DISTRIBUTION DEVICE AND HEAT PUMP INCLUDING THE SAME

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 365(c), of an International application No. PCT/KR2025/002749, filed on Feb. 27, 2025, which is based on and claims the benefit of a Korean patent application number 10-2024-0055026, filed on Apr. 24, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and of a Korean patent application number 10-2024-0099784, filed on Jul. 26, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a distribution device having a controller detachably assembled to a front cabinet and a heat pump including the same.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a heat pump refers to a heating and cooling device that transfers heat from a low-temperature heat source to a high-temperature medium or from a high-temperature heat source to a low-temperature medium using heat generation or condensation heat of a refrigerant.

The heat pump may include an outdoor unit having a compressor, an expansion valve, a heat exchanger, and the like. The outdoor unit may be provided to heat a refrigerant, and the heated refrigerant may be provided to heat heating water by heat exchange with the heating water. The heating water heated by the refrigerant may be used for space heating or hot water supply.

The heat pump may include a distribution device that is installed indoors and receives the heated heating water and distributes the heating water to a plurality of heating spaces or hot water supply spaces. The distribution device supplied with heating water from the outdoor unit may supply the heating water to the heating spaces or hot water supply spaces through pipes.

The distribution device may include a cabinet that forms the external appearance of the distribution device. The cabinet may include a front cabinet that forms the front of the external appearance. A controller for controlling the distribution device may be assembled to a front surface of the front cabinet.

The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a distribution device having a controller detachably assembled to a front cabinet, and a heat pump including the same.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a distribution device having a controller that is detachably assembled to a front cabinet and is used as a remote control when separated from the front cabinet, and a heat pump including the same.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a distribution device having a controller detachably assembled to a rear surface of a front cabinet, and a heat pump including the same.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a distribution device capable of simplifying the front design of a front cabinet, and a heat pump including the same.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

Technical Solution

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a distribution device is provided. The distribution device includes a cabinet including a front cabinet, a front cover attached to a rear surface of the front cabinet, a controller detachably mounted on the front cover, the controller having a front surface thereof exposed on a front side of the front cabinet and used as a remote control when separated from the front cabinet, a separation preventing bracket assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet and configured to prevent the front cover from being separated, and a rear cover assembled to an edge on one side of the front cover and then rotated to be assembled to an edge on another side of the front cover, and configured to cover a rear surface of the controller.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a heat pump is provided. The heat pump includes an outdoor unit disposed outdoors to heat heating water, and a distribution device installed indoors to receive the heated heating water from the outdoor unit and configured to distribute the received heating water to heating units, wherein the distribution device includes a cabinet including a front cabinet, a front cover attached to a rear surface of the front cabinet, a controller detachably mounted on the front cover and having a front surface thereof exposed to a front surface of the front cabinet and used as a remote control when separated from the front cabinet, a separation preventing bracket assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet and configured to prevent separation of the front cover, and a rear cover assembled to one side edge of the front cover and then rotated to be assembled to the other side edge of the front cover, the rear cover configured to cover the rear surface of the controller.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a distribution device and a part of pipes according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a part of a distribution device and a part of pipes according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a front cover, a separation preventing bracket, and a rear cover being assembled to a rear surface of a front cabinet, and a controller being mounted on the front cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a front cover being attached to a rear surface of a front cabinet using a double-sided tape according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a separation preventing bracket being assembled to a rear surface of a front cabinet according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a separation preventing bracket is assembled to a rear surface of a front cabinet according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a support portion of a separation preventing bracket being attached to a rear surface of a front cabinet using a double-sided tape according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a flange of a separation preventing bracket is extended to form an angle of 92 degrees with respect to a support portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a controller is mounted on a front cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a front surface of a rear cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an assembly hole of a rear cover is assembled to an assembly hook of a front cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a rear cover assembled to an assembly hook of a front cover is rotated according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a rear cover is assembled to a front cover by a screw according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a display cover is assembled to a front cabinet while a controller is separated from the front cabinet to be used as a remote control according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The same reference numerals are used to represent the same elements throughout the drawings.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

In addition, the terms “comprises”, “includes”, and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the disclosure, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed components.

It may be understood that, although the terms first, second, or the like, may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

In addition, the meaning of “identical” or “same” in the disclosure may include having similar properties or similarity within a certain range. In addition, “identical” or “same” refers to “substantially identical”. It should be understood that the meaning of “substantially identical” refers to a value that falls within an error range in manufacturing or a value having a difference within a range that does not have significance with respect to a reference value.

The terms, such as “˜ part”, “˜device”, “˜block”, “˜member”, “˜ module”, and the like may refer to a unit for processing at least one function or act. For example, the terms may refer to at least process processed by at least one hardware, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and/or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), software stored in memories, or processors.

In the following description, the terms “front,” “rear,” “left,” and “right,” are defined based on the directions illustrated in the drawings, but the terms need not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include computer-executable instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphical processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, a Bluetooth™ chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display drive integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A heat pump may perform indoor cooling/heating, indoor floor heating, and hot water supply through heat exchange between air and a refrigerant, heat exchange between a refrigerant and a refrigerant, or heat exchange between a refrigerant and water.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat pump 1 may include an outdoor unit 10 including a compressor, an expansion valve, and a heat exchanger. The heat pump 1 may include an indoor device connected to the outdoor unit 10 through at least one pipe. The number of outdoor units 10 and indoor devices may not be limited to that shown in FIG. 1.

The outdoor unit 10 may be disposed outdoors to perform heat exchange between a refrigerant and outdoor air. The refrigerant may be provided to flow in the compressor, the expansion valve, and the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 10 such that heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air may be performed. The outdoor unit 10 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air by utilizing the phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, the outdoor unit 10 may release heat to the outdoor air by utilizing the condensation of the refrigerant. In addition, the outdoor unit 10 may absorb heat of the outdoor air by utilizing the evaporation of the refrigerant.

The heat pump 1 may include an indoor unit 20. The indoor device may include the indoor unit 20. The indoor unit 20 may be disposed indoors. The outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 may be connected through a refrigerant supply pipe 21 and a refrigerant return pipe 22. The outdoor unit 10 may supply refrigerant to the indoor unit 20 through the refrigerant supply pipe 21. The refrigerant supply pipe 21 may include an indoor unit valve 23. The indoor unit valve 23 is provided to be openable and closeable, and may control the flow of refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant supply pipe 21. The outdoor unit 10 may recover refrigerant from the indoor unit 20 through the refrigerant return pipe 22. The indoor unit 20 may include a heat exchanger. The indoor unit 20 may perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and indoor air by utilizing phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, the indoor unit 20 may absorb heat of the indoor air into the refrigerant by utilizing evaporation of the refrigerant. In addition, the indoor unit 20 may release heat of the refrigerant to the indoor air by utilizing condensation of the refrigerant. The indoor unit 20 may be referred to as an indoor unit 20 or a heating and cooling device.

The heat pump 1 may include a distribution device 30. The indoor device may include the distribution device 30. The distribution device 30 may be disposed indoors. The outdoor unit 10 and the distribution device 30 may be connected via a heating water supply pipe 37 and a heating water return pipe 38. The outdoor unit 10 may supply heating water to the distribution device 30 via the heating water supply pipe 37. The outdoor unit 10 may recover heating water from the distribution device 30 via the heating water return pipe 38. The distribution device 30 may be provided to distribute heating water to a heating unit 40, 50, 60 that heats heating locations requiring heating. The heating water may be water used for heating.

The heating water may be provided to be heated in the outdoor unit 10. For example, the heating water may be heated by heat exchange with a refrigerant via a heat exchanger of the outdoor unit 10.

The above description is only one example of various methods in which the heating water is heated, and it should be understood that the heating water may be heated by a separate heating device installed indoors. For example, a heat exchanger may be installed in the distribution device 30, and the heating water may be heated by the heat exchanger of the distribution device 30. Hereinafter, a method in which the heating water is heated by the heat of the refrigerant in the outdoor unit 10 will be described as an example.

The heat pump 1 may include heating units 40, 50, and/or 60. The indoor device may include heating units 40, 50, and/or 60. The heating units 40, 50, and/or 60 may be disposed indoors.

The heat pump 1 may include a first heating unit 40. The distribution device 30 and the first heating unit 40 may be connected via a first supply pipe 41 and a first return pipe 42. The distribution device 30 may supply heating water to the first heating unit 40 through the first supply pipe 41. The distribution device 30 may recover heating water from the first heating unit 40 through the first return pipe 42.

The first heating unit may include a hot water supply unit 44. The hot water supply unit 44 may be provided to directly provide heated heating water to the user according to a user's request.

The first heating unit 40 may include a first heating valve 43. The first heating valve 43 may be provided to open and close the first supply pipe 41. The first heating valve 43 may open and close the first supply pipe 41 or control the flow rate of the heating water flowing in the first supply pipe 41. The disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first heating valve 43 may be provided in plural.

The heat pump 1 may include a second heating unit 50. The heating unit 40, 50, 60 may include a second heating unit 50. The distribution device 30 and the second heating unit 50 may be connected via a second supply pipe 51 and a second return pipe 52. The distribution device 30 may supply heating water to the second heating unit 50 via the second supply pipe 51. The distribution device 30 may recover heating water from the second heating unit 50 via the second return pipe 52.

The second heating unit 50 may include a radiator 54. The radiator 54 may be provided to heat the indoor air by heat exchange with the indoor air.

The second heating unit 50 may include a second heating valve 53. The second heating valve 53 may be provided to open and close the second supply pipe 51. The second heating valve 53 may open and close the second supply pipe 51 or control the flow rate of the heating water flowing in the second supply pipe 51. The disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second heating valve 53 may be provided in plural.

The second heating unit 50 may include a second heating unit regulator 55. The second heating unit regulator 55 may regulate the second heating valve 53. The second heating unit regulator 55 may be provided to control the operation of the radiator 54.

The heat pump 1 may include a third heating unit 60. The heating unit 40, 50, 60 may include a third heating unit 60. The distribution device 30 and the third heating unit 60 may be connected via a third supply pipe 61 and a third return pipe 62. The distribution device 30 may supply heating water to the third heating unit 60 via the third supply pipe 61. The distribution device 30 may recover heating water from the third heating unit 60 via the third return pipe 62.

The third heating unit 60 may include an underfloor heater 64. The underfloor heater 64 may be provided to heat the floor. For example, the third heating unit 60 may be provided to heat the floor on which the underfloor heater 64 is installed via the heat of the heating water.

The third heating unit 60 may include a third heating valve 63. The third heating valve 63 may be provided to open and close the third supply pipe 61. The third heating valve 63 may open and close the third supply pipe 61 or control the flow rate of heating water flowing in the third heating valve 63. The disclosure is not limited thereto, and the third heating valve 63 may be provided in plural.

The third heating unit 60 may include a third heating unit regulator 65. The third heating unit regulator 65 may regulate the third heating valve 63. The third heating unit regulator 65 may be provided to control the operation of the underfloor heater 64.

The types of the heating units 40, 50 and/or 60 and the methods of supplying heat energy to the heating locations described above are merely examples, and it should be understood that the heating units 40, 50 and/or 60 may be installed and operated in various locations requiring heating and hot water supply.

The heat pump 1 may include a refrigerant pipe R. Any pipe provided for the flow of refrigerant may be referred to as a refrigerant pipe R. The refrigerant pipe R may be provided to connect the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20. The refrigerant may flow between the outdoor unit 10 and the indoor unit 20 through the refrigerant pipe R. The number of refrigerant pipes R may vary depending on the number of outdoor units 10 and the number of indoor units 20.

The heat pump 1 may include a water pipe W. Any pipe provided for the flow of water may be referred to as a water pipe W. The water pipe W may be provided to connect the outdoor unit 10 and the distribution unit 30. The water pipe W may be provided to connect the distribution unit 30 and the heating units 40, 50 and/or 60. Water may flow between the outdoor unit 10 and the distribution unit 30 through the water pipes W. Water may flow between the distribution unit 30 and the heating units 40, 50 and/or 60 through the water pipes W. The number of water pipes W may vary depending on the number of outdoor units 10, the number of distribution units 30 and the number of heating units 40, 50 and/or 60.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of a distribution device and a part of pipes according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a part of a distribution device and a part of pipes according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the distribution device 30 may include a cabinet 100. The cabinet 100 may form the external appearance of the distribution device 30. The cabinet 100 may include a front cabinet 110 forming the front of the cabinet 100, side cabinets 31b and 31c) forming both sides of the cabinet 100, a rear cabinet 105 forming the rear of the cabinet 100, a top cover 107 forming the top of the cabinet 100, and a base 109 forming the bottom of the cabinet 100.

The front cabinet 110 may include a manipulation portion 31a1 formed to face forward (+X direction). The user may control the operation of the distribution device 30 through the manipulation portion 31a1. For example, the user may control the first heating valve 43, the second heating valve 53, and the third heating valve 63 through the manipulation portion 31a1. The manipulation portion 31al may be provided to display information about the distribution device 30.

The side cabinets 31b and 31c) may include a first side cabinet 101 forming the right side of the distribution device 30 and a second side cabinet 103 forming the left side of the distribution device 30.

The top cover 107 may cover the upper part of the space surrounded by the front cabinet 110, the rear cabinet 105, the first side cabinet 101, and the second side cabinet 103. The top cover 107 may be detachably coupled to the upper portions of each of the front cabinet 110, the rear cabinet 105, the first side cabinet 101, and the second side cabinet 103. The top cover 107 may be integrally formed with the front cabinet 110, the rear cabinet 105, the first side cabinet 101, or the second side cabinet 103.

The distribution device 30 may include an internal space formed inside the cabinet 100. For example, the internal space may be defined as a space formed by the front cabinet 110, the rear cabinet 105, the side cabinets 31b and 31c), the top cover 107, and the base 109.

The internal space of the cabinet 100 may accommodate components for the operation of the distribution device 30. For example, the internal space may accommodate a tank 70, a filtering device 32, an auxiliary heater 33, an electrical equipment portion 34, a pipe W, a tray 36, and the like.

The distribution device 30 may include a tank 70. The tank 70 may be provided in the internal space. The tank 70 may be provided to accommodate water. The tank 70 may be provided to store heating water. The tank 70 may be provided to store water heat-exchanged by a heat exchanger. The tank 70 may be provided to be connected to the pipe W.

The distribution device 30 may include a tray 36. The tray 36 may be provided inside the cabinet 100. The tray 36 may have the electrical equipment portion 34 installed (mounted) thereon. The tray 36 may be provided to support the pipe W. Water generated on the surface of the pipe W may be collected in the tray 36. Water introduced from the pipe W may be collected in the tray 36.

The distribution device 30 may include the filtering device 32. The filtering device 32 may be disposed inside the cabinet 100. The filtering device 32 may be configured to be in communication with the pipe W. The filtering device 32 may be configured to filter out foreign substances included in the heating water passing through the filtering device 32. The heating water flowing from the outside to the distribution device 30 through the pipe W may be provided to pass through the filtering device 32.

The distribution device 30 may include the auxiliary heater 33. The auxiliary heater 33 may be disposed inside the cabinet 100. The auxiliary heater 33 may be configured to be connected to the pipe W. The auxiliary heater 33 may be provided to heat the heating water passing through the auxiliary heater 33. The auxiliary heater 33 may be provided to maintain a required temperature of the heating water flowing through the distribution device 30.

The distribution device 30 may include the electrical equipment portion 34. The electrical equipment portion 34 may be provided inside the cabinet 100. The electrical equipment portion 34 may include a printed circuit board. The electrical equipment portion 34 may include various electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board. The electrical equipment portion 34 may be supported by the tray 36. The electrical equipment portion 34 may be coupled to the tray 36 to be rotatable. The electrical equipment portion 34 may be rotatably coupled to the tray 36.

A part of the pipe W may be disposed inside the distribution device 30. A part of the pipe W may be disposed inside the cabinet 100. The pipe W may be provided to be connected to the tank 70. The pipe W may be connected to the tank 70 to supply or recover heating water to or from the tank 70.

The distribution device 30 may include a hose 35. One end of the hose 35 may be connected to the tray 36. The other end of the hose 35 may be connected to the outside of the cabinet 100. Water collected in the tray 36 may be drained to the outside through the hose 35. The hose 250 may be referred to as a tube, a line, a pipe, and the like.

The distribution device 30 may include a base 109. The base 109 may include a drain plug 109a) that is in communication with the outside. The hose 35 may be connected to the drain plug 109a). Water flowing inside the hose 35 may be drained to the outside of the cabinet 100 through the drain plug 109a).

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a front cover, a separation preventing bracket, and a rear cover being assembled to a rear surface of a front cabinet, and a controller being mounted on the front cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a front cover being attached to a rear surface of a front cabinet using a double-sided tape according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a separation preventing bracket being assembled to a rear surface of a front cabinet according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a separation preventing bracket is assembled to a rear surface of a front cabinet according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, a front cover 130 may be attached to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110. A controller 120 may be detachably mounted on the front cover 130. A separation preventing bracket 140 that prevents separation of the front cover 130 may be assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110. A rear cover 150 that covers a rear surface of the controller 120 may be assembled to the front cover 130.

The front cabinet 110 may include a first opening 111. A front surface of the controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130 may be exposed through the first opening 111. The distribution device 30, see FIGS. 1 to 3 may be controlled by touching the front surface of the controller 120 exposed through the first opening 111.

The front cabinet 110 may include extension ribs 113 that are formed to extend vertically and rearward from the left and right sides of the rear surface of the front cabinet 110. The extension ribs 113 may be provided for assembly of the separation preventing bracket 140 assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110.

The front cabinet 110 may include a first rivet hole 115 formed in the extension rib 113 such that the separation preventing bracket 140 may be assembled. The first rivet holes 115 may be formed in a pair on each of the extension ribs 113 formed on the left and right sides of the rear surface of the front cabinet 110.

The controller 120 may be detachably mounted on the front cover 130. The front surface of the controller 120 may be exposed through the first opening 111 of the front cabinet 110. The front surface of the controller 120 exposed through the first opening 111 may be provided to be touched by a user to control the distribution device 30, see FIGS. 1 to 3. The controller 120 may be detachably mounted on the front cover 130 with the rear surface thereof covered by the rear cover 150, enabling detachable assembly to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110.

The controller 120 detachably assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 may be separated from the front cabinet 110 and used as a remote control. For example, the user may separate the controller 120 from the front cabinet 110 and use the controller 120 as a remote control to control the distribution device 30, see FIGS. 1 to 3 even from a distance.

The front cover 130 may be attached to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 by a double-sided tape T. The front cover 130 may include a second opening 131 corresponding to the first opening 111 formed in the front cabinet 110. The second opening 131 may be formed in the center of the front cover 130. The front cover 130 may be provided in a quadrangular shape with the second opening 131 formed in the center. The front cover 130 may be attached to the edge of the first opening 111 of the front cabinet 110. The controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130 may be exposed on the front of the front cabinet 110 through the first opening 111 of the front cabinet 110 and the second opening 131 of the front cover 130.

The front cover 130 may include a support rib 133 formed on the quadrangular edge of the front cover 130. The support rib 133 may be formed on the quadrangular edge of the front cover 130 to support the controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130. For example, the controller 120 may be mounted on the support rib 133 of the front cover 130.

The front cover 130 may include an assembly hook 135 formed on an upper edge of the front cover 130. The rear cover 150 may be rotatably assembled to the assembly hook 135. Although the drawing shows that the assembly hook 135 is provided as two assembly hooks 135, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the assembly hook 135 may be provided as one unit, or as three or more units thereof. In addition, although the drawing shows that the assembly hook 135 is formed on the upper edge of the front cover 130, it is not limited thereto. For example, the assembly hook 135 may be formed on a lower edge of the front cover 130 as long as it can allow the rear cover 150 to be rotatably assembled thereto. In addition, the assembly hook 135 may be formed on one of the left and right edges of the front cover 130.

The front cover 130 may include a first screw hole 137 formed at the lower edge of the front cover 130. The rear cover 150, which is provided to be rotatably assembled to the assembly hook 135, may be assembled to the assembly hook 135 and then rotated to be assembled to the first screw hole 137 by a screw (S, see FIG. 15). Although the first screw hole 137 is illustrated as being formed at the lower edge of the front cover 130 in the drawing, it is not limited thereto. For example, since the first screw hole 137 may be provided in different forms as long as it can be formed at the opposite edge of the assembly hook 135, the first screw hole 137 may also be formed at the upper edge of the front cover 130 when the assembly hook 135 is formed at the lower edge of the front cover 130. In addition, when the assembly hook 135 is formed on one of the left and right edges of the front cover 130, the first screw hole 137 may be formed on the other one of the left and right edges of the front cover 130.

The front cover 130 may include separation preventing hooks 139 formed on the left and right edges of the front cover 130. The separation preventing hook 139 may prevent the controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130 from being separated. For example, the rear surface of the controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130 may be fitted to the separation preventing hooks 139 without being separated. Although the separation preventing hooks 139 are illustrated as being formed on the left and right edges of the front cover 130, it is not limited thereto. For example, when the assembly hook 135 and the first screw hole 137 are formed on the left and right edges of the front cover 130, the separation preventing hooks 139 may be formed on the upper and lower edges of the front cover 130.

The separation preventing bracket 140 may be assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110. The separation preventing bracket 140 may be assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 to be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cover 130. The separation preventing bracket 140 may be assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 to be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cover 130 to prevent the front cover 130 from being separated. The separation preventing bracket 140 may also serve as a reinforcing bracket that reinforces the strength of the front cabinet 110.

The separation preventing bracket 140 may include a support portion 141 that is in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet 110. The support portion 141 may be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cover 130. The support portion 141 may support the front cover 130 to be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 and the rear surface of the front cover 130 to prevent the front cover 130 from being separated.

The separation preventing bracket 140 may include flanges 143 extending perpendicularly and rearward from the left and right ends of the support portion 141. The flange 143 may be provided in plural. The flange 143 may be provided to assemble the separation preventing bracket 140 to the extension rib 113 of the front cabinet 110.

The separation preventing bracket 140 may include a second rivet hole 145 formed in the flange 143 to correspond to the first rivet hole 115 of the front cabinet 110. The second rivet hole 145 may be assembled to the first rivet hole 115 formed in the extension rib 113 of the front cabinet 110 by a rivet R1. For example, the separation preventing bracket 140 may be assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 by the rivet R1 assembled to the first rivet hole 115 and the second rivet hole 145.

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a support portion of a separation preventing bracket being attached to a rear surface of a front cabinet using a double-sided tape according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the support portion 141 of the separation preventing bracket 140 may be attached to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 by a double-sided tape T. For example, the separation preventing bracket 140 may be assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 by the rivet R1 assembled to the first rivet hole 115 and the second rivet hole 145, and additionally, the support portion 141 may be attached to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 by a double-sided tape T. This may be to ensure that the support portion 141 comes in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 in the event of bending in a part of the support portion 141 of the separation preventing bracket 140.

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a flange of a separation preventing bracket is extended to form an angle of 92 degrees with respect to a support portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flange 143 of a separation preventing bracket 140 may be extended to form an obtuse angle with the support portion 141. Preferably, the flange 143 of the separation preventing bracket 140 may be extended to form an angle of 92 degrees with respect to the support portion 141. This may be to ensure that the support portion 141 comes in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet 110 in the event of bending in a part of the support portion 141 of the separation preventing bracket 140.

FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a controller is mounted on a front cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a front surface of a rear cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an assembly hole of a rear cover is assembled to an assembly hook of a front cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a rear cover assembled to an assembly hook of a front cover is rotated according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a rear cover is assembled to a front cover by a screw according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 120 may be detachably mounted on the front cover 130. The controller 120 may be mounted on the front cover 130 after the front cover 130 and the separation preventing bracket 140 are assembled to the rear of the front cabinet 110. The controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130 may be supported by the support ribs 133. The controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130 may be fitted to the separation preventing hook 139 to thereby be prevented from being separated.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14, the rear cover 150 may include the assembly hole 151 formed on the upper edge of the rear cover 150. The assembly hole 151 may be formed to be rotatably assembled to the assembly hook 135 of the front cover 130. The assembly hole 151 may be provided as two units thereof to correspond to the assembly hooks 135. However, since the number and position of the assembly holes 151 only need to correspond to the number and position of the assembly hooks 135, the number and position of the assembly holes 151 may be provided to match the number and position of the assembly hooks 135 formed on the front cover 130.

The rear cover 150 may include a second screw hole 153 formed on the lower edge of the rear cover 150. The second screw hole 153 may be provided to correspond to the first screw hole 137 of the front cover 130. The rear cover 150 may be assembled to the front cover 130 by assembling the assembly hole 151 to the assembly hook 135 of the front cover 130, and then rotating the lower portion of the rear cover 150 and fastening the second screw hole 153 with the first screw hole 137 of the front cover 130 by the screw S. For example, the rear cover 150 may be assembled to one edge of the front cover 130 and then rotated to be assembled to the other edge of the front cover 130.

The rear cover 150 may include a through hole 155 formed through the rear surface of the rear cover 150. The through holes 155 may each be formed on one of the respective left and right sides of the rear surface of the rear cover 150. The through hole 155 may allow the separation preventing hook 139 of the front cover 130 to pass therethrough for assembly. As the through hole 155 is assembled with the separation preventing hook 139 of the front cover 130, the rear cover 150 may be assembled to the front cover 130.

The rear cover 150 may include a plurality of protrusions 157 formed on the front surface of the rear cover 150. The plurality of protrusions 157 may push the rear surface of the controller 120 mounted on the front cover 130 while the rear cover 150 is assembled to the front cover 130. As the plurality of protrusions 157 push the rear surface of the controller 120, the front surface of the controller 120 may come in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet 110. In addition, as the plurality of protrusions 157 push the rear surface of the controller 120, the controller 120 may be prevented from being pushed backward. For example, when a user touches the front surface of the controller 120 exposed to the front of the front cabinet 110, the controller 120 may be prevented from being pushed backward.

FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a display cover is assembled to a front cabinet while a controller is separated from the front cabinet to be used as a remote control according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, when the controller 120 is separated from the front cabinet 110 of the distribution device 30 and used as a remote control, the first opening 111, see FIG. 4 formed in the front cabinet 110 may be covered by a display cover 160 assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet 110.

A distribution device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes: a cabinet 100 including a front cabinet 110, a front cover 130 attached to a rear surface of the front cabinet, a controller 120 detachably mounted on the front cover, the controller having a front surface thereof exposed on a front side of the front cabinet and used as a remote control when separated from the front cabinet, a separation preventing bracket 140 assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet and configured to prevent the front cover from being separated, and a rear cover 150 assembled to an edge on one side of the front cover and then rotated to be assembled to an edge on another side of the front cover, and configured to cover a rear surface of the controller.

The front cabinet may include a first opening 111 through which the front surface of the controller may be exposed, and the front cover may be provided in a quadrangular shape including a second opening 131 corresponding to the first opening, and is attached to an edge of the first opening.

The front cover may be attached to the rear surface of the front cabinet by a double-sided tape T.

The front cover may include a support rib 133 formed on a quadrangular edge of the front cover and configured to support the controller that is mounted on the front cover.

The front cover may include: an assembly hook 135 formed on an upper edge of the front cover and to which the rear cover is rotatably assembled, a first screw hole 137 formed on a lower edge of the front cover and to which the rear cover, after being rotated, may be assembled by a screw, and separation preventing hooks 139 formed on left and right edges of the front cover and configured to prevent the controller mounted on the front cover from being separated.

The rear cover may include: an assembly hole 151 formed on an upper edge of the rear cover, and rotatably assembled to the assembly hook, a second screw hole 153 formed on a lower edge of the rear cover, and provided to correspond to the first screw hole and assembled by the screw, and through holes 155 formed through a rear surface of the rear cover and allowing the separation preventing hooks to pass therethough for assembly.

The rear cover may include a plurality of protrusions 157 configured to push the rear surface of the controller such that the front surface of the controller mounted on the front cover is in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet while the rear cover is assembled to the front cover.

The front cabinet may include extension ribs 113 formed to extend vertically and rearward from left and right sides of the rear surface of the front cabinet, and first rivet holes 115 formed in the extension ribs such that the separation preventing bracket is assembled.

The separation preventing bracket may include a support portion 141 configured to be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet and support the front cover, flanges 143 formed to extend perpendicularly and rearward from left and right ends of the support portion, and second rivet holes 145 formed in the flanges to correspond to the first rivet holes and assembled to the first rivet holes by a rivet R1.

The support portion of the separation preventing bracket may be attached to the rear surface of the front cabinet by a double-sided tape to be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet.

The separation preventing bracket may include a support portion 141 configured to be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet and support the front cover, flanges 143 formed to extend rearward from left and right ends of the support portion to form an obtuse angle with respect to the support portion, and second rivet holes 145 formed in the flanges to correspond to the first rivet holes and assembled to the first rivet holes by a rivet.

The flanges may be formed to extend rearward from the left and right ends of the support portion to form an angle of 92 degrees with respect to the support portion.

The distribution device may include a display cover 160 configured to cover the first opening when the controller is separated from the front cabinet and used as the remote control.

A heat pump according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes an outdoor unit 10 disposed outdoors to heat heating water, and a distribution device 30 installed indoors to receive the heated heating water from the outdoor unit and configured to distribute the received heating water to heating units 40, 50, and 60. The distribution device includes a cabinet 100 including a front cabinet 110, a front cover 130 attached to a rear surface of the front cabinet, a controller 120 detachably mounted on the front cover and having a front surface thereof exposed to a front surface of the front cabinet and used as a remote control when separated from the front cabinet, a separation preventing bracket 140 assembled to ae rear surface of the front cabinet and configured to prevent separation of the front cover, and a rear cover 150 assembled to one side edge of the front cover and then rotated to be assembled to the other side edge of the front cover, the rear cover configured to cover the rear surface of the controller.

The front cabinet may include a first opening through which the front surface of the controller may be exposed, extension ribs formed to extend vertically and rearward from left and right sides of the rear surface of the front cabinet, and first rivet holes 115 formed in the extension ribs such that the separation preventing bracket is assembled.

The front cover may be provided in a quadrangular shape, and may be attached to an edge of the first opening on the rear surface of the front cabinet by a double-sided tape.

The front cover may include a second opening 131 corresponding to the first opening, a support rib 133 formed on a quadrangular edge of the front cover and configured to support the controller that is mounted on the front cover, an assembly hook 135 formed on an upper edge of the front cover and to which the rear cover is rotatably assembled, a first screw hole 137 formed on a lower edge of the front cover and to which the rear cover, after being rotated, may be assembled by a screw, and separation preventing hooks 139 formed on left and right edges of the front cover and configured to prevent the controller mounted on the front cover from being separated.

The rear cover may include an assembly hole 151 formed on an upper edge of the rear cover, and rotatably assembled to the assembly hook, a second screw hole 153 formed on a lower edge of the rear cover, and provided to correspond to the first screw hole and assembled by the screw, through holes 155 formed through a rear surface of the rear cover and allowing the separation preventing hooks to pass therethough for assembly, and a plurality of protrusions 159 configured to push the rear surface of the controller such that the front surface of the controller mounted on the front cover is in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet while the rear cover is assembled to the front cover.

The separation preventing bracket may include a support portion 141 configured to be in close contact with the rear surface of the front cabinet and support the front cover, flanges 143 formed to extend perpendicularly and rearward from left and right ends of the support portion, and second rivet holes 145 formed in the flanges to correspond to the first rivet holes and assembled to the first rivet holes by a rivet.

The distribution device may include a display cover 160 configured to cover the first opening when the controller is separated from the front cabinet and used as the remote control.

According to the disclosure, the controller may be detachably assembled to the front cabinet, and when separated from the front cabinet, may be used as a remote control.

In addition, the controller may be detachably assembled to the rear surface of the front cabinet.

In addition, the front design of the front cabinet may be simplified.

In addition, the number of screws for assembling the controller to the front cabinet may be reduced, thereby shortening the work process.

The effects of the disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects that are not described will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

Any such software may be stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The non-transitory computer readable storage media store one or more computer programs (software modules), the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the disclosure.

Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage, such as, for example, a storage device like read only memory (ROM), whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium, such as, for example, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a computer program or computer programs comprising instructions that, when executed, implement various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing apparatus or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.