WO2018030892A1

WO2018030892A1 - Service panel of an air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2018030892A1
Application number: PCT/MY2017/050032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kit Yoke LAM
Original assignee: Daikin Research & Development Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Priority date: 2016-08-12
Filing date: 2017-06-23
Publication date: 2018-02-15
Also published as: MY185822A; CN109564017A; PH12019500133A1; CN109564017B

Abstract

The present invention relates to an outdoor unit (100) for an air conditioner comprising a base (101 ), a body panel (102) mounted on the base (101 ), and a top cover (103) mounted to the body panel (102), wherein the body panel (102) having at least one engaging slot (202,203) to mount at least one engaging member (201 ) of a service panel (104) to be fastened onto the body panel (102) by at least one fastening member, in which the engaging member (201 ) correspondingly latch onto the engaging slot (202,203) such a way that the service panel (104) secured onto the body panel (102) when the fastening member are removed.

Description

SERVICE PANEL OF AN AIR CONDITIONER

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement on assembly of a service panel for an air conditioner outdoor unit. In particularly, service panel having engaging means to securely mounted onto one part of the body of the unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a split-type air conditioning unit operates by establishing connection to both indoor unit and outdoor unit. The connection between indoor unit and outdoor unit includes power cord installation from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit or vice versa. To establish the connection on the outdoor unit there is a need for a mounting platform with a terminal or service panel to mount the connection such as wire or piping connection from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.

A detachable service panel is preferred especially easy service panel from back side of outdoor unit, placed on a platform for fixing a terminal block for the connection. Especially, when the outdoor unit is on an elevated platform

The existing detachable service panel will free drop if the fastening member is removed and able to cause harm on human or service man from injury located below the air conditioning outdoor unit. Conventionally, the detachable service panel is required to be held during fastening and unfastening the panel onto the body of the air conditioning unit which cause complexity for person handing the unit. To overcome this deviation additional metal piece or other mounting member could be added to bind the service panel to the body is one way of resolving the issue. However, this additional sheet metal piece incurs additional cost and does not serve the purpose to reduce unit's material cost of production of the air conditioning unit.

Therefore, a solution is proposed, where a hooking mechanism formed on the panel without adding a new sheet metal piece for mounting or fastening the panel, where that the panel can be fastened without holding panel by hand during or after service and would not be detached from the body if the fastener are removed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to an outdoor unit for an air conditioner comprising a base, a body panel mounted on the base, and a top cover mounted to the body panel, wherein the body panel having at least one engaging slot to mount at least one engaging member of a service panel to be fastened onto the body panel by at least one fastening member, in which the engaging member correspondingly latch onto the engaging slot such a way that the service panel secured onto the body panel when the fastening member are removed.

Preferably, the engaging slot and the engaging member can be applied to any part of the outdoor unit. Preferably, the engaging slot and the engaging member is latched in such a way that the parts of outdoor unit remain intact if any other fastening means are removed.

Further, the engaging member is protruded from the service panel.

Further, the engaging member extending via a rib from the service panel. Preferably, the engaging member is two way hooking mechanism. Preferably, the engaging member is fin like shaped engaging member. Preferably, the engaging member is wing like shaped engaging member Further, the engaging slot is L-shaped slot. Preferably, the engaging slot having at least two slot placed alongside each other, where one slot being shorter than the other.

Further, the engaging slot provides slidable slot to accommodate the engaging member.

Preferably, the engaging slot of the body panel and the engaging member of the service panel is latched to perform a hinged door like function. Preferably, the service panel is latched to perform a hinged door like function.

The present invention consists of features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by references to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of an outdoor unit of air conditioner.

Figure 2A illustrates one embodiment of an engaging member and slot of an air conditioning outdoor unit.

Figure 2B illustrates another embodiment of an engaging member and slot of an air conditioning outdoor unit.

Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of an outdoor unit of air conditioner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an assembly of a service panel for an air conditioner outdoor unit. In particularly, service panel having engaging means to securely mounted onto one part of the body of the unit.

A split-type air conditioning unit generally operates by connecting both indoor unit and outdoor unit. The connection in between indoor unit and outdoor unit includes the location of the power cord installation on outdoor unit. Preferably on one surface of the side panel for the outdoor unit body. The present invention in particularly focuses on the outdoor unit panels, which preferably is fabricated from a thin sheet metal panel.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an outdoor unit (100) panels that able to detach without free drop although all screws or fastening means had been removed by sliding mechanism as shown in Figure 1 . The outdoor unit (100) for an air conditioner comprising a base (101 ), a body panel (102) mounted on the base (101 ), and a top cover (103) mounted to the body panel (102). The body panel (102) includes a detachable panel (104), where the detachable panel (104) is preferred especially easy access of interior the air conditioner unit from back side of outdoor unit (100), placed on a platform (105) for servicing the air conditioner unit. Especially, when the outdoor unit (100) is on an elevated platform (105) away from the ground or outdoor unit (100) located in high rise buildings. The detachable panel (104) located near area for servicing of the outdoor unit (100) is also known as service panel. The outdoor unit (100) panel having at least one slot to mount at least one hook or engaging member of a detachable panel (104) to be fastened onto the body (102) of the outdoor unit (100) by at least one fastening member, in which the engaging member correspondingly latch or engaged onto the engaging slot such a way that the service panel (104) will remain secured onto the body panel (102) when the fastening member such as screws or bolt and nut are removed. Preferably, the slot and the engaging member mechanism can be applied to any part of the outdoor unit (100). Preferably, the engaged parts of outdoor unit (100) remain intact if any other fastening means are removed. The engaging member has at least one extended part protruded from panel (104), where the engaging member is slotted into the slot of another panel (101 ,103) or body (102) of the outdoor unit (100). Further, the protruded part of the panel (104) has at least one rib extended from panel to the protruded part to strengthen the engaging member. Therefore, the detachable panel (104) will avoid free drop if the fastening member mounted on the panel air conditioning's outdoor unit (100) is removed. Further, the detachable panel (104) is not required to be held during fastening and unfastening the panel onto the body (102) of the air conditioning unit, as the engaged portion of the panel will be clinging. The clinging panel will be held by the engaging member, wherein the engaging member can be disengaged from the slot for detaching the panel (104) from the body (102) or any other panel (101 ,103) of the air conditioning unit. The panel (104) is disengaged by withdrawing the engaging member from the slot. The panel (104) is disengaged to ease the access for performing service on the outdoor unit (100).

The objectives of this present invention are to provide an easy access to a service panel (104) from back side of unit at elevated platform (105). Further, the present invention allows to perform service on the outdoor unit (100) without detaching the service panel (104). Further, the use presents invention enables the production assembly maintain its process without adding any additional task.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes an engaging member (201 ) such as hooking mechanism particularly, the two-way hooking mechanism for mounting or fastening the panels into a slot (202,203) as shown in Figure 2A and 2B. Preferably, the engaging member (201 ) has fin like shaped end, wing like shaped or anything similar shaped to that. The slot (202,203) having at least two slot (202,203) placed alongside each other, where one slot (202,203) being shorter than the other. The first slot (202) is longer than the other slot (203), where the first slot (202) to allow the engaging member (201 ) to be slidably disengage or engage the panel, and the shorter slot (203) to secure the engaging member (201 ) of the panel is slide from the first slot (202). Further, the shorter or smaller slot (203) has smaller profile than the free end of the engaging member (201 ) profile. Further, the hooking mechanism also enables the panel to perform a hinged door like function. Preferably, the hooking mechanism includes upper and lower locking mechanism. Preferably, the slot (202,203) is L-shaped slot, flipped or inverted L-shaped slot. The L-shaped slot maybe formed from one or two l-shaped slot.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an outdoor unit panel (300) that able to perform a swinging maneuver as shown in Figure 3.

The swinging maneuver can be performed on the outdoor unit (300) panel after all screws or fastening means is removed. The outdoor unit (300) for an air conditioner comprising a base (301 ), at least one body or side panel (302) fixed on the base (301 ), and a top cover (303) fixed to the side panel (302). The side panel (302) further includes a detachable panel (304), where the detachable panel (304) able to ease the work for performing service on the air conditioner unit and able to access easily from one side of the outdoor unit (300), particularly the outdoor unit (300) which are placed on an elevated platform (305). Especially, when the outdoor unit (300) is on a platform (305) away from the ground or outdoor unit (300) located in high rise buildings. The detachable panel (304) is located near area for servicing of the outdoor unit (300).

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to detachable panel (304) having a terminal panel on an opening (306) of the detachable panel (304), where the terimnal panel has an engaging member (201 ) such as hooking mechanism particularly, the two-way hooking mechanism for mounting or fastening the terminal panel into a slot (202,203) of the detachable panel (304). Preferably, the engaging member (201 ) has fin like shaped end, wing like shaped or anything similar shaped to that. The slot (202,203) having at least two slot (202,203) placed alongside each other, where one slot (203) being shorter than the other (203). The first slot (202) is longer than the other slot (203), where the first slot (202) to allow the engaging member (201 ) to be slidably disengage or engage the terminal panel, and the shorter slot (203) to secure the engaging member (201 ) of the service panel is slide from the first slot (202). Further, the shorter or smaller slot (203) has smaller profile than the free end of the engaging member (201 ) profile. Further, the hooking mechanism also enables the teriminal panel (306) to perform a hinged door like function. Preferably, the hooking mechanism includes upper and lower locking mechanism. Preferably, the slot (202,203) is L-shaped slot, flipped or inverted L-shaped slot. The L-shaped slot maybe formed from one or two l-shaped slot. The terminal panel able to ease the work for performing service on the air conditioner unit and able to access easily from one side of the outdoor unit (300), particularly the outdoor unit (300) which are placed on an elevated platform (305), in which the engaging member (201 ) correspondingly latched or engaged onto the engaging slot (202,203) such a way that the terminal panel (306) will remain secured onto the detachable panel (304) when the fastening member such as screws or bolt and nut are removed. Preferably, the engaged parts of outdoor unit (300) remain intact if any other fastening means are removed. The engaging member (201 ) has at least one extended part protruded from the terminal panel, where the engaging member (201 ) is slotted into the slot (202) of the detachable panel (304) or body of the outdoor unit (300). Further, the protruded part of the terminal panel (306) has at least one rib (204) extended from terminal panel to the protruded part to strengthen the engaging member (201 ). The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims, are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1 . An outdoor unit (100) for an air conditioner comprising a base (101 ), a body panel (102) mounted on the base (101 ), and a top cover (103) mounted to the body panel (102), wherein the body panel (1 02) having at least one engaging slot (202,203) to mount at least one engaging member (201 ) of a service panel (1 04) to be fasted onto the body panel (102) by at least one fastening member, in which the engaging member (201 ) correspondingly latch onto the engaging slot (202,203) such a way that the service panel (104) secured onto the body panel (102) when the fastening member are removed.

2. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging slot (202,203) and the engaging member (201 ) can be applied to any part of the outdoor unit (1 00).

3. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging slot (202,203) and the engaging member (201 ) is latched in such a way that the parts of outdoor unit (100) remain intact if any other fastening means are removed.

4. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging member (201 ) is protruded from the service panel (104).

5. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging member (201 ) extending via a rib from the service panel (1 04).

6. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging member (201 ) is two way hooking mechanism.

7. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging member (201 ) is fin like shaped engaging member (201 ).

8. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging member (201 ) is wing like shaped engaging member (201 ).

9. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging slot (202,203) is L-shaped slot.

10. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging slot (202,203) having at least two slot (202,203) placed alongside each other, where one slot (203) being shorter than the other (202).

1 1. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging slot (202,203) provides slidable slot (202,203) to accommodate the engaging member (201 ).

12. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the engaging slot (202,203) of the body panel (102) and the engaging member (201 ) the service panel (104) is latched to perform a hinged door like function.

13. The outdoor unit (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the service panel (104) is latched to perform a hinged door like function.