An indoor unit and air conditioner

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an indoor unit and an air conditioner. The indoor unit comprises: a shell provided with an air outlet; an air guide assembly comprising an upper air guide plate, a lower air guide plate and a shielding structure; the upper air guide plate is located in an upper air outlet area of the air outlet; the lower air guide plate is located in a lower air outlet area of the air outlet; the shielding structure is configured to switch between the upper air outlet area and the lower air outlet area; in an upper air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate opens the upper air outlet area, the lower air guide plate closes the lower air outlet area, and the shielding structure is located on the inner side of the lower air guide plate, so that the airflow is sent out from the upper air outlet area along the upper side surface of the shielding structure; in a lower air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate closes the upper air outlet area, the lower air guide plate opens the lower air outlet area, and the shielding structure is located on the inner side of the upper air guide plate, so that the airflow is sent out from the lower air outlet area along the lower side surface of the shielding structure. The present disclosure can avoid air turbulence caused by upper and lower air outlet disorder, improve air outlet air volume, and reduce air outlet noise.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the widespread use of air conditioners, users have increasingly higher requirements for their performance, especially their comfort. Among related technologies, wall-mounted air conditioners can achieve both vertical and horizontal airflow, but they tend to have low air volume and relatively high noise levels during operation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides an indoor unit and an air conditioner to solve or alleviate one or more technical problems in the prior art.

[0004] As a first aspect of the present disclosure, an indoor unit is provided, comprising: The housing has an air outlet. The air guiding assembly includes an upper air guide plate, a lower air guide plate, and a shielding structure; the upper air guide plate is located in the upper air outlet area of ​​the air outlet and is configured to open or close the upper air outlet area; the lower air guide plate is located in the lower air outlet area of ​​the air outlet and is configured to open or close the lower air outlet area; the shielding structure is configured to switch between the upper air outlet area and the lower air outlet area. The indoor unit has an upper air outlet mode and a lower air outlet mode. In the upper air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate opens the upper air outlet area and the lower air guide plate closes the lower air outlet area. The shielding structure is located on the inside of the lower air guide plate, so that the airflow is sent out from the upper air outlet area along the upper surface of the shielding structure. In the bottom air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate closes the upper air outlet area, and the lower air guide plate opens the lower air outlet area. The shielding structure is located inside the upper air guide plate, so that the airflow is sent out from the lower air outlet area along the lower surface of the shielding structure.

[0005] In some embodiments, the shielding structure has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface connected in sequence; In the top air outlet mode, the second surface and the first surface form part of the guide surface of the top air outlet duct, and the first surface is closer to the top air outlet area than the second surface. In the downward air outlet mode, the third and fourth surfaces form part of the guide surface of the downward air outlet duct, with the fourth surface being closer to the downward air outlet area than the third surface.

[0006] In some embodiments, In the top-discharge mode, the upper air guide plate is tilted upwards relative to the horizontal direction, and the first surface is located on the same plane as the upper air guide plate; and / or In the downward air outlet mode, the lower air guide plate is tilted downward relative to the horizontal direction, and the fourth surface is located on the same plane as the lower air guide plate.

[0007] In some embodiments, The second surface is constructed to extend downward at an angle from the inner end of the first surface, and the angle β1 between the second surface and the first surface satisfies 90° < β1 < 180°; and / or, The third surface is constructed to extend obliquely upward from the inner end of the fourth surface, and the angle β2 between the third surface and the fourth surface satisfies 90°<β2<180°.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface are all planar.

[0009] In some embodiments, the shielding structure further has a fifth surface, which connects the first surface and the fourth surface; In the top air outlet mode, the fifth surface is in contact with the lower air guide plate; and / or, in the bottom air outlet mode, the fifth surface is in contact with the upper air guide plate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the fifth surface is a plane. When the upper air guide plate closes the upper air outlet area and the lower air guide plate closes the lower air outlet area, both the upper and lower air guide plates are located in the same windproof plane. The shielding structure is configured to move in a plane parallel to the windproof plane to switch between the upper and lower air outlet areas.

[0011] In some embodiments, the top wall of the housing is provided with an air inlet, and the indoor unit also includes a heat exchanger and a cross-flow fan blade. The heat exchanger is located inside the housing and between the air inlet and the cross-flow fan blade. The indoor unit also includes a first water inlet and a second water inlet. The first water inlet is located between the cross-flow fan blade and the front side wall of the housing and below the front end of the heat exchanger. The second water inlet is located between the cross-flow fan blade and the rear side wall of the housing and below the rear end of the heat exchanger. The side of the second water inlet near the cross-flow fan blade forms a volute air guide surface, which extends downward to the bottom wall of the housing. The shielding structure also has a connecting surface between the second surface and the third surface. In the upward air outlet mode, the lower surface of the first water receiving tank forms a volute tongue for the upward air outlet duct; the connecting surface abuts against the lower part of the volute air guide surface; and / or, in the downward air outlet mode, the first surface abuts against the lower surface of the first water receiving tank, such that the connecting surface and the third surface form a volute tongue for the downward air outlet duct.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cross-flow fan blade is a single cross-flow fan blade.

[0013] In some embodiments, the indoor unit further includes a sweeping blade disposed on the air guide surface of the volute; in the down-discharge mode, the sweeping blade is located in the down-discharge air duct, and the sweeping blade is configured to adjust the airflow direction of the down-discharge area.

[0014] In some embodiments, the indoor unit is a wall-mounted indoor unit, with the air outlet located below the front side of the housing and inclined downward from the front side of the housing towards the rear side. The angle α of the air outlet surface relative to the front side wall of the housing satisfies 0 < α ≤ 45°.

[0015] In some embodiments, The indoor unit also includes a first rotating shaft located at the lower end of the upper air outlet area, with an upper air guide plate rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft. The upper air guide plate rotates around the first rotating shaft to open or close the upper air outlet area; and / or, The indoor unit also includes a second rotating shaft located at the upper end of the lower air outlet area. The lower air guide plate is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft, and the lower air guide plate opens or closes the lower air outlet area by rotating around the second rotating shaft.

[0016] As a second aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an air conditioner including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit according to any of the present disclosures.

[0017] The technical solution of this disclosure, through the provision of a shielding structure, specifically in the upward air outlet mode where the shielding structure is located inside the lower air guide plate and blocks it, prevents air turbulence at the lower air guide plate location, thereby increasing the upward air outlet volume and reducing upward air outlet noise. Furthermore, in the downward air outlet mode, the shielding structure is located inside the upper air guide plate and blocks it, preventing air turbulence at the upper air guide plate location, thus increasing the downward air outlet volume and reducing downward air outlet noise. Therefore, the indoor unit of this disclosure can avoid air turbulence caused by uneven upward and downward air outlets, increasing the air outlet volume and reducing outlet noise.

[0018] The above overview is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Further aspects, embodiments, and features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, in addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above. Attached Figure Description

[0019] In the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals throughout the various drawings denote the same or similar parts or elements. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. It should be understood that these drawings depict only some embodiments according to this disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit in the shutdown state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit's top air outlet mode in one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit's down-discharge mode in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Shell; 31. Upper air guide plate; 32. Lower air guide plate; 33. Shielding structure; 34. Support bar; 341. First rotating shaft; 342. Second rotating shaft; 40. Heat exchanger; 50. Cross-flow fan blade; 61. First water receiving tank; 62. Second water receiving tank; 71. Upper air outlet duct; 72. Lower air outlet duct. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure, and different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily without conflict. Therefore, the drawings and description are considered to be exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0023] An air conditioner can include an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, with the indoor unit being a wall-mounted unit. In related technologies, the indoor unit can achieve both top and bottom airflow. When the airflow is top-mounted, the bottom air outlet is closed, causing the airflow to collide with the guide vane of the bottom air outlet, resulting in obstructed airflow, turbulent airflow, and consequently, low airflow volume and high noise. Conversely, when the airflow is bottom-mounted, the top air outlet is closed, causing the airflow to collide with the guide vane of the top air outlet, resulting in obstructed airflow, turbulent airflow, and consequently, low airflow volume and high noise.

[0024] To address the issues of low airflow and high noise levels in related technologies, this disclosure provides an indoor unit and an air conditioner. The technical solution of this disclosure is described in detail below through specific embodiments.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit in the off state according to one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit's top air outlet mode in one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the indoor unit's down-discharge mode in one embodiment of this disclosure. Figures 1-3 The indoor unit may include a housing 10 and an air guide assembly. The housing 10 has an air inlet 21 and an air outlet. The air guide assembly includes an upper air guide plate 31, a lower air guide plate 32, and a shielding structure 33.

[0026] The upper air guide plate 31 is located in the upper air outlet area 221 of the air outlet and is configured to open or close the upper air outlet area 221.

[0027] The lower air guide plate 32 is located in the lower air outlet area 222 of the air outlet and is configured to open or close the lower air outlet area 222.

[0028] The shielding structure 33 is configured to switch between the upper air outlet area 221 and the lower air outlet area 222.

[0029] The indoor unit has both top airflow and bottom airflow modes. In top airflow mode, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the upper air guide plate 31 opens the upper air outlet area 221, the lower air guide plate 32 closes the lower air outlet area 222, and the shielding structure 33 is located inside the lower air guide plate 32, so that the airflow is sent out from the upper air outlet area 221 along the upper surface of the shielding structure 33.

[0030] In the top-discharge mode, the air duct from which the airflow exits can be called the top-discharge air duct 71. In the top-discharge mode, the shielding structure 33 is located inside the lower air guide plate 32, shielding the lower air guide plate 32. Therefore, the upper surface of the shielding structure 33 can form part of the sidewall of the top-discharge air duct 71. Thus, when the airflow is sent out from the top-discharge area 221, the upper surface of the shielding structure 33 will guide the airflow to flow along the upper surface of the shielding structure 33 and be sent out from the top-discharge area 221, avoiding the airflow from hitting the lower air guide plate 32, avoiding the formation of gas turbulence at the position of the lower air guide plate 32, increasing the airflow volume, and reducing the noise of the top-discharge mode.

[0031] In the downward air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate 31 closes the upper air outlet area 221, the lower air guide plate 32 opens the lower air outlet area 222, and the shielding structure 33 is located inside the upper air guide plate 31, so that the airflow is sent out from the lower air outlet area 222 along the lower surface of the shielding structure 33.

[0032] In the downward air outlet mode, the air duct from which the airflow exits can be called the downward air outlet duct 72. In the downward air outlet mode, the shielding structure 33 is located inside the upper air guide plate 31, shielding the upper air guide plate 31. Therefore, the lower surface of the shielding structure 33 can form part of the sidewall of the downward air outlet duct 72. Thus, when the airflow is sent out from the downward air outlet area 222, the lower surface of the shielding structure 33 will guide the airflow to flow along the lower surface of the shielding structure 33 and be sent out from the downward air outlet area 222, avoiding the airflow from hitting the upper air guide plate 31, avoiding the formation of gas turbulence at the position of the upper air guide plate 31, increasing the airflow volume, and reducing the downward air outlet noise.

[0033] The technical solution disclosed herein, by setting up a shielding structure 33, and in the upward air outlet mode, the shielding structure 33 is located inside the lower air guide plate 32, shielding the lower air guide plate 32, thus preventing air turbulence at the lower air guide plate 32, increasing the upward air outlet air volume, and reducing the upward air outlet noise. Furthermore, in the downward air outlet mode, the shielding structure 33 is located inside the upper air guide plate 31, shielding the upper air guide plate 31, thus preventing air turbulence at the upper air guide plate 31, increasing the downward air outlet air volume, and reducing the downward air outlet noise. Therefore, the indoor unit of this disclosure can avoid air turbulence caused by uneven upward and downward air outlets, increasing the air outlet air volume and reducing the outlet noise.

[0034] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, when the indoor unit is in the off state, the shielding structure 33 is located inside the lower air guide plate 32. In another embodiment, when the indoor unit is in the off state, the shielding structure 33 may be located inside the upper air guide plate 32.

[0035] In one embodiment, the indoor unit of this disclosure can be a wall-mounted indoor unit. The indoor unit may include a front side wall 11, a rear side wall 12, a top wall 14, and a bottom wall 13. An air inlet 21 may be disposed on the top wall 14 of the housing 10. An air outlet may be disposed on the lower front side of the housing 10. For example, as... Figures 1-3 As shown, the air outlet can be located on the front side of the housing 10 and is inclined downwards from the front to the rear, so that the air outlet surface intersects with the front side wall 11 and the bottom wall 13 of the housing 10. The angle α of the air outlet surface relative to the front side wall 11 of the housing 10 can satisfy 0 < α ≤ 45°. For example, the angle α can be 15°, 30° or 45°, and the specific value of the angle α can be set as needed.

[0036] In one embodiment, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, the shielding structure 33 has a first surface 33a, a second surface 33b, a third surface 33c and a fourth surface 33d connected in sequence.

[0037] The first surface 33a and the second surface 33b are located above the third surface 33c and the fourth surface 33d. The upper surface of the shielding structure 33 may include the first surface 33a and the second surface 33b, and the lower surface of the shielding structure 33 may include the third surface 33c and the fourth surface 33d. In the top air outlet mode, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the second surface 33b and the first surface 33a form part of the guide surface of the upper air outlet duct 71, with the first surface 33a being closer to the upper air outlet region 221 than the second surface 33b. Thus, airflow can flow along the second surface 33b and the first surface 33a and be delivered from the upper air outlet region 221.

[0038] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first surface 33a is closer to the upper air outlet region 221 than the second surface 33b. Therefore, in the upper air outlet duct 71, the first surface 33a faces outward relative to the second surface 33b. The second surface 33b may be configured to extend obliquely downward from the inner end of the first surface 33a.

[0039] The lower air guide plate 32 is located on the lower side of the upper air outlet area 221. The second surface 33b is constructed to extend downward at an angle from the inner end of the first surface 33a. This allows the second surface 33b to block the airflow from the lower side, preventing the airflow from hitting the lower air guide plate 32 downward. The airflow is then guided upward by the second surface 33b and sent out from the upper air outlet area 221 along the first surface 33a.

[0040] In one embodiment, the angle β1 between the second surface 33b and the first surface 33a satisfies 90° < β1 < 180°. For example, β1 can be 100°, 120°, 150°, 160°, or 170°. The specific value of angle β1 can be set as needed.

[0041] For example, the inclination angle of the second surface 33b relative to the front sidewall 11 of the housing 10 is greater than the inclination angle of the air outlet surface relative to the front sidewall 11 of the housing 10. As a result, the second surface 33b can better guide the airflow upward.

[0042] In one embodiment, both the first surface 33a and the second surface 33b are planar.

[0043] In the bottom air outlet mode, such as Figure 3 As shown, the third surface 33c and the fourth surface 33d form part of the guide surface of the lower air outlet duct 72, with the fourth surface 33d being closer to the lower air outlet region 222 than the third surface 33c. Therefore, airflow can flow along the third surface 33c and the fourth surface 33d and be delivered from the lower air outlet region 222.

[0044] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the fourth surface 33d is closer to the lower air outlet region 222 than the third surface 33c. Therefore, in the lower air outlet duct 72, the fourth surface 33d faces outward relative to the third surface 33c. The third surface 33c can be configured to extend obliquely upward from the inner end of the fourth surface 33d.

[0045] The upper air guide plate 31 is located on the upper side of the lower air outlet area 222. The third surface 33c is constructed to extend upward at an angle from the inner end of the fourth surface 33d. This allows the third surface 33c to block the airflow from the upper side, preventing the airflow from hitting the upper air guide plate 31 upward. The airflow is then guided downward by the third surface 33c and sent out from the lower air outlet area 222 along the fourth surface 33d.

[0046] In one embodiment, the angle β2 between the third surface 33c and the fourth surface 33d satisfies 90° < β2 < 180°. For example, β2 can be 100°, 120°, 150°, 160°, or 170°. The specific value of angle β2 can be set as needed.

[0047] In one embodiment, both the third surface 33c and the fourth surface 33d are planar.

[0048] When the first surface 33a, the second surface 33b, the third surface 33c, and the fourth surface 33d are all planar, the shielding structure 33 has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and reduces costs.

[0049] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the shielding structure 33 also has a fifth surface 33f, which connects the first surface 33a and the fourth surface 33d.

[0050] In the top-discharge mode, the fifth surface 33f is in contact with the lower air guide plate 32. In the bottom-discharge mode, the fifth surface 33f is in contact with the upper air guide plate 31. This arrangement eliminates any gaps between the fifth surface 33f and the lower air guide plate 32, preventing airflow from entering the gap between them and causing noise. It also prevents airflow from entering the gap between the fifth surface 33f and the upper air guide plate 31, further increasing airflow volume and reducing noise.

[0051] In one embodiment, the fifth surface 33f is a plane. When the upper air guide plate 31 closes the upper air outlet area 221 and the lower air guide plate 32 closes the lower air outlet area 222, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, both the upper air guide plate 31 and the lower air guide plate 32 are located within the same wind-blocking plane. That is, when the indoor unit is off, the upper air guide plate 31 and the lower air guide plate 32 are located in the same plane. The shielding structure 33 is configured to move within a plane parallel to the wind-blocking plane to switch between the upper air outlet area 221 and the lower air outlet area 222. In this way, the shielding structure 33 can switch between its two positions simply by translating within the plane.

[0052] For example, the indoor unit may include a first motor. Moving mechanisms can be respectively provided at both ends of the indoor unit's length direction. The shielding structure 33 is arranged along the length direction of the indoor unit and connected to the moving mechanisms at both ends. The first motor can drive the shielding structure 33 to translate between the upper air outlet area 221 and the lower air outlet area 222 through the moving mechanisms, realizing the switching of the shielding structure 33 between the upper air outlet area 221 and the lower air outlet area 222. Exemplarily, the moving mechanism may include gears and racks. For example, gears can be respectively provided at both ends of the indoor unit's length direction, and racks can be respectively provided at both ends of the shielding structure 33's length direction, with the racks meshing with the gears. The first motor drives the gears to rotate, and the gears drive the racks to move, realizing the movement of the shielding structure 33's position.

[0053] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, in the top air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate 31 and the first surface 33a are located on the same plane. In this way, the first surface 33a can be smoothly connected to the upper air guide plate 31, which is conducive to the smooth airflow from the top air outlet area 221, improving the air supply efficiency and achieving smooth air outlet.

[0054] In cooling mode, the top air outlet mode can be used. The cross-flow fan 50 of the indoor unit starts to operate, and hot air is drawn in from the air inlet 21 on the upper side. After heat exchange in the heat exchanger 40 inside the indoor unit, it is guided by the second surface 33b, the first surface 33a of the shielding structure 33 and the upper air guide plate 31, and then sent out from the top air outlet area 221, so that the cold air is not blown directly, which improves the comfort.

[0055] In one embodiment, in the top air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate 31 is tilted upward relative to the horizontal direction, so that the airflow is sent out at an angle upward, realizing shower-like cooling and further improving the cooling effect and comfort.

[0056] For example, the angle β3 between the upper air guide plate 31 and the front side wall 11 of the housing 10 satisfies 45°≤β3<90°. The angle β3 can be 45°, 50°, 60°, 70° or 80°. With this arrangement, the cool air delivered from the upper air outlet area 221 can be cooled in a shower-like manner, further improving comfort.

[0057] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, in the bottom air outlet mode, the bottom air guide plate 32 and the fourth surface 33d are located on the same plane. In this way, the fourth surface 33d can be smoothly connected to the bottom air guide plate 32, which is conducive to the smooth airflow from the bottom air outlet area 222, improving the air supply efficiency and achieving smooth air outlet.

[0058] In heating mode, the bottom air outlet mode can be used. The cross-flow fan 50 of the indoor unit starts to operate, and cold air is drawn in from the upper air inlet 21. After heat exchange in the heat exchanger 40 inside the indoor unit, it is smoothly sent downward from the bottom air outlet area 222 under the guidance of the third surface 33c, the fourth surface 33d of the shielding structure 33 and the lower air guide plate 32, so as to achieve a carpet-like coverage of hot air and improve comfort.

[0059] In one embodiment, in the downward air outlet mode, the lower air guide plate 32 is inclined downward relative to the horizontal direction, so that the airflow is sent out at an angle downward, achieving carpet-like heat delivery and further improving comfort.

[0060] For example, the angle β4 between the lower air guide plate 32 and the front side wall 11 of the housing 10 satisfies 45°≤β4<90°. The angle β4 can be 45°, 50°, 60°, 70° or 80°. This arrangement avoids hot air blowing directly downwards, so that the hot air delivered from the lower air outlet area 222 is carpeted, further improving comfort.

[0061] like Figure 2As shown, the indoor unit may also include a first rotating shaft 341, which is located at the lower end of the upper air outlet area 221. An upper air guide plate 31 is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft 341. The upper air guide plate 31 opens or closes the upper air outlet area 221 by rotating around the first rotating shaft 341. In this way, after the upper air outlet area 221 is opened, the upper air guide plate 31 can act as an extension of the upper air outlet duct 71, guiding the airflow upwards at an angle, thus improving the upper air outlet effect.

[0062] The indoor unit also includes a second rotating shaft 342, which is located at the upper end of the lower air outlet area 222. A lower air guide plate 32 is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft 342, and the lower air guide plate 32 opens or closes the lower air outlet area 222 by rotating around the second rotating shaft 342. In this way, after the lower air outlet area 222 is opened, the lower air guide plate 32 can act as an extension of the lower air outlet duct 72, guiding the airflow downwards at an angle, thus improving the lower air outlet effect.

[0063] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the air guide assembly may further include a support strip 34, which is located between the upper air outlet area 221 and the lower air outlet area 222. The support strip 34 extends along the length of the indoor unit. A first rotating shaft 341 may be located at the upper end of the support strip 34, and a second rotating shaft 342 may be located at the lower end of the support strip 34.

[0064] like Figures 1-3 As shown, an air inlet 21 is provided on the top of the housing 10. The indoor unit also includes a heat exchanger 40 and a cross-flow fan 50. The heat exchanger 40 is located inside the housing 10 and between the air inlet 21 and the cross-flow fan 50. For example, the heat exchanger 40 can be a three-section heat exchanger 40, which may include a first heat exchange section 41, a second heat exchange section 42, and a third heat exchange section 43 from front to back.

[0065] The indoor unit also includes a first water inlet 61 and a second water inlet 62. The first water inlet 61 is located between the cross-flow fan blade 50 and the front side wall 11 of the housing 10, and is located below the front end of the heat exchanger 40. That is, the first water inlet 61 is located below the first heat exchange section 41.

[0066] The second water inlet 62 is located between the cross-flow fan blade 50 and the rear side wall 12 of the casing 10, and is located below the rear end of the heat exchanger 40, that is, the second water inlet 62 is located below the third heat exchange section 43. The side of the second water inlet 62 near the cross-flow fan blade 50 forms a volute air guide surface 621, which extends downward to the bottom wall 13 of the casing 10.

[0067] The shielding structure 33 also has a connecting surface 33e connecting the second surface 33b and the third surface 33c. In the upward air outlet mode, the lower surface of the first water receiving tank 61 forms the duct tongue of the upward air outlet duct 71, allowing airflow to be delivered from the duct opening between the upper air guide plate 31 and the lower surface of the first water receiving tank 61. Furthermore, the connecting surface 33e abuts against the lower part of the volute air guide surface 621, so that the shielding structure 33 completely blocks the lower air guide plate 32, preventing airflow from impacting the lower air guide plate 32.

[0068] In the downward air outlet mode, the first surface 33a abuts against the lower surface of the first water receiving tank 61, causing the connecting surface 33e and the third surface 33c to form the volute tongue of the downward air outlet duct 72. Thus, the airflow is delivered from the downward air outlet region 222 along the duct opening between the third surface 33c and the volute guide surface 621.

[0069] In one embodiment, the cross-flow fan blade 50 is a single cross-flow fan blade 50.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the indoor unit may also include sweeping blades disposed on the air guide surface 621 of the volute. In the down-discharge mode, the sweeping blades are located in the down-discharge air duct 72, and the sweeping blades are configured to adjust the airflow direction of the down-discharge area 222. Thus, by changing the swing angle of the sweeping blades, the airflow direction of the down-discharge can be further adjusted, further improving the comfort of the down-discharge. For example, the sweeping blades can swing in the left-right direction, or the sweeping blades can swing in the up-down direction.

[0071] In the indoor unit of this embodiment, the upper air guide plate rotates around a first rotating shaft to open or close the upper air outlet area, and the lower air guide plate rotates around a second rotating shaft to open or close the lower air outlet area. When cooling, the upper air guide plate opens the upper air outlet area, and when heating, the lower air guide plate opens the lower air outlet area, thus realizing upper air outlet for cooling and lower air outlet for heating. Moreover, the opening and closing structure of the upper and lower air guide plates is simple. Furthermore, the shielding structure switches between the upper and lower air outlet areas by shifting. In the upper air outlet mode, the shielding structure is located inside the lower air guide plate, and its upper surface forms part of the upper air outlet duct, guiding the airflow upwards from the upper air outlet area to achieve cooling without direct blowing. Moreover, being located inside the lower air guide plate, the shielding structure blocks the lower air guide plate, preventing airflow obstruction and turbulence, thus increasing the airflow volume and reducing noise. In the lower air outlet mode, the shielding structure is located inside the upper air guide plate, and its lower surface forms part of the lower air outlet duct, guiding the airflow downwards from the lower air outlet area to achieve carpet-like heating. Moreover, being located inside the upper air guide plate, the shielding structure blocks the upper air guide plate, preventing airflow obstruction and turbulence, thus increasing the airflow volume and reducing noise.

[0072] The indoor unit disclosed herein has an upper air guide plate and a lower air guide plate that open or close the corresponding air outlet areas through a rotating mechanism. The shielding structure switches between the upper and lower air outlet areas by translation. The structure is simple, highly reliable, and avoids the need for complex motion mechanisms inside the air duct.

[0073] This disclosure also provides an air conditioner, which includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit according to any embodiment of this disclosure.

[0074] In the description of this specification, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this disclosure 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 disclosure.

[0075] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0076] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0077] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0078] The foregoing disclosure provides many different implementations or examples for carrying out different structures of this disclosure. To simplify this disclosure, the components and arrangements of specific examples are described above. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or reference 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 implementations and / or arrangements discussed.

[0079] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this disclosure. Different parts of different embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict, and these should all be covered within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An indoor unit, characterized in that, include: The housing has an air outlet. An air guiding assembly includes an upper air guiding plate, a lower air guiding plate, and a shielding structure; the upper air guiding plate is located in the upper air outlet area of ​​the air outlet and is configured to open or close the upper air outlet area; the lower air guiding plate is located in the lower air outlet area of ​​the air outlet and is configured to open or close the lower air outlet area. The shielding structure is configured to switch between the upper air outlet area and the lower air outlet area; The indoor unit has an upper air outlet mode and a lower air outlet mode. In the upper air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate opens the upper air outlet area, and the lower air guide plate closes the lower air outlet area. The shielding structure is located inside the lower air guide plate, so that the airflow is sent out from the upper air outlet area along the upper surface of the shielding structure. In the downward air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate closes the upper air outlet area, the lower air guide plate opens the lower air outlet area, and the shielding structure is located inside the upper air guide plate, so that the airflow is sent out from the lower air outlet area along the lower surface of the shielding structure.

2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shielding structure has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface connected in sequence; In the upward air outlet mode, the second surface and the first surface form a partial guide surface of the upward air outlet duct, and the first surface is closer to the upward air outlet area than the second surface. In the downward air outlet mode, the third surface and the fourth surface form a partial guide surface of the downward air outlet duct, and the fourth surface is closer to the downward air outlet area than the third surface.

3. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the upward air outlet mode, the upper air guide plate is inclined upward relative to the horizontal direction, and the first surface and the upper air guide plate are located on the same plane; and / or, In the downward air outlet mode, the lower air guide plate is inclined downward relative to the horizontal direction, and the fourth surface is located on the same plane as the lower air guide plate.

4. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second surface is configured to extend obliquely downward from the inner end of the first surface, and the angle β1 between the second surface and the first surface satisfies 90° < β1 < 180°; and / or, The third surface is configured to extend obliquely upward from the inner end of the fourth surface, and the angle β2 between the third surface and the fourth surface satisfies 90°<β2<180°.

5. The indoor unit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface are all planar.

6. The indoor unit according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The shielding structure also has a fifth surface, which connects the first surface and the fourth surface; In the upper air outlet mode, the fifth surface is in contact with the lower air guide plate; And / or, in the lower air outlet mode, the fifth surface is in contact with the upper air guide plate.

7. The indoor unit according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fifth surface is a plane. When the upper air guide plate closes the upper air outlet area and the lower air guide plate closes the lower air outlet area, both the upper air guide plate and the lower air guide plate are located in the same windproof plane. The shielding structure is configured to move in a plane parallel to the windproof plane to switch between the upper air outlet area and the lower air outlet area.

8. The indoor unit according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The top wall of the housing is provided with an air inlet. The indoor unit also includes a heat exchanger and a cross-flow fan blade. The heat exchanger is located inside the housing and between the air inlet and the cross-flow fan blade. The indoor unit also includes a first water inlet and a second water inlet. The first water inlet is located between the cross-flow fan blade and the front side wall of the housing and below the front end of the heat exchanger. The second water inlet is located between the cross-flow fan blade and the rear side wall of the housing and below the rear end of the heat exchanger. The side of the second water inlet near the cross-flow fan blade forms a volute air guide surface, which extends downward to the bottom wall of the housing. The shielding structure also has a connecting surface between the second surface and the third surface. In the upward air outlet mode, the lower surface of the first water receiving tank forms the duct tongue of the upward air outlet duct; the connecting surface abuts against the lower part of the volute air guide surface; and / or, in the downward air outlet mode, the first surface abuts against the lower surface of the first water receiving tank, such that the connecting surface and the third surface form the duct tongue of the downward air outlet duct.

9. The indoor unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cross-flow fan blade is a single cross-flow fan blade.

10. The indoor unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The indoor unit also includes a sweeping blade disposed on the air guide surface of the volute; in the downward air outlet mode, the sweeping blade is located in the downward air outlet duct, and the sweeping blade is configured to adjust the airflow direction of the downward air outlet area.

11. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indoor unit is a wall-mounted indoor unit. The air outlet is located at the lower front side of the housing and is inclined downward from the front side of the housing towards the rear side. The angle α of the air outlet surface relative to the front side wall of the housing satisfies 0 < α ≤ 45°.

12. The indoor unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indoor unit also includes a first rotating shaft located at the lower end of the upper air outlet area, and the upper air guide plate is rotatably connected to the first rotating shaft. The upper air guide plate opens or closes the upper air outlet area by rotating around the first rotating shaft; and / or The indoor unit also includes a second rotating shaft located at the upper end of the lower air outlet area. The lower air guide plate is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft. The lower air guide plate can open or close the lower air outlet area by rotating around the second rotating shaft.

13. An air conditioner, characterized in that, It includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit as described in any one of claims 1-2.

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