An air conditioner indoor unit bottom shell assembly and an air conditioner including the same

Abstract

The present invention provides an air conditioner indoor unit bottom shell assembly and an air conditioner including the same. The air conditioner indoor unit bottom shell assembly includes a bottom shell, and a distributed water channel for collecting condensed water is arranged inside the bottom shell. The distributed water channel includes a front water channel and a rear water channel that extend along the length direction of the bottom shell and are independent of each other. The front water channel and the rear water channel are used for collecting condensed water generated at different positions of the heat exchanger. A first drain port is formed at the first end of the bottom shell for the front water channel, and a second drain port is formed at the first end of the bottom shell for the rear water channel; a water collection device is arranged at the first end of the bottom shell, and the first drain port is connected to the water collection device so that the condensed water in the rear water channel can enter the water collection device; an electrical box is arranged at the second end of the bottom shell, and an end plate for closing the front water channel and the rear water channel is formed at the second end of the bottom shell, and the end plate separates the front water channel and the rear water channel from the electrical box. The present invention can collect condensed water in sub-regions and enable the reuse of clean condensed water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of air conditioners, and in particular to a bottom shell assembly of an indoor unit of an air conditioner and an air conditioner comprising the same. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, air conditioners have become a must-have household appliance. Since air conditioners process indoor air to regulate the temperature, their operation can easily affect the air quality. Therefore, users hope that the air conditioner can clean the air during operation, so that the air conditioner can achieve multiple functions of comfort and health.

[0003] At present, some air conditioners can achieve self-cleaning, that is, clean the heat exchanger, filter, etc., and remove dust, bacteria, etc. by flushing. However, the sources of clean water with cleaning function are different. Some use external water sources, and some use air conditioner condensation water. However, condensation water is formed on the heat exchanger. When the heat exchanger is contaminated, the condensation water will also be contaminated accordingly, so the cleaning effect is not good enough.

[0004] In the prior art, split wall-mounted air conditioners mostly use a multi-fold heat exchanger structure. The heat exchanger is located on the upper part of the bottom shell. A water receiving pan is provided on the bottom shell to receive the condensed water on the heat exchanger, and then the condensed water is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe assembly. If self-cleaning is required, the condensed water from the heat exchanger needs to be taken as the cleaning liquid, but the cleanliness of the condensed water at different locations is different. If it is not distinguished, it is easy to take the dirty condensed water, which affects the subsequent self-cleaning effect. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention discloses an air conditioner indoor unit bottom shell assembly and an air conditioner including the same, which is used to at least solve the technical problem that condensed water collection cannot be divided into different areas in the prior art. Specifically:

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention discloses a bottom casing assembly of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising:

[0007] A bottom shell, wherein a water channel structure for collecting condensed water is disposed inside the bottom shell, wherein the water channel structure comprises a front water channel and a rear water channel extending along the length direction of the bottom shell and being independent of each other, wherein the front water channel and the rear water channel are used to collect condensed water generated at different positions of the heat exchanger, wherein the front water channel forms a first drain port at a first end of the bottom shell, and the rear water channel forms a second drain port at the first end of the bottom shell;

[0008] A water collecting device is arranged at the first end of the bottom shell, and the first drain port is connected to the water collecting device so that the condensed water in the rear water channel can enter the water collecting device;

[0009] The electrical box is arranged at the second end of the bottom shell. An end plate that closes the front water channel and the rear water channel is formed at the second end of the bottom shell, and the end plate separates the front water channel and the rear water channel from the electrical box.

[0010] Further optionally, the bottom surface of the front water channel forms an inclined surface from the second end to the first end of the bottom shell, so that water can flow towards the first end of the bottom shell within the front water channel;

[0011] The bottom surface of the rear water channel forms an inclined surface from the second end to the first end of the bottom shell, so that water can flow towards the first end of the bottom shell within the rear water channel;

[0012] The inclination angle of the bottom surface of the rear water channel is greater than that of the bottom surface of the front water channel.

[0013] Further optionally, the first drain outlet is located on the bottom surface of the bottom shell, and the second drain outlet is located on the end surface of the bottom shell.

[0014] Further optionally, at the first end of the bottom shell, a baffle is arranged between the front water channel and the rear water channel. The baffle is arranged between the first drain outlet and the second drain outlet and is used to separate the front water channel and the rear water channel.

[0015] Further optionally, the water collecting device includes a water collecting tank. A water collecting inlet is formed at the upper part of the water collecting tank, and a drain outlet is formed at the lower part of the water collecting tank. The water collecting inlet is communicated with the second drain outlet.

[0016] Further optionally, an overflow port is also arranged at the upper part of the water collecting tank, and the overflow port is communicated with the front water channel.

[0017] Further optionally, a water valve assembly is arranged on the water collecting tank, including: a sealing water valve arranged at the drain outlet; and a water valve driving device for driving the sealing water valve to open / close.

[0018] Further optionally, the water valve driving device includes:

[0019] A driving motor for providing power for the water valve driving device;

[0020] A driving connecting rod. The driving connecting rod includes: a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The first end of the first connecting rod is connected to the driving motor, and the second end of the first connecting rod is movably connected to the first end of the second connecting rod; the second end of the second connecting rod is movably connected to the sealing water valve.

[0021] Further optionally, a water tank cover is arranged on the top of the water collecting tank, and through holes are provided on the water tank cover.

[0022] Wherein, the drive motor is arranged on the top of the water tank, and the drive link extends into the water tank through the through hole and is connected to the sealed water valve.

[0023] A second aspect of the present invention discloses an air conditioner, including

[0024] The above-mentioned bottom shell assembly;

[0025] A heat exchanger, the heat exchanger includes a front heat exchanger and a rear heat exchanger, wherein,

[0026] The front heat exchanger is located above the front water channel, and the condensed water on the front heat exchanger flows into the front water channel.

[0027] The rear heat exchanger is located above the rear water channel, and the condensed water on the rear heat exchanger flows into the rear water channel.

[0028] By improving the bottom shell of the air conditioner, the present invention provides an independent front water channel and a rear water channel to form a distributed water channel, and separately collects the condensed water in different parts, so that the condensed water with better cleanliness can be selected for utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] By referring to the accompanying drawings and describing its exemplary embodiments in detail, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious. The following described drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0030] Figure 1 Shows the structural assembly diagram of the water collection device in one embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 Shows the exploded view of the water collection device in one embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3 Shows the state diagram of the water collection device in one embodiment when the sealed water valve is closed;

[0033] Figure 4 Shows the exploded view of the water collection device in one embodiment using a tee structure for drainage;

[0034] Figure 5 Shows the structural schematic diagram of the bottom shell of the water collection device in one embodiment;

[0035] Figure 6 Shows the schematic diagram of the assembly position of the water collection device in one embodiment;

[0036] Figure 7 Shows the installation schematic diagram of the water collection device and the housing in one embodiment;

[0037] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the transfer water tank of the water collection device according to an embodiment;

[0038] Figure 9 Installation schematic diagram of the transfer water tank in the water collection device according to an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 10 Schematic enlarged view of the end of the bottom case according to an embodiment.

[0040] In the figure: 0, electrical box; 1, water collection device; 11, drainage outlet; 12, water collection inlet; 13, drive motor; 14, drive link; 15, water tank cover; 16, fixing plate of water collection device; 17, filtering device; 18, sealing water valve; 2, bottom case; 21, front water channel; 22, first drainage port; 23, rear water channel; 24, second drainage port; 25, baffle; 3, tee structure; 3A, transfer water tank; 3A1, inlet of transfer water tank; 3A2, outlet of transfer water tank; 3A3, inlet of transfer water tank; 4, drainage pipeline; 5, screw. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] For the purpose of making the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "a", "the" and "said" used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "Plural" generally includes at least two, but does not exclude the case of including at least one.

[0043] It should be understood that the term " / and / " used herein is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0044] It should also be noted that the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a commodity or system comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such commodity or system. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the commodity or system comprising said element.

[0045] Note: The "front", "rear", "left" and "right" mentioned in this application are consistent with the directions marked in the drawings.

[0046] At present, although air conditioners are equipped with a spray self-cleaning function, there are often certain problems with the spray water source used during self-cleaning. For example, when using condensed water or an external water source as the cleaning water, various aspects such as the water source, water storage and collection methods will result in poor quality of the condensed water in the air conditioner, which will have a certain impact on the cleaning result after using this water to clean the air conditioner. Moreover, the cleaning degrees of the condensed water generated at different positions on the heat exchanger are different. In this application, different water channels are provided to collect the condensed water, which can collect cleaner condensed water, thus ensuring the quality of the cleaning water.

[0047] To further elaborate on the technical solutions in the present invention, the following specific embodiments are provided in conjunction with Figures 1-9 as shown.

[0048] The present invention provides a bottom shell assembly for an air conditioner indoor unit, comprising:

[0049] A bottom shell, with a water channel structure for collecting condensed water provided inside the bottom shell. The water channel structure includes a front water channel 21 and a rear water channel 23 that extend along the length direction of the bottom shell and are independent of each other. The front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23 are used to collect the condensed water generated at different positions of the heat exchanger. The front water channel 21 forms a first drain port 22 at the first end of the bottom shell, and the rear water channel 23 forms a second drain port 24 at the first end of the bottom shell;

[0050] A water collection device 1, provided at the first end of the bottom shell. The first drain port 22 is connected to the water collection device 1, enabling the condensed water in the rear water channel 23 to enter the water collection device 1;

[0051] An electrical box 0, provided at the second end of the bottom shell. The second end of the bottom shell forms an end plate that closes the front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23, separating the front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23 from the electrical box 0.

[0052] Preferably, the bottom surface of the front water channel 21 forms an inclined surface from the second end to the first end of the bottom case, so that water can flow towards the first end of the bottom case within the front water channel 21; the bottom surface of the rear water channel 23 forms an inclined surface from the second end to the first end of the bottom case, so that water can flow towards the first end of the bottom case within the rear water channel 23; the inclination angle of the bottom surface of the rear water channel 23 is greater than that of the bottom surface of the front water channel 21.

[0053] Since the front part of the heat exchanger has a larger windward area than the rear part of the heat exchanger, more dust will accumulate on the surface of the front part of the heat exchanger, resulting in more dirt falling on the front water channel 21; in addition, because the front water channel 21 corresponds to the structure at the air outlet of the indoor unit, and in order to avoid affecting the outer pipe, it is impossible to have as large a slope as the rear water channel 23, so the water flow rate in the front water channel 21 is slower, and scale is likely to deposit, making the water channel easier to get dirty. Therefore, in order to ensure that the collected condensed water is cleaner, the present invention adopts a distributed water channel, separating the front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23, allowing the water collecting device 1 to collect the condensed water from the rear water channel 23. At the same time, the condensed water on the front water channel 21 can be discharged through the first drain port 23 and is no longer used as the source of subsequent cleaning agents.

[0054] Preferably, the first drain port 22 is located on the bottom surface of the bottom case, facilitating its connection with the drain pipe and also facilitating the self-discharge of cold water into the drain pipe. The second drain port 24 is located on the end surface of the bottom case, facilitating its connection with the water collecting device 1 (detailed introduction below).

[0055] The first end of the bottom case is the left end. A baffle 25 is provided between the front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23. The baffle 25 is provided between the first drain port 22 and the second drain port 24 for separating the front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23.

[0056] The water collecting device 1 includes a water tank, which is provided in the air conditioner for storing the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger in the air conditioner. A water collecting inlet 12 is formed in the upper part of the water tank. The water collecting inlet 12 is formed on the side wall of the water tank, facilitating its docking and connection with the second drain port 24. A drain outlet 11 is formed in the lower part of the water tank. The drain outlet 11 is formed on the bottom wall of the water tank, facilitating the discharge of the condensed water in the water tank.

[0057] A water valve assembly is provided on the water tank for controlling the opening and closing of the drain outlet 11. The water valve assembly includes: a sealing water valve 18 provided at the drain outlet 11; and a water valve driving device for driving the sealing water valve 18 to open / close. A filtering device 17 is provided at the inner bottom of the water tank for filtering impurities in the condensed water stored in the water tank.

[0058] Optionally, the heat exchanger includes a front heat exchanger disposed at the front side inside the air conditioner and a rear heat exchanger disposed at the rear side inside the air conditioner. It should be noted that the front side refers to the side closer to people when facing the front of the air conditioner, and the rear side refers to the side farther from people when facing the front of the air conditioner. At this time, the water collection device 1 further includes a front water channel 21 corresponding to the rear heat exchanger and a rear water channel 23 corresponding to the front heat exchanger. Among them, the front water channel 21 is higher than the rear water channel 23; the water collection inlet 12 is communicated with the front water channel 21. The front water channel 21 is set at a higher position, and the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger at a higher position is collected by it, and its water quality is better than that of the condensed water in the heat exchangers at other places. Based on the better selection of the water source and the cooperation with the filtering device 17 disposed inside the water tank, the cleaning water is further improved, and the cleaning effect during the self-cleaning of the air conditioner is improved.

[0059] It should be noted that both the front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23 can be disposed on the bottom case 2 of the air conditioner and integrally formed with the bottom case of the air conditioner, or can be independently disposed separately from the bottom case of the air conditioner.

[0060] Such as Figures 4-7 shown, optionally, the water collection device 1 further includes a tee structure 3.

[0061] The first end of the tee structure 3 is communicated with the drainage outlet 11; the second end of the tee structure 3 is communicated with the rear water channel 23; the third end of the tee structure 3 is communicated to the outside of the air conditioner. This method uses a simple tee structure 3 in cooperation with the water tank to realize various treatments such as collection, use, and discharge of the condensed water generated on the front heat exchanger and the rear heat exchanger.

[0062] Optionally, the water valve driving device includes a driving motor 13 and a driving connecting rod 14. The driving motor 13 is used to provide power for the water valve driving device; the driving connecting rod 14 includes a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The first end of the first connecting rod is connected to the driving motor 13, and the second end of the first connecting rod is movably connected to the first end of the second connecting rod; the second end of the second connecting rod is movably connected to the sealing water valve 18.

[0063] Preferably, a top opening is formed at the top of the water tank in the water collection device 1, and a corresponding water tank cover 15 is further provided at the top opening. A through hole is provided on the water tank cover 15, wherein the driving motor 13 is disposed at the top of the water tank, and the driving connecting rod 14 extends into the water tank through the through hole and is connected to the sealing water valve 18. By disposing the driving motor 13 at the top of the water tank and using the driving connecting rod 14 to penetrate it from the inside of the water tank to realize the opening and closing control of the sealing water valve 18, the overall size of the water collection device 1 can be reduced, so that it does not occupy too much space after installation.

[0064] Preferably, an overflow port is provided on the water tank. The overflow port corresponds to the rear water channel 23. By providing an overflow port on the water tank, the water in the water tank will not cause the water tank to be full or flow into other parts of the air conditioner due to excessive collection.

[0065] In some alternative embodiments, such as Figure 8 , Figure 9 shown, the water collection device 1 further includes a transfer water tank 3A provided below the water tank. The inlet 3A1 of the transfer water tank is communicated with the drainage outlet 11, and the outlet 3A2 of the transfer water tank is used to be communicated to the outside of the air conditioner through the drainage pipeline 4. Preferably: the transfer water tank can be made of antibacterial material. The transfer water tank can be used to replace the three-way structure 3. At this time, other inlets of the transfer water tank can also be provided corresponding to the number of water collection channels on the transfer water tank, such as the second inlet 3A3 of the transfer water tank.

[0066] In this embodiment, an air conditioner is provided, and the air conditioner adopts any one of the water collection devices 1 in Embodiment 1.

[0067] Optionally, the air conditioner further includes: a bottom case 2 and a heat exchanger assembly. The bottom case 2 has an installation cavity, and a front water channel 21 and a rear water channel 23 are formed inside the bottom case 2. The heat exchanger assembly includes a rear heat exchanger and a front heat exchanger. The rear heat exchanger is arranged at the rear side inside the installation cavity and corresponds to the front water channel 21, and the front heat exchanger is arranged at the front side inside the installation cavity and corresponds to the rear water channel 23. Since the bottom side of the front heat exchanger of the air conditioner is lower than the bottom side of the rear heat exchanger, the installation position of the corresponding rear water channel 23 is also lower than the installation position of the front water channel 21. At this time, the water tank in the water collection device 1 is arranged in the installation cavity, and the water collection inlet 12 of the water tank is communicated with the front water channel 21.

[0068] As Figures 1-9 shown, in the air conditioner in this embodiment, the electrical box 0 is arranged on the right side of the air conditioner (viewed from the front perspective after the air conditioner is installed). In order to ensure electrical safety, the water collection device 1 is fixedly arranged on the other side of the air conditioner, that is, on the left side of the air conditioner, through the water collection device fixing plate 16 thereon. The water collection device 1 is fixed on the bottom case with 3 screws 5; the rear water channel 23 and the front water channel 21 are respectively arranged at the front and rear positions on the bottom case 2. As Figure 10 shown, at the first end, that is, the left end of the bottom case 2, a baffle 25 is arranged between the front water channel 21 and the rear water channel 23 so that they are not communicated with each other, and the condensed water of the front heat exchanger and the rear heat exchanger is respectively received.

[0069] The filtering device 17 in the water collection device 1 can prevent large particle impurities in the water tank from being sucked into the water pump and causing dirt blockage. After the water tank cover 15 assembly is installed, the filtering device 17 is located at the bottom of the water tank to better filter as much condensed water collected in the water tank as possible. The filtered condensed water can be sucked by a water pump and used for humidifying the room, cleaning, etc.

[0070] The sealed water valve 18 is arranged at the bottom of the water tank corresponding to the drain outlet 11. The sealed valve assembly includes a valve body and a sealing ring. The closing and opening actions of the sealed water valve 18 are realized by the driving motor 13 installed on the water tank cover 15 through the action of the driving connecting rod 14. The driving motor 13 is preferably a stepper motor. When the water tank needs to store water, the sealed water valve 18 is closed. When the water in the water tank needs to be emptied, the sealed water valve 18 is opened, and the water is discharged through the drain outlet 11.

[0071] In this embodiment, the water tank is used to store the condensed water flowing in from the rear water channel. The condensed water of the heat exchanger on the rear water channel enters the water tank through the second drain port 24 on the bottom case and the water collection inlet 12 of the water tank. When the sealed water valve 18 is opened, the water is discharged from the drain outlet 11 of the water tank. When the sealed water valve 18 is not opened normally or the water tank stores too much water, the excess water can also be discharged through the overflow hole provided on the water tank. The water overflowing from the water tank overflow port flows onto the front water channel of the bottom case, and then is discharged through the first drain port 22 to the second end of the tee structure 3 or the transfer water tank, and finally the condensed water is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 4 communicated with the third end of the tee structure 3 or the drain outlet of the transfer water tank.

[0072] The above specifically shows and describes the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures, setting methods or implementation methods described here; on the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent settings included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner indoor unit bottom case assembly, characterized in that: It includes: A bottom case, a distributed water channel for collecting condensed water is arranged inside the bottom case, the distributed water channel includes a front water channel and a rear water channel that extend along the length direction of the bottom case and are independent of each other, the front water channel and the rear water channel are used for collecting condensed water generated at different positions of the heat exchanger, the front water channel forms a first drain port at the first end of the bottom case, and the rear water channel forms a second drain port at the first end of the bottom case; A water collection device is arranged at the first end of the bottom case, the first drain port is connected to the water collection device, so that the condensed water in the rear water channel can enter the water collection device; An electrical box is arranged at the second end of the bottom case, a end plate for closing the front water channel and the rear water channel is formed at the second end of the bottom case, and the end plate separates the front water channel and the rear water channel from the electrical box; The bottom surface of the front water channel forms an inclined surface from the second end of the bottom case to the first end, so that water can flow towards the first end of the bottom case in the front water channel; The bottom surface of the rear water channel forms an inclined surface from the second end of the bottom case to the first end, so that water can flow towards the first end of the bottom case in the rear water channel; The inclination angle of the bottom surface of the rear water channel is greater than the inclination angle of the bottom surface of the front water channel; The water collection device includes a water collection tank, a water collection inlet is formed at the upper part of the water collection tank, a drain outlet is formed at the lower part of the water collection tank, and the water collection inlet is communicated with the second drain port; An overflow port is further arranged at the upper part of the water collection tank, and the overflow port is communicated with the front water channel.

2. The bottom case assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first drain port is located on the bottom surface of the bottom case, and the second drain port is located on the end surface of the bottom case.

3. The bottom case assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: At the first end of the bottom case, a baffle is arranged between the front water channel and the rear water channel, the baffle is arranged between the first drain port and the second drain port, and is used for separating the front water channel and the rear water channel.

4. The bottom case assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water valve assembly is arranged on the water collection tank, including: a sealing water valve arranged at the drain outlet; and a water valve driving device for driving the sealing water valve to open / close.

5. The bottom case assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water valve driving device includes: A driving motor for providing power for the water valve driving device; A driving connecting rod, the driving connecting rod includes: a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod, the first end of the first connecting rod is connected to the driving motor, the second end of the first connecting rod is movably connected to the first end of the second connecting rod; the second end of the second connecting rod is movably connected to the sealing water valve.

6. The bottom case assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: A water tank cover is arranged on the top of the water collection tank, and a through hole is arranged on the water tank cover, wherein the driving motor is arranged on the top of the water tank, and the driving connecting rod extends into the water tank through the through hole and is connected to the sealing water valve.

7. An air conditioner, characterized in that: It includes The bottom shell assembly according to any one of claims 1-6; A heat exchanger, the heat exchanger comprising a front heat exchanger and a rear heat exchanger, wherein, The front heat exchanger is located above the front water channel, and the condensed water on the front heat exchanger flows into the front water channel, The rear heat exchanger is located above the rear water channel, and the condensed water on the rear heat exchanger flows into the rear water channel.

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