Indoor unit of air conditioner

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of household appliances, and discloses an air conditioner indoor unit which comprises a machine shell, and an air outlet and a humidification outlet are formed in the machine shell. The air conditioner indoor unit further comprises a heat exchanger arranged in the machine shell. The first fan is arranged in the machine shell, and the first fan is used for introducing gas into the machine shell and sending out the gas through the air outlet after the gas is exchanged through the heat exchanger; the humidifying device is arranged in the machine shell, and the humidifying device is used for generating water vapor; the humidifying pipe is configured to be capable of guiding water vapor generated by the humidifying device to the humidifying outlet; a containing cavity is defined by the visual shell, the containing cavity is connected to the humidifying pipe in series, and at least one part of the visual shell is of a transparent structure; the machine shell comprises a transparent area, and the transparent area corresponds to the transparent structure so that water vapor in the containing cavity can be observed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of household appliance technology, and more particularly to an indoor unit for an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] The field of home appliance technology encompasses a wide range of product categories, including but not limited to air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners. The technological development trends of these products primarily focus on intelligentization, energy conservation and environmental protection, optimized user experience, and the application of new materials. Optimized user experience is achieved through design innovation and functional enhancement to meet consumers' demands for health, convenience, and personalization.

[0003] Air conditioners, as an important household appliance, regulate indoor temperature. However, with people's increasing pursuit of quality of life, the simple temperature regulation function of ordinary air conditioners can no longer fully meet their needs, leading to the development of air conditioners with humidification functions. These air conditioners combine the traditional temperature regulation of air conditioners with the humidification function of humidifiers to increase air humidity. In dry seasons or environments, they not only regulate the indoor temperature to a comfortable level but also release moisture into the air through their built-in humidifier, preventing problems such as dry skin, sore throat, and respiratory illnesses caused by excessively dry air, effectively improving the comfort of the indoor environment.

[0004] However, air conditioners with humidification functions still have some technical shortcomings. The most prominent ones are that the product functions are not perfect and the visualization is poor. During use, users often cannot intuitively feel whether the humidification function is turned on. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application discloses an indoor air conditioner unit. After the humidification device is turned on, the user can observe the water vapor in the containment cavity to intuitively feel the activation of the humidification function, thereby enhancing the user's experience.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application discloses an indoor air conditioner, comprising:

[0007] The housing is provided with an air outlet and a humidification outlet;

[0008] A heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed within the housing;

[0009] The first fan is located inside the casing. The first fan is used to introduce gas into the casing and exchange the gas through the heat exchanger before sending it out through the air outlet.

[0010] A humidifying device is disposed inside the housing and is used to generate water vapor;

[0011] A humidifying tube, configured to guide the water vapor generated by the humidifying device to the humidifying outlet;

[0012] A visual housing, the visual housing surrounding a receiving cavity connected in series with the humidifying pipe, and at least a portion of the visual housing being a transparent structure;

[0013] The housing includes a transparent area corresponding to the transparent structure, so that water vapor located within the containment cavity can be observed.

[0014] Thus, by designing a visual housing, with at least a portion of it being transparent, and the front panel including a corresponding transparent area, users can directly observe the water vapor inside the humidification chamber through this transparent area. This intuitive approach allows users to visually perceive that the humidification function is functioning correctly, increasing interaction between the user and the indoor unit and enhancing the user experience. Furthermore, compared to using a sub-display screen to show indoor humidity and other design features, this structure is less expensive to manufacture.

[0015] As an optional implementation, the housing includes:

[0016] A front panel, the front panel including the transparent area.

[0017] Thus, since the front panel of the air conditioner indoor unit is usually facing the user when in use, placing the transparent area on the front panel allows the user to directly observe the situation inside the housing through the transparent area during normal use of the air conditioner without having to deliberately search for or change angles. This makes it convenient for users to intuitively understand the humidification status of the air conditioner indoor unit, enhancing the product's visualization and interactivity.

[0018] As an optional implementation, the visualization housing includes:

[0019] A front panel facing the transparent area, and at least a portion of the front panel being the transparent structure, wherein the front panel and the transparent area are spaced apart along the front-rear direction of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

[0020] In this way, this gap forms an air insulation layer. Air is a poor conductor of heat, effectively preventing heat from being transferred from the high-temperature front panel to the transparent area of ​​the front panel. Air's thermal conductivity is much lower than that of solid materials, and heat conduction is hindered by the air layer, making it difficult for heat to quickly transfer from the visual housing to the front panel. Thus, even if there is high-temperature water vapor inside the visual housing, when a user touches the transparent area of ​​the front panel, they will be exposed to a temperature cooled by the air insulation layer, greatly reducing the possibility of burns and ensuring user safety.

[0021] As an optional implementation, the distance between the front side panel and the transparent area is 5mm to 10mm.

[0022] Therefore, if the distance between the front panel and the transparent area is too small, and the thickness of the air insulation layer is insufficient, the heat conduction path will be shortened, making it easier for heat to transfer from the hotter front panel to the transparent area of ​​the front panel. When a user touches the transparent area, they may feel a high temperature and even risk being burned. If the distance between the front panel and the transparent area is too large, it will add extra dimensions in the front-to-back direction of the air conditioner indoor unit, resulting in a larger overall size. This will not only take up more indoor space, but may also cause installation difficulties in places with limited installation space. Moreover, the increased size will also increase the packaging and transportation costs of the air conditioner.

[0023] Appropriate spacing ensures both heat insulation and visibility, making the structure of the air conditioner indoor unit more compact, reducing the space occupied, lowering packaging and transportation costs, and improving the product's practicality and economy.

[0024] As an optional implementation, the visual housing is elongated and extends along the width direction of the front panel, and the transparent area is also elongated and extends along the width direction of the front panel, with the length of the transparent area matching the length of the visual housing.

[0025] This design allows users to observe a wider area of ​​water vapor within the housing through the transparent area of ​​the air conditioner's front panel. Compared to other shapes or layouts, the elongated design covers a wider area, allowing users to see the distribution and dynamic changes of water vapor within the housing more comprehensively, thus providing a more intuitive understanding of the humidification function's operation. Furthermore, this layout makes full use of the front panel's width, avoiding any clutter in the internal space due to additional structural design along the panel's height, ensuring the proper installation and operation of all internal components (heat exchanger, primary fan, etc.).

[0026] As an optional implementation, the housing further includes:

[0027] A first side panel and a second side panel are respectively connected to both sides of the front panel along the width direction;

[0028] The transparent area includes:

[0029] A first transparent area is disposed on the front panel;

[0030] A second transparent area is disposed on the first side panel;

[0031] A third transparent area is disposed on the second side panel;

[0032] The visualization shell includes:

[0033] The main body extends along the width direction of the front panel and corresponds to the first transparent area;

[0034] A first extension is connected to one end of the main body near the first side plate. The first extension extends along the width direction of the first side plate and corresponds to the second transparent area.

[0035] The second extension is connected to one end of the main body near the second side plate. The second extension extends along the width direction of the second side plate and corresponds to the third transparent area.

[0036] A second transparent area and a third transparent area are respectively provided on the first and second side panels. Together with the corresponding main body, first extension, and second extension of the visualization shell, users can observe the water vapor situation inside the visualization shell from multiple angles. No longer limited to a single perspective from directly in front, observation can be made from different directions such as the side or even at an oblique angle, allowing users to fully understand the generation, flow, and distribution of water vapor within the visualization shell, greatly enhancing the visual perception of the humidification process.

[0037] The other two extensions provide stable support for the viewing section, making the viewing housing more robust in its overall structure. During air conditioning operation, even when subjected to vibration or external forces, the extensions effectively disperse stress, preventing damage or deformation of the viewing section due to uneven stress, thus ensuring the normal use and long-term stability of the viewing housing.

[0038] As an optional implementation, the visualization housing further includes:

[0039] The rear side panel is arranged opposite to the front side panel along the front-rear direction of the air conditioner indoor unit. The rear side panel includes a light-transmitting area, which corresponds to the transparent area.

[0040] The indoor unit of the air conditioner includes:

[0041] A light-emitting element is disposed on the side of the rear side plate away from the receiving cavity and corresponds to the light-transmitting area.

[0042] Thus, when the light-emitting element is turned on, the light emitted can shine into the humidification cavity through the light-transmitting area of ​​the rear panel. Because there is water vapor inside the humidification cavity, the light will be scattered and refracted in the water vapor, making the water vapor more clearly visible and enhancing the user's observation of the water vapor, allowing the user to more intuitively feel the operating status of the humidification function.

[0043] As an optional implementation, the light-transmitting area is elongated and extends along the width direction of the front panel;

[0044] The light-emitting element is a light strip, which extends along the width direction of the front panel.

[0045] In this way, the light emitted by the light strip can pass evenly through the light-transmitting area along the length of the visualization housing and enter the containment cavity. This allows the water vapor in the containment cavity to be fully illuminated along its entire length, avoiding localized areas that are too dark or too bright. As a result, users can observe the state of the water vapor more clearly and comprehensively, including its generation, flow, and accumulation, thus enhancing the visualization effect.

[0046] As an optional implementation, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes:

[0047] Mounting bracket, which is connected to the housing and located on the side of the rear panel opposite to the receiving cavity;

[0048] The light-emitting element is disposed on the surface of the mounting bracket facing the rear side plate, and the visualization housing is connected to the mounting bracket.

[0049] In this way, the mounting bracket provides a stable support structure for the light-emitting component and the visualization housing. The light-emitting component is positioned on the side of the mounting bracket closest to the light-transmitting area, and the visualization housing is connected to the mounting bracket. This makes the light-emitting component and the visualization housing a relatively stable whole, firmly connected to the casing. During air conditioner operation, vibrations may occur. The stable mounting bracket effectively prevents the light-emitting component and the visualization housing from loosening, shifting, or falling off due to vibrations, ensuring the relative positions of the components are fixed, thereby maintaining the stability and integrity of the air conditioner's internal structure.

[0050] As an optional implementation, the light-transmitting area includes a light-scattering structure to scatter the light emitted by the light-emitting element; or,

[0051] The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes:

[0052] A light scattering element is disposed on the side of the light-transmitting area close to the light-emitting element to scatter the light emitted by the light-emitting element.

[0053] In this way, the light-transmitting area is directly designed as a light-scattering structure, eliminating the need for additional light-scattering components and reducing the number of parts and assembly steps. This not only lowers production costs but also makes the structure of the air conditioner indoor unit simpler and more compact, improving production efficiency and product reliability. The light-scattering structure allows the light emitted by the light-emitting components to be scattered in the light-transmitting area, changing the direction of light propagation and allowing the light to be evenly distributed within the visible housing. Therefore, when viewed from the transparent area of ​​the front panel, there is no obvious unevenness in brightness, and the entire visible area is uniformly illuminated.

[0054] As an independent component, the light scattering element is easy to maintain and replace if damaged or aged. Compared to integrating the light scattering function into the light-transmitting area, which might require replacing the entire visualization housing if the light scattering structure in the light-transmitting area malfunctions, replacing the light scattering element separately is much more convenient, reducing product maintenance costs and complexity. The light scattering element also has a certain degree of heat insulation, preventing the high temperature of the visualization housing from affecting the light strip.

[0055] As an optional implementation, the surface of the rear side plate facing away from the receiving cavity is provided with a slot, and the surface of the light scattering element facing the rear side plate is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion, and the slot and the snap-fit ​​protrusion engage with each other.

[0056] In this way, the light-scattering component can be quickly and accurately installed onto the rear panel. This connection method is simple and easy to implement, requiring no additional tools or complex installation procedures, which improves the efficiency of production assembly and also ensures the stability of the light-scattering component installation, making it less prone to loosening or displacement during the operation of the air conditioner indoor unit.

[0057] As an optional implementation, the visualization housing includes a steam inlet and a steam outlet, and the humidification pipe includes:

[0058] The first humidification pipe section has one end connected to the humidification device and the other end connected to the steam inlet;

[0059] The second humidification pipe section has one end connected to the steam outlet and the other end connected to the humidification outlet.

[0060] In this way, the humidifier generates water vapor, which enters the first humidification pipe section, flows from the steam inlet into the receiving cavity of the visible housing, then from the steam outlet into the second humidification pipe section, and finally exits from the humidification outlet into the surrounding environment, thus achieving the humidification function. This layout not only facilitates efficient water vapor transmission and visualization but also allows for better coordination with other components of the air conditioner indoor unit, reducing interference with other components and improving the overall performance and stability of the air conditioner indoor unit. Dividing the humidification pipe into the first and second humidification pipe sections, and clearly defining their connection relationships with the humidifier, steam inlet, steam outlet, and humidification outlet respectively, ensures that the water vapor generated by the humidifier can be smoothly transmitted through the humidification pipe to the humidification outlet, providing a reliable transmission path for the humidification function of the air conditioner indoor unit and guaranteeing the stability and reliability of the humidification effect.

[0061] As an optional implementation, the steam inlet is located on the bottom wall of the visualization housing, and the steam outlet is located on the top wall of the visualization housing.

[0062] This layout utilizes the natural convection principle of hot air rising and cold air sinking. Water vapor generated by the humidifier enters the visible housing through the bottom inlet. Due to its higher temperature, it naturally rises and exits through the top outlet. This natural convection creates a smooth circulation path for the water vapor within the housing, eliminating the need for an additional power source. This not only saves energy but also ensures sufficient diffusion and flow of water vapor within the housing, improving the uniformity of water vapor distribution throughout the entire visible space.

[0063] As water vapor rises, it may condense on the inner wall of the visualization housing. Because the steam inlet is located on the bottom wall, the condensate flows more easily back down the inner wall of the housing under gravity, returning to the steam inlet and then to the humidifier or related condensate recovery system. This natural backflow reduces the accumulation of condensate inside the housing, preventing excessive condensate from affecting the visualization effect and ensuring a clear observation environment inside the visualization housing at all times.

[0064] As an optional implementation, the steam outlet is located at one end of the top wall along its length, and the steam inlet is located at the middle of the bottom wall along its length.

[0065] Thus, the distance between the steam inlet and the steam outlet is shorter along the length of the visualization shell, which shortens the transmission path of water vapor within the shell. The time that water vapor spends in contact with the shell wall during transmission is relatively reduced, and heat loss is also reduced accordingly. This reduces the possibility of water vapor condensation, decreases the generation of condensate, and reduces the possibility of condensate accumulating on the inner wall of the shell to form water droplets, thus ensuring the visualization effect.

[0066] As an optional implementation, the steam inlet is located at one end of the bottom wall along the length direction, and the steam outlet is located at the other end of the top wall along the length direction.

[0067] In this way, when water vapor enters from one end of the bottom wall along its length, it diffuses within the shell and moves away from the inlet, eventually flowing out from the other end near the top wall along its length. During this process, the water vapor fully fills the entire visualization shell, ensuring that every area within the shell is adequately filled, thus providing users with a more comprehensive and intuitive visualization, improving the quality of the visualization and the user experience.

[0068] As an optional implementation, the inner bottom surface of the visible housing is inclined toward the steam inlet so that the condensate formed by the water vapor in the receiving cavity can flow into the first humidification pipe section along the inner bottom surface.

[0069] During the operation of the indoor unit of an air conditioner, water vapor inside the display housing will condense upon cooling. If condensate accumulates inside the display housing, it may affect the visualization effect, such as making the transparent parts blurry and reducing the clarity for users to observe the water vapor. The inclined design of the inner bottom surface guides the condensate along the inclined surface to the steam inlet, and then into the first humidification pipe section, avoiding the accumulation of condensate inside the display housing, ensuring the clarity of the interior of the display housing, and allowing users to continuously and clearly observe the state of the water vapor inside the housing.

[0070] As an optional implementation, the inner diameter of the humidifying tube is 10mm to 30mm.

[0071] Therefore, when the inner diameter of the humidifier pipe is too small, the narrow space inside the pipe causes condensation to form when water vapor cools during its flow, and condensation also accumulates inside the viewing housing. Due to the small inner diameter, the condensation is difficult to drain, easily causing blockages and affecting the normal transport of water vapor, thus impacting the humidification function. Furthermore, a small inner diameter restricts the amount of water vapor passing through, slowing down the process of obtaining enough water vapor for observation within the viewing housing, thus affecting the user experience. The limited internal space of the air conditioner indoor unit necessitates a rational layout of components. If the inner diameter of the humidifier pipe is too large, it will occupy excessive internal space, potentially restricting the installation location of other components and affecting the overall structural compactness and stability of the indoor unit.

[0072] The inner diameter design of 10mm to 30mm ensures sufficient space for the reasonable layout of various components while providing a relatively spacious flow space for condensate, allowing it to flow more smoothly with water vapor or be discharged under gravity, thus reducing the risk of condensate clogging the pipes.

[0073] As an optional implementation, the wall surface of the rear side plate facing the receiving cavity is a concave arc surface.

[0074] Thus, the curved rear panel increases the internal space of the housing. Compared to a flat rear panel, the curved structure allows for more efficient use of the space. This provides ample room for water vapor to accumulate and flow within the housing, facilitating a better visualization of the water vapor's state. The curved structure also offers superior mechanical properties, increasing the strength and stability of the rear panel. During the operation of the air conditioner's indoor unit, it may be subjected to various external forces. The concave curved inner wall of the rear panel better withstands these forces, reducing the risk of deformation and damage, thereby improving the structural reliability of the housing and extending the product's lifespan.

[0075] As an optional implementation, the rear side plate has a plurality of strip-shaped grooves on the wall surface facing the receiving cavity. The plurality of strip-shaped grooves are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the rear side plate, and the plurality of strip-shaped grooves can guide the condensate formed on the wall surface of the rear side plate facing the receiving cavity to the inner bottom surface.

[0076] Thus, the grooved strips provide a clear flow path for condensate. When water vapor cools and condenses inside the visualization housing, these grooves guide the condensate to flow in a specific direction, allowing it to flow more smoothly to the bottom surface of the housing and then back into the humidifier. This prevents condensate from flowing randomly, accumulating, or forming droplets on the walls, which would affect the visualization effect and product performance. Multiple spaced grooves increase the contact area with the condensate, enabling more effective collection and guidance. Compared to a smooth surface without grooves, the grooves allow condensate to converge into a stream more quickly, accelerating the return process, improving condensate recovery efficiency, and reducing condensate residue inside the visualization housing.

[0077] As an optional implementation, the transparent area is located at the center of the front panel along the height direction of the front panel.

[0078] Therefore, placing the transparent area in the center of the front panel conforms to the normal visual observation habits of the human body. When users stand in front of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, they can naturally observe the water vapor situation inside the visible casing without having to look up or down excessively, making it convenient for users to intuitively understand the humidification status and enhancing the product's visualization effect.

[0079] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0080] The air conditioner indoor unit provided in this application embodiment features a visual housing, with at least a portion of the housing being transparent. The front panel includes a transparent area corresponding to this transparent structure, allowing users to directly observe the water vapor inside the containment chamber through the transparent area. This intuitive approach reinforces user confidence that the humidification function is functioning correctly, increasing interaction between the user and the air conditioner indoor unit and enhancing the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0081] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0082] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air conditioner indoor unit disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the indoor unit of an air conditioner disclosed in an embodiment of this application (including part of the casing and humidification device);

[0084] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the humidification device, humidification pipe, and visual housing disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0085] Figure 4 This is a first structural schematic diagram of the visible housing and front panel disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 5 This is a second structural schematic diagram of the visible housing and front panel disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 6 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the visualized housing disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0088] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the visualized shell disclosed in the embodiments of this application from a second perspective;

[0089] Figure 8 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0090] Figure 9 Exploded views for visualization of the housing, light scattering components, light-emitting components, and mounting brackets;

[0091] Figure 10 for Figure 2 A structural diagram from another perspective;

[0092] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Sectional view at point BB;

[0093] Figure 12 for Figure 11 A magnified view of a section at point C;

[0094] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure where the steam inlet is located in the middle position, as disclosed in an embodiment of this application.

[0095] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam inlet located near both ends of the visible housing, as disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0096] Figure 15 for Figure 6 Sectional view at point DD;

[0097] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rear panel of the visual housing disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0098] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0099] 100 - Air conditioner indoor unit;

[0100] 1-Housing; 1a-Air outlet; 1b-Humidification outlet; 11-Front panel; 11a-Transparent area; 11b-First transparent area; 12-Rear panel; 13-First side panel; 13a-Second transparent area; 14-Second side panel; 14a-Third transparent area; 2-Humidification device; 3-Humidification pipe; 31-First humidification pipe section; 32-Second humidification pipe section; 4-Visual housing; 4a-Receiving cavity; 41-Front side panel; 42-Rear side panel; 42a-Light-transmitting area; 421-Slot; 422-Strip groove; 43-Steam inlet; 44-Steam outlet; 45-First side wall; 46-Second side wall; 47-Guide surface; 48-Main body; 481-First extension; 482-Second extension; 5-Light-emitting element; 6-Light-scattering element; 61-Snap-fit ​​protrusion; 7-Mounting bracket; d-Distance between the front side panel and the transparent area. Detailed Implementation

[0101] 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, and 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.

[0102] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "vertical," and "horizontal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0103] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0104] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0105] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are primarily used to distinguish different devices, elements, or components (which may be the same or different in specific type and construction), and are not intended to indicate or imply the relative importance or quantity of the indicated devices, elements, or components. Unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0106] The field of home appliance technology encompasses a wide range of product categories, including but not limited to air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners. The technological development trends of these products primarily focus on intelligentization, energy conservation and environmental protection, optimized user experience, and the application of new materials. Optimized user experience is achieved through design innovation and functional enhancement to meet consumers' demands for health, convenience, and personalization.

[0107] Air conditioners, as an important household appliance, regulate indoor temperature. However, with people's increasing pursuit of quality of life, the simple temperature regulation function of ordinary air conditioners can no longer fully meet their needs, leading to the development of air conditioners with humidification functions. These air conditioners combine the traditional temperature regulation of air conditioners with the humidification function of humidifiers to increase air humidity. In dry seasons or environments, they not only regulate the indoor temperature to a comfortable level but also release moisture into the air through their built-in humidifier, preventing problems such as dry skin, sore throat, and respiratory illnesses caused by excessively dry air, effectively improving the comfort of the indoor environment.

[0108] However, air conditioners with humidification functions still have some technical shortcomings. The most prominent one is that the product elements are simple and the visual appeal is poor. During use, users often cannot intuitively feel whether the humidification function is turned on.

[0109] Based on this, this application discloses an indoor air conditioner that adds a visual housing, at least a part of which is a transparent structure, and the front panel includes a transparent area corresponding to the transparent structure, so that the user can directly observe the water vapor in the containment cavity through the transparent area, so as to intuitively feel the humidification function being turned on.

[0110] The technical solution of this application will be further described below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0111] Please see Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 disclosed in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 disclosed in this application (including part of the casing 1 and the humidification device 2). Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the humidification device 2, humidification pipe 3, and visual housing 4 disclosed in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the visible housing 4 and front panel 11 disclosed in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 This is a second structural schematic diagram of the visible housing 4 and front panel 11 disclosed in an embodiment of this application. An embodiment of this application discloses an air conditioner indoor unit 100.

[0112] The indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a housing 1, which serves as the external structure of the indoor unit 100. The housing 1 is typically made of metal or plastic and is used to protect the internal components of the indoor unit 100 and provide robust support. The housing 1 is designed with durability, heat dissipation performance, noise control, safety, and maintainability in mind.

[0113] In some embodiments, the housing 1 is provided with an air outlet 1a and a humidification outlet 1b. The air outlet 1a is used to discharge warm or cold air after the indoor unit of the air conditioner 100 has adjusted the temperature, and the humidification outlet 1b is used to discharge the humidified water vapor.

[0114] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a heat exchanger (not shown in the figure), which is disposed inside the casing 1. The heat exchanger is a key component in the air conditioner for achieving heat exchange. Its working principle is based on the principle of heat transfer in thermodynamics, and it mainly achieves heat transfer through three basic heat transfer methods (heat conduction, heat convection, and heat radiation). In cooling mode, low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the heat exchanger, absorbs heat from the surrounding air, and evaporates into a gaseous state. During this process, the heat of the air is transferred to the refrigerant, causing the air temperature to decrease. In heating mode, high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant enters the heat exchanger, releases heat to the surrounding air, and condenses into a liquid state. The air absorbs the heat from the refrigerant, and its temperature increases.

[0115] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a first fan (not shown in the figure), which is disposed inside the casing 1. The first fan is used to introduce gas into the casing 1 and, after heat exchange, deliver the gas through the air outlet 1a. The fan typically consists of a motor, an impeller, and the casing 1. When the motor is energized, it generates a rotating magnetic field, which drives the impeller to rotate at high speed. When the impeller rotates, the blades exert a force on the air, giving the air energy and creating flow. The centrifugal force generated by the impeller rotation throws the air from the center of the impeller to the edge, and then discharges it through the air outlet 1a on the casing 1. At the same time, a low-pressure area is formed at the center of the impeller, causing outside air to be continuously drawn into the fan, thereby creating a continuous airflow.

[0116] In this way, the first fan draws indoor air into the casing 1. When the fan operates, it draws indoor air into the casing 1 through the air inlet, forcing the air to flow across the surface of the heat exchanger. When the air comes into contact with the heat exchanger surface, it exchanges heat with the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger. In cooling mode, the first fan draws hot indoor air into the casing 1. As the hot air passes through the heat exchanger, its heat is absorbed by the refrigerant, lowering the air temperature. The cooled air is then returned to the room through the air outlet 1a, thus reducing the indoor temperature. In heating mode, the first fan draws cold indoor air into the casing 1. As the cold air passes through the heat exchanger, it absorbs the heat released by the refrigerant, raising its temperature. The warm air is then returned to the room through the air outlet 1a, raising the indoor temperature. Through the coordinated operation of the heat exchanger and the first fan, the indoor air conditioning unit 100 can effectively regulate the indoor air temperature, creating a comfortable indoor environment for users.

[0117] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a humidifying device 2, which is disposed inside the casing 1. The humidifying device 2 is used to generate water vapor. The humidifying device 2 can generate water vapor through ultrasonic atomization, heating evaporation, etc. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0118] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a humidification pipe 3, which is configured to guide water vapor generated by the humidification device 2 to the humidification outlet 1b, whereby the water vapor is released into the air to humidify the surrounding air.

[0119] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a viewing housing 4, which surrounds a receiving cavity 4a connected in series with a humidifying pipe 3. At least a portion of the viewing housing 4 is a transparent structure. The housing 1 includes a transparent region 11a, which corresponds to the transparent structure, so that water vapor located in the receiving cavity 4a can be observed through the transparent region 11a.

[0120] In this way, by setting up a visual housing 4, and at least a portion of the visual housing 4 being a transparent structure, and the front panel 11 including a transparent area 11a corresponding to the transparent structure, the user can directly observe the water vapor inside the condensation cavity 4a through the transparent area 11a. This intuitive way of experiencing the humidification function allows the user to visually perceive that the humidification function has been turned on normally, increasing the interactivity between the user and the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner and enhancing the user's experience.

[0121] Moreover, compared to setting up a sub-display screen to display indoor humidity and other design schemes, this structure has a lower manufacturing cost. Equipping a display screen to display humidity requires designing a series of electronic components such as drive circuits and control chips. These electronic components are not only expensive in themselves, but also require a certain amount of manpower and material resources in the process of procurement, assembly and debugging. However, the air conditioner indoor unit 100 of this application sets up a transparent area 11a of the visual housing 4 and the front panel 11, allowing users to directly observe the water vapor in the containment cavity 4a to perceive the activation of the humidification function. This eliminates the need for the aforementioned complex electronic components, significantly reducing costs from a hardware perspective.

[0122] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the cavity 4a can be a sealed space formed by the visible housing 4 and the front panel 11, which can save materials and reduce costs.

[0123] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the accommodating cavity 4a can also be a sealed cavity formed by the visual shell 4 itself. In this way, the accommodating cavity 4a and the outside of the housing 1 are separated by two layers of structure: the visual shell 4 and the transparent area 11a, which provides better insulation for the high-temperature water vapor inside the accommodating cavity 4a.

[0124] It should be noted that the visual housing 4 and the transparent area 11a can be set at any height along the height direction of the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0125] In some embodiments, the housing 1 includes a front panel 11 and a rear panel 12. The front panel 11 includes a transparent area 11a. The front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 are disposed correspondingly, and the front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 of the housing 1 are arranged in a front-back direction.

[0126] In this way, since the front panel 11 is usually facing the user when using the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner, setting the transparent area 11a on the front panel 11 allows the user to directly observe the situation inside the visible housing 4 through the transparent area 11a during normal use of the air conditioner without having to deliberately search for or change the angle. This makes it convenient for the user to intuitively understand the humidification working status of the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner, enhancing the visualization and interactivity of the product.

[0127] In some embodiments, combined with Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 The visible housing 4 includes a front panel 41 facing the transparent area 11a, and at least a portion of the front panel 41 is a transparent structure. The front panel 41 and the transparent area 11a are spaced apart along the front-rear direction of the air conditioner indoor unit 100. The front-rear direction of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 is the arrangement direction of the front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 of the housing 1.

[0128] The humidifier 2 generates water vapor, which is typically hot as it passes through the viewing housing 4. Without proper protection, users may come into direct contact with the hot viewing housing 4 when touching the front panel 11 of the indoor unit 100, especially near the area corresponding to the viewing housing 4, thus risking burns.

[0129] The front panel 41 faces the transparent area 11a, and the two are spaced apart along the front-rear direction of the indoor unit 100. This gap forms an air insulation layer. Air is a poor conductor of heat, effectively preventing heat from being transferred from the high-temperature front panel 41 to the transparent area 11a of the front panel 11. The thermal conductivity of air is much lower than that of solid materials, and heat conduction is hindered by the air layer, making it difficult for heat to be quickly transferred from the viewing housing 4 to the front panel 11. Thus, even if there is high-temperature water vapor inside the viewing housing 4, when the user touches the transparent area 11a of the front panel 11, the temperature they come into contact with is cooled by the air insulation layer, greatly reducing the possibility of burns and ensuring user safety. The gap between the front panel 41 and the transparent area 11a is relatively simple in structural design, requiring no complex processes or special materials. This design is easy to implement in the production process, reducing production costs and difficulty.

[0130] In some embodiments, the distance d between the front side panel 41 and the transparent area 11a along the front-rear direction of the indoor unit 100 is 5mm to 10mm.

[0131] If the distance d between the front panel 41 and the transparent area 11a is too small, the thickness of the air insulation layer will be insufficient, resulting in a shortened heat conduction path. Heat will then more easily transfer from the hotter front panel 41 to the transparent area 11a of the front panel 11. When a user touches the transparent area 11a, they may feel a high temperature and even risk burns. If the distance d between the front panel 41 and the transparent area 11a is too large, it will add extra dimensions to the air conditioner indoor unit 100 in the front-to-back direction, increasing the overall size of the indoor unit. This will not only occupy more indoor space but may also cause installation difficulties in places with limited installation space. Furthermore, the increased size will also increase the packaging and transportation costs of the air conditioner.

[0132] The appropriate spacing ensures both heat insulation and visibility, making the structure of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 more compact, reducing the space occupied, lowering packaging and transportation costs, and improving the product's practicality and economy.

[0133] In some embodiments, combined with Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , Figure 6 This is a first-view structural diagram of the visualized housing 4 disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the visualization shell 4 disclosed in the embodiment of this application from a second perspective. The visualization shell 4 is elongated and extends along the width direction of the front panel 11. The transparent area 11a is also elongated and extends along the width direction of the front panel 11. The length of the transparent area 11a is adapted to the length of the visualization shell 4.

[0134] This allows users to observe a wider range of water vapor conditions within the housing 4 through the transparent area 11a of the air conditioner's front panel 11. Compared to other shapes or layouts, the elongated design covers a wider area, allowing users to see the distribution and dynamic changes of water vapor within the housing 4a more comprehensively, thus providing a more intuitive understanding of the humidification function's operation. Furthermore, this layout fully utilizes the width of the front panel 11, preventing any disruption to the internal space layout due to additional structural design along the height of the front panel 11, and ensuring the proper installation and operation of all internal components (heat exchanger, primary fan, etc.).

[0135] Furthermore, in daily life, people tend to observe objects horizontally at the same height. The design of the elongated transparent area 11a and the visual housing 4 extending along the width direction conforms to users' observation habits. Users can naturally observe the water vapor from left to right or right to left, making operation more convenient, reducing the difficulty and discomfort of observation, and improving the user experience.

[0136] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The housing 1 further includes:

[0137] A first side panel 13 and a second side panel 14 are respectively connected to both sides of the front panel 11 along the width direction.

[0138] In some embodiments, the transparent region 11a includes:

[0139] A first transparent area 11b is disposed on the front panel 11;

[0140] The second transparent area 13a is disposed on the first side plate 13;

[0141] The third transparent area 14a is disposed on the second side plate 14;

[0142] In some embodiments, the visualization housing 4 includes:

[0143] The main body 48 extends along the width direction of the front panel 11 and corresponds to the first transparent area 11b;

[0144] The first extension 481 is connected to one end of the main body 48 near the first side plate 13. The first extension 481 extends along the width direction of the first side plate 13 and corresponds to the second transparent area 13a.

[0145] The second extension 482 is connected to one end of the main body 48 near the second side plate 14. The second extension 482 extends along the width direction of the second side plate 14 and corresponds to the third transparent area 14a.

[0146] A second transparent area 13a and a third transparent area 14a are respectively provided on the first side plate 13 and the second side plate 14. Together with the corresponding main body 48, first extension 481 and second extension 482 of the visualization shell 4, the user can observe the water vapor situation inside the visualization shell 4 from multiple angles. It is no longer limited to observing from a single perspective directly in front, but can be observed from different directions such as the side or even at an oblique angle, allowing the user to fully understand the generation, flow and distribution of water vapor inside the visualization shell 4, greatly enhancing the visual perception of the humidification process.

[0147] The other two extensions provide stable support for the visible part, making the visual housing 4 more robust in its overall structure. During air conditioning operation, even if subjected to certain vibrations or external forces, the extensions can effectively disperse stress, preventing the visible part from being damaged or deformed due to uneven stress, thus ensuring the normal use and long-term stability of the visual housing 4.

[0148] It is understood that the front panel 11, the first side panel 13, and the second side panel 14 can be integrally formed or made separately, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0149] It should be noted that the front panel 11 of the housing 1 and the front side panel 41 of the visualization housing 4 can be matched. For example, when the front panel 11 of the housing 1 is a flat plate, the front side panel 41 of the visualization housing 4 can also be a flat plate. When the front panel 11 of the housing 1 is an arc-shaped plate protruding towards the front of the indoor air conditioning unit 100, the front side panel 41 of the visualization housing 4 can also be an arc-shaped plate protruding towards the front of the indoor air conditioning unit 100.

[0150] In some embodiments, combined with Figures 6 to 9 , Figure 8 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle. Figure 9 An exploded view of the housing 4, light scattering component 6, light emitting component 5, and mounting bracket 7 is provided. The housing 4 includes a rear panel 42, which is arranged opposite to the front panel 41 along the front-rear direction of the air conditioner indoor unit 100. The rear panel 42 includes a light-transmitting area 42a, which corresponds to the transparent area 11a along the front-rear direction of the air conditioner indoor unit 100.

[0151] The indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a light-emitting element 5, which is disposed on the side of the rear panel 42 away from the receiving cavity 4a and corresponds to the light-transmitting area 42a.

[0152] When the light-emitting element 5 is turned on, the light it emits can shine into the receiving cavity 4a through the light-transmitting area 42a of the rear panel 42. Since there is water vapor inside the receiving cavity 4a, the light will be scattered and refracted in the water vapor, making the water vapor more clearly visible, enhancing the user's observation of the water vapor, and allowing the user to more intuitively feel the operating status of the humidification function.

[0153] By placing the light-emitting element 5 on the side of the rear panel 42 away from the receiving cavity 4a, the space outside the visualization housing 4 is utilized, avoiding the structural complexity and interference with water vapor flow that might result from placing the light-emitting element 5 inside the receiving cavity 4a. At the same time, the light-emitting element 5 is compactly and closely arranged with the visualization housing 4, reducing the additional volume of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 added by the light-emitting element 5, and ensuring the rationality and compactness of the overall air conditioner structure.

[0154] Secondly, the light emitted by the luminous element 5 creates a unique visual atmosphere, making the water vapor in the visible housing 4 appear more aesthetically pleasing and technologically advanced. This visual atmosphere not only enhances users' attention to the air conditioner's humidification function but also adds a unique charm to the indoor environment, providing users with a better experience.

[0155] Optionally, the light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 can be of various colors. In a first possible embodiment, it can be warm yellow light, which is close to the warm light component in natural light. This light has a relatively soft brightness and will not produce strong visual stimulation. Even if observed for a long time, it is not easy to cause eye fatigue. It is suitable for use under various lighting conditions, especially at night or in dimly lit environments, where it can provide a clear visualization of water vapor without being too glaring. In a second possible embodiment, it can be white light, which has high brightness and contrast, making the water vapor appear clearer and brighter in the receiving cavity 4a. It forms a sharp contrast with the surrounding environment, allowing users to more intuitively and accurately observe the state, flow, and humidification effect of the water vapor. This helps users to accurately judge the humidification function of the air conditioner. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0156] In some embodiments, combined with Figures 7 to 9 The light-transmitting area 42a is elongated and extends along the width direction of the front panel 11.

[0157] In some embodiments, the light-emitting element 5 is a light strip that extends along the width direction of the front panel 11.

[0158] The light emitted by the light strip can pass evenly through the light-transmitting area 42a along the length of the visualization housing 4 and enter the receiving cavity 4a. This ensures that the water vapor in the receiving cavity 4a is fully illuminated along its entire length, avoiding localized areas of excessive darkness or brightness. This allows users to observe the state of the water vapor more clearly and comprehensively, including its generation, flow, and accumulation, enhancing the visualization effect. The light strip extends along the width of the front panel 11, making better use of the space layout within the indoor unit 100. Effective illumination of the visualization housing 4 is achieved without adding excessive extra space, ensuring the compactness and rationality of the overall air conditioner structure and avoiding space waste caused by the placement of lighting components.

[0159] The elongated LED strip and the light-transmitting area 42a offer convenience in installation and wiring. The LED strip can be arranged relatively neatly along the width of the front panel 11, reducing complex bends and turns, and lowering installation difficulty and wiring costs. At the same time, this regular shape also facilitates cooperation and fixation with other components, improving production and assembly efficiency.

[0160] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 8 and Figure 9 The air conditioner indoor unit 100 also includes a mounting bracket 7, which is connected to the housing 1 and located on the side of the rear panel 42 away from the receiving cavity 4a and corresponds to the light-transmitting area 42a. The light-emitting element 5 is disposed on the surface of the mounting bracket 7 facing the rear panel 42. The visual housing 4 is connected to the housing 1 through the mounting bracket 7.

[0161] The mounting bracket 7 provides a stable support structure for the light-emitting element 5 and the visualization housing 4. The light-emitting element 5 is located on the side of the mounting bracket 7 near the light-transmitting area 42a, and the visualization housing 4 is connected to the mounting bracket 7. This makes the light-emitting element 5 and the visualization housing 4 a relatively stable whole and firmly connected to the casing 1. During the operation of the air conditioner, vibrations may occur. The stable mounting bracket 7 can effectively prevent the light-emitting element 5 and the visualization housing 4 from loosening, shifting, or falling off due to vibrations, ensuring that the relative positions of the components are fixed, thereby maintaining the stability and integrity of the internal structure of the air conditioner.

[0162] In later maintenance and repair work, if the light-emitting component 5 malfunctions or the visual housing 4 needs cleaning or replacement, simply remove the mounting bracket 7 from the housing 1 to easily operate the light-emitting component 5 and the visual housing 4. This eliminates the need for large-scale disassembly of the entire indoor air conditioning unit 100, significantly shortening repair time, improving repair efficiency, and reducing the risk of damage to other components due to improper maintenance.

[0163] The mounting bracket 7 corresponds to the light-transmitting area 42a, ensuring that the light-emitting element 5 is accurately positioned behind the light-transmitting area 42a. This allows the light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 to more precisely pass through the light-transmitting area 42a and enter the receiving cavity 4a, illuminating the water vapor. This avoids the problem of uneven light illumination or ineffective illumination of the receiving cavity 4a caused by the misalignment of the light-emitting element 5, thereby enhancing the visualization of water vapor and allowing users to more clearly observe the operating status of the humidification function.

[0164] In some embodiments, the shape of the mounting bracket 7 matches the shape of the rear panel 42 of the visualization housing 4, so that the mounting bracket 7 and the rear panel 42 form a relatively enclosed space. In this way, the presence of the mounting bracket 7 can play a certain role in shading and focusing light, reducing the scattering and leakage of light emitted by the light-emitting element 5 into the surrounding environment, and concentrating more light in the light-transmitting area 42a and the receiving cavity 4a, thereby improving the utilization rate of light, enhancing the lighting effect, and at the same time avoiding unnecessary interference of light to the surrounding environment.

[0165] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 7 extends along the width of the front panel 11, matching the length of the light strip. When the air conditioner is subjected to external impact or experiences bumps during transportation, the mounting bracket 7 can distribute these external forces onto the housing 1, preventing the light-emitting element 5 and the visual housing 4 from being directly subjected to excessive force and damaged. By distributing the force, the durability of the light-emitting element 5 and the visual housing 4 is improved, their service life is extended, and the maintenance costs and replacement frequency caused by structural damage are reduced.

[0166] In some embodiments, the air conditioner indoor unit 100 further includes a positioning component disposed between the irradiation element and the mounting bracket 7 to position the irradiation element relative to the light-transmitting area 42a.

[0167] In some embodiments, the positioning component includes:

[0168] Positioning holes are provided on mounting bracket 7;

[0169] The positioning part is located on the side of the irradiation element near the mounting bracket 7. The positioning part passes through the positioning hole to position the light strip so that the irradiation area of ​​the light strip corresponds to the light transmission area 42a.

[0170] In some embodiments, combined with Figures 10 to 12 , Figure 10 for Figure 2 A structural diagram from another perspective. Figure 11 for Figure 10 Sectional view at point BB. Figure 12 for Figure 11 The magnified view at point C shows that the light-transmitting region 42a includes a light-scattering structure to scatter the light emitted by the light-emitting element 5.

[0171] In this way, the light-transmitting area 42a is directly designed with a light-scattering structure, eliminating the need for an additional light-scattering component 6, thus reducing the number of parts and assembly steps. This not only lowers production costs but also makes the structure of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 more concise and compact, improving production efficiency and product reliability. The light-scattering structure allows the light emitted by the light-emitting component 5 to be scattered in the light-transmitting area 42a, changing the direction of light propagation and allowing the light to be evenly distributed within the visual housing 4. Therefore, when viewed from the transparent area 11a of the front panel 11, there will be no obvious unevenness in brightness, and the entire visual area will be uniformly illuminated.

[0172] In some embodiments, combined with Figures 10 to 12The indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner also includes a light scattering element 6, which is located on the side of the light-transmitting area 42a near the light-emitting element 5 to scatter the light emitted by the light-emitting element 5. The location and material of the light scattering element 6 can be flexibly selected and designed according to actual needs, which can more accurately control the scattering angle, intensity and uniformity of light.

[0173] As an independent component, the light scattering element 6 is easy to maintain and replace if it is damaged or aged. Compared to integrating the light scattering function into the light-transmitting area 42a, if the light scattering structure of the light-transmitting area 42a malfunctions, it may be necessary to replace the entire visualization housing 4. Replacing the light scattering element 6 separately is more convenient, reducing the maintenance cost and difficulty of the product.

[0174] The light scattering element 6 can be shaped like a lampshade and is placed on the side of the light strip near the light-transmitting area 42a to protect the light strip.

[0175] In addition, the light scattering element 6 also has a certain heat insulation function, which can prevent the high temperature of the visualization housing 4 from affecting the light strip. There is also a certain gap between the light scattering element 6 and the light strip, which can further insulate the heat and reduce the impact of high temperature on the light strip.

[0176] It should be noted that light scattering refers to the phenomenon where a portion of light deviates from its original direction of propagation when passing through a non-uniform medium. Scattering with no change in frequency includes Tyndall scattering (Tyndall effect) and molecular scattering; scattering with a change in frequency includes Raman scattering, Brillouin scattering, and Compton scattering. Tyndall scattering was first studied by J. Tyndall and is caused by suspended particles in a homogeneous medium (such as smoke and dust in the air), as well as turbid liquids and colloids.

[0177] The light scattering structure and light scattering element 6 in the transparent region 11a can be a rough surface, a medium containing tiny particles or microparticles, a porous material, etc., and this embodiment does not limit them.

[0178] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 12 The rear side plate 42 has a slot 421 on the surface away from the receiving cavity 4a, and the light scattering component 6 has a snap-fit ​​protrusion 61 on the surface facing the rear side plate 42. The slot 421 and the snap-fit ​​protrusion 61 are engaged and snapped together.

[0179] This snap-fit ​​method allows the light scattering component 6 to be quickly and accurately installed onto the rear panel 42. This connection method is simple and easy to implement, requiring no additional tools or complex installation procedures, thus improving production and assembly efficiency. It also ensures the stability of the light scattering component 6 during installation, preventing it from loosening or shifting during the operation of the indoor unit 100.

[0180] Furthermore, this allows for precise positioning of the light-scattering component 6 on the side of the light-transmitting area 42a away from the light-emitting component 5, ensuring its light-scattering effect. This helps guarantee the stability and consistency of the light-scattering effect, resulting in a more ideal visualization effect observed from the transparent area 11a of the front panel 11, better meeting users' needs for product visualization functions.

[0181] Through the design of the slot 421 and the snap-fit ​​protrusion 61, the light scattering component 6 can be tightly attached to the rear panel 42, adapting to the overall structure of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 without occupying too much space, which helps to maintain the compactness of the internal structure of the air conditioner indoor unit 100. This compact structural design not only makes the appearance of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 more beautiful, but also helps to optimize the internal space layout and improve space utilization.

[0182] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 13 and Figure 14 , Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the steam inlet 43 located in the middle position according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam inlet 43 near both ends of the visualization housing 4 disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The visualization housing 4 includes a steam inlet 43 and a steam outlet 44. The humidification pipe 3 includes a first humidification pipe section 31, one end of which is connected to the humidification device 2 and the other end is connected to the steam inlet 43.

[0183] In some embodiments, the humidifying pipe 3 includes a second humidifying pipe section 32, one end of which is connected to the steam outlet 44 and the other end is connected to the humidifying outlet 1b.

[0184] The humidifier 2 generates water vapor, which enters the first humidification pipe section 31, enters the receiving cavity 4a of the visual housing 4 from the steam inlet 43, and then enters the second humidification pipe section 32 from the steam outlet 44, and is then discharged into the surrounding environment from the humidification outlet 1b, thus realizing the humidification function.

[0185] By rationally setting the positions of the steam inlet 43 and the outlet, the structure of the entire humidification system is made more reasonable and compact. This layout not only facilitates the efficient transmission and visualization of water vapor, but also allows for better coordination with other components of the air conditioner indoor unit 100, reducing interference with other components and improving the overall performance and stability of the air conditioner indoor unit 100. The humidification pipe 3 is divided into a first humidification pipe section 31 and a second humidification pipe section 32, clearly defining their connection relationships with the humidification device 2, the steam inlet 43, the steam outlet 44, and the humidification outlet 1b, respectively. This ensures that the water vapor generated by the humidification device 2 can be smoothly transmitted through the humidification pipe 3 to the humidification outlet 1b, providing a reliable transmission path for the humidification function of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 and guaranteeing the stability and reliability of the humidification effect.

[0186] It is understandable that the first humidification pipe section 31 should not be bent excessively. Water vapor inside the visible housing 4 may condense into liquid water in the receiving cavity 4a. The liquid water can flow back from the first humidification pipe section 31 to the humidification device 2. If the first humidification pipe section 31 is bent excessively, the condensed liquid water will accumulate at the bend, preventing water vapor from entering the receiving cavity 4a normally and thus failing to achieve the visualization of the humidification function.

[0187] It should be noted that the first humidification pipe section 31 and the second humidification pipe section 32 can be ordinary pipe structures or air duct structures inside the casing. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0188] In some embodiments, the steam inlet 43 is disposed on the bottom wall of the visible housing, and the steam outlet 44 is disposed on the top wall of the visible housing.

[0189] This layout utilizes the natural convection principle of hot air rising and cold air sinking. Water vapor generated by the humidifier 2 enters the visualization housing 4 through the bottom inlet. Due to its higher temperature, it naturally rises and eventually exits from the top outlet. This natural convection creates a smooth circulation path for the water vapor within the housing, eliminating the need for an additional power source. This not only saves energy but also ensures sufficient diffusion and flow of water vapor within the housing, improving the uniformity of water vapor distribution throughout the visualization space.

[0190] As water vapor rises, it may condense on the inner wall of the visualization housing 4 due to cooling. Since the steam inlet 43 is located on the bottom wall, the condensate flows back down the inner wall of the housing under gravity, returning to the steam inlet 43 and then to the humidification device 2 or the related condensate recovery system. This natural backflow reduces the accumulation of condensate inside the housing, preventing excessive condensate from affecting the visualization effect and ensuring a clear and transparent observation environment inside the visualization housing 4 at all times.

[0191] In some embodiments, the steam inlet 43 and the steam outlet 44 may be respectively located at both ends of the visualization housing 4 along the width direction of the front panel 11.

[0192] In some embodiments, one of the steam inlet 43 and the steam outlet 44 is disposed at one end of the visualization housing 4 along the width direction of the front panel 11, and the other is disposed on the top wall of the visualization housing 4.

[0193] In some embodiments, one of the steam inlet 43 and the steam outlet 44 is disposed at one end of the visualization housing 4 along the width direction of the front panel 11, and the other is disposed on the bottom wall of the visualization housing 4.

[0194] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 13The steam outlet 44 is located at one end of the top wall along its length, and the steam inlet 43 is located at the middle of the bottom wall along its length. That is, the visualization housing 4 includes a first sidewall 45 and a second sidewall 46 arranged opposite each other along the length of the visualization housing 4. The steam outlet 44 is located close to one of the first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46. Along the length of the visualization housing 4, the distance from the steam inlet 43 to the first sidewall 45 is equal to the distance from the steam inlet 43 to the second sidewall 46.

[0195] In this way, the distance between the steam inlet 43 and the steam outlet 44 is shorter along the length of the visualization shell 4, which shortens the transmission path of water vapor in the visualization shell 4. The contact time between water vapor and the shell wall during transmission is relatively reduced, and the heat loss is also reduced accordingly. This reduces the possibility of water vapor condensation, reduces the generation of condensate, and reduces the possibility of condensate accumulating on the inner wall of the shell to form water droplets, thus ensuring the visualization effect.

[0196] In addition, with less condensate, more water vapor can participate in the indoor humidification process through the steam outlet 44, improving the efficiency of the humidification system. This avoids the situation where some water vapor condenses inside the visible housing 4 and cannot effectively participate in humidification, thus enabling the humidification system to more effectively deliver water vapor into the room and improve the humidification performance of the air conditioner indoor unit 100.

[0197] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 14 The steam inlet 43 is located at one end of the bottom wall along the length direction, and the steam outlet 44 is located at the other end of the top wall along the length direction. That is, the visualization housing 4 includes a first side wall 45 and a second side wall 46 arranged opposite to each other along the length direction of the visualization housing 4. Along the length direction of the visualization housing 4, the steam inlet 43 is located near the first side wall 45, and the steam outlet 44 is located near the second side wall 46.

[0198] The steam inlet 43 and steam outlet 44 are respectively positioned near two opposite surfaces of the visualization housing 4. This allows steam to enter through the steam inlet 43 near the first sidewall 45, diffuse within the housing, and move away from the inlet, eventually exiting through the steam outlet 44 near the second sidewall 46. During this process, the steam fully fills the entire visualization housing 4, ensuring that every area within the housing is adequately filled, thus providing users with a more comprehensive and intuitive visualization experience.

[0199] Furthermore, the water vapor distribution within the visualization housing 4 is more uniform, avoiding situations where the water vapor concentration is too high or too low in certain areas. The uniform distribution of water vapor ensures that the entire visualization area presents a similar effect. Regardless of the viewing angle, users can see a relatively consistent water vapor state, without any blurry or unobservable areas, thus improving the visualization quality and user experience.

[0200] After turning on the humidification function, users can see the water vapor gradually diffuse and flow from the inlet to the outlet, greatly enhancing the visualization effect and allowing users to have a deeper understanding of the operation status of the air conditioner's humidification function.

[0201] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 15 , Figure 15 for Figure 6 The cross-sectional view at point DD shows that the inner bottom surface of the housing 4 is a guide surface 47, which is inclined toward the steam inlet 43 so that the condensate formed by the water vapor in the housing cavity 4a can flow into the first humidification pipe section 31 along the guide surface 47 (inner bottom surface).

[0202] Specifically, such as Figure 13 As shown, along the length of the visible housing 4, when the distance from the steam inlet 43 to the first side wall 45 is equal to the distance from the steam inlet 43 to the second side wall 46, the horizontal height at the connection between the guide surface 47 and the steam inlet 43 is the lowest, and the horizontal height of the guide surface 47 is the highest at the position close to the first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46.

[0203] like Figure 14 As shown, when the steam inlet 43 is located near the first sidewall 45 and the steam outlet 44 is located near the second sidewall 46 along the length of the visible housing 4, the horizontal height of the guide surface 47 near the first sidewall 45 is the lowest, and the horizontal height of the guide surface 47 near the second sidewall 46 is the highest.

[0204] During the operation of the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner, water vapor inside the visual housing 4 will condense upon cooling. If condensate accumulates inside the visual housing 4, it may affect the visualization effect, such as making the transparent parts blurry and reducing the clarity for the user to observe the water vapor. The design of the guide surface 47 guides the condensate along the inclined bottom surface to the steam inlet 43, and then into the first humidification pipe section 31, avoiding the accumulation of condensate inside the visual housing 4, ensuring the clarity of the interior of the visual housing 4, and allowing the user to continuously and clearly observe the state of the water vapor inside the housing.

[0205] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the humidification tube 3 is 10 mm to 30 mm.

[0206] When the inner diameter of the humidifying tube 3 is too small, the narrow space inside the tube causes condensation to form when water vapor cools during its flow, and condensation also accumulates inside the visualization housing 4. Due to the small inner diameter, the condensate is difficult to drain, easily causing blockages and affecting the normal transport of water vapor, thus impacting the humidification function. Furthermore, an excessively small inner diameter restricts the amount of water vapor passing through, slowing down the process of obtaining sufficient water vapor for observation within the visualization housing 4, thus affecting the user experience.

[0207] The internal space of the air conditioner indoor unit 100 is limited, so the various components need to be arranged reasonably. If the inner diameter of the humidification pipe 3 is too large, it will occupy too much internal space, which may restrict the installation position of other components and affect the structural compactness and stability of the entire air conditioner indoor unit 100.

[0208] The 10mm-30mm inner diameter design ensures sufficient space for the rational layout of various components while providing relatively spacious flow space for condensate, allowing it to flow more smoothly with water vapor or be discharged under gravity, thus reducing the risk of condensate clogging the pipes.

[0209] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 5 The wall surface of the rear side plate 42 facing the receiving cavity is a concave arc surface, that is, the wall surface of the rear side plate 42 facing the receiving cavity is concave in a direction away from the receiving cavity 4a.

[0210] The curved rear panel 42 increases the internal space of the receiving cavity 4a. Compared to a flat rear panel 42, the curved structure allows for more efficient use of the space in the receiving cavity 4a. This provides more space for water vapor to accumulate and flow within the receiving cavity 4a, which is beneficial for better displaying the state of the water vapor.

[0211] The arc-shaped structure also provides better mechanical properties, increasing the strength and stability of the rear panel 42. During the operation of the indoor air conditioning unit 100, it may be subjected to various external forces. The rear panel 42, with its concave arc inner wall, can better withstand these forces, reducing the risk of deformation and damage. This improves the structural reliability of the visible housing 4 and extends the product's service life.

[0212] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 15 and Figure 16 , Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rear side plate 42 of the housing 4 disclosed in the embodiment of this application. The wall surface of the rear side plate 42 facing the receiving cavity is provided with a plurality of strip-shaped grooves 422. The plurality of strip-shaped grooves 422 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the rear side plate 42. The plurality of strip-shaped grooves can guide the condensate formed on the wall surface of the rear side plate facing the receiving cavity to the inner bottom surface.

[0213] The grooves 422 provide a clear flow path for condensate. When water vapor cools and condenses inside the visualization housing 4, these grooves guide the condensate to flow in a specific direction, allowing it to flow more smoothly to the bottom surface of the visualization housing 4 and then back into the humidifier 2. This prevents condensate from flowing randomly, accumulating, or forming droplets on the wall inside the housing, which would affect the visualization effect and product performance.

[0214] Multiple spaced grooves 422 increase the contact area with condensate, enabling more efficient collection and guidance of condensate. Compared to a smooth surface without grooves, the grooves allow condensate to converge into a flow more quickly, accelerating the return process, improving condensate recovery efficiency, and reducing condensate residue within the visible housing 4.

[0215] In some embodiments, combined with Figures 1 to 3 The transparent area 11a is located close to the center of the front panel 11 along its height direction. Positioning the transparent area 11a in the center of the front panel 11 conforms to normal human visual observation habits. When a user stands in front of the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner, they can naturally observe the water vapor situation inside the visible housing 4 without excessive head tilting, allowing the user to intuitively understand the humidification status and enhancing the product's visual appeal.

[0216] In some embodiments, the indoor unit 100 of the air conditioner further includes a second fan (not shown in the figure), which is disposed inside the housing 1 and is used to send water vapor out through the humidification outlet 1b.

[0217] 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 air conditioner indoor unit characterized by comprising: The air conditioner indoor unit comprises: a casing, wherein an air outlet and a humidifying outlet are arranged on the casing; a heat exchanger arranged in the casing; a first fan arranged in the casing, the first fan being configured to introduce air into the casing and send the air out of the casing through the air outlet after heat exchange through the heat exchanger; a humidifying device arranged in the casing, the humidifying device being configured to generate water vapor; a humidifying pipe configured to guide the water vapor generated by the humidifying device to the humidifying outlet; a visualization casing, wherein a containing cavity is formed in the visualization casing, the containing cavity is connected to the humidifying pipe in series, and at least a part of the visualization casing is a transparent structure; the casing comprises a transparent region corresponding to the transparent structure, so that the water vapor in the containing cavity can be observed. 2.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by, The casing comprises: a front panel, wherein the front panel comprises the transparent region. 3.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized by, The visualization casing comprises: a front side plate facing the transparent region, and at least a part of the front side plate is the transparent structure, the front side plate and the transparent region are arranged in a front-rear direction of the air conditioner indoor unit. 4.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized by, The distance between the front side plate and the transparent region is 5mm-10mm. 5.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The visualization casing is in a strip shape and extends along a width direction of the front panel, and the transparent region is also in a strip shape and extends along the width direction of the front panel, the length of the transparent region is adapted to the length of the visualization casing. 6.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized by, The casing further comprises: a first side plate and a second side plate connected to both sides of the front panel along the width direction; The transparent region comprises: a first transparent region arranged on the front panel; a second transparent region arranged on the first side plate; a third transparent region arranged on the second side plate; The visualization casing comprises: a main body part extending along the width direction of the front panel, the main body part corresponding to the first transparent region; a first extension part connected to one end of the main body part close to the first side plate, the first extension part extending along the width direction of the first side plate, and the first extension part corresponding to the second transparent region; a second extension part connected to one end of the main body part close to the second side plate, the second extension part extending along the width direction of the second side plate, and the second extension part corresponding to the third transparent region. 7.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized by, The visualization casing further comprises: a rear side plate arranged opposite to the front side plate in a front-rear direction of the air conditioner indoor unit, the rear side plate comprising a light-transmitting region corresponding to the transparent region; The air conditioner indoor unit comprises: a light-emitting member arranged on a side of the rear side plate away from the containing cavity and corresponding to the light-transmitting region. 8.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized by, The light-transmitting region is in a strip shape and extends along the width direction of the front panel; The light emitting member is a light strip extending along a width direction of the front panel. 9.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized by, The air conditioner indoor unit further comprises: A mounting rack connected to the cabinet and located on a side of the rear panel away from the accommodating cavity; The light emitting member is arranged on a surface of the mounting rack facing the rear panel, and the visual shell is connected to the mounting rack. 10.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The light transmissive region comprises a light scattering structure to scatter light emitted by the light emitting member; or The air conditioner indoor unit further comprises: A light scattering member arranged on a side of the light transmissive region close to the light emitting member to scatter light emitted by the light emitting member. 11.The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 10, characterized in that, A clamping groove is arranged on a surface of the rear panel away from the accommodating cavity, and a clamping protrusion is arranged on a surface of the light scattering member facing the rear panel, the clamping groove and the clamping protrusion are clamped in cooperation. 12.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by, The visual shell comprises a steam inlet and a steam outlet, and the humidifying pipe comprises: A first humidifying pipe section, one end of which is connected to the humidifying device and the other end of which is connected to the steam inlet; A second humidifying pipe section, one end of which is connected to the steam outlet and the other end of which is in communication with the humidifying outlet. 13.The indoor unit of the air conditioner of claim 12, characterized in that, The steam inlet is arranged on a bottom wall of the visual shell, and the steam outlet is arranged on a top wall of the visual shell.

14. The indoor unit of claim 13, wherein, The steam outlet is arranged on one end of the top wall along a length direction, and the steam inlet is arranged on a middle part of the bottom wall along the length direction.

15. The indoor unit of claim 13, wherein the indoor unit further comprises a first guide protrusion formed on the first guide rail and a second guide protrusion formed on the second guide rail. The steam inlet is arranged on one end of the bottom wall along the length direction, and the steam outlet is arranged on the other end of the top wall along the length direction. 16.The indoor unit of claim 13, wherein, An inner bottom surface of the visual shell is inclined towards the steam inlet, so that condensate water formed by the water vapor in the accommodating cavity can flow along the inner bottom surface into the first humidifying pipe section. 17.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by, An inner diameter of the humidifying pipe is 10mm-30mm. 18.The indoor unit of claim 7, wherein, A wall surface of the rear panel facing the accommodating cavity is a concave arc surface. 19.The indoor unit of claim 7, wherein, A wall surface of the rear panel facing the accommodating cavity is provided with a plurality of strip-shaped grooves, the plurality of strip-shaped grooves are arranged at intervals along a length direction of the rear panel, and the plurality of strip-shaped grooves can guide condensate water formed on the wall surface of the rear panel facing the accommodating cavity to the inner bottom surface.

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