Patent Description:
An indoor unit of a ceiling-embedded air conditioner is generally mounted on the top of a wall. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner includes numerous parts. During the mounting, when a drain pan is mounted on an outer shell, various mounting surfaces and mounting holes need to be aligned. The alignment of the mounting holes is slow, and the assembly is difficult, which affects the mounting efficiency.

In addition, a gap easily exists between the drain pan and the outer shell after completion of the mounting, which affects the airtightness of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner, easily leading to condensation at a joint. <CIT> relates generally to a ceiling embedded air conditioner.

The scope of the invention is set out in the claims. The present disclosure seeks to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the related art to some extent.

Therefore, an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a ceiling-embedded air conditioner. The ceiling-embedded air conditioner features quick alignment, high installation efficiency, and good airtightness.

The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes: an outer shell, an accommodating cavity is provided in the outer shell, a bottom of the outer shell being open, an outer circumferential side of the outer shell being connected to a first fixing structure; and a drain pan fitted at the bottom of the outer shell, an outer circumferential side of the drain pan being provided with a second fixing structure connected to the first fixing structure, wherein a first mounting hole and a prefixing groove are provided on the first fixing structure, a second mounting hole and a prefixing hook are provided on the second fixing structure, and when the prefixing hook is clamped in the prefixing groove, the first mounting hole is aligned with the second mounting hole.

The ceiling-embedded air conditioner according to the embodiments of the present disclosure enables the formation of a stable connection relationship between the drain pan and the outer shell through mutual connection between the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure. Through engagement of the prefixing groove and the prefixing hook, the first mounting hole on the first fixing structure and the second mounting hole on the second fixing structure may be quickly aligned, which greatly increases the mounting efficiency.

Optionally, a plurality of first fixing structures are provided, the plurality of first fixing structures are disposed around the outer shell, and a plurality of second fixing structures respectively corresponding to the plurality of the first fixing structures in an one-to-one manner are disposed around the drain pan.

The drain pan is provided with a reinforcing rib at a junction with the first fixing structure.

Optionally, the first fixing structure is a plate, and the first fixing structure includes: a fitting section connected on an outer circumferential surface of the outer shell; a transverse extension section extending from a bottom of the fitting section in a direction away from the outer shell, the first mounting hole being disposed on the transverse extension section; and a vertical extension section extending downward from a side of the transverse extension section away from the fitting section, wherein a horizontal width of the vertical extension section is smaller than that of the transverse extension section, a portion by which the vertical extension section is shorter than the transverse extension section constitutes the prefixing groove, the second fixing structure is fitted at a bottom of the transverse extension section, the prefixing hook is clamped at the prefixing groove, and the vertical extension section is clamped on a side of the second fixing structure away from the outer shell.

Optionally, the prefixing hook is provided with a guide surface on a side toward the transverse extension section.

Optionally, an upper surface of the transverse extension section is provided with a convex edge surrounding the first mounting hole, and the convex edge is integrally formed on the transverse extension section by stamping.

Optionally, an inner side of the outer shell is provided with an insulating shell with the same shape as the outer shell, and the drain pan is connected at a bottom of the insulating shell.

Optionally, the drain pan includes: a central pan disposed below an evaporator of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner; a plurality of circumferentially connected portions circumferentially spaced apart on an outer side of the central pan, the plurality of circumferentially connected portions being connected below the insulating shell and connected on an inner circumferential surface of the outer shell; and a plurality of connecting portions each connected between the central pan and the circumferentially connected portions, wherein each of the circumferentially connected portions is provided with the second fixing structure.

Optionally, a plurality of joints are provided on a circumferential wall of the insulating shell, each of the joints is open downward, and at least part of top surfaces of the joints are arc-shaped surfaces, the circumferentially connected portions are fitted in the joints, and top surfaces of the circumferentially connected portions are closely fitted with the top surfaces of the joints.

Optionally, the top surfaces of the circumferentially connected portions form a downward curved arc-shaped surface at each of two circumferential ends.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following descriptions, become apparent in part from the following descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Reference numerals: ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM>; outer shell <NUM>; accommodating cavity <NUM>; air outlet <NUM>; first fixing structure <NUM>; fitting section <NUM>; transverse extension section <NUM>; first mounting hole <NUM>; convex edge <NUM>; vertical extension section <NUM>; prefixing groove <NUM>; carrying plate <NUM>; drain pan <NUM>; central pan <NUM>; air inlet <NUM>; connecting portion <NUM>; circumferentially connected portion <NUM>; second fixing structure <NUM>; second mounting hole <NUM>; prefixing hook <NUM>; reinforcing rib <NUM>; guide surface <NUM>; curved arc-shaped surface <NUM> insulating shell <NUM>; joint <NUM>.

Reference will be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, wherein the same or similar elements and the elements having same or similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the descriptions. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawings are illustrative, and merely used to explain the present disclosure.

A ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, includes: an outer shell <NUM> and a drain pan <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the outer shell <NUM> is provided therein with an accommodating cavity <NUM>, and the bottom of the outer shell <NUM> is open. An evaporator, a fan assembly, an auxiliary heating member, and other parts may be mounted in the accommodating cavity <NUM>. The bottom is open to communicate with the accommodating cavity <NUM>, for convenient assembly of internal components.

As shown in <FIG>, an outer circumferential side of the outer shell <NUM> is connected to a first fixing structure <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> is fitted at the bottom of the outer shell <NUM>, and an outer circumferential side of the drain pan <NUM> is provided with a second fixing structure <NUM> connected to the first fixing structure <NUM>. The drain pan <NUM> is fitted at one open side of the outer shell <NUM>, so that the parts in the accommodating cavity <NUM> can be shielded and the sense of wholeness of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> is enhanced. The drain pan <NUM> may collect condensate water that condenses on the components of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> in a refrigeration mode, so as to prevent the condensate water from falling directly on the indoor floor to result in poor user experience.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first fixing structure <NUM> is provided with a first mounting hole <NUM> and a prefixing groove <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the second fixing structure <NUM> is provided with a second mounting hole <NUM> and a prefixing hook <NUM>. When the prefixing hook <NUM> is clamped in the prefixing groove <NUM>, the first mounting hole <NUM> is aligned with the second mounting hole <NUM>.

Here, since prefixing is formed between the prefixing hook <NUM> and the prefixing groove <NUM>, limit is formed between the first fixing structure <NUM> and the second fixing structure <NUM>, and the first mounting hole <NUM> and the second mounting hole <NUM> of the two are aligned quickly to facilitate bolt fixing.

It may be understood that compared with the assembly of a drain pan <NUM> of an ordinary ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> without a prefixing structure, the present disclosure enhances the strength of connection between the first fixing structure <NUM> and the second fixing structure <NUM>, thus forming a stable connection relationship between the drain pan <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>. In addition, the quick alignment of the first mounting hole <NUM> and the second mounting hole <NUM> improves the fitting efficiency between the first fixing structure <NUM> and the second fixing structure <NUM>, thereby greatly improving the assembly efficiency between the drain pan <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first fixing structures <NUM> are provided, the plurality of first fixing structures <NUM> are disposed around the outer shell <NUM>, and a plurality of second fixing structures <NUM> respectively corresponding to the plurality of the first fixing structures in an one-to-one manner are disposed around the drain pan <NUM>. The plurality of first fixing structures <NUM> are disposed on the outer shell <NUM> respectively, which may increase connection points between the drain pan <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>, so that relatively stable connections are formed in all directions of the drain pan <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>, and a fitting surface difference between the drain pan <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM> can be reduced, thereby preventing excessively askew mounting of the drain pan <NUM>.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, four first fixing structures <NUM> are provided. The first fixing structures <NUM> are evenly spaced at four corners of the outer shell <NUM> respectively. The drain pan <NUM> is also provided with four second fixing structures <NUM> matching the first fixing structures <NUM>. The number of the first fixing structures <NUM> and the number of the second fixing structures <NUM> may be selectively set according to an actual requirement, provided that stability and balance of the mounting and the aesthetics of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> after mounting are ensured in case of no waste of costs and convenient quick mounting.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> is provided with a reinforcing rib <NUM> at a junction with the first fixing structure <NUM>. The setting of the reinforcing rib <NUM> enhances local strength of the second fixing structure <NUM>, prevents the crack of the second fixing structure <NUM> and the first fixing structure <NUM> due to fitting, and enhances the service life of the second fixing structure <NUM>.

Advantageously, reinforcing ribs are added around the second mounting hole <NUM> to enhance the strength at the second mounting hole <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG>, the first fixing structure <NUM> is a plate, and the first fixing structure <NUM> includes: a fitting section <NUM>, a transverse extension section <NUM>, and a vertical extension section <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the fitting section <NUM> is connected to an outer circumferential surface of the outer shell <NUM>. The fitting section <NUM> makes the first fixing structure <NUM> fitted stably on a side surface of the outer shell <NUM>, which is not easy to fall off. The fitting section <NUM> further increases a fit area between the first fixing structure <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>. The fitting section <NUM> and the outer shell may be fixed by screw connection or welding connection.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the transverse extension section <NUM> extends from the bottom of the fitting section <NUM> in a direction away from the outer shell <NUM>, and the first mounting hole <NUM> is disposed on the transverse extension section <NUM>. The transverse extension section <NUM> provides the first mounting hole <NUM> with a surface protruding beyond the outer shell <NUM>, so that the first fixing structure <NUM> and the second fixing structure <NUM> are more convenient to mount and fit, which facilitates manual operations and is easy to observe. In addition, during fixing, the first fixing structure <NUM> and the second fixing structure <NUM> do not affect the strength of the outer shell <NUM> and do not damage the outer shell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the vertical extension section <NUM> extends downward from a side of the transverse extension section <NUM> away from the fitting section <NUM>. A horizontal width of the vertical extension section <NUM> is smaller than that of the transverse extension section <NUM>, and a portion by which the vertical extension section <NUM> is shorter than the transverse extension section <NUM> constitutes the prefixing groove <NUM>. A mounting groove is also formed between the vertical extension section <NUM> extending downward and the transverse extension section <NUM>, which is convenient to cooperate with a mounting surface of the second fixing structure <NUM>, so that the second fixing structure <NUM> is embedded in the mounting groove during prefixing, to accelerate the cooperation of the two.

Advantageously, an obtuse angle is formed between the vertical extension section <NUM> and the transverse extension section <NUM>, and a left side of the vertical extension section <NUM> matches a right side of the prefixing hook <NUM>. Such design facilitates quick pre-positioning.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second fixing structure <NUM> is fitted at the bottom of the transverse extension section <NUM>, the prefixing hook <NUM> is clamped at the prefixing groove <NUM>, and the vertical extension section <NUM> is clamped on a side of the second fixing structure <NUM> away from the outer shell <NUM>. The prefixing groove <NUM> makes it easy to form a clamping hook matching limit structure with the prefixing hook <NUM>.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, an upper surface of the transverse extension section <NUM> is provided with a convex edge <NUM> surrounding the first mounting hole <NUM>, and the convex edge <NUM> is integrally formed on the transverse extension section <NUM> by stamping. The convex edge <NUM>, on the one hand, can enhance the strength of the first mounting hole <NUM>, and on the other hand, also has a certain guiding effect, which facilitates guiding during mounting of bolts or screws.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the vertical extension section <NUM> extends toward a direction away from the outer shell <NUM> to form another transverse extension section <NUM>. This facilitates prefixing and limiting.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fitting section <NUM> on a side of the vertical extension section <NUM> shorter than the transverse extension section <NUM> is provided with a carrying plate <NUM>. An upper surface of the carrying plate <NUM> is in contact with the second fixing structure <NUM>, which may increase a supporting degree of a lower surface of the second fixing structure <NUM> and prevent an upper mounting hole from falling off after the fitting fails. In addition, the carrying plate <NUM> fits the vertical extension section <NUM> in a staggered manner. The carrying plate <NUM> may provide a certain guiding effect for the mounting of the second fixing structure <NUM>.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the prefixing hook <NUM> is provided with a guide surface <NUM> on a side toward the transverse extension section <NUM>. The setting of the guide surface <NUM> facilitates clamping the prefixing hook <NUM> onto the prefixing groove <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> includes: a central pan <NUM>, a plurality of circumferentially connected portions <NUM>, and a plurality of connecting portions <NUM>.

The central pan <NUM> is disposed below an evaporator of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM>, and is configured to receive water.

Optionally, an air inlet <NUM> is formed in the middle of the central pan <NUM>, and annular flanges are formed around the air inlet <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the plurality of circumferentially connected portions <NUM> are circumferentially spaced apart on an outer side of the central pan <NUM>, the plurality of circumferentially connected portions <NUM> are connected below the insulating shell <NUM> and connected on an inner circumferential surface of the outer shell <NUM>, and each of the circumferentially connected portions <NUM> is provided with the second fixing structure <NUM>. The circumferentially connected portions <NUM> provide connection points for the second fixing structure <NUM>, so that the second fixing structure <NUM> can match the transverse extension section <NUM>.

Each connecting portion <NUM> is connected between the central pan <NUM> and the circumferentially connected portions <NUM>. The connecting portions <NUM> make the circumferentially connected portions <NUM> extend in an appropriate direction, and the central pan <NUM> does not need to be provided with the connecting portions <NUM> everywhere.

As shown in <FIG>, an air outlet <NUM> in communication with the accommodating cavity <NUM> is formed between adjacent connecting portions <NUM>, a side edge of the central pan <NUM>, and the outer shell <NUM>. The air outlet <NUM> may re-feed an air flow after heat exchange indoors.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an inner side of the outer shell <NUM> is provided with an insulating shell <NUM> with the same shape as the outer shell <NUM>, and the drain pan <NUM> is connected at the bottom of the insulating shell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a circumferential wall of the insulating shell <NUM> is provided with a plurality of joints <NUM>, each of the joints <NUM> is open downward, and at least part of top surfaces of the joints <NUM> are arc-shaped surfaces, the circumferentially connected portions <NUM> are fitted in the joints <NUM>, and top surfaces of the circumferentially connected portions <NUM> are closely fitted with the top surfaces of the joints <NUM>.

Correspondingly, as shown in <FIG>, the top surfaces of the circumferentially connected portions <NUM> form a downward curved arc-shaped surface <NUM> at each of two circumferential ends. The curved arc-shaped surface <NUM> matches the joints <NUM>, so that the drain pan <NUM> fits in with the outer shell <NUM>, and the joints have good airtightness. This reduces the formation of condensation on the outer shell <NUM> of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> in the refrigeration mode. The air in the accommodating cavity <NUM> and the air outside the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> are not easy to form an exchange region beyond the air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM>.

In order to better understand the solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the structure of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> in one specific embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> includes: an outer shell <NUM>, a drain pan <NUM>, and an insulating shell <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the top of the outer shell <NUM> is mounted to the top of a wall, and the bottom of the outer shell <NUM> is provided with the drain pan <NUM>. The outer shell <NUM> is provided with an accommodating cavity <NUM>, one air inlet <NUM> in communication with the accommodating cavity <NUM> and four air outlets <NUM> in communication with the accommodating cavity <NUM> are formed on the drain pan <NUM>. An inner side of the outer shell <NUM> is provided with the insulating shell <NUM> with the same shape as the outer shell <NUM>, an outer circumferential side of the outer shell <NUM> is connected to four first fixing structures <NUM>, and an outer circumferential side of the drain pan <NUM> is connected to a second fixing structure <NUM> connected to the first fixing structures <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first fixing structure <NUM> is a plate, and the first fixing structure <NUM> includes: a fitting section <NUM>, a transverse extension section <NUM>, and a vertical extension section <NUM>. The fitting section <NUM> is connected to an outer circumferential surface of the outer shell <NUM>, the transverse extension section <NUM> extends from the bottom of the fitting section <NUM> in a direction away from the outer shell <NUM>, and the first mounting hole <NUM> is disposed on the transverse extension section <NUM>. The vertical extension section <NUM> extends downward from a side of the transverse extension section <NUM> away from the fitting section <NUM>. A horizontal width of the vertical extension section <NUM> is smaller than that of the transverse extension section <NUM>, and a portion by which the vertical extension section <NUM> is shorter than the transverse extension section <NUM> constitutes the prefixing groove <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the drain pan <NUM> includes: a central pan <NUM>, four circumferentially connected portions <NUM>, and eight connecting portions <NUM>. The central pan <NUM> is disposed below an evaporator of the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM>, each connecting portion <NUM> is connected between the central pan <NUM> and the circumferentially connected portions <NUM>, the plurality of circumferentially connected portions <NUM> are circumferentially spaced apart on an outer side of the central pan <NUM>, the plurality of circumferentially connected portions <NUM> are connected below the insulating shell <NUM> and connected on an inner circumferential surface of the outer shell <NUM>, and each circumferentially connected portion <NUM> is provided with the second fixing structure <NUM>. Top surfaces of the circumferentially connected portions <NUM> form a downward curved arc-shaped surface <NUM> at each of two circumferential ends, and the curved arc-shaped surface <NUM> matches joints <NUM> on the insulating shell <NUM>.

A contact area between the drain pan <NUM> and the insulating shell <NUM> is small, the arc-shaped surface is fitted, and the sealing is tight.

Thus, the ceiling-embedded air conditioner <NUM> of the present disclosure can reduce ground wire materials, isolate contact of wire bodies with foam, and have a high fireproofing grade.

In the description of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", and "circumferential" should be construed to refer to the orientation 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 disclosure be constructed or operated in a particular orientation, thus cannot be construed to limit the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the feature defined with "first" and "second" may include one or more of this feature explicitly or implicitly, which are used to distinguish and describe features without distinction of order or importance.

In the description of the present disclosure, "a plurality of' means two or more, unless otherwise stated.

Claim 1:
A ceiling-embedded air conditioner (<NUM>), comprising:
an outer shell (<NUM>), an accommodating cavity (<NUM>) being provided in the outer shell (<NUM>), a bottom of the outer shell (<NUM>) being open, an outer circumferential side of the outer shell (<NUM>) being connected to a first fixing structure (<NUM>); and
a drain pan (<NUM>) fitted at the bottom of the outer shell (<NUM>), an outer circumferential side of the drain pan (<NUM>) being provided with a second fixing structure (<NUM>) connected to the first fixing structure (<NUM>), wherein
a first mounting hole (<NUM>) and a prefixing groove (<NUM>) are provided on the first fixing structure (<NUM>), a second mounting hole (<NUM>) and a prefixing hook (<NUM>) are provided on the second fixing structure (<NUM>), and when the prefixing hook (<NUM>) is clamped in the prefixing groove (<NUM>), the first mounting hole (<NUM>) is aligned with the second mounting hole (<NUM>);
characterised in that the drain pan (<NUM>) is provided with a reinforcing rib (<NUM>) at a junction with the first fixing structure (<NUM>).