Indoor unit, air conditioner and heat exchange split method

Abstract

The application relates to the air conditioning technical field, in particular to an indoor unit, an air conditioner and a heat exchange shunt method. The indoor unit comprises a cover shell provided with a top air inlet and a bottom air outlet; a cross-flow fan arranged in the cover shell and adjacent to the bottom air outlet; an evaporator comprising a target section between the cross-flow fan and a front side panel of the cover shell, the target section being provided with an air inlet gap between the target section and the front side panel; a shunt and a driving mechanism, the shunt being arranged above the air inlet gap, and the driving mechanism being used for adjusting the opening size of the shunt to limit the air inlet flux of the air inlet gap. According to the scheme of the application, the defects of uneven wind field around the evaporator, low heat exchange efficiency and the like in the prior art are solved, and the wind field optimization, efficient heat exchange and energy efficiency improvement are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioning technology, and more particularly to an indoor unit, an air conditioner, and a heat exchange and diversion method. Background Technology

[0002] Air conditioning, an indispensable comfort device in modern life, relies primarily on the efficient heat exchange process between the evaporator and condenser to achieve its core functions. The evaporator is a crucial component of the air conditioning refrigeration cycle, absorbing heat from the indoor air through heat exchange, thereby lowering the indoor temperature. Typically, the evaporator is designed with a perforated fan surrounding it, utilizing the airflow generated by the fan to accelerate heat exchange between the air and the evaporator surface.

[0003] However, the current structural design suffers from uneven airflow: the evaporator in front of the fan experiences excessively high airflow due to its proximity to the fan and air outlet, resulting in insufficient heat transfer and suboptimal cooling. Conversely, the evaporator area further from the fan center or rear experiences lower airflow, hindering heat exchange efficiency. This uneven airflow not only causes significant differences in heat exchange efficiency across different parts of the evaporator but also affects the overall cooling capacity and energy efficiency of the air conditioner, increasing energy consumption and potentially leading to uneven distribution of cooling capacity indoors, thus impacting user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an indoor unit, an air conditioner, and a heat exchange diversion method to solve the defects of uneven airflow around the evaporator and low heat exchange efficiency in the prior art, thereby achieving airflow optimization, efficient heat exchange, and improved energy efficiency.

[0005] This invention provides an indoor unit, comprising: a housing having a top air inlet and a bottom air outlet; a cross-flow fan disposed within the housing and adjacent to the bottom air outlet; an evaporator including a target segment located between the cross-flow fan and a front panel of the housing, the target segment having an air inlet gap with the front panel; a splitter and a drive mechanism, the splitter being disposed above the air inlet gap, the drive mechanism being used to adjust the opening of the splitter to limit the airflow through the air inlet gap.

[0006] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the diverter includes a first diverter plate and a second diverter plate that are parallel to each other, and a first hole is provided on the first diverter plate; the driving mechanism is used to drive the first diverter plate and the second diverter plate to move horizontally relative to each other, so that the second diverter plate avoids, partially blocks or blocks the first hole.

[0007] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the first diverter plate and the second diverter plate are slidably coupled; one of the first diverter plate and the second diverter plate is provided with a transmission member that is driven to cooperate with the drive mechanism, and the other is fixedly disposed between the evaporator and the front panel.

[0008] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the transmission component is a rack; the drive mechanism includes a motor and a drive gear connected to the motor and meshing with the rack.

[0009] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the first diverter plate is located above the second diverter plate; the first diverter plate is provided with a slide rail; and the second diverter plate is provided with a slide groove adapted to the slide rail.

[0010] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the second diverter is parallel to the horizontal direction, and the two side edges of the second diverter are respectively fixed to the front panel and the top of the target segment.

[0011] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, there are multiple first holes, which are evenly distributed in an array on the first diverter plate; the second diverter plate is provided with second holes that correspond one-to-one with the first holes; when the first holes and the second holes are fully aligned, the diverter is in its maximum opening state.

[0012] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, a temperature sensor is provided in the target section and / or the remaining sections of the evaporator to measure the surface temperature of the evaporator.

[0013] The present invention also provides an air conditioner, including the indoor unit described in any of the above embodiments.

[0014] The present invention also provides a heat exchange diversion method for an air conditioner as described above, wherein the evaporator of the indoor unit is provided with a first temperature point and a second temperature point, the first temperature point being located at the end of the remaining sections of the evaporator closer to the target section, and the second temperature point being located at the end of the target section away from the remaining sections; the method includes: starting the air conditioning system; acquiring temperature data T1 of the first temperature point and temperature data T2 of the second temperature point; and determining the opening degree of the diversion device based on T1 and T2.

[0015] According to a heat exchange diversion method provided by the present invention, the step of determining the opening degree of the diverter based on T1 and T2 includes: calculating the temperature difference ΔT between T1 and T2; comparing ΔT with a reference difference b; determining the opening degree of the diverter as the minimum opening degree when ΔT > b; and determining the opening degree of the diverter as the minimum opening degree when ΔT ≤ b.

[0016] According to a heat exchange splitting method provided by the present invention, before the step of determining the opening degree of the splitter based on T1 and T2, the method includes: initializing the splitter to the minimum or maximum opening degree a minutes after the air conditioning system is started.

[0017] The indoor unit, air conditioner, and heat exchange diversion method provided by this invention, through the diversion device adjusted by the drive mechanism, can partially block airflow, reducing the amount of airflow that directly contacts and exchanges heat with the target section. This helps to balance the airflow distribution across the evaporator, avoiding excessively high or low local wind speeds, thus solving the problem of uneven airflow around the evaporator that is common in existing technologies. The indoor unit, air conditioner, and heat exchange diversion method provided by this invention effectively solve the problem of low heat exchange efficiency caused by uneven airflow in existing air conditioning evaporators, optimizing the airflow, improving heat exchange efficiency, and consequently enhancing the overall energy efficiency of the air conditioning system. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a side cross-sectional schematic diagram of the indoor unit provided by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the splitter of the indoor unit provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding fit structure of the indoor unit's splitter provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the splitter plate of the indoor unit's splitter provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the changing states of the splitter of the indoor unit provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation relationship between the indoor unit's casing and the distributor provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of the heat exchange and diversion method provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure label:

[0027] 10. Casing; 11. Top air inlet; 12. Bottom air outlet; 13. Cross-flow fan; 20. Evaporator; 21. Target section; 22. Air inlet gap; 30. Flow divider; 31. First flow divider; 32. Second flow divider; 33. First hole; 34. Transmission component; 35. Motor; 36. Drive gear; 37. Slide rail; 38. Slide groove; 39. Second hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present 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. It should also be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] The following is combined with Figures 1-6 Specific embodiments of the indoor unit and air conditioner of the present invention are described.

[0031] This invention provides an indoor unit, comprising: a housing 10, having a top air inlet 11 and a bottom air outlet 12; a cross-flow fan 13, disposed within the housing 10 and adjacent to the bottom air outlet 12; an evaporator 20, including a target segment 21 located between the cross-flow fan 13 and the front panel of the housing 10, with an air inlet gap 22 between the target segment 21 and the front panel; a distributor 30 and a drive mechanism, the distributor 30 being disposed above the air inlet gap 22, and the drive mechanism being used to adjust the opening of the distributor 30 to limit the airflow through the air inlet gap 22. During operation, indoor air first enters the housing 10 through the top air inlet 11, and then a portion of it passes through the air inlet gap 22 along a preset path, exchanging heat with the target segment 21. Because the target segment 21 is close to the fan and near the air outlet, the air velocity is too high, resulting in a short residence time of the air on the surface of the evaporator 20, insufficient heat transfer, and a tendency for the target segment 21 to overheat. At this time, the distributor 30 can partially block the air according to the control of the drive mechanism, reduce the amount of air that directly contacts the target section 21 and exchanges heat, help to balance the air field distribution of each part of the evaporator 20, avoid local wind speeds that are too high or too low, and thus solve the problem of uneven air field around the evaporator 20 that is common in the prior art.

[0032] Specifically, the casing 10, as the main structure of the indoor unit, is designed with a top air inlet 11 and a bottom air outlet 12. The top air inlet 11 is responsible for introducing the air to be treated from the room, while the bottom air outlet 12 exhausts the air after it has been cooled or heated. A cross-flow fan 13 is installed inside the casing 10, located adjacent to the bottom air outlet 12. The function of the cross-flow fan 13 is to generate a stable airflow, forcibly exhausting the heat-exchanged air into the indoor environment, ensuring effective air circulation and temperature regulation. The evaporator 20, as the core heat exchange element of the indoor unit, includes the aforementioned target section 21 and other evaporator 20 sections (the evaporator 20 area away from the fan center or rear). The target section 21 is located between the cross-flow fan 13 and the front panel of the casing 10. An air inlet gap 22 is left between the target section 21 and the front panel to allow air to flow through the target section 21 of the evaporator 20 for heat exchange. A diffuser 30 is installed above the air inlet gap 22, which is equivalent to an adjustable wind deflector. Its function is to regulate the airflow entering the air inlet gap 22. The drive mechanism is connected to the diffuser 30 and is responsible for adjusting the opening of the diffuser 30 to precisely control the airflow entering the target section 21 through the air inlet gap 22.

[0033] The specific structural design of the diverter 30 is flexible, and different working modes can be adopted according to actual needs to effectively adjust the target wind field path. For example, the diverter 30 may include a horizontally opening and closing baffle, which consists of one or more baffles that can be opened or closed in the horizontal direction. By controlling the opening and closing angle of the baffle, the air volume entering the target segment 21 can be changed. The diverter 30 may also include a rotating opening and closing baffle, which adjusts the position of the baffle relative to the air inlet gap 22 by rotating to control the air volume.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, according to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the air divider 30 includes a first air divider 31 and a second air divider 32 that are parallel to each other. A first opening 33 is provided on the first air divider 31. A driving mechanism is used to drive the first air divider 31 and the second air divider 32 to move horizontally relative to each other, so that the second air divider 32 avoids, partially blocks, or blocks the first opening 33. Through the horizontal relative movement and staggered engagement of the first air divider 31 and the second air divider 32, precise adjustment of the airflow is achieved. Compared to the opening and closing of a single baffle, this double-layer air divider design occupies less space, provides more precise airflow adjustment, and has a compact structure, which is beneficial for the miniaturization and integrated design of the indoor unit.

[0035] Specifically, the flow divider 30 consists of two parallel-arranged first flow divider plates 31 and 32, with the first flow divider plate 31 having a first opening 33. This opening, as part of the air duct, directly affects the airflow entering the target section 21 of the evaporator 20. A drive mechanism is configured to drive the first flow divider plate 31 and the second flow divider plate 32 to move horizontally relative to each other. When the drive mechanism is activated, the position of the second flow divider plate 32 relative to the first flow divider plate 31 changes, thereby achieving different blocking states of the first opening 33.

[0036] In the avoidance state, the second diverter 32 is completely offset from the first orifice 33, without obstructing the first orifice 33. At this time, the first orifice 33 is fully open, maximizing airflow. In the partial obstruction state, the second diverter 32 partially overlaps with the first orifice 33, partially blocking it and appropriately reducing the airflow through the orifice. In the complete obstruction state, the second diverter 32 completely covers the first orifice 33, completely blocking the airflow. At this time, the orifice is closed, minimizing or almost eliminating airflow. Through the ingenious cooperation of the parallel first diverter 31 and second diverter 32, and the precise control of the two diverter plates by the drive mechanism, efficient and precise adjustment of the airflow in the target segment 21 of the evaporator 20 is achieved.

[0037] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, a first air diverter 31 and a second air diverter 32 are slidably engaged. One of the first air diverter 31 and the second air diverter 32 is provided with a transmission member 34 that drives a drive mechanism, while the other is fixedly disposed between the evaporator 20 and the front panel. The first air diverter 31 and the second air diverter 32 achieve precise airflow regulation through the slidable engagement. One of them drives the drive mechanism via the transmission member 34, receives external commands, and performs a sliding action, while the other is fixedly disposed between the evaporator 20 and the front panel, providing a stable reference.

[0038] Specifically, the first flow divider 31 and the second flow divider 32 are connected by a sliding fit, allowing them to slide smoothly relative to each other on parallel planes to achieve precise adjustment of the degree of obstruction of the first aperture 33. One of the first and second flow dividers 31 (e.g., the first flow divider 31) is equipped with a transmission component 34 that engages with the drive mechanism. The transmission component 34 (e.g., rack, groove, connecting rod, etc.) is directly connected to the drive mechanism (e.g., motor, cylinder, solenoid valve, etc.). When the drive mechanism receives a control signal and outputs power, the power is transmitted to the corresponding flow divider through the transmission component 34, causing it to slide horizontally along a predetermined trajectory. Corresponding to the flow divider equipped with the transmission component 34, the other (e.g., the second flow divider 32) is fixedly positioned between the evaporator 20 and the front panel, ensuring that the second flow divider 32 remains stable during airflow adjustment and providing a reliable reference for the sliding of the first flow divider 31. At the same time, fixing it between the evaporator 20 and the front panel helps to simplify the internal layout of the indoor unit, save space, and ensure the compactness and sealing of the air duct structure.

[0039] Preferably, in an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the transmission component 34 is a rack; the drive mechanism includes a motor 35 and a drive gear 36 connected to the motor 35 and meshing with the rack. The rack, as the transmission component 34, is disposed on the first air divider 31 (or the second air divider 32), and the motor 35 and the drive gear 36 constitute the drive mechanism. When the motor 35 operates, the sliding of the air divider is precisely controlled through the meshing transmission between the drive gear 36 and the rack, achieving efficient and precise adjustment of the airflow in the target section 21 of the evaporator 20.

[0040] Furthermore, in an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the first air distribution plate 31 is preferably located above the second air distribution plate 32; the first air distribution plate 31 is provided with a slide rail 37; and the second air distribution plate 32 is provided with a sliding groove 38 adapted to the slide rail 37. By positioning the first air distribution plate 31 above the second air distribution plate 32, and adding a slide rail 37 to the first air distribution plate 31 and a matching sliding groove 38 to the second air distribution plate 32, the precise, stable, and durable sliding fit between the air distribution plates is ensured, effectively supporting the efficient and precise adjustment of the evaporator 20's airflow.

[0041] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the second diverter 32 is parallel to the horizontal direction, and its two side edges are respectively fixed to the front panel and the top of the target segment 21. The second diverter 32 extends along the horizontal plane, and its normal direction is perpendicular to the direction of gravity, ensuring that the second diverter 32 can stably withstand the pressure from the upper first diverter 31 and the possible wind pressure load during operation, and will not tilt or flip due to its own weight or wind force, thus ensuring the stability of the air duct structure. The left and right edges of the second diverter 32 are tightly fixed to the front panel of the casing 10 and the top of the target segment 21 of the evaporator 20, respectively, forming a stable support structure. The precise arrangement of the second diverter 32 parallel to the horizontal direction, with its two side edges fixed to the front panel and the top of the target segment 21, is beneficial to the stability of the second diverter 32 and the integrity of the air duct structure, thereby effectively supporting the adjustment of the airflow of the evaporator 20.

[0042] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, the number of first holes 33 is preferably multiple, and the multiple first holes 33 are evenly arrayed on the first diverter plate 31; the second diverter plate 32 is provided with second holes 39 corresponding one-to-one with the first holes 33; when the first holes 33 and the second holes 39 are completely aligned, the diverter 30 is in its maximum opening state. By the staggered cooperation of the same holes on the first diverter plate 31 and the second diverter plate 32, fine and continuous adjustment of the ventilation volume can be achieved. Figure 5 As shown, the three states of the splitter 30—maximum opening, intermediate opening, and minimum opening—are displayed from top to bottom. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the diagram, the solid line box represents the first hole position 33, and the dashed line box represents the second hole position 39.

[0043] Specifically, multiple first holes 33 are evenly arranged on the first diverter plate 31, allowing air to enter the target section 21 of the evaporator 20 from multiple independent channels, which helps to disperse air pressure. On the second diverter plate 32, a second hole 39 is provided for each first hole 33. These second holes 39 are completely identical in shape and size to the first holes 33, ensuring that air can pass smoothly when they are fully aligned. During movement, the second diverter plate 32 can precisely control the ventilation area of ​​each hole by changing its relative position to the first holes 33, achieving fine-tuning of the airflow. When the first holes 33 and second holes 39 are fully aligned, all holes are in a fully open state, meaning the air duct is completely unobstructed and the ventilation volume is maximized. When the drive mechanism drives the first diverter plate 31 to slide relative to the second diverter plate 32, the first holes 33 and second holes 39 begin to misalign. The greater the misalignment, the smaller the overlap area between the two holes, the smaller the ventilation area through the holes, and the lower the ventilation volume.

[0044] Through the above-described embodiments, the indoor unit provided by this invention successfully achieves real-time airflow regulation of the target segment 21 of the evaporator 20. When the airflow of the target segment 21 is reduced by adjusting the flow divider 30, the output power of the cross-flow fan 13 remains unchanged, meaning that the total airflow does not change, only the distribution of airflow among the segments of the evaporator 20 is adjusted. Specifically, reducing the airflow in the target segment 21 helps alleviate the problem of low heat exchange efficiency caused by excessively high airflow in the target segment 21. Under the premise of constant total airflow, the reduction in airflow in the target segment 21 is inevitably accompanied by a corresponding increase in airflow in other segments. This increased airflow will flow more through the evaporator 20 segments far from the fan center or rear, thus providing these areas with lower airflow speeds with more air contact opportunities and improving their heat exchange efficiency. Through the redistribution of airflow among the segments of the evaporator 20, a balanced optimization of the overall airflow field of the evaporator 20 is achieved. The target segment 21, which originally had excessively high wind speed, received effective wind speed control, while other segments with lower wind speeds received more air supply. The wind speed difference between the two was reduced, and the uniformity of the overall wind field was significantly improved.

[0045] According to an indoor unit provided by the present invention, temperature sensors are installed in the target section 21 and / or the remaining sections of the evaporator 20 to measure the surface temperature of the evaporator 20. Adding temperature sensors to key parts of the evaporator 20 (especially the target section 21 and / or other important sections) allows for real-time monitoring of the evaporator 20 surface temperature. The collected data accurately reflects the actual heat exchange status between the evaporator 20 and the air, providing a direct and objective basis for airflow adjustment. Based on the real-time temperature data obtained by the temperature sensors, the control system can accurately determine the heat exchange efficiency of each section, thereby enabling more precise control of the opening degree of the distributor 30. In the air conditioning operating environment, factors such as indoor load, outdoor temperature, and humidity constantly change, affecting the heat exchange requirements of the evaporator 20. Through real-time monitoring by the temperature sensors, the indoor unit can quickly sense these changes and dynamically adjust the opening degree of the distributor 30 accordingly, ensuring that the evaporator 20 is always in optimal operating condition.

[0046] The present invention also provides an air conditioner, including an indoor unit of any of the above embodiments. The indoor unit of the air conditioner adjusts the air volume of the target segment 21 of the evaporator 20 in real time through the distributor 30, so as to promote the dynamic redistribution of the total air volume among the segments of the evaporator 20, effectively solving the problem of uneven air field of the evaporator 20 in the prior art, realizing the balanced optimization of the air field, thereby improving the overall heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 20, and further enhancing the cooling (or heating) capacity and energy efficiency of the air conditioning system.

[0047] The following is combined with Figure 7 The heat exchange diversion method provided by the present invention is described below, and the heat exchange diversion method described below can be referred to in correspondence with the indoor unit and air conditioner described above.

[0048] This invention also provides a heat exchange and flow splitting method for use in the aforementioned air conditioner. The evaporator of the indoor unit has a first temperature point and a second temperature point. The first temperature point is located at the end of the remaining sections of the evaporator closer to the target section, and the second temperature point is located at the end of the target section farther from the remaining sections. The method includes: starting the air conditioning system; acquiring temperature data T1 of the first temperature point and temperature data T2 of the second temperature point; and determining the opening degree of the flow splitter based on T1 and T2. This method is based on two key temperature monitoring points on the evaporator—the first temperature point and the second temperature point—and achieves intelligent control of the flow splitter opening by real-time acquisition and analysis of the temperature data from these two points.

[0049] Specifically, two specific temperature monitoring points are set on the evaporator: a first temperature point and a second temperature point. The first temperature point is located at the end of the remaining evaporator sections closest to the target section, while the second temperature point is located at the end of the target section furthest from the remaining sections. The selection of these two points aims to reflect the temperature differences in areas of uneven airflow within the evaporator, providing a crucial reference for airflow adjustment.

[0050] Based on the above heat exchange and diversion method, first start the air conditioning system to ensure that all components such as the indoor unit, evaporator, cross-flow fan and diverter are operating normally.

[0051] Temperature data acquisition: Temperature sensors installed at the first and second temperature points are used to collect temperature data at the two points in real time, denoted as T1 (temperature at the first temperature point) and T2 (temperature at the second temperature point). These data reflect the evaporator surface temperature and heat exchange status in their respective areas.

[0052] Determining the splitter opening based on temperature data: Based on the acquired T1 and T2, the optimal splitter opening is calculated using a preset control algorithm or model. Specifically, if the temperature difference between T1 and T2 is large, it indicates a significant uneven wind speed distribution between the target segment and other segments. In this case, the splitter opening should be adjusted appropriately to reduce the airflow in the target segment or increase the airflow in other segments, aiming to minimize the temperature difference between the two areas and achieve a balanced wind field. Conversely, if the temperature difference between T1 and T2 is small, it indicates a relatively uniform wind field distribution. In this case, the current splitter opening can be maintained or fine-tuned to maintain good heat exchange efficiency.

[0053] Through the above-mentioned heat exchange diversion method, the present invention can dynamically adjust the opening of the diverter according to the actual heat exchange situation in different areas of the evaporator, effectively solving the problem of low local heat exchange efficiency caused by uneven air field in the evaporator, realizing air field optimization, high-efficiency heat exchange and energy efficiency improvement, and significantly improving the overall performance of the air conditioning system and the user experience.

[0054] According to the heat exchange splitting method provided by the present invention, the step of determining the opening degree of the splitter based on T1 and T2 includes:

[0055] Calculate the temperature difference ΔT between T1 and T2: Based on the collected temperature data from the first temperature point T1 and the second temperature point T2, calculate the temperature difference ΔT between them, i.e.: ΔT = T1 - T2. The temperature difference ΔT reflects the relative difference in heat exchange efficiency between the target section and the other sections of the evaporator, and is an important basis for determining the adjustment of the distributor opening.

[0056] Compare ΔT with a baseline difference b: Set a baseline difference b, which represents the upper limit of the temperature difference between different regions of the evaporator that is expected to be maintained. Compare the calculated ΔT with b to determine whether the current wind field distribution meets the equilibrium requirements.

[0057] Determine the splitter opening: When ΔT > b, set the splitter opening to its minimum; when ΔT ≤ b, the smaller ΔT is, the larger the splitter opening should be. Specifically, if the calculated ΔT is greater than the baseline difference b, it indicates that the temperature difference between the target segment and the other segments is too large, and the airflow distribution is significantly uneven. In this case, measures should be taken to reduce the airflow velocity in the target segment and increase the airflow velocity in the other segments to balance the heat exchange between the two areas. The specific operation is to adjust the splitter opening to its minimum to minimize the airflow into the target segment, allowing more airflow to flow to the other segments, thereby improving the airflow distribution and reducing ΔT. If ΔT is less than or equal to the baseline difference b, it indicates that the current airflow distribution is relatively balanced, but further optimization can still be performed based on the specific value of ΔT. In this case, the smaller ΔT is, the more uniform the airflow distribution and the higher the heat exchange efficiency. Therefore, the splitter opening should be gradually increased as ΔT decreases to make the airflow distribution between the target segment and the other segments more balanced, further improving the overall heat exchange efficiency.

[0058] Through the above method, the present invention achieves dynamic adjustment of the distributor opening based on the actual temperature difference in different areas of the evaporator, effectively solving the problem of low heat exchange efficiency caused by uneven air field, realizing air field optimization, high-efficiency heat exchange and energy efficiency improvement, and significantly improving the overall performance of the air conditioning system and the user experience.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diverter is designed to consist of a first diverter plate and a second diverter plate that are parallel to each other. The first diverter plate has a first orifice, and the second diverter plate has a second orifice that is completely matched with the first orifice. The opening degree of the diverter is directly related to the horizontal movement stroke of the first diverter plate: when the first diverter plate moves to its maximum stroke S1, the opening degree of the diverter is at its minimum; when the first diverter plate returns to its initial position (i.e., the stroke is zero), the opening degree of the diverter reaches its maximum.

[0060] In practical applications, when the calculated temperature difference ΔT between the target evaporator segment and the remaining segments is less than or equal to the preset baseline difference b, the flow path of the distributor needs to be adjusted to S2 based on ΔT. The specific value of S2 can be determined through the relationship between S1 and ΔT, following this rule: as ΔT decreases, the value of S2 decreases accordingly. This means that the distributor opening increases, and more airflow flows to the remaining segments to further optimize the airflow distribution and improve heat exchange efficiency. The value of S2 can be precisely controlled based on the change of ΔT using a quadratic function relationship. Alternatively, in the preferred case, the specific expression for S2 is: S2 = (S1) / 2 - (ΔTb)².

[0061] The value range of S2 is determined by the relationship between ΔT and b, ensuring that the splitter opening is always within a suitable range when ΔT ≤ b. The maximum stroke S1 in this invention is related to the lengths of the first and second orifices in the horizontal stroke direction, and its value is typically between 50mm and 100mm to ensure sufficient opening variation range during adjustment while maintaining the stability of the duct structure. The selection of the reference difference b needs to consider various factors such as the air conditioner model and the operating environment, and is generally set between 5℃ and 10℃. When the actual temperature difference ΔT changes relative to the reference difference b, the splitter is triggered to adjust the airflow accordingly to maintain a relative balance in the airflow field of each part of the evaporator.

[0062] By employing a carefully designed splitter structure and control strategy, combined with real-time temperature monitoring data, the aforementioned heat exchange splitting method achieves precise and dynamic adjustment of the evaporator airflow, effectively solving the problem of low heat exchange efficiency caused by uneven airflow and improving the overall performance and energy efficiency of the air conditioning system.

[0063] According to a heat exchange splitting method provided by the present invention, before determining the opening degree of the splitter based on T1 and T2, the method includes: initializing the splitter to the minimum or maximum opening degree a minutes after the air conditioning system starts. Specifically, after the air conditioning system starts, a period of time (i.e., a minutes) is waited during which the air conditioning system gradually establishes a stable airflow circulation, and the various parts of the evaporator begin preliminary heat exchange. After a minutes, the splitter is set to the minimum or maximum opening degree. Choosing the minimum opening degree is beneficial for reducing the wind speed of the target section in the initial stage of startup, promoting the increase of air volume in other sections, and facilitating the rapid balancing of the air field distribution; choosing the maximum opening degree is beneficial for quickly establishing sufficient airflow and accelerating the overall heat exchange rate of the evaporator. The specific initial state to be selected can be determined according to the characteristics of the air conditioning system and actual needs.

[0064] Considering that different types of air conditioners (such as residential air conditioners, commercial air conditioners, and vehicle air conditioners) may require different times to reach a stable operating state after startup, the specific value of 'a' minutes should be reasonably set according to the startup response time of the air conditioner type. Ideally, the value of 'a' minutes can be set to a range of 1 to 3 minutes, ensuring sufficient startup preparation time for the air conditioning system while avoiding excessively long waiting times that could negatively impact the user experience.

[0065] Through the above initialization steps, the heat exchange and diversion method of the present invention ensures that the air conditioning system can quickly enter an effective air volume distribution state at the initial stage of startup, laying the foundation for further precise adjustment of the diverter opening based on temperature data, and helping to improve the overall operating efficiency and comfort of the air conditioning system.

[0066] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "method," "specific method," or "some methods," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or method is included in at least one embodiment or method of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or method. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or methods. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or methods described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or methods.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An indoor unit, characterized in that, include: The cover (10) is provided with a top air inlet (11) and a bottom air outlet (12). A cross-flow fan (13) is disposed inside the housing (10) and is located adjacent to the bottom air outlet (12); The evaporator (20) includes a target segment (21) located between the cross-flow fan (13) and the front panel of the housing (10), and the target segment (21) has an air inlet gap (22) between it and the front panel. A flow divider (30) and a drive mechanism are provided. The flow divider (30) is disposed above the air inlet gap (22). The drive mechanism is used to adjust the opening of the flow divider (30) to limit the air inlet flow of the air inlet gap (22). The flow divider (30) includes a first flow divider (31) and a second flow divider (32) that are parallel to each other. The first flow divider (31) is provided with a first hole (33). The drive mechanism is used to drive the first flow divider (31) and the second flow divider (32) to move horizontally relative to each other so that the second flow divider (32) avoids, partially blocks or blocks the first hole (33). It also includes a temperature sensor; The evaporator (20) is provided with a first temperature point and a second temperature point. The first temperature point is located at the end of the remaining sections of the evaporator (20) that is close to the target section (21), and the second temperature point is located at the end of the target section (21) that is far away from the remaining sections. The temperature sensor is used to acquire the temperature data T1 of the first temperature point and the temperature data T2 of the second temperature point. The drive mechanism is connected to the control system, which is used to determine the opening degree of the splitter (30) based on T1 and T2 to drive the drive mechanism. The determination method is as follows: calculate the temperature difference ΔT between T1 and T2; compare ΔT with the reference difference b; if ΔT > b, determine the opening degree of the splitter (30) as the minimum opening degree; if ΔT ≤ b, the smaller ΔT is, the larger the opening degree of the splitter (30).

2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first flow divider (31) and the second flow divider (32) are in sliding engagement; One of the first flow divider (31) and the second flow divider (32) is provided with a transmission component (34) that is in transmission cooperation with the drive mechanism, and the other is fixedly disposed between the evaporator (20) and the front panel.

3. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission component (34) is a rack; The drive mechanism includes a motor (35) and a drive gear (36) connected to the motor (35) and meshing with the rack.

4. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first diverter plate (31) is located above the second diverter plate (32); The first diverter plate (31) is provided with a slide rail (37); The second diverter (32) is provided with a groove (38) adapted to the slide rail (37).

5. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second diverter (32) is parallel to the horizontal direction, and the two side edges of the second diverter (32) are respectively fixed to the front panel and the top of the target segment (21).

6. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the first holes (33) is multiple, and the multiple first holes (33) are evenly distributed in an array on the first flow divider (31); The second flow divider (32) is provided with a second hole (39) that corresponds one-to-one with the first hole (33); When the first hole (33) and the second hole (39) are fully aligned, the splitter (30) is in its maximum opening state.

7. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Including the indoor unit as described in any one of claims 1-6.

8. A heat exchange diversion method for use in the air conditioner of claim 7, characterized in that, The evaporator of the indoor unit is provided with a first temperature point and a second temperature point. The first temperature point is located at the end of the remaining sections of the evaporator that is closer to the target section, and the second temperature point is located at the end of the target section that is farther away from the remaining sections. The methods include: Turn on the air conditioning system; Acquire the temperature data T1 of the first temperature point and the temperature data T2 of the second temperature point; The opening degree of the splitter is determined based on T1 and T2.

9. The heat exchange and diversion method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The step of determining the opening degree of the splitter based on T1 and T2 includes: Calculate the temperature difference ΔT between T1 and T2; Compare △T with the baseline difference b; When ΔT > b, the opening degree of the splitter is determined to be the minimum opening degree; When ΔT ≤ b, the smaller ΔT is, the larger the opening of the splitter.

10. The heat exchange and diversion method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Prior to the step of determining the opening degree of the shunt based on T1 and T2, the method includes: After the air conditioning system has been running for a minute, the splitter is initialized to the minimum or maximum opening degree.

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