Method and apparatus for controlling air conditioner, air conditioner, storage medium

Abstract

This application relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and discloses a method for controlling an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a cross-flow fan, which comprises multiple coaxially arranged fan units, each of which can be independently controlled to operate. The method includes: acquiring a user's position; and controlling the operation of the multiple fan units based on the user's position. Using the method for controlling an air conditioner disclosed in this application, one or more fan units can be selected to rotate, thereby achieving either avoiding airflow to the user or directing airflow towards the user, improving the user's comfort when using the air conditioner. This application also discloses a device for controlling an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and a storage medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of air conditioning technology, such as a method and apparatus for controlling an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] The cross-flow fan used in air conditioners consists of multiple fan units. These fan units are fixedly connected and rotate at the same speed. Different air outlet patterns can only be switched by adjusting the motor speed.

[0003] A variable-speed air supply method, device, and indoor unit are disclosed in related technologies. The indoor unit's fan includes multiple cross-flow fan blades that can be controlled to rotate at different speeds. Through a non-uniform air supply mode, a non-uniform airflow field is generated by a single indoor unit, or an airflow field that varies over time, so that different air outlet positions of the indoor unit correspond to different wind speeds, or the wind speed ratio at each position changes over time. This airflow field is closer to natural wind. This indoor unit helps create a wind feel closer to natural wind for users, improving the user experience.

[0004] In the process of implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, at least the following problems were found in the related art:

[0005] When the air conditioner is first turned on, the temperature is unstable and the air blown directly on the user can cause discomfort. After the air conditioner has been running for a while, the airflow speed decreases, the user feels a weaker breeze, and the comfort is poor.

[0006] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, a brief summary is given below. This summary is not intended as a general commentary, nor is it intended to identify key / important components or describe the scope of protection of these embodiments, but rather as a prelude to the detailed description that follows.

[0008] This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for controlling an air conditioner, an air conditioner, and a storage medium, so that the air outlet area of ​​an air conditioner having multiple fan units corresponds to the user's location, thereby improving the user's comfort when using the air conditioner.

[0009] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes a cross-flow fan, the cross-flow fan including a plurality of coaxially arranged fan units, each fan unit being independently controllable; the method includes: acquiring the user's location; and controlling the operation of the plurality of fan units based on the user's location.

[0010] In some embodiments, controlling the operation of the plurality of fan units according to the user's location includes: starting the fan unit furthest from the user after power-on; and starting all fan units sequentially from farthest to closest according to a first time interval.

[0011] In some embodiments, controlling the operation of the plurality of fan units according to the user's location further includes: obtaining the operating duration of the air conditioner; and activating one or more fan units closest to the user and shutting down the remaining fan units if the operating duration is greater than or equal to a first duration.

[0012] In some embodiments, activating one or more fan units closest to the user includes: obtaining the number of users; determining a first number of fan units to be activated based on the number of users; and activating the first number of fan units closest to the user's location.

[0013] In some embodiments, determining the first number of fan units to be turned on based on the number of users includes: if the number of users is greater than or equal to the first number of users, then the first number of fan units is all the fan units; and / or, if the number of users is less than the first number of users, then the first number is positively correlated with the first number of users.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method further includes: obtaining the air supply mode of the air conditioner; obtaining the user's location when the air supply mode of the air conditioner is an automatic air supply mode; and / or, when the air supply mode of the air conditioner is a gradual air supply mode, sequentially turning on the plurality of fan units according to a second time interval within a single cycle and causing each fan unit to rotate for a second duration.

[0015] In some embodiments, sequentially turning on the plurality of fan units and rotating each fan unit for a second duration includes: sequentially turning on the plurality of fan units from one end to the other, and then sequentially turning off the plurality of fan units from one end to the other after the second duration; or, sequentially turning on the plurality of fan units from the middle to both sides, and then sequentially turning off the plurality of fan units from the middle to both sides after the second duration; or, sequentially turning on the plurality of fan units from both sides to the middle, and then sequentially turning off the plurality of fan units from both sides to the middle after the second duration.

[0016] In some embodiments, the apparatus for controlling an air conditioner includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions, the processor being configured to execute the method for controlling the air conditioner described above when the program instructions are executed.

[0017] In some embodiments, the air conditioner includes a housing, a cross-flow fan, and the aforementioned device for controlling the air conditioner, wherein the housing is configured with an accommodating space; the cross-flow fan is disposed in the accommodating space, the cross-flow fan includes a plurality of coaxially arranged fan units, each of which can be independently controlled to operate; and the device for controlling the air conditioner is installed in the accommodating space.

[0018] In some embodiments, the storage medium stores program instructions that, when executed, perform the method described above for controlling an air conditioner.

[0019] The method, apparatus, air conditioner, and storage medium for controlling an air conditioner provided in this disclosure can achieve the following technical effects:

[0020] The cross-flow fan of the air conditioner has multiple fan units, each corresponding to an air outlet area. The operation of these fan units is controlled according to the user's location. One or more fan units can be selected to rotate, thus avoiding direct airflow towards or away from the user, improving user comfort.

[0021] The above general description and the description below are exemplary and illustrative only and are not intended to limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0022] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations and drawings do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are considered similar elements. The drawings do not constitute a limitation of scale, and wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cross-flow fan for an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner with a cross-flow fan having a portion of its impeller removed, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cross-flow fan for another air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along line AA;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the impeller of a cross-flow fan in an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a switching device for a cross-flow fan of an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a method for controlling an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another method for controlling an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another method for controlling an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of another method for controlling an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a device for controlling an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0036] Figure label:

[0037] 100: Rotating shaft; 200: Fan unit; 210: Drive disk; 211: Electromagnetic ring; 212: Retaining ring; 213: Connector; 220: First coupling assembly; 221: Drive pin; 230: Fan wheel; 231: First end cover; 232: Second end cover; 233: Fan blade; 240: Second coupling assembly; 251: Guide section; 252: Snap-fit ​​section; 300: Switching device; 310: Fixing rod; 320: Wiring harness; 330: Brush; 400: Baffle plate; 500: Housing. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To provide a more detailed understanding of the features and technical content of the embodiments of this disclosure, the implementation of the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. In the following technical description, for ease of explanation, several details are used to provide a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, one or more embodiments may still be implemented without these details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices may be simplified in their depiction to simplify the drawings.

[0039] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate for the embodiments of this disclosure described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0040] Unless otherwise stated, the term "multiple" means two or more.

[0041] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the character " / " indicates that the objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B.

[0042] The term "and / or" describes an association between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or A and B.

[0043] The term "correspondence" can refer to an association or binding relationship. The correspondence between A and B means that there is an association or binding relationship between A and B.

[0044] In this embodiment of the disclosure, smart home appliances refer to home appliances formed by introducing microprocessors, sensor technology and network communication technology into home appliances. They have the characteristics of intelligent control, intelligent sensing and intelligent application. The operation of smart home appliances often relies on the application and processing of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things, the Internet and electronic chips. For example, smart home appliances can be connected to electronic devices to enable users to remotely control and manage smart home appliances.

[0045] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the terminal device refers to an electronic device with wireless connectivity. The terminal device can communicate with the aforementioned smart home appliances by connecting to the internet, or directly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other methods. In some embodiments, the terminal device may be, for example, a mobile device, a computer, or an in-vehicle device built into a hovercraft, or any combination thereof. Mobile devices may include, for example, mobile phones, smart home devices, wearable devices, smart mobile devices, virtual reality devices, or any combination thereof. Wearable devices may include, for example, smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.

[0046] The cross-flow fan used in air conditioners comprises multiple fan units, all fixedly connected and rotating at the same speed. Different airflow patterns can only be switched by adjusting the motor speed. To further enrich the airflow patterns of the cross-flow fan, a variable-speed air supply method, device, and indoor unit are disclosed in related technologies. The indoor unit's fan includes multiple cross-flow fan blades that can be controlled to rotate at different speeds. Through a non-uniform air supply mode, a non-uniform airflow field is generated by a single indoor unit, or an airflow field that varies over time, so that different air outlet positions of the indoor unit correspond to different wind speeds, or the wind speed ratio at each position changes over time. This airflow field is closer to natural wind. This indoor unit helps create a wind feel closer to natural wind for users, improving the user experience.

[0047] The problem with this technology is that, in a non-uniform wind field, the wind felt by a user at different locations within the field is random or uniform, making it impossible to adjust the wind to be tailored to the user's specific area. For example, when an air conditioner is first turned on, the temperature is unstable, and direct airflow from the air conditioner can cause discomfort to the user; after the air conditioner has been running for a while, the airflow speed decreases, the user feels a weaker breeze, and the comfort level is poor.

[0048] The method provided in this disclosure is based on an air conditioner whose cross-flow fan includes multiple independently controllable fan units. The method divides the airflow of the air conditioner into multiple air outlet zones corresponding to the multiple cross-flow fan sections. It controls the operation of the multiple cross-flow fan sections according to the user's location, enabling the air conditioner to create a non-uniform airflow field based on the user's location, thus achieving either direct airflow protection away from the user's location or concentrated airflow towards the user's location.

[0049] Specifically, in combination Figure 1-8 As shown, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides an air conditioner, including a housing 500 and a cross-flow fan. The housing has an accommodating space, and the cross-flow fan is disposed in the accommodating space. The cross-flow fan includes a rotating shaft 100 and multiple fan units 200, which are arranged along the length of the rotating shaft 100. Each fan unit 200 can be independently controlled to rotate. Each fan unit 200 includes a drive disk 210, a first coupling component 220, a fan wheel 230, and a second coupling component 240. The drive disk 210 is disposed on the rotating shaft 100 and rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft 100. The first coupling component 220 is disposed on the drive disk 210. The fan wheel 230 is rotatably disposed on the rotating shaft 100 corresponding to the drive disk 210. The second coupling component 240 is disposed on the fan wheel 230. The first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 can be controlled to switch between a coupling state and a decoupling state. When the first coupling component 220 is coupled with the second coupling component 240, the fan wheel 230 rotates with the drive disk 210. When the first coupling component 220 is decoupling from the second coupling component 240, the fan wheel 230 can rotate relative to the drive disk 210.

[0050] In this embodiment, the cross-flow fan includes a rotating shaft 100 and multiple fan units 200. The rotating shaft 100 is driven and connected to a fan motor, and is rotatably mounted in a preset installation position. The fan units 200 are cylindrical, and their axes are collinear with the axis of the rotating shaft 100. The rotating shaft 100 passes through the multiple fan units 200, serving both to fix the multiple fan units 200 and to provide driving force for the rotation of the fan units 200.

[0051] Multiple fan units 200 are arranged side-by-side, forming a multi-section combination as the fan of a cross-flow fan. Each fan unit 200 can be independently controlled to rotate, meaning each fan unit 200 can be controlled to rotate with or not rotate with the rotation shaft 100. For example, all multiple fan units 200 rotate to achieve a larger air volume output; the fan units 200 with odd-numbered sequences rotate to achieve a smaller air volume output; and the multiple fan units 200 rotate sequentially for a preset time to achieve a sweeping function.

[0052] Configuring a separate output motor and corresponding control module for each fan unit would significantly increase the cost of the cross-flow fan and complicate its structure. The cross-flow fan provided in this disclosure includes a drive motor for driving selected fan units or all fan units to rotate.

[0053] A single drive motor driving multiple fan units is implemented based on the following structure. Taking one fan unit as an example, the fan unit 200 includes a drive disk 210 and a fan wheel 230. The drive disk 210 is concentric and coaxial with the rotating shaft 100 and is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 100. The fan wheel 230 is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft 100. Here, rotatable means that the fan wheel 230 can rotate relative to the rotating shaft 100. The drive disk 210 is provided with a first coupling component 220, and the fan wheel 230 is provided with a second coupling component 240. When the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 are in a coupled state, the rotation of the drive disk 210 drives the rotation of the fan wheel 230, that is, the rotating shaft 100 indirectly drives the rotation of the fan wheel 230. When the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 are in a disengaged state, the fan wheel 230 does not rotate with the drive disk 210, nor with the rotating shaft 100. Due to friction, the rotating shaft 100 still exerts a certain force on the rotation of the impeller 230 when it rotates. At this time, the impeller 230 rotates at a speed much lower than that of the rotating shaft 100, and therefore does not provide actual airflow. Here, "the impeller 230 does not rotate with the rotating shaft 100" means that the speed of the impeller 230 is much lower than that of the rotating shaft 100, or even zero. For multiple fan units 200, one or more selected fan units 200 can be rotated by controlling the coupling state of the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 of the multiple fan units 200 respectively.

[0054] Using the air conditioner provided in this embodiment, the cross-flow fan includes multiple spliced ​​fan units 200. Each fan unit 200 is relatively short, easy to place and remove, and not easily deformed during use. Each fan unit 200 can be independently controlled to rotate. The cross-flow fan can achieve a variety of different air outlet functions by selecting one or more of the multiple fan units 200 to rotate. When selecting a fan unit, there is no need for a connecting rod that can move axially, so there is no need to reserve space for the connecting rod, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the cross-flow fan.

[0055] Optionally, the first coupling component includes a first magnetic component, and the second coupling component includes a second magnetic component, wherein the first magnetic component generates a magnetic attraction force with the second magnetic component when energized.

[0056] The first magnetic component is an electromagnet, and the second magnetic component is a permanent magnet. When the first magnetic component is energized, a magnetic attraction is generated between it and the second magnetic component, achieving magnetic coupling through this attraction. In one implementation, a rotating shaft is electrically connected to a fixed power module via brushes. The rotating shaft has electrode contacts through which the first magnetic component receives power input and control. When the first coupling component rotates, the first magnetic component is energized, and the electromagnetic force pulls the second magnetic component to gradually rotate synchronously with it. The coupling process is smooth and gentle, without mechanical friction. This configuration facilitates switching between the coupling and decoupling states of the first and second coupling components.

[0057] Optionally, the drive disk 210 has a pin hole in the radial direction, and the second coupling component 240 has a drive groove; the first coupling component 220 includes a drive pin 221, which is slidably disposed in the pin hole. When the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 are coupled, the drive pin 221 extends into the drive groove, and when the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 are separated, the drive pin 221 retracts from the drive groove.

[0058] In this configuration, the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 are in a plug-in fit. Specifically, the first coupling component 220 includes a retractable drive pin 221, and the second coupling component 240 is configured with a drive groove that mates with the drive pin 221. The drive pin 221 extends along a radial line of the drive disk 210, and the second coupling component 240 is located on the outer ring of the drive disk 210. The drive disk 210 has a pin hole along its radial direction, which is used to fix the drive pin 221 and provide a sliding track for the extension and retraction of the drive pin 221. The dimensions of the drive groove are adapted to the dimensions of the drive pin 221. When the drive pin 221 extends, it is inserted into the drive groove of the second coupling component 240. At this time, the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 are in a coupled state. The drive disk 210 rotates, and a force perpendicular to the direction of the drive pin 221 is applied to the second coupling component 240 through the drive pin 221. As the second coupling component 240 rotates, the rotating fan unit 200 rotates together with the drive disk 210. With this configuration, the connection structure is relatively strong when the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 are coupled, which is beneficial for the drive disk 210 to drive the fan unit 200 to rotate.

[0059] Optionally, the drive slot has a guide section 251 and a snap-fit ​​section 252. The guide section 251 has an inclined surface, and when the drive pin 221 extends out, it extends into the snap-fit ​​section 252 under the guidance of the guide section 251.

[0060] When the drive disk 210 stops rotating, the drive disk 210 and the fan unit 200 cannot always stop at the same relative position, so the drive pin 221 may not be able to extend into the drive slot. To ensure that the drive pin 221 can accurately enter the drive slot after extending, the drive slot is divided into two sections from the outside to the inside along the radial line of the second coupling assembly 240: a guide section 251 and a snap-fit ​​section 252. The guide section 251 has a large opening and a sloping surface. The drive pin 221 can slide along the sloping surface to the snap-fit ​​section 252 of the drive slot once it enters the larger opening of the guide section 251. The opening size of the snap-fit ​​section 252 is adapted to the size of the drive pin 221, and the drive pin 221 snaps into the snap-fit ​​section 252, driving the fan unit 200 to rotate. In one embodiment, the guide section 251 is trumpet-shaped, with the larger end facing outwards and the smaller end facing the entrance of the snap-fit ​​section 252. This configuration facilitates easier engagement between the drive pin 221 and the drive slot. As the fan unit 200 rotates with the shaft 100, the drive pin 221 retracts, disconnecting the direct drive connection between the fan unit 200 and the drive disk 210. When the fan unit 200 stops while the shaft 100 rotates, the drive pin 221 extends and, guided by the guide section 251 of the drive slot, inserts into the engagement section 252 of the drive slot, thereby driving the fan unit 200 to rotate. This configuration also facilitates easier engagement between the drive pin 221 and the drive slot, allowing for smoother switching between coupling and decoupling states between the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component.

[0061] Optionally, the drive disk 210 has multiple pin holes along multiple radial lines, the first coupling component 220 includes multiple drive pins 221, and the multiple drive pins 221 are slidably disposed in the multiple pin holes in a one-to-one correspondence; the second coupling component 240 has multiple drive grooves, and the multiple drive grooves cooperate with the multiple drive pins 221 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0062] The multiple pin holes are distributed circumferentially along the drive disk 210, preferably evenly, to ensure more balanced rotation of the drive disk 210. Each pin hole is oriented radially along the drive disk 210. The first coupling component 220 includes multiple drive pins 221, each corresponding to one of the pin holes. The second coupling component 240 has multiple drive slots, each corresponding to one of the drive pins 221. This arrangement improves the stability and reliability of the coupling between the first and second coupling components 220 by allowing the drive pins 221 to engage with the drive slots. Furthermore, the drive disk 210 only needs to rotate a small distance to insert the drive pins 221 into the drive slots.

[0063] Optionally, the drive pin 221 is a magnetic drive pin 221; the drive disk 210 includes: an electromagnetic ring 211, a retaining ring 212, and a connector 213, wherein the electromagnetic ring 211 is fixed to the rotating shaft 100, and the electromagnetic ring 211 drives the drive pin 221 to extend or retract by magnetic force; the retaining ring 212 is located on the outer ring of the electromagnetic ring 211, and a pin hole is opened in the retaining ring 212; the connector 213 is connected to the electromagnetic ring 211 and the retaining ring 212, and is used to fix the electromagnetic ring 211 and the retaining ring 212 together.

[0064] The drive disk 210 includes an inner electromagnetic ring 211 and an outer retaining ring 212, with the electromagnetic ring 211 and retaining ring 212 being concentric and coaxial. The drive disk 210 also includes a connector 213 for connecting the electromagnetic ring 211 and the retaining ring 212. Exemplarily, the connector 213 includes multiple radial ribs, each rib having its two ends connected to the electromagnetic ring 211 and the retaining ring 212 respectively. The drive pin 221 is a permanent magnet, and the electromagnetic ring 211 is an electromagnet, used to generate magnetic attraction to extend or retract the drive pin 221. The retaining ring 212 has the aforementioned multiple pin holes to mount multiple drive pins 221 and provide sliding tracks for the drive pins 221. The electromagnetic ring 211 serves both to extend and retract the drive pins 221 and as a structural component of the drive disk 210, resulting in a stable and lightweight structure. The drive structure is simple and reliable, as the electromagnetic ring 211 drives the magnetic drive pins 221 to extend and retract.

[0065] Optionally, the cross-flow fan also includes a switching device 300, which is used to switch the coupling state and the separation state of the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240; wherein, the rotating shaft 100 is a hollow structure; the switching device 300 includes a fixing rod 310, a wiring harness 320 and a brush 330, the fixing rod 310 passes into the rotating shaft 100, and the rotating shaft 100 has a brush groove corresponding to the electromagnetic ring 211 of the drive disk 210; the wiring harness 320 is fixed to the fixing rod 310; one end of the brush 330 is electrically connected to the wiring harness 320, and the other end extends into the brush groove so that the wiring harness 320 is electrically connected to the electromagnetic ring 211.

[0066] The switching device 300 is used to switch the coupling and decoupling states of the first coupling component 220 and the second coupling component 240 of the fan unit 200, thereby controlling the rotation of the fan unit 200. The rotation of the fan unit 200 includes rotating with the rotating shaft 100 and not rotating with the rotating shaft 100. Preferably, the switching device 300 corresponds to all fan units 200, which makes it easier for the cross-flow fan to control the fan units 200. The cross-flow fan controls each fan unit 200 individually through the switching device 300 to achieve different air outlet functions.

[0067] Specifically, the switching device 300 includes a fixed rod 310, a wiring harness 320, and a brush 330. The rotating shaft 100 is a hollow rod, and the fixed rod 310, wiring harness 320, and brush 330 are all located within the rotating shaft 100. The rotating shaft 100 is a moving part, and the fixed rod 310 is a fixed part; the fixed rod 310 remains stationary when the rotating shaft 100 rotates. The fixed rod 310 provides mounting positions for the wiring harness 320 and brush 330. One end of the wiring harness 320 is electrically connected to a power supply device such as a junction box, and the other end is connected to the brush 330. The rotating shaft 100 has brush grooves corresponding to the brush 330, and the brush 330 passes through these brush grooves and is electrically connected to the electromagnetic ring 211.

[0068] With this configuration, the electromagnetic ring 211 can maintain good electrical connection even when the rotating shaft 100 is rotating. The rotation of a single fan unit 200 can be controlled by controlling the on / off state and current direction of the electromagnetic ring 211.

[0069] Optionally, the fixing rod 310 is a hollow structure, and the wire harness 320 passes through the fixing rod 310.

[0070] Each of the multiple fan units 200 requires a corresponding telephone line and connecting cable. When there are a large number of fan units 200, threading the wiring harness 320 into the fixing rod 310 can simplify the overall structure of the switching device 300, making it easier to install and maintain.

[0071] Optionally, the impeller 230 includes a first end cover 231, a second end cover 232, and a plurality of fan blades 233. The first end cover 231 is integrated with the second coupling component 240, and a drive groove is formed in the inner ring of the first end cover 231. The second end cover 232 is concentric and coaxial with the first end cover 231. The plurality of fan blades 233 are arranged circumferentially along the rotation shaft 100, and the two ends of each fan blade 233 are respectively connected to the first end cover 231 and the second end cover 232.

[0072] Both end caps of the impeller 230 are annular. The inner ring of the first end cap 231 is rotatably connected to the drive disk 210, and the inner ring of the second end cap 232 is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 100. The first end cap 231 and the second coupling assembly 240 are integrated, meaning the first end cap 231 serves as both a structural component of the impeller 230 and the second coupling assembly 240. The inner ring of the first end cap 231 has the aforementioned drive groove. The second end cap 232 is concentric and coaxial with the first end cap 231, jointly fixing multiple fan blades 233. When the impeller 230 rotates, the multiple fan blades 233 drive air movement. This configuration simplifies the structure of the cross-flow fan.

[0073] Optionally, the cross-flow fan also includes multiple baffles 400 disposed on the drive disc 210, which are used to keep multiple fan units 200 in a preset position along the length of the rotation shaft 100.

[0074] The impeller 230 can rotate relative to the rotating shaft 100, which also means that the impeller 230 may move axially along the rotating shaft 100. If the position of the impeller 230 deviates along the length of the rotating shaft 100, the drive pin 221 will not be able to engage with the drive groove. Therefore, a baffle 400 is provided on the end face of the impeller 230, which restricts the movement of the impeller 230 along the length of the rotating shaft 100, thereby keeping the impeller 230 in a preset position. There are multiple impellers 230, and at least two baffles 400, respectively provided at both ends of the rotating shaft. As a preferred embodiment, a baffle 400 is provided between every two adjacent impellers 230. This can better limit the position of the impeller 230.

[0075] Optionally, a flat bearing is provided between the baffle 400 and the impeller 230.

[0076] When the impeller 230 does not rotate with the rotating shaft 100, the installation of a flat bearing can reduce the friction between the impeller 230 and the baffle 400, thereby making the cross-flow fan more clearly control the rotation of the fan unit 200.

[0077] Combination Figure 9 As shown, this disclosure provides a method for controlling an air conditioner, applied to the aforementioned air conditioner, the method comprising:

[0078] S100, the air conditioner obtains the user's location.

[0079] The S200 controls the operation of multiple fan units based on the user's location.

[0080] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the user's location can be obtained through the image recognition unit of the air conditioner, through a human body sensor, or from a server.

[0081] The air conditioner's air outlet is horizontally positioned, and the cross-flow fan is also horizontally arranged. The area covered by the air outlet corresponds to multiple airflow zones defined by the cross-flow fan's multiple fan units. The fan unit corresponding to the user's airflow zone is designated as the first fan unit, and the remaining fan units are designated as second fan units. The air conditioner controls the operation of multiple fan units based on the user's location, with each fan unit's operation including at least switching between on and off states. Controlling the operation of multiple fan units based on the user's location allows the operation of the first fan unit to differ from that of the second fan units. When it's necessary to avoid direct airflow onto the user, the first fan unit is turned off and the second fan unit is activated; conversely, when it's necessary to improve the user's airflow comfort, the second fan unit is turned off and the first fan unit is activated. Furthermore, as the user moves, the physical fan units corresponding to the first and second fan units also change, ensuring that the airflow can still avoid direct airflow onto the user or enhance the user's airflow comfort even during movement, thus achieving either follow-up anti-direct-blow or follow-up airflow.

[0082] The method for controlling an air conditioner provided in this disclosure controls the operation of multiple fan units based on the user's location, enabling non-uniform airflow from the air conditioner. During the initial startup of the air conditioner, the fan unit corresponding to the user's location stops rotating, preventing discomfort caused by unstable temperature. After the indoor temperature stabilizes, the fan unit corresponding to the user's location rotates while the other fans stop, enhancing the user's sense of airflow. This non-uniform airflow field achieves either protection against direct airflow or concentrated airflow for the user, improving the user experience.

[0083] Optionally, in conjunction with Figure 10, this disclosure provides another method for controlling an air conditioner, applied to the aforementioned air conditioner, the method comprising:

[0084] S100, the air conditioner obtains the user's location.

[0085] S210: After powering on, the air conditioner activates the fan unit furthest from the user.

[0086] S220, according to the first time interval, all fan units of the air conditioner are started sequentially from far to near.

[0087] After the air conditioner is turned on, the cross-flow fan needs to be activated to regulate the indoor temperature. Upon startup, the air conditioner first activates the fan unit furthest from the unit.

[0088] After an air conditioner is turned on, the temperature of the air blown by the cross-flow fan is unstable. Taking the air conditioner in cooling mode as an example, when the air conditioner first starts, the temperature of the air blown by the cross-flow fan is relatively high, close to the room temperature; as the compressor runs, the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger gradually decreases, and the temperature of the air blown by the cross-flow fan becomes lower. If the air conditioner blows directly at the user at this time, the user will experience large fluctuations in the temperature of the air, which may cause discomfort. Therefore, after the air conditioner is turned on, the fan unit furthest from the user is activated first. This fan unit is one or more of the second fan units. When the user's position corresponds to the middle fan unit of the cross-flow fan, the fan units furthest from the user are those located at both ends of the cross-flow fan; when the user's position corresponds to the fan unit at the first end of the cross-flow fan, the fan units furthest from the user are those located at the second end of the cross-flow fan. In this way, during the period when the air conditioner's temperature is unstable, the air conditioner's airflow avoids the user's position. This gradually lowers the room temperature while avoiding the discomfort caused by the air conditioner blowing directly at the user.

[0089] As the air conditioner operates, the refrigerant circulation stabilizes, and the air outlet temperature also becomes relatively stable. At this point, the remaining fan units are gradually activated according to the first time interval to quickly adjust the indoor temperature to the set temperature. The remaining fan units are activated one by one, from farthest to closest. When the user's position corresponds to the fan unit in the middle of the cross-flow fan, the remaining fan units are activated sequentially from both sides to the middle according to the first time interval; when the user's position corresponds to the fan unit at the first end of the cross-flow fan, the remaining fan units are activated sequentially from the second end to the first end of the cross-flow fan.

[0090] This method serves two purposes: firstly, it avoids user discomfort caused by unstable temperatures after the air conditioner is turned on; secondly, multiple fan units activate sequentially from far to near, resulting in a gradual increase in the perceived airflow, from barely noticeable to strong, creating a gentler overall breeze. This improves the user experience for a period of time after the air conditioner is turned on.

[0091] Optionally, in step S220, the air conditioner starts all fan units sequentially from far to near according to a first time interval, where the first time interval is determined based on the temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature.

[0092] If the temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is large, the need to adjust the indoor temperature is considered more urgent. In this case, all fan units should be activated as soon as possible to adjust the indoor temperature quickly, so the first time interval is shorter. If the temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is small, the need to adjust the indoor temperature is considered less urgent. In this case, all fan units can be activated more leisurely to reduce the discomfort of direct airflow, so the first time interval is longer. This allows for more accurate control of the activation of multiple fan units.

[0093] Optionally, when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is greater than or equal to 5°C, the first time interval is 30 seconds; when the temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature is less than 5°C, the first time interval is 1 minute.

[0094] This allows the time required for all fan units to turn on to match the user's cooling and heating needs, reducing user discomfort caused by temperature instability while increasing the speed at which all fan units turn on, thus further improving the cooling and heating speed of the air conditioner.

[0095] Optionally, in conjunction with Figure 11, this disclosure provides another method for controlling an air conditioner, applied to the aforementioned air conditioner, the method comprising:

[0096] S100, the air conditioner obtains the user's location.

[0097] S210: After powering on, the air conditioner activates the fan unit furthest from the user.

[0098] S220, according to the first time interval, all fan units of the air conditioner are started sequentially from far to near.

[0099] S230, the air conditioner obtains the operating time.

[0100] S240: When the operating time is greater than or equal to the first duration, the air conditioner starts one or more fan units closest to the user and shuts down the remaining fan units.

[0101] The air conditioner acquires its operating time and uses this time to determine the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the set temperature, as well as the change in the air conditioner's cooling capacity. For example, the first operating time is 15 minutes. After the air conditioner has been running for 15 minutes, it is considered that the indoor temperature is close to the set temperature, and the air conditioner's cooling capacity is reduced. Corresponding to the reduced cooling capacity, the airflow from the air conditioner also decreases. As the airflow decreases, the perceived temperature of the user within the air conditioner's airflow area will rise. To avoid user discomfort due to the reduced airflow, after the air conditioner's cooling capacity decreases, only the first fan unit among multiple fan units remains on, while the remaining second fan units are turned off. The first fan unit is one or more fan units closest to the user, and the second fan units are those other than the first fan unit. Because the number of rotating fan units in the cross-flow fan decreases, the air outlet range of the air conditioner decreases, while the airflow speed in the outlet area corresponding to the user's position changes little or remains constant.

[0102] Using this method can effectively prevent users from experiencing discomfort due to a decrease in airflow speed after the air conditioner has been running for a period of time.

[0103] Optionally, in step S240, activating one or more fan units closest to the user includes:

[0104] S241, number of users acquired by the air conditioner.

[0105] S242, the air conditioner determines the first number of fan units to be turned on based on the number of users.

[0106] S243, the air conditioner starts the first number of fan units closest to the user's location.

[0107] User location can be obtained through the air conditioner's image recognition unit, a human body sensor, or from a server. When there are few users, fewer fan units need to be activated. For example, with only one user, activating just one or two fan units is sufficient to provide full coverage of the user's location. When there are many users, more fan units need to be activated. For example, with two users, the air conditioner activates the four fan units closest to the user's location. Determining the initial number of fan units to activate based on the number of users avoids situations where insufficient airflow causes discomfort to some users.

[0108] This method allows the number of fan units activated to match the number of users, thereby improving the comfort of all users.

[0109] Optionally, step S242, which determines the first number of fan units to be turned on based on the number of users, includes: if the number of users is greater than or equal to the first number of users, then the first number of fan units is all the fan units; if the number of users is less than the first number of users, then the first number is positively correlated with the first number of users.

[0110] When the number of users is greater than or equal to the first number of users, the users are relatively dispersed and their locations are not fixed. When the number of users is greater than or equal to the first number of users, all fan units in the first number of users are activated, and the air conditioner operates all fan units. This ensures that air flows throughout the airflow area of ​​the air conditioner, improving the comfort experience for all users. When the number of users is less than the first number of users, there are fewer users, and their locations are relatively concentrated. In this case, the first number of users is positively correlated with the first number of users; the fewer the first number of users, the smaller the first number of users, and the more concentrated the airflow. This allows for more concentrated airflow to be delivered to fewer users, thereby improving their comfort experience.

[0111] Optionally, combined Figure 12 As shown in the embodiments of this disclosure, another method for controlling an air conditioner is provided, including:

[0112] S01, the air conditioner obtains the air supply mode;

[0113] S02, when the air conditioner is in automatic air supply mode, it obtains the user's location and controls the operation of multiple fan units based on the user's location.

[0114] S03, when the air conditioner's air supply mode is the gradual air supply mode, the air conditioner sequentially turns on multiple fan units according to the second time interval within a single cycle and makes each fan unit rotate for a second duration.

[0115] The air conditioner's airflow mode can be set via remote control or remote terminal, or it can be automatically set according to a preset program. The air conditioner's airflow modes include at least automatic airflow mode and gradual airflow mode. In automatic airflow mode, the air conditioner obtains the user's location and controls the operation of multiple fan units based on that location. That is, when the air conditioner's airflow mode is automatic, the above-mentioned steps S100 (air conditioner obtains user location) and S200 (air conditioner controls multiple fan units based on user location) are executed. This allows the air conditioner to create a non-uniform airflow field based on the user's location. At the initial stage of air conditioner startup, the fan unit corresponding to the user's location stops rotating, avoiding temperature instability that could cause user discomfort; after the indoor temperature stabilizes, the fan unit corresponding to the user's location rotates while the other fans stop rotating, enhancing the user's sense of airflow. This non-uniform airflow field achieves either anti-direct blowing or concentrated airflow for the user, improving the user experience.

[0116] When the air conditioner's airflow mode is in gradual airflow mode, the air conditioner periodically controls the operation of multiple fan units, or the operation of multiple fan units is periodic. Within a single cycle, multiple fan units turn on at second time intervals and rotate for a second duration. For example, there are 5 fan units, the second time interval is 1 minute, and the second duration is 1 minute. In this case, multiple fan units rotate in relay, with one fan unit rotating at any given moment. Another example is a second time interval of 1 minute and a second duration of 2 minutes. In this case, two fan units rotate at any given moment. When a user is in a certain position, the fan unit closest to the user's position will produce a larger perceived airflow, while the fan unit furthest from the user's position will produce the smallest perceived airflow. As different fan units start and stop, the airflow perceived by the user is a non-uniform airflow that varies over time. Using this setup, the airflow of the air conditioner can be adjusted by the number of fan rotations, and a gradual airflow effect can be achieved by switching the rotating fan units.

[0117] Optionally, step S03, which involves sequentially activating multiple fan units and rotating each fan unit for a second duration, includes: sequentially activating multiple fan units from one end to the other, and then sequentially deactivating multiple fan units from one end to the other after the second duration; or, sequentially activating multiple fan units from the middle to both sides, and then sequentially deactivating multiple fan units from the middle to both sides after the second duration; or, sequentially activating multiple fan units from both sides to the middle, and then sequentially deactivating multiple fan units from both sides to the middle after the second duration.

[0118] The cross-flow fan is arranged horizontally. Multiple fan units are turned on sequentially from the first end to the second end, and after a second duration, they are turned off sequentially from the first end to the second end. Viewed from directly in front of the air conditioner, the airflow sweeps from the first end to the second end. Similarly, multiple fan units are turned on sequentially from the middle to both sides, and after a second duration, they are turned off sequentially from the middle to the sides. Viewed from directly in front of the air conditioner, the airflow sweeps from the middle to the sides. Finally, multiple fan units are turned on sequentially from both sides to the middle, and after a second duration, they are turned off sequentially from both sides to the middle. Viewed from directly in front of the air conditioner, the airflow sweeps from the sides to the middle. By using this sequential opening and closing of multiple fan units, the air conditioner achieves both gradual airflow and a sweeping airflow function.

[0119] This method allows for more diverse airflow patterns in air conditioners, thus meeting users' various airflow needs.

[0120] Combination Figure 13 This disclosure provides an apparatus 600 for controlling an air conditioner, including a processor 601 and a memory 602. Optionally, the apparatus may further include a communication interface 603 and a bus 604. The processor 601, communication interface 603, and memory 602 can communicate with each other via the bus 604. The communication interface 603 can be used for information transmission. The processor 601 can call logical instructions in the memory 602 to execute the method for controlling the air conditioner described in the above embodiment.

[0121] Furthermore, the logic instructions in the aforementioned memory 602 can be implemented as software functional units and, when sold or used as independent products, can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0122] The memory 602, as a computer-readable storage medium, can be used to store software programs and computer-executable programs, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the methods in the embodiments of this disclosure. The processor 601 executes functional applications and data processing by running the program instructions / modules stored in the memory 602, that is, it implements the method for controlling the air conditioner in the above embodiments.

[0123] The memory 602 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store the operating system and applications required for at least one function; the data storage area may store data created based on the use of the terminal device. Furthermore, the memory 602 may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory.

[0124] Combination Figure 1 As shown, this disclosure provides an air conditioner, including a housing 500, a cross-flow fan, and the aforementioned device 600 for controlling the air conditioner. The housing 500 has an accommodating space; the cross-flow fan is disposed within the accommodating space and includes multiple coaxially arranged fan units, each of which can be independently controlled; the device for controlling the air conditioner is installed within the accommodating space. The installation relationship described herein is not limited to placement within the product but also includes installation connections with other components of the product, including but not limited to physical connections, electrical connections, or signal transmission connections. Those skilled in the art will understand that the device 600 for controlling the air conditioner can be adapted to feasible product bodies to achieve other feasible embodiments.

[0125] This disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions configured to perform the above-described method for controlling an air conditioner.

[0126] The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium may be a transient computer-readable storage medium or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0127] The technical solutions of this disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes one or more instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in this disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, including: a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, and other media capable of storing program code; it can also be a transient storage medium.

[0128] The foregoing description and accompanying drawings fully illustrate embodiments of this disclosure to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may include structural, logical, electrical, procedural, and other changes. The embodiments represent only possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the order of operation may vary. Parts and features of some embodiments may be included in or replace parts and features of other embodiments. Moreover, the terminology used in this application is for describing embodiments only and is not intended to limit the claims. As used in the description of embodiments and claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to equally include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the term “and / or” as used in this application means including one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations thereof. Additionally, when used in this application, the term "comprise" and its variations "comprises" and / or "comprising" refer to the presence of stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprises a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, or apparatus that includes said element. In this document, each embodiment may focus on the differences from other embodiments, and similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. For methods, products, etc., disclosed in the embodiments, if they correspond to the method section disclosed in the embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to the description of the method section.

[0129] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0130] The methods and products (including but not limited to devices and equipment) disclosed in the embodiments herein can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of units may be merely a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed between each other may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units. They may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected to implement this embodiment according to actual needs. Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of this disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0131] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than that shown in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. In the descriptions corresponding to the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings, the operations or steps corresponding to different blocks may also occur in a different order than disclosed in the description, and sometimes there is no specific order between different operations or steps. For example, two consecutive operations or steps may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. Each block in a block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in a block diagram and / or flowchart, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an air conditioner, characterized by, The air conditioner includes a cross-flow fan, which includes multiple coaxially arranged fan units, each of which can be independently controlled and operated. The method includes: Get the air conditioner's airflow mode; When the air conditioner's air supply mode is in the gradual air supply mode, the plurality of fan units are turned on sequentially according to the second time interval within a single cycle, and each fan unit rotates for a second duration. When the air conditioner's air supply mode is in automatic air supply mode, the user's location is obtained; the operation of the multiple fan units is controlled according to the user's location; wherein, the operation of the multiple fan units according to the user's location includes: starting the fan unit farthest from the user after powering on; starting all fan units sequentially from farthest to closest according to a first time interval; obtaining the air conditioner's power-on duration; if the power-on duration is greater than or equal to the first duration, starting one or more fan units closest to the user and turning off the remaining fan units.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Activating one or more fan units closest to the user includes: Acquire user count; The first number of fan units to be activated is determined based on the number of users; Activate the first number of fan units closest to the user's location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first number of fan units to be activated based on the number of users includes: If the number of users is greater than or equal to the first number of users, then the first number of fan units is all the fan units; and / or, If the number of users is less than the number of first-ranked users, then the number of first-ranked users is positively correlated with the number of first-ranked users.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The process of sequentially activating the plurality of fan units and rotating each fan unit for a second duration includes: The plurality of fan units are turned on sequentially from one end to the other, and after a second duration, the plurality of fan units are turned off sequentially from one end to the other; or... The plurality of fan units are turned on sequentially from the center outwards, and after a second duration, the plurality of fan units are turned off sequentially from the center outwards; or, The multiple fan units are turned on sequentially from both sides towards the middle, and after a second duration, the multiple fan units are turned off sequentially from both sides towards the middle.

5. An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner, comprising a processor and a memory having stored program instructions, characterized in that, The processor is configured to execute, when running the program instructions, the method for controlling an air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An air conditioner characterized by comprising: include: The shell has a structure that provides accommodating space; A cross-flow fan is installed in the accommodating space. The cross-flow fan includes multiple coaxially arranged fan units, each of which can be independently controlled and operated. and, The device for controlling an air conditioner as described in claim 5 is installed in the accommodating space.

7. A storage medium storing program instructions, characterized in that, When the program instructions are executed, they perform the method for controlling an air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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