air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention provides an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a casing with an air inlet on the top, an air supply fan disposed in the casing and configured to draw air from the air inlet, and an air inlet grille disposed at the air inlet. The air inlet grille includes a main body formed with a plurality of openings and a plurality of shielding portions arched upward relative to the main body, each shielding portion being configured so that its projection on a horizontal plane covers at least a portion of an opening. The plurality of shielding portions are configured so that their projection heights in a vertical plane gradually increase along the direction in which air flows toward the corresponding openings. The air conditioner of the present invention is configured so that the air inlet grille is disposed at the upper air inlet of the casing, and a shielding portion is provided for each opening of the air inlet grille to at least partially shield the opening. This can reduce dust that falls into the interior of the casing from the upper air inlet without increasing the occupied space, thereby shortening the cleaning cycle of the air conditioner and improving user convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of air conditioning, in particular to an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] Existing air conditioners use an air inlet at the top of the casing to draw in air. While this reduces space, dust can fall from the top inlet into the casing and accumulate on the heat exchanger and fan impeller over time, easily breeding bacteria and affecting user health. To reduce dust entering the casing, existing technology uses a filter at the top inlet to block dust, but this filter is difficult to remove and clean. Taking all factors into consideration, a design is needed for an air conditioner that can reduce dust from the top inlet and facilitate cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one technical drawback of the prior art and provide an air conditioner.

[0004] A further object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of dust that falls into the interior of the housing.

[0005] Another further object of the present invention is to increase the air intake volume of the air conditioner.

[0006] In particular, the present invention provides an air conditioner, characterized by comprising:

[0007] The casing has an upper air inlet on the top;

[0008] an air supply fan, disposed in the housing and configured to draw air from the upper air inlet; and

[0009] The upper air inlet grille is arranged at the upper air inlet, and comprises a main body with a plurality of openings and a plurality of shielding parts arched upward relative to the main body;

[0010] Each of the shielding portions is configured such that its projection on a horizontal plane covers at least a portion of one of the openings;

[0011] The plurality of shielding portions are arranged so that their projection heights in a vertical plane gradually increase along the direction in which air flows toward the corresponding openings.

[0012] Optionally, the plurality of shielding portions are configured to enable air to flow toward the plurality of openings in the same direction.

[0013] Optionally, each of the shielding portions includes:

[0014] a connecting section configured to extend upward from a lateral edge of the opening in a width direction; and

[0015] The shielding section is configured to extend from the upper end portion of the connecting section toward a lateral edge in another width direction of the opening.

[0016] Optionally, the shielding segment is configured to extend horizontally.

[0017] Optionally, each of the shielding portions is configured to smoothly extend upward from a lateral edge of one of the openings in a width direction and toward a direction close to a lateral edge of the opening in another width direction.

[0018] Optionally, the plurality of shielding portions are configured to extend from rear to front.

[0019] Optionally, the distance between two adjacent openings is greater than the thickness of the shielding portion.

[0020] Optionally, the shielding portion is configured so that its projection on the horizontal plane completely covers one of the openings; and

[0021] The distance between two adjacent openings is 3 / 5 to 1 of the size of the opening in the width direction; and / or

[0022] The minimum distance between the extending end of the shielding portion and the opening is 1 / 5 to 1 / 2 of the width of the opening; and / or

[0023] The height difference between the projections of the shielding portion and its adjacent shielding portion in the vertical plane is 1 / 5 to 2 / 5 of the size of the opening in the width direction.

[0024] Optionally, a lower air inlet is further provided at the bottom of the housing;

[0025] The air supply fan is a double-suction centrifugal fan, and the rotation axis of the centrifugal fan is vertically arranged; and the air conditioner further includes:

[0026] Two heat exchangers are respectively arranged on the air inlet path between the upper air inlet and the lower air inlet and the centrifugal fan.

[0027] Optionally, the air conditioner further includes:

[0028] The lower air inlet grille includes a plurality of grille plates spaced apart in the vertical direction, each of the grille plates includes a plurality of grid bars spaced apart, and an opening is formed between each two adjacent grid bars for air to flow through; and

[0029] The projection of the opening of each grid plate on the horizontal plane falls within the projection of the multiple bars of the other grid plates.

[0030] The air conditioner of the present invention provides an air inlet grille at the upper air inlet of the casing, and provides a shielding portion for each opening of the air inlet grille that at least partially shields the opening. This can reduce the dust falling into the interior of the casing from the upper air inlet without increasing the occupied space, thereby shortening the cleaning cycle of the air conditioner and improving user convenience.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention arranges multiple shielding parts so that the projection height in the vertical plane gradually increases along the direction of air flow toward the corresponding openings, so that the air flow passing through the multiple openings is uniform, the air intake of the air conditioner is increased, the service life of the air supply fan is extended, the uneven heat exchange of the heat exchanger and the waste of cold or heat are avoided, and the cooling and heating performance of the air conditioner is ensured.

[0032] Furthermore, the shielding portion of the present invention is configured to extend upward from the lateral edge of the opening in one width direction and bend toward the lateral edge in the other width direction close to the opening, which can prevent dust from moving into the interior of the casing with the airflow while ensuring the air intake volume, further reducing the dust falling into the interior of the casing from the top air inlet.

[0033] Furthermore, the air inlet grille of the present invention is configured to draw in indoor air from its front side, which ensures the air intake volume of the air conditioner and avoids performance degradation of the air conditioner compared to air inlet grilles that draw in indoor air from other directions.

[0034] Furthermore, the lower air inlet grille of the present invention includes a plurality of grille plates spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the projection of the opening of each grille plate on the horizontal plane can fall into the projection of the plurality of bars of other grille plates, so that the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger can fall on the bars under the action of its own gravity, and will not drip onto the outside of the casing through any opening of the grille plate. Without affecting the air intake volume of the lower air inlet, the lower air inlet grille combines the function of a water receiving tray, and has a simple structure and does not increase additional production costs.

[0035] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of an air conditioner according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A schematic cross-sectional view of the air conditioner shown;

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of the middle area A, showing an upper air inlet grille structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of the middle area A, showing an upper air inlet grille structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of the middle area A, showing an upper air inlet grille structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 6 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lower air inlet grille according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of an air conditioner 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of the air conditioner 100 is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the air conditioner 100 may include a casing 110 , an air supply fan 120 and a heat exchanger.

[0044] An upper air inlet 111 may be provided at the top of the housing 110 to draw in indoor air, thereby reducing the space occupied by the air conditioner 100 .

[0045] The bottom of the housing 110 may also be provided with a lower air inlet 112 to inhale indoor air and increase the air intake of the air conditioner 100. The air conditioner 100 may be hung on a wall so as to inhale air through the lower air inlet 112.

[0046] The air supply fan 120 may be disposed within the housing 110 and configured to draw air from the upper air inlet 111 and the lower air inlet 112. In some embodiments, the air supply fan 120 may be a double-suction centrifugal fan with its axis of rotation vertically disposed, i.e., its two air intakes face upward and downward, respectively. An air outlet 113 may be provided at the front of the housing 110 to supply air to the indoor environment.

[0047] The heat exchanger 131 and the heat exchanger 132 may be respectively disposed on the air inlet path between the upper air inlet 111 and the lower air inlet 112 and the air supply fan 120 to perform heat exchange with the air flowing therethrough.

[0048] An upper air inlet grille 140 may be provided at the upper air inlet 111. Specifically, the upper air inlet grille 140 may include a main body 141 having a plurality of upper openings 142 through which air flows, and a plurality of shielding portions 143 that arch upward relative to the main body 141. Each shielding portion 143 may be configured such that its horizontal projection covers at least a portion of one of the upper openings 142.

[0049] The air conditioner 100 of the present invention is configured with an upper air inlet grille 140 at the top air inlet of the casing 110, and a shielding portion 143 is provided for each upper opening 142 of the upper air inlet grille 140 to at least partially shield the upper opening 142. This can reduce the amount of dust falling into the interior of the casing 110 from the top air inlet without increasing the occupied space, thereby shortening the cleaning cycle of the air conditioner 100 and improving user convenience.

[0050] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of the middle region A shows the structure of the upper air inlet grille 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 In some embodiments, each shielding portion 143 may include a connecting segment 143a extending upward from a lateral edge in one width direction of the upper opening 142, and a shielding segment 143b extending from an upper end portion of the connecting segment 143a toward a lateral edge in the other width direction of the upper opening 142. Specifically, the shielding portion 143 may be configured to extend upward from a lateral edge in one width direction of the upper opening 142 and bend toward a lateral edge in the other width direction of the upper opening 142. This ensures sufficient airflow while preventing dust from traveling with the airflow into the interior of the housing 110, further reducing dust from entering the interior of the housing 110 through the top air inlet.

[0051] In some further embodiments, the distance W1 between two adjacent upper openings 142 may be greater than the thickness of the shielding portion 143 to further reduce dust falling into the interior of the casing 110 from the top air inlet.

[0052] In some further embodiments, the shielding section 143b may be configured to extend horizontally to further reduce dust falling into the interior of the housing 110 from the top air inlet.

[0053] In some further embodiments, multiple shielding portions 143 can be configured to gradually increase their projection height in the vertical plane along the direction of air flow toward the corresponding upper openings 142, so that the air flow passing through the multiple upper openings 142 is uniform, thereby increasing the air intake volume of the air conditioner, extending the service life of the air supply fan, avoiding uneven heat exchange of the heat exchanger and waste of cold or heat, and ensuring the cooling and heating performance of the air conditioner.

[0054] In some further embodiments, the multiple shielding portions 143 may extend in the same direction relative to the main body 141. That is, the multiple shielding portions may be configured to ensure that air flows in the same direction toward the multiple upper openings 142, thereby preventing airflow turbulence and reduced air intake. In the present invention, the term "same air flow direction" refers to the air flow trend, not the specific angle. For example, the air flow direction may be from front to back and slanted downward.

[0055] In some further embodiments, the plurality of shielding portions 143 may be divided into a plurality of shielding groups with different directions of air flow toward their corresponding upper openings 142, each shielding group including at least one shielding portion 143. A shielding group having a plurality of shielding portions 143 may be configured such that the projection heights of the plurality of shielding portions 143 in a vertical plane gradually increase along the direction of air flow toward the corresponding upper openings 142.

[0056] In some further embodiments, the shielding portion 143 may be configured so that its projection on the horizontal plane completely covers one upper opening 142. The spacing W1 between two adjacent upper openings 142 may be 3 / 5 to 1 of the dimension W2 of the upper opening 142 in the width direction, for example, 3 / 5, 4 / 5, or 1. The minimum spacing H1 between the extended end of the shielding portion 143 and the upper opening 142 may be 1 / 5 to 1 / 2 of the dimension W2 of the upper opening 142 in the width direction, for example, 1 / 5, 1 / 4, or 1 / 2. The height difference H2 between the projections of the shielding portion 143 and its adjacent shielding portion 143 in the vertical plane may be 1 / 5 to 2 / 5 of the dimension W2 of the upper opening 142 in the width direction, for example, 1 / 5, 1 / 4, or 2 / 5, so as to increase the air intake and ensure the uniformity of the air intake.

[0057] In some further embodiments, the plurality of shielding portions 143 may be configured to extend from the rear to the front, so as to ensure the air intake of the air conditioner 100 and avoid a decrease in the performance of the air conditioner 100 .

[0058] In some further embodiments, the upper air grille 140 may further include a plurality of end plates 144. Each pair of end plates 144 may be disposed on either longitudinal side of a shielding portion 143 and connected to the shielding portion 143 and the main body 141. In other words, each shielding portion 143 may be provided with an end plate 144 at each end thereof to connect to the main body 141, thereby enhancing the structural strength of the upper air grille 140.

[0059] In other embodiments, each shielding portion 143 may be configured to smoothly extend upward from one lateral edge of the upper opening 142 in the width direction toward the other lateral edge of the upper opening 142 in the width direction, thereby reducing wind resistance and improving airflow smoothness. Smooth extension means that the curve equation of the extension path of the shielding portion 143 is a curve with a continuous first-order derivative. In engineering, this means that the shielding portion 143 has no sharp corners.

[0060] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of area A in FIG. 1 shows an upper air inlet grille structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 , and Figure 3 The difference between the embodiments is that the connecting section 143a and the shielding section 143b are connected by an arc transition.

[0061] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of area A in FIG. 1 shows an upper air inlet grille structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 , and Figure 3 The difference between the embodiments is that the shielding portion 143 extends linearly.

[0062] Figure 6 FIG is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lower air inlet grille 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 A lower air inlet grille 150 may be provided at the lower air inlet 112. The lower air inlet grille 150 may include a plurality of grille plates 151 spaced apart in the vertical direction. Each grille plate 151 includes a plurality of spaced apart bars 152, with a lower opening 153 formed between each two adjacent bars 152 for air to flow through.

[0063] The projection of the lower opening 153 of each grille plate 151 on the horizontal plane can fall into the projection of multiple bars 152 of other grille plates 151, that is, the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 132 can fall on the bars 152 under the action of its own gravity, and will not drip onto the outside of the casing through any lower opening 153. Without affecting the air intake volume of the lower air inlet 112, the lower air inlet grille 150 has the function of a water receiving tray, and the structure is simple, and no additional production cost is added.

[0064] Each bar 152 of each grid plate 151 has a groove 153 with an upward and downward opening for collecting condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 132. The groove may extend along the length direction of the bar 152.

[0065] The bottom wall of the groove may be configured to extend downwardly from the middle thereof to both ends thereof to prevent condensed water from accumulating in the groove.

[0066] Any grid plates 151 except the grid plates 151 of the lowest layer are directly or indirectly connected to the grid plates 151 of the lowest layer, so as to collect the condensed water to the grid plates 151 of the lowest layer, thereby facilitating the discharge of the condensed water.

[0067] Each grid plate 151 is also provided with an outer frame 154, and each outer frame 154 is formed with a conduit. The longitudinal ends of the grooves of each grid bar 152 are connected to a conduit to collect condensed water. The conduits of multiple grid plates 151 can be connected layer by layer through pipes.

[0068] Each grid plate 151 may be configured to extend downwardly and obliquely from front to rear. The rear portions of the confluence grooves of the plurality of grid plates 151 may be connected to facilitate the discharge of condensed water.

[0069] The plurality of grille plates 151 may be arranged substantially in parallel to reduce the vertical area occupied by the lower air inlet grille 150 and improve the compactness of the overall structure.

[0070] The distance between two adjacent grille plates 151 can be greater than twice the width of any lower opening 153 to ensure that there is sufficient space between the two adjacent grille plates 151 for the airflow to change direction, reduce wind resistance, and thus ensure the air intake of the lower air inlet 112.

[0071] The width of the lower openings 153 of the plurality of grille plates 151 may gradually increase from bottom to top to prevent leakage of condensed water, reduce wind resistance as a whole, and improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0072] In the present invention, the air conditioner 100 may be an air conditioner indoor unit (or air conditioner indoor unit) that adopts a vapor compression refrigeration system, an air purifier, an air humidifier, etc.

[0073] At this point, those skilled in the art will recognize that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the present invention may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that: include: The casing has an upper air inlet on the top; an air supply fan disposed in the housing and configured to draw air from the upper air inlet; as well as The upper air inlet grille is provided at the upper air inlet, and comprises a main body with a plurality of openings and a plurality of shielding portions arched upward relative to the main body; wherein, Each of the shielding portions is configured such that its projection on a horizontal plane completely covers one of the openings; The plurality of shielding portions are arranged such that the projection heights thereof in the vertical plane gradually increase along the direction of air flow toward the corresponding openings; Each of the shielding portions is configured to smoothly extend upward from a lateral edge of one of the openings in a width direction and toward a lateral edge of the other width direction of the opening; The upper air inlet grille further comprises a plurality of end plates, wherein each two end plates are respectively arranged on both sides of a longitudinal direction of a shielding portion and connected to the shielding portion and the main body; The distance between two adjacent openings is 3 / 5 to 1 of the size of the opening in the width direction; The minimum distance between the extended end of the shielding portion and the opening is 1 / 5 to 1 / 2 of the width of the opening; and The height difference between the projections of the shielding portion and its adjacent shielding portion in the vertical plane is 1 / 5 to 2 / 5 of the size of the opening in the width direction.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of shielding portions are configured to allow air to flow toward the plurality of openings in the same direction.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of shielding portions are all configured to extend from rear to front.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein: The distance between two adjacent openings is greater than the thickness of the shielding portion.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that The bottom of the housing is also provided with a lower air inlet; The air supply fan is a double-suction centrifugal fan, and the rotation axis of the centrifugal fan is vertically arranged; and the air conditioner further includes: Two heat exchangers are respectively arranged on the air inlet path between the upper air inlet and the lower air inlet and the centrifugal fan.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein: Also includes: The lower air inlet grille includes a plurality of grille plates spaced apart in the vertical direction, each of the grille plates includes a plurality of grid bars spaced apart, and an opening is formed between each two adjacent grid bars for air to flow through; and The projection of the opening of each grid plate on the horizontal plane falls within the projection of the multiple bars of the other grid plates.

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