AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WITH DETACHABLE COMPONENTS

Description

Field of Invention

[0001] The invention relates to an air conditioner, in particular an indoor air conditioner with easily detachable components for faster servicing and repair.Background

[0002] An air conditioner is a device that regulates and maintains temperature by providing cool air and keeping the indoor temperature at a preset level. There are two types of indoor air conditioners currently on the market: single-body devices that house all components in one unit and split-type devices that have some components in an indoor unit and others in an outdoor unit. Split-type indoor air conditioners include wall-hanging, ceiling-suspended, and stand-type devices, with wall-hanging units being the most common.

[0003] The indoor unit of a split-type air conditioner includes a body with a back plate attached to a wall surface to hold the heat exchanger and other components for discharging cool air and removing hot air. The outdoor unit includes a compressor, outdoor heat exchanger, and expansion device. Cleaning and maintenance of both units is necessary for proper operation and improved efficiency.

[0004] Despite being enclosed within a housing with grills or openings, dust can accumulate on components such as the cross-flow fan, discharge grill, and evaporator of the wall-hanging air conditioner. This dust and moisture can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, adversely affecting air quality and user health. However, disassembling and cleaning or repairing components requires specialized tools and expertise, making it expensive and challenging for ordinary users.

[0005] Removing the cross-flow fan from existing air conditioners poses a significant challenge. It involves detaching one end of the fan from the bearing attached to the air conditioner body and tilting it to remove the other end from the fan motor's shaft, which is also connected to the body of the air conditioner. Furthermore, to create sufficient space or clearance for removing the detached cross-flow fan, the evaporator needs to be lifted significantly or completely removed. This process is time-consuming and often requires the expertise of skilled technicians.

[0006] Further, removing the discharge grill, cross-flow fan, adjustable vanes, and the motors driving them in existing air conditioners is a difficult and time-consuming process. It necessitates the electrical box to be completely disconnected and removed from the body of the air conditioner, which adds to the complexity. Moreover, this procedure poses safety hazards, as there is a risk of electric shocks when attempting to detach the electrical box from the air conditioner's body.

[0007] Additionally, the various components mentioned, including the discharge grill, cross-flow fan, adjustable vanes, and the motors, are fastened to the body or chassis of existing air conditioners using multiple screws. These screws are not easily accessible from the front of the body, often requiring specialized tools for removal. Consequently, dismantling or disassembling existing air conditioners for cleaning and repair purposes becomes challenging and time-consuming.

[0008] Furthermore, the housing of typical wall-hanging air conditioners is hinged to the body, allowing swing opening to access components for cleaning and maintenance. However, if the air conditioner is attached to the wall near the ceiling, there is insufficient space for complete swing opening of the housing, making it difficult to detach the hooks connecting the body and the housing.

[0009] The invention aims to provide an indoor air conditioner that addresses these issues.

[0010] EP 2469194 A1 discloses an indoor air-conditioning unit having a main body with an evaporator, a cross-flow fan, and a detachable drain-pan assembly. The drain-pan assembly can be removed from the main body to reveal an opening part positioned behind the evaporator. This opening part is expressly formed with a diameter larger than that of the cross-flow fan, enabling the fan to be withdrawn axially through the chassis without needing to lift or remove the evaporator.

[0011] US 2020 / 0370763 A1 discloses a discharge grille assembly for an air-conditioning system, which includes several horizontal and vertical vanes mounted in the grille frame. Each vane is adjustable to direct airflow and is detachable via spring-loaded switches, allowing individual vanes to be removed for cleaning or replacement.Summary of Invention

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] Advantageously, the removal of the cross-flow fan from the body, without the need to remove or significantly lift the evaporator facilitates easy and fast cleaning and repair of the air conditioner by a user.

[0014] According to the present invention, the cross-flow fan comprises: a shaft at a first end of the cross-flow fan, wherein the shaft is detachably engaged to the body via a bearing; and a hole at a second end of the cross-flow fan into which a shaft of a fan motor is inserted, wherein the shaft includes a circumferential channel into which an outer edge of the hole may extend to allow for an increased slanting angle of the cross-flow fan to a central axis of the fan motor while attaching or detaching the cross-flow fan from the body.

[0015] This is advantageous because the increased slanting angle allows the user to tilt the cross-flow fan further downwards, making it easier to remove from the shaft of the fan motor with minimal effort.

[0016] In some embodiments, the cross-flow fan can be slanted up to 21 degrees from the central axis of the fan motor. This is advantageous as the increased slanting angle allows for easier removal of the cross-flow fan from the motor shaft by the user.

[0017] In one embodiment, the portion of the chassis located behind the cross-flow fan is shaped in the form of a minor arc, which creates an opening wider than the diameter of the cross-flow fan. Advantageously, reducing the length of the arc of the chassis located behind the cross-flow fan creates an opening wider than the diameter of the fan, allowing for easy removal of the cross-flow fan from the body without the need to remove or lift the evaporator significantly.

[0018] In another embodiment, a lower end portion of the evaporator facing the front of the body is positioned forward of an upper end portion. This configuration increases the width of the opening behind the cross-flow fan, allowing for easy removal of the fan from the body without having to remove or significantly lift the evaporator.

[0019] Further, according to the present invention, , the air conditioner comprises a control box connected to a side portion of the body through a swivel joint. The swivel joint allows tilting of the control box sideways and away from the body to enable removal of the fan motor without detaching the control box from the body. This is advantageous as it allows easy and fast removal of the fan motor without detaching the control box from the body.

[0020] In another embodiment, the tilted control box is secured in position by using a mechanical locking mechanism involving a series of ridges associated with the swivel joint. This is advantageous because the ridges enable the control box to be tilted at various angles about the swivel joint while preventing accidental falling or dislodgement from the tilted position.

[0021] In another embodiment, the tilted control box fully exposes a motor bracket securing the fan motor to the body. Advantageously, this helps in easy removal of the motor bracket and the fan motor from the body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the fasteners connecting the motor bracket and the fan motor to the body are accessible from the front of the body without the need to completely remove the control box from the body. This advantageously facilitates easy removal or attachment of the motor bracket and fan motor to the body.

[0023] In another embodiment, the housing of the air conditioner is secured to the body using a plurality of sliding latches provided on a pair of ends of a top and front portion of the housing for detachable engagement with corresponding slots provided on the body. This is advantageous as adjusting the latches between the locked and unlocked positions respectively secures or allows for easy removal of the housing from the body.

[0024] In another embodiment, the housing slides linearly on or off the body when being respectively attached or detached thereto. Advantageously, this helps in the easy removal of the air conditioners installed on the walls near the ceiling.

[0025] Further, the hook is configured to engage with corresponding slot or engaging means provided on the body and thereby helps to equally distribute the weight of the housing onto the body of the air conditioner installed on the wall.

[0026] In a yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: a body having a plurality of components including a cross-flow fan, a fan motor operably coupled to the cross-flow fan and a control box provided on a side portion of the body; a housing substantially enclosing the front of the body including the control box; characterized in that the control box is connected to the side portion of the body through a swivel joint to allow tilting of the control box about the swivel joint, sideways and away from the body, to enable removal of the fan motor without completely detaching the control box from the body.

[0027] Advantageously, the tilted control box provides easier access to the components, making it more convenient for the user to clean and repair the air conditioner without having to remove or detach the control box from the housing. This can save time and effort for the user.

[0028] In an embodiment, the tilted control box is secured in position by using a locking mechanism involving a series of ridges associated with the swivel joint. The ridges enable the control box to be tilted at a plurality of angles about the swivel joint while preventing accidental falling or dislodgement from the tilted position. This makes it easier for the user to perform repair, cleaning, removal, or installation tasks without any interruptions or safety concerns.

[0029] In another embodiment, the tilted control box fully exposes a motor bracket securing the fan motor to the body. The motor bracket and the fan motor are removable by disengaging a plurality of fasteners accessible from the front of the body without the complete removal of the control box from the body. This saves time and effort for the user and reduces the risk of damaging other components during the process.

[0030] In one embodiment, the air-conditioner according to the first aspect of the present invention is a wall hanging type indoor air-conditioner configured to attach to anywhere on the wall surface including positions near the ceiling.Brief Description of Drawings

[0031] It will be convenient to further describe the present invention with respect to the accompanying drawings that illustrate possible arrangements of the invention. Other arrangements of the invention are possible, and consequently the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. Figures 1a-1d depict different perspectives of a conventional air conditioner (prior art), highlighting components such as a cross-flow fan, evaporator, and a detachable discharge grill housed within the body of the air conditioner. Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of a body of an air conditioner together with a cross-flow fan and evaporator, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2b illustrates a perspective view of a body of an air conditioner shown in Figure 2a with a detached cross-flow fan and evaporator, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2c presents a side view of the air conditioner shown in Figure 2a, including the evaporator, while the cross-flow fan is being detached from the body, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2d and 2e provide side views that demonstrate the detachable attachment of the discharge grill to the body of the air conditioner shown in Figure 2b using a clip, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3a shows a side view of a typical air conditioner (prior art) with one end of the cross-flow fan and the detached discharge grill. Figure 3b presents a side perspective view of the typical air conditioner (prior art) shown in Figure 3a, where one end of the cross-flow fan is securely attached to the body using a box-shaped plate. Figure 3c illustrates a side view of the typical air conditioner (prior art) shown in Figure 3a, highlighting the engagement and disengagement of a shaft of the fan motor from a hole provided on the second end of the cross-flow fan. Figure 4a displays a side view of the air conditioner featuring one end of the cross-flow fan and the detached discharge grill, according to an embodiment. Figure 4b exhibits a side perspective view of the air conditioner shown in Figure 4a, where one end of the cross-flow fan is securely attached to the body using a redesigned box-shaped plate, according to an embodiment. Figure 4c illustrates a side view of the air conditioner shown in Figure 4a, showing the engagement and disengagement of the fan motor's shaft from a hole provided on the second end of the cross-flow fan secured to the body, according to an embodiment. Figure 5a presents a perspective view of an air conditioner, showcasing a tilted control box attached to the body of the air conditioner, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5b-5c displays front views of the air conditioner shown in Figure 5a, highlighting a fan motor attached to the body of the air conditioner, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 exhibits a side perspective view of a discharge grill in a prior art air conditioner, illustrating a vane motor configured to control the movement of the adjustable vanes. Figure 8 showcases a side perspective view of a discharge grill in an air conditioner, showcasing a vane motor configured to control the movement of the adjustable vanes, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 8a-8b illustrate perspective views of a discharge grill of an air conditioner, featuring a plurality of adjustable vanes operably attached to the discharge grill, according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 depict a perspective view of an air conditioner housing and a plurality of sliding latches securing the housing to the body of the air conditioner, according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description

[0032] In Figure 1a, a conventional air conditioner 10a is depicted, consisting of a body 12a that incorporates various components, including a cross-flow fan, a discharge grill 18a, and an evaporator 20a responsible for heat exchanging air. The discharge grill 18a is attached to the body 12a using a pair of screws 22a positioned at the ends of the body 12a. Figure 1b showcases the prior art air conditioner 10a, where the cross-flow fan and evaporator 20a are shown detached from the body 12a. In this prior art design, a section of the body 12a behind the cross-flow fan 16a features an extended arc shape 66a, resulting in a narrow opening 24a between the evaporator 20a and the body 12a, with a width smaller than the diameter of the cross-flow fan 16a. Therefore, the distance between the evaporator 20a and the body 12a of the air conditioner 10a is insufficient for the cross-flow fan 16a to be removed through the narrow opening 24a. To remove the cross-flow fan 16a, it becomes necessary to lift the evaporator 20a significantly or completely remove the evaporator 20a, enlarging the opening 24a to a width greater than the diameter of the cross-flow fan 16a. This difficulty in self-removing the cross-flow fan 16a poses a challenge for users while performing cleaning or repair of the air conditioner 10a.

[0033] With regard to Figures 2a-2c, an air conditioner 10 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the invention. The air conditioner 10 comprises a body 12 that includes several components, such as a cross-flow fan 16, a discharge grill 18, and an evaporator 20 for heat exchanging air. The body 12 and the components within the air conditioner 10 are substantially enclosed by a housing (not shown). In one instance, the various components housed within the housing, including the cross-flow fan 16 and discharge grill 18, are easily detachable for cleaning and repair purposes.

[0034] In one embodiment, the discharge grill 18 of the air conditioner 10 is attached to the body 12 through a pair of clips 22 that can be easily disengaged by the user. By detaching the discharge grill 18 from the body 12, the user can access an opening 24 between the evaporator 20 and a chassis 34 of the body 12. The width of the opening 24 is more than the diameter of the cross-flow fan 16, making it possible to remove the cross-flow fan 16 from the body 12 through the opening 24 without having to remove or significantly lift the evaporator 20. This feature provides the user with an easy and convenient way to perform maintenance, cleaning or replacement of the cross-flow fan 16 or the various components of the air conditioner 10.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the chassis 34) behind the cross-flow fan 16 is designed with a minor arc shape 66, as shown in Figure 2c. This shape creates an opening 24 with a width that is greater than the diameter of the cross-flow fan 16. A comparison of the shapes of the chassis 34 and 34a behind the cross-flow fan 16 and 16a of the proposed air conditioner 10 and the prior art 10a shown in Figures 2c and 1c respectively reveals that the length of the chassis 34a behind the cross-flow fan 16a in the prior art is greater than that of the proposed invention. Additionally, in one embodiment of the proposed air conditioner 10, a portion of the chassis 34 behind the cross-flow fan 16 is incorporated into the discharge grill 18 through the use of a double layer design, incorporating a portion of the chassis 34 into the discharge grill 18, as shown in Figure 2b.

[0036] With reference to Figure 2c, in one embodiment of the proposed air conditioner 10, the evaporator 20 has been redesigned to allow for more space to remove the cross-flow fan 16 through the opening 24 without the need to remove or lift the evaporator 20 significantly. Specifically, in one instance, a lower end portion 20b of the evaporator 20 facing the front of the body 12 and in front of the cross-flow fan 16 has been positioned forward of an upper end portion 20a. This positioning results in a greater width between the chassis 34 and the lower end portion 20b of the evaporator 20 when compared to the prior art shown in Figure 1c. As a result, the opening 24 has a width greater than the diameter of the cross-flow fan 16, allowing for easier removal of the fan 16 without requiring additional steps of lifting or removing the evaporator 20.

[0037] Typically, as depicted in Figure 1d, the discharge grill 18a of prior art air conditioners 10a is attached to the chassis of the body 12a using a pair of screws 22a. However, these screws 22a are not easily accessible from the front of the body 12a, making it difficult to remove the discharge grill 18a from the body 12a of the air conditioner 10a. In contrast, the proposed air conditioner 10 replaces the screws with a pair of clips 22 provided on a pair of ends of the discharge grill 18 as shown in Figures 2d-2e. One end of the clip 22 attaches to a protrusion 68 on the chassis 34 of the body 12, while the other end snaps onto an engaging means 70 provided on the discharge grill 18. The user can easily detach the end of the clip 22 attached to the discharge grill 18, facilitating the removal of the grill 18 from the body 12 of the air conditioner 10. In one instance, the clip 22 is configured to turn about the protrusion 68 on the body 12, which prevents the clips 22 from falling off while detaching the discharge grill 18 from the body 12 of the air conditioner 10. By replacing the screws 22a in the prior art as shown in Figure 1d with the snap-on clips 22 as shown in Figures 2d-2e, it is easier to access and remove the discharge grill 18 from the body 12 of the air conditioner 10. Further, reattaching the discharge grill 18 to the body 12 can be performed easily by engaging the clips 22.

[0038] Figures 3a-3b shows a side view of a typical air conditioner (prior art) 10a with one end of the cross-flow fan 16a and the detached discharge grill 18a, whereas Figures 4a-4b displays a side view of the proposed air conditioner 10 featuring one end of the cross-flow fan 16 and the detached discharge grill 18, according to an embodiment. Typically, the cross-flow fan 16, 16a of the proposed and prior art air conditioner 10, 10a has a shaft 72, 72a at one end, which is detachably connected to the body 12, 12a via a bearing, and a hole 62, 62a at the other end, which receives a shaft (not shown) of the fan motor (not shown) configured to drive the cross-flow fan 16, 16a. The cold air from the evaporator 20, 20a is directed through a plurality of air outlets provided on the housing 14, 14a by the cross-flow fan 16, 16a of the proposed and prior art air conditioners 10, 10a, respectively.

[0039] Figure 3c and 4c illustrates side views of the typical air conditioner (prior art) 10a and the proposed air conditioner 10 shown in Figure 3a and 4a, highlighting the engagement and disengagement of the shaft 26a, 26 of the fan motor 28a, 28 from a hole 62a, 62 provided on the second end of the cross-flow fan 16a, 16 of the respective air conditioners 10a, 10.

[0040] The proposed air conditioner 10 offers a circumferential channel in the shaft 26 of the fan motor 28, allowing the outer edge of the hole 62 of the cross-flow fan 16 to extend into it. This allows for an increased slanting angle of up to 21 degrees between the cross-flow fan 16 and the central axis of the fan motor 28, making it easier for users to attach or detach the cross-flow fan 16 from the body 12. In contrast, typical air conditioners 10a, shown in Figure 3c, feature a shaft 26a with a flat cylindrical portion inserted into the hole 62a, limiting the slanting angle to a maximum of 9 degrees. This design makes it challenging for users to detach the shaft 26a from the hole 62a or insert into the hole 62a of the cross-flow fan 16a in prior art air conditioners 10a.

[0041] Furthermore, in prior art air conditioners 10a, such as the one shown in Figure 3b, the detachment of the cross-flow fan 16a is further limited by the use of a box-shaped plate 74a securing the end of the fan 16a to the base 12. To remove the cross-flow fan 16a, users have to remove the box-shaped plate 74a and lift the evaporator 20a, which is a cumbersome and difficult task for one person to handle.

[0042] In contrast to prior art air conditioners 10a, the proposed air conditioner 10 simplifies the process of detaching the cross-flow fan 16 from the body 12 by using a redesigned box shaped plate 74, which does not cover or secure the shaft 72 at the first end of the cross-flow fan 16, as shown in Figure 4b. The increased slanting angle of up to 21 degrees achieved with the additional circumferential channel in the shaft 26 also provides greater flexibility in attaching and detaching the cross-flow fan 16 from the body 12 without the need for complex disassembly or specialized tools. Additionally, the detachable bearing used in the proposed air conditioner 10 simplifies the replacement process for the cross-flow fan 16 or the bearing itself. Detaching the discharge grill 18 and the bearing allows the shaft of the cross-flow fan 16 to move freely, making maintenance and repair of the proposed air conditioner 10 more user-friendly and less time-consuming.

[0043] In another embodiment, the length of the shaft 26 for the fan motor 28 is standardized to 44mm across different air conditioner designs to maintain consistency.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the air conditioner 10 as shown in Figure 5a comprises a body 12 having various components such as a cross-flow fan 16, evaporator 20, a fan motor 28, a vane motor 38 for controlling the adjustable vanes, and a control box 48 located on a side portion of the body 12. The front of the body 12, including the control box 48, is substantially enclosed by the housing 14. The control box 48 is connected to the body 12 through a swivel joint 50 which allows for tilting of the control box 48 in a sideways and outward direction away from the body 12, as shown in Figure 5a.

[0045] In one embodiment, the tilted control box 48 is secured in position by a locking mechanism involving a series of ridges associated with the swivel joint 50. The ridges enable the control box 48 to be tilted at a plurality of angles about the swivel joint 50 and prevent the tilted control box 48 from accidental falls or dislodgement from the tilted position.

[0046] In another embodiment, the tilted control box 48 fully exposes a motor bracket 52 securing the fan motor 28 to the body 12, as shown in Figure 5b-5c. The proposed air conditioner 10 with the tiltable control box 48 provides a convenient way for removing the fan motor 28 without detaching the control box 48, as is the case with the prior art air conditioners 10a. The proposed air conditioner 10 utilizes a full fan motor bracket 52 to cover the fan motor 28. The tilting of the control box 48 enables the motor bracket 52 and the fan motor 28 to be removed without the need to remove the entire control box 48 from the body 12 of the air conditioner 10 resulting in less wiring to be dismantled, and reducing the time and effort needed for the replacement process, which is not the case with the existing prior art air conditioners 10a.

[0047] In one instance as shown in Figure 5b, the motor bracket 52 and fan motor 28 can be removed by disengaging a plurality of fasteners 54 such as screws which are accessible from the front of the body 12. This provides easier and faster access to the fan motor 28 without the need for complete removal of the control box 48 from the body 12.

[0048] In addition to this, the control box 48 which when tilted about the swivel joint sideways and away from the body 12 of the air conditioner 10, provides more space for drain pipe connection during installation of the air conditioner 10. Further, the control box 48 when tilted completely exposes the vane motor 38 driving the adjustable vanes 30, 32. The proposed method of removing the vane motor 38 from the discharge grill 18 of the air conditioner 10 shows a change in orientation for removing the screw 40a from the side of discharge grill 18a of the prior art air conditioner 10a, as depicted in Figures 6, to the front of the discharge grill 18 as shown in Figures 7. Further, the tilted control box 48 provides direct access to the fasteners or screws 40 from the front of the body 12 making it easier and quicker to remove the vane motor 38. Additionally, by making use of a tiltable control box 48, the space for removing the vane motor 38 is improved, which in turn allows for the replacement of the adjustable vanes 30, 32 without the need to remove the control box 48. The proposed method of removing the vane motor 38 by tilting the control box 48 is a significant improvement over the methods used in existing air conditioners 10a and saves time and effort during maintenance.

[0049] In one embodiment, as depicted in Figure 7, the vane motor 38 is attached to the discharge grill 18 using only one fastener, such as a screw 40, at the top end and a press-to-release hook 42 at the bottom end of the vane motor 38. Both the screw and the hook are easily accessible from the front of the body 12. The press-to-release hook 42 includes a protruded portion designed to engage with a corresponding slot on the body 12 of the air conditioner. The hook 42 can be accessed from the front of the body 12 and disengaged by pressing or lifting it, thereby dislodging the protruded portion from the slot. This allows for easy removal of the vane motor 38 by disengaging the press-to-release hook 42 and the fastener 40, facilitating quick and efficient maintenance or repair of the air conditioner 10.

[0050] Overall, the air conditioner 10 provides a simplified maintenance process, allowing for easy removal and replacement of the fan motor 28 without the need for complicated disassembly of the control box 48 from the body 12. The new removal method provides a more practical, efficient, and time-saving solution for the replacement of the fan motor 28 and the vane motor 38 in the air conditioner 10. With these improvements, users can benefit from a more user-friendly and cost-effective way to maintain and repair their air conditioners.

[0051] Another embodiment of the air conditioner 10 showcases the discharge grill 18 equipped with detachable horizontal and vertical adjustable vanes 30, 32 for directing cold air, as illustrated in Figure 8a. The plurality of horizontal adjustable vanes 30 connects to the discharge grill 18 at a first end 76a, a second end 76b, and a third point 76c located between the pair of ends 76a and 76b, preferably at the middle of the horizontal adjustable vane 30 or the discharge grill 18. The horizontal adjustable vane 30 is attached to the discharge grill 18 at the first end 76a and at the third point 76c using a pair of slide locking clips 36, while a vane motor 38, attached to the discharge grill 18 at the second end 76b, operably engages with the horizontal adjustable vane 30.

[0052] In one instance, as depicted in the enlarged portions of the first end 76a in Figure 8a, the slide locking clips 36 include a projected handle portion 78 for easy access by a person. The projected handle portion 78 of the slide locking clips 36 can be turned in a particular direction to slide in or out of the respective receptacle portion or slot 80 in the discharge grill 18, enabling the engagement or disengagement of the horizontal adjustable vane 30 from the discharge grill 18.

[0053] In another instance, the vane motor 38 is detachably secured to the discharge grill 18 using a fastener 40, such as a screw, and a press-to-release hook 42 accessible from the front of the body 12, as shown in Figure 7.

[0054] In this embodiment, the second end 76b of the horizontal adjustable vanes 30 features at least one key 44a that engages with corresponding slots 44b provided on the discharge grill 18 to prevent rotation of the vanes 30 during removal or installation, as illustrated in the enlarged portion of the second end 76b of the discharge grill 18 in Figure 8a. The key 44a and slot 44b system ensures proper alignment of the horizontal adjustable vanes 30 during removal or installation, simplifying the process and reducing the risk of damage to the person or the vane while performing installation, cleaning, or removal. This arrangement provides greater flexibility and ease of detachment for situations where the vanes 30, 32 need to be removed or replaced. The slidable clips 36 simplify the process of attaching and detaching the horizontal adjustable vanes 30 from the discharge grill 18 without requiring any specialized tools or complex disassembly. The vane motor 38 can be easily removed and replaced using the press-to-release hook 42 and fastener 40, facilitating quick and efficient maintenance or repair of the air conditioner 10. Overall, this proposed arrangement of the horizontal adjustable vanes 30 to the discharge grill 18 enhances the cleanability of the air conditioner 10.

[0055] Another embodiment of the air conditioner 10, as displayed in Figure 8b, comprises detachable vertical adjustable vanes 32 that are secured to the discharge grill 18 using press-to-release switches 46. These switches 46 allow users to easily remove the vanes 32 from the discharge grill 18 by pressing and pulling them in a linear outward direction, improving accessibility and simplifying maintenance and cleaning of the air conditioner 10. After cleaning, the vanes 32 can be reattached to the discharge grill 18 by sliding them linearly onto the discharge grill 18 and reengaging the switches 46.

[0056] In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 9, the air conditioner 10 includes a body 12 having a plurality of components for heat exchanging air and a housing 14 for substantially enclosing the front of the body 12. The housing 14 is detachably engaged with the body 12 using a plurality of sliding latches 56. Each sliding latch 56 is provided on a pair of ends of the top and front portion of the housing 14 as shown in Figure 9 and detachably engages with corresponding slots provided on the body 12. The sliding latches 56 are adjustable between a locked position and an unlocked position to respectively secure or allow removal of the housing 14 from the body 12.

[0057] In one aspect, the sliding latches 56 protrude slightly above the surface of the housing 14 for easy access while adjusting between the locked and unlocked positions. This feature provides convenience for users when they need to remove the housing 14 for cleaning or maintenance.

[0058] In another aspect, the housing 14 is provided with a hook structure 60 at a third point between the pair of ends of the top portion to detachably engage with a corresponding slot in the chassis 34 of the body 12. This hook structure 60 provides additional stability and security for the housing 14, preventing it from falling off accidentally.

[0059] With reference to the enlarged sections of Figure 9, the sliding latches 56 on the housing 14 are adjustable between a locked position and an unlocked position by engaging and disengaging with corresponding slots on the body 12 of the air conditioner 10. In one instance, the sliding latch 56 includes a protruded portion 64 and a hook 60. The hook 60 is configured to detachably engage within a groove, hole or recess within the corresponding slot on the chassis 34 of the body 12.

[0060] The protruded portion 64 of each of the plurality of sliding latches 56 protrudes a few millimeters from the top and front portion of the housing 14. Advantageously this allows the user to easily identify and make adjustments to the position of the sliding latches 56 on the top and front portion of the housing 14 when the air conditioner 10 is installed on the wall surface near the ceiling. Further, the hook structure 60 installed at a middle point between the pair of ends of the top portion automatically engages and disengages with a corresponding slot in the chassis 34 of the body 12 when the housing 14 slides out or onto the body 12 of the air conditioner 10. This hook structure 60 provides additional stability and security for the housing 14, preventing warping at the center of the housing 14.

[0061] In one instance, the user can access the protruded portion 64 of the sliding latches 56 on either ends of the top of the housing 14 using a hand or any other tool to either secure or detach the housing 14 from the body 12. By providing the hook structure 60 with automatic engagement and disengagement at the center of the housing 14 assists the user to only remove or engage the sliding latches 56 on either ends of the top and front of the housing 14 with minimal effort. In some instances, the housing 14 substantially enclosing the body 12 can be secured in position by adjusting the sliding latches 56 to the locked position and engaging at least one fastener such as a screw to meet the local safety regulations.

[0062] In yet another aspect, the housing 14 slides linearly on or off the body 12 when being respectively attached or detached thereto. This feature allows for easy and quick removal of the housing 14, reducing the time and effort required for cleaning or maintenance. Overall, the air conditioner 10 described above offers a secure, fast, and efficient method of detaching and cleaning the air conditioner components by easily detaching the housing 14 from the body 12.

[0063] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present air conditioner may also include further features and / or modifications unless departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner (10) comprising: a body (12) having a plurality of components including a cross-flow fan (16), a discharge grill (18),an evaporator (20) for heat exchanging air and a control box (48) connected to a side portion of the body (12); a housing (14) substantially enclosing a front of the body (12) and the plurality of components therein; the discharge grill (18) is removably attached to the body (12) by means of a pair of clips (22), disengaging the pair of clips (22) detaches the discharge grill (18) from the body (12) exposing an opening (24) between the evaporator (20) and a chassis (34) of the body (12), , the cross-flow fan (16) includes: a shaft at a first end of the cross-flow fan (16), wherein the shaft is detachably engaged to the body (12) via a bearing; and a hole (62) at a second end of the cross-flow fan (16) into which a shaft (26) of a fan motor (28) is inserted, characterized in that the control box (48) is connected to a side portion of the body through a swivel joint (50), wherein the shaft (26) of the fan motor (28) includes a circumferential channel into which an outer edge of the hole (62) may extend to allow for an increased slanting angle of the cross-flow fan (16) to a central axis of the fan motor (28) while attaching or detaching the cross-flow fan (16) from the body (12) through the opening (24), wherein a width of the opening (24) is sufficient for removal of the cross-flow fan (16) from the body (12) without the need to remove or significantly lift the evaporator (20).

2. The air conditioner (10) according to claim 1 wherein the increased slanting angle is up to 21 degrees.

3. The air conditioner (10) according to any preceding claim wherein a portion of the chassis (34) behind the cross-flow fan (16) is shaped in form of a minor arc (66) to create the opening (24) with a width more than the diameter of the cross-flow fan (16), and / or a lower end portion (20b) of the evaporator (20) facing the front of the body (12) is positioned forward of an upper end portion (20a).

4. The air conditioner (10) according to claim 3 wherein the swivel joint (50) allows tilting of the control box (50) sideways and away from the body (12) to enable removal of the fan motor (28) without detaching the control box (48) from the body (12).

5. The air conditioner (10) according to claim 4 wherein the tilted control box (48) is secured in position by using a mechanical locking mechanism involving a series of ridges associated with the swivel joint (50), the ridges enabling the control box (48) to be tilted at a plurality of angles about the swivel joint (50) and prevent the tilted control box (48) from accidentally falling or dislodgement from the tilted position, and / or the tilted control box (48) fully exposes a motor bracket (52) securing the fan motor (28) to the body (12), the motor bracket (52) and the fan motor (28) being removable by disengaging a plurality of fasteners (54) accessible from the front of the body (12) without the need to completely remove the control box (48) from the body (12).

6. The air conditioner (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the air conditioner (10) is a wall hanging type indoor air-conditioner.