Air conditioner

An air conditioner having an improved assembly structure of panels includes a lower panel located at a bottom surface thereof, an upper panel located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels located at front and rear surfaces thereof, and side panels to couple the front and rear panels. One side of each of the lower panel and at least one panel is provided with a protrusion and the other side thereof is provided with a coupling groove, so that the lower panel is coupled to at least one of the front panel and the side panels by coupling of the protrusion and the coupling groove. It may be possible to provide an air conditioner capable of reducing the number of fastening members coupled to respective panels and being free from restraint of an installation space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0100230, filed on Aug. 23, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an air conditioner having an improved assembly structure of panels defining an external appearance thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electronic device such as an air conditioner or a boiler generally includes a plurality of panels defining an external appearance thereof. A variety of electronic components to perform functions of the electronic device may be received inside the panels.

The plurality of panels generally include a lower panel located at a bottom surface of the electronic device, an upper panel located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels located at front and rear surfaces thereof, and side panels to couple the front and rear panels.

The respective panels may be coupled to each other using separate fastening members provided outside the electronic device. In this case, since a certain space has to be secured when the panels are disassembled for product inspection and component replacement, there is a limitation to an installation space of the electronic device.

In addition, since the fastening members are fixed outside the panels to be exposed, the panels are deteriorated in quality due to corrosion of the fastening members and it is difficult to disassemble the fastening members.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide an air conditioner in which the number of fastening members to be coupled to respective panels may be reduced and the panels may be disassembled while being free from restraint of an installation space.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include a lower panel located at a bottom surface thereof, an upper panel located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels located at front and rear surfaces thereof, and side panels to couple the front and rear panels, wherein one side of the lower panel may be provided with a protrusion and at least one panel from among the front panel, rear panel, and side panels may be provided with a coupling groove so that the lower panel may be coupled to at least one of the front panel, rear panel, and the side panels by coupling of the protrusion and the coupling groove. Additionally, or alternatively, one side of the lower panel may be provided with a coupling groove, and at least one panel from among the front panel, rear panel, and side panels may be provided with a protrusion so that the lower panel may be coupled to at least one of the front panel, rear panel, and the side panels by coupling of the protrusion and the coupling groove.

First protrusions provided in the lower panel may be fitted into first coupling grooves provided in the side panels such that the lower panel may be coupled to the side panels.

The first protrusions may protrude toward the side panels and the first coupling grooves may be provided on inner surfaces of the side panels.

Second protrusions provided in the front and rear panels may be coupled to second coupling grooves provided in the lower panel.

The air conditioner may further include guide portions extending upward from the lower panel, and the guide portions may be coupled to guide grooves formed in the front and rear panels in order to guide coupling positions between the front and rear panels and the lower panel.

The front and rear panels may be coupled to the lower panel and the front and rear panels may be fitted to the side panels.

The upper panel may be fastened to the front and rear panels and the side panels by separate fastening members.

At least one of the side panels may be provided with a third protrusion portion which protrudes from at least a portion thereof and the third protrusion portion may be coupled to a third coupling groove provided in the upper panel.

The third protrusion portion may be provided in a first bracket coupled to the side panel and the third protrusion portion may protrude outward of the side panel.

The third coupling groove may be provided in a second bracket coupled to the upper panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include a lower panel located at a bottom surface thereof, an upper panel located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels located at front and rear surfaces thereof, side panels to couple the front and rear panels, and coupling mediation members which are coupled to the lower panel to assist coupling between the front and rear panels and the lower panel and between the side panels and the lower panel.

One side of each of the coupling mediation members may be provided with a first protrusion and the first protrusion may be fitted into a first coupling groove of each of the side panels such that the lower panel may be coupled to the side panels.

One side of each of the coupling mediation members may be provided with a second coupling groove and a second protrusion provided in each of the front and rear panels may be coupled to the second coupling groove so that the front and rear panels are coupled to the lower panel.

The lower panel may further include guide portions extending upward from the lower panel in order to guide coupling between the front and rear panels and the lower panel, and the guide portions may be coupled to guide grooves formed in the front and rear panels.

The upper panel may be fastened to the front and rear panels and the side panels by separate fastening members.

A first bracket, which may be coupled to one side of one of the side panels, may be coupled to a second bracket coupled to one side of the upper panel, and the other side panel may be coupled to the other side of the upper panel by a separate fastening member.

The first bracket may be provided with a third protrusion portion protruding outward of the side panel and the second bracket may be provided with a third coupling groove having a shape corresponding to the third protrusion portion such that the third protrusion portion may be coupled to the third coupling groove.

In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include an upper panel located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels located at front and rear surfaces thereof, side panels to couple the front and rear panels, a first bracket which may be coupled to one side of one of the side panels and may be formed with a protrusion, and a second bracket which may be coupled to one side of the upper panel and may be formed with a coupling groove coupled with the protrusion, wherein the side panel may be coupled to the upper panel by coupling of the first and second brackets.

The second bracket may further include a second bracket bent portion which may be bent inward of the upper panel to come into contact with an upper surface of the side panel during coupling with the side panel.

The air conditioner may further include a third bracket coupled to one side of the other side panel, and the third bracket may be coupled to the upper panel using a separate fastening member.

In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device may include a lower panel disposed at a bottom surface of the electronic device, a front panel and a rear panel disposed at front and rear surfaces of the electronic device, respectively, and side panels to couple the front and rear panels. A first side of the lower panel may be provided with a first protrusion and a side of at least one of the front panel, rear panel and side panels may be provided with a first coupling groove, to couple the lower panel to at least one of the front panel, rear panel and the side panels by coupling of the first protrusion and the first coupling groove. A second side of the lower panel, adjacent to the first side, may be provided with a second groove and a side of at least one of the front panel, rear panel and side panels may be provided with a second protrusion, to couple the lower panel to at least one of the front panel, rear panel and the side panels by coupling of the second protrusion and the second coupling groove.

The second side of the lower panel may be provided with a plurality of guide portions which extend upward from the lower panel, and the plurality of guide portions may be coupled together with guide grooves formed in the front and rear panels, such that the front and rear panels are rotatable about the lower panel.

At least one of the front and rear panels may be provided with a third protrusion, and at least one of the side panels may be provided with a third coupling groove, to couple one of the front and rear panels to at least one of the side panels.

The electronic device may further include an upper panel disposed at an upper surface of the electronic device, a first bracket, the first bracket configured to be selectively coupled to an upper surface of a first side panel or to an interior portion of a first side of the upper panel, and a second bracket coupled to an upper surface of a second side panel.

When the first bracket is coupled to the upper surface of the first side panel, fastening members pass through first and second sides of the upper panel to the first and second side panels via the first bracket and the second bracket, respectively.

When the first bracket is coupled to the interior portion of the upper panel, the fastening members pass through only the second side of the upper panel to the second side panel via the second bracket, to couple the second side of the upper panel to the second side panel, and the first bracket is coupled to a third bracket disposed on the upper surface of the first side panel, such that the upper panel is rotatable about the first side panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to an electronic device according to the embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1is a view illustrating an external appearance of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 2is an exploded view illustrating panels of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The disclosure exemplarily describes an air conditioner or a boiler as an electronic device, but is not limited thereto. For example, the disclosure may be applied to other kinds of electronic devices which include panels.

The electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be an air conditioner1for both cooling and heating. The air conditioner1may include a panel assembly100defining an external appearance thereof, an evaporator (not shown), a condenser (not shown), a pipe portion (not shown), and a compressor (not shown). The evaporator (not shown), the condenser (not shown), and the pipe portion (not shown) may be arranged inside the panel assembly100. The compressor forming a cooling cycle may be provided in an outdoor unit. In a type of cascade cycle, another compressor may also be further provided in addition to the compressor. The compressor provided in the air conditioner1, which may perform heating using the cascade cycle, may be mounted inside the panel assembly100.

Refrigerant may be compressed to high-temperature and high-pressure in the compressor, phase-changed into liquid refrigerant in the condenser (not shown), and circulated via a series of cooling cycles undergoing compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation cycles so as to be evaporated in the evaporator (not shown). Then, after hot air is heat-exchanged with cold refrigerant, cold air may be supplied to the interior so that cooling may be performed. For example, a compressor provided in the outdoor unit may be used as the compressor. Heat generated when the compressor provided in the outdoor unit compresses refrigerant may be emitted to the outside.

In a case in which heating is performed by the air conditioner1, it may be possible to perform heating using heat generated during compression of refrigerant in the compressor by reverse circulation of the cooling cycle. For example, refrigerant such as R-410A may be used as the refrigerant compressed by the compressor provided in the outdoor unit. The R-410A refrigerant may be increased to a temperature of approximately 55° C. when compressed in the compressor provided in the outdoor unit. Outdoor cold air may be supplied to the interior by heat exchange with refrigerant compressed to high-temperature and high-pressure in the compressor provided in the outdoor unit.

The air conditioner1may be connected to a boiler which performs heating using hot water and the air conditioner1may supply hot water to the boiler. Refrigerant (e.g., R-410A) compressed to high-temperature and high-pressure by the compressor provided in the outdoor unit may be increased to a temperature of approximately 55° C. The hot refrigerant may be heat-exchanged with refrigerant (R-134A) circulated in a refrigerant pipe (not shown) provided within the panel assembly100in the evaporator. The R-134A refrigerant may be heat-exchanged with the R-410A refrigerant and may then be compressed in the compressor provided within the panel assembly100. The R-134A refrigerant compressed by the compressor may be increased to a temperature of approximately 85° C. The R-134A refrigerant passing through the compressor may be heat-exchanged with water in the pipe portion. The water having increased temperature via heat exchange may be introduced into the boiler to perform heating.

The panel assembly100defining an external appearance of the air conditioner may include a lower panel10located at a bottom surface thereof, an upper panel40located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels20located at front and rear surfaces thereof, and side panels30to respectively couple the front and rear panels20. Two front and rear panels20and two side panels30may be provided. The front and rear panels20and the side panels30may be coupled between the lower panel10and the upper panel40.

The lower panel10may be coupled with coupling mediation members14to assist coupling between the front and rear panels20and the lower panel30and between the side panels30and the lower panel10. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the coupling mediation members14may include a first coupling mediation member12and a second coupling mediation member13. The coupling mediation members14may be coupled to front and rear surfaces of the lower panel10. The second coupling mediation member13may be located between the first coupling mediation member12and the lower panel10and coupled by a fastening member11. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, a fastening member11(e.g., a screw), may be inserted through a hole or passage disposed in the first coupling mediation member12, a hole or passage disposed in the second coupling mediation member13, and a hole or passage disposed in the lower panel10, to secure or couple each of the first coupling mediation member12, second coupling mediation member13, and lower panel10, together.

The side panels30and the front and rear panels20may be coupled to the lower panel10via the coupling mediation members14. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, four coupling mediation members14may be coupled to the lower panel10. One side of each of the side panels30and the front and rear panels20may be coupled to the lower panel10by each coupling mediation member14, and a description thereof will be given later. For example, two coupling mediation members14may be used to couple a first side panel30to lower panel10, and the other two coupling mediation members14may be used to couple a second side panel30to lower panel10, on the opposite side. For example, two coupling mediation members14may be used to couple a front panel20to lower panel10, and the other two coupling mediation members14may be used to couple the rear panel20to lower panel10, on the opposite side.

FIG. 3is an exploded view illustrating the lower panel and the side panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG. 4is a view illustrating a coupled state between the lower panel and the side panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the lower panel10may be coupled to the side panels30by fitting a first protrusion12aprotruding from each coupling mediation member14into a first coupling groove30aof each side panel30. The first protrusion12amay be provided at the first coupling mediation member12. The first protrusion12amay protrude in a direction of the adjacent side panel30and the first coupling groove30amay be provided on an inner surface of the side panel30. Accordingly, since the coupling of the first protrusion12aand the first coupling groove30ais not exposed to the outside, the coupling of the lower panel10and the side panel30are less likely to be deformable due to exposure to the outside. After the first protrusion12ais coupled to the first coupling groove30a, separate fastening members51and52may be additionally coupled thereto. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, one or more fastening members51(e.g., a screw), may be inserted at the exterior or outside surface of the side panel30through a hole or passage disposed in the side panel30, to couple the side panel30to the lower panel10. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, one or more fastening members52(e.g., a screw), may be inserted at the exterior or outside surface of the side panel30through a hole or passage disposed in the side panel30, to couple the side panel30to the lower panel10.

The first coupling mediation member12may include a fixed portion12bwhich prevents the first protrusion12afrom swinging. The fixed portion12bmay be located at an upper end of the first protrusion12aand protrude from the first coupling mediation member12in the direction of the adjacent side panel30. The fixed portion12bmay have a protrusion length shorter than that of the first protrusion12a. That is, the first protrusion12may extend further toward the adjacent side panel30than the fixed portion12b. Accordingly, since the first protrusion12ais inserted into the first coupling groove30aand the fixed portion12bcomes into contact with the side panel30, the first protrusion12amay be prevented from swinging even though a separate fastening member is not fastened thereto. That is, when the first protrusion12ais inserted into the first coupling groove30a, the side panel30may be prevented from being decoupled outward the lower panel10. In addition, since the fixed portion12bserves to fix the side panel30at the upper side of the first protrusion12a, the side panel30may be prevented from being decoupled inward of the panel assembly100.

FIGS. 5A through 5Aare enlarged views illustrating a coupling process between the lower panel and the front and rear panels of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIGS. 6A through 6ACare cross-sectional views illustrating the coupling process between the lower panel and the front and rear panels inFIGS. 5A to 5C.FIGS. 7A to 7Care enlarged views illustrating a coupling process between the front and rear panels and the side panels of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIGS. 8A to 8Bare views illustrating a coupling process between the front and rear panels and the side and lower panels of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown inFIGS. 5A to 5C, a second protrusion20a, which protrudes from a surface of each of the front and rear panels20, may be inserted into a second coupling groove12cprovided between the first protrusion12aand the fixed portion12bof the first coupling mediation member12, so that the front and rear panels20may be coupled to the lower panel10.

In addition, as shown inFIGS. 6A to 6C, the lower panel10may further include a guide portion15extending upward from one side of the lower panel10. The guide portion15serves to guide a coupling position between the lower panel10and each of the front and rear panels20during coupling therebetween. The guide portion15may be coupled to a guide groove21formed on each of the front and rear panels20and the coupling position between the lower panel10and each of the front and rear panels20may be identified by the coupling of the guide portion15to the guide groove21. The guide portion15may be coupled to the guide groove21and then the second protrusion20amay be coupled to the second coupling groove12c, so that the front and rear panels20may be coupled to the lower panel10.

As shown inFIGS. 7A to 7C, each of the front and rear panels20may include a first extension portion23extending from a side surface thereof and a second extension portion24which extends from an upper surface thereof. The first extension portion23and second extension portion24may be bent inward of the panel assembly100. The first extension portion23may be inserted into an insertion groove31provided on the associated side panel. The second extension portion24may enclose at least a portion of the upper surface of the side panel and a separate fastening member53may be coupled thereto. For example, as shown inFIGS. 7A to 7C, a fastening member53(e.g., a screw), may be inserted through a hole or passage disposed in an upper surface of the side panel30and a hole or passage disposed in the second extension portion24, to secure or couple each of the side panel30and front and rear panels20, together.

As shown inFIGS. 8A to 8B, the lower portions of the front and rear panels20may be coupled to the lower panel10and the front and rear panels20may rotate to be vertically coupled to the lower panel10, thereby allowing the second extension portion24of each of the front and rear panels20to be inserted to the insertion groove31. For example, as shown inFIGS. 8A to 8B, the fastening member53(e.g., a screw), may be inserted through a hole or passage which is formed on a substantially L-shaped protrusion which extends from an upper surface of the side panel30.

Hereinafter, an assembly process of the front and rear panels20will be described with reference toFIGS. 5A to 8B.

As shown inFIG. 6A, the guide portion15may be located to be inserted into the guide groove21. As shown inFIG. 5A, the front and rear panels20may be located at the lower panel10such that the second protrusion20aof each of the front and rear panels20may be inserted into the associated second coupling groove12cof the lower panel10. In this case, the front and rear panels20are tilted outward with respect to the lower panel10, as shown inFIG. 8A.

When the guide portion15is inserted into the guide groove21as shown inFIG. 6Band the front and rear panels20rotate in the direction perpendicular to the lower panel10as shown inFIG. 8B, the second protrusion20ais inserted into the second coupling groove12cformed on the front surface of the lower panel10as shown inFIG. 5B. In addition, during rotation of the front and rear panels20, the first extension portion23is inserted into the associated insertion groove31of each of the side panels30. As shown inFIGS. 6A through 6C, the coupling position where the guide portion15may be coupled to the guide groove21is formed at a lower portion of the front and rear panels20, which may be substantially L-shaped. The lower portion of the L-shaped front and rear panels20may include the guide groove21. The upper portion of the L-shaped front and rear panels20may extend vertically upward from an end of the lower portion of the L-shaped front and rear panels20, and at the other end of the lower portion of the L-shaped front and rear panels20, a bent portion22may extend vertically upward.

When the second protrusion20ais fully inserted into the second coupling groove12cas shown inFIG. 5C, the front and rear panels20are coupled to the lower panel10so as to be vertically located or oriented with respect to the lower panel10.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 7C, the fastening member53may be coupled so as to pass through the second extension portion24of each of the front and rear panels20and the upper portion of each of the side panels30. Since the upper panel40is coupled above the coupled fastening member53, the fastening member53is not exposed to the outside, thereby preventing damage of the fastening member53. As shown inFIGS. 7A to 7C, bracket62may be substantially L-shaped. The lower portion of the substantially L-shaped bracket62may be mounted, coupled to or installed on an upper surface of the side panel30. The upper portion of the substantially L-shaped bracket62may extend vertically upward from the upper surface of the side panel30, and a plurality of bent portions may extend inward from the upper portion of the substantially L-shaped bracket62. A plurality of grooves may be formed between the plurality of bent portions. As shown inFIGS. 8A to 8b, bracket61may also be substantially L-shaped. The lower portion of the substantially L-shaped bracket61may be mounted, coupled to or installed on an upper surface of the other (opposite) side panel30. The upper portion of the substantially L-shaped bracket61may extend vertically upward from the upper surface of the other (opposite) side panel30, and a plurality of bent portions may extend inward from the upper portion of the substantially L-shaped bracket61. A plurality of grooves may be formed between the plurality of bent portions. As discussed further, bracket61may be decoupled from side panel30and coupled to upper panel40.

Since each lower portion of the front and rear panels20is coupled to the lower panel10by fitting of the second protrusion20ainto the second coupling groove12cand each upper portion of the front and rear panels20is inserted into and coupled to the associated side panel30using the additional fastening member53, the front and rear panels20may be fixed to the side panels30without movement thereof.

FIG. 9is a view illustrating a disassembled state of the upper panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 9, the upper panel40may be coupled to upper sides of the side panels30and the front and rear panels20by one or more fastening members54. The upper sides of the side panels30may be coupled with brackets61and62through which the side panels30are coupled to the upper panel40. At least a portion of each of the brackets61and62may protrude upward and the fastening members54may be coupled to the brackets61and62. The fastening members54pass through the upper panel40and the brackets61and62so that the upper panel40may be coupled to the side panels30.

A support member63may be coupled to both side panels30in order to prevent both side panels30from swinging inward of the panel assembly100. Both side panels40may be maintained at regular distance by the support member63. For example, the support member63may be disposed at a substantially central position of the side panels30. The electronic device may utilize more than one support member coupled to both side panels30.

FIG. 10is a view illustrating a disassembled state of an upper panel of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an upper panel40may be coupled to the upper portion of any one of the side panels30by third protrusions64aand third coupling grooves61a. Although the third protrusions64amay be provided on the upper portion of the side panel30and the third coupling grooves61amay be provided on the lower portion of the upper panel40in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Further, there may be more than three or less than three third coupling grooves61aand there may be more than three or less than three third protrusions64a.

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the third protrusions64amay be provided at a first bracket64coupled to the side panel30and the third coupling grooves61amay be provided at a second bracket61coupled to the upper panel40. Each of the third protrusions64amay protrude outward of the side panel30and each of the third coupling grooves61amay be provided in a shape corresponding to the associated third protrusion64a. The upper panel40may be coupled to the upper portions of the side panels30by coupling of the third protrusions64aand the third coupling grooves61a.

The first bracket64may further include a first bracket bent portion64bwhich is bent outward of the panel assembly100from the upper side of the side panel30. The second bracket61may further include a second bracket bent portion61bwhich is bent inward of the upper panel40to come into contact with the upper surface of the side panel30during coupling with the side panel30. Accordingly, since a space is provided between the first and second brackets64and61, the second bracket61rotates from the outer side of the panel assembly100to the inner side thereof during coupling of the side panel30and the upper panel40, so that the third protrusions64amay be coupled to the third coupling grooves61a.

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the third protrusions64amay be fitted into the third coupling grooves61aat one side of the upper panel40. The upper panel40may be coupled to the other side panel30using separate fastening members54at the other side of the upper panel40. That is, a third bracket62to which the separate fastening members54are coupled may be located at the other side panel30so that the upper panel40is coupled to the side panel30.

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the fastening members54may be used at only one surface of the panel. Therefore, even when the air conditioner is installed on a wall surface, the fastening members54may be used at the other surface of the panel which is not in contact with the wall surface, thereby enabling the upper panel40to be easily disassembled for repair and reinspection of an electronic device (e.g., the air conditioner1). In addition, fitting coupling of the panels may be performed by the third protrusions64aand the third coupling grooves61awhich are respectively formed at the first and second brackets64and61. Therefore, fastening positions of the fastening members54may be changed according to installation positions, namely, the left or the right of the first and second brackets64and61. Thus, a user may change the fastening positions of the fastening members54according to an installation environment of the electronic device.

FIGS. 11A to 11Eare views illustrating a process of changing a coupling method of the upper panel of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown inFIGS. 11A to 11E, a coupling method between the upper panel40and the side panels30may be changed by converting the embodiment shown inFIG. 9into the embodiment of the disclosure shown inFIG. 10.

The upper panel40ofFIG. 11Amay be disassembled by decoupling the fastening members54(e.g. from one or more sides of the upper panel40) and the first bracket64may be coupled to one side of side panel30as shown inFIG. 11C. In this case, a bracket located at a side to which the first bracket64is coupled is defined as the second bracket61. Subsequently, the second bracket61located at the side to which the first bracket64is coupled is decoupled from the side panel30, as shown inFIG. 11D. As shown inFIG. 11E, the decoupled second bracket61is coupled to the upper panel40. Thus, the side panel30may be fitted to the upper panel40by the second bracket61of the upper panel40and the first bracket64of the side panel30. In addition, the fastening members54may be fastened to the other side of the upper panel40so that the upper panel40is coupled to the third bracket62of the side panel30.

As is apparent from the above description, it may be possible to provide an air conditioner capable of reducing the number of fastening members coupled to respective panels and being free from restraint of an installation space by minimizing fastening directions of the fastening members to reduce a space required during disassembly and reassembly of the panels. Further, deterioration of fastening members or other components and/or deformation of panels, may be avoided by positioning of the fastening members or other components (e.g., protrusions and grooves) according to the above described example embodiments.

In the example embodiments disclosed herein, reference has been made generally to one or more brackets which may be formed, located, positioned, disposed, mounted, installed, etc. on any one of the side panels30, and which may be fastened or coupled to the upper panel, via fasteners, another bracket, etc. However, the disclosure is not so limited. For example, one or more brackets may formed, located, positioned, disposed, mounted, installed, etc. on one of or both of the front and rear panels20, in addition to or alternatively, with respect to the one or more brackets which may be formed, located, positioned, disposed, mounted, installed, etc. any one of the side panels30.

In the example embodiments disclosed herein, reference has been made generally to an electronic device such as an air conditioner. However, the disclosure is not so limited and may be applied to other electronic devices other than an air conditioner. Further, the disclosure is not limited to the example embodiment of a rectangular shaped panel assembly. For example, aspects of the example embodiments may be applied to a panel assembly having a different shape (e.g., a square shaped panel assembly, cylinder shaped panel assembly, spherical shaped panel assembly, or other geometric shapes, and the like).