WO2020071901A1 - A housing with hinged access panel - Google Patents

A housing with hinged access panel

Info

Publication number
WO2020071901A1
WO2020071901A1 PCT/MY2019/050069 MY2019050069W WO2020071901A1 WO 2020071901 A1 WO2020071901 A1 WO 2020071901A1 MY 2019050069 W MY2019050069 W MY 2019050069W WO 2020071901 A1 WO2020071901 A1 WO 2020071901A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
main body
access panel
detent
docking recess
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/MY2019/050069
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Zi Yong TEAN
Her Mei TENG
Soon Peng TAN
Kit Yoke LAM
Original Assignee
Daikin Research & Development Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daikin Research & Development Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. filed Critical Daikin Research & Development Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
Priority to CN201980071756.6A priority Critical patent/CN112969894A/en
Priority to CN202210039260.4A priority patent/CN114206047B/en
Publication of WO2020071901A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020071901A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0217—Mechanical details of casings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/20—Casings or covers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
    • F16B5/12—Fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates, e.g. rubber strips, decorative strips for motor vehicles, by means of clips
    • F16B5/126—Fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates, e.g. rubber strips, decorative strips for motor vehicles, by means of clips at least one of the sheets, plates, bars or strips having integrally formed or integrally connected snap-in-features
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
    • F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0217—Mechanical details of casings
    • H05K5/0226—Hinges
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
    • F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B2/00—Friction-grip releasable fastenings
    • F16B2/02—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
    • F16B2/18—Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening using cams, levers, eccentrics, or toggles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
    • F16B5/06—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips
    • F16B5/0607—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other
    • F16B5/0621—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship
    • F16B5/065—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship the plates being one on top of the other and distanced from each other, e.g. by using protrusions to keep contact and distance
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
    • F24F1/0057—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in or on a wall

Definitions

  • Another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having a detent on the access panel and a corresponding docking recess in the main body, or a detent on the main body and a corresponding docking recess in the access panel.
  • the detent is a sliding fit in and out the docking recess.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing that will produce minimal or no noise, particularly rattling noise, during operation of the device.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing in which the access panel can be stowed with ease.
  • the access panel rotates toward the adjacent part of the main body and eventually forms a snug connection with the main body under the influence of gravity.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having a hinged access panel that can be held in a number of partially opened positions.
  • the embodiment of the present invention describes a housing for a device having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing for rotation from a stowed position which substantially closes an access opening of the main body to a deployed position which gives access to the interior of the main body and vice versa, wherein the access panel and an adjacent part of the main body have complementary restraining means.
  • the detent and the docking recess are positioned adjacent the hinged connection between the access panel and the main body of the housing.
  • the detent is an elongate arm having an upturned tip for guiding the detent into the docking recess.
  • the device is an air treating apparatus selected from the group consisting of air conditioner, cooler and heater.
  • Figure 1 shows a side view of the housing of the invention which has an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing (hinged connection between the access panel and main body is not shown).
  • Figure 3 illustrates the rotational path of the access panel from a deployed position (i) to a stowed position (vi) as it is hinged relative to the main body of the housing at the top (hinged connection is not shown).
  • Figure 4 shows a side view of a docking recess having one or more stepped surfaces.
  • the access panel (110) of the housing (100) disclosed herein is fitted to the housing and consequently create minimal or no noise when the device is put into use.
  • the access panel (110) and an adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) have complementary restraining means (130) to provide initial resistance to or limit movement of the access panel (110) away from the main body (120) and to damp vibration therebetween.
  • the housing (100) is shaped such that a snug connection is formed between the access panel (110) and the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120), thereby restricting the access panel (110) from moving to and fro the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) along with the vibration of the device contained within the housing (100).
  • the restraining means (130) disclosed herein is shaped in a way that gravitational force acted on the access panel (110) which is the weight of the access panel (110) will facilitate the rotational movement of the access panel (110) toward the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120). Furthermore, the restraining means allows gravitational force acted on the access panel (110) to further enhance the engagement between the panel and the main body by restraining the access panel (110) from moving away from the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) and keep the access panel (110) in a stowed position irrespective of the vibration of the device contained therein.
  • the access panel (110) is hinged to the main body (120) of the housing (100) at the top.
  • the restraining means (130) is provided between the hinges, more preferably at the midpoint of the hinges. The restraining means (130) provides additional holding point for the panel (110), thereby reducing the dependence of the panel (110) on the hinges for support.
  • the detent (131) is preferably an elongate arm extending outwardly and downwardly/upwardly from the access panel (110) or the main body (120). An outwardly and downwardly extended detent (131) is preferred. Detent (131) of such shape is shown in Figure 1 and 2. Detent (131) extending outwardly and upwardly is less preferred as it is more likely to be damaged when the access panel (110) is stowed. Furthermore, the engagement between the detent (131) and the docking recess (132) may not be as tight when the detent (131) extends outwardly and upwardly as it is against the gravity, and a stowed access panel (110) may still be able to vibrate and create noise.
  • the detent may be tangential or arcuate so long as it does not affect its path of movement which is the rotational path of movement of the access panel.
  • the detent (131) can be of any length as long as it is sufficient for forming a snug connection between the access panel (110) and the main body (120) and limiting movement of the access panel (110) away from the main body (120).
  • the detent (131) is inclined to the access panel (110) or the main body (120) at an angle, qi.
  • the angle, qi, between the detent (131) and the access panel (110) or the main body (120) is an oblique angle. More preferably, the angle, qi, ranges from 20° to 50°.
  • the detent (131) may further comprise a necked portion (133) for connecting the detent (131) to the access panel (110) or the main body (120) of the housing (100). It is preferred that the necked portion (133) is shaped to follow the profile of main body (120) and restraining means (130) in order to facilitate a smooth rotation of the access panel (110) toward an adjacent part of the main body (120) and improve the engagement between the panel (110) and the main body (120).
  • the detent (131) may have a bent tip, preferably an upturned tip (134), for assisting in guiding the detent (131) into the docking recess (132).
  • Figure 3 provides an illustration of the rotational path of the access panel (110) from a deployed position to a stowed position when the access panel (110) is hinged to the main body (120) at the top (hinged connection is not shown).
  • the complementary docking recess (132) is configured to hinder the movement of the detent (131) within the recess (132) and consequently damp the vibration between the access panel (110) and the main body (120) of the housing (100).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a housing (100) for a device having an access panel (110) hinged to a main body (120) of the housing (100) for rotation from a stowed position which substantially closes an access opening of the main body (120) to a deployed position which gives access to the interior of the main body (120) and vice versa, wherein the access panel (110) and an adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) have complementary restraining means (130), the restraining means (130) comprising a detent (131) on one of the access panel (110) or the main body (120) and a complementary docking recess (132), for receiving the detent (131), in the other of the access panel (110) or main body (120), both the detent (131) and the docking recess (132) being shaped and/or angled according to the rotational path of the access panel (110) as it is hinged relative to the main body (120) of the housing (100) so that as the access panel (110) is opened and closed the detent (131) is a sliding fit in and out of the docking recess (132). Furthermore, the invention provides a device comprising an aforedescribed housing (100).

Description

A HOUSING WITH HINGED ACCESS PANEL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of housing, particularly housing with hinged access panel. More particularly, the invention relates to a housing having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing for rotation of the access panel from a stowed position which substantially closes an access opening of the main body to a deployed position which gives access to the interior of the main body and vice versa.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the modern world, electrical appliances have become one of the necessities in human activity. Electrical appliances are helpful in making works simpler and faster as well as making tasks that are unattainable manually to becoming possible. Despite electrical appliances are important in a person’s everyday life, it is preferred that electrical appliances are inconspicuous and noiseless during operation. Majority of electrical appliances include a motor that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. Motor vibration will be transferred to surrounding parts and cause the parts to vibrate and eventually create noises. Rattling sound is noticeable when the vibrating parts are loosely fitted.
Air treating apparatuses are one of the essential home and work appliances. Among air treating apparatuses, air conditioners, coolers and heaters comprise a housing with panels that may be adjustable or detachable. These air treating apparatuses will be the source of rattling noises in an environment if their panels are not snugly fitted to the housings when the apparatuses are turned on.
Most housings for air treating apparatuses have panels with L-shaped or right-angled hooks on the inner surface for locking the panels to an adjacent surface of the apparatus. An example of which is shown in Chinese patent number 104194787. The aforementioned patent discloses a front panel of an air conditioner, which is detachably connected to a panel holder by means of a right-angled hook that fits into a corresponding slot provided on the panel holder. European patent number 1248048 also discloses a housing for an air conditioner having a front panel with a L-shaped engagement projection on the inner surface for being captured by a latching pawl provided on an adjacent surface of the housing. Nevertheless, these right-angled hooks fail to provide a tight fitting of the panel to the housing. These hooks, when being inserted into the corresponding slot, are still loose and capable of lateral movement within the slot. Thus, even though the panels are in a stowed position, they will vibrate within the slot along with the motor of the air conditioner and generate noise, particularly rattling noise.
Therefore, there exists a need for a housing with panel that can be fitted to the housing. Particularly, the panel of the housing produces minimal or no rattling noises when it is subjected to motor vibration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing for rotation of the panel from a stowed position which substantially closes an access opening of the main body to a deployed position which gives access to the interior of the main body and vice versa. Particularly, the access panel and an adjacent part of the main body have complementary restraining means that provide initial resistance to movement of the access panel away from the main body and to mitigate vibration therebetween.
Another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having a restraining means that assists the access panel to be slidingly opened and closed following its rotational path as it is hinged relative to the main body of the housing.
Further another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having a detent on the access panel and a corresponding docking recess in the main body, or a detent on the main body and a corresponding docking recess in the access panel. Particularly, the detent is a sliding fit in and out the docking recess. Still another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing that will produce minimal or no noise, particularly rattling noise, during operation of the device.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing in which the access panel can be stowed with ease. Particularly, the access panel rotates toward the adjacent part of the main body and eventually forms a snug connection with the main body under the influence of gravity.
Further another object of the invention is to provide a housing for a device having a hinged access panel that can be held in a number of partially opened positions.
At least one of the preceding objects is met, in whole or in part, by the present invention, in which the embodiment of the present invention describes a housing for a device having an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing for rotation from a stowed position which substantially closes an access opening of the main body to a deployed position which gives access to the interior of the main body and vice versa, wherein the access panel and an adjacent part of the main body have complementary restraining means. The restraining means comprises a detent on one of the access panel or the main body and a complementary docking recess, for receiving the detent, in the other of the access panel or main body, both the detent and the docking recess being shaped and/or angled according to the rotational path of the access panel as it is hinged relative to the main body of the housing so that as the access panel is opened and closed the detent is a sliding fit in and out of the docking recess.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is an air treating apparatus selected from the group consisting of air conditioner, cooler and heater.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent and the docking recess are positioned adjacent the hinged connection between the access panel and the main body of the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent is provided on the access panel and the docking recess is provided in the main body of the housing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access panel is hinged to the main body of the housing at the top.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the access panel is hinged to the main body of the housing at the top and the detent is provided on the access panel and the docking recess is provided in the main body of the housing, the detent is an elongate arm extending downwardly and outwardly from the access panel.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent is an elongate arm having an upturned tip for guiding the detent into the docking recess.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent has a necked portion for connecting the detent to the access panel or the main body.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent is inclined to the access panel or the main body at an angle of 20° to 50°.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the docking recess comprises one or more stepped surfaces in order for the detent to latch within the docking recess without being fully docked so that the access panel can be held in one or more partially opened positions.
In addition, the invention describes a device comprising an aforede scribed housing.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is an air treating apparatus selected from the group consisting of air conditioner, cooler and heater.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages will be readily understood and appreciated. Figure 1 shows a side view of the housing of the invention which has an access panel hinged to a main body of the housing (hinged connection between the access panel and main body is not shown).
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the housing.
Figure 3 illustrates the rotational path of the access panel from a deployed position (i) to a stowed position (vi) as it is hinged relative to the main body of the housing at the top (hinged connection is not shown).
Figure 4 shows a side view of a docking recess having one or more stepped surfaces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiment described herein is not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention.
The present invention describes a housing (100) for a device having an access panel (110) hinged to a main body (120) of the housing (100) for rotation of the access panel (110) from a stowed position which substantially closes an access opening of the main body (120) to a deployed position which gives access to the interior of the main body (120) and vice versa. The housing (100) of the invention is suitable for use in any devices provided that the housing (100) does not impair the function of the device contained therein. Preferably, the device is an air treating apparatus selected from the group consisting of air conditioner, cooler and heater. More preferably, the housing (100) is suitable for use on an air conditioning unit, particularly a wall-mount air conditioning unit.
The access panel (110) of the housing (100) disclosed herein is fitted to the housing and consequently create minimal or no noise when the device is put into use. Particularly, the access panel (110) and an adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) have complementary restraining means (130) to provide initial resistance to or limit movement of the access panel (110) away from the main body (120) and to damp vibration therebetween. In more particular, the housing (100) is shaped such that a snug connection is formed between the access panel (110) and the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120), thereby restricting the access panel (110) from moving to and fro the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) along with the vibration of the device contained within the housing (100). On the other hand, the restraining means (130) disclosed herein is shaped in a way that gravitational force acted on the access panel (110) which is the weight of the access panel (110) will facilitate the rotational movement of the access panel (110) toward the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120). Furthermore, the restraining means allows gravitational force acted on the access panel (110) to further enhance the engagement between the panel and the main body by restraining the access panel (110) from moving away from the adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) and keep the access panel (110) in a stowed position irrespective of the vibration of the device contained therein.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the restraining means (130) of the housing comprises a detent (131) on one of the access panel (110) or the main body (120) of the housing (100) and a complementary docking recess (132) in the other of the access panel (110) or main body (120). Preferably, the detent (131) and the docking recess (132) are positioned adjacent the hinged connection between the access panel (110) and the main body (120) of the housing (100). More preferably, the detent (131) and the docking recess (132) are positioned at a point where vibration between the panel (110) and the main body (120) can be most effectively damped. The access panel (110) may be hinged to the main body (120) at any direction. Yet, it is preferred that the access panel (110) is hinged to the main body (120) of the housing (100) at the top. In case when the access panel (110) is hinged to the main body (120) at more than one point, it is preferred that the restraining means (130) is provided between the hinges, more preferably at the midpoint of the hinges. The restraining means (130) provides additional holding point for the panel (110), thereby reducing the dependence of the panel (110) on the hinges for support.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent (131) is provided on the access panel (110) and the docking recess (132) is provided in the main body (120) of the housing (100). Such embodiment is depicted in Figure 1 and 2, in which the access panel (110) is hinged to the main body (120) at the top (not shown). In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent (131) is provided on the main body (120) of the housing (100) whereas the docking recess (132) is provided in the access panel (110).
The detent (131) is preferably an elongate arm extending outwardly and downwardly/upwardly from the access panel (110) or the main body (120). An outwardly and downwardly extended detent (131) is preferred. Detent (131) of such shape is shown in Figure 1 and 2. Detent (131) extending outwardly and upwardly is less preferred as it is more likely to be damaged when the access panel (110) is stowed. Furthermore, the engagement between the detent (131) and the docking recess (132) may not be as tight when the detent (131) extends outwardly and upwardly as it is against the gravity, and a stowed access panel (110) may still be able to vibrate and create noise. The detent may be tangential or arcuate so long as it does not affect its path of movement which is the rotational path of movement of the access panel. The detent (131) can be of any length as long as it is sufficient for forming a snug connection between the access panel (110) and the main body (120) and limiting movement of the access panel (110) away from the main body (120). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the detent (131) is inclined to the access panel (110) or the main body (120) at an angle, qi. Preferably, the angle, qi, between the detent (131) and the access panel (110) or the main body (120) is an oblique angle. More preferably, the angle, qi, ranges from 20° to 50°.
With reference to Figure 1 and 2, the detent (131) may further comprise a necked portion (133) for connecting the detent (131) to the access panel (110) or the main body (120) of the housing (100). It is preferred that the necked portion (133) is shaped to follow the profile of main body (120) and restraining means (130) in order to facilitate a smooth rotation of the access panel (110) toward an adjacent part of the main body (120) and improve the engagement between the panel (110) and the main body (120). The detent (131) may have a bent tip, preferably an upturned tip (134), for assisting in guiding the detent (131) into the docking recess (132). Alternatively, the detent (131) may have a tapered tip (134) for accomplishing the same purpose. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 1 and 2, the tip (134) of the detent (131) is both upturned and tapered. The detent (131) can be made of any material within the scope that does not impair the effect of the detent (131). Preferably, the detent (131) is made of the same material as the access panel (110) or the main body (120) of the housing (100). The detent (131) may be covered with a soft medium, such as an insulation, which assists in mitigating vibration between the access panel (110) and the main body (120) of the housing (100).
Pursuant to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the complementary docking recess (132) is shaped to smoothly and snugly receive the detent (131) as the access panel (110) rotates about the hinge from the deployed position to the stowed position. It is preferred that both the detent (131) and the docking recess (132) are shaped and/or angled according to the rotational path of the access panel (110) as it is hinged relative to the main body (120) of the housing (100) so that as the access panel (110) is deployed and stowed the detent (131) is a sliding fit in and out of the docking recess (132). Figure 3 provides an illustration of the rotational path of the access panel (110) from a deployed position to a stowed position when the access panel (110) is hinged to the main body (120) at the top (hinged connection is not shown). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the complementary docking recess (132) is configured to hinder the movement of the detent (131) within the recess (132) and consequently damp the vibration between the access panel (110) and the main body (120) of the housing (100).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the docking recess (132) may have one or more stepped surfaces for allowing the detent (131) to latch within the docking recess (132) without being fully docked. An illustration of which can be found in Figure 4. With the stepped surface(s), the access panel (110) can be held in one or more partially opened positions. This eliminates the need for an additional tool to hold the access panel (110) or having to detach the access panel (110) from the housing (100) when prolonged access to the interior of the housing is desired.
The present invention also describes a device having a housing (100) as set forth in the preceding description. Particularly, the device comprises a housing (100) having an access panel (110) hinged to a main body (120) of the housing (100) in which the access panel (110) and an adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) have complementary restraining means (130). The restraining means (130) comprises a detent (131) on one of the access panel (110) or the main body (120) of the housing (100) and a complementary docking recess (132), snugly to receive the detent, in the other of the access panel (110) or main body (120). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is an air treating apparatus selected from the group consisting of air conditioner, cooler and heater. In a more preferred embodiment, the device is an air conditioning unit, particularly a wall-mount air conditioning unit.

Claims

1. A housing (100) for a device having an access panel (110) hinged to a main body (120) of the housing (100) for rotation from a stowed position which substantially closes an access opening of the main body (120) to a deployed position which gives access to the interior of the main body (120) and vice versa, wherein the access panel (110) and an adjacent part (121) of the main body (120) have complementary restraining means
(130), the restraining means (130) comprising a detent (131) on one of the access panel (110) or the main body (120) and a complementary docking recess (132), for receiving the detent (131), in the other of the access panel (110) or main body (120), both the detent (131) and the docking recess (132) being shaped and/or angled according to the rotational path of the access panel (110) as it is hinged relative to the main body (120) of the housing (100) so that as the access panel (110) is opened and closed the detent
(131) is a sliding fit in and out of the docking recess (132).
2. A housing (100) according to claim 1, wherein the detent (131) and the docking recess
(132) are positioned adjacent the hinged connection between the access panel (110) and the main body (120) of the housing (100).
3. A housing (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detent (131) is provided on the access panel (110) and the docking recess (132) is provided in the main body (120) of the housing (100).
4. A housing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the access panel (110) is hinged to the main body (120) of the housing (100) at the top.
5. A housing (100) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the detent (131) is an elongate arm extending downwardly and outwardly from the access panel (110).
6. A housing (100) according to any of claim 1 to 5, wherein the detent (131) is an elongate arm having an upturned tip (134) for guiding the detent (131) into the docking recess (132).
7. A housing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detent (131) has a necked portion (133) for connecting the detent (131) to the access panel (l lO)or the main body (120).
8. A housing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detent is inclined to the access panel (110) or the main body (120) at an angle of 20° to 50°.
9. A housing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the docking recess (132) comprises one or more stepped surfaces in order for the detent (131) to latch within the docking recess (132) without being fully docked so that the access panel (110) can be held in one or more partially opened positions.
10. A housing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the device is an air treating apparatus selected from the group consisting of air conditioner, cooler and heater.
11. A device comprising a housing (100) according to any of the preceding claims.
12. A device according to claim 10, wherein the device is an air treating apparatus selected from the group consisting of air conditioner, cooler and heater.
PCT/MY2019/050069 2018-10-05 2019-10-02 A housing with hinged access panel WO2020071901A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201980071756.6A CN112969894A (en) 2018-10-05 2019-10-02 Shell with hinge type access panel
CN202210039260.4A CN114206047B (en) 2018-10-05 2019-10-02 Shell with hinge type access panel

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MYPI2018703692 2018-10-05
MYPI2018703692A MY195538A (en) 2018-10-05 2018-10-05 A Housing With Hinged Access Panel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020071901A1 true WO2020071901A1 (en) 2020-04-09

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ID=70055180

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Country Status (3)

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CN (2) CN114206047B (en)
MY (1) MY195538A (en)
WO (1) WO2020071901A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN114206047B (en) 2024-05-10
MY195538A (en) 2023-01-31
CN112969894A (en) 2021-06-15
CN114206047A (en) 2022-03-18

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