air conditioner indoor unit

Abstract

This application discloses an indoor air conditioning unit, belonging to the field of air handling technology. The indoor air conditioning unit includes: a casing with a side air outlet and a bottom air outlet; a heat exchanger disposed inside the casing; a fan for blowing air that has undergone heat exchange through the heat exchanger to the side or bottom air outlet; an air guide plate for selectively closing the bottom or side air outlet; a telescopic mechanism for driving the air guide plate; and a temperature sensing bulb connected to the heat exchanger, filled with gas, which is connected to the internal space of the telescopic mechanism via a pipe. During cooling, the air guide plate is in a first position blocking the bottom air outlet. During heating, the gas in the temperature sensing bulb expands due to heat and is transferred to the telescopic mechanism, causing the telescopic mechanism to extend, and the air guide plate rotates to a second position blocking the side air outlet under the thrust of the telescopic mechanism. This indoor air conditioning unit controls the rotation of the air guide plate through a physical mechanical structure, simplifying the design and improving reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of air handling technology, and more particularly to an indoor air conditioning unit. Background Technology

[0002] Most existing air conditioner indoor units have only one air inlet and one air outlet, with a fixed duct structure. However, the air density differs between cooling and heating modes. When cooling, the air density from the outlet is typically greater than the indoor air density, causing the air to sink; when heating, the air density is typically less than the indoor air density, causing the air to rise. Since both cooling and heating rely on the same outlet, this inevitably leads to uneven airflow coverage throughout the room under either cooling or heating conditions, resulting in poorer comfort for occupants.

[0003] To meet the different airflow direction requirements for cooling / heating, side air outlets and bottom air outlets are installed on the indoor unit of the air conditioner. A rotating air guide plate selectively blocks the side air outlet or the bottom air outlet, so that air is delivered from the side air outlet when cooling and from the bottom air outlet when heating.

[0004] Air guide vanes are typically driven by motors, and their control logic and electrical structure are complex, resulting in low reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an air conditioner indoor unit that controls the rotation of the air guide plate through a physical mechanical structure, which simplifies the design and improves reliability.

[0006] An indoor unit for an air conditioner includes: a casing with a side air outlet and a bottom air outlet; a heat exchanger disposed inside the casing; a fan for blowing air that has undergone heat exchange through the heat exchanger to the side air outlet or the bottom air outlet; an air guide plate movably connected between the side air outlet and the bottom air outlet for selectively closing the bottom air outlet or the side air outlet; a telescopic mechanism for driving the air guide plate to move; and a temperature sensing bulb connected to the heat exchanger, the temperature sensing bulb being filled with gas and communicating with the internal space of the telescopic mechanism through a pipe. During cooling, the air guide plate is in the first position blocking the lower air outlet; during heating, the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb expands due to heat and is transferred to the telescopic mechanism, causing the telescopic mechanism to extend. Under the thrust of the telescopic mechanism, the air guide plate rotates to the second position blocking the side air outlet.

[0007] In this technical solution, the air guide plate moves under the push of the telescopic mechanism to selectively open the lower air outlet or the side air outlet. A temperature sensing bulb is connected to the telescopic mechanism, serving as the power source for its telescopic movement. The temperature sensing bulb is also connected to the heat exchanger, allowing it to detect temperature changes and transfer the temperature to the gas inside. When the gas expands due to heat, high pressure is transmitted to the telescopic mechanism, causing it to extend to the extended state.

[0008] This application utilizes the physical properties of gas thermal expansion and contraction, and converts the high / low pressure of the gas into the mechanical motion of the telescopic mechanism. The movement of the telescopic mechanism causes the air guide plate to move, eliminating the need for circuit control for the air guide plate and improving the stability and reliability of the air guide plate drive.

[0009] In some embodiments, the telescopic mechanism includes: a pressure vessel fixedly connected to the housing; and a movable member telescopically connected to the pressure vessel for driving the air guide plate to rotate, wherein the space inside the pressure vessel located on one side of the movable member is a power chamber.

[0010] In this technical solution, the telescopic mechanism adopts the structure of a pressure vessel and a moving part, connecting the temperature sensing bulb to the power chamber of the pressure vessel. When the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb expands due to heat, the high-pressure gas is transmitted to the power chamber, thereby driving the moving part to move.

[0011] In some embodiments, the telescopic mechanism further includes: an elastic element disposed inside the pressure vessel and connected between the side wall of the pressure vessel and the movable element, used to drive the movable element to move in the contraction direction by its restoring elastic force when the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb is cooled and contracted, so that the air guide plate rotates to the first position.

[0012] In the technical solution, an elastic element is provided between the moving part and the side wall of the pressure vessel. When the pressure in the power chamber is low, the elastic element can reset the moving part to the first position.

[0013] In some embodiments, the movable component includes: a piston plate disposed within the pressure vessel, the piston plate dividing the space within the pressure vessel into a balance chamber and a power chamber; and a push rod connected to the piston plate for actuating the air guide plate, the push rod passing through the balance chamber and its end away from the piston plate exiting the pressure vessel.

[0014] In this technical solution, the moving parts include a piston plate and a push rod. The high-pressure gas in the power chamber acts on the piston plate, and the push rod moves in the extension direction under the drive of the piston plate. The elastic element acts on the piston plate, and the push rod moves in the retraction direction under the drive of the piston plate.

[0015] In some embodiments, the air guide plate includes: a cover portion for blocking a side air outlet or a bottom air outlet; an extension portion connected to the cover portion, wherein the rotation center of the air guide plate is located at the connection between the extension portion and the cover portion; and a moving member pushes the extension portion when it extends to cause the air guide plate to rotate.

[0016] In this technical solution, the air guide plate includes a cover part and an extension part that are connected to each other. The extension part is acted upon by a telescopic mechanism to realize the movement of the air guide plate.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cover and the extension are connected at an obtuse angle; when the air guide plate is in the first position, the extension extends downwardly from one end connected to the cover to the other end; the pressure vessel is located on the side of the extension near the side air outlet.

[0018] In some embodiments, the indoor unit of the air conditioner further includes a pre-tightening mechanism for locking the air guide plate in a first position and unlocking the air guide plate from the first position when the torque exerted by the moving part on the air guide plate reaches a set value.

[0019] In this technical solution, the tension of the telescopic mechanism on the air guide plate can only break through the restriction of the pre-tightening mechanism and open the lower air outlet when the torque of the telescopic mechanism reaches a certain level. This can effectively prevent the problem of cold air being blown out of the lower air outlet during heating. That is, air can only be supplied from the lower air outlet when the temperature of the heat exchanger coil is high enough and the pressure inside the temperature sensing bulb is high enough.

[0020] In some embodiments, the pre-tightening mechanism is a magnetic structure; a magnet is connected to the inner edge of the air outlet on the housing to magnetically attract the air guide plate and lock the air guide plate in place.

[0021] In some embodiments, the housing includes a base plate; the housing has a lower air outlet forming portion that protrudes inward from the base plate to form a lower air outlet; the inner edge of the lower air outlet forming portion has an outward flange, and a magnet is connected to the flange.

[0022] In some embodiments, the pressure vessel is located in the corner area enclosed by the base plate and the side exhaust plate. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the air outlet on the middle side of an indoor air conditioning unit in an open state, according to some embodiments; Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the lower air outlet of an indoor air conditioner unit in an open state, according to some embodiments, is shown. Figure 3 A schematic diagram is shown of an air conditioner indoor unit according to some embodiments, in which the air guide plate is in a first position and the telescopic mechanism is in a retracted state; Figure 4 An internal structural diagram of an air conditioner indoor unit in a retracted state is shown, according to some embodiments; Figure 5 A schematic diagram is shown of an air guide plate in a second position and a telescopic mechanism in an extended state in an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to some embodiments; Figure 6 An internal structural diagram of an air conditioner indoor unit with the telescopic mechanism in an extended state, according to some embodiments, is shown. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an air guide vane and telescopic mechanism in an indoor air conditioning unit according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 8 A partial schematic diagram of the lower air outlet of an indoor air conditioning unit according to some embodiments is shown.

[0024] In the above figures, 10 is the casing; 10a is the corner area; 11 is the side air outlet panel; 12 is the side air outlet; 13 is the bottom plate; 14 is the lower air outlet; 15 is the air inlet; 16 is the lower air outlet forming part; 161 is the flange; 17 is the side air outlet forming part; 20 is the heat exchanger; 30 is the fan; 40 is the air guide plate; 41 is the cover part; 42 is the extension part; 43 is the rotating shaft; 50 is the telescopic mechanism; 51 is the pressure vessel; 51a is the power chamber; 51b is the balance chamber; 52 is the moving part; 521 is the piston plate; 522 is the push rod; 53 is the elastic element; 61 is the temperature sensing bulb; 62 is the pipeline; and 70 is the magnet. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives and implementation methods of this application clearer, the exemplary implementation methods of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments of this application. Obviously, the exemplary embodiments described are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0026] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0027] 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. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] In this application, the air conditioner performs a refrigeration cycle by using a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. The refrigeration cycle includes a series of processes involving compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation, and supplies refrigerant to the conditioned and heat-exchanged air.

[0030] The compressor compresses refrigerant gas at a low temperature and low pressure and discharges the compressed refrigerant gas. The discharged refrigerant gas flows into the condenser. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase, and heat is released to the surrounding environment through the condensation process.

[0031] The expansion valve expands the high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant. The evaporator evaporates the expanded refrigerant in the expansion valve, returning the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas to the compressor. The evaporator achieves its cooling effect by utilizing the latent heat of refrigerant evaporation to exchange heat with the material being cooled. Throughout the cycle, the air conditioner regulates the temperature of the indoor space.

[0032] The outdoor unit of an air conditioner refers to the part of the refrigeration cycle that includes the compressor and the outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor unit of an air conditioner includes the indoor heat exchanger, and an expansion valve can be provided in either the indoor or outdoor unit.

[0033] The indoor and outdoor heat exchangers function as either condensers or evaporators. When the indoor heat exchanger is used as a condenser, the air conditioner functions as a heater in heating mode; when the indoor heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, the air conditioner functions as a cooler in cooling mode.

[0034] This application relates to an indoor unit for air conditioning an indoor space. In the following text, for convenience, the indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger is referred to as an air conditioning indoor unit, and the indoor heat exchanger is referred to as a heat exchanger.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 An indoor air conditioning unit according to an embodiment of this application includes a housing 10.

[0036] The housing 10 forms the overall appearance of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. The housing 10 may include a top plate forming the top structure of the housing 10; a bottom plate 13 forming the bottom structure of the housing 10; and four side panels connecting the top plate and the bottom plate 13.

[0037] Of the four side panels, one is a side air outlet panel 11. The side air outlet panel 11 is provided with a side air outlet 12. The bottom plate 13 is provided with a bottom air outlet 14, which is close to the side air outlet panel 11.

[0038] When cooling, air can be directed into the room from the side air outlet 12 to avoid direct cold air blowing on people, which would cause poor comfort. It also helps the cold air to cover the entire room from top to bottom. When heating, air can be directed into the room from the bottom air outlet 14 to help the hot air sink and avoid poor heating effect caused by the hot air not being able to fall. By setting the side air outlet 12 and the bottom air outlet 14, this application significantly improves the temperature comfort of the indoor space. Cooling air is blown out from the side air outlet 12, and heating air is blown out from the bottom air outlet 14.

[0039] The air inlet 15 can be located on the base plate 13 and is farther away from the side air outlet 11 than the lower air outlet 14. Air from the indoor space enters the housing 10 through the air inlet 15. In other embodiments, the air inlet 15 can be located on the side panel opposite the side air outlet 11 of the four side panels.

[0040] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a heat exchanger 20. The heat exchanger 20 is disposed inside the casing 10 and is used to absorb heat from the air introduced into the air inlet 15 or to transfer heat to the air. The heat exchanger 20 may be V-shaped, flat, or curved.

[0041] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a fan 30. The fan 30 is disposed inside the casing 10, so that air flows from the air inlet 15 to the side air outlet 12 or the bottom air outlet 14.

[0042] The fan 30 may be a cross-flow fan. In other embodiments, the fan 30 may be a centrifugal fan.

[0043] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an air deflector 40 for selectively closing the side air outlet 12 or the bottom air outlet 14. The air deflector 40 is movably disposed within the housing 10.

[0044] The air guide plate 40 can be switched between the first position and the second position, see details. Figure 1 At the first position, the air guide plate 40 blocks the lower air outlet 14, thus keeping the lower air outlet 14 in a closed state; see details below. Figure 2 At the second position, the air guide plate 40 blocks the side air outlet 12, so that the side air outlet 12 is in a closed state.

[0045] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a telescopic mechanism 50 for driving the air guide vane 40 to move. The telescopic mechanism 50 is connected inside the housing 10 and has an extended state and a retracted state.

[0046] When the telescopic mechanism 50 is in the retracted state, it exerts no force or a small force on the air guide plate 40, insufficient to move the air guide plate 40, and the air guide plate 40 remains in the first position of the closed air outlet 14. When the telescopic mechanism 50 changes to the extended state, it can act on the air guide plate 40, causing the air guide plate 40 to change to the second position of the closed side air outlet 12.

[0047] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 3 The air guide plate 40 is rotatably connected to the housing 10. The air guide plate 40 has a rotating shaft 43 at its opposite ends, which is inserted into the housing 10. The air guide plate 40 is rotatable around the rotating shaft 43.

[0048] When the air guide plate 40 is not pushed by the telescopic mechanism 50, it is in the first position with the lower air outlet 14 closed. Under the pushing action of the telescopic mechanism 50, the air guide plate 40 rotates to the second position with the side air outlet 12 closed.

[0049] In some embodiments, the indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a temperature sensor 61 connected to the heat exchanger 20. Specifically, the temperature sensor 61 may be connected to the coil of the heat exchanger 20.

[0050] The temperature sensing bulb 61 is connected to the interior of the telescopic mechanism via pipe 62. The temperature sensing bulb 61 is filled with an easily expandable gas such as refrigerant.

[0051] When the temperature of heat exchanger 20 is high, the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb 61 expands due to heat, and the high pressure is transmitted to the telescopic mechanism 50 through the pipeline 62. The telescopic mechanism 50 is pushed by the high pressure gas and changes to the extended state.

[0052] This application utilizes the physical properties of gas thermal expansion and contraction, and converts the high / low pressure of the gas into the mechanical movement of the telescopic mechanism 50. The movement of the telescopic mechanism 50 causes the air guide plate 40 to move. There is no need to set up circuit control for the air guide plate 40, which improves the stability and reliability of the air guide plate 40 drive and reduces costs.

[0053] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 3 to 7 The telescopic mechanism 50 may include a pressure vessel 51 as the base of the telescopic mechanism 50. The interior of the pressure vessel 51 has a receiving space.

[0054] The telescopic mechanism 50 includes a movable member 52 for driving the air guide plate 40 to rotate. The movable member 52 can telescopically move relative to the pressure vessel 51. One end of the movable member 52 is located inside the pressure vessel 51, and the other end of the movable member 52 is the telescopic end.

[0055] The space within the pressure vessel 51 located to one side of the movable member 52 is a power chamber 51a. When the pressure in the power chamber 51a is high, it can push the movable member 52 to move away from the power chamber 51a. This application utilizes the high and low pressure changes in the power chamber 51a to cause the movable member 52 to move.

[0056] The internal space of the temperature sensing bulb 61 is connected to the power chamber 51a of the pressure vessel 51 via the pipe 62.

[0057] When the air conditioner is cooling, the temperature on the heat exchanger 20 is low, and the gas in the temperature sensing bulb 61 is cooled and contracts. The low pressure is conducted to the power chamber 51a through the pipe 62. That is, the pressure in the power chamber 51a is low and insufficient to push the moving part 52 to move. The air guide plate 40 remains in the first position blocking the lower air outlet 14. When the air conditioner is heating, the temperature on the heat exchanger 20 is high, and the gas in the temperature sensing bulb 61 is heated and expands. The high pressure gas is transmitted to the power chamber 51a through the pipe 62, pushing the moving part 52 to extend. The moving part 52 pushes the air guide plate 40, causing the air guide plate 40 to rotate to the second position blocking the side air outlet 12.

[0058] In this application, the thermal expansion and contraction of the gas is used to drive the extension and retraction of the moving part 52 according to the temperature difference at the heat exchanger during cooling / heating. Compared with the existing technology of motor and other drive structures, it does not require electrical control and relies on a purely physical mechanical structure. The air guide plate 40 is less prone to failure, has higher reliability, and can reduce costs.

[0059] In some embodiments, the telescopic mechanism 50 includes an elastic element 53 for resetting the movable element 52 to a contracted state when the gas inside the temperature sensing chamber 61 contracts due to cooling. The elastic element 53 is connected between the side wall of the pressure vessel 51 and the movable element 52.

[0060] When the air conditioner is heating, the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb 61 expands due to heat, and the high pressure is transmitted to the power chamber 51a through the pipe 62. The force exerted by the gas in the power chamber 51a on the moving part 52 is greater than the elastic force of the elastic part 53. The gas pushes the moving part 52 to the extended state, and the elastic part 53 contracts under the push of the moving part 52. When the temperature on the heat exchanger 20 decreases, the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb 61 contracts, the pressure decreases, and the low pressure is transmitted to the power chamber 51a through the pipe 62. The force exerted by the gas in the power chamber 51a on the moving part 52 is less than the elastic force of the elastic part 53. The moving part 52 returns to the contracted state under the action of the elastic force of the elastic part 53.

[0061] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing 10 has a lower air outlet forming part 16 that protrudes inward from the bottom plate 13 to form a lower air outlet 14. When the air guide plate 40 abuts against the inner end of the lower air outlet forming part 16, it blocks the lower air outlet 14.

[0062] The housing 10 has a side air outlet forming part 17 that protrudes inward from the side air outlet plate 11 to form a side air outlet 12. When the air guide plate 40 abuts against the inner end of the side air outlet forming part 17, it blocks the side air outlet 12.

[0063] In some embodiments, the pressure vessel 51 may be cuboid in shape and may be connected to the lower part of the side air outlet forming portion 17 and to the side of the lower air outlet forming portion 16 near the side air outlet plate 11 by fasteners such as screws.

[0064] The pressure vessel 51 is located near the middle of the air guide plate 40 along its length. Its telescopic movement acts on the middle of the air guide plate 40, which can effectively drive the air guide plate 40. This avoids the situation where the telescopic mechanism 50 needs to generate a large torque on the air guide plate 40 to make it move when it acts on the end of the air guide plate 40 along its length.

[0065] Pressure vessel 51 includes a vessel body and a vessel cover, with the vessel cover located at the opening of the vessel body. During assembly, the movable part 52 can be installed into the vessel body first, and then the vessel cover can be installed onto the vessel body.

[0066] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 The movable component 52 may include a piston plate 521. The piston plate 521 is disposed inside the pressure vessel 51 and divides the space inside the pressure vessel 51 into a balance chamber 51b and a power chamber 51a.

[0067] The movable component 52 may include a push rod 522. One end of the push rod 522 is connected to the piston plate 521, and the other end of the push rod 522 is a telescopic end used to push the air guide plate 40. The push rod 522 is located in the balance chamber 51b of the pressure vessel 51, and the pipeline 62 is connected to the power chamber 51a.

[0068] The volumes of the equilibrium chamber 51b and the power chamber 51a increase or decrease as the piston plate 521 moves. When the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb 61 expands due to heat, the high pressure is conducted through the pipe 62 to the power chamber 51a of the pressure vessel 51, causing the piston plate 521 to move in the direction that the equilibrium chamber 51b shrinks, and the volume of the power chamber 51a expands.

[0069] The push rod 522 and the piston plate 521 can be connected by screws or by inserting the piston plate 521 and the push rod 522. The push rod 522 passes through the balance chamber 51b, and the telescopic end of the push rod 522 extends out of the pressure vessel 51.

[0070] In some embodiments, the elastic element 53 is a structural member capable of deforming and returning to its original shape. Exemplarily, the elastic element 53 is a spring or a rubber component, etc.

[0071] The elastic element 53 is located in the balance chamber 51b on the same side as the push rod 522. One end of the elastic element 53 is connected to the side wall of the pressure vessel 51, and the other end of the elastic element 53 is connected to the piston plate 521.

[0072] Multiple elastic elements 53 can be arranged at intervals according to a certain pattern, so that the force exerted by the elastic elements 53 on the piston plate 521 is relatively balanced, thereby ensuring that the piston plate 521 moves smoothly under the action of the elastic elements 53.

[0073] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 61 can be fixed to the coil of the heat exchanger 20 by means of adhesive or cable ties. The temperature sensor 61 is installed on the side of the heat exchanger 20, the pipe 62 is close to the side wall of the housing 10, and it is connected to the pressure vessel 51 around the outside of the lower air outlet 14.

[0074] Pipeline 62 can be a capillary tube. The capillary tube has a small diameter, which allows the gas between the temperature sensing bulb 61 and the pressure vessel 51 to flow rapidly, ensuring that the increased / decreased pressure is quickly transmitted to the pressure vessel 51 through the capillary tube, thus shortening the pressure response time at the pressure vessel 51.

[0075] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 7 The air guide plate 40 includes a cover 41 for blocking the side air outlet 11 or the bottom air outlet 14.

[0076] The air guide plate 40 includes an extension 42, which is connected to the cover 41. The moving part 52 of the telescopic mechanism 50 acts on the extension 42 to push the extension 42 when the moving part 52 extends, causing the air guide plate 40 to rotate.

[0077] When the extension 42 is in the first position, it intersects with the telescopic path of the moving member 52. When the extension 42 is in the second position, it intersects with the telescopic path of the moving member 52, so that the moving member 52 can push the extension 42 to rotate between the first position and the second position.

[0078] In the first position, the extension 42 forms a non-90° angle with the telescopic path of the moving member 52, so that the extension 42 can still intersect with the telescopic path in the second position.

[0079] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1 The area enclosed by the lower surface of the side air outlet forming part 17, the side of the lower air outlet forming part 14 near the side air outlet plate 11, the lower part of the side air outlet plate 11, and the bottom plate 13 is the corner region 10a.

[0080] The rotation center of the air guide plate 40 is located within the corner area 10a formed by the side air outlet plate 11 and the bottom plate 13, thereby enabling the air guide plate 40 to rotate to the lower air outlet 14 and the side air outlet 12.

[0081] The telescopic mechanism 50 is located within the angle region 10a, which can avoid the telescopic mechanism 50 from obstructing the airflow.

[0082] The extension / retraction direction of the movable member 52 is perpendicular to the side air outlet 11. In the first position, the cover portion 41 is generally parallel to the extension / retraction direction. The extension portion 42 is connected to the cover portion 41 at an obtuse angle. The extension portion 42 slopes downward from the end connected to the cover portion 41 to the other end.

[0083] In some embodiments, the rotation center of the air guide plate 40 is located at the junction of the extension 42 and the cover 41. The extension 42 and the cover 41 are divided by the rotation center of the air guide plate 40.

[0084] In some embodiments, the telescopic end of the movable member 52 may be rotatably connected to the extension 42 to ensure reliable pushing of the extension 42 by the movable member 52.

[0085] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 8 The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a pre-tightening mechanism for locking the air guide plate 40 in a first position and unlocking the air guide plate 40 from the first position when the torque exerted by the moving member 52 on the air guide plate 40 reaches a set value.

[0086] In this application, the lower air outlet 14 can only be opened when the torque of the telescopic mechanism 50 on the air guide plate 40 reaches a certain level, thus breaking through the limitation of the pre-tightening mechanism. This can effectively prevent the problem of cold air being blown out of the lower air outlet 14 during heating. That is, air can only be supplied from the lower air outlet 14 when the coil temperature of the heat exchanger 20 is high enough and the pressure inside the temperature sensing bulb 61 is large enough.

[0087] In some embodiments, a pre-tightening mechanism is disposed between the housing 10 and the air guide plate 40. The pre-tightening mechanism may be a magnetic structure, which uses the magnetic attraction force of the magnetic structure to lock the air guide plate 40 in a first position.

[0088] A magnet 70, such as a magnet, is connected to the inner edge of the lower air outlet 14 on the housing 10. The air guide plate 40 is made of a metal material that can be attracted by the magnet 70. The magnet 70 generates a magnetic attraction force on the air guide plate 40, thereby locking the air guide plate 40 in the first position.

[0089] In other embodiments, the air guide plate 40 is made of plastic or other materials, and a magnet 70 is connected to the air guide plate 40. The magnet 70 on the housing and the magnet 70 on the air guide plate 40 attract each other.

[0090] In some embodiments, the inner edge of the lower air outlet forming portion 16 is provided with an outwardly facing flange 161, and the magnetic body 70 can be connected to the flange 161 by fasteners such as screws. The flange 161 is provided with a downwardly recessed groove, and the magnetic body 70 is disposed in the groove.

[0091] In other embodiments, the pretensioning mechanism may also be a spring, a buckle, a spring sheet, or other structural form.

[0092] As described above, this application automatically senses the heating / cooling status of the air conditioner through physical characteristics, and automatically selects the side air outlet when cooling and the bottom air outlet when heating. It does not require circuit control and has high stability and reliability.

[0093] In addition, by setting a pre-tightening mechanism, the air guide plate can be kept in the first position of closing the lower air outlet when the torque it is subjected to is below a predetermined value, thereby preventing cold air from blowing out of the lower air outlet and giving the indoor unit of the air conditioner an automatic anti-cold air function.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0095] For ease of explanation, the above description has been provided in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. Various modifications and variations can be obtained based on the above teachings. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better utilize the described embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific use considerations.

Claims

1. An indoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The casing has a side air outlet and a bottom air outlet; The heat exchanger is located inside the casing; A fan is used to blow air that has undergone heat exchange through the heat exchanger into the side air outlet or the bottom air outlet; An air guide plate is rotatably connected between the side air outlet and the lower air outlet, and is used to selectively close the lower air outlet or the side air outlet; A telescopic mechanism for pushing the air guide plate to rotate, the telescopic mechanism comprising: Pressure vessel, fixedly connected to the housing; A movable component, retractably connected to the pressure vessel, is used to push the air guide plate. The space inside the pressure vessel located on one side of the movable component is a power chamber. The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes: A temperature sensing bulb is connected to the heat exchanger. The temperature sensing bulb is filled with gas and is connected to the power chamber through a pipeline. During cooling, the air guide plate is in the first position blocking the lower air outlet; When heating, the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb expands due to heat and is transmitted to the power chamber, thereby pushing the moving part to move in the extension direction. Under the thrust of the moving part, the air guide plate rotates to a second position that blocks the side air outlet.

2. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The telescopic mechanism further includes: An elastic element is disposed inside the pressure vessel and connected between the side wall of the pressure vessel and the moving element. When the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb is cooled and contracted, its restoring elastic force drives the moving element to move in the contraction direction, so that the air guide plate rotates to the first position.

3. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable component includes: A piston plate is disposed inside the pressure vessel, and the piston plate divides the space inside the pressure vessel into a balance chamber and a power chamber. A push rod is connected to the piston plate, the push rod passes through the balance chamber and its end away from the piston plate extends out of the pressure vessel.

4. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guide plate includes: A cover is provided to block the side air outlet or the lower air outlet. An extension is connected to the cover portion, and the rotation center of the air guide plate is located at the connection between the extension and the cover portion; When the movable member extends, it pushes the extension portion, causing the air guide plate to rotate.

5. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 4, characterized in that, The covering part and the extension part are connected at an obtuse angle; when the air guide plate is in the first position, the extension part extends downward at an angle from the end connected to the covering part to the other end. The pressure vessel is located on the side of the extension near the side air outlet.

6. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The indoor unit of the air conditioner also includes: A pre-tightening mechanism is used to lock the air guide plate in a first position and unlock the air guide plate from the first position when the torque exerted by the moving part on the air guide plate reaches a set value.

7. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pre-tightening mechanism is a magnetic structure; a magnet is connected to the inner edge of the lower air outlet on the housing to magnetically attract the air guide plate and lock it in place.

8. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 7, characterized in that, The housing includes a base plate; The housing is provided with a lower air outlet forming part that protrudes inward from the bottom plate, which is used to form the lower air outlet; The inner edge of the lower air outlet forming part is provided with a flange, and the magnetic body is connected to the flange.

9. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized in that, The casing includes a bottom plate and a side air outlet plate; The side air outlet is located on the side air outlet plate, and the lower air outlet is located on the bottom plate and close to the side air outlet plate; The telescopic mechanism is located in the corner area enclosed by the base plate and the side air outlet plate.

10. An indoor unit for an air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The casing has a side air outlet and a bottom air outlet; The heat exchanger is located inside the casing; A fan is used to blow air that has undergone heat exchange through the heat exchanger into the side air outlet or the bottom air outlet; An air guide plate is rotatably connected between the side air outlet and the lower air outlet, and is used to selectively close the lower air outlet or the side air outlet; A telescopic mechanism is used to push the air guide plate so that the air guide plate rotates; A temperature sensing bulb is connected to the heat exchanger. The temperature sensing bulb is filled with gas and is connected to the internal space of the telescopic mechanism through a pipeline. During cooling, the air guide plate is in the first position blocking the lower air outlet; During heating, the gas inside the temperature sensing bulb expands due to heat and is transferred to the telescopic mechanism, causing the telescopic mechanism to extend. Under the thrust of the telescopic mechanism, the air guide plate rotates to a second position that blocks the side air outlet.

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