Connecting device and heat pump box body
By using a connection device with female and male connectors, the problems of exposed fasteners and reliability risks are solved, enabling simple assembly and reliable connection of sheet metal parts.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGDONG PHNIX ENERGY TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
When assembling existing sheet metal parts, exposed fasteners affect the appearance, increase manufacturing costs, and pose potential reliability risks.
The device uses a connection device with female and male connectors, and achieves the splicing and assembly of sheet metal parts through the folded edges and side connections, without the need for fasteners.
The assembly process is simple, the sheet metal parts are clean, and there are no redundant parts exposed, which improves the reliability of assembly.
Smart Images
Figure CN224149914U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of heat pump technology, and in particular to a connection device and a heat pump housing. Background Technology
[0002] Sheet metal parts are usually fixed together using fasteners such as screws, bolts, and nuts, which allows for convenient and quick assembly and splicing of sheet metal parts.
[0003] However, when using fasteners to assemble sheet metal parts, the fasteners are often exposed, which affects the appearance of the assembled parts. However, machining countersunk holes to hide the fasteners would increase unnecessary manufacturing costs. Furthermore, using fasteners for sheet metal assembly can easily lead to reliability issues due to fastener loosening or stripping. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this utility model embodiment is to provide a connecting device and a heat pump housing, which can solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] On one hand, this utility model provides a connecting device for connecting a first sheet metal part and a second sheet metal part, wherein the first sheet metal part and the second sheet metal part each have a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and the first side of the first sheet metal part and the first side of the second sheet metal part are located on the same plane; the connecting device includes:
[0007] A female connector, wherein the fixed end of the female connector is connected to the folded edge of the first sheet metal part; wherein the folded edge is bent toward the second side of the first sheet metal part; and the connecting end of the female connector is disposed opposite to the second side of the second sheet metal part; and
[0008] The male connector has a fixed end connected to the second side of the second sheet metal part; the connecting end of the male connector is plugged into and connected to the connecting end of the female connector, and the connecting end of the female connector abuts against the fixed end of the male connector.
[0009] In an optional embodiment, the female connector includes:
[0010] A receiving member, the receiving member having an inner cavity and a connection port communicating with the inner cavity; the connection port is disposed opposite to the second side of the second sheet metal part;
[0011] A clamping component is disposed at the end of the connection port;
[0012] A first mounting base, the first mounting base being connected to the folded edge of the first sheet metal part; and
[0013] A support member, which connects the first mounting base and the receiving member;
[0014] The male connector's connecting end is plugged into the connecting port and extends into the inner cavity, and the clamping member abuts against the male connector's fixed end.
[0015] In an optional embodiment, the first mounting base is connected to the first sheet metal part by fasteners; the first sheet metal part and the fasteners are interference-fitted.
[0016] In one alternative embodiment, the male connector includes:
[0017] A second mounting base, the second mounting base being connected to a second side of the second sheet metal part; and
[0018] A guide rod, the first end of which is mounted on the second mounting base; the second end of which is provided with a tapered end; the guide rod is plugged into the connection port of the receiving member and the tapered end extends into the inner cavity of the receiving member.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the clamping member clamps onto the guide rod; the clamping member is interference-fitted with the guide rod.
[0020] In one optional embodiment, a guide ramp is provided on the guide rod; the axial diameter of the guide ramp on the side closer to the tapered end is smaller than the axial diameter of the guide ramp on the side farther from the tapered end.
[0021] In one alternative embodiment, the second mounting base is welded and fixed to the second sheet metal part.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, the female connector is an elastic element.
[0023] In one optional embodiment, a plurality of female connectors are evenly distributed on the first sheet metal part, and a plurality of male connectors are evenly distributed on the second sheet metal part, with each female connector and each male connector being plugged into and connected.
[0024] On the other hand, this utility model also provides a heat pump housing, including the connecting device as described above. The outer side of the inspection plate of the heat pump housing is located on the same plane as the outer side of the front panel and / or the rear panel of the heat pump housing. The inner side of the inspection plate of the heat pump housing is connected to the fixed end of the male connector. The fixed end of the female connector is connected to the folded edge of the front panel and / or the folded edge of the rear panel of the heat pump housing. The connecting end of the male connector is inserted and connected to the connecting end of the female connector, and the connecting end of the female connector abuts against the fixed end of the male connector.
[0025] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:
[0026] This utility model employs a novel connecting device for the interlocking and assembly of multiple sheet metal parts, eliminating the need for fasteners. The assembly process is convenient and easy to operate, and the assembled sheet metal parts have a clean surface with no redundant parts exposed, thus improving the reliability of sheet metal part interlocking and assembly. Attached Figure Description
[0027] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection device of this utility model;
[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle female connector structure;
[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the male connector structure;
[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heat pump housing structure of this utility model;
[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure after the inspection plate has been removed.
[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified schematic diagram of a portion of region A in the middle.
[0034] In the picture:
[0035] 100. Female connector; 110. Receiving element; 111. Inner cavity; 112. Connection port; 120. Clamping element; 130. First mounting base; 140. Support element;
[0036] 200. Male connector; 210. Second mounting base; 220. Guide rod; 221. Tapered end;
[0037] 300. Heat pump housing; 310. Front panel; 311. Folded edge; 320. Rear panel; 330. Inspection panel. Detailed Implementation
[0038] To make the technical problems solved by this application, the technical solutions adopted, and the technical effects achieved clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application are further described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0039] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0040] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0041] In the description herein, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used merely for descriptive distinction and have no special meaning.
[0042] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.
[0043] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style of the specification is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection device of this utility model. Please refer to it. Figure 1 As shown, this utility model provides a connecting device for connecting a first sheet metal part and a second sheet metal part. The first sheet metal part and the second sheet metal part each have a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The first side of the first sheet metal part and the first side of the second sheet metal part are located on the same plane. This arrangement ensures that the sheet metal parts to be connected can form a smooth surface after assembly by the connecting device (i.e., the first side of the first sheet metal part and the first side of the second sheet metal part in this embodiment). The connecting device includes a female connector 100 and a male connector 200. The fixed end of the female connector 100 is connected to the folded edge 311 of the first sheet metal part (refer to...). Figure 6 (as shown) connected; wherein, the folded edge 311 is bent toward the second side of the first sheet metal part; the connecting end of the female connector 100 is disposed opposite to the second side of the second sheet metal part; the fixed end of the male connector 200 is connected to the second side of the second sheet metal part; the connecting end of the male connector 200 is inserted and connected to the connecting end of the female connector 100, and the connecting end of the female connector 100 abuts against the fixed end of the male connector 200.
[0045] This utility model employs a novel connecting device for the interlocking and assembly of multiple sheet metal parts, eliminating the need for fasteners. The assembly process is convenient and easy to operate, and the assembled sheet metal parts have a clean surface with no redundant parts exposed, thus improving the reliability of sheet metal part interlocking and assembly.
[0046] Regarding the folded edge 311 of the first sheet metal part, as a bend at the edge of the first sheet metal part, the shape and bending radius of the bend are generally related to the thickness of the sheet metal part, and will not be elaborated further. Here, the female connector 100 is installed on the folded edge 311 of the first sheet metal part, which serves to hide the connecting device. As a result, the connecting device is not visible on the surface of the sheet metal parts (the first side of the first sheet metal part and the first side of the second sheet metal part), so that the first sheet metal part and the second sheet metal part can form a smooth surface after being assembled by the connecting device.
[0047] The connecting edges on the first sheet metal part and the connecting edges on the second sheet metal part are generally matched with each other, and there are no specific restrictions on the shape of the connecting edges.
[0048] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Please refer to the schematic diagram of the female connector structure. Figure 2 As shown, the female connector 100 includes: a receiving member 110, a clamping member 120, a first mounting base 130, and a support member 140. The receiving member 110 has an inner cavity 111 and a connection port 112 communicating with the inner cavity 111. The connection port 112 is disposed opposite to the second side of the second sheet metal part. The clamping member 120 is disposed at the end of the connection port 112; the first mounting base 130 is connected to the folded edge 311 of the first sheet metal part; the support member 140 is connected between the first mounting base 130 and the receiving member 110; the connecting end of the male connector 200 extends into the inner cavity 111 through the connection port 112, and the clamping member 120 abuts against the fixed end of the male connector 200.
[0049] In an optional embodiment, the female connector 100 is an elastic element that can provide good elastic deformation when the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 are connected, and can support the need for repeated disassembly and assembly.
[0050] Furthermore, the clamping member 120 has an arc-shaped sleeve structure, which is more conducive to increasing elastic deformation. However, the shape of the clamping member 120 is not limited to the above structure, and will not be listed one by one here.
[0051] In an optional embodiment, a reinforcing rib may be added between the support member 140 and the first mounting base 130 to provide supplementary support for the support member 140 and enhance the structural strength of the female connector 100.
[0052] refer to Figure 2 As shown, the receiving member 110 in this embodiment has a V-shaped structure. However, the shape of the receiving member 110 is not limited to the above structure, as long as it is configured to accommodate the inner cavity 111 and the connection port 112 of the male connector 200. Regarding the arrangement of the receiving member 110, it is also important to note that the connection port 112 of the female connector and the connection end of the male connector 200 must be positioned opposite each other to ensure stable insertion. The relative positional relationship between the first mounting base 130 and the receiving member 110 is not limited here and can be adjusted according to assembly requirements.
[0053] In an optional embodiment, the first mounting base 130 is connected to the first sheet metal part by fasteners. Mounting holes can be correspondingly formed on the folded edges of the first mounting base 130 and the first sheet metal part; it is not necessary to drill holes on the surface of the first sheet metal part, resulting in a neat and aesthetically pleasing surface. Furthermore, the interference fit between the first sheet metal part and the fasteners not only ensures a more stable installation of the female connector 100 but also enhances the elastic deformation of the female connector 100 when the male connector 200 is inserted.
[0054] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Please refer to the schematic diagram of the male connector structure. Figure 3 As shown, the male connector 200 includes a second mounting base 210 and a guide rod 220. The second mounting base 210 is connected to the second side of the second sheet metal part; the first end of the guide rod 220 is mounted on the second mounting base 210; the second end of the guide rod 220 is provided with a tapered end 221.
[0055] When the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 are connected, the tapered end 221 of the male connector 200 is inserted into the inner cavity 111 of the receiving member 110 through the connection port 112 of the receiving member 110 of the female connector 100. Then, the guide rod 220 of the male connector 200 also extends into the inner cavity 111 of the receiving member 110 until the second mounting base 210 of the male connector 200 abuts against the clamping member 120 of the female connector 100, thus completing the connection between the female connector 100 and the male connector 200.
[0056] In an optional embodiment, the clamping member 120 clamps onto the guide rod 220; the clamping member 120 and the guide rod 220 are interference-fitted. See also... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the clamping member 120 has an arc sleeve-shaped structure. The interference fit between the clamping member 120 and the guide rod 220 can make the connection between the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 more stable.
[0057] In an optional embodiment, a guide ramp is provided on the guide rod 220. In this embodiment, the guide ramp can avoid assembly misalignment, reduce tolerance sensitivity, and make the insertion process of the male connector 200 smoother. Specifically, the shaft diameter of the guide ramp on the side closer to the tapered end 221 is smaller than the shaft diameter of the guide ramp on the side farther from the tapered end 221.
[0058] In an optional embodiment, the second mounting base 210 is welded and fixed to the second sheet metal part. This ensures the stable installation of the male connector 200 and eliminates the need to drill holes on the surface of the second sheet metal part, making the surface of the second sheet metal part neat and aesthetically pleasing.
[0059] In one optional embodiment, a plurality of female connectors 100 are evenly distributed on the first sheet metal part, and a plurality of male connectors 200 are evenly distributed on the second sheet metal part.
[0060] The multiple female connectors 100 are mainly evenly distributed along the connecting edges of the first sheet metal part, and correspondingly, the multiple male connectors 200 are mainly evenly distributed along the connecting edges of the second sheet metal part. Each female connector 100 and each male connector 200 is plugged into and connected, meaning there is a one-to-one correspondence between the female connectors 100 and male connectors 200. It should be noted that the shapes of the connecting edges on the first sheet metal part and the connecting edges on the second sheet metal part are generally complementary.
[0061] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heat pump housing structure of this utility model. Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure after the inspection plate has been removed. Figure 6 for Figure 5 Please refer to the enlarged structural diagram of region A in the middle. Figures 4 to 6 As shown, another aspect of this utility model also provides a heat pump housing 300.
[0062] Here is a brief introduction to heat pumps and their housings. A heat pump is a highly efficient energy-saving device that fully utilizes low-grade heat energy. Heat can spontaneously transfer from a high-temperature object to a low-temperature object, but not spontaneously in the opposite direction. The working principle of a heat pump is a mechanical device that forces heat to flow from a low-temperature object to a high-temperature object in a reverse circulation manner. It consumes only a small amount of net reverse circulation work to obtain a large amount of heat supply, effectively utilizing low-grade heat energy that is difficult to apply, thus achieving energy-saving goals. Existing heat pump housings are made by assembling sheet metal parts. These sheet metal parts are usually fixed together using fasteners such as screws, bolts, and nuts to achieve assembly and splicing. However, this assembly structure, due to the exposed fasteners, affects the product's appearance. Often, additional countersunk holes are machined to hide the fasteners, which not only increases manufacturing costs but also makes it easy for insects to enter the heat pump housing. In addition, this assembly structure is more prone to reliability issues. Specifically, the fasteners are not only prone to loosening under the vibration environment generated by the heat pump's operation but also prone to stripping after repeated disassembly and maintenance of the pump housing.
[0063] The heat pump housing 300 provided in this embodiment includes the connection device as described above. The outer side of the inspection plate 330 of the heat pump housing 300 is located on the same plane as the outer side of the front panel 310 and / or the rear panel 320 of the heat pump housing 300. The inner side of the inspection plate 330 of the heat pump housing 300 is connected to the fixed end of the male connector 200. The fixed end of the female connector 100 is connected to the folded edge 311 of the front panel 310 and / or the folded edge 311 of the rear panel 320 of the heat pump housing 300. The connecting end of the male connector 200 is plugged into the connecting end of the female connector 100, and the connecting end of the female connector 100 abuts against the fixed end of the male connector 200.
[0064] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the access panel 330 located on the side of the heat pump housing 300 is connected to the front panel 310 extending from the front to the side and the rear panel 320 extending from the rear to the side via a connecting device. During installation, the male connectors 200 on the access panel 330 are connected to the female connectors 100 on the front panel 310 and the rear panel 320, respectively, thus allowing the access panel 330 to be inserted between the front panel 310 and the rear panel 320 via the connecting device. During disassembly, the female connectors 100 provide good elastic deformation, thus supporting the need for repeated disassembly and reassembly of the access panel 330.
[0065] In this embodiment, the installation between the inspection plate 330 and the front panel 310 and the rear panel 320 does not require fasteners. It can be easily achieved by plugging and unplugging the connecting device hidden inside the heat pump housing 300. In addition, the outer surfaces of the multiple sheet metal parts on the side of the heat pump housing 300 (including the front panel 310, the inspection plate 330 and the rear panel 320) are simple and flat, and foreign objects are not easy to enter the heat pump housing 300, which improves the reliability of the heat pump operation.
[0066] The specific arrangement of the female connectors 100 and male connectors 200 of the connecting device is described below. Multiple female connectors 100 are evenly arranged on the folded edges 311 of the front panel 310 and the rear panel 320, as shown in the figure. Three female connectors 100 are evenly arranged from top to bottom on the folded edges 311 of the front panel 310, and three female connectors 100 are evenly arranged from top to bottom on the folded edges 311 of the rear panel 320. Correspondingly, multiple male connectors 200 are arranged on the inner side of the inspection plate 330. Specifically, multiple male connectors 200 are evenly arranged from top to bottom on the edge connecting the inspection plate 330 and the front panel 310, as shown in the figure (three male connectors are arranged). Similarly, multiple male connectors 200 are evenly arranged from top to bottom on the edge connecting the inspection plate 330 and the rear panel 320, as shown in the figure (three male connectors are arranged).
[0067] refer to Figure 6 As shown, the first mounting base 130 of the female connector 100 is connected to the folded edge 311 of the front panel 310 (the folded edge 311 of the rear panel 320) by fasteners. In this embodiment, the folded edges 311 of the front panel 310 (the folded edges 311 of the rear panel 320) are both bent towards the heat pump housing. Mounting holes are simply provided on the first mounting base 130 of the female connector 100 and the folded edges 311 of the front panel 310 (the folded edges 311 of the rear panel 320), eliminating the need for opening holes on the surface of the front panel 310 (the rear panel 320). The female connector 100 is cleverly concealed within the heat pump housing 300 by utilizing the folded edges 311 of the front panel 310 (the folded edges 311 of the rear panel 320), resulting in a neat and aesthetically pleasing surface for the front panel 310 (the rear panel 320).
[0068] Furthermore, the interference fit between the front panel 310 (rear panel 320) and the fasteners not only ensures a more stable installation of the female connector 100, but also enhances the elastic deformation of the female connector 100 when the male connector 200 is inserted.
[0069] On the other hand, the second mounting base 210 of the male connector 200 is welded and fixed to the side of the inspection plate 330 facing the heat pump box. This ensures the stable installation of the male connector 200 and eliminates the need to drill holes on the surface of the inspection plate 330. After the inspection plate 330 is installed, the male connector 200 is hidden inside the heat pump box 300, making the surface of the inspection plate 330 facing the heat pump box clean and beautiful.
[0070] The technical principles of this application have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. These descriptions are merely for explaining the principles of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application in any way. Based on this explanation, those skilled in the art can readily conceive of other specific embodiments of this application without inventive effort, and these embodiments will all fall within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. A connection device, characterized in that For connecting a first sheet metal part and a second sheet metal part, wherein the first sheet metal part and the second sheet metal part each have a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and the first side of the first sheet metal part and the first side of the second sheet metal part are located in the same plane; the connecting device includes: A female connector (100) has its fixed end connected to the folded edge (311) of the first sheet metal part; wherein the folded edge (311) is bent toward the second side of the first sheet metal part; the connecting end of the female connector (100) is disposed opposite to the second side of the second sheet metal part; and A male connector (200) is provided, the fixed end of which is connected to the second side of the second sheet metal part; the connecting end of the male connector (200) is connected to the connecting end of the female connector (100), and the connecting end of the female connector (100) abuts against the fixed end of the male connector (200).
2. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that The female connector (100) includes: A receiving member (110) is provided with an inner cavity (111) and a connection port (112) communicating with the inner cavity (111); the connection port (112) is disposed opposite to the second side of the second sheet metal part; A clamping member (120) is disposed at the end of the connecting port (112); A first mounting base (130) is connected to the flange (311) of the first sheet metal part; and A support member (140) is connected between the first mounting base (130) and the receiving member (110); The connecting end of the male connector (200) is plugged into the connecting port (112) and extends into the inner cavity (111), and the clamping member (120) abuts against the fixed end of the male connector (200).
3. The connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first mounting base (130) is connected to the first sheet metal part by fasteners; the first sheet metal part and the fasteners are interference fit.
4. The connection device of claim 2, wherein The male connector (200) includes: The second mounting base (210) is connected to the second side of the second sheet metal part; and A guide rod (220) is provided, the first end of which is mounted on the second mounting base (210); the second end of the guide rod (220) is provided with a tapered end (221); the guide rod (220) is inserted into the connection port (112) of the receiving member (110) and the tapered end (221) extends into the inner cavity (111) of the receiving member (110).
5. The connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that The clamping member (120) clamps onto the guide rod (220); the clamping member (120) and the guide rod (220) are interference-fitted.
6. The connection device of claim 4, wherein The guide rod (220) is provided with a guide slope; the shaft diameter of the guide slope on the side closer to the conical end (221) is smaller than the shaft diameter of the guide slope on the side farther away from the conical end (221).
7. The connection device of claim 4, wherein The second mounting base (210) is welded and fixed to the second sheet metal part.
8. The connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The female connector (100) is an elastic element.
9. The connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that Multiple female connectors (100) are evenly distributed on the first sheet metal part, and multiple male connectors (200) are evenly distributed on the second sheet metal part. Each female connector (100) and each male connector (200) are connected by insertion.
10. A heat pump cabinet (300), characterized by The device includes the connection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the outer side of the access plate (330) of the heat pump housing (300) is located on the same plane as the outer side of the front panel (310) and / or the rear panel (320) of the heat pump housing (300), and the inner side of the access plate (330) of the heat pump housing (300) is connected to the fixed end of the male connector (200); the fixed end of the female connector (100) is connected to the folded edge (311) of the front panel (310) and / or the folded edge (311) of the rear panel (320) of the heat pump housing (300); the connecting end of the male connector (200) is plugged into and connected to the connecting end of the female connector (100), and the connecting end of the female connector (100) abuts against the fixed end of the male connector (200).