Portable Air Conditioner

The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2024/091533 filed on May 7, 2024, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202323116803.7, filed on Nov. 17, 2023, Chinese Patent Application No. 202311540387.5, filed on Nov. 17, 2023, Chinese Patent Application No. 202311540402.6, filed on Nov. 17, 2023, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202323116811.1, filed on Nov. 17, 2023. The entire disclosures of the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of air conditioning, in particular to a portable air conditioner.

As a movable integrated air conditioner, a refrigerating cycle or a heating cycle of a portable air conditioner may be executed by using a compressor, a condenser, a throttling assembly, and an evaporator. Moreover, in the portable air conditioner, the evaporator and the condenser are usually located in the same space.

In one aspect, a portable air conditioner is provided. The portable air conditioner includes an outdoor portion, an indoor portion, and a water-lifting assembly. The outdoor portion includes a first housing, a water-collecting member, and a first heat exchanger. The first housing includes a first base. The water-collecting member is arranged on the first base. The first heat exchanger is arranged in the water-collecting member. The indoor portion is stacked with the outdoor portion and includes a second housing and a second heat exchanger. The second housing is connected to the first housing. The second heat exchanger is arranged in the second housing. The water-lifting assembly is arranged in the outdoor portion. The water-lifting assembly includes a first driving member, a first rotary shaft, and a rotary wheel. The first driving member is arranged on the first base. The first rotary shaft is in transmission connection with the first driving member. The rotary wheel is in transmission connection with the first rotary shaft. At least part of the rotary wheel is located in a water-collecting member. The rotary wheel includes a reinforcement member and a plurality of first atomization members. The reinforcement member is in transmission connection with the first rotary shaft. The reinforcement member includes a first main body and a plurality of water intake holes. The plurality of water intake holes are arranged in the first main body and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the first main body. The plurality of first atomization members are arranged in the reinforcement member. Each of the plurality of first atomization members includes a second main body and a plurality of first atomization holes. The second main body protrudes out of the reinforcement member in an axial direction of the second main body. The plurality of first atomization holes are arranged in the second main body.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. On the basis of the embodiments provided by the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art should fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise specified in the context, throughout the description and the claims, the term “comprise” and other forms thereof, such as the third-person singular form “comprises” and the present participle form “comprising” are construed in an open and inclusive meaning. that is. “comprising, but not limited to”. In the description, the term such as “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “exemplary embodiments”, “example”, “specific example”, or “some examples” are intended to indicate that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics related to the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. The illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be included in any appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Hereinafter, the terms “first” and “second” are only for the purpose of describing, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, the features defined as “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such features. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, “a plurality of” means two or more.

When describing some embodiments, the terms such as “coupled” and “connected” and their derivatives may be used. The term “connected” should be understood in a broad sense, for example, the term “connected” may refer to fixed connection, and may also refer to detachable connection or integrated connection: and the term may refer to direct connection, and may also refer to indirect connection by means of an intermediate medium. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited in the content of the description.

The expression “at least one of A, B, and C” has the same meaning as the expression “at least one of A, B, or C”, and both include the following combinations of A, B, and C: only A, only B. only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, and a combination of A, B, and C.

The use of the expression “suitable to” or “configured to” herein means open and inclusive language, which does not exclude apparatuses suitable to or configured to perform additional tasks or steps.

As used herein, the term “about”. “roughly” or “approximately” includes a stated value as well as an average value within an acceptable deviation range of a specified value. where the acceptable deviation range is, for example, determined by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of a measurement under discussion and errors related to the measurement of the specific value (that is, the limitation of a measurement system).

As used herein, the term “parallel”, “perpendicular”, or “equal” includes a stated situation and a situation similar to the stated situation. The range of the approximate situation is within an acceptable deviation range, where is, for example, determined by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of a measurement under discussion and errors related to the measurement of the specific value (that is, the limitation of a measurement system).

During operation of the portable air conditioner, the condensate water is easily generated at the evaporator and needs to be removed timely to prevent the components in the portable air conditioner from being damaged and the heat exchange efficiency of the portable air conditioner from being affected. Generally, a rotary wheel (for example, a water-pumping wheel) is arranged in the portable air conditioner. The condensate water is atomized and thrown to the condenser by means of high-speed rotation of the rotary wheel, so that the condensate water may absorb the heat of the condenser to evaporate.

However, the above rotary wheel is simple in structure, and the position and watering direction of the rotary wheel are fixed. Most thrown condensate water moves in an up-down direction and cannot contact with the condenser to evaporate. Moreover, the above rotary wheel is relatively low in atomization efficiency. When the portable air conditioner works in a high-humidity environment (for example, the relative environmental humidity is greater than 90%). the generation rate of the condensate water is greater than the evaporation rate of the condensate water. The portable air conditioner is prone to shutdown due to the fullness of the condensate water, and it needs to discharge water manually.

In some solutions, the size, quantity, and angle of blades of the rotary wheel may be adjusted to improve the atomization efficiency, so as to further improve the evaporation rate of the condensate water. In the above solution, the rotary wheel atomizes the condensate water by means of a centrifugal force mainly by adjusting the rotating speed. Therefore, the atomization efficiency of the rotary wheel on the condensate water is limited by the rotating speed of the electric machine, so that the atomization efficiency of the condensate water is low.

In order to solve the above problem, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a portable air conditioner. By arranging a plurality of atomization holes, the portable air conditionerfurther enables the condensate water to be crushed into droplets by means of the fine atomization holes while atomizing the condensate water by means of the centrifugal force, so as to improve the atomization efficiency of the condensate water.

The portable air conditioneris an air conditioner with integrated indoor unit and outdoor unit, and is movable. By arranging the components such as the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator in a box body, the portable air conditionerachieves refrigerating and heating effects.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the portable air conditionerincludes an outdoor portion.

The outdoor portionincludes a first housing. The first housingis internally provided with a first channel (an outdoor air channel) for the circulation of outdoor air. As shown in, the first housingincludes a first base. Components (for example, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and a first fan) in the outdoor portionare arranged on the first base, respectively. Here, the compressor, the first heat exchanger, and the first fan will be described hereinafter.

The outdoor portionfurther includes a first air inlet (an outdoor air inlet). The first air inlet is arranged on the first housing and communicates an interior of the first housingand an outdoor environment.

The outdoor portionfurther includes a first air outlet (an outdoor air outlet). The first air outlet is arranged on the first housingand is located on a side of the first housingfacing the outdoor environment. Thus, the outdoor air may enter the first housingfrom the first air inlet and flow back to the outdoor environment from the first air outlet after heat exchange.

In some embodiments, the outdoor portionfurther includes a compressor. The compressor is arranged in the first housingand is configured to compress a refrigerant to enable the low-pressure refrigerant to be compressed to form a high-pressure refrigerant. The compressor includes an exhaust port and an air return port. The low-pressure refrigerant enters the compressor from the air return port, and the compressor compresses the low-pressure refrigerant into the high-pressure refrigerant which is exhausted from the exhaust port. The high-pressure refrigerant releases heat at the condenser. Then, the refrigerant absorbs heat at the evaporator after pressure reduction. Finally, the refrigerant enters the compressor from the air return port.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the outdoor portionfurther includes a first heat exchanger(an outdoor heat exchanger). The first heat exchangeris arranged in the first housingand is located in the first channel. The first heat exchangeris configured to perform heat exchange on the outdoor air and the refrigerant transmitted in the first heat exchanger. For example, the first heat exchangerworks as the condenser in a refrigeration mode of the portable air conditioner, and the exhaust port of the compressor is in communication with the first heat exchanger; and the first heat exchangerworks as the evaporator in a heating mode of the portable air conditioner, and the air return port of the compressor is in communication with the first heat exchanger.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the first heat exchangermay include a plurality of sub-heat exchangers. For example, the plurality of sub-heat exchangersinclude first sub-heat exchangersand second sub-heat exchangers. The first sub-heat exchangersand the second sub-heat exchangersare spaced apart from each other in a third direction. Here, the third direction may be an air inlet direction of the outdoor portionor a thickness direction (for example, a front-back direction) of the portable air conditioner.

In some embodiments, as shown inand, the first heat exchangerincludes a plurality of refrigerant pipes. The plurality of refrigerant pipesare connected to the compressor and the refrigerant from the compressor passes through the refrigerant pipesfor heat exchange.

Each of the first heat exchangersfurther includes a plurality of fins, and the plurality of refrigerant pipesinterpenetrate the plurality of finsand are spaced apart from each other in a length direction (for example, a third direction) of the plurality of fins.

In some embodiments, the outdoor portionfurther includes a first fan (an outdoor fan). The first fan is arranged in the first housingand is configured to suck the outdoor air into the outdoor portionthrough the first air inlet and delivers the outdoor air exchanging heat with the first heat exchangervia the first air outlet.

In some embodiments, as shown inand, the outdoor portionfurther includes a water-collecting member. The water-collecting memberis located at a bottom of the first housing. For example, the water-collecting memberis a groove and is arranged at the lowest position of the first baseto accommodate the condensate water in the portable air conditioner. The first heat exchangeris arranged in the water-collecting member.

When the first heat exchangerserves as the evaporator, condensate water is easily generated at a surface of the first heat exchanger. The condensate water on the surface of the first heat exchangermay be converged into the water-collecting member, and after the water-collecting memberis filled with the condensate water, the condensate water may be discharged through a drainage pipeline, so that the condensate water in the portable air conditioner I may be prevented from flowing to other components to damage the components.

It should be noted that in a case where the first heat exchangerincludes a plurality of sub-heat exchangers, the plurality of sub-heat exchangersare arranged in the water-collecting member, so that the water-collecting membercollects the condensate water flowing down from the surfaces of the plurality of sub-heat exchangers.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the portable air conditionerincludes an indoor portion. The indoor portionand the outdoor portionare stacked, and the indoor portionis located on a side (for example, an upper side) of the outdoor portionin a second direction. Here, the second direction may be a height direction (for example, an up-down direction) of the portable air conditioner, and is perpendicular to the third direction.

The indoor portionincludes a second housing. The second housingis internally provided with a second channel (an indoor air channel) for the circulation of indoor air. The second housingis connected to the first housingand is located on a side (for example, an upper side) in a height direction of the first housing.

As shown in, the second housingincludes a second base. Components (for example, a second heat exchanger) in the indoor portionmay be arranged on the second base, and the second baseis located above the first base. Here, the second heat exchangerwill be described hereinafter.

The second housingfurther includes a drain hole(as shown in). The drain hole(a water spray hole) is arranged at the lowest position of the second baseand in communication with an internal space of the outdoor portion. Thus, the condensate water generated on the surface of the second heat exchangermay be converged on the second baseand then flow into the outdoor portionvia the drain hole. The condensate water flowing into the outdoor portionsubjected to the action of gravity may be converged into the water-collecting member.

In some embodiments, the first housingand the second housingmay be an integrated member to improve the structural strength and the assembly efficiency of the portable air conditioner.

As shown in, the indoor portionfurther includes a second air inlet(an indoor air inlet). The second air inlet is arranged on the second housingand communicates an interior of the second housingand an indoor environment.

The indoor portionfurther includes a second air outlet (an indoor air outlet). The second air outlet is arranged on the second housingand is located on a side of the second housingfacing the indoor environment. Thus, the indoor air may enter the second housingfrom the second air inlet and flow back to the indoor environment from the second air outlet after heat exchange.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the indoor portionfurther includes a second heat exchanger(an indoor heat exchanger). The second heat exchangeris arranged in the second housingand is located in the second channel. The second heat exchangeris configured to perform heat exchange on the indoor air and the refrigerant transmitted in the second heat exchanger. For example, the second heat exchangerworks as the evaporator in the refrigeration mode of the portable air conditioner, and works as the condenser in the heating mode of the portable air conditioner.

In some embodiments, the indoor portionfurther includes a second air duct member (an indoor air duct member), and the second air duct member is arranged in the second housing. The second air duct member is configured to guide the influent indoor air.

In some embodiments, the indoor portionfurther includes a second fan (an indoor fan). The second fan is arranged in the second air duct member and configured to suck the indoor air into the indoor portionthrough the second air inlet and delivers the indoor air exchanging heat with the second heat exchangervia the second air outlet. For example. the second fan and the second fan are cross flow fans. The cross flow fans may suck or discharge air in axial directions of the fans and increase the air quantity and the air pressure of air flows. It should be noted that the supply air rates of the portable air conditioner I may be adjusted by controlling the rotating speed of the second fan.

In some embodiments, the portable air conditionerfurther includes a pressure reducer connected between the first heat exchangerand the second heat exchanger. The pressure reducer is configured to adjust a refrigerant pressure flowing through the first heat exchangerand the second heat exchanger, so as to adjust a refrigerant flow circulating between the first heat exchangerand the second heat exchanger. The compressor, the first heat exchanger, the pressure reducer, and the second heat exchangerare connected in sequence to form a refrigerant loop.

The water-lifting assembly(a water-pumping assembly) in some embodiments of the present disclosure will be introduced below.

In some embodiments, as shown inand, the portable air conditionerfurther includes a water-lifting assembly. The water-lifting assemblyis arranged in the outdoor portionand is configured to atomize and throw the condensate water in the water-collecting memberto the first heat exchanger. Thus, the water-lifting assemblymay throw the atomized condensate water to the high-temperature fins of the condenser, so that the condensate water absorbs heat to evaporate, which avoids shutdown of the portable air conditioner I due to fullness of the condensate water, thereby reducing the number of times of manually discharging water.

In some embodiments, the portable air conditionermay include one or more water-lifting assembliesto improve the atomization and evaporation efficiencies of the condensate water.

In some embodiments, as shown inand, the water-lifting assemblyincludes a first driving member. The first driving memberis arranged at a bottom of the outdoor portion. For example, the portable air conditionerfurther includes a mounting portion(a mounting base), and the mounting portionis arranged on the first base. The first driving memberis arranged on the mounting portion. The first driving membermay be an electric machine.

The water-lifting assemblyfurther includes a first rotary shaft. The first rotary shaftis in transmission connection with the first driving member. For example, a first end of the first rotary shaftis in transmission connection with the first driving member. Here, “transmission connection” may mean that a movement of one of the two connected component may be transferred to the other one, and the connecting mode between the two components includes, but is not limited to, at least one of rotary connection, sliding connection, gear engaging transmission connection, chain wheel transmission connection, cam mechanism transmission connection, and the like.

The first driving memberand the first rotary shaftmay be arranged outside the water-collecting member, respectively. For example, the first driving memberis away from the water-collecting member, so that the first driving memberis prevented from being damaged by water, and the service life of the first driving memberis prevented from being shortened due to a humid ambient environment.

The water-lifting assemblyfurther includes a rotary wheel. The rotary wheelis in transmission connection with the first rotary shaft, and at least part of the rotary wheelis located in the water-collecting member. The rotary wheelis configured to, driven) by the first driving member, rotate, so as to atomize and throw the condensate water in the water-collecting memberto the first heat exchanger.

In some embodiments, as shown inand, in a case where the first heat exchangerincludes a plurality of sub-heat exchangers, the rotary wheelof the water-lifting assemblymay be located between two adjacent sub-heat exchangers.

For example, when the first heat exchangerincludes two sub-heat exchangers, and the two sub-heat exchangersare arranged in one water-collecting member. the water-lifting assemblyincludes one rotary wheel, and the rotary wheelis located between the two sub-heat exchangers. Thus, water mist formed by atomizing the condensate water by the water-lifting assemblymay be attached to surfaces of the two sub-heat exchangers, so that the contact area between the first heat exchangerand the atomized condensate water may be increased, and the atomization efficiency and the evaporation efficiency of the condensate water are improved.