Air conditioner indoor unit and aromatherapy device

Abstract

The present invention provides an air-conditioning indoor unit and an aromatherapy device thereof, the aromatherapy device comprising a shell, a fixed shaft, a driving member, a plurality of aromatherapy covers and a plurality of gears, a top wall of the shell being provided with a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being arranged in sequence along an arrangement direction, the fixed shaft being fixed in an installation cavity along the arrangement direction, the plurality of aromatherapy covers being rotatably arranged on the fixed shaft, the plurality of gears being rotatably arranged on the fixed shaft, the gears being connected to the aromatherapy covers in a one-to-one correspondence, the driving member being arranged in the installation cavity, comprising a rotating shaft and a plurality of incomplete gears, the rotating shaft being arranged along the arrangement direction, the plurality of incomplete gears being jointly arranged on the rotating shaft, and a tooth portion being formed on each incomplete gear, the rotating shaft being able to drive the plurality of incomplete gears to rotate when the rotating shaft rotates, the toothed portions of the incomplete gears being meshed with the corresponding gears, prompting the aromatherapy cover to rotate around the fixed shaft, thereby realizing that the aromatherapy cover is partially rotated out of or completely rotated into the installation cavity relative to its corresponding opening, thereby realizing the opening and closing aromatherapy function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to air conditioning technology, in particular to an air-conditioning indoor unit and an aromatherapy device thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the passage of time and technological advancements, users not only expect better cooling and heating performance from air conditioners, but are also increasingly interested in additional control functions. For example, air conditioners with aromatherapy functions are becoming increasingly popular. Typically, an air conditioner's air outlet is equipped with an aromatherapy device containing solid fragrance, which emits a fragrance that flows into the indoor space along with the heat exchange airflow.

[0003] However, when in use, the aromatherapy device always leaks and evaporates, and the use time is very short. When no one is indoors or the indoor user does not like the aromatherapy smell, it is not easy to turn off the aromatherapy function, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one drawback of the prior art and to provide an air conditioner indoor unit and an aromatherapy device thereof.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to turn the aromatherapy function on and off by rotating.

[0006] Another further object of the present invention is to use the shape of the aromatherapy cover itself to turn off the aromatherapy function.

[0007] Another further object of the present invention is to adjust the posture of only one aromatherapy cover during the rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0008] In particular, the present invention provides an aromatherapy device, comprising: a shell, which defines an installation cavity, a top wall of which is provided with multiple openings, and the multiple openings are arranged in sequence along an arrangement direction; a fixed shaft, fixed in the installation cavity along the arrangement direction; a plurality of aromatherapy covers, rotatably arranged on the fixed shaft, and each aromatherapy cover corresponds to an opening; a plurality of gears, rotatably arranged on the fixed shaft, and the gears are connected to the aromatherapy covers in a one-to-one correspondence; a driving member, arranged in the installation cavity, comprising a rotating shaft and a plurality of incomplete gears, the rotating shaft is arranged along the arrangement direction, the plurality of incomplete gears are jointly arranged on the rotating shaft, and each incomplete gear is formed with a tooth portion; the aromatherapy device is configured to: cause the rotating shaft to rotate to drive the plurality of incomplete gears to rotate, so that the toothed portions of the incomplete gears engage with the corresponding gears, causing the aromatherapy cover to rotate around the fixed shaft, thereby realizing that the aromatherapy cover is partially rotated out of or completely rotated into the installation cavity relative to its corresponding opening.

[0009] Optionally, the cross section of each aromatherapy cover is in the shape of a major arc; and the center of each aromatherapy cover is collinear with the axis of the fixed shaft.

[0010] Optionally, the toothed portion of each incomplete gear is further configured to enable the driven fragrance cover to rotate at least 180° during the entire process of meshing with the gear.

[0011] Optionally, in each aromatherapy cover, the distance from the center of the circle to the chord length is equal to the distance from the fixed axis to the top wall of the shell.

[0012] Optionally, the toothed portions of the plurality of partial gears are separated from each other in an orthographic projection along the arrangement direction.

[0013] Optionally, in the orthographic projection along the arrangement direction, the order of the toothed portions of the plurality of incomplete gears is consistent with the order of the plurality of incomplete gears along the arrangement direction.

[0014] Optionally, the aromatherapy device further includes: a driving motor located in the installation cavity and installed on the shell, wherein the output shaft of the driving motor is connected to the rotating shaft to drive the rotating shaft to rotate.

[0015] Optionally, the aromatherapy cover is provided with air flow holes for distributing aromatherapy scent.

[0016] In particular, the present invention also provides an air conditioner indoor unit, comprising: a casing having an air outlet channel thereon; an aromatherapy device according to any of the above items, wherein the shell is embedded under the wall of the air outlet channel, and the top of the shell is flush with the wall of the air outlet channel.

[0017] Optionally, the air conditioner indoor unit further includes: a main control board configured to control the action of the driving component after receiving a remote control command or a voice command.

[0018] The aromatherapy device of the present invention has multiple aromatherapy covers rotatably arranged on a fixed shaft, each aromatherapy cover corresponds to an opening, multiple gears are rotatably arranged on the fixed shaft, the gears are connected to the aromatherapy covers one-to-one, and multiple incomplete gears are jointly arranged on the rotating shaft. Each incomplete gear is formed with a tooth portion. Therefore, when the rotating shaft rotates, it can drive the multiple incomplete gears to rotate. The toothed portions of the incomplete gears are engaged with the corresponding gears, prompting the aromatherapy cover to rotate around the fixed shaft, thereby realizing the aromatherapy cover to be partially rotated out of or completely rotated into the installation cavity relative to its corresponding opening, thereby realizing the opening and closing aromatherapy function.

[0019] Furthermore, in the aromatherapy device of the present invention, the cross-section of the aromatherapy cover is in the shape of a major arc, and the center of the circle of the aromatherapy cover is collinear with the axis of the fixed shaft. Therefore, when the gear of the aromatherapy cover is not engaged with the toothed portion, under the action of gravity, the heavier side of the aromatherapy cover rotates downward, so that the aromatherapy cover can use its own shape to turn off the aromatherapy function.

[0020] Furthermore, in the aromatherapy device of the present invention, the toothed portions of the multiple incomplete gears are separated from each other in the orthographic projection of the arrangement direction. This ensures that during the rotation of the rotating shaft, only one set of toothed portions is engaged with the gears. This ensures that only one of the aromatherapy covers is controlled to rotate without affecting other aromatherapy covers.

[0021] 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

[0022] 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:

[0023] Figure 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an air conditioner indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a front housing of an air conditioner indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an aromatherapy device in an air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein only the top wall of the housing is shown;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a state of an aromatherapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an aromatherapy cover in an aromatherapy device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a driving member in an aromatherapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an orthographic projection of a driving member in an aromatherapy device according to an embodiment of the present invention in the arrangement direction;

[0030] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the electrical control principle of an air conditioner indoor unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "depth," and the like, indicating orientations or positions, are based on the orientations in normal use and can be determined with reference to the orientations or positions shown in the accompanying drawings. For example, "front" in an orientation refers to the side facing the user. This is merely for the convenience of describing the present invention and to simplify the description. It does not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0032] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a transverse cross-sectional view of an air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides an air conditioner indoor unit 1, which can be a household air conditioner or a central air conditioner. Specifically, the air conditioner indoor unit 1 can be in various forms, such as a split wall-mounted type, a split vertical type, an integrated type, or a skylight type. The embodiments of the present invention do not impose any limitations on the specific form of the air conditioner. Figure 1 Only an embodiment of a vertical air conditioner is illustrated.

[0033] The air conditioning indoor unit 1 may include a housing 10, a heat exchanger 40, and a crossflow fan 80. An air supply port 12 is provided at the front of the housing 10. The housing 10 is formed with a central air duct 30 and two heat exchange air ducts 20. The central air duct 30 has a forward-opening central air outlet 31 located behind the air supply port 12, with the space between the central air outlet 31 and the air supply port 12 forming an air outlet passage 180. The two heat exchange air ducts 20 are arranged side by side in the transverse direction of the housing 10, with their outlets 21 located on either side of the air outlet passage 180, allowing the heat exchange airflow to mix with the airflow from the central air outlet 31 within the air outlet passage 180.

[0034] Each heat exchange duct 20 is defined by two duct walls spaced laterally apart, and the outlet ends of the two duct walls constitute the outlet 21 of the heat exchange duct 20. The heat exchange duct 20 is used to blow out heat exchange airflow, that is, the cold air produced by the air conditioner in cooling mode or the hot air produced in heating mode. The outlets 21 of the two heat exchange ducts 20 are opposite, which means that one heat exchange duct 20 discharges air to the left or the left front, and the other heat exchange duct 20 discharges air to the right or the right front. The airflows of the two outlets can intersect without the guidance of an air guide device. An air guide plate 50 can be provided at each outlet 21 to adjust the direction of the airflow / open and close the outlet 21.

[0035] The airflow blown by the middle air duct 30 can be a non-heat exchange airflow, such as indoor normal temperature airflow, purified airflow, humidified airflow, fresh air flow, etc. The non-heat exchange airflow and the heat exchange airflow are mixed before being blown out of the air supply port 12, so that the supply air temperature is increased to a certain extent during cooling, and the supply air temperature is reduced to a certain extent during heating, so that the supply air flow is cool but not cold (when cooling), and hot but not dry (when heating). The airflows in the three directions collide with each other in the air outlet channel 180, mix violently, and are mixed very evenly. The mixed airflow is blown from the air supply port 12 to the indoor environment, and the temperature is more suitable, so that the user's wind feeling experience is better.

[0036] A cross-flow fan 80 is provided at the inlet of each heat exchange duct 20, and the axis of the cross-flow fan 80 extends in the vertical direction. A heat exchanger 40 is provided between each cross-flow fan 80 and the air inlet. The air conditioner can use a vapor compression refrigeration cycle system for cooling / heating. The heat exchanger 40 is the "indoor heat exchanger" in the refrigeration cycle system, which together with the outdoor heat exchanger, compressor, throttling device and other refrigeration components constitutes a circulation system. Driven by the cross-flow fan 80, the indoor air enters the casing 10 through the air inlet, completes heat exchange with the heat exchanger 40, forms a heat exchange airflow, and the heat exchange airflow enters the heat exchange duct 20.

[0037] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the front housing of an air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the air conditioner indoor unit 1 may further include an aromatherapy device 70, which is equipped with a solid aromatherapy diffuser 100 and emits a scent to improve the odor of the indoor space. In some specific embodiments, the aromatherapy device 70 may be positioned within the air outlet duct 180, where the scented gas is forcefully impacted, accelerating its diffusion.

[0038] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aromatherapy module in an air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein only the top wall of the housing 710 is shown. Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aromatherapy device 70 in one state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] In some embodiments, the aromatherapy device 70 may further include a housing 710 , a fixed shaft 720 , a driving member 750 , a plurality of aromatherapy covers 730 , and a plurality of gears 740 .

[0040] The housing 710 defines a mounting cavity. The top wall of the housing 710 is provided with a plurality of openings 712, which are sequentially arranged along a direction. The direction can be any direction within the plane of the top wall of the housing 710. In some specific embodiments, the direction can be parallel to an edge of the top wall of the housing 710.

[0041] In some specific embodiments, the housing 710 of the aromatherapy device 70 can be embedded below the wall of the air outlet duct 180 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1, with the top of the housing 710 flush with the wall of the air outlet duct 180. For example, if the air outlet duct 180 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1 is a vertical strip, the housing 710 of the aromatherapy device 70 can be embedded in the lower wall of the air outlet duct 180 and flush with the lower wall of the air outlet duct 180, which is not only convenient for user operation but also aesthetically pleasing.

[0042] The fixed shaft 720 is fixed within the mounting cavity along the arrangement direction. Multiple aromatherapy covers 730 are rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft 720, with each aromatherapy cover 730 corresponding to one of the openings 712. Multiple gears 740 are rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft 720, with each gear 740 correspondingly connected to each aromatherapy cover 730. In other words, the fixed shaft 720 is stationary, while the multiple aromatherapy covers 730 and the multiple gears 740 are sleeved on the fixed shaft 720 and rotatable about the rotation axis 752.

[0043] Each aromatherapy cover 730 can accommodate solid aromatherapy inside, and each aromatherapy cover 730 has an air flow hole. When the aromatherapy cover 730 is inserted into the installation cavity, the solid aromatherapy can emit fragrance to the indoor environment through the air flow hole. When the aromatherapy cover 730 is fully installed in the cavity, the fragrance is cut off from being emitted to the indoor environment.

[0044] The driving member 750 is disposed within the mounting cavity and may include a rotating shaft 752 and a plurality of incomplete gears 754. The rotating shaft 752 is disposed along the arrangement direction, and the plurality of incomplete gears 754 are disposed on the rotating shaft 752. Each incomplete gear 754 has a tooth portion 756 formed thereon. Specifically, the plurality of incomplete gears 754 and the rotating shaft 752 are located on the same central axis along the arrangement direction.

[0045] When the rotating shaft 752 is driven to rotate, the rotating shaft 752 can drive the incomplete gears 754 thereon to rotate. During the rotation process, when a certain incomplete gear 754 engages with the gear 740, the aromatherapy cover 730 connected to the gear 740 is caused to rotate about the fixed shaft 720, thereby causing the aromatherapy cover 730 to partially rotate out of or fully rotate into the installation cavity relative to its corresponding opening 712.

[0046] See 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 5 Schematic diagram of an aromatherapy cover 730 in an aromatherapy device 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, each aromatherapy cover 730 has a major arc-shaped cross-section. Each aromatherapy cover 730 also has a certain thickness, and the thickness and diameter of the multiple aromatherapy covers 730 are equal.

[0047] The center of each aromatherapy cover 730 is colinear with the axis of the fixed shaft 720 , and the gear 740 is rotatably disposed on the fixed shaft 720 , that is, the multiple gears 740 , the multiple aromatherapy covers 730 , and the fixed shaft 720 are coaxial.

[0048] In some embodiments, the toothed portion 756 of each partial gear 754 is further configured to rotate the drive gear 740 at least 180° during the entire process of meshing with the gear 740 .

[0049] Combine Figure 5 On the aromatherapy cover 730 , the aromatherapy cover 730 can be divided into area A 732 and area B 734 by a diameter parallel to the chord. Obviously, the volume of area A 732 is larger than that of area B 734 , and the weight of area A 732 is larger than that of area B 734 .

[0050] Because the center of the aromatherapy cover 730 is collinear with the axis of the fixed shaft 720, when the gear 740 of the aromatherapy cover 730 is not engaged with the toothed portion 756, gravity causes region A 732 to rotate below region B 734. While the toothed portion 756 is engaged with the gear 740, the aromatherapy cover 730 is forced to rotate 180°, allowing region A 732 to rotate out of the mounting cavity, activating the aromatherapy function. If the toothed portion 756 is engaged with the gear 740 and the aromatherapy cover 730 is forced to rotate 180°, and then the toothed portion 756 and gear 740 are separated, gravity will cause region A 732 of the aromatherapy cover 730 to rotate out of the mounting cavity and below region B 734.

[0051] Of course, the toothed portion 756 can drive the aromatherapy cover 730 to rotate a larger angle, such as 360°, during the entire process of meshing with the gear 740. In this way, during some meshing driving processes, the toothed portion 756 can drive the aromatherapy cover 730 to rotate one circle.

[0052] See also Figure 4 In some embodiments, in each aromatherapy cover 730 , the distance H1 from the center to the chord length is equal to the distance H2 from the fixed axis 720 to the top wall of the shell 710 .

[0053] Since the fixed shaft 720 is fixed in the installation cavity, the center of the aromatherapy cover 730 is collinear with the axis of the fixed shaft 720. Then, when the distance H1 from the center of the circle to the chord length is equal to the distance H2 from the fixed shaft 720 to the top wall of the shell 710, when the gear 740 of the aromatherapy cover 730 is not engaged with the toothed portion 756, under the action of gravity, the A area 732 rotates to the bottom of the B area 734, and the cross-section of the aromatherapy cover 730 is exactly flush with the top wall of the shell 710. That is to say, when the gear 740 of the aromatherapy cover 730 is not engaged with the toothed portion 756, the cross-section of the aromatherapy cover 730 can be used to cover the opening 712 to prevent dust from falling into the installation cavity.

[0054] See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a driving member 750 in an aromatherapy device 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the orthographic projection of the drive member 750 in the aromatherapy device 70 according to one embodiment of the present invention, along the arrangement direction. In some embodiments, the toothed portions 756 of the plurality of incomplete gears 754 are separated from one another along the orthographic projection of the arrangement direction. This ensures that during rotation of the rotating shaft 752, only one set of toothed portions 756 engages with the gear 740. This ensures that only one aromatherapy cover 730 rotates, without affecting the rotation of the other aromatherapy covers 730.

[0055] See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, in the orthographic projection of the arrangement direction, the order of the toothed portions 756 of the plurality of incomplete gears 754 is consistent with the order of the plurality of incomplete gears 754 along the arrangement direction.

[0056] For example, in the arrangement direction, the multiple incomplete gears 754 are respectively incomplete gear 754a, incomplete gear 754b and incomplete gear 754c, which correspond to toothed portion 756a, toothed portion 756b and toothed portion 756c, respectively. Then, in the orthographic projection along the arrangement direction, the ring arrangement order of the multiple toothed portions 756 is also toothed portion 756a, toothed portion 756b and toothed portion 756c.

[0057] The advantage of this arrangement is that when the rotating shaft 752 rotates one circle in one direction, the meshing order of the toothed portion 756 and the gear 740 is also in the arrangement order, which makes it easy for the user to quickly turn on the target solid aromatherapy.

[0058] Furthermore, the aromatherapy device 70 may further include a driving motor 760 mounted on the housing 710 , wherein the output shaft of the driving motor 760 is connected to the rotating shaft 752 to drive the rotating shaft 752 to rotate.

[0059] See also Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical control principle of an air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In some specific embodiments, the stepper motor is also electrically connected to the main control board 90 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1. The main control board 90 of the air conditioner indoor unit 1 is capable of receiving remote control commands or voice commands, such as "Turn on aromatherapy A," "Turn off aromatherapy A," "Turn on aromatherapy B," or "Turn off aromatherapy B." Upon receiving a command to control the aromatherapy rise and fall, the main control board 90 controls the stepper motor to rotate accordingly, thereby rotating the rotating shaft 752 and, ultimately, the aromatherapy cover 730.

[0060] At this point, those skilled in the art will recognize that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the present invention may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An aromatherapy device, comprising: A housing defines a mounting cavity therein, a top wall of which is provided with a plurality of openings, and the plurality of openings are sequentially arranged along an arrangement direction; a fixed shaft, fixed in the installation cavity along the arrangement direction; A plurality of aromatherapy covers are rotatably disposed on the fixed shaft, and each of the aromatherapy covers corresponds to one of the openings; A plurality of gears are rotatably disposed on the fixed shaft, and the gears are connected to the aromatherapy covers in a one-to-one correspondence; a driving member disposed in the mounting cavity, comprising a rotating shaft and a plurality of incomplete gears, wherein the rotating shaft is disposed along the arrangement direction, the plurality of incomplete gears are collectively disposed on the rotating shaft, and each of the incomplete gears is formed with a tooth portion; The aromatherapy device is configured to: cause the rotating shaft to rotate to drive the plurality of incomplete gears to rotate, so that the toothed portions of the incomplete gears mesh with the corresponding gears, causing the aromatherapy cover to rotate around the fixed shaft, thereby achieving the aromatherapy cover being partially rotated out of or fully rotated into the installation cavity relative to the corresponding opening; The cross section of each aromatherapy cover is in the shape of a major arc; and The center of each aromatherapy cover is collinear with the axis of the fixed shaft.

2. The aromatherapy device according to claim 1, wherein: The toothed portion of each incomplete gear is further configured to drive the fragrance cover to rotate at least 180° during the entire process of meshing with the gear.

3. The aromatherapy device according to claim 1, wherein: In each of the aromatherapy covers, the distance from the center of the circle to the chord length is equal to the distance from the fixed axis to the top wall of the shell.

4. The aromatherapy device according to claim 1, wherein: The toothed portions of the plurality of partially toothed gears are separated from each other in an orthographic projection along the arrangement direction.

5. The aromatherapy device according to claim 4, wherein: On the orthographic projection along the arrangement direction, the order of the toothed portions of the plurality of incomplete gears is consistent with the order of arrangement of the plurality of incomplete gears along the arrangement direction.

6. The aromatherapy device according to claim 1, further comprising: The driving motor is located in the installation cavity and is installed on the shell. The output shaft of the driving motor is connected to the rotating shaft to drive the rotating shaft to rotate.

7. The aromatherapy device according to claim 1, wherein: The aromatherapy cover is provided with air flow holes for emitting aromatherapy odors.

8. An air conditioner indoor unit, comprising: a housing having an air outlet passage thereon; The aromatherapy device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shell is embedded under the wall of the air outlet channel, and the top of the shell is flush with the wall of the air outlet channel.

9. The air conditioning indoor unit according to claim 8, further comprising: The main control board is configured to control the action of the driving member after receiving a remote control command or a voice command.

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