Indoor unit, control method thereof, and air conditioning unit

Abstract

The application discloses an indoor unit, a control method thereof and an air conditioning unit, and solves the problem of low heat exchange efficiency of air conditioners caused by the setting of baffles and other structures in the prior art. The indoor unit comprises a shell, and an upper fan cavity and a lower fan cavity are formed in the shell. The indoor unit, the control method thereof and the air conditioning unit can make the airflow of the lower air outlet flow to the front of the upper air outlet, so that the airflow of the upper air outlet is guided to flow to the obliquely upper side, the airflow of the indoor unit is avoided from the user, the purpose of preventing cold air from directly blowing to the user is achieved, and through the working state changes of the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet, various air supply modes such as close-range soft air supply and long-distance strong air supply can be realized, that is, the use demand of the user can be met, and the comfort of the user can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air handling equipment technology, and more specifically, to an indoor unit and its control method, and an air conditioning unit. Background Technology

[0002] As people's living standards improve, air conditioners have gradually entered thousands of households and become one of the main energy-consuming devices in home appliances. Traditional cross-flow floor-standing air conditioners blow cold air from the front of the unit, which can easily cause cold air to blow directly on people, resulting in poor human comfort. Direct cold air blowing on the body can cause colds, trigger asthma, lead to high blood pressure, and cause air conditioning sickness, thus reducing user comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention discloses an indoor unit and its control method, as well as an air conditioning unit, which utilizes the airflow from the lower air outlet to guide the airflow from the upper air outlet, thereby tilting the airflow direction of the indoor unit upward to avoid direct blowing on the user and improving user comfort. This solves the problem of cold air blowing directly on the user in the prior art.

[0004] The present invention discloses an indoor unit, including a housing, wherein an upper fan cavity and a lower fan cavity are formed within the housing, the upper fan cavity is located above the lower fan cavity, the upper fan cavity has an upper air outlet, the lower fan cavity has a lower air outlet, and the air outlet of the lower air outlet faces the front of the upper air outlet.

[0005] The indoor unit also includes a lower air outlet duct, the first end of which is connected to the lower fan cavity, and the second end which forms the lower air outlet. The central axis of the lower air outlet duct is inclined upward relative to the horizontal plane.

[0006] The flow area of ​​the upper air outlet is greater than that of the lower air outlet.

[0007] The housing is provided with an indoor air inlet, and both the upper fan cavity and the lower fan cavity are connected to the interior through the indoor air inlet.

[0008] The lower fan cavity is also provided with a fresh air inlet, and the lower fan cavity is connected to the outside through the fresh air inlet.

[0009] The indoor unit also includes a heat exchanger, which is disposed inside the housing and located at the indoor air inlet. The indoor air inlet is connected to the upper fan cavity and the lower fan cavity through the heat exchanger.

[0010] The indoor unit includes a fresh air duct, which is connected to the lower fan cavity, and the outdoor end of the fresh air duct forms the fresh air inlet.

[0011] The indoor unit also includes a centrifugal fan, which is disposed in the lower fan cavity. The centrifugal fan has two opposing end faces and a peripheral side face located between the two end faces. Each of the two end faces is provided with an air intake, and the peripheral side face is provided with an air outlet. One air intake is connected to the indoor air inlet, the other air intake is connected to the fresh air inlet, and the air outlet is connected to the lower air outlet.

[0012] The indoor unit also includes an upper air valve and a lower air valve. The upper air valve is located at the upper air outlet and can close or open the upper air outlet. The lower air valve is located at the lower air outlet and can close or open the lower air outlet.

[0013] The indoor unit also includes an upper fan and a lower fan. The upper fan is disposed in the upper fan cavity, and the lower fan is disposed in the lower fan cavity. The upper fan and the lower fan are connected to the same drive mechanism; or, the upper fan is driven by one drive mechanism, and the lower fan is driven by another drive mechanism.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a control method for the above-mentioned indoor unit, comprising:

[0015] The indoor unit has an anti-direct-blow mode;

[0016] When the indoor unit is in the anti-direct-blow mode, the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet are in the open state.

[0017] The lower fan cavity is also provided with a fresh air inlet, and the lower fan cavity is connected to the outside through the fresh air inlet. The control method further includes:

[0018] The indoor unit also features a fresh air mode;

[0019] When the indoor unit is in the fresh air mode, the fresh air inlet and the lower air outlet are switched to the open state.

[0020] The indoor unit also has an upward air outlet mode and a downward air outlet mode;

[0021] When the indoor unit is in the upward air outlet mode, the upward air outlet is open and the downward air outlet is closed.

[0022] When the indoor unit is in the downward air outlet mode, the downward air outlet is open and the upward air outlet is closed.

[0023] The indoor unit also includes an upper fan and a lower fan, the upper fan is disposed in the upper fan cavity, the lower fan is disposed in the lower fan cavity, and the indoor unit also has a self-cleaning mode;

[0024] When the indoor unit is in the self-cleaning mode, both the upper air outlet and the lower air outlet are closed, and both the upper fan and the lower fan are in operation.

[0025] Another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioning unit, including the indoor unit described above or applying the control method described above.

[0026] The indoor unit and its control method of the present invention, as well as the air conditioning unit, by setting a lower air outlet and directing the airflow from the lower air outlet toward the front of the upper air outlet, can utilize the airflow from the lower air outlet to guide the airflow from the upper air outlet to flow obliquely upward, so that the airflow from the indoor unit avoids the user, thereby preventing cold air from blowing directly on the user. Moreover, by changing the working state of the upper and lower air outlets, multiple air supply modes can be achieved, such as gentle air supply at close range and strong air supply at long distance, which can not only meet the user's needs, but also effectively improve the user's comfort. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a gas flow diagram of the indoor unit in the top air outlet mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a gas flow diagram of the indoor unit in the down-discharge mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a gas flow diagram of the indoor unit in the anti-direct-blow mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the upper fan cavity of the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a gas flow diagram of the upper fan cavity of the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a simulation diagram of the airflow when the indoor unit of this invention is in the top air outlet mode;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a simulation diagram of the airflow when the indoor unit of this invention is in the down-discharge mode;

[0035] Figure 9 This is a simulation diagram of the airflow when the indoor unit of this invention is in anti-direct-blow mode;

[0036] Figure 10 This is another airflow simulation diagram of the indoor unit in anti-direct-blow mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 11 This is a control logic diagram of the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Legend: 1. Housing; 11. Upper fan cavity; 12. Lower fan cavity; 111. Upper air outlet; 121. Lower air outlet; 2. Lower air outlet duct; 112. Indoor air inlet; 123. Fresh air inlet; 3. Fresh air duct; 4. Heat exchanger; 5. Upper fan; 6. Lower fan; 7. Drive mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments, but is not limited to the contents of the specification.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, this invention discloses an indoor unit, including a housing 1. An upper fan cavity 11 and a lower fan cavity 12 are formed within the housing 1. The upper fan cavity 11 is located above the lower fan cavity 12. The upper fan cavity 11 has an upper air outlet 111, and the lower fan cavity 12 has a lower air outlet 121, with the airflow direction of the lower air outlet 121 facing forward of the upper air outlet 111. By setting the lower air outlet 121 and directing the airflow from the lower air outlet 121 towards the front of the upper air outlet 111, the airflow from the lower air outlet 121 can be guided to flow obliquely upwards from the upper air outlet 111. This allows the airflow from the indoor unit to avoid the user, preventing cold air from directly blowing on the user and effectively improving user comfort. Furthermore, since the flow area of ​​the upper air outlet 111 is larger than that of the lower air outlet 121, the airflow velocity of the upper air outlet 111 is lower, while the airflow velocity of the lower air outlet 121 is higher. Users can choose to have the upper air outlet 111 supply air alone to achieve gentle airflow from the indoor unit at close range, or they can choose to have the lower air outlet 121 supply air alone to achieve strong airflow from a long distance, thereby improving the airflow mode of the indoor unit and meeting the different airflow needs of users.

[0041] Specifically, the indoor unit also includes a downward air outlet duct 2. The first end of the downward air outlet duct 2 is connected to the downward fan cavity 12, and the second end forms the downward air outlet 121. The central axis of the downward air outlet duct 2 is inclined upwards relative to the horizontal plane. The downward air outlet duct 2 guides the air discharged from the downward fan cavity 12, allowing the airflow discharged from the downward fan cavity 12 to flow obliquely upwards, thereby guiding the airflow blown out of the upward air outlet 111 and preventing the airflow from directly blowing onto the user.

[0042] The housing 1 is equipped with an indoor air inlet 112, and both the upper fan chamber 11 and the lower fan chamber 12 are connected to the interior through the indoor air inlet 112. Indoor air is introduced into the upper fan chamber 11 via the indoor air inlet 112, and after heat exchange within the upper fan chamber 11, it is returned to the interior through the upper air outlet 111, thus achieving heat exchange treatment of the indoor air. Due to the large flow area of ​​the upper air outlet 111, the flow velocity of the indoor air after heat exchange is low, achieving gentle and short-distance air delivery. Simultaneously, indoor air can also be introduced into the lower fan chamber 12 via the indoor air inlet 112, and after heat exchange within the lower fan chamber 12, it is returned to the interior through the lower air outlet 121, achieving heat exchange treatment of the indoor air. Due to the small flow area of ​​the lower air outlet 121, the flow velocity of the indoor air after heat exchange is high, achieving strong and long-distance air delivery. Furthermore, the lower fan cavity 12 is also equipped with a fresh air inlet 123. The lower fan cavity 12 is connected to the outside through the fresh air inlet 123. The lower fan cavity 12 can also introduce outdoor fresh air through the fresh air inlet 123. When the lower fan cavity 12 only introduces fresh air, it can be used to send fresh air into the room, so that the indoor unit has a fresh air function. When the lower fan cavity 12 introduces indoor air and outdoor fresh air at the same time, it can mix indoor air and outdoor fresh air in the lower fan cavity 12 and finally send them into the room, thus achieving the purpose of introducing outdoor fresh air. It can also use indoor air to process the temperature of outdoor fresh air, avoid the influence of outdoor fresh air temperature on indoor temperature, and improve user comfort.

[0043] The indoor unit also includes a heat exchanger 4, which is disposed within the housing 1 and located at the indoor air inlet 112. The indoor air inlet 112 is connected to the upper fan chamber 11 and the lower fan chamber 12 through the heat exchanger 4. This allows indoor air to circulate after heat exchange in the heat exchanger before being sent to the corresponding upper fan chamber 11 and / or lower fan chamber 12. This facilitates the arrangement of the heat exchanger 4, ensures reliable air handling, and reduces the overall development cost of the indoor unit. Preferably, the heat exchanger 4 is an evaporator, and an air inlet grille is also provided on the windward side of the heat exchanger 4 (at the indoor air inlet) to filter the incoming air.

[0044] To facilitate the introduction of outdoor fresh air into the lower fan cavity 12, the indoor unit includes a fresh air duct 3, which is connected to the lower fan cavity 12. The outdoor end of the fresh air duct 3 forms the fresh air inlet 123. With the fresh air duct 3, the housing 1 can be placed at any location indoors as needed, and outdoor fresh air can be introduced through the duct 3.

[0045] The indoor unit also includes a centrifugal fan, which is disposed within the lower fan cavity 12. The centrifugal fan has two opposing end faces and a peripheral side face located between the two end faces. Each of the two end faces has an air intake, and the peripheral side face has an air outlet. One air intake is connected to the indoor air inlet 112, and the other air intake is connected to the fresh air inlet 123. The air outlet is connected to the lower air outlet 121. Utilizing the axial air intake and circumferential air outlet characteristics of the centrifugal fan, the indoor air inlet 112 and the fresh air inlet 123 can be arranged on both sides of the centrifugal fan to allow indoor air and outdoor fresh air to enter respectively. This allows the indoor air and outdoor fresh air to mix thoroughly within the centrifugal fan, thereby minimizing the impact of outdoor fresh air on indoor temperature and improving user comfort.

[0046] To ensure controllable operation of the upper air outlet 111 and lower air outlet 121 of the indoor unit, the indoor unit also includes an upper air valve and a lower air valve. The upper air valve is located at the upper air outlet 111 and can close or open the upper air outlet 111. The lower air valve is located at the lower air outlet 121 and can close or open the lower air outlet 121. When air needs to exit from the upper air outlet 111, the upper air valve is controlled to open the upper air outlet 111; when air needs to exit from the lower air outlet 121, the lower air valve is controlled to open the lower air outlet 121.

[0047] The indoor unit also includes an upper fan 5 and a lower fan 6. The upper fan 5 is disposed within the upper fan cavity 11, and the lower fan 6 is disposed within the lower fan cavity 12. Both the upper fan 5 and the lower fan 6 are connected to the same drive mechanism 7. Using a single drive mechanism 7 (such as a motor) to simultaneously drive the upper fan 5 and the lower fan 6 can reduce the overall development cost and solve the problem of high overall cost caused by multiple motors. Preferably, the upper fan 5 is a cross-flow fan. In this case, the indoor air inlet 112 and the upper air outlet 111 are located on opposite sides of the cross-flow fan, and the cross-section of the casing 1 is circular. The central angle of the arc corresponding to the indoor air inlet 112 ranges from 150° to 180°, and the central angle of the arc corresponding to the upper air outlet 111 ranges from 10° to 30°. This maximizes the air intake of the indoor unit and increases the air outlet velocity of the upper air outlet 111, thereby increasing the air delivery distance of the indoor unit when using the upper air outlet 111. The lower fan 6 is a centrifugal fan. Utilizing the axial air intake and circumferential air outlet structure of the centrifugal fan, the indoor air inlet 112 and the fresh air inlet 123 can be arranged on both sides of the centrifugal fan to allow indoor air and outdoor fresh air to enter respectively. This allows the indoor air and outdoor fresh air to mix thoroughly within the centrifugal fan, thereby minimizing the impact of outdoor fresh air on indoor temperature and improving user comfort. A filter mechanism is installed between the fresh air inlet 123 and the downdraft fan 6 to filter the outdoor fresh air and prevent indoor pollution.

[0048] In another embodiment (not shown), the upper fan 5 is driven by a drive mechanism 7, and the lower fan 6 is driven by another drive mechanism 7. In this case, both the upper fan 5 and the lower fan 6 can operate independently, which reduces the difficulty of controlling the air outlet mode of the indoor unit and reduces the production difficulty of the indoor unit.

[0049] Another aspect of the present invention provides a control method for the above-mentioned indoor unit, comprising:

[0050] The indoor unit has an anti-direct-blow mode;

[0051] When the indoor unit is in the anti-direct-blow mode, the upper air outlet 111 and the lower air outlet 121 are open. At this time, the upper air outlet 111 blows air in front of the upper air outlet 111, while the lower air outlet 121 blows air in front of the upper air outlet 111 from below, and the air flows together in front of the upper air outlet 111. This directs the airflow from the upper air outlet 111 upwards (towards the ceiling), effectively avoiding the user and preventing the air from blowing directly on the user, thus improving user comfort.

[0052] The lower fan cavity 12 is also provided with a fresh air inlet 123, and the lower fan cavity 12 is connected to the outside through the fresh air inlet 123. The control method further includes:

[0053] The indoor unit also features a fresh air mode;

[0054] When the indoor unit is in the fresh air mode, the fresh air inlet 123 and the lower air outlet 121 are switched to the open state. Opening the fresh air inlet 123 allows outdoor fresh air to be introduced into the lower fan cavity 12. When the lower fan cavity 12 only introduces fresh air, it can be used to send fresh air into the room, giving the indoor unit a fresh air function. When the lower fan cavity 12 introduces both indoor air and outdoor fresh air, the indoor air and outdoor fresh air can be mixed in the lower fan cavity 12 and finally sent into the room, thus achieving the purpose of introducing outdoor fresh air. It can also use indoor air to treat the temperature of the outdoor fresh air, avoiding the influence of the outdoor fresh air temperature on the indoor temperature and improving user comfort.

[0055] The indoor unit also has an upward air outlet mode and a downward air outlet mode;

[0056] When the indoor unit is in the upward air outlet mode, the upward air outlet 111 is open and the downward air outlet 121 is closed.

[0057] When the indoor unit is in the downward air outlet mode, the downward air outlet 121 is open and the upward air outlet 111 is closed.

[0058] The airflow velocity at the upper air outlet 111 is relatively low, while the airflow velocity at the lower air outlet 121 is relatively high. Users can choose to have the upper air outlet 111 supply air alone to achieve gentle airflow from the indoor unit at close range, or they can choose to have the lower air outlet 121 supply air alone to achieve strong airflow from a long distance, thus improving the airflow mode of the indoor unit and meeting the different airflow needs of users.

[0059] The indoor unit also includes an upper fan 5 and a lower fan 6. The upper fan 5 is disposed in the upper fan cavity 11, and the lower fan 6 is disposed in the lower fan cavity 12. The indoor unit also has a self-cleaning mode.

[0060] When the indoor unit is in the self-cleaning mode, both the upper air outlet 111 and the lower air outlet 121 are closed, and both the upper fan 5 and the lower fan 6 are in operation. At this time, the heat exchanger 4 is in a high-temperature state. The gas heated by the heat exchanger 4 is disturbed in the corresponding upper fan cavity 11 and lower fan cavity 12 under the action of the upper fan 5 and the lower fan 6, thereby performing high-temperature sterilization on the upper fan cavity 11 and the lower fan cavity 12, realizing the self-cleaning of the indoor unit, and ensuring that the airflow sent into the room by the indoor unit is sterile and healthy.

[0061] The operating mode of the indoor unit can be determined according to the user's needs. When the indoor unit is in the off state, the user can select the operating mode of the indoor unit through the remote control or other means, and then switch to the corresponding operating mode.

[0062] Another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioning unit, including the indoor unit described above or applying the control method described above.

[0063] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is impossible to exhaustively list all embodiments here. All obvious variations or modifications derived from the technical solutions of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An indoor unit, characterized in that, Includes a housing (1), within which an upper fan cavity (11) and a lower fan cavity (1) are formed. The unit includes a fan chamber (12), with the upper fan chamber (11) located above the lower fan chamber (12). The upper fan chamber (11) has an upper air outlet (111), and the lower fan chamber (12) has a lower air outlet (121). The air outlet of the lower air outlet (121) is directed towards the front of the upper air outlet (111). The indoor unit also includes a lower air outlet duct (2), with the first end of the lower air outlet duct (2) connected to the lower fan chamber (12) and the second end forming the lower air outlet (121). The flow area of ​​the upper air outlet (111) is larger than that of the lower air outlet (121) to prevent direct airflow.

2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central axis of the lower air outlet duct (2) is inclined upward relative to the horizontal plane.

3. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (1) is provided with an indoor air inlet (112), and the upper fan cavity (11) and the lower fan cavity (12) are both connected to the interior through the indoor air inlet (112).

4. The indoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower fan cavity (12) is also provided with a fresh air inlet (123), and the lower fan cavity (12) is connected to the outside through the fresh air inlet (123).

5. The indoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The indoor unit also includes a heat exchanger (4), which is disposed inside the housing (1) and located at the indoor air inlet (112). The indoor air inlet (112) is connected to the upper fan chamber (11) and the lower fan chamber (12) through the heat exchanger (4).

6. The indoor unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The indoor unit includes a fresh air duct (3), which is connected to the lower fan cavity (12), and the outdoor end of the fresh air duct (3) constitutes the fresh air inlet (123).

7. The indoor unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The indoor unit also includes a centrifugal fan, which is disposed in the lower fan cavity (12). The centrifugal fan has two opposite end faces and a peripheral side face located between the two end faces. An air intake is provided on both end faces, and an air outlet is provided on the peripheral side face. One air intake is connected to the indoor air inlet (112), and the other air intake is connected to the fresh air inlet (123). The air outlet is connected to the lower air outlet (121).

8. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indoor unit also includes an upper air valve and a lower air valve. The upper air valve is located at the upper air outlet (111) and can close or open the upper air outlet (111). The lower air valve is located at the lower air outlet (121) and can close or open the lower air outlet (121).

9. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indoor unit also includes an upper fan (5) and a lower fan (6). The upper fan (5) is disposed in the upper fan cavity (11), and the lower fan (6) is disposed in the lower fan cavity (12). The upper fan (5) and the lower fan (6) are connected to the same drive mechanism (7); or, the upper fan (5) is driven by one drive mechanism (7), and the lower fan (5) is driven by another drive mechanism (7).

10. A control method for an indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: The indoor unit has an anti-direct-blow mode; When the indoor unit is in the anti-direct-blow mode, the upper air outlet (111) and the lower air outlet (121) are in the open state.

11. The control method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The lower fan cavity (12) is also provided with a fresh air inlet (123), and the lower fan cavity (12) is connected to the outside through the fresh air inlet (123). The control method further includes: The indoor unit also features a fresh air mode; When the indoor unit is in the fresh air mode, the fresh air inlet (123) and the lower air outlet (121) are switched to the open state.

12. The control method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The indoor unit also has an upward air outlet mode and a downward air outlet mode; When the indoor unit is in the upward air outlet mode, the upward air outlet (111) is open, and the downward air outlet (121) is open. closure; When the indoor unit is in the downward air outlet mode, the downward air outlet (121) is open and the upward air outlet (111) is closed.

13. The control method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The indoor unit also includes an upper fan (5) and a lower fan (6). The upper fan (5) is located in the upper fan cavity (11), and the lower fan (6) is located in the lower fan cavity (12). The indoor unit also has a self-cleaning mode. When the indoor unit is in the self-cleaning mode, the upper air outlet (111) and the lower air outlet (121) are both closed, and the upper fan (5) and the lower fan (6) are both in operation.

14. An air conditioning unit, characterized in that: The indoor unit includes any one of claims 1 to 10, or the control method described in any one of claims 10 to 13 is applied.

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