Indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

The invention provides an indoor unit and an air conditioner. The indoor unit comprises a shell, the shell is provided with a first side face and a second side face which are opposite, a first air outlet is formed in the first side face, and a second air outlet is formed in the second side face. And a fan. According to the indoor unit and the air conditioner provided by the invention, the air supply duct of the fan is rotatably arranged, so that air from the fan can be supplied through the first air outlet or the second air outlet as required, the purpose of supplying air in different directions of the indoor unit is achieved, and meanwhile, the fan does not need to rotate reversely, so that the air supply efficiency is improved. The problem that in the prior art, the air outlet direction of the indoor unit can only be adjusted by changing the rotating direction of the draught fan is solved, the indoor unit can obtain reliable air volume in the refrigerating mode or the heating mode, and the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor unit is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air conditioning, in particular to an indoor unit and an air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] In some related technologies, the indoor unit adopts horizontal lateral air supply. In heating mode, the heating hot air is blown out horizontally. Due to the low density of hot air, the hot air floats upward, and the heat demand of people is 1.6 meters or below. The hot air is difficult to reach the human activity area, resulting in poor heating effect. In other related technologies, the downward air supply method is adopted. In cooling mode, the cold air blows directly on the human body, which is less comfortable.

[0003] The prior art generally adopts the method of controlling the fan to reverse to achieve the reverse air outlet of the fan, so that the indoor unit can simultaneously achieve the purpose of horizontal air supply and vertical air supply. However, the air volume is small when the fan is reversed. If the fan is rotated forward for cooling, the fan needs to be reversed when the machine is heated, resulting in poor heating capacity of the machine. Similarly, if the fan is rotated forward for heating, the fan needs to be reversed when the machine is cooled, resulting in poor cooling capacity of the machine. Both solutions will seriously affect the heat exchange efficiency of the machine. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the fan reversal cannot ensure the heat exchange efficiency of the machine, an indoor unit and air conditioner are provided which can rotate and adjust the fan air supply duct without adjusting the fan direction to ensure the heat exchange efficiency.

[0005] An indoor unit, comprising:

[0006] A housing, the housing having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to each other, the first side surface being provided with a first air outlet, and the second side surface being provided with a second air outlet;

[0007] The fan is rotatably disposed in the housing, the fan is provided with an air supply duct, and the fan has a first state in which the air supply duct is connected to the first air outlet and a second state in which the air supply duct is connected to the second air outlet.

[0008] The indoor unit also includes an air outlet connecting plate, which is movably arranged at the second air outlet, and when the fan is in the second state, the air outlet connecting plate is interconnected with the air supply duct, and when the fan is in the first state, the air outlet connecting plate closes the second air outlet.

[0009] A second air inlet is disposed on the second side surface, the air outlet connecting plate is located between the second air inlet and the second air outlet, and the air outlet connecting plate can separate the second air inlet and the second air outlet.

[0010] The number of the second air inlets is two, and the two second air inlets are distributed on both sides of the second air outlet. The air outlet connecting plate includes a first air outlet connecting plate and a second air outlet connecting plate. The first air outlet connecting plate is arranged between one second air inlet and the second air outlet, and the second air outlet connecting plate is arranged between another second air inlet and the second air outlet. The air supply duct has a first edge and a second edge relative to each other. When the fan is in the second state, the first air outlet connecting plate is interconnected with the first edge, and the second air outlet connecting plate is interconnected with the second edge. When the fan is in the first state, the first air outlet connecting plate and the second air outlet connecting plate cooperate to close the second air outlet.

[0011] The indoor unit also includes a partition structure, which is arranged in the shell, and the partition structure divides the interior of the shell into a fan chamber and a heat exchange chamber. A connecting port is provided on the partition structure, and the fan is arranged in the fan chamber, and the first air outlet is connected to the heat exchange chamber, and the second air outlet is connected to the fan chamber. When the fan is in the first state, the air supply duct is sealed and matched with the connecting port.

[0012] The partition structure includes a first partition plate and a second partition plate, wherein the first partition plate is located on one side of the fan, and the second partition plate is located on the other side of the fan, and the distance between the first partition plate and the second partition plate forms the communication port.

[0013] Along the direction from the first side surface to the second side surface, the first partition plate and the second partition plate are arranged in sequence, and the second partition plate is sealed and matched with the volute of the fan.

[0014] The indoor unit also includes a first air guide plate, which is arranged at the first air outlet and can open or close the first air outlet. When the fan is in the second state, the first air guide plate closes the first air outlet.

[0015] The shell also includes a third side surface, on which a first air inlet is arranged, and a return air guide plate is arranged at the first air inlet. When the fan is in the first state, the return air guide plate closes the first air inlet; when the fan is in the second state, the return air guide plate opens the first air inlet.

[0016] A filtering structure is provided at the first air inlet.

[0017] A filtering structure is provided at the second air inlet.

[0018] The fan is a centrifugal fan.

[0019] The indoor unit has a cooling mode and a heating mode, the second side faces the ground, and when the indoor unit is in the cooling mode, the fan is in the first state; when the indoor unit is in the heating mode, the fan is in the second state.

[0020] An air conditioner comprises the indoor unit mentioned above.

[0021] The indoor unit and air conditioner provided by the present invention, by rotatably arranging the air supply duct of the fan, the air outlet of the fan can be supplied through the first air outlet or the second air outlet as needed, thereby achieving the purpose of supplying air in different directions of the indoor unit. At the same time, because the fan does not need to be reversed, the problem in the prior art that the air outlet direction of the indoor unit can only be adjusted by changing the direction of the fan is overcome. The indoor unit can obtain reliable air volume in both cooling mode and heating mode, thereby ensuring the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an indoor unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a fan of an indoor unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention in a second state;

[0024] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a fan of an indoor unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention in a first state;

[0025] In the figure:

[0026] 1. Shell; 11. First side; 12. Second side; 13. First air outlet; 14. Second air outlet; 2. Fan; 3. Air supply duct; 15. Second air inlet; 41. First air outlet connecting plate; 42. Second air outlet connecting plate; 31. First edge; 32. Second edge; 51. First partition plate; 52. Second partition plate; 6. First air guide plate; 16. Third side; 17. First air inlet; 18. Fan cavity; 19. Heat exchange cavity; 7. Return air guide plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0028] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the scheme of the present invention, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so as to describe the embodiments of the present invention described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0030] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "setting", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0032] The prior art generally adopts the method of controlling the fan to reverse to achieve the reverse air outlet of the fan, so that the indoor unit can simultaneously achieve the purpose of horizontal air supply and vertical air supply. However, the air volume is small when the fan is reversed. If the fan is rotated forward for cooling, the fan needs to be reversed when the machine is heated, resulting in poor heating capacity of the machine. Similarly, if the fan is rotated forward for heating, the fan needs to be reversed when the machine is cooled, resulting in poor cooling capacity of the machine. Both solutions will seriously affect the heat exchange efficiency of the machine.

[0033] To this end, the present application provides a Figures 1 to 3 The indoor unit shown in the figure comprises: a housing 1, the housing 1 having a first side surface 11 and a second side surface 12 opposite to each other, a first air outlet 13 being arranged on the first side surface 11, and a second air outlet 14 being arranged on the second side surface 12; and a fan 2, the fan 2 being rotatably arranged in the housing 1, the fan 2 being provided with an air supply duct 3, and the fan 2 having a first state in which the air supply duct 3 is connected to the first air outlet 13 and a second state in which the air supply duct 3 is connected to the second air outlet 14. By rotatably arranging the air supply duct 3 of the fan 2, the air outlet of the fan 2 can be supplied through the first air outlet 13 or through the second air outlet 14 as required, so as to achieve the purpose of supplying air in different directions of the indoor unit. At the same time, since the fan 2 does not need to be reversed, the problem that the air outlet direction of the indoor unit can only be adjusted by changing the direction of the fan 2 in the prior art is overcome, and the indoor unit can obtain reliable air volume in both cooling mode and heating mode, thereby ensuring the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor unit.

[0034] In order to ensure a reliable connection between the air supply duct 3 and the second air outlet 14, the indoor unit also includes an air outlet connecting plate, which is movably arranged at the second air outlet 14, and when the fan 2 is in the second state, the air outlet connecting plate and the air supply duct 3 are connected to each other, so that the air outlet of the fan 2 can only flow to the second air outlet 14 through the air supply duct 3. At this time, the fan 2 can directly obtain gas from the inside of the shell 1 to realize the air intake of the fan 2. When the fan 2 is in the first state, the air outlet connecting plate closes the second air outlet 14, which can prevent the gas outside the shell 1 from entering the inside of the shell 1 from the second air outlet 14 and blowing the dust outside the shell 1 back into the shell 1, thereby ensuring the working reliability of the indoor unit.

[0035] Since the air outlet connection plate will close the second air outlet 14 when the fan 2 is in the first state, in order to ensure the air intake of the indoor unit, a second air inlet 15 is provided on the second side surface 12, and the air outlet connection plate is located between the second air inlet 15 and the second air outlet 14, and the air outlet connection plate can separate the second air inlet 15 and the second air outlet 14. The second air inlet 15 is used to take air into the housing 1 when the fan 2 is in the first state, so as to ensure the working reliability of the indoor unit when the fan 2 is in the first state. Since the fan 2 needs to discharge air through the second air outlet 14 when the fan 2 is in the second state, the air outlet connection plate is used to limit the air outlet of the fan 2, so as to prevent the air outlet of the fan 2 from blowing the dust filtered and retained on the second air inlet 15 into the room, so as to ensure the cleanliness of the indoor air, and further ensure the user's experience.

[0036] Preferably, the number of the second air inlets 15 is two, and the two second air inlets 15 are distributed on both sides of the second air outlet 14. The air outlet connecting plate includes a first air outlet connecting plate 41 and a second air outlet connecting plate 42. The first air outlet connecting plate 41 is arranged between one second air inlet 15 and the second air outlet 14, and the second air outlet connecting plate 42 is arranged between another second air inlet 15 and the second air outlet 14. The air supply duct 3 has a first edge 31 and a second edge 32 relative to each other. When the fan 2 is in the second state, the first air outlet connecting plate 41 is interconnected with the first edge 31, and the second air outlet connecting plate 42 is interconnected with the second edge 32. When the fan 2 is in the first state, the first air outlet connecting plate 41 and the second air outlet connecting plate 42 cooperate to close the second air outlet 14. The two second air inlets 15 are used to ensure the air intake volume when the fan 2 is in the first state, and can also ensure that the first air outlet connecting plate 41 and the second air outlet connecting plate 42 can form a connecting air duct in the shell 1 when the fan 2 is in the second state. The air supply duct 3 and the second air outlet 14 are connected by means of this connecting air duct, so as to avoid the problem of turbulent noise generated by the airflow of the fan 2 in the shell 1, thereby ensuring the working reliability of the indoor unit and improving the user experience.

[0037] The indoor unit also includes a partition structure, which is arranged in the shell 1, and the partition structure divides the interior of the shell 1 into a fan chamber 18 and a heat exchange chamber 19. A connecting port is arranged on the partition structure, and the fan 2 is arranged in the fan chamber 18, and the first air outlet 13 is connected to the heat exchange chamber 19, and the second air outlet 14 is connected to the fan chamber 18. When the fan 2 is in the first state, the air supply duct 3 is sealed with the connecting port. The partition structure is used to separate the shell 1, so that the fan 2 can take in air according to the set air outlet. When the first air outlet 13 is discharging air, the air supply duct 3 extends into the heat exchange chamber 19, and the fan 2 obtains gas from the fan chamber 18 and sends it into the heat exchange chamber 19 through the air supply duct 3. After heat exchange in the heat exchanger in the heat exchange chamber 19, the gas is discharged from the shell 1 through the first air outlet 13. When the second air outlet 14 is discharging air, the air supply duct 3 is connected with the second air outlet 14, and the gas outside the shell 1 first enters the heat exchange chamber 19 for heat exchange, and then enters the fan chamber 18 through the connecting port to be acquired by the fan 2, and then is sent to the second air outlet 14 through the air supply duct 3 for discharge, completing the heat exchange process of the indoor unit.

[0038] Specifically, since the fan 2 needs to be arranged in the middle of the fan cavity 18, the partition structure includes a first partition plate 51 and a second partition plate 52, the first partition plate 51 is located on one side of the fan 2, and the second partition plate 52 is located on the other side of the fan 2, and the distance between the first partition plate 51 and the second partition plate 52 forms the connecting port, that is, the shell 1 is separated on both sides of the fan 2, and by cooperating with the fan 2, the reliable separation of the interior of the shell 1 is ensured.

[0039] Since the air supply duct 3 has a certain length, when the air supply duct 3 is rotated and adjusted, the structure of the air supply duct 3 needs to be avoided. For this purpose, the first partition plate 51 and the second partition plate 52 are arranged in sequence along the direction from the first side 11 to the second side 12, and the second partition plate 52 is sealed with the volute of the fan 2. By sequentially arranging the first partition plate 51 and the second partition plate 52, the first partition plate 51 and the second partition plate 52 have a certain distance in the direction from the first side 11 to the second side 12, so that the air supply duct 3 can be avoided conveniently and the rotation of the air supply duct 3 can be ensured to be reliable. When the fan 2 is in the first state, the air supply duct 3 can be contact-sealed with the first partition plate 51 and the second partition plate 52 at the same time to ensure the reliable separation of the fan cavity 18 and the heat exchange cavity 19. Preferably, the end of the air supply duct 3 can be contact-sealed with the end of the second partition plate 52, and the setting position of the second partition plate 52 is determined, and the size of the second partition plate 52 can be reduced as much as possible.

[0040] The indoor unit also includes a first air guide plate 6, which is arranged at the first air outlet 13, and the first air guide plate 6 can open or close the first air outlet 13. When the fan 2 is in the second state, the first air guide plate 6 closes the first air outlet 13. By using the first air guide plate 6 to close the first air outlet 13, when the fan 2 supplies air from the second air outlet 14, it is possible to prevent the gas outside the shell 1 from entering the inside of the shell 1 from the first air outlet 13 and blow the dust outside the shell 1 back into the shell 1, thereby ensuring the working reliability of the indoor unit.

[0041] Since the first air guide plate 6 closes the first air outlet 13, when the fan 2 is in the second state, in order to ensure smooth air intake of the housing 1, the housing 1 further includes a third side surface 16, on which a first air inlet 17 is arranged, and a return air guide plate 7 is arranged at the first air inlet 17. When the fan 2 is in the first state, the return air guide plate 7 closes the first air inlet 17; when the fan 2 is in the second state, the return air guide plate 7 opens the first air inlet 17. The first air inlet 17 is used to ensure the normal operation of the fan 2 in the second state, and the return air guide plate 7 can also close the first air inlet 17 to prevent air from being discharged from the first air inlet 17 when the fan 2 is in the first state, and to prevent dust on the first air inlet 17 from being blown back into the room, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the indoor air and improving the user experience.

[0042] A filtering structure is provided at the first air inlet 17. When the first air inlet 17 supplies air into the housing 1, the indoor air enters the housing 1 through filtering by the filtering structure, thereby preventing dust from entering the indoor unit and affecting the working reliability of the indoor unit.

[0043] A filtering structure is provided at the second air inlet 15. When the second air inlet 15 supplies air into the housing 1, the indoor air is filtered by the filtering structure and enters the housing 1, thereby preventing dust from entering the indoor unit and affecting the working reliability of the indoor unit.

[0044] The fan 2 is a centrifugal fan 2. The centrifugal fan 2 takes in air from the side wall, and the rotation of the air supply duct 3 does not affect the normal operation of the centrifugal fan 2, and its air intake and air outlet are not affected by the position of the air supply duct 3, so that the air supply volume of the indoor unit at the first air outlet 13 or the second air outlet 14 can be guaranteed, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the indoor unit.

[0045] As an embodiment, the indoor unit has a cooling mode and a heating mode, and the second side 12 faces the ground, while the first side 11 faces the roof. When the indoor unit is in the cooling mode, the fan 2 is in the first state, and the fan 2 discharges air through the first air outlet 13 toward the roof, that is, discharges air upward during cooling, so that the cold air is blown upward, and waterfall-type cooling is achieved under the action of gravity. The cold air can be evenly blown to every corner of the space, thereby increasing the cooling comfort.

[0046] When the indoor unit is in the heating mode, the fan 2 is in the second state, hot air is blown out from the bottom of the housing 1, and the hot air will first settle near the ground, thereby increasing heating comfort.

[0047] An air conditioner comprises the indoor unit mentioned above.

[0048] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. An indoor unit, characterized in that: include: A shell (1), the shell (1) having a first side surface (11) and a second side surface (12) opposite to each other, the first side surface (11) being provided with a first air outlet (13), and the second side surface (12) being provided with a second air outlet (14); A fan (2), the fan (2) being rotatably arranged in the housing (1), the fan (2) being provided with an air supply duct (3), and the fan (2) having a first state in which the air supply duct (3) is connected to the first air outlet (13), and a second state in which the air supply duct (3) is connected to the second air outlet (14).

2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indoor unit further comprises an air outlet connection plate, which is movably arranged at the second air outlet (14), and when the fan (2) is in the second state, the air outlet connection plate is interconnected with the air supply duct (3), and when the fan (2) is in the first state, the air outlet connection plate closes the second air outlet (14).

3. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second air inlet (15) is provided on the second side surface (12), the air outlet connecting plate is located between the second air inlet (15) and the second air outlet (14), and the air outlet connecting plate is capable of separating the second air inlet (15) and the second air outlet (14).

4. The indoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The number of the second air inlets (15) is two, and the two second air inlets (15) are distributed on both sides of the second air outlet (14); the air outlet connecting plate comprises a first air outlet connecting plate (41) and a second air outlet connecting plate (42); the first air outlet connecting plate (41) is arranged between one of the second air inlets (15) and the second air outlet (14); the second air outlet connecting plate (42) is arranged between another of the second air inlet (15) and the second air outlet (14); the air supply duct (3) has a first edge (31) and a second edge (32) opposite to each other; when the fan (2) is in the second state, the first air outlet connecting plate (41) is connected to the first edge (31), and the second air outlet connecting plate (42) is connected to the second edge (32); when the fan (2) is in the first state, the first air outlet connecting plate (41) and the second air outlet connecting plate (42) cooperate to close the second air outlet (14).

5. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indoor unit further comprises a partition structure, wherein the partition structure is arranged in the shell (1), and the partition structure divides the interior of the shell (1) into a fan chamber (18) and a heat exchange chamber (19); a connecting port is arranged on the partition structure, the fan (2) is arranged in the fan chamber (18), and the first air outlet (13) is connected to the heat exchange chamber (19), and the second air outlet (14) is connected to the fan chamber (18); when the fan (2) is in the first state, the air supply duct (3) is sealed and matched with the connecting port.

6. The indoor unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The partition structure comprises a first partition plate (51) and a second partition plate (52), wherein the first partition plate (51) is located on one side of the fan (2), and the second partition plate (52) is located on the other side of the fan (2), and the distance between the first partition plate (51) and the second partition plate (52) forms the connecting port.

7. The indoor unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: Along the direction from the first side surface (11) to the second side surface (12), the first partition plate (51) and the second partition plate (52) are arranged in sequence, and the second partition plate (52) is sealed and matched with the volute of the fan (2).

8. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indoor unit further comprises a first air guide plate (6), the first air guide plate (6) being arranged at the first air outlet (13), and the first air guide plate (6) being capable of opening or closing the first air outlet (13); when the fan (2) is in the second state, the first air guide plate (6) closes the first air outlet (13).

9. The indoor unit according to claim 8, characterized in that: The shell (1) further comprises a third side surface (16), a first air inlet (17) being arranged on the third side surface (16), a return air guide plate (7) being arranged at the first air inlet (17), and when the fan (2) is in the first state, the return air guide plate (7) closes the first air inlet (17); when the fan (2) is in the second state, the return air guide plate (7) opens the first air inlet (17).

10. The indoor unit according to claim 9, characterized in that: A filtering structure is provided at the first air inlet (17).

11. The indoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: A filtering structure is provided at the second air inlet (15).

12. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fan (2) is a centrifugal fan (2).

13. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indoor unit has a cooling mode and a heating mode, the second side surface (12) faces the ground, and when the indoor unit is in the cooling mode, the fan (2) is in the first state; when the indoor unit is in the heating mode, the fan (2) is in the second state.

14. An air conditioner, characterized in that: The indoor unit comprises the indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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