Patent Description:
An indoor unit in the prior art has a housing, and the housing includes a base plate, a face frame mounted to the base plate, and a panel mounted to the face frame. A heat exchanger and a fan are mounted to the base plate, and a fan wheel of the fan is located at an inner side of the heat exchanger. Even though the face frame is dismounted, the fan wheel cannot be dismounted only if the heat exchanger is also dismounted, because the fan wheel is limited by the heat exchanger and the base plate together, which brings about great inconvenience to a user. The dismounting and cleaning of the fan wheel needs professional help, which results in a high cost.

<CIT> discloses a wall-hung air conditioner provided with a vertical blade for wind-direction change, a flap, and a fan guard at an outlet of a housing containing a heat exchanger and a blower. The blower is arranged inside the heat exchanger such that in order to dismount the blower, the heat exchanger needs to be dismounted, too.

<CIT> discloses an indoor unit comprises a machine part having refrigeration cycle parts such as a heat exchanger, a compressor <NUM>, etc., and a blower part having a blower and a fan casing. In the machine part, integrally provided as units a piping assembly in which the heat exchanger <NUM> and the compressor are integrally assembled and electrical parts such as an inverter, a reactor <NUM>, etc. In the blower part are arranged the blower having a rear plate, a horizontal flow fan, a fan motor and a bearing to which the other end part of the cross flow fan is pivoted.

The present invention aims to solve at least one of the problems existing in the related art. Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide an indoor unit for an air conditioner with simplified maintenance. Such that it is convenient to assemble and disassemble a fan of the indoor unit.

According to the present invention, the indoor unit includes: a housing having an upper base plate provided with an air inlet, a lower base plate detachably mounted to the upper base plate and provided with an air outlet, and a front cover detachably mounted to the upper base plate; a heat exchanger mounted to the upper base plate; and a fan detachably mounted to the lower base plate.

In the indoor unit of the present invention, the fan is mounted to the lower base plate and the lower base plate is detachably mounted to the upper base plate, such that the cleaning, maintenance and repair of the fan just need to dismount the lower base plate from the upper base plate, and hence the fan may be dismounted from the indoor unit, which avoids a problem in the prior art that the heat exchanger affects the mounting and dismounting of the fan. The convenient dismounting of the fan in the present invention facilitates cleaning a fan wheel of the fan. The cleaning of the fan wheel does not involve the dismounting and mounting of the heat exchanger, which thus avoids a problem that the heat exchanger tends to break down due to the dismounting and mounting thereof, thereby facilitating the maintenance of the indoor unit and reducing the failure rate of the indoor unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper base plate includes: a rear baffle, the heat exchanger being disposed to the rear baffle; an upper cover plate having a rear edge connected with an upper edge of the rear baffle. According to the invention, the air inlet is formed in the upper cover plate; a left end plate having a rear edge connected with a left edge of the rear baffle and an upper edge connected with a left edge of the upper cover plate; and a right end plate having a rear edge connected with a right edge of the rear baffle and an upper edge connected with a right edge of the upper cover plate. The lower base plate is detachably mounted at a right side of the left end plate and at a left side of the right end plate, the left end plate is located at a left side of the lower base plate, and the right end plate is located at a right side thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper base plate further includes: a left shield plate mounted at a left side of the left end plate; and a right shield plate mounted at a right side of the right end plate. The front cover is detachably mounted to the left shield plate and the right shield plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an air inlet grille is provided at the air inlet of the upper cover plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet grille is integrally formed in the upper cover plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover is pivotably mounted to the upper base plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover defines a covering chamber, the upper base plate and the lower base plate are disposed in the covering chamber and covered by the front cover, and the front cover is provided with an air supply port corresponding to the air outlet in terms of position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover includes: a front panel configured to cover front surfaces of the upper base plate and the lower base plate; a lower panel having a front edge connected with a lower edge of the front panel, and configured to cover a lower surface of the lower base plate, the air supply port being provided at a position where the front panel and the lower panel are connected; a left panel having a front edge connected with a left edge of the front panel and a lower edge connected with a left edge of the lower panel, rotatably mounted to a left side of the upper base plate and configured to cover the left side thereof; and a right panel having a front edge connected with a right edge of the front panel and a lower edge connected with a right edge of the lower panel, rotatably mounted to a right side of the upper base plate and configured to cover the right side thereof.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front panel and the lower panel are connected via an arc transition portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fan includes: a fan wheel detachably mounted to the lower base plate; and a motor detachably mounted to the lower base plate and connected with the fan wheel in a transmission way.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a motor mounting groove is provided in the lower base plate; the upper base plate is provided with a water receiving cover; the motor is mounted in the motor mounting groove; the water receiving cover is located below the heat exchanger and presses the motor in the motor mounting groove.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an air deflector is provided at the air outlet of the lower base plate and exposed from the air supply port.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover is pivotably provided to the upper base plate, and further positioned to the lower base plate via a snap assembly.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the snap assembly includes a snap disposed on an inner wall of the front cover and a snapping portion disposed on the lower base plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the snap includes an upper snap and a lower snap disposed below the upper snap, and the upper snap and the lower snap each are configured to be fitted with the snapping portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower base plate includes a front end plate; the snapping portion is formed at an upper edge of the front end plate of the lower base plate; the upper snap is configured to be fitted with a rear wall of the snapping portion; and the lower snap is configured to be fitted with a front wall of the snapping portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper snap includes an extension part obliquely extending downwards from front to rear, and the extension part is configured to be fitted with the rear wall of the snapping portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least a part of the front end plate protrudes forwards to form the snapping portion, the snapping portion has a left side wall and a right side wall, and the upper snap is limited between the left side wall and the right side wall of the snapping portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a distance between the left side wall and the right side wall of the snapping portion is equal to or larger than a size of the upper snap in a left and right direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover is further positioned to the lower base plate via a snapping hook assembly, in which the snap structure is located above the air outlet and the snapping hook assembly is located below the air outlet.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the snapping hook assembly includes a snapping hook disposed at an inner wall of the front cover and a first positioning hole disposed in the lower base plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the snapping hook extends obliquely and is configured to be fitted in the first positioning hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a lower edge of the first positioning hole is provided with a positioning plate obliquely extending forwards and upwards, and the snapping hook is configured to be arranged on the positioning plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover is provided with a second positioning block, the upper base plate is provided with a plurality of second positioning holes in different positions and the second positioning block is configured to be fitted with the plurality of with the plurality of second positioning holes in different positions to position the front cover in a state of opening the upper base plate at different opening angles.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second positioning block is disposed at a side wall of the front cover, and the plurality of second positioning holes are formed in a side wall of the upper base plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of second positioning holes in the same side wall of the upper base plate have respective centers arranged in a circle whose center is located a pivoting axis of the front cover, and each of the plurality of second positioning holes extends along a radial direction of the circle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a pair of second positioning blocks are provided and disposed at a left side wall and a right side wall of the front cover respectively, a plurality of pairs of second positioning holes are provided, and each pair of second positioning holes are formed in a left side wall and a right side wall of the upper base plate respectively.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper base plate is provided with a stopping surface, and the second positioning block is stopped by the stopping surface when the front cover encloses the upper base plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover is provided with a stopping block and the upper base plate is provided with a stopping groove, and the stopping block is stopped in the stopping groove when the front cover closes the upper base plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a shaft hole is provided in a side wall of the upper base plate, a rotary shaft is provided to a side wall of the front cover, and the rotary shaft is configured to be rotatably fitted in the shaft hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the front cover includes a left panel and a right panel, and the left panel is located outside a left end plate of the upper base plate and the right panel is located outside a right end plate of the upper base plate; a second pivoting portion is provided at each of a left end and a right end of the front cover, and a first pivoting portion is provided at each of the left end plate and the right end plate of the upper base plate, in which the first pivoting portion at the left end plate is configured to be fitted with the second pivoting portion at the left end of the front cover while the first pivoting portion at the right end plate is configured to be fitted with the second pivoting portion at the right end of the front cover, such that the front cover is pivotably provided to the upper base plate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second pivoting portion at the left end of the front cover is disposed at the left panel, while the second pivoting portion at the right end of the front cover is disposed at the right panel.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second pivoting portion is located at an upper end of the indoor unit and adjacent to a rear side of the indoor unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first pivoting portion is a configured as pivot hole, while the second pivoting portion is configured as a pivoting shaft.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an elastically deformable snapping member is provided to an outer circumferential wall of the pivoting shaft, a snapping groove is provided in the pivot hole, and the snapping member is configured to be fitted in the snapping groove.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an annular flange is provided on an outer circumferential wall of a free end of the pivoting shaft, and an annular stopping convex rib is provided on a circumferential wall of the pivot hole, and the annular stopping convex rib is configured to be fitted with the annular flange to limit a degree of freedom of the pivoting shaft in a left and right direction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least part of an edge of the annular flange is configured as a demoulding plane.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an inner wall of at least one of the left panel and the right panel is provided with a reinforcing rib surrounding the pivot hole and extending inwards, an outer wall of at least one of the left panel and the right panel is provided with a supporting member, and the supporting member is configured to support the pivoting shaft when the pivoting shaft is fitted in the pivot hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an elastic relief groove is provided between the reinforcing rib and a body structure of the at least one of the left panel and the right panel.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a guiding groove is provided between the pivot hole and an edge of the at least one of the left panel and the right panel, and the pivoting shaft is configured to slidably enter the pivot hole along the guiding groove.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding groove includes at least two segments of groove extending in directions with an included angle therebetween, and the reinforcing rib extends to the edge of the at least one of the left panel and the right panel.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the left panel or the right panel of the front cover is provided a first limiting member, the left end plate or the right end plate of the upper base plate is provided with a plurality of second limiting members spaced apart from one another, and the first limiting member is configured to be fitted with the plurality of second limiting members to position the front cover at different opening angles.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first limiting member is configured as a hook, the second limiting member is configured as a limiting step or a limiting hole, and the hook is configured to be fitted with the limiting step or the limiting hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first limiting member is configured as a first positioning block, the second limiting member is configured as a limiting step or a limiting hole, and the first positioning block is configured to be fitted with the limiting step or the limiting hole.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail and examples of the embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings, where same or similar reference numerals are used to indicate same or similar members or members with same or similar functions. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, which are used to illustrate the present invention, but shall not be construed to limit the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, an indoor unit <NUM> of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing <NUM>, a heat exchanger <NUM> and a fan <NUM>.

Specifically, the housing <NUM> includes an upper base plate <NUM>, a lower base plate <NUM> detachably mounted to the upper base plate <NUM>, and a front cover <NUM> detachably mounted to the upper base plate <NUM>. The upper base plate <NUM> is provided with an air inlet <NUM> for imputing air, and the lower base plate <NUM> is provided with an air outlet (not shown) for outputting air. Driven by the fan <NUM>, an air flow enters the indoor unit <NUM> from the air inlet <NUM> and is sent out through the air outlet. The air flow exchanges heat with the heat exchanger <NUM> in the indoor unit <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> is mounted to the upper base plate <NUM> and the fan <NUM> is detachably mounted to the lower base plate <NUM>.

For the indoor unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, the fan <NUM> is mounted to the lower base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> is detachably mounted to the upper base plate <NUM>, such that the cleaning, maintenance and repair of the fan <NUM> just need to dismount the lower base plate <NUM> from the upper base plate <NUM>, and hence the fan <NUM> can be dismounted from the indoor unit <NUM>, which avoids the problem in the prior art that the heat exchanger <NUM> affects the mounting and dismounting of the fan <NUM>. The convenient dismounting of the fan <NUM> in the present invention facilitates cleaning a fan wheel <NUM> of the fan <NUM>. The cleaning of the fan wheel <NUM> does not involve the dismounting and mounting of the heat exchanger <NUM>, which avoids the problem that the heat exchanger <NUM> tends to break down due to the dismounting and mounting thereof, thus facilitating the maintenance of the indoor unit <NUM> and reducing the failure rate of the indoor unit <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in some embodiments of the present invention, the upper base plate <NUM> includes: a rear baffle <NUM>, an upper cover plate <NUM>, a left end plate <NUM> and a right end plate <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> is mounted to the rear baffle <NUM>. A rear edge of the upper cover plate <NUM> is connected with an upper edge of the rear baffle <NUM>, and the air inlet <NUM> is formed in the upper cover plate <NUM>, such that the air flow may enter the indoor unit <NUM> from the air inlet <NUM> to exchange heat. The left end plate <NUM> has a rear edge connected with a left edge of the rear baffle <NUM> and an upper edge connected with a left edge of the upper cover plate <NUM>. The right end plate <NUM> has a rear edge connected with a right edge of the rear baffle <NUM> and an upper edge connected with a right edge of the upper cover plate <NUM>. Thus, the structural strength of the upper base plate <NUM> is improved and it is convenient to mount the heat exchanger <NUM> to the upper base plate <NUM>, thereby improving the structural strength of the whole indoor unit <NUM>.

Additionally, by providing the air inlet <NUM> in the upper cover plate <NUM> of the upper base plate <NUM> and mounting the heat exchanger <NUM> to the rear baffle <NUM>, a gap may be formed between the heat exchanger <NUM> and the upper cover plate <NUM> provided with the air inlet <NUM>, such that the air flow may enter the indoor unit <NUM> smoothly, to guarantee the smooth circulation of the air flow and improve the working efficiency of the indoor unit <NUM>.

Preferably, the lower base plate <NUM> is detachably mounted to a right side of the left end plate <NUM> and to a left side of the right end plate <NUM>. The left end plate <NUM> is located at a left side of the lower base plate <NUM>, and the right end plate <NUM> is located at a right side of the lower base plate <NUM>, to facilitate mounting the lower base plate <NUM> to the upper base plate <NUM> and disassembling the lower base plate <NUM> therefrom.

Further, with reference to <FIG>, the upper base plate <NUM> further includes a left shield plate <NUM> and a right shield plate <NUM>. The left shield plate <NUM> is mounted to the left side of the left end plate <NUM>, and the right shield plate <NUM> is mounted to the right side of the right end plate <NUM>, so as to further improve the structural strength of the upper base plate <NUM> via the left shield plate <NUM> and the right shield plate <NUM> and also to enhance the sealing performance of the left and right sides of the upper base plate <NUM>, along with ensuring a beautiful appearance of the housing <NUM>.

Preferably, the front cover <NUM> is detachably mounted over the left shield plate <NUM> and the right shield plate <NUM>, which facilitates mounting the front cover <NUM> and improves the assembling and maintenance efficiency of the indoor unit <NUM>.

Advantageously, as shown in <FIG>, an air inlet grille <NUM> is provided at the air inlet <NUM> of the upper cover plate <NUM>, which makes it convenient for the air flow to enter the indoor unit <NUM> via the air inlet <NUM>, and prevents dust from the outside from entering the indoor unit <NUM> to a certain extent, thus reducing the amount of dust entering the indoor unit <NUM>, so as to facilitate cleaning the indoor unit <NUM> and to improve the stability and safety of the operation thereof.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the front cover <NUM> is pivotably mounted over the upper base plate <NUM>. That is, the front cover <NUM> is mounted over the upper base plate <NUM> and rotatable between a first position where the housing <NUM>, the heat exchanger <NUM> and the fan <NUM> are covered and a second position where the housing <NUM>, the heat exchanger <NUM> and the fan <NUM> are exposed, so as to facilitate mounting the heat exchanger <NUM> and the fan <NUM> to the housing <NUM> and dismounting the heat exchanger <NUM> and the fan <NUM> therefrom.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, in some embodiments of the present invention, the front cover <NUM> defines a covering chamber <NUM>, and the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> are disposed in the covering chamber <NUM> and covered by the front cover <NUM>, such that the indoor unit <NUM> has a beautiful appearance and is closed, thus facilitating an oriented air supply. Alternatively, an air supply port <NUM> corresponding to the air outlet in terms of position is provided in the front cover <NUM> and configured to avoid the air outlet. That is, a position of the air supply port <NUM> is corresponding to a position of the air outlet.

Further, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the front cover <NUM> includes a front panel <NUM>, a lower panel <NUM>, a left panel <NUM> and a right panel <NUM>. The front panel <NUM> covers front surfaces of the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>. The lower panel <NUM> has a front edge connected with a lower edge of the front panel <NUM>, and covers a lower surface of the lower base plate <NUM>, in which the air supply port <NUM> is provided at a position where the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM> are connected. The left panel <NUM> has a front edge connected with a left edge of the front panel <NUM> and a lower edge connected with a left edge of the lower panel <NUM>, and is rotatably mounted to a left side of the upper base plate <NUM> and covers the left side thereof. The right panel <NUM> has a front edge connected with a right edge of the front panel <NUM> and a lower edge connected with a right edge of the lower panel <NUM>, and is rotatably mounted to a right side of the upper base plate <NUM> and covers the right side thereof. Consequently, the front cover has a simple structure and a high strength, is convenient to process at a low production cost, and can protect components inside the indoor unit fully.

Further, with reference to <FIG>, the left panel <NUM> is provided at the left side of the upper base plate <NUM>, and the right panel <NUM> is provided at the right side thereof. A rotary shaft is provided at a rear end of an upper portion of each of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM>, while a shaft hole fitted with the rotary shaft is provided in each of the left shield panel <NUM> and the right shield panel <NUM> of the upper base plate <NUM>, so as to realize the rotatable mounting of the front cover <NUM> to the housing <NUM> via the fitting of the shaft and the hole.

Advantageously, the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM> are connected via an arc transition portion, to make the appearance of the indoor unit <NUM> aesthetic. Moreover, a rounded-off surface (i.e., a surface of the arc transition portion) is less easy to be damaged than an angular surface during the transportation of the indoor unit <NUM>.

Additionally, the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM> of the front cover <NUM> may be molded separately, in which the lower panel <NUM> may be integrally formed with the lower panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments of the present invention, the fan <NUM> includes a fan wheel <NUM> and a motor <NUM>. The fan wheel <NUM> is detachably mounted to the lower base plate <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> is detachably mounted to the lower base plate <NUM> and connected with the fan wheel <NUM> in a transmission manner, so as to facilitate the operation, mounting and dismounting of the fan <NUM>.

Further, the lower base plate <NUM> is provided with a motor mounting groove (not shown), the upper base plate <NUM> is provided with a water receiving cover <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is mounted in the motor mounting groove, and the water receiving cover <NUM> is located below the heat exchanger <NUM> and presses the motor <NUM> in the motor mounting groove.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an air deflector <NUM> is provided at the air outlet of the lower base plate <NUM> and exposed from the air supply port <NUM>, to guide the direction of the air flow sent out from the indoor unit <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing <NUM> of the indoor unit <NUM> includes the lower base plate <NUM>, the upper base plate <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>. The lower base plate <NUM> is provided with the air outlet and a fan mounting structure (not shown) for mounting the fan <NUM>. The upper base plate <NUM> is detachably mounted to the lower base plate <NUM>, and provided with the air inlet <NUM> and a heat-exchanger mounting structure for mounting the heat exchanger <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> is detachably mounted to the upper base plate <NUM> and provided with the air supply port <NUM> in a position corresponding to that of the air outlet.

In the housing <NUM> of the indoor unit <NUM> according to this embodiment of the present invention, the fan <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM> may be mounted, dismounted and cleaned conveniently by mounting the fan <NUM> to the lower base plate <NUM> via the fan mounting structure and mounting the heat exchanger <NUM> to the upper base plate <NUM> via the heat-exchanger mounting structure.

In the present invention, the upper base plate <NUM> is provided to mount the heat exchanger <NUM> thereto, and the lower base plate <NUM> is provided to mount the fan <NUM> thereto. The lower base plate <NUM> and the fan <NUM> are mounted below the upper base plate <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM>, such that the dismounting of the fan <NUM> only needs to dismount the lower base plate <NUM> located below from the upper base plate <NUM>, and thus the fan <NUM> can be detached from a main body of the indoor unit <NUM>, which facilitates the maintenance and cleaning of the fan <NUM>. The procedure of cleaning the fan <NUM> of the indoor unit <NUM> is simplified, and even the user may clean the fan by himself/herself.

In addition, the front cover <NUM> is configured to be pivotably connected with the upper base plate <NUM>. The process of dismounting and mounting the fan <NUM> does not need to dismount the front cover <NUM> (or the front cover <NUM> may be dismounted very easily), which further facilitates the maintenance of the fan <NUM> of the indoor unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit may include: a base plate, the heat exchanger <NUM>, the fan wheel <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>. Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the base plate may include the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>, and the lower base plate <NUM> is detachably mounted to the upper base plate <NUM> and provided with the air outlet. The heat exchanger <NUM> is disposed to the upper base plate <NUM>, and the fan wheel <NUM> is disposed to the lower base plate <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> is pivotably disposed to the upper base plate <NUM> and positioned to the lower base plate <NUM> via a snap assembly, and also, the front cover <NUM> is further provided with the air supply port <NUM> corresponding to the air outlet.

In examples shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the lower base plate <NUM> is mounted at a lower side of the upper base plate <NUM>, and the air outlet is provided at a front side of the lower base plate <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> is mounted to the upper base plate <NUM>, and the fan wheel <NUM> is mounted to the lower base plate <NUM>, such that the fan wheel <NUM> is located below the heat exchanger <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> is provided over the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>. The fan wheel <NUM> is preferably opposite to the air outlet, and the air supply port in the front cover <NUM> is also opposite to the air outlet. Consequently, the air flowing into the indoor unit may exchange heat with the heat exchanger <NUM> in advance, and then, driven by the fan wheel <NUM>, be exhausted from the air outlet and the air supply port, so as to regulate an indoor temperature.

An upper portion of the front cover <NUM> is pivotably connected with the upper base plate <NUM> while a lower portion of the front cover <NUM> is connected with the lower base plate <NUM> via the snap assembly. In such a way, in the process of assembling the front cover <NUM>, first a pivotable connection structure between the front cover <NUM> and the upper base plate <NUM> may be assembled in place, and then the front cover <NUM> is rotated to make a snapping connection structure between the front cover <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> assembled in place, so that the front cover <NUM> may be fixed to the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> firmly. Similarly, the process of disassembling the front cover <NUM> only needs to disassemble the snapping connection structure between the front cover <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> and then to pivotably open the front cover <NUM>.

Consequently, the front cover <NUM> is mounted reliably and dismounted conveniently. The front cover <NUM> may be opened conveniently and quickly when the heat exchanger <NUM>, the fan wheel <NUM> or the motor <NUM> inside the indoor unit needs to be repaired or cleaned, and then the cleaning, maintenance and repair can be implemented successfully. After the cleaning, maintenance and repair, the front cover <NUM> may be closed conveniently and quickly, and further fixed firmly again, thus considerably facilitating the cleaning, maintenance and repair of the indoor unit.

In the indoor unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, by connecting the integral front cover <NUM> with the upper base plate <NUM> in a pivotable manner, and with the lower base plate <NUM> via the snap assembly, the efficiency of mounting and dismounting the front cover <NUM> is improved effectively, thus facilitating the cleaning, maintenance and repair of the indoor unit. Moreover, the integral front cover <NUM> has a simple structure and an aesthetic appearance, and is convenient to manufacture at a low production cost.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a first pivoting structure may be provided at each of a left side and a right side of the front cover <NUM>, and a second pivoting structure may be provided at each of the left side and the right side of the upper base plate <NUM>. The first pivoting structure may constitute a pivotable fitting with the second pivoting structure, so as to realize the pivotable connection of the front cover <NUM> and the upper base plate <NUM>. The first pivoting structure may be a pivoting cover plate with a pivoting shaft <NUM>, and the second pivoting structure may be a pivot hole. Certainly, the present invention is not limited thereby, and the pivotable connection of the front cover <NUM> and the upper base plate <NUM> may be implemented in other manners.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the snap assembly includes a snap <NUM> disposed on an inner wall of the front cover <NUM> and a snapping portion <NUM> disposed on the lower base plate <NUM>. The snap <NUM> is disposed on a side wall of the front cover <NUM> adjacent to the lower base plate <NUM>, and the snapping portion <NUM> is disposed on a side wall of the lower base plate <NUM> adjacent to the front cover <NUM>. When the front cover <NUM> pivots to a position where the snap <NUM> and the snapping portion <NUM> may be naturally fitted with each other in place, the snapping connection between the front cover <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> is implemented. Therefore, the snap assembly is divided into two parts disposed on the front cover <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> respectively, so as to make the structure of the indoor unit simple and the assembling thereof convenient. Certainly, the snap <NUM> may be disposed on the lower base plate <NUM>, and the snapping portion <NUM> is disposed on the front cover <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the snap <NUM> includes an upper snap <NUM> and a lower snap <NUM> disposed below the upper snap <NUM>, and the upper snap <NUM> and the lower snap <NUM> each are fitted with the snapping portion <NUM>. Thus, since the snapping portion <NUM> is fitted with the upper snap <NUM> and the lower snap <NUM> at the same time, the snapping portion <NUM> is fitted with the snap <NUM> in an up and down direction, so as to improve the fitting reliability of the snap <NUM> and the snapping portion <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the lower base plate <NUM> includes a front end plate <NUM>, and the snapping portion <NUM> is formed at an upper edge of the front end plate <NUM> of the lower base plate <NUM>. The upper snap <NUM> is fitted with a rear wall of the snapping portion <NUM>, and the lower snap <NUM> is fitted with a front wall of the snapping portion <NUM>. Thus, the snapping portion <NUM> is clamped between the upper snap <NUM> and the lower snap <NUM> in the up and down direction, and the snapping portion <NUM> is also clamped between the upper snap <NUM> and the lower snap <NUM> in a front and rear direction, such that the snapping portion <NUM> is limited firmly by the snap <NUM> in the up and down direction and also in the front and rear direction, thus improving the fitting reliability of the snap assembly. Hence, the front cover <NUM> may be fixed to the lower base plate <NUM> firmly to prevent relative displacements between the front cover <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> in the up and down direction and/or in the front and rear direction.

In a specific example of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the upper snap <NUM> includes an extension part obliquely extending downwards from front to rear, and the extension part is fitted with the rear wall of the snapping portion <NUM>. Consequently, a rear end face of the extension part may abut against the rear wall of the snapping portion <NUM>, to effectively prevent the snap <NUM> of the front cover <NUM> from moving rearwards relative to the snapping portion <NUM> of the lower base plate <NUM>, i.e. to prevent a rearward movement of the front cover <NUM> relative to the lower base plate <NUM>, thus further improving the reliability of connecting the front cover <NUM> with the lower base plate <NUM>.

Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, at least a part of the front end plate <NUM> protrudes forwards to form the snapping portion <NUM>. That is, the snapping portion <NUM> and the front end plate <NUM> are molded integrally. The snapping portion <NUM> has a left side wall <NUM> and a right side wall <NUM> spaced apart from each other in a left and right direction. The upper snap <NUM> is fitted between the left side wall <NUM> and the right side wall <NUM> of the snapping portion <NUM>, such that the upper snap <NUM> is clamped between the left side wall <NUM> and the right side wall <NUM>, and hence limited firmly by the snapping portion <NUM> in the left and right direction. Thus, the fitting reliability of the snap assembly is improved to make the front cover <NUM> firmly fixed to the lower base plate <NUM> and further to prevent the relative displacements between the front cover <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> in the left and right direction.

Referring to <FIG>, a distance between the left side wall <NUM> and the right side wall <NUM> of the snapping portion <NUM> is equal to or larger than a size of the upper snap <NUM> in the left and right direction. That is, a width between the left side wall <NUM> and the right side wall <NUM> is equal to or larger than a width of the upper snap <NUM> in the left and right direction. Thus, it is convenient for the upper snap <NUM> to be inserted into and fitted between the left side wall <NUM> and the right side wall <NUM>, thus improving the assembling efficiency.

Further, the front cover <NUM> is further positioned to the lower base plate <NUM> via a snapping hook assembly, in which the snap assembly is located above the air outlet while the snapping hook assembly is located below the air outlet, such that the front cover <NUM> may be fitted with the lower base plate <NUM> via the snap assembly above the air outlet, and the front cover <NUM> may be fitted with the lower base plate <NUM> via the snapping hook assembly below the air outlet. In such a way, portions of the lower base plate <NUM> located above and below the air outlet both are fitted with the front cover <NUM>, to further improve the reliability and completeness of connecting the front cover <NUM> with the lower base plate <NUM> and to prevent the front cover <NUM> from being opened unexpectedly or be left with a gap, thereby ensuring the aesthetics and reliability of the whole indoor unit.

Referring to <FIG>, the snapping hook assembly includes a snapping hook <NUM> disposed on the inner wall of the front cover <NUM> and a first positioning hole 127a formed in the lower base plate <NUM>. A plurality of snapping hooks <NUM> may be provided and spaced apart from one another in the left and right direction. Correspondingly, a plurality of first positioning holes 127a are provided and spaced apart from one another in the left and right direction. Thus, in the process of assembling the front cover <NUM> with the lower base plate <NUM>, it is possible for each snapping hook <NUM> to be fitted in the corresponding first positioning hole 127a, so as to achieve an effective positioning effect by the fitting of the snapping hook <NUM> and the first positioning hole 127a. This kind of snapping hook assembly has a simple structure and a low production cost, and provides a reliable position limiting function.

Alternatively, the snapping hook <NUM> extends obliquely and is fitted in the first positioning hole 127a. For instance, in an example of the present invention, a lower end of the snapping hook <NUM> may abut against a bottom wall of the first positioning hole 127a, such that the first positioning hole 127a may serve to support the snapping hook <NUM> and prevent the front cover <NUM> from moving downwards, thereby ensuring that the air supply port directly faces the air outlet without any bias, which bias may result in a poor air exhaust effect.

Further, a positioning plate 127b is provided at a lower edge of the first positioning hole 127a and obliquely extends forwards and upwards, and the snapping hook <NUM> is disposed on the positioning plate 127b. Thus, the connection of the snapping hook <NUM> and the positioning plate 127b may prevent the snapping hook <NUM> from slipping off the first positioning hole 127a and further improve the reliability of connecting the front cover <NUM> with the lower base plate <NUM>.

Preferably, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM> are connected with each other by the arc transition portion, to further improve the structural strength of the front cover <NUM> and also the aesthetics of the front cover <NUM>. The snap <NUM> may be provided on an inner side wall of the arc transition portion, and the snapping hook <NUM> may be provided on the lower panel <NUM>, such that the snap <NUM> is located above the snapping hook <NUM> to ensure that each of the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM> may be fitted with and positioned to the lower base plate <NUM> with the firm connection therebetween.

The upper base plate <NUM> is provided with the air inlet grille <NUM>. In an example shown in <FIG>, the air inlet grille <NUM> may be provided at a top of the upper base plate <NUM>, and define the air inlet <NUM>, such that the indoor air may enter the indoor unit via the air inlet grille <NUM> to exchange heat, and then be sent out by the fan wheel <NUM>. Certainly, the present invention is not limited thereby, and the air inlet <NUM> may be formed in other positions.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the indoor unit may include the base plate and the front cover <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> is pivotably mounted to the base plate to open or close the base plate. The base plate is provided with a plurality of second positioning holes <NUM>, and the front cover <NUM> is provided with a second positioning block <NUM>. The second positioning block <NUM> is configured to be fitted with second positioning holes <NUM> in different positions to position the front cover <NUM> in an open state at different opening angles.

In other words, the housing includes the base plate and the front cover <NUM> pivotably mounted to the base plate. The front cover <NUM> opens or closes the base plate through a pivoting movement thereof, i.e. exposing or shielding the base plate through the pivoting movement thereof. In this structure, the front cover <NUM> is directly mounted to the base plate without any frame, or the front cover <NUM> in one piece replaces separate panel and frame in the related art, which facilitates assembling. Moreover, the fan wheel <NUM> or other components may be detached by only dismounting the integral front cover <NUM>, such that a decreased number of components need to be detached, thus facilitating mounting and dismounting.

The base plate is provided with the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> in different positions, and the front cover <NUM> is provided with the second positioning block <NUM>. When the second positioning block <NUM> is fitted with a certain second positioning hole <NUM>, the front cover <NUM> may be positioned. As the front cover <NUM> pivots, the second positioning block <NUM> may be switched among the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM>. That is, the front cover <NUM> may be positioned and fixed in different positions during the pivoting movement thereof, to realize its fixing at multiple pivoting angles. That is, the fitting of the second positioning block <NUM> with the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> makes it possible for the front cover <NUM> in the open state to be positioned and fixed at the multiple pivoting angles.

Consequently, by providing the base plate with the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> and providing the front cover <NUM> with the second positioning block <NUM> configured to be fitted with the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM>, it is possible for the front cover <NUM> in a state of opening the base plate to be positioned and fixed at multiple pivoting angles. The increased positioning angles may realize a function of mounting or dismounting a filter mesh <NUM> and a function of quick piping and wiring, and facilitate the mounting, dismounting and repair. Also, the design of the integral front cover <NUM> further simplifies the assembling and reduces the production cost, along with the simple manufacturing process and the high production efficiency.

The second positioning block <NUM> may be fitted with the second positioning hole <NUM> in many ways. For example, as shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments of the present invention, the second positioning block <NUM> may be inserted in the second positioning hole <NUM>, and an inner circumferential wall of the second positioning hole <NUM> may stop and restrict the second positioning block <NUM>, such that the second positioning block <NUM> may be fixed in the second positioning hole <NUM>. For another example, as shown in <FIG>, in some other embodiments of the present invention, the second positioning block <NUM> is no longer inserted in the second positioning hole <NUM>, but abuts against an outer circumferential wall of the second positioning hole <NUM>, in which case the second positioning block <NUM> may be also stopped and restricted.

It should be noted herein that considering that the second positioning hole <NUM> is a virtual space instead of a tangible component, the outer circumferential wall of the second positioning hole <NUM> may refer to an outer circumferential wall of a tangible component that forms the second positioning hole <NUM> by surrounding, and the inner circumferential wall of the second positioning hole <NUM> may refer to an inner circumferential wall of the tangible component that forms the second positioning hole <NUM> by surrounding. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the front cover <NUM> is provided with an annular structure, and the second positioning hole <NUM> in formed in a middle portion of the annular structure. The second positioning block <NUM> may be inserted in the annular structure to abut against an inner wall of the annular structure, or may be located outside the annular structure to abut against an outer circumferential wall of the annular structure.

In an embodiment shown in <FIG>, two second positioning holes <NUM> are provided and located at different heights. In the processing of pivotably opening the front cover <NUM>, the second positioning block <NUM> may be inserted in the two second positioning holes <NUM> sequentially. <FIG> is a schematic view showing the front cover <NUM> at a first positioning angle. In the processing of rotatably opening the front cover <NUM>, the second positioning block <NUM> slides into a lower one of the two second positioning holes <NUM> to realize the positioning and fixing of the front cover <NUM> at the first positioning angle. At this angle, an indoor and outdoor piping space is increased effectively and thus the convenience of piping is improved.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing the front cover <NUM> at a second positioning angle. The front cover <NUM> continues rotating till reaching the second positioning angle, and then the second positioning block <NUM> slides into a higher one of the two second positioning holes <NUM> to realize the positioning and fixing of the front cover <NUM> at the second positioning angle. In such case, a wiring space is completely exposed to make a wiring operation visualized, thus improving the convenience of wiring considerably.

By providing the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> capable of being fitted with the second positioning block <NUM>, it is achievable to fix the front cover <NUM> at multiple pivoting angles. Consequently, due to the above multistage positioning with multiple positioning angles, the piping and wiring of the wall-hanging air conditioner becomes simple and convenient; moreover, due to the multi-angular positioning, the inside components are fully exposed to improve the convenience of maintaining and repairing components greatly.

With reference to <FIG>, the front cover <NUM> is pivotably provided over the base plate, the front cover <NUM> and the base plate each have a substantially L-shaped longitudinal section, and the front cover <NUM> and the base plate each have a left side wall and a right side wall. Alternatively, the left side wall of the front cover <NUM> is pivotably connected with the left side wall of the base plate, and the right side wall thereof is pivotably connected with the right side wall thereof. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the side wall of the base plate may be provided with a shaft hole, the side wall of the front cover <NUM> may be provided with a rotary shaft, and the rotary shaft is configured to be rotatably fitted in the shaft hole, such that the front cover <NUM> can be pivotably disposed to the base plate. This kind of structure is convenient to assemble, and the front cover <NUM> may pivot flexibly and reliably.

It may be understood that the second positioning block <NUM> and the second positioning hole <NUM> may be provided at multiple positions. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the second positioning block <NUM> may be disposed at the side wall of the front cover <NUM>, and the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> may be disposed in the side wall of the base plate. Thus, the second positioning block <NUM> and the second positioning hole <NUM> have few effects on the structures and appearances of the front cover <NUM> and the base plate respectively.

To facilitate switching the second positioning block <NUM> among the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM>, the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> in the same side wall of the base plate have respective centers arranged in a circle whose center is located at a pivoting axis of the front cover <NUM>, and each of the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> extends along a radial direction of the circle. This structure has a beautiful appearance and a good positioning effect.

Preferably, a pair of second positioning blocks <NUM> may be provided and disposed at the left side wall and the right side wall of the front cover <NUM> respectively. Correspondingly, a plurality of pairs of second positioning holes <NUM> are provided, and each pair of second positioning holes <NUM> are disposed in the left side wall and the right side wall of the base plate respectively. That is, the front cover <NUM> may be provided with two second positioning blocks <NUM>, one of the two second positioning blocks <NUM> is disposed in the left side wall of the front cover <NUM> and the other one thereof is disposed in the right side wall of the front cover <NUM>. Two groups of second positioning holes <NUM> are provided, one group of second positioning holes <NUM> are provided in the left side wall of the base plate, the other group of second positioning holes <NUM> are provided in the right side wall of the base plate, and the second positioning holes <NUM> in the left side wall are in one-to-one correspondence with the second positioning holes <NUM> in the right side wall. That is, the number of the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> in the left side wall is equal to that of the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> in the right side wall, and positions of the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> in the left side wall correspond to those of the plurality of second positioning holes <NUM> in the right side wall.

When one second positioning block <NUM> is fitted in a certain second positioning hole <NUM> in the left side wall, the other second positioning block <NUM> is fitted in the corresponding second positioning hole <NUM> in the right side wall. Two second positioning blocks <NUM> are fitted with two second positioning holes <NUM> respectively to position and fix a left end and a right end of the front cover <NUM>. Thus, the front cover <NUM> can be positioned and fixed in various positions with a balanced fixing effect, and hence the front cover <NUM> can be fixed firmly.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the base plate is provided with a stopping surface <NUM>, and the second positioning block <NUM> is stopped by the stopping surface <NUM> when the front cover <NUM> closes the base plate. That is, when the front cover <NUM> is in a closed position, the second positioning block <NUM> may abut against the stopping surface <NUM>, so as to position the closing of the front cover <NUM> and stabilize the front cover <NUM> in the closed position.

Similarly, the front cover <NUM> may be provided with a stopping block <NUM> and the base plate may be provided with a stopping groove <NUM>. The stopping block <NUM> may be stopped in the stopping groove <NUM> when the front cover <NUM> closes the base plate. Consequently, the fitting of the stopping block <NUM> and the stopping groove <NUM> allows the front cover <NUM> to be closed accurately and stably.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the heat exchanger <NUM> and the fan wheel <NUM> are provided to the base plate. Alternatively, the heat exchanger <NUM> and the fan wheel <NUM> are provided to the lower base plate <NUM>. The base plate includes the left end plate and the right end plate each provided with a first pivoting portion <NUM>. A second pivoting portion <NUM> is provided at each of the left and right ends of the front cover <NUM>. The first pivoting portion <NUM> at the left side is fitted with the second pivoting portion <NUM> at the left side while the first pivoting portion <NUM> at the right side is fitted with the second pivoting portion <NUM> at the right side, such that the front cover <NUM> is pivotably provided to the base plate. Specifically, the front cover <NUM> includes the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM>, and the left panel <NUM> is located outside the left end plate of the base plate and the right panel <NUM> is located outside the right end plate of the base plate.

Alternatively, the second pivoting portion <NUM> at the left side is located on the left panel <NUM>, while the second pivoting portion <NUM> at the right side is located on the right panel <NUM>.

Advantageously, as shown in <FIG>, the second pivoting portion <NUM> is located at an upper end of the indoor unit and adjacent to a rear side thereof, such that most components within the indoor unit can be exposed when the front cover <NUM> is open, thereby facilitating the mounting and dismounting of the internal components.

With the fitting of the first pivoting portion <NUM> and the second pivoting portion <NUM>, the front cover <NUM> may be opened rotatably around a pivoting axis of the first pivoting portion <NUM> and the second pivoting portion <NUM>, and the open state thereof is shown in <FIG>. In such a way, when the indoor unit needs cleaning, maintenance, repair and replacement of components (like the fan wheel <NUM> and the heat exchanger <NUM>), an operator may open the front cover <NUM> directly to implement operations. Compared with the design of the traditional air conditioner where the front cover <NUM> is divided into the panel and the frame, the traditional air conditioner needs to be provided with more screws and snap structures to fix the panel and the frame. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the front cover <NUM> has an integral structure, there are fewer connection structures between the front cover <NUM> and the base plate, which greatly improves the assembling efficiency of the indoor unit along with the improved production efficiency, and brings much convenience to repairing the component.

In a specific example, a threaded connection structure or another snap structure may be further provided between the base plate and the front cover <NUM>. When the front cover <NUM> is in the closed state, the base plate and the front cover <NUM> may be connected together via the threaded connection structure or the snap structure. Certainly, the front cover <NUM> may also remain in the closed state by its own gravity alone, which will not be limited specifically.

In the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, the front cover <NUM> is pivotably connected to the base plate via the fitting between the first pivoting portion <NUM> and the second pivoting portion <NUM>, which sharply reduces the number of connection structures (such as threaded fasteners or snaps) between the base plate and the front cover <NUM> and improves the production efficiency of the indoor unit. Moreover, the whole front cover <NUM> is rotatable with respect to the base plate, which facilitates the cleaning, maintenance, repair and replacement of internal components of the indoor unit, and greatly improves the convenience of using the indoor unit and the maintainability thereof.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, the first pivoting portion <NUM> includes a pivot hole <NUM>, while the second pivoting portion <NUM> includes a pivoting shaft <NUM>, such that the first pivoting portion <NUM> and the second pivoting portion <NUM> have simple structures, are easy to process and convenient to assemble. Certainly, the present invention is not limited thereby. The first pivoting portion <NUM> may include the pivoting shaft <NUM>, while the second pivoting portion <NUM> may include the pivot hole <NUM>.

In some specific embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, an elastically deformable snapping member <NUM> is provided to an outer circumferential wall of the pivoting shaft <NUM>, a snapping groove <NUM> is provided in the pivot hole <NUM>, and the snapping member <NUM> is configured to be fitted in the snapping groove <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the pivoting shaft <NUM> from falling off the pivot hole <NUM> and improve the reliability of connecting the panel and the base plate. Herein, the snapping member <NUM> may be elastically deformed, so that it is convenient for the snapping member <NUM> to be inserted into the snapping groove <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the pivoting shaft <NUM> is configured as a hollow sleeve <NUM>, and two snapping members <NUM> are provided symmetrically along an outer circumferential wall of the sleeve <NUM>. A protrusion <NUM> is provided at an outer side of a free end of the snapping member <NUM> and is configured to be received in the snapping groove <NUM>. More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the free end of the snapping member <NUM> goes beyond a free end of the sleeve <NUM> in a radial direction of the pivoting shaft <NUM>, so as to facilitate deformation of the snapping member <NUM> to snap the protrusion <NUM> on the snapping member <NUM> into the snapping groove <NUM> smoothly.

In some other specific embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, an annular flange <NUM> is provided on an outer circumferential wall of a free end of the pivoting shaft <NUM>, and an annular stopping convex rib is provided on a circumferential wall of the pivot hole <NUM> and configured to be fitted with the annular flange <NUM>, so as to limit a degree of freedom of the pivoting shaft <NUM> in the left and right direction.

The stopping convex ribs at both sides of the base plate abut against the annular flanges <NUM> of the pivoting shafts <NUM> at two ends of the front cover <NUM> respectively, and the annular flange <NUM> is located at an inner side of the corresponding stopping convex rib. That is, the stopping convex ribs at both sides of the base plate clamp the front cover <NUM> from the left and right sides respectively. In such a way, the fitting between the annular flange <NUM> and the stopping convex rib may prevent the front cover <NUM> from shaking in the left and right direction, and also prevent the pivoting shaft <NUM> from falling off the pivot hole <NUM>, so as to improve the connection reliability of the panel and the base plate. The stopping convex rib is configured to surround an outer periphery of the pivot hole <NUM>, so as to allow the stopping convex rib to limit the annular flanges <NUM> more stably. Alternatively, the stopping convex rib may be annular, and thus the stopping convex rib may be better fitted with the annular flange <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, at least part of an edge of the annular flange <NUM> is configured as a demoulding plane <NUM>. In other words, the annular flange <NUM> has a notch, such that the panel may be easily demoulded at the annular flange <NUM> when the panel is manufactured.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, a guiding groove <NUM> is provided between the pivot hole <NUM> and the left panel <NUM> and/or between the pivot hole <NUM> and the right panel <NUM>. The pivoting shaft <NUM> may slidably enter the pivot hole <NUM> along the guiding groove <NUM>, such that it is convenient for the pivoting shaft <NUM> to be fitted with the left panel <NUM> and/or the right panel <NUM>.

The guiding groove <NUM> includes at least two segments of grooves extending in directions with an included angle therebetween, i.e., a direction in which a segment of groove extends has an included angle with respect to another direction in which another segment of groove extends, such that when the pivoting shaft <NUM> slides in the guiding groove <NUM> till getting fitted in the pivot hole <NUM>, the pivoting shaft <NUM> may be limited by the guiding groove <NUM> so as to be prevented from falling off the guiding groove <NUM>. Moreover, the user experience may be upgraded during the rotation of the pivoting shaft <NUM>.

Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, an inner wall of at least one of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM> is provided with a reinforcing rib surrounding the pivot hole <NUM> and extending inwards. The reinforcing rib protrudes inwards from the inner wall of the at least one of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM>. When the at least one of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM> is mounted in place, the reinforcing rib may be used to prevent the deformation of the pivot hole <NUM> when the pivot hole <NUM> is fitted with the pivoting shaft <NUM>. Moreover, the reinforcing rib may extend to the edge of the at least one of the left panel and the right panel, and abut against a structure adjacent to the at least one of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM> to assist in the mounting of the at least one of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM>.

An elastic relief groove is provided between the reinforcing rib and a body structure of the at least one of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM>. Thus, in the process of mounting the pivoting shaft <NUM> into the pivot hole <NUM>, the pivoting shaft <NUM> may be mounted in place more conveniently.

Alternatively, an outer wall of at least one of the left panel <NUM> and the right panel <NUM> is provided with a supporting member, and the supporting member supports the pivoting shaft <NUM> when the pivoting shaft <NUM> is fitted in the pivot hole <NUM>. By providing the supporting member, the mounting of the pivot hole <NUM> is further reinforced.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the left panel <NUM> or the right panel <NUM> of the front cover <NUM> is provided a first limiting member <NUM>, and the left end plate or the right end plate of the base plate (specifically the upper base plate) is provided with a plurality of second limiting members <NUM> spaced apart from one another. The first limiting member <NUM> is configured to be fitted with the plurality of second limiting members <NUM>, so as to position the front cover <NUM> at different opening angles. Therefore, when the operator needs to open the front cover <NUM>, the front cover <NUM> may be positioned at a desired opening angle based on practical situations, thereby improving the convenience of using and maintaining the indoor unit.

For example, when the operator only wants to check the wiring or piping situation at the bottom of the indoor unit, the operator may open the front cover <NUM> to an opening angle of <NUM> degrees, as shown in <FIG>. When the operator wants to dismount the fan wheel <NUM>, the operator may open the front cover <NUM> to an opening angle of <NUM> degrees, as shown in <FIG>.

The first limiting member <NUM> and the second limiting member <NUM> may have various kinds of structures, which will not be limited herein. For example, the first limiting member <NUM> is configured as a hook, the second limiting member <NUM> is configured as a limiting step <NUM> or a limiting hole <NUM>, and the hook is configured to be fitted with the limiting step <NUM> or the limiting hole <NUM>. For another example, the first limiting member <NUM> is configured as a first positioning block <NUM>, the second limiting member <NUM> is configured as a limiting step <NUM> or a limiting hole <NUM>, and the first positioning block <NUM> is configured to be fitted with the limiting step <NUM> or the limiting hole <NUM>.

In a specific example shown in <FIG>, the first limiting member <NUM> is configured as the first positioning block <NUM>, and two second limiting members <NUM> corresponding to the first limiting member <NUM> are provided, in which one second limiting member <NUM> is configured as the limiting step <NUM> and the other second limiting member <NUM> is configured as the limiting hole <NUM>. In a direction M of opening the front cover <NUM>, the limiting step <NUM> is located at the upstream of the limiting hole <NUM>. In this example, the front cover <NUM> may be positioned at at least two opening angles.

As shown in <FIG>, a limiting gap <NUM> is defined between the limiting step <NUM> and the rest part of the base plate. When the front cover <NUM> is in the closed state, the first positioning block <NUM> is stuck in the limiting gap <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the front cover <NUM> is opened by a small angle, the first positioning block <NUM> is stuck at the limiting step <NUM>, and more specifically at the upstream of the limiting step <NUM> in the direction M of opening the front cover <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the front cover <NUM> is opened by a big angle, the first positioning block <NUM> is fitted in the limiting hole <NUM>, such that the front cover <NUM> may remain still in the open state with the big angle, so as to prevent a sudden closing of the front cover <NUM> when the indoor unit shakes.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the base plate includes the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> is disposed to the upper base plate <NUM>, and the front cover <NUM> is pivotably disposed to the lower base plate <NUM>. The lower base plate <NUM> is detachably disposed to a lower portion of the upper base plate <NUM>, and the fan wheel <NUM> is disposed to the lower base plate <NUM>.

By mounting the fan wheel <NUM> to the lower base plate <NUM> and detachably mounting the lower base plate <NUM> to the upper base plate <NUM>, the cleaning, maintenance, repair and replacement of the fan wheel <NUM> only needs to open the front cover <NUM> and detach the lower base plate <NUM> from the upper base plate <NUM>. In such a way, the fan wheel <NUM> may be dismounted from the indoor unit, which avoids the problem in the related art that the heat exchanger <NUM> affects the mounting and dismounting of the fan wheel <NUM>.

The cleaning of the fan wheel <NUM> does not involve the dismounting and mounting of the heat exchanger <NUM>, which thus avoids the problem that the heat exchanger <NUM> tends to break down due to the dismounting and mounting thereof, thereby facilitating the maintenance of the indoor unit and reducing the failure rate of the indoor unit.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the upper base plate <NUM> is provided with the air inlet grille <NUM>, and the air inlet grille <NUM> defines the air inlet <NUM>. That is, the air inlet grille <NUM> is integrally formed in the upper base plate <NUM>, thereby enhancing the structural strength of the air inlet grille <NUM> and facilitating the molding of the upper base plate <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the front cover <NUM> defines the covering chamber V, and the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> are disposed in the covering chamber V and covered by the front cover <NUM>, such that the indoor unit has a beautiful appearance and provides an enclosed space therein, thus facilitating the oriented air supply.

In some specific embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the front cover <NUM> further includes the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM>. The front panel <NUM> covers front surfaces of the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>. The lower panel <NUM> has the front edge connected with the lower edge of the front panel <NUM>, and covers the lower surface of the lower base plate <NUM>. The left panel <NUM> has the front edge connected with the left edge of the front panel <NUM> and the lower edge connected with the left edge of the lower panel <NUM>, and covers the left side of the upper base plate <NUM>. The right panel <NUM> has the front edge connected with the right edge of the front panel <NUM> and the lower edge connected with the right edge of the lower panel <NUM>, and covers the right side of the upper base plate <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM> are connected via the arc transition portion, to further improve the aesthetics of the indoor unit. Moreover, the arc transition portion between the front panel <NUM> and the lower panel <NUM> improves the structural strength of the front cover <NUM> and is convenient to be molded.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> further includes a guide assembly for guiding the lower base plate <NUM> in the process of mounting and dismounting the lower base plate <NUM>. The guide assembly includes a guide groove and a guide rail. The guide groove is provided in the upper base plate <NUM>, and the guide rail is disposed on the lower base plate <NUM> and configured to be fitted with the guide groove. In such a way, when the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> are assembled, the guide rail of the lower base plate <NUM> may be inserted along the guide groove of the upper base plate <NUM>, thus facilitating the positioning and mounting of the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>. Moreover, the fitting of the guide rail and the guide groove may improve the connection strength between the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>.

Preferably, the guide rail is provided at each of a left end face and a right end face of the lower base plate <NUM>, and the guide groove of the upper base plate <NUM> is provided in the corresponding manner.

Specifically, a limiting protrusion is provided in the guide groove, the guide rail is provided with a limiting groove, and the limiting protrusion is configured to be fitted in the limiting groove. In such a way, in the process of inserting the guide rail into the guide groove, when the limiting protrusion is stuck in the limiting groove, it indicates that the guide rail is inserted to a mounting position, i.e. the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> are assembled in place, thereby further facilitating the positioning of the lower base plate <NUM> and the upper base plate <NUM>.

Further, the upper base plate <NUM> is provided with a connecting groove, the lower base plate <NUM> is provided with a connecting protrusion, and the connecting protrusion is configured to be fitted in the connecting groove, so as to further position the lower base plate <NUM>.

In a specific example of the present invention, the connecting protrusion is provided on the left end face or the right end face of the lower base plate <NUM>. An elastic plate is provided at a corresponding end of the upper base plate <NUM>, and the connecting groove is provided in the elastic plate. When the lower base plate <NUM> is mounted upwards to the upper base plate <NUM>, the end face or the connecting protrusion of the lower base plate <NUM> touches and jacks up the elastic plate, and thus the elastic plate is deformed in a direction moving away from the lower base plate <NUM>. When the lower base plate <NUM> is assembled in place, the connecting protrusion is snapped into the connecting groove, and the elastic plate is restored, such that the lower base plate <NUM> is fixed to the upper base plate <NUM>.

Further, the lower base plate <NUM> is further mounted to the upper base plate <NUM> via a threaded fastener. That is, the lower base plate <NUM> is connected to the upper base plate <NUM> via the threaded fastener (like a screw), besides the above snap structure, which guarantees the fastness of connecting the upper base plate <NUM> with the lower base plate <NUM> and improves the safety of using the indoor unit <NUM>.

Certainly, since the above snap structure is provided between the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>, the number of the fasteners (like the screw) for connecting the upper base plate <NUM> with the lower base plate <NUM> may be reduced, which decreases the operation time considerably when the lower base plate <NUM> needs dismounting.

In some specific embodiments of the present invention, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the indoor unit <NUM> may include a guide assembly for guiding the lower base plate <NUM> in the process of mounting and dismounting the lower base plate <NUM>. The guide assembly includes a guide groove <NUM> and a guide rail <NUM> fitted with the guide groove <NUM>. The guide groove <NUM> is provided in the upper base plate <NUM>, and the guide rail <NUM> is disposed on the lower base plate <NUM>. Further, the guide groove <NUM> may be provided with a limiting protrusion therein, the guide rail <NUM> may be provided with a limiting groove <NUM>, and the limiting protrusion is configured to be fitted in the limiting groove <NUM>. Through the fitting of the guide groove <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM>, the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM> may mounted or dismounted conveniently. Through the fitting of the limiting protrusion and the limiting groove <NUM>, the guide rail <NUM> and the guide groove <NUM> are limited by each other to improve the mounting stability of the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>.

Alternatively, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper base plate <NUM> may be provided with a connecting groove <NUM>, the lower base plate <NUM> may be provided with a connecting protrusion, and the connecting protrusion is configured to be fitted in the connecting groove <NUM>, such that it is convenient to mount and dismount the upper base plate <NUM> and the lower base plate <NUM>, along with the improved mounting stability.

Other configurations and operations of the indoor unit <NUM> according to embodiments of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art, which will not be elaborated herein.

In the specification, it is to be understood that terms such as "central," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" should be construed to refer to the orientation or position as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the present invention be constructed or operated in a particular orientation.

In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance or to imply the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the feature defined with "first" and "second" may include one or more of this feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality of" means two or more than two, unless specified otherwise.

In the present invention, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "coupled," "fixed" and the like are used broadly, and may be, for example, fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical or electrical connections; may also be direct connections or indirect connections via intervening structures; may also be inner communications of two elements, which can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations.

In the present invention, unless specified or limited otherwise, a structure in which a first feature is "on" or "below" a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and may also include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are not in direct contact with each other, but are contacted via an additional feature formed therebetween. Furthermore, a first feature "on," "above," or "on top of" a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely "on," "above," or "on top of' the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height higher than that of the second feature; while a first feature "below," "under," or "on bottom of' a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely "below," "under," or "on bottom of' the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height lower than that of the second feature.

Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example," "specific examples" or "some examples" 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 present invention. Thus, the appearances of the above phrases throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the present invention. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Those skilled in the art can integrate and combine different embodiments or examples and the features in different embodiments or examples in the specification.

Claim 1:
An indoor unit (<NUM>) for an air conditioner, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) comprising an upper base plate (<NUM>), a lower base plate (<NUM>) provided with an air outlet, and a front cover (<NUM>) detachably mounted to the upper base plate,
a heat exchanger (<NUM>) mounted to the upper base plate; and
a fan (<NUM>) detachably mounted to the lower base plate,
the lower base plate (<NUM>) is detachably mounted to the upper base plate (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the upper base plate (<NUM>) is provided with an air inlet (<NUM>).