Air conditioner and indoor unit thereof

By setting out the outlet pipe under the water connection tray of the indoor air conditioner and using the heat generated by the compressor to heat the outer surface of the water connection tray, the problem of condensation drops is solved, the user experience is improved, and waste heat is reused.

CN222480736UActive Publication Date: 2025-02-14TCL AIR CONDITIONER ZHONGSHAN CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202421190710.0
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-05-28
Publication Date
2025-02-14
Estimated Expiration
2034-05-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The water connection tray in the indoor unit of the air conditioner is prone to condensation due to low temperature condensation, which causes condensation to drop, affecting the user experience.

Method used

By setting a part of the outlet pipe under the water connection tray and connecting it with the exhaust pipe of the compressor, the heat generated by the compressor is used to dodge the outer surface of the water tray for heating, reducing the generation of condensation.

Benefits of technology

Effectively reduce or avoid the dew droplet phenomenon, improve user experience, and realize the reuse of waste heat of the air conditioner assembly.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides an air conditioner and an indoor unit thereof. The indoor unit comprises an evaporator; the water pan is arranged below the evaporator and is used for receiving condensate water generated on the surface of the evaporator; one end of the outlet pipe is connected to the evaporator, the other end of the outlet pipe is used for being connected with an exhaust pipe of the compressor, and a part of the outlet pipe is arranged below the water pan so that heat generated by the compressor can be used for heating the water pan. The outlet pipe is adopted to heat the outer surface of the water receiving disc, the condensation phenomenon can be reduced or avoided, then the water dripping situation of the indoor unit is avoided, and the use experience of a user can be improved; and moreover, heat generated by the compressor is reused, a heating source does not need to be additionally arranged, and waste heat recycling of the whole air conditioner is achieved.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of air conditioners, and in particular, relates to an air conditioner and an indoor unit thereof. Background Art

[0002] An air conditioner usually includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Its refrigeration cycle is achieved by converting and processing the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The evaporator in the indoor unit absorbs heat to convert the refrigerant from a low-pressure liquid to a low-pressure gas. Condensed water will be produced in this process, so a water tray is provided in the indoor unit to receive this condensed water. However, since the water tray receives low-temperature condensed water, condensation is likely to form on the outer surface of the water tray. After the condensation gathers, it is easy for the condensed water to drip, affecting the user's experience of using the air conditioner. Utility Model Content

[0003] The embodiment of the present application provides an air conditioner and an indoor unit thereof, which can reduce the probability of condensation water gathering and dripping, and improve the user experience.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an indoor unit of an air conditioner, the air conditioner further comprising an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising a compressor, and the indoor unit comprising:

[0005] Evaporator;

[0006] A water receiving tray is arranged below the evaporator to receive condensed water generated on the surface of the evaporator;

[0007] An outlet pipe has one end connected to the evaporator, and the other end of the outlet pipe is used to be connected to the exhaust pipe of the compressor, and a part of the outlet pipe is arranged below the water receiving pan to use the heat generated by the compressor to heat the water receiving pan.

[0008] Optionally, the outlet pipe below the water receiving tray is in a bent shape.

[0009] Optionally, the indoor unit further includes:

[0010] A throttle valve is arranged at one end of the outlet pipe connected to the evaporator to control the opening of the outlet pipe.

[0011] Optionally, the indoor unit has a working state and a cleaning state. In the working state, the throttle valve has a first opening; in the cleaning state, the throttle valve has a second opening, and the second opening is greater than the first opening.

[0012] Optionally, the water receiving tray has a connected water tank and a liquid outlet;

[0013] The water receiving tray comprises retaining ribs, and the retaining ribs are arranged in the water tank to filter out debris when the water receiving tray drains water from the liquid outlet.

[0014] Optionally, the retaining ribs include a plurality of first retaining ribs and a plurality of second retaining ribs, and a diameter of each of the first retaining ribs is greater than a diameter of any of the second retaining ribs.

[0015] Optionally, the plurality of first blocking ribs and the plurality of second blocking ribs are arranged in two rows, and the blocking ribs in two adjacent rows are staggered.

[0016] Optionally, at least one second barrier rib is arranged between two adjacent first barrier ribs in the same row.

[0017] Optionally, the indoor unit further includes a condenser, which is connected to the outlet pipe and is used to be connected to the compressor.

[0018] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides an air conditioner, comprising:

[0019] an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising a compressor;

[0020] An indoor unit, such as the indoor unit described in any one of the above items, wherein the evaporator of the indoor unit is connected to the compressor through a pipeline.

[0021] In the air conditioner and its indoor unit in the embodiment of the present application, an outlet pipe is used to heat the outer surface of the water pan, which can reduce or avoid the phenomenon of condensation, thereby avoiding dripping of the indoor unit, and improving the user experience; and, the heat generated by the reused compressor does not require an additional heating source, thereby realizing the reuse of waste heat from the entire air conditioner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative work.

[0023] In order to more completely understand the present application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals represent the same parts.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the connection between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow path of the air conditioner in cooling mode provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of the indoor unit of the air conditioner from a first angle provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram from a second angle of the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of point A in the middle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] In order to reduce or avoid condensation on the outer surface of the water tray and the problem of condensation accumulating and causing dripping in the indoor unit, an embodiment of the present application provides an air conditioner and an indoor unit thereof, which will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0032] See also Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The present invention provides an air conditioner 100, which is a mechanical device for cooling and lowering the temperature. The air conditioner 100 is equipped with a complete cooling system, a fan and some controllers.

[0033] Exemplarily, the air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 110 and an indoor unit 120, see Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 The connection diagram of the indoor unit and the outdoor unit provided in the embodiment of the present application, the outdoor unit 110 and the indoor unit 120 are named according to their respective locations, because the air conditioner 100 needs to extract the indoor hot air and discharge it to the outside, so it needs the cooperation of the outdoor unit 110 and the indoor unit 120 to achieve. Accordingly, multiple components in the refrigeration system can be respectively arranged in the outdoor unit 110 and the indoor unit 120 according to their functions.

[0034] The cooling of the air conditioner 100 can be achieved by dividing it into four processes, namely, the compression process, the condensation process, the throttling process and the evaporation process. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3The schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow path of the air conditioner in the cooling mode provided by the embodiment of the present application is that during the compression process, starting from the compressor 112, the refrigerant gas enters the compressor 112 under a low temperature and low pressure state, is compressed in the compressor 112, and is discharged into the condenser after the pressure and temperature of the gas are increased. During the condensation process, the high temperature and high pressure gas discharged from the compressor 112 enters the condenser, transfers heat to the outside air or cooling water, condenses into liquid refrigerant, and flows to the throttling device. The throttling process is also called the expansion process. The refrigerant liquid flowing out of the condenser flows to the throttling device under high pressure to perform throttling and decompression. During the evaporation process, the low pressure refrigerant liquid flowing out of the throttling device flows into the evaporator, absorbs the heat from the outside and evaporates into gas, thereby reducing the temperature of the outside. The evaporated low temperature and low pressure gas is sucked back by the compressor 112, and is recompressed, condensed, throttled, evaporated, and circulated and refrigerated in sequence.

[0035] Exemplarily, the outdoor unit 110 includes a compressor 112, which is an important component of the air conditioner 100. The compressor 112 is loaded to suck the refrigerant from the evaporator, and then compress the refrigerant to increase its temperature and pressure, so that the refrigerant can flow smoothly in the next cycle. The exhaust pipe of the compressor 112 will discharge high-temperature and high-pressure gas.

[0036] For example, please combine Figure 3 Also see Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in the embodiment of the present application from a first angle, Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram from a second angle of the indoor unit of the air conditioner provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the indoor unit 120 includes an evaporator 121 , a water receiving tray 122 and an outlet pipe 123 .

[0037] The evaporator 121 converts low-pressure liquid refrigerant into low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. During this process, the evaporator 121 absorbs external heat to reduce the indoor temperature.

[0038] The water receiving pan 122 is arranged below the evaporator 121 to receive the condensed water generated on the surface of the evaporator 121. Condensed water will be generated in the process of the evaporator 121 changing the refrigerant from a low-pressure liquid state to a low-pressure gas state. In order to prevent the condensed water from flowing out of the indoor unit 120 and affecting the user experience, a water receiving pan 122 is provided to receive this part of the condensed water. It is understandable that the projection of the evaporator 121 on the water receiving pan 122 should be located in the water receiving pan 122 to prevent the condensed water generated on the surface of the evaporator 121 from flowing out. The shape of the water receiving pan 122 is arranged to adapt to the space in the indoor unit 120, so the water receiving pan 122 can be a special-shaped structure.

[0039] Please continue reading Figure 5 As shown, one end of the outlet pipe 123 is connected to the evaporator 121, and the other end of the outlet pipe 123 is connected to the exhaust pipe of the compressor 112. It can be understood that the outlet pipe 123 is a pipe used for connection in the refrigeration system, and the refrigerant is converted in different refrigeration devices and transported through the pipe. Since the exhaust pipe of the compressor 112 discharges high-temperature and high-pressure gas, this part of the waste heat is usually discharged to the outdoors. However, in the embodiment of the present application, since condensation is easily generated on the outer surface of the water receiving pan 122, it is considered to reuse this part of the waste heat discharged by the compressor 112. Exemplarily, a part of the outlet pipe 123 is arranged below the water receiving pan 122, so that the heat generated by the compressor 112 is used to heat the water receiving pan 122, thereby preventing condensation from occurring on the outer surface of the water receiving pan 122 and making full use of the heat of the refrigeration system.

[0040] In the air conditioner 100 and its indoor unit 120 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the outlet pipe 123 is used to heat the outer surface of the water tray 122, which can reduce or avoid the phenomenon of condensation, thereby avoiding dripping of the indoor unit 120, and improving the user experience; and the heat generated by the reused compressor 112 does not require an additional heating source, thereby realizing the reuse of waste heat of the entire air conditioner 100.

[0041] Exemplarily, the outlet pipe 123 below the water receiving tray 122 is in a bent shape, such as an S shape, which can increase the contact area between the outlet pipe 123 and the water receiving tray 122, improve the heating efficiency of the water receiving tray 122, and also cover the part of the water receiving tray 122 that is prone to condensation.

[0042] It should be noted that the outlet pipe 123 is also the outlet pipe of the condenser, that is, a condenser 124 is provided between the compressor 112 and the evaporator 121, and the condenser 124 is respectively connected to the outlet pipe 123 and the exhaust pipe of the compressor 112. The condenser 124 converts the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant in the compressor 112 into a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant, that is, this process releases heat to the outside, and this part of the heat can be used to heat the docking water pan 122.

[0043] It is understandable that the embodiment of the present application sets the condenser 124 in the indoor unit 120, thereby saving space in the outdoor unit 110, so that the air conditioner 100 can be used in a kitchen environment. Since the kitchen environment is usually small in space, an air conditioner with a smaller capacity is usually selected. The condenser 124 is set in the indoor unit 120 to save the space occupied by the outdoor unit 110, which can meet the capacity requirement.

[0044] Exemplarily, the indoor unit 120 further includes a throttle valve 125, which is a valve that can control the opening. The throttle valve 125 is arranged at one end of the outlet pipe 123 connected to the evaporator 121 to control the opening of the outlet pipe 123. It is understood that the opening of the outlet pipe 123 determines the flow rate of the refrigerant in the outlet pipe 123, and the opening of the outlet pipe 123 under different working conditions can be used to fully utilize this part of the heat generated by the compressor 112.

[0045] For example, the indoor unit 120 has a working state and a cleaning state. The working state is also the cooling state of the air conditioner 100, and the throttle valve 125 has an anti-condensation working state. The cleaning state is also the state of assisting the cleaning of the indoor unit 120, such as the water receiving tray 122, and the throttle valve 125 has an auxiliary cleaning working state. In the working state, the throttle valve 125 has a first opening; in the cleaning state, the throttle valve 125 has a second opening, and the second opening is greater than the first opening, that is, in the cleaning state, the refrigerant flow in the outlet pipe 123 is large, which can increase the working temperature of the outlet pipe 123 located below the water receiving tray 122, and assist in cleaning the sewage and dirt storage in the water receiving tray 122, such as the temperature increase can cooperate with the detergent to improve the cleaning effect of the oil in the docking water tray 122. During the cleaning process, it is only necessary to add detergent to the water receiving tray 122, and at the same time increase the opening of the throttle valve 125, continue to heat the substances in the docking water tray 122, and finally discharge the sewage.

[0046] Exemplarily, the water receiving tray 122 has a water tank 1220 and a liquid outlet 1222, and the water tank 1220 is connected to the liquid outlet 1222. Of course, the water receiving tray 122 is also provided with a knob to block the liquid outlet 1222, so that after the condensed water in the water tank 1220 is collected, the knob is opened to expose the liquid outlet 1222 for drainage.

[0047] For example, please combine Figures 1 to 5 Also see Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 for Figure 4 In the partial enlarged view at point A, the water receiving tray 122 includes a retaining rib 1224, which is disposed in the water tank 1220 to filter debris when the water receiving tray 122 drains water from the liquid outlet 1222.

[0048] It should be noted that due to the location of the water receiving pan 122, it is not possible to completely rely on gravity for drainage. A water pump can be used to drain the water in the water tank 1220 so as to drain the water smoothly. In order to reduce the impact of dirt on the drainage pump, a retaining rib 1224 is provided on the water flow path and before the liquid outlet 1222 in the embodiment of the present application to block debris and prevent the debris from affecting the water pump.

[0049] Exemplarily, the retaining rib 1224 is columnar, and includes a plurality of first retaining ribs 1225 and a plurality of second retaining ribs 1226. The diameter of each first retaining rib 1225 is greater than the diameter of any second retaining rib 1226. By providing retaining ribs of different sizes, the filtering effect of debris can be improved.

[0050] Among them, a plurality of first retaining ribs 1225 and a plurality of second retaining ribs 1226 are arranged in two rows, and the retaining ribs 1224 in two adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner. At least one second retaining rib 1226 is arranged between two adjacent first retaining ribs 1225 in the same row. For example, the retaining ribs 1224 are arranged in two rows, the height of the first retaining rib 1225 and the second retaining rib 1226 can both be 10 mm, the diameter of the first retaining rib 1225 can be 4 mm, the diameter of the second retaining rib 1226 can be 3 mm, the spacing between two adjacent retaining ribs 1224 in the same row is 6 mm, the spacing between the retaining ribs 1224 in two adjacent rows is 8 mm, and the arrangement of the retaining ribs 1224 in the same row can be: second retaining rib 1226, second retaining rib 1226, first retaining rib 1225, second retaining rib 1226, second retaining rib 1226, first retaining rib 1225. Among them, the top of the first retaining rib 1225 can be reserved for the ejector position of the mold to facilitate demolding. The above design can effectively block larger particles while ensuring that condensed water passes quickly.

[0051] In the air conditioner 100 and its indoor unit 120 provided in the embodiment of the present application, the outlet pipe 123 is used to heat the outer surface of the docking water tray 122, which can reduce or avoid the phenomenon of condensation, thereby avoiding the situation of dripping of the indoor unit 120, and improving the user experience; and the heat generated by the reuse compressor 112 is no longer required to set up an additional heating source, thereby realizing the waste heat recycling of the whole air conditioner 100. The throttle valve 125 is set to have a larger opening in the cleaning state, which can increase the heating temperature of the docking water tray 122, thereby improving the cleaning effect of the docking water tray 122. The retaining rib 1224 is set in the water tray 122, which can effectively prevent the influence of debris on the water pump.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0053] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features.

[0054] The air conditioner and indoor unit thereof provided in the embodiment of the present application are introduced in detail above. Specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present application and its core idea. At the same time, for technicians in this field, according to the idea of ​​the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation method and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner, the air conditioner further comprising an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising a compressor, characterized in that: The indoor unit comprises: Evaporator; A water receiving tray is arranged below the evaporator to receive condensed water generated on the surface of the evaporator; An outlet pipe has one end connected to the evaporator, and the other end of the outlet pipe is used to be connected to the exhaust pipe of the compressor, and a part of the outlet pipe is arranged below the water receiving pan to use the heat generated by the compressor to heat the water receiving pan.

2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outlet pipe located below the water receiving tray is in a bent shape.

3. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The indoor unit further comprises: A throttle valve is arranged at one end of the outlet pipe connected to the evaporator to control the opening of the outlet pipe.

4. The indoor unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The indoor unit has a working state and a cleaning state. In the working state, the throttle valve has a first opening degree. In the cleaning state, the throttle valve has a second opening degree, and the second opening degree is greater than the first opening degree.

5. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water receiving tray has a water tank and a liquid outlet that are connected; The water receiving tray comprises retaining ribs, and the retaining ribs are arranged in the water tank to filter out debris when the water receiving tray drains water from the liquid outlet.

6. The indoor unit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The retaining ribs include a plurality of first retaining ribs and a plurality of second retaining ribs, and a diameter of each of the first retaining ribs is greater than a diameter of any of the second retaining ribs.

7. The indoor unit according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plurality of first blocking ribs and the plurality of second blocking ribs are arranged in two rows, and the blocking ribs in two adjacent rows are staggered.

8. The indoor unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one second barrier rib is arranged between two adjacent first barrier ribs in the same row.

9. The indoor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The indoor unit further includes a condenser, which is communicated with the outlet pipe and is used to communicate with the compressor.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that: include: an outdoor unit, the outdoor unit comprising a compressor; An indoor unit, an indoor unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the evaporator of the indoor unit is connected to the compressor through a pipeline.