CN110873369B

CN110873369B - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN110873369B
Application number: CN201811012571.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 尹斌; 张佩兰; 樊庆伟; 黄隆重; 黄宁杰; 其他发明人请求不公开姓名
Original assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-31
Filing date: 2018-08-31
Publication date: 2021-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-31
Also published as: CN110873369A; WO2020043214A1

Abstract

The air conditioner comprises a shell, and an air chamber, a first heat exchanger, a first fan, a second heat exchanger, a second fan, a compressor and a throttling element which are located in the shell. The air channel of the first heat exchanger is communicated with the air inlet and the air chamber of the first fan, and the air channel of the second heat exchanger is communicated with the air inlet and the air chamber of the second fan. The air chamber is provided with a first area and a second area communicated with the first area, the height of the air chamber at the second area is smaller than that at the first area, and the second fan and/or the first fan are/is arranged above the air chamber at the second area.

Description

Air conditioner

Technical Field

The present application relates to air conditioners.

Background

The related air conditioner is generally composed of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. For special use occasions such as a kitchen, due to lack of space for placing an outdoor unit, a related air conditioner is difficult to be well installed.

In order to solve the above problems, an integrated air conditioner has appeared. The integrated air conditioner can be installed in a kitchen and normally works because the outdoor unit is not provided. However, there is still room for optimization of the related integrated air conditioner.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the application, an air conditioner is provided, which comprises a shell, and an air chamber, a first heat exchanger, a first fan, a second heat exchanger, a second fan, a compressor and a throttling element which are positioned in the shell;

the air channel of the first heat exchanger is communicated with the air inlet of the first fan and the air chamber, and the air channel of the second heat exchanger is communicated with the air inlet of the second fan and the air chamber;

the air chamber is provided with a first area and a second area communicated with the first area, the height of the air chamber at the second area is smaller than that at the first area, and the second fan and/or the first fan are/is arranged above the air chamber at the second area.

Drawings

Fig. 1 to 6 are schematic structural views of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present application; wherein, fig. 1 is a schematic view of a state that an air conditioner is installed on a ceiling; fig. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the air conditioner at different viewing angles; FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of an air conditioner; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the layout of the space in the air conditioner;

fig. 7 to 11 are schematic structural views of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present application; fig. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the air conditioner at different viewing angles; FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of an air conditioner; FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line M-M of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line N-N of FIG. 9;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural view of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 to 16 are schematic structural views of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present application, wherein fig. 13 and 14 are perspective views of the air conditioner at different viewing angles; FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of an air conditioner; FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line P-P of FIG. 15;

fig. 17 is a schematic structural view of an air conditioner according to still another embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, like numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," and the like are used in the orientations and positional relationships indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the present application and for simplicity in description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed in a particular orientation, and be operated in a particular manner, and are not to be construed as limiting the present application. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating 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 the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning either a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection; can be mechanically or electrically connected; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

In this application, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may comprise direct contact of the first and second features, or may comprise contact of the first and second features not directly but through another feature in between. Also, the first feature being "on," "above" and "over" the second feature includes the first feature being directly on and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "under," "below," and "beneath" a second feature includes the first feature being directly under and obliquely below the second feature, or simply meaning that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature. Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features of the following examples and embodiments can be supplemented or combined with each other without conflict.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in this application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features of the following examples and embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

Related household air conditioners mostly adopt a split structure of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. In both a bedroom and a living room, a special outdoor space is needed for installing an outdoor unit so as to be matched with an indoor unit arranged in the bedroom or the living room. The exterior of the kitchen typically does not have such an installation space.

The embodiment of the application provides an integrated air conditioner. The air conditioner has no outdoor unit, thus occupying no extra outdoor space, so that the air conditioner can be applied to a kitchen environment for eliminating discomfort brought to people by kitchen high temperature sultriness in summer. It will be readily appreciated that the air conditioner may be applied to other environments besides a kitchen. And are not limited herein.

Fig. 1 to 6, 7 to 11, 12, 13 to 16 and 17 show a detailed structure of

air conditioners

100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 according to various embodiments of the present application. The following description will mainly describe the air conditioner 100 shown in fig. 1 to 6, and if necessary, with reference to other drawings, a specific embodiment of the air conditioner of the present application will be described.

The air conditioner of the embodiment of the present application may include a housing 20, and an air chamber 30, a first heat exchanger 60, a first fan 70, a second heat exchanger 80, a second fan 90, a compressor 50, and a throttling element 11 located in the housing 20.

The housing 20 may include a bottom wall 25 and a side wall 23 extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom wall 25, and the bottom wall 25 and the side wall 23 may together enclose a storage space. The air chamber 30, the first heat exchanger 60, the first fan 70, the second heat exchanger 80, the second fan 90, the compressor 50, the throttling element 11, and the like are formed or installed in the accommodating space. In the embodiments shown, the housing 20 is generally rectangular, the bottom wall 25 is generally square, and the side wall 23 includes a first side wall 232, a second side wall 234, a third side wall 236, and a fourth side wall 238 connected end to end. The first, second, third and

fourth sidewalls

232, 234, 236, 238 enclose a quadrilateral. The side where the first sidewall 232 is located may be regarded as a first side of the sidewall 23 or the housing 20, the side where the second sidewall 234 is located may be regarded as a second side of the sidewall 23 or the housing 20, the side where the third sidewall 236 is located may be regarded as a third side of the sidewall 23 or the housing 20, and the side where the fourth sidewall 238 is located may be regarded as a fourth side of the sidewall 23 or the housing 20. When installed in place, the sides of the housing 20 (first, second, third, and fourth sides) may face or confront, respectively, the four side walls of a room (e.g., a kitchen).

In other embodiments, the housing 20 may be other shapes, such as a hollow cylinder. When the housing 20 is cylindrical, the side wall 23 is circular and the bottom wall 25 is circular. And are not limited herein.

To illustrate, a portion of the side wall 23 of the housing 20 may be served by a side wall of a room.

The air conditioner may be installed at a wall or a ceiling of a room, such as a kitchen. Most common rooms, including kitchens, typically include four side walls. Four-sided side walls typically have three interior walls and one exterior wall. When installed, the four side walls of the air conditioning case 20 may each face or confront one side wall of the room.

For example, the air conditioner may be disposed between the decorative panel C of the ceiling and the top wall of the kitchen. The upper end of the side wall 23 may be adjacent or abutting the lower surface of the kitchen top wall and the lower surface of the bottom wall 25 may be adjacent or abutting the upper surface of the trim panel C. If necessary, a fixing member such as a screw may be provided between the housing 20 and the kitchen ceiling wall, the decorative panel C, or the like, to securely lock them.

The decorative panel C and the bottom wall 25 may be opened with an air port 16 as a passage for air exchange between the air conditioner and the kitchen. The air port 16 may be a through hole provided in the bottom wall 25 or a through hole provided in the decorative plate C. The air outlet of the first fan 70 may be in communication with the air inlet 16. The air conditioner is installed in the suspended ceiling of the kitchen in the installation mode, and only the air opening 16 is exposed outside, so that the space of the kitchen is not occupied, and the integral attractiveness of the kitchen is not influenced.

The first side wall 232 may be opened with two

openings

13, 15, and one of the openings 13 (also referred to as a first opening) may serve as a passage for outdoor air to enter the air conditioner. In other embodiments, the opening 13 may also be used as a passage for air (indoor air) in other rooms outside the room where the air conditioner is located to enter the air conditioner. The indoor air is used as the air inlet of the air conditioner, so that the heat exchange efficiency of the air conditioner is improved.

The other opening 15 (which may also be referred to as a second opening) may serve as a passage through which air inside the air conditioner is discharged to the outside. The

openings

13, 15 may be circular holes, square holes, etc. The height of the opening 13 as an air inlet may be smaller than the height of the opening 15 as an air outlet.

When installed, the side wall 23 (e.g., the first side wall 232) where the

openings

13, 15 are located may be facing or facing an exterior wall of the kitchen. An air inlet and an air outlet can be arranged on the outer wall of the kitchen, the air inlet is communicated with the opening 13 through an air pipe, and the air outlet is communicated with the opening 15. Since most kitchens have only one outer wall, the opening 13 as an air inlet and the opening 15 as an air outlet are arranged on the same side wall 232 of the casing 20, which is beneficial to the simplification of the air duct structure.

Typical ceiling tile dimensions (width by length) are 300mm by 300mm, 300mm by 600mm, 600mm by 600mm, and the like. The bottom wall 25 of the air conditioning casing 20 of the embodiment shown in the figures is of rectangular design, with a length and width dimension of less than 600mm x 600mm, and is intended to cooperate with one or more decorative panels C when installed. The height of the housing 20 is less than the height of the ceiling to meet the installation requirements.

The housing 20 may also include a top wall that may substantially enclose the storage space. In other embodiments, the top wall may not be provided, as long as the airtightness of the respective main components inside the housing 20 can be ensured.

The storage space within the housing 20 may be generally divided into four regions: the first region 120 to the fourth region 180. The four regions may be arranged generally in a 2 x 2 matrix. Each region may occupy approximately one-fourth of the storage space. In other embodiments, the areas occupied by the various regions may not be substantially equal, but rather may be arranged as desired. The first region 120 and the fourth region 180 may be diagonally disposed, and the second region 140 and the third region 160 may be diagonally disposed. Wherein the plenum 30 may be disposed primarily within the first region 120, the first heat exchanger 60 and the first fan 70 may be disposed primarily within the second region 140, the second heat exchanger 80 and the second fan 90 may be disposed primarily within the third region 160, and the compressor 50 may be disposed primarily within the fourth region 180.

The first heat exchanger 60 and the first fan 70 may be disposed at a first side of the plenum 30 and aligned along a length of the first sidewall 232. The first heat exchanger 60 may have a passage through which a refrigerant (e.g., R113, R114, R115, R134a, R502, R22, etc.) flows. An air passage for air circulation is formed on the peripheral side of the passage. The air in the air channel and the refrigerant in the channel can be separated by the wall of the channel. The air in the air passage may exchange heat with the refrigerant in the passage through the wall of the passage of the first heat exchanger 60. The air passages at the first heat exchanger 60 may be in communication with the air chamber 30 such that air may freely circulate between the air chamber 30 and the air passages at the first heat exchanger 60. In the cooling mode, the first heat exchanger 60 may operate as an evaporator.

The first heat exchanger 60 may be a multi-pass heat exchanger. For example, the heat exchanger can be a copper tube fin type heat exchanger, and can also be a micro-channel heat exchanger with flat tubes and collecting tubes. The micro-channel heat exchanger is beneficial to reducing the weight and the size of the air conditioner. The flat tube is usually provided with a plurality of channels for the flow of refrigerant therein. Adjacent channels are isolated from each other. A plurality of passageways are arranged in a row, influence the width of flat pipe jointly. The flat pipe is flat, and the length and the width of the flat pipe are respectively greater than the width and the thickness of the flat pipe. The length direction of the flat pipe is the flowing direction of the refrigerant determined by the channel in the flat pipe. The length direction of the flat pipe can be a straight line type, a broken line type, a bending type and the like. The flat tube described here is not limited to this type, and may be in other forms. For example, adjacent channels may not be completely isolated. As another example, all of the channels may be arranged in two rows, so long as the width is still greater than the thickness.

The first heat exchanger 60 may have a substantially plate shape having a length direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction. A dimension T1 of the first heat exchanger 60 in the thickness direction is smaller than a dimension L1 of the first heat exchanger 60 in the length direction and a dimension W1 of the first heat exchanger 60 in the width direction. The extending direction of the air passage through which the air can flow is substantially the same as the thickness direction of the first heat exchanger 60. That is, the air passes through the first heat exchanger 60 generally in the thickness direction of the first heat exchanger 60.

The first fan 70 serves to provide a force for the air flowing from the air chamber 30 to the first heat exchanger 60. The first fan 70 may include a volute 72, and the impeller and the air inlet may be disposed at a center of the volute 72. The air path inside the volute 72 is disposed around the axis of rotation of the impeller.

The first fan 70 may be vertically disposed. Correspondingly, the rotating shaft of the impeller is horizontally arranged. The air inlet of the first fan 70 faces the first heat exchanger 60, and the air outlet of the first fan 70 may face the bottom wall 25. In other embodiments, the air outlet of the first fan 70 may not face the bottom wall 25, but face other directions. For example, in the air conditioner 500 shown in fig. 17, the air outlet of the first fan 70 disposed vertically faces the fourth side wall 238. An air pipe 71 may be disposed between the air inlet 16 and the air outlet of the first fan 70, so that the air discharged from the first fan 70 can sufficiently and rapidly reach the air inlet 16. The above arrangement of the first fan 70 and the arrangement of the air pipe 71 allow the area of the air inlet 16 on the bottom wall 25 to be increased.

In order to facilitate the connection between the air pipe 71 and the air inlet 16 and/or the connection between the air pipe 71 and the air outlet of the first fan 70, a connecting member 713 may be disposed at the air inlet 16 and/or the air outlet of the first fan 70. The shape of the first end of the connecting member 713 matches with the shape of the air outlet 16 and/or the air outlet of the first fan 70 (for example, both of them may be rectangular), and is connected with the air outlet 16 and/or the air outlet of the first fan 70 in an airtight manner; the second end of the connector 713 is shaped to match the shape of the air tube 71 (e.g., may be circular) and is connected to the air tube 71 in an airtight manner. The middle portion of the link 713 is tapered to connect the first and second ends of the link 713.

In other embodiments, the first fan 70 may be disposed horizontally, and correspondingly, the rotation axis of the impeller is disposed vertically. Correspondingly, the air inlet of the first fan 70 faces upward and is communicated with the air channel of the first heat exchanger 60; the air outlet of the first fan 70 may face the second side wall 234 or the third side wall 236.

After the first fan 70 is turned on, the outdoor air can continuously flow from the opening 13 to the air chamber 30, and then flow from the air chamber 30 to the air passage of the first heat exchanger 60. The air in the air passage can be cooled by the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 60 to form cold air. After leaving the air passage of the first heat exchanger 60, the cool air may be sequentially sent to the kitchen through the first fan 70 and the air inlet 16.

Since the first heat exchanger 60 uses outdoor air, the first fan 70 may be a centrifugal fan to ensure a certain head pressure and air supply distance.

A connection 170 may be provided between the first heat exchanger 60 and the first fan 70. The connector 170 may be in the form of a cartridge. A first end of the connector 170 is disposed around the first heat exchanger 60 and a second end of the connector 170 is disposed around the intake opening of the first fan 70 so that air exiting from the air path of the first heat exchanger 60 can completely enter the first fan 70.

Since the size of the first heat exchanger 60 is larger than the size of the intake opening of the first fan 70, the size of the first end of the connection member 170 is larger than the size of the second end of the connection member 170. The connector 170 has a tendency to gradually narrow from the first end to the second end of the connector 170.

Of course, instead of providing the connection member 170 between the first heat exchanger 60 and the first fan 70, an isolation structure (e.g., a partition) may be used to separate the gas environment of the first heat exchanger 60 and the first fan 70 from the gas environment of the second heat exchanger 80 and the second fan 90, so as to ensure that the cold and hot air is not mixed.

A drip pan 40 may be provided under the first heat exchanger 60. During the process of cooling the air in the air duct by the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 60, condensed water may be formed and condensed on the surface of the first heat exchanger 60. The drip pan 40 disposed under the first heat exchanger 60 can collect the condensed water well. The drip pan 40 may be provided with drain holes 18. A drain 19 may be provided below the drip pan 40. A first end of drain 19 is connected to drip tray 40 at drain hole 18, and a second end of drain 19 extends outwardly through opening 13 in side wall 232 to the exterior of the chamber. The height of the drain pipe 19 is lower or not higher than the lower surface of the drip pan 40, the height of the first end of the drain pipe 19 is entirely larger than the height of the second end of the drain pipe 19, and the condensed water collected in the drip pan 40 can be automatically discharged to the outside through the drain hole 18 and the drain pipe 19. The air inlet is arranged on the lower side of the box body, and the water receiving disc has a certain mounting height.

The temperature of the condensed water in the drain pipe 19 is lower than the temperature of the air entering the air chamber 30 from the opening 13. The air at the opening 13 and the air chamber 30 can exchange heat with the condensed water in the drain pipe 19 and be cooled, which is advantageous for improving the cooling efficiency of the system. The contact area of the drain pipes 19 with the air can be increased by increasing the number of the drain pipes 19 arranged side by side and/or increasing the pipe diameter of the single drain pipe 19, and the refrigeration efficiency of the system can be further improved.

The second heat exchanger 80 and the second fan 90 may be disposed at a second side of the plenum 30 and aligned along a length of the second sidewall 234. The second heat exchanger 80 may be provided at the inside thereof with a passage through which a refrigerant flows. An air passage for air circulation is formed on the peripheral side of the passage. The air in the air channel and the refrigerant in the channel can be separated by the wall of the channel. The air in the air passage may exchange heat with the refrigerant in the passage through the wall of the passage of the second heat exchanger 80. The air passages at the second heat exchanger 80 may be in communication with the plenum 30 such that air may freely circulate between the plenum 30 and the air passages at the second heat exchanger 80. In the cooling mode, second heat exchanger 80 may operate as a condenser.

The second heat exchanger 80 may be a multi-pass heat exchanger. For example, the heat exchanger can be a copper tube fin type heat exchanger, and can also be a micro-channel heat exchanger with flat tubes and collecting tubes. The micro-channel heat exchanger is beneficial to reducing the weight and the size of the air conditioner. The flat tube is usually provided with a plurality of channels for the flow of refrigerant therein. Adjacent channels are isolated from each other. A plurality of passageways are arranged in a row, influence the width of flat pipe jointly. The flat pipe is flat, and the length and the width of the flat pipe are respectively greater than the width and the thickness of the flat pipe. The length direction of the flat pipe is the flowing direction of the refrigerant determined by the channel in the flat pipe. The length direction of the flat pipe can be a straight line type, a broken line type, a bending type and the like. The flat tube described here is not limited to this type, and may be in other forms. For example, adjacent channels may not be completely isolated. As another example, all of the channels may be arranged in two rows, so long as the width is still greater than the thickness.

The second heat exchanger 80 may be generally plate-shaped, having a length direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction. A dimension T2 of the second heat exchanger 80 in the thickness direction is smaller than a dimension L2 of the second heat exchanger 80 in the length direction and a dimension W2 in the width direction. The extending direction of the air passage through which the air can flow is substantially the same as the thickness direction of the second heat exchanger 80. That is, the air passes through the second heat exchanger 80 substantially in the thickness direction of the second heat exchanger 80.

The second fan 90 is used to provide a force for the air to flow from the air chamber 30 to the second heat exchanger 80. The second fan 90 may include a volute 92, and the impeller and the air inlet may be disposed at a center of the volute 92. The air path inside the volute 92 encircles the axis of rotation of the impeller.

The second fan 90 may be vertically disposed. Correspondingly, the rotating shaft of the impeller is horizontally arranged. An air inlet of the second fan 90 faces the second heat exchanger 80, and an air outlet of the second fan 90 may face the first sidewall 232.

Of course, the second fan 90 may be disposed horizontally, and correspondingly, the rotation shaft of the impeller is disposed vertically. The inlet of the second fan 90 may face upward, and the outlet of the second fan 90 faces the first side wall 232 or the fourth side wall 238.

After the second fan 90 is turned on, the outdoor air can continuously flow from the opening 13 to the air chamber 30, and then flow from the air chamber 30 to the air passage of the second heat exchanger 80. The air in the air passage can be heated by the refrigerant in the second heat exchanger 80 to form hot air. The hot air may be discharged to the outside through the second fan 90 and the opening 15 in this order after leaving the air passage of the second heat exchanger 80.

Since the second heat exchanger 80 uses outdoor air intake, the second fan 90 may be a centrifugal fan in order to ensure a certain pressure head and air supply distance.

Compared with bedrooms and living rooms, the kitchen is generally heavy in oil smoke and harsh in environment. If the first heat exchanger and/or the second heat exchanger in the air conditioner adopt an internal circulation mode, a large amount of oil smoke is attached to the surface of the first heat exchanger and/or the second heat exchanger after long-term operation, and then heat transfer of the first heat exchanger and/or the second heat exchanger is deteriorated, the operation efficiency of the air conditioner is reduced, and the service life of the air conditioner is shortened. The air conditioner of the embodiment of the application adopts an external circulation mode, and outdoor fresh air is adopted for air inlet of the first heat exchanger 60 and the second heat exchanger 80, so that the defects can be effectively avoided.

A connection 190 may be provided between the second heat exchanger 80 and the second fan 90. The connector 190 may be cartridge-shaped. A first end of the connection member 190 is disposed around the second heat exchanger 80 and a second end of the connection member 190 is disposed around the intake opening of the second blower 90 so that the air exiting from the air path of the second heat exchanger 80 can completely enter the second blower 90.

Since the size of the second heat exchanger 80 is larger than the size of the air inlet of the second blower 90, the size of the first end of the connection member 190 is larger than the size of the second end of the connection member 190. The connection member 190 has a tendency to gradually narrow from the first end to the second end of the connection member 190.

Of course, instead of providing the connection 190 between the second heat exchanger 80 and the second fan 90, an isolation structure (e.g., a partition) may be used to separate the gas environment of the second heat exchanger 80 and the second fan 90 from the gas environment of the first heat exchanger 60 and the first fan 70, so as to ensure that the cold and hot air is not mixed.

The compressor 50 and the throttling element 11 may be connected to the passages of the first heat exchanger 60 and the passages of the second heat exchanger 80 through connection pipes T1, T2, T3, and T4 to form a refrigerant circulation path. For example, the first end of the first heat exchanger 60 may be connected to the first end of the compressor 50 through a connection pipe T1, the second end of the compressor 50 may be connected to the first end of the second heat exchanger 80 through a connection pipe T2, the second end of the second heat exchanger 80 may be connected to the first end of the throttling element 11 through a connection pipe T3, and the second end of the throttling element 11 may be connected to the second end of the first heat exchanger 60 through a connection pipe T4.

In the cooling mode, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 50, and then delivered to the channel inside the second heat exchanger 80, and condensed to reduce the temperature. The cooled refrigerant is separated from the second heat exchanger 80 and then flows to the throttling element 11 and the passage inside the first heat exchanger 60 in sequence. The refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 60 can exchange heat with the air at the first heat exchanger 60, the air is cooled, and the refrigerant is heated. The heated refrigerant may then be returned to the compressor 50. Thus, a refrigerant cycle is formed.

The compressor 50 may employ a horizontal compressor having a relatively short height. The use of the horizontal type compressor is advantageous for reducing the height of the compressor 50, the housing 20, and the like. The throttling element 11 may be a capillary tube or a throttling valve (e.g., a thermostatic expansion valve) or the like.

In the air conditioner 100 of the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6, the first heat exchanger 60, the first fan 70, and the air chamber 30 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the second side wall 234, the first heat exchanger 60 is disposed between the first fan 70 and the air chamber 30, and the thickness direction of the first heat exchanger 60 substantially coincides with the direction of the line connecting the first fan 70 and the air chamber 30 and also coincides with the longitudinal direction of the second side wall 234. The second heat exchanger 80, the second fan 90, and the air chamber 30 are arranged along the length direction of the first side wall 232, the second heat exchanger 80 is disposed between the second fan 90 and the air chamber 30, and the thickness direction of the second heat exchanger 80 is substantially the same as the line direction of the second fan 90 and the air chamber 30, and is also the same as the length direction of the first side wall 232. The first fan 70 and the second fan 90 are both vertically disposed.

In other embodiments, different layouts may be used. For example, the first fan 70 may be disposed between the first heat exchanger 60 and the air chamber 30, and the second fan 90 may be disposed between the second heat exchanger 80 and the air chamber 30. The first fan 70 and/or the second fan 90 may be horizontally disposed.

In the air conditioner 200 of the embodiment shown in fig. 7 to 11, the first heat exchanger 60, the first fan 70, and the air chamber 30 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the second side wall 234, the first heat exchanger 60 is disposed between the first fan 70 and the air chamber 30, and the thickness direction of the first heat exchanger 60 substantially coincides with the direction of the line connecting the first fan 70 and the air chamber 30 and also coincides with the longitudinal direction of the second side wall 234. The first fan 70 is vertically disposed.

The second heat exchanger 80, the second fan 90 and the air chamber 30 are arranged along the length direction of the first side wall 232, the second fan 90 is arranged between the second heat exchanger 80 and the air chamber 30, and the thickness direction of the second heat exchanger 80 is substantially consistent with the connecting direction of the second fan 90 and the air chamber 30 and the length direction of the first side wall 232. The second fan 90 is horizontally disposed. The second opening 15 may be directly connected to the second heat exchanger 80 through a pipe.

The plenum 30 may include a first region 30m and a second region 30 n. The first area 30m communicates with the second area 30n, the second area 30n has a smaller height than the first area m, and the second fan 90 may be disposed substantially above the second area 30 n. The sum of the dimensions of the second fan 90 and the second region 30n in the height direction may be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the dimension of the first region 30m in the height direction, which allows the upper surface of the second fan 90 to be substantially flush with or slightly lower than the top of the first region m. The first heat exchanger 60 and/or the first fan 70 are disposed at the first area 30m and communicate with the air chamber 30 at the first area 30 m. The height of the first area 30m is high, so that the air fields at the first heat exchanger 60 and the first fan 70 are not affected by the second area 30n, and the whole system can still provide sufficient cold air to the room.

The air chamber 30 may be enclosed by a portion of the side wall 23 of the housing 20, a portion of the bottom wall 25, and a plate shell 32, among others. The plate shell 32 can include a first vertical plate 321 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 25, a first transverse plate 323 extending laterally from a top end of the first vertical plate 321, a second vertical plate 325 extending upwardly from one end of the first transverse plate 323, and a second transverse plate 327 extending laterally from a top end of the second vertical plate 325. The first vertical plate 321 and the first horizontal plate 323 can be considered as part of the second region 30 n. The second vertical plate 325 and the second transverse plate 327 can be considered as part of the first area 30 m.

The second fan 90 may be disposed on the first cross plate 323. The air inlet 90a of the second fan 90 faces downward and is communicated with the second area 30n through a notch formed in the first horizontal plate 323. The air outlet 90b of the second fan 90 is communicated with the air passage of the second heat exchanger 80.

In the air conditioner 200, only the second fan 90 is disposed above the air chamber 30. It will be readily appreciated that the first fan 70 may be disposed only above the plenum 30; or both the first fan 70 and the second fan 90 may be disposed above the plenum 30, as in the embodiment air conditioner 300 shown in fig. 12.

In the air conditioner 300, the matching structure between the first fan 70 and the air chamber 30 and the matching structure between the second fan 90 and the air chamber 30 may be the same as those of the air conditioner 200 of the embodiment.

The air conditioner 400 shown in fig. 13 to 16 is a modification of the

air conditioners

100 and 200 of the embodiments. Except for the parts specifically described below, the structures of the other parts may be the same as or similar to those in the previous embodiments, and are not described again here.

In the air conditioner 400, the second fan 90 is disposed in the air chamber 30 and fixed to the bottom of the air chamber 30. The air inlet of the second fan 90 faces upward and is communicated with the air chamber 30. The air outlet 90b of the second fan 90 faces the first sidewall 232. The second heat exchanger 80 is disposed outside the air chamber 30, and the air inlet surface 803 of the second heat exchanger 80 faces the air outlet 90b of the second fan 90, but is separated by a wall of the air chamber 30.

The connecting member 190 disposed between the second heat exchanger 80 and the second fan 90 penetrates the wall of the air chamber 30, and communicates the air outlet 90b of the second fan 90 with the air inlet surface 803 of the second heat exchanger 80. The outlet air face 805 of the second heat exchanger 80 is generally parallel to the first sidewall 232 and adjacent to the second opening 15.

A connection 809 may be provided between the outlet air face 805 and the second opening 15 of the second heat exchanger 80 to achieve an airtight communication between the outlet air face 805 and the second opening 15 of the second heat exchanger 80. The structure of the connection 809 may be similar to the structure of the connection 190 and the connection 170.

Although the present application has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the application, and all changes, substitutions and alterations that fall within the spirit and scope of the application are to be understood as being covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. An air conditioner is characterized by comprising a shell, and an air chamber, a first heat exchanger, a first fan, a second heat exchanger, a second fan, a compressor and a throttling element which are positioned in the shell;

the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are internally provided with channels, an air channel is formed adjacent to the channels, the channels of the first heat exchanger, the compressor and the second heat exchanger are communicated with the throttling element, the air channel of the first heat exchanger is communicated with an air inlet of a first fan and the air chamber, and the air channel of the second heat exchanger is communicated with an air inlet of a second fan and the air chamber;

the air chamber is provided with a first area and a second area communicated with the first area, the height of the air chamber at the second area is smaller than that at the first area, and the second fan is arranged above the air chamber at the second area;

the air conditioner also comprises a plate shell, and the plate shell and a part of the shell enclose the air chamber;

the plate shell comprises a first vertical plate, a first transverse plate, a second vertical plate and a second transverse plate, wherein the first transverse plate extends from the top end of the first vertical plate in the transverse direction, the second vertical plate extends from one end portion of the first transverse plate upwards, the second transverse plate extends from the top end of the second vertical plate in the transverse direction, the first vertical plate and the first transverse plate are used as walls which enclose the second area, and the second vertical plate and the second transverse plate are used as walls which enclose the first area;

the second fan is arranged on the first transverse plate.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the second fan provided at the second area is horizontally disposed and an air inlet port faces downward in communication with the air chamber at the second area.

3. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the air inlet of the second fan faces downward and is communicated with the second area through a notch formed in the first cross plate.

4. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a side wall having adjacent first and second sides, the plenum, the second heat exchanger, and the second fan being disposed on the first side of the side wall, the side wall having a first opening and a second opening at the first side, the first opening being connected to the plenum, the second opening being connected to the second fan or the second heat exchanger.

5. The air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the side walls include a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall that are connected end to end;

the first sidewall corresponds to a first side of the sidewall, the second sidewall corresponds to a second side of the sidewall, and the first opening and the second opening are formed in the first sidewall;

the air chamber, the second heat exchanger and the second fan are arranged along the length direction of the first side wall.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein the air chamber, the first heat exchanger and the first fan are arranged along a length direction of the second sidewall.

7. The air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the housing further comprises a bottom wall connected to the side wall, and the first heat exchanger, the first fan, the second heat exchanger, the second fan, and the compressor are all mounted above the bottom wall;

the through hole has been seted up to the diapire, the air outlet of first fan with the through hole is linked together.

8. The air conditioner according to claim 4, further comprising a liquid collecting tray and a liquid discharge pipe, wherein the liquid collecting tray is positioned in the shell and below the first heat exchanger, and the liquid collecting tray is provided with a liquid discharge hole;

the first end of the liquid discharge pipe is connected with the liquid collecting disc at the liquid discharge hole, and the second end of the liquid discharge pipe extends out of the shell through the first opening;

the height of the liquid discharge pipe is not higher than that of the liquid discharge hole.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first fan and/or the second fan is a centrifugal fan, the compressor is a horizontal compressor, and the throttling member is a capillary tube or a throttle valve.