# US 12,181,176 B2 · Indoor unit of air conditioner, and air conditioner > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,176 B2 - Document ID: US12181176B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/409,898 - Filed: 2021-08-24 - Published: 2021-12-30 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-03 - Assignees: Gd Midea Air-Conditioning Equipment Co., Ltd.; Midea Group Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Gd Midea Air-Conditioning Equipment Co., Ltd.; Midea Group Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Gen Lu; Shuyang Pi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181176B2 ## CPC - F24F 1/0007: Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units (self-contained units F24F1/02) - F24F 13/222: {for evacuating condensate} - F24F 8/90: Cleaning of purification apparatus - F24F 13/20: Casings or covers - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) ## Abstract Disclosed are an indoor unit and an air conditioner. The indoor unit has a chassis, a washing module, and a water blocking structure. The chassis has a condensate area and an effluent area adjacent to the condensate area and positioned above the condensate area. A portion of a bottom of the effluent area adjacent to the condensate area is recessed with a water outlet hole in communication with the condensate area. The washing module is mounted on the chassis and has a discharge pipe extending into the effluent area. The water blocking structure is arranged between the condensate area and the effluent area. A top end of the water blocking structure is connected to the washing module, and a lower end of the water blocking structure is in front of the water outlet hole to shield a part of the water outlet hole. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising: a chassis comprising: a condensate area; and an effluent area adjacent to the condensate area and positioned above the condensate area, wherein a portion of a bottom of the effluent area adjacent to the condensate area defines a water outlet hole; a washing module mounted on the chassis and comprising: a discharge pipe extending into the effluent area; a water box; and a water pump mounted to a lower end of the water box; and a water blocking structure arranged between the condensate area and the effluent area, the water blocking structure comprising a water baffle that is configured to inhibit liquid communication from the effluent area to the condensate area, wherein the bottom of the effluent area is inclined downwardly to the condensate area, and wherein the water pump further comprises a protruding edge protruding outwardly from an upper edge of the water pump and detachably connected to the lower end of the water box, wherein the water blocking structure is arranged on the protruding edge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The indoor unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an outlet pipe communicated with the water outlet hole, wherein the bottom of the effluent area defines an avoiding groove, and a side of the avoiding groove opposite to the condensate area defines the water outlet hole, and wherein the water blocking structure extends into the avoiding groove; a top end of the water blocking structure is connected to the washing module; and a lower end of the water blocking structure is in front of the water outlet hole and configured to shield a part of the water outlet hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the water blocking structure is positioned lower than the portion of the bottom of the effluent area, wherein said portion extends downwardly to the water blocking structure and is in contact with the water blocking structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein: the water baffle extends downwardly from the protruding edge; and the water blocking structure further comprises a support board extending forwardly and upwardly from a lower edge of the water baffle and connected to the protruding edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the water blocking structure is integrally arranged with the water pump. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The indoor unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a water blocking flange protruding forwardly and upwardly from a lower edge of the effluent area. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The indoor unit according to claim 6, wherein the water blocking flange is abutted against the water blocking structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the discharge pipe comprises: a discharge end facing the effluent area, with an opening of the discharge end flared downwardly. ### Claim 9 An air conditioner comprising: an indoor unit comprising: a chassis comprising: a condensate area; and an effluent area adjacent to the condensate area and positioned above the condensate area, wherein a portion of a bottom of the effluent area adjacent to the condensate area defines a water outlet hole; a washing module mounted on the chassis and comprising: a discharge pipe extending into the effluent area; a water box; and a water pump mounted to a lower end of the water box; and a water blocking structure arranged between the condensate area and the effluent area, the water blocking structure comprising a water baffle that is configured to inhibit liquid communication from the effluent area to the condensate area, wherein the bottom of the effluent area is inclined downwardly to the condensate area, and wherein the water pump further comprises a protruding edge protruding outwardly from an upper edge of the water pump and detachably connected to the lower end of the water box, wherein the water blocking structure is arranged on the protruding edge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The air conditioner according to claim 9, further comprising: an outlet pipe communicated with the water outlet hole, wherein the bottom of the effluent area defines an avoiding groove, and a side of the avoiding groove opposite to the condensate area defines the water outlet hole, and wherein the water blocking structure extends into the avoiding groove; a top end of the water blocking structure is connected to the washing module; and a lower end of the water blocking structure is in front of the water outlet hole and configured to shield a part of the water outlet hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein a lower edge of the water blocking structure is positioned lower than the portion of the bottom of the effluent area, wherein said portion extends downwardly to the water blocking structure and is in contact with the water blocking structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein: the water baffle extends downwardly from the protruding edge; and the water blocking structure further comprises a support board extending forwardly and upwardly from a lower edge of the water baffle and connected to the protruding edge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the water blocking structure is integrally arranged with the water pump. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The air conditioner according to claim 9, further comprising: a water blocking flange protruding forwardly and upwardly from a lower edge of the effluent area, and abutted against the water blocking structure.