Heat dissipation structure and air conditioner outdoor unit

Abstract

This application relates to a heat dissipation structure and an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, belonging to the field of air conditioning technology. The heat dissipation structure of this application includes a casing, an electrical box, and an air duct. An outdoor heat exchanger and a fan assembly of the outdoor unit are disposed within the casing. The outdoor heat exchanger is located on the air inlet side of the fan assembly, allowing external airflow drawn in by the fan assembly to flow through the outdoor heat exchanger for heat exchange. The electrical box is disposed within the casing. The air duct is located between the fan assembly and the outdoor heat exchanger, and is connected to the electrical box. The air duct is constructed to guide a portion of the external airflow after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger into the electrical box for heat dissipation. The technical solution disclosed in this application can solve the problem that existing heat dissipation methods are insufficient to meet the heat dissipation requirements of the electrical box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and in particular to a heat dissipation structure and an outdoor unit for an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] In air conditioning equipment, the electrical box is integrated inside the outdoor unit. The electrical box suffers from poor ventilation, and its internal drive components generate significant heat at high frequencies. Effective cooling of the electrical box is crucial for stable operation. Current cooling methods for the electrical box drive boards include air cooling and liquid cooling. Air cooling uses heat sinks and fans, but its efficiency is low, making it difficult to quickly reduce the overall temperature inside the electrical box. Liquid cooling, while highly efficient, is unsuitable for use in electrical boxes due to the flammability and explosiveness of the currently prevalent environmentally friendly refrigerants. Therefore, existing cooling methods fail to meet the high-efficiency cooling requirements of the electrical box, leading to increased temperatures in the drive components and impacting the overall stability and lifespan of the unit. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a heat dissipation structure and an outdoor unit for air conditioning to solve the problem that existing heat dissipation methods cannot meet the heat dissipation requirements of electrical boxes.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a heat dissipation structure for use in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, the heat dissipation structure comprising: The housing contains an outdoor heat exchanger and a fan assembly for the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The outdoor heat exchanger is located on the air inlet side of the fan assembly, so that the external airflow drawn in by the fan assembly flows through the outdoor heat exchanger for heat exchange. An electrical box is disposed inside the housing; An exhaust duct is located between the fan assembly and the outdoor heat exchanger. The exhaust duct is connected to the electrical box, and the exhaust duct is configured to guide part of the external airflow after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger into the electrical box to dissipate heat from the electrical box.

[0005] In some embodiments, an air inlet is provided on the wall of the air duct, and the air inlet is located on the side of the duct wall away from the air intake side.

[0006] In some embodiments, the exhaust duct includes: The first pipe section is mounted on the fan assembly at one end; The second pipe section is connected at one end to the electrical box; A bend in the pipe is located between the first pipe section and the second pipe section. One end of the bend in the pipe section is connected to the first pipe section, and the other end is connected to the second pipe section. The bend in the pipe section protrudes to the side away from the first pipe section. The air inlet is located at the apex of the bend in the pipe section.

[0007] In some embodiments, the fan assembly includes wires that pass through the air duct and are electrically connected to the electrical box.

[0008] In some embodiments, the electrical box is disposed on the top of the housing, and the electrical box includes: The box body has through air inlet and air outlet holes on its side walls; A driver board is disposed inside the housing, and electronic components are disposed on the driver board; The driving component is disposed within the housing; A cooling fan is mounted on the drive assembly, which is configured to drive the cooling fan to rotate, thereby changing the airflow direction of the cooling fan. The wire passes through the air inlet and is electrically connected to the drive board. The air inlet is connected to the air duct to deliver the external airflow to the cooling fan.

[0009] In some embodiments, the air outlet is disposed on the side wall of the housing facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly, and the air outlet extends downward at an angle.

[0010] In some embodiments, protective meshes are respectively provided inside the air inlet and the air outlet, and the protective mesh inside the air inlet is provided with a wire-passing hole for the wire to pass through.

[0011] In some embodiments, a partition is provided inside the housing to divide the housing into a fan chamber and a compression chamber arranged side by side, and the outdoor heat exchanger and the fan assembly are both disposed inside the fan chamber; The electrical box spans the partition, with one part of the electrical box located in the fan cavity and another part located in the compression cavity. The air inlet and the air outlet are both located on the side wall of the electrical box located in the fan cavity.

[0012] In some embodiments, one end of the exhaust pipe is sealed to the air inlet.

[0013] Secondly, this application provides an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, including the heat dissipation structure described in the first aspect.

[0014] The technical solutions provided in this application have the following advantages compared with the prior art: The heat dissipation structure provided in this application embodiment, through an air duct located between the fan assembly and the outdoor heat exchanger, guides the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger into the interior of the electrical box. Compared to the existing passive heat dissipation mode that relies on heat sinks and fans, this application can directly deliver a lower-temperature, more fluid airflow into the electrical box, thereby quickly removing the heat generated by the electronic components inside the electrical box, effectively reducing the overall temperature inside the electrical box, preventing the electronic components inside the electrical box from experiencing performance degradation or failure due to high temperatures, and ensuring the stable operation of the entire air conditioner. At the same time, this application does not need to use liquid cooling, which poses safety hazards, but instead utilizes the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the air conditioner itself to achieve heat dissipation, ensuring safety. In addition, the air duct is located between the fan assembly and the outdoor heat exchanger, and without affecting the normal heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger or interfering with the airflow rhythm of the fan assembly, it rationally diverts and reuses part of the airflow after heat exchange, making the airflow distribution more targeted, meeting the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 without disrupting the original heat exchange system balance of the air conditioner. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the heat dissipation structure provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical box provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air duct provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Housing; 110. Partition plate; 120. Fan cavity; 130. Compression cavity; 20. Outdoor heat exchanger; 30. Fan assembly; 310. Bracket; 320. Motor; 330. External fan; 40. Electrical box; 410. Box body; 4101. Air inlet; 4102. Air outlet; 4103. First side wall; 420. Drive board; 430. Drive assembly; 440. Cooling fan; 450. Protective net; 50. Exhaust duct; 510. Air inlet; 520. First pipe section; 530. Second pipe section; 540. Bend section; 60. Compressor. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the present invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0022] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relative position or movement of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "front," "back," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure undergoes a positional flip, orientation change, or change of motion, these directional indications will change accordingly. For instance, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptors used in the text will be interpreted accordingly.

[0023] In air conditioning equipment, the electrical box is integrated inside the outdoor unit. The stable operation of its internal drive board and components directly determines the overall performance and reliability of the air conditioner. However, the electrical box suffers from poor ventilation, and its internal drive components generate significant heat at high frequencies. Therefore, effective cooling of the electrical box has become a core technical requirement in the air conditioning industry. Existing cooling methods for the electrical box drive board include air cooling and liquid cooling. Air cooling uses heat sinks and fans, but its cooling efficiency is low, making it difficult to quickly reduce the overall temperature inside the electrical box. Liquid cooling, while highly efficient, is unsuitable for use in electrical boxes due to the flammability and explosiveness of currently mainstream environmentally friendly refrigerants (such as R290). Therefore, existing cooling methods cannot meet the high-efficiency cooling requirements of the electrical box, leading to increased temperatures in the drive components and affecting the overall operational stability and lifespan of the unit.

[0024] Example 1 In response to the above technical issues, such as Figures 1-4 As shown in the figure, this application provides a heat dissipation structure for use in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The heat dissipation structure includes a housing 10, an electrical box 40, and an air duct 50. The housing 10 is equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 20 and a fan assembly 30 of the outdoor unit. The outdoor heat exchanger 20 is located on the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30, so that the external airflow drawn in by the fan assembly 30 flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 for heat exchange. The electrical box 40 is disposed inside the housing 10. The air duct 50 is located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The air duct 50 is connected to the electrical box 40, and the air duct 50 is configured to guide part of the external airflow after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 into the electrical box 40 to dissipate heat from the electrical box 40.

[0025] Therefore, by using the air duct 50 located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is introduced into the interior of the electrical box 40. Compared with the existing passive cooling mode that relies on heat sinks and fans, this application can directly deliver a lower temperature and more fluid airflow into the electrical box 40, thereby quickly removing the heat generated by the electronic components inside the electrical box 40, effectively reducing the overall temperature inside the electrical box 40, preventing the electronic components inside the electrical box 40 from experiencing performance degradation or failure due to high temperature, and ensuring the stable operation of the entire air conditioner. At the same time, this application does not need to use the liquid cooling method which has safety hazards, but instead uses the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the air conditioner itself to achieve heat dissipation, ensuring safety. In addition, the exhaust duct 50 is set between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Without affecting the normal heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 or interfering with the air outlet rhythm of the fan assembly 30, it can reasonably divert and reuse part of the airflow after heat exchange, making the airflow distribution more targeted. This satisfies the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 without disrupting the balance of the original heat exchange system of the air conditioner.

[0026] It should be noted that the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be the outdoor unit of a water heater, and the water heater also includes the indoor unit of the air conditioner. In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with the cold water to be heated. After the water is heated, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant becomes a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. Subsequently, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows back to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and enters the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Under the action of the fan assembly 30, it draws in external airflow and exchanges heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The low-temperature liquid refrigerant absorbs heat, thereby lowering the temperature of the external airflow and forming a low-temperature airflow. Part of the low-temperature airflow enters the electrical box 40 through the air duct 50.

[0027] It should also be noted that the two sides of the fan assembly 30 in the axial direction (i.e., the Y direction) are the air inlet side and the air outlet side, respectively. The air inlet side is the side that draws in external airflow, and the air outlet side is the side that outputs the external airflow after heat exchange. Understandably, the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is closer to the outdoor heat exchanger 20, and the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is farther away from the outdoor heat exchanger 20.

[0028] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is L-shaped, forming a wrap-around layout for the fan, which can maximize the coverage of the surrounding space of the fan assembly 30, allowing the fin surface area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to contact the airflow as much as possible, thereby significantly increasing the effective heat exchange area and improving the overall heat exchange efficiency.

[0029] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the fan assembly 30 includes a bracket 310, a motor 320, and an external fan 330; the bracket 310 is disposed inside the housing 10, and the electrical box 40 is connected to the bracket 310; the motor 320 is mounted on the bracket 310; the external fan 330 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 320; the number of external fans 330 can be two, and the two external fans 330 are arranged at intervals in the height direction, and the two external fans 330 can be driven by the same motor 320. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, the height direction is parallel to the Z direction, the length direction is parallel to the X direction, the width direction is parallel to the Y direction, and the intersection of X, Y, and Z is O.

[0030] It should also be noted that the electrical box 40 body 410, the air duct 50, etc. are all made of high temperature resistant and corrosion resistant materials to ensure long-term operational stability.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, an air inlet 510 is provided on the wall of the air duct 50, and the air inlet 510 is located on the side of the duct wall away from the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30.

[0032] By placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side, the air inlet 510 is not only located in the negative pressure area formed by the operation of the fan assembly 30, but also faces the incoming flow from the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to the fan assembly 30. This not only improves the airflow introduction efficiency and flow rate, providing more sufficient heat dissipation power for the electrical box 40, avoiding insufficient heat dissipation power caused by relying on natural airflow diffusion, but also prevents rainwater intrusion, improving the safety of the electrical box 40. At the same time, placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side can preferentially draw in the low-temperature airflow that has not yet been heated by the fan assembly 30 itself and is closer to the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange by the outdoor heat exchanger 20, ensuring the low-temperature properties of the airflow entering the electrical box 40, further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0033] Example 2 like Figures 1-4 As shown in the figure, this application provides a heat dissipation structure for use in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The heat dissipation structure includes a housing 10, an electrical box 40, and an air duct 50. The housing 10 is equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 20 and a fan assembly 30 of the outdoor unit. The outdoor heat exchanger 20 is located on the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30, so that the external airflow drawn in by the fan assembly 30 flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 for heat exchange. The electrical box 40 is disposed inside the housing 10. The air duct 50 is located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The air duct 50 is connected to the electrical box 40, and the air duct 50 is configured to guide part of the external airflow after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 into the electrical box 40 to dissipate heat from the electrical box 40.

[0034] Therefore, by using the air duct 50 located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is introduced into the interior of the electrical box 40. Compared with the existing passive cooling mode that relies on heat sinks and fans, this application can directly deliver a lower temperature and more fluid airflow into the electrical box 40, thereby quickly removing the heat generated by the electronic components inside the electrical box 40, effectively reducing the overall temperature inside the electrical box 40, preventing the electronic components inside the electrical box 40 from experiencing performance degradation or failure due to high temperature, and ensuring the stable operation of the entire air conditioner. At the same time, this application does not need to use the liquid cooling method which has safety hazards, but instead uses the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the air conditioner itself to achieve heat dissipation, ensuring safety. In addition, the exhaust duct 50 is set between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Without affecting the normal heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 or interfering with the air outlet rhythm of the fan assembly 30, it can reasonably divert and reuse part of the airflow after heat exchange, making the airflow distribution more targeted. This satisfies the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 without disrupting the balance of the original heat exchange system of the air conditioner.

[0035] It should be noted that the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be the outdoor unit of a water heater, and the water heater also includes the indoor unit of the air conditioner. In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with the cold water to be heated. After the water is heated, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant becomes a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. Subsequently, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows back to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and enters the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Under the action of the fan assembly 30, it draws in external airflow and exchanges heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The low-temperature liquid refrigerant absorbs heat, thereby lowering the temperature of the external airflow and forming a low-temperature airflow. Part of the low-temperature airflow enters the electrical box 40 through the air duct 50.

[0036] It should also be noted that the two sides of the fan assembly 30 in the axial direction (i.e., the Y direction) are the air inlet side and the air outlet side, respectively. The air inlet side is the side that draws in external airflow, and the air outlet side is the side that outputs the external airflow after heat exchange. Understandably, the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is closer to the outdoor heat exchanger 20, and the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is farther away from the outdoor heat exchanger 20.

[0037] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is L-shaped, forming a wrap-around layout for the fan, which can maximize the coverage of the surrounding space of the fan assembly 30, allowing the fin surface area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to contact the airflow as much as possible, thereby significantly increasing the effective heat exchange area and improving the overall heat exchange efficiency.

[0038] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the fan assembly 30 includes a bracket 310, a motor 320, and an external fan 330; the bracket 310 is disposed inside the housing 10, and the electrical box 40 is connected to the bracket 310; the motor 320 is mounted on the bracket 310; the external fan 330 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 320; the number of external fans 330 can be two, and the two external fans 330 are arranged at intervals in the height direction, and the two external fans 330 can be driven by the same motor 320. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, the height direction is parallel to the Z direction, the length direction is parallel to the X direction, the width direction is parallel to the Y direction, and the intersection of X, Y, and Z is O.

[0039] It should also be noted that the electrical box 40 body 410, the air duct 50, etc. are all made of high temperature resistant and corrosion resistant materials to ensure long-term operational stability.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, an air inlet 510 is provided on the wall of the air duct 50, and the air inlet 510 is located on the side of the duct wall away from the air intake side.

[0041] By placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side, the air inlet 510 is not only located in the negative pressure area formed by the operation of the fan assembly 30, but also faces the incoming flow from the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to the fan assembly 30. This not only improves the airflow introduction efficiency and flow rate, providing more sufficient heat dissipation power for the electrical box 40, avoiding insufficient heat dissipation power caused by relying on natural airflow diffusion, but also prevents rainwater intrusion, improving the safety of the electrical box 40. At the same time, placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side can preferentially draw in the low-temperature airflow that has not yet been heated by the fan assembly 30 itself and is closer to the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange by the outdoor heat exchanger 20, ensuring the low-temperature properties of the airflow entering the electrical box 40, further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the air duct 50 includes a first pipe section 520, a second pipe section 530, and a bend section 540; one end of the first pipe section 520 is disposed on the fan assembly 30; one end of the second pipe section 530 is connected to the electrical box 40; the bend section 540 is located between the first pipe section 520 and the second pipe section 530, one end of the bend section 540 is connected to the first pipe section 520, and the other end is connected to the second pipe section 530, the bend section 540 protrudes to the side away from the first pipe section 520, wherein the air inlet 510 is disposed at the apex of the bend section 540.

[0043] By positioning the air inlet 510 at the apex of the bend in the pipe section 540, it is ensured that the air inlet 510 can contact the external airflow on the air intake side of the fan assembly 30. Simultaneously, the curved bend in the pipe section 540 guides the external airflow, allowing it to be smoothly introduced into the pipe, thereby increasing the intake volume and stability, and providing sufficient external airflow for heat dissipation to the electrical box 40. Furthermore, the bend in the pipe section 540 can act as a water trap, and the air inlet 510 can also serve a drainage function. Specifically, when rainwater or other liquids enter the air duct 50, the bend in the pipe section 540 intercepts the rainwater through its curved protruding structure, causing the rainwater to naturally converge at the air inlet 510 and drain out of the pipe. This prevents rainwater from accumulating inside the pipe and blocking the airflow channel, and also prevents rainwater from seeping into the electrical box 40 and causing short circuits, component damage, and other safety issues.

[0044] It should be noted that the exhaust duct 50 is a flexible hose, such as a corrugated pipe.

[0045] In some embodiments, the fan assembly 30 includes wires that pass through the air duct 50 and are electrically connected to the electrical box 40.

[0046] By running the wires of the fan assembly 30 through the air duct 50 and electrically connecting them to the electrical box 40, the airflow channel and the wire channel are integrated, achieving functional reuse. On the one hand, the air duct provides physical protection for the wires, isolating them from dust, moisture, and other interference, preventing insulation aging and damage caused by external environmental corrosion, thus ensuring the stability and safety of the circuit connection. On the other hand, no additional wiring space is needed, effectively saving installation space inside the outdoor unit. In addition, the low-temperature external airflow inside the air duct 50 not only cools the electrical box 40 but also simultaneously acts on the wires inside the duct, carrying away the heat generated by the wires during operation, further extending the service life of the wires.

[0047] It should be noted that the wire is the conductive path of the fan assembly 30. Specifically, the motor 320 is provided with an output terminal, from which the wire is led out.

[0048] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the electrical box 40 is disposed on the top of the housing 10. The electrical box 40 includes a box body 410, a drive board 420, a drive assembly 430, and a cooling fan 440. The side wall of the box body 410 is provided with a through air inlet 4101 and an air outlet 4102. The drive board 420 is disposed inside the box body 410 and is provided with electronic components. The drive assembly 430 is disposed inside the box body 410. The cooling fan 440 is disposed on the drive assembly 430 and is configured to drive the cooling fan 440 to rotate, thereby changing the air outlet direction of the cooling fan 440. A wire passes through the air inlet 4101 and is electrically connected to the drive board 420. The air inlet 4101 is connected to the air duct 50 to deliver external airflow to the cooling fan 440.

[0049] By placing the electrical box 40 on top of the casing 10, it is located away from the area at the bottom of the outdoor unit where water and dust tend to accumulate. This reduces the corrosive effects of moisture and dust on the electrical box 40 and its internal electronic components, lowering the risk of circuit and performance degradation of the drive board 420 and electronic components. Furthermore, the top mounting of the electrical box 40 offers safety advantages. In the event of an accidental leak of refrigerant (such as R290, which is denser than air) from the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the fan assembly 30 located below the electrical box 40 will disperse the leaked refrigerant into the air, preventing it from accumulating. Even if it is not dispersed in time, the leaked refrigerant will simply sink naturally and accumulate at the bottom of the casing 10, making it difficult for it to spread to the top of the electrical box 40. This effectively blocks the contact path between the leaked refrigerant and the drive board 420 and electronic components inside the electrical box 40, reducing the safety risk of the refrigerant igniting or exploding upon contact with an electrical spark.

[0050] The air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 form a complete circulation path for airflow entry, heat exchange, and airflow discharge. Specifically, the external low-temperature airflow enters the electrical box 40 through the air inlet 4101, flows through the drive board 420, electronic components and other heat-generating parts, carries away the heat, and then exits the electrical box 40 through the air outlet 4102 to avoid heat accumulation.

[0051] By installing a cooling fan 440 on the drive assembly 430, the drive assembly 430 can change the airflow direction of the cooling fan 440, achieving precise heat dissipation on demand. Specifically, when an electronic component on the drive board 420 generates concentrated heat during operation, the drive assembly 430 can drive the cooling fan 440 to rotate and adjust the airflow angle of the cooling fan 440, so that the airflow is directed to the area where the electronic component is located. This adapts to the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 under different operating conditions, ensuring the cooling effect of high-heat electronic components, avoiding airflow waste, and improving heat dissipation efficiency and energy utilization.

[0052] It should be noted that the position of the air inlet 4101 can be set according to specific needs. The air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 can be set on the same side wall of the electrical box 40 or on different side walls.

[0053] It should also be noted that the drive assembly 430 includes a drive motor 320 and a transmission unit. The drive motor 320 drives the transmission unit to rotate, and the cooling fan 440 is mounted on the transmission unit. The transmission unit includes, but is not limited to, a gear transmission structure, which can drive the cooling fan 440 to swing left and right and up and down, thereby ensuring that the cooling fan 440 can be aligned with high-heat electronic components and expand the heat dissipation area to avoid heat dissipation blind spots. It can be understood that the left and right swinging drives the cooling fan 440 to rotate in the XOY plane, and the up and down swinging drives the cooling fan 440 to rotate in the XOZ plane or the YOZ plane.

[0054] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 forms an enclosed layout with the electrical box 40, and the outdoor heat exchanger 20 abuts against the electrical box 40, thereby further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0055] Example 3 like Figures 1-4As shown in the figure, this application provides a heat dissipation structure for use in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The heat dissipation structure includes a housing 10, an electrical box 40, and an air duct 50. The housing 10 is equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 20 and a fan assembly 30 of the outdoor unit. The outdoor heat exchanger 20 is located on the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30, so that the external airflow drawn in by the fan assembly 30 flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 for heat exchange. The electrical box 40 is disposed inside the housing 10. The air duct 50 is located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The air duct 50 is connected to the electrical box 40, and the air duct 50 is configured to guide part of the external airflow after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 into the electrical box 40 to dissipate heat from the electrical box 40.

[0056] Therefore, by using the air duct 50 located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is introduced into the interior of the electrical box 40. Compared with the existing passive cooling mode that relies on heat sinks and fans, this application can directly deliver a lower temperature and more fluid airflow into the electrical box 40, thereby quickly removing the heat generated by the electronic components inside the electrical box 40, effectively reducing the overall temperature inside the electrical box 40, preventing the electronic components inside the electrical box 40 from experiencing performance degradation or failure due to high temperature, and ensuring the stable operation of the entire air conditioner. At the same time, this application does not need to use the liquid cooling method which has safety hazards, but instead uses the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the air conditioner itself to achieve heat dissipation, ensuring safety. In addition, the exhaust duct 50 is set between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Without affecting the normal heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 or interfering with the air outlet rhythm of the fan assembly 30, it can reasonably divert and reuse part of the airflow after heat exchange, making the airflow distribution more targeted. This satisfies the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 without disrupting the balance of the original heat exchange system of the air conditioner.

[0057] It should be noted that the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be the outdoor unit of a water heater, and the water heater also includes the indoor unit of the air conditioner. In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with the cold water to be heated. After the water is heated, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant becomes a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. Subsequently, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows back to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and enters the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Under the action of the fan assembly 30, it draws in external airflow and exchanges heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The low-temperature liquid refrigerant absorbs heat, thereby lowering the temperature of the external airflow and forming a low-temperature airflow. Part of the low-temperature airflow enters the electrical box 40 through the air duct 50.

[0058] It should also be noted that the two sides of the fan assembly 30 in the axial direction (i.e., the Y direction) are the air inlet side and the air outlet side, respectively. The air inlet side is the side that draws in external airflow, and the air outlet side is the side that outputs the external airflow after heat exchange. Understandably, the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is closer to the outdoor heat exchanger 20, and the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is farther away from the outdoor heat exchanger 20.

[0059] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is L-shaped, forming a wrap-around layout for the fan, which can maximize the coverage of the surrounding space of the fan assembly 30, allowing the fin surface area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to contact the airflow as much as possible, thereby significantly increasing the effective heat exchange area and improving the overall heat exchange efficiency.

[0060] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the fan assembly 30 includes a bracket 310, a motor 320, and an external fan 330; the bracket 310 is disposed inside the housing 10, and the electrical box 40 is connected to the bracket 310; the motor 320 is mounted on the bracket 310; the external fan 330 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 320; the number of external fans 330 can be two, and the two external fans 330 are arranged at intervals in the height direction, and the two external fans 330 can be driven by the same motor 320. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, the height direction is parallel to the Z direction, the length direction is parallel to the X direction, the width direction is parallel to the Y direction, and the intersection of X, Y, and Z is O.

[0061] It should also be noted that the electrical box 40 body 410, the air duct 50, etc. are all made of high temperature resistant and corrosion resistant materials to ensure long-term operational stability.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, an air inlet 510 is provided on the wall of the air duct 50, and the air inlet 510 is located on the side of the duct wall away from the air intake side.

[0063] By placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side, the air inlet 510 is not only located in the negative pressure area formed by the operation of the fan assembly 30, but also faces the incoming flow from the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to the fan assembly 30. This not only improves the airflow introduction efficiency and flow rate, providing more sufficient heat dissipation power for the electrical box 40, avoiding insufficient heat dissipation power caused by relying on natural airflow diffusion, but also prevents rainwater intrusion, improving the safety of the electrical box 40. At the same time, placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side can preferentially draw in the low-temperature airflow that has not yet been heated by the fan assembly 30 itself and is closer to the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange by the outdoor heat exchanger 20, ensuring the low-temperature properties of the airflow entering the electrical box 40, further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the air duct 50 includes a first pipe section 520, a second pipe section 530, and a bend section 540; one end of the first pipe section 520 is disposed on the fan assembly 30; one end of the second pipe section 530 is connected to the electrical box 40; the bend section 540 is located between the first pipe section 520 and the second pipe section 530, one end of the bend section 540 is connected to the first pipe section 520, and the other end is connected to the second pipe section 530, the bend section 540 protrudes to the side away from the first pipe section 520, wherein the air inlet 510 is disposed at the apex of the bend section 540.

[0065] By positioning the air inlet 510 at the apex of the bend in the pipe section 540, it is ensured that the air inlet 510 can contact the external airflow on the air intake side of the fan assembly 30. Simultaneously, the curved bend in the pipe section 540 guides the external airflow, allowing it to be smoothly introduced into the pipe, thereby increasing the intake volume and stability, and providing sufficient external airflow for heat dissipation to the electrical box 40. Furthermore, the bend in the pipe section 540 can act as a water trap, and the air inlet 510 can also serve a drainage function. Specifically, when rainwater or other liquids enter the air duct 50, the bend in the pipe section 540 intercepts the rainwater through its curved protruding structure, causing the rainwater to naturally converge at the air inlet 510 and drain out of the pipe. This prevents rainwater from accumulating inside the pipe and blocking the airflow channel, and also prevents rainwater from seeping into the electrical box 40 and causing short circuits, component damage, and other safety issues.

[0066] It should be noted that the exhaust duct 50 is a flexible hose, such as a corrugated pipe.

[0067] In some embodiments, the fan assembly 30 includes wires that pass through the air duct 50 and are electrically connected to the electrical box 40.

[0068] By running the wires of the fan assembly 30 through the air duct 50 and electrically connecting them to the electrical box 40, the airflow channel and the wire channel are integrated, achieving functional reuse. On the one hand, the air duct provides physical protection for the wires, isolating them from dust, moisture, and other interference, preventing insulation aging and damage caused by external environmental corrosion, thus ensuring the stability and safety of the circuit connection. On the other hand, no additional wiring space is needed, effectively saving installation space inside the outdoor unit. In addition, the low-temperature external airflow inside the air duct 50 not only cools the electrical box 40 but also simultaneously acts on the wires inside the duct, carrying away the heat generated by the wires during operation, further extending the service life of the wires.

[0069] It should be noted that the wire is the conductive path of the fan assembly 30. Specifically, the motor 320 is provided with an output terminal, from which the wire is led out.

[0070] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the electrical box 40 is disposed on the top of the housing 10. The electrical box 40 includes a box body 410, a drive board 420, a drive assembly 430, and a cooling fan 440. The side wall of the box body 410 is provided with a through air inlet 4101 and an air outlet 4102. The drive board 420 is disposed inside the box body 410 and is provided with electronic components. The drive assembly 430 is disposed inside the box body 410. The cooling fan 440 is disposed on the drive assembly 430 and is configured to drive the cooling fan 440 to rotate, thereby changing the air outlet direction of the cooling fan 440. A wire passes through the air inlet 4101 and is electrically connected to the drive board 420. The air inlet 4101 is connected to the air duct 50 to deliver external airflow to the cooling fan 440.

[0071] By placing the electrical box 40 on top of the casing 10, it is located away from the area at the bottom of the outdoor unit where water and dust tend to accumulate. This reduces the corrosive effects of moisture and dust on the electrical box 40 and its internal electronic components, lowering the risk of circuit and performance degradation of the drive board 420 and electronic components. Furthermore, the top mounting of the electrical box 40 offers safety advantages. In the event of an accidental leak of refrigerant (such as R290, which is denser than air) from the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the fan assembly 30 located below the electrical box 40 will disperse the leaked refrigerant into the air, preventing it from accumulating. Even if it is not dispersed in time, the leaked refrigerant will simply sink naturally and accumulate at the bottom of the casing 10, making it difficult for it to spread to the top of the electrical box 40. This effectively blocks the contact path between the leaked refrigerant and the drive board 420 and electronic components inside the electrical box 40, reducing the safety risk of the refrigerant igniting or exploding upon contact with an electrical spark.

[0072] The air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 form a complete circulation path for airflow entry, heat exchange, and airflow discharge. Specifically, the external low-temperature airflow enters the electrical box 40 through the air inlet 4101, flows through the drive board 420, electronic components and other heat-generating parts, carries away the heat, and then exits the electrical box 40 through the air outlet 4102 to avoid heat accumulation.

[0073] By installing a cooling fan 440 on the drive assembly 430, the drive assembly 430 can change the airflow direction of the cooling fan 440, achieving precise heat dissipation on demand. Specifically, when an electronic component on the drive board 420 generates concentrated heat during operation, the drive assembly 430 can drive the cooling fan 440 to rotate and adjust the airflow angle of the cooling fan 440, so that the airflow is directed to the area where the electronic component is located. This adapts to the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 under different operating conditions, ensuring the cooling effect of high-heat electronic components, avoiding airflow waste, and improving heat dissipation efficiency and energy utilization.

[0074] It should be noted that the position of the air inlet 4101 can be set according to specific needs. The air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 can be set on the same side wall of the electrical box 40 or on different side walls.

[0075] It should also be noted that the drive assembly 430 includes a drive motor 320 and a transmission unit. The drive motor 320 drives the transmission unit to rotate, and the cooling fan 440 is mounted on the transmission unit. The transmission unit includes, but is not limited to, a gear transmission structure, which can drive the cooling fan 440 to swing left and right and up and down, thereby ensuring that the cooling fan 440 can be aligned with high-heat electronic components and expand the heat dissipation area to avoid heat dissipation blind spots. It can be understood that the left and right swinging drives the cooling fan 440 to rotate in the XOY plane, and the up and down swinging drives the cooling fan 440 to rotate in the XOZ plane or the YOZ plane.

[0076] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 forms an enclosed layout with the electrical box 40, and the outdoor heat exchanger 20 abuts against the electrical box 40, thereby further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0077] In some embodiments, the air outlet 4102 is disposed on the side wall of the housing 410 facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30, and the air outlet 4102 extends downward at an angle.

[0078] By placing the air outlet 4102 on the side wall of the housing 410 facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30, the outward airflow force of the fan assembly 30 itself can be fully utilized to quickly pull out the airflow discharged from the electrical box 40. This prevents the airflow after cooling the electrical box 40 from stagnating or flowing back into or around the electrical box 40, thereby significantly improving the heat dissipation circulation efficiency and ensuring that the temperature inside the electrical box 40 remains stable within a safe range. By tilting the air outlet 4102 downward to form a barrier, not only can airflow be further prevented from flowing back into the electrical box 40 from the air outlet 4102, but external rainwater can also be effectively blocked from entering the electrical box 40 through the air outlet 4102, preventing rainwater from contacting electronic components and causing short circuits or other malfunctions.

[0079] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the side wall of the box 410 facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the first side wall 4103, and the air outlet 4102 is provided on the first side wall 4103.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, protective nets 450 are respectively provided in the air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102, and the protective net 450 in the air inlet 4101 is provided with a wire hole for wires to pass through.

[0081] By incorporating a protective mesh 450, dust, insects, and other foreign objects can be effectively prevented from entering the electrical box 40, thus avoiding circuit malfunctions caused by these objects. This provides a safe working environment for the electrical box 40 and extends the lifespan of electronic components. Simultaneously, the protective mesh 450 allows for smooth airflow while blocking foreign objects, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and circulation. The inclusion of wire-passing holes ensures the smooth passage of wires, eliminating the need for additional through-holes in the electrical box 40, reducing the number of openings and simplifying the structural design.

[0082] It should be noted that the diameter of the wire through hole is determined according to the specifications of the wire, so that the wire can form a tight fit with the wire through hole after it is installed, thereby ensuring the airtightness of the air inlet 4101, reducing gaps, and improving the overall protection reliability.

[0083] Example 4 like Figures 1-4As shown in the figure, this application provides a heat dissipation structure for use in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The heat dissipation structure includes a housing 10, an electrical box 40, and an air duct 50. The housing 10 is equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 20 and a fan assembly 30 of the outdoor unit. The outdoor heat exchanger 20 is located on the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30, so that the external airflow drawn in by the fan assembly 30 flows through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 for heat exchange. The electrical box 40 is disposed inside the housing 10. The air duct 50 is located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The air duct 50 is connected to the electrical box 40, and the air duct 50 is configured to guide part of the external airflow after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger 20 into the electrical box 40 to dissipate heat from the electrical box 40.

[0084] Therefore, by using the air duct 50 located between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is introduced into the interior of the electrical box 40. Compared with the existing passive cooling mode that relies on heat sinks and fans, this application can directly deliver a lower temperature and more fluid airflow into the electrical box 40, thereby quickly removing the heat generated by the electronic components inside the electrical box 40, effectively reducing the overall temperature inside the electrical box 40, preventing the electronic components inside the electrical box 40 from experiencing performance degradation or failure due to high temperature, and ensuring the stable operation of the entire air conditioner. At the same time, this application does not need to use the liquid cooling method which has safety hazards, but instead uses the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange in the air conditioner itself to achieve heat dissipation, ensuring safety. In addition, the exhaust duct 50 is set between the fan assembly 30 and the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Without affecting the normal heat exchange efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 20 or interfering with the air outlet rhythm of the fan assembly 30, it can reasonably divert and reuse part of the airflow after heat exchange, making the airflow distribution more targeted. This satisfies the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 without disrupting the balance of the original heat exchange system of the air conditioner.

[0085] It should be noted that the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be the outdoor unit of a water heater, and the water heater also includes the indoor unit of the air conditioner. In the indoor unit of the air conditioner, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant exchanges heat with the cold water to be heated. After the water is heated, the high-temperature gaseous refrigerant becomes a low-temperature liquid refrigerant. Subsequently, the low-temperature liquid refrigerant flows back to the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and enters the outdoor heat exchanger 20. Under the action of the fan assembly 30, it draws in external airflow and exchanges heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 20. The low-temperature liquid refrigerant absorbs heat, thereby lowering the temperature of the external airflow and forming a low-temperature airflow. Part of the low-temperature airflow enters the electrical box 40 through the air duct 50.

[0086] It should also be noted that the two sides of the fan assembly 30 in the axial direction (i.e., the Y direction) are the air inlet side and the air outlet side, respectively. The air inlet side is the side that draws in external airflow, and the air outlet side is the side that outputs the external airflow after heat exchange. Understandably, the air inlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is closer to the outdoor heat exchanger 20, and the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the side of the fan assembly 30 that is farther away from the outdoor heat exchanger 20.

[0087] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 is L-shaped, forming a wrap-around layout for the fan, which can maximize the coverage of the surrounding space of the fan assembly 30, allowing the fin surface area of ​​the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to contact the airflow as much as possible, thereby significantly increasing the effective heat exchange area and improving the overall heat exchange efficiency.

[0088] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the fan assembly 30 includes a bracket 310, a motor 320, and an external fan 330; the bracket 310 is disposed inside the housing 10, and the electrical box 40 is connected to the bracket 310; the motor 320 is mounted on the bracket 310; the external fan 330 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 320; the number of external fans 330 can be two, and the two external fans 330 are arranged at intervals in the height direction, and the two external fans 330 can be driven by the same motor 320. Additionally, as... Figure 1 As shown, the height direction is parallel to the Z direction, the length direction is parallel to the X direction, the width direction is parallel to the Y direction, and the intersection of X, Y, and Z is O.

[0089] It should also be noted that the electrical box 40 body 410, the air duct 50, etc. are all made of high temperature resistant and corrosion resistant materials to ensure long-term operational stability.

[0090] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, an air inlet 510 is provided on the wall of the air duct 50, and the air inlet 510 is located on the side of the duct wall away from the air intake side.

[0091] By placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side, the air inlet 510 is not only located in the negative pressure area formed by the operation of the fan assembly 30, but also faces the incoming flow from the outdoor heat exchanger 20 to the fan assembly 30. This not only improves the airflow introduction efficiency and flow rate, providing more sufficient heat dissipation power for the electrical box 40, avoiding insufficient heat dissipation power caused by relying on natural airflow diffusion, but also prevents rainwater intrusion, improving the safety of the electrical box 40. At the same time, placing the air inlet 510 on the side of the pipe wall away from the air intake side can preferentially draw in the low-temperature airflow that has not yet been heated by the fan assembly 30 itself and is closer to the low-temperature airflow after heat exchange by the outdoor heat exchanger 20, ensuring the low-temperature properties of the airflow entering the electrical box 40, further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0092] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the air duct 50 includes a first pipe section 520, a second pipe section 530, and a bend section 540; one end of the first pipe section 520 is disposed on the fan assembly 30; one end of the second pipe section 530 is connected to the electrical box 40; the bend section 540 is located between the first pipe section 520 and the second pipe section 530, one end of the bend section 540 is connected to the first pipe section 520, and the other end is connected to the second pipe section 530, the bend section 540 protrudes to the side away from the first pipe section 520, wherein the air inlet 510 is disposed at the apex of the bend section 540.

[0093] By positioning the air inlet 510 at the apex of the bend in the pipe section 540, it is ensured that the air inlet 510 can contact the external airflow on the air intake side of the fan assembly 30. Simultaneously, the curved bend in the pipe section 540 guides the external airflow, allowing it to be smoothly introduced into the pipe, thereby increasing the intake volume and stability, and providing sufficient external airflow for heat dissipation to the electrical box 40. Furthermore, the bend in the pipe section 540 can act as a water trap, and the air inlet 510 can also serve a drainage function. Specifically, when rainwater or other liquids enter the air duct 50, the bend in the pipe section 540 intercepts the rainwater through its curved protruding structure, causing the rainwater to naturally converge at the air inlet 510 and drain out of the pipe. This prevents rainwater from accumulating inside the pipe and blocking the airflow channel, and also prevents rainwater from seeping into the electrical box 40 and causing short circuits, component damage, and other safety issues.

[0094] It should be noted that the exhaust duct 50 is a flexible hose, such as a corrugated pipe.

[0095] In some embodiments, the fan assembly 30 includes wires that pass through the air duct 50 and are electrically connected to the electrical box 40.

[0096] By running the wires of the fan assembly 30 through the air duct 50 and electrically connecting them to the electrical box 40, the airflow channel and the wire channel are integrated, achieving functional reuse. On the one hand, the air duct provides physical protection for the wires, isolating them from dust, moisture, and other interference, preventing insulation aging and damage caused by external environmental corrosion, thus ensuring the stability and safety of the circuit connection. On the other hand, no additional wiring space is needed, effectively saving installation space inside the outdoor unit. In addition, the low-temperature external airflow inside the air duct 50 not only cools the electrical box 40 but also simultaneously acts on the wires inside the duct, carrying away the heat generated by the wires during operation, further extending the service life of the wires.

[0097] It should be noted that the wire is the conductive path of the fan assembly 30. Specifically, the motor 320 is provided with an output terminal, from which the wire is led out.

[0098] like Figures 1-3 As shown, in some embodiments, the electrical box 40 is disposed on the top of the housing 10. The electrical box 40 includes a box body 410, a drive board 420, a drive assembly 430, and a cooling fan 440. The side wall of the box body 410 is provided with a through air inlet 4101 and an air outlet 4102. The drive board 420 is disposed inside the box body 410 and is provided with electronic components. The drive assembly 430 is disposed inside the box body 410. The cooling fan 440 is disposed on the drive assembly 430 and is configured to drive the cooling fan 440 to rotate, thereby changing the air outlet direction of the cooling fan 440. A wire passes through the air inlet 4101 and is electrically connected to the drive board 420. The air inlet 4101 is connected to the air duct 50 to deliver external airflow to the cooling fan 440.

[0099] By placing the electrical box 40 on top of the casing 10, it is located away from the area at the bottom of the outdoor unit where water and dust tend to accumulate. This reduces the corrosive effects of moisture and dust on the electrical box 40 and its internal electronic components, lowering the risk of circuit and performance degradation of the drive board 420 and electronic components. Furthermore, the top mounting of the electrical box 40 offers safety advantages. In the event of an accidental leak of refrigerant (such as R290, which is denser than air) from the outdoor heat exchanger 20, the fan assembly 30 located below the electrical box 40 will disperse the leaked refrigerant into the air, preventing it from accumulating. Even if it is not dispersed in time, the leaked refrigerant will simply sink naturally and accumulate at the bottom of the casing 10, making it difficult for it to spread to the top of the electrical box 40. This effectively blocks the contact path between the leaked refrigerant and the drive board 420 and electronic components inside the electrical box 40, reducing the safety risk of the refrigerant igniting or exploding upon contact with an electrical spark.

[0100] The air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 form a complete circulation path for airflow entry, heat exchange, and airflow discharge. Specifically, the external low-temperature airflow enters the electrical box 40 through the air inlet 4101, flows through the drive board 420, electronic components and other heat-generating parts, carries away the heat, and then exits the electrical box 40 through the air outlet 4102 to avoid heat accumulation.

[0101] By installing a cooling fan 440 on the drive assembly 430, the drive assembly 430 can change the airflow direction of the cooling fan 440, achieving precise heat dissipation on demand. Specifically, when an electronic component on the drive board 420 generates concentrated heat during operation, the drive assembly 430 can drive the cooling fan 440 to rotate and adjust the airflow angle of the cooling fan 440, so that the airflow is directed to the area where the electronic component is located. This adapts to the heat dissipation needs of the electrical box 40 under different operating conditions, ensuring the cooling effect of high-heat electronic components, avoiding airflow waste, and improving heat dissipation efficiency and energy utilization.

[0102] It should be noted that the position of the air inlet 4101 can be set according to specific needs. The air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 can be set on the same side wall of the electrical box 40 or on different side walls.

[0103] It should also be noted that the drive assembly 430 includes a drive motor 320 and a transmission unit. The drive motor 320 drives the transmission unit to rotate, and the cooling fan 440 is mounted on the transmission unit. The transmission unit includes, but is not limited to, a gear transmission structure, which can drive the cooling fan 440 to swing left and right and up and down, thereby ensuring that the cooling fan 440 can be aligned with high-heat electronic components and expand the heat dissipation area to avoid heat dissipation blind spots. It can be understood that the left and right swinging drives the cooling fan 440 to rotate in the XOY plane, and the up and down swinging drives the cooling fan 440 to rotate in the XOZ plane or the YOZ plane.

[0104] It should also be noted that, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outdoor heat exchanger 20 forms an enclosed layout with the electrical box 40, and the outdoor heat exchanger 20 abuts against the electrical box 40, thereby further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0105] In some embodiments, the air outlet 4102 is disposed on the side wall of the housing 410 facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30, and the air outlet 4102 extends downward at an angle.

[0106] By placing the air outlet 4102 on the side wall of the housing 410 facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30, the outward airflow force of the fan assembly 30 itself can be fully utilized to quickly pull out the airflow discharged from the electrical box 40. This prevents the airflow after cooling the electrical box 40 from stagnating or flowing back into or around the electrical box 40, thereby significantly improving the heat dissipation circulation efficiency and ensuring that the temperature inside the electrical box 40 remains stable within a safe range. By tilting the air outlet 4102 downward to form a barrier, not only can airflow be further prevented from flowing back into the electrical box 40 from the air outlet 4102, but external rainwater can also be effectively blocked from entering the electrical box 40 through the air outlet 4102, preventing rainwater from contacting electronic components and causing short circuits or other malfunctions.

[0107] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the side wall of the box 410 facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly 30 is the first side wall 4103, and the air outlet 4102 is provided on the first side wall 4103.

[0108] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, protective nets 450 are respectively provided in the air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102, and the protective net 450 in the air inlet 4101 is provided with a wire hole for wires to pass through.

[0109] By incorporating a protective mesh 450, dust, insects, and other foreign objects can be effectively prevented from entering the electrical box 40, thus avoiding circuit malfunctions caused by these objects. This provides a safe working environment for the electrical box 40 and extends the lifespan of electronic components. Simultaneously, the protective mesh 450 allows for smooth airflow while blocking foreign objects, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and circulation. The inclusion of wire-passing holes ensures the smooth passage of wires, eliminating the need for additional through-holes in the electrical box 40, reducing the number of openings and simplifying the structural design.

[0110] It should be noted that the diameter of the wire through hole is determined according to the specifications of the wire, so that the wire can form a tight fit with the wire through hole after it is installed, thereby ensuring the airtightness of the air inlet 4101, reducing gaps, and improving the overall protection reliability.

[0111] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, a partition 110 is provided inside the housing 10 to divide the housing 10 into a fan chamber 120 and a compression chamber 130 arranged side by side. The outdoor heat exchanger 20 and the fan assembly 30 are both located in the fan chamber 120. The electrical box 40 spans the partition 110, with a part of the electrical box 40 located in the fan chamber 120 and another part located in the compression chamber 130. The air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 are both located on the side wall of the electrical box 40 located in the fan chamber 120.

[0112] Functional partitioning is achieved through the fan chamber 120 and the compression chamber 130, which avoids mutual interference between the airflow and vibration generated during the operation of the fan assembly 30 and the heat and noise of the internal components of the compression chamber 130. With both the air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 located on the side wall of the electrical box 40 within the fan cavity 120, the airflow dynamics within the fan cavity 120 can be fully utilized to improve heat dissipation circulation efficiency. Specifically, when the fan assembly 30 operates within the fan cavity 120, it draws in external airflow cooled by the outdoor heat exchanger 20. This not only allows the air inlet 4101 to more efficiently introduce low-temperature airflow, providing sufficient cold source for heat dissipation in the electrical box 40, but also enables the air outlet 4102 to quickly expel hot airflow from the electrical box 40 using the airflow dynamics of the fan assembly 30. At the same time, the location of both the air inlet 4101 and the air outlet 4102 on the side wall of the electrical box 40 within the fan cavity 120 also isolates the risk of refrigerant leakage from the compression chamber 130, preventing the compression chamber 130 from forming a communication path with the electrical box 40, thereby blocking the entry of leaked refrigerant and preventing the leaked refrigerant from contacting electronic components inside the electrical box 40.

[0113] It should be noted that, as Figure 1 As shown, the fan chamber 120 and the compression chamber 130 are arranged side by side along the X direction, and the partition 110 is connected to the electrical box 40; the compressor 60 is installed in the compression chamber 130.

[0114] In some embodiments, one end of the air duct 50 is sealed to the air inlet 4101.

[0115] By sealing one end of the exhaust duct 50 with the air inlet 4101, air leakage at the connection point can be reduced, ensuring that all the low-temperature airflow delivered by the exhaust duct 50 enters the electrical box 40 through the air inlet 4101. This avoids airflow loss due to gaps, which would reduce heat dissipation efficiency, and also prevents external high-temperature air from seeping in through the gaps, ensuring that the airflow entering the electrical box 40 is always low-temperature airflow. It also prevents dust, moisture, debris and other impurities from entering the electrical box 40 through the connection gaps, preventing impurities from adhering to the drive board 420 and electronic components, affecting heat dissipation or causing short circuits, thus strengthening the internal protection of the electrical box 40. In addition, the sealed connection can improve the connection stability between the exhaust duct and the electrical box, reduce loosening and displacement of the connection caused by vibration during air conditioning operation, ensure that the exhaust duct 50 delivers airflow stably for a long time, and provide a reliable structural guarantee for the sustainable heat dissipation of the electrical box 40.

[0116] Example 5 This application also provides an outdoor unit for an air conditioner, including the heat dissipation structure provided in the foregoing embodiments of this application.

[0117] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0118] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0119] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A heat dissipation structure, characterized in that, The heat dissipation structure, applied to an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, includes: The housing contains an outdoor heat exchanger and a fan assembly for the outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The outdoor heat exchanger is located on the air inlet side of the fan assembly, so that the external airflow drawn in by the fan assembly flows through the outdoor heat exchanger for heat exchange. An electrical box is disposed inside the housing; An exhaust duct is located between the fan assembly and the outdoor heat exchanger. The exhaust duct is connected to the electrical box, and the exhaust duct is configured to guide part of the external airflow after heat exchange through the outdoor heat exchanger into the electrical box to dissipate heat from the electrical box.

2. The heat dissipation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, An air inlet is provided on the wall of the air duct, and the air inlet is located on the side of the duct wall away from the air intake side.

3. The heat dissipation structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The exhaust pipe includes: The first pipe section is mounted on the fan assembly at one end; The second pipe section is connected at one end to the electrical box; A bend in the pipe is located between the first pipe section and the second pipe section. One end of the bend in the pipe section is connected to the first pipe section, and the other end is connected to the second pipe section. The bend in the pipe section protrudes to the side away from the first pipe section. The air inlet is located at the apex of the bend in the pipe section.

4. The heat dissipation structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The fan assembly includes a wire that runs through the air duct and is electrically connected to the electrical box.

5. The heat dissipation structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The electrical box is disposed on the top of the housing, and the electrical box includes: The box body has through air inlet and air outlet holes on its side walls; A driver board is disposed inside the housing, and electronic components are disposed on the driver board; The driving component is disposed within the housing; A cooling fan is mounted on the drive assembly, which is configured to drive the cooling fan to rotate, thereby changing the airflow direction of the cooling fan. The wire passes through the air inlet and is electrically connected to the drive board. The air inlet is connected to the air duct to deliver the external airflow to the cooling fan.

6. The heat dissipation structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The air outlet is located on the side wall of the housing facing the air outlet side of the fan assembly, and the air outlet extends downward at an angle.

7. The heat dissipation structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The air inlet and the air outlet are respectively provided with protective nets, and the protective net in the air inlet is provided with a wire passage hole for the wire to pass through.

8. The heat dissipation structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, A partition is provided inside the casing to divide the casing into a fan chamber and a compression chamber arranged side by side. The outdoor heat exchanger and the fan assembly are both located inside the fan chamber. The electrical box spans the partition, with one part of the electrical box located in the fan cavity and another part located in the compression cavity. The air inlet and the air outlet are both located on the side wall of the electrical box located in the fan cavity.

9. The heat dissipation structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, One end of the exhaust pipe is sealed to the air inlet.

10. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that, Includes the heat dissipation structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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