Fixing member, housing assembly, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and discloses a fixing member, a housing assembly, and a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning device, for use in solving the technical problem in an existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning device of difficulty in fixing an electric heating member in a drainage channel. The fixing member comprises a fixing plate and a mounting plate; at least two clamping portions are provided on one side of the fixing plate; each clamping portion forms a clamping slot used for clamping a heating member of the housing assembly; and the at least two clamping portions are arranged in a staggered manner in both the length direction and the width direction of the fixing plate, so as to clamp different parts of the heating member. The mounting plate is connected to one side of the fixing plate, and is configured to fix the fixing plate to a housing in the housing assembly. According to the present application, the heating member can be fixed in a drainage channel of the housing in the housing assembly by means of the fixing member, so that when the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning device comprises the housing assembly and when the heating member is an electric heating member, the fixation requirements for the electric heating member in the new form design of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning device can be met, and the fixation of the heating member in the drainage channel can also be simplified.

Description

[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202321101111.2 titled "FIXING MEMBER, HOUSING ASSEMBLY, AND HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE" and filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 9, 2023, and to Chinese Patent Application No. 202322630657.3 titled "BRACKET, OUTDOOR UNIT OF HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE, AND HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE" and filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on September 26, 2023, the entire contents of the above two applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), and specifically to a fixing member, a housing assembly, and an HVAC device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Nowadays, HVAC devices such as air conditioners are widely used in people's lives. Air-conditioning outdoor units of the air conditioners are generally placed outdoors. During the use of the air-conditioning outdoor units, some condensate water is gathered on chassis of the air-conditioning outdoor units. Generally, the condensate water is gathered in drainage channels and drains out of the air-conditioning outdoor units through drainage openings in the chassis. At present, in related technologies, electric heating elements are arranged in the drainage channels, and are wound inside the drainage channels, such that the condensate water is heated through electric heating tubes when ambient temperature inside the air-conditioning outdoor units is lower, to ensure smooth drainage of the condensate water from the drainage openings.

[0004] However, with the continuous updating of product forms of the air-conditioning outdoor units, widths of the drainage channels of the air-conditioning outdoor units having new forms gradually decrease, making it difficult to fix the electric heating elements in the drainage channels.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a fixing member, a housing assembly, and an HVAC device. A heating element can be fixed in a drainage channel of a housing of the housing assembly by means of the fixing member, such that when the HVAC device includes the housing assembly and the heating element is an electric heating element, requirements for fixation of the electric heating element in a new form design of the HVAC device can be met, and the fixation of the heating element in the drainage channel can also be simplified.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, the present application provides a fixing member for a housing assembly. The fixing member includes a fixing plate and a mounting plate, wherein at least two snap-fit portions are provided on the fixing plate and are arranged on a same side of the fixing plate, and each of the at least two snap-fit portions forms a clamping slot for clamping a heating element of the housing assembly. The at least two snap-fit portions are staggered in both a length direction and a width direction of the fixing plate, to clamp different parts of the heating element.

[0007] The mounting plate is connected to one side of the fixing plate, and is configured to fix the fixing plate on the housing of the housing assembly.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the present application are as below. By providing the mounting plate of the fixing member, fixed installation of the fixing member on the housing of the housing assembly is achieved. By providing the snap-fit portions on the fixing plate in the fixing member, the heating element of the housing assembly can be clamped, only by means of clamping, in the clamping slot formed by each snap-fit portion, which can simplify the fixation of the heating element on the housing. Moreover, the at least two snap-fit portions are staggered in both the length direction and the width direction of the fixing plate, such that the at least two snap-fit portions can be staggered in the length direction of the fixing plate, such that the at least two snap-fit portions clamp different parts of the heating element by means of the fixing member, which can enhance fixation effects of the heating element on the housing. Furthermore, the length of the fixing plate can also be effectively reduced, such that when the heating element is fixed in the drainage channel of the housing through the fixing plate, the fixing member can adapt to the drainage channel with a smaller width. When the HVAC device includes the housing assembly having the fixing member and the heating element is an electric heating element, requirements for fixation of the electric heating element in a new form design of the HVAC device can be met.

[0009] On the basis of the above technical solutions, the present application may also make the following improvements.

[0010] In some embodiments, the clamping slot formed by each of the at least two snap-fit portions is consistent in orientation.

[0011] In some embodiments, there is a spacing between adjacent two of the at least two snap-fit portions in the length direction of the fixing plate, and a width of the spacing is at least greater than a width of each of the at least two snap-fit portions in the length direction of the fixing plate.

[0012] In some embodiments, each of the at least two snap-fit portions comprises two clamping arms, which are arranged opposite to each other to enclose the clamping slot.

[0013] In some embodiments, the two clamping arms are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other, and at least part of a slot wall of the clamping slot is circular arc-shaped.

[0014] In some embodiments, each of the at least two snap-fit portions is formed by bending a partial structure of the fixing plate in a direction away from the fixing plate.

[0015] In some embodiments, the fixing plate comprises a body having openings, and at least partial structures of the body positioned within the openings are bent in the direction away from the fixing plate to form the clamping arms, each of which has one end connected to an edge part of the corresponding opening and other end bent with respect to the fixing plate.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least three snap-fit portions are provided, and parts of the at least three snap-fit portions are spaced apart along a first length direction of the fixing plate, remaining parts of the at least three snap-fit portions are spaced apart, along a second length direction of the fixing plate, between adjacent two of the at least three snap-fit portions in the first length direction, wherein a spacing is provided between the first length direction and the second length direction.

[0017] In some embodiments, a reinforcing arm is provided at one end of the fixing plate away from the mounting plate, and is connected between the adjacent two of the at least three snap-fit portions adjacent to one side of the reinforcing arm.

[0018] In some embodiments, the mounting plate and part of the fixing plate provided with the snap-fit portions are positioned in different planes, and the mounting plate is detachably connected to the housing.

[0019] In some embodiments, the mounting plate is provided with a limiting portion, which is configured to engage with an engaging portion on the housing, to limit a position of the mounting plate with respect to the housing.

[0020] In some embodiments, the engaging portion is an engaging protrusion, and the limiting portion is a limiting hole engaging with the engaging protrusion.

[0021] In some embodiments, the fixing plate is provided with a first flange, which is positioned on one side of the at least two snap-fit portions in a first direction. A first anti-cutting portion is provided on a side edge of the first flange away from the fixing plate, and a size of the first anti-cutting portion in the first direction is larger than a size of the first flange in the first direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the width direction of the fixing plate.

[0022] In some embodiments, each of the at least two snap-fit portions comprises a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, and both the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are connected to the fixing plate and are spaced apart along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A groove is provided at one side of the first clamping arm facing the second clamping arm, and / or a groove is provided at one side of the second clamping arm facing the first clamping arm, wherein a lowest point of the groove is higher than a highest point of the first anti-cutting portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first anti-cutting portion extends from the first flange in a direction away from the at least two snap-fit portions.

[0024] In some embodiments, a height of the first anti-cutting portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the first flange.

[0025] In some embodiments, an arc transition is formed between the first anti-cutting portion and the first flange.

[0026] In some embodiments, a plurality of first flanges are provided, which are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the at least two snap-fit portions in the first direction.

[0027] In some embodiments, each of the at least two snap-fit portions is positioned between two ends of the first anti-cutting portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0028] In some embodiments, the fixing member also includes a second flange and a third flange, wherein the second flange is connected to the fixing plate, and the third flange is connected to the mounting plate. The second flange and the third flange are positioned on two opposite sides of the at least two snap-fit portions in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A distance between the second flange and each of the at least two snap-fit portions is smaller than a distance between the third flange and each of the at least two snap-fit portions. A second anti-cutting portion is provided on a side edge of the second flange away from the fixing plate, and a size of the second anti-cutting portion in the second direction is larger than a size of the second flange in the second direction.

[0029] In some embodiments, the second anti-cutting portion extends from the second flange in a direction away from the at least two snap-fit portions.

[0030] In some embodiments, a height of the second anti-cutting portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the second flange.

[0031] In some embodiments, an arc transition is formed between the second anti-cutting portion and the second flange.

[0032] In the second aspect, the present application provides a housing assembly, which includes a housing, a heating element, and the fixing member as described above. The housing includes a chassis, wherein an inner wall of the chassis is provided with a drainage channel, and the fixing member is connected to the chassis. The heating element is clamped in the snap-fit portions of the fixing member and is positioned in the drainage channel.

[0033] In some embodiments, at least part of the fixing plate in the fixing member is positioned inside the drainage channel, and at least part of the mounting plate in the fixing member is positioned outside the drainage channel.

[0034] In a third aspect, the present application provides an HVAC device, which includes a heat exchanger and the housing assembly as described above, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned on the chassis of the housing assembly.

[0035] In some embodiments, the chassis has a fan region and a compressor region, wherein the fan region has a heat exchanger mounting position and the drainage channel arranged side by side, and the heat exchanger is arranged at the heat exchanger mounting position.

[0036] The drainage channel is adjacent to the heat exchanger mounting position, and the heating element inside the housing assembly is wound inside the drainage channel and is electrically connected to an electric control module in the compressor region.

[0037] The beneficial effects of the housing assembly and the HVAC device in the present application are the same as those of the fixing member mentioned above, and thus are not described in detail here.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] To describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application or those of the prior art more clearly, the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description are merely some embodiments of the present application. To those of ordinary skills in the art, other accompanying drawings can also be derived from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a fixing member from a first viewing angle according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating installation of a heating element and a fixing member inside a housing assembly according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating installation of a fixing member and a housing inside a housing assembly according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of Section A in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of Section B in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a fixing member from a second viewing angle according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating mating between a bracket and a chassis according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view of Region D in FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the bracket from another viewing angle according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of the bracket from still another viewing angle according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a housing assembly according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of Section C in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a partial exploded view of the housing assembly in FIG. 12; and FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of an HVAC device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Detailed description of the present application will further be made with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely used to explain the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0040] As a type of HVAC device, an air conditioner has been widely used in people's daily lives. An air-conditioning outdoor unit of an air conditioner is generally placed outdoors. During the use of the air-conditioning outdoor unit, a heat exchanger in the air-conditioning outdoor unit can transfer heat indoors. When the air-conditioning outdoor unit operates for a longer time, a large amount of water vapor in air may condense into condensate water on the heat exchanger and be gathered on a chassis of the air-conditioning outdoor unit under the action of gravity. Generally, the condensate water can drain out of the air-conditioning outdoor unit through a drainage opening, communicating with a drainage channel, in the chassis. However, in other low-temperature usage scenarios, the condensate water on the chassis may freeze and block the drainage opening, making it difficult to drain the condensate water through the drainage opening smoothly. Furthermore, the condensate water frozen may also lift the heat exchanger on the chassis, causing the heat exchanger to fail and thus adversely affecting the normal operation of the air-conditioning outdoor unit.

[0041] At present, the air-conditioning outdoor unit in related technologies is provided with an electric heating element in the drainage channel, wherein the electric heating element generally is an electric heating tube. The electric heating tube has a heating element inside, which may be a heating wire, etc. The electric heating element is wound and fixed in the drainage channel through at least two fixing snap fasteners on a fixing structure, and is wired in and out from one side of the drainage channel, to heat the condensate water in the drainage channel through the electric heating tube when the air-conditioning outdoor unit is at a lower ambient temperature, to prevent the condensate water from freezing or to melt the condensate water frozen, and to ensure that the condensate water gathered in the drainage channel smoothly drain out through the drainage opening.

[0042] On one side of the chassis facing interior of the air-conditioning outdoor unit, there is generally provided with a heat exchanger mounting position for mounting the heat exchanger and a fan mounting position for mounting a fan. The heat exchanger mounting position is generally positioned on a peripheral edge of the chassis. The drainage channel is generally provided on a lateral side of the heat exchanger mounting position and is adjacent to the heat exchanger mounting position, such that the condensate water on the heat exchanger can flow into the drainage channel. On one side of the chassis facing interior of the air-conditioning outdoor unit, there is generally provided with a fan mounting position. The fan mounting position is positioned on one side of the drainage channel away from the heat exchanger mounting position, such that the fan of the air-conditioning outdoor unit can be mounted on the fan mounting position.

[0043] However, with the continuous updating of the product form of the air-conditioning outdoor unit, in the air-conditioning outdoor unit having a new form, the fan mounting position is expanded on the chassis towards the heat exchanger mounting position, resulting in a gradual decrease in the width of the drainage channel. The existing fixing structure has a longer length inside the drainage channel, making it difficult to match the drainage channel whose width gradually decreases, and thus making it difficult to fix the electric heating element in the drainage channel.

[0044] Therefore, how to fix the electric heating element in the drainage channel to meet the requirements for fixation of the electric heating element in a new form design of the air-conditioning outdoor unit has become a technical problem to be solved.

[0045] In view of this, the present application provides a fixing member, which can be used for a housing assembly. The heating element can be fixed in the drainage channel of the housing of the housing assembly by means of the fixing member, such that when the HVAC device includes the housing assembly and the heating element is the electric heating element, requirements for fixation of the electric heating element in a new form design of the HVAC device can be met, and the fixation of the electric heating element in the drainage channel can also be simplified.

[0046] The structure of the fixing member in the present application is further elaborated with reference to the accompanying drawings and the embodiments.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, a fixing member 100 includes a fixing plate 110 and a mounting plate 120, wherein at least two snap-fit portions 112 are provided on the fixing plate 110. Two snap-fit portions 112 are illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the number of the snap-fit portions 112 may be greater than two. For example, the number of the snap-fit portions 112 may be three, four, or five, etc. In the present application, there is no further limitation on the number of the snap-fit portions 112.

[0048] The snap-fit portions 112 are arranged on the same side of the fixing plate 110, and each snap-fit portion 112 forms a clamping slot 1121 for clamping a heating element 220 of a housing assembly 200, such that the heating element 220 (not shown in the figure) in the housing assembly 200 may be clamped in the clamping slot 1121 formed by the snap-fit portion 112. The heating element 220 may be an electric heating element, a refrigerant pipe, or other heating structures that can heat the condensate water. The electric heating element may include, but is not limited to, the above-mentioned electric heating tube. Reference can be made to the relevant description above for the structure of the electric heating tube, which is not to be further described in detail herein.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing assembly 200 may include a housing 210 and the heating element 220. The heating element 220 may be arranged in a drainage channel 2111 of the housing 210 to heat liquid (such as the condensate water) gathered in the drainage channel 2111 by means of the heating element 220, to ensure that when the housing assembly 200 is at a lower ambient temperature, the liquid in the drainage channel 2111 can smoothly drain out of the housing 210 through the drainage opening (not labeled in the figure), communicating with the drainage channel 2111, in the housing 210.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, when only one heating element 220 is provided, the heating element 220 may be wound inside the drainage channel 2111 in a single-sided wire inlet-outlet manner, such that a wire inlet end 221 and a wire outlet end 222 of the heating element 220 are both positioned on one side of the drainage channel 2111 facing an electric control module (not shown in the figure). This arrangement facilitates the electrical connection between the heating element 220 and the electric control module, enabling the electric control module to control the switch-on and switch-off of the heating element 220, while also facilitating inspection and maintenance of the heating element 220.

[0051] When the heating element 220 is wound inside the drainage channel 2111, the housing assembly 200 may include a plurality of fixing members 100, and the plurality of fixing members 100 may be spaced apart along an extension direction of the drainage channel 2111 to better fix the heating element 220. The arrangement of the plurality of fixing members 100 in the drainage channel 2111 can be seen in FIG. 3. In the application, the number of fixing members 100 in the housing assembly 200 and the arrangement of the fixing members 100 in the drainage channel 2111 can be further adjusted according to usage situations, and are not further limited herein.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting plate 120 is connected to one side of the fixing plate 110 and is configured to fix the fixing plate 110 to the housing 210 of the housing assembly 200. In this way, the fixing member 100 is mounted on the housing 210 through the mounting plate 120, which can achieve fixed installation of the fixing member 100 on the housing 210. Moreover, the heating element 220 may be clamped, only by means of clamping, in the clamping slot 1121 (not indicated in the figure) formed by the snap-fit portion 112, which can simplify the fixation of the heating element 220 on the housing 210.

[0053] The at least two snap-fit portions 112 are staggered in both a length direction and a width direction of the fixing plate 110, to clamp different parts of the heating element 220. For the length direction and the width direction of the fixing plate 110, reference can be made to Direction X and Direction Y in FIG. 4 respectively.

[0054] Moreover, the at least two snap-fit portions 112 are staggered in both the length direction and the width direction of the fixing plate 110, such that the at least two snap-fit portions 112 can be staggered in the length direction of the fixing plate 110 and can clamp different parts of the heating element 220 by means of one fixing member 100. In this way, fixation effects of the heating element 220 on the housing 210 are enhanced, and the number of the fixing members 100 required is reduced.

[0055] Moreover, the snap-fit portions 112 are generally elastically deformable snap-fit structures for clamping the heating element 220. Therefore, when the at least two snap-fit portions 112 are staggered in the length direction of the fixing plate 110, compared to the arrangement where the at least two snap-fit portions 112 are strictly positioned in the same length direction of the fixing plate 110, the length of the fixing plate 110 can be effectively shortened without affecting the deformation of adjacent two snap-fit portions 112, such that when the heating element 220 is fixed to the drainage channel 2111 of the housing 210 through the fixing plate 110, the fixing member 100 can adapt to the drainage channel 2111 with a smaller width. When the HVAC device 300 includes the housing assembly 200 having the fixing member 100 and the heating element 220 is the electric heating element, requirements for fixation of the electric heating element 220 in a new form design of the HVAC device 300 can be met.

[0056] It should be noted that the same length direction of the fixing plate 110 may correspond to one long edge of the fixing plate 110 in the length direction.

[0057] Therefore, the fixing member 100 of the present application not only can fix the heating element 220 in the drainage channel 2111 of the housing 210, but also can simplify the fixation of the heating element 220 in the drainage channel 2111 when the HVAC device 300 includes the housing assembly 200, while meeting the requirements for fixation of the heating element 220 in a new form design of the HVAC device 300. On the basis of the above technical solutions, the following improvements can also be provided in the present applications.

[0058] In some embodiments, each of the at least two snap-fit portions 112 is formed by bending a partial structure of the fixing plate 110 in a direction away from the fixing plate 110. Therefore, when the at least two snap-fit portions 112 are staggered in the length direction of the fixing plate 110, while ensuring that the fixing plate 110 has sufficient structure designated for bending to form the at least two snap-fit portions 112, compared to the arrangement where the at least two snap-fit portions 112 are strictly positioned in the same length direction of the fixing plate 110, the length of the fixing plate 110 can also be effectively shortened.

[0059] The formation of the snap-fit portions 112 will be further elaborated below based on the specific structures of the snap-fit portions 112, and thus is not to be further described in detail here.

[0060] Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the snap-fit portions 112 may also be formed in other ways. For example, the snap-fit portions 112 may be other structures directly arranged on the fixing plate 110 and connected to the fixing plate 110, rather than being formed by bending a partial structure of the fixing plate 110.

[0061] In some embodiments, the fixing member 100 may be a sheet metal member or a plastic member. The plastic member is prone to deformation when heated. Therefore, the sheet metal member may be selected for the fixing member 100 when operating temperature of the heating element 220 is too high, to avoid thermal deformation of the fixing member 100, thereby enhancing structural stability of the fixing member 100.

[0062] It should be noted that when a plurality of heating elements 220 are provided, the plurality of heating elements 220 may be wound inside the drainage channel 2111 in a double-sided wire inlet-outlet manner. In this case, the wire inlet end 221 of each heating element 220 is positioned at one end of the drainage channel 2111, and the wire outlet end 222 of each heating element 220 is positioned at the other end of the drainage channel 2111. In this case, the snap-fit portions 112 of the fixing member 100 may also respectively clamp one of the heating elements 220.

[0063] Taking the single-sided wire inlet-outlet manner of the heating element 220 as an example, the structure of the fixing member 100 will be further elaborated below.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the clamping slot 1121 formed by each snap-fit portion 112 is consistent in orientation, to facilitate the clamping of the heating element 220 (not shown in the figure) inside each snap-fit portion 112.

[0065] There is a spacing between adjacent two of the at least two snap-fit portions 112 in the length direction of the fixing plate 110, and a width of the spacing is at least greater than a width of each of the at least two snap-fit portions 112 in the length direction of the fixing plate 110, such that when the heating element 220 is wound inside the drainage channel 2111 in the single-sided wire inlet-outlet manner, the at least two snap-fit portions 112 can simultaneously clamp different parts of the heating element 220 through one fixing member 100. Moreover, because of the spacing between the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 in the length direction of the fixing plate 110, the fixing plate 110 can also have sufficient structure to form the snap-fit portions 112 by bending between the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, each of the at least two snap-fit portions 112 includes two clamping arms 1122. The two clamping arms 1122 are arranged opposite to each other to enclose the clamping slot 1121, to facilitate the clamping of the heating element 220 inside the snap-fit portions 112.

[0067] The two clamping arms 1122 are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other, and at least part of a slot wall of the clamping slot 1121 is circular arc-shaped, such that at least part of the slot wall of the clamping slot 1121 is adapted to the circumference of the heating element 220, to enhance the clamping effects of the snap-fit portion 112 on the heating element 220. Moreover, the symmetrical arrangement of the two clamping arms 1122 can also ensure uniformity of clamping forces exerted by the two clamping arms 1122 on two sides of the heating element 220 in the circumferential direction.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, each of the two clamping arms 1122 includes a connecting segment 1123, a clamping segment 1124, and an opening segment 1125. The connecting segment 1123 is connected to the fixing plate 110, and the clamping segment 1124 is connected to one side of the connecting segment 1123 away from the fixing plate 110. The two clamping segments 1124 of each snap-fit portion 112 cooperatively form a circular arc shape and clamp the heating element 220 on the two sides thereof in the circumferential direction, such that part of the slot wall of the clamping slot 1121 is circular arc-shaped. The opening segment 1125 is positioned on one side of the clamping segment 1124 away from the connecting segment 1123, and one end of the opening segment 1125 away from the clamping segment 1124 is inclined towards one side away from the clamping slot 1121. The two opening segments 1125 of the snap-fit portion 112 may cooperatively form an open end that gradually flares towards the outside of the clamping slot 1121, to enable the insertion or removal of the heating element 220.

[0069] In some other embodiments, each of the two clamping arms 1122 may only include the clamping segment 1124, wherein the clamping segment 1124 is directly connected to the fixing plate 110, such that the two clamping arms 1122 enclose the circular arc-shaped clamping slot 1121.

[0070] Each clamping arm 1122 is a deformable structure that can deform towards the side away from the clamping slot 1121. During clamping of the heating element 220 into the clamping slot 1121, the two clamping arms 1122 may deform in directions away from each other to accommodate the heating element 220 in the clamping slot 1121. After the heating element 220 is accommodated in the clamping slot 1121, the two clamping arms 1122 may deform in directions toward each other, such that the two clamping arms 1122 clamp the heating element 220 on the two sides thereof in the circumferential direction.

[0071] Therefore, when the at least two snap-fit portions 112 are staggered in the length direction of the fixing plate 110, the length of the fixing plate 110 can also be shortened without adversely affecting the deformation of the clamping arms 1122 of the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112.

[0072] It should be noted that to enhance the structural strength of the fixing member 100, at least a partial structure of each clamping arm 1122 also has a reinforcing rib 113 protruding towards the outside of the clamping slot 1121. In this way, the structural strength of the clamping arm 1122 and the fixing member 100 is enhanced through the reinforcing rib 113.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, when each of the snap-fit portions 112 is formed by bending a partial structure of the fixing plate 110, the fixing plate 110 may include a body 111 having openings 1111, and at least partial structures of the body 111 positioned within the openings 1111 are bent in the direction away from the fixing plate 110, to form the clamping arms 1122, each of which has one end connected to an edge part of the corresponding opening 1111 and the other end bent with respect to the fixing plate 110, to facilitate formation of the snap-fit portion. The snap-fit portion is integrally connected to part of the body 111 other than the openings 1111, it is also avoidable waste of materials fed into the openings 1111 for the body 111, which is advantageous to saving manufacturing costs for the fixing member 100.

[0074] It should be noted that when each of the snap-fit portions 112 is formed by bending a partial structure of the fixing plate 110, the fixing member 100 may be a sheet metal member, to facilitate the bending of at least a partial structure of the body 111 positioned in the opening 1111.

[0075] In some embodiments, the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 may also partially overlap in the width direction of the fixing plate 110. Alternatively, in some other embodiments, when the width of the fixing plate 110 is sufficient, there may be no overlapping region between the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 in the width direction of the fixing plate 110 (the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 are strictly staggered), such that parts of the body 111 positioned in the opening 1111 may be bent in two opposite directions respectively, to form the two clamping arms 1122 of the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 closer to each other.

[0076] It should be noted that the body 111 also has a reinforcing rib 113 in a region between the two clamping arms 1122 in each snap-fit portion 112, to enhance the structural strength of the fixing member 100 through the reinforcing rib 113.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, to enhance strength of connection between the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 of the fixing plate 110, there may also be a spacing between the at least two snap-fit portions 112 in the width direction of the fixing plate 110, such that the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 are strictly staggered. The body 111 may be bent to form the two clamping arms 1122 of the adjacent two snap-fit portions 112 closer to each other. Meanwhile, the body 111 can also form a connecting arm 1112 between the two snap-fit portions 112, to enhance the strength of connection between the two snap-fit portions 112 through the connecting arm 1112.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting plate 120 and part of the fixing plate 110 provided with the snap-fit portions 112 are positioned in different planes, wherein the mounting plate 120 is detachably connected to the housing 210. That is, there is a height difference between the mounting plate 120 and part of the fixing plate 110 provided with the snap-fit portions 112, such that the fixing plate 110 can be connected to a partial structure of the housing 210 positioned outside the drainage channel 2111 through the mounting plate 120. While the fixing plate 110 is fixed to the housing 210 (as shown in FIG. 5), this can further shorten the length of the fixing plate 110 inside the drainage channel 2111 to better adapt to the drainage channel 2111 having a smaller width, and to meet the requirements for fixation of the heating element 220 in a new form design of the HVAC device 300.

[0079] Part of the fixing plate 110 away from the snap-fit portions 112 may extend, along a side wall of the drainage channel 2111, to the outside of the drainage channel 2111, and may be connected to the mounting plate 120. A mounting surface 2112 of the housing 210 corresponding to the mounting plate 120 is parallel to the mounting plate 120, to pre-position the fixation of the mounting plate 120 on the housing 210 through surface contact between the fixing plate 110 and the side wall of the drainage channel 2111 and surface contact between the mounting plate 120 and the mounting surface 2112, thereby facilitating the connection between the mounting plate 120 and the housing 210.

[0080] In some embodiments, the side wall of the drainage channel 2111 may be an inclined plane, and accordingly, part of the fixing plate 110 in surface contact with the side wall of the drainage channel 2111 may be an inclined end that is adapted to the inclined plane. In some other embodiments, the side wall of the drainage channel 2111 may also be a vertical plane, and accordingly, the part of the fixing plate 110 in surface contact with the side wall of the drainage channel 2111 may be a vertical end that is adapted to the vertical plane. In the present application, there is no further limitation on the structure of the fixing plate 110.

[0081] It should be noted that the detachable connection between the mounting plate 120 and the housing 210 may include, but is not limited to, a fastener connection, a clamping connection, or other connection modes. In the present application, there is no further limitation on the detachable connection between the mounting plate 120 and the housing 210.

[0082] Taking the fastener connection as an example, the connection between the mounting plate 120 and the housing 210 is further elaborated below.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 210 has a threaded hole (not labeled in the figure) at a position corresponding to the mounting plate 120, and the mounting plate 120 has a through hole 121 at a position corresponding to the threaded hole. A fastener (not shown in the figure) may sequentially pass through the through hole 121 and the threaded hole, to achieve the detachable connection between the mounting plate 120 and the housing 210.

[0084] To prevent the housing 210 from rotating during connection to the housing 210 through the fastener, in some embodiments, the mounting plate 120 may be provided with a limiting portion 122, which is configured to engage with an engaging portion 2113 on the housing 210, to limit the position of the mounting plate 120 with respect to the housing 210, thereby preventing the fixing member 100 from rotating.

[0085] In some embodiments, the engaging portion 2113 may be an engaging protrusion, and the limiting portion 122 may be a limiting hole engaging with the engaging protrusion, to achieve the engagement and positional limitation between the mounting plate 120 and the housing 210 through a mated connection between the limiting portion 122 and the limiting hole. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the engaging portion 2113 may also be arranged on a surface of the mounting plate 120 facing the housing 210, and the limiting portion 122 may also be arranged on the housing 210, to enhance structural diversity for the fixing member 100.

[0086] In some embodiments, at least three snap-fit portions 112 may be provided, wherein parts of the at least three snap-fit portions 112 are spaced apart along a first length direction of the fixing plate 110, and remaining parts of the at least three snap-fit portions 112 are spaced apart, along a second length direction of the fixing plate 110, between adjacent two of the at least three snap-fit portions 112 in the first length direction. A spacing is provided between the first length direction and the second length direction, such that the at least three snap-fit portions 112 are staggered along the length direction of the fixing plate 110, and the fixing member 100 may clamp the plurality of heating elements 220.

[0087] It should be noted that the first length direction and the second length direction may be two different long edges on the fixing plate 110.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 6, a reinforcing arm 114 is provided at one end of the fixing plate 110 away from the mounting plate 120, and is connected between the adjacent two of the at least three snap-fit portions 112 adjacent to one side of the reinforcing arm 114, to enhance the structural strength of the fixing plate 110 and the snap-fit portions through the reinforcing arm 114.

[0089] It should be noted that a peripheral edge of the fixing member 100 also has a flange 130, wherein the flange 130 may be disposed around the peripheral edge of the mounting plate 120 and the fixing plate 110 on the same side, and may be positioned on one side of the fixing plate 110 away from a bottom of the drainage channel 2111, to enhance the structural strength of the fixing member 100. To facilitate the clamping of the heating element 220 in the snap-fit portion 112, the flange 130 has avoidance notches 131 at two ends of the corresponding clamping slot 1121 to facilitate the clamping of the heating element 220 in the clamping slot 1121.

[0090] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the fixing plate 110 is provided with a first flange 135, which is positioned on one side of the at least two snap-fit portions 112 in the first direction. A first anti-cutting portion 136A is provided on a side edge of the first flange 135 away from the fixing plate 110, and the size of the first anti-cutting portion 136 in the first direction is larger than the size of the first flange 135 in the first direction, wherein the first direction is parallel to the width direction of the fixing plate 110.

[0091] For example, the first flange 135 and the fixing plate 110 may be integrally formed. The first flange 135 may extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (where the second direction is a direction indicated by Arrow B in FIGS. 9 to 11). The first flange 135 may extend to the mounting plate 120.

[0092] Moreover, a plurality of snap-fit portions 112 may be provided, wherein the plurality of snap-fit portions 112 are arranged at intervals along the second direction. The plurality of snap-fit portions 112 may be arranged in a row in the first direction, or the plurality of snap-fit portions 112 may be arranged in multiple rows at intervals along the first direction.

[0093] It should be noted that the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135 may be integrally formed, or the first anti-cutting portion 136 may be adhered to an upper side edge of the first flange 135, or the first anti-cutting portion 136 may be connected to the upper side edge of the first flange 135 through clamping.

[0094] According to the fixing member 100 of this embodiment, the mounting plate 120 may be connected to the housing 210, and each of the snap-fit portions 112 is arranged on the fixing plate 110 to fix the relative position between the snap-fit portion 112 and the housing 210. Each of the snap-fit portions 112 may be used to fix a belt-shaped structure such as a heating belt or a strip-shaped structure, to prevent the heating belt from shaking with respect to the housing 210. When the HVAC device is used in cold regions, ice layers are easily gathered on the housing 210 of the outdoor unit of the HVAC device. The heating belt can melt the ice layers in a timely manner, thereby ensuring smooth water drainage of the housing 210. Of course, the fixing member 100 may also be used to fix other wire harnesses, belt-shaped structures, or strip-shaped structures.

[0095] The above-mentioned heating belt may be an electric heating belt, or may be other belt-shaped or strip-shaped structures for heat conduction or transfer, such as a refrigerant pipe, a heat pipe, or a heat-conducting metal pipe.

[0096] In addition, the fixing plate 110 is provided with a first flange 135, wherein the first flange 135 is positioned on one side of the snap-fit portion 112 in the first direction. This can enhance bending resistance of the fixing plate 110 in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction and reduce the risk of deformation of the fixing plate 110. Moreover, a first anti-cutting portion 136 is provided on a side edge of the first flange 135 away from the fixing plate 110, and the size of the first anti-cutting portion 136 in the first direction is larger than that of the first flange 135 in the first direction. By providing the first anti-cutting portion 136, when the heating belt extends to the first flange 135, the heating belt may be lapped on the first anti-cutting portion 136. Because the size of the first anti-cutting portion 136 in the first direction is larger than that of the first flange 135 in the first direction, compared to a contact area in case of direct contact between the heating belt and the first flange 135, an area of contact between the heating belt and the first anti-cutting portion 136 in the present application is larger, and pressure applied to a region of contact between the heating belt and the first anti-cutting portion 136 is more dispersed, which can reduce local pressure applied to the heating belt. Therefore, the first anti-cutting portion 136 is less likely to scratch, cut off or wear down the heating strip compared to the first flange 135.

[0097] Thus, the fixing member 100 according to the embodiments of the present application can not only be used to fix belt-shaped structures such as wire harnesses or strip-shaped structures, but also is less likely to cause damage to the fixed belt-shaped structures such as wire harnesses, or strip-shaped structures, thereby prolonging service life of the fixed belt-shaped structures such as wire harnesses, or strip-shaped structures.

[0098] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, each of the snap-fit portions 112 includes a first clamping arm 1126 and a second clamping arm 1127. Both the first clamping arm 1126 and the second clamping arm 1127 are connected to the fixing plate 110 and are spaced apart along the second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A groove 1128 is provided at one side of the first clamping arm 1126 facing the second clamping arm 1127 and / or a groove 1128 is provided at one side of the second clamping arm 1127 facing the first clamping arm 1126, wherein a lowest point of the groove 1128 is higher than a highest point of the first anti-cutting portion 136.

[0099] For example, one groove 1128 is provided at one side of the first clamping arm 1126 facing the second clamping arm 1127 or one side of the second clamping arm 1127 facing the first clamping arm 1126. Alternatively, one groove 1128 is provided at each of one side of the first clamping arm 1126 facing the second clamping arm 1127 and one side of the second clamping arm 1127 facing the first clamping arm 1126.

[0100] The heating belt may be positioned at the groove 1128, wherein the lowest point of the groove 1128 is set higher than the highest point of the first anti-cutting portion 136. When the heating belt extends from each of the snap-fit portions 112 to the first anti-cutting portion 136, the heating belt is less likely to bend at the first anti-cutting portion 136, making the heating belt easier to arrange and less likely to be damaged.

[0101] For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a first convex rib 141 may be provided on one side of the first clamping arm 1126 away from the second clamping arm 1127 to increase the structural strength of the first clamping arm 1126, a second convex rib 142 may be provided on one side of the second clamping arm 1127 away from the first clamping arm 1126 to increase the structural strength of the second clamping arm 1127, and a third convex rib 143 may be provided on part of the fixing plate 110 positioned between the first clamping arm 1126 and the second clamping arm 1127. The third convex rib 143 may be positioned on one side of the fixing plate 110 away from the snap-fit portions 112, to prevent the first convex rib 141, the second convex rib 142, and the third convex rib 143 from adversely affecting installation of the heating belt.

[0102] According to some specific embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the first anti-cutting portion 136 extends from the first flange 135 in a direction away from the snap-fit portions 112, wherein the first flange 135 and each of the snap-fit portions 112 may be spaced apart.

[0103] For example, the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135 may be formed as an integrated structure, and the first anti-cutting portion 136 may be a flange bent from the first flange 135 in a direction away from the snap-fit portions 112.

[0104] In this way, neither the first flange 135 nor the first anti-cutting portion 136 occupies space above the fixing plate 110, which is advantageous to avoiding interference occurring between the first anti-cutting portion 136 and each of the snap-fit portions 112. Moreover, a certain gap is provided between the first flange 135 and each of the snap-fit portions 112, which prevents a collision occurring between the first flange 135 and each of the snap-fit portions 112 when subjected to external forces in subsequent stages or other situations from causing damage to the fixing member 100.

[0105] According to some specific embodiments of the application, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the height of the first anti-cutting portion 136 gradually decreases in a direction away from the first flange 135. In this way, a structure such as the heating belt fixed by each of the snap-fit portions 112 is less likely to come into contact with the side edge of the first anti-cutting portion 136 away from the first flange 135, but instead mainly comes into contact with a connection between the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135, which prevents the heating belt from being scratched by the first anti-cutting portion 136, resulting in improved safety and longer service life. Furthermore, the heating belt is allowed to better contact the fixing plate 110, thereby increasing the area of contact between the heating belt and the fixing plate 110.

[0106] According to some specific embodiments of the application, an arc transition is formed between the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135. In this way, forces are evenly distributed between the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135, thereby avoiding a problem such as fracture at the connection between the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135. Moreover, due to the arc transition between the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135, when the connection between the first anti-cutting portion 136 and the first flange 135 comes into contact with the heating belt, the heating belt is less likely to be scratched or worn out, resulting in improved safety and longer service life.

[0107] According to some specific embodiments of the application, a plurality of first flanges 135 are provided, which are respectively arranged on opposite two sides of the snap-fit portions 112 in the first direction. By providing the plurality of first flanges 135, the bending resistance of the fixing plate 110 in the second direction can be further enhanced, the risk of deformation of the fixing plate 110 can be reduced. Moreover, because each first flange 135 is provided with the first anti-cutting portion 136, probability of the wire harnesses being worn out is not increased.

[0108] In some embodiments, each of the snap-fit portions 112 is positioned between two ends of the first anti-cutting portion 136 in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. That is, when the heating belt extends along the first direction, the heating belt may come into contact with the first anti-cutting portion 136. Because the heating belt is less likely to come into contact with other side edges of the first anti-cutting portion 136, it is avoidable wearing out or even cutting off the heating belt due to the absence of anti-wear structures on the other side edges of the first anti-cutting portion 136, thus reducing the probability of causing damage to the heating belt.

[0109] In some embodiments, the fixing member 100 also includes a second flange 137 and a third flange 138. The second flange 137 is connected to the fixing plate 110, and the third flange 138 is connected to the mounting plate 120. The second flange 137 and the third flange 138 are positioned on two opposite sides of the snap-fit portions 112 in the second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The distance between the second flange 137 and each of the snap-fit portions 112 is smaller than the distance between the third flange 138 and each of the snap-fit portions 112. A second anti-cutting portion 139 is provided on a side edge of the second flange 137 away from the fixing plate 110, and the size of the second anti-cutting portion 139 in the second direction is larger than the size of the second flange 137 in the second direction.

[0110] For example, the second flange 137 and the third flange 138 may extend in the first direction. The second flange 137 may be integrally formed with the fixing plate 110, and the third flange 138 may be integrally formed with the mounting plate 120.

[0111] It should be noted that the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137 may be integrally formed, or the second anti-cutting portion 139 may be adhered to an upper side edge of the second flange 137, or the second anti-cutting portion 139 may be connected to the upper side edge of the second flange 137 through clamping.

[0112] By providing the second flange 137 and the third flange 138, the bending resistance of the fixing plate 110 and the mounting plate 120 in the first direction can be improved. Because the distance between the second flange 137 and each of the snap-fit portions 112 is smaller, the second anti-cutting portion 139 is provided on a side edge of the second flange 137 away from the fixing plate 110, and the size of the second anti-cutting portion 139 in the second direction is larger than that of the second flange 137 in the second direction. Compared to a contact area in case of direct contact between the heating belt and the second flange 137 in the existing technology, an area of contact between the heating belt and the second anti-cutting portion 139 in the present application is larger, and pressure applied to a region of contact between the heating belt and the second anti-cutting portion 139 is more dispersed, which can reduce local pressure applied to the heating belt. Therefore, it is avoidable wearing out or even cutting off the heating belt when the heating belt shakes and comes into contact with the second flange 137. The heating belt may come into contact with the second anti-cutting portion 139, to reduce the probability of causing damage to the heating belt.

[0113] In some embodiments, the second anti-cutting portion 139 extends from the second flange 137 in a direction away from the snap-fit portions 112. The second flange 137 and each of the snap-fit portions 112 may be spaced apart.

[0114] For example, the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137 may be formed as an integrated structure, and the second anti-cutting portion 139 may be a flange bent from the second flange 137 in the direction away from the snap-fit portions 112.

[0115] In this way, neither the second flange 137 nor the second anti-cutting portion 139 occupies space above the fixing plate 110, which is advantageous to avoiding interference occurring between the second anti-cutting portion 139 and each of the snap-fit portions 112. Moreover, a certain gap is provided between the second flange 137 and each of the snap-fit portions 112, which prevents a collision occurring between the second flange 137 and each of the snap-fit portions 112 when subjected to external forces in subsequent stages or other situations from causing damage to the fixing member.

[0116] In some embodiments, the height of the second anti-cutting portion 139 gradually decreases in a direction away from the second flange 137. In this way, the heating belt is less likely to come into contact with a side edge of the second anti-cutting portion 139 away from the second flange 137, but instead mainly comes into contact with a connection between the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137, which reduces the probability of the heating belt being scratched and worn out by the second anti-cutting portion 139, resulting in improved safety and longer service life. Furthermore, the heating belt is allowed to better contact the fixing plate 110, thereby increasing the area of contact between the heating belt and the fixing plate 110.

[0117] In some embodiments, an arc transition is formed between the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137. In this way, forces are evenly distributed between the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137, thereby avoiding a problem such as fracture at the connection between the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137. Moreover, due to the arc transition between the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137, when the connection between the second anti-cutting portion 139 and the second flange 137 come into contact with the heating belt, the heating belt is less likely to be scratched or worn out, resulting in improved safety and longer service life.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 12, the present application also provides a housing assembly 200, which includes the housing 210, the heating element 220 (not labeled in the figure), and the fixing member 100 in any one of the above embodiments. The housing 210 includes a chassis 211, wherein an inner wall of the chassis 211 is provided with a drainage channel 2111. The fixing member 100 is connected to the chassis 211, and a partial structure of the fixing member 100 is positioned in the drainage channel 2111. The heating element 220 is clamped in the snap-fit portions 112 of the fixing member 100 and is positioned in the drainage channel 2111. In this way, after the fixing member 100 is connected to the chassis 211, the heating element 220 may be clamped, only by means of clamping, in the clamping slot 1121 formed by each snap-fit portion 112, which can simplify the fixation of the heating element 220 on the housing 210. This allows the liquid in the drainage channel 2111 to be heated by the heating element 220, to ensure that the liquid in the drainage channel 2111 can smoothly drain out of the housing assembly 200 when the housing assembly 200 is at a lower ambient temperature.

[0119] Moreover, by providing the fixing member 100, the fixing member 100 can also adapt to the drainage channel 2111 with a smaller width, to meet the requirements for fixation of the electric heating element inside the drainage channel 2111 with a smaller width in the new form design of the housing assembly 200.

[0120] At least part of the fixing plate 110 may be positioned inside the drainage channel 2111. That is, part of the fixing plate 110 may be positioned inside the drainage channel 2111, or the fixing plate 110 may be entirely positioned inside the drainage channel 2111. When the fixing plate 110 is positioned inside the drainage channel 2111 and the length direction of the fixing plate 110 is parallel to the width direction of the drainage channel 2111, the fixing plate 110 can adapt to the drainage channel 2111 with a smaller width.

[0121] At least part of the mounting plate 120 is positioned outside the drainage channel 2111, to adjust the length of the mounting plate 120 according to the length of the fixing plate 110, to achieve the fixation of the fixing member 100 on the chassis 211. Meanwhile, when the mounting plate 120 is entirely positioned outside the drainage channel 2111, the length of the fixing member 100 inside the drainage channel 2111 can be further reduced, so that the fixing member can adapt to the drainage channel 2111 with a further reduced width.

[0122] Each of the snap-fit portions 112 is positioned on one side of the fixing plate 110 away from the bottom of the drainage channel 2111, to facilitate the clamping of the heating element 220 inside each of the snap-fit portions 112.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the chassis 211 is also provided with a first drainage opening 2118 communicating with the drainage channel 2111. To make it easier for the liquid in the drainage channel 2111 to drain out of the housing assembly 200, the housing assembly 200 also includes a drainage pipe 212 and a locking member 213, wherein the drainage pipe 212 may be positioned on one side where an outer wall of the chassis 211 is located, and may communicate with the drainage opening. The locking member 213 may be positioned on one side where the inner wall of the chassis 211 is located, and may be connected to the drainage pipe 212 to fix the drainage pipe 212. The liquid in the drainage channel 2111 can drain out through the drainage pipe 212.

[0124] In some embodiments, the chassis 211 is also provided with a second drainage opening 2119 (as shown in FIG. 3) communicating with the drainage channel 2111. The second drainage opening 2119 may serve as an auxiliary drainage channel for the first drainage opening 2118 to accelerate the drainage of the liquid from the drainage channel 2111.

[0125] It should be noted that the housing assembly 200 not only may be used in the HVAC device 300 such as an air conditioner, a swimming pool machine, a heat pump device, a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioner, or a water heater, but also may be used in refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, or other electrical appliances with drainage requirements on the chassis 211. When the housing assembly 200 is used in the refrigerators, the washing machines, or the dishwashers, etc., the housing assembly 200 may also include side panels surrounding the peripheral edge of the chassis 211. In the present application, there is no further limitation on the structure of the housing assembly 200.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 15, the present application also provides an HVAC device 300, which includes a heat exchanger 320 and the housing assembly 200 in any one of the above embodiments. The heat exchanger 320 is positioned on the chassis 211 of the housing assembly 200, such that the condensate water on the heat exchanger 320 can be gathered in the drainage channel 2111 of the chassis 211, which is not limited by the ambient temperature of the HVAC device 300. The condensate water can smoothly drain out of the HVAC device 300 through at least one of the first drainage opening 2118 and the second drainage opening 2119 in the chassis 211.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 15 and in combination with FIG. 12, the chassis 211 has a fan region 2114 and a compressor region 2115 arranged side by side. The fan region 2114 has a heat exchanger mounting position 2116 and a drainage channel 2111, wherein the heat exchanger 320 is arranged at the heat exchanger mounting position 2116 to achieve the installation of the heat exchanger 320 in the HVAC device 300.

[0128] The drainage channel 2111 is adjacent to the heat exchanger mounting position 2116. For example, the drainage channel 2111 may be positioned on a peripheral side adjacent to the heat exchanger mounting position 2116, such that the condensate water on the heat exchanger 320 may flow into the drainage channel 2111 under the action of gravity. The heating element 220 inside the housing assembly 200 is wound inside the drainage channel 2111 and is electrically connected to the electric control module of the compressor region 2115, such that the electric control module can control the heating element 220 to start when the ambient temperature of the HVAC device 300 is lower. The heating element 220 heats the condensate water in the drainage channel 2111, to ensure that the condensate water in the drainage channel 2111 can smoothly drain out of the HVAC device 300. When the ambient temperature of the HVAC device 300 is higher, the heating element 220 can be turned off to stop heating the condensate water in the drainage channel 2111.

[0129] The housing assembly 200 may also include an intermediate partition plate 310, wherein the intermediate partition plate 310 may be arranged on the chassis 211 to enclose, together with the chassis 211, a fan cavity and a compressor cavity arranged side by side in the Direction X. Neither the fan cavity nor the compressor cavity is indicated in the figures. The fan cavity is arranged corresponding to the fan region 2114, and the compressor cavity is arranged corresponding to the compressor region 2115.

[0130] The HVAC device 300 also includes a fan assembly 330 in the fan region 2114, and the fan assembly 330 may include a fan and a motor or the like electrically connected to the fan. Neither the fan nor the motor is indicated in the figure. The chassis 211 also has a fan mounting position 2117 in the fan region 2114, wherein the fan mounting position 2117 is positioned on one side of the drainage channel 2111 away from the heat exchanger mounting position 2116. The motor may be positioned at the fan mounting position 2117 to fix the fan assembly 330 in the fan region 2114.

[0131] The HVAC device 300 has a compressor 340 and an electric control box 350 or the like in the compressor region 2115, wherein an electric control module is provided in the electric control box 350. The wire inlet end 221 and the wire outlet end 222 of the heating element 220 may be fixed to the intermediate partition plate 310 and may be electrically connected to the electric control module (not shown in the figure).

[0132] It should be noted that the HVAC device 300 may include, but is not limited to, the air conditioner, the heat pump device, the VRF air conditioner, the swimming pool machine, or the water heater, etc. In the present application, there is no further limitation on the type of the HVAC device 300. Reference can be made to the relevant descriptions in the existing technology for connections between various components in the HVAC device 300 and operating principles thereof, which are not to be further elaborated here.

[0133] The same or similar reference numbers in the accompanying drawings of this embodiment correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if there are terms such as "up", "down", "left", "right" indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, it is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the language used to describe the positional relationships in the accompanying drawings is only for illustrative purposes and cannot be understood as a limitation of this patent. For those ordinarily skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the terms may be understood according to specific situations.

[0134] The embodiments set forth above are only illustrated as preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. All modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A fixing member for a housing assembly, the fixing member comprising a fixing plate and a mounting plate, wherein: at least two snap-fit portions are provided on the fixing plate and are arranged on a same side of the fixing plate, wherein each of the snap-fit portions forms a clamping slot for clamping a heating element of the housing assembly, and the at least two snap-fit portions are staggered in both a length direction and a width direction of the fixing plate, to clamp different parts of the heating element; and the mounting plate is connected to one side of the fixing plate, and is configured to fix the fixing plate to a housing of the housing assembly.

2. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the clamping slots formed by the snap-fit portions are consistent in orientation.

3. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein a spacing is provided between adjacent two of the snap-fit portions in the length direction of the fixing plate, and a width of the spacing is at least greater than a width of each of the snap-fit portions in the length direction of the fixing plate.

4. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein each of the snap-fit portions comprises two clamping arms, which are arranged opposite to each other to enclose the clamping slot.

5. The fixing member according to claim 4, wherein the two clamping arms are symmetrically arranged with respect to each other, and at least part of a slot wall of the clamping slot is circular arc-shaped.

6. The fixing member according to claim 4, wherein each of the snap-fit portions is formed by bending a partial structure of the fixing plate in a direction away from the fixing plate.

7. The fixing member according to claim 6, wherein the fixing plate comprises a body having openings, wherein at least partial structures of the body positioned within the openings are bent in the direction away from the fixing plate to form the clamping arms, each of which has one end connected to an edge part of the corresponding opening and other end bent with respect to the fixing plate.

8. The fixing member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least three snap-fit portions are provided, wherein some of the at least three snap-fit portions are spaced apart along a first length direction of the fixing plate, and the rest of the at least three snap-fit portions are spaced apart along a second length direction of the fixing plate, between adjacent two of the snap-fit portions in the first length direction, wherein a spacing is provided between the first length direction and the second length direction.

9. The fixing member according to claim 8, wherein a reinforcing arm is provided at one end of the fixing plate away from the mounting plate, and is connected between two adjacent snap-fit portions adjacent to one side of the reinforcing arm.

10. The fixing member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mounting plate and part of the fixing plate provided with the snap-fit portions are positioned in different planes, and the mounting plate is detachably connected to the housing.

11. The fixing member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a limiting portion, which is configured to engage with an engaging portion on the housing, to limit a position of the mounting plate with respect to the housing.

12. The fixing member according to claim 11, wherein the engaging portion is an engaging protrusion, and the limiting portion is a limiting hole engaging with the engaging protrusion.

13. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the fixing plate is provided with a first flange, which is positioned on one side of the snap-fit portions in a first direction, wherein a first anti-cutting portion is provided on a side edge of the first flange away from the fixing plate, wherein a size of the first anti-cutting portion in the first direction is larger than a size of the first flange in the first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the width direction of the fixing plate.

14. The fixing member according to claim 13, wherein each of the snap-fit portions comprises a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, wherein: both the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are connected to the fixing plate and are spaced apart along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; and a groove is provided at one side of the first clamping arm facing the second clamping arm, and / or a groove is provided at one side of the second clamping arm facing the first clamping arm, wherein a lowest point of the groove is higher than a highest point of the first anti-cutting portion.

15. The fixing member according to claim 13, wherein the first anti-cutting portion extends from the first flange in a direction away from the snap-fit portions.

16. The fixing member according to claim 13, wherein a height of the first anti-cutting portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the first flange.

17. The fixing member according to claim 13, wherein an arc transition is formed between the first anti-cutting portion and the first flange.

18. The fixing member according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of first flanges are provided, which are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the snap-fit portions in the first direction.

19. The fixing member according to claim 13, wherein each of the snap-fit portions is positioned between two ends of the first anti-cutting portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

20. The fixing member according to claim 13, further comprising a second flange and a third flange, wherein: the second flange is connected to the fixing plate, the third flange is connected to the mounting plate, and the second flange and the third flange are positioned on two opposite sides of the snap-fit portions in a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; a distance between the second flange and the snap-fit portions is smaller than a distance between the third flange and the snap-fit portions; and a second anti-cutting portion is provided on a side edge of the second flange away from the fixing plate, and a size of the second anti-cutting portion in the second direction is larger than a size of the second flange in the second direction.

21. The fixing member according to claim 20, wherein the second anti-cutting portion extends from the second flange in a direction away from the snap-fit portions.

22. The fixing member according to claim 20, wherein a height of the second anti-cutting portion gradually decreases in a direction away from the second flange.

23. The fixing member according to claim 20, wherein an arc transition is formed between the second anti-cutting portion and the second flange.

24. A housing assembly, comprising a housing, a heating element, and the fixing member as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein: the housing comprises a chassis, wherein an inner wall of the chassis is provided with a drainage channel, and the fixing member is connected to the chassis; and the heating element is clamped in the snap-fit portions of the fixing member and is positioned in the drainage channel.

25. The housing assembly according to claim 24, wherein at least part of the fixing plate in the fixing member is positioned inside the drainage channel, and at least part of the mounting plate in the fixing member is positioned outside the drainage channel.

26. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning device, comprising a heat exchanger and the housing assembly as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned on the chassis of the housing assembly.

27. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning device according to claim 26, wherein the chassis has a fan region and a compressor region arranged side by side, wherein the fan region has a heat exchanger mounting position and the drainage channel, and the heat exchanger is arranged at the heat exchanger mounting position; and the drainage channel is adjacent to the heat exchanger mounting position, and the heating element inside the housing assembly is wound inside the drainage channel and is electrically connected to an electric control module in the compressor region.

Images