Wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit, comprising a housing and a front panel. The housing has an open front. The front panel is reversibly mounted on the housing between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the front panel stands upright on the front side of the housing with its inner surface facing rearward, thereby covering the front side of the housing. In the open position, the front panel is flipped over the housing with its inner surface facing downward, thereby opening the front side of the housing. The present invention can expand the opening angle of the front panel, facilitating user opening and closing operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning, in particular to a wall-mounted air-conditioning indoor unit. Background Art

[0002] A fan and an evaporator are generally disposed in the housing of a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit, and a filter is usually disposed on the outside of the evaporator to filter the air flow entering the housing.

[0003] After prolonged operation, the air conditioner's filters accumulate excessive dust, necessitating regular cleaning. Existing solutions typically pivotally mount the top of the front panel to the top of the housing, with the lateral sides of the front panel clipped to the housing. The user manually unlocks the clips, then flips the front panel forward and upward to a certain angle, exposing the filters. The user can then remove the filters for cleaning.

[0004] Most existing air conditioners use this method, which lacks an innovative experience. Furthermore, users must first manually remove the clips and then rotate the front panel, which is very cumbersome and laborious. Furthermore, the front panel's opening angle is too small, requiring users to lift the front panel to remove the filter, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a wall-mounted air-conditioning indoor unit that overcomes the above-mentioned problems or at least partially solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to expand the opening angle of the front panel.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to automate the process of opening and closing the front panel.

[0008] In particular, the present invention provides a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit, comprising:

[0009] a housing having an open front side; and

[0010] a front panel mounted to the housing so as to be flippable between a closed position and an open position;

[0011] In the closed position, the inner surface of the front panel stands rearwardly on the front side of the housing to cover the front side of the housing;

[0012] In the open position, the front panel is flipped over the housing with its inner surface facing downward, so that the front side of the housing is open.

[0013] Optionally, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit further includes:

[0014] at least one guide member, each of the guide members being disposed at a front upper corner of the housing; and

[0015] The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit is configured such that, during the process of flipping and opening the front panel, it is rotated around the upper front corner of the shell, and its inner surface is simultaneously moved in contact with the guide member, so that the front panel is located directly above the shell when in the open position.

[0016] Optionally, each of the guide members comprises:

[0017] a fixing portion fixed to the housing; and

[0018] The rotating part can be rotatably connected to the fixed part around an axis parallel to the transverse direction of the shell, and the front panel can be connected to the rotating part for translation along its own width direction, so that when the front panel is flipped open or closed, it rotates with the rotating part and slides relative to the rotating part at the same time.

[0019] Optionally, the inner surface of the front panel is formed with a plurality of slide rails extending along the width direction thereof; and

[0020] Each of the rotating parts is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves, and each of the sliding rails is slidably installed in one of the sliding grooves to allow the front panel to slide relative to the rotating part.

[0021] Optionally, the cross-section of the slide rail is T-shaped, and the cross-section of the slide groove matches the cross-section of the slide rail.

[0022] Optionally, the fixing portion is provided on the top of the housing;

[0023] When the front panel is in the closed position, the top edge of the rear surface of the rotating portion is rotatably connected to the top edge of the front end surface of the fixing portion.

[0024] Optionally, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit further includes:

[0025] At least one first rotating arm has a first end and a second end rotatably connected to the front panel and the shell respectively, and the rotation axis is parallel to the transverse direction of the shell, so that the front panel can be turned over when driven by the first rotating arm.

[0026] Optionally, when the front panel is in the closed position, the first end of the first rotating arm is connected to the lower end of the front panel.

[0027] Optionally, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit further includes:

[0028] at least one second rotating arm, one end of each second rotating arm being fixed to the second end of the first rotating arm; and

[0029] at least one spring, the rear end of each spring being connected to the shell, and the front end being connected to the other end of the second rotating arm, so that when the front panel is in the closed position, forward pressure is applied to the second rotating arm, so that the first rotating arm obtains a pre-tightening torque for rotating in the closing direction; when the front panel is in the open position, backward pulling force is applied to the second rotating arm, so that the first rotating arm obtains a pre-tightening torque for rotating in the opening direction.

[0030] Optionally, the wall-mounted air-conditioning indoor unit further includes a motor, which is mounted on the housing and configured to drive the first rotating arm to rotate in a controlled manner.

[0031] In the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention, the front panel is reversibly mounted on the housing. When the front panel is in the open position, its inner surface is downwardly located above the housing, which allows for a larger opening angle and makes it easier for the user to remove the filter inside the housing. Moreover, after opening, the front panel is located above the housing, for example, lying flat on the upper surface of the housing, eliminating the need for the user to lift it, which saves the user effort and provides a better operating experience. In addition, the present invention can utilize a motor to drive the first rotating arm to rotate, thereby driving the front panel to flip, thereby automating the front panel opening / closing process, making user operation simpler and more labor-saving, and meeting the requirements of intelligent home appliances.

[0032] Furthermore, in the wall-mounted air-conditioning indoor unit of the present invention, at least one guide member is provided at the front upper corner of the shell. When the front panel is flipped open, its inner surface moves simultaneously in contact with the guide member, forming a composite motion of translation and rotation, so that the front panel can be flipped smoothly and accurately to the top of the shell.

[0033] Furthermore, in the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention, a spring and a second arm are used to apply elastic force to the first arm. When the front panel is in the closed position, the first arm receives a preload torque to rotate in the closing direction, allowing the front panel to more firmly and tightly adhere to the housing. When the front panel is in the open position, the first arm receives a preload torque to rotate in the opening direction, thereby assisting in the subsequent closing of the front panel.

[0034] 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

[0035] 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:

[0036] Figure 1is a schematic front view of a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention when the front panel is in a closed position;

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit shown when the front panel is flipped to the open position;

[0039] Figure 4 It is an optional structural diagram of the guide member;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the front panel;

[0041] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the matching status of the rotating part and the front panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Refer to the following Figures 1 to 6 The following describes a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and "lateral" indicate directions or positions based on those shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention and do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0043] The terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, the definition of "first", "second", etc. can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features, that is, include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined. When a feature "includes or contains" one or more of the features it covers, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and may further include other features.

[0044] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," "coupled," and the like should be interpreted broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed or detachable connections, or integration; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. A person of ordinary skill in the art should be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] The present invention provides a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit. The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit is an indoor unit of a split wall-mounted air conditioner or a central air conditioner, and is used to regulate indoor air, such as cooling / heating, dehumidifying, introducing fresh air, etc.

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention when the front panel 20 is in the closed position; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit is shown as a schematic diagram when the front panel 20 is flipped to the open position.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention may generally include a housing 10 and a front panel 20 .

[0048] The front side of the housing 10 is open. The housing 10 is in the shape of a strip with its length parallel to the horizontal direction. Figure 1 The x-direction is marked in the figure. The housing 10 defines a storage space that houses the other components of the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit. Specifically, the housing 10 may be provided with a heat exchanger, a fan, and a filter. An air inlet may be provided at the top of the housing 10. The heat exchanger and throttling device are connected to the compressor, condenser, and other refrigeration components located in the outdoor air conditioner via pipelines, forming a vapor compression refrigeration cycle system. Under the action of the fan, indoor air enters the interior of the housing 10 through the air inlet. After completing forced convection heat exchange with the heat exchanger, heat exchange air is formed and enters the air duct. It is then blown into the room through the air outlet of the housing 10 to condition the indoor air. The fan is preferably a cross-flow fan with an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and is located at the inlet of the air duct. The heat exchanger may be a three-stage heat exchanger. The filter is located on the air inlet side of the heat exchanger, specifically on the front and top sides.

[0049] The front panel 20 is reversibly mounted to the housing 10 between a closed position and an open position. The housing is in the shape of an elongated strip with its length parallel to the length of the housing 10. It can be a rectangular plate, a circular plate curved along its width, or another elongated strip. In the closed position, the inner surface 201 of the front panel 20 stands upright on the front side of the housing 10, facing rearward, to cover the front side of the housing 10. In this position, the outer surface 202 of the front panel 20 forms the front appearance of the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit. During normal operation, such as when the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit is shut down, the front panel 20 is in the closed position. In the open position, the front panel 20 is flipped over the housing 10 with its inner surface 201 facing downward, exposing the front side of the housing 10. When the front panel 20 needs to be opened to remove the filter or perform other disassembly operations, the front panel 20 can be flipped to the open position.

[0050] Existing air conditioners usually set the pivot axis of the front panel at the top edge of the front panel, so that the front panel can be rotated forward and opened to a certain acute angle. However, the opening angle of the front panel is too small, and the user needs to lift the front panel to remove the filter, which provides a poor operating experience. Unlike this existing solution, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the front panel 20 is in the open position, its inner surface 201 is downwardly located above the shell 10, completely away from the front area of the shell 10, which maximizes its opening angle and makes it more convenient for the user to remove the filter inside the shell 10. Moreover, after opening, the front panel 20 is above the shell 10, for example, horizontally against the upper surface of the shell 10, without the need for the user to lift it, which saves the user more effort and provides a better operating experience.

[0051] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit further includes at least one guide member 50. Each guide member 50 is disposed at the upper front corner of the housing 10. The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit is configured such that, during the process of flipping and opening the front panel 20, it rotates around the upper front corner of the housing 10, and simultaneously moves its inner surface 201 along the guide member 50, so that the front panel 20 is located directly above the housing 10 when in the open position. Specifically, the flipping, opening, or closing process of the front panel 20 includes rotation around the upper front corner of the housing 10 and translation along the guide member 50, forming a composite motion, and the front panel 20 will not separate from the upper front corner of the housing 10 during the motion. This enables the front panel 20 to be flipped smoothly and accurately to the position directly above the housing 10.

[0052] Preferably, two guide members 50 are provided so as to connect the two ends of the length direction of the front panel 20 respectively to make the force on the front panel 20 more uniform. Of course, three, four or more guide members 50 can also be provided so as to be arranged along the length direction of the front panel 20.

[0053] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, each guide member 50 includes a fixed portion 51 and a rotating portion 52. The fixed portion 51 is fixed to the housing 10, and the rotating portion 52 is rotatably connected to the fixed portion 51 around an axis X5 parallel to the transverse direction of the housing 10. The front panel 20 is connected to the rotating portion 52 so as to be translatable along its own width direction (y direction) (when the front panel 20 is in the closed position, its width direction y is parallel to the vertical direction). In other words, under the constraint of the rotating portion 52, the front panel 20 can only translate relative to the rotating portion 52 along its width direction, and its freedom in other directions relative to the rotating portion 52 and its freedom of rotation relative to the rotating portion 52 are constrained. In this way, during the process of flipping the front panel 20 to open or close, it can only rotate with the rotating portion 52 and slide relative to the rotating portion 52 at the same time. That is, the conforming movement of the front panel 20 includes rotation around X5 and translational sliding relative to the rotating portion 52.

[0054] Figure 4 It is an optional structural diagram of the guide member; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the front panel;

[0055] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the matching status of the rotating part and the front panel.

[0056] Figure 4 and Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a preferred connection structure between the guide member 50 and the front panel 20. Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the inner surface 201 of the front panel 20 can be formed with a plurality of slide rails 21 extending along its width direction (y direction). The slide rails 21 protrude from the inner surface 201 of the front panel 20 and can be integrally formed with the main body of the front panel 20. Correspondingly, each rotating portion 52 is provided with a plurality of slide grooves 522, and each slide rail 21 is slidably mounted within a slide groove 522 to allow the front panel 20 to slide relative to the rotating portion 52. Obviously, the number of the slide grooves 522 and the number of the slide rails 21 are the same as the number of the guide members 50.

[0057] refer to Figure 6 , the cross-section of the slide rail 21 can be made "T"-shaped, and the cross-section of the slide groove 522 matches the cross-section of the slide rail 21. This "T"-shaped matching structure of the slide rail 21 and the slide groove 522 can guide the slide rail 21 to move only along the length of the slide groove 522, while the freedom of movement in other directions and the freedom of rotation relative to the rotating part 52 are all constrained, resulting in a very clever structure.

[0058] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the fixing portion 51 can be arranged at the top of the housing 10. Furthermore, the fixing portion 51 can be in the shape of a horizontal plate. When the front panel 20 is in the closed position, the top edge of the rear surface of the rotating portion 52 is rotatably connected to the top edge of the front end surface of the fixing portion 51. In other words, the rotation axis X5 of the two is close to the top edge of the rear surface of the rotating portion 52 and the top edge of the front end surface of the fixing portion 51. Figure 2 In this way, when the front panel 20 is flipped to the open state, Figure 3 , so that the bottom surface of the sliding groove 522 of the rotating part 52 is higher than the top surface of the fixed part 51, avoiding interference between the front panel 20 (the inner surface 201 is at the same height as the bottom surface of the sliding groove 522) and the top surface of the fixed part 51.

[0059] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit further includes at least one first rotating arm 31. The first end A and the second end B of each first rotating arm 31 are rotatably connected to the front panel 20 and the housing 10, respectively, and the rotation axes X1 and X2 are parallel to the transverse direction (x direction) of the housing 10, so that the front panel 20 is turned over under the drive of the first rotating arm 31.

[0060] The number of the first rotating arms 31 is preferably two, so that the two first rotating arms 31 are respectively connected to the two ends of the length direction of the front panel 20, so that the force on the front panel 20 is more uniform. Of course, three, four or more first rotating arms 31 can also be provided.

[0061] Furthermore, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit may further include a motor 40 , which is mounted on the housing 10 and configured to drive the first rotating arm 31 to rotate in a controlled manner, that is, to rotate around the rotation axis X2 . Figure 2 The motor 40 is only roughly indicated by a dotted quadrilateral. For embodiments in which multiple second rotating arms 32 are provided, multiple motors 40 may be provided, or only one motor 40 may be provided, and each second rotating arm 32 may be connected via a linkage shaft to achieve linkage. The motor 40 is connected to the main control board of the air conditioner to receive its control. The user issues a control instruction to the main control board through a remote control or other control terminal to drive the motor to rotate forward or reverse to drive the front panel 20 to open or close. This realizes the automation of the opening / closing process of the front panel 20, making the user's operation simpler and more labor-saving, and also meeting the requirements of intelligent home appliances. Of course, in some alternative embodiments, the motor may not be provided, and the front panel 20 may be flipped manually.

[0062] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, when the front panel 20 is in the closed position, the first end A of the first rotating arm 31 is connected to the lower end of the front panel 20. Thus, when the front panel 20 is flipped to the open position, the first end A of the first rotating arm 31 is located in the front area of the housing 10, allowing the front panel 20 to be flipped to a more rearward position. It will be appreciated that when the front panel 20 rotates between the open and closed positions, the rotation axis X1 of the first end A of the first rotating arm 31 always lies on a circle, the center of which is the rotation axis X2 of the second end of the first rotating arm 31. Therefore, the position of X1 when the front panel 20 is in the open and closed positions can be designed first, and then the position of X2 can be determined accordingly. X2 is roughly located in the center of the height direction of the housing 10.

[0063] In some embodiments, the wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit further includes at least one second pivot arm 32 and at least one spring 35. One end of each second pivot arm 32 is fixed to the second end B of the first pivot arm 31. Obviously, the number of second pivot arms 32 is the same as the number of first pivot arms 31. The rear end of each spring 35 is connected to the housing 10, specifically to a positioning post 36 of the housing 10, while the front end of the spring 35 is connected to the other end of the second pivot arm 32. The second pivot arm 23 can be integrally formed with the first pivot arm 31, with the two being different sections of a complete rod. Of course, the two can also be separate components that can be assembled and fastened later.

[0064] When the front panel 20 is in the closed position, the spring 35 is in a compressed state to apply a forward pressure F1 to the second rotating arm 32, so that the first rotating arm 31 obtains a pre-tightening torque M1 to rotate in the closing direction (backward) of the front panel, so that the front panel 20 can be more firmly and tightly attached to the housing 10. Figure 2 .

[0065] When the front panel 20 is in the open position, the spring 35 is in a stretched state to apply a backward pulling force F2 to the second rotating arm 32, so that the first rotating arm 31 obtains a pre-tightening torque M2 to rotate in the (front panel) opening direction (forward), so as to provide assistance for the closing process of the front panel 20 later. Figure 3 It should be noted that this assist force is relatively small and will not cause the front panel 20 to rotate and close without applying any external force.

[0066] 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. A wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit, characterized in that include: A shell having an open front side, wherein the shell is in the shape of an elongated strip with a length direction parallel to a horizontal direction; and a front panel mounted to the housing so as to be flippable between a closed position and an open position; In the closed position, the inner surface of the front panel stands rearwardly on the front side of the housing to cover the front side of the housing; In the open position, the front panel is flipped over the housing with its inner surface facing downward, so that the front side of the housing is open; at least one guide member, each of the guide members being disposed at a front upper corner of the housing; and The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit is configured such that: during the process of flipping and opening the front panel, the front panel is rotated about the upper front corner of the housing, and the inner surface of the front panel is simultaneously moved in contact with the guide member, so that the front panel is located directly above the housing when in the open position; at least one first rotating arm, a first end and a second end of which are rotatably connected to the front panel and the housing, respectively, and a rotation axis is parallel to the transverse direction of the housing, so that the front panel is turned over when driven by the first rotating arm; When the front panel is in the closed position, the first end of the first rotating arm is connected to the lower end of the front panel; at least one second rotating arm, one end of each second rotating arm being fixed to the second end of the first rotating arm; and at least one spring, the rear end of each spring being connected to the shell, and the front end being connected to the other end of the second rotating arm, so that when the front panel is in the closed position, forward pressure is applied to the second rotating arm, so that the first rotating arm obtains a pre-tightening torque for rotating in the closing direction; when the front panel is in the open position, backward pulling force is applied to the second rotating arm, so that the first rotating arm obtains a pre-tightening torque for rotating in the opening direction.

2. The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the guide members comprises: a fixing portion fixed to the housing; and The rotating part can be rotatably connected to the fixed part around an axis parallel to the transverse direction of the shell, and the front panel can be connected to the rotating part for translation along its own width direction, so that when the front panel is flipped open or closed, it rotates with the rotating part and slides relative to the rotating part at the same time.

3. The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 2, wherein: The inner surface of the front panel is formed with a plurality of slide rails extending along the width direction thereof; and Each of the rotating parts is provided with a plurality of sliding grooves, and each of the sliding rails is slidably installed in one of the sliding grooves to allow the front panel to slide relative to the rotating part.

4. The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cross section of the slide rail is T-shaped, and the cross section of the slide groove matches the cross section of the slide rail.

5. The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 3, wherein: The fixing portion is disposed on the top of the housing; and When the front panel is in the closed position, the top edge of the rear surface of the rotating portion is rotatably connected to the top edge of the front end surface of the fixing portion.

6. The wall-mounted air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: The motor is mounted on the housing and is configured to controllably drive the first rotating arm to rotate.

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