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(11) | EP 4 818 588 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | AIR CONDITIONER |
| (57) The present application provides an air conditioner, which relates to the technical
field of air conditioners. The air conditioner includes an air duct shell and an air
outlet structure, and the air duct shell has an air duct outlet; the air outlet structure
includes an air outlet body and an air guide cover; the air outlet body includes an
air outlet section and an air guide section, and the air outlet section is provided
with an air outlet; the guide cover is connected to the air guide section, and encloses
to form an air inlet channel communicating the air duct outlet with the air outlet;
the air inlet channel is gradually expanded in the direction from the air duct outlet
to the air outlet section.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and in particular to an air conditioner.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Existing ventilation systems or air conditioning vent designs often use a combination of true and false vents. The true vents are the actual outlet channels for air, while the false vents are primarily used for decoration or to balance the design. However, the presence of the false vents occupies some space, limiting the actual area available for air outlet, which in turn affects airflow efficiency.
SUMMARY
[0003] The main purpose of the present application is to provide an air conditioner designed to expand the air outlet area.
[0004] To achieve this purpose, the air conditioner provided by the present application includes:
an air duct shell provided with an air duct outlet; and
an air outlet structure including an air outlet body and an air guide cover;
the air outlet body includes an air outlet section and an air guide section;
the air outlet section is provided with an air outlet; the air guide cover is connected to the air guide section, and the air guide cover and the the air guide section are enclosed to form an air inlet channel communicating the air duct outlet with the air outlet; and
the air inlet channel is provided to gradually expand along a direction from the air duct outlet to the air outlet section.
[0005] In an embodiment, the air guide cover is provided with an outwardly inclined air guide surface, and the air guide surface is smoothly and transitionally connected to the air duct outlet.
[0006] In an embodiment, a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the air guide surface is at least one of a straight line and an arc.
[0007] In an embodiment, an installation notch is provided in a channel wall of the air guide section, and the air guide cover is mounted in the installation notch.
[0008] In an embodiment, the air guide cover includes an air guide plate having the air guide surface; an edge of the air guide plate is provided with a flange folded toward the installation notch, and the flange is connected to an edge of the installation notch.
[0009] In an embodiment, the flange is provided with a latch hole, and the edge of the installation notch is provided with a latch protrusion matching with the latch hole; and/or
a free end of the flange is provided with an assembly groove, and the edge of the installation notch is pluggable with the assembly groove; and/or
the edge of the installation notch is provided with a stopper step for abutting against the flange.
[0010] In an embodiment, the air conditioner further including: a grille fixedly connected to the air outlet body and provided away from the air guide cover.
[0011] In an embodiment, a portion of the air outlet structure is adapted to be inserted into the air duct shell.
[0012] In an embodiment, an inner wall of the air duct outlet is provided with a support platform supporting the air outlet structure.
[0013] In an embodiment, the air conditioner further including: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and the air outlet structure and the air duct shell are both provided in the indoor unit;
the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected via a refrigerant hose assembly, and the refrigerant hose assembly is pre-filled with refrigerant; and/or
a compressor of the air conditioner is provided in the indoor unit.
[0014] In the technical solution of the present application, the air inlet channel connects the air duct outlet and the air outlet, and the gradual expansion setting of the air inlet channel is utilized in the direction from the air duct outlet to the air outlet section. Compared with directly using the air duct outlet as the air outlet of the air conditioner, the air outlet area of the air outlet is effectively expanded, thereby improving the air outlet efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or in the related art, accompanying drawings required for description of the embodiments or the related art are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative efforts.
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly diagram of the air duct shell and air outlet structure in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged diagram from a perspective of point A in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the air outlet structure in FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged diagram of point B in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the air outlet body in FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the air guide cover in FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the air duct shell in FIG. 2.
[0016] Explanation of reference signs:
10, air duct shell; 11, air duct outlet; 12, support platform;
20, air outlet structure; 21, air outlet body; 22, air guide cover; 221, air guide plate; 222, air guide surface; 223, flange; 224, assembly groove; 225, latch hole; 23, air outlet section; 231, air outlet; 24, air guide section; 241, installation notch; 242, air inlet channel; 243, latch protrusion; 244, stopper step;
30, grille.
[0017] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present application will be further described in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some rather than all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts are within the scope of the present application.
[0019] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present application, the directional indication is only used to explain the relative position relationship and movement of the components under a specific posture (as shown in the figures). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.
[0020] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present application, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, if "and/or" appears throughout the text, it includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and/or B" includes solution A, solution B, or solutions that satisfy both A and B. Furthermore, the technical solutions of various embodiments may be combined, but only if they are achievable by those skilled in the art. If the combination of technical solutions contradicts or is unachievable, such a combination shall be deemed non-existent and outside the protection scope claimed by the present application.
[0021] Existing ventilation systems or air conditioner vent designs often utilize a combination of true vents and false vents. The true vents serve as the actual outlet for air, while the false vents are primarily used for decorative purposes or to balance the design. However, the presence of the false vents occupies some space, limiting the actual area available for air outlet, which in turn affects air outlet efficiency.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, in an embodiment of the present application, the air conditioner includes an air duct shell 10 and an air outlet structure 20. The air duct shell 10 has an air duct outlet 11. The air outlet structure 20 includes an air outlet body 21 and an air guide cover 22. The air outlet body 21 includes an air outlet section 23 and an air guide section 24. The air outlet section 23 defines an air outlet 231. The air guide cover 22 is connected to the air guide section 24 and encloses to form an air inlet channel 242 that connects the air duct outlet 11 and the air outlet 231. The air inlet channel 242 gradually expands from the air duct outlet 11 to the air outlet section 23, thereby expanding the air outlet area of the air outlet 231 and effectively enhancing the technical aesthetics and sense of luxury of the air outlet 231.
[0024] In the technical solution of the present application, the air inlet duct 242 communicates the air duct outlet 11 with the air outlet 231. The gradual expansion of the air inlet duct 242 from the air duct outlet 11 to the air outlet section 23 effectively expands the air outlet area of the air outlet 231, thereby improving air outlet efficiency, compared to directly using the air duct outlet 11 as the air conditioner's air outlet 231.
[0025] In an embodiment, the air inlet duct 242 is formed by the air guide cover 22 and the air guide section 24 of the air outlet body 21. The air guide cover 22 and the air guide section 24 can be fixed together as a single unit using methods such as welding or bonding, or by methods such as snap-fit or plug-in fitting. This facilitates the processing and forming of the air inlet duct 242 and reduces the difficulty of manufacturing the air outlet structure 20. Furthermore, the detachable connection between the air guide cover 22 and the air outlet body 21 facilitates flexible replacement of the air guide cover 22, thereby adjusting the size of the air inlet duct 242 and improving the maintenance efficiency of the air outlet structure 20.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3-4 and 8, in this embodiment of the present application, the air guide cover 22 has an outwardly inclined air guide surface 222. This air guide surface 222 smoothly transitions with the air duct outlet 11. The contoured surface of the air duct shell 10 mates smoothly with the air guide surface 222, ensuring a more even and smooth flow of air from the air duct outlet 11 to the air outlet 231, thereby reducing the possibility of noise generated at the connection between the air duct shell 10 and the air outlet structure 20.
[0027] The outwardly inclined aie guide surface 222, specifically one end of which connects to the air duct outlet 11 and the other end of which extends toward the air outlet section 23 and is inclined away from the axis of the air duct outlet 11, allows the air inlet channel 242 to gradually expand from the air duct outlet 11 to the air outlet section 23. In this case, the air outlet section 23 can be of a constant diameter or a gradually expanding configuration. Furthermore, the gradually expanding air inlet channel 242 forms a buffering and diffusion zone for the airflow. Combined with the smooth transition between the air guide surface 222 and the air duct outlet 11, the airflow exiting the air duct outlet 11 is buffered, making the air flowing out of the air outlet section 23 softer and gentler, thereby enhancing user's comfort.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present application, the longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the air guide surface 222 is at least one of a straight line and an arc to accommodate dimensional changes from the air duct outlet 11 to the air outlet 231. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the air guide surface 222 includes a continuous arc and a straight line. One end of the arc smoothly aligns with the contour line of the air duct outlet 11, and the other end connects to the straight line. In this case, the arc protrudes toward the air outlet 231. Of course, in other embodiments, the longitudinal cross-sectional profile of the air guide surface 222 is a straight line or an arc.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, in the embodiment of the present application, the channel wall of the air guide section 24 is provided with an installation notch 241, and the air guide cover 22 is mounted within this installation notch 241. This facilitates demolding of the air outlet structure 20 from the air guide section 24 and facilitates the fabrication of the air outlet body 21. The air guide cover 22 blocks the installation notch 241, facilitating the connection between the air outlet structure 20 and the air duct shell 10 and reducing air leakage. Furthermore, the inclined air guide surface 222 on the air guide cover 22 effectively guides the airflow exiting the air duct outlet 11, reducing turbulence and noise. Of course, in other embodiments, the installation notch 241 may extend to the air outlet section 23. In this case, the air guide cover 22 is connected to both the air guide section 24 and the air outlet section 23.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 8, in the embodiment of the present application, the air guide cover 22 includes an air guide plate 221 having a air guide surface 222. The edge of the air guide plate 221 is provided with a flange 223 that folds toward the installation notch 241. The flange 223 is connected to the edge of the installation notch 241. As a result, the space enclosed by the air guide plate 221 and the flange 223 gradually expands toward the air outlet section 23. This space serves to buffer and connect the air duct outlet 11 and the air outlet 231. This allows the air inlet channel 242 formed after installation into the installation notch 241 to gradually expand, thereby improving the flow direction and buffering the airflow. Of course, in other embodiments, the air guide cover 22 only includes the air guide plate 221.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, in this embodiment of the present application, the flange 223 defines a latch hole 225, and the edge of the installation notch 241 is provided with a latch protrusion 243 that engages with the latch hole 225. Furthermore, the abutment and limiting contact between the latch hole 225 and the latch protrusion 243 allows for quick installation of the air guide cover 22 into the installation notch 241, thereby improving assembly efficiency of the air outlet structure 20. Of course, in other embodiments, the latch hole 225 may be formed in the installation notch 241, and the latch protrusion 243 may be connected to the flange 223.
[0032] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present application, the free end of the flange 223 is provided with an assembly groove 224. The edge of the installation notch 241 engages with the assembly groove 224. With this arrangement, the edge of the installation notch 241 is inserted into the assembly groove 224. A tortuous channel is formed between the edge of the installation notch 241 and the wall of the assembly groove 224, which acts as a seal. Consequently, airflow through the tortuous channel creates a throttling effect, preventing leakage, reliably reducing the risk of air leakage, and ensuring an airflow rate at the air outlet 231.
[0033] The flange 223 is connected to the edge of the installation notch 241 by the engagement of the latch hole 225 and the latch protrusion 243. The latch hole 225 is opened on the side wall of the assembly groove 224 away from the air inlet channel 242. At this time, the latch protrusion 243 is connected to the outer surface of the edge of the installation notch 241. In order to achieve a tight connection between the flange 223 and the edge of the installation notch 241, a stopper protrusion is provided in the latch hole 225. The stopper protrusion is protruded from the edge of the notch of the latch hole 225 close to the assembly groove 224 toward the groove of the assembly groove 224. The installation notch 241 extends from the bottom of the assembly groove 224, leaving a gap with the bottom of the assembly groove 224 for the latch protrusion 243 to engage. Consequently, after the edge of the installation notch 241 extends into the assembly groove 224, the edge of the installation notch 241 abuts against the bottom of the assembly groove 224, and the latch protrusion 243 abuts against the stopper protrusion to limit the position. This not only improves the connection reliability between the air guide cover 22 and the air guide section 24, but also extends the tortuous path and enhances the sealing effect at the connection between the air guide cover 22 and the air guide section 24. This also facilitates the rapid separation of the latch hole 225 and the latch protrusion 243. Furthermore, the bottom of the assembly groove 224 corresponding to the location of the latch protrusion 243 can be opened to reduce weight and minimize interference.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present application, the edge of the installation notch 241 is provided with a stopper step 244 for abutting the flange 223. This facilitates a smooth transition between the inner surface of the flange 223 and the inner surface of the edge of the installation notch 241, reducing the possibility of airflow disturbance at the junction of the flange 223 and the installation notch 241, which could lead to increased noise. Specifically, the flange 223 engages with the edge of the installation notch 241 through the assembly groove 224. A sidewall of the assembly groove 224, adjacent to the air inlet channel 242, is engaged with the stopper step 244. This prevents the air guide cover 22 from approaching the installation notch 241 further and ensures a smooth transition between the inner surface of the sidewall and the inner surface of the edge of the installation notch 241.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment of the present application, the air conditioner further includes a grille 30. The grille 30 is fixedly connected to the air outlet body 21 and positioned away from the air guide cover 22. The grille 30 can be connected to the air outlet section 23 or the junction between the air outlet section 23 and the air guide section 24, thereby preventing users from accessing components within the air outlet 231. This improves air conditioner safety while ensuring proper airflow.
[0036] Methods for connecting the grille 30 to the air outlet body 21 include, but are not limited to, integral molding, welding, or snap-fitting. Using a non-detachable connection method such as integral molding or welding enhances the overall structural strength of the air outlet structure 20, reduces the risk of the grille 30 detaching from the air outlet 231, and ensures safe use of the air conditioner. Using a detachable connection method such as snap-fitting facilitates subsequent maintenance.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2-3 and 9, in this embodiment of the present application, a portion of the air outlet structure 20 is adapted to be inserted into the air duct shell 10. This conceals the connection between the air outlet structure 20 and the air duct shell 10, reduces airflow overflowing from the connection between the air outlet structure 20 and the air duct shell 10, and ensures a high airflow at the air outlet 231.
[0038] In an embodiment of the present application, the inner wall of the air duct outlet 11 is provided with a support platform 12 for supporting the air outlet structure 20. The support platform 12 can be formed by a flange 223 bent outward from the edge of the air duct outlet 11. The flange 223 includes a continuously bent first segment and a second segment. The first segment is bent outward from the edge of the air duct outlet 11 and extends horizontally so that the air outlet structure 20 is supported on the first segment. The second segment is bent outward from the upper edge of the first segment and is adapted to the outer surface of the air guide cover 22 to ensure that the air outlet structure 20 does not interfere with the air duct shell 10, while hiding the connection between the air outlet structure 20 and the air duct shell 10. In this way, the continuous bending process can not only improve the structural strength of the flange 223, thereby improving the overall structural strength of the air duct shell 10, but also ensure the reliable assembly of the air outlet structure 20 and the air duct shell 10. However, in other embodiments, the support platform 12 may protrude from the inner wall of the air duct outlet 11 and may be a complete annular support platform 12 or a annular support platform 12 with a break. The air duct shell 10 and the air outlet structure 20 may also be fixed together as a single unit by means of a snap-fit connection or other means.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present application, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and the air outlet structure 20 and the air duct shell 10 are both located in the outdoor unit. The indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected by a refrigerant hose assembly, and the refrigerant hose assembly is pre-filled with refrigerant. Specifically, the air conditioner of the present application may be a split-type air conditioner for easy user installation. The refrigerant hose assembly connects the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit and the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, and refrigerant is injected into the refrigerant circuit before the device leaves the factory. Thus, when the user installs the device themselves, they only need to secure the indoor and outdoor units separately, without having to assemble refrigerant pipes or fill refrigerant, thereby reducing installation difficulty and facilitating user installation. However, the present design is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the air conditioner of the present application may also be a conventional split-type air conditioner.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present application, the compressor of the air conditioner is located in the indoor unit, which reduces the weight of the outdoor unit and facilitates installation of the outdoor unit. Accordingly, the compressor is also provided with a noise reduction structure to ensure low-noise operation of the indoor unit.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present application, the bottom of the indoor unit is provided with movable wheels to facilitate movement and transport of the indoor unit. Accordingly, the indoor unit is provided with a locking structure to restrict the rotation of the movable wheels, ensuring stable operation of the indoor unit.
[0042] The above are only some embodiments of the present application, and do not limit the scope of the present application. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the specification and drawings of the present application under the inventive concept of the present application, or directly/indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are included in the scope of the present application.
1. An air conditioner, characterized by comprising:
an air duct shell provided with an air duct outlet; and
an air outlet structure comprising an air outlet body and an air guide cover;
wherein the air outlet body comprises an air outlet section and an air guide section;
the air outlet section is provided with an air outlet; the air guide cover is connected to the air guide section, and the air guide cover and the the air guide section are enclosed to form an air inlet channel communicating the air duct outlet with the air outlet; and
the air inlet channel is provided to gradually expand along a direction from the air duct outlet to the air outlet section.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air guide cover is provided
with an outwardly inclined air guide surface, and the air guide surface is smoothly
and transitionally connected to the air duct outlet.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein a longitudinal cross-sectional profile
of the air guide surface is at least one of a straight line and an arc.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein an installation notch is provided
in a channel wall of the air guide section, and the air guide cover is mounted in
the installation notch.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the air guide cover comprises an
air guide plate having the air guide surface; an edge of the air guide plate is provided
with a flange folded toward the installation notch, and the flange is connected to
an edge of the installation notch.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the flange is provided with a latch
hole, and the edge of the installation notch is provided with a latch protrusion matching
with the latch hole; and/or
a free end of the flange is provided with an assembly groove, and the edge of the installation notch is pluggable with the assembly groove; and/or
the edge of the installation notch is provided with a stopper step for abutting against the flange.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a grille fixedly connected
to the air outlet body and provided away from the air guide cover.
8. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a portion of the
air outlet structure is adapted to be inserted into the air duct shell.
9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein an inner wall of the air duct outlet
is provided with a support platform supporting the air outlet structure.
10. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: an
indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and the air outlet structure and the air duct shell
are both provided in the indoor unit;
the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are connected via a refrigerant hose assembly, and the refrigerant hose assembly is pre-filled with refrigerant; and/or
a compressor of the air conditioner is provided in the indoor unit.