Air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioning equipment
By integrating the air guide panel and drive components, the problem of needing two drive systems for the indoor unit of the air conditioner is solved, and the structure of the air outlet is simplified and the air direction is flexibly controlled, thereby improving the performance of the indoor unit of the air conditioner and the user experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AIR LINGDONG TECHNOLOGY (SUZHOU) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing air conditioner indoor units require two separate drive systems to achieve the functions of opening and closing the air outlet and adjusting the airflow direction, resulting in high costs and complex structures.
The system employs an integrated air guide panel and drive assembly, which enables the opening and closing of the air outlet and the adjustment of the air direction through a single drive assembly, including translational and rotational movements. This simplifies the structure and reduces the number of parts.
It reduces production and maintenance costs, improves the reliability and overall performance of the air conditioner indoor unit, and achieves flexible airflow control and cooling/heating distribution.
Smart Images

Figure CN122015186A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of air conditioning equipment technology, and in particular to an indoor air conditioning unit and air conditioning equipment. Background Technology
[0002] As the core device for regulating indoor temperature, the indoor unit of an air conditioner typically has movable air guide vanes at its air outlet. The main function of these vanes is to guide the airflow after heat exchange in the direction desired by the user, thereby delivering air into the room.
[0003] In related technologies, to achieve the opening / closing of the air outlet and the adjustment of airflow direction, a split-drive structure is typically used. A large main panel is installed at the air outlet, which is usually controlled by a motor. This panel completely covers the air outlet to achieve a seal when the machine is off, and rotates or slides open when the machine is on to expose the internal air outlet duct. At the same time, one or more sets of movable blades are independently installed in the air duct inside the air outlet, and the airflow direction is adjusted by changing the angle of the blades.
[0004] However, to achieve the two functions of "opening and closing the door" and "swinging the louvers to guide the airflow" in current air conditioning indoor units, at least two independent drive systems are required, which is costly and makes the overall structure of the air conditioning indoor unit complex. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This application provides an indoor air conditioning unit and air conditioning equipment to solve the problem that current indoor air conditioning units require at least two independent drive systems to achieve the two functions of "opening and closing the door" and "swinging blades to guide the air", which is costly and structurally complex.
[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an indoor air conditioning unit, which includes:
[0007] The housing has a first air outlet, which is used to discharge air to the environment in which the housing is located.
[0008] An air guide panel is located at the first air outlet;
[0009] The first drive component is disposed inside the housing and is opposite to the first air outlet;
[0010] The air guide panel is connected to the first driving component; the first driving component is configured to drive the air guide panel to move relative to the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel can open and close the first air outlet, and adjust the air guiding direction when the first air outlet is open.
[0011] The air conditioner indoor unit provided in this application integrates the functions of controlling the opening and closing of the air outlet and adjusting the air direction into the same air guide panel and drive component. This avoids the need to set up separate drive sources and complex transmission mechanisms for opening and closing the door and adjusting the air direction. While ensuring that the airflow can be distributed for both cold and warm air and has a large air delivery angle, it simplifies the overall structure of the air conditioner indoor unit, reduces the number of parts and assembly processes, thereby reducing production and maintenance costs and improving the long-term reliability of the air conditioner indoor unit.
[0012] As an optional implementation, the air guide panel has at least two degrees of freedom of movement relative to the first air outlet, wherein the first drive component is configured to drive the air guide panel to translate outward from the first air outlet, and the first drive component is configured to drive the air guide panel to rotate, so that the air guide direction can be adjusted after the air guide panel opens the first air outlet.
[0013] This setup, with its two-stage or combined motion of first opening by translation and then guiding the air by rotation, differentiates and optimizes the opening and guiding functions in terms of movement, ensuring both the effective opening area of the air vent and flexible air guiding control.
[0014] As an optional implementation, the first drive assembly includes a drive housing, a first drive unit, and a telescopic structure, wherein the first drive unit is connected to the drive housing, and the telescopic structure is disposed on the drive housing; the air guide panel is connected to the telescopic structure.
[0015] The first drive unit is connected to the telescopic structure and can drive the telescopic structure to move telescopically relative to the drive housing, thereby causing the air guide panel to move relative to the first air outlet.
[0016] This setting ensures that the air guide panel maintains its preset posture during movement, preventing it from shaking or getting stuck.
[0017] As an optional implementation, when the telescopic structure retracts relative to the drive housing, the air guide panel is parallel to the plane where the first air outlet is located, and the air guide panel covers the first air outlet;
[0018] When the telescopic structure extends relative to the drive housing, the telescopic structure can drive the air guide panel to rotate around the horizontal axis so that the air guide panel has an inclined angle with the plane where the first air outlet is located.
[0019] This design integrates the translational opening and the rotational air guide into the same telescopic action or is triggered by the telescopic action, resulting in a smooth and continuous movement.
[0020] As an optional implementation, the telescopic structure is connected to the middle of the air guide panel in the vertical direction; when the telescopic structure drives the air guide panel to rotate, the air guide panel has a first position and a second position.
[0021] When the air guide panel is rotated to the first position, the lower edge of the air guide panel is close to the lower edge of the first air outlet, and the upper edge of the air guide panel is far away from the upper edge of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel is tilted upward relative to the plane where the first air outlet is located, and guides the airflow of the first air outlet to flow upward.
[0022] When the air guide panel is rotated to the second position, the lower edge of the air guide panel is far away from the lower edge of the first air outlet, and the upper edge of the air guide panel is close to the upper edge of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel is tilted downward relative to the plane where the first air outlet is located, and guides the airflow of the first air outlet to flow downward.
[0023] This design ensures that the swing amplitude of the upper and lower ends of the air guide panel is balanced, resulting in better airflow for both hot and cold air distribution, and smoother movement.
[0024] As an optional implementation, the telescopic structure includes a telescopic body, a second drive unit, and a transmission mechanism; the telescopic body is slidably connected to the drive housing, the second drive unit is connected to the telescopic body, the transmission mechanism is disposed on the telescopic body, the output end of the second drive unit is connected to the input end of the transmission mechanism, and the output end of the transmission mechanism is fixedly connected to the air guide panel; the second drive unit is configured to drive the air guide panel to rotate through the transmission mechanism.
[0025] This configuration allows the two degrees of freedom, stretching and rotation, to be controlled independently and flexibly without interference, thus improving the precision and flexibility of control.
[0026] As an optional implementation, the transmission mechanism includes a plurality of gears that mesh sequentially, the output end of the second drive unit is coaxially and fixedly connected to one of the plurality of gears, and the air guide panel is fixedly connected to another of the plurality of gears.
[0027] As an optional implementation, the transmission mechanism includes a flexible transmission element and two transmission wheels, one of which is fixedly connected to the output end of the second drive unit, and the other of which is fixedly connected to the air guide panel; the flexible transmission element is wound around the two transmission wheels.
[0028] This configuration ensures accurate transmission ratio, smooth movement, and high load-bearing capacity, guaranteeing precise control of the air guide panel's rotation angle and thus achieving accurate airflow direction adjustment.
[0029] As an optional implementation, the plurality of gears are arranged along the telescopic direction of the telescopic structure; the rotation centers of the plurality of gears are located on a straight line.
[0030] This design allows the entire drive train to be compactly integrated inside or on one side of the telescopic body, without taking up additional lateral space.
[0031] As an optional implementation, the transmission mechanism includes a first worm gear, a worm, and a second worm gear, wherein the first worm gear and the second worm gear mesh with the worm; the first worm gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the second drive unit, and the second worm gear is fixedly connected to the air guide panel.
[0032] This configuration allows for a larger reduction ratio, enabling the air guide panel to rotate smoothly and achieving a larger output torque.
[0033] As an optional implementation, the drive housing is provided with a guide groove, the extension direction of which is consistent with the extension direction of the telescopic structure; the surface of the telescopic body is provided with a guide protrusion, which is located in the guide groove.
[0034] This design avoids swaying or jamming during movement, ensuring the smoothness and positional accuracy of the air guide panel's movement.
[0035] As an optional implementation, the guide protrusion includes a plurality of circular protrusions, which are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the guide groove.
[0036] This setup creates multiple independent support points that work together to guide and limit the telescopic body, making its movement more stable.
[0037] As an optional implementation, the drive housing includes a bottom shell and a top cover, the bottom shell and the top cover are connected and surround to form a receiving cavity, the receiving cavity being open at one end facing the first air outlet; the telescopic structure is slidably disposed in the receiving cavity, and a portion of the structure extends out from the opening of the receiving cavity;
[0038] The bottom shell and the top cover are respectively provided with the guide groove, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the telescopic body are respectively provided with the guide protrusion. The guide protrusion on the upper surface of the telescopic body is connected with the guide groove of the top cover, and the guide protrusion on the lower surface of the telescopic body is connected with the guide protrusion of the bottom shell.
[0039] This configuration allows for better stress distribution on the telescopic body, enabling it to withstand greater off-center load moments and improving the rigidity and reliability of the entire first drive assembly.
[0040] As an optional implementation, there are two first drive components, which are respectively located on the horizontal sides of the first air outlet, and the two first drive components synchronously drive the air guide panel to move and rotate.
[0041] This design ensures the smoothness and consistency of the translational and rotational movements of the air guide panel, improving the reliability and service life of the movement.
[0042] As an optional implementation, the housing has openings on both horizontal sides of the first air outlet; when the air guide panel covers the first air outlet, the side portion of the air guide panel extends to the side of the first air outlet and covers the opening; the telescopic structure passes through the opening and is connected to the air guide panel.
[0043] This design provides a certain degree of protection to the air guide panel, preventing foreign objects from accidentally entering the casing through these openings.
[0044] As an optional implementation, the drive housing has fixing parts at both ends along its length, and the inner wall of the housing has fixing brackets that correspond one-to-one with the fixing parts. The fixing parts are connected to the fixing brackets by fasteners.
[0045] This design effectively resists the reaction force and vibration generated during the movement of the drive air guide panel, ensuring the stability of the drive component itself during installation.
[0046] As an optional implementation, there are multiple first driving components, and the multiple first driving components are arranged in the height direction of the first air outlet.
[0047] The first drive component, located near the upper side of the first air outlet, is connected to the upper side of the air guide panel and is configured to push the upper side of the air guide panel relative to the lower side toward the outside of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel guides the airflow upward.
[0048] The first drive assembly, located near the lower side of the first air outlet, is connected to the lower side of the air guide panel and is configured to push the lower side of the air guide panel relative to the upper side toward the outside of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel guides the airflow downward.
[0049] This configuration, through multi-point drive, allows the air guide panel to flexibly form different tilt angles, thereby precisely guiding the airflow in the desired direction.
[0050] As an optional implementation, the distance between the first air outlet and the top of the housing is greater than the distance between the first air outlet and the bottom of the housing.
[0051] This design optimizes the airflow organization of the air conditioner's indoor unit, allowing the blown-out hot air to more effectively cover the lower part of the room. It also facilitates the even distribution and natural convection of cold air within the indoor space, reducing the discomfort caused by cold air blowing directly on the body.
[0052] As an optional implementation, the housing has a first side away from the wall, and the first air outlet is disposed on the first side; the housing has a second side facing the wall, and a third side connected between the first side and the second side; the third side is provided with a return air outlet communicating with the environment in which the housing is located;
[0053] The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a first centrifugal fan, which is disposed inside the casing. The air inlet of the first centrifugal fan is connected to the return air inlet, and the air outlet of the first centrifugal fan is connected to the first air outlet.
[0054] This configuration achieves an air circulation method with frontal air supply and side return, avoiding airflow short-circuiting and thus improving the efficiency of air circulation and heat exchange.
[0055] As an optional implementation, there are two second sides, which are connected together and respectively opposite to two adjacent walls; there are two third sides, which are respectively connected between the two second sides and the two sides of the first side; and the two third sides are respectively provided with the return air vents.
[0056] The first centrifugal fan has air inlets on both sides of its axial direction, and the air inlets on both sides of the first centrifugal fan are respectively connected to the return air inlets on the two third sides.
[0057] This setup enables bidirectional air return when installed in a corner, which helps improve the efficiency and uniformity of the return air.
[0058] As an optional implementation, a heat exchanger is provided between the return air inlet and the air inlet of the first centrifugal fan; the heat exchanger extends from the third side to the second side.
[0059] This setup improves heat exchange efficiency and ensures the cooling or heating performance of the air conditioner.
[0060] As an optional implementation, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a second centrifugal fan, which is disposed above the first centrifugal fan, and the air inlet of the second centrifugal fan is connected to the return air inlet; the top of the casing is provided with a second air outlet, and the air outlet of the second centrifugal fan is connected to the second air outlet.
[0061] This configuration allows for the simultaneous delivery of treated air to different heights or areas within the room, enabling the air conditioning unit to perform tiered or zoned air delivery.
[0062] As an optional implementation, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a second drive assembly and an air guide flap. The second drive assembly is disposed on the inner side of the top wall of the housing, and the air guide flap is disposed at the second air outlet. The second drive assembly is configured to drive the air guide flap to rotate, so as to open or close the second air outlet.
[0063] This design prevents dust from entering the casing from the top.
[0064] As an optional implementation, the second drive assembly includes a drive motor, a swing arm, and a connecting rod. The output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to one end of the swing arm, the other end of the swing arm is rotatably connected to the connecting rod, and the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the air guide flap.
[0065] This configuration offers advantages such as smooth movement, minimal impact, and ease of remote control, allowing the drive motor to be flexibly positioned in a suitable location on the inner side of the top wall of the housing.
[0066] Secondly, this application provides an air conditioning device, which includes the indoor air conditioning unit described in the above-mentioned technical solution.
[0067] In addition to the technical problems solved by the embodiments of this application, the technical features constituting the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by the technical features of these technical solutions described above, other technical problems that can be solved by the air conditioning indoor unit and air conditioning equipment provided by this application, other technical features included in the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by these technical features will be further explained in detail in the specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description
[0068] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application 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 application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0069] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0070] Figure 2 This is an internal structural view of the air conditioner indoor unit provided in this application;
[0071] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the installation of the first drive component in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application on the casing;
[0072] Figure 4 A top view of the installation of the first drive assembly in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application on the casing;
[0073] Figure 5 A top view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0074] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;
[0075] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the first drive assembly and the air guide panel in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0076] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the air guide panel in the first position of the air conditioner indoor unit provided in this application;
[0077] Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the air guide panel in the second position of the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0078] Figure 10 A side view of the first drive assembly in the indoor unit of an air conditioner provided in this application;
[0079] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Cross-sectional view along the BB direction;
[0080] Figure 12 for Figure 10 A cross-sectional view along the CC direction;
[0081] Figure 13 A top view of the first drive assembly in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0082] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A cross-sectional view along the DD direction;
[0083] Figure 15 A schematic diagram showing the air guide panel in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application in a first position under an alternative driving method;
[0084] Figure 16 A schematic diagram showing the second position of the air guide panel in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application, using an alternative driving method.
[0085] Figure 17 A front view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0086] Figure 18 for Figure 17 Cross-sectional view along the EE direction;
[0087] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the second air outlet in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0088] Figure 20 A schematic diagram of the driving structure of the air guide flap in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application;
[0089] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of another transmission mechanism of the telescopic structure in the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in this application.
[0090] Figure label:
[0091] 10-Air conditioner indoor unit;
[0092] 100 - Housing; 101 - First air outlet; 102 - Opening; 103 - Fixed bracket; 104 - Return air outlet; 105 - Second air outlet; 110 - First side; 120 - Second side; 130 - Third side;
[0093] 200-Air guide panel;
[0094] 300-First drive assembly; 310-Drive housing; 311-Guide groove; 312-Bottom shell; 313-Top cover; 314-Fixing part; 320-First drive unit; 330-Telescopic structure; 331-Telescopic body; 3311-Guide protrusion; 332-Second drive unit; 333-Transmission mechanism; 333a-Gear; 333b-Transmission wheel; 333c-Flexible transmission component;
[0095] 400 - First centrifugal fan;
[0096] 500 - Second centrifugal fan;
[0097] 600 - Heat exchanger;
[0098] 700 - Second drive assembly; 710 - Drive motor; 720 - Swing arm; 730 - Connecting rod;
[0099] 800-Air guide flap. Detailed Implementation
[0100] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0101] Modern air conditioner indoor units typically employ a multi-layered airflow design for their air outlets. When the air conditioner is in standby or off state, the outlet needs to be completely closed to prevent dust, insects, and other foreign objects from entering the unit, while maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal of the indoor unit. When the air conditioner is running, the outlet needs to be open, guiding the airflow in the direction desired by the user. This design is widely used in various types of household air conditioners, including wall-mounted and floor-standing models.
[0102] Currently, the mainstream technical solution for achieving the opening / closing of air outlets and airflow direction adjustment is a split-type drive structure. Specifically, a large main panel (or switch door, panel door) is installed at the air outlet. This panel is typically controlled by a first drive component via a linkage mechanism or rack and pinion mechanism. It completely covers the air outlet to achieve a seal when the unit is off, and rotates or slides open when the unit is on, exposing the internal airflow duct. Simultaneously, within the airflow duct inside the air outlet, one or more sets of movable horizontal and vertical swivel blades are independently installed. These swivel blades are controlled by a second drive component and its linkage mechanism, adjusting the airflow direction by changing the angle of the swivel blades.
[0103] However, in order to achieve the two functions of "opening and closing the door" and "swinging blades to guide the air", this traditional split-drive solution must set up at least two independent drive systems. Each drive system includes an independent drive source, mounting bracket and transmission mechanism. This not only results in a large number of parts, high material and assembly costs, but also makes the overall structure of the air conditioner indoor unit complex, occupies too much internal space, and increases the failure rate of the whole unit.
[0104] In addition, although using swivel blades to guide the air can change the direction of air supply, the swivel blades have a small range of air supply angles. When the upward or downward air supply angle is increased, the air outlet area will decrease and the air supply will be obstructed. Therefore, it is impossible to achieve the effect of distributing cold and heat. That is, when supplying cold air, it is impossible to blow the cold air upward to the maximum extent to achieve the cooling of the canopy, and when supplying hot air, it is impossible to blow the hot air downward to the maximum extent to achieve the heating of the carpet.
[0105] This application provides an indoor air conditioning unit and an air conditioning device. The indoor air conditioning unit may adopt a structural form including, but not limited to, cabinet units, wall-mounted units, ceiling-mounted units, or ducted air conditioners. This application does not specifically limit this type of unit.
[0106] like Figures 1 to 7As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides an air conditioner indoor unit 10, which includes a housing 100. The housing 100 constitutes the external structural component of the air conditioner indoor unit 10 and is used to house and protect the internal components. The housing 100 is provided with a first air outlet 101, which is used to discharge air (such as air after cooling or heating) processed by the air conditioner indoor unit 10 to the indoor environment where the housing 100 is located, so as to realize the air conditioning function.
[0107] The indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner also includes an air guide panel 200 and a first drive assembly 300. The air guide panel 200 is located at the first air outlet 101 and is a movable plate-shaped component used to guide or block the airflow. The first drive assembly 300 is located inside the housing 100 and is positioned opposite the first air outlet 101, that is, behind or inside the first air outlet 101, so as to facilitate connection and drive with the air guide panel 200.
[0108] It is understood that the air guide panel 200 is connected to the first drive assembly 300. The first drive assembly 300 is configured to drive the air guide panel 200 to move relative to the first air outlet 101. This movement can take several forms. One is to open and close the first air outlet 101 by driving the air guide panel 200 to move, that is, by driving the air guide panel 200 to move, the first air outlet 101 can be completely or partially blocked (closed state), or it can be moved to expose the first air outlet 101 (open state). Another is that when the air guide panel 200 is in the state of opening the first air outlet 101, the first drive assembly 300 can also adjust the airflow direction by driving the air guide panel 200 to move, such as changing the vertical or horizontal direction of the air outlet.
[0109] For example, the first drive assembly 300 may include one or more motors and transmission mechanisms. The air guide panel 200 may be an integral panel, and the first drive assembly 300 drives the air guide panel 200 to rotate around one side via a linkage mechanism to achieve opening and closing and adjustment of the air guide angle. Alternatively, the air guide panel 200 may be composed of multiple louvered blades, and the first drive assembly 300 drives these blades to rotate synchronously via linkages or gears, adjusting the blade angle to change the air outlet direction while opening the air outlet. In addition, the first drive assembly 300 may also drive the air guide panel 200 to perform translational movement, moving it away from the front of the first air outlet 101 to achieve opening, or changing its relative position with the air outlet by translation, thereby guiding the airflow direction.
[0110] Understandably, by setting up the air guide panel 200 connected to the first drive component 300, the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner achieves the dual functions of opening and closing the air outlet and adjusting the air outlet direction in one component. The first drive component 300 drives the air guide panel 200 to move, which can close the first air outlet 101 when the air conditioner is not working, to prevent dust from entering and to avoid foreign objects from intruding, keeping the inside of the casing 100 clean and aesthetically pleasing; and can open the first air outlet 101 when the air conditioner is working, and flexibly adjust the air supply angle according to user needs to achieve directional or wide-angle air supply, and achieve large-angle distribution of cold and heat. Utilizing the wall adhesion effect and diffusion characteristics of the airflow itself, it can achieve canopy cooling when cooling and carpet cooling when heating, improving the comfort of use.
[0111] It should be noted that this integrated design simplifies the structure of the air outlet, reduces the number of parts, makes the assembly of the whole machine more convenient, and also reduces the failure rate.
[0112] The specific movement of the air guide panel 200 will be explained in detail below.
[0113] Please refer to Figures 1 to 14 In one possible implementation, the air guide panel 200 has at least two degrees of freedom of movement relative to the first air outlet 101. That is, the air guide panel 200 is capable of at least two different types of independent movement.
[0114] The first drive assembly 300 is configured to drive the air guide panel 200 to translate outwards from the first air outlet 101. This translational movement involves moving the air guide panel 200 along a straight line from a position that originally covered or was close to the first air outlet 101 to a position outside the first air outlet 101, thereby opening the first air outlet 101. Furthermore, the first drive assembly 300 is also configured to drive the air guide panel 200 to rotate. After the air guide panel 200 opens the first air outlet 101 through translation, driving it to rotate can change the angle or orientation of the air guide panel 200, thereby guiding the airflow from the first air outlet 101 and adjusting the airflow direction.
[0115] For example, the first drive assembly 300 may include two independent drive units: one for driving the air guide panel 200 to translate along the guide structure in front of or to the side of the first air outlet 101, and the other for driving the air guide panel 200 to rotate about an axis (e.g., a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, an inclined axis, etc.). The air guide panel 200 first extends forward under translational drive, away from the first air outlet 101, making the air outlet fully open; then, under rotational drive, the air guide panel 200 can flip up or down about the horizontal axis, directing the airflow to a higher or lower position.
[0116] Those skilled in the art will understand that the two movements of the air guide panel 200 relative to the first air outlet 101 can be achieved by a composite drive mechanism, such as a multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm or linkage mechanism, simultaneously performing translation and rotation. The sequence of translation and rotation can be translation followed by rotation, or translation accompanied by rotation.
[0117] Understandably, by giving the air guide panel 200 two degrees of freedom—translation and rotation—the indoor unit 10 of this air conditioner achieves a more flexible and optimized air outlet control method. The air guide panel 200 first moves outwards towards the first air outlet 101, fully opening the outlet. This avoids the obstruction or interference that a rotating panel might cause to the airflow during opening, resulting in smoother airflow and less air volume loss. After the outlet is open, rotating the air guide panel 200 allows for independent and precise adjustment of the airflow direction, meeting the cooling and heating needs of different usage scenarios.
[0118] It should be noted that the above-mentioned two-stage or combined movement of first sliding to open and then rotating to guide the air distinguishes and optimizes the opening and air guiding functions in terms of movement form. This ensures the effective opening area of the air vent and achieves flexible air guiding control, thereby improving the overall performance and user experience of the air conditioner indoor unit 10.
[0119] In some embodiments, the first drive assembly 300 may include a drive housing 310, a first drive unit 320, and a telescopic structure 330. The drive housing 310 is the base or outer shell of the entire first drive assembly 300, used to support and mount other components. The first drive unit 320 is connected to the drive housing 310 and is the component that generates power. The telescopic structure 330 is also disposed on the drive housing 310 and is a mechanical structure capable of telescopic movement relative to the drive housing 310.
[0120] The air guide panel 200 is connected to the telescopic structure 330, allowing the movement of the telescopic structure 330 to be transmitted to the air guide panel 200. The first drive unit 320 is connected to the telescopic structure 330, meaning they are motion-coupled. When the first drive unit 320 is working, it can drive the telescopic structure 330 to extend and retract relative to the drive housing 310. Since the air guide panel 200 is connected to the telescopic structure 330, this extension and retraction movement of the telescopic structure 330 will cause the air guide panel 200 to move relative to the first air outlet 101.
[0121] For example, the drive housing 310 can be a frame fixedly installed within the housing 100. The first drive unit 320 can be a motor, whose output shaft is connected to the telescopic structure 330 via gears or lead screws. The telescopic structure 330 can be a multi-stage telescopic sleeve mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, or a scissor-type telescopic arm.
[0122] For example, the air guide panel 200 can be fixedly connected to the end of the telescopic structure 330. When the motor rotates forward, it drives the telescopic structure 330 to extend outward, pushing the air guide panel 200 to move horizontally towards the outside of the first air outlet 101, opening the air outlet; when the motor rotates in reverse, it drives the telescopic structure 330 to retract inward, causing the air guide panel 200 to reset, closing the air outlet. The telescopic structure 330 can be linearly telescopic or telescopic with a certain curvature to adapt to the movement trajectory of the air guide panel 200.
[0123] It is understandable that by setting up a first drive assembly 300 consisting of a drive housing 310, a first drive unit 320, and a telescopic structure 330, and connecting the air guide panel 200 to the telescopic structure 330, a simple and reliable translational drive scheme for the air guide panel 200 is achieved. The first drive unit 320, by driving the telescopic structure 330 to extend and retract, can precisely control the movement distance and position of the air guide panel 200 relative to the first air outlet 101, thereby achieving smooth opening and closing of the air outlet. The telescopic structure 330 itself has good guiding and stability, ensuring that the air guide panel 200 maintains a preset posture during movement, avoiding shaking or jamming.
[0124] It should be noted that the modular design of the first drive component 300 facilitates overall installation and maintenance within the housing 100, improving assembly efficiency. Simultaneously, the telescopic drive effectively transmits power from inside the housing 100 to the panel, enabling large-scale panel movement while maintaining the compactness of the drive component itself, without occupying excessive internal space.
[0125] In some embodiments, when the telescopic structure 330 is in a retracted state relative to the drive housing 310, the air guide panel 200 remains parallel to the plane where the first air outlet 101 is located. In this state, the air guide panel 200 exactly covers the first air outlet 101, completely blocking it and thus closing the first air outlet 101.
[0126] In some embodiments, when the telescopic structure 330 is extended relative to the drive housing 310, the air guide panel 200 no longer remains parallel but is driven to rotate about the horizontal axis. While extended, the telescopic structure 330 drives the air guide panel 200 to rotate about the horizontal axis, creating an angle between the air guide panel 200 and the plane containing the first air outlet 101. This angle can be adjusted as needed to change the direction of airflow guidance.
[0127] For example, the drive housing 310 may contain a slide rail and a linkage mechanism. The telescopic structure 330 is driven forward by the first drive unit 320, and its front end is connected to the back of the air guide panel 200 via a pivot, which engages with a guide groove 311 fixed on the drive housing 310. When the telescopic structure 330 extends in a straight line, due to the constraint of the guide groove 311, the air guide panel 200 is forced to rotate around the pivot as it moves forward, thus gradually changing from a parallel state to an upward or downward tilt. Conversely, when the telescopic structure 330 retracts, the air guide panel 200 gradually returns to parallel under the action of the guide groove 311, and finally covers the first air outlet 101.
[0128] In another implementation, the telescopic structure 330 itself has a rotation function. For example, a rotating shaft controlled by an independent motor is set at its front end. When the telescopic structure 330 extends into place, the rotating shaft is driven to rotate the air guide panel 200.
[0129] Understandably, by having the air guide panel 200 parallel to and covering the air outlet when the telescopic structure 330 retracts, the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner achieves good sealing and consistent appearance when not in operation, effectively preventing dust from entering and maintaining overall aesthetics. When the telescopic structure 330 extends, it drives the air guide panel 200 to rotate around the horizontal axis, allowing the panel to directly enter the air guiding state while opening the air outlet. The tilt angle formed with the plane where the first air outlet 101 is located can precisely control the direction of the airflow, such as upward or downward airflow, to meet different comfort requirements in cooling or heating modes.
[0130] It should be noted that the design of integrating translational opening and rotational air guide into the same telescopic action or triggered by the telescopic action results in a smooth and continuous movement process. It can achieve two degrees of freedom of movement without additional installation structures and drive components, which simplifies the structure, reduces costs, and improves the reliability of control.
[0131] In some embodiments, the telescopic structure 330 is connected to the middle of the air guide panel 200 in the vertical direction, that is, the connection point is located in the middle region of the air guide panel 200 in the vertical direction, rather than the top or bottom. When the telescopic structure 330 drives the air guide panel 200 to rotate about the horizontal axis, the air guide panel 200 can be positioned in at least two different rotational positions, namely a first position and a second position.
[0132] When the air guide panel 200 is driven to rotate to the first position, its posture is such that the lower edge of the air guide panel 200 is close to the lower edge of the first air outlet 101, while the upper edge of the air guide panel 200 is far from the upper edge of the first air outlet 101. This relative positional relationship causes the air guide panel 200 to form an upward tilt angle relative to the plane where the first air outlet 101 is located. Since the upper edge of the air guide panel 200 is far from the upper edge of the air outlet and the lower edge is close to the lower edge of the air outlet, the airflow flowing out of the first air outlet 101 will be guided by the inner surface of the air guide panel 200, changing its original flow direction and flowing upward instead.
[0133] When the air guide panel 200 is driven to rotate to the second position, its orientation is reversed. The lower edge of the air guide panel 200 moves away from the lower edge of the first air outlet 101, while the upper edge of the air guide panel 200 moves closer to the upper edge of the first air outlet 101. This causes the air guide panel 200 to form a downward tilt angle relative to the plane containing the first air outlet 101. The airflow from the first air outlet 101 is guided by the inner surface of the air guide panel 200 and flows downwards.
[0134] For example, the telescopic structure 330 can be fixed to the center of the back of the air guide panel 200 via gears. When the telescopic structure 330 extends a certain length, the rotation of the gears can drive the air guide panel 200 to rotate around its central horizontal axis. When the air guide panel 200 rotates to the first position, its top tilts forward and its bottom is close to the lower edge of the air outlet, forming an upward-facing airflow surface. When rotated to the second position, its bottom tilts forward and its top is close to the upper edge of the air outlet, forming a downward-facing airflow surface. The air guide panel 200 can be continuously adjusted between the first and second positions to achieve stepless airflow angle changes from upward to downward.
[0135] Understandably, by connecting the telescopic structure 330 to the vertical center of the air guide panel 200, and utilizing the rotation of the air guide panel 200 around this connection point or a nearby axis, the distance between the upper and lower edges of the panel and the upper and lower edges of the air outlet can be varied, thereby precisely controlling the tilt direction of the air guide panel 200. Its upward tilt effectively directs airflow to the upper space of the room, which is beneficial for blowing cold air upwards in cooling mode, achieving better circulation and avoiding direct cold air blowing on the human body. Its downward tilt directs airflow towards the ground, which is beneficial for delivering warm air to the lower part of the room in heating mode, improving foot warmth and enhancing heating comfort. By setting the connection point in the middle, the swing amplitude of the upper and lower ends of the panel is balanced, resulting in a significant air guiding effect and smooth movement.
[0136] In some embodiments, the telescopic structure 330 is configured as a composite component capable of simultaneously realizing telescopic movement and rotational drive, comprising a telescopic body 331, a second drive unit 332, and a transmission mechanism 333. The telescopic body 331 forms the skeleton of the entire telescopic structure 330 and is slidably connected to the drive housing 310 of the first drive assembly 300, allowing the telescopic body 331 to telescopically move relative to the drive housing 310. The second drive unit 332 is connected to the telescopic body 331, moving with the telescopic body 331. The transmission mechanism 333 is also disposed on the telescopic body 331 and is used to transmit motion and power. The output end of the second drive unit 332 is connected to the input end of the transmission mechanism 333, inputting power to the transmission mechanism 333. The output end of the transmission mechanism 333 is fixedly connected to the air guide panel 200. Thus, the second drive unit 332 is configured to drive the air guide panel 200 to rotate via the transmission mechanism 333.
[0137] For example, the telescopic body 331 can be a slide or carriage, mounted on the drive housing 310 via a slide rail or guide post, and driven to slide back and forth by the first drive unit 320. A motor is fixedly mounted on the telescopic body 331 as a second drive unit 332, and a gear is mounted on the output shaft of the motor as the input end of the transmission mechanism 333. When the second drive unit 332 is activated, its rotational power is transmitted to the air guide panel 200 through the gear, driving the air guide panel 200 to rotate relative to the telescopic body 331. The axis of rotation of the air guide panel 200 can be horizontal to achieve vertical air guidance.
[0138] Understandably, the first drive unit 320 is responsible for driving the telescopic body 331 and the entire telescopic structure 330 to extend and retract, thereby controlling the opening, closing, and forward / backward position of the air guide panel 200. The second drive unit 332, on the other hand, independently drives the air guide panel 200 to rotate via the transmission mechanism 333, thereby precisely adjusting its air guide angle after the panel extends. This split-drive design allows for independent and flexible control of the two degrees of freedom—extension and rotation—without interference. Rotation can occur at any stage during the extension / retraction process, and the angle can be adjusted independently after extension / retraction is complete.
[0139] It should be noted that the structural design of the first drive component 300 in this embodiment improves the control precision and flexibility, makes the motion logic clearer, and facilitates the implementation of complex air delivery modes. Meanwhile, integrating the rotary drive mechanism onto the follower telescopic body 331 ensures that the rotary drive reliably acts on the air guide panel 200 regardless of the position of the telescopic body 331, resulting in a compact structure and a short transmission path.
[0140] The specific structure of the transmission mechanism 333 will be explained below through different examples.
[0141] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism 333 may include a plurality of gears 333a, which mesh sequentially to form a gear transmission chain. The output end of the second drive unit 332 is coaxially and fixedly connected to one of the gears 333a, meaning that the second drive unit 332 directly drives the gear 333a to rotate, serving as the power input gear for the entire transmission chain. The air guide panel 200 is fixedly connected to another gear 333a, which serves as the power output gear for the transmission chain, directly transmitting rotational motion to the air guide panel 200.
[0142] Understandably, through the sequential meshing of multiple gears 333a, the rotational motion output by the second drive unit 332 is precisely transmitted to the air guide panel 200, driving it to rotate.
[0143] For example, the transmission mechanism 333 can be a simple gear set consisting of two gears 333a. The output shaft of the second drive unit 332 is fixed coaxially with the driving wheel, the driving wheel meshes with the driven wheel, and the rotation shaft of the air guide panel 200 is fixed coaxially with the driven wheel. In this way, the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the air guide panel 200 after being decelerated or accelerated by a pair of gears.
[0144] For example, the transmission mechanism 333 may also include three or more gears 333a, for example, to achieve a specific direction of rotation, to increase the transmission ratio to increase torque, or to transmit power from a position on the telescopic body 331 to the connection position of the air guide panel 200. These gears 333a may be spur gears, helical gears, or other types of gears, which can be selected according to the spatial layout and transmission requirements. Multiple gears 333a may be arranged side by side or stacked one on top of the other.
[0145] It should be noted that gear transmission has advantages such as accurate transmission ratio, smooth movement, high load-bearing capacity, and long service life. It ensures precise control of the rotation angle of the air guide panel 200, thereby achieving precise airflow direction adjustment. The configuration of multiple gears 333a can be adjusted according to the transmission ratio to match the output characteristics of the second drive unit 332 with the required rotational speed and torque of the air guide panel 200. For example, increasing the number of gear pairs increases the torque, enabling the air guide panel 200 to smoothly overcome wind pressure and its own weight to rotate. Furthermore, the gear transmission layout is flexible; by adjusting the arrangement of the gears 333a, it can adapt to the limited space inside the telescopic structure 330, achieving a compact transmission design.
[0146] In some embodiments, multiple gears 333a can be arranged along the telescopic direction of the telescopic structure 330. That is, the arrangement order of the gears 333a is consistent with the direction of movement of the telescopic body 331. For example, if the telescopic structure 330 telescopically extends and retracts horizontally, then these gears 333a are arranged sequentially along the front-back direction. At the same time, the rotation centers of these gears 333a are all located on the same straight line, that is, the axes of all gears 333a are parallel and coplanar, and their centers are precisely aligned on a geometric straight line.
[0147] For example, assuming the telescopic structure 330 extends and retracts horizontally, multiple gears 333a can be arranged sequentially from front to back, with their rotation axes all set in the horizontal direction and the center points of these rotation axes all located on the same straight line in the front-back direction. This arrangement makes the entire gear transmission chain present a compact linear layout. The first gear 333a (input wheel) is coaxially fixed to the output end of the second drive unit 332 and is located at one end of the straight line; the last gear 333a (output wheel) is fixedly connected to the air guide panel 200 and is located at the other end of the straight line; the middle gears 333a mesh sequentially, transmitting power from one end to the other.
[0148] Understandably, by arranging multiple gears 333a along the telescopic direction of the telescopic structure 330 and ensuring their rotation centers are aligned on a straight line, a high degree of integration and coordination in spatial layout between the transmission mechanism 333 and the telescopic structure 330 is achieved. The linear arrangement of the gears 333a is adapted to the slender shape and single direction of motion of the telescopic structure 330, allowing the entire transmission chain to be compactly integrated inside or on one side of the telescopic body 331 without occupying additional lateral space.
[0149] It should be noted that when the telescopic body 331 extends and retracts, the entire row of gears also moves accordingly. This ensures that regardless of the position of the telescopic body 331, the transmission relationship between the power input end (second drive unit 332) and the output end (air guide panel 200) remains stable and precise. This simplifies the transmission path, reduces unnecessary steering or complex mechanisms, and improves the reliability and efficiency of the transmission. Simultaneously, the collinearity of the rotation centers of all gears 333a simplifies the installation and positioning of the gears 333a, facilitates manufacturing and assembly, and ensures the accuracy and smoothness of gear meshing.
[0150] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism 333 includes a first worm wheel, a worm, and a second worm wheel. The first and second worm wheels mesh with the same worm, meaning the worm simultaneously engages with both worm wheels, forming a worm-worm gear transmission pair. In this structure, the first worm wheel is fixedly connected to the output end of the second drive unit 332, allowing the rotational motion of the second drive unit 332 to be directly transmitted to the first worm wheel. The rotation of the first worm wheel then drives the meshing worm to rotate. The rotation of the worm, in turn, drives the meshing second worm wheel to rotate. The second worm wheel is fixedly connected to the air guide panel 200, thus ultimately transmitting the rotational motion to the air guide panel 200, driving it to rotate. For example, the second drive unit 332 can be a motor, with its output shaft coaxially fixed to the first worm wheel. When the first worm wheel rotates, it drives the worm to rotate around its own axis. Since the worm simultaneously meshes with the second worm wheel, the rotation of the worm drives the second worm wheel to rotate, thereby causing the air guide panel fixed to the second worm wheel to rotate. The first and second worm gears can be located at different positions on the worm, for example, one at each end, to achieve power steering and transmission.
[0151] It is understandable that worm gear drives inherently possess a reverse self-locking characteristic, meaning that only the worm can drive the worm wheel to rotate, and the worm wheel cannot drive the worm in the reverse direction. This characteristic, applied to the drive of the air guide panel 200, ensures that the air guide panel 200 can stably maintain any adjusted angle when affected by external airflow disturbances or its own gravity, preventing unexpected rotation and thus guaranteeing the accuracy and stability of the airflow direction. Furthermore, this transmission method has a compact structure, enabling power steering and transmission within a small space, facilitating its layout within the telescopic structure 330.
[0152] Please refer to Figure 21 In other embodiments, the transmission mechanism 333 includes a flexible transmission element 333c and two transmission wheels 333b. One of the two transmission wheels 333b is fixedly connected to the output end of the second drive unit 332, serving as the driving wheel and receiving the rotational power output by the second drive unit 332. The other of the two transmission wheels 333b is fixedly connected to the air guide panel 200, serving as the driven wheel and transmitting power to the air guide panel 200 to drive its rotation. The flexible transmission element 333c is wound around the two transmission wheels 333b to form an annular transmission belt or transmission chain, transmitting the rotational motion of the driving wheel to the driven wheel.
[0153] For example, the flexible transmission component 333c can be a synchronous belt, and the two transmission pulleys 333b are synchronous belt pulleys meshing with the synchronous belt. The driving pulley is coaxially fixed to the output shaft of the second drive unit 332, and the driven pulley is coaxially fixed to the rotation shaft of the air guide panel 200. When the second drive unit 332 is started, the driving pulley rotates, driving the driven pulley and the air guide panel 200 to rotate synchronously through the synchronous belt, thereby adjusting the air guide angle. The flexible transmission component 333c can also be a transmission belt, and the two transmission pulleys 333b are pulleys, relying on the friction between the belt and the pulleys to transmit power. Alternatively, the flexible transmission component 333c can be a chain, and the two transmission pulleys 333b are sprockets. The arrangement of the transmission pulleys 333b can be adjusted according to the internal space of the telescopic structure 330. For example, the axes of the two transmission pulleys 333b can be parallel, or they can be at a certain angle as needed. The flexible transmission component 333c can adapt to such changes in spatial angle.
[0154] Understandably, the rotational drive of the air guide panel 200 by the second drive unit 332 is achieved by employing a transmission mechanism consisting of a flexible transmission component 333c and two transmission wheels 333b. This transmission method provides greater layout flexibility, especially when the internal space of the telescopic structure 330 is limited or the center distance between the two transmission wheels is large. The flexible transmission component 333c can transmit power from the position of the second drive unit 332 to the connection position of the air guide panel 200. Compared with rigid gear transmission, flexible transmission has better shock absorption and noise reduction capabilities, and can absorb a certain amount of vibration, making the rotational movement of the air guide panel 200 smoother and quieter.
[0155] Furthermore, by selecting drive wheels 333b of different diameters, the transmission ratio can be easily adjusted to adapt to different torque and speed requirements. For example, using a small drive wheel to drive a large driven wheel can obtain greater torque, enabling the air guide panel 200 to be kept more stably at different angles.
[0156] In some embodiments, the drive housing 310 is provided with a guide groove 311, which is a recessed elongated structure whose extending direction is set to be consistent with the telescopic direction of the telescopic structure 330. Correspondingly, a guide protrusion 3311 is provided on the surface of the telescopic body 331, which is a structure that protrudes outward from the surface of the telescopic body 331, whose shape matches the guide groove 311, and the guide protrusion 3311 is accommodated within the guide groove 311.
[0157] It is understandable that by engaging the guide protrusion 3311 with the guide groove 311, a sliding connection is achieved between the telescopic body 331 and the drive housing 310, and the telescopic body 331 is guided and limited in its telescopic movement.
[0158] For example, one or more elongated grooves with rectangular, trapezoidal, or T-shaped cross-sections can be formed on the inner sidewall or bottom wall of the drive housing 310 as guide grooves 311. Correspondingly, the telescopic body 331 has a slide rail or protrusion that matches its cross-sectional shape, serving as a guide protrusion 3311. During assembly, the guide protrusion 3311 is inserted into the guide groove 311, allowing the telescopic body 331 to slide smoothly along the extension direction of the guide groove 311. The guide groove 311 can be a through groove or a blind groove closed at both ends to limit the travel distance of the telescopic body 331. The fit between the guide protrusion 3311 and the guide groove 311 can be a clearance fit to ensure smooth sliding.
[0159] It should be noted that the sliding fit between the guide groove 311 and the guide protrusion 3311 effectively constrains the movement direction of the telescopic body 331, ensuring that it extends and retracts strictly along the preset straight path, avoiding swaying or jamming during movement, and guaranteeing the stability and positional accuracy of the air guide panel 200. At the same time, the fit between the guide groove 311 and the guide protrusion 3311 also bears a portion of the load, enabling the telescopic body 331 to maintain a stable posture even when subjected to the weight of the air guide panel 200 and possible external impacts.
[0160] In some embodiments, the guide protrusion 3311 may include a plurality of circular protrusions. These circular protrusions protrude outward from the surface of the telescopic body 331 and are generally spherical, hemispherical, or cylindrical in shape. The plurality of circular protrusions are arranged sequentially at intervals along the extension direction of the guide groove 311, i.e., the telescopic direction of the telescopic structure 330.
[0161] It is understandable that a series of independent circular protrusions with a certain spacing are provided on the surface where the telescopic body 331 mates with the guide groove 311, and they are arranged in a row or column along the direction of movement.
[0162] For example, on the surface of the telescopic body 331 opposite to the guide groove 311 of the drive housing 310, a row of equally spaced cylindrical protrusions can be integrally formed or inlaid. The diameter of these protrusions matches the width of the guide groove 311, allowing each protrusion to slide within the groove. A gap is left between adjacent protrusions to reduce the friction area. The cross-section of the guide groove 311 can be an arc-shaped groove adapted to the cylindrical protrusions, or it can be a rectangular groove, with the cylindrical protrusions forming surface contact or line contact with the groove wall.
[0163] It should be noted that by setting multiple circular protrusions as guide protrusions 3311, the frictional resistance during the sliding process is reduced, making the telescopic movement of the telescopic structure 330 smoother and easier, which helps to reduce drive energy consumption and wear. At the same time, the multiple circular protrusions arranged at intervals are equivalent to multiple independent support points, which can jointly guide and limit the telescopic body 331, making its movement more stable and less prone to deviation.
[0164] Furthermore, this multi-point support structure also has a certain degree of fault tolerance; even if individual protrusions have manufacturing tolerances or slight wear, the other protrusions can still ensure good guiding performance. The circular protrusions have a simple structure and are easy to mold on the telescopic body 331 through injection molding or other methods, resulting in lower costs.
[0165] In some embodiments, the drive housing 310 is configured to include a bottom shell 312 and a top cover 313. The bottom shell 312 and the top cover 313 are interconnected, together enclosing an internal space defined as a receiving cavity. This receiving cavity is used to accommodate and mount the telescopic structure 330. The end of the receiving cavity facing the first air outlet 101 is open, forming an opening so that the telescopic structure 330 can extend from here. The telescopic structure 330 is slidably disposed within this receiving cavity, and a portion of its structure can extend from the open end of the receiving cavity to connect to the air guide panel 200.
[0166] Regarding the guiding structure, the bottom shell 312 and the top cover 313 are each provided with guide grooves 311. Correspondingly, the telescopic body 331 is provided with guide protrusions 3311 on its upper and lower surfaces. After assembly, the guide protrusions 3311 on the upper surface of the telescopic body 331 engage with and slide with the guide grooves 311 of the top cover 313, while the guide protrusions 3311 on the lower surface of the telescopic body 331 engage with and slide with the guide grooves 311 of the bottom shell 312. In this way, the telescopic body 331 is constrained and guided by the guide grooves 311 in both the vertical and horizontal directions.
[0167] For example, the bottom shell 312 and the top cover 313 can be two independent injection-molded parts, fixed together by snaps or screws. The bottom inner surface of the bottom shell 312 is formed with a lower guide groove 311 along the telescopic direction, and the top inner surface of the top cover 313 is formed with an upper guide groove 311 at a corresponding position. The telescopic body 331 can be generally plate-shaped or block-shaped, with multiple circular protrusions or continuous ridges integrally formed on its top and bottom surfaces as guide protrusions 3311. When the telescopic body 331 is installed into the receiving cavity, the protrusions on its top surface are embedded in the guide grooves 311 of the top cover 313, and the protrusions on its bottom surface are embedded in the guide grooves 311 of the bottom shell 312, realizing bidirectional positioning and guidance.
[0168] It should be noted that the upper and lower clamping guide structure can effectively limit the vertical jump and tilt of the telescopic body 331, ensuring that it maintains a stable horizontal posture during telescopic movement, thereby ensuring the smoothness of the movement and the accuracy of the position of the air guide panel 200 connected to the telescopic body 331.
[0169] In addition, the design of the upper and lower double guide grooves 311 makes the support of the telescopic body 331 in the accommodating cavity more balanced, the stress condition better, and it can withstand a larger off-center load moment, thereby improving the rigidity and reliability of the entire first drive assembly 300.
[0170] In some embodiments, there may be two first drive components 300, which are respectively disposed on the horizontal sides of the first air outlet 101, that is, one is located on the left side of the first air outlet 101 and the other is located on the right side of the first air outlet 101. Both first drive components 300 are connected to the same air guide panel 200, and they are configured to synchronously drive the air guide panel 200 to move and rotate.
[0171] It is understandable that the two first drive components 300 are coordinated in motion, extending or retracting simultaneously, driving the air guide panel 200 to rotate at the same speed and angle, thereby jointly controlling the movement of the air guide panel 200.
[0172] For example, inside the casing 100 of the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner, a first drive assembly 300 is installed on each of the left and right sides of the first air outlet 101. Each first drive assembly 300 includes its own drive housing 310, first drive unit 320, and telescopic structure 330. The left and right ends of the back of the air guide panel 200 are respectively connected to the ends of the telescopic structures 330 of the two first drive assemblies 300. The two first drive assemblies 300 are controlled by the same control signal or through a linkage mechanism to ensure that they operate synchronously. When it is necessary to open the air outlet, the first drive units 320 of the two first drive assemblies 300 start synchronously, driving their respective telescopic structures 330 to extend outward at the same speed, jointly pushing the air guide panel 200 to move forward smoothly. When it is necessary to adjust the airflow direction, the second drive units 332 inside the two first drive assemblies 300 also operate synchronously, driving the air guide panel 200 to rotate around the horizontal axis.
[0173] It should be noted that the dual-side drive effectively distributes the driving force evenly across both ends of the air guide panel 200, avoiding problems such as tilting, jamming, or uneven force distribution that can occur with single-side drive. Especially when the air guide panel 200 is large or heavy, dual-side synchronous drive ensures the smoothness and consistency of its translational and rotational movements, improving reliability and lifespan. Simultaneously, dual-side synchronous drive ensures the air guide panel 200 maintains the correct posture during movement, guaranteeing a uniform gap between it and the first air outlet 101, improving overall appearance and sealing performance. Furthermore, it enhances the load-bearing capacity of the drive system, enabling it to accommodate larger or heavier new air guide panels 200.
[0174] In some embodiments, the housing 100 has openings 102 on both horizontal sides of the first air outlet 101, that is, an opening 102 penetrating the wall of the housing 100 is provided on the left and right sides respectively.
[0175] Understandably, when the air guide panel 200 covers the first air outlet 101, i.e., when it is in the closed state, the side portion of the air guide panel 200 extends to the side of the first air outlet 101 and covers these openings 102. At the same time, the telescopic structures 330 of the two first drive components 300 pass through these openings 102 and are connected to the air guide panel 200.
[0176] For example, on the front panel of the housing 100, there is a large first air outlet 101 in the center, with a smaller opening 102 on each of its left and right sides. Two first drive assemblies 300 are respectively installed inside the housing 100 on the left and right sides, with the front ends of their telescopic structures 330 extending out from these two openings 102. The size of the air guide panel 200 is designed to be slightly larger than the first air outlet 101, and its left and right edges completely cover the two openings 102 when the panel is closed. After the front ends of the telescopic structures 330 pass through the openings 102, they are fixedly connected to the back of the air guide panel 200.
[0177] It should be noted that when the air guide panel 200 is closed, it covers the opening 102, maintaining the visual continuity and integrity of the front panel of the entire housing 100. Hiding the opening 102, used for drive and connection, behind the air guide panel 200 enhances the overall aesthetics of the indoor air conditioning unit 10. Furthermore, the air guide panel provides some protection, preventing foreign objects from accidentally entering the housing 100 through these openings 102.
[0178] In some embodiments, the drive housing 310 has fixing portions 314 at both ends along its length. These fixing portions 314 are specific structures for connecting the drive housing 310 to the housing 100. Correspondingly, the inner wall of the housing 100 has fixing brackets 103 that correspond one-to-one with these fixing portions 314, that is, each fixing portion 314 has a fixing bracket 103 that specifically cooperates with it. By passing fasteners through or acting on the fixing portions 314 and fixing brackets 103, the two are firmly connected together, thereby achieving the fixed installation of the drive housing 310 inside the housing 100.
[0179] For example, the drive housing 310 can be an elongated component with a lug with a through hole extending from each of its front and rear ends as a fixing part 314. The inner wall of the housing 100 has a boss with a threaded hole at the corresponding position as a fixing bracket 103. During assembly, the drive housing 310 is placed in a predetermined position, with the through holes of the lugs at both ends aligned with the threaded holes on the inner wall of the housing 100. Then, screws are used as fasteners, passing through the through holes of the lugs and screwed into the threaded holes. After tightening, the drive housing 310 is firmly fixed to the inner wall of the housing 100.
[0180] For example, the fixing part 314 can also be a hook structure, and the fixing bracket 103 can be a slot, which is fixed by snap-fit connection. In this case, the fastener can be an auxiliary buckle or omitted. The connection between the fixing part 314 and the fixing bracket 103 can be detachable to facilitate maintenance and replacement.
[0181] Please refer to Figure 15 and Figure 16 In some embodiments, there may be multiple first drive components 300, and these multiple first drive components 300 are arranged sequentially in the height direction of the first air outlet 101, that is, arranged vertically.
[0182] The first drive assembly 300, located near the upper side of the first air outlet 101, is connected to the upper side of the air guide panel 200. This first drive assembly 300 is configured to push the upper side of the air guide panel 200 relative to its lower side outwards from the first air outlet 101. This deflection causes the air guide panel 200 to form an inclined posture with its upper side forward and its lower side relatively backward, thereby guiding the airflow upwards.
[0183] Accordingly, the first drive assembly 300 near the lower side of the first air outlet 101 is connected to the lower side of the air guide panel 200, and the first drive assembly 300 is configured to push the lower side of the air guide panel 200 relative to its upper side to deflect outward of the first air outlet 101, so that the air guide panel 200 forms an inclined posture with the lower side forward and the upper side relatively backward, thereby guiding the airflow downward.
[0184] For example, a first drive assembly 300 can be provided at the upper and lower positions of the first air outlet 101. The telescopic end of the upper first drive assembly 300 is connected to the top of the air guide panel 200, and the telescopic end of the lower first drive assembly 300 is connected to the bottom of the air guide panel 200. When upward airflow is required, the upper first drive assembly 300 extends, pushing the top of the air guide panel 200 forward, while the lower first drive assembly 300 remains retracted or relatively retracted, keeping the bottom of the panel in place or relatively rearward, thus forming an upward tilt angle. Conversely, when downward airflow is required, the lower first drive assembly 300 extends, pushing the bottom of the panel forward, while the upper first drive assembly 300 remains retracted, forming a downward tilt angle.
[0185] It should be noted that there can be more than two first drive components 300, for example, three or four drive points can be set in the vertical direction to achieve more complex surface deformation or multi-segment air guidance.
[0186] Those skilled in the art will understand that multi-point drive allows the air guide panel 200 to flexibly form different tilt angles, thereby precisely guiding airflow in the desired direction. For example, in cooling mode, it can guide cold air upwards, or in heating mode, it can guide hot air downwards, thus improving human comfort. Compared to a single rotary axis drive, multi-point drive can achieve a wider range of air guiding angles, and by controlling the extension of different drive components, the air guide panel 200 can present more diverse curved shapes, thereby achieving a more uniform and gentle air delivery effect.
[0187] The specific location of the first air outlet 101 on the housing 100 will be described in detail below.
[0188] Please refer to Figures 17 to 20 and combined Figures 1 to 7 In one possible implementation, the first air outlet 101 can be positioned slightly lower on the housing 100. Specifically, the vertical distance between the first air outlet 101 and the top of the housing 100 is greater than the vertical distance between the first air outlet 101 and the bottom of the housing 100, meaning that the overall position of the first air outlet 101 is closer to the bottom of the housing 100 than the top.
[0189] Understandably, by placing the first air outlet 101 closer to the bottom of the casing 100, the airflow organization of the indoor unit 10 is optimized, especially its performance in heating mode. Since hot air naturally rises, placing the air outlet at a lower position allows the blown hot air to more effectively cover the lower part of the room, the main area of human activity, thereby improving comfort during heating and preventing hot air from accumulating at the top of the room and failing to descend. Simultaneously, in cooling mode, cold air naturally sinks, and delivering cold air from a lower air outlet also facilitates the even distribution and natural convection of cold air in the indoor space, reducing the discomfort of cold air blowing directly on people. Furthermore, this layout also leaves more space at the top of the casing 100 for the placement of other functional modules, such as the display panel and sensors, making the overall structural design more rational and compact.
[0190] In some embodiments, the housing 100 has a first side 110 away from the wall, i.e., the front of the indoor unit 10 facing the indoor space after installation. A first air outlet 101 is provided on the first side 110 for directly delivering treated air into the indoor space. The housing 100 also has a second side 120 facing the wall, i.e., the back, and a third side 130 connecting the first side 110 and the second side 120, i.e., the side surface. A return air outlet 104 is provided on the third side 130, which is connected to the indoor environment where the housing 100 is located, for drawing indoor air into the indoor unit 10 for treatment.
[0191] The indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner also includes a first centrifugal fan 400, which is disposed inside the casing 100. The first centrifugal fan 400 has an air inlet and an air outlet. Its air inlet is connected to a return air inlet 104 on the casing 100, so that indoor air can be drawn in from the return air inlet 104 and enter the first centrifugal fan 400. The air outlet of the first centrifugal fan 400 is connected to a first air outlet 101 on the casing 100, so that the airflow driven by the first centrifugal fan 400 is finally sent back to the room through the first air outlet 101.
[0192] For example, in the indoor unit 10 of a cabinet air conditioner, a first air outlet 101 is provided on its front panel, while a grille-shaped return air outlet 104 is provided on its third side 130. A first centrifugal fan 400 is installed inside the casing 100, with its volute inlet facing the return air outlet 104, and its volute outlet connected to the first air outlet 101 via a duct. When the first centrifugal fan 400 operates, indoor air is drawn in from the return air outlet 104 on the third side 130, processed by a possible heat exchanger, and then blown out from the first air outlet 101 on the front panel.
[0193] Understandably, the front-mounted air supply and side-mounted return air circulation method spatially separates the supply and return air, preventing airflow short-circuiting and thus improving the efficiency of air circulation and heat exchange. The side-mounted return air design also facilitates the even intake of air from various heights and areas within the room, resulting in more comprehensive indoor air circulation. Simultaneously, placing the return air vent 104 on the side maintains the clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the front panel, retaining only the air outlet and enhancing the overall appearance of the product. The high static pressure characteristics of the first centrifugal fan 400 effectively overcome duct resistance, ensuring sufficient airflow from the front air outlet and guaranteeing the cooling or heating effect of the air conditioner.
[0194] In some embodiments, the housing 100 may have two second sides 120, which are connected to each other and face two adjacent walls respectively. The indoor unit 10 may be installed in a corner of the room, with its two back sides facing two walls that are perpendicular to each other or at an angle.
[0195] Accordingly, the third side 130 of the housing 100 is also constructed as two, which are respectively connected between the two second sides 120 and the two sides of the first side 110. That is, the left and right ends of the first side 110 are respectively connected to a second side 120 through a third side 130, so that the overall cross-section of the housing 100 is approximately pentagonal or other shape suitable for corner installation. Return air vents 104 are provided on both of these third sides 130.
[0196] The first centrifugal fan 400 inside the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner is configured to have air inlets on both sides of its axial direction, making it a double-sided air-intake centrifugal fan. The air inlets on both sides of the first centrifugal fan 400 are connected to return air inlets 104 on two third sides 130 via ducts or other structures. In this way, indoor air can be simultaneously drawn into the first centrifugal fan 400 from two different sides.
[0197] For example, when the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner is installed in a corner of the room, the two second sides 120 of the casing 100 are respectively attached to or face the two walls, and the two third sides 130 are respectively facing the extension direction of the two walls. The first centrifugal fan 400 is installed horizontally or vertically inside the casing 100, and its two air inlets are respectively connected to the return air inlets 104 on the left and right sides (third sides 130). When the fan is running, it can simultaneously draw in air from both directions of the room to achieve double-sided return air.
[0198] Understandably, the use of a first centrifugal fan 400 with dual-sided air intake enables bidirectional return air function when installed in a corner. This structure allows the indoor unit 10 to make full use of the corner space while evenly drawing in indoor air from two different directions of the room, which helps to improve the efficiency and uniformity of return air and avoids the problem of local air stagnation that may be caused by unidirectional return air.
[0199] It should be noted that centrifugal fans with dual-sided air intakes are characterized by large air volume and uniform airflow distribution. They can effectively handle airflow from both directions, providing a stable and sufficient air source for subsequent air conditioning (such as heat exchange), thereby improving the overall performance of the unit and the uniformity of air circulation in the room. In addition, this symmetrical layout also allows the product to better adapt to complex corner installation environments, maintaining aesthetic harmony.
[0200] In some embodiments, a heat exchanger 600 is provided between the return air inlet 104 and the air inlet of the first centrifugal fan 400. The heat exchanger 600 is a heat exchange component for cooling or heating air, such as a finned tube heat exchanger.
[0201] The arrangement of the heat exchanger 600 is described as extending from the third side 130 of the casing 100 to the second side 120. That is, the heat exchanger 600 is not a simple flat plate, but a three-dimensional structure with a certain curvature or coverage area, with one side close to or facing the third side 130 (side), and the other side extending to or close to the second side 120 (back).
[0202] For example, in the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner, the return air vent 104 is located on the third side 130, i.e., the side. The heat exchanger 600 can be an L-shaped or V-shaped heat exchanger, with one part located near the third side 130 to contact the air entering from the return air vent 104, and the other part bent and extended to the second side 120, i.e., the back, thereby covering a wider air intake area. Alternatively, the heat exchanger 600 can also be an arc-shaped or flat plate shape, but installed at an angle so that one end is closer to the third side 130 and the other end is closer to the second side 120. The indoor air entering from the return air vent 104 will pass through this heat exchanger 600 on its path to the air inlet of the first centrifugal fan 400, where it will exchange heat with the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger 600 to achieve cooling or heating, before being drawn into the first centrifugal fan 400.
[0203] Understandably, by installing a heat exchanger 600 extending from the third side 130 to the second side 120 between the return air vent 104 and the air inlet of the first centrifugal fan 400, the function of fully exchanging heat with the indoor air entering the air conditioning unit 10 is achieved. The large area coverage of the heat exchanger 600 ensures that the air drawn in from the side return air vent 104 can have sufficient contact and heat exchange with the surface of the heat exchanger 600 before entering the fan, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency and ensuring the cooling or heating effect of the air conditioner.
[0204] It should be noted that the design of extending the heat exchanger 600 from the third side 130 to the second side 120 cleverly utilizes the corner space of the casing 100, allowing a larger area of the heat exchanger 600 to be arranged within the limited volume of the casing 100. This improves the heat exchange capacity per unit volume and helps to achieve miniaturization and high performance of the indoor air conditioning unit 10. At the same time, this layout also makes the airflow path smoother, allowing air to directly enter the fan after passing through the heat exchanger 600, reducing unnecessary bends and resistance.
[0205] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner may further include a second centrifugal fan 500, which is disposed above the first centrifugal fan 400, that is, the two are arranged vertically inside the casing 100.
[0206] The second centrifugal fan 500 has an air inlet and an air outlet. Its air inlet is also connected to the return air inlet 104 on the casing 100. That is, the second centrifugal fan 500 can share the same return air inlet 104 with the first centrifugal fan 400, or they can both draw in indoor air from the return air inlet 104 through branched air ducts. At the same time, the top of the casing 100 is provided with a second air outlet 105, which is another air outlet opening different from the first air outlet 101.
[0207] Understandably, the outlet of the second centrifugal fan 500 is connected to the second outlet 105 located at the top, so that the airflow driven by the second centrifugal fan 500 can eventually be discharged from the top of the casing 100.
[0208] For example, inside the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner, a first centrifugal fan 400 is installed at the bottom or lower-middle part to deliver air from the first air outlet 101 on the front. A second centrifugal fan 500 is installed directly above the first centrifugal fan 400 and is connected to the second air outlet 105 at the top of the casing 100 via an upwardly extending air duct. When the second centrifugal fan 500 is operating, it draws indoor air in from the return air inlet 104, processes it through a possible heat exchanger 600, and then discharges it upward from the second air outlet 105 at the top.
[0209] It should be noted that the dual centrifugal fan design allows the indoor unit 10 to simultaneously deliver treated air to different heights or areas within the room. For example, the lower first air outlet 101 can be used to deliver air to the middle or lower part of the room, while the upper second air outlet 105 can deliver air to the top of the room, promoting three-dimensional air circulation and uniform temperature distribution throughout the room.
[0210] Furthermore, the two independent fans can be controlled separately according to different operating modes. For example, during cooling, the upper fan is mainly used to promote the sinking of cold air, while during heating, the lower fan is mainly used to send hot air to the vicinity of the ground, thus more precisely meeting comfort requirements. Moreover, the 100mm height space of the casing is fully utilized, making the overall structure more compact and the functions more powerful.
[0211] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 10 of the air conditioner may further include a second drive assembly 700 and an air guide flap 800. The second drive assembly 700 is disposed on the inner side of the top wall of the housing 100, that is, installed inside the housing 100 near the top. The air guide flap 800 is disposed at the second air outlet 105 at the top of the housing 100, and is a movable plate-shaped component used to control the airflow discharged from the air outlet.
[0212] The second drive assembly 700 is connected to the air guide flap 800 and is configured to drive the air guide flap 800 to rotate. This rotational movement enables the opening and closing of the second air outlet 105.
[0213] For example, the second drive assembly 700 may include a drive motor 710, a rocker arm 720, and a connecting rod 730. The drive motor 710 serves as a power source, and its output shaft is fixedly connected to one end of the rocker arm 720, allowing the rocker arm 720 to rotate with the motor output shaft. The other end of the rocker arm 720 is rotatably connected to one end of the connecting rod 730, forming a hinge point that can rotate relative to each other. The other end of the connecting rod 730 is rotatably connected to the air guide flap 800.
[0214] Thus, the drive motor 710, rocker arm 720, connecting rod 730, and air guide flap 800 together constitute a crank-rocker mechanism or a similar linkage transmission mechanism. For example, the drive motor 710 is fixedly mounted on the inner side of the top wall of the housing 100, with its output shaft extending vertically downwards or horizontally. The rocker arm 720 is a rod-shaped part with a shaft hole at one end, which is interference-fitted with the motor output shaft or fixed by a key connection. The other end of the rocker arm 720 has a pin or round hole, which forms a rotatable connection with one end of the connecting rod 730 via a pin. The other end of the connecting rod 730 is also rotatably connected to a connecting lug on the back of the air guide flap 800 via a pin.
[0215] Understandably, when the drive motor 710 starts, its output shaft drives the swing arm 720 to swing in a circular or fan-shaped manner. The swing of the swing arm 720 is converted into the rotational motion of the air guide flap 800 through the connecting rod 730, thereby opening or closing the second air outlet 105, or adjusting its opening angle.
[0216] It should be noted that by employing a linkage mechanism, the rotational motion of the motor can be effectively converted into the oscillation of the air guide flap 800. Furthermore, by changing the length ratio of the swing arm 720 and the connecting rod 730, the rotation angle range and torque of the air guide flap 800 can be adjusted to meet different design requirements. The linkage drive offers advantages such as smooth motion, low impact, and ease of remote control, allowing the drive motor 710 to be flexibly positioned at a suitable location on the inner side of the top wall of the housing 100, while the power is transmitted to the air guide flap 800 via the connecting rod 730.
[0217] This application provides an air conditioning device, which includes the indoor unit 10 of the above-described technical solution.
[0218] The air conditioning unit can be the indoor unit of a split-type air conditioning system, such as a wall-mounted indoor unit, a cabinet-type indoor unit, a ceiling-mounted indoor unit, or a duct-type indoor unit. In these units, the aforementioned indoor unit 10 serves as the core unit, responsible for heat exchange and airflow organization of the indoor air. The air conditioning unit typically also includes an outdoor unit that works in conjunction with the indoor unit 10; the two are connected via refrigerant piping to form a complete cooling or heating cycle system.
[0219] For example, in a household split-type air conditioner, the indoor unit 10 is installed in the corner of the room. It delivers cold or hot air to the room through the first air outlet 101, and the opening and closing of the air outlet and the direction of air delivery are flexibly adjusted through the air guide panel 200 and the first drive assembly 300.
[0220] It should be noted that the air conditioning equipment provided in this application embodiment has all the beneficial effects brought by the indoor unit 10. Specifically, the indoor unit 10, through its unique air guide panel 200 and first drive assembly 300 design, achieves flexible adjustment of the air outlet opening and closing and the air guiding direction. This not only keeps the casing 100 clean and aesthetically pleasing when not in operation, preventing dust from entering, but also allows for precise control of the air delivery angle according to user needs during operation, achieving both cooling and heating distribution. It also provides a wider air delivery angle and range, enhancing user comfort. Simultaneously, the optimized internal structural layout of the indoor unit 10, such as multi-point drive, multi-degree-of-freedom movement, dual-side air intake, and multi-layer fan settings, endows the entire air conditioning equipment with higher performance, better air circulation, and a wider range of applications, thereby providing users with a more comfortable, convenient, and efficient user experience.
[0221] The embodiments or implementation methods in this application are described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other.
[0222] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
[0223] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms “comprising” and “having” as used herein, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, display structure, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are expressly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not expressly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.
[0224] The term "and / or" used in this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.
[0225] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.
[0226] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application 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 or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. An indoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The housing has a first air outlet, which is used to discharge air to the environment in which the housing is located. An air guide panel is located at the first air outlet; The first drive component is disposed inside the housing and is opposite to the first air outlet; The air guide panel is connected to the first driving component; the first driving component is configured to drive the air guide panel to move relative to the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel can open and close the first air outlet, and adjust the air guiding direction when the first air outlet is open.
2. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guide panel has at least two degrees of freedom of movement relative to the first air outlet. The first drive component is configured to drive the air guide panel to translate outward from the first air outlet, and the first drive component is configured to drive the air guide panel to rotate so that the air guide direction can be adjusted after the air guide panel opens the first air outlet.
3. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first drive assembly includes a drive housing, a first drive unit, and a telescopic structure. The first drive unit is connected to the drive housing, and the telescopic structure is disposed on the drive housing. The air guide panel is connected to the telescopic structure; The first drive unit is connected to the telescopic structure and can drive the telescopic structure to move telescopically relative to the drive housing, thereby causing the air guide panel to move relative to the first air outlet.
4. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the telescopic structure retracts relative to the drive housing, the air guide panel is parallel to the plane where the first air outlet is located, and the air guide panel covers the first air outlet. When the telescopic structure extends relative to the drive housing, the telescopic structure can drive the air guide panel to rotate around the horizontal axis so that the air guide panel has an inclined angle with the plane where the first air outlet is located.
5. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The telescopic structure is connected to the middle of the air guide panel in the vertical direction; when the telescopic structure drives the air guide panel to rotate, the air guide panel has a first position and a second position. When the air guide panel is rotated to the first position, the lower edge of the air guide panel is close to the lower edge of the first air outlet, and the upper edge of the air guide panel is far away from the upper edge of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel is tilted upward relative to the plane where the first air outlet is located, and guides the airflow of the first air outlet to flow upward. When the air guide panel is rotated to the second position, the lower edge of the air guide panel is far away from the lower edge of the first air outlet, and the upper edge of the air guide panel is close to the upper edge of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel is tilted downward relative to the plane where the first air outlet is located, and guides the airflow of the first air outlet to flow downward.
6. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The telescopic structure includes a telescopic body, a second drive unit, and a transmission mechanism; the telescopic body is slidably connected to the drive housing, the second drive unit is connected to the telescopic body, the transmission mechanism is disposed on the telescopic body, the output end of the second drive unit is connected to the input end of the transmission mechanism, and the output end of the transmission mechanism is fixedly connected to the air guide panel; the second drive unit is configured to drive the air guide panel to rotate through the transmission mechanism.
7. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes multiple gears that mesh sequentially, and the output end of the second drive unit is coaxially and fixedly connected to one of the multiple gears; the air guide panel is fixedly connected to another of the multiple gears.
8. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The multiple gears are arranged along the telescopic direction of the telescopic structure; the rotation centers of the multiple gears are located on a straight line.
9. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a flexible transmission element and two transmission wheels. One of the two transmission wheels is fixedly connected to the output end of the second drive unit, and the other of the two transmission wheels is fixedly connected to the air guide panel. The flexible transmission element is wound around the two transmission wheels.
10. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a first worm gear, a worm, and a second worm gear, with the first worm gear and the second worm gear meshing with the worm respectively; the first worm gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the second drive unit, and the second worm gear is fixedly connected to the air guide panel.
11. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The drive housing is provided with a guide groove, the extension direction of which is consistent with the extension direction of the telescopic structure; the surface of the telescopic body is provided with a guide protrusion, which is located in the guide groove.
12. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 11, characterized in that, The guide protrusion includes multiple circular protrusions, which are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the guide groove.
13. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 11, characterized in that, The drive housing includes a bottom shell and a top cover. The bottom shell and the top cover are connected and surround to form a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity is open at one end facing the first air outlet. The telescopic structure is slidably disposed in the receiving cavity, and part of the structure extends out from the opening of the receiving cavity. The bottom shell and the top cover are respectively provided with the guide groove, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the telescopic body are respectively provided with the guide protrusion. The guide protrusion on the upper surface of the telescopic body is connected with the guide groove of the top cover, and the guide protrusion on the lower surface of the telescopic body is connected with the guide protrusion of the bottom shell.
14. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are two first drive components, which are respectively located on the horizontal sides of the first air outlet. The two first drive components synchronously drive the air guide panel to move and rotate.
15. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 14, characterized in that, The housing has openings on both horizontal sides of the first air outlet; when the air guide panel covers the first air outlet, the side portion of the air guide panel extends to the side of the first air outlet and covers the opening; the telescopic structure passes through the opening and is connected to the air guide panel.
16. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive housing has a fixing part at each end along its length, and the inner wall of the housing has a fixing bracket that corresponds to the fixing part. The fixing part is connected to the fixing bracket by fasteners.
17. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple first drive components, and the multiple first drive components are arranged in the height direction of the first air outlet; The first drive component, located near the upper side of the first air outlet, is connected to the upper side of the air guide panel and is configured to push the upper side of the air guide panel relative to the lower side toward the outside of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel guides the airflow upward. The first drive assembly, located near the lower side of the first air outlet, is connected to the lower side of the air guide panel and is configured to push the lower side of the air guide panel relative to the upper side toward the outside of the first air outlet, so that the air guide panel guides the airflow downward.
18. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1-17, characterized in that, The distance between the first air outlet and the top of the housing is greater than the distance between the first air outlet and the bottom of the housing.
19. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any one of claims 1-17, characterized in that, The housing has a first side away from the wall, and the first air outlet is located on the first side; the housing has a second side facing the wall, and a third side connected between the first side and the second side; the third side is provided with a return air outlet communicating with the environment in which the housing is located; The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a first centrifugal fan, which is disposed inside the casing. The air inlet of the first centrifugal fan is connected to the return air inlet, and the air outlet of the first centrifugal fan is connected to the first air outlet.
20. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 19, characterized in that, There are two second sides, which are connected together and are respectively opposite to two adjacent walls; there are two third sides, which are respectively connected between the two second sides and the two sides of the first side; each of the two third sides is provided with a return air vent; The first centrifugal fan has air inlets on both sides of its axial direction, and the air inlets on both sides of the first centrifugal fan are respectively connected to the return air inlets on the two third sides.
21. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 19, characterized in that, A heat exchanger is provided between the return air inlet and the air inlet of the first centrifugal fan; the heat exchanger extends from the third side to the second side.
22. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 19, characterized in that, The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a second centrifugal fan, which is located above the first centrifugal fan and the air inlet of the second centrifugal fan is connected to the return air inlet; the top of the casing is provided with a second air outlet, and the air outlet of the second centrifugal fan is connected to the second air outlet.
23. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 22, characterized in that, The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes a second drive assembly and an air guide flap. The second drive assembly is disposed on the inner side of the top wall of the housing, and the air guide flap is disposed at the second air outlet. The second drive assembly is configured to drive the air guide flap to rotate in order to open or close the second air outlet.
24. The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 23, characterized in that, The second drive assembly includes a drive motor, a swing arm, and a connecting rod. The output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to one end of the swing arm, the other end of the swing arm is rotatably connected to the connecting rod, and the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the air guide flap.
25. An air conditioning device, characterized in that, include: The indoor unit of the air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1-24.