Ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a ceiling-mounted air conditioner indoor unit and an air conditioner. The ceiling-mounted air conditioner indoor unit includes: a housing and a maintenance assembly. An inspection port is provided on one side of the housing. A base foam and a drip tray are disposed inside the housing. The maintenance assembly includes an inspection plate, a first heat insulation structure, and a water pump. The first heat insulation structure is installed on the side of the inspection plate facing the interior of the housing. The outer periphery of the first heat insulation structure is configured to tightly seal against the drip tray and the base foam. The water pump is installed on the first heat insulation structure and is connected to a drain outlet via a pipeline. The drain outlet extends out of the inspection plate, and the inspection plate is detachably connected to the housing at the inspection port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of air conditioners, and in particular to a ceiling-type indoor air conditioner unit and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] Ceiling-mounted air conditioners, especially skylight-type air conditioners, are installed in the indoor ceiling space. Their condensate drainage needs to overcome a certain height difference to avoid water backflow. Therefore, the industry usually equips these types of air conditioners with a condensate drain pump as standard. The drain pump increases the drainage head to achieve strong drainage function and ensure the stable operation of the air conditioning system.

[0003] However, ceiling-mounted air conditioners are primarily used in relatively harsh environments such as hot pot restaurants, hotels, and factories. In these settings, airborne debris such as oil, dust, and fibrous particles easily enter the air conditioner with the airflow, mixing with condensate in the drip tray and gradually settling. Simultaneously, the damp drip tray environment provides favorable conditions for microbial growth, leading to the accumulation of bacterial colonies. These deposits and bacterial colonies easily clog the water pump inlet, reducing drainage flow and triggering equipment malfunction alarms. In severe cases, they can even cause the water pump to become completely blocked and jammed, preventing the air conditioner from draining water and directly impacting normal user operation. According to incomplete statistics, water pump failure rates consistently rank among the top three for ceiling-mounted air conditioners in the domestic market, becoming a core issue affecting product reliability.

[0004] More significantly, the existing traditional ceiling-mounted air conditioner water pump maintenance process has significant flaws. Maintenance requires the sequential disassembly of multiple key components, such as the control panel, electrical box, and drip tray, before the water pump can be disassembled and reassembled. During the disassembly of the drip tray, the accumulated contaminated wastewater is highly likely to spill out. If precision instruments, electronic equipment, or other valuables are located directly beneath the unit, this can cause equipment damage and lead to claims disputes. Furthermore, the complex disassembly and reassembly process places extremely high demands on the professional skills and operational experience of maintenance personnel, resulting not only in high maintenance difficulty and low efficiency but also a substantial increase in the time and labor costs of after-sales repairs.

[0005] It's important to note that existing detachable water pump structures are mostly used in ductless air conditioners with suction systems. In these systems, the pump is installed on the return air side, where the ambient temperature is relatively stable, eliminating concerns about condensation. However, in ceiling-mounted air conditioners, the water pump is installed on the outlet air side, in the cold air zone. This difference in installation location presents new technical challenges: it's necessary to achieve convenient, engineered disassembly and installation of the pump to meet the need for maintenance without removing the drip tray, while simultaneously addressing the condensation problem of the detachable pump in the cold air zone environment to prevent condensation from affecting equipment performance or causing safety hazards. Currently, there is no effective solution in the industry to meet these dual requirements in this specific scenario. Utility Model Content

[0006] This disclosure provides a ceiling-mounted air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner to solve the obvious inconveniences in after-sales processes such as water pump maintenance, liquid level switch maintenance and water tray cleaning of existing ceiling-mounted air conditioners, and the lack of technical solutions that balance ease of disassembly and condensation protection for scenarios where the water pump is installed in the cold air zone.

[0007] This utility model provides a ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit, including: a housing and a maintenance assembly, wherein a maintenance port is provided on one side of the housing, and a base foam and a water collection tray are provided inside the housing; the maintenance assembly includes a maintenance plate, a first heat insulation structure and a water pump, the first heat insulation structure is installed on the side of the maintenance plate facing the inside of the housing, the outer periphery of the first heat insulation structure is configured to be tightly sealed to the water collection tray and the base foam, the water pump is installed on the first heat insulation structure, the water pump is connected to a drain outlet through a pipeline, the drain outlet extends out of the maintenance plate, and the maintenance plate is detachably connected to the housing at the maintenance port.

[0008] The maintenance assembly includes a second heat insulation structure, which is installed on the side of the maintenance plate facing the inside of the housing. The second heat insulation structure is spaced apart from the first heat insulation structure and is configured to be tightly sealed to the water receiving tray and the bottom plate foam.

[0009] The maintenance component includes a level switch, which is installed on the second heat insulation structure.

[0010] The inspection plate has screw holes on its outer periphery, and the inspection plate is detachably connected to the periphery of the inspection port through the screw holes.

[0011] The inspection plate has one of a buckle or a hole on its outer periphery, and the inspection port has the other of a buckle or a hole on its periphery, and the inspection plate is engaged with the inspection port.

[0012] The maintenance component includes a mounting bracket for supporting the water pump, and the water pump and the mounting bracket are mounted on the first heat insulation structure.

[0013] The inspection port is equipped with a duct foam board, and the first heat insulation structure is configured to be connected and sealed with the duct foam board to prevent cold air leakage.

[0014] The water pump is connected to the drain outlet via a drain pipe, one end of which is fixed to the inspection plate.

[0015] The housing contains an evaporator, a motor, and an electrical box. The housing is formed by a base plate at the top and multiple side plates on the periphery. The inspection port and the inspection assembly are located on the base plate or any of the side plates.

[0016] This disclosure also provides an air conditioner, including the above-described ceiling-mounted air conditioner indoor unit.

[0017] The technical solutions provided in this disclosure have the following advantages compared with the prior art: The ceiling-mounted air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner disclosed herein feature an access port on one side of the casing. An access panel is detachably connected to the casing at the access port, and the water pump is directly mounted on a first heat insulation structure fixed inside the access panel. These features integrate the access port, the detachable access panel, the first heat insulation structure, and the water pump. When the water pump needs maintenance, there is no need to disassemble the water tray inside the casing; simply removing the access panel allows the first heat insulation structure and the water pump mounted on it to be simultaneously removed from the access port. This integration completely solves the complex operation of disassembling the water tray required for water pump maintenance in traditional ceiling-mounted air conditioners. It also avoids the risk of wastewater spillage during water tray disassembly and assembly, which could damage equipment below the unit, thus reducing the difficulty of after-sales maintenance and the probability of user claims.

[0018] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the first insulation structure is configured to be tightly sealed against the water receiving tray and the base plate foam inside the casing, and the first insulation structure supports the water pump and is fixed to the maintenance plate. Since the water pump of the ceiling-mounted unit is installed in the cold air zone on the air outlet side, cold air leakage can easily lead to condensation on the casing; the feature of the outer periphery of the first insulation structure being tightly sealed against the water receiving tray and the base plate foam, combined with the sealing effect of the maintenance plate on the maintenance port, can form a sealed barrier for the cold air inside the unit, effectively preventing cold air from leaking from the maintenance port and the gap between the first insulation structure and the surrounding components, thus structurally eliminating the risk of condensation in the area where the water pump is located.

[0019] In addition, the water pump is connected to the drain outlet via a pipeline, and the drain outlet extends out of the inspection plate. This feature enables the water pump drainage path to be adapted to the maintenance components: the drain outlet extending out of the inspection plate means that when disassembling and assembling the maintenance components containing the water pump, it is not necessary to disassemble the main body of the drainage pipeline; simply disconnecting the external connection at the extended end is sufficient to remove or place the water pump. At the same time, the fixed connection between the pipeline and the drain outlet ensures a stable drainage path when the water pump is operating, avoiding drainage failure due to assembly problems of the maintenance components, thus achieving the dual goals of reliable drainage function and convenient maintenance operation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the installation structure of the access panel and access components relative to the indoor unit of a ceiling-mounted air conditioner, provided in an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the maintenance components facing the inside of the housing in the indoor unit of a ceiling-type air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Housing; 11. Inspection port; 111. Air duct foam board; 12. Base plate; 13. Side plate; 14. Water tray; 2. Maintenance components; 21. Maintenance plate; 22. First heat insulation structure; 23. Water pump; 24. Drain outlet; 25. Second heat insulation structure; 26. Liquid level switch; 27. Drain pipe; 211. Screw fixing hole. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0026] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the present invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0027] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in this text to describe the relative position or movement of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "front," "back," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure undergoes a positional flip, orientation change, or change of motion, these directional indications will change accordingly. For instance, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptions used in this text have been explained accordingly.

[0028] The existing technology has the following problems: Traditional detachable water pumps are mainly used in ducted air conditioners with suction systems, where the pump is located on the return air side, eliminating the risk of condensation. However, for ceiling-mounted air conditioners, the water pump is installed on the outlet air side, in the cold air zone. This necessitates addressing the condensation issue with detachable pumps while also ensuring easy disassembly and installation.

[0029] Specifically, during long-term use, air conditioners often experience problems such as a dirty drip tray, bacterial growth, and even a clogged or blocked water pump, affecting normal operation. Statistics show that a dirty drip tray causing water pump failure is among the top three causes of after-sales malfunctions in ceiling-mounted air conditioners. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a ceiling-mounted air conditioner that allows for easy disassembly and cleaning of the water pump without removing the drip tray. Traditional ceiling-mounted air conditioners require disassembling the drip tray components for cleaning and replacing / repairing the water pump, which is difficult and prone to spilling wastewater from the drip tray onto equipment below the unit, leading to customer claims.

[0030] Therefore, the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner provided in this embodiment are designed for the water pump installed in the cold air area, which requires convenient disassembly and condensation problem. In terms of structure, the water pump is first installed on a heat insulation material such as a foam board, and then fixed to a detachable maintenance plate. This allows for the disassembly and maintenance of the water pump without removing the water tray, and also allows for cleaning of the water tray and other operations.

[0031] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2This disclosure provides a ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner, including: a housing 1 and a maintenance assembly 2, wherein a maintenance port 11 is provided on one side of the housing 1, and a base foam and a water tray 14 are provided inside the housing 1; the maintenance assembly 2 includes a maintenance plate 21, a first heat insulation structure 22 and a water pump 23, wherein the first heat insulation structure 22 is installed on the side of the maintenance plate 21 facing the inside of the housing 1, and the outer periphery of the first heat insulation structure 22 is configured to be tightly sealed to the water tray 14 and the base foam, the water pump 23 is installed on the first heat insulation structure 22, and the water pump 23 is connected to a drain outlet 24 through a pipeline, the drain outlet 24 extends out of the maintenance plate 21, and the maintenance plate 21 is detachably connected to the housing 1 at the maintenance port 11.

[0032] For example, the first thermal insulation structure 22 can be understood as a structure using thermal insulation materials, such as foam board or foam cotton. For example, the foam board can be polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene foam board or phenolic foam board, and the foam cotton can be polyethylene foam cotton.

[0033] Thus, by providing an inspection port 11 on one side of the housing 1, the inspection plate 21 is detachably connected to the housing 1 at the inspection port 11, and the water pump 23 is directly mounted on the first heat insulation structure 22 fixed inside the inspection plate 21. These features form an integrated connection between the inspection port 11, the detachable inspection plate 21, the first heat insulation structure 22, and the water pump 23: when the water pump 23 needs maintenance, there is no need to disassemble the water receiving tray 14 inside the housing 1; simply disassembling the inspection plate 21 allows the first heat insulation structure 22 and the water pump 23 mounted thereon to be simultaneously removed from the inspection port 11. This connection completely solves the complex operation of disassembling the water receiving tray 14 required for traditional ceiling-mounted units to maintain the water pump 23, while also avoiding the risk of wastewater spilling and damaging equipment below the unit during the disassembly and assembly of the water receiving tray 14, reducing the difficulty of after-sales maintenance and the probability of user claims.

[0034] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the first heat insulation structure 22 is configured to be tightly sealed against the water receiving tray 14 and the base plate foam inside the housing 1, and the first heat insulation structure 22 supports the water pump 23 and is fixed to the inspection plate 21. Since the water pump 23 of the ceiling unit is installed in the cold air area on the air outlet side, cold air leakage can easily lead to condensation on the housing 1; and the feature of the outer periphery of the first heat insulation structure 22 being tightly sealed against the water receiving tray 14 and the base plate foam, combined with the sealing effect of the inspection plate 21 on the inspection port 11, can form a sealed barrier for the cold air inside the unit, effectively preventing cold air from leaking from the inspection port 11 and the gap between the first heat insulation structure 22 and the surrounding components, thus structurally eliminating the condensation risk in the area where the water pump 23 is located.

[0035] In addition, the water pump 23 is connected to the drain outlet 24 via a pipeline, and the drain outlet 24 extends out of the inspection plate 21. This feature enables the water pump 23 to be adapted to the maintenance component 2: the setting of the drain outlet 24 extending out of the inspection plate 21 means that when the maintenance component 2 containing the water pump 23 is disassembled or assembled, it is not necessary to disassemble the main body of the drain pipe 27; the water pump 23 can be removed or placed simply by disconnecting the external connection at the extended end. At the same time, the fixed connection between the pipeline and the drain outlet 24 ensures the stability of the drainage path when the water pump 23 is working, avoiding drainage failure due to assembly problems of the maintenance component 2, thus achieving the dual goals of reliable drainage function and convenient maintenance operation.

[0036] Considering the option of providing more than one heat insulation structure in the maintenance assembly 2 to form a seal between it and the water tray 14 and the base plate foam, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment, the maintenance assembly 2 includes a second heat insulation structure 25. The second heat insulation structure 25 is installed on the side of the maintenance plate 21 facing the inside of the housing 1. The second heat insulation structure 25 is spaced apart from the first heat insulation structure 22. The second heat insulation structure 25 is configured to be tightly sealed to the water tray 14 and the base plate foam.

[0037] For example, the second thermal insulation structure 25 can be understood as a structure using thermal insulation materials, such as foam board or foam cotton. For example, the foam board can be polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene foam board or phenolic foam board, and the foam cotton can be polyethylene foam cotton.

[0038] In this way, the first insulation structure 22 has achieved a basic seal by being tightly bonded to the water receiving tray 14 and the base plate foam. The second insulation structure 25, with its spaced arrangement and synchronous tight-fitting seal with the first insulation structure 22, constructs two independent and complementary sealing defenses. When cold air inside the unit attempts to leak from the inspection port 11 or the gap between the insulation structure and surrounding components, it must first overcome the sealing barriers of the second insulation structure 25 and the first insulation structure 22. Compared with the sealing method of a single insulation structure, the leakage path is significantly extended and the difficulty of blocking it is greatly increased, further solving the condensation problem of the ceiling pump 23 installed in the cold air zone.

[0039] It should be noted that during actual assembly, a single insulation structure may experience localized gaps due to dimensional deviations, uneven installation stress, or other factors. The addition of the second insulation structure 25 creates a double redundant seal. Even if the first insulation structure 22 has minor sealing defects, the second insulation structure 25 can fill the gaps through its tight seal with the water tray 14 and the base foam, preventing cold air leakage due to assembly errors of a single structure and significantly improving the stability and reliability of the overall sealing performance.

[0040] In addition, the area around the access port 11 may have irregular sealing surfaces due to the edge contour of the water tray 14 and the splicing of the base plate foam, making it difficult for a single insulation structure to fully cover all leak-prone areas. The spacing between the second insulation structure 25 and the first insulation structure 22 can be adapted to different sealing areas according to the structural characteristics around the access port 11. For example, the first insulation structure 22 focuses on sealing the area where the water pump 23 is installed, while the second insulation structure 25 focuses on sealing the edge of the access port 11 or the corner of the water tray 14, achieving comprehensive sealing coverage of the access port 11 and surrounding key parts, further eliminating dead zones for cold air leakage.

[0041] Considering the option of including a liquid level switch 26 in the maintenance component 2, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the maintenance component 2 includes a liquid level switch 26, which is installed on the second heat insulation structure 25.

[0042] In this way, disassembling the inspection plate 21 can simultaneously remove the water pump 23, the liquid level switch 26, and the two types of heat insulation structures from the inspection port 11. There is no need to locate and disassemble the liquid level switch 26 separately, which completely solves the problem that the traditional ceiling pump requires disassembling the water tray 14 to maintain the liquid level switch 26. This enables one-stop maintenance of the water pump 23 and the liquid level switch 26, greatly reducing the difficulty of after-sales operation.

[0043] It should be noted that the second insulation structure 25 is tightly sealed to the water receiving pan 14 and the base foam to create multiple cold air barrier lines. The installation of the level switch 26 on the second insulation structure 25 does not alter the outer contour of the second insulation structure 25 or its fit with surrounding components. The second insulation structure 25 maintains a tight seal with the water receiving pan 14 and the base foam, preventing new cold air leakage gaps from being created due to the assembly of the level switch 26. This ensures that the sealing objective of the double insulation structure is not affected, continuously blocking cold air leakage inside the unit and effectively avoiding the risk of condensation in the area where the water pump 23 and the level switch 26 are located.

[0044] After the maintenance assembly 2, including the level switch 26 and the water pump 23, is removed from the access port 11, the interior of the water tray 14 is directly exposed. This arrangement allows operators to simultaneously inspect the level switch 26 and observe the water tray 14 for blockages and clean deposits through the access port 11, eliminating the need for additional disassembly and reassembly between level switch 26 maintenance and water tray 14 maintenance. This synergy between component maintenance and environmental protection significantly reduces after-sales service time and improves overall maintenance efficiency.

[0045] Considering one of the installation schemes of the inspection plate 21 on the inspection port 11 and the housing 1, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment, the inspection plate 21 is provided with screw fixing holes 211 on its outer periphery, and the inspection plate 21 is detachably connected to the periphery of the inspection port 11 through the screw fixing holes 211.

[0046] In this way, during maintenance, the inspection plate 21 can be removed simply by loosening the screws, and the entire maintenance assembly 2, including the water pump 23, level switch 26 and other core components to be repaired, can be taken out simultaneously; during installation, it can be reset by tightening the screws. This design completely avoids the complicated operation of disassembling the water tray 14 required by traditional ceiling pumps, and directly realizes the convenience of repairing core components by removing the inspection plate 21, thus reducing the difficulty of maintenance.

[0047] Specifically, the screw fixing holes 211 on the outer periphery of the inspection plate 21 allow for multi-point fastening between the inspection plate 21 and the inspection port 11. The axial pressure of the screws firmly fixes the inspection plate 21 to the housing 1, thereby causing the outer periphery of the insulation structure installed inside the inspection plate 21 to fit tightly against the water tray 14 and the base plate foam. This prevents gaps between the insulation structure and surrounding components due to loose installation of the inspection plate 21. This stable connection directly ensures the integrity of the sealing barrier, effectively prevents cold air leakage, and maintains the reliability of the anti-condensation performance. At the same time, when the screws are tightened through the outer peripheral holes, the displacement of the inspection plate 21 within the mounting surface can be limited, ensuring that after each disassembly and assembly, the inspection plate 21 and its insulation structure, water pump 23, level switch 26, and other components can return to their preset assembly positions. This positioning function ensures that the insulation structure is always precisely aligned with the sealing surfaces of the water tray 14 and the base plate foam, preventing damage to the sealing effect due to installation position deviations; at the same time, it also ensures that the relative positions of components such as the water pump 23, drain pipe 27, and drain outlet 24 are stable, without affecting the drainage function, and improving the assembly consistency after multiple disassemblies and reassemblies.

[0048] Furthermore, screw fixing is a mature and universal mechanical connection method, and maintenance personnel can disassemble and assemble the access panel 21 without needing special operating skills or special tools. Compared to potentially complex connection structures, the design of the peripheral screw fixing holes 211 significantly reduces the skill requirements for maintenance personnel.

[0049] Considering the second installation scheme of the inspection plate 21 on the inspection port 11 and the housing 1, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment, the inspection plate 21 is provided with one of the two types of buckles or buckles on its outer periphery, and the inspection port 11 is provided with the other of the two types of buckles or buckles on its periphery, and the inspection plate 21 is engaged with the inspection port 11.

[0050] In this way, maintenance can be performed without the need for screwdrivers or other tools. The inspection plate 21 can be removed manually by unlocking the locking structure, such as by pressing the latches or pulling them apart, allowing the entire inspection component 2 to be taken out simultaneously. During installation, simply align the plate and press to secure it. This design further simplifies the operation process compared to screw connections, completely avoiding the complex procedures of disassembling the water tray 14 in traditional ceiling-mounted units. It more efficiently achieves the goal of repairing the core component by removing the inspection plate 21, while also eliminating the risk of sewage leakage during the disassembly and assembly of the water tray 14, reducing maintenance difficulty and improving after-sales convenience. Furthermore, the latching connection between the latches and the locking holes creates stable axial and radial constraints. The locking force firmly locks the inspection plate 21 around the inspection port 11, causing the outer periphery of the insulation structure installed inside the inspection plate 21 to tightly adhere to the water tray 14 and the base foam, preventing gaps between the insulation structure and surrounding components due to loosening of the inspection plate 21. This stable connection ensures the integrity of the sealing barrier, effectively preventing cold air leakage inside the unit and continuously guaranteeing the reliability of the anti-condensation effect.

[0051] In addition, during the engagement process, the latches automatically align and lock along the guide structure of the locking holes, limiting the offset of the inspection plate 21 within the mounting surface. This precise positioning ensures that after each disassembly and assembly, the inspection plate 21 and its components, such as the heat insulation structure, water pump 23, and level switch 26, return to their preset assembly positions, ensuring that the heat insulation structure always precisely aligns with the sealing surfaces of the water tray 14 and the base plate foam, avoiding damage to the sealing effect due to installation deviations; at the same time, it ensures the relative position of the water pump 23 drain pipe 27 and the drain outlet 24 remains stable, without affecting the drainage function, and improving the assembly consistency after multiple disassembly and assembly.

[0052] Considering the installation scheme of water pump 23 in maintenance assembly 2, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the maintenance plate 21 assembly includes a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket is used to support the water pump 23, and the water pump 23 and the mounting bracket are installed on the first heat insulation structure 22.

[0053] In this way, the mounting bracket distributes the force on the water pump 23 through structural support, preventing the water pump 23 from shifting or loosening due to single-point fixing or its own weight. Simultaneously, the connection between the bracket and the first thermal insulation structure 22 transfers the load of the water pump 23 to the inspection plate 21, forming a stable force chain between the inspection plate 21, the first thermal insulation structure 22, the mounting bracket, and the water pump 23. This connection effectively solves the problem of insecure fixing that may occur with direct installation of the water pump 23, ensuring precise connection between the drain outlet 24 and the pipeline during long-term operation of the water pump 23, avoiding drainage problems or malfunctions due to displacement, and reducing the failure rate of the water pump 23.

[0054] Furthermore, the addition of the mounting bracket creates a transitional connection between the water pump 23, the bracket, and the first thermal insulation structure 22. The water pump 23 is first fixed to the bracket, and then assembled with the first thermal insulation structure 22 through the bracket. This eliminates the need for excessive processing of the first thermal insulation structure 22, preserving its original thermal insulation profile and sealing surface. This ensures that the outer periphery of the first thermal insulation structure 22 remains tightly bonded to the water receiving tray 14 and the base foam, without weakening its cold air blocking ability and maintaining stable anti-condensation performance.

[0055] Furthermore, when disassembling the inspection plate 21, the first heat insulation structure 22 can simultaneously remove the mounting bracket and water pump 23 together, eliminating the need to separately separate the water pump 23 from the bracket, or the bracket from the heat insulation structure. This integrated disassembly and assembly logic avoids the additional steps of disassembling the water pump 23 and the bracket during maintenance, simplifying the operation process. At the same time, the pre-set assembly relationship between the bracket and the first heat insulation structure 22 during installation can quickly locate the position of the water pump 23 without recalibration, significantly improving after-sales maintenance efficiency and reducing repair difficulty.

[0056] It should be noted that in actual production, water pumps 23 with slightly different specifications may need to be matched for different models of ceiling-mounted air conditioners. The support function of the mounting bracket is flexible and adaptable. By adjusting the fixing points of the water pump 23 on the bracket or selecting a bracket of appropriate specifications, stable support and installation of water pumps 23 of different sizes and weights can be achieved without changing the setting of the first heat insulation structure 22. This connection reduces the cost of resetting the first heat insulation structure 22 due to changes in the specifications of the water pump 23, enhances the versatility and adaptability of the inspection plate 21 components, and meets the requirements of the air conditioning platform setting.

[0057] Considering the sealing scheme of the first heat insulation structure 22 at the access port 11, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment, a duct foam board 111 is provided at the access port 11, and the first heat insulation structure 22 is configured to be connected and sealed with the duct foam board 111 to prevent leakage of cold air.

[0058] In this way, after the maintenance component 2 is installed, the first insulation structure 22 can be seamlessly connected to the insulation path of the air duct foam board 111, completely sealing the gaps around the maintenance port 11 that may cause cold air leakage due to structural splicing. This connection directly targets the causal chain from cold air leakage to condensation, preventing cold air overflow from the structural source and accurately solving the condensation problem in the area where the water pump 23 is located.

[0059] Specifically, when disassembling the inspection panel 21, the first thermal insulation structure 22 separates from the duct foam board 111 along with the inspection component 2, without affecting the overall removal of the inspection component 2; during installation, simply align the first thermal insulation structure 22 with the duct foam board 111 to complete the connection, and the seal can be restored. This adaptability of disassembly and assembly, and installation and sealing, neither increases the difficulty of maintenance operations due to the enhanced seal, nor hinders the rapid reconstruction of the sealing barrier after each inspection and repositioning, perfectly balancing the dual requirements of "anti-condensation" and "easy maintenance".

[0060] Furthermore, no additional adjustments are required during assembly; the first thermal insulation structure 22 automatically adheres and seals itself through the positioning action of the duct foam board 111. This design significantly reduces the risk of sealing gaps caused by manual assembly deviations, ensuring that the sealing effect between the first thermal insulation structure 22 and the duct foam board 111 remains consistently stable across different units and with varying numbers of disassembly and assembly cycles, thus guaranteeing the reliability of the anti-condensation performance.

[0061] It should be noted that the sealing effect of the first thermal insulation structure 22 and the duct foam board 111 can maintain the temperature stability of the area where the water pump 23 is located, avoiding the generation of additional condensation due to sudden changes in local temperature and humidity caused by cold air leakage. At the same time, the sealing barrier can reduce the probability of external impurities entering the unit through the gap of the inspection port 11, reducing the risk of dirt clogging of the water tray 14 and the water inlet of the water pump 23. This connection reduces the failure rate of the water pump 23 by optimizing the operating environment of the water pump 23.

[0062] Considering the actual installation scheme of the water pump 23 in the maintenance component 2, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment, the water pump 23 is connected to the drain outlet 24 through the drain pipe 27, and one end of the drain pipe 27 is fixed on the maintenance plate 21.

[0063] In this design, one end of the drain pipe 27 is fixed to the inspection plate 21, and the water pump 23 is connected to the drain outlet 24 through the drain pipe 27, forming an integrated connection between the inspection plate 21, drain pipe 27, water pump 23, and drain outlet 24. When the inspection plate 21 is disassembled, the drain pipe 27 fixed to it can simultaneously drive the water pump 23 and related components installed on the first heat insulation structure 22 to be taken out from the inspection port 11, without the need to separately separate the connection between the water pump 23 and the drain pipe 27, or between the drain pipe 27 and the drain outlet 24. This integrated setup completely avoids the cumbersome steps of disassembling the drain pipe 27 in traditional maintenance, further solidifying the core logic that removing the water pump 23 and related components is completed by removing the inspection plate 21, while avoiding the risk of sewage overflow from the water receiving tray 14 that may be caused by disassembling the pipe separately.

[0064] Specifically, the fixing of one end of the drain pipe 27 to the inspection plate 21 provides rigid support for the drainage path. The stable connection between the inspection plate 21 and the housing 1 constrains the position of the drain pipe 27. The stable connection can be a screw fixation or a snap-fit ​​connection, preventing the connection between the drain pipe 27 and the water pump 23 and the drain outlet 24 from loosening due to vibration during the operation of the water pump 23. At the same time, the fixed drain pipe 27 can maintain the regularity of the pipeline route, reduce the water flow resistance caused by pipeline bends and deviations, ensure stable drainage head, and indirectly reduce the risk of water pump 23 failure due to poor drainage, thus reducing the failure rate of the water pump 23. If the drain pipe 27 is not fixedly supported, its shaking may impact or squeeze the first heat insulation structure 22, causing a sealing gap between the heat insulation structure and surrounding components. After one end of the drain pipe 27 is fixed to the inspection plate 21, the position of the pipe is precisely defined, and it will not shake randomly due to unit operation or disassembly and assembly operations. This avoids interference with the sealing surface of the first heat insulation structure 22, ensures the integrity of the sealing barrier, and continuously plays the role of cold air blocking, ensuring stable anti-condensation effect.

[0065] Furthermore, the fixed relationship between the drain pipe 27 and the inspection plate 21 forms a preset assembly positioning. Each time the inspection and repositioning is required, simply install the inspection plate 21 onto the inspection port 11, and the drain pipe 27 fixed thereon will automatically align with the connection position between the water pump 23 and the drain outlet 24, eliminating the need to readjust the pipeline routing or connection accuracy. This positioning function significantly shortens the pipeline calibration time during installation, reduces the assembly skill requirements for maintenance personnel, and avoids drainage hazards caused by pipeline connection deviations, further improving the efficiency and reliability of after-sales maintenance.

[0066] Considering the housing 1 and the internal structure of the indoor unit of the ceiling-type air conditioner, in the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit provided in this embodiment, the housing 1 is provided with an evaporator, a motor and an electrical box. The housing 1 is surrounded by a bottom plate 12 located at the top and a plurality of side plates 13 located on the periphery. The access port 11 and the maintenance assembly 2 are located on the bottom plate 12 or any of the side plates 13.

[0067] Thus, based on the actual layout of the water pump 23 within the casing 1, and to avoid core components such as the evaporator, motor, and electrical box, the maintenance port 11 can be flexibly opened at the corresponding location on the side plate 13 (such as the side plate next to the water pump 23) or the base plate 12, ensuring that the maintenance component 2 can be directly aligned with the water pump 23. This adaptability of the casing 1 structure, the location of the maintenance port 11, and the location of the water pump 23 allows the water pump 23 to be removed simultaneously after the maintenance plate 21 is disassembled, without the need to disassemble the water tray 14, simplifying the maintenance process of the water pump 23.

[0068] Specifically, the evaporator, motor, and electrical box are the core operating components of the ceiling-mounted air conditioner, and their installation positions are relatively fixed. The structure of the casing 1, which is surrounded by the base plate 12 and the side plates 13, provides obstacle avoidance space for the location of the maintenance port 11. By placing the maintenance port 11 on the base plate 12 or the side plate 13 where the core components are not located, it is possible to completely avoid touching the evaporator fins, motor wiring, or electrical box wiring during the opening of the maintenance port 11 and the disassembly and assembly of the maintenance components 2. This will not interfere with the normal heat exchange and power output of the air conditioner, and will also reduce the safety risk of accidentally touching electrical components during maintenance, thus solving the potential problem of conflict between maintenance operations and the operating components of the unit.

[0069] Meanwhile, the base plate 12 and the surrounding side plates 13, as the load-bearing and enclosure structures of the casing 1, possess sufficient structural strength to provide robust installation support for the maintenance plate 21, which includes the insulation structure and water pump 23. Whether fixed with screws or snap-fitted, the base plate 12 or the side plates 13 can withstand the weight of the maintenance components 2 and the external forces during disassembly and assembly, preventing the maintenance plate 21 from loosening due to deformation of the mounting surface. This ensures that the first insulation structure 22 remains tightly fitted to the surrounding components, maintaining the cold air blocking effect and ensuring stable anti-condensation performance. If one side plate 13 is obstructed and cannot be operated, maintenance can be performed on the exposed base plate 12 or other side plates 13 without adjusting the overall installation position of the unit. This adaptability significantly reduces the dependence of after-sales maintenance on on-site space conditions, better adapts to maintenance needs in harsh operating environments, and further enhances the practicality of the product.

[0070] This disclosure also provides an air conditioner, including the above-described ceiling-mounted air conditioner indoor unit.

[0071] Thus, the aforementioned ceiling-mounted air conditioner indoor unit is designed to enable the removal and cleaning of the water pump 23 and level switch 26 without disassembling the drip tray 14, through the cooperation of the inspection component 2 and the inspection port 11. After integrating this indoor unit into the air conditioner, the maintenance logic for the core vulnerable components of the entire unit (the water pump 23 is among the top three components with the highest failure rate in the indoor unit) directly follows the convenient solution of the indoor unit: during maintenance, there is no need to disassemble the drip tray 14 of the air conditioner indoor unit, nor is there any need for large-scale disassembly of the entire air conditioner; maintenance of core components can be completed simply by removing and installing the indoor unit inspection plate 21. This extensibility completely solves the pain points of the complex maintenance process and high skill requirements for maintenance personnel in traditional ceiling-mounted air conditioners, significantly reducing the after-sales maintenance costs throughout the entire life cycle of the air conditioner. After the air conditioner includes this indoor unit, the anti-condensation design of the indoor unit can prevent condensation water accumulation from causing corrosion, short circuits, and other damage to internal electrical components (such as motors and electrical boxes), and the low failure rate of the indoor unit water pump 23 also reduces the risk of air conditioner shutdown due to the failure of local components. The combined effect of these two factors directly improves the overall operational stability and service life of the air conditioner, meeting the reliable operation requirements of ceiling-mounted units in harsh environments.

[0072] Specifically, in traditional indoor unit repairs, spillage of wastewater from the drip tray 14 can easily damage equipment below the unit, leading to user claims. The aforementioned indoor unit, with its non-disassembly drip tray 14 design, fundamentally avoids this risk. With this integrated indoor unit, there is no risk of wastewater spillage or equipment damage during after-sales repairs, significantly reducing the probability of user disputes and claims arising from repairs. Simultaneously, the quick and convenient repair process shortens air conditioner downtime, minimizing disruption to normal user operation and further enhancing the user experience. Furthermore, the easy-to-clean drip tray 14 and easy-to-maintain water pump 23 design of the aforementioned indoor unit adapts to issues such as dirt and microbial growth in such scenarios. With this indoor unit included, the entire air conditioner can better withstand component wear and tear and the risk of clogging caused by harsh environments. Compared to air conditioners with traditional ceiling-mounted indoor units, it has stronger adaptability in high-pollution and high-humidity scenarios, effectively broadening its application range.

[0073] To better understand the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit and air conditioner solution provided in this disclosure, the following implementation examples are described: Currently, ceiling-mounted air conditioners, especially joist-type air conditioners, are equipped with condensate drain pumps 23 as standard to facilitate drainage and increase the drainage head for strong drainage. However, since joist units are usually installed in relatively harsh environments such as hot pot restaurants, hotels, and factories, debris, microbial colonies, and dirt can accumulate in the air conditioner's drip tray 14, clogging the inlet of the pump 23, causing reduced flow and malfunctions, or even jamming the pump 23, preventing the air conditioner from draining and rendering it unusable. According to incomplete statistics, the failure rate of the pump 23 in the domestic joist air conditioner market ranks among the top three for joist air conditioner products. However, traditional joist air conditioner pump 23 repairs require disassembling and rearranging the entire panel, electrical box, and drip tray 14 before the pump 23 can be reassembled. Especially during the disassembly and reassembly of the drip tray 14, wastewater in the tray can easily spill out, affecting equipment directly below the unit and causing damage and claims. Therefore, repairing the pump 23 is very difficult and requires highly skilled repair technicians. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a type of ceiling air conditioner that allows for easy maintenance and replacement of the water pump 23, level switch 26, and cleaning of sediment in the water tray 14 without disassembling the water tray 14, thus facilitating after-sales maintenance.

[0074] Specifically, traditional detachable water pumps 23 are mainly used in ducted air conditioners with suction-type air handling units. Since the water pump 23 is on the return air side, there's no need to consider the risk of condensation on the water pump 23. However, for joist air conditioners, the water pump 23 is installed on the outlet air side. In the cold air zone, the condensation problem of the detachable water pump 23 needs to be addressed, while also ensuring easy disassembly and installation. During long-term use, the drip tray 14 can become dirty, breeding bacteria, and even the water pump 23 can become clogged and jammed, affecting the normal operation of the air conditioner. Statistics show that among the top three after-sales failure rates of joist air conditioners, water pump 23 malfunctions due to a dirty drip tray 14 are a major cause. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a joist air conditioner that allows for easy disassembly and cleaning of the water pump 23 without removing the drip tray 14. Traditional ceiling-mounted air conditioners require the removal of components such as the water tray 14 when cleaning the water collection pan 14 or replacing / repairing the water pump 23. This is difficult to do and can easily lead to wastewater from the water collection pan 14 spilling onto the equipment below the unit, causing user claims.

[0075] Thus, this disclosure studies a method for disassembling and repairing the water pump 23 without removing the water tray 14, or for simultaneously disassembling and repairing the water pump 23 and the level switch 26, and also for cleaning the water tray 14.

[0076] In terms of structural composition, the water pump 23 is first installed on a heat insulation material, such as a foam board, and then fixed to a detachable maintenance plate 21. Traditionally, the water pump 23 and its bracket are directly fixed to a detachable sheet metal.

[0077] Specifically, this embodiment provides a ceiling-mounted air conditioning system with an inspection port 11, comprising an evaporator, motor, electrical box, drip tray 14, water pump 23, level switch 26, and inspection plate 21 assembly. The opening of the inspection port 11 is located near the location of the air conditioning unit's drain pump 23. The inspection plate 21 assembly consists of an inspection plate 21, water pump 23, and foam board, or it consists of an inspection plate 21, water pump 23, level switch 26, and foam board. The water pump 23 and drain outlet 24 are directly fixed to the inspection plate 21 assembly. After disassembling the inspection plate 21 assembly, the water pump 23 can be removed simultaneously, or the water pump 23 and level switch 26 can be used together. The inspection plate 21 has screw holes 211 for fixing to the side plates 13 and the base plate 12 of each unit. After the maintenance plate 21 assembly is installed on the ceiling machine, the foam board on the maintenance plate 21 can be tightly sealed with the water receiving tray 14 and the foam of the base plate 12 of the ceiling machine to prevent the leakage of cold air inside the unit and the resulting condensation.

[0078] The water pump 23 and its bracket are fixed to thermal insulation material (such as foam board). The foam board is then fixed to the external detachable inspection plate 21, meaning that the water pump 23 will also be removed when the inspection plate 21 is removed. The shape of the foam board used to fix the water pump 23 is required to be similar to the opening size of the foam board 111 (thermal insulation material) in the air duct at the unit's open inspection port 11. When the detachable inspection plate 21 is fixed to the unit, the foam board (insulation material) on the inspection plate 21 and the foam board (insulation material) in the unit's air duct can be connected and sealed to prevent cold air leakage and condensation on the casing 1. The water pump 23 drain pipe 27 passes through the inspection plate 21 and the foam board, with one end connected to the water pump 23 drain port 24 and the other end of the drain pipe 27 fixed to the inspection plate 21. Secondly, a liquid level switch 26 can also be installed on the foam board on the detachable inspection plate 21 component, so that after the inspection plate 21 component is disassembled, the water pump 23 and the liquid level switch 26 can be removed together for easy maintenance and replacement.

[0079] In summary, this embodiment provides a ceiling-mounted air conditioning system with an inspection port 11, comprising an evaporator, motor, electrical box, drip tray 14, water pump 23, level switch 26, and inspection plate 21 assembly. The opening of the inspection port 11 is located near the drain pump 23 of the air conditioning unit. The inspection plate 21 assembly consists of an inspection plate 21, water pump 23, water pump 23 drain outlet 24, and foam board. The water pump 23 is fixed to the foam board, and the foam board and water pump 23 drain outlet 24 are then fixed to the inspection plate 21. After disassembling the inspection plate 21 assembly, the water pump 23 can be removed simultaneously. The inspection plate 21 has screw holes 211 for fixing to the side plate 13 and the base plate 12. After the inspection plate 21 assembly is installed on the ceiling-mounted unit, the foam board on the inspection plate 21 can be tightly sealed to the drip tray 14 and the foam of the base plate 12 of the ceiling-mounted unit, preventing condensation caused by leakage of cold air inside the unit. When the inspection plate 21 assembly is removed from the ceiling unit, the water pump 23 and drain pipe 27 can be removed simultaneously for easy maintenance of the water pump 23. After removing the inspection plate 21 assembly, the condition of the water receiving pan 14 inside the unit can be observed through the inspection port 11, and the water receiving pan 14 can even be cleaned. The level switch 26 can also be maintained through the inspection port 11. The water receiving pan 14 does not need to be disassembled during the entire operation, eliminating the risk of wastewater spillage during disassembly and reassembly.

[0080] The design is further optimized. The inspection plate 21 assembly of the ceiling pump consists of an inspection plate 21, a water pump 23, a drain outlet 24 for the water pump 23, a level switch 26, and a foam board. The water pump 23 and the level switch 26 are fixed to the foam board, and the foam board and the drain outlet 24 of the water pump 23 are then fixed to the inspection plate 21. When the inspection plate 21 assembly is disassembled, the water pump 23 and the level switch 26 can be removed simultaneously, facilitating after-sales maintenance of the water pump 23 and the level switch 26. The water tray 14 can also be cleaned through the inspection port 11. Compared to traditional ceiling pumps, this design allows for convenient maintenance of the water pump 23, the level switch 26, and cleaning of the water tray 14 without disassembling it.

[0081] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0082] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0083] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A ceiling type air conditioner indoor unit, characterized by comprising: include: The housing has an inspection port on one side, and a base foam plate and a water collection tray are installed inside the housing. The maintenance assembly includes a maintenance plate, a first thermal insulation structure, and a water pump. The maintenance plate has the first thermal insulation structure mounted on its side facing the interior of the housing. The outer periphery of the first thermal insulation structure is configured to be tightly sealed to the water receiving tray and the base plate foam. The water pump is mounted on the first thermal insulation structure and is connected to a drain outlet via a pipeline. The drain outlet extends out of the maintenance plate, and the maintenance plate is detachably connected to the housing at the maintenance outlet.

2. The air conditioner indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized by, The maintenance assembly includes a second heat insulation structure, which is installed on the side of the maintenance plate facing the interior of the housing. The second heat insulation structure is spaced apart from the first heat insulation structure and is configured to be tightly sealed to the water receiving tray and the base plate foam. 3.The indoor unit of claim 2, wherein, The maintenance assembly includes a level switch, which is mounted on the second thermal insulation structure. 4.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by, The inspection plate is provided with screw fixing holes on its outer periphery, and the inspection plate is detachably connected to the periphery of the inspection port through the screw fixing holes. 5.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by, One of the two, a buckle or a hole, is provided on the outer periphery of the inspection plate, and the other of the two, a buckle or a hole, is provided on the periphery of the inspection port, and the inspection plate is engaged with the inspection port. 6.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by, The maintenance assembly includes a mounting bracket for supporting the water pump, and the water pump and the mounting bracket are mounted on the first heat insulation structure. 7.The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by, A duct foam board is installed at the inspection port, and the first heat insulation structure is configured to be connected and sealed with the duct foam board to prevent cold air leakage. 8.The indoor unit of claim 1, wherein, The water pump is connected to the drain outlet via a drain pipe, one end of which is fixed to the inspection plate. 9.The indoor unit of claim 1, wherein, An evaporator, a motor, and an electrical box are installed inside the housing. The housing is formed by a base plate at the top and multiple side plates on the periphery. The access port and the maintenance assembly are located on the base plate or any of the side plates.

10. An air conditioner characterized by comprising: Includes the ceiling-type air conditioner indoor unit as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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