Air outlet device and air conditioner

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an air outlet device and an air conditioner. The air outlet device comprises at least two air outlet units. Each air outlet unit comprises a shell, and a partition plate divides the shell into a first cavity and a second cavity. The shell is provided with a front air outlet in the first cavity and an air inlet in the second cavity. The partition plate is provided with a communication port communicating the first cavity and the second cavity. A double-air-outlet fan is arranged in the second cavity and comprises a front air outlet and a lower air outlet. In a front air outlet mode, an opening and closing mechanism opens the air inlet and closes the communication port. The front air outlet is used for air outlet, and the double-air-outlet fan is in one of forward rotation and reverse rotation. In a lower air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism opens the communication port and closes the air inlet. The front air outlet is used for air inlet, and the double-air-outlet fan is in the other of forward rotation and reverse rotation. The rotation of the double-air-outlet fans of adjacent air outlet units is independent of each other, and the movement of the opening and closing mechanisms of adjacent air outlet units is independent of each other, so that the air outlets of adjacent air outlet units are independent of each other. The air outlet device can realize multiple air outlet modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of air conditioning technology, specifically to an air outlet device and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the current air outlet devices have a single air outlet method, which is not conducive to improving the user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an air outlet device and an air conditioner that can achieve multiple air outlet modes, thereby improving the user experience.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure provides an air outlet device, comprising at least two air outlet units. Each air outlet unit includes: a housing, wherein a partition is provided within the housing to divide the housing into a first cavity and a second cavity; the housing has a front air outlet in the first cavity and an air inlet in the second cavity; the partition has a connecting port communicating with the first and second cavities; a dual-outlet fan disposed in the second cavity, including a front air outlet on the partition and a lower air outlet on the housing; and an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the connecting port and the air inlet; the air outlet unit... The unit has a front air outlet mode and a bottom air outlet mode. In the front air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism opens the air inlet and closes the connecting port; the front air outlet is used for air outlet, and the dual air outlet fan is either rotating in the forward or reverse direction. In the bottom air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism opens the connecting port and closes the air inlet; the front air outlet is used for air inlet, and the dual air outlet fan is either rotating in the forward or reverse direction. The rotation of the dual air outlet fans of two adjacent air outlet units is independent of each other, and the movement of the opening and closing mechanisms of two adjacent air outlet units is independent of each other, so that the air outlets of the two adjacent air outlet units are independent of each other.

[0005] Through the above technical solution, in the front air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism opens the air inlet, allowing airflow to enter the second chamber through the air inlet located at the bottom of the housing, thus achieving bottom air intake. When the dual-air outlet fan is rotating in either forward or reverse, the airflow entering the second chamber can be sent to the first chamber through the front air outlet, and then to the front air outlet. Thus, the front air outlet of the air outlet device can be realized. Furthermore, in the front air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism also closes the connecting port, thereby preventing airflow interference to the air outlet through the front air outlet when the airflow enters the second chamber through the connecting port.

[0006] In the bottom-discharge mode, the opening and closing mechanism opens the connecting port, allowing airflow entering the first chamber through the front air inlet to enter the second chamber through the connecting port, thus achieving front air intake. When the dual-air outlet fan is either rotating in the forward or reverse direction, the airflow entering the second chamber can be discharged through the bottom air outlet, achieving bottom air outlet. Furthermore, in the bottom-discharge mode, the opening and closing mechanism also closes the air inlet, preventing airflow interference with the airflow exiting through the bottom air outlet when airflow enters the second chamber through the air inlet. Therefore, each air outlet unit can achieve both front and bottom air outlet modes.

[0007] In this design, the rotation of the dual-outlet fans in two adjacent air outlet units is independent, as are the movements of the opening and closing mechanisms of the two adjacent air outlet units, ensuring that the airflow from the two adjacent air outlet units is independent. Thus, each air outlet unit can independently discharge air. For example, the air outlet device can achieve front or bottom airflow from a single air outlet unit, simultaneous front or bottom airflow from two air outlet units, or one air outlet unit in a dual air outlet unit discharging air from the front while the other discharging air from the bottom, achieving multiple airflow modes. This allows users to flexibly control the airflow mode of two adjacent air outlet units or control the start and stop of the air outlet units according to their needs, adapting to diverse requirements and enhancing the user experience.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the dual-outlet fan includes blades, which are constructed as arc-shaped blades. The arc-shaped blades are curved in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, wherein the blades of adjacent air outlet units have the same or opposite curvature directions. This allows for flexible configuration of the combination of blade curvature directions between adjacent air outlet units according to the usage scenario, adapting to different operating conditions and meeting diverse user needs.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the blades of two adjacent air outlet units bend in the same direction, and the dual-outlet fans of the two adjacent air outlet units are configured to rotate synchronously. In this way, when the dual-outlet fans rotate forward or backward, the adjacent air outlet units can rotate synchronously, and the airflow direction is consistent, so as to achieve coordinated operation and unify the air delivery efficiency and wind speed output of the two adjacent units.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the blades of two adjacent air outlet units bend in opposite directions. In the front air outlet mode or the bottom air outlet mode, the dual-outlet fan with the same rotation direction as the blade bending direction operates, while the dual-outlet fan with the opposite rotation direction stops operating. In this way, by controlling the start-up of air outlet units with different blade bending directions, the coverage area of ​​the air supply can be controlled to achieve precise air supply to local areas, which is beneficial for adapting to zoned usage scenarios.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the blades of two adjacent air outlet units bend in opposite directions, and the dual-outlet fans of the two adjacent air outlet units are configured to rotate synchronously. This avoids a situation where, when the blades of two adjacent air outlet units bend in the same direction, the rotation direction of the dual-outlet fans is opposite to the bend direction of the blades, resulting in a smaller airflow. Simultaneously, it reduces the possibility of insufficient airflow when one air outlet unit is operating while the other is not, due to the opposite bend directions of the blades of two adjacent air outlet units.

[0012] In some possible implementations, at least one of the axial sides of the dual-outlet fan is used for air intake, the partition has at least one communication opening, and the housing has at least one air inlet. This allows the dual-outlet fan to have a stable air intake path, enabling accurate adaptation to different air outlet modes, facilitating mode switching of the air outlet device, and avoiding efficiency reduction caused by air intake interruptions.

[0013] In some possible implementations, both axial sides of the dual-outlet fan are used for air intake, the partition has at least two connecting openings, and the housing has at least two air inlets. In this way, both axial sides of the dual-outlet fan can be used for air intake, in conjunction with at least two connecting openings or at least two air inlets, thereby increasing the air intake area and air volume of the dual-outlet fan and improving airflow circulation efficiency.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the opening and closing mechanism includes a first opening and closing structure and a second opening and closing structure that move independently. The first opening and closing structure is used to open and close the connecting port, and the second opening and closing structure is used to open and close the air inlet. In this way, the air inlet paths of different air outlet modes can be completely isolated, avoiding the situation where, during linkage control, due to the delay in mechanical transmission action, one of the connecting port and the air outlet is not completely closed while the other has already opened, causing crosstalk in the airflow path.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the first opening and closing structure includes at least one first damper, which is rotatably or movably disposed on the partition to open or close the communication port; and / or, the second opening and closing structure includes at least one second damper, which is rotatably or movably disposed on the housing to open or close the air inlet. Thus, by driving the first damper to block or open the communication port, the opening and closing of the communication port can be achieved; and by driving the second damper to block or open the air inlet, the opening and closing of the air inlet can be achieved. The structure is simple and facilitates precise control.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the number of first dampers is at least two, and the first opening and closing structure includes a first driving member and a first connecting rod. The first driving member drives at least two first dampers to move synchronously via the first connecting rod. And / or, the number of second dampers is at least two, and the second opening and closing structure includes a second driving member and a second connecting rod. The second driving member drives at least two second dampers to move synchronously via the second connecting rod. This avoids situations where at least two connecting ports or at least two air inlets open and close asynchronously, causing airflow to enter the second cavity only from the open connecting port or air inlet, resulting in localized airflow concentration, uneven air intake for the dual-outlet fan, and affecting the stability of the air outlet.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the partition is provided with a first opening and closing structure on the side near the second cavity, and / or the second opening and closing structure is provided in the second cavity.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the dual-outlet fan includes a volute housing having a front outlet and a lower outlet, a partition having a first outlet, and the front outlet being located at the first outlet; the housing having a second outlet, and the lower outlet being located at the second outlet.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the housing includes a base plate, and the second air outlet is disposed on the base plate. In this way, since the base plate is located at the bottom of the housing, when the lower air outlet of the dual-outlet fan is located at the second air outlet, the airflow delivered through the lower air outlet can be directly guided downward, which is beneficial for adapting to the lower air outlet mode.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the housing includes a base plate, and the air inlet is disposed on the base plate. This allows airflow to enter the second chamber through the base plate, avoiding the airflow loss caused by the need for detours when air enters from the side, thus shortening the air intake path and improving air intake efficiency.

[0021] In some possible implementations, the air outlet unit includes a mounting bracket with a motor for driving the dual-outlet fan. This mounting bracket secures the motor, preventing it from shifting due to vibration and ensuring the precise transmission connection between the motor and the dual-outlet fan.

[0022] In some possible implementations, a pressure cap is connected to the mounting bracket, and the pressure cap and the mounting bracket enclose a mounting space in which the motor is disposed. In this way, the pressure cap and the mounting bracket provide protection for the motor, preventing impurities from directly contacting the motor and causing wear on its internal parts.

[0023] In some possible implementations, a heat exchanger is provided in the first cavity, and the opening and closing mechanism is located in the second cavity. In this way, with the heat exchanger located in the first cavity, when the air outlet device switches between the front air outlet mode and the bottom air outlet mode, the airflow can enter the first cavity and be fully heated by the heat exchanger before being sent out, thereby achieving temperature regulation of the airflow.

[0024] In some possible implementations, the dual-outlet fan is constructed as a centrifugal fan. This centrifugal fan enables axial air intake and radial air exhaust, facilitating air outlet configuration with the front and lower radial outlets of the dual-outlet fan, and allowing air to be drawn in axially through the connecting ports or inlets on both sides of the dual-outlet fan.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the dual-outlet fan includes blades configured as straight blades. This ensures that the thrust of the straight blades on the airflow remains consistent whether the dual-outlet fan is rotating forward or backward, avoiding the influence of blade curvature that could cause different airflow paths and resulting differences in air volume during forward and reverse rotation.

[0026] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an air conditioner is provided, including an air outlet device as described above.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the air conditioner is configured as a ducted unit. In this way, when the ducted unit is installed inside the ceiling, the front air outlet can connect to the air outlet of the ceiling panel, and the lower air outlet can connect to the branch air duct within the ceiling, adapting to indoor installation scenarios and improving the user experience.

[0028] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present disclosure and form part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain the present disclosure, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a top view of the air outlet device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the air outlet device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the air outlet device provided according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first opening and closing structure of the air outlet device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the second opening and closing structure of the air outlet device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the airflow direction of the air outlet mode of the air outlet device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow direction of the air outlet device in the front air outlet mode according to the embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the opening and closing of the first and second air dampers in the front air outlet mode of the air outlet device provided according to the embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow direction of the air outlet device in the down-outlet mode according to the embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the opening and closing of the first and second air dampers in the down-outflow mode of the air outlet device provided according to the embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow direction in the lower air outlet mode of the air outlet device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow inside the housing of two adjacent air outlet units of the air outlet device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, with opposite rotation directions; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of airflow from two adjacent air outlet units of the air outlet device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, with their rotation directions opposite.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 10-Air outlet unit, 1-House, 11-First cavity, 12-Second cavity, 13-Base plate, 14-Front air outlet, 15-Air inlet, 16-Connecting port, 17-Second air outlet, 18-First air outlet, 2-Dual air outlet fan, 21-Front air outlet, 22-Lower air outlet, 23-Blade, 24-Vortex, 3-Opening and closing mechanism, 31-First opening and closing structure, 311-First damper, 3111-First clearance opening, 312-First driving component, 313-First connecting rod, 32-Second opening and closing structure, 321-Second damper, 3211-Second clearance opening, 322-Second driving component, 323-Second connecting rod, 33-Mounting base, 4-Motor, 41-Drive shaft, 5-Mounting bracket, 6-Gland cover, 7-Heat exchanger, 8-Water tray, 9-Baffle plate. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0032] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the "inner" and "outer" relative to the contour of the corresponding component itself. The directional terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the direction indicated by the "up and down" arrow in the accompanying drawings; the directional terms "front" and "rear" refer to the direction indicated by the "front and back" arrow in the accompanying drawings; the directional terms "left" and "right" refer to the direction indicated by the "left and right" arrow in the accompanying drawings; and "top" and "bottom" generally refer to the "top" and "bottom" relative to the corresponding component in its operational state along the height direction. Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" is intended to distinguish different components and does not imply sequentiality or importance. In addition, in the following description, when referring to the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same elements. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above definitions are for explanation and illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

[0033] According to a specific embodiment of this disclosure, refer to Figures 1 to 13 As shown, an air outlet device is provided, including at least two air outlet units 10. Each air outlet unit 10 includes: a housing 1, with a partition 9 inside the housing 1, dividing the housing 1 into a first cavity 11 and a second cavity 12. The housing 1 has a front air inlet 14 in the first cavity 11 and an air inlet 15 in the second cavity 12. The partition 9 has a connecting port 16 connecting the first cavity 11 and the second cavity 12; and a dual-outlet fan 2, disposed in the second cavity 12, including a front air outlet 21 disposed on the partition 9 and an air outlet 21 disposed on the housing 1. The unit 10 has a front air outlet 22 and a bottom air outlet 3 for opening and closing the connecting port 16 and the air inlet 15. In the front air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism 3 opens the air inlet 15 and closes the connecting port 16. The front air outlet 14 is used for air outlet, and the dual air outlet fan 2 is in either forward or reverse rotation. In the bottom air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism 3 opens the connecting port 16 and closes the air inlet 15. The front air outlet 14 is used for air inlet, and the dual air outlet fan 2 is in either forward or reverse rotation.

[0034] Through the above technical solution, in the front air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism 3 opens the air inlet 15, allowing airflow to enter the second cavity 12 through the air inlet 15 located in the housing 1, thus achieving air intake. When the dual-air outlet fan 2 is in either forward or reverse rotation, the airflow entering the second cavity 12 can be sent to the first cavity 11 through the front air outlet 21, and then to the front air outlet 14. Thus, the front air outlet of the air outlet device can be realized. Furthermore, in the front air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism 3 also closes the connecting port 16, thereby preventing airflow interference to the air outlet through the front air outlet 21 when the airflow enters the second cavity 12 through the connecting port 16.

[0035] In the bottom-outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism 3 opens the connecting port 16, allowing the airflow entering the first chamber 11 through the front air inlet 14 to enter the second chamber 12 through the connecting port 16, thus achieving front air intake. When the dual-air outlet fan 2 is either rotating in the forward or reverse direction, the airflow entering the second chamber 12 can be sent out through the bottom air outlet 22, thus achieving bottom air outlet of the air outlet device. Furthermore, in the bottom-outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism 3 also closes the air inlet 15, thereby preventing airflow interference to the airflow exiting through the bottom air outlet 22 when the airflow enters the second chamber 12 through the air inlet 15. Thus, each air outlet unit 10 can achieve both front and bottom air outlet modes.

[0036] In this design, the rotation of the dual-outlet fans 2 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 is independent, and the movement of the opening and closing mechanisms 3 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 is independent, so that the air outlets of the two adjacent air outlet units 10 are independent. Thus, the air outlets of two adjacent air outlet units 10 are independent, and each air outlet unit 10 can output air independently. For example, the air outlet device can achieve front or bottom air outlet for a single air outlet unit 10, or simultaneous front or bottom air outlet for two air outlet units 10, or one air outlet unit 10 can output air from the front while the other outputs air from the bottom, achieving multiple air outlet modes. Therefore, users can flexibly control the air outlet modes of two adjacent air outlet units 10 or control the start and stop of the air outlet units 10 according to their needs. By achieving multiple air outlet modes, it adapts to different needs and improves the user experience.

[0037] Furthermore, in the front air outlet mode, the front air outlet 14 is used for air outlet, and in the bottom air outlet mode, the front air outlet 14 is used for air inlet. Thus, through the cooperation of the opening and closing mechanism and the forward and reverse rotation of the dual air outlet fan, the front air outlet 14 can switch between air inlet and air outlet. Therefore, the air outlet device disclosed herein can also achieve reversible air supply.

[0038] When the air outlet unit of this disclosure is used for heat exchange, it can switch to the front air outlet mode when cooling is required, so that the airflow can be sent out from the front air outlet 14 to form a "sky curtain" air supply, realize horizontal long-distance air supply, improve the area coverage efficiency, and avoid blowing directly to the human body when it is sent out through the lower air outlet 22, which may cause physical discomfort. Therefore, it is beneficial to optimize the cooling experience.

[0039] When heating is required, the system can switch to a downdraft mode, allowing airflow to be delivered from the downdraft outlet 22 to the ground. The air then diffuses along the ground and slowly rises, forming a "carpet" of airflow. This prevents hot air from rising rapidly and causing low temperatures at lower levels, which would affect comfort. It also reduces the accumulation of hot air at the ceiling, preventing waste. When the dual-outlet fans 2 of two adjacent outlet units 10 rotate forward and reverse respectively, both front and downdraft airflow can be achieved simultaneously. This allows for rapid air circulation between the two adjacent outlet units 10, improving indoor circulation efficiency and thus enhancing air purification speed.

[0040] It should be noted that this disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the opening and closing mechanism 3, which will be described in detail in the following embodiments. In addition, in the front air outlet mode, the dual air outlet fan 2 can be in reverse rotation, i.e., counterclockwise rotation, and in the bottom air outlet mode, the dual air outlet fan 2 can be in forward rotation, i.e., clockwise rotation. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0041] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 3 As shown, the dual-outlet fan 2 includes blades 23, which can be constructed as arc-shaped blades. The arc-shaped blades bend in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The bending directions of the blades 23 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 are the same or opposite. In this way, the air volume when both adjacent air outlet units 10 are working can be changed by setting the bending direction of the blades 23.

[0042] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figures 6 to 11 As shown, the blades 23 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 have the same bending direction, and the dual-outlet fans 2 of the two adjacent air outlet units 10 are configured to rotate synchronously. In this way, when the dual-outlet fans 2 rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, the adjacent air outlet units 10 can rotate synchronously with the same airflow direction, achieving coordinated operation. This ensures that the air delivery efficiency and wind speed output of the two adjacent units are uniform, thus helping to maintain a balanced wind speed during the operation of the air outlet device and avoiding wind speed differences between adjacent air outlet units 10, which could lead to localized high or low temperatures during heat exchange through the air outlet device, affecting the accuracy of temperature regulation. Specifically, when the bending direction of the blades 23 is the same as the rotation direction of the dual-outlet fans 2, the air volume is larger; when the bending direction of the blades 23 is the same as the rotation direction of the dual-outlet fans 2, the air volume is smaller.

[0043] For example, the blades 23 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 are both bent counterclockwise. In the front air outlet mode, when the dual air outlet fan 2 rotates counterclockwise, the air volume through the front air outlet 21 is large. In the bottom air outlet mode, when the dual air outlet fan 2 rotates clockwise, the air volume through the bottom air outlet 22 is small.

[0044] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the blades 23 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 have opposite bending directions. In the front air outlet mode or the bottom air outlet mode, the dual-outlet fan 2 with the same rotation direction as the bending direction of the blades 23 operates, while the dual-outlet fan 2 with the opposite rotation direction to the bending direction of the blades 23 stops operating. Thus, in the front air outlet mode, the air outlet unit 10 with the blades 23 bent towards the front air outlet 21 is activated to achieve air outlet 21. In the bottom air outlet mode, the air outlet unit 10 with the blades 23 bent towards the bottom air outlet 22 is activated to achieve air outlet 22. Therefore, in both front-outlet and bottom-outlet modes, the bending direction of the blades 23 of the dual-outlet fan 2 is the same as the rotation direction of the dual-outlet fan 2, ensuring that the airflow through the front outlet 21 and the bottom outlet 22 remains consistent. Furthermore, by controlling the activation of the outlet units 10 with different blade bending directions 23, the coverage area of ​​the airflow can be controlled to achieve precise airflow to localized areas, which is beneficial for adapting to zoned usage scenarios. Simultaneously, when one outlet unit 10 is operating, the other outlet unit 10 is stopped, which helps reduce eddy noise, improves airflow efficiency, and avoids the situation where adjacent outlet units 10 with opposite blade bending directions experience airflow intersections and interference, thus reducing airflow efficiency.

[0045] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the blades 23 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 have opposite bending directions, and the dual-outlet fans 2 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 are configured to rotate synchronously. Thus, in both the front air outlet mode and the bottom air outlet mode, the blades 23 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 can have bending directions that are the same as the rotation direction of the dual-outlet fans 2, and bending directions that are opposite to the rotation direction of the dual-outlet fans 2, ensuring that the airflow through the bottom air outlet 22 and the airflow through the front air outlet 21 remain consistent. Furthermore, compared to only having dual-outlet fans 2 with rotation directions the same as the bending direction of the blades 23 operating, while dual-outlet fans 2 with rotation directions opposite to the bending direction of the blades 23 are not operating, the synchronous rotation of the dual-outlet fans of the two air outlet units allows for a larger airflow in both the front air outlet mode and the bottom air outlet mode. This design also avoids situations where, when the blades 23 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 bend in the same direction and two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2 rotate synchronously, the air outlet device is in either the front air outlet mode or the bottom air outlet mode. In the former mode, the dual-outlet fans 2 rotate in the same direction as the blades 23, resulting in a larger air volume, while in the latter mode, the dual-outlet fans 2 rotate in the opposite direction to the blades 23, resulting in a smaller air volume. Therefore, it helps ensure that the air volume delivered by the air outlet device remains consistent in both the bottom air outlet mode and the front air outlet mode, thus guaranteeing the stability of the ventilation efficiency.

[0046] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, at least one of the axial sides of the dual-outlet fan 2 is used for air intake. The partition 9 is provided with at least one connecting port 16, and the housing 1 is provided with at least one air inlet 15. Thus, in the front-discharge mode, when the connecting port 16 is closed, the axial side of the dual-outlet fan 2 can draw airflow from the outside through at least one air inlet 15, thereby satisfying the air intake requirements of the dual-outlet fan 2. In the bottom-discharge mode, when the air inlet 15 is closed, the axial side of the dual-outlet fan 2 can draw airflow from the first chamber 11 through at least one connecting port 16, thereby satisfying the air intake requirements of the dual-outlet fan 2. Therefore, the dual-outlet fan 2 can have a stable air intake path to accurately adapt to different air outlet modes, realize mode switching of the air outlet device, and avoid efficiency reduction caused by air intake interruption.

[0047] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, the dual-outlet fan 2 has air intake on both axial sides. The partition 9 has at least two connecting ports 16, and the housing 1 has at least two air inlets 15. Thus, when both connecting ports 16 are open, the dual-outlet fan 2 can draw in airflow from both axial sides via the connecting ports 16, or when both air inlets 15 are open, the dual-outlet fan 2 can draw in airflow from both axial sides via the air inlets 15. Therefore, the dual-outlet fan 2 can be used for air intake on both axial sides, in conjunction with at least two connecting ports 16 or at least two air inlets 15, thereby increasing the air intake area and air volume of the dual-outlet fan 2 and improving airflow circulation efficiency. Simultaneously, it enables uniform airflow distribution within the housing 1, avoiding local pressure imbalances and ensuring stability during mode switching of the air outlet device.

[0048] The system includes at least two connecting ports 16 located on both sides of the axis of the dual-outlet fan 2, and at least two air inlets 15 located on both sides of the axis of the dual-outlet fan 2. This allows the airflow on both sides of the axis of the dual-outlet fan 2 to fully participate in circulation, improving airflow circulation efficiency.

[0049] The partition 9 can have at least three connecting ports 16, with the connecting ports 16 located between two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2. The housing 1 can have at least three air inlets 15, with the air inlets 15 located between two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2. Thus, connecting ports 16 can be provided on both sides of two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2, allowing airflow to be drawn in from both axial sides of each dual-outlet fan 2 in the downward airflow mode. Simultaneously, air inlets 15 can be provided on both sides of two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2, allowing airflow to be drawn in from both axial sides of each dual-outlet fan 2 in the forward airflow mode. This ensures that the airflow is evenly distributed when two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2 operate simultaneously, avoiding the situation where the air pressure in the middle area is too low due to only having connecting ports 16 and air inlets 15 on both sides.

[0050] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figures 3 to 5 , Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, the opening and closing mechanism 3 includes a first opening and closing structure 31 and a second opening and closing structure 32, each moving independently. The first opening and closing structure 31 is used to open and close the connecting port 16, and the second opening and closing structure 32 is used to open and close the air inlet 15. In this way, the opening and closing of the connecting port 16 and the air inlet 15 can be controlled independently, achieving precise control through the first opening and closing structure 31 and the second opening and closing structure 32 respectively. This ensures that when switching between different air outlet modes, the air inlet paths of different air outlet modes can be completely isolated. This avoids the situation where, during linked control, due to mechanical transmission delays, one of the connecting port 16 or the air outlet is not fully closed while the other is already open, causing crosstalk in the airflow path. Therefore, it helps to ensure the stability of the air outlet effect.

[0051] In some other embodiments of this disclosure, the opening and closing mechanism 3 is used to close the other of the air inlet 15 and the connecting port 16 when one of them is opened. In this way, the opening and closing mechanism 3 can selectively open and close the air inlet 15 and the connecting port 16, thereby simplifying the structure of the opening and closing mechanism 3 and facilitating maintenance and installation.

[0052] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figures 3 to 5 , Figure 8 and Figure 10As shown, in the embodiment where the opening and closing mechanism 3 includes a first opening and closing structure 31 and a second opening and closing structure 32, the first opening and closing structure 31 includes at least one first damper 311, which is rotatably or movablely disposed on the partition 9 to open or close the communication port 16. Thus, by driving the first damper 311 to block or open the communication port 16, the opening and closing of the communication port 16 can be achieved; the structure is simple and facilitates precise control. The second opening and closing structure 32 includes at least one second damper 321, which is rotatably or movablely disposed on the housing 1 to open or close the air inlet 15. Thus, by driving the second damper 321 to block or open the air inlet 15, the opening and closing of the air inlet 15 can be achieved; the structure is simple and facilitates precise control. Furthermore, the connection method between the first damper 311 and the partition 9, and between the second damper 321 and the housing 1, can be selected according to the space and location of the installation scenario, which is beneficial for adapting to the needs of different locations.

[0053] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 4 As shown, there are at least two first dampers 311. The first opening and closing structure 31 includes a first driving member 312 and a first connecting rod 313. The first driving member 312 drives at least two first dampers 311 to move synchronously through the first connecting rod 313. In this way, the synchronous opening and closing of at least two connecting ports 16 can be achieved by driving at least two first dampers 311 to move synchronously through the first connecting rod 313. There are at least two second dampers 321. The second opening and closing structure 32 includes a second driving member 322 and a second connecting rod 323. The second driving member 322 drives at least two second dampers 321 to move synchronously through the second connecting rod 323. In this way, the synchronous opening and closing of at least two air inlets 15 can be achieved by driving at least two second dampers 321 to move synchronously through the second connecting rod 323. Therefore, it avoids the situation where at least two connecting ports 16 or at least two air inlets 15 open and close asynchronously, causing airflow to enter the second cavity 12 only from the open connecting ports 16 or air inlets 15, resulting in localized airflow concentration, uneven air intake of the dual-air-port fan 2, and affecting the stability of the air output.

[0054] The partition 9 and the housing 1 are provided with mounting bases 33. The first connecting rod 313 can be mounted on the partition 9 through the mounting base 33 to rotatably or movablely connect the first damper 311 to the partition 9. The second connecting rod 323 can be mounted on the housing 1 through the mounting base 33 to rotatably or movablely connect the second damper 321 to the housing 1.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first drive member 312 can drive at least two first dampers 311 to rotate via the first connecting rod 313. In this way, compared to driving at least two first dampers 311 to move, the size of the housing in the direction of movement of the first dampers 311 is too large. The above-mentioned rotation method is beneficial to reduce the volume of the housing 1.

[0056] Similarly, the second drive member 322 can drive at least two second dampers 321 to rotate via the second link 323. In this way, compared with driving at least two first dampers 311 to move, the size of the housing 1 in the direction of movement of the first damper 311 is too large. The above-mentioned rotation method is beneficial to reduce the volume of the housing 1.

[0057] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, a first opening and closing structure 31 is provided on the side of the partition 9 near the second cavity 12. This placement of the first opening and closing structure 31 on the side of the partition 9 near the second cavity 12 avoids the partition 9 being located near the first cavity 11, which would occupy the air outlet space within the first cavity 11, thus preventing airflow obstruction in both front and bottom air outlet modes and affecting air outlet efficiency. Therefore, a second opening and closing structure 32 is provided in the second cavity 12. Placing the second opening and closing structure 32 within the second cavity 12 avoids it occupying external space on the outside of the housing 1, thereby facilitating a compact design of the air outlet device.

[0058] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the dual-outlet fan 2 includes a volute 24, which has a front air outlet 21 and a lower air outlet 22. A partition 9 has a first air outlet 18, with a front air outlet 14 located at the first air outlet 18. The housing 1 has a second air outlet 17, with the lower air outlet 22 located at the second air outlet 17. Thus, with the front air outlet 21 of the volute 24 located at the first air outlet 18, in the front air outlet mode, the airflow delivered through the front air outlet 21 can directly enter the first cavity 11 through the first air outlet 18, and then exit through the front air outlet 14, thereby shortening the air outlet path in the front air outlet mode. In the lower air outlet mode, the airflow delivered through the lower air outlet 22 can directly exit the housing 1 through the second air outlet 17, further shortening the air outlet path in the lower air outlet mode. This avoids gaps between the front air outlet 21 and the first air outlet 18, and between the lower air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 17, which could lead to air leakage, affecting air outlet efficiency, or causing noise due to turbulent airflow, thus impacting user experience. Simultaneously, it allows for the installation and positioning of the dual-outlet fan 2 via the first air outlet 18 and the second air outlet 17, eliminating the need for connecting air ducts between the front air outlet 21 and the first air outlet 18, and between the lower air outlet 22 and the second air outlet 17, thus saving internal space in the second cavity 12 and facilitating a more compact design for the air outlet device.

[0059] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 11As shown, the housing 1 includes a base plate 13, and a second air outlet 17 is disposed on the base plate 13. In this way, since the base plate 13 is located at the bottom of the housing 1, when the lower air outlet 22 of the dual-outlet fan 2 is disposed on the second air outlet 17, the airflow delivered through the lower air outlet 22 can be directly guided downward, which is beneficial for adapting to the downward air outlet mode, meeting the usage scenarios that require airflow to be guided to the ground, and can shorten the airflow path, reduce the upward loss of airflow, thereby reducing losses.

[0060] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 2 , Figure 7 and Figure 11 As shown, the housing 1 includes a base plate 13, and an air inlet 15 is disposed on the base plate 13. In this way, the airflow can enter the second cavity 12 through the base plate 13, avoiding the airflow loss caused by the need for detours when the air is introduced from the side. This helps to shorten the air intake path, improve the air intake efficiency, and realize the downward air intake in the front air outlet mode. Furthermore, it is beneficial to adapt to the front air outlet mode to avoid the air intake path from colliding with the airflow of the front air outlet 14, which would cause airflow interference and help improve the stability of the front air outlet mode.

[0061] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 12 As shown, the air outlet unit 10 includes a mounting bracket 5, and the mounting bracket 5 is equipped with a motor 4, which drives the dual-outlet fan 2 to rotate. In this way, the motor 4 is fixed in place by the mounting bracket 5, which can prevent the motor 4 from being displaced by vibration, thus avoiding the transmission connection between the motor 4 and the dual-outlet fan 2 and preventing transmission failure or reduced transmission efficiency. This helps to ensure the stability of the motor 4's transmission.

[0062] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 12 As shown, a pressure cap 6 is connected to the mounting bracket 5. The pressure cap 6 and the mounting bracket 5 form an installation space, in which the motor 4 is installed. In this way, the pressure cap 6 and the mounting bracket 5 can provide protection for the motor 4, preventing impurities from directly contacting the motor 4, which could cause wear on the internal parts of the motor 4 and affect its service life.

[0063] The motor 4 can be positioned between two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2 to drive them to operate synchronously. A first damper 311 located between the two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2 has a first clearance opening 3111, and a second damper 321 has a second clearance opening 3211 to avoid interference with the mounting frame 5. Furthermore, the drive shaft 41 of the motor 4 can be coaxially mounted and connected to the impellers of the two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2, so that the rotation of the drive shaft 41 can drive the two adjacent dual-outlet fans 2 to operate synchronously.

[0064] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 11 As shown, a heat exchanger 7 is installed in the first chamber 11, and an opening / closing mechanism 3 is installed in the second chamber 12. Thus, when the air outlet device is in front-outlet mode, the airflow entering the first chamber 11 through the front outlet 21 of the dual-outlet fan 2 can be heated by the heat exchanger 7 and then discharged through the front outlet 14. When the air outlet device is in bottom-outlet mode, the airflow entering the first chamber 11 through the front outlet 14 can be heated by the heat exchanger 7 and then enter the second chamber 12 through the connecting port 16, so that the dual-outlet fan 2 can draw it in and discharge it through the bottom outlet 22. Therefore, with the heat exchanger 7 installed in the first chamber 11, the airflow can be fully heated by the heat exchanger 7 before being discharged when the air outlet device switches between front-outlet and bottom-outlet modes, thereby achieving temperature regulation of the airflow.

[0065] Among them, such as Figure 3 As shown, a water receiving tray 8 can be installed in the first cavity 11 to collect the condensate generated when the airflow passes through the heat exchanger 7, preventing water from seeping into internal components such as motors and circuits and affecting the normal operation of the equipment.

[0066] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the dual-outlet fan 2 is constructed as a centrifugal fan. This centrifugal fan enables axial air intake and radial air exhaust, facilitating airflow through the front outlet 21 and lower outlet 22 on the radial side of the dual-outlet fan 2, and also facilitating air intake through the connecting ports 16 or inlets 15 located on both axial sides of the dual-outlet fan 2. Therefore, in the front-outlet mode, airflow enters the first chamber 11 from the inlets 15 located on both axial sides of the dual-outlet fan 2, and after being drawn in by the dual-outlet fan 2, exits through the front outlet 21. In the lower-outlet mode, airflow enters the first chamber 11 from the connecting ports 16 located on both axial sides of the fan, and after being drawn in by the dual-outlet fan 2, exits through the lower outlet 22.

[0067] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reference is made to Figure 3As shown, the dual-outlet fan 2 includes blades 23, which are constructed as straight blades. Because the straight blades 23 are geometrically symmetrical, the thrust of the straight blades 23 on the airflow remains consistent whether the dual-outlet fan 2 rotates forward or backward. This ensures that the airflow volume at the front outlet and the airflow volume at the bottom outlet are essentially the same, avoiding the influence of the blade curvature, which could cause different airflow paths during forward and reverse rotation, resulting in differences in airflow volume. This facilitates adaptation to the switching requirements between front and bottom outlet modes, ensuring consistent airflow delivery efficiency.

[0068] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an air conditioner is provided, including the air outlet device described above. This air conditioner has all the beneficial effects of the described air outlet device, which will not be elaborated upon in this disclosure.

[0069] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the air conditioner is configured as a ducted unit. This allows for both front and bottom airflow when the ducted unit is installed on the ceiling of the room, thus improving the user experience.

[0070] Below, for reference Figures 1 to 11 As shown, this disclosure will provide a detailed description of the specific usage process of the air outlet device in conjunction with the above-described specific embodiments. When cooling is required, a front-outlet mode with bottom air intake and front air outlet can be adopted. Specifically, the first opening and closing structure 31 closes the connecting port 16 to prevent airflow from entering the second chamber 12 from the front, and the second opening and closing structure 32 opens the air inlet 15, allowing external airflow to enter the second chamber 12 through the air inlet 15 and be sent to the first chamber 11 through the front air outlet 21 of the dual-outlet fan 2. This allows the heat exchanger 7 to fully exchange heat with the airflow entering the first chamber 11 before it is sent out through the front air outlet 14. Thus, by using front-outlet air outlet, cold air can be prevented from blowing directly onto the human body, and a "canopy" air supply can be formed, improving the area coverage efficiency.

[0071] When heating is required, a bottom-discharge airflow method with front air intake and bottom air outlet can be adopted. The second opening and closing structure 32 opens the connecting port 16, allowing the airflow entering the first chamber 11 through the front air outlet 14 to be fully heated by the heat exchanger 7 before entering the second chamber 12 through the connecting port 16 and being discharged from the casing 1 through the bottom air outlet 22 of the dual-outlet fan 2. Thus, hot air can be delivered to the ground through the bottom air outlet 22, diffuse along the ground, and slowly rise, forming a "carpet" of airflow to prevent the rapid rise of hot air from causing low temperatures at lower levels and affecting comfort.

[0072] Therefore, by switching between the front air outlet mode and the bottom air outlet mode, the switching between "bottom air inlet and front air outlet" and "front air inlet and bottom air outlet" can be realized, thereby achieving reversible air supply.

[0073] When the air outlet device uses a single front air outlet for cooling, the dual-outlet fan 2 of one of the air outlet units 10 can be activated to rotate, so that airflow enters the second chamber 12 through the air inlet 15 and is driven to the first chamber 11 through the front air outlet 21. After being cooled by the heat exchanger 7, the airflow is sent to the front air outlet 14, so that the front air outlet 14 corresponding to one of the air outlet units 10 can blow out cold air. When the air outlet device uses a single front air outlet for heating, the dual-outlet fan 2 of one of the air outlet units 10 can be activated to rotate, so that airflow enters the first chamber 11 through the front air outlet 14. After being heated by the heat exchanger 7, the airflow enters the second chamber 12 through the connecting port 16, so that the dual-outlet fan 2 drives the airflow to be sent out of the housing 1 through the lower air outlet 22, so that the lower air outlet corresponding to one of the air outlet units 10 can blow out hot air.

[0074] When the air outlet device uses dual front air outlets for cooling, the dual-outlet fans 2 of the two air outlet units 10 are activated to rotate, so that airflow enters the second chamber 12 through the air inlet 15 and is driven to the first chamber 11 through the front air outlet 21. After being cooled by the heat exchanger 7, the airflow is sent to the front air outlet 14, so that cold air can be blown out from the front air outlets 14 of both air outlet units 10. When the air outlet device uses dual bottom air outlets for heating, the dual-outlet fans 2 of the two air outlet units 10 can be activated to rotate, so that airflow enters the first chamber 11 through the front air outlet 14. After being heated by the heat exchanger 7, the airflow enters the second chamber 12 through the connecting port 16, so that the dual-outlet fans 2 drive the airflow to be sent out of the housing 1 through the bottom air outlet 22, so that hot air can be blown out from the bottom air outlets of both air outlet units 10.

[0075] When the dual-outlet fans 2 of two adjacent air outlet units 10 rotate forward and reverse respectively, one of them can achieve front air outlet and the other can achieve bottom air outlet, so that the airflow of the two adjacent air outlet units 10 flows in opposite directions to achieve a wraparound air supply.

[0076] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of this disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0077] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this disclosure will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0078] Furthermore, various different embodiments of this disclosure can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this disclosure, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed in this disclosure.

Claims

1. An air outlet device, characterized in that, It includes at least two air outlet units, wherein the air outlet units include: The housing has a partition inside, which divides the housing into a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity has a front air vent, and the second cavity has an air inlet. The partition has a connecting port that connects the first cavity and the second cavity. A dual-outlet fan is disposed within the second cavity and includes a front air outlet on a partition and a lower air outlet on the housing; and Opening and closing mechanism, used to open and close the connecting port, and to open and close the air inlet; The air outlet unit has a front air outlet mode and a bottom air outlet mode. In the front air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism opens the air inlet and closes the connecting port; the front air outlet is used for air outlet, and the dual air outlet fan is either rotating in the forward or reverse direction. In the bottom air outlet mode, the opening and closing mechanism opens the connecting port and closes the air inlet; the front air outlet is used for air inlet, and the dual air outlet fan is either rotating in the forward or reverse direction. The rotation of the dual-outlet fans of two adjacent air outlet units is independent of each other, and the movement of the opening and closing mechanisms of two adjacent air outlet units is independent of each other, so that the air outlets of two adjacent air outlet units are independent of each other.

2. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual-outlet fan includes blades, which are constructed as arc-shaped blades. The arc-shaped blades are bent in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, wherein the blades of two adjacent air outlet units are bent in the same or opposite directions.

3. The air outlet device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The blades of two adjacent air outlet units have the same bending direction, and the dual-outlet fans of two adjacent air outlet units are configured to rotate synchronously.

4. The air outlet device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The blades of two adjacent air outlet units bend in opposite directions. In the front air outlet mode or the bottom air outlet mode, the dual-outlet fan with the same rotation direction as the blade bending direction operates, while the dual-outlet fan with the opposite rotation direction to the blade bending direction stops operating.

5. The air outlet device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The blades of two adjacent air outlet units bend in opposite directions, and the dual-outlet fans of two adjacent air outlet units are configured to rotate synchronously.

6. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the two axial sides of the dual-outlet fan is used for air intake, the partition is provided with at least one connecting port, and the housing is provided with at least one air inlet.

7. The air outlet device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dual-outlet fan has air intake on both axial sides, the partition has at least two connecting openings, and the housing has at least two air inlets.

8. The air outlet device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The opening and closing mechanism includes a first opening and closing structure and a second opening and closing structure that move independently of each other. The first opening and closing structure is used to open and close the communication port, and the second opening and closing structure is used to open and close the air inlet.

9. The air outlet device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first opening and closing structure includes at least one first damper, which is rotatably or movablely disposed on the partition to open or close the communication port; and / or, The second opening and closing structure includes at least one second damper, which is rotatably or movablely disposed in the housing to open or close the air inlet.

10. The air outlet device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The number of the first dampers is at least two, and the first opening and closing structure includes a first driving member and a first connecting rod. The first driving member drives at least two first dampers to move synchronously through the first connecting rod; and / or, The number of the second dampers is at least two, and the second opening and closing structure includes a second driving member and a second connecting rod. The second driving member drives at least two second dampers to move synchronously through the second connecting rod.

11. The air outlet device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The partition plate is provided with a first opening and closing structure on the side near the second cavity, and / or the second opening and closing structure is provided in the second cavity.

12. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual-outlet fan includes a volute, which has a front air outlet and a lower air outlet. The partition is provided with a first air outlet, and the front air outlet is located at the first air outlet. The housing is provided with a second air outlet, and the lower air outlet is located at the second air outlet.

13. The air outlet device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The housing includes a base plate, and the second air vent is disposed on the base plate.

14. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a base plate, and the air inlet is located on the base plate.

15. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air outlet unit includes a mounting bracket, which is equipped with a motor for driving the dual-outlet fan to rotate.

16. The air outlet device according to claim 15, characterized in that, A pressure cap is connected to the mounting bracket, and the pressure cap and the mounting bracket form an installation space, in which the motor is installed.

17. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A heat exchanger is provided in the first cavity, and the opening and closing mechanism is located in the second cavity.

18. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual-outlet fan mechanism is constructed as a centrifugal fan.

19. The air outlet device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual-outlet fan includes blades, and the blades are constructed as straight blades.

20. An air conditioner, characterized in that, Includes the air outlet device as described in any one of claims 1-19.

21. The air conditioner according to claim 20, characterized in that, The air conditioner is a ducted unit.

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