Air purification methods and applications of air conditioners

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of air conditioning technology, specifically providing an air purification method for an air conditioner and an air conditioner using the same method. This invention aims to solve the problem of poor sterilization effect in existing air conditioners. To this end, the air conditioner of this invention includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit includes a light source and a condenser mesh disposed between its air inlet and a heat exchanger. The condenser mesh has a photocatalyst that can be irradiated by the light source. The air purification method of this invention includes: in heating mode, energizing the light source to activate the photocatalyst; acquiring the ambient temperature and the hot air temperature and humidity at the air outlet of the indoor unit; determining the hot air dew point temperature based on the hot air temperature and the hot air humidity; determining whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature; and if the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, controlling the fan of the indoor unit to reverse. This invention enables the air conditioner to effectively purify the air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of air conditioning technology, and specifically provides an air purification method for an air conditioner and an air conditioner using the same method. Background Technology

[0002] In winter, due to low outdoor temperatures, users tend to keep doors and windows closed for extended periods to prevent cold air from entering the room. This can lead to a lack of fresh air supply, resulting in poor air quality; furthermore, bacteria in the indoor air cannot be promptly replaced by the outside air, making users more susceptible to illness.

[0003] At the same time, winter is also the peak season for influenza. The enclosed indoor environment makes it easy for viruses and bacteria to spread in the air, causing cross-infection among family members.

[0004] Therefore, some air conditioners are equipped with ultraviolet lamps to disinfect and sterilize the air flowing through them when the air conditioner is heating. However, the air only stays in the air conditioner for a short time, and thus the time it is exposed to the ultraviolet lamp is also short, resulting in poor disinfection and sterilization effects. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of this invention is to solve the problem of poor sterilization effect of existing air conditioners.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, an air purification method for an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit comprising a light source and a condenser mesh disposed between its air inlet and a heat exchanger, the condenser mesh having a photocatalyst capable of being irradiated by the light source; the air purification method comprising:

[0007] In heating mode, the light source is powered on to activate the photocatalyst;

[0008] The ambient temperature and the hot air temperature and humidity at the air outlet of the indoor unit are obtained.

[0009] Determine the hot air dew point temperature based on the hot air temperature and the hot air humidity;

[0010] Determine whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature;

[0011] If the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, the fan of the indoor unit is controlled to reverse.

[0012] Optionally, controlling the indoor unit's fan to reverse direction if the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature includes:

[0013] If the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, determine whether the duration of the ambient temperature being lower than the hot air dew point temperature is greater than or equal to a preset time.

[0014] If the duration is greater than or equal to a preset time, the fan is controlled to reverse.

[0015] Optionally, before determining whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, the air purification method further includes:

[0016] Obtain the heating temperature of the heat exchanger;

[0017] Determine the difference between the heating temperature and the ambient temperature;

[0018] Determine whether the difference is greater than or equal to a preset temperature difference value, and if it is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference value, determine whether the ambient temperature is less than the hot air dew point temperature.

[0019] Optionally, before controlling the fan to reverse, the air purification method further includes:

[0020] Determine whether the current humidity of the air is greater than or equal to a preset humidity, and then control the fan to reverse if it is greater than or equal to the preset humidity.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an air purification method for an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit comprising a light source and a condenser mesh disposed between its air inlet and a heat exchanger, the condenser mesh having a photocatalyst capable of being irradiated by the light source; the air purification method comprising:

[0022] In cooling mode, the light source is powered on to activate the photocatalyst;

[0023] Determine if the current humidity of the air is greater than or equal to the preset humidity;

[0024] If the speed is greater than or equal to the preset speed, adjust the fan speed of the indoor unit to the preset speed.

[0025] In a third aspect, the present invention provides an air conditioner comprising:

[0026] Outdoor unit,

[0027] An indoor unit includes a light source and a condenser screen disposed between its air inlet and a heat exchanger, the condenser screen having a photocatalyst that can be irradiated by the light source;

[0028] The controller is configured to control the air conditioner to perform the air purification method described in either the first or second aspect.

[0029] Optionally, the condenser screen is configured to slope downwards along the direction close to the heat exchanger so that the condensate on the condenser screen flows onto the heat exchanger.

[0030] Optionally, the condenser mesh is thermally connected to the heat exchanger.

[0031] Optionally, the condensation mesh is a metal mesh or a fiber mesh.

[0032] Optionally, the light source is an ultraviolet lamp.

[0033] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will understand that in the aforementioned technical solution of this invention, the indoor unit includes a light source and a condenser screen disposed between its air inlet and the heat exchanger, and the condenser screen has a photocatalyst that can be irradiated by the light source; then, in heating mode, the light source is powered on to activate the photocatalyst. By acquiring the ambient temperature and the hot air temperature and humidity at the indoor unit's air outlet, and then determining the hot air dew point temperature based on the hot air temperature and humidity, it is further determined whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature. When the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, the indoor unit's fan is controlled to reverse, so that the air heated by the heat exchanger flows through the condenser screen. When the hot air flows through the lower-temperature condenser screen, the water vapor in the air is condensed into liquid water by the condenser screen and adheres to it. The liquid water attached to the condensation net not only provides a dynamic environment for the strong oxidizing substances produced by the activated photocatalyst, but also adsorbs foreign objects such as viruses, dust, and saliva in the air. This allows the strong oxidizing substances in the liquid water to come into contact with and oxidize the viruses, dust, saliva, and other foreign objects, thereby decomposing them into water and carbon dioxide.

[0034] Therefore, it can be seen that the air conditioner of the present invention can effectively purify indoor air through photocatalysis, and has high efficiency in killing viruses and bacteria.

[0035] Furthermore, by setting the light source to an ultraviolet lamp, the air conditioner of the present invention can perform dual disinfection and sterilization of the air through ultraviolet lamps and photocatalysis, resulting in a better air purification effect.

[0036] Other beneficial effects of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can more clearly understand the improved objectives, features and advantages of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the same reference numerals may indicate the same or similar parts or components in different drawings; the drawings of the present invention are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0038] In the attached image:

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the air conditioner in this invention;

[0040] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit in this invention;

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of the condensation mesh and photocatalytic coating in this invention;

[0042] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the main steps of the air purification method of the air conditioner in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 5 It is a table comparing air temperature, air humidity, and dew point temperature;

[0044] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the steps for determining whether the fan is reversing in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 7 This is a partial flowchart of the air purification method for an air conditioner in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the main steps of the air purification method for an air conditioner in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described below are merely a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments of the present invention. These partial embodiments are intended to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the embodiments provided by the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," which indicate direction or positional relationships, are based on the direction or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are used merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0049] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can also refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0050] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the description of this invention, the terms "coldness" and "heat" are two descriptions of the same physical state. That is, the higher the "coldness" of a target object (e.g., evaporator, air, condenser, etc.), the lower its "heat," and vice versa. A target object absorbs "coldness" while releasing "heat," and releases "coldness" while absorbing "heat." A target object retains "coldness" or "heat" to maintain its current temperature. "Refrigeration" and "heat absorption" are two descriptions of the same physical phenomenon; that is, a target object (e.g., an evaporator) absorbs heat while refrigerating.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that in the description of this invention, each functional module can be a physical module composed of multiple structures, components, or electronic devices, or a virtual module composed of multiple programs; each functional module can be an independent module or a module divided from a whole module according to its function. Those skilled in the art should understand that, provided the technical solution described in this invention can be implemented, any changes in the configuration, implementation, or positional relationship of the functional modules will not deviate from the technical principles of this invention, and therefore should all fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, in this invention, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit 100, an outdoor unit 200, and a controller 300. The controller 300 is used to control the operation of the air conditioner, that is, the controller 300 is used to control the operation of the indoor unit 100 and the outdoor unit 200 so that the air conditioner performs any of the air purification methods described below.

[0053] The following reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The indoor unit 100 of this invention will be illustrated by example. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the indoor unit 100 in this invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of the condensation mesh 160 and the photocatalyst 161 coating in this invention.

[0054] like Figure 2As shown, in this invention, the indoor unit 100 includes a casing 110, a heat exchanger 120, a fan 130, an air guide plate 140, a filter 150, and a condenser screen 160.

[0055] Continue reading Figure 2 The housing 110 has an air inlet 111 and an air outlet 112, so that air outside the housing 110 enters the housing 110 through the air inlet 111 and air inside the housing 110 flows out of the housing 110 through the air outlet 112.

[0056] Continue reading Figure 2 The heat exchanger 120 is located inside the casing 110 and is used to heat or cool the air inside the casing 110. When the indoor unit 100 is cooling, the heat exchanger 120 is used as an evaporator to cool the air inside the casing 110. When the indoor unit 100 is heating, the heat exchanger 120 is used as a condenser to heat the air inside the casing 110.

[0057] Continue reading Figure 2 The fan 130 is installed inside the housing 110 and is used to drive the air outside the housing 110 into the housing 110 through the air inlet 111 and drive the air inside the housing 110 to flow out of the housing 110 through the air outlet 112.

[0058] Continue reading Figure 2 The air guide plate 140 is installed at the air outlet 112 on the housing 110 to guide the direction of the air blown out from the housing 110.

[0059] Continue reading Figure 2 The filter screen 150 is installed at the air inlet 111 of the housing 110 to filter the air entering the housing 110, thereby filtering out foreign matter such as dust and lint in the air and preventing them from contaminating the heat exchanger 120 inside the housing 110.

[0060] Continue reading Figure 2 The condenser screen 160 is disposed inside the housing 110 and is used to cool the air entering the housing 110 to form condensate. The condenser screen 160 can be configured to guide the condensed water to the heat exchanger 120, so that the excess condensed water is guided to the heat exchanger 120, allowing the airflow through the heat exchanger 120 to promote the evaporation of liquid water and recirculate the water into the indoor environment. This prevents excessive condensate from flowing to other parts of the indoor unit 100, especially the electrical control area, and affecting the service life of the air conditioner.

[0061] Preferably, the condenser screen 160 is disposed between the air inlet 111 and the heat exchanger 120, specifically between the filter screen 150 and the heat exchanger 120, to prevent foreign objects in the air from adhering to the condenser screen 160.

[0062] In this invention, the condenser mesh 160 is configured to slope downwards along the direction close to the heat exchanger 120 so that excess condensate on the condenser mesh 160 flows onto the heat exchanger 120.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, in this invention, the condenser mesh 160 can be a single sheet and is configured in a V-shape. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can, as needed, configure the condenser mesh 160 in any other feasible number and shape, for example, by configuring two sheets of condenser mesh 160 and arranging them horizontally at intervals.

[0064] Furthermore, the condenser mesh 160 may or may not be in contact with the heat exchanger 120.

[0065] Furthermore, the condensation mesh 160 can be a metal mesh or a fiber mesh. If the condensation mesh 160 is a metal mesh, the surface of the metal mesh can be made uneven, that is, the surface of the metal mesh is relatively rough, so that the metal mesh can absorb more condensate. If the condensation mesh 160 is a fiber mesh, the fiber mesh is preferably made of a material with good water absorption properties, so that the fiber mesh can absorb more condensate.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, in this invention, a photocatalyst 161 is provided on the condensation mesh 160 to kill bacteria and viruses on the condensation mesh 160. Specifically, those skilled in the art can make the condensation mesh 160 have the photocatalyst 161 by any feasible method such as spraying, dipping, or brushing.

[0067] Among them, photocatalyst 161 can be titanium dioxide, or any feasible material such as zinc oxide, tin oxide, zirconium dioxide, or cadmium sulfide.

[0068] like Figure 2 As shown, in this invention, the indoor unit 100 further includes a light source 170, which is used to irradiate the condenser filter 160 to activate the photocatalyst 161. The light source 170 is electrically connected to the controller 300 so that the light source 170 can be turned on or off under the control of the controller 300.

[0069] The number of light sources 170 can be any feasible number, such as one, two, or three. The light source 170 can be an ultraviolet lamp.

[0070] The air purification method of the air conditioner in this invention will be described in detail below, in conjunction with the air conditioner described above.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the air purification method of the air conditioner includes:

[0072] In step S110, in heating mode, power is supplied to the light source 170 to activate the photocatalyst 161.

[0073] Specifically, when the air conditioner is in heating mode and heating the room, after the air conditioner receives the air purification command, the controller 300 controls the light source 170 to be powered on, and thus illuminates the condenser mesh 160, activating the photocatalyst 161 on the condenser mesh 160.

[0074] The air purification command can be sent by the user to the air conditioner via the air conditioner remote control, or via a mobile phone, tablet, or other terminal device.

[0075] Step S120: Obtain the ambient temperature, and obtain the hot air temperature and hot air humidity at the air outlet 112 of the indoor unit.

[0076] In this invention, the indoor unit 100 is equipped with a first temperature sensor (not shown in the figure) for detecting the ambient temperature and a second temperature sensor (not shown in the figure) for detecting the hot air temperature. The first and second temperature sensors are electrically connected to the controller 300, respectively, so that the controller 300 receives the values ​​detected by the first and second temperature sensors.

[0077] The first temperature sensor can be located on the outside of the casing 110 or at the air inlet 111 of the indoor unit 100. The second temperature sensor can be located at the air outlet 112 of the indoor unit 100.

[0078] Furthermore, the indoor unit 100 is also equipped with a humidity sensor (not shown in the figure) for measuring the humidity of the hot air at the air outlet 112. This humidity sensor can be located at the air outlet 112 of the indoor unit. The humidity sensor is electrically connected to the controller 300 so that the controller 300 receives the value detected by the humidity sensor.

[0079] Step S130: Determine the hot air dew point temperature based on the hot air temperature and hot air humidity.

[0080] like Figure 5 As shown, according to what is known in the prior art, the hot air dew point temperature (dew point temperature) can be determined based on the air temperature (ambient temperature) and air humidity (ambient humidity). Therefore, the hot air dew point temperature can be determined based on the hot air temperature and hot air humidity determined in step S120.

[0081] It should be noted that, Figure 5 This document only shows the correlation between some hot air temperatures and humidity levels and hot air dew point temperatures to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Correspondences between other hot air temperatures and humidity levels and hot air dew point temperatures can be obtained through the internet, manuals, and other means.

[0082] Step S140: Determine whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature.

[0083] Specifically, the ambient temperature is compared with the hot air dew point temperature to determine whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature.

[0084] In step S150, if the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, control the indoor unit's fan 130 to reverse.

[0085] Those skilled in the art will understand that during the forward rotation of the fan 130, air enters the casing 110 from the air inlet 111 of the indoor unit 100 and exits from the air outlet 112. Therefore, the air flowing through the condenser 160 is ambient air and is not heated by the heat exchanger 120, so the temperature of the condenser 160 is the same as the ambient temperature. During the reverse rotation of the fan 130, the air inlet 111 of the indoor unit 100 becomes the air outlet 112, and the air outlet 112 becomes the air inlet 111. Therefore, the temperature at the air inlet 111 is the hot air temperature. At this time, the air flowing through the condenser 160 is air heated by the heat exchanger 120.

[0086] Furthermore, during the reverse rotation of the fan 130, the hot air heated by the heat exchanger 120 is cooled by the low-temperature condenser 160 (relative to the hot air) as it flows through the condenser 160, causing the condenser 160 to condense the water vapor in the hot air into liquid water. The liquid condensate adheres to the condenser 160, providing an active environment for the strong oxidizing substances (such as hydroxyl radicals and oxygen) generated after the photocatalyst 161 is activated.

[0087] Those skilled in the art will understand that a moist condenser 160 is more likely to adsorb foreign matter such as viruses, dust, and saliva from the air than a dry condenser 160. Furthermore, the strong oxidizing substances active in the liquid water on the condenser 160 can, at least through diffusion, come into contact with these foreign matter via diffusion. This allows the strong oxidizing substances generated when the photocatalyst 161 is activated to oxidize the viruses, dust, saliva, and other foreign matter, thereby achieving disinfection, sterilization, and air purification.

[0088] Therefore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the air conditioner can effectively purify the air when performing the air purification method, ensuring the health of the user.

[0089] Furthermore, to ensure that the surface of the condenser mesh 160 can accumulate sufficient condensate, it is necessary to ensure that the ambient temperature is consistently lower than the hot air dew point temperature. To this end, step S150 may further include:

[0090] Step S151: If the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, determine whether the duration of the ambient temperature being lower than the hot air dew point temperature is greater than or equal to a preset time.

[0091] The duration is calculated from the point when the ambient temperature begins to fall below the hot air dew point temperature. When the duration is greater than or equal to the preset time, it indicates that the ambient temperature is kept stably below the hot air dew point temperature. Therefore, the preset time can be any feasible duration, such as 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.

[0092] Step S152: If the duration is greater than or equal to the preset time, control the fan 130 to reverse.

[0093] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the fan 130 is reversed, the rotational speed of the fan 130 can be lower than the rotational speed when it is rotating forward, so as to prevent dust on the filter screen 150 from being blown away when the wind speed is high. At the same time, the speed of the air conditioner compressor can also be appropriately reduced to reduce the heating power of the heat exchanger 120.

[0094] like Figure 7 As shown, in the second embodiment of the present invention, compared with the first embodiment described above, the air purification method further includes the following step before step S140:

[0095] Step S210: Obtain the heating temperature of heat exchanger 120.

[0096] Specifically, a third temperature sensor can be configured for the indoor unit 100 to detect the current temperature of the heat exchanger 120, i.e., the heating temperature. This third temperature sensor is preferably in contact with the heat exchanger 120 to determine its heating temperature by detecting the temperature of the heat exchanger 120's surface.

[0097] Step S220: Determine the difference between the heating temperature and the ambient temperature.

[0098] Step S230: Determine whether the difference is greater than or equal to a preset temperature difference value, and if it is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference value, determine whether the ambient temperature is less than the hot air dew point temperature. That is, if the difference between the heating temperature and the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference value, then proceed to step S140.

[0099] When the difference between the heating temperature and the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference value, it indicates that the heat exchanger 120 has a higher heating power and a better heating effect on the room. Therefore, the preset temperature difference value can be any feasible value, such as 5℃, 10℃, 12℃, 15℃, etc.

[0100] Those skilled in the art will understand that when the difference between the heating temperature and the ambient temperature is less than the preset temperature difference value, not only will the temperature of the heat exchanger 120 be lower and the heating effect on the room be poor, but also when the fan 130 reverses, the temperature difference between the hot air and the condenser 160 will be smaller and the effect of producing condensate will be poor.

[0101] Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, in the third embodiment of the present invention, compared with any of the embodiments described above, the air purification method further includes, before step S150: determining whether the current humidity of the air is greater than or equal to a preset humidity, so as to control the fan 130 to reverse when it is greater than or equal to the preset humidity.

[0102] If the current humidity is lower than the preset humidity, it means that there is less moisture in the air. When the fan 130 reverses, it is difficult for the condenser 160 to obtain enough condensate, and the air purification effect is also poor.

[0103] The preset humidity can be any feasible value, which can be a value entered by the user; it can also be a value entered and saved in the air conditioner by the manufacturer before it leaves the factory; or it can be a value obtained from a cloud server or a backend server.

[0104] Furthermore, to increase indoor air humidity, the air conditioner can remind the user to turn on the humidifier when it is in heating mode. Alternatively, a humidifier can be configured for the indoor unit 100, and the humidifier can be turned on when the air conditioner is in heating mode.

[0105] like Figure 8 As shown, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the air purification method of the air conditioner includes:

[0106] In step S410, in cooling mode, power is supplied to the light source 170 to activate the photocatalyst 161.

[0107] Specifically, when the air conditioner is in cooling mode and cooling the room, after the air conditioner receives the air purification command, the controller 300 controls the light source 170 to be powered on, and thus illuminates the condenser mesh 160, activating the photocatalyst 161 on the condenser mesh 160.

[0108] The air purification command can be sent by the user to the air conditioner via the air conditioner remote control, or via a mobile phone, tablet, or other terminal device.

[0109] Step S420: Determine whether the current humidity of the air is greater than or equal to the preset humidity.

[0110] If the current humidity of the air is greater than or equal to the preset humidity, it means that there is a lot of moisture in the air, which can be condensed out.

[0111] Step S430: If the speed is greater than or equal to the preset speed, adjust the fan speed of the indoor unit 100 to the preset speed.

[0112] When the fan 130 operates at a preset speed, the airflow speed inside the casing 110 is relatively slow, allowing the cooling energy generated by the heat exchanger 120 to be slowly transferred to the condenser screen 160, thus lowering the temperature of the condenser screen 160. This low-temperature condenser screen 160 then cools the air flowing through it, thereby condensing water vapor in the air into liquid water, and purifying the air as described in the first embodiment.

[0113] Therefore, the preset speed can be any feasible speed, such as 50r / min, 100r / min, 200r / min, 500r / min, 800r / min, etc.

[0114] Furthermore, in this invention, the controller 300 includes a processor (not shown in the figure) and a memory (not shown in the figure). The memory stores execution instructions, specifically executable computer programs. Furthermore, the execution instructions stored in the memory are configured to, when executed by the processor, enable the air conditioner to perform the control method described in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0115] The technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with several embodiments above. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can disassemble and combine the technical solutions in the above embodiments, and can also make equivalent changes or substitutions to related technical features. Any changes, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the technical concept and / or technical principles of the present invention will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0116] Finally, it should be noted that the indoor unit of the present invention is not limited to the wall-mounted air conditioner described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; it can also be a floor-standing air conditioner.

Claims

1. An air purification method of an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the indoor unit comprising a light source and a condensing net provided between an air inlet and a heat exchanger thereof, the condensing net having a photocatalyst capable of being irradiated by the light source. The air purification method includes: In heating mode, the light source is powered on to activate the photocatalyst; The ambient temperature is obtained, and the hot air temperature and humidity at the air outlet of the indoor unit are also obtained. Determine the hot air dew point temperature based on the hot air temperature and the hot air humidity; Determine whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature; If the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, the fan of the indoor unit is controlled to reverse.

2. The air purification method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, If the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, controlling the indoor unit's fan to reverse includes: If the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, determine whether the duration of the ambient temperature being lower than the hot air dew point temperature is greater than or equal to a preset time. If the duration is greater than or equal to a preset time, the fan is controlled to reverse.

3. The air purification method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein, Before determining whether the ambient temperature is lower than the hot air dew point temperature, the air purification method further includes: Obtain the heating temperature of the heat exchanger; Determine the difference between the heating temperature and the ambient temperature; Determine whether the difference is greater than or equal to a preset temperature difference value, and if it is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference value, determine whether the ambient temperature is less than the hot air dew point temperature.

4. The air purification method for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein, Before controlling the fan to reverse, the air purification method further includes: Determine whether the current humidity of the air is greater than or equal to a preset humidity, and then control the fan to reverse if it is greater than or equal to the preset humidity.

5. An air conditioner, comprising: Outdoor unit, An indoor unit includes a light source and a condenser screen disposed between its air inlet and a heat exchanger, the condenser screen having a photocatalyst that can be irradiated by the light source; A controller configured to control the air conditioner to perform the air purification method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein, The condenser mesh is configured to slope downwards along the direction close to the heat exchanger so that the condensate on the condenser mesh flows onto the heat exchanger.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein, The condenser mesh is thermally connected to the heat exchanger.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein, The condensation mesh is a metal mesh or a fiber mesh.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein, The light source is an ultraviolet lamp.

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