In the optimized design of the internal circuit wiring of the air conditioner 100, the tensioning strap is used to tighten the flexible tube 64 to ensure that the wires can be firmly held in the cable guide spool 61, preventing them from loosening or shifting.

[0055] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, a via 41 is provided on the top of the partition 40.

[0056] The via 41 is located at the top of the partition 40, a design based on the fact that the density of refrigerant is greater than that of air. Because when refrigerant leaks, it will sink due to gravity. By placing the via 41 at the top of the partition 40, the amount of refrigerant entering the area of ​​the electronic control assembly 20 through the via 41 can be reduced.

[0057] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 8In some embodiments, the air conditioner 100 further includes a fan 70. A enclosure 11 and a mounting plate 12 together form a first chamber 13 and a second chamber 14. The mounting plate 12 isolates the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 14. The mounting plate 12 has a vent 80 communicating with the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 14. An electronic control assembly 20 is disposed in the first chamber 13. The fan 70 is disposed in the second chamber 14 and is used to generate airflow between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 14 through the vent 80.

[0058] In the air conditioner 100 of this application embodiment, a ventilation opening 80 is provided on the mounting plate 12 to connect the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 14, thereby forming an effective heat dissipation channel. When the operation of the electronic control component 20 in the first chamber 13 causes heat to accumulate, the heat can be transferred to the second chamber 14 through this heat dissipation channel, and then the heat can be dissipated to the external environment by the fan 70 in the second chamber 14, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the electronic control component 20 and extending its service life.

[0059] Specifically, the mounting plate 12 divides the interior of the outer casing 10 into a first chamber 13 and a second chamber 14. The first chamber 13 is mainly used to install the electronic control components 20, such as circuit boards, capacitors, relays, etc. The electronic control components 20 will generate a certain amount of heat during the operation of the air conditioner 100, so effective heat dissipation is required. The second chamber 14 is mainly used to install ventilation equipment such as the fan 70.

[0060] The first chamber 13 and the second chamber 14 are interconnected via vents 80 provided on the mounting plate 12. The fan 70 generates airflow by rotating, creating airflow between the two chambers to dissipate heat from the electronic control component 20. The vents 80 are one or more openings provided on the mounting plate 12, allowing airflow to move freely between the two chambers. The size and location of the vents 80 need to be rationally designed based on the heat dissipation requirements of the electronic control component 20 and the performance of the fan 70 to ensure optimal heat dissipation. The fan 70 is located in the second chamber 14 and generates airflow by rotating, propelling air to circulate between the two chambers. The performance parameters of the fan 70, such as rotation speed and airflow, need to be selected and adjusted according to the heat dissipation requirements of the electronic control component 20 and the overall design of the air conditioner 100.

[0061] The airflow generated by the fan 70 circulates between the two chambers, effectively carrying away and dissipating the heat generated by the electronic control component 20 to the external environment, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the electronic control component 20 and extending its service life. Furthermore, in the event of an accidental refrigerant leak into the first chamber 13, the airflow generated by the fan 70 can direct the refrigerant into the second chamber 14, reducing the refrigerant concentration in the first chamber 13 and thus minimizing safety hazards such as fires or explosions caused by refrigerant leaks.

[0062] In some embodiments, the mounting plate 12 has vents 80 at its bottom and / or top.

[0063] Ventilation holes can be located at the bottom of the mounting plate 12, the top of the mounting plate 12, or both. All these configurations effectively remove heat generated by the electronic control component 20, reducing its operating temperature and thus improving the operating efficiency and stability of the air conditioner 100. Ventilation holes at the bottom of the mounting plate 12 facilitate the airflow from the fan 70 to blow dust deposited at the bottom of the first chamber 13 to the second chamber 14, where it is then exhausted outside the air conditioner 100 by the fan 70. Furthermore, because refrigerant is denser than air, it will settle at the bottom of the first chamber 13 if it enters, allowing the fan 70 to better reduce its concentration. Ventilation holes at the top of the mounting plate 12 facilitate the immediate discharge of leaked refrigerant entering through the top through-hole 41, preventing contact between the refrigerant and the electronic control component 20 and potential interference. The simultaneous placement of ventilation holes at the top and bottom of the mounting plate 12 is more conducive to air circulation inside the air conditioner 100, making the interior of the air conditioner 100 cleaner and preventing local overheating inside the air conditioner 100. Air can enter from the bottom and exit from the top, or vice versa, depending on the airflow direction of the fan 70.

[0064] In some embodiments, there are multiple vents 80 located at the bottom and / or top of the mounting plate 12, and the multiple vents 80 are arranged at intervals along the width direction of the mounting plate 12.

[0065] The mounting plate 12 has multiple vents 80 at its bottom and / or top. For example, two vents 80 can be provided at the bottom of the mounting plate 12, two vents 80 can be provided at the top of the mounting plate 12, or a total of four vents 80 can be provided at both the bottom and top of the mounting plate 12. The multiple vents 80 are spaced apart along the width direction of the mounting plate 12. The spaced arrangement of multiple vents 80 along the width direction can make more efficient use of the space of the mounting plate 12, increase the air circulation area, which helps to accelerate the circulation of air inside the air conditioner 100, improve heat dissipation efficiency, and ensure that heat-generating components such as the electronic control components 20 are adequately cooled. Furthermore, the vents 80 can be evenly distributed along the width direction of the mounting plate 12 to ensure that air can enter and exit the air conditioner 100 evenly.

[0066] By rationally designing the number and layout of the ventilation openings 80, the airflow distribution inside the air conditioner 100 can be optimized. This helps to avoid local overheating or overcooling, ensuring a more uniform temperature distribution inside the air conditioner 100, thereby improving the overall operating efficiency and stability of the air conditioner 100.

[0067] Furthermore, in actual design, the size and number of vents 80 at the bottom and / or top of the mounting plate 12 need to be comprehensively considered based on factors such as the specific model, power, and operating environment of the air conditioner 100. Excessively large vents 80 may lead to increased noise and reduced energy efficiency, while excessively small vents 80 may fail to meet heat dissipation requirements. The design of the vents 80 must also consider safety performance. For example, in the event of refrigerant leakage, the vents 80 can serve as a channel for refrigerant gas discharge. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the size and location of the vents 80 meet the requirements for safe discharge.

[0068] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, the edge of the vent 80 is provided with a flap 81, which covers part of the vent 80 along the projection on the mounting plate 12.

[0069] By incorporating a flap 81 at the edge of the vent 80, the risk of dust and other foreign objects entering the first chamber 13 can be effectively reduced. This design not only enhances the sealing of the first chamber 13 but also improves its overall protective capability. The flap 81 partially covers the vent 80 along its projection on the mounting plate 12. This means that when outside air enters the first chamber 13 through the vent 80, the flap 81 acts as a barrier, blocking most of the dust and foreign objects. Simultaneously, the flap 81 also possesses a degree of elasticity, allowing it to adapt to particles of different sizes, further enhancing the protective effect.

[0070] Furthermore, the placement of the flap 81 does not affect the normal ventilation function of the vent 80. Because the flap 81 only partially covers the vent 80, air can still freely enter and exit the electrical control room. In this way, the first chamber 13 can maintain ventilation while preventing the intrusion of dust and foreign objects.

[0071] In practical applications, the folding flap 81 can be manufactured using different materials and processes. For example, it can be made of materials such as metal, plastic, or rubber to meet different usage environments and requirements. Furthermore, the shape and size of the folding flap 81 can be customized according to the size and shape of the vent 80 to ensure optimal protection.

[0072] Please see Figures 1-3 In some embodiments, the air conditioner 100 includes a housing 10, an electronic control assembly 20, and a sensor 90. The housing 10 includes a base plate 15 and a panel 16 connected to the base plate 15, the panel 16 being detachably connected to the base plate 15; the electronic control assembly 20 is disposed in the housing 10; the sensor 90 is used to detect refrigerant concentration, the sensor 90 is disposed in the housing 10 and close to the base plate 15, and the sensor 90 is disposed opposite to the panel 16.

[0073] Specifically, the outer casing 10 includes a base plate 15 and a panel 16 connected to the base plate. The base plate 15 serves as a support platform for the internal components of the air conditioner 100 and is made of a robust and durable material, such as metal or reinforced plastic, to ensure it can withstand various mechanical and thermal stresses during the operation of the air conditioner. The panel 16 is the outer protective shell of the air conditioner 100, used to protect the internal components of the air conditioner 100 from dust, moisture, and other potential contaminants. The base plate 15 is also equipped with mounting holes, such as screw holes or clips, which allow for a detachable connection between the panel 16 and the base plate 15. When the air conditioner 100 malfunctions or requires maintenance or replacement of internal equipment, the panel 16 can be removed to facilitate direct inspection, repair, or replacement of the electrical control components 20 or other equipment inside the air conditioner 100.

[0074] Sensor 90 collects gas samples from inside the air conditioner through its internal acquisition system or sensing chip. Sensor 90 is categorized into several types based on its refrigerant gas detection principle. For example, sensors based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) principles use a semiconductor silicon-based resistive sensing chip whose resistance changes according to the concentration of refrigerant gas, such as R454B, thereby detecting the gas concentration. Sensor 90 can also be based on Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) technology, which utilizes the principle of infrared light absorption to calculate the gas concentration by measuring the intensity change of infrared light before and after passing through a sample containing refrigerant gas. Sensor 90 is positioned within the housing 10 and close to the base plate 15. This is because refrigerant is denser than air, and when a refrigerant leaks, it tends to settle and accumulate near the base plate 15. Positioning sensor 90 close to the bottom 15 improves the sensitivity and accuracy of refrigerant detection. The sensor 90 is positioned opposite the panel 16, so that the exposed sensor 90 can be directly seen when the panel 16 is removed, which facilitates maintenance.

[0075] In some implementations, the distance between the sensor 90 and the base plate 15 is less than or equal to 110 mm.

[0076] The distance between the sensor 90 and the base plate 15 can be, for example, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, or 110 mm. Refrigerants such as R454B, after a leak, tend to accumulate at lower levels or near the base plate 15 due to their higher density than air. Installing the sensor 90 no more than 110 mm from the base plate 15 ensures that the sensor 90 can directly contact the potentially accumulating refrigerant gas, thereby improving the accuracy and sensitivity of leak detection. Furthermore, the internal space of the air conditioner 100 is limited, with many electronic components in the electrical control assembly 20 but few near the base plate 15. Installing the sensor 90 closer to the base plate 15 makes full use of the limited space, avoids interference with other components, and allows technicians relatively easy access and operation of the sensor 90 for maintenance or replacement without complex disassembly.

[0077] In some embodiments, the mounting plate 12 abuts against the base plate 15 and is connected to the enclosure plate 11, and the electrical control assembly 20 and the sensor 90 are both mounted on the mounting plate 12; the sensor 90 is located on the side of the mounting plate 12 away from the heat exchanger 30.

[0078] Mounting plate 12 abuts against base plate 15 and is connected to enclosure plate 11. This layout not only enhances the stability of mounting plate 12, but also makes it easier to connect power and signal lines to the electronic control components 20 and sensors 90 on mounting plate 12.

[0079] Sensor 90 is positioned on the side of mounting plate 12 furthest from heat exchanger 30. If sensor 90 were positioned close to heat exchanger 30, it might be affected by the refrigerant flow during normal operation of refrigerant pipe 31 within heat exchanger 30, leading to false alarms. For example, there might be a certain refrigerant concentration at the inlet and outlet of refrigerant pipe 31, which might be detected by sensor 90 and misjudged as a leak. Placing sensor 90 furthest from heat exchanger 30 reduces this interference, allowing sensor 90 to more accurately detect actual leaks, such as refrigerant pipe 31 rupture. Furthermore, when refrigerant leaks, the leaked refrigerant gradually diffuses to other areas inside air conditioner 100. Placing sensor 90 furthest from refrigerant pipe 31 captures this diffusion process from low to high concentration, determining that the refrigerant has diffused to the bottom, confirming a leak, thereby improving the sensitivity and accuracy of refrigerant leak detection.

[0080] In the air conditioner 100 of this application embodiment, by setting a sensor 90 in the outer casing 10 near the bottom plate 15, the sensor 90 can more easily detect refrigerant gas that accumulates at the bottom due to its density being greater than that of air, thereby improving the accuracy and sensitivity of refrigerant detection, preventing the refrigerant gas from accumulating at an excessively high concentration near the electronic control component 20, thus reducing the risk of explosion. Furthermore, the sensor 90 and the panel 16 are arranged opposite each other, and the panel 16 is detachable, which is beneficial for the maintenance of the sensor 90.

[0081] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this utility model. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way. This utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes: The housing includes a base plate and a panel connected to the base plate, the panel being detachably connected to the base plate; An electronic control component, the electronic control component being disposed within the housing; and A sensor for detecting refrigerant concentration is disposed in the housing and near the base plate, and is positioned opposite to the panel.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the sensor and the base plate is less than or equal to 110 mm.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a surrounding panel and a mounting plate. The mounting plate abuts against the base plate and is connected to the surrounding panel. The electronic control components and the sensors are both mounted on the mounting plate.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes a heat exchanger, which connects the enclosure and the mounting plate. The sensor is located on the side of the mounting plate away from the heat exchanger.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air conditioner also includes a fan. The enclosure and the mounting plate together form a first chamber and a second chamber. The mounting plate isolates the first chamber and the second chamber. The mounting plate is provided with a vent that connects the first chamber and the second chamber. The electronic control components are disposed in the first chamber. The fan is disposed in the second chamber. The fan is used to generate airflow between the first chamber and the second chamber through the vent. The sensor is spaced apart from the vent.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat exchanger includes a refrigerant pipe, which is divided into a first refrigerant pipe and a second refrigerant pipe, and the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe are spaced apart. The air conditioner includes a partition mounted on the mounting plate, and the partition is disposed between the first refrigerant pipe and the electronic control component.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The partition is provided with a through hole, which extends through the partition from the electronic control component toward the first refrigerant pipe. The air conditioner also includes a shielding member, which is disposed between the through hole and the refrigerant pipe and shields the through hole along the depth direction of the through hole.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The shielding component includes a baffle and a shielding edge connected to the edge of the baffle. The baffle is located between the through hole and the refrigerant pipe and shields the through hole along the depth direction of the through hole. The shielding edge and the baffle form an accommodating space, and the refrigerant pipe is partially accommodated in the accommodating space.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes a wire guide element disposed in the through hole, the wire guide element being used for allowing wires to pass through the partition.

10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, characterized in that, The wire guide element includes a wire guide cylinder and a sealing ring sleeved on the wire guide cylinder. The wire guide cylinder passes through the through hole, and the sealing ring seals the gap between the wire guide cylinder and the hole wall of the through hole.

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