An air conditioner

Abstract

This application provides an air conditioner that can promptly clean dust from its impeller to avoid affecting the air conditioner's performance and the user's health. The air conditioner includes: a housing with an air duct inside, the wall of which has an installation notch; an impeller disposed within the air duct; and a cleaning component disposed at the installation notch, configured to rotate relative to the housing between a cleaning position and a retracted position. When the cleaning component is in the cleaning position, it can contact the impeller to clean it, and the cleaning component opens the installation notch to allow at least a portion of the loosened dust to be discharged through the air duct. When the cleaning component is in the retracted position, it is separated from the impeller and the installation notch is closed. Furthermore, compared to solutions that discharge dust into a drip tray, this solution does not cause blockage of the drip tray's drain outlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to, but is not limited to, the field of air handling equipment technology, specifically referring to an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Over time, dust accumulates on the internal fan wheel of an air conditioner. If this dust isn't cleaned regularly, it can affect the air conditioner's performance, and bacteria can easily grow on the fan wheel's surface, potentially harming the user's health. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this application is to provide an air conditioner that can clean the dust from the fan wheel in a timely manner to avoid affecting the performance of the air conditioner and the health of the user.

[0004] This application provides an air conditioner, comprising: a housing, wherein an air duct is provided within the housing, and an installation notch is provided on the wall of the air duct; a fan wheel disposed within the air duct; and a cleaning component disposed at the installation notch, configured to rotate relative to the housing between a cleaning position and a storage position; wherein, based on the cleaning component being located in the cleaning position, the cleaning component can contact the fan wheel to clean the fan wheel, and the cleaning component opens the installation notch to allow at least a portion of the detached dust to be discharged through the installation notch into the air duct; wherein, based on the cleaning component being located in the storage position, the cleaning component is separated from the fan wheel and the cleaning component closes the installation notch.

[0005] The air conditioner provided in this application embodiment includes a cleaning component for cleaning and dust removal from the fan wheel. When the fan wheel needs cleaning, the cleaning component can rotate to the cleaning position. At this time, the cleaning component contacts the fan wheel, and the fan wheel rotates at a low speed, causing friction with the cleaning component, which dislodging the dust from the fan wheel, thereby achieving dust removal. Furthermore, when the cleaning component is in the cleaning position, the installation notch on the duct wall is opened, allowing at least a portion of the dust that has fallen off the fan wheel to be discharged from the duct through the installation notch, preventing dust from spreading throughout the duct and causing secondary pollution due to dust accumulation on the duct wall and the fan wheel. When the cleaning component is in the storage position, it is separated from the fan wheel, ensuring that the fan wheel can rotate normally at high speed, and the cleaning component closes the installation notch to prevent air leakage at the installation notch from affecting the airflow of the air conditioner. In addition, compared to solutions that discharge dust into a drip tray, this solution does not cause blockage of the drip tray's drain outlet.

[0006] Based on the above technical solution, the following improvements can be made to this application.

[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, the air conditioner further includes a dust collection box located outside the air duct and communicating with the interior of the air duct through the mounting notch, configured to collect dust discharged through the mounting notch.

[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, the dust collection box is located below the mounting notch, and the top of the dust collection box is open.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, the housing is provided with a flow guiding surface located outside the air duct and capable of forming a flow guiding channel with the cleaning component located at the cleaning position. The flow guiding channel is connected to the top opening of the dust collection box.

[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, the dust collection box is detachably connected to the housing.

[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, the outer wall of the housing is provided with an installation opening, and the dust collection box is detachably disposed at the installation opening.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, the mounting opening is located on the bottom wall of the housing, allowing the dust collection box to be ejected downwards from the housing; and / or, a portion of the wall surface of the dust collection box is adapted to the mounting opening and is flush with the outer wall surface of the housing.

[0013] In one exemplary embodiment, the dust collection box is provided with a vacuum cleaner interface, and the housing is provided with a clearance notch corresponding to the vacuum cleaner interface.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, the cleaning component includes a brush and a rotating shaft connected to the brush, the rotating shaft being located at one end of the brush in the width direction; the air conditioner further includes a drive mechanism connected to the rotating shaft, configured to drive the cleaning component to rotate between the cleaning position and the storage position.

[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, the cleaning component is located in the storage position, and the cleaning component is smoothly connected to the inner wall surface of the air duct. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an air conditioner provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the air conditioner's structure viewed from below.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the main structural layout of the air conditioner.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner AA in its first state (the cleaning component is in the storage position).

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the air conditioner AA in its second state (cleaning component in the clean position).

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 4 The diagram shown is a partial exploded view of the air conditioner, illustrating the downward disassembly of the dust collection box;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a partial three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an air conditioner provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 8 This is an assembly diagram of the cleaning component and drive mechanism provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 9 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the dust collection box provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A top view of the dust collection box;

[0026] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional view of the dust collection box along the BB direction is shown.

[0027] Figure 12 A bottom view of the air conditioner provided in some other embodiments of this application.

[0028] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0029] 1. Housing, 11. Air duct, 111. Mounting notch, 12. Guide surface, 13. Mounting opening, 14. Guide channel;

[0030] 2 wind turbines;

[0031] 3 cleaning components, 31 brushes, 32 swivels;

[0032] 4. Dust collection box, 41. Vacuum cleaner interface, 42. Handle position, 43. Rear panel, 44. Front panel, 45. Side panel, 46. Bottom panel;

[0033] 5. Drive mechanism;

[0034] 6. Heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The principles and features of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining this application and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 4As shown in the figure, this application provides an air conditioner, including: a housing 1, a fan 2, and a cleaning component 3. The air conditioner may also include components such as a heat exchanger 6.

[0037] The housing 1 contains an air duct 11, and the wall of the air duct 11 has an installation notch 111, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown.

[0038] The wind turbine 2 is located inside the air duct 11. The wind turbine 2 can be, but is not limited to, a cross-flow wind turbine 2.

[0039] The cleaning component 3 is located at the mounting notch 111 and is configured to rotate relative to the housing 1 between a cleaning position and a storage position. Based on the cleaning component 3 being located in the cleaning position (e.g., ...), the cleaning component 3 is positioned in the cleaning position (e.g., ...). Figure 5 As shown), the cleaning component 3 can contact the impeller 2 to clean it, and the cleaning component 3 opens the mounting notch 111 so that at least a portion of the loosened dust can be discharged through the mounting notch 111 into the air duct 11. This is based on the cleaning component 3 being located in a storage position (e.g., Figure 4 As shown), the cleaning component 3 is separated from the impeller 2 and the cleaning component 3 closes the installation notch 111. The cleaning component 3 can extend along the length of the impeller 2, and the length of the cleaning component 3 can be basically the same as the length of the impeller 2. In this way, when the impeller 2 rotates at low speed, the cleaning component 3 located in the cleaning position can scrape off the dust on the impeller 2, thereby achieving dust removal from the impeller 2.

[0040] The air conditioner provided in this embodiment includes a cleaning component 3 for cleaning and dust removal of the impeller 2. When the impeller 2 needs cleaning, the cleaning component 3 can rotate to the cleaning position, such as... Figure 5 As shown, at this time, the cleaning component 3 is in contact with the impeller 2. The impeller 2 rotates at a low speed, rubbing against the cleaning component 3, which causes the dust on the impeller 2 to fall off, thereby achieving dust removal from the impeller 2. Furthermore, when the cleaning component 3 is in the cleaning position, the mounting notch 111 on the wall of the air duct 11 is opened, allowing at least a portion of the dust that has fallen off the impeller 2 to be discharged from the air duct 11 through the mounting notch 111, thus preventing the dust from spreading throughout the air duct 11 and causing secondary pollution due to dust accumulation on the inner wall of the air duct 11 and the impeller 2. When the cleaning component 3 is in the storage position, as... Figure 4 As shown, the cleaning component 3 is separated from the impeller 2, ensuring that the impeller 2 can rotate normally at high speed. The cleaning component 3 also closes the installation notch 111 to prevent air leakage at the installation notch 111, which could affect the airflow of the air conditioner. Furthermore, compared to solutions that discharge dust into the water tray, this solution will not cause blockage of the water tray's drain outlet.

[0041] The type of air conditioner is not limited; it can be the indoor unit of a split air conditioner (such as a wall-mounted indoor unit, a ceiling-mounted indoor unit, or a cabinet-type indoor unit), or a complete split air conditioner including both an indoor and outdoor unit, or an integrated air conditioner.

[0042] In some exemplary embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 7 As shown, the air conditioner also includes a dust collection box 4, located outside the air duct 11 and connected to the interior of the air duct 11 through an installation notch 111, configured to collect dust discharged through the installation notch 111.

[0043] In this way, the dust collected can be stored in the dust collection box 4, which helps to prevent dust from accumulating in the space outside the air duct 11 inside the housing 1, and also helps to prevent dust from escaping into the room and affecting indoor air quality.

[0044] In some exemplary embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the dust collection box 4 is located below the mounting notch 111, and the top of the dust collection box 4 is open. This facilitates the deposition of dust into the dust collection box 4 under the influence of gravity.

[0045] In some exemplary embodiments, the housing 1 is provided with a flow guiding surface 12, such as Figure 5 As shown. The guide surface 12 is located outside the air duct 11 and can form a guide channel 14 with the cleaning component 3 located in the cleaning position, as shown. Figure 5 As shown, the flow channel 14 is connected to the top opening of the dust collection box 4. The flow channel 14 can guide the dust, making it easier for the dust to enter the dust collection box 4 smoothly.

[0046] In some embodiments, the mounting notch 111 is located on the lower side of the impeller 2, and the cleaning component 3 is also located on the lower side of the impeller 2, so that dust can flow downward under the action of gravity and be deposited in the dust collection box 4.

[0047] In some embodiments, the dust collection box 4 is elongated, such as... Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown. The dust collection box 4 includes a front panel 44, a rear panel 43, two side panels 45, and a bottom panel 46, as follows. Figure 11 As shown. The bottom plate 46 is connected to the lower ends of the front plate 44, the rear plate 43, and the two side plates 45. The two side plates 45 are spaced apart along the length of the dust collection box 4 and connect the front plate 44 and the rear plate 43. The front plate 44 and the rear plate 43 are spaced apart along the width of the dust collection box 4.

[0048] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the rear plate 43 can be located below the guide surface 12, and at least a portion of the rear plate 43 can be configured as an inclined plate, extending in a downward direction away from the front plate 44. This can block the dust in the dust collection box 4, which helps to prevent the dust in the dust collection box 4 from being lifted upward and detached from the dust collection box 4.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments, the dust collection box 4 is detachably connected to the housing 1. This allows the dust collection box 4 to be removed to empty the dust inside, enabling the dust collection box 4 to be used for a long period of time.

[0050] The dust collection box 4 can be removed and emptied after each cleaning cycle. Alternatively, it can be removed and emptied only when the dust in the dust collection box 4 has accumulated to a certain level, thus reducing the frequency of disassembly and reassembly.

[0051] The method of detachable connection between the dust collection box 4 and the housing 1 is unrestricted. For example, the dust collection box 4 and the housing 1 can be detachably connected by one or more connection methods such as fastener connection, snap connection, spring-loaded connection, plug-in fit, interference fit, and stop fit.

[0052] For example, the housing 1 has a connecting hole, and the dust collection box 4 has a fixing hole. Screws pass through the fixing hole and the connecting hole, so that the dust collection box 4 is detachably connected to the housing 1. The dust collection box 4 may have a flange, and the fixing hole may be located on the flange.

[0053] For example, the housing 1 has a limiting groove, and the dust collection box 4 has a spring clip. During the process of installing the dust collection box 4 into the housing 1, the spring clip undergoes elastic deformation. When the dust collection box 4 is in place, the spring clip engages with the limiting groove, thus connecting the dust collection box 4 to the housing 1. For disassembly, by applying a reverse force to the dust collection box 4, the spring clip is disengaged from the limiting groove, and the dust collection box 4 can be removed. Alternatively, an operating port communicating with the limiting groove can be provided on the housing 1, allowing the spring clip to be operated through the operating port to disengage from the limiting groove. The direction of the elastic deformation of the spring clip can be perpendicular to the installation direction of the dust collection box 4. The spring clip can be, but is not limited to, a spring + ball joint structure.

[0054] In some exemplary embodiments, the outer wall surface of the housing 1 is provided with a mounting opening 13, such as... Figure 6 As shown. The dust collection box 4 is detachably provided at the installation opening 13. In this way, at least a part of the dust collection box 4 can be seen, making it easy for the user to touch the dust collection box 4 and then perform the disassembly and assembly operations of the dust collection box 4.

[0055] In some exemplary embodiments, the mounting opening 13 is provided on the bottom wall of the housing 1, allowing the dust collection box 4 to be displaced downwards from the housing 1, such as... Figure 6 As shown. This allows users to remove the dust collection box 4 downwards and install it upwards, which is particularly suitable for wall-mounted indoor units. Furthermore, placing the installation opening 13 on the bottom wall of the casing 1 minimizes its impact on the air conditioner's appearance.

[0056] In other embodiments, the mounting opening 13 may also be located on the side wall of the housing 1, allowing the dust collection box 4 to exit the housing 1 to the left or right. Alternatively, the mounting opening 13 may be positioned forward, allowing the dust collection box 4 to exit the housing 1 forward. The mounting opening 13 may be covered by other components (such as a panel, which can be seen by opening the panel).

[0057] In some exemplary embodiments, a portion of the wall surface of the dust collection box 4 is adapted to the mounting opening 13 and flush with the outer wall surface of the housing 1. Please refer to this for further details. Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown. This prevents the dust collection box 4 from protruding outward from the housing 1, which helps to optimize the appearance of the air conditioner.

[0058] In some exemplary embodiments, the exposed wall surface of the dust collection box 4 is provided with a handle position 42, such as... Figure 2 As shown, this allows the user to easily apply force by holding the handle 42 to disassemble and assemble the dust collection box 4.

[0059] The handle position 42 can be a concave groove, a convex handle, or a combination of both.

[0060] In some exemplary embodiments, the dust collection box 4 is provided with a vacuum cleaner interface 41, such as Figure 12 As shown, the housing 1 has a corresponding clearance notch at the part corresponding to the vacuum cleaner interface 41. This allows dust to be sucked out of the dust collection box 4 by an external vacuum cleaner without removing the dust collection box 4. In this case, the dust collection box 4 can be set to be detachable or non-detachable.

[0061] In the design where the dust collection box 4 is located at the mounting opening 13 of the housing 1, the vacuum cleaner interface 41 can be set at the corresponding mounting opening 13 of the dust collection box 4. In this case, the mounting opening 13 and the clearance notch are combined into one, and there is no need to open a clearance notch separately.

[0062] A sealing cover can be installed at the vacuum cleaner interface 41 to seal the vacuum cleaner interface 41 and prevent dust in the dust collection box 4 from escaping. The sealing cover can be detachably connected to the dust collection box 4 or rotatably connected.

[0063] For example, the sealing cap can be rotated inward to open and rotated outward to close. An elastic element is provided at the pivot 32 of the sealing cap, allowing the sealing cap to be stably held in the closed position by the restoring force of the elastic element, ensuring reliable sealing. When an external vacuum cleaner is connected, the vacuum cleaner can push the sealing cap open without requiring additional pushing.

[0064] In some exemplary embodiments, the cleaning component 3 includes a cleaning component 31 and a rotating shaft 32 connected to the cleaning component 31, such as... Figure 5As shown, the rotating shaft 32 is located at one end of the cleaning component 31 in the width direction. The air conditioner also includes a drive mechanism 5, such as... Figure 8 As shown. The drive mechanism 5 is connected to the rotating shaft 32 and is configured to drive the cleaning component 3 to rotate between the cleaning position and the storage position.

[0065] This allows for the use of electronic control programs to control the automatic movement of the cleaning component 3, enabling the impeller 2 to perform automatic cleaning without requiring manual operation of the cleaning component 3 by the user, thus improving the user experience.

[0066] The drive mechanism 5 may include a drive component, which may be, but is not limited to, a motor, such as... Figure 8 As shown. The drive mechanism 5 may also include a transmission mechanism, which may be, but is not limited to, a gear transmission mechanism. The drive mechanism 5 may be mounted on the housing 1.

[0067] In some exemplary embodiments, based on the fact that the cleaning component 3 is located in the storage position, the cleaning component 3 smoothly contacts the inner wall surface of the air duct 11, such as... Figure 4 As shown. This reduces the wind resistance caused by the cleaning component 3, which helps ensure the air volume output of the air conditioner. The longitudinal section of the cleaning component 31 can be set to a curved shape.

[0068] In some embodiments, the air conditioner is a wall-mounted indoor unit, and the housing 1 includes components such as a chassis assembly, a front frame, and a panel. The chassis assembly is provided with a mounting notch 111 and a mounting opening 13. The dust collection box 4 is configured to be detachable and removed downwards.

[0069] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0070] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0071] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0072] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0073] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0074] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: A housing, wherein an air duct is provided inside the housing, and the wall surface of the air duct is provided with an installation notch; The wind turbine is located within the aforementioned air duct; and A cleaning component is disposed at the mounting notch and configured to rotate relative to the housing between a cleaning position and a storage position; based on the cleaning component being located in the cleaning position, the cleaning component can contact the impeller to clean the impeller, and the cleaning component opens the mounting notch so that at least a portion of the detached dust can be discharged from the air duct through the mounting notch; Based on the fact that the cleaning component is located in the storage position, the cleaning component is separated from the impeller and the cleaning component closes the installation notch.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A dust collection box is located outside the air duct and communicates with the interior of the air duct through the mounting notch, and is configured to collect dust discharged through the mounting notch.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The dust collection box is located below the mounting notch, and the top of the dust collection box is open.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a flow guiding surface, which is located outside the air duct and can form a flow guiding channel with the cleaning component located at the cleaning position. The flow guiding channel is connected to the top opening of the dust collection box.

5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The dust collection box is detachably connected to the housing.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer wall of the housing is provided with an installation opening, and the dust collection box is detachably disposed at the installation opening.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mounting opening is located on the bottom wall of the housing, allowing the dust collection box to be detached downwards from the housing; and / or A portion of the wall surface of the dust collection box is adapted to the installation opening and is flush with the outer wall surface of the housing.

8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The dust collection box is provided with a vacuum cleaner interface, and the housing is provided with a corresponding clearance notch at the part corresponding to the vacuum cleaner interface.

9. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The cleaning component includes a brush and a rotating shaft connected to the brush, the rotating shaft being located at one end of the brush in the width direction; The air conditioner also includes a drive mechanism connected to the rotating shaft and configured to drive the cleaning component to rotate between the cleaning position and the storage position.

10. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The cleaning component is located in the storage position, and it is smoothly connected to the inner wall of the air duct.

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