Air conditioner

The integrated circuit cover with a wire fixing member simplifies air conditioner manufacturing and reduces costs by eliminating separate fixing elements, ensuring secure wire attachment.

WO2025254327A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-12-11SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2025/004593
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-06-03
Filing Date
2025-04-04
Publication Date
2025-12-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The traditional method of securing wires within air conditioners requires separate production and assembly of fixing elements, complicating the manufacturing and installation process and increasing costs.

Method used

An air conditioner design that integrates a circuit cover with a wire fixing member, which is injection-molded as an integral part, featuring a connecting portion, fixing portion, and joining portion to securely fasten wires to the circuit board without additional components.

Benefits of technology

Simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs by eliminating the need for separate production and assembly of wire fixing elements, while providing stable wire fixation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An air conditioner is disclosed. This air conditioner comprises: a housing; an air conditioning module provided inside the housing; and a control circuit unit for controlling the air conditioning module. The control circuit unit comprises: a circuit board electrically connected to the air conditioning module; and a circuit cover coupled to the inside of the housing to support the circuit board. The circuit cover comprises a wire fixing member for fixing at least one wire connected to the circuit board. The wire fixing member is integrally injection-molded with the circuit cover.
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Description

air conditioner

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

[0002] An air conditioner is a device used to maintain indoor air at a specific temperature, typically consisting of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The user can control the operation of the air conditioner by manipulating the indoor unit's control panel. The control panel generates specific electrical signals in response to user input, thereby controlling each component of the air conditioner. A control circuit may be provided for this purpose.

[0003] An air conditioner may have wires installed inside the indoor unit, not only for the control circuit but also for electrical connections between various components and for connection to an external power source. The length and location of these wires may be fixed during installation in the space where the air conditioner will be used.

[0004] Traditionally, to secure these wires to specific locations within air conditioners, fixing elements produced separately from the air conditioner were utilized. This required separate production and assembly of these fixing elements, complicating the air conditioner manufacturing and installation process and increasing manufacturing costs.

[0005] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an air conditioner may include a housing, an air conditioning module provided inside the housing, and a control circuit for controlling the air conditioning module.

[0006] The above control circuit unit may include a circuit board electrically connected to the air conditioning module and a circuit cover coupled to the inside of the housing to support the circuit board.

[0007] The circuit cover may include a wire fixing member for fixing at least one wire connected to the circuit board.

[0008] The above wire fixing member can be injection-molded as an integral part with the circuit cover.

[0009] The circuit cover may include a first region where the circuit board is coupled and a second region where the wire fixing member is provided.

[0010] The second region may be passed by the wires electrically connecting the air conditioning module and the circuit board.

[0011] The circuit cover may include a side that extends at a predetermined angle from the surface to which the circuit board is coupled.

[0012] The above wire fixing member can be formed to extend from the side.

[0013] The above wire fixing member may include a connecting portion having a shape corresponding to the side surface and a fixing portion extending from the connecting portion by bending at a certain angle.

[0014] The above-mentioned fixing member may include at least one fixing groove for fixing the wire.

[0015] The circuit cover may include a fixing rib for fixing the wire together with the fixing groove, on which the wire is fixed.

[0016] The above fixed grooves are provided in multiple numbers and can be formed to have semicircular cross sections with different diameters.

[0017] The above-mentioned settling rib may include a settling groove formed in a number corresponding to the number of the fixing grooves and having a shape corresponding to the fixing grooves.

[0018] The above-mentioned fixing member may include a fixing projection formed by protruding from the fixing groove.

[0019] The above wire fixing member may further include a coupling portion provided at one end opposite the connecting portion so as to be coupled to the circuit cover.

[0020] The above-mentioned connecting portion can be formed by extending from the above-mentioned fixing portion.

[0021] The circuit cover may include a catch formed at a position corresponding to the coupling portion so that the coupling portion can be fastened.

[0022] The above-mentioned catch portion may be formed by protruding from the circuit cover and may include an insertion hole into which the connecting portion is inserted.

[0023] The above-mentioned joint may include a bridge having a cross-section corresponding to the insertion hole and a guide tapering from the bridge side to the opposite side.

[0024] The circuit cover may have a joining hole formed so that it can be joined to one end of the wire fixing member by a joining member.

[0025] The above-mentioned joint may include a screw hole having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the above-mentioned joint hole.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a front cover separated from a control circuit unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing only the configuration of a control circuit unit excluding the front cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a wire fixing member.

[0031] Figure 6 is a drawing showing a cross-section along line A-A' of Figure 4.

[0032] Figures 7 and 8 are drawings for explaining the process of attaching a joint to a catch.

[0033] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Fig. 4.

[0034] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are enlarged views of a control circuit unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C' of Fig. 10.

[0036] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' of Fig. 11.

[0037] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0038] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0039] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0041] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0042] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0043] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0044] The terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0045] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0046] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0047] Hereinafter, air conditioners according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] An air conditioner (1) is a device for controlling indoor air to a specific temperature. The air conditioner (1) may refer to a device that includes both an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, or may refer to only the indoor unit. If the air conditioner (1) refers to only the indoor unit, the outdoor unit may be connected to the air conditioner (1) as a separate device.

[0050] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described based on the case where the air conditioner (1) is implemented as an indoor unit. The air conditioner (1) can form a cooling cycle by being connected to an outdoor unit.

[0051] A refrigeration cycle is a system in which refrigerant circulates, and may consist of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The compressor compresses the refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure, and the condenser condenses the high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant to a liquid state. During this process, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change, allowing heat to be released to the outside. The expansion valve expands the condensed high pressure refrigerant to low pressure. The refrigerant passing through the expansion valve can vaporize into a low temperature and low pressure gaseous refrigerant in the evaporator. During this process, the refrigerant absorbs latent heat from the surrounding air, thereby cooling the surrounding air. The refrigerant then flows back to the compressor, and the above process is repeated. The compressor and condenser may be installed in an outdoor unit, and the evaporator may be installed in an indoor unit. When the condenser is installed in an indoor unit, the indoor unit can be used as a heat sink. However, this disclosure will describe a case in which the condenser is installed in the indoor unit.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner (1) may include a housing (10), an intake port (12), an outlet port (13), and a control panel (20).

[0053] The housing (10) is a configuration that forms the exterior of the air conditioner (1), and an accommodation space can be formed inside so that other configurations can be combined.

[0054] Specifically, the housing (10) may include a front housing (11) and a rear housing (14). However, the housing (10) does not necessarily have to be composed of only the front housing (11) and the rear housing (14) as described above, and may be implemented in various forms in the design and manufacture of the air conditioner (1).

[0055] The front housing (11) may include an intake port (12) and an outlet port (13). The intake port (12) is configured to connect the inside and outside of the housing (10) so that outside air can be sucked in and flow into the inside of the air conditioner (1). The intake port (12) may include a number of louvers to prevent foreign substances such as dust from entering the inside of the air conditioner (1).

[0056] The outlet (13) is configured to discharge air that has been sucked into the intake port (12) and cooled by the air conditioner (1). The outlet (13) may be configured to connect the inside and outside of the housing (10) like the intake port (12). A blade (131) may be combined with the outlet (13) to adjust the direction of the wind discharged from the air conditioner (1).

[0057] The control panel (20) is configured to allow the air conditioner (1) to be controlled by the user. Various circuits and components for controlling the air conditioner (1) may be mounted on the control panel (20). The control panel (20) may also be referred to as a control board.

[0058] The control panel (20) may be provided in one area of ​​the front housing (11). In the drawing, the control panel (20) is shown as being formed on one side of the lower surface of the front housing (11), but the arrangement position of the control panel (20) is not necessarily limited to this.

[0059] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 2, the air conditioner (1) may further include an inner housing (15), an air conditioning module (30), and a control circuit unit (100).

[0060] The air conditioning module (30) may include a heat exchanger (31) and a blower fan (32). The air conditioning module (30) is configured to cool air sucked in through the intake port (12).

[0061] The air conditioning module (30) can be provided on the inside of the housing (10).

[0062] The heat exchanger (31) may be an evaporator. The heat exchanger (31) is configured to be connected to an outdoor unit (not shown) so that the refrigerant can circulate inside the outdoor unit and the air conditioner (1).

[0063] The blower fan (32) can create a pressure difference to draw in outside air through the intake port (12). The outside air drawn into the interior of the housing (10) can pass around the heat exchanger (31) and be discharged to the outside of the air conditioner (1) through the discharge port (13). In the drawing, a plurality of blower fans (32) are provided, but the number of blower fans (32) is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0064] The speed of the wind discharged from the air conditioner (1) can be adjusted according to the rotation speed per minute (rpm) of the blower fan (32). The rotation speed per minute of the blower fan (32) can be adjusted by the user operating the control panel (20).

[0065] The blower fan (32) may be placed on the upper side of the heat exchanger (31). In other words, the blower fan (32) may be placed closer to the intake port (12) than to the heat exchanger (31).

[0066] Due to this, the air sucked into the interior of the air conditioner (1) by the blower fan (32) can be blown toward the heat exchanger (31).

[0067] The inner housing (15) is configured to support and cover the heat exchanger (31). The inner housing (15) may be formed to have a certain angle with respect to the rear housing (14). The heat exchanger (31) may be placed on the upper side of the inner housing (15) at an angle parallel to the inner housing (15). Since the inner housing (15) may be coupled with the rear housing (14), the heat exchanger (31) may ultimately be supported by the rear housing (14).

[0068] The rear housing (14) is configured to be combined with a configuration provided inside the air conditioner (1). The rear housing (14) can be arranged to face the front housing (11).

[0069] The rear housing (14) can be combined with an inner housing (15), an air conditioning module (30), and a control circuit (100).

[0070] The control circuit unit (100) is configured to control the air conditioning module (30). A detailed description of the control circuit unit (100) will be described later in FIG. 3 and below.

[0071] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a front cover separated from a control circuit unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing only the configuration of a control circuit unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure excluding the front cover.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the control circuit unit (100) may include a circuit board (101) and a circuit cover (110).

[0073] A circuit board (101, PBA, Printed Board Assembly, printed circuit board) may include various types of terminals, and a pattern may be formed to electrically connect a plurality of terminals. The circuit board (101) may have a single-sided, double-sided, or multi-layer structure, and is not limited to a specific structure. The circuit board (101) is electrically connected to an air conditioning module (30) and generates various electrical signals to control the air conditioning module (30).

[0074] The circuit cover (110) is configured to support the circuit board (101). The circuit cover (110) may be formed to have a larger area than the circuit board (101). The circuit cover (110) may be coupled to the inside of the housing (10). Specifically, the circuit cover (110) may be coupled to the rear housing (14).

[0075] The circuit cover (110) may include a front cover (111) and a rear cover (112). The front cover (111) may be formed in a flat plate shape and may be configured to serve as a lid for the rear cover (112). To this end, the front cover (111) may be formed to have a shape corresponding to the plane of the rear cover (112).

[0076] The rear cover (112) is configured to be coupled with the circuit board (101). That is, one side of the rear cover (112) can face the rear housing (14), and the other side can face the circuit board (101).

[0077] The rear cover (112) can be divided into a first region (112a) and a second region (112b). The first region (112a) may be a region where the circuit board (101) is coupled. The second region (112b) is configured to pass at least one wire (not shown) connected to the circuit board (101).

[0078] Although not shown in the drawing, the wires are configured to electrically connect the air conditioning module (30) and the circuit board (101). At least one wire may be provided.

[0079] A wire fixing member (120) may be provided in the second area (112b). A detailed description of the wire fixing member (120) will be described later in FIG. 5 and below.

[0080] The rear cover (112) may include a fixed surface (1121) and a side surface (1122).

[0081] The fixed surface (1121) is configured to support the circuit board (101) and wires so that they are fixed.

[0082] The side surface (1122) may be extended and bent at a certain angle from the fixed surface (1121). In the drawing, the side surface (1122) is shown as being bent at a 90-degree angle with respect to the fixed surface (1121), but is not limited thereto. The side surface (1122) may be formed to extend in the direction in which the circuit board (101) is coupled. In other words, the side surface (1122) may extend to the opposite side of the rear housing (14).

[0083] The front cover (111) can be formed so that its edge touches the side (1122).

[0084] In this way, by protruding and extending the side surface (1122) at a certain angle with respect to the fixed surface (1121), when the rear cover (112) is combined with the front cover (111), an empty space having a certain volume can be formed inside the circuit cover (110).

[0085] The area of ​​the fixed surface (1121) can be determined by the area of ​​the circuit board (101). In other words, the area of ​​the fixed surface (1121) can be formed to correspond to the area of ​​the circuit board (101) coupled to the circuit cover (110).

[0086] That is, the shape of the circuit cover (110) can be formed in various ways depending on the specifications of the circuit board (101) to be combined.

[0087] The side (1122) may include a first side (1122a), a second side (1122b), a third side (1122c), and a fourth side (1122d).

[0088] The first side (1122a) and the third side (1122c) are configured such that wires connected to the circuit board (101) pass through them. For this purpose, a first wiring opening (P1) and a second wiring opening (P2) may be formed in the first side (1122a) and the third side (1122c), respectively. The areas of the first wiring opening (P1) and the second wiring opening (P2) may be set to various sizes depending on the specifications of the wires passing through them. That is, the areas of the first wiring opening (P1) and the second wiring opening (P2) are not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawing.

[0089] The first side (1122a) and the third side (1122c) may be arranged to face each other. The lengths of the first side (1122a) and the third side (1122c) may be formed to correspond to the height (d1) of the rear cover (112).

[0090] The second side (1122b) and the fourth side (1122d) may also be arranged to face each other. The lengths of the second side (1122b) and the fourth side (1122d) may be formed to correspond to the width (d2) of the rear cover (112).

[0091] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a wire fixing member. Referring to Fig. 5, the rear cover (112) may include a wire fixing member (120).

[0092] The wire fixing member (120) is configured to fix at least one wire connected to the circuit board (101).

[0093] The wire fixing member (120) may be formed to extend from the second side (1122b). The wire fixing member (120) may be formed to extend from the second side (1122b) toward the fourth side (1122d).

[0094] The wire fixing member (120) can be injection-molded as an integral part with the circuit cover (110).

[0095] The wire fixing member (120) may include a connecting portion (121), a fixing portion (122), and a joining portion (123).

[0096] The connecting portion (121) can be formed to have a shape corresponding to the second side (1122b). That is, since the wire fixing member (120) is injection-molded as an integral part with the rear cover (112), it can be formed to have the same shape as a portion of the rear cover (112) (see FIG. 4).

[0097] The fixing member (122) is configured to stably fix a wire by physically contacting at least one wire connected to the circuit board (101). The fixing member (122) can be extended by being bent at a certain angle from the connecting member (121).

[0098] Immediately after the rear cover (112) and the wire fixing member (120) are injected, the angle between the fixing portion (122) and the connecting portion (121) may be the same as the angle formed by the fixing surface (1121) and the second side surface (1122b).

[0099] The drawing discloses a state in which the angle formed between the connecting portion (121) and the fixing portion (122) is deformed by an external force after the rear cover (112) and the wire fixing member (120) are injected.

[0100] The rear cover (112) may be made of an elastic material. As a result, the wire fixing member (120) can be rotated in the R direction by a predetermined angle during the assembly process of the air conditioner (1) (see FIG. 6).

[0101] After the wires are positioned so that they pass through the first and / or second wiring openings (P1, P2) on the lower side of the rotated wire fixing member (120), the wire fixing member (120) is rotated again in the reverse direction of the R direction and pulled toward the fourth side (1122d) so that it can be fastened to the rear cover (112).

[0102] Through this process, the angle between the fixed part (122) and the connecting part (121) can be changed within a certain radius as shown in the drawing.

[0103] One area (1210, see FIG. 4) of the connecting portion (121) can be physically connected to the second side (1122b), and a fixing portion (122) and a connecting portion (123) can be sequentially formed in the direction opposite thereto.

[0104] In the connecting portion (121), an area other than the area (1210) connected to the second side (1122b) may be formed to be spaced apart from the second side (1122b) by a certain distance. In this way, since only one end of the wire fixing member (120) is fixed to the rear cover (112), when an external force is applied to the connecting portion (121), the angle between the connecting portion (121) and the fixing portion (122) may change.

[0105] In other words, even if the wire fixing member (120) is not separated from the rear cover (112) through a separate process, only the shape of the wire fixing member (120) can be deformed.

[0106] In addition, since the wire fixing member (120) is injection-formed in the same manner as the rear cover (112), it can be made of a material having elasticity. Accordingly, when the angle between the connecting portion (121) and the fixing portion (122) is changed by an external force, the wire fixing member (120) can have elasticity to return to its shape when it was injected.

[0107] The fixing portion (122) may include a fixing groove (1221). The fixing groove (1221) is configured to fix a wire connected to the circuit board (101). At least one fixing groove (1221) may be provided, and may be formed to have a semicircular cross-section with an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the wire connected to the circuit board (101).

[0108] In other words, the fixed grooves (1221) are provided in multiple numbers and can be formed to have semicircular cross sections of different diameters.

[0109] In this case, wires having different diameters can be stably fixed to the fixing grooves (1221) corresponding to each diameter.

[0110] The fixed groove (1221) may be formed in the width direction of the circuit cover (110). However, the direction in which the fixed groove (1221) is formed is not necessarily limited to a direction parallel to the width direction of the circuit cover (110).

[0111] The connecting portion (123) is configured to be provided at one end facing the connecting portion (121) so that the wire fixing member (120) can be connected to the circuit cover (110).

[0112] The wire fixing member (120) is separated from the rear cover (112) except for one area (1210), and the connecting portion (123) can be provided at one end facing the one area (1210). In other words, the connecting portion (123) can be formed by extending from the fixing portion (122).

[0113] The rear cover (112) may include a fixing rib (113). The fixing rib (113) is configured to fix the wire together with the fixing groove (1221) so that the wire is fixed.

[0114] A settling rib (113) may be provided in the second region (112b). The settling rib (113) may be formed to protrude from the fixed surface (1121).

[0115] The settling ribs (113) may be configured as a pair, but are not necessarily limited thereto. In the present disclosure, a case in which the settling ribs (113) are provided as a pair will be described.

[0116] Meanwhile, a fixing groove (1131) may be formed in the fixing rib (113). The fixing groove (1131) is configured to allow the wire to be fixed. The fixing groove (1131) may be formed to have a shape corresponding to the fixing groove (1221). The wire may be fixed in a biting structure by the fixing groove (1221) and the fixing groove (1131). The details of how the wire is fixed will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0117] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 6, the rear cover (112) may include a catch (114). The catch (114) may be formed at a position corresponding to the coupling portion (123) so that the coupling portion (123) may be fastened. The catch (114) may be formed to protrude from the circuit cover (110). Specifically, the catch (114) may be formed to protrude from the fixing surface (1121) of the rear cover (112).

[0118] An insertion hole (1141, see Fig. 7) into which a connecting portion (123) is inserted can be formed in the hook portion (114).

[0119] Meanwhile, the joint (123) may include a bridge (1231) and a guide (1232).

[0120] The bridge (1231) is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole (1141) to prevent movement of the wire fixing member (120), thereby allowing the wire to be stably fixed by the wire fixing member (120) and the rear cover (112). The bridge (1231) may be formed to have a cross-section corresponding to the insertion hole (1141).

[0121] The guider (1232) is configured to prevent the bridge (1231) from being detached from the insertion hole (1141) after being inserted into the insertion hole (1141). The guider (1232) may be formed to have a shape that tapers from the bridge (1231) side to the opposite side. That is, the height (h1) of one end of the guider (1232) may be the same as the height (h3) of the bridge (1231), and the height (h2) of the other end may be the same as the height (h4) of the catch (114).

[0122] Meanwhile, since the fixed groove (1221) and the anchoring groove (1131) are formed in a semicircle with corresponding shapes, a cross-section of the area where the wire is located can be close to a circle.

[0123] Figures 7 and 8 are drawings for explaining the process of fastening a connecting portion to a catch portion. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the connecting portion (123) can be inserted into the catch portion (114) in the direction of the arrow. Figure 7 is a drawing showing a state before the connecting portion (123) is inserted into the catch portion (114), and Figure 8 is a drawing showing a state after the connecting portion (123) is inserted into the catch portion (114).

[0124] Since the wire fixing member (120) and the rear cover (112) are made of an elastic material and the guider (1232) has a tapering shape, even if the height (h2) of the other end of the guider (1232) is greater than the height (h3, see FIG. 6) of the insertion hole (1141), it can pass through the insertion hole (1141) when an external force is applied.

[0125] In addition, as described in Fig. 6, since the height (h2) of the other end of the guider (1232) can be the same as the height (h4) of the catch (114), after the connecting portion (123) passes through the insertion hole (1141) in the direction of the arrow, it cannot pass through the insertion hole (1141) again in the opposite direction of the arrow. Accordingly, the state in which the connecting portion (123) is connected to the catch (114) can be stably maintained.

[0126] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 9, the gap (w1) between a pair of anchoring ribs (113) may be greater than the width (w2) of the wire fixing member (120).

[0127] Specifically, the gap (w1) between a pair of anchoring ribs may be greater than the width (w2) of the fixed portion (122).

[0128] The wire (L) can alternately come into contact with the anchoring rib (113) and the fixing member (122). Since multiple fixing points for fixing the wire (L) are alternately formed at regular intervals, the wire can be prevented from being displaced from its original position due to twisting, pulling force, and pushing force. In other words, the wire (L) can be more stably fixed by the wire fixing member (120).

[0129] Meanwhile, the fixed part (122) may include a fixing protrusion (1222). Specifically, the fixing protrusion (1222) may be formed by protruding from the fixing groove (1221). The fixed part (122) may include at least one fixing protrusion (1222), and although a pair of fixing protrusions (1222) is illustrated in the drawing, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0130] The fixing projection (1222) is configured to more stably fix the wire (L) to the fixing groove (1221). The covering of the wire (L) can be embedded in the length that the fixing projection (1222) protrudes from the fixing groove (1221). As a result, even when an external force is applied in the width direction of the fixing portion (122), the wire (L) can remain stably fixed to the fixing groove (1221).

[0131] Figures 10 and 11 are enlarged views of a control circuit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C' of Figure 10. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' of Figure 11.

[0132] FIGS. 10 and 12 are enlarged views of a portion of a wire fixing member (220) before the connection portion (221) is deformed after the rear cover (212) is injected. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12, the wire fixing member (220) may include a connection portion (221), a fixing portion (222), and a joining portion (223).

[0133] In the description of each component of the wire fixing member (220), any content that overlaps with that described in the drawing for one embodiment of the present disclosure will be omitted.

[0134] The connecting portion (223) of the wire fixing member (220) may include a bridge (2231) and a screw hole (2232). The bridge (2231) may be configured to extend from the fixing portion (222). The screw hole (2232) is configured to allow a separate connecting portion (not shown) to be inserted. The screw hole (2232) may be formed by perforating an area of ​​the bridge (2231). The connecting portion may be a screw, but is not limited thereto.

[0135] A coupling hole (214) may be formed in the circuit cover (220) so that one end of the wire fixing member (220) can be coupled with a coupling member. The coupling hole (214) may be formed in an area of ​​the rear cover (212). The coupling hole (214) may be formed to protrude from the fixing surface (2121). Specifically, the coupling hole (214) may be formed to protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first to fourth side surfaces (2122a, 2122b, 2122c, 2122d) are formed. The length (H) in which the coupling hole (214) protrudes may vary depending on the length of the coupling member used and is not limited to that illustrated.

[0136] Specifically, the coupling hole (214) may have a shape corresponding to the screw hole (2232). In other words, the screw hole (2232) may be formed to have a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the coupling hole (214).

[0137] Immediately after the rear cover (212) and the wire fixing member (220) are injected, the connecting portion (221) may have the same shape as the second side (2122b).

[0138] After this, when an external force is applied to the wire fixing member (220) during the process of placing the wire (not shown) between the wire fixing member (220) and the rear cover (212), as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the connecting portion (221) may be inclined at a certain angle with respect to the second side (2122b). A detailed description thereof is omitted as it is as described above.

[0139] Meanwhile, after the wire is placed on the wire fixing member (220), the screw hole (2232) of the connecting portion (223) can be positioned to correspond to the connecting hole (214) of the rear cover (212).

[0140] After this, a separate joining member (not shown) can be joined to the joining hole (214) by passing through the screw hole (2232). As a result, the joining member (223) can be stably fixed to the rear cover (212).

[0141] In this drawing, the case where the screw hole (2232) is configured as a single piece is illustrated, but the number of screw holes (2232) is not necessarily limited to this, and may be provided in multiple pieces as needed.

[0142] When a plurality of screw holes (2232) are provided, the coupling holes (214) and coupling members can be provided to correspond to the number of screw holes (2232).

[0143] As described above, the air conditioner (1) according to the present disclosure may include a wire fixing member (120, 220) that is integrally molded with the rear cover (112, 212) to fix wires connected to the circuit board (101, 201).

[0144] In the past, there was a disadvantage in that the manufacturing process of the air conditioner (1) became complicated, such as requiring an additional process to produce the fixing member for fixing the wire, because the fixing member for fixing the wire had to be produced separately and assembled.

[0145] However, since the air conditioner (1) according to the present disclosure does not require a separate process or production equipment for producing the wire fixing member (120, 220), the process for manufacturing the air conditioner (1) can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.

[0146] In addition, the air conditioner (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure including a connecting portion (123) and a catch portion (114) does not require a separate connecting portion for connecting the wire fixing member (120) and the rear cover (112) to stably fix the wire, so that the work of fixing the wire to the circuit cover (110) can be simplified.

[0147] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been individually described above, each embodiment does not necessarily have to be implemented alone, and the configuration and operation of each embodiment may be implemented in combination with at least one other embodiment.

[0148] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Housing; An air conditioning module provided inside the housing; and A control circuit unit for controlling the above air conditioning module; The above control circuit unit, a circuit board electrically connected to the air conditioning module; and A circuit cover coupled to the inside of the housing and supporting the circuit board; The above circuit cover, A wire fixing member for fixing at least one wire connected to the circuit board; An air conditioner in which the above-mentioned wire fixing member is injection-molded as an integral part with the above-mentioned circuit cover.

2. In paragraph 1, The above circuit cover, a first area to which the circuit board is coupled; and An air conditioner, comprising a second region in which the above-mentioned wire fixing member is provided.

3. In paragraph 2, The second region is an air conditioner through which the wire electrically connecting the air conditioning module and the circuit board passes.

4. In paragraph 1, The above circuit cover, including a side extending at a certain angle from the surface to which the circuit board is joined; An air conditioner in which the above wire fixing member is formed by extending from the side.

5. In paragraph 4, The above wire fixing member is, A connecting portion having a shape corresponding to the above aspect; and An air conditioner, comprising a fixed part extending from the above connecting part at a predetermined angle.

6. In paragraph 5, The above fixed part, An air conditioner comprising at least one fixing groove for fixing the above wire.

7. In paragraph 6, An air conditioner, wherein the circuit cover includes a fixing rib for fixing the wire together with the fixing groove, on which the wire is fixed.

8. In paragraph 7, An air conditioner in which the above fixed grooves are provided in multiple numbers and formed to have semicircular cross sections of different diameters.

9. In paragraph 8, An air conditioner, wherein the above-mentioned settling ribs are formed in a number corresponding to the number of the fixing grooves and include a settling groove formed to have a shape corresponding to the fixing grooves.

10. In paragraph 6, The above fixed part, An air conditioner comprising a fixing projection formed by protruding from the above fixing groove.

11. In paragraph 5, The above wire fixing member is, Further comprising a coupling portion provided at one end opposite the connecting portion so as to be coupled to the circuit cover; An air conditioner in which the above-mentioned connecting portion is formed by extending from the above-mentioned fixing portion.

12. In paragraph 11, The above circuit cover, It includes a catch formed at a position corresponding to the connecting portion so that the connecting portion can be fastened; The above-mentioned catch is, An air conditioner, comprising an insertion hole formed by protruding from the circuit cover and into which the coupling part is inserted.

13. In paragraph 12, The above joint is, A bridge having a cross-section corresponding to the above insertion hole; and An air conditioner, comprising a guider tapering from the bridge side to the opposite side.

14. In paragraph 11, The above circuit cover, An air conditioner, wherein a joining hole is formed so that one end of the above-mentioned wire fixing member can be joined by a joining member.

15. In paragraph 14, The above joint is, An air conditioner, comprising a screw hole having a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the above-mentioned coupling hole.

Citation Information

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