Air conditioner indoor unit, air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention provides an air conditioner indoor unit and an air conditioner. One of the air conditioner indoor units includes a shell and a heat exchanger. The shell has an air duct inside. The heat exchanger is in the air duct. When the air flow direction in the air duct is in a first direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in a second direction. When the air flow direction in the air duct is in a second direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in a first direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction, so that the heat exchanger can also form a countercurrent with the air flow direction of the air conditioner indoor unit when the air flow direction is opposite. The present invention provides an air conditioner indoor unit and an air conditioner. Whether the air conditioner is in a heating mode or a cooling mode, the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger can form a countercurrent with the air flow direction, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger and the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of air conditioning, and in particular relates to an air conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards and the widespread use of air conditioners, people have higher and higher requirements for the comfort and energy saving of air conditioners. Through the design of the air outlet of the air conditioner, the function of the air outlet can be adapted to the working mode of the air conditioner. For example, under the heating condition, the aforementioned air outlet serves as an air inlet, and the air flow direction at this time is a first direction. Under the cooling condition, the aforementioned air outlet serves as an air outlet, and the air flow direction at this time is a second direction. The first direction is exactly opposite to the second direction. However, the structure of the existing heat exchanger cannot take into account the efficiency of heat exchange of the air flow under the aforementioned different working conditions. For example, it can only guarantee the heat exchange efficiency under the heating condition or only guarantee the heat exchange efficiency under the cooling condition. This results in that the heat exchange efficiency of the air conditioner heat exchanger cannot be balanced under different working conditions, the overall working performance of the air conditioner is relatively low, and the comfort of use of the air conditioner needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioner, in which the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger can form a countercurrent with the air flow direction regardless of whether the air conditioner is in heating mode or cooling mode, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger and the energy efficiency of the air conditioner.

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an air-conditioning indoor unit, including a shell and a heat exchanger. The shell has an air duct inside, and the heat exchanger is located in the air duct. When the air flow direction in the air duct is a first direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in a second direction. When the air flow direction in the air duct is a second direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger flows in the first direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction, so that the heat exchanger can form a countercurrent with the air flow direction of the air-conditioning indoor unit when the air flow direction is opposite to that of the air-conditioning indoor unit.

[0005] Preferably, the heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange tube group, the first heat exchange tube group includes a first tube row and a second tube row, one of the first tube row and the second tube row is located on the air inlet side of the airflow, and the other is located on the air outlet side of the airflow, and the first tube row and the second tube row are connected in series.

[0006] Preferably, the first heat exchange tube group is formed by a plurality of U-shaped tubes connected in series, and the projections of the U-shaped tubes in the first tube row and the U-shaped tubes in the second tube row along the airflow direction are staggered.

[0007] Preferably, the first heat exchange tube group has a cross section in the airflow direction, the cross section has a first tube segment, a second tube segment, and a third tube segment that are sequentially connected through the cross section, and the first tube segment, the second tube segment, and the third tube segment form a U-shape with the opening facing downward.

[0008] Preferably, the first heat exchange tube groups include multiple groups, and the multiple groups of the first heat exchange tube groups are arranged adjacent to each other in sequence in the height direction.

[0009] Preferably, the total refrigerant pipe paths of the first heat exchange tube groups at different height positions in the heat exchanger are different.

[0010] Preferably, the heat exchanger has a plurality of heat exchange surfaces, and the plurality of heat exchange surfaces can respectively perform heat exchange on airflows in different directions.

[0011] Preferably, on a plane perpendicular to the heat exchange surface, the shape of the heat exchanger is C-shaped or G-shaped.

[0012] Preferably, it further comprises a shell, wherein the shell has an air duct inside, one end of the air duct has a first air outlet and a second air outlet, and the heat exchanger is arranged at the first air outlet or the second air outlet.

[0013] Preferably, there are multiple first air outlets and / or multiple second air outlets, and the multiple first air outlets and / or multiple second air outlets are respectively arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple heat exchange surfaces of the heat exchanger.

[0014] Preferably, the first air outlet is at the lower end of the air duct, the heat exchanger is arranged at the first air outlet, a water receiving pan is arranged at the lower part of the heat exchanger, and the position of the first heat exchange tube group with a larger total refrigerant pipe line in the heat exchanger is higher than the position of the first heat exchange tube group with a smaller total refrigerant pipe line.

[0015] The present invention also provides an air conditioner, comprising the above-mentioned air conditioner indoor unit.

[0016] The present invention provides an air-conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioner. No matter the air conditioner is in a heating mode or a cooling mode, the flow direction of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger can form a counterflow with the air flow direction, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger and the energy efficiency of the air conditioner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the principle structure of the heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention (when the airflow is in the first direction);

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the principle structure of the heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention (when the airflow is in the second direction);

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a top view structure;

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of an air-conditioning indoor unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The reference numerals are:

[0023] 1. first heat exchange tube group; 11. first tube row; 12. second tube row; 13. first tube section; 14. second tube section; 15. third tube section; 2. U-shaped tube; 3. heat exchange surface; 100. heat exchanger; 101. shell; 102. air duct; 103. first air outlet; 104. second air outlet; 105. fan. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] See also Figures 1 to 5 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner indoor unit is provided, comprising a housing 101 and a heat exchanger 100. The housing 101 has an air duct 102 inside, and the heat exchanger 100 is in the air duct 102. When the air flow direction in the air duct 102 is in a first direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100 flows in a second direction. When the air flow direction in the air duct 102 is in a second direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100 flows in a first direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction, so that the heat exchanger 100 is in the air flow direction of the air conditioner indoor unit. When the directions are opposite, it can also form a counterflow with it; specifically, the heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange tube group 1, and the first heat exchange tube group 1 includes a first tube row 11 and a second tube row 12. One of the first tube row 11 and the second tube row 12 is on the air inlet side of the airflow, and the other is on the air outlet side of the airflow. The first tube row 11 and the second tube row 12 are connected in series. It can be understood that when the heat exchanger is specifically applied to an air conditioner, the first tube row 11 can be an inner tube row relative to the air outlet structure of the air conditioner, and the second tube row 12 is an outer tube row accordingly. In this technical solution, since the first tube row 11 and the second tube row 12 are respectively on the air inlet side and the air outlet side of the airflow, the relative relationship between the refrigerant flow direction and the airflow flow direction can be fully utilized to form a counterflow, which is beneficial to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger and the energy efficiency of the air conditioner. Specifically, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, Figure 1 The airflow direction when the air conditioner is in cooling condition (shown by Figure 1 The direction is from right to left, i.e., the first direction), and the refrigerant in the corresponding heat exchanger at this time flows from the first tube row 11 (inner tube row) to the second tube row 12 (outer tube row), forming a countercurrent flow of the refrigerant and the airflow; Figure 2The airflow direction when the air conditioner is in heating condition (shown by Figure 2 The refrigerant in the corresponding heat exchanger flows from the second tube row 12 (outer tube row) to the first tube row 11 (inner tube row), forming a countercurrent flow of the refrigerant and the airflow.

[0025] Furthermore, the first heat exchange tube group 1 is formed by a plurality of U-shaped tubes 2 connected in series, and the projections of the U-shaped tubes 2 in the first tube row 11 and the U-shaped tubes 2 in the second tube row 12 along the airflow direction are staggered. Figure 1 As shown, the U-shaped tubes 2 in the first tube row 11 on the left side of the illustrated orientation are staggered in height direction with the U-shaped tubes 2 in the second tube row 12 on the right side by approximately the diameter of a U-shaped tube. This staggered arrangement enables more complete contact between the airflow and the U-shaped tubes 2, thereby effectively improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0026] Further, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The figure shows a cross section of the heat exchanger in the direction of airflow flow. More specifically, for the first heat exchange tube group 1, the cross section has a first tube segment 13, a second tube segment 14, and a third tube segment 15 which are sequentially connected and connected, and the first tube segment 13, the second tube segment 14, and the third tube segment 15 form a U-shape with the opening facing downward. The first heat exchange tube group 1 of this shape can make full use of the characteristics of the liquid phase and the gas phase in the two-phase change process of the refrigerant, thereby effectively improving the performance of the heat exchanger of the air conditioner during heating. This can undoubtedly meet the high heat exchange efficiency requirements of the air conditioner in the prior art under heating conditions. Specifically, Figure 2 The refrigerant inlet of each of the first heat exchange tube groups 1 is a high-temperature gas phase. Since the gas phase refrigerant has a smaller density, it has the advantage of floating upward flow. After heat exchange through several U-shaped tubes 2 (the third tube section 15), the high-temperature gas phase refrigerant will form a partial liquid phase. The liquid phase refrigerant formed at this time will flow to the first tube section 13 via the second tube section 14. The liquid phase refrigerant has a larger density, and it at least partially uses its own gravity to flow downward along the first tube section 13, thereby greatly reducing the resistance along the refrigerant in the first heat exchange tube group 1, making the pressure drop (pressure loss) of the refrigerant smaller, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0027] Preferably, the first heat exchange tube group 1 has multiple groups, and the multiple groups of the first heat exchange tube groups 1 are arranged adjacent to each other in the height direction. At this time, the refrigerant inlets and refrigerant outlets of the multiple groups of the first heat exchange tube groups 1 can be connected through corresponding collectors or splitters to form a uniform diversion of the refrigerant in the air-conditioning system, and the multiple groups of the first heat exchange tube groups 1 are connected in parallel with each other, effectively reducing the total pipe length of the refrigerant, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0028] Furthermore, the total refrigerant pipe length of the first heat exchange tube group 1 at different heights in the heat exchanger is different. More specifically, for example, the total refrigerant pipe length of the first heat exchange tube group 1 at a higher position in the heat exchanger is greater than or less than the total refrigerant pipe length of the first heat exchange tube group 1 at a lower position. This is determined based on the change in flow velocity of the airflow along the height of the heat exchanger. The corresponding specific embodiments will be given in conjunction with the subsequent air conditioner and will not be elaborated here.

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The specific structural type of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, the heat exchanger has multiple heat exchange surfaces 3, and the multiple heat exchange surfaces 3 can respectively form heat exchange for airflows in different directions. For example, a heat exchanger similar to a C-shaped or G-shaped structure is shown in the figure, that is, on a plane perpendicular to the heat exchange surface 3, the shape of the heat exchanger 100 is C-shaped or G-shaped, which can be used in an air conditioner with a C-shaped, G-shaped or annular air outlet, thereby greatly increasing the heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchanger. Of course, as a more preferred implementation form, the heat exchange surface 3 is Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the four heat exchange surfaces 3 can be used to exchange heat with air flows in four directions around them respectively.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 As shown, an air conditioner indoor unit is also provided, including a heat exchanger 100, the heat exchanger 100 is the above-mentioned heat exchanger, specifically, the air conditioner indoor unit also includes a shell 101, the shell 101 has an air duct 102 inside, the air duct 102 is provided with a fan 105, one end of the air duct 102 has a first air outlet 103 and a second air outlet 104, the heat exchanger 100 is arranged at the first air outlet 103 or the second air outlet 104, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the heat exchanger 100 is located at the first air outlet 103. Specifically, the first air outlet 103 is located at the lower part of the shell 101 and has a plurality of air outlets. The plurality of air outlets are arranged around the circumference of the shell 101. The fan 105 rotates in a first direction, for example, so that the external air flow can flow out through the first air outlet 103, the heat exchanger 100 and the air duct 102, and the second air outlet 104 to form an air cycle. At this time, it corresponds to the cooling condition of the air conditioner, and at this time, the corresponding control of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100 is controlled by the first tube row 11 ( Figure 5 The inner side of the heat exchanger 100) flows to the second tube row 12 ( Figure 5In the same way, when the fan 105 rotates in the first direction, for example, so that the external air flow can flow out through the second air outlet 104 and the air duct 102, the heat exchanger 100, and the first air outlet 103 to form an air circulation, this corresponds to the heating condition of the air conditioner, and at this time, the corresponding control of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger 100 is controlled by the second tube row 12 ( Figure 5 The outer side of the heat exchanger 100) flows to the first tube row 11 ( Figure 5 The heat exchanger 100 is located inside the heat exchanger 100, so that the refrigerant and the air flow form a counterflow, thereby ensuring that the heat exchanger 100 can have a good heat exchange efficiency when the air conditioner is in a heating condition or a cooling condition. There are multiple first air vents 103 and / or second air vents 104, and the multiple first air vents 103 and / or second air vents 104 are respectively arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the multiple heat exchange surfaces 3 of the heat exchanger 100.

[0031] Furthermore, the first air port 103 is located at the lower end of the air duct 102, the heat exchanger 100 is arranged at the first air port 103, and a water receiving pan is arranged at the lower part of the heat exchanger 100, and the water receiving pan is used to receive the condensed water formed by the heat exchanger 100. The position of the first heat exchange tube group 1 with a larger total refrigerant pipe pass in the heat exchanger 100 is higher than the position of the first heat exchange tube group 1 with a smaller total refrigerant pipe pass. The aforementioned total refrigerant pipe pass refers to the pipe pass of all U-shaped tubes 2 in the first heat exchange tube group 1 of the group, and in general, the structural type and specification of the U-shaped tube 2 used in a heat exchanger are consistent. At this time, for example Figure 2 As shown in , at this time, for the air conditioner, the first air outlet 103 is for outlet air, and because the lower end of the heat exchanger 100 is blocked by the water receiving tray, the static pressure of the outlet air at a lower position is larger, so that the outlet airflow of the first air outlet 103 has a higher flow rate at a lower position and a lower flow rate at a higher position in terms of height. Through the aforementioned technical solution, fewer U-shaped tubes are arranged at positions where the airflow velocity of the heat exchanger 100 is large, and more U-shaped tubes are arranged at positions where the airflow velocity is slightly smaller, so that the refrigerant outlet temperature of the heat exchanger 100 remains consistent. In this way, the overall heat exchange effect of the heat exchanger is better, and condensation will not occur during cooling due to excessive temperature differences. For example Figure 2As shown, the first heat exchange tube groups 1 of the first to fourth groups are defined from top to bottom based on the orientation shown in the figure, wherein the fourth group has a total of 5 U-shaped tubes 2 (i.e., the refrigerant main pipe), which are 3 in the inner row and 2 in the outer row; the third group has a total of 5 U-shaped tubes 2 (i.e., the refrigerant main pipe), which are 2 in the inner row and 3 in the outer row; the second group and the first group have a total of 6 U-shaped tubes 2 (i.e., the refrigerant main pipe), which are 3 in the inner row and 3 in the outer row, respectively. When the first air outlet 103 is used as the air outlet When the air conditioner is in heating condition, the blocking effect of the water tray below forms a static pressure, so that the airflow velocity of the first air outlet 103 decreases from bottom to top in height, that is, the airflow velocity is high at a lower height and low at a higher height. Correspondingly, the first heat exchange tube group 1 has fewer U-shaped tubes 2 (for example, the 5 tubes in the third and fourth groups mentioned above) at the position with a high airflow velocity, and has more U-shaped tubes 2 (for example, the 6 tubes in the first and second groups mentioned above) at the position with a low airflow velocity.

[0032] It should be noted that Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cross section given in FIG. 1 is a cross section of the heat exchanger in the airflow direction, wherein the circle shows the end face of the U-shaped tube 2 , and the dotted line connecting two adjacent circles shows a U-shaped tube 2 .

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an air conditioner, comprising the above-mentioned air conditioner indoor unit.

[0034] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, under the premise of no conflict, the above-mentioned advantageous methods can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0035] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention. The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and variations can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and variations should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air conditioner indoor unit, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell (101) and a heat exchanger (100), wherein the shell (101) has an air duct (102) inside, and the heat exchanger (100) is located in the air duct (102). When the air flow direction in the air duct (102) is in a first direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger (100) flows in a second direction. When the air flow direction in the air duct (102) is in a second direction, the refrigerant in the heat exchanger (100) flows in a first direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction, so that the heat exchanger (100) can also form a counterflow with the air flow direction of the air conditioner indoor unit when the air flow direction is opposite to that of the air conditioner indoor unit. The heat exchanger (100) comprises a first heat exchange tube group (1), wherein the first heat exchange tube group (1) comprises a first tube row (11), a second tube row (12), and the first One of the first tube row (11) and the second tube row (12) is located at the air inlet side of the air flow, and the other is located at the air outlet side of the air flow, and the first tube row (11) and the second tube row (12) are connected in series; it also includes a shell (101), and one end of the air duct (102) has a first air port (103) and a second air port (104); the first air port (103) is located at the lower end of the air duct (102), and the heat exchanger (100) is arranged at the first air port (103); a water receiving pan is provided at the lower part of the heat exchanger (100), and the lower end of the heat exchanger (100) is blocked by the water receiving pan; the position of the first heat exchange tube group (1) with a larger total refrigerant pipe length in the heat exchanger (100) is higher than the position of the first heat exchange tube group (1) with a smaller total refrigerant pipe length.

2. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heat exchange tube group (1) is formed by a plurality of U-shaped tubes (2) connected in series, and the U-shaped tubes (2) in the first tube row (11) and the U-shaped tubes (2) in the second tube row (12) are staggered in their projections along the airflow direction.

3. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heat exchange tube group (1) has a cross section in the direction of airflow flow, the cross section having a first tube segment (13), a second tube segment (14), and a third tube segment (15) which are sequentially connected and penetrated, and the first tube segment (13), the second tube segment (14), and the third tube segment (15) form a U-shape with an opening facing downward.

4. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heat exchange tube group (1) comprises a plurality of groups, and the plurality of groups of the first heat exchange tube groups (1) are arranged adjacent to each other in sequence in the height direction.

5. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The total refrigerant pipe paths of the first heat exchange tube groups (1) at different height positions in the heat exchanger (100) are different.

6. The air conditioner indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The heat exchanger (100) has a plurality of heat exchange surfaces (3), and the plurality of heat exchange surfaces (3) are respectively capable of performing heat exchange on airflows in different directions.

7. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: On a plane perpendicular to the heat exchange surface (3), the shape of the heat exchanger (100) is C-shaped or G-shaped.

8. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple first air outlets (103) and / or multiple second air outlets (104), and the multiple first air outlets (103) and / or multiple second air outlets (104) are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple heat exchange surfaces (3) of the heat exchanger (100).

9. An air conditioner, comprising an air conditioner indoor unit, characterized in that: The air-conditioning indoor unit is the air-conditioning indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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