Compact indoor unit of an air conditioner

Abstract

An air distribution unit of the type including a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air flow path therethrough extending from the inlet to the outlet. The unit includes an evaporator coil supported in the housing in the air flow path and a fan and motor assembly for effecting air flow along the air flow path and through the evaporator coil. The housing includes external cover components including a front panel and left and right external side covers. An internal structural framework of the unit supports components internally of the housing and also supports the external components. The framework includes at least one horizontally extending structure member and at least one vertically extending structural side panel structurally attached to the horizontal member in perpendicular relationship thereto. The fan and motor assembly includes a centrifugal fan having a horizontal axis of rotation and an electric motor having an axis coincident with the fan, which is drivingly coupled to the fan. The motor has a cylindrical housing, which has a plurality of mounting tabs extending radially thereform. The vertically extending side panel has an opening therein configured to receive at least a portion of the motor housing therein. The side panel further includes mounting tab engaging structure positioned about the opening. The engaging structure is configured to engage the plurality of mounting tabs of the motor to thereby affix the motor to the side panel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.