CN220669795U - Heat pump water heater face lid subassembly and heat pump water heater - Google Patents
Heat pump water heater face lid subassembly and heat pump water heater Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN220669795U CN220669795U CN202321951367.2U CN202321951367U CN220669795U CN 220669795 U CN220669795 U CN 220669795U CN 202321951367 U CN202321951367 U CN 202321951367U CN 220669795 U CN220669795 U CN 220669795U
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- heat pump
- water heater
- pump water
- water tank
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 117
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 abstract description 7
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007306 turnover Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Housings, Intake/Discharge, And Installation Of Fluid Heaters (AREA)
Abstract
The utility model discloses a heat pump water heater surface cover component and a heat pump water heater, wherein the heat pump water heater surface cover component comprises a bottom shell and a surface cover, the bottom shell is provided with a surrounding wall, the surrounding wall is provided with a first end used for being abutted with a water tank liner and a second end used for being connected with a water tank outer liner, a cavity-shaped space is defined inside the bottom shell through the surrounding wall, the surface cover comprises a first surface cover and a second surface cover, the first surface cover is used for shielding the cavity-shaped space, the first surface cover is provided with a fastener mounting hole, the first surface cover is arranged at the second end of the surrounding wall of the bottom shell and is arranged on the bottom shell through a fastener arranged in the fastener mounting hole, and the second surface cover is arranged on the first surface cover and is shielded outside the fastener mounting hole. The utility model is convenient for the installation of the electric heating and temperature protector between the water tank liner and the water tank liner by the cavity-shaped space defined by the bottom shell, and simultaneously, the surface of the product is exposed by the combination mode of the first surface cover and the second surface cover without fasteners such as screws, and the appearance is more in line with the market development.
Description
Technical Field
The utility model is used in the field of heat pump water heaters, and particularly relates to a heat pump water heater surface cover assembly and a heat pump water heater.
Background
At present, the water heater is a household appliance commonly used in daily life of people. The water heater is generally classified into an electric water heater, a gas water heater and a heat pump water heater, and the heat pump water heater is widely popularized and used because of high energy efficiency.
The heat pump water heater comprises a water tank component, the water tank component comprises a water tank inner container and a water tank outer container, the water tank outer container accommodates electric heating, a temperature protector and other structures, the other structures are of an outermost layer structure, a condenser is arranged in the water tank outer container after being fixed with the water tank inner container, and finally foaming operation is carried out between the water tank inner container and the water tank outer container. The electric heating and temperature protector is generally arranged between the water tank liner and the water tank outer liner and is further shielded by a cover component arranged on the surface of the water tank outer liner. In the prior art, the cover component only covers the surface of the water tank outer liner, so that the electric heating and the temperature protector are difficult to install between the water tank inner liner and the water tank outer liner, and in addition, the cover component in the prior art is generally directly fixed on the water tank outer liner through screws, so that the operation is time-consuming, the appearance is seriously influenced by the exposed screws outside, and the requirements of high-efficiency production and increasing aesthetic demands of users are not met.
Disclosure of Invention
The utility model aims to at least solve one of the technical problems in the prior art and provides a heat pump water heater surface cover assembly and a heat pump water heater.
The technical scheme adopted for solving the technical problems is as follows:
the first aspect, a heat pump water heater face lid subassembly, including drain pan and face lid, the drain pan has the enclosure wall, the enclosure wall have be used for with the first end of water tank inner bag butt and be used for with the second end that water tank outer bag is connected, the drain pan passes through the enclosure wall is inside to be limited out the cavity shape space, the face lid includes first face lid and second face lid, first face lid is used for shielding the cavity shape space, first face lid is equipped with the fastener mounting hole, first face lid set up in the second end of the enclosure wall of drain pan, and through set up in the fastener of fastener mounting hole install in the drain pan, the second face lid install in first face lid, and shelter from in the outside of fastener mounting hole.
With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, an outer surface of the first face cover is provided with a sink extending toward the bottom shell, the fastener mounting hole is disposed at a bottom of the sink, the second face cover is disposed in the sink, and an outer surface of the first face cover and an outer surface of the second face cover are flush.
With reference to the first aspect and the foregoing implementation manner, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the second cover is pivotally connected to a side wall of the sink tank by a rotation shaft, and the second cover can be turned on or off around the rotation shaft.
With reference to the first aspect and the foregoing implementation manner, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the second panel cover includes a pressing portion located on one side of the rotating shaft and an opening portion located on the other side of the rotating shaft, and a limiting surface is disposed in the sink groove, and the limiting surface is configured to cooperate with the opening portion to limit the second panel cover to a closed position that is flush with the first panel cover.
With reference to the first aspect and the foregoing implementation manners, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the second cover is in interference fit with a side wall of the sink groove along two axial end surfaces of the rotating shaft.
In combination with the first aspect and the foregoing implementation manner, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the sink is offset at one end of the first face cover, the first face cover is far away from one end of the sink is provided with a first latch, the first latch extends away from the direction of the sink, the bottom shell is provided with a base at a position corresponding to the sink, a fastener connection bottom hole is formed in the base, the bottom shell is provided with a first clamping structure at one end opposite to the base, and the first clamping structure is provided with a first bayonet for the first latch to clamp in the direction of the base.
With reference to the first aspect and the foregoing implementation manner, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the bottom shell is provided with a second clamping structure on a surrounding wall between the base and the first clamping structure, the second clamping structure is provided with a second bayonet in a direction towards the base, and the first surface cover is provided with a second bayonet between the first bayonet and the sink groove, and the second bayonet is used for guiding and matching with the bottom shell and is clamped into the second bayonet.
With reference to the first aspect and the foregoing implementation manner, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the bottom shell is provided with a plurality of clamping positions for clamping with the outer liner of the water tank along a circumferential direction of the surrounding wall.
A second aspect, a heat pump water heater, including a water tank component and a heat pump water heater face lid assembly according to any one of the first aspect, the water tank component includes a water tank inner container and a water tank outer container, the first end of enclosing wall and water tank inner container butt, the second end of enclosing wall is connected with the water tank outer container, form the foaming space in the enclosing wall outside between water tank inner container and the water tank outer container.
With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the heat pump water heater face cover assembly includes a first heat pump water heater face cover assembly and a second heat pump water heater face cover assembly, an electric heating component is disposed in a cavity-shaped space of the first heat pump water heater face cover assembly, and a temperature protector is disposed in the cavity-shaped space of the second heat pump water heater face cover assembly.
One of the above technical solutions has at least one of the following advantages or beneficial effects: according to the technical scheme, the heat pump water heater surface cover component comprises a bottom shell, when the water tank component is assembled, the condenser is fixed with the water tank liner and then is lifted into the water tank liner, the bottom shell is installed at the moment, the bottom shell is fixed with the water tank liner, after the installation, the foaming operation is finished between the water tank liner and the water tank liner, the bottom shell defines a cavity-shaped space inside through the surrounding wall, and foaming is prevented from entering the cavity-shaped space. And finally, the face cover is installed on the bottom shell. The first face cover is arranged on the bottom shell through the fastening piece, and the fastening piece is further shielded through the second face cover, so that the purpose of hiding is achieved. According to the technical scheme, the cavity-shaped space defined by the bottom shell is convenient for installing the electric heating and temperature protector between the water tank liner and the water tank liner, and meanwhile, the surface of a product is exposed through the combination mode of the first surface cover and the second surface cover without fasteners such as screws, so that the appearance of the product is more in line with market development.
Additional aspects and advantages of the utility model will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the utility model.
Drawings
The foregoing and/or additional aspects and advantages of the utility model will become apparent and may be better understood from the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of one embodiment of the present utility model of a heat pump water heater face cap assembly;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the structure of one embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at A-A of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the bottom structure of one embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a front view of a first face cover structure of one embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a side view of a first face cover structure of the one embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a first face cover structure of one embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at B-B of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a second facing construction of one embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present utility model of a heat pump water heater.
Detailed Description
Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the present utility model, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the accompanying drawings are used to supplement the description of the written description so that one can intuitively and intuitively understand each technical feature and overall technical scheme of the present utility model, but not to limit the scope of the present utility model.
In the present utility model, if directions (up, down, left, right, front and rear) are described, they are merely for convenience of description of the technical solution of the present utility model, and do not indicate or imply that the technical features must be in a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present utility model.
In the present utility model, "a plurality of" means one or more, and "a plurality of" means two or more, and "greater than", "less than", "exceeding", etc. are understood to not include the present number; "above", "below", "within" and the like are understood to include this number. In the description of the present utility model, the description of "first" and "second" if any is used solely for the purpose of distinguishing between technical features and not necessarily for the purpose of indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or implicitly indicating the precedence of the technical features indicated.
In the present utility model, unless clearly defined otherwise, terms such as "disposed," "mounted," "connected," and the like should be construed broadly and may be connected directly or indirectly through an intermediate medium, for example; the connecting device can be fixedly connected, detachably connected and integrally formed; can be mechanically connected, electrically connected or capable of communicating with each other; may be a communication between two elements or an interaction between two elements. The specific meaning of the words in the utility model can be reasonably determined by a person skilled in the art in combination with the specific content of the technical solution.
Referring to fig. 1, 4 and 10, an embodiment of the present utility model provides a heat pump water heater panel assembly including a bottom case 100 and a panel cover 200, the bottom case 100 having a surrounding wall 101, the surrounding wall 101 having a first end for abutting against a tank liner 301 and a second end for connecting with a tank liner 302, the surrounding wall 101 being configured to be a closed racetrack, oval or polygonal shape, the bottom case 100 defining a cavity space 102 therein by the surrounding wall 101, the panel cover 200 including a first panel cover 201 and a second panel cover 202, the first panel cover 201 for shielding the cavity space 102, the first panel cover 201 being provided with a fastener mounting hole 203, the first panel cover 201 being provided at the second end of the surrounding wall 101 of the bottom case 100 and being mounted to the bottom case 100 by a fastener provided at the fastener mounting hole 203, the second panel cover 202 being smaller than the first panel cover 201, the second panel cover 202 being mounted to the first panel cover 201 and shielded outside the fastener mounting hole 203. In use, the removal and installation of the fastener, including the screw or the like, may be performed by opening the second panel 202.
Referring to fig. 1, 4 and 10, in the technical scheme of the utility model, the heat pump water heater surface cover assembly comprises a bottom shell 100, when a water tank component is assembled, a condenser is fixed with a water tank liner 301 and then is lifted into a water tank liner 302, at this time, the bottom shell 100 is installed, the bottom shell 100 is fixed with the water tank liner 302, after the installation, the foaming operation is performed between the water tank liner 302 and the water tank liner 301, and a cavity-shaped space 102 is defined inside the bottom shell 100 through a surrounding wall 101, so that foaming is prevented from entering the cavity-shaped space. Finally, the face cover 200 is mounted to the bottom case 100. Wherein the first panel 201 is mounted to the bottom case 100 by a fastener, and the fastener is further shielded by the second panel 202 for hiding purposes. According to the technical scheme, the cavity-shaped space 102 defined by the bottom shell 100 is convenient for installing the electric heating and temperature protector between the water tank liner 301 and the water tank liner 302, and meanwhile, the surface of a product is exposed through fastening pieces such as screws and the like in a combined mode of the first face cover 201 and the second face cover 202, so that the appearance of the product is more in line with market development.
In some embodiments, referring to fig. 1, 2 and 3, the outer surface of the first cover 201 is provided with a sink 204 extending toward the bottom case 100, the fastener installation hole 203 is provided at the bottom of the sink 204, the second cover 202 is provided in the sink 204, the second cover 202 can be switched to an open or closed state in the sink 204, and when switched to the closed state, the outer surface of the first cover 201 and the outer surface of the second cover 202 are flush and shield the inside sink 204 and the fasteners inside. The surface is free from screw exposure, and the appearance is more in line with market development.
Further, referring to fig. 1, 2, 3 and 9, the second cover 202 is pivoted to the sidewall of the sink 204 by a rotation shaft 205, and the second cover 202 can be opened or closed rotatably about the rotation shaft 205.
Referring to fig. 9, the second cover 202 includes a pressing portion 206 located on one side of the rotation shaft 205 and a turn-out portion 207 located on the other side of the rotation shaft 205, and the second cover 202 is provided with a pressing position indication at the pressing portion 206. When the second cover 202 needs to be opened, the pressing portion 206 of the second cover 202 is pressed according to the pressing position indication, the second cover 202 rotates around the rotation shaft 205, and the turn-over portion 207 of the second cover 202 is turned outwards to expose the fastener in the sink 204.
Wherein, the sink 204 is provided with a limiting surface 208, and the limiting surface 208 is used for being matched with the turn-over portion 207 to limit the second cover 202 to a closed position flush with the first cover 201. When the second cover 202 rotates to the design position, the limiting surface 208 limits the position, and the fixation is completed.
Wherein, in some embodiments, the second cover 202 is in interference fit with the side wall of the sink 204 along the two axial end surfaces of the rotating shaft 205, so as to ensure the closing effect. Of course, the closing effect can be ensured by adding a magnet, adding a spring on the surface cover, and the like.
In some embodiments, referring to fig. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the sink 204 is offset at one end of the first cover 201, the first cover 201 is provided with a first latch 209 at an end opposite to the sink 204, the first latch 209 extends in a direction away from the sink 204, the bottom shell 100 is provided with a base 103 at a position corresponding to the sink 204, the base 103 is provided with a fastener connecting bottom hole 104, the bottom shell 100 is provided with a first clamping structure 105 at an end away from the base 103, and the first clamping structure 105 is provided with a first bayonet for the first latch 209 to clamp in a direction towards the base 103. In this embodiment, the first panel 201 and the bottom case 100 are fastened by a fastener and are matched with a clamping structure, so that the first panel 201 is convenient to disassemble and assemble on the premise of ensuring that the fastening structure is connected, time consumption of operation is reduced, installation actions are reduced, and production cost is reduced.
Further, referring to fig. 4 to 8, the bottom case 100 is provided with a second clamping structure 106 on the surrounding wall 101 between the base 103 and the first clamping structure 105, the second clamping structure 106 is provided with a second bayonet in a direction towards the base 103, and the first cover 201 is provided with a second latch 210 between the first latch 209 and the sink 204 for guiding and engaging with the bottom case 100. The cooperation of the second latch 210 and the second latch structure 106 enables the first panel 201 to have higher accuracy after being assembled in place, and the clearance becomes smaller after the whole assembly.
In some embodiments, referring to fig. 4, the bottom shell 100 is provided with a plurality of clamping positions 107 along the circumferential direction of the surrounding wall 101, and the bottom shell 100 can be directly clamped to the tank liner 302 by the clamping positions, so that the assembly is convenient.
The embodiment of the utility model also provides a heat pump water heater, referring to fig. 10, the heat pump water heater comprises a water tank component and the heat pump water heater surface cover assembly in any embodiment, the water tank component comprises a water tank inner container 301 and a water tank outer container 302, a first end of the surrounding wall 101 is abutted with the water tank inner container 301, a second end of the surrounding wall 101 is connected with the water tank outer container 302, and a foaming space is formed between the water tank inner container 301 and the water tank outer container 302 outside the surrounding wall 101.
In some embodiments, referring to fig. 10, the heat pump water heater face cover assembly includes a first heat pump water heater face cover assembly 303 having an electrical heating element disposed in the cavity 102 and a second heat pump water heater face cover assembly 304 having a temperature protector disposed in the cavity 102.
In the description of the present specification, reference to the terms "example," "embodiment," or "some embodiments," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.
The present utility model is, of course, not limited to the above-described embodiments, and one skilled in the art can make equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the utility model, and these equivalent modifications or substitutions are intended to be included in the scope of the present utility model as defined in the claims.
Claims (10)
1. The utility model provides a heat pump water heater face lid subassembly, its characterized in that, includes drain pan and face lid, the drain pan has the enclosure wall, the enclosure wall have be used for with the first end of water tank inner bag butt and be used for with the second end that water tank outer bag is connected, the drain pan passes through the enclosure wall is inside to be limited out the cavity shape space, the face lid includes first face lid and second face lid, first face lid is used for shielding the cavity shape space, first face lid is equipped with the fastener mounting hole, first face lid set up in the second end of the enclosure wall of drain pan, and through set up in the fastener of fastener mounting hole install in the drain pan, the second face lid install in first face lid, and shelter from in the outside of fastener mounting hole.
2. The heat pump water heater panel cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the first panel cover is provided with a sink extending toward the bottom shell, the fastener mounting hole is provided in the bottom of the sink, the second panel cover is provided in the sink, and the outer surface of the first panel cover is flush with the outer surface of the second panel cover.
3. The heat pump water heater panel cover assembly of claim 2, wherein the second panel cover is pivotally connected to the side wall of the sink by a rotation shaft, and the second panel cover can be rotated to be opened or closed around the rotation shaft.
4. A heat pump water heater panel cover assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second panel cover includes a pressing portion on one side of the rotating shaft and a flip portion on the other side of the rotating shaft, and wherein the sink is provided with a limiting surface therein for cooperating with the flip portion to limit the second panel cover to a closed position flush with the first panel cover.
5. A heat pump water heater face cover assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second face cover is interference fit with the side walls of the sink along both axial end faces of the rotary shaft.
6. The heat pump water heater cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein the sink is offset at one end of the first cover, one end of the first cover away from the sink is provided with a first latch, the first latch extends away from the sink, the bottom shell is provided with a base at a position corresponding to the sink, the base is provided with a fastener connection bottom hole, one end of the bottom shell away from the base is provided with a first clamping structure, and the first clamping structure is provided with a first bayonet for the first latch to be clamped in a direction towards the base.
7. The heat pump water heater cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein the bottom shell is provided with a second clamping structure on a surrounding wall between the base and the first clamping structure, the second clamping structure is provided with a second bayonet in a direction towards the base, and the first cover is provided with a second bayonet between the first bayonet and the sink for guiding engagement with the bottom shell and clamping into the second bayonet.
8. The heat pump water heater cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottom shell is provided with a plurality of clamping positions for clamping with the tank liner along the circumferential direction of the surrounding wall.
9. A heat pump water heater characterized by comprising a water tank component and the heat pump water heater face cover assembly of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the water tank component comprises a water tank liner and a water tank outer liner, a first end of the surrounding wall is abutted with the water tank liner, a second end of the surrounding wall is connected with the water tank outer liner, and a foaming space is formed between the water tank liner and the water tank outer liner outside the surrounding wall.
10. The heat pump water heater of claim 9, wherein the heat pump water heater face cover assembly comprises a first heat pump water heater face cover assembly having an electrical heating element disposed in a cavity-shaped space thereof and a second heat pump water heater face cover assembly having a temperature protector disposed in a cavity-shaped space thereof.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN202321951367.2U CN220669795U (en) | 2023-07-21 | 2023-07-21 | Heat pump water heater face lid subassembly and heat pump water heater |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN202321951367.2U CN220669795U (en) | 2023-07-21 | 2023-07-21 | Heat pump water heater face lid subassembly and heat pump water heater |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CN220669795U true CN220669795U (en) | 2024-03-26 |
Family
ID=90329986
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CN202321951367.2U Active CN220669795U (en) | 2023-07-21 | 2023-07-21 | Heat pump water heater face lid subassembly and heat pump water heater |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CN (1) | CN220669795U (en) |
-
2023
- 2023-07-21 CN CN202321951367.2U patent/CN220669795U/en active Active
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN205115871U (en) | A shells assembly and washing machine for washing machine | |
CN220669795U (en) | Heat pump water heater face lid subassembly and heat pump water heater | |
CN105063970A (en) | Shell assembly for washing machine and washing machine | |
CN205083290U (en) | Household appliance uncovering and heat preservation cover anti-leakage structure and household appliance | |
CN109813033B (en) | Refrigerator inner door body assembly structure | |
CN211822834U (en) | Air conditioner outdoor unit and air conditioner | |
CN210264227U (en) | Fingerprint lock with novel battery case | |
CN213155344U (en) | Integrated cooking utensil | |
CN214548975U (en) | Sandwich machine | |
CN217464670U (en) | Air conditioner | |
CN219645558U (en) | Sealing driving structure of air fryer with skylight | |
CN217959658U (en) | Cooking utensil | |
CN220958948U (en) | Outdoor positive displacement gas water heater | |
CN212777456U (en) | Shell structure of stove igniter | |
CN219353733U (en) | Embedded knife rest with stoving function | |
CN204920483U (en) | Intelligent key's shells assembly and have its intelligent key | |
CN221750199U (en) | Electric cooker cover | |
CN219938073U (en) | Single-shaft motor installation mechanism with waterproof mechanism | |
CN112535419B (en) | Furnace gate subassembly and embedded cooking utensil | |
CN217886624U (en) | Automatic champignon cover that opens and shuts | |
CN210463230U (en) | Indoor unit of air conditioner | |
CN215820846U (en) | Dish washing machine and door body with control panel | |
CN219395302U (en) | Box structure and electric cabinet | |
CN219613594U (en) | Cooking apparatus | |
CN217792634U (en) | Oven structure and oven |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
GR01 | Patent grant | ||
GR01 | Patent grant |