Vertical air conditioner indoor unit and air supply control method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a vertical air conditioner indoor unit and an air supply control method thereof.The vertical air conditioner indoor unit comprises a machine shell and a rotating grating, the machine shell is provided with an air outlet, and the rotating grating is rotatably arranged at the air outlet and configured to scatter heat exchange airflow flowing through the air outlet through a rotating grating ring after the rotating grating is started; therefore, the air outlet distance of the heat exchange airflow is reduced; the air supply control method comprises the steps that the minimum distance between a user body part entering the direct blowing space and an air outlet is detected; determining the rotating speed of the rotating grating according to the minimum distance; and starting the rotating grid according to the determined rotating speed. According to the air supply control method, the air supply distance can be reduced on the premise that the air supply amount is not affected according to the position of the user, direct blowing to the user is avoided, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to air conditioning technology, and particularly to a method for controlling the air supply of a vertical air conditioner indoor unit. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing improvement of people's living standards, people's requirements for the living environment are also getting higher and higher. Air conditioners have become one of the essential household appliances. And with the continuous improvement of user needs, solving the problem of direct blowing has become an issue that cannot be ignored when designing air conditioners.

[0003] There are many means to solve the problem of direct blowing in existing air conditioners. For example, it can be achieved by adjusting the direction of the heat exchange air flow through the air deflector, or by changing the number and position of the air outlets. There has also appeared an air conditioner with two vertically arranged air outlets in the prior art. When there are children in the indoor space, the upper air outlet can be enabled to supply air to avoid direct blowing on children. However, this does not completely solve the problem of direct blowing, so it is necessary to make improvements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one defect in the prior art and provide a method for controlling the air supply of a vertical air conditioner indoor unit.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to reduce the air supply distance without affecting the air supply volume according to the position of the user, avoid direct blowing on the user, and improve the user experience.

[0006] Another further object of the present invention is to determine a more practical rotation speed of the rotating grille according to the position of the user and the air supply gear.

[0007] Specifically, the present invention provides a method for controlling the air supply of a vertical air conditioner indoor unit. The vertical air conditioner indoor unit includes a casing and a rotating grille. The casing has an air outlet, and the rotating grille is rotatably arranged at the air outlet and is configured to disperse the heat exchange air flow passing through the air outlet by the rotating grille ring when it is started, thereby reducing the air supply distance of the heat exchange air flow. The air supply control method includes: detecting the minimum distance between the user's body part entering the direct blowing space and the air outlet; determining the rotation speed of the rotating grille according to the minimum distance; starting the rotating grille at the determined rotation speed.

[0008] Optionally, the vertical air conditioner indoor unit further includes a blower, and the blower is configured to promote the formation of the heat exchange air flow, and the blower has multiple air supply gears with different air supply intensities. The step of determining the rotation speed of the rotating grille according to the minimum distance further includes: obtaining the air supply gear of the blower; querying the corresponding relationship between the rotation speed of the rotating grille and the adjusted air supply distance at each air supply gear; using the minimum distance as the adjusted air supply distance to determine the rotation speed of the rotating grille.

[0009] Optionally, each corresponding relationship is: a continuous interval of multiple consecutive air outlet distances and the rotational speed of the rotary grille corresponding to each continuous interval.

[0010] Optionally, the blower has a high-speed gear, a medium-speed gear, and a low-speed gear with gradually decreasing air supply intensities;

[0011] In the high-speed gear, the relationship between the rotational speed of the rotary grille and the adjusted air outlet distance is the first corresponding relationship; in the medium-speed gear, the relationship between the rotational speed of the rotary grille and the adjusted air outlet distance is the second corresponding relationship; in the low-speed gear, the relationship between the rotational speed of the rotary grille and the adjusted air outlet distance is the third corresponding relationship.

[0012] Optionally, the air outlet is set to be circular; and, the direct blowing space is set to be a frustum region with the air outlet as the smaller bottom surface and a height not greater than the rated air supply distance; where the rated air supply distance is: the farthest distance when the blower is operating at the current air supply gear with the rotary grille stopped.

[0013] Optionally, the height of the frustum region is further set to any value between 40% and 70% of the rated air supply distance.

[0014] Optionally, the step of detecting the minimum distance between the user's body part entering the direct blowing space and the air outlet further includes: obtaining the minimum distance using a detection device installed at the air outlet.

[0015] Optionally, the vertical air conditioner indoor unit further includes a drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism includes a motor for driving the rotary grille to rotate; the step of starting the rotary grille at the determined rotation rate further includes: starting the motor to drive the rotary grille to rotate.

[0016] Optionally, the vertical air conditioner indoor unit further includes a reduction device disposed between the motor and the rotary grille; the step of starting the motor to drive the rotary grille to rotate further includes: controlling the rotational speed of the motor to be the product of the determined rotation rate and the transmission ratio of the reduction device.

[0017] In particular, the present invention further provides a vertical air conditioner indoor unit, including: a housing having an air outlet; a rotary grille rotatably disposed at the air outlet and configured to disperse the heat exchange air flow passing through the air outlet by the rotating grille ring when it is started, thereby reducing the air outlet distance of the heat exchange air flow; a controller including a memory and a processor, where the memory stores a machine-executable program, and when the machine-executable program is executed by the processor, it implements the air supply control method according to any one of the above.

[0018] In the air supply control method of the present invention, since the rotation speed of the rotary grille is determined according to the minimum distance between the user's body part entering the direct blowing space and the air outlet, and the rotary grille is started at the determined rotation speed, the air outlet distance can be adjusted according to the user's position. The higher the rotation speed of the rotary grille, the closer the user is to the air outlet, and the rotation speed of the rotary grille can be set larger, so that the air outlet distance is shorter, and the stimulation to the user can be reduced more, improving the user experience without affecting the overall air supply volume.

[0019] Furthermore, in the process of using the rotary grille to reduce the air outlet distance in the air supply control method of the present invention, due to the influence of the air supply volume, the influence of the rotary grille on the wind speed is different at different air supply gears. The inventor has summarized the corresponding relationship between the rotation speed of the rotary grille and the adjusted air outlet distance at each air supply gear. When determining the rotation speed of the rotary grille, first obtain the air supply gear of the fan, and then query the corresponding relationship according to the current air supply gear, so that the determined rotation speed is more in line with the actual situation.

[0020] Through the following detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings, those skilled in the art will more clearly understand the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings in an exemplary but not restrictive manner. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a rotary grille in a floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic installation structure diagram of a housing and a rotary grille in a floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of the control principle of a floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0028] Figure 7 It is a flowchart of a control method for a vertical air conditioner indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of air supply of a vertical air conditioner indoor unit in a scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 It is a flowchart of a control method for the interior of a vertical air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0032] The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features, that is, including one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined. When a certain feature "includes or contains" a certain or certain features it covers, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and other features may be further included.

[0033] Unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected to", "fixed", "coupled", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. Those of ordinary skill in the art should be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to specific situations.

[0034] In addition, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact through additional features therebetween. That is, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above", "over", and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath", or "underneath" the second feature may be the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the description of this embodiment have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs.

[0036] In the description of this embodiment, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "schematic embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0037] The following Figures 1 to 5 describes the working principle of the vertical air conditioner indoor unit of the present invention. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the rotating grille 500 in the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the housing 100 and the rotating grille 500 in the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention provides a vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1, which may include a housing 100, an air duct forming member 200, a heat exchanger 300, a blower, and the like.

[0039] An air inlet 112 is provided at the rear side of the housing 100, and an air outlet is provided at the front side of the housing 100. The shapes and numbers of the air inlet 112 and the air outlet can be set according to actual situations. A heat exchange chamber 118 is provided inside the housing 100. The heat exchange chamber 118 can be used to arrange various components, and the heat exchange chamber 118 is respectively communicated with the air inlet 112 and the air outlet. In some specific embodiments, the housing 100 can also be assembled by buckling an air inlet housing 101 and an air outlet housing 102. The air inlet 112 can be provided on the air inlet housing 101, and the air outlet is provided on the air outlet housing 102.

[0040] The air duct forming member 200 is fixed inside the heat exchange chamber 118. An air duct can be defined inside the air duct forming member 200. The air duct has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet can be directly opposite to the air inlet 112, and the outlet can be directly opposite to the air outlet. The air in the indoor environment can enter the air duct from the air inlet 112, then be discharged from the air duct to the air outlet, and finally be discharged back into the indoor environment from the air outlet. The number of air ducts can be designed according to actual situations. For example, one or more air ducts can be provided. In addition, one or more air ducts can correspond to one air inlet 112, or each air duct can respectively correspond to one air inlet 112. The relationship between the air outlet and the air duct can also be like this.

[0041] The heat exchanger 300 can be provided inside the heat exchange chamber 118, at the rear side of the air duct forming member 200, that is, on the side close to the air inlet 112, so as to exchange heat with the air flowing into the heat exchange chamber 118 from the air inlet 112.

[0042] In some specific embodiments, the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 can adopt a compression refrigeration cycle system, that is, the heat exchanger 300 is connected in series to the refrigerant flow path of the compression refrigeration cycle system, and by switching the direction of the refrigerant, the heat exchanger 300 is switched between an evaporator providing cold and a condenser providing heat.

[0043] In addition, the heat exchanger 300 can be designed as a whole, that is, an evaporator can also provide cold or heat for one or more air ducts, or it can be set according to the number of air ducts. For example, each air duct respectively corresponds to one heat exchanger 300.

[0044] A fan can be provided inside the air duct to promote the formation of a heat exchange air flow that enters from the air inlet 112 and exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 300. The formed heat exchange air flow is discharged into the room from the air outlet, improving the heat exchange efficiency. The forms of fans in the prior art include cross-flow fans, centrifugal fans, axial fans, etc. When designing, it can be selected according to actual situations (such as factors such as the air inlet direction and the air outlet direction, the air volume, and the wind speed). For example, if the air inlet 112 is directly opposite to the air outlet, then an axial fan can be selected.

[0045] In some embodiments, two air outlets are provided on the front side of the cabinet 100 and are arranged in the height direction. The two air outlets are a first air outlet 114 and a second air outlet 116 located above the first air outlet 114. The first air outlet 114 and the second air outlet 116 are both in communication with the heat exchange cavity 118 respectively.

[0046] The user can control the first air outlet 114 and the second air outlet 116 to send air simultaneously, or can control the first air outlet 114 and the second air outlet 116 to send air alternatively, so as to realize personalized air supply, and use the first air outlet 114 and the second air outlet 116 at different heights to prevent direct blowing.

[0047] In this embodiment, a first air duct 222 and a second air duct 224 can be formed on the air duct forming member 200. The second air duct 224 is located above the first air duct 222. The first air duct 222 and the second air duct 224 correspond to the first air outlet 114 and the second air outlet 116 respectively, and the outlet of the first air duct 222 is directly opposite to the first air outlet 114 to discharge the heat exchange air flow formed in the first air duct 222 to the first air outlet 114, and the outlet of the second air duct 224 is directly opposite to the second air outlet 116 to discharge the heat exchange air flow formed in the second air duct 224 to the second air outlet 116.

[0048] In this embodiment, there can be one heat exchanger 300, and the heat exchanger 300 can cover the inlets of the first air duct 222 and the second air duct 224 simultaneously to provide cold or heat. The air inlet 112 can also be one, and the size of the air inlet 112 is suitable for heat exchange with the heat exchanger 300.

[0049] In this embodiment, two blowers can be provided. The two blowers can be a first blower 410 and a second blower 430. The first blower 410 is arranged in the first air duct 222 to promote the formation of a heat exchange air flow that exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 300 and is discharged to the first air outlet 114, and the second blower 430 is arranged in the second air duct 224 to promote the formation of a heat exchange air flow that exchanges heat with the heat exchanger 300 and is discharged to the second air outlet 116. The user can control the start and stop of the first blower 410 and the second blower 430 to control the air supply from the first air outlet 114 and the second air outlet 116.

[0050] Furthermore, the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 can further include a rotary grille 500. The rotary grille 500 can be arranged on the first air outlet 114, or can be arranged on the second air outlet 116, or can be arranged on the first air outlet 114 and the second air outlet 116 simultaneously, so as to disperse the heat exchange air flow flowing through the air outlet and further prevent direct blowing.

[0051] When only one rotating grille 500 is designed, it is preferably installed on the first air outlet 114 at the lower position. This is because the first air outlet 114 is lower, and there is a greater probability of directly blowing on children. Installing it on the first air outlet 114 can better protect children. Then, the following description will take the rotating grille 500 being set on the first air outlet 114 as an example. An ordinary grille 800 can be installed at the second air outlet 116 to serve the functions of decoration and protecting users.

[0052] The rotating grille 500 has a grille ring 510. The rotating grille 500 is rotatably installed on the air duct forming member 200 around the center of the first air outlet 114, and its grille ring 510 covers the first air outlet 114. It is configured that after it is started, the rotating grille ring 510 is used to disperse the heat exchange air flow passing through the first air outlet 114.

[0053] In some specific embodiments, the contours of the grille ring 510 and the first air outlet 114 are both set to be matching circles, and the centers of the grille ring 510 and the first air outlet 114 coincide.

[0054] In some specific embodiments, after installation, the grille ring 510 is flush with the front wall of the casing 100 to improve the aesthetics.

[0055] The grille ring 510 can serve functions such as ventilation, decoration, and protecting users. The grille ring 510 may include a circular peripheral edge 512 and a plurality of grid bars 514. The plurality of grid bars 514 can divide the internal space of the peripheral edge 512 into a plurality of small gaps (for example Figure 4 as shown, each grid bar 514 extends radially, and the plurality of grid bars 514 are evenly distributed). The heat exchange air flow passing through the first air outlet 114 can be discharged into the indoor environment through the plurality of small gaps.

[0056] In this embodiment, the rotating grille 500 is rotatably installed on the air duct forming member 200 around the center of the first air outlet 114. When the rotating grille 500 rotates, the plurality of grid bars 514 are used to disperse the heat exchange air flow passing through the first air outlet 114, so that it cannot blow forward over a long distance, avoiding direct blowing on people and achieving a soft air outlet effect.

[0057] Furthermore, a rotating support member may be provided on the peripheral edge of the first air outlet 114. The function of the rotating support member is similar to that of a bearing, having an inner ring and an outer ring. The outer ring can be fixed to the peripheral edge of the first air outlet 114, and the inner ring is arranged inside the outer ring and can rotate relative to the outer ring. The inner ring is also connected to the peripheral edge 512 of the grille ring 510. This can not only support the rotating grille 500 but also improve the stability of the rotating grille 500 when it rotates.

[0058] In some embodiments, the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 may further include a driving mechanism for driving the rotary grille 500 to rotate. The driving mechanism may include a motor 610, a driving gear 620, and a driven gear 630. The motor 610 is fixed to the air duct forming member 200 or the housing 100. The driving gear 620 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor 610. The driven gear 630 is formed on the rotary grille 500 and meshes with the driving gear 620.

[0059] The user can control the start and stop of the motor 610 by means of a remote control, buttons, voice control, etc. After the motor 610 is started, the output shaft of the motor 610 rotates, driving the driving gear 620 to rotate. The driving gear 620 drives the driven gear 630 to rotate. Since the driven gear 630 is formed on the rotary grille 500, the driven gear 630 can drive the entire rotary grille 500 to rotate.

[0060] Furthermore, the air duct forming member 200 has a front panel 226 facing the first air outlet 114. The outlets of the first air duct 222 and the second air duct 224 are both formed on the front panel 226, and there is a gap between the front panel 226 and the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 100.

[0061] The air duct forming member 200 further has a first air duct wall 230 and a second air duct wall 240. The first air duct wall 230 is formed on the front panel 226, connects to the periphery of the outlet of the first air duct 222, and extends backward. The first air duct wall 230 is hollow, and the first air duct 222 is formed therein. The second air duct wall 240 is formed on the front panel 226, connects to the periphery of the outlet of the second air duct 224, and extends backward. The second air duct wall 240 is hollow, and the second air duct 224 is formed therein.

[0062] The rotary grille 500 further has a peripheral portion 520 formed on the periphery 512 of the grille ring 510 and extending to the rear side of the grille ring 510. The rotary grille 500 is further arranged such that the peripheral portion 520 is at least partially disposed in the gap.

[0063] In some specific embodiments, the rotary grille 500 is further arranged such that the peripheral portion 520 is entirely disposed in the gap and its thickness is adapted to the width of the gap to seal the gap, ensuring that the heat exchange air flow discharged from the outlet of the first air duct 222 can all flow to the first air outlet 114.

[0064] In addition, since a normal grille 800 can be selectively provided at the second air outlet 116, a connecting air duct (not shown in the figure) can be used to connect the second air outlet 116 and the outlet of the second air duct 224 to seal the gap, ensuring that the heat exchange air flow discharged from the outlet of the second air duct 224 can all flow to the second air outlet 116.

[0065] Furthermore, the driven gear 630 is formed on the outer ring of the peripheral portion 520. Since the peripheral portion 520 is disposed in the gap between the front panel 226 and the inner surface of the front wall of the housing 100, the driven gear 630 is also disposed in this gap.

[0066] A through hole 228 is further formed on the front panel 226. The motor 610 is fixedly installed on the side of the front panel 226 away from the first air outlet 114, and its output shaft extends through the through hole 228 into this gap, so that the driving gear 620 can be disposed in this gap, and thus it is convenient to mesh with the driven gear 630.

[0067] Furthermore, the transmission ratio between the driving gear 620 and the driven gear 630 is set to be greater than 1, that is, to achieve a deceleration effect, so that the driving effect of the driving mechanism is more stable. Since the driven gear 630 is disposed on the peripheral portion 520 of the rotary grille 500, and the diameter of the peripheral portion 520 is relatively large itself, therefore, setting the transmission ratio to be greater than 1 means that the diameter of the driving gear 620 is smaller than the diameter of the peripheral portion 520. Thus, it is also easier to obtain the driving gear 620, and the installation space of the driving gear 620 is saved, that is, the gap width is shortened, making the air duct forming member 200 and the housing 100 more compact.

[0068] Furthermore, there is also an installation step 530 at the intersection of the grille ring 510 and the peripheral portion 520. The installation step 530 is adapted to be in shape - mating connection with the periphery of the first air outlet 114 on the housing 100. In this way, not only can the grille ring 510 be exposed at the first air outlet 114, but also the entire rotary grille 500 is restricted by the housing 100 and will not be easily detached outward.

[0069] Furthermore, on the opposite surfaces of the front panel 226 and the peripheral portion 520, at least one of them forms at least one circle of limiting grooves 710, and the other forms limiting protrusions 720 corresponding to the positions of the limiting grooves 710. The limiting protrusions 720 cooperate with the limiting grooves 710. When the rotary grille 500 rotates, the limiting protrusions 720 can slide in the limiting grooves 710 to restrict the rotation trajectory of the rotary grille 500.

[0070] The limiting grooves 710 can be set on the front panel 226 of the air duct forming member 200, or on the peripheral portion 520 of the rotary grille 500. When the limiting grooves 710 are set on the front panel 226 of the air duct forming member 200, the limiting protrusions 720 are set on the peripheral portion 520 of the rotary grille 500. When the limiting grooves 710 are set on the peripheral portion 520 of the rotary grille 500, the limiting protrusions 720 are set on the front panel 226 of the air duct forming member 200.

[0071] Taking the example of the limiting groove 710 being provided on the front panel 226 and the limiting protrusion 720 being provided on the peripheral portion 520, the limiting groove 710 can be provided on the peripheral edge 512 of the outlet of the first air duct 222 and be provided concentrically with the outlet of the first air duct 222. The limiting groove 710 can be one circle or multiple circles. When it is multiple circles, the multiple circles of limiting grooves 710 are concentric rings. Correspondingly, when the limiting protrusion 720 can be provided according to the number of circles of the limiting groove 710, and the limiting protrusion 720 on each circle can include multiple limiting posts (such as Figure 4 As shown, the limiting protrusion 720 on each circle includes 3 limiting posts), or it can be a whole circle of limiting protrusions 720 that cooperate with the limiting circle.

[0072] In the vertical air-conditioning indoor unit 1 of the present invention, the rotating grille 500 can be rotatably installed on the air duct forming member 200 around the center of the first air outlet 114, and its grille ring 510 covers the first air outlet 114. Therefore, when the rotating grille 500 is started, the rotating grille ring 510 is utilized to break up the heat exchange airflow flowing through the first air outlet 114, so that it cannot send air forward for a long distance, thereby preventing the wind from blowing directly on people and achieving a soft air output effect.

[0073] Further, in the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 of the present invention, the air duct forming member 200 has a front panel 226 facing the first air outlet 114, and a gap is provided between the front panel 226 and the inner surface of the front wall of the casing 100. The driven gear 630 is formed on the outer ring of the peripheral portion 520, and the peripheral portion 520 is at least partially arranged in the gap, that is, the driven gear 630 is arranged in the gap. A through hole 228 is also formed on the front panel 226. The motor 610 is fixedly installed on the side of the front panel 226 away from the first air outlet 114, and its output shaft extends to the gap through the through hole 228. The driving gear 620 is arranged in the gap and installed on the output shaft of the motor 610, and meshes with the driven gear 630. When the motor 610 is started, the motor 610 drives the driving gear 620 to rotate, the driving gear 620 drives the driven gear 630 to rotate, and the driven gear 630 drives the rotating grille 500 to rotate.

[0074] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 1 is a control principle block diagram of a vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 may further include a controller 900, the controller 900 may include a processor 910 and a memory 920, the memory 920 has a machine executable program 922, when the processor 910 executes the machine executable program 922, an air supply control method may be implemented, the air supply control method may reduce the air supply distance according to the user's position without affecting the air supply amount, avoid direct blowing on the user, and improve the user's experience.

[0075] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7It is a schematic diagram of a control method in the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control method may include the following steps:

[0076] Step S1101: Detect the minimum distance L between the user's body part entering the direct blowing space S and the air outlet. Here, the air outlet specifically refers to the air outlet where the rotating grille 500 is installed.

[0077] Step S1102: Determine the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500 according to the minimum distance L.

[0078] Step S1103: Start the rotating grille 500 at the determined rotation speed.

[0079] In step S1101, the direct blowing space S is pre-divided according to the air outlet and the air blowing distance, and the division method will be specifically described later. The direct blowing space S can be understood as that when the user enters this space without taking measures to reduce the air blowing distance, they will be strongly directly blown and feel uncomfortable.

[0080] In step S1101, the means for detecting the minimum distance L between the user's body part entering the direct blowing space S and the air outlet can be to use a detection device installed at the air outlet to obtain the minimum distance L. Specifically, the detection device can be a millimeter wave radar, etc.

[0081] The inventor realized that: when using the rotating grille 500 to reduce the air blowing distance, the higher the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500, the more obvious the disturbance to the heat exchange air flow, and the shorter the air blowing distance of the heat exchange air flow. In step S1102, the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500 is determined according to the minimum distance L. That is to say, the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500 is set to be dynamically variable. The closer the user is to the air outlet, the greater the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500 can be set, so that the air blowing distance is shorter, and the stimulation to the user can be reduced more, and the user experience can be improved without affecting the overall air volume.

[0082] In some embodiments, the blower has multiple air supply gears with different air supply intensities. Here, the blower also specifically refers to the blower used to supply air to the air outlet where the rotating grille 500 is installed.

[0083] Further, the step of determining the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500 according to the minimum distance L further includes:

[0084] Obtain the air supply gear of the blower.

[0085] Under each air supply gear, query the corresponding relationship between the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500 and the adjusted air blowing distance.

[0086] Taking the minimum distance L as the adjusted air blowing distance, determine the rotation speed of the rotating grille 500.

[0087] The inventor realized that for a blower, the differences between different air supply gears lie not only in the air outlet distance, but also in the air volume. For example, in some specific embodiments, the blower can be configured with a high-speed gear, a medium-speed gear, and a low-speed gear with gradually decreasing air supply intensity. Comparing the high-speed gear and the low-speed gear, the air volume of the high-speed gear is larger than that of the low-speed gear, and the air outlet distance of the high-speed gear is farther than that of the low-speed gear.

[0088] Furthermore, the inventor also realized that during the process of using the rotary grille 500 to reduce the air outlet distance, due to the influence of the air volume, the influence of the rotary grille 500 on the wind speed is different under different air supply gears. For example, in the high-speed gear, when the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500 is set to 900 r / min, the air outlet distance can be controlled within the range of 2 m - 4 m. While in the medium-speed gear, when the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500 is set to 900 r / min, the air outlet distance can be controlled within 2 m. Therefore, when determining the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500, it cannot be generally determined according to the adjusted air outlet distance, but also needs to be determined in combination with the air supply gear of the blower.

[0089] Through a large number of experiments, the inventor summarized the corresponding relationship between the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500 and the adjusted air outlet distance under each air supply gear. This corresponding relationship can be pre-stored in the memory 920. When determining the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500, first obtain the air supply gear of the blower, and then query the corresponding corresponding relationship according to the current air supply gear. In this way, the determined rotation speed is more realistic.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, the minimum distance L is used as the adjusted air outlet distance to determine the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500. That is to say, after starting the rotary grille 500 at this rotation speed, the air outlet distance is basically controlled at the minimum distance L. Then, the heat exchange air flow blows to the user closest to the air outlet at the farthest distance, thus avoiding directly blowing on the user.

[0091] Furthermore, each corresponding relationship is: a continuous interval of multiple continuous air outlet distances and the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500 corresponding to each continuous interval.

[0092] Specifically, in the high-speed gear, the relationship between the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500 and the adjusted air outlet distance is the first corresponding relationship. In the medium-speed gear, the relationship between the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500 and the adjusted air outlet distance is the second corresponding relationship. In the low-speed gear, the relationship between the rotation speed of the rotary grille 500 and the adjusted air outlet distance is the third corresponding relationship.

[0093] In some specific embodiments, the first correspondence may be as follows: multiple consecutive intervals of the adjusted air outlet distance are (0, 2], (2, 4], (4, 6], (6, 8], (8, 10] (unit: meter), and the rotational speeds of the rotary grille 500 corresponding to the above connection intervals are 1000 r / min, 900 r / min, 800 r / min, 700 r / min, 600 r / min.

[0094] The second correspondence may be as follows: multiple consecutive intervals of the air outlet distance are (0, 2], (2, 4], (4, 6], (6, 8], and the rotational speeds of the rotary grille 500 corresponding to the above connection intervals are 900 r / min, 800 r / min, 700 r / min, 600 r / min.

[0095] The third correspondence may be as follows: multiple consecutive intervals of the air outlet distance are (0, 2], (2, 4], (4, 6], and the rotational speeds of the rotary grille 500 corresponding to the above connection intervals are 800 r / min, 700 r / min, 600 r / min.

[0096] Combined Figure 8 , Figure 8 FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of air supply of the vertical air conditioner indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a scenario. In some embodiments, the air outlet is set to be circular. The direct blowing space S is set to be a frustum region with the air outlet as the smaller bottom surface and a height H not greater than the rated air supply distance Ld. The rated air supply distance Ld is: the farthest distance when the blower supplies air at the current air supply gear with the rotary grille 500 stopped.

[0097] During air supply, the wind speed of the heat exchange air flow decreases as the air supply distance increases, and when reaching the farthest distance, the wind speed is zero. In real life, when the wind speed of the heat exchange air flow drops to a certain level, even if it blows directly, it will not cause discomfort to the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, when setting the direct blowing space S, not the entire space that the heat exchange air flow can reach is divided into the direct blowing space S, but the boundary of the direct blowing space S is determined by a height not greater than the rated air supply distance Ld, which is more in line with the actual situation, avoids frequent startup of the rotary grille 500, and reduces energy consumption.

[0098] Furthermore, the inventor found through studying the wind speed field at each air supply gear that by further setting the height H of the frustum region to any value between 40% and 70% of the rated air supply distance Ld, it can not only ensure timely entry into the adjustment program for reducing the air outlet distance, but also avoid frequent startup of the rotary grille 500 and reduce energy consumption.

[0099] Taking the example of the fan being in the high-speed gear, the rated air supply distance Ld of this high-speed gear is 10 m. The height H of the frustum region can be set to 50% of the rated air supply distance Ld, that is, 5 m. Then, when the fan is blowing air in the high-speed gear scenario, the defined direct-blowing space S is: a frustum region with the air outlet as the smaller bottom surface and a height H of 5 m. When the user enters this direct-blowing space S, the adjustment program for reducing the air outlet distance starts.

[0100] In some embodiments, the step of starting the rotary grille 500 according to the determined rotation rate further includes: starting the motor 610 to drive the rotary grille 500 to rotate.

[0101] Furthermore, the step of starting the motor 610 to drive the rotary grille 500 to rotate further includes: controlling the rotation speed of the motor 610 to be the product of the determined rotation rate and the transmission ratio of the reduction gear. Specifically, the reduction gear is the meshing driving gear 620 and driven gear 630.

[0102] See Figure 9 , Figure 9 is a flowchart of the control method for the indoor unit of a vertical air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the air supply control method can also be implemented through the following specific steps:

[0103] Step S1201: Receive the air outlet distance adjustment signal.

[0104] Step S1202: Obtain the current air supply gear of the fan.

[0105] Step S1203: Determine the direct-blowing space S according to the air supply gear.

[0106] Step S1204: Detect that there is a user in the direct-blowing space S.

[0107] Step S1205: Detect the minimum distance L between the user's body part entering the direct-blowing space S and the air outlet.

[0108] Step S1206: Determine the rotation rate of the rotary grille 500 according to the air supply gear and the minimum distance L.

[0109] Step S1207: Determine the motor 610 speed according to the rotation rate of the rotary grille 500 and the transmission of the reduction gear.

[0110] Step S1208: Start the motor 610 at the determined motor 610 speed.

[0111] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived from the disclosed content of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the air supply of a vertical air conditioner indoor unit, the vertical air conditioner indoor unit comprising a housing and a rotating grille, the housing having an air outlet, and the rotating grille being rotatably disposed at the air outlet and configured to disperse the heat exchange air flow flowing through the air outlet by means of a rotating grille ring after it is started, thereby reducing the air supply distance of the heat exchange air flow; the air supply control method includes: Detecting the minimum distance between the user's body part entering the direct blowing space and the air outlet; Determining the rotation speed of the rotating grille according to the minimum distance; Starting the rotating grille at the determined rotation speed.

2. The air supply control method according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical air conditioner indoor unit further includes a blower, the blower being configured to promote the formation of the heat exchange air flow, and the blower having a plurality of air supply gears with different air supply intensities; The step of determining the rotation speed of the rotating grille according to the minimum distance further includes: Obtaining the air supply gear of the blower; Querying the corresponding relationship between the rotation speed of the rotating grille and the adjusted air supply distance under each air supply gear; Using the minimum distance as the adjusted air supply distance to determine the rotation speed of the rotating grille.

3. The air supply control method according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the corresponding relationships is: a continuous interval of a plurality of consecutive air supply distances and the rotation speed of the rotating grille corresponding to each continuous interval.

4. The air supply control method according to claim 2, wherein, The blower has a high-speed gear, a medium-speed gear, and a low-speed gear with sequentially decreasing air supply intensities; In the high-speed gear, the relationship between the rotation speed of the rotating grille and the adjusted air supply distance is a first corresponding relationship; In the medium-speed gear, the relationship between the rotation speed of the rotating grille and the adjusted air supply distance is a second corresponding relationship; In the low-speed gear, the relationship between the rotation speed of the rotating grille and the adjusted air supply distance is a third corresponding relationship.

5. The air supply control method according to claim 2, wherein, The air outlet is provided in a circular shape; and, The direct blowing space is provided as a frustum region with the air outlet as the smaller bottom surface and a height not greater than the rated air supply distance; wherein, The rated air supply distance is: the farthest distance when the blower blows air at the current air supply gear with the rotating grille stopped.

6. The air supply control method according to claim 5, wherein, The height of the frustum region is further set to any value between 40% and 70% of the rated air supply distance.

7. The air supply control method according to claim 1, wherein, The step of detecting the minimum distance between the user's body part entering the direct blowing space and the air outlet further includes: Obtaining the minimum distance by using a detection device installed at the air outlet.

8. The air supply control method according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical air conditioner indoor unit further includes a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism including a motor for driving the rotation of the rotating grille; The step of starting the rotating grille at the determined rotation speed further includes: Starting the motor to drive the rotation of the rotating grille.

9. The air supply control method according to claim 8, wherein, the floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit further includes a speed reduction device disposed between the motor and the rotary grille; the step of starting the motor to drive the rotary grille to rotate further includes: controlling the rotational speed of the motor to be the product of the determined rotational speed and the transmission ratio of the speed reduction device.

10. A floor-standing air conditioner indoor unit, comprising: a housing having an air outlet; a rotary grille rotatably disposed at the air outlet and configured to disperse the heat exchange air flow passing through the air outlet by the rotating grille ring when it is started, thereby reducing the air outlet distance of the heat exchange air flow; a controller including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a machine-executable program, and when the machine-executable program is executed by the processor, it implements the air supply control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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