CN210425302U

CN210425302U - Outdoor unit of air conditioner and side plate assembly thereof

Info

Publication number: CN210425302U
Application number: CN201920728471.2U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 黄泽鑫; 陈政; 郑小郴; 凌冠达; 赖孝成; 黄伟青
Original assignee: Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai
Current assignee: Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai
Priority date: 2019-05-20
Filing date: 2019-05-20
Publication date: 2020-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-20

Abstract

The utility model provides an outdoor machine of air-conditioner and curb plate subassembly thereof relates to indirect heating equipment technical field. The method comprises the following steps: the side plate comprises a side plate body and a box cover, wherein an accommodating space is formed between the side plate body and the box cover; the box cover or the side plate body is provided with a rib structure, the rib structure is provided with a fixed end and a free end, the free end is connected with the side plate body or the box cover, so that the accommodating space is divided into an accommodating area and a flow guide area which are not communicated, and the electric appliance box or the electric appliance element is arranged in the accommodating area. Because under the fixed state, rib structure can play the effect of blockking the rainwater, improves the problem that the rainwater got into the electrical apparatus box. The inefficient measures such as lint attaching and the like are avoided, so that the overall assembly efficiency is improved, and the attractiveness of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is ensured.

Description

Outdoor unit of air conditioner and side plate assembly thereof

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a indirect heating equipment technical field particularly, relates to an outdoor machine of air-conditioner and curb plate subassembly thereof.

Background

Outdoor units of air conditioners, such as commercial outdoor units of air conditioners, outdoor units of household air conditioners, and the like, are provided with an appliance box in which electrical components are disposed. However, rainwater or condensed water of an air conditioner easily enters the electrical box, for example, water enters from one side of the electrical box component, and the electrical box water entering easily causes electrical safety hazards, which is often the most troublesome and the most urgent problem to be solved. The most common solution in the prior art is to paste sponge, flannelette and the like at the place where the electrical box is arranged, although the method can solve the problem of water inflow of the electrical box to a certain extent, the production efficiency of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is greatly reduced, the appearance effect of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is also influenced, and the method is inefficient and impractical.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

For solving the technical problem that electrical apparatus box department easily intakes among the prior art, the utility model discloses a main aim at provides one kind and guarantees the outer machine installation effectiveness of air-conditioner and the prerequisite of aesthetic property under, improve the outer machine of air-conditioner and curb plate subassembly of the problem of electrical apparatus box department intaking.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a side plate assembly for assembling an electrical box or an electrical component, including: the side plate comprises a side plate body and a box cover, wherein an accommodating space is formed between the side plate body and the box cover;

the box cover or the side plate body is provided with a rib structure, the rib structure is provided with a fixed end and a free end, the free end is connected with the side plate body or the box cover, so that the accommodating space is divided into an accommodating area and a flow guide area which are not communicated, and the electric appliance box or the electric appliance element is arranged in the accommodating area.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a diversion trench is disposed on the side plate body or the box cover, and the rib structure and the diversion trench extend in the same direction; the free end of the rib structure is connected with the diversion trench.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diversion trench includes a bending portion and a U-shaped trench portion;

one end of the groove part is connected with the side plate body or the box cover, the other end of the groove part is connected with one end of the bending part, and the other end of the bending part is used for being clamped with the box cover or the side plate body.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rib structure is connected to an end of the groove portion away from the bending portion; or the rib structure is connected with the bottom wall of the U-shaped groove part.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rib structure is connected to a bottom wall of the groove portion, and the rib structure divides the groove portion into a first side and a second side with the rib structure as a boundary;

the first side is located in the accommodating area, and the second side is located in the flow guide area; the first side and/or the second side form a flow guide channel.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an included angle between the side wall of the groove portion located on the first side and a straight line where the rib structure is located in an assembled state is 10 ° to 20 °.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an included angle between the side wall of the groove portion on the second side and a straight line of the rib structure in an assembled state is 30 ° to 60 °.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an end of the groove portion, which is used for being connected to the side plate body or the box cover, is formed in an arc shape.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an extending portion is disposed at an end of the bending portion away from the groove portion, and the bending portion is connected to the box cover or the side plate body through the extending portion;

the surface of the extension part forms a clamping surface used for being clamped with the box cover or the side plate body.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bending portion is configured to be arc-shaped.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guiding groove is an L-shaped guiding groove, and the L-shaped guiding groove includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion;

one end of the vertical part is connected with the side plate body or the box cover, the other end of the vertical part is connected with one end of the horizontal part, and the other end of the horizontal part is clamped with the box cover or the side plate body.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rib structure abuts against an intersection of the vertical portion and the horizontal portion;

and a first side is formed between the rib structure and the vertical part, and a second side is formed between the rib structure and the horizontal part, wherein the first side is positioned in the accommodating area, and the second side is positioned in the flow guide area.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an intersection of the vertical portion and the horizontal portion is formed in an arc shape, and/or an end of the vertical portion, which is connected to the side plate body or the box cover, is formed in an arc shape.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the box cover has two opposite long sides, and the rib structures are disposed at the two long sides along the length direction thereof;

the side plate body is provided with two diversion trenches corresponding to the rib structures, and the distance between the two diversion trenches is matched with the width of the box cover.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, including any one of the above side plate assemblies.

An embodiment of the utility model provides a pair of outdoor machine of air-conditioner and curb plate subassembly thereof, the curb plate body with the fixed accommodation space that has formed of lid, through accommodation space assembly electrical apparatus box or electrical components. Because the rib structure is arranged on the box cover or the side plate body, the rib structure can play a role in blocking rainwater when the side plate body and the box cover are in a fixed state, so that water is blocked outside the containing area and contained or guided out in the guide area, rainwater is prevented from entering the containing area, and then rainwater is prevented from entering the electric appliance box or the electric appliance element. The inefficient measures such as lint attaching and the like are avoided, so that the overall assembly efficiency is improved, and the attractiveness of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is ensured.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings that are required to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and for those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without inventive efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a side plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic view of a side plate body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic view of a diversion trench according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic view of a box cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of an electrical box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic view of an assembly of side plate assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view at A in FIG. 6;

fig. 8 is a schematic view of a diversion trench according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals:

10 side plate body 20 box cover 30 diversion trench 301 first side

302 second side 303 bent portion 304, groove portion 305, extended portion 306, and vertical portion

307 horizontal part 40 rib structure

Detailed Description

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are required to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and that for those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from the drawings without inventive effort.

As shown in fig. 1-8, an embodiment of the present invention provides a side plate assembly for assembling an electrical box or an electrical component, including: the side plate comprises a side plate body 10 and a box cover 20, wherein the side plate body 10 is connected with the box cover 20, and an accommodating space is formed between the side plate body 10 and the box cover 20; the cover 20 or the side plate body 10 is provided with a rib structure 40, the rib structure 40 is provided with a fixed end and a free end, the free end is connected with the side plate body 10 or the cover 20 to divide the accommodating space into an accommodating area and a flow guiding area which are not communicated, and the electric appliance box or the electric appliance element is arranged in the accommodating area. An embodiment of the utility model provides a pair of curb plate subassembly, curb plate body 10 with lid 20 is fixed to have formed the accommodation space, through accommodation space assembly electrical apparatus box or electrical components. Because the rib structure 40 is arranged on the box cover 20 or the side plate body 10, when the side plate body 10 and the box cover 20 are fixed, the rib structure 40 can play a role in blocking rainwater, so that water is blocked outside the containing area and contained or guided out in the guiding area, rainwater is prevented from entering the containing area, and then rainwater is prevented from entering an electrical box or an electrical element. The inefficient measures such as lint attaching and the like are avoided, so that the overall assembly efficiency is improved, and the attractiveness of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is ensured.

In this embodiment, the electrical component can be directly mounted in the accommodating space, and at this time, the box cover 20 is equivalent to a box cover of an electrical box.

In this embodiment, the rib structure 40 is disposed on the box cover 20, which is more convenient than the side plate body 10. The box cover 20 has two opposite long sides and two opposite short sides, and the upper and lower short sides of the box cover 20 are provided with flanging structures which can be tightly buckled with the side plate body 10. In this embodiment, the rib structure 40 can be disposed on either long side of the box cover 20 or on both the left and right long sides. When two rib structures 40 are arranged, the water retaining effect is better, and the accommodating area is defined by the two rib structures 40, the side plate body 10 and the box cover 20.

For effective water guiding, as shown in fig. 1 to 8, a flow guide groove 30 is provided on the side plate body 10 or the box cover 20, and the rib structure 40 and the flow guide groove 30 extend in the same direction; the free end of the rib structure 40 is connected with the guide groove 30. The water guide groove is arranged, so that the water guide has a specific flow passage, the water guide path is more uniform, and the water guide efficiency is better; in this embodiment, the box cover 20 is provided with a rib structure 40, and the side plate body 10 is provided with a flow guide groove 30.

As shown in fig. 3 and 7, the guiding groove 30 includes a bending portion 303 and a U-shaped groove portion 304; one end of the groove portion 304 is connected to the side plate body 10 or the box cover 20, the other end of the groove portion 304 is connected to one end of the bending portion 303, and the other end of the bending portion 303 is used for being clamped to the box cover 20 or the side plate body 10. In this embodiment, the structure of the guiding gutter 30 is configured such that protruding structures are formed at both ends of the guiding gutter 30 relative to the groove portion 304, so that the protruding structures at both ends of the guiding gutter 30 are matched with the rib structure 40 to achieve the water retaining effect, and the groove portion 304 can achieve effective water guiding. The protruding structures at the two ends can play a triple waterproof role in cooperation with the rib structures 40, the waterproof effect is better, and the diversion trench 30 can still play a diversion and drainage role.

The rib structure 40 is connected to the end of the groove 304 away from the bending portion 303, and at this time, the guide groove 30 is entirely located in the guide area and outside the containing area, so that the guide and water retaining are realized in the guide area, water is prevented from entering the containing area, and the water is further prevented from affecting the operation of the electrical appliance element.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 to 7, two diversion trenches 30 are disposed on the side plate body 10, and waterproof rib structures 40 are disposed on the left and right long sides of the box cover 20. Assembling the box cover 20 and the side plate body 10, then assembling the electrical box 20, wherein the rib structure 40 is in close fit with the diversion trench 30, the rib structure 40 is connected with the bottom wall of the U-shaped trench part 304, and at the moment, the rib structure 40 divides the trench part 304 into a first side 301 and a second side 302 by taking the rib structure 40 as a boundary; the first side 301 is located in the receiving area and the second side 302 is located in the flow guiding area; the first side 301 and/or the second side 302 form a flow guiding channel. The rib structure 40 can play the effect of stopping the rainwater, solve the problem that the fixed side of electrical apparatus box 20 easily intakes among the prior art, guaranteed effective water conservancy diversion of electric safety while water conservancy diversion runner, realization drainage function. In addition, in this embodiment, the two ends of the diversion trench 30 form a protruding structure, which can still achieve water retention, wherein the outer protrusion formed on the second side 302 plays a first waterproof role, and the diversion channel of the second side 302 can effectively drain water, and the waterproof rib structure 40 can achieve a further waterproof role, so that water is retained outside the electrical box 20, and is guided and sent by the diversion channel of the second side 302, and cannot enter the inner side; if water (a small amount of water) is still squeezed into the inner side, the inner side protrusion formed on the first side 301 of the structure of the diversion trench 30 can be completely blocked, and then the diversion channel formed on the first side 301 conducts diversion and sends away.

In order to better play a role in water prevention, as shown in fig. 3 and 7, in the side plate assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention, an included angle α between a side wall of the groove portion 304 on the first side 301 and a straight line on which the rib structure 40 is assembled is 10 ° to 20 °, that is, an included angle α is an included angle between the side wall of the first side 301 and a vertical plane in the drawing, and the first side 301 is located in the accommodation area and closer to the inside of the electrical box 20, so that the arrangement of the angle is convenient for making the protrusion formed on the first side 301 relative to the bottom of the groove portion 304 more significant, and if water enters the first side 301, the water can be effectively blocked by the protrusion of the first side 301 and can be guided in time in the first side 301, so as to ensure that the water cannot cross the protrusion to enter the inner side component, thereby avoiding water entering the.

As shown in fig. 3, in the side plate assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention, an included angle β between a side wall of the second side 302 and a straight line where the rib structure 40 is located is 30 ° to 60 °, an included angle β is an included angle between the side wall of the second side 302 and a vertical plane in the drawing, because the second side 302 is closer to an edge of the electrical box 20, an included angle α formed by the included angle β formed by the second side 302 relative to the first side 301 is more gradual, so that the clamping surface of the extension portion 305 is gradually and effectively clamped with the edge of the box cover 20, and the protrusion of the second side 302 realizes primary water resistance, so that water can be blocked by the rib structure 40 if entering the second side 302, and the larger included angle of the second side 302 can make the area of the flow guiding channel of the second side 302 larger, so that the flow guiding effect is better, and the water entering the first side 301 and even the inside of the electrical box 20 is reduced, thereby achieving the function of reducing the water.

As shown in fig. 1 to 8, in this embodiment, the side plate body 1 is provided with guiding grooves 30 corresponding to the left and right long sides of the box cover 20, that is, the guiding grooves 30 are adapted to the rib structures 40, and the distance between the two guiding grooves 30 is adapted to the width of the box cover 20. The diversion trench 30 extends along the length direction of the side plate body 10, the rib structure 40 extends along the length direction of the box cover 20, and the box cover 20 is installed along the length direction of the side plate body 10.

As shown in fig. 3 and 7, in this embodiment, one end of the groove portion 304, which is used for being connected to the side plate body 10 or the box cover 20, is configured to be arc-shaped, that is, when the diversion trench 30 is disposed on the side plate assembly, and one end of the groove portion 304, which is connected to the side plate assembly, is configured to be arc-shaped, as shown in fig. 2 to 3 of this embodiment; when the diversion trench 30 is arranged on the box cover 20, one end of the trench part 304 connected with the box cover 20 is arc-shaped, and the arc-shaped arrangement ensures that other accessories in the air conditioner are not damaged in the assembly process on the premise of ensuring effective water resistance of the bulge.

As shown in fig. 6 to 7, in the side plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, an extending portion 305 is disposed at an end of the bent portion 303 away from the groove portion 304, and the bent portion 303 is connected to the box cover 20 or the side plate body 10 through the extending portion 305; the surface of the extension 305 forms a clamping surface for clamping with the box cover 20 or the side plate body 10. In this embodiment, the extending portion 305 is provided to ensure the stability of the assembly of the box cover 20 and the side plate body 10, and after the rib structure 40 is abutted to the flow guide groove 30, the edge of the box cover 20 is clamped with the clamping surface, so that the box cover 20 and the side plate body 10 are further fixed.

As shown in fig. 3 and 7, in this embodiment, the bending portion 303 is arc-shaped, and the arc-shaped setting ensures that other accessories inside the air conditioner are not damaged in the assembly process on the premise of ensuring that the protruding portion is effectively waterproof.

The box cover 20 is assembled on the side plate assembly, the rib structure 40 is assembled with the flow guide groove 30, the edge of the box cover 20 is clamped with the clamping surface of the extension part 305, when rainwater and the like fall off from the air conditioner outdoor unit (/ side), an outer side protruding structure formed by the second side 302 of the flow guide groove 30 plays a first waterproof role, the flow guide channel of the second side 302 can effectively drain water, the waterproof rib structure 40 can further realize a waterproof role, water is blocked outside the electric appliance box 20, and the water is guided and sent out from the flow guide channel of the second side 302 and cannot enter the inner side; if water (a small amount of water) is still squeezed into the inner side, the inner side protrusion formed on the first side 301 of the structure of the diversion trench 30 can be completely blocked, and then the diversion channel formed on the first side 301 conducts diversion and sends away.

In addition, as shown in fig. 8, in the side plate assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, the guiding groove 30 is an L-shaped guiding groove 30, and the L-shaped guiding groove 30 includes a vertical portion 306 and a horizontal portion 307; one end of the vertical portion 306 is connected to the side plate body 10 or the box cover 20, in this embodiment, the guiding groove 30 is disposed on the side plate assembly, and one end of the vertical portion 306 is connected to the side plate body 10; the other end of the vertical portion 306 is connected to one end of the horizontal portion 307, the other end of the horizontal portion 307 is clamped to the box cover 20 or the side plate body 10, and the other end of the horizontal portion 307 is clamped to the box cover 20 in this embodiment; the rib structure 40 abuts at the intersection of the vertical portion 306 and the horizontal portion 307, and the first side 301 is formed between the rib structure 40 and the vertical portion 306, and the second side 302 is formed between the rib structure 40 and the horizontal portion 307. The first side 301 and the second side 302 can also play a role in water guiding, the rib structure 40 is mainly used for realizing a water retaining effect in the embodiment, and the protrusion of the first side 301 can realize double water prevention.

In this embodiment, the intersection between the vertical portion 306 and the horizontal portion 307 is an arc, and the arc makes the bottom of the rib better and tightly fit at the intersection to prevent water from flowing through. And/or one end of the vertical portion 306, which is used for being connected with the side plate body 10 or the box cover 20, is arc-shaped to form a protrusion, so that a secondary waterproof effect is achieved.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, including the side plate assembly.

In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, that is, the corresponding orientation when the air conditioner is normally installed. This is merely for convenience in describing the invention and to simplify the description and is not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation and is therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "fixed" are to be construed broadly and may, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed; can be mechanically or electrically connected; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations by those skilled in the art.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A side panel assembly for assembling an electrical box or electrical component, comprising: the side plate comprises a side plate body (10) and a box cover (20), wherein an accommodating space is formed between the side plate body (10) and the box cover (20);

the box cover (20) or the side plate body (10) is provided with a rib structure (40), the rib structure (40) is provided with a fixed end and a free end, the free end is connected with the side plate body (10) or the box cover (20) so as to divide the accommodating space into a non-communicated accommodating area and a flow guide area, and the electric appliance box or an electric appliance element is arranged in the accommodating area.

2. A side plate assembly according to claim 1, wherein a flow guide groove (30) is formed on the side plate body (10) or the box cover (20), and the rib structure (40) and the flow guide groove (30) extend along the same direction; the free end of the rib structure (40) is connected with the diversion trench (30).

3. A side plate assembly according to claim 2, wherein the guiding channel (30) comprises a bent part (303) and a U-shaped channel part (304);

one end of the groove part (304) is connected with the side plate body (10) or the box cover (20), the other end of the groove part (304) is connected with one end of the bending part (303), and the other end of the bending part (303) is used for being clamped with the box cover (20) or the side plate body (10).

4. A side plate assembly according to claim 3, wherein the rib structure (40) is connected to an end of the groove portion (304) remote from the bent portion (303); or the rib structure (40) is connected with the bottom wall of the U-shaped groove part (304).

5. A side plate assembly according to claim 4, wherein the rib structure (40) is contiguous with a bottom wall of the channel portion (304), and the rib structure (40) divides the channel portion (304) into a first side (301) and a second side (302) bounded by the rib structure (40);

the first side (301) is located at the receiving area and the second side (302) is located at the flow guiding area; the first side (301) and/or the second side (302) form a flow guiding channel.

6. A side plate assembly according to claim 5, wherein the side wall of the groove portion (304) at the first side (301) is at an angle of 10 ° to 20 ° to the line in which the rib structure (40) is assembled.

7. A side plate assembly according to claim 5, wherein the side wall of the groove portion (304) at the second side (302) is at an angle of 30 ° to 60 ° to the line in which the rib structure (40) is assembled.

8. A side plate assembly according to claim 3, wherein the end of the groove portion (304) for connecting with the side plate body (10) or the box cover (20) is provided in an arc shape.

9. A side plate assembly according to claim 3, wherein an end of the bent portion (303) away from the groove portion (304) is provided with an extending portion (305), and the bent portion (303) is clamped with the box cover (20) or the side plate body (10) through the extending portion (305);

the surface of the extension part (305) forms a clamping surface for clamping with the box cover (20) or the side plate body (10).

10. A side plate assembly according to claim 3, wherein said bent portion (303) is arranged in an arc shape.

11. A side plate assembly according to claim 2, wherein the flow guide groove (30) is an L-shaped flow guide groove (30), the L-shaped flow guide groove (30) comprising a vertical part (306) and a horizontal part (307);

one end of the vertical part (306) is connected with the side plate body (10) or the box cover (20), the other end of the vertical part (306) is connected with one end of the horizontal part (307), and the other end of the horizontal part (307) is clamped with the box cover (20) or the side plate body (10).

12. A side panel assembly according to claim 11, wherein the bead structure (40) abuts at the intersection of the vertical portion (306) and the horizontal portion (307);

and a first side (301) is formed between the rib structure (40) and the vertical part (306), and a second side (302) is formed between the rib structure (40) and the horizontal part (307), wherein the first side (301) is located in the accommodating area, and the second side (302) is located in the flow guide area.

13. A side panel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the intersection of the vertical portion (306) and the horizontal portion (307) is provided in an arc shape, and/or the end of the vertical portion (306) for connection with the side panel body (10) or the box cover (20) is provided in an arc shape.

14. A side panel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the box lid (20) has two oppositely disposed long sides at which the rib formation (40) is disposed along the length thereof;

the side plate body (10) is provided with two diversion trenches (30) corresponding to the rib structures (40), and the distance between the two diversion trenches (30) is matched with the width of the box cover (20).

15. An outdoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising the side panel assembly as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 14.