Heat exchanger cleaning device, air conditioner indoor unit, heat exchanger cleaning method thereof, and air conditioner

Abstract

The present invention provides a heat exchanger cleaning device, an air conditioner indoor unit, a heat exchanger cleaning method thereof, and an air conditioner. The heat exchanger cleaning device includes: a ventilation housing, the radial cross-section of the ventilation housing is arc-shaped or circular-ring-shaped, and a heat exchanger installation position is provided on one side of the ventilation housing facing the rotation center axis; a cleaning assembly, the cleaning assembly is installed on the ventilation housing, the cleaning assembly includes a cleaning part, in the width direction of the cleaning part, the cleaning part extends along the radial direction or the chordal direction of the ventilation housing to the heat exchanger installation position, and in the length direction of the cleaning part, the cleaning part extends along the axial direction of the ventilation housing; a driving member, the driving member is arranged at the axial end of the ventilation housing, and the driving member drives the ventilation housing to rotate and drives the cleaning assembly to rotate around the rotation center axis of the ventilation housing. The heat exchanger cleaning device has a simple structure, does not block the heat exchanger, and has a good cleaning effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and specifically, to a heat exchanger cleaning device, an air conditioner indoor unit, a heat exchanger cleaning method thereof, and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, air conditioning systems have gradually become one of the essential household appliances in every household. After years of operation of the air conditioning system, fine dust particles and other impurities enter the evaporator of the indoor unit through the filter screen. As the operation time of the air conditioning system increases, the impurities will gradually accumulate at positions such as the fins of the evaporator, affecting the performance of the air conditioning system and the air quality of the blown air, and reducing user comfort. Since the evaporator is large in volume and mass and is usually fixed inside the indoor unit, it is not easy for users to disassemble it for cleaning.

[0003] There is a conventional cleaning device for cleaning the heat exchanger in a cabinet air conditioner. The cleaning is achieved by driving a brush to move by a driving motor. However, the cleaning device with such a structure is complex, and it is necessary to set a track for the brush to move and a motor for driving the brush to move, which will greatly increase the cost of the air conditioner. At the same time, the brush, the track, and the motor will block the heat exchanger, affecting the heat exchange efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger cleaning device with a simple structure, which does not block the heat exchanger and has a good cleaning effect.

[0005] The second object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner indoor unit having the above heat exchanger cleaning device.

[0006] The third object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having the above air conditioner indoor unit.

[0007] The fourth object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger cleaning method for the above air conditioner indoor unit.

[0008] To achieve the above first object, the present invention provides a heat exchanger cleaning device, including: a ventilation housing, the ventilation housing has a rotation center axis, the ventilation housing can rotate around the rotation center axis, and a heat exchanger installation position is provided on one side of the ventilation housing facing the rotation center axis, and the heat exchanger installation position surrounds the outside of the rotation center axis; a cleaning assembly, the cleaning assembly is installed on the ventilation housing, the cleaning assembly includes a cleaning part, in the width direction of the cleaning part, the cleaning part extends along the radial or chordal direction of the ventilation housing to the heat exchanger installation position, and in the length direction of the cleaning part, the cleaning part extends along the axial direction of the ventilation housing. A driving member, the driving member is arranged at the axial end of the ventilation housing, and the driving member drives the ventilation housing to rotate and drives the cleaning assembly to rotate around the rotation center axis of the ventilation housing.

[0009] As can be seen from the above solution, by using the original driving structure of the air conditioner indoor unit, a cleaning component is arranged on the ventilation housing, and the ventilation housing is driven to rotate by the driving part, so as to further drive the cleaning component to move back and forth, and the heat exchanger is cleaned under the action of the friction force between the cleaning part and the heat exchanger. At the same time, in the air outlet state, the cleaning part can move to one end of the heat exchanger in the horizontal direction, so as not to block the heat exchanger and avoid affecting the heat exchange efficiency.

[0010] A preferred solution is that the cleaning component further includes a fixing component, and the cleaning part is installed on the ventilation housing through the fixing component.

[0011] Thus, the fixing component is used to firmly fix the cleaning part on the ventilation housing.

[0012] A further solution is that the fixing component includes a support frame, a fixing plate and a brush sleeve, the cleaning part is a brush, the support frame is fixed on the ventilation housing, the brush is fixed in the brush sleeve, and the fixing plate cooperates with the support frame to clamp the brush sleeve.

[0013] Thus, by clamping the brush sleeve by the fixing plate and the support frame, the fastening force of the fixing component on the brush can be improved, and the brush can be prevented from falling off under force during the cleaning process.

[0014] A further solution is that the support frame is provided with mounting walls and first limiting protrusions arranged at intervals along the width direction of the cleaning part, the fixing plate is arranged on the mounting wall, the fixing plate is provided with second limiting protrusions arranged at intervals with the mounting wall in the width direction of the cleaning part, the first limiting protrusion, the second limiting protrusion and the mounting wall enclose a receiving cavity, the brush sleeve is in limit fit with the receiving cavity, an opening is formed between the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion, and the brush extends from the opening to the heat exchanger installation position.

[0015] Thus, the brush sleeve is in limit fit with the receiving cavity, so as to prevent the brush sleeve from shaking in the receiving cavity.

[0016] A preferred solution is that the radial cross-section of the ventilation housing is arc-shaped or circular-ring-shaped.

[0017] A further solution is that the ventilation housing is provided with a ventilation housing air inlet part and a ventilation housing air outlet part arranged oppositely along the radial direction of the ventilation housing.

[0018] Thus, it is convenient for the air flow entering the interior from the ventilation housing air inlet part to flow out from the ventilation housing air outlet part after sufficient heat exchange with the heat exchanger.

[0019] A preferred solution is that the number of the cleaning components is more than two, and multiple cleaning components are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the ventilation housing.

[0020] Thus, multiple cleaning components can improve the cleaning efficiency.

[0021] To achieve the above second object, the present invention provides an air conditioner indoor unit, which includes a heat exchanger and the above-mentioned heat exchanger cleaning device. The heat exchanger is installed at the heat exchanger installation position, and the cleaning part is in contact with the heat exchanger.

[0022] A preferred solution is that the heat exchanger includes a first bending part, a connecting part and a second bending part connected in sequence. The first bending part, the connecting part and the second bending part all extend along the axial direction of the ventilation housing. The first bending part and the connecting part, as well as the second bending part and the connecting part, are both transitioned through an arc.

[0023] Thus, the area of the heat exchanger can be increased within a limited space, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0024] A further solution is that the air conditioner indoor unit further includes an air duct, and the first bending part, the connecting part and the second bending part surround the air inlet of the air duct.

[0025] Thus, it is ensured that the air entering the air duct has all been heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger.

[0026] A further solution is that when the air conditioner indoor unit is in the air outlet state, the cleaning part extends into the gap between the first bending part and the air duct.

[0027] Thus, it is possible to avoid the cleaning part blocking the evaporator fins and affecting the heat exchange efficiency.

[0028] A preferred solution is that the air conditioner indoor unit further includes a housing. The ventilation housing is located inside the housing, and the extending direction of the housing is parallel to the axial direction of the ventilation housing; the housing is provided with a housing air inlet part and a housing air outlet part, and the housing air inlet part and the housing air outlet part are arranged opposite to each other along the radial direction of the ventilation housing.

[0029] To achieve the above third object, the present invention provides an air conditioner, which includes an air conditioner outdoor unit and the above-mentioned air conditioner indoor unit connected to each other.

[0030] To achieve the above fourth object, the present invention provides a method for cleaning the heat exchanger of the above-mentioned air conditioner indoor unit. When the air conditioner indoor unit is in the air outlet state, the cleaning part is at the initial position of the first end of the heat exchanger in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis; the heat exchanger cleaning method includes: in the air outlet state, after receiving the self-cleaning function start signal, the driving part drives the ventilation housing to rotate, the ventilation housing drives the cleaning part to rotate around the rotation center axis along the first direction to a preset position, then the driving part drives the ventilation housing to rotate in the reverse direction, and the cleaning part returns from the preset position to the initial position. At the preset position, the cleaning part is close to the second end of the heat exchanger in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis. Description of the Drawings

[0031] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of the structure of an embodiment of the air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 are the structure diagram and partial enlarged view of the cleaning component in the embodiment of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 are the exploded view and partial enlarged view of the cleaning component in the embodiment of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 is the radial cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 is Figure 4 the partial enlarged view at position A in

[0036] Figure 6 is the shutdown state diagram of the embodiment of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 is the air outlet state diagram of the embodiment of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 is the cleaning state diagram of the embodiment of the indoor unit of the air conditioner of the present invention.

[0039] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the indoor unit of the air conditioner includes a housing 1 and a heat exchanger 2, an air duct 3 and a heat exchanger cleaning device 4 arranged inside the housing 1. The housing 1, the heat exchanger 2 and the air duct 3 are relatively fixed.

[0041] The housing 1 includes a first decorative panel 11, an outer air inlet panel 12 and a second decorative panel 13 that are sequentially connected along the circumferential direction of the housing. The axis of the housing 1 is parallel to the vertical direction, and the radial cross-section of the housing 1 is in the shape of a superior arc. An air outlet part 15 of the housing is formed between the first decorative panel 11 and the second decorative panel 13. An air inlet part 14 of the housing is arranged on the outer air inlet panel 12. The air inlet part 14 of the housing and the air outlet part 15 of the housing are arranged opposite to each other along the radial direction of the housing 1.

[0042] The heat exchanger cleaning device 4 includes a ventilation housing 5, a cleaning component 6 and a driving member 7. The ventilation housing 5 is located inside the housing 1. Both the housing 1 and the ventilation housing 5 extend along the vertical direction. The ventilation housing 5 includes an inner air inlet panel 51 and an air outlet panel 52 that are both in a semi-circular shape. The radial cross-section of the ventilation housing 5 is in a circular ring shape. The ventilation housing 5 and the housing 1 are arranged coaxially. An air inlet part 53 of the ventilation housing is arranged on the inner air inlet panel 51. An air outlet part 54 of the ventilation housing is arranged on the air outlet panel 52. The air inlet part 53 of the ventilation housing and the air outlet part 54 of the ventilation housing are arranged opposite to each other along the radial direction of the ventilation housing 5.

[0043] The ventilation housing 5 has a rotation central axis parallel to the vertical direction. The heat exchanger 2 and the air duct 3 are both arranged on one side of the ventilation housing 5 facing the rotation central axis. The position where the heat exchanger 2 is installed is called the heat exchanger installation position 20. The heat exchanger 2 is located between the air duct 3 and the housing air inlet part 14. The heat exchanger 2 surrounds the rotation central axis. The heat exchanger 2 includes a first bending part 21, a connecting part 22, and a second bending part 23. The first bending part 21, the connecting part 22, and the second bending part 23 all extend along the axial direction of the ventilation housing 5 and are sequentially connected in the direction perpendicular to the rotation central axis, that is, the first bending part 21, the connecting part 22, and the second bending part 23 are sequentially connected along the horizontal direction. In addition, both between the first bending part 21 and the connecting part 22 and between the second bending part 23 and the connecting part 22 are transitioned by arcs. The first bending part 21, the connecting part 22, and the second bending part 23 surround the air inlet 31 of the air duct 3, and the air outlet 32 of the air duct 3 is arranged towards the housing air outlet part 15.

[0044] The driving member 7 is located at the top of the ventilation housing 5. The cleaning assembly 6 is installed on the ventilation housing 5, and circumferentially, the cleaning assembly 6 is located on one side of the ventilation housing air outlet part 54. The driving member 7 drives the ventilation housing 5 to rotate and drives the cleaning assembly 6 to rotate around the rotation central axis of the ventilation housing 5.

[0045] See Figures 2 to 5 , the cleaning assembly 6 includes a fixing assembly 60 and a cleaning part. The cleaning part is a brush 61. The brush 61 is installed on the ventilation housing 5 through the fixing assembly 60. The brush 61 is in the shape of a long strip with a rectangular cross-section. In the width direction of the brush 61, the brush 61 extends along the radial or chordal direction of the ventilation housing 5 and abuts against the heat exchanger 2. In the length direction of the brush 61, the brush 61 extends along the axial direction of the ventilation housing 5.

[0046] The fixing assembly 60 includes a support frame 62, a fixing plate 63, and a brush sleeve 64. The support frame 62 is fixed on the ventilation housing 5. The brush 61 is adhesively fixed in the brush sleeve 64. The fixing plate 63 and the support frame 62 cooperate to clamp the brush sleeve 64. The support frame 62 is provided with mounting walls 621 and first limiting protrusions 622 arranged at intervals in the width direction of the brush 61. The fixing plate 63 is arranged on the mounting wall 621. The fixing plate 63 is provided with second limiting protrusions 631 spaced from the mounting wall 621 in the width direction of the brush 61. The first limiting protrusions 622, the second limiting protrusions 631, and the mounting wall 621 enclose a receiving cavity 620. The cross-section of the brush sleeve 64 perpendicular to the length direction of the fixing assembly 60 is in a T shape. The brush sleeve 64 is in limiting cooperation with the receiving cavity 620. An opening 623 is formed between the first limiting protrusions 622 and the second limiting protrusions 631. The brush 61 extends from the opening 623 towards the heat exchanger 2.

[0047] As Figure 6As shown, when the air conditioner indoor unit is in the shutdown state, the air outlet part 15 of the housing is misaligned with the air outlet part 54 of the ventilation housing in the circumferential direction of the housing 1, and the air outlet part 15 of the housing is opposite to the first decorative plate 11 in the radial direction of the ventilation housing 5, so that the air outlet part 15 of the housing is hidden to prevent dust and other sundries from entering the interior of the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0048] As Figure 7 shown, when the air conditioner indoor unit is in the air outlet state, the air inlet part 53 of the ventilation housing is opposite to the air inlet part 14 of the housing, the air outlet part 54 of the ventilation housing is opposite to the air outlet part 15 of the housing, and the brush 61 extends into the gap 8 between the first end of the heat exchanger 2 in the horizontal direction and the air duct 3, that is, the brush 61 is at the gap 8 between the first bending part 21 and the air duct 3. The air outlet state can be a refrigeration mode, a heating mode, a fresh air mode, etc.

[0049] The heat exchanger 2 cleaning method includes the following steps: when the air conditioner indoor unit is in the air outlet state as Figure 7 shown, after receiving the self-cleaning function start signal, the driving member 7 drives the ventilation housing 5 to rotate, and the ventilation housing 5 drives the brush 61 to rotate counterclockwise around the rotation center axis from the Figure 7 shown initial position to the Figure 8 shown preset position, and then the driving member 7 drives the ventilation housing 5 to rotate clockwise, and the brush 61 returns from the Figure 8 shown preset position to the Figure 7 shown initial position. The above steps can be repeated to thoroughly clean the heat exchanger 2. As Figure 8 shown, at the preset position, the brush 61 is close to the second end of the heat exchanger 2 in the horizontal direction. The cleaning of the heat exchanger is realized by the friction force between the brush 61 and the heat exchanger 2.

[0050] As can be seen from the above, by using the original driving structure of the air conditioner indoor unit, a cleaning component is arranged on the ventilation housing, and the ventilation housing is driven to rotate by the driving part, so as to further drive the cleaning component to move back and forth, and the cleaning of the heat exchanger is realized under the action of the friction force between the cleaning part and the heat exchanger. At the same time, in the air outlet state, the cleaning part can move to one end of the heat exchanger in the horizontal direction, so as not to block the heat exchanger and avoid affecting the heat exchange efficiency.

[0051] In addition, the radial cross-section of the ventilation housing can also be arc-shaped. The shape of the heat exchanger can also be changed as needed. The number of cleaning components can also be more than two, and multiple cleaning components are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the ventilation housing. The position of the cleaning components relative to the ventilation housing can be changed as needed. Preferably, the length of the brush is greater than or equal to the extension length of the heat exchanger in the vertical direction to ensure that the heat exchanger can be thoroughly cleaned by the brush. Each cleaning component can also include more than two brushes, and multiple brushes are arranged along the axial direction of the ventilation housing, and can be arranged at intervals or adjacent to each other. The radial cross-section and shape of the outer shell can also be changed as needed. At a preset position, the brush can abut against the windward surface of the second end of the heat exchanger, or can cross the second end of the heat exchanger and be at a position not in contact with the windward surface of the heat exchanger. The number of times the driving member drives the brush to clean back and forth can be changed as needed. The above changes can also achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0052] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Heat exchanger cleaning device, applied to an air conditioner indoor unit, the air conditioner indoor unit further comprising an air duct and a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger surrounding the air inlet of the air duct, characterized in that, The heat exchanger cleaning device includes: A ventilation housing having a rotation central axis, the ventilation housing being rotatable about the rotation central axis. On one side of the ventilation housing facing the rotation central axis, there is a heat exchanger installation position, and the heat exchanger is installed on the heat exchanger installation position, and the heat exchanger installation position surrounds the outside of the rotation central axis; A cleaning assembly installed on the ventilation housing. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning part. In the width direction of the cleaning part, the cleaning part extends to the heat exchanger installation position. When the cleaning assembly cleans the heat exchanger, the cleaning part abuts against the heat exchanger. In the length direction of the cleaning part, the cleaning part extends along the axial direction of the ventilation housing; A driving member provided at the axial end of the ventilation housing. The driving member drives the ventilation housing to rotate and drives the cleaning assembly to rotate around the rotation central axis; When the air conditioner indoor unit is in the air outlet state, the cleaning part extends into the gap between the first end of the heat exchanger in the horizontal direction and the air duct.

2. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning assembly further includes a fixing assembly, and the cleaning part is installed on the ventilation housing through the fixing assembly.

3. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing assembly includes a support frame, a fixing plate and a brush sleeve. The cleaning part is a brush. The support frame is fixed on the ventilation housing. The brush is fixed in the brush sleeve, and the fixing plate cooperates with the support frame to clamp the brush sleeve.

4. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein: The support frame is provided with installation walls and first limiting protrusions arranged at intervals in the width direction of the cleaning part. The fixing plate is arranged on the installation wall. The fixing plate is provided with second limiting protrusions spaced from the installation wall in the width direction of the cleaning part. The first limiting protrusion, the second limiting protrusion and the installation wall enclose a receiving cavity, and the brush sleeve is in limiting cooperation with the receiving cavity. An opening is formed between the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion, and the brush extends from the opening to the heat exchanger installation position.

5. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The radial cross-section of the ventilation housing is arc-shaped or circular-ring-shaped.

6. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein: The ventilation housing is provided with a ventilation housing air inlet part and a ventilation housing air outlet part arranged oppositely along the radial direction of the ventilation housing.

7. The heat exchanger cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The number of the cleaning assemblies is two or more, and a plurality of the cleaning assemblies are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the ventilation housing.

8. An air conditioner indoor unit, characterized in that, Including the heat exchanger cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 8, wherein: The heat exchanger includes a first bent portion, a connecting portion, and a second bent portion that are connected in sequence, and the first bent portion, the connecting portion, and the second bent portion all extend along the axial direction of the ventilation housing; When the air conditioner indoor unit is in the air outlet state, the cleaning portion extends into the gap between the first bent portion and the air duct.

10. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The air conditioner indoor unit further includes a housing, the ventilation housing is located inside the housing, and the extending direction of the housing is parallel to the axial direction of the ventilation housing; The housing is provided with a housing air inlet portion and a housing air outlet portion, and the housing air inlet portion and the housing air outlet portion are arranged opposite to each other along the radial direction of the ventilation housing.

11. Air conditioner, characterized in that, It includes an air conditioner outdoor unit and the air conditioner indoor unit according to any one of claims 8 to 10 that are connected to each other.

12. A method for cleaning a heat exchanger of an air conditioner indoor unit, characterized in that, The air conditioner indoor unit is the air conditioner indoor unit according to any one of claims 8 to 10; When the air conditioner indoor unit is in the air outlet state, the cleaning portion is at the initial position of the first end of the heat exchanger in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis; The heat exchanger cleaning method includes: In the air outlet state, after receiving the self-cleaning function activation signal, the driving member drives the ventilation housing to rotate, the ventilation housing drives the cleaning portion to rotate around the rotation center axis along a first direction to a preset position, and then the driving member drives the ventilation housing to rotate in the reverse direction, and the cleaning portion returns from the preset position to the initial position. At the preset position, the cleaning portion is close to the second end of the heat exchanger in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis.

Images