Fluid Pump Assembly for Window Air Conditioner and Window Conditioner

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application Nos. 202310354707.1 and 202320727571.X filed on Mar. 31, 2023 by Wuhu Maty Air-conditioning Equipment Co., Ltd. and GD Midea Air-Conditioning Equipment Co., Ltd., and titled “FLUID PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER AND WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER.”

The present disclosure relates to the field of household appliance technologies, and more particularly, to a fluid pump assembly for a window air conditioner and a window air conditioner.

In the related art, a fluid pump is arranged at a base of a window air conditioner and configured to supply condensed water in a water collection tray to a connection pipeline, and the connection pipeline is configured to guide the condensed water to an area of the window air conditioner where it is needed. For example, the condensed water may be sprayed to a condenser to enhance a heat exchange capacity of the condenser, filtered to further form water mist used to humidify an indoor side, or filtered for use in self-cleaning of internal components of the window air conditioner.

However, an orientation of a pipe connection structure of the fluid pump is related to a layout direction of the connection pipeline, resulting in a directional mounting of the fluid pump. During the mounting of the fluid pump, a mounting direction needs to be identified, which affects mounting efficiency.

The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the technical problems in the related art. To this end, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a fluid pump assembly for a window air conditioner, and a mounting of the fluid pump assembly is more convenient.

The present disclosure further provides a window air conditioner using the above-mentioned fluid pump assembly.

A fluid pump assembly for a window air conditioner according to embodiments in a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a fluid pump and a fixation shell. The fluid pump has a pipe connection structure at an end portion of the fluid pump. The fluid pump has a first positioning structure. The fixation shell is adapted to be mounted in the window air conditioner. The fixation shell is configured to accommodate the fluid pump. The fixation shell has a closed end and an open end opposite to the closed end. The fixation shell has a second positioning structure. The second positioning structure is engaged with the first positioning structure for positioning, to restrict the pipe connection structure to correspond to the open end of the fixation shell.

In the fluid pump assembly for the window air conditioner according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by disposing the first positioning structure at the fluid pump and disposing the second positioning structure at the fixation shell, and further through positioning engagement between the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure, a mounting position and a mounting orientation of the fluid pump are fixed. During the assembling of the fluid pump, a mounting direction does not need to be identified, which can reduce an assembling difficulty. Moreover, during the assembling of the fluid pump assembly in the window air conditioner, this arrangement allows the pipe connection structure to correspond to the open end of the fixation shell for ease of the connection between the pipe connection structure of the fluid pump and the connection pipeline. In this way, assembly efficiency can be further improved.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a cross section of the end portion of the fluid pump is constructed in a non-circular shape and has at least one corner; and the end portion of the fluid pump is formed as the first positioning structure.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second positioning structure is formed as a positioning groove, and the second positioning structure is shaped to match the first positioning structure.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fixation shell includes a first shell and a second shell that are opposite to each other in a radial direction of the fluid pump. An accommodation space is formed between the first shell and the second shell. The accommodation space is configured to accommodate the fluid pump. The second positioning structure is formed at the first shell and/or the second shell.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a wiring clip is provided on a surface of the first shell and/or the second shell forming the accommodation space.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first shell and the second shell are fit with each other for positioning by a positioning assembly and/or fixedly connected to each other by a threaded connector.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fixation shell is provided with a support rib configured to support the fluid pump.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid pump assembly further includes a buffer member arranged around the fluid pump and accommodated in the fixation shell.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fixation shell has a heat dissipation region.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat dissipation region is formed by a heat dissipation grille, and a distance between adjacent grille bars of the heat dissipation grille is smaller than or equal to 6 mm.

A window air conditioner according to embodiments in a second aspect of the present disclosure includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes the fluid pump assembly described in the above embodiments.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the indoor unit includes a heat exchanger and a base. The base includes a first side plate and a second side plate that are located at two sides of the heat exchanger and configured to support the heat exchanger. The first side plate has a through hole. The fixation shell is mounted at the base, and the open end of the fixation shell is arranged facing towards the first side plate. The pipe connection structure of the fluid pump passes through the through hole.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the base is provided with a first guide structure, and the fixation shell has a second guide structure. The second guide structure is engaged with the first guide structure to guide the fixation shell to be mounted relative to the base in a direction from the second side plate to the first side plate.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first guide structure is formed as a guide plate, and the second guide structure is formed as a guide groove engaged with the guide plate. The guide plate includes a first plate member and a second plate member sequentially arranged in a direction from the first side plate to the second side plate. The second plate member extends obliquely towards a center of the base relative to the first plate member.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the guide plate further includes a stop member located at a side of the first plate member facing away from the second plate member. The stop member is configured to prevent the guide groove from disengaging from the guide plate from the side of the guide plate at which the stop member is arranged.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the base is further provided with at least two fixation structures, and the base is connected to the fixation shell by the at least two fixation structures.

Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be provided at least in part in the following description, or will become apparent in part from the following description, or can be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, and examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative only, and are intended to explain rather than limit the present disclosure.

In the description of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that, terms such as “center,” “over,” “below,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “in,” “out,” etc., refer to the directions and location relations which are the directions and location relations shown in the drawings, and for describing the present disclosure and for describing in simple, and which are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or the elements are arranged to locate at the specific directions or are structured and performed in the specific directions, which could not to be understood to the limitation of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance, or to implicitly show the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature associated with “first” and “second” may comprise one or more this feature distinctly or implicitly. Further, in the description of the present disclosure, “a plurality of” means two or more than two, unless specified otherwise.

A fluid pump assemblyfor a window air conditioner and a window air conditioner according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS.to.

As illustrated in, a fluid pump assemblyfor a window air conditioner according to embodiments in a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a fluid pumpand a fixation shell.

The fluid pumphas a pipe connection structureat an end portion of the fluid pump. The fluid pumphas a first positioning structure. The fixation shellis adapted to be mounted in the window air conditioner. The fixation shellis configured to accommodate the fluid pump. The fixation shellhas a closed end and an open end opposite to the closed end. The fixation shellhas a second positioning structure. The second positioning structureis engaged with the first positioning structurefor positioning, to restrict the pipe connection structureto correspond to the open end of the fixation shell. That is, a mounting orientation of the fluid pumprelative to the fixation shellcan be restricted.

The fluid pumpis arranged in the window air conditioner. The fluid pumpmay supply condensed water collected in a water collection tray to a connection pipeline, and the connection pipeline will further supply the condensed water to a condenser to improve a heat exchange capacity of the condenser; or the connection pipeline will further spray the condensed water to a surface of other components in the window air conditioner to perform self-cleaning of the window air conditioner; or the connection pipeline will further discharge the condensed water after being filtered and atomized to an indoor side, to achieve humidification of the indoor side. However, a layout direction of the connection pipeline configured to guide a flowing direction of the condensed water has been determined in a design stage. The connection pipeline is located outside the fixation shelland is opposite to the open end of the fixation shell. The pipe connection structureof the fluid pumpneeds to be in communication with the connection pipeline. Correspondingly, the pipe connection structure needs to protrude from the open end or be arranged opposite to the open end. Therefore, during the assembling of the fluid pump, the mounting of the fluid pumphas directionality. That is, the pipe connection structureneeds to face towards the connection pipeline, causing the mounting direction of the fluid pumpto be fixed. The end of the fluid pumpprovided with the pipe connection structureneeds to face towards the open end of the fixation shell.

In the present disclosure, the first positioning structureis arranged at the fluid pump, the second positioning structureis arranged at the fixation shell. The first positioning structureis engaged with the second positioning structure. In this way, the mounting orientation of the fluid pumprelative to the fixation shellcan be restricted. That is, the pipe connection structureis ensured to face towards the open end of the fixation shell. The fixation shellis fixed in the fixed position in the window air conditioner, and therefore a direction (i.e., directions of a water inlet and a water outlet) of the pipe connection structureof the fluid pumpcan be correspondingly restricted. As a result, a connection between the water inlet and the water outlet and the connection pipeline in the window air conditioner is simpler and more convenient. In addition, during the assembling, the mounting direction of the fluid pumpdoes not need to be identified. In this way, fool-proofing of the assembling of the fluid pumpcan be achieved, and the mounting efficiency can thus be improved.

The first positioning structuremay be constructed as a positioning post, a positioning groove, a positioning hole, a positioning boss, and other structures. Correspondingly, the second positioning structuremay be constructed as a positioning hole, a positioning boss, a positioning post or a positioning groove, and other structures. Through concave-convex fit between the first positioning structureand the second positioning structure, the limiting of the fluid pumpis achieved, and the mounting orientation of the fluid pumpcan be reliably restricted. The first positioning structureand the second positioning structuremay also be constructed as insertable engagement structures. While realizing the limiting of the mounting orientation, fixing stability and reliability of the fluid pumpon the fixation shellcan also be improved.

The fluid pumpmay be constructed as a spray pump.

In the fluid pump assemblyfor the window air conditioner according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by disposing the first positioning structureat the fluid pumpand disposing the second positioning structureat the fixation shell, and further through positioning engagement between the first positioning structureand the second positioning structure, the mounting position and mounting orientation of the fluid pumpare fixed. During the assembling of the fluid pump, the mounting orientation does not need to be identified, which can reduce the assembling difficulty. Moreover, during the assembling of the fluid pump assemblyin the window air conditioner, this arrangement allows the pipe connection structureto correspond to the open end of the fixation shellfor ease of the connection between the pipe connection structureof the fluid pumpand the connection pipeline. In this way, assembling efficiency can be further improved.

As illustrated in, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a cross section of the end portion of the fluid pumpis constructed in a non-circular shape and has at least one corner. The end portion of the fluid pumpis formed as the first positioning structure.

The end portion of the fluid pumpwith a water outlet is formed into a first positioning structure, and therefore a cross-section of the end portion of the fluid pumpwith the water outlet is constructed in a non-circular shape. The non-circular-shaped structure has a good anti-rotation effect, which can achieve stable fixating of the fluid pump, and reduce a movement and shaking of the fluid pumpduring operation. At same time, the end portion of the fluid pumpwith the water outlet have at least one corner. Through engagement between the corner and the second positioning structure, an angle between the corner and a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction can be fixed. Correspondingly, an orientation of the water outlet formed at the end portion of the fluid pumpcan also be fixed to restrict the mounting orientation of the fluid pump.

As illustrated in, the second positioning structureis formed as a positioning groove, and the second positioning structureis shaped to match the first positioning structure.

The corner at the end portion of the fluid pumpmay be fitted into the positioning groove. Through the concave-convex fit between the corner and the positioning groove, the first positioning structureis engaged with the second positioning structurefor limiting. While ensuring reliable limiting, a slight improvement in the structure of the fluid pumpand the structure of the fixation shellcan reduce cost.

The end portion of the fluid pumphas one corner that allows at least part of a cross-sectional area of the end portion of the fluid pumpto be in a “V” shape or a “U” shape. Correspondingly, the positioning groove is formed into a “V”-shaped groove or a “U”-shaped groove, that is, the second positioning structureis shaped to match the first positioning structure. While realizing the limit of the mounting orientation, the fluid pumpis more attached to the fixation shell. In this way, fixing stability of the fluid pumpis higher, and stability and reliability of an operation of the fluid pumpare higher.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fixation shellincludes a first shelland a second shellthat are opposite to each other in a radial direction of the fluid pump. An accommodation space configured to accommodate the fluid pumpis formed between the first shelland the second shell. The second positioning structureis formed at the first shelland/or the second shell.

The first shelland the second shellare joined together to form the accommodation space. According to a demand for a space layout in the window air conditioner, the first shellmay be an upper shell, and the second shellmay be correspondingly a lower shell. The first shellmay be a left side shell, and the second shellmay be correspondingly a right side shell. The first shelland the second shellare arranged around the fluid pumpin the radial direction of the fluid pump, to enable the fluid pumpto be arranged between the first shelland the second shell. At least the first shellor the second shellis provided with the second positioning structureengaged with the first positioning structureof the fluid pump, to fit with the second shellor the first shell, after completing the assembling of the first shelland the fluid pumpor the assembling of the second shelland the fluid pump and achieving the limiting of the mounting orientation through the engagement between the first positioning structureand the second positioning structure. In this way, assembling convenience of the fluid pump assemblycan be effectively improved.

The expression “the second positioning structureis formed at the first shelland/or the second shell” refers to that the second positioning structuremay be formed at the first shelland may also be formed at the second shell. A plurality of second positioning structuresmay also be provided, and arranged at each of the first shelland the second shell.

As illustrated in, a wiring clipis provided on a surface of the first shelland/or the second shellforming the accommodation space.

The wiring clipmay be arranged only at the first shell, or only at the second shell, or at each of the first shelland the second shell. The fixation shellhas a wiring harness through hole, and the fluid pumphas an electrical connection terminal. A wiring harness passes through the wiring harness through hole and is electrically connected to the electrical connection terminal. A plurality of wiring clipsmay be provided and sequentially arranged on a shortest path of the wiring harness extending from the wiring harness through hole to the electrical connection end. The wiring harness is fixed by the plurality of wiring clipssequentially, which can improve stability and reliability of the fixing of the wiring harness. In this way, the wiring harness is avoided from shaking during the operation of the fluid pumpto reduce wear of the wiring harness. In addition, a welding cracking phenomenon is avoided to improve the stability, reliability, and safety of the operation of the fluid pump.

As illustrated in, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first shelland the second shellare fit with each other for positioning by a positioning assembly and/or fixedly connected to each other by a threaded connector.

The first shellincludes a first plate and a first enclosure plate arranged around the first plate. The second shellincludes a second plate and a second enclosure plate arranged around the second plate. The first plate, the first enclosure plate, the second plate, and the second enclosure plate form the accommodation space. The first enclosure plate and/or the second enclosure plate have a wiring harness through hole and an extending opening through which the water inlet and the water outlet of the fluid pumpextend. The wiring clipis arranged at the first plate and/or the second plate.

The positioning assembly may include a positioning snapand a positioning hole. The positioning snapis formed at the first enclosure plate, and the positioning holeis formed at the second enclosure plate; or the positioning snapis formed at the second enclosure plate, and the positioning holeis formed at the first enclosure plate. The positioning snapis engaged with the positioning holefor positioning to realize pre-positioning and a fixed connection of the first shelland the second shell.

The fixation structure of the first shelland the second shellaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first shelland the second shellmay be fixedly connected to each other by a threaded connector. For example, a studmay be provided at the first plate, and a threaded holemay be provided at the second plate correspondingly; or a studmay be provided at the second plate, and a threaded holemay be provided at the first plate correspondingly. Thus, the first shelland the second shellare fixedly connected to each other through the engagement between a fastener passing through the threaded holeand the stud.

By enabling the first shellto be fixedly connected to the second shell, the fluid pumpcan be spaced apart from an ambient environment to prevent a user from touching the fluid pump. In this way, safety is improved.