Air duct assembly and air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air duct assembly and an air conditioner, wherein the air duct assembly can realize switching between upper air inlet and lower air outlet and lower air inlet and upper air outlet, and can meet different forms of air supply requirements. The air duct assembly of the present invention is constructed in one piece, and the same air duct assembly realizes two different air supply modes, and its structure is simple and compact. When the air duct assembly of the present invention is used in an air conditioner, during cooling, air enters the air conditioner from the lower end of the room and is sent out from the top. By utilizing the principle that cold air automatically sinks, it automatically exchanges heat with the air and mixes evenly; during heating, hot air enters the air conditioner from the upper end of the room and is sent out from the bottom. By utilizing the principle that hot air automatically rises, it automatically exchanges heat with the air and mixes evenly. It can significantly improve the user experience and comfort.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An air conditioner is a device that regulates indoor temperature and humidity, blowing cool or hot air into a room as needed. Air conditioners typically have an outlet and an inlet, with the outlet used to blow cool or hot air. On air conditioner controllers, these vents are typically not located on the cabinet housing, with the outlet typically located at the top and the inlet at the bottom.

[0003] Existing air conditioners have a non-interchangeable air outlet and inlet, so both hot and cold air are blown out from the top. Since hot air is lighter and tends to settle higher than cold air, when the air conditioner is in heating mode, the hot air blown out from the top stays higher up in the room and cannot automatically mix evenly with the cold air at lower levels. This results in a slow indoor temperature rise and a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an air duct assembly and an air conditioner, wherein the air duct assembly can realize the conversion of air inlet and outlet to meet different air outlet requirements. The air duct assembly is preferably used in an air conditioner, and can realize the switching of upper air inlet and lower air outlet or lower air inlet and upper air outlet, which can significantly improve the user experience.

[0005] Specifically: an air duct assembly includes: a first volute, a second volute, a first fan, and a second fan, characterized in that: the first volute forms a first accommodating portion, the first fan is located in the first accommodating portion, a first air outlet duct is formed on the front side of the first volute, and the first air outlet duct is connected to the first accommodating portion; a first air inlet duct is formed on the back side of the first volute; the first volute also forms a first air inlet connected to the first air inlet duct; the first volute also forms a first air outlet connected to the first air outlet duct;

[0006] The second volute is formed with a second accommodating portion, the second fan is located in the second accommodating portion, a second air outlet duct is formed on the front side of the second volute, and the second air outlet duct is connected to the second accommodating portion; a second air inlet is formed on the back side of the second volute; the second volute is also formed with a second air inlet connected to the second air inlet duct; and the second volute is also formed with a second air outlet connected to the second air outlet duct.

[0007] The reverse side of the first volute and the reverse side of the second volute are fixed together face to face;

[0008] The first air inlet duct, the second accommodating portion, and the second air outlet duct form a first flow channel; the second air inlet duct, the first accommodating portion, and the first air outlet duct form a second flow channel.

[0009] A partition is further provided between the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion; the partition is used to separate the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion to prevent the gases in the first flow channel and the second flow channel from mixing.

[0010] Preferably, the first volute comprises a first shell, a partition, and a first volute cover, wherein the partition divides the first shell into a first part and a second part; the first part, the partition, and the first volute cover together form a first air outlet duct;

[0011] And / or, the second volute includes a second shell, a partition, and a second volute cover, wherein the partition divides the second shell into a third part and a fourth part; the third part, the partition, and the second volute cover together form a second air outlet duct.

[0012] Preferably, the first volute further comprises a first baffle, and the second volute further comprises a second baffle;

[0013] The first baffle, the fourth portion of the second shell, and the partition together form a second air inlet duct;

[0014] The second baffle, the second portion of the first shell, and the partition together form a first air inlet duct.

[0015] Preferably, the second part is formed with a plurality of first through holes; and / or the fourth part is formed with a plurality of second through holes; the plurality of first through holes form the first air inlet; and the plurality of second through holes form the second air inlet.

[0016] Preferably, the first air outlet is formed at the upper part of the front side of the first volute, and the first air inlet is formed at the upper part of the reverse side of the first volute; the second air outlet is formed at the lower part of the front side of the second volute, and the second air inlet is formed at the lower part of the reverse side of the second volute.

[0017] Preferably, the first accommodating portion is formed with a first air outlet, and the first accommodating portion is communicated with the first air outlet duct through the first air outlet; the second accommodating portion is formed with a second air outlet, and the second accommodating portion is communicated with the second air outlet duct through the second air outlet.

[0018] Preferably, the first fan and the second fan are both centrifugal fans; the airflow entering through the second air inlet duct enters from the axial direction of the first fan, is accelerated by the first fan, and enters the first air outlet duct through the first exhaust port; the airflow entering through the first air inlet duct enters from the axial direction of the second fan, is accelerated by the second fan, and enters the second air outlet duct through the second exhaust port.

[0019] Preferably, the first volute and the second volute have the same structure and size.

[0020] Preferably, the first volute is further provided with a first fixing portion, and the second volute is further provided with a second fixing portion; the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion are fixed relative to each other through the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, and the center lines of the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion are on the same straight line.

[0021] Preferably, the first shell of the first volute is symmetrically arranged with respect to the second shell of the second volute with respect to the center line.

[0022] Preferably, the first baffle of the first volute is symmetrically arranged with respect to the second baffle of the second volute with respect to the center line.

[0023] In addition, the present invention provides an air conditioner including the air duct assembly.

[0024] Preferably, the air duct assembly is arranged substantially vertically, with the first air inlet and the first air outlet located at the upper portion, and the second air inlet and the second air outlet located at the lower portion.

[0025] Preferably, in heating mode, gas flows in from the first air inlet, passes through the first flow channel, and flows out from the second air outlet; in cooling mode, gas flows in from the second air inlet, passes through the second flow channel, and flows out from the first air outlet.

[0026] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other drawings can be derived from these drawings without inventive effort.

[0028] Figure 1 A front perspective schematic diagram of a first volute according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic reverse perspective view of a first volute according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 A front perspective schematic diagram of a second volute according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 A front perspective schematic diagram of a second volute according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic three-dimensional diagram of an air duct assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6Schematic diagram of an exploded view of an air duct assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 One of the ventilation schematic diagrams of the air duct assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 8 The second ventilation schematic diagram of the air duct assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Among them: 1-first volute, 11-first air outlet duct, 12-first air inlet duct, 13-first accommodating portion, 14-first baffle, 15-first fixing portion, 16-first through hole, 17-first volute cover; 2-second volute, 21-second air outlet duct, 22-second air inlet duct, 23-second accommodating portion, 24-second baffle, 25-second fixing portion, 26-second through hole, 27-second volute cover; 31-first fan, 32-second fan, 4-partition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be embodied in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals in the drawings represent like or similar parts, and thus repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] In addition, the described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a full understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, devices, steps, etc. can be adopted. In other cases, well-known methods, devices, implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid blurring various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various structures, these structures should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one structure from another. Thus, the first structure discussed below can be referred to as the second structure without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one of the associated listed items and all combinations of one or more of them.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are merely schematic diagrams of example embodiments, and the modules or processes in the drawings are not necessarily necessary for implementing the present disclosure, and therefore cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0041] The following is combined with Figure 1-8 The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail:

[0042] like Figure 1-6 As shown, the air duct assembly of the embodiment of the present invention is an integral structure. The air duct assembly of the present invention divides the volute shell into two parts, front and back, by a middle partition. The two parts form different air ducts respectively. The two volute shells are fixed together to form a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The same air duct assembly realizes two different air supply modes. Its structure is simple and compact. The air duct assembly of the embodiment of the present invention includes: a first volute 1, a second volute 2, a first fan 31, and a second fan 32. The first volute 1 is formed with a first accommodating portion 13. The first fan 31 is located in the first accommodating portion 13. The front of the first volute 1 is formed with a first air outlet duct 11, and the first air outlet duct 11 is connected to the first accommodating portion 13. The back of the first volute 1 is formed with a first air inlet duct 12. The second volute 2 is formed with a second accommodating portion 23. The second fan 32 is located in the second accommodating portion 23. The front of the second volute 2 is formed with a second air outlet duct. The air duct 21 and the second air outlet duct 21 are connected to the second accommodating portion 23; a second air inlet duct 22 is formed on the reverse side of the second volute 2; the reverse side of the first volute 1 and the reverse side of the second volute 2 are fixed together opposite to each other, the first accommodating portion 13 and the second accommodating portion 23 are arranged opposite to each other, and a partition 4 is also arranged between the first accommodating portion 13 and the second accommodating portion 23; wherein, the first air inlet duct 12, the second accommodating portion 23, and the second air outlet duct 21 form a first flow channel; the second air inlet duct 22, the first accommodating portion 13, and the first air outlet duct 11 form a second flow channel.

[0043] Partition 4 is used to separate first accommodating portion 13 from second accommodating portion 23, preventing the gases in the first and second flow paths from mixing. Partition 4 is located between first volute 1 and second volute 2, dividing the space between the first and second volutes 1 and 2, so that partition 4 and the air inlet channels of the first and second volutes 1 and 2 form the boundaries of their respective air inlet channels.

[0044] The first volute 1 also forms a first air inlet connected to the first air inlet duct 12 and a first air outlet connected to the first air outlet duct 11; the second volute 2 also forms a second air inlet connected to the second air inlet duct 22 and a second air outlet connected to the second air outlet duct 21.

[0045] The first volute 1 is further provided with a first fixing portion 15, and the second volute 2 is further provided with a second fixing portion 25; the first accommodating portion 13 and the second accommodating portion 23 are fixed relative to each other through the first fixing portion 15 and the second fixing portion, and the center lines of the first accommodating portion 13 and the second accommodating portion 23 are on the same straight line.

[0046] like Figure 1, 2, the first volute 1 includes a first shell, a partition 4, and a first volute cover 17, wherein the partition 4 divides the first shell into a first part and a second part, and the first part, the partition 4 and the first volute cover 17 together form a first air outlet duct 11; and / or, as Figure 3 As shown in FIG4 , the second volute 2 includes a second shell, a partition 4 , and a second volute cover 27 , wherein the partition 4 divides the second shell into a third part and a fourth part, and the third part, the partition 4 and the second volute cover 27 together form a second air outlet duct 21 .

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG6 , the first volute 1 also includes a first baffle 14, and the second volute also includes a second baffle 24; the first baffle 14, the fourth part of the second shell, and the partition 4 together form the second air inlet duct 22; the second baffle 24, the second part of the first shell, and the partition 4 together form the first air inlet duct 12.

[0048] The second portion is formed with a plurality of first through holes 16 ; and / or the fourth portion is formed with a plurality of second through holes 26 .

[0049] A first air outlet is formed at the upper portion of the front face of the first volute 1, and a first air inlet is formed at the rear face of the upper portion of the first volute 1; and / or a second air outlet is formed at the lower portion of the front face of the second volute 2, and a second air inlet is formed at the rear face of the lower portion of the second volute 2. The plurality of first through holes 16 can be used as the first air inlet, and the plurality of second through holes 26 can be used as the second air inlet.

[0050] Although Figure 1-4 The diagram shows a plurality of first through holes 16 as first air inlets and a plurality of second through holes 26 as second air inlets; however, the first air inlets and the second air inlets may not adopt the above-mentioned form, for example, they may adopt an open form.

[0051] The corresponding first air outlet and second air outlet can also be arranged in the form of multiple through holes.

[0052] The first volute cover 17 and the second volute cover 27 are used to form the boundaries of the first air outlet channel and the second air outlet channel 21 respectively together with the first volute 1 and the second volute 2 .

[0053] The first volute 1 has a baffle feature, that is, the first volute 1 includes a first baffle 14, a first air outlet duct 11 on the front, and a first air inlet duct 12 on the back. The first baffle 14 and the air inlet duct of the second volute 2 form a complete second air inlet duct boundary.

[0054] The first air outlet channel and the first volute cover 17 form a complete air outlet channel boundary. The air outlet boundary and the air inlet boundary are independent of each other and are not affected by either side.

[0055] The second volute 2 has a baffle feature, that is, the second volute 2 includes a second baffle 24, a second air outlet duct 21 on the front, a second air inlet duct 22 on the back, a second air outlet at the lower end for air discharge, and multiple second through holes 26 on both sides.

[0056] The first accommodating portion 13 is formed with a first air outlet, which is communicated with the first air outlet duct 11 through the first air outlet; the second accommodating portion 23 is formed with a second air outlet, which is communicated with the second air outlet duct 21 through the second air outlet.

[0057] The first fan 31 and the second fan 32 can both be centrifugal fans. The airflow entering through the second air inlet duct 22 enters from the axial direction of the first fan 31, is accelerated by the first fan 31, and then enters the first air outlet duct 11 through the first exhaust port; the airflow entering through the first air inlet duct 12 enters from the axial direction of the second fan 32, is accelerated by the second fan 32, and then enters the second air outlet duct 21 through the second exhaust port.

[0058] The first volute 1 and the second volute 2 have the same structure and size. The air duct assembly may further include a first motor connected to the first fan 31 and a first motor mounting plate. The first motor is used to drive the first fan 31 and is secured to the first accommodating portion 13 via the first motor mounting plate. The air duct assembly may further include a second motor connected to the second fan 32 and a second motor mounting plate. The second motor is used to drive the second fan and is secured to the second accommodating portion 23 via the second motor mounting plate.

[0059] The present invention also provides an air conditioner including the aforementioned air duct assembly. The air duct assembly is arranged substantially vertically, with a first air inlet and a first air outlet located at the top, and a second air inlet and a second air outlet located at the bottom. In heating mode, air flows in through the first air inlet, passes through the first flow channel, and flows out through the second air outlet. In cooling mode, air flows in through the second air inlet, passes through the second flow channel, and flows out through the first air outlet.

[0060] The air duct assembly, in which the first fan 31 and the second fan 32 can be centrifugal fans, is a double centrifugal duct type air duct. When used in an air conditioner, it can achieve that during cooling, the air enters the air conditioner from the lower end of the room and is sent out from the top; during heating, the air enters the air conditioner from the upper end of the room and is sent out from the bottom.

[0061] When the air conditioner is in cooling mode, air enters from the lower end of the air duct assembly, enters through the second through-hole 26, flows through the second air inlet duct 22, the second accommodating portion 23, and the first air outlet duct 11, and exits from the first air outlet at the upper end. In cooling mode, the first motor is inactive, and the second motor assembly is in operation.

[0062] When the air conditioner is in heating mode, air enters from the upper end of the air duct assembly, entering through the first through-hole 16, flows through the first air inlet duct 12, the first accommodating portion 13, and the second air outlet duct 21, and exits from the lower air outlet. In heating mode, the first motor is in operation, and the second motor assembly is inoperative.

[0063] The air conditioner may further include a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger which may be respectively disposed in the first flow channel and the second flow channel of the air duct assembly. The air passing through the first flow channel or the second flow channel may exchange heat with the first and second heat exchangers to provide cold air or hot air.

[0064] Beneficial effects:

[0065] The air duct assembly and air conditioner of the present invention are characterized in that the air duct assembly can realize switching between upper air inlet and lower air outlet and lower air inlet and upper air outlet, and can meet different forms of air supply requirements. The air duct assembly of the present invention is an integral structure, and the same air duct assembly realizes two different air supply modes, and its structure is simple and compact. When the air duct assembly of the present invention is used in an air conditioner, during cooling, the air enters the air conditioner from the lower end of the room and is sent out from the top. The principle of automatic sinking of cold air is utilized to automatically exchange heat with the air and mix evenly. During heating, hot air enters the air conditioner from the upper end of the room and is sent out from the bottom. The principle of automatic rising of hot air is utilized to automatically exchange heat with the air and mix evenly. It can significantly improve the user experience and comfort.

[0066] While the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been specifically illustrated and described above, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures, configurations, or implementations described herein; rather, the present disclosure is intended to encompass various modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air duct assembly, comprising: A first volute (1), a second volute (2), a first fan (31), and a second fan (32), characterized in that: the first volute (1) is formed with a first accommodating portion (13), the first fan (31) is located inside the first accommodating portion (13), a first air outlet duct (11) is formed on the front side of the first volute (1), and the first air outlet duct (11) is connected to the first accommodating portion (13); a first air inlet duct (12) is formed on the back side of the first volute (1); the first volute (1) is also formed with a first air inlet connected to the first air inlet duct (12) and a first air outlet connected to the first air outlet duct (11); The second volute (2) is formed with a second accommodating portion (23), the second fan (32) is located inside the second accommodating portion (23), the front side of the second volute (2) is formed with a second air outlet duct (21), and the second air outlet duct (21) is connected to the second accommodating portion (23); the back side of the second volute (2) is formed with a second air inlet duct (22); the second volute (2) is also formed with a second air inlet connected to the second air inlet duct (22), and a second air outlet connected to the second air outlet duct (21); The reverse side of the first volute (1) and the reverse side of the second volute (2) are fixed together face to face; wherein the first air inlet duct (12), the second accommodating portion (23), and the second air outlet duct (21) form a first flow channel; and the second air inlet duct (22), the first accommodating portion (13), and the first air outlet duct (11) form a second flow channel; A partition (4) is provided between the first accommodating portion (13) and the second accommodating portion (23); the partition (4) is used to separate the first accommodating portion (13) and the second accommodating portion (23) to prevent the gases in the first flow channel and the second flow channel from mixing.

2. The air duct assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first volute (1) comprises the partition (4), a first shell, and a first volute cover (17), wherein the partition (4) divides the first shell into a first part and a second part; the first part, the partition (4), and the first volute cover (17) together form a first air outlet duct (11); And / or, the second volute (2) comprises the partition (4), the second shell, and the second volute cover (27), wherein the partition (4) divides the second shell into a third part and a fourth part; and the third part, the partition (4), and the second volute cover (27) together form a second air outlet duct (21).

3. The air duct assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first volute (1) further includes a first baffle (14), and the second volute further includes a second baffle (24); The first baffle (14), the fourth portion of the second shell, and the partition (4) together form a second air inlet duct (22); The second baffle (24), the second portion of the first shell, and the partition (4) together form a first air inlet duct (12).

4. The air duct assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The second portion is formed with a plurality of first through holes (16); and / or the fourth portion is formed with a plurality of second through holes (26); the plurality of first through holes (16) form the first air inlet; and the plurality of second through holes (26) form the second air inlet.

5. The air duct assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first air outlet is formed at the upper portion of the front side of the first volute (1), and the first air inlet is formed at the upper portion of the back side of the first volute (1); the second air outlet is formed at the lower portion of the front side of the second volute (2), and the second air inlet is formed at the lower portion of the back side of the second volute (2).

6. The air duct assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first accommodating portion (13) is formed with a first air outlet, and the first accommodating portion (13) is communicated with the first air outlet duct (11) through the first air outlet; the second accommodating portion (23) is formed with a second air outlet, and the second accommodating portion (23) is communicated with the second air outlet duct (21) through the second air outlet.

7. The air duct assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first fan (31) and the second fan (32) are both centrifugal fans; the airflow entering through the second air inlet duct (22) enters from the axial direction of the first fan (31), is accelerated by the first fan (31), and then enters the first air outlet duct (11) through the first air outlet; the airflow entering through the first air inlet duct (12) enters from the axial direction of the second fan (32), is accelerated by the second fan (32), and then enters the second air outlet duct (21) through the second air outlet.

8. The air duct assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7, characterized in that: The first volute (1) and the second volute (2) have the same structure and size.

9. The air duct assembly according to any one of claims 1-3 and 7, characterized in that: The first volute (1) is further provided with a first fixing portion (15), and the second volute (2) is further provided with a second fixing portion (25); the first accommodating portion (13) and the second accommodating portion (23) are fixed together relative to each other through the first fixing portion (15) and the second fixing portion, and the center lines of the first accommodating portion (13) and the second accommodating portion (23) are on the same straight line.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that: The invention comprises the air duct assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, characterized in that: The air duct assembly is arranged vertically, with the first air inlet and the first air outlet located at the upper part, and the second air inlet and the second air outlet located at the lower part.

12. The air conditioner according to claim 11, characterized in that: In heating mode, gas flows in from the first air inlet, passes through the first flow channel, and flows out from the second air outlet; in cooling mode, gas flows in from the second air inlet, passes through the second flow channel, and flows out from the first air outlet.

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