Bracket assembly, sensor assembly, and air conditioner

Abstract

The present application discloses a bracket assembly, a sensor assembly, and an air conditioner. The bracket assembly (100) comprises a first bracket (110) and a second bracket (120). The first bracket (110) is configured to be connected to a connecting part of an air conditioner (1), the second bracket (120) is configured to be connected to a refrigerant sensor (200), and a first connecting structure (111) of the first bracket (110) is detachably connected to a second connecting structure (121) of the second bracket (120). The direction pointing from the first connecting structure (111) to the second connecting structure (121) is a first direction (X), and when the first connecting structure (111) is separated from the second connecting structure (121), the second bracket (120) can be separated from the first bracket (110) in the first direction (X).

Description

Bracket assembly, sensor assembly and air conditioner

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application number 202410372271.3 filed on March 29, 2024, entitled “Bracket assembly, sensor assembly and air conditioner,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of air conditioning, and in particular to a bracket assembly, a sensor assembly and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0004] To detect refrigerant leaks, which are denser than air, a refrigerant sensor needs to be located at the bottom of the air conditioner. However, due to the large number of components surrounding the refrigerant sensor, it is difficult to disassemble and repair.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] To at least partially solve one of the above technical problems, embodiments of the present application provide a bracket assembly, a sensor assembly, and an air conditioner.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present application, the bracket assembly is used for an air conditioner, the air conditioner including a refrigerant sensor and a connecting portion, and the bracket assembly includes:

[0008] a first bracket comprising a first connecting structure, wherein the first bracket is adapted to be connected to the connecting portion; and

[0009] a second bracket, comprising a second connecting structure, the second connecting structure being detachably connected to the first connecting structure, and the second bracket being suitable for connecting to the refrigerant sensor;

[0010] The direction from the first connecting structure to the second connecting structure is a first direction. When the first connecting structure is separated from the second connecting structure, the second bracket can be separated from the first bracket along the first direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the bracket assembly further includes a threaded connector, through which the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure are threadedly connected; the threaded connector includes a force-bearing portion suitable for obtaining torque, and the force-bearing portion is located on the side of the second connecting structure away from the first connecting structure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first bracket includes a first plate connected to the first connecting structure, and the second bracket includes a second plate connected to the second connecting structure; the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the thickness direction of the first plate and the thickness direction of the second plate, respectively, and the first plate and the second plate are stacked along the second direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first connecting structure is located on a side of the first plate along the first direction.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second connection structure is located on a side of the second plate along the first direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the first connecting structure is located on a side of the first plate along the third direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the second connecting structure is located on a side of the second plate along the third direction.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first bracket includes a first guide portion for guiding the first plate, the first guide portion is located on a side of the first plate along the first direction, and along the first direction, the first guide portion is inclined in a direction away from the second plate;

[0018] In some embodiments, the second bracket further includes a second guide portion for guiding the first connecting structure, and the second guide portion is inclined in a direction away from the first connecting structure in the opposite direction of the first direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first connecting structure is located on a side of the first plate along the first direction; the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the first connecting structure is located on a side of the first plate along the third direction;

[0020] The second plate body is provided with a first flange extending along the first direction on the side along the third direction, and the first flange is located on the side opposite to the first connecting structure along the third direction. A third guide portion is provided at one end of the first flange opposite to the first direction, and the third guide portion is inclined in the direction away from the first connecting structure in the opposite direction of the first direction.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second plate body is provided with a third connecting structure suitable for connecting the refrigerant sensor, and the second plate body is provided with a second flange on the side along the first direction, the projection plane is perpendicular to the second direction, the third connecting structure forms a first projection on the projection plane, and the second flange forms a second projection on the projection plane, and along the first direction, the first projection and the second projection at least partially overlap.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second plate is provided with a third connection structure suitable for connecting to the refrigerant sensor, and the third connection structure is located on one side of the first plate along the first direction.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first plate body is provided with a third flange on the side opposite to the first direction, and the third flange is provided with a slot. The second plate body is provided with a protrusion on the side opposite to the first direction, and the protrusion is inserted into the slot in the opposite direction of the first direction.

[0024] The sensor assembly according to the second embodiment of the present application is used for an air conditioner, and the sensor assembly includes:

[0025] The bracket assembly of any one of the above items; and

[0026] The refrigerant sensor is connected to the second bracket.

[0027] An air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present application includes:

[0028] A housing having a receiving cavity;

[0029] a heat exchanger, disposed in the accommodating cavity; and

[0030] The sensor assembly described above is arranged in the accommodating cavity.

[0031] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes the connecting portion, and the connecting portion is located at the lower end of the heat exchanger.

[0032] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes the connecting portion, the heat exchanger includes a welding end, and the connecting portion is located on a side close to the welding end.

[0033] In some embodiments, the refrigerant sensor includes a sensor body and an annular guard plate, the sensor body is provided with a wire port for passing the wire through, one end of the annular guard plate is connected to the sensor body and is arranged around the wire port, and the port of the annular guard plate close to the wire port is located at the upper end of the port of the annular guard plate away from the wire port.

[0034] In some embodiments, the shell includes a shell body and a disassembly plate, the shell body is provided with an opening, the disassembly plate is connected to the shell body and covers the opening to jointly define the accommodating cavity with the shell body; along the first direction, the bracket assembly is visible at the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0036] FIG1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a bracket assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG2 is a front view schematic diagram of a sensor assembly in one embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG3 is an exploded schematic diagram of a sensor assembly from a first perspective according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG4 is an exploded schematic diagram of a sensor assembly from a second perspective according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG5 is a perspective schematic diagram of an assembly of some components of an air conditioner in one embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG6 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of point A in FIG5 ;

[0042] FIG7 is a perspective schematic diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG8 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present application; and

[0044] FIG9 is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of point B in FIG8 .

[0045] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: Air conditioner 1; Sensor assembly 10; Bracket assembly 100; First bracket 110; First connecting structure 111; First plate 112; First guide portion 113; Third flange 114; Slot 1141; First connecting portion 115; Second bracket 120; Second connecting structure 121; Second guide portion 122; Third guide portion 123; First flange 124; Second flange 125; Third connecting structure 126; Second plate 127; Protrusion 1271; Second connecting portion 128; Threaded connector 130; Force-bearing portion 131; Refrigerant sensor 200; Sensor body 210; Annular guard plate 220; Shell 20; Accommodating chamber 21; Opening 22; Disassembly plate 23; Shell body 24; Heat exchanger 30; Welding end 31; Connecting portion 40; First direction X, second direction Y, third direction Z.

[0046] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0048] Refrigerant is a medium used for heat exchange and can be made of various materials. Refrigerants with a greater density than air tend to flow downward when leaking. To accurately monitor refrigerant leaks within an air conditioner, a refrigerant sensor must be located at the bottom of the unit. This is because leaks accumulate at the bottom of the unit regardless of where they occur. Placing the sensor at the bottom increases the chances of the sensor coming into contact with leaking refrigerant, thereby improving monitoring accuracy.

[0049] Due to the placement restrictions of air conditioners, only a few specific panels on the outer shell are easily disassembled and assembled during maintenance. When the refrigerant sensor is located at the bottom of the air conditioner, due to the large number of components at the bottom of the air conditioner and the inconvenience of disassembling the bottom plate during maintenance, it is difficult for operators to disassemble and repair the refrigerant sensor when it fails and needs to be repaired. In actual situations, the space required for disassembly and removal of the refrigerant sensor is different. For example, when the refrigerant sensor is fixed by screws, horizontal operating space needs to be reserved when removing the screws, while vertical operating space needs to be reserved when removing the refrigerant sensor. When the air conditioner is repaired, the back panel or front panel of the air conditioner is generally used for disassembly and assembly. After the removable panels are removed, it is difficult to reach the interior of the air conditioner to remove the refrigerant sensor due to the obstruction of other components at the bottom of the air conditioner. Or after the refrigerant sensor is removed, it is difficult to remove the refrigerant sensor from the air conditioner.

[0050] In view of this, referring to Figures 1-9, this embodiment provides a bracket assembly 100. The bracket assembly 100 is used for an air conditioner 1. The air conditioner 1 includes a refrigerant sensor 200 and a connecting portion 40. The bracket assembly 100 is specifically used to connect the refrigerant sensor 200 to the connecting portion 40. The connecting portion 40 can be any structure within the air conditioner 1 for connecting the bracket assembly 100. In some embodiments, the water tray at the bottom of the air conditioner 1 includes the connecting portion 40, in which case the bracket assembly 100 connects the refrigerant sensor 200 to the water tray. In other embodiments, the heat exchanger 30 of the air conditioner 1 includes the connecting portion 40, in which case the bracket assembly 100 connects the refrigerant sensor 200 to the heat exchanger 30.

[0051] Referring to Figures 1-3 and 6 , the bracket assembly 100 includes a first bracket 110 and a second bracket 120. The first bracket 110 includes a first connecting structure 111, which is configured to be detachably connected to the second bracket 120. The first bracket 110 is adapted to be connected to the connecting portion 40. Specifically, the first bracket 110 has two connecting structures: one connecting structure is connected to the connecting portion 40 within the air conditioner 1, and the other connecting structure is connected to the second bracket 120. The second bracket 120 includes a second connecting structure 121, which is detachably connected to the first connecting structure 111. The second bracket 120 is adapted to be connected to the refrigerant sensor 200. Specifically, the second bracket 120 also has two connecting structures: one connecting structure is connected to the first bracket 110, and the other connecting structure is connected to the refrigerant sensor 200. The refrigerant sensor 200 is connected to the second bracket 120, which is connected to the first bracket 110, which is connected to the connecting portion 40, thereby securing the refrigerant sensor 200 to the connecting portion 40. Because the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 are detachably connected, the operator can remove the refrigerant sensor 200 along with the second bracket 120 after separating the first connecting structure 111 from the second connecting structure 121. In this case, the first bracket 110 is still connected to the connecting portion 40. After the refrigerant sensor 200 is repaired, the second bracket 120 is connected to the first bracket 110, and the second connecting structure 121 is reconnected to the first connecting structure 111, thereby re-securing the refrigerant sensor 200.

[0052] 2-3 , in this embodiment, the direction from the first connecting structure 111 to the second connecting structure 121 is the first direction X, so that the second connecting structure 121 can be separated from the first connecting structure 111 along the first direction X. When the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 are separated, the second bracket 120 can be separated from the first bracket 110 along the first direction X. In this solution, the separation direction of the first bracket 110 and the second bracket 120 is the same as the separation direction of the portion used to connect them to each other (i.e., the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121). Therefore, when the refrigerant sensor 200 is inspected and maintained, the space required for disassembly of the refrigerant sensor 200 and the space required for removal of the refrigerant sensor 200 are substantially the same, reducing the space required for inspection and making it easier to remove the refrigerant sensor 200, thereby making the inspection of the refrigerant sensor 200 more convenient.

[0053] In addition, in this embodiment, two brackets are provided, namely the first bracket 110 and the second bracket 120, and the structures for disassembly (i.e., the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121) and the structure for connection with the connecting part 40 (i.e., the structure of the first bracket 110 connecting the connecting part 40) are separated. Compared with the scheme of providing only one bracket to simultaneously connect the connecting part 40 and the refrigerant sensor 200 (in this scheme, when the sensor needs to be disassembled, the structure connecting the support frame and the connecting part 40 needs to be disassembled), the bracket assembly 100 in this embodiment can continue to use the structure and layout of the connecting part 40. By improving the positions of the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121, the purpose of the separation direction and disassembly direction of the bracket assembly 100 being the same can be achieved, without having to change the structure and layout of the connecting part 40 to achieve the above purpose, thereby reducing the modification cost. Furthermore, in some embodiments, after the refrigerant sensor 200 is connected to the second bracket 120, the refrigerant sensor 200 does not need to be removed from the second bracket 120 during maintenance, thereby reducing the strength or durability requirements of the connection portion 40 of the refrigerant sensor 200 and reducing the cost of the refrigerant sensor 200.

[0054] It should be noted that the "detachable connection" between the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 means that after the first connecting structure 111 is connected, the two can be separated and reconnected without destroying the main structure. For example, in some embodiments, the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 can be snap-fitted; in some embodiments, the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 can be magnetically connected. Referring to Figures 2-3, in this embodiment, the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 are threadedly connected. Specifically, the bracket assembly 100 also includes a threaded connector 130, and the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 are threadedly connected through the threaded connector 130. The first connecting structure 111 can be a threaded hole, and the second connecting structure 121 can be a threaded hole or a through hole without internal threads. The threaded connector 130 is a screw, and the screw passes through the first connecting structure 111 and is threadedly connected to the second connecting structure 121. The threaded connector 130 includes a force-bearing portion 131 suitable for obtaining torque. When the threaded connector 130 is a screw, the force-bearing portion 131 can be a screw head, which can be provided with a slotted structure such as a slotted groove or a cross slot that cooperates with a screwdriver. The force-bearing portion 131 is located on the side of the second connecting structure 121 facing away from the first connecting structure 111, so that the operating device can extend into the air conditioner 1 in the opposite direction of the first direction X and thus cooperate with the force-bearing portion 131 for connection. In this solution, the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 are connected by a thread, which can ensure that the two have a high connection stability while facilitating separation of the two. In addition, the force-bearing portion 131 is arranged on the side of the second connecting structure 121 facing away from the first connecting structure 111, which can facilitate the user to extend into the air conditioner 1 in the opposite direction of the first direction X to operate the force-bearing portion 131, thereby reducing the operating space. In other embodiments, the force-bearing portion 131 of the threaded connector 130 may also be a dovetail piece, so that the user can connect and separate the first connection structure 111 and the second connection structure 121 by directly twisting the dovetail piece by hand without using a screwdriver.

[0055] Referring to Figures 1-4, in some embodiments, the first bracket 110 includes a first plate 112 connected to a first connecting structure 111, and the second bracket 120 includes a second plate 127 connected to the second connecting structure 121. After the first bracket 110 and the second bracket 120 are connected, the relative positions of the first plate 112 and the second plate 127 depend on the actual layout space within the air conditioner 1. In this embodiment, after the first bracket 110 and the second bracket 120 are connected, the first plate 112 and the second plate 127 are arranged along the second direction Y, where the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X and parallel to the thickness of the first plate 112 and the thickness of the second plate 127, respectively. In some embodiments, the first plate 112 and the second plate 127 can be spaced apart, and the space between them is used to accommodate the refrigerant sensor 200. In other embodiments, the first plate 112 and the second plate 127 are stacked along the second direction Y, and the refrigerant sensor 200 is connected to the side of the second plate 127 facing away from the first plate 112. In this solution, because the first plate 112 and the second plate 127 are arranged along the second direction Y, when the bracket assembly 100 is connected to the refrigerant sensor 200, the thickness of the entire bracket assembly 100 and the refrigerant sensor 200 is relatively thin, making it easier to remove and place the refrigerant sensor 200 during maintenance.

[0056] In other embodiments, after the first bracket 110 is connected to the second bracket 120, the first plate 112 and the second plate 127 can also be distributed along a direction perpendicular to the second direction Y (which can be the first direction X or the third direction Z), and the thickness direction of the first plate 112 and the thickness direction of the second plate 127 are both parallel to the second direction Y, one of the side walls of the first plate 112 is flush with one of the side walls of the second plate 127, and the other side wall of the second plate 127 is flush with the other side wall of the second plate 127, and the refrigerant sensor 200 is connected to one of the side walls of the second plate 127. In this solution, the overall thickness of both the bracket assembly 100 and the refrigerant sensor 200 can be further reduced. Furthermore, the first plate 112 can be an annular plate surrounding the second plate 127, and the annular plate is arranged around an axis parallel to the second direction Y.

[0057] 1-3 , in some embodiments, the first connecting structure 111 is located on a side of the first plate 112 along the first direction X, and the second connecting structure 121 is located on a side of the second plate 127 along the first direction X. This arrangement allows an operator to be closer to the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 when removing the second bracket 120 along the first direction X, making it easier to manually or with tools separate the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121. Furthermore, when the first connecting structure 111 is located on a side of the first plate 112 along the first direction X, and the second connecting structure 121 is located on a side of the second plate 127 along the first direction X, the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 are more easily positioned away from the refrigerant sensor 200, making the bracket assembly 100 more compact. The bracket assembly 100 does not need to be bulked up to prevent interference between the refrigerant sensor 200 and the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121.

[0058] It should be noted that the first plate 112 has two side edges arranged opposite each other along the first direction X, namely, the side edge of the first plate 112 along the first direction X and the side edge of the first plate 112 opposite to the first direction X. Below, when observing the first plate 112 along the first direction X, the side edge farther from the viewer is defined as the side edge of the first plate 112 along the first direction X, and the side edge closer to the viewer is defined as the side edge of the first plate 112 opposite to the first direction X. Alternatively, when observing the first plate 112 opposite to the first direction X, the side edge farther from the viewer is defined as the side edge of the first plate 112 opposite to the first direction X, and the side edge closer to the viewer is defined as the side edge of the first plate 112 along the first direction X.

[0059] In order to further avoid the refrigerant sensor 200 or further separate the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121, referring to Figures 1-3, in some embodiments, the third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively, and the first connecting structure 111 is located on the side of the first plate 112 along the third direction Z (meaning that when observing the first plate 112 along the third direction Z, the first connecting structure 111 is located on the side of the first plate 112 farther from the observer), and the second connecting structure 121 is located on the side of the second plate 127 along the third direction Z (meaning that when observing the second plate 127 along the third direction Z, the second connecting structure 121 is located on the side of the second plate 127 farther from the observer). In this solution, the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 are located at the corner ends of the bracket assembly 100, which is more conducive to preventing the two from interfering with the refrigerant sensor 200.

[0060] To enable the second bracket 120 to separate from the first bracket 110 along the first direction X, the structure on the first bracket 110 needs to avoid the second bracket 120, so that the second bracket 120 is not blocked by the structure on the first bracket 110 during its movement relative to the first bracket 110 along the first direction X. To facilitate the assembly of the second bracket 120 to the first bracket 110 in the opposite direction of the first direction X, a guide structure is required on the first bracket 110 or the second bracket 120, so that the bracket assembly 100 is also configured to facilitate the assembly of the second bracket 120 to the first bracket 110 in the opposite direction of the first direction X. Specifically, referring to Figures 1-3, in some embodiments, the first bracket 110 includes a first guide portion 113 for guiding the first plate 112. The first guide portion 113 is located on a side edge of the first plate 112 along the first direction X. In the first direction X, the first guide portion 113 is inclined away from the second plate 127. During the assembly process of the second bracket 120, the second bracket 120 first contacts the first guide portion 113 of the first bracket 110. The second bracket 120 is guided by the first guide portion 113 to achieve a good fit with the first bracket 110. This solution is more conducive to the operator to blindly operate the second bracket 120 when there is insufficient operating space in the air conditioner 1, reducing the difficulty of assembling the second bracket 120 while also reducing the space required for assembly. The first guide portion 113 can be integrally formed with the first plate body 112. Specifically, the first guide portion 113 and the first plate body 112 can be integrally bent by sheet metal (the first guide portion 113 is bent in a direction away from the second plate body 127), and the bending line is the boundary line between the first plate body 112 and the first guide portion 113.

[0061] In some embodiments, the second bracket 120 further includes a second guide portion 122 for guiding the first connecting structure 111. The second guide portion 122 is inclined in a direction away from the first connecting structure 111 in the opposite direction of the first direction X. In this embodiment, the second guide portion 122 is used to align the first connecting structure 111 with the second connecting structure 121, thereby facilitating connection between the first and second connecting structures 111, 121. Specifically, referring to Figures 1-3, in some embodiments, the first bracket 110 includes a first connecting portion 115. The first connecting portion 115 is disposed at a corner end of the first plate 112 along one side of the first direction X and one side of the third direction Z. The first connecting portion 115 includes the first connecting structure 111. The first connecting portion 115 extends from the first plate 112 along the first direction X. The end of the first connecting portion 115 along the first direction X is bent toward the second plate 127 to form a bent portion. The bent portion of the first connecting portion 115 has an opening to form the first connecting structure 111. The second bracket 120 includes a second connecting portion 128, which is located at a corner end of the second plate 127 along one side in the first direction X and one side in the third direction Z. The second connecting portion 128 includes a second connecting structure 121. The second connecting portion 128 extends from the second plate 127 along the third direction Z. The end of the second connecting portion 128 facing away from the second plate 127 is located on the side of the bent portion along the first direction X, and a hole is formed in the second connecting structure 121. A plurality of second guide portions 122 are bent onto the end of the second connecting portion 128 facing away from the second plate 127. Each second guide portion 122 is arranged around the bent portion and bends away from the bent portion in the opposite direction of the first direction X. During the process of reassembling the second bracket 120 with the first bracket 110, when the second bracket 120 is translated in the opposite direction of the first direction X, each second guide portion 122 can simultaneously guide so that the second connecting structure 121 is aligned with the first connecting structure 111, so as to facilitate the threaded connection 130 to connect the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121.

[0062] To further improve the assembly accuracy of the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121, in some embodiments, the first connecting structure 111 is located on a side of the first plate 112 along the first direction X. The third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y, and the first connecting structure 111 is located on a side of the first plate 112 along the third direction Z. A first flange 124 extending along the first direction X is provided on the side of the second plate 127 along the third direction Z. The first flange 124 is tilted away from the first plate 112 and is located on the side of the first connecting structure 111 opposite to the third direction Z. A third guide portion 123 is provided at one end of the first flange 124 opposite to the first direction X. The third guide portion 123 is tilted away from the first connecting structure 111 in the direction opposite to the first direction X. Because the first flange 124 extends along the first direction X, the first flange 124 provides constant guidance when the second bracket 120 translates relative to the first bracket 110 in the direction opposite to the first direction X, preventing the second bracket 120 from shifting relative to the first bracket 110 during alignment, thereby improving the assembly accuracy of the first and second connecting structures 111 and 121. Furthermore, in addition to guiding the second bracket 120, the first flange 124 also positions the second bracket 120 during assembly. During blind operation, an operator can determine the correct position of the second bracket 120 by sensing whether the side of the first connecting portion 115 in the direction opposite to the third direction Z abuts the first flange 124. Upon sensing that the side of the first connecting portion 115 in the direction opposite to the third direction Z abuts the first flange 124, the operator can then force the second bracket 120 to translate in the direction opposite to the first direction X, thereby aligning the second connecting structure 121 with the first connecting structure 111. That is, the first flange 124 can also facilitate blind operation of the second bracket 120 by the operator when connecting the second bracket 120. In addition, the first flange 124 can also protect the side of the refrigerant sensor 200 along the third direction Z, thereby making the side of the refrigerant sensor 200 along the third direction Z less likely to contact condensed water in the air conditioner 1.

[0063] The first flange 124, the third guide portion 123, and the second plate 127 can be bent into shape, thereby improving the processing efficiency and processing cost of the first flange 124. In actual processing, a slit can be first cut in the sheet metal part, and two bend lines can be drawn, with the first bend line parallel to the slit and the second bend line perpendicular to the slit. The sheet metal part can be bent along the first bend line using a bending machine to form the first flange 124, and then the sheet metal part can be bent along the second bend line using a bending machine to form the second flange 125.

[0064] The first direction X is a direction relative to the bracket assembly 100. The actual orientation of the first direction X varies depending on the placement of the bracket assembly 100. When the bracket assembly 100 is actually placed, the first direction X can be upward, downward, or horizontal during operation of the air conditioner 1. The actual orientation of the first direction X depends on the specific placement of the disassembly panel 23 of the air conditioner 1. When the panel located above the bracket assembly 100 during maintenance is the disassembly panel 23, the access opening of the air conditioner 1 is located above the bracket assembly 100. In this case, after the bracket assembly 100 is installed, the first direction X can be upward, the first connecting structure 111 is located above the first plate 112, and the second connecting structure 121 is located at the upper end of the second plate 127. When the side panel located on the side of the bracket assembly 100 during maintenance is the disassembly panel 23, the access opening of the air conditioner 1 is located on the lateral side of the bracket assembly 100. In this case, the actual orientation of the first direction X is horizontal. When the base plate located below the bracket assembly 100 during air conditioner maintenance is the disassembly plate 23, the inspection port of the air conditioner 1 is located laterally below the bracket assembly 100. In this case, the actual orientation of the first direction X is downward. Referring to Figures 1, 5, and 6, in this embodiment, the first direction X is upward, and the second plate 127 is provided with a third connecting structure 126 suitable for connecting to the refrigerant sensor 200. The second plate 127 is provided with a second flange 125 along the side of the first direction X. The projection plane is perpendicular to the second direction Y. The third connecting structure 126 forms a first projection on the projection plane, and the second flange 125 forms a second projection on the projection plane. Along the first direction X, the first and second projections at least partially overlap. This allows the second flange 125 to cover at least a portion of the refrigerant sensor 200 when connected to the third connecting structure 126 in the direction opposite to the first direction X. In this solution, the second flange 125 is arranged above the refrigerant sensor 200, and the second flange 125 can cover at least part of the structure of the refrigerant sensor 200 downward, so that the second flange 125 can effectively block the downstream condensed water above the bracket assembly 100, thereby reducing the probability of the downstream condensed water contacting the refrigerant sensor 200 and improving the service life of the refrigerant sensor 200.

[0065] When the first direction X is upward, the structure of the first guide portion 113 can also make it more difficult for condensed water to be directed toward the refrigerant sensor 200. In some embodiments, when the bracket assembly 100 is connected to a vertically extending wall, the tilted structure of the first guide portion 113 causes the upper side of the first guide portion 113 and the lower side of the first plate 112 to abut the vertically extending wall, and a gap is formed between the first plate 112 and the vertically extending wall, making it difficult for heat to be lost from the first plate 112, thereby reducing the probability of condensed water being generated by the first plate 112 itself due to excessively low temperature. On the other hand, when the condensed water from above flows down to the first guide portion 113, it will be guided through the first guide portion 113 into the gap between the first plate 112 and the second plate 127, making it difficult for it to pass through the second plate 127 and be directed toward the refrigerant sensor 200.

[0066] Since the refrigerant sensor 200 can be removed from the second bracket 120 or not during maintenance, the refrigerant sensor 200 can be detachably connected to the second plate 127 or inseparable from the second bracket 120. The refrigerant sensor 200 can be specifically connected to the second bracket 120 by snapping, threading, hot-melt connection, or gluing. Referring to Figures 1-2 and 5-6, in this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 200 is threadedly connected to the second bracket 120. In order to prevent the screws connecting the refrigerant sensor 200 to the second plate 127 from interfering with the position of the first bracket 110, the first bracket 110 needs to avoid the position of the screws. Specifically, the second plate 127 is provided with a third connecting structure 126 suitable for connecting the refrigerant sensor 200. The third connecting structure 126 is located on one side of the first plate 112 along the first direction X. The third connecting structure 126 can specifically be a threaded hole. In this embodiment, on the one hand, the screws connecting the refrigerant sensor 200 and the third connecting structure 126 can be longer, and are less likely to cause positional interference with the first bracket 110; on the other hand, during the process of disassembling the second bracket 120 along the first direction X, the first bracket 110 is also less likely to block the screws, and the second bracket 120 is more likely to detach from the first bracket 110 along the first direction X.

[0067] Referring to Figures 1-4, in some embodiments, the first plate 112 has a third flange 114 on its side opposite to the first direction X. The third flange 114 tilts toward the second bracket 120. In some embodiments, when the first bracket 110 is connected to the second bracket 120, the second bracket 120 can abut against the third flange 114, thereby positioning the second bracket 120 in the first direction X. In some embodiments, the third flange 114 has a slot 1141, and the second plate 127 has a protrusion 1271 on its side opposite to the first direction X. The protrusion 1271 is inserted into the slot 1141 in the direction opposite to the first direction X. The cooperation between the slot 1141 and the protrusion 1271 can further position the second bracket 120 in the third direction Z, thereby more accurately positioning the second bracket 120. Furthermore, the protrusion 1271 can be tilted on both sides along the third direction Z, so that the protrusion 1271 can be guided during the process of being inserted into the slot 1141, so that the protrusion 1271 can be inserted into the slot 1141 more accurately, which is convenient for the operator to perform blind operation.

[0068] Referring to Figures 1 to 9, the second aspect of the present application further provides a sensor assembly 10, which is used for an air conditioner 1. The sensor assembly 10 includes the bracket assembly 100 and the refrigerant sensor 200 in any of the above embodiments. The refrigerant sensor 200 is connected to the second bracket 120, and the refrigerant sensor 200 is used to monitor whether there is refrigerant leakage in the air conditioner 1. The refrigerant sensor 200 can be detachably connected to the second bracket 120 or inseparable from the second bracket 120. In this embodiment, the refrigerant sensor 200 is detachably connected to the second bracket 120. Specifically, the refrigerant sensor 200 is threadedly connected to the second bracket 120.

[0069] Referring to Figures 1 to 9, the third aspect of the present application further provides an air conditioner 1, which includes a housing 20, a heat exchanger 30, and a sensor assembly 10 in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The housing 20 is an outer shell sensor body 210 for protection on the outside of the air conditioner 1. The housing 20 is made up of a plurality of plates. The housing 20 has an accommodating cavity 21 inside. The heat exchanger 30 and the sensor assembly 10 of the air conditioner 1 are both arranged in the accommodating cavity 21. In order to facilitate the maintenance of the air conditioner 1, the housing 20 may have a disassembly plate 23 for easy disassembly and assembly. The disassembly plate 23 is detachably connected to the shell body 24 of the housing 20, and the disassembly plate 23 and the shell body 24 jointly define the accommodating cavity 21. When the air conditioner 1 is operating normally, the disassembly plate 23 is connected to the shell body 24. When it is necessary to inspect and repair the internal components of the air conditioner 1, the operator can separate the disassembly plate 23 from the shell body 24. The opening 22 formed after the disassembly plate 23 is removed is the inspection port for inspection. The operator can reach into the accommodating cavity 21 through the above-mentioned inspection port to inspect the internal components of the air conditioner 1.

[0070] To facilitate operator access, the disassembly panel 23 has a certain height, meaning the access opening is located at a relatively high vertical position. However, since the refrigerant sensor 200 needs to be located at the bottom of the air conditioner 1, and there are many components at the bottom of the air conditioner 1, it is inconvenient for the operator to reach the bottom of the accommodating chamber 21 through the high vertical access opening. Specifically, in the related art, the sensor assembly 10 is threadedly connected to the connecting portion 40 within the housing 20, with the axis of the screw arranged horizontally. In this solution, the operator needs to insert an operating tool downward through the access opening, connect the operating tool horizontally to the screw, and remove the screw. After the screw is removed, the refrigerant sensor 200 needs to be removed upward for maintenance. In this solution, due to the high position of the access opening and the small opening 22, the operator does not have enough space to observe whether the tool is aligned with the screw when operating the tool. In other words, the process of aligning the screw with the operating tool may require blind operation. Or even if the access opening has sufficient space for the operator to observe, due to the obstruction of other components at the bottom of the air conditioner 1, there is insufficient horizontal operating space at the bottom of the air conditioner 1. In this embodiment, since the relative direction of the first connecting structure 111 and the second connecting structure 121 is the same as the direction in which the second bracket 120 is removed, it is easier for operators to inspect the refrigerant sensor 200. In a further embodiment, along the first direction X, the second connecting structure 121 is visible through the opening 22 (i.e., the inspection port) left after the removal of the disassembly plate 23. In this solution, the bracket assembly 100 is visible through the opening 22, that is, when the bracket assembly 100 is observed from the opening 22, the bracket assembly 100 is not obstructed by other components at the bottom of the air conditioner 1, allowing the second bracket 120 to be removed along the first direction X without having to take a detour to avoid other components.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the refrigerant sensor 200 includes a sensor body 210 and an annular shield 220 . The sensor body 210 is provided with a wire port for passing wires. The wires electrically connected to the control board are electrically connected to the sensor body 210 through the wire port. One end of the annular shield 220 is connected to the sensor body 210 and surrounds the wire port. The annular shield 220 is configured to prevent condensation from entering the wire port. Furthermore, the port of the annular shield 220 proximal to the wire port is located above the port of the annular shield 220 facing away from the wire port. In this embodiment, condensation dripping from above is less likely to enter the wire port through the annular shield 220 or the wires connected to the sensor body 210.

[0072] 6 to 9 , in some embodiments, the heat exchanger 30 includes a connection portion 40, and the connection portion 40 is located at the lower end of the heat exchanger 30. In other words, the sensor assembly 10 is connected to the heat exchanger 30, and is connected to the lower end of the heat exchanger 30. In this solution, when the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 30 leaks, the refrigerant sensor 200 is closer to the leak point and can sense the leaked refrigerant more promptly. In other embodiments, the water receiving tray located at the bottom of the heat exchanger 30 may include a connection portion 40, that is, the bracket assembly 100 is connected to the water receiving tray. Specifically, the water receiving tray includes a bottom plate and side plates arranged around the bottom plate, and the side of the water receiving tray includes a connection portion 40, that is, the bracket assembly 100 is connected to the side plates of the water receiving tray. In this solution, when the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 30 leaks, the water receiving pan can receive the leaked refrigerant. When the water receiving pan is filled with refrigerant, the refrigerant will overflow from the side panel of the water receiving pan. At this time, the refrigerant sensor 200 can sense the leaked refrigerant. The structure of the sensor assembly 10 connected to the water receiving pan can increase the probability of the leaked refrigerant flowing through the sensor assembly 10.

[0073] Referring to Figures 6-9 , in some embodiments, the heat exchanger 30 is arranged obliquely within the housing 20. Specifically, the lower end of the heat exchanger 30 is located at the lower end of the housing 20 and, in the transverse direction, is located on the side away from the access opening. The upper end of the heat exchanger 30 is located at the lower end of the access opening within the housing 20 and, in the transverse direction, is located on the side closer to the access opening. The heat exchanger 30 has a side visible from the access opening and a side not visible from the access opening. The sensor assembly 10 is connected to the side of the heat exchanger 30 visible from the access opening and is located at the lower end of that side. At this time, the first direction X in the bracket assembly 100 can be a vertical upward direction or an inclined upward direction (specifically, a direction from the lower end of the heat exchanger 30 to the upper end). In this embodiment, the first direction X is an inclined upward direction. In this solution, the threaded connector 130 of the bracket assembly 100 can be directed toward the inspection port, making it easier to separate the first bracket 110 and the second bracket 120 along the first direction X.

[0074] The heat exchanger 30 includes heat exchange fins and heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes contain refrigerant. The heat exchange fins are connected to the heat exchange tubes to facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerant in the heat exchange tubes and the external air. On the two lateral sides of the heat exchanger 30, one side is a welding end 31 and the other side is a bent pipe end. The bent pipe end of the heat exchanger 30 is an integrally formed U-shaped tube, and the welding end 31 of the heat exchanger 30 is formed by welding the bent pipe. Therefore, refrigerant leakage is more likely to occur at the welding end 31 of the heat exchanger 30. In view of this, in some embodiments, the connecting portion 40 is located on the side close to the welding end 31, so that the refrigerant sensor 200 can be closer to the refrigerant leakage point, thereby improving the sensitivity of the refrigerant sensor 200 and achieving a rapid response.

[0075] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present application involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0076] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present application, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features limited to "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, if "and / or", "and / or" or "and / or" appear in the full text, its meaning includes three parallel schemes. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scheme A, or scheme B, or a scheme in which A and B are satisfied at the same time. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by this application.

[0077] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present application and do not limit the patent scope of the present application. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present application description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present application, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. Bracket assembly for air conditioner, wherein: The air conditioner includes a refrigerant sensor and a connecting portion, and the bracket assembly includes: a first bracket comprising a first connecting structure, wherein the first bracket is adapted to be connected to the connecting portion; and a second bracket, comprising a second connecting structure, the second connecting structure being detachably connected to the first connecting structure, and the second bracket being suitable for connecting to the refrigerant sensor; The direction from the first connecting structure to the second connecting structure is a first direction. When the first connecting structure is separated from the second connecting structure, the second bracket can be separated from the first bracket along the first direction.

2. The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a threaded connector, wherein: The first connection structure and the second connection structure are threadedly connected via the threaded connection member; and The threaded connection member includes a force-bearing portion adapted to obtain torque, and the force-bearing portion is located on a side of the second connection structure facing away from the first connection structure.

3. The bracket assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first bracket includes a first plate connected to the first connecting structure, and the second bracket includes a second plate connected to the second connecting structure; as well as The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the thickness direction of the first plate and the thickness direction of the second plate. The first plate and the second plate are stacked along the second direction.

4. The bracket assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The first connecting structure is located on the side of the first plate along the first direction; and / or, The second connecting structure is located on the side of the second plate along the first direction; and / or, The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction respectively, and the first connecting structure is located on a side of the first plate along the third direction; and / or, The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction respectively, and the second connection structure is located on a side of the second plate along the third direction.

5. The bracket assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The first bracket includes a first guide portion for guiding the first plate, the first guide portion is located on a side of the first plate along the first direction, and along the first direction, the first guide portion is inclined in a direction away from the second plate; and / or, The second bracket further includes a second guide portion for guiding the first connecting structure, and the second guide portion is inclined in a direction away from the first connecting structure in the opposite direction of the first direction.

6. The bracket assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The first connecting structure is located on a side of the first plate along the first direction; the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the first connecting structure is located on a side of the first plate along the third direction; as well as The second plate body is provided with a first flange extending along the first direction on the side along the third direction, and the first flange is located on the side opposite to the first connecting structure along the third direction. A third guide portion is provided at one end of the first flange opposite to the first direction, and the third guide portion is inclined in the direction away from the first connecting structure in the opposite direction of the first direction.

7. The bracket assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: The second plate body is provided with a third connecting structure suitable for connecting the refrigerant sensor, and the second plate body is provided with a second flange on the side along the first direction, the projection plane is perpendicular to the second direction, the third connecting structure forms a first projection on the projection plane, and the second flange forms a second projection on the projection plane. Along the first direction, the first projection and the second projection at least partially overlap.

8. The bracket assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein: The second plate body is provided with a third connection structure suitable for connecting to the refrigerant sensor, and the third connection structure is located on one side of the first plate body along the first direction.

9. The bracket assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein: The first plate body is provided with a third flange on the side opposite to the first direction, and the third flange is provided with a slot. The second plate body is provided with a protrusion on the side opposite to the first direction, and the protrusion is inserted into the slot in the opposite direction of the first direction.

10. A sensor assembly for an air conditioner, the sensor assembly comprising: The bracket assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9; as well as The refrigerant sensor is connected to the second bracket.

11. Air conditioners, including: A housing having a receiving cavity; a heat exchanger, disposed in the accommodating cavity; as well as The sensor assembly according to claim 10 is arranged in the accommodating cavity.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein The heat exchanger includes the connecting portion, and the connecting portion is located at the lower end of the heat exchanger; and / or, The heat exchanger includes the connecting portion, the heat exchanger includes a welding end, and the connecting portion is located on a side close to the welding end.

13. The air conditioner according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The refrigerant sensor includes a sensor body and an annular guard plate. The sensor body is provided with a wire port for passing the wire through. One end of the annular guard plate is connected to the sensor body and is arranged around the wire port. The port of the annular guard plate close to the wire port is located at the upper end of the port of the annular guard plate away from the wire port.

14. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The shell includes a shell body and a disassembly plate, the shell body is provided with an opening, the disassembly plate is connected to the shell body and covers the opening to define the accommodating cavity together with the shell body; and along the first direction, the bracket assembly is visible from the opening.

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