Outdoor unit and air conditioning system

Abstract

The application discloses an outdoor unit and an air conditioning system. The outdoor unit comprises a front panel and a shell, the shell forms an opening, the outer side wall of the front panel is provided with a first connecting piece, the inner side wall of the shell is provided with a second connecting piece at the opening position, and the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are matched to fix the front panel at the opening position. Thus, compared with the prior art in which many screws exist on the front surface, the connecting piece of the front panel of the application is located on the outer side wall of the front panel, the corresponding connecting piece of the shell is located on the inner side wall of the shell, and the front surface of the front panel is not provided with the connecting piece, so that when a user looks at the front surface of the outdoor unit after installation, neither the front panel nor the shell has any connecting piece, the front surface of the outdoor unit has no installation trace, such as a screw, and thus the appearance of the outdoor unit can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of outdoor unit technology, and more specifically, to an outdoor unit and an air conditioning system. Background Technology

[0002] Air conditioning systems have become a necessity in people's lives, and the outdoor unit is an indispensable component of these systems. The appearance of an air conditioning system is also a factor in user selection; therefore, improving the appearance of the outdoor unit has become a pressing issue. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides an outdoor unit and an air conditioning system.

[0004] The outdoor unit provided in this application includes a front panel and a housing. The housing forms an opening. A first connector is provided on the outer side wall of the front panel, and a second connector is provided on the inner side wall of the housing at the opening. The first connector and the second connector cooperate to fix the front panel at the opening.

[0005] In some embodiments, the outdoor unit includes a partition, the opposite sides of which respectively form a first cavity and a second cavity with the housing; the front panel includes a grille assembly and a front panel, the grille assembly is used to cover the opening of the first cavity, the front panel is used to cover the opening of the second cavity, the housing is provided with the second connector near the inner sidewall of the grille assembly and the front panel, and the outer sidewall of the grille assembly and the front panel is provided with the first connector.

[0006] In some embodiments, the housing includes a first side plate and a second side plate, the inner sidewalls of the first side plate and the second side plate are provided with the second connecting member, the outer sidewall of the front panel corresponding to the second side plate is provided with the first connecting member, and the outer sidewall of the grille assembly corresponding to the first side plate is provided with the first connecting member.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second side panel includes a first sub-side panel and a second sub-side panel, which are detachably connected. The housing also includes a bottom plate, one end of which is connected to the first side panel and the other end of which is connected to the first sub-side panel. The first sub-side panel and the second sub-side panel are provided with second connecting members. The front panel is provided with first connecting members corresponding to the first sub-side panel and the second sub-side panel respectively.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first connector and the second connector are threaded holes, and the first connector and the second connector are connected by screws.

[0009] In some embodiments, a third connector is provided on the front side of at least one of the partition and the second side panel near the first cavity, and a fourth connector is provided on the back side of the front panel, wherein the third connector and the fourth connector are connected.

[0010] In some embodiments, the outdoor unit further includes a cover and a fan. The cover is installed on the housing. The cover is located in the first cavity and has an air outlet corresponding to the fan. The cover is located between the fan and the grille assembly. A fifth connector is provided on the front of the cover, and a sixth connector is provided on the back of the grille assembly. The fifth connector and the sixth connector are connected.

[0011] In some embodiments, the grille assembly includes a first grille and a second grille, the first grille and the second grille being connected, and at least one of the materials, colors and surface treatment processes of the first grille and the second grille being different.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first grille is provided with a mounting groove, the inside of which is provided with a fixing part, and the second grille is provided with a mounting part on the side facing the first grille, the fixing part being connected to the mounting part.

[0013] In some embodiments, the fixing part extends through the mounting groove, and the fixing part and the mounting part are connected by screws.

[0014] In some embodiments, the mounting groove is provided with a first positioning element, the second grille is provided with a second positioning element, and the first positioning element and the second positioning element are connected.

[0015] The air conditioning system provided in this application includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected.

[0016] In the outdoor unit and air conditioning system of this application, the outdoor unit includes a housing and a front panel. A first connector is provided on the outer wall of the front panel, and a second connector is provided on the inner wall of the housing at an opening. The first and second connectors cooperate to fix the front panel at the opening. Thus, compared to existing technologies with numerous screws on the front, the connectors of the front panel in this application are located on the outer wall of the front panel, and the corresponding connectors of the housing are located on the inner wall of the housing. No connectors are provided on the front of the front panel, so that when the user looks at the front of the outdoor unit after installation, no connectors are visible on the front panel or the housing, and there are no installation marks such as screws on the front of the outdoor unit, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the outdoor unit.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view of the outdoor unit according to certain embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a side view of the outdoor unit.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the exploded structure of the outdoor unit.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the grille assembly of the outdoor unit shown.

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the grille assembly of the outdoor unit from another perspective;

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the front panel of the outdoor unit.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system according to certain embodiments of this application.

[0026] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0027] 1000. Air conditioning system;

[0028] 100, Outdoor unit; 200, Indoor unit;

[0029] 10. Front panel; 11. Outer wall; 12. First connector; 13. Grille assembly; 131. First grille piece; 1311. Mounting groove; 1312. Fixing part; 1313. First positioning piece; 132. Second grille piece; 1321. Mounting part; 1322. Second positioning piece; 14. Front panel; 15. Fourth connector; 16. Sixth connector; 17. Support column;

[0030] 20. Shell; 21. Opening; 22. Inner sidewall; 23. Second connector; 24. First side plate; 25. Second side plate; 251. First sub-side plate; 252. Second sub-side plate; 26. Bottom plate; 27. Top plate; 28. Rear panel;

[0031] 30. Divider;

[0032] 40. Third connector;

[0033] 50. Cover body; 51. Fifth connecting piece;

[0034] 60. Fan. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the embodiments of this application, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application.

[0036] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "thickness," "upper," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, 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 for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0037] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. In one example, they can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction between two elements.

[0038] In embodiments of this application, "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" of 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.

[0039] Air conditioning systems have become a necessity in people's lives, and the outdoor unit is an indispensable component of these systems. The appearance of an air conditioning system is also a factor in user selection; therefore, improving the appearance of the outdoor unit has become a pressing issue.

[0040] In existing air conditioning outdoor unit products, there are usually many screws on the front of the unit. These screws not only affect the appearance of the unit, but also increase the complexity of manufacturing and assembly to a certain extent.

[0041] Furthermore, traditional grille designs are generally monolithic, making it difficult to offer different materials, colors, and surface treatments, thus limiting the product's potential for personalization and functionality. As market demands for product appearance and personalization continue to rise, existing unit structural designs can no longer adequately meet consumer needs.

[0042] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides an outdoor unit and an air conditioning system.

[0043] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The outdoor unit 100 provided in this application includes a front panel 10 and a housing 20. The housing 20 forms an opening 21. A first connector 12 is provided on the outer side wall 11 of the front panel 10. A second connector 23 is provided on the inner side wall 22 of the housing 20 at the opening 21. The first connector 12 and the second connector 23 cooperate to fix the front panel 10 at the opening 21.

[0044] Specifically, after the front panel 10 is connected to the housing 20, the direction of the front panel 10 toward the housing 20 is defined as the first direction X1. The first direction X1 is the front-back direction. The side of the component that can be seen along the first direction X1 is the front of the component, and the side of the component that cannot be seen is the back of the component.

[0045] An air conditioning system 1000 refers to equipment that uses artificial means to regulate and control parameters such as temperature, humidity, and airflow rate of the indoor air in a building or structure. The outdoor unit 100 is the core component of the air conditioning system 1000. The outdoor unit 100 uses a compressor to compress low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas into high-temperature, high-pressure gas, and then uses a condenser to dissipate heat to the outdoor air, thereby achieving a cooling effect.

[0046] The housing 20 has a cavity structure for accommodating other components, and the housing 20 forms an opening 21 facing the front to facilitate the installation of other components of the outdoor unit 100 into the housing 20. The front panel 10 is used to cover the opening 21 of the housing 20. The front panel 10 and the housing 20 form a receiving cavity, within which other components of the outdoor unit 100 can be installed. The front panel 10 and the housing 20 isolate these other components from the outside environment, preventing them from being easily damaged by external forces and preventing external impurities, such as dust, from entering and affecting their normal operation. Both the housing 20 and the front panel 10 can be made of metallic materials, such as aluminum alloy or stainless steel, or non-metallic materials, such as plastic or fiberglass.

[0047] The outer side wall 11 of the front panel 10 is provided with a first connector 12, and the inner side wall 22 of the housing 20 is provided with a second connector 23 at the opening 21. The first connector 12 and the second connector 23 cooperate to fix the front panel 10 at the opening 21. The housing 20 may include a top plate 27, a bottom plate 26, a left side plate and a right side plate. The inner side wall 22 of the housing 20 may be the inner side wall 22 of the top plate 27, the bottom plate 26, the left side plate or the right side plate, that is, the housing 20 can be connected to the front panel 10 from the top plate 27, the bottom plate 26, the left side plate or the right side plate.

[0048] The number of first connectors 12 and second connectors 23 can be one or more, and their positions are not limited, but the first connectors 12 and second connectors 23 must correspond one-to-one. For example, if the second connectors 23 are provided on the side plate of the housing 20, then five second connectors 23 can be arranged vertically on the side plate, and five first connectors 12 can be provided on the corresponding front panel 10. The first connectors 12 and second connectors 23 are detachably connected, and the detachable connection methods include threaded connection, snap-fit ​​connection, hinge connection, flange connection, and groove (clamp) connection. For example, in some embodiments, the first connectors 12 and second connectors 23 are screw holes, and the first connectors 12 and second connectors 23 are connected by screws. In this case, holes can be drilled from the side of the front panel 14 to form the first connectors 12, and through holes can be provided on the side plate, top plate 27, or bottom plate 26 of the housing 20 to form the second connectors 23. Thus, when the first connector 12 and the second connector 23 are aligned, screws can be driven into the first connector 12 and the second connector 23 from the outside to complete the connection between the housing 20 and the front panel 10. At the same time, the screw connection can also ensure the connection stability between the housing 20 and the front panel 10.

[0049] The outdoor unit 100 in the prior art has a large number of screws on its front side. In contrast, the outdoor unit 100 of this application has connectors on the side walls of the front panel 10 and the housing 20, instead of on the front of the front panel 10. This means that after installation, when viewed from the front, no connectors are visible on the front panel 10 and the housing 20, and no installation marks such as screws are visible, thus improving the aesthetic appearance of the outdoor unit 100.

[0050] The outdoor unit 100 of this application includes a housing 20 and a front panel 10. A first connector 12 is provided on the outer side wall 11 of the front panel 10, and a second connector 23 is provided on the inner side wall 22 of the housing 20 at the opening 21. The first connector 12 and the second connector 23 cooperate to fix the front panel 10 at the opening 21. Thus, compared with the prior art where there are many screws on the front, the connectors of the front panel 10 of this application are located on the outer side wall 11 of the front panel 10, and the corresponding connectors of the housing 20 are located on the inner side wall 22 of the housing 20. There are no connectors on the front of the front panel 10, so that when the user looks at the front of the outdoor unit 100 after installation, no connectors will be visible on the front of the front panel 10 and the housing 20. There are no installation marks, such as screws, on the front of the outdoor unit 100, thereby improving the appearance of the outdoor unit 100.

[0051] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6In some embodiments, the outdoor unit 100 includes a partition 30, the opposite sides of which form a first cavity and a second cavity with the housing 20, respectively; the front panel 10 includes a grille assembly 13 and a front panel 14, the grille assembly 13 is used to cover the opening 21 of the first cavity, the front panel 14 is used to cover the opening 21 of the second cavity, the housing 20 is provided with a second connector 23 near the inner sidewall 22 of the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14, and the outer sidewall 11 of the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14 is provided with a first connector 12.

[0052] Specifically, the outdoor unit 100 includes a partition 30, the three sides of which are fixedly connected to the back panel 28, top panel 27, and bottom panel 26 of the housing 20, respectively. The fixing methods include, but are not limited to, screw fixing, riveting fixing, and welding. In this case, the opposing sides of the partition 30 and the housing 20 respectively form a first cavity and a second cavity. Thus, with the partition 30 as the boundary, the housing 20 is divided into two relatively independent parts, forming two independent cavities. At the same time, both cavities are relatively regular square structures, facilitating the layout and installation of the various components of the outdoor unit 100.

[0053] The front panel 10 includes a grille assembly 13 and a front panel 14. The grille assembly 13, through a strip or mesh design with specific angles and spacing, guides air smoothly through the condenser, improving heat dissipation efficiency and ensuring that the compressor and condenser maintain a reasonable temperature during high-load operation. The front panel 14 is a single, sealed plate.

[0054] The grille assembly 13 is used to cover the opening 21 of the first cavity, ensuring that the components inside the first cavity are not easily damaged by the outside environment, and ensuring that air can enter and exit the outdoor unit 100, thereby ensuring that the outdoor unit 100 can exchange heat smoothly. Therefore, the fan 60 is usually installed in the first cavity. The front panel 14 is used to cover the opening 21 of the second cavity. The front panel 14 is a sealing plate, so the sealing effect of the second cavity is better. Components that do not need to interact with air can be placed in the second cavity to improve the protection of the components. It should be noted that the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14 can be two separate panels or a single integrated panel; there is no limitation here.

[0055] The inner wall 22 of the housing 20 near the grille assembly 13 and the inner wall 22 of the front panel 14 are both provided with second connectors 23, and the outer walls 11 of the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14 are connected with first connectors 12. For example, the first housing 20 includes a left side plate and a right side plate, and the inner walls 22 of both the left side plate and the right side plate are provided with second connectors 23. The left side plate corresponds to the first cavity, and the right side plate corresponds to the second cavity. At least one of the left side wall, upper side wall, or lower side wall of the grille assembly 13 is provided with a second connector 23, and at least one of the right side wall, upper side wall, or lower side wall of the front panel 14 is provided with a second connector 23.

[0056] In this way, the grille assembly 13 and the housing 20 are connected by connectors on their side walls, and the front panel 14 and the housing 20 are connected by connectors on their side walls. After installation, when looking at the outdoor unit 100 from the front, there will be no connectors on the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14, and no installation marks such as screws will be visible, thereby improving the appearance of the outdoor unit 100.

[0057] Please see Figure 3 In some embodiments, the housing 20 includes a first side plate 24 and a second side plate 25. The inner sidewalls 22 of the first side plate 24 and the second side plate 25 are provided with second connectors 23. The outer sidewalls 11 of the front panel 14 and the second side plate 25 are provided with first connectors 12. The outer sidewalls 11 of the grille assembly 13 and the first side plate 24 are provided with first connectors 12.

[0058] Specifically, one of the first side panel 24 and the second side panel 25 is the aforementioned left side panel, and the other is the aforementioned right side panel. The inner wall 22 of both the first side panel 24 and the inner wall 22 of both the first side panel 24 and the second side panel 25 are provided with second connecting members 23. The outer wall 11 corresponding to the front panel 14 and the second side panel 25 is provided with a first connecting member 12. The outer wall 11 corresponding to the grille assembly 13 and the first side panel 24 is also provided with a first connecting member 12. The number of first connecting members 12 and second connecting members 23 can be one or more.

[0059] In this way, the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14 can be installed through the side plate of the housing 20, thereby improving the installation strength of the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14, and also making the installation of the housing 20 and the front panel 10 easier.

[0060] Please see Figure 3In some embodiments, the second side plate 25 includes a first sub-side plate 251 and a second sub-side plate 252, which are detachably connected. The housing 20 also includes a bottom plate 26, one end of which is connected to the first side plate 24 and the other end of which is connected to the first sub-side plate 251. Second connectors 23 are provided on the first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252. The front panel 14 is provided with first connectors 12 corresponding to the first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252 respectively.

[0061] Specifically, the second side plate 25 includes a first sub-side plate 251 and a second sub-side plate 252 that are detachably connected. One end of the base plate 26 is connected to the first side plate 24, and the other end of the base plate 26 is connected to the first sub-side plate 251. The connection method between the base plate 26 and the first side plate 24, and the connection method between the base plate 26 and the first sub-side plate 251, can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection, and is not limited here. The non-detachable connection method includes riveting connection or welding connection.

[0062] The first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252 are detachably connected. The area corresponding to the base plate 26 and the first sub-side plate 251 typically has some wiring; to avoid affecting these wirings, the first sub-side plate 251 is usually not disassembled. Therefore, the detachable connection between the first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252 facilitates the removal of the second sub-side plate 252 to repair components within the second cavity in case of malfunction, without affecting the wiring below.

[0063] Second connectors 23 are attached to the first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252, and the front panel 14 is provided with first connectors 12 corresponding to the first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252 respectively. In this way, it can be ensured that the front panel 14 can be stably connected to the first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252, thereby improving the installation stability of the front panel 14.

[0064] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, a third connector 40 is provided on the front side of at least one of the partition 30 and the second side plate 25 near the first cavity, and a fourth connector 15 is provided on the back side of the front panel 14. The third connector 40 and the fourth connector 15 are connected.

[0065] Specifically, a third connector 40 may be provided on the front side of at least one of the partition 30 and the second side plate 25 near the first cavity. This means the third connector 40 may be provided on the front side of the partition 30 near the first cavity, or on the front side of the second side plate 25 near the first cavity, or simultaneously on both the partition 30 and the second side plate 25 near the first cavity. A fourth connector 15 corresponding to each of the third connectors 40 is provided on the back side of the front panel 14. It should be noted that the fourth connector 15 does not penetrate the front panel 14. For example, in one embodiment, at least one of the third connector 40 and the fourth connector 15 is a locking groove, and the other is a locking block, with the third connector 40 and the fourth connector 15 engaging. The number of third connectors 40 and fourth connectors 15 may be one or more.

[0066] In this way, the front of the partition 30 and the back of the front panel 14 can also be connected, further improving the installation strength of the front panel 14. Furthermore, the third connector 40 and the fourth connector 15 also serve a positioning function. When connecting the front panel 14 and the housing 20, the third connector 40 and the fourth connector 15 are engaged first, aligning the first connector 12 of the partition 30 and the second connector 23 of the housing 20. Then, the first connector 12 and the second connector 23 are connected, improving the ease of installation for the front panel 14 and the housing 20. Simultaneously, the fourth connector 15 does not penetrate the front panel 14, and it is not visible from the front of the front panel 14. This ensures that even with the fourth connector 15 installed, users will not notice any installation marks when viewing the front panel 14 from the front, thus improving the installation strength of the front panel 14 while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the outdoor unit 100.

[0067] Similarly, a third connector 40 may be provided on the front side of the separator 30 near the second cavity, and a fourth connector 15 may be provided on the back side of the grille assembly 13. The third connector 40 and the fourth connector 15 are connected to improve the installation strength of the grille assembly 13 while ensuring the aesthetic appearance of the outdoor unit 100.

[0068] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the outdoor unit 100 further includes a cover 50 and a fan 60. The cover 50 is installed on the housing 20. The cover 50 is located in the first cavity and has an air outlet corresponding to the fan 60. The cover 50 is located between the fan 60 and the grille assembly 13. The front of the cover 50 is provided with a fifth connector 51, and the back of the grille assembly 13 is provided with a sixth connector 16. The fifth connector 51 and the sixth connector 16 are connected.

[0069] Specifically, the fan 60 is used to increase the gas flow velocity in the first cavity. The fan 60 is disposed in the first cavity, which also has a corresponding shroud 50. The shroud 50 has an air vent corresponding to the fan 60, through which air can enter and exit the fan 60. The shroud 50 is located between the fan 60 and the grille assembly 13. For example, the air flowing out of the fan 60 will first pass through the air vent of the shroud 50, then flow to the grille assembly 13, and finally flow to the outside of the outdoor unit 100.

[0070] The front of the cover 50 is provided with a fifth connector 51, and the back of the grille assembly 13 is provided with a sixth connector 16 corresponding to the fifth connector 51. It should be noted that the sixth connector 16 does not penetrate through the grille assembly 13. For example, in one embodiment, at least one of the fifth connector 51 and the sixth connector 16 is an engaging groove, and the other is an engaging block, and the fifth connector 51 and the sixth connector 16 are engaged and connected. The number of fifth connectors 51 and sixth connectors 16 can be one or more.

[0071] In this way, the front of the enclosure 50 and the back of the grille assembly 13 can also be connected, further improving the installation strength of the grille assembly 13. Furthermore, the fifth connector 51 and the sixth connector 16 also serve a positioning function. When connecting the grille assembly 13 and the housing 20, the fifth connector 51 and the sixth connector 16 are engaged first, aligning the first connector 12 of the grille assembly 13 and the second connector 23 of the housing 20. Then, the first connector 12 and the second connector 23 are connected, improving the ease of installation for the grille assembly 13 and the housing 20. Simultaneously, the sixth connector 16 is not visible from the front of the grille assembly 13, ensuring that even with the sixth connector 16, users will not notice any installation marks when viewing the grille assembly 13 from the front. This improves the installation strength of the grille assembly 13 while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the outdoor unit 100.

[0072] Based on the above embodiments of the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14, the installation of the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14 will be described in detail:

[0073] 1. Installation of the grille assembly 13: First, align and engage the clips (sixth connector 16) on the back of the grille assembly 13 with the corresponding slots (fifth connector 51) on the cover 50 to initially fix the grille assembly 13 to the cover 50. Then, on the left side of the grille assembly 13, use screws to fix the grille assembly 13 to the first side plate 24 to ensure the stability of the grille in the horizontal direction.

[0074] 2. Front panel 14 installation: Hook the hooks (fourth connector 15) of the front panel 14 with the corresponding hook holes (third connector 40) on the separator 30 and the first sub-side plate 251. Then, use screws from the right side to fix the front panel 14 to the first sub-side plate 251 and the second sub-side plate 252 to complete the assembly of the front of the outdoor unit 100. At this time, no screws can be seen from the front of the outdoor unit 100.

[0075] Thus, after installing the grille assembly 13 and the front panel 14 onto the housing 20, no screws are visible on the front of the outdoor unit 100, making its appearance more concise and aesthetically pleasing, meeting the aesthetic requirements of modern consumers and enhancing its market competitiveness. Furthermore, the outdoor unit 100 of this application is relatively easy to install. Although the outdoor unit 100 achieves a screwless front, the fixing methods for each component are reasonable. Through clips, hooks, and side fixings, structural stability is ensured while facilitating the assembly and disassembly of the outdoor unit 100, improving production efficiency.

[0076] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the grille assembly 13 includes a first grille 131 and a second grille 132, the first grille 131 and the second grille 132 are connected, and at least one of the materials, colors and surface treatment processes of the first grille 131 and the second grille 132 is different.

[0077] Specifically, the grille assembly 13 includes a first grille element 131 and a second grille element 132. The specific arrangement of the first grille element 131 and the second grille element 132 is not limited. For example, in one embodiment, the second grille element 132 may be an annular grille corresponding to the shape of the fan 60, and the first grille element 131 may be a rectangular grille corresponding to the shape of the first cavity. An annular groove is provided in the area of ​​the first grille element 131 corresponding to the fan 60, and the second grille element 132 can be installed in this annular groove. This ensures that the first grille element 131 and the second grille element 132 can be installed smoothly, and also ensures that the position and shape of the second grille element 132 correspond to the fan 60, thereby improving the aesthetics of the grille assembly 13. In another embodiment, the first grille element 131 and the second grille element 132 are two vertically connected square grilles.

[0078] Meanwhile, at least one of the materials, colors, and surface treatment processes of the first grille 131 and the second grille 132 is different, resulting in different appearances for the two grille components. In this case, different materials are selected to manufacture the two grille components according to design requirements. For example, the first grille 131 is made of metal to increase strength and texture, while the second grille 132 is made of plastic to reduce costs and increase color diversity. Then, different surface treatments are applied to the two grille components, such as anodizing the metal grille to improve wear resistance and aesthetics, and painting the plastic grille to obtain the desired color.

[0079] Thus, the grille assembly 13 is divided into a first grille element 131 and a second grille element 132, and the first grille element 131 and the second grille element 132 can be respectively given different materials, colors and surface treatment processes, so that the first grille element 131 and the second grille element 132 have different appearances, thereby further improving the aesthetics of the outdoor unit 100. Therefore, the design of the grille assembly 13 of this application is flexible and can meet the market's demand for personalization and diversification of the outdoor unit 100, providing strong support for product differentiation competition.

[0080] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the first grille 131 is provided with a mounting groove 1311, and a fixing part 1312 is provided inside the mounting groove 1311. The second grille 132 is provided with a mounting part 1321 on the side facing the first grille 131, and the fixing part 1312 is connected to the mounting part 1321.

[0081] Specifically, the second grille 132 has a mounting portion 1321 on the side facing the first grille 131, meaning the mounting portion 1321 does not penetrate the second grille 132. A fixing portion 1312 is provided inside the mounting groove 1311, for example, the fixing portion 1312 is located at the bottom of the mounting groove 1311. With the mounting portion 1321 on the side of the second grille 132 facing the first grille 131, the second grille 132 can be stably installed in the mounting groove 1311 after the mounting portion 1321 is connected to the fixing portion 1312. For example, the mounting groove 1311 may have a locking block, and the mounting portion 1321 may be a locking groove; the two can then be engaged to connect the first grille 131 and the second grille 132. Alternatively, the fixing portion 1312 may penetrate the mounting groove 1311, and the fixing portion 1312 and the mounting portion 1321 may be connected by screws. After the second grille 132 is placed into the mounting slot 1311, a screw can be inserted into the mounting part 1321 through the fixing part 1312 to connect the second grille 132 and the first grille 131. The number of mounting parts 1321 and fixing parts 1312 can be one or more.

[0082] Since the second grille 132 is located in the mounting groove 1311, the mounting part 1321 and the fixing part 1312 can be covered by the second grille 132, so that the user will not see the installation marks such as the mounting part 1321 and the fixing part 1312, thereby ensuring the aesthetics of the grille assembly 13.

[0083] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the mounting groove 1311 is provided with a first positioning member 1313, the second grille member 132 is provided with a second positioning member 1322, and the first positioning member 1313 and the second positioning member 1322 are connected.

[0084] Specifically, one of the first positioning element 1313 and the second positioning element 1322 is a positioning hole, and the other is a positioning post. The first positioning element 1313 is located within the mounting groove 1311. There can be one or more first positioning elements 1313 and second positioning elements 1322. During the production of the first grille element 131 and the second grille element 132, the positions of the first positioning element 1313, the second positioning element 1322, the fixing part 1312, and the mounting part 1321 can be standardized so that when the first positioning element 1313 and the second positioning element 1322 are engaged, the fixing part 1312 and the mounting part 1321 are aligned. Therefore, when assembling the first grille element 131 and the second grille element 132, the first positioning element 1313 and the second positioning element 1322 can be engaged first to align the fixing part 1312 and the mounting part 1321, and then the fixing part 1312 and the mounting part 1321 can be connected. In this way, the connection between the first grille 131 and the second grille 132 can be successfully completed through the first positioning member 1313 and the second positioning member 1322.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first grille 131 may also be provided with a support column 17, which abuts against the front panel 10, thereby facilitating the connection between the front panel 10 and the first grille 131.

[0086] Based on the above embodiments corresponding to the grille assembly 13, the assembly of the first grille member 131 and the second grille member 132 will be described in detail:

[0087] After the two grilles are manufactured, the first grille piece 131 and the second grille piece 132 are positioned using positioning pins and positioning holes, and then secured with screws from the back of the first grille piece 131 to form a combined grille, namely the grille assembly 13. Following the above grille installation steps, the grille assembly 13 is installed as a whole onto the housing 20 using clips and screws to secure it to the left side plate.

[0088] Please see Figure 7The air conditioning system 1000 of this application includes an indoor unit 200 and an outdoor unit 100 as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0089] Specifically, the air conditioning system 1000 achieves comfortable indoor environmental regulation by precisely controlling the circulation and distribution of refrigerant. The refrigerant, commonly known as refrigerant fluid, is the working fluid in the air conditioning system 1000 used to transfer heat and produce a cooling effect.

[0090] Air conditioning system 1000 may include indoor unit 200 and outdoor unit 100. Outdoor unit 100, often referred to as the outdoor air conditioning unit, is typically installed on the exterior wall of a building, balcony, or other location outside the building. Outdoor unit 100 includes an outdoor heat exchanger and a compressor. Indoor unit 200 is typically installed on an indoor wall or ceiling, and outdoor unit 100 includes an indoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger, indoor heat exchanger, and compressor are connected in pairs. The compressor is the core component of air conditioning system 1000, compressing and heating the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas to achieve cooling or heating functions. The functions of the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers are not fixed; they can function as either condensers or evaporators. However, if one is a condenser, the other is an evaporator. In cooling mode, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser, and the indoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator. In heating mode, the refrigerant flow direction changes through the switching of a four-way reversing valve. In this mode, the outdoor heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, and the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser.

[0091] The refrigerant output from the compressor flows into the condenser. The condenser transforms the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure state, while releasing heat to the surrounding environment. The evaporator utilizes the characteristic that liquid, low-temperature refrigerant easily evaporates under low pressure, absorbing heat from the medium being cooled, thereby achieving the purpose of refrigeration. Finally, the refrigerant output from the evaporator flows into the compressor.

[0092] During the assembly of the outdoor unit 100, the connecting parts required for assembly are all located on the side of the outdoor unit 100 or on the back of the front panel 10, areas that will not be seen by the user from the front, so as to improve the aesthetics of the outdoor unit 100 and thus improve the aesthetics of the air conditioning system 1000.

[0093] The outdoor unit 100 of the air conditioning system 1000 of this application includes a housing 20 and a front panel 10. A first connector 12 is provided on the outer side wall 11 of the front panel 10, and a second connector 23 is provided on the inner side wall 22 of the housing 20 at the opening 21. The first connector 12 and the second connector 23 cooperate to fix the front panel 10 at the opening 21. Thus, compared with the prior art where there are many screws on the front, the connectors of the front panel 10 of this application are located on the outer side wall 11 of the front panel 10, and the corresponding connectors of the housing 20 are located on the inner side wall 22 of the housing 20. There are no connectors on the front of the front panel 10, so that when the user looks at the front of the outdoor unit 100 after installation, no connectors will be visible on the front of the front panel 10 and the housing 20, and there will be no installation marks such as screws on the front of the outdoor unit 100, thereby improving the appearance of the outdoor unit 100.

[0094] In the description of this specification, the references to "certain embodiments," "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0095] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the stated features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two or three, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0096] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An outdoor unit, characterized in that, include: Front panel; and The housing has an opening, and the outer side wall of the front panel is provided with a first connector, and the inner side wall of the housing is provided with a second connector at the opening. The first connector and the second connector cooperate to fix the front panel at the opening.

2. The outdoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outdoor unit includes a partition, the opposite sides of which form a first cavity and a second cavity with the housing, respectively; the front panel includes a grille assembly and a front panel, the grille assembly is used to cover the opening of the first cavity, the front panel is used to cover the opening of the second cavity, the housing is provided with the second connector near the inner sidewall of the grille assembly and the front panel, and the outer sidewall of the grille assembly and the front panel is provided with the first connector.

3. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing includes a first side plate and a second side plate. The inner sidewalls of the first side plate and the second side plate are provided with the second connecting member. The outer sidewall of the front panel corresponding to the second side plate is provided with the first connecting member. The outer sidewall of the grille assembly corresponding to the first side plate is provided with the first connecting member.

4. The outdoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second side panel includes a first sub-side panel and a second sub-side panel, which are detachably connected. The housing also includes a bottom plate, one end of which is connected to the first side panel and the other end of which is connected to the first sub-side panel. The first sub-side panel and the second sub-side panel are provided with second connecting members. The front panel is provided with first connecting members corresponding to the first sub-side panel and the second sub-side panel respectively.

5. The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first connector and the second connector are threaded holes, and the first connector and the second connector are connected by screws.

6. The outdoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, A third connector is provided on the front side of at least one of the separator and the second side panel in the region near the first cavity, and a fourth connector is provided on the back side of the front panel, wherein the third connector and the fourth connector are connected.

7. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outdoor unit also includes a cover and a fan. The cover is installed on the housing. The cover is located in the first cavity and has an air outlet corresponding to the fan. The cover is located between the fan and the grille assembly. The front of the cover is provided with a fifth connector, and the back of the grille assembly is provided with a sixth connector. The fifth connector and the sixth connector are connected.

8. The outdoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The grille assembly includes a first grille and a second grille, which are connected. At least one of the materials, colors, and surface treatment processes of the first grille and the second grille is different.

9. The outdoor unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first grid member is provided with a mounting groove, and a fixing part is provided inside the mounting groove. The second grid member is provided with a mounting part on the side facing the first grid member, and the fixing part is connected to the mounting part.

10. The outdoor unit according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fixing part extends through the mounting groove, and the fixing part and the mounting part are connected by screws.

11. The outdoor unit according to claim 9, characterized in that, The mounting groove is provided with a first positioning element, and the second grille is provided with a second positioning element. The first positioning element and the second positioning element are connected.

12. An air conditioning system, characterized in that, include: Indoor unit; The outdoor unit according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected.

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