Patent Description:
The present invention relates to the field of air handling devices, and more particularly, to an air-conditioning indoor unit and an air conditioner. In the following passages the term "disclosure" refers to the invention which is described by its disclosure in the description; The scope of protection is defined by the appended claims.

In the related industry, in order to prevent cold air from blowing across people, an air-conditioning indoor unit usually adopts solutions, such as adjusting an angle of a deflector to alter an air outlet direction and opening holes on the deflector, the louver, the panel, and other members to soften an airflow. Although these designs can soften air outflux, they have a significant impact on the outflowing of the air from the air-conditioning indoor unit. That is, a volume of air blown from the air-conditioning indoor unit is constrained. Therefore, a refrigerating capacity of the air-conditioning indoor unit in a cooling mode is reduced. In addition, it is difficult for a monotonous air blowing mode of the air-conditioning indoor unit to meet a user's requirements for different air blowing effects and regulation of an indoor temperature of the air-conditioning indoor unit.

Prior art document <CIT> discloses an air conditioner indoor unit and an air conditioner. The air conditioner indoor unit comprises a surface frame, an airless part, a heat exchanger and a fan. A first air outlet is formed in the front lower portion of the surface frame, the first air outlet runs through the front portion of the surface frame forwards, and the first air outlet runs through the bottom of the surface frame downwards, and second air outlets are formed in at least one of the left side of the surface frame and the right side of the surface frame; the airless part is movably arranged on the front side of the surface frame between a first position and a second position, and the airless part comprises a first panel.

The invention disclosed in document <CIT> provides an air conditioner, which comprises an air duct and a plurality of air guiding mechanisms, wherein one air outlet of the air duct is divided into at least two sub air outlets; included angles are formed between the air supply directions of all the sub air outlets; and one air guiding mechanism is arranged at each sub air outlet and is selectively at an air guiding state or at a closing state. The technical scheme of the air conditioner effectively solves the problems that the air conditioner in the prior art is weak in flexibility of air supply direction change and has single air supply mode.

The present disclosure aims at solving at least one of the technical problems in the related art. To this end, the present disclosure provides an air-conditioning indoor unit. The air-conditioning indoor unit has a large outlet air volume, a large outlet air scope, a large refrigerating capacity in a breezeless mode, and diversified air blowing modes, and thus is capable of better meeting a user's requirements for different air blowing effects and regulation of an indoor temperature of the air-conditioning indoor unit.

The present disclosure also provides an air conditioner including the above-mentioned air-conditioning indoor unit.

According to an embodiment in a first aspect of the present disclosure, an air-conditioning indoor unit includes: a surface frame having an air inlet defined thereon and a first air outlet defined on a front lower part thereof, wherein the first air outlet forwardly penetrates a front part of the surface frame and downwardly penetrates a bottom of the surface frame; a breezeless member configured to scatter air and arranged at a front side of the surface frame in a manner that the breezeless member is movable between a first position and a second position; the breezeless member comprises an air-scattering plate and an air-scattering device disposed on the air-scattering plate and located on an inner side of the air-scattering plate; an outer deflector rotatably disposed at the first air outlet, the outer deflector is capable of opening and closing a bottom side of the first air outlet; a heat exchanger disposed within the surface frame; and a fan disposed within the surface frame. In a first position, the breezeless member opens a front side of the first air outlet, and in a second position, closes the front side of the first air outlet when located at the second position; when the air-conditioning indoor unit is in an OFF state, the bottom side of the first air outlet is closed by the outer deflector, and the front side of the first air outlet is closed by the breezeless member. The breezeless member abuts the outer deflector to form an abutting line which is located at the front side of the first air outlet.

According to the air-conditioning indoor unit provided by the present disclosure, the first air outlet is defined on the front lower part of the surface frame. The first air outlet forwardly penetrates the front part of the surface frame and downwardly penetrates the bottom of the surface frame to allow the air-conditioning indoor unit to blow air from the front part and the bottom of the surface frame simultaneously. In this manner, an outlet air volume and an outlet air coverage are increased. The front side of the first air outlet can be closed by the breezeless member in the second position. Thus, it is possible to prevent cold air from being blown directly across the human body, so that air is blown gently, thereby realizing a breezeless air blowing mode. In addition, the air-conditioning indoor unit has a large refrigerating capacity in the breezeless mode. Through different cooperating manners between the breezeless member and the outer deflector, air blowing modes of the air-conditioning indoor unit are diversified to better meet user's requirements for different air blowing effects and regulation of an indoor temperature of the air-conditioning indoor unit.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface frame has a second air outlet defined on at least one of a left end or a right end thereof.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface frame has a panel disposed at the front side thereof. A receiving chamber is defined between the panel and the surface frame. The breezeless member in the first position is received within the receiving chamber.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air-conditioning indoor unit has a first operation mode group. In the first operation mode group, the front side of the first air outlet is opened by the breezeless member, and the bottom side of the first air outlet is at least partially opened by the outer deflector.

Further, the first operation mode group includes at least one of a first operation mode or a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet is opened by the breezeless member, and the bottom side of the first air outlet is partially opened by the outer deflector. In the second operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet is opened by the breezeless member, and the bottom side of the first air outlet is opened by the outer deflector, and the air blown from the first air outlet is guided downwardly by moving and positioning the outer deflector at the front side of the first air outlet.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air-conditioning indoor unit also has a second operation mode group. In the second operation mode group, the front side of the first air outlet is closed by the breezeless member, and the bottom side of the first air outlet is at least partially closed by the outer deflector.

Further, the second operation mode group includes at least one of a third operation mode or a fourth operation mode. In the third operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet is closed by the breezeless member, and the bottom side of the first air outlet is closed by the outer deflector. In the fourth operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet is closed by the breezeless member, and the outer deflector has one end abutting the breezeless member and another end spaced apart from the bottom of the surface frame to partially open the bottom side of the first air outlet.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer deflector is rotatably disposed at the first air outlet.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer deflector is disposed at the bottom side of the first air outlet and capable of moving forwards and backwards.

Further, the outer deflector is driven by a drive mechanism to move forwards and backwards. The drive mechanism includes: a motor; a gear disposed on an output shaft of the motor; and a rack disposed on the outer deflector and extending in a forward-backward direction. The gear is adapted to be engaged with the rack.

Further, an accommodation chamber is defined on a lower end of the surface frame. The motor and the gear are disposed within the accommodation chamber. The rack is at least partially accommodated within the accommodation chamber.

Further, when the bottom side of the first air outlet is opened by the outer deflector, the rack is entirely accommodated within the accommodation chamber, and the outer deflector is at least partially accommodated within the accommodation chamber.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air-scattering plate has a first air-scattering structure formed thereon. The air-scattering device includes a mounting plate having a plurality of first ventilation holes defined thereon and connected to the air-scattering plate, and a first air scattering mechanism disposed within the plurality of first ventilation holes and comprising at least one of a first stationary blade or a first movable blade. The first stationary blade is opposite to the first movable blade.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer deflector has a second air-scattering structure formed thereon.

In an embodiment, the second air-scattering structure is a plurality of air-scattering holes formed on the outer deflector; or the outer deflector is formed into a grid form having a hollow structure as the second air-scattering structure; or the second air-scattering structure includes a plurality of second ventilation holes formed on the outer deflector and a plurality of second air-scattering mechanisms disposed in the plurality of second ventilation holes, respectively. Each of plurality of second air-scattering mechanism includes at least one of a second stationary blade or a second movable blade. The stationary blade is opposite to the second movable blade.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a first drive motor for driving the outer deflector is disposed on the surface frame or on a base of the air-conditioning indoor unit.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface frame has an air outlet passage defined therein and in communication with the first air outlet. The air outlet passage has a rotatable flow guide device provided therein. The rotatable flow guide device is rotatable and configured to divide air out of the air outlet passage into a volume of air blown towards the front side of the first air outlet and a volume of air blown towards the bottom side of the first air outlet.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device is rotatable by <NUM>°.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device includes an inner deflector that is rotatable. The inner deflector has a rotation axis located at or close to a middle thereof.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device includes an inner deflector that is rotatable, and a louver disposed on the inner deflector.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the air-conditioning indoor unit is in an OFF state, an air outlet end of the air outlet passage is closed by the rotatable flow guide device.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device is driven to rotate by a second drive motor disposed on the surface frame or on the base of the air-conditioning indoor unit.

According to an embodiment in a second aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes an air-conditioning indoor unit according to the above embodiments in the first aspect of the present disclosure.

For the air conditioner according to the present disclosure, by providing the above-mentioned air-conditioning indoor unit, it is possible to prevent cold air from be blown directly across the human body, so that the air is blown gently, thereby realizing the breezeless air blowing mode. In addition, the air-conditioning indoor unit has a large cooling capacity in the breezeless mode, which solves a problem of an insufficient outlet air volume occurred when the air conditioner offers a mild air sense. Moreover, diversified air blowing modes of the air conditioner improve user experience.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be provided at least in part in the following description, or will become apparent at least in part from the following description, or can be learned from practicing of the present disclosure.

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent and more understandable from the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to examples thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which same or similar elements, or elements having same or similar functions, are denoted by same or similar reference signs. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative only, and are intended to explain, rather than limiting, the present disclosure.

An air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dashed arrows in each of <FIG> illustrate a flow direction of an airflow.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to an embodiment in a first aspect of the present disclosure, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> includes a surface frame <NUM>, a breezeless member <NUM>, a heat exchanger <NUM>, and a fan <NUM>. The surface frame <NUM> has an air inlet <NUM> defined thereon and a first air outlet <NUM> defined on a front lower part thereof. The first air outlet <NUM> forwardly penetrates a front part of the surface frame <NUM> and downwardly penetrates a bottom of the surface frame <NUM>. The breezeless member <NUM> is configured to scatter air, and is arranged at a front side of the surface frame <NUM> in a manner that the breezeless member <NUM> is movable the between a first position and a second position. For example, the first air outlet <NUM> extends in a leftward-rightward direction, and the breezeless member <NUM> is movable in an upward-downward direction. The breezeless member <NUM> is capable of moving downwardly to the second position when the breezeless member <NUM> is located at the first position, and moving upwardly to the first position when the breezeless member <NUM> is located at the second position. The outer deflector <NUM> is movably disposed at the first air outlet <NUM>. The outer deflector <NUM> is capable of opening and closing a bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. Both the heat exchanger <NUM> and the fan <NUM> are disposed within the surface frame <NUM>. The fan <NUM> is capable of driving an external airflow to enter the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> from the air inlet <NUM>. The external airflow is then heat exchanged with the heat exchanger <NUM>. The heat exchanged airflow may be discharged from the first air outlet <NUM>. Here, the airflow may not only be discharged forwardly from the front part of the surface frame <NUM>, but also be discharged downwardly from the bottom of the surface frame <NUM>. An airflow from the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> may be discharged forwardly and downwardly from the first air outlet <NUM> simultaneously to increase an outlet air volume and an outlet air coverage of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> includes a drive assembly <NUM> configured to drive the breezeless member <NUM>. The drive assembly <NUM> may be disposed on the surface frame <NUM>, and is capable of driving the breezeless member <NUM> to move in the upward-downward direction, thereby realizing a movement of the breezeless member <NUM> between the first position and the second position.

The front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the breezeless member <NUM> in the first position. In this case, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is completely opened by the breezeless member <NUM> to discharge the air from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> has a large outlet air volume. The front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the breezeless member <NUM> in the second position. In this case, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is completely closed the breezeless member <NUM>. An airflow discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> may all pass through the breezeless member <NUM>. Since the breezeless member <NUM> can scatter the air, the air is blown gently by the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> to realize breezeless air blowing, which prevents cold air from blowing directly across the human body in a cooling mode of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, and improves user comfort.

The outer deflector <NUM> is movably disposed at the first air outlet <NUM>. The outer deflector <NUM> is capable of opening and closing a bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. The outer deflector <NUM> is capable of opening, partially opening, or closing the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. When the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air is discharged from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> to allow a large volume of air to be blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. The bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> can be effectively closed when the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the outer deflector <NUM>. In an embodiment, when a user needs a small volume of air to be blown or the user only needs the air to be discharged from the front side of the surface frame <NUM>, the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> can be closed by the outer deflector <NUM>.

When the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is in operation, the breezeless member <NUM> is at the first position. When the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air can be blown from both the front side and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air. The air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is discharged from the front side and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> simultaneously, in which case the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can realize quick cooling or heating. When the breezeless member <NUM> is in the first position and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air is blown from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air, and the air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a small volume of air. The air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is mainly discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In this case, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is suitable for cooling, and the cold air is mainly discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. Such a manner is conducive to uniform indoor cooling. When the breezeless member <NUM> is at the first position and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air is blown from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air, and no air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In this case, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is suitable for cooling, and the cold air is all discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. Such a manner is conducive to uniform indoor cooling.

When the breezeless member <NUM> is in the second position and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air is blown gently from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and the air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air. Therefore, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> blows a large volume of air while operating in a breezeless mode. In this case, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is suitable for quick cooling, and also can prevent cold air from blowing directly across the human body. When the breezeless member <NUM> is in the second position and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air is blown gently from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and the air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a small volume of air. In this case, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is suitable for cooling and for a situation where the user has a small demand for a cooling capacity. Meanwhile, it is possible to prevent the cold air from blowing directly across the human body. When the breezeless member <NUM> is in the second position and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air is blown gently from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and no air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In this case, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is suitable for cooling and for a situation where the user has a small demand for a cooling capacity. The air is blown gently from the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, which can prevent the cold air from blowing directly across the human body.

Air blowing modes of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> are diversified through different cooperating manners between the breezeless member <NUM> and the outer deflector <NUM>. Especially in the breezeless mode, the volume of the air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> may be adjusted by the outer deflector <NUM> to meet the user's requirements for different air output effects and regulation of an indoor temperature of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>.

When at the second position, the breezeless member <NUM> allows the air discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> to be blown gently. The air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> may also blow the air from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> simultaneously, even if the volume of the air blown from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is reduced when the breezeless member <NUM> blocks the air blown from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In this case, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can discharges a large total volume of the air through the first air outlet <NUM>. Therefore, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> has a large total volume of air while the air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is not blown directly across the human body, in which case an indoor temperature can be adjusted quickly and the user experience can be improved.

According to the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first air outlet <NUM> is defined on the front lower part of the surface frame <NUM>. The first air outlet <NUM> forwardly penetrates the front part of the surface frame <NUM> and downwardly penetrates the bottom of the surface frame <NUM> to allow the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> to blow air from the front part and the bottom of the surface frame <NUM> simultaneously. In this manner, an outlet air volume and an outlet air coverage are increased. The front side of the first air outlet <NUM> can be closed by the breezeless member <NUM> in the second position. Thus, it is possible to prevent the cold air from being blown directly across the human body, and the air is blown gently, thereby realizing the breezeless air blowing mode. In addition, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> has a large refrigerating capacity in the breezeless mode. Through different cooperating manners between the breezeless member <NUM> and the outer deflector <NUM>, air blowing modes of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> are diversified to better meet the user's requirements for different air blowing effects and regulation of the indoor temperature of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface frame <NUM> has a second air outlet <NUM> defined on at least one of a left end or a right end thereof. In an embodiment, the second air outlet <NUM> is defined on the left end of the surface frame <NUM>. During air blowing of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, when the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is at least partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air may be blown forwards, downwards, and leftwards to form three-dimensional (3D) air blowing. In an embodiment, the second air outlet <NUM> is defined on the right end of the surface frame <NUM>. During air blowing of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, when the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is at least partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air may be blown forwards, downwards, and rightwards to form 3D air blowing. In an embodiment, the second air outlet <NUM> is defined on each of the left end and the right end of the surface frame <NUM>. When the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is at least partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, during air blowing of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, the air may be blown forwards, downwards, leftwards, and rightwards to form four-dimensional (4D) air blowing. By forming the second air outlet <NUM>, it is possible to increase the outlet air coverage of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, realize multi-orientation air blowing of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, and is conducive to increase a volume of the air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface frame <NUM> has a panel <NUM> provided at the front side thereof. A receiving chamber <NUM> is defined between the panel <NUM> and the surface frame <NUM>. The breezeless member <NUM> in the first position is received within the receiving chamber <NUM>. Such a design makes it easy to store the breezeless member <NUM> when the breezeless member <NUM> is at the first position, thereby realizing full use of an internal space of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, and providing a compact structure for the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is in an OFF state, the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the outer deflector <NUM>, and the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the breezeless member <NUM>. Such a design can prevent dust or foreign objects from entering the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> via the first air outlet <NUM> when the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is turned off. Meanwhile, such a design can also make the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> aesthetically pleasing. The breezeless member <NUM> abuts the outer deflector <NUM> by an abutting line located at a front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. Here, the breezeless member <NUM> abutting the outer deflector <NUM> means that the breezeless member <NUM> and the outer deflector <NUM> abut each other. In an embodiment, a small gap may be formed between the breezeless member <NUM> and the outer deflector <NUM>, or the breezeless member <NUM> may be in contact with the outer deflector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> has a first operation mode group. In the first operation mode group, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the breezeless member <NUM>, and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is at least partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM>. In this case, the air is blown from the front side portion of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air, which may be further regulated by adjusting the outer deflector <NUM>. In an embodiment, the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, and thus the air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a small volume of air; or the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, and thus the air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air. In the first operation mode group, forward air blowing by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is not affected by the breezeless member <NUM>, in which manner the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can blows a large volume of air, and the outer deflector <NUM> can further regulate the volume of the air blown from the first air outlet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, further, the first operation mode group includes at least one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode. In an embodiment, the first operation mode group includes the first operation mode; or the first operation mode group includes the second operation mode; or the first operation mode group includes both the first operation mode and the second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the breezeless member <NUM>, and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is partially opened by the outer deflector <NUM> (reference may be made to a flow direction of an airflow indicated by dashed arrows in <FIG>). In this case, the air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and the breezeless member <NUM> does not affect the air discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In such an operation mode, the air is blown from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air, and the air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a small volume of air. Therefore, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> mainly blows air forwardly, but also blows air downwardly. In the second operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the breezeless member <NUM>, and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, and the air blown from the first air outlet <NUM> is guided by moving and positioning the outer deflector <NUM> at the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> (reference may be made to a flow direction of an airflow indicated by dashed arrows in <FIG>). In this case, the air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is discharged from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In such an operation mode, the air is blown from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a small volume of air, and the air is blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by a large volume of air. Therefore, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can blow air forwardly and downwardly simultaneously.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> has a second operation mode group. In the second operation mode group, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the breezeless member <NUM>, and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is at least partially closed by the outer deflector <NUM>. In this case, the air is blown gently from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and a volume of air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit in the breezeless mode may be adjusted by the outer deflector <NUM>. In an embodiment, the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is partially closed by the outer deflector <NUM> to allow the air to be blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>; or the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the outer deflector <NUM> to prevent the air from being blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In the second operation mode group, since the breezeless member <NUM> can scatter the air, the air is blown gently from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> to realize breezeless air blowing. An outlet air volume in the breezeless mode may be adjusted by altering a position of the outer deflector <NUM>. In this case, cold air can be prevented from blowing directly across the human body during the cooling operation of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, and a total outlet air volume of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can be adjusted. Therefore, the user comfort can be improved.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, further, the second operation mode group includes at least one of a third operation mode and a fourth operation mode. In an embodiment, the second operation mode group includes the third operation mode; or the second operation mode group includes the fourth operation mode; or the second operation mode group includes both the third operation mode and the fourth operation mode. In the third operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the breezeless member <NUM>, and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the outer deflector <NUM> (reference may be made to a flow direction of an airflow indicated by dashed arrows in <FIG>). In this case, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> blows air from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> gently. In the third operation mode, the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can blow the air forwardly. In the fourth operation mode, the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the breezeless member <NUM>, and the outer deflector <NUM> abuts the breezeless member <NUM> at one end thereof and is spaced apart from the bottom portion of the surface frame <NUM> at the other end thereof to partially open the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> (reference may be made to a flow direction of an airflow indicated by dashed arrows in <FIG>). In this case, the air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is partially discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> and partially discharged from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. The air discharged from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is blown gently, while an airflow is discharged from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>, in which case the air is discharged from the first air outlet <NUM> of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> by a large volume of air. Therefore, the total outlet air volume of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is large while preventing the air blown from the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> from being blown directly across the human body, which can adjust the indoor temperature quickly and improve the user experience.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer deflector <NUM> is rotatably disposed at the first air outlet <NUM>. Such a design facilitates opening or closing the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by the outer deflector <NUM>. The bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> can be closed by the outer deflector <NUM> when the outer deflector <NUM> is rotated to extend in a substantially horizontal direction. The bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> can be opened by the outer deflector <NUM> when the outer deflector <NUM> is rotated to extend in a substantially vertical direction. In addition, effectiveness of the outer deflector <NUM> in guiding the airflow can be adjusted by rotating the outer deflector <NUM> to distribute the volume of air blown by the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> forwardly and downwardly.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer deflector <NUM> is disposed at the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> and capable of moving forwards and backwards. Such a design facilitates opening or closing the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> by the outer deflector <NUM>. When moved forwards, the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> can be closed by the outer deflector <NUM>. When the outer deflector <NUM> moves backwards, the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> can be opened by the outer deflector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, further, the outer deflector <NUM> is driven by a drive mechanism to move backwards and forwards. The drive mechanism includes a motor, a gear <NUM>, and a rack <NUM>. The gear <NUM> is disposed on an output shaft of the motor. The rack <NUM> is disposed on the outer deflector <NUM> and extends in a forward-backward direction. The gear <NUM> is adapted to be engaged with the rack <NUM>. The motor may be fixed on the surface frame <NUM>. The motor drives the gear <NUM> to rotate during its operation. The gear <NUM> is engaged with the rack <NUM> to allow the rack <NUM> to move in the forward-backward direction. Since the rack <NUM> is disposed on the outer deflector <NUM>, the outer deflector <NUM> can be movable in the forward-backward direction.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, further, an accommodation chamber <NUM> is defined on a lower end of the surface frame <NUM>. The motor and the gear <NUM> are disposed within the accommodation chamber <NUM>. The rack <NUM> is at least partially accommodated within the accommodation chamber <NUM>. In an embodiment, the rack <NUM> may be partially accommodated within the accommodation chamber <NUM>; or the rack <NUM> may be entirely accommodated within the accommodation chamber <NUM>. An arrangement of the accommodation chamber <NUM> facilitates accommodation of the motor, the gear <NUM>, and the rack <NUM>, makes full use of the internal space of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>, and provides a compact structure for the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>. In addition, hiding the motor, the gear <NUM>, and at least a part of the rack <NUM> inside the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can enhance aesthetics of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, further, when the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the outer deflector <NUM>, the rack <NUM> is entirely accommodated within the accommodation chamber <NUM>, and the outer deflector <NUM> is at least partially accommodated within the accommodation chamber <NUM>. In an embodiment, the outer deflector <NUM> is partially accommodated within the accommodation chamber <NUM>; or the outer deflector <NUM> is entirely accommodated within the accommodation chamber <NUM>. Such a design allows an outlet air area of the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> to be increased when the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is opened by the outer deflector <NUM>. Therefore, the volume of air blown from the first air outlet <NUM> is increased.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the breezeless member <NUM> includes an air-scattering device <NUM> configured to scatter the air and an air-scattering plate <NUM>. The air-scattering device <NUM> is disposed on the air-scattering plate <NUM> and located at an inner side of the air-scattering plate <NUM>. The air-scattering plate <NUM> is capable of protecting the air-scattering device <NUM>. The air-scattering plate <NUM> has a first air-scattering structure <NUM> formed thereon. The first air-scattering structure <NUM> is capable of scattering the airflow to allow the air to be blown through the breezeless member <NUM> gently. In an embodiment, the first air-scattering structure <NUM> is a plurality of air-scattering holes; or the air-scattering plate is formed in a grid form having a hollow structure as the first air-scattering structure <NUM>.

The air-scattering device <NUM> includes a mounting plate <NUM> and a first air-scattering mechanism <NUM>. The mounting plate <NUM> has a plurality of first ventilation holes <NUM> defined thereon and is connected to the air-scattering plate <NUM>. The first air-scattering mechanism <NUM> is disposed within each of the plurality of first ventilation holes <NUM>, and includes at least one of a first relatively stationary blade <NUM> or a first movable blade <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first air-scattering mechanism <NUM> includes the first stationary blade <NUM> configured to guide, straighten, and scatter the airflow to allow the air to be blown gently. In an embodiment, the first air-scattering mechanism <NUM> includes the first movable blade <NUM> with a predetermined spiral orientation, which allows an airflow passing through the first movable blade <NUM> to have a predetermined spiral orientation. In this case, the air blown by the first movable blade <NUM> is similar to natural wind. The first movable blade <NUM> may be controlled to stop rotating after being rotated by a certain angle, or the first movable blade <NUM> may be controlled to keep rotating. In an embodiment, the first air-scattering mechanism <NUM> includes the first stationary blade <NUM> and the first movable blade <NUM> that may be disposed at a downstream side of the first stationary blade <NUM>. Such a design makes the airflow pass through the first stationary blade <NUM> first, and then pass through the first movable blade <NUM>. The airflow is guided, rectified, and scattered by the first stationary blade <NUM>, and then flows through the first movable blade <NUM>. The first movable blade <NUM> has a predetermined spiral orientation that allows the airflow to have a predetermined spiral orientation after passing through the first movable blade <NUM>, in which manner the air is blown gently and similar to the natural wind. The first movable blade <NUM> and the first stationary blade <NUM> may be arranged coaxially. Such a design makes it easy to adjust a ventilation area of the first air-scattering mechanism <NUM> by rotating the first movable blade <NUM>, and also makes it easy to arrange the first movable blade <NUM> and the first stationary blade <NUM>.

The air-scattering device <NUM> also includes a limiting plate <NUM> connected between the mounting plate <NUM> and the air-scattering plate <NUM>. The limiting plate <NUM> has a plurality of third ventilation holes <NUM> defined thereon. The plurality of third ventilation holes <NUM> corresponds to the plurality of first ventilation holes <NUM> in a one-to-one correspondence. The limiting plate <NUM> is capable of limiting a position of the first air-scattering mechanism <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer deflector <NUM> has a second air-scattering structure <NUM> formed thereon. The second air-scattering structure <NUM> may allow the air to be blown gently. By providing the second air-scattering structure <NUM>, it is possible to realize that when the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is closed by the outer deflector <NUM>, the air can still be discharged gently from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> to increase the outlet air volume and the outlet air coverage of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> in the breezeless mode.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, in an embodiment, the second air-scattering structure <NUM> is a plurality of air-scattering holes formed on the outer deflector <NUM>. The airflow is scattered when passing through the plurality of air-scattering holes, in which case the air can be blown gently and the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can be aesthetically pleasing. In an embodiment, the outer deflector <NUM> is formed in a grid form having a hollow structure as the second air-scattering structure <NUM>. The airflow is scattered when passing through the hollow structure, in which case the air can be blown gently and the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> can be aesthetically pleasing.

In an embodiment, the second air-scattering structure <NUM> includes a plurality of second ventilation holes <NUM> formed on the outer deflector <NUM> and a plurality of second air-scattering mechanisms <NUM> disposed in the plurality of second ventilation holes <NUM>, respectively. Each of the plurality of second air-scattering mechanisms <NUM> includes at least one of a second relatively stationary blade or a second movable blade. In an embodiment, the second air-scattering mechanism <NUM> includes the second stationary blade configured to guide, straighten, and scatter the airflow to allow the air to be blown gently. In an embodiment, the second air-scattering mechanism <NUM> includes the second movable blade having a predetermined spiral orientation, which allows an airflow passing through the second movable blade to have a predetermined spiral orientation. In this case, the air blown by the second movable blade is similar to natural wind. The second movable blade may be controlled to stop rotating after being rotated by a certain angle, or the second movable blade may be controlled to keep rotating. In an embodiment, the second air-scattering mechanism <NUM> includes the second stationary blade and the second movable blade that may be disposed at a downstream side of the second stationary blade. Such a design allows the airflow to pass through the second stationary blade first, and then pass through the second movable blade. The airflow is guided, rectified, and scattered by the second stationary blade, and then flows through the second movable blade. The second movable blade has a predetermined spiral orientation that allows the airflow to have a predetermined spiral orientation after passing through the second movable blade, in which manner the air is blown gently and similar to the natural wind. The second movable blade and the second stationary blade may be arranged coaxially. Such a design makes it easy to adjust a ventilation area of the second air-scattering mechanism <NUM> by rotating the second movable blade, and also makes it easy to arrange the second movable blade and the second stationary blade.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer deflector <NUM> driven to move by a first drive motor disposed on the surface frame <NUM> or on a base of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>. Such a manner is convenient for mounting and fixation of the first drive motor and stabilizes the mounting of the first drive motor.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the surface frame <NUM> has an air outlet passage <NUM> defined therein and in communication with the first air outlet <NUM>. The air outlet passage <NUM> has a rotatable flow guide device <NUM> provided therein. The rotatable flow guide device <NUM> is rotatable and configured to distribute the volume of air blown from the air outlet passage <NUM> towards each of the front side and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. Since the air blown from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is discharged substantially forwards and the air blown from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> is discharged substantially downwards, when the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> guides the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> to flow forwards, most of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged forwards from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and a small part of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged downwards from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. When the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> guides the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> to flow downwards, most of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged downwards from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and a small part of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged forwards from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In an embodiment, when the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is in the cooling mode, the volume of the air discharged forwards can be increased by adjusting the rotatable flow guide device <NUM>, in which manner the cold air can reach a high indoor position to realize a uniform temperature in an indoor space. When the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is in a heating mode, the volume of the air discharged downwards can be increased by adjusting the rotatable flow guide device <NUM>, in which manner hot air can reach a low indoor position to realize a uniform temperature in the indoor space.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> is rotatable by <NUM>°. Such a design realizes a flexible rotation of the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> and facilitates distributing, by the rotatable flow guide device <NUM>, the outlet air volume from the air outlet passage <NUM> towards each of the front side and the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM> with a greater coverage.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> includes an inner deflector <NUM> that is rotatable. The inner deflector <NUM> is configured to guide the airflow (the inner deflector <NUM> guides the airflow to different directions when rotated to different angles; and reference in this regard may be made to <FIG> regarding guidance of the inner deflector <NUM> on the airflow when the inner deflector <NUM> is rotated to different positions). The inner deflector <NUM> is capable of adjusting the flow direction of the airflow. In an embodiment, when the inner deflector <NUM> is rotated to extend in a substantially horizonal direction, the inner deflector <NUM> can guide the airflow to flow forwards. Since the airflow from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is discharged substantially forwards, most of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged forwards from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and a small part of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged downwards from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>. In an embodiment, when the inner deflector <NUM> is rotated to extend in a substantially vertical direction, the inner deflector <NUM> can guide the airflow to flow downwards. Since the airflow from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM> is discharged substantially downwards, most of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged downwards from the bottom side of the first air outlet <NUM>, and a small part of the airflow in the air outlet passage <NUM> is discharged forwards from the front side of the first air outlet <NUM>. The inner deflector <NUM> has a rotation axis located at or close to a middle thereof. Therefore, the inner deflector <NUM> occupies a small space when rotated, which facilitates arranging other components inside the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> includes an inner deflector <NUM> that is rotatable, and a louver <NUM> disposed on the inner deflector <NUM>. Here, the inner deflector <NUM> is connected to a link. The link passes through the louver <NUM>, and is movable in the leftward-rightward direction to drive the louver <NUM> to sway in the leftward-rightward direction. The inner deflector <NUM> can guide the airflow. Rotating the inner deflector <NUM> may adjust the flow direction of the airflow in the upward-downward direction, and the louver <NUM> may adjust the flow direction of the airflow in the leftward-rightward direction. Therefore, by designing the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> to include the rotatable inner deflector <NUM> and the louver <NUM> disposed on the inner deflector <NUM>, the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> can guide the airflow in several directions. In addition, by integrating the louver <NUM> on the inner deflector <NUM>, it is possible to decrease an occupation space and provide the whole machine with a compact structure.

Referring to <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is in an OFF state, the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> can close an air outlet end of the air outlet passage <NUM>. Such a design prevents dust or foreign objects from passing through the breezeless member <NUM> and entering the air outlet passage <NUM> through the air outlet end of the air outlet passage <NUM> when the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is turned off.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotatable flow guide device <NUM> is driven to rotate by a second drive motor disposed on the surface frame <NUM> or the base of the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM>. Such a manner is convenient for mounting and fixation of the second drive motor and stabilizes the mounting of the second drive motor.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment in a second aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner includes the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> according to any of the embodiments in the first aspect of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the air conditioner is a split wall-mounted air conditioner, and the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is a split wall-mounted air-conditioning indoor unit; or the air conditioner is a split floor-standing air conditioner, and the air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> is a split floor-standing air-conditioning indoor unit.

For the air conditioner provided by the present disclosure, the above-mentioned air-conditioning indoor unit <NUM> may be adopted to allow the cold air to be blown gently without being blown directly across the human body, thereby realizing the breezeless air blowing mode. In addition, the air-conditioning indoor unit has a large cooling capacity in the breezeless mode, which solves a problem of an insufficient outlet air volume occurred when the air conditioner offers a mild air sense. Moreover, diversified air blowing modes of the air conditioner improve user experience.

In the description of this specification, descriptions with reference to the terms "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", "some examples", etc., mean that specific features, structure, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
An air-conditioning indoor unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a surface frame (<NUM>) comprising an air inlet (<NUM>) and a first air outlet (<NUM>), wherein the first air outlet (<NUM>) is provided on a front lower part of the surface frame (<NUM>), wherein the first air outlet (<NUM>) penetrates forwardly a front part of the surface frame (<NUM>) and downwardly a bottom of the surface frame (<NUM>);
a breezeless member (<NUM>) being configured to scatter air and arranged at a front side of the surface frame (<NUM>) in a manner that the breezeless member (<NUM>) is movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the breezeless member (<NUM>) comprises an air-scattering plate (<NUM>) and an air-scattering device (<NUM>) disposed on the air-scattering plate (<NUM>) and located on an inner side of the air-scattering plate (<NUM>),
an outer deflector (<NUM>) rotatably disposed at the first air outlet (<NUM>), wherein the outer deflector (<NUM>) is configured to open and close a bottom side of the first air outlet (<NUM>);
a heat exchanger (<NUM>) disposed within the surface frame (<NUM>); and
a fan (<NUM>) disposed within the surface frame (<NUM>),
wherein:
the breezeless member (<NUM>) opens a front side of the first air outlet (<NUM>) when the breezeless member (<NUM>) is at the first position, and
the breezeless member (<NUM>) closes the front side of the first air outlet (<NUM>) when the breezeless member (<NUM>) is at the second position,
characterized in that:
when the air-conditioning indoor unit (<NUM>) is in an OFF state, the bottom side of the first air outlet (<NUM>) is closed by the outer deflector (<NUM>), and the front side of the first air outlet (<NUM>) is closed by the breezeless member (<NUM>), and the breezeless member (<NUM>) abuts the outer deflector (<NUM>) to form an abutting line which is located at the front side of the first air outlet (<NUM>).