AU2018337546B2

AU2018337546B2 - Ceiling type indoor unit of air conditioner

Info

Publication number: AU2018337546B2
Application number: AU2018337546A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jaehyun OH
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2017-09-20
Filing date: 2018-09-20
Publication date: 2022-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-20
Also published as: KR20190033031A; CN111373209A; EP3686507A1; KR102090648B1; KR20190033033A; EP3686509B1; KR20190033032A; EP3686509A1; EP3686509A4; WO2019059682A1; EP3686507B1; KR102088828B1; EP3686506A4; KR20190033030A; AU2018337544A1; EP3686508A4; AU2018337541B2; EP3686507A4; CN111373200A; WO2019059686A1

Abstract

The present invention sequentially controls a first vane module, a second vane module, a third vane module, and a fourth vane module in consecutive order, thereby generating round swinging wind around an indoor unit, so as to have advantages of providing direct air in the discharging direction of each vane module, and providing indirect air to an indoor space that is outside the discharging direction of each vane module.

Description

INDOOR UNIT OF AIR CONDITIONER

[Technical Field]

The present disclosure relates to a method of

controlling a ceiling type indoor unit of an air

conditioner, and more particularly a method of controlling

a ceiling type indoor unit capable of controlling first,

second, third, and fourth vane module at the time of indoor

J cooling.

[Background]

In general, an air conditioner includes a compressor,

a condenser, an evaporator, and an expander, and supplies

cool air or hot air to a building or a room using an air

conditioning cycle.

Based on the structure thereof, the air conditioner is

classified as a separable air conditioner configured such

that a compressor is disposed outdoors or an integrated air

conditioner configured such that a compressor is integrally

manufactured.

In the separable air conditioner, an indoor heat

exchanger is installed in an indoor unit, an outdoor heat

exchanger and a compressor are installed in an outdoor unit,

and the two separated units are connected to each other via

1

88405983.2 a refrigerant pipe.

In the integrated air conditioner, an indoor heat

exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor are

installed in a single case. Examples of the integrated air

conditioner include a window type air conditioner installed

at a window and a duct type air conditioner installed

outside a room in the state in which a suction duct and a

discharge duct are connected to each other.

The separable air conditioner is generally classified

D depending on the form in which the indoor unit is installed.

An air conditioner configured such that an indoor unit

is vertically installed in a room is called a stand type air

conditioner, an air conditioner configured such that an

indoor unit is installed at the wall of a room is called a

wall mounted air conditioner, and an air conditioner

configured such that an indoor unit is installed at the

ceiling of a room is called a ceiling type air conditioner.

In addition, there is a system air conditioner capable

of providing air-conditioned air to a plurality of spaces as

a kind of separable air conditioner.

The system air conditioner is classified as a type of

air conditioner including a plurality of indoor units in

order to air-condition rooms or a type of air conditioner

capable of supplying air-conditioned air to respective

spaces through ducts.

2

88405983.2

The plurality of indoor units provided in the system

air conditioner may be stand type indoor units, wall mounted

indoor units, or ceiling type indoor units.

A conventional ceiling type indoor unit includes a

case installed at a ceiling so as to be suspended therefrom

and a front panel configured to cover the lower surface of

the case, the front panel being installed at the same

surface as the ceiling.

A suction port is disposed at the center of the front

J panel, and a plurality of discharge ports is disposed

outside the suction port, and a discharge vane is installed

at each discharge port.

In the conventional ceiling type indoor unit, the

discharge vane is repeatedly rotated in a discharge vane

auto swing mode. Also, in the ceiling type indoor unit, the

discharge vane remains stationary at a specific position in

a discharge vane fixing mode.

In the conventional ceiling type indoor unit,

therefore, the discharge vane is simply controlled at the

time of indoor cooling, whereby it is difficult to satisfy

desires of a person in a room.

[Prior Art Document]

[Patent Document]

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0679838 B1

3

88405983.2

[Summary]

It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more

disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior

art, provide a [claim preamble], or to at least provide

the public with a useful alternative.

Another object may be to provide a method of

controlling a ceiling type indoor unit capable of

cooperatively controlling four vane modules.

Another object of the present disclosure may be to

D provide a method of controlling a ceiling type indoor unit

capable of sequentially controlling a first vane module, a

second vane module, a third vane module, and a fourth vane

module in successive order, thereby providing natural wind.

Another object of the present disclosure may be to

provide a method of controlling a ceiling type indoor unit

capable of continuously controlling a first vane module, a

second vane module, a third vane module, and a fourth vane

module in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise

direction, thereby providing natural wind having a wave

pattern to the surroundings of the indoor unit.

A further object of the present disclosure may be to

provide a method of controlling a ceiling type indoor unit

capable of providing direct wind in the discharge direction

of each vane module and providing indirect wind to an indoor

space deviating from the discharge direction of each vane

4

88405983.2 module.

Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to

the aforementioned objects, and other unmentioned objects

will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based

on the following description.

The present disclosure is capable of sequentially

controlling a first vane module, a second vane module, a

third vane module, and a fourth vane module in successive

J order, thereby generating round swing wind swirling around

an indoor unit.

The present disclosure is capable of continuously

controlling the first vane module, the second vane module,

the third vane module, and the fourth vane module in the

clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction,

thereby generating wind swirling around the indoor unit in

the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction.

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure

may broadly provide a method of controlling a indoor unit

of an air conditioner, the indoor unit comprising:

a suction port;

a case having a first discharge port, a second

discharge port, a third discharge port, and a fourth

discharge port being formed around a circumference of the

suction port and sequentially spaced apart from each other

5

88405983.2 in a vertical direction; a first vane being disposed at each of the first discharge port, the second discharge port, the third discharge port, and the fourth discharge port, and connected to the case through a driving link and a first vane link; and a second vane being disposed at each of the first discharge port, the second discharge port, the third discharge port, and the fourth discharge port, and

D connected to the driving link by a second vane link, and

the method comprises:

a first setting step, in which a difference in

inclination between the respective first vane and the

respective second vane disposed at each of the first

discharge port, the second discharge port, the third

discharge port, and the fourth discharge port, is arranged

in order of inclination;

a second setting step, in which the respective first

vane and the respective second vane disposed at each of

the first discharge port, the second discharge port, and

the third discharge port are changed such that a

difference in inclination between the first vane and the

second vane becomes large, and the first vane and the

second vane disposed in the fourth discharge port are

changed to reduce a difference in inclination between the

6

88405983.2 first vane and the second vane; a third setting step, in which the first vane and the second vane, disposed in each of the first discharge port, the second discharge port, and the fourth discharge port are changed such that a difference in inclination between the first vane and the second vane becomes large, and the first vane and the second vane disposed in the third discharge port are changed to reduce a difference in inclination between the first vane and the second vane;

J and

a fourth setting step, in which the first vane and

the second vane, disposed in each of the first discharge

port, the third discharge port, and the fourth discharge

port are changed such that a difference in inclination

between the first vane and the second vane becomes large,

and the first vane and the second vane disposed in the

second discharge port are changed to reduce a difference

in inclination between the first vane and the second vane.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure

may provide a method of controlling a ceiling type indoor

unit of an air conditioner, the ceiling type indoor unit

including:

a case installed at a ceiling of a room so as to be

suspended therefrom, the case having a suction port formed

at the lower surface thereof, a first discharge port, a

7

88405983.2 second discharge port, a third discharge port, and a fourth discharge port being formed at the edge of the suction port; and a first vane module disposed at the first discharge port, the first vane module being disposed in a 12 o'clock direction based on the suction port, the first vane module being configured to discharge air in a first discharge direction; a second vane module disposed at the second discharge port, the second vane module being disposed in a 3

D o'clock direction based on the suction port, the second vane

module being configured to discharge air in a second

discharge direction; a third vane module disposed at the

third discharge port, the third vane module being disposed

in a 6 o' clock direction based on the suction port, the

third vane module being configured to discharge air in a

third discharge direction; and a fourth vane module disposed

at the fourth discharge port, the fourth vane module being

disposed in a 9 o'clock direction based on the suction port,

the fourth vane module being configured to discharge air in

a fourth discharge direction, wherein

each vane module includes: a module body installed at

the case, at least a portion of the module body being

exposed to the discharge port; a vane motor assembled to the

module body, the vane motor being configured to provide

driving force; a driving link assembled to the module body

8

88405983.2 so as to be rotatable relative thereto, the driving link being coupled to the vane motor, the driving link being configured to be rotated by the driving force of the vane motor, the driving link including a first driving link body and a second driving link body having a predetermined angle therebetween; a first vane link located further forwards than the driving link, the first vane link being assembled to the module body so as to be rotatable relative thereto; a second vane link assembled to the second driving link body

D so as to be rotatable relative thereto; a first vane

disposed at each discharge port, the first vane being

disposed forwards in a discharge direction of air discharged

from the discharge port, the first vane being assembled to

each of the first driving link body and the first vane link

so as to be rotatable relative thereto; and a second vane

disposed at each discharge port, the second vane being

assembled to the module body so as to be rotatable relative

thereto by the second vane shaft, the second vane being

assembled to the second vane link so as to be rotatable

relative thereto,

the first vane module, the second vane module, the

third vane module, and the fourth vane module are set to be

operated in one of discharge steps P1 to P6,

based on a horizon, the inclination of the first vane

satisfies "0 degrees < inclination of the first vane in

9

88405983.2 discharge step P1 < inclination of the first vane in discharge step P2 < inclination of the first vane in discharge step P3 < inclination of the first vane in discharge step P4 < inclination of the first vane in discharge step P5 < inclination of the first vane in discharge step P6 < 90 degrees," based on the horizon, the inclination of the second vane satisfies "0 degrees < inclination of the second vane in discharge step P1 < inclination of the second vane in

D discharge step P2 < inclination of the second vane in

discharge step P3 < inclination of the second vane in

discharge step P4 < inclination of the second vane in

discharge step P5 < inclination of the second vane in

discharge step P6 < 90 degrees,"

in each discharge step, the inclination of the second

vane is set to always be greater than the inclination of the

first vane, and

the method includes: a step (S10) of turning on a

round swing cooling mode; a first setting step (S20) of

setting the first vane module to be operated in discharge

step P2, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the second

vane module to be operated in discharge step P3, among

discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the third vane module to

be operated in discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1

to P6, setting the fourth vane module to be operated in

10

88405983.2 discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to P6, after step S10; a step (S30) of determining whether the first setting step exceeds a first operation time after the first setting step; a second setting step (S40) of setting the first vane module to be operated in discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

D the fourth vane module to be operated in discharge step P2,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step

S30 is satisfied; a step (S50) of determining whether the

second setting step exceeds a second operation time after

the second setting step; a third setting step (S60) of

setting the first vane module to be operated in discharge

step P4, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the second

vane module to be operated in discharge step P5, among

discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the third vane module to

be operated in discharge step P2, among discharge steps P1

to P6, setting the fourth vane module to be operated in

discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to P6, in the

case in which step S50 is satisfied; a step (S70) of

determining whether the third setting step exceeds a third

operation time after the third setting step; a fourth

setting step (S80) of setting the first vane module to be

11

88405983.2 operated in discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P2, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P3,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P4, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S70 is satisfied;

a step (S90) of determining whether the fourth setting step

exceeds a fourth operation time after the fourth setting

] step; a step (SlO) of determining whether the round swing

cooling mode is turned off in the case in which step S90 is

satisfied; and a step of finishing the dynamic cooling mode

in the case in which step S100 is satisfied.

Returning to the first setting step (S20) may be

performed in the case in which step S100 is not satisfied.

Returning to the first setting step (S20) may be

performed in the case in which step S30 is not satisfied,

returning to the second setting step (S40) may be performed

in the case in which step S50 is not satisfied, returning to

the third setting step (S20) may be performed in the case in

which step S70 is not satisfied, and returning to the fourth

setting step (S40) may be performed in the case in which

step S90 is not satisfied.

Each vane module may be circulated in the sequence of

discharge step P2 -> discharge step P3 -> discharge step P4

12

88405983.2

-> discharge step P5.

When providing discharge step P1, the rear end of the

second vane may be located higher than the discharge port,

the front end of the second vane may be located lower than

the discharge port, the rear end of the first vane may be

located lower than the front end of the second vane, and the

front end of the first vane may be located lower than the

rear end of the first vane .

In discharge step P1, the upper surface of the second

D vane may be located higher than the upper surface of the

first vane.

When providing discharge step P1, the rear end of the

first vane may be located higher than the front end of the

second vane.

When providing discharge step P6, the rear end of the

second vane may be located higher than the discharge port,

the front end of the second vane may be located lower than

the discharge port, the rear end of the first vane may be

located higher than the front end of the second vane and may

be located higher than the discharge port, and the front end

of the first vane may be located lower than the front end of

the second vane.

The driving link may include: a core body; the core

link shaft disposed at the core body, the core link shaft

being rotatably coupled to the module body, the core link

13

88405983.2 shaft protruding toward the vane motor, the core link shaft being coupled to the vane motor; a first driving link body extending from the core body; a first driving link shaft disposed at the first driving link body, the first driving link shaft protruding toward a first vane body, the first driving link shaft being rotatably coupled to the first vane; a second driving link body extending from the core body, a predetermined angle (E) being defined between the second driving link body and the first driving link body;

D and a second driving link shaft disposed at the second

driving link body, the second driving link shaft protruding

in an identical direction to the first driving link shaft,

the second driving link shaft being rotatably coupled to the

second vane link,

the first vane link may include: a first vane link

body; a 1-1 vane link shaft disposed at one side of the

first vane link body, the 1-1 vane link shaft being

assembled to the first vane, the 1-1 vane link shaft being

configured to be rotated relative to the first vane; and a

1-2 vane link shaft disposed at the other side of the first

vane link body, the 1-2 vane link shaft being assembled to

the module body, the 1-2 vane link shaft being configured to

be rotated relative to the module body,

the second vane link may include: a second vane link

body; a 2-1 vane link shaft disposed at one side of the

14

88405983.2 second vane link body, the 2-1 vane link shaft being assembled to the second vane, the 2-1 vane link shaft being configured to be rotated relative to the second vane; and a

2-2 vane link journal disposed at the other side of the

second vane link body, the 2-2 vane link journal being

assembled to the driving link, the 2-2 vane link journal

being configured to be rotated relative to the driving link,

and

in discharge step P4, an imaginary straight line (D

J D') joining the core link shaft and the first driving link

shaft to each other and an imaginary straight line (B-B')

joining the first driving link shaft and the 1-1 vane link

shaft to each other may be disposed in a line.

In discharge step P5, the angle defined between the

imaginary straight line (D-D') joining the core link shaft

and the first driving link shaft to each other and the

imaginary straight line (B-B') joining the first driving

link shaft and the 1-1 vane link shaft to each other may be

an obtuse angle of greater than 180 degrees.

When providing one of discharge steps P2 to P5, the

rear end of the first vane may be located higher than the

front end of the second vane and may be located level with

or lower than the 2-1 vane link shaft.

When providing one of discharge steps P1 to P3, the

angle formed by the core link shaft, the first driving link

15

88405983.2 shaft, and the 1-1 vane link shaft in a clockwise direction with respect to the imaginary straight line (D-D') joining the core link shaft and the first driving link shaft to each other may be an acute angle.

In discharge step P1, the vane motor may be rotated by

a P1 rotational angle, and the first vane may have a first

vane P1 inclination and the second vane may have a second

vane P1 inclination by rotation of the vane motor,

in discharge step P2, the vane motor may be rotated by

D a P2 rotational angle greater than the P1 rotational angle,

and the first vane may have a first vane P2 inclination and

the second vane may have a second vane P2 inclination by

rotation of the vane motor,

in discharge step P3, the vane motor may be rotated by

a P3 rotational angle greater than the P2 rotational angle,

and the first vane may have a first vane P3 inclination and

the second vane may have a second vane P3 inclination by

rotation of the vane motor,

in discharge step P4, the vane motor may be rotated by

a P4 rotational angle greater than the P3 rotational angle,

and the first vane may have a first vane P4 inclination and

the second vane may have a second vane P4 inclination by

rotation of the vane motor,

in discharge step P5, the vane motor may be rotated by

a P5 rotational angle greater than the P4 rotational angle,

16

88405983.2 and the first vane may have a first vane P5 inclination and the second vane may have a second vane P5 inclination by rotation of the vane motor, and in discharge step P6, the vane motor may be rotated by a P6 rotational angle greater than the P5 rotational angle, and the first vane may have a first vane P6 inclination and the second vane may have a second vane P6 inclination by rotation of the vane motor.

The first vane P1 inclination may be set to greater

D than 0 degrees and 16 degrees or less downwards based on the

horizon.

The first vane P2 inclination may be set to greater

than 16 degrees and 18.6 degrees or less downwards based on

the horizon.

The first vane P3 inclination may be set to greater

than 18.6 degrees and 29.6 degrees or less downwards based

on the horizon.

The first vane P4 inclination may be set to greater

than 29.6 degrees and 35.8 degrees or less downwards based

on the horizon.

The first vane P5 inclination may be set to greater

than 35.8 degrees and 44.1 degrees or less downwards based

on the horizon.

The first vane P6 inclination may be set to greater

than 44.1 degrees and 56.7 degrees or less downwards based

17

88405983.2 on the horizon.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to the present disclosure has one or more of the

following effects.

First, in the present disclosure, it is possible to

sequentially control a first vane module, a second vane

module, a third vane module, and a fourth vane module in

successive order, thereby generating round swing wind

D swirling around the indoor unit.

Second, in the present disclosure, it is possible to

sequentially control the first vane module, the second vane

module, the third vane module, and the fourth vane module in

the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction,

thereby controlling rotational direction of the round swing

wind.

Third, in the present disclosure, it is possible to

minimize a dead zone of an indoor space deviating from each

discharge direction through the round swing wind.

Fourth, in the present disclosure, it is possible to

provide indirect wind to a person in a room through the

round swing wind.

Fifth, in the present disclosure, it is possible to

provide direct wind in the discharge direction of each vane

module and to provide indirect wind to an indoor space

18

88405983.2 deviating from the discharge direction of each vane module.

The term "comprising" as used in the specification and

claims means "consisting at least in part of." When

interpreting each statement in this specification that

includes the term "comprising," features other than that or

those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related

terms "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in

the same manner.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication

(or information derived from it), or to any matter which is

known, is not, and should not be taken as, an

acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that

that prior publication (or information derived from it) or

known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in

the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit

of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the

present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a

front panel of FIG. 1.

19

88405983.2

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the

upper part of the front panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vane module shown

in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5 when viewed in

another direction.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vane module of

FIG. 5 when viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the vane module shown in

FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the vane module shown in

FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the vane module shown in

FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the operation

structure of the vane module shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a driving link shown in

FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a first vane link shown in

FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a front view of a second vane link shown

in FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the front panel of FIG. 1

in the state in which a suction grill is separated from

the front panel.

20

88405983.2

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the vane module

shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is an illustrative view of discharge step P1

according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is an illustrative view of discharge step P2

according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is an illustrative view of discharge step P3

according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is an illustrative view of discharge step P4

J according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is an illustrative view of discharge step P5

according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is an illustrative view of discharge step P6

according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control method at

the time of cooling according to a first embodiment of the

present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a bottom view schematically showing a

discharge step of each vane module according to a first

embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view schematically showing

the discharge step of each vane module according to the

first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control method at

the time of cooling according to a second embodiment of

21

88405983.2 the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a bottom view schematically showing a

discharge step of each vane module according to a second

embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view schematically showing

the discharge step of each vane module according to the

second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a control method at

the time of heating according to a third embodiment of the

J present disclosure.

[Detailed Description]

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and

a method of achieving the same will be more clearly

understood from embodiments described below with reference

to the accompanying drawings. However, the present

disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and

may be implemented in various different forms. The

embodiments are provided merely to complete the present

disclosure and to fully provide a person having ordinary

skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains

with the category of the present disclosure. The present

disclosure is defined only by the category of the claims.

Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used

throughout the specification to refer to the same or like

22

88405983.2 elements.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described

in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an indoor unit

of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the

present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a front

panel of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view

showing the upper part of the front panel of FIG. 1. FIG.

J 5 is a perspective view of a vane module shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5 when viewed in

another direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the

vane module of FIG. 5 when viewed from above. FIG. 8 is a

front view of the vane module shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a

rear view of the vane module shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a

plan view of the vane module shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is a

perspective view showing the operation structure of the

vane module shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is a front view of a

driving link shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a front view of

a first vane link shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a front

view of a second vane link shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a

bottom view of the front panel of FIG. 1 in the state in

which a suction grill is separated from the front panel.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the vane module shown

in FIG. 2. FIG. 17 is an illustrative view of discharge

23

88405983.2 step P1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is an illustrative view of discharge step P2 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is an illustrative view of discharge step P3 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 is an illustrative view of discharge step P4 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is an illustrative view of discharge step P5 according to a first embodiment of the present

] disclosure. FIG. 22 is an illustrative view of discharge

step P6 according to a first embodiment of the present

disclosure. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control

method at the time of cooling according to a first

embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 is a bottom

view schematically showing a discharge step of each vane

module when the control method at the time of cooling

according to the first embodiment of the present

disclosure is performed. FIG. 25 is a perspective view

schematically showing the discharge step of each vane

module when the control method at the time of cooling

according to the first embodiment of the present

disclosure is performed.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to

this embodiment includes a case 100 having a suction port

24

88405983.2

101 and a discharge port 102, an indoor heat exchanger 130

disposed in the case 100, and an indoor blowing fan 140

disposed in the case 100 to blow air to the suction port

101 and the discharge port 102.

In this embodiment, the case 100 includes a case

housing 110 and a front panel 300. The case housing 110 is

installed at the ceiling of a room via a hanger (not shown)

so as to be suspended therefrom, and the lower side of the

J case housing is open. The front panel 300 covers the open

surface of the case housing 110, is disposed so as to face

the floor of the room, is exposed in the room, and has the

suction port 101 and the discharge port 102.

The case 100 may be variously realized depending on

the form of manufacture, and construction of the case 100

does not limit the idea of the present disclosure.

The suction port 101 is disposed in the center of the

front panel 300, and the discharge port 102 is disposed

outside the suction port 101. The number of suction ports

101 or the number of discharge ports 102 is irrelevant to

idea of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a

single suction port 101 is formed, and a plurality of

discharge ports 102 is disposed.

In this embodiment, the suction port 101 is formed so

as to have a quadrangular shape when viewed from below, and

25

88405983.2 four discharge ports 102 are disposed so as to be spaced apart from edges of the suction port 101 by a predetermined distance.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 is disposed between the

suction port 101 and the discharge port 102, and the indoor

heat exchanger 130 partitions the interior of the case 100

into an inner interior and an outer interior. In this

embodiment, the indoor heat exchanger 130 is disposed

D vertically.

The indoor blowing fan 140 is located inside the

indoor heat exchanger 130.

When viewed in a top view or a bottom view, the indoor

heat exchanger has an overall shape of "EL", a portion of

which may be separated.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 is disposed such that

air discharged from the indoor blowing fan 140

perpendicularly enters the indoor heat exchanger.

A drain pan 132 is installed in the case 100, and the

indoor heat exchanger 130 is held by the drain pan 132.

Condensate water generated in the indoor heat exchanger 130

may flow to the drain pan 132 and then be stored. A drain

pump (not shown) configured to discharge collected

condensate water to the outside is disposed in the drain pan

132.

26

88405983.2

The drain pan 132 may be provided with an inclined

surface having directivity in order to collect and store

condensate water falling from the indoor heat exchanger 130

in one side.

The indoor blowing fan 140 is located in the case

100, and is disposed at the upper side of the suction port

101. A centrifugal blower configured to suction air to the

center thereof and discharging the air in the

J circumferential direction is used as the indoor blowing

fan 140.

The indoor blowing fan 140 includes a bell mouth 142,

a fan 144, and a fan motor 146.

The bell mouth 142 is disposed at the upper side of a

suction grill 320, and is located at the lower side of the

fan 144. The bell mouth 142 guides air that has passed

through the suction grill 320 to the fan 144.

The fan motor 146 rotates the fan 144. The fan motor

146 is fixed to the case housing 110. The fan motor 146 is

disposed at the upper side of the fan 144. At least a

portion of the fan motor 146 is located higher than the

fan 144.

A motor shaft of the fan motor 146 is disposed so as

to face downwards, and the fan 144 is coupled to the motor

shaft.

27

88405983.2

The indoor heat exchanger 130 is located outside the

edge of the fan 144. The fan 144 and at least a portion of

the indoor heat exchanger 130 are disposed on the same

horizontal line. At least a portion of the bell mouth 142

is inserted into the fan 144. In the upward-downward

direction, at least a portion of the bell mouth 142

overlaps the fan 144.

The indoor heat exchanger 130 is disposed in the case

J hosing 110, and partitions the space in the case housing 110

into an inner space and an outer space.

The inner space surrounded by the indoor heat

exchanger 130 is defined as a suction channel 103, and the

outer space outside the indoor heat exchanger 130 is defined

as a discharge channel 104.

The indoor blowing fan 140 is disposed in the suction

channel 103. The discharge channel 104 is located between

the outside of the indoor heat exchanger 130 and the

sidewall of the case housing 110.

When viewed in a top view or a bottom view, the

suction channel 103 is an inside surrounded by "EL" of the

indoor heat exchanger, and the discharge channel 104 is an

outside of "El" of the indoor heat exchanger.

The suction channel 103 communicates with the suction

port 101, and the discharge channel 104 communicates with

28

88405983.2 the discharge port 103

. Air flows from the lower side to the upper side of the

suction channel 103, and flows from the upper side to the

lower side of the discharge channel 104. The flow direction

of air is changed 180 degrees based on the indoor heat

exchanger 130.

The suction port 101 and the discharge port 102 are

formed in the same surface of the front panel 300.

The suction port 101 and the discharge port 102 are

J disposed so as to face in the same direction. In this

embodiment, the suction port 101 and the discharge port 102

are disposed so as to face the floor of the room.

In the case in which the front panel 300 is bent, the

discharge port 102 may be formed so as to have a slight side

inclination; however, the discharge port 102 connected to

the discharge channel 104 is formed so as to face downwards.

A vane module 200 is disposed to control the direction

of air that is discharged through the discharge port 102.

The front panel 300 includes a front body 310 coupled

to the case housing 110, the front body having the suction

port 101 and the discharge port 102, a suction grill 320

having a plurality of grill holes 321, the suction grill

being configured to cover the suction port 101, a pre-filter

330 separably assembled to the suction grill 320, and a vane

29

88405983.2 module 200 installed at the front body 310, the vane module being configured to control the air flow direction of the discharge port 102.

The suction grill 320 is installed so as to be

separable from the front body 310. The suction grill 320

may be elevated from the front body 310 in the upward

downward direction. The suction grill 320 covers the

entirety of the suction port 101.

In this embodiment, the suction grill 320 has a

J plurality of grill holes 321 formed in the shape of a

lattice. The grill holes 321 communicate with the suction

port 101.

The pre-filter 330 is disposed at the upper side of

the suction grill 320. The pre-filter 330 filters air

suctioned into the case 100. The pre-filter 330 is located

at the upper side of grill holes 321, and filters air that

has passed through the suction grill 320.

The discharge port 102 is formed along the edge of the

suction port 101 in the form of a long slit. The vane

module 200 is located on the discharge port 102, and is

coupled to the front body 310.

In this embodiment, the vane module 200 may be

separated downwards from the front body 310. That is, the

vane module 200 may be disposed irrespective of the coupling

structure of the front body 310, and may be separated

30

88405983.2 independently from the front body 310. The structure thereof will be described in more detail.

The front body 310 is coupled to the lower side of the

case housing 110, and is disposed so as to face the room.

The front body 310 is installed at the ceiling of the room,

and is exposed in the room.

The front body 310 is coupled to the case housing 110,

and the case housing 110 supports load of the front body

D 310. The front body 310 supports load of the suction grill

320 and the pre-filter 330.

When viewed in a top view, the front body 310 is

formed so as to have a quadrangular shape. The shape of the

front body 310 may be varied.

The upper surface of the front body 310 may be formed

horizontally so as to be in tight contact with the ceiling,

and the edge of the lower surface of the front body may be

slightly curved.

A suction port 101 is disposed in the center of the

front body 310, and a plurality of discharge ports 102 is

disposed outside the edge of the suction port 101.

When viewed in a top view, the suction port 101 may be

formed in a square shape, and each discharge port 102 may be

formed in a rectangular shape. The discharge port 102 may

be formed in a slit shape having a greater length than the

31

88405983.2 width thereof.

The front body 310 includes a front frame 312, a side

cover 314, and a corner cover 316.

The front frame 312 provides load and stiffness of the

front panel 300, and is fixed to the case housing 110 by

fastening. The suction port 101 and the four discharge

ports 102 are formed in the front frame 312.

In this embodiment, the front frame 312 includes a

side frame 311 and a corner frame 313.

D The corner frame 313 is disposed at each corner of the

front panel 300. The side frame 311 is coupled to two

corner frames 313. The side frame 311 includes an inner

side frame 311a and an outer side frame 311b.

The inner side frame 311a is disposed between the

suction port 101 and the discharge port 102, and couples two

corner frames 313 to each other. The outer side frame 311b

is disposed outside the discharge port 102.

In this embodiment, four inner side frames 311a and

four outer side frames 311b are provided.

The suction port 101 is located inside the four inner

side frames 311a. The discharge port 102 is formed so as to

be surrounded by two corner frames 313, the inner side frame

311a, and the outer side frame 311b.

The side cover 314 and the corner cover 316 are

coupled to the lower surface of the front frame 312. The

32

88405983.2 side cover 314 and the corner cover 316 are exposed to a user, and the front frame 312 is not visible to the user.

The side cover 314 is disposed at the edge of the

front frame 312, and the corner cover 316 is disposed at the

corner of the front frame 312.

The side cover 314 is made of a synthetic resin

material, and is fixed to the front frame 312 by fastening.

Specifically, the side cover 314 is coupled to the side

frame 311, and the corner cover 316 is coupled to the corner

J frame 313.

In this embodiment, four side covers 314 and four

corner covers 316 are provided. The side covers 314 and the

corner covers 316 are coupled to the front frame 312 to form

a single structure. The four side covers 314 and the four

corner covers 316 form a single edge of the front panel 300.

The side cover 314 is disposed at the lower side of

the side frame 311, and the corner cover 316 is disposed at

the lower side of the corner frame 313.

The four side covers 314 and the four corner covers

316 are assembled to form a quadrangular frame. The four

side covers 314 and the four corner covers 316 connected to

each other are defined as a front decoration 350.

The front decoration 350 has a decoration outer border

351 and a decoration inner border 352.

When viewed in a top view or a bottom view, the

33

88405983.2 decoration outer border 351 is formed in a quadrangular shape, and the decoration inner border 352 is generally formed in a quadrangular shape. However, the corner of the decoration inner border has predetermined curvature.

The suction grill 320 and four vane modules 200 are

disposed inside the decoration inner border 352. The

suction grill 320 and four vane modules 200 abut the

decoration inner border 352.

In this embodiment, four side cover 314 are disposed,

D and each side cover 314 is coupled to the front frame 312.

The outer edge of the side cover 314 defines a portion of

the decoration outer border 351, and the inner edge of the

side cover 314 defines a portion of the decoration inner

border 352.

In particular, the inner edge of the side cover 314

defines the outer border of the discharge port 102. The

inner edge of the side cover 314 is defined as a side

decoration inner border 315.

In this embodiment, four corner covers 316 are

disposed, and each corner cover 316 is coupled to the front

frame 312. The outer edge of the corner cover 316 defines a

portion of the decoration outer border 351, and the inner

edge of the corner cover 316 defines a portion of the

decoration inner border 352.

The inner edge of the corner cover 316 is defined as a

34

88405983.2 corner decoration inner border 317.

The corner decoration inner border 317 may be disposed

so as to contact the suction grill 320. In this embodiment,

the inner edge of the corner cover 316 is disposed so as to

face the suction grill 320, and is spaced apart therefrom by

a predetermined distance to form a gap 317a.

The side decoration inner border 315 is also spaced

apart from the vane module 200 to form a gap 315a, and is

disposed so as to face the outer edge of the vane module

J 200.

Consequently, the decoration inner border 352 is

spaced apart from the outer edges of the four vane modules

200 and the suction grill 320 to form a continuous gap.

A continuous gap defined by four side decoration inner

border gaps 315a and four corner decoration inner border

gaps 317a is defined as a front decoration gap 350a.

The front decoration gap 350a is formed at the inner

edge of the front decoration 350. Specifically, the front

decoration gap 350a is formed as the result of the outer

edges of the vane module 200 and the suction grill 320 and

the inner edge of the front decoration 350 being spaced

apart from each other.

When the vane module 200 is not operated (when the

indoor unit is stopped), the front decoration gap 350a

allows the suction grill 320 and the vane module 200 to be

35

88405983.2 seen as a single structure.

The suction grill 320 is located at the lower side of

the front body 310. The suction grill 320 may be moved

downwards in the state of being in tight contact with the

lower surface of the front body 310.

The suction grill 320 includes a grill body 322 and a

plurality of grill holes 321 formed through the grill body

322 in the upward-downward direction.

D The suction grill 320 includes a grill body 322

disposed at the lower side of the suction port 101, the

grill body communicating with the suction port 101 through a

plurality of grill holes 321, the grill body being formed in

a quadrangular shape, and a grill corner portion 327 formed

at the corners of the grill body 322 so as to extend in the

diagonal direction.

The lower surface of the grill body 322 and the lower

surface of a first vane 210 may define a continuous surface.

In addition, the lower surface of the grill body 322 and the

lower surface of the corner cover 316 may define a

continuous surface.

A plurality of grills 323 is disposed inside the grill

body 322 in the shape of a lattice. The lattice-shaped

grills 323 define quadrangular grill holes 321. The portion

at which the grills 323 and the grill holes 321 are formed

36

88405983.2 is defined as a suction portion.

The grill body 322 includes a suction portion

configured to communicate with air and a grill body portion

324 disposed so as to surround the suction portion. When

viewed in a top view or a bottom view, the suction portion

is generally formed in a quadrangular shape.

Each corner of the suction portion is disposed so as

to face a corresponding corner of the front panel 300, and

more specifically is disposed so as to face the corner cover

J 316.

When viewed in a bottom view, the grill body 322 is

formed in a quadrangular shape.

The outer edge of the grill body portion 324 is

disposed so as to face the discharge port 102 or the front

decoration 350.

The outer edge of the grill body portion 324 includes

a grill corner border 326 disposed so as to face the corner

cover 316 and a grill side border 325 defining the discharge

port 102, the grill side border being disposed so as to face

the side cover 314.

The grill corner border 326 may have curvature formed

about the inside of the suction grill 320, and the grill

side border 325 may have curvature formed about the outside

of the suction grill 320,

The grill body portion 324 further includes a grill

37

88405983.2 corner portion 327 surrounded by the grill corner border 326 and two grill side borders 325. The grill corner portion

327 is formed at the grill body portion 324 so as to

protrude toward the corner cover 316.

The grill corner portion 327 is disposed at each

corner of the grill body 322. The grill corner portion 327

extends toward each corner of the front panel 300.

In this embodiment, four grill corner portions 327 are

disposed. For convenience of description, the four grill

J corner portions 327 are defined as a first grill corner

portion 327-1, a second grill corner portion 327-2, a third

grill corner portion 327-3, and a fourth grill corner

portion 327-4.

The grill side border 325 is formed so as to be

concave from the outside to the inside.

The discharge port 102 is formed between the side

cover 314 and the suction grill 320. More specifically, one

discharge port 102 is formed between the side decoration

inner border 315 of the side cover 314 and the grill side

border 325 of the grill body 322. Discharge ports 102 are

formed between side decoration inner borders 315 and grill

side borders 325 disposed in four directions of the suction

grill 320.

In this embodiment, the length of the grill corner

border 326 is equal to the length of the corner decoration

38

88405983.2 inner border 317. That is, the width of the corner cover

316 is equal to the width of the grill corner portion 327.

In addition, the width of the inside of the side cover

314 is equal to the width of the grill side border 325.

The grill side border 325 will be described in more

detail.

The grill side border 325 defines the inner border of

the discharge port 102. The side decoration inner border

315 and the corner decoration inner border 317 define the

J outer border of the discharge port 102.

The grill side border 325 includes a long straight

section 325a extending long in the longitudinal direction of

the discharge port 102, the long straight section being

formed in a straight line, a first curved section 325b

connected to one side of the long straight section 325a, the

first curved section having the center of curvature outside

the suction grill 320, a second curved section 325c

connected to the other side of the long straight section

325a, the first curved section having the center of

curvature outside the suction grill 320, a first short

straight section 325d connected to the first curved section,

and a second short straight section 325e connected to the

second curved section 325c.

The vane module 200 is installed in the discharge

39

88405983.2 channel 104, and controls the flow direction of air that is discharged through the discharge port 102.

The vane module 200 includes a module body 400, a

first vane 210, a second vane 220, a vane motor 230, a

driving link 240, a first vane link 250, and a second vane

link 260. The first vane 210, the second vane 220, the vane

motor 230, the driving link 240, the first vane link 250,

and the second vane link 260 are all installed at the module

body 400. The module body 400 is installed integrally at

J the front panel 300. That is, all of the components of the

vane module 200 are modularized and are installed at the

front panel 300 at once.

Since the vane module 200 is modularized, it is

possible to reduce assembly time and to achieve easy

replacement at the time of trouble.

In this embodiment, a stepper motor is used as the

vane motor 230.

The module body 400 may be constituted by a single

body. In this embodiment, the module body is manufactured

using two separate parts in order to minimize installation

space and to minimize manufacturing cost.

In this embodiment, the module body 400 includes a

first module body 410 and a second module body 420.

The first module body 410 and the second module body

40

88405983.2

420 are formed in horizontal symmetry. In this embodiment,

the first module body 410 is described by way of example.

Each of the first module body 410 and the second

module body 420 is fastened to the front body 310.

Specifically, each of the first module body 410 and the

second module body 420 is installed at the corner frame 313.

In the horizontal direction, the first module body 410

is installed at the corner frame 313 disposed at one side of

the discharge port 102, and the second module body 420 is

D installed at the corner frame 313 disposed at the other side

of the discharge port 102.

In the vertical direction, each of the first module

body 410 and the second module body 420 is in tight contact

with the lower surface of the corner frame 313, and is

fastened thereto via a fastening member 401.

Consequently, the first module body 410 and the second

module body 420 are disposed at the lower side of the front

body 310. In the state in which the indoor unit is

installed, the direction in which the first module body 410

and the corner frame 313 are fastened to each other is

disposed so as to be directed from the lower side to the

upper side, and the direction in which the second module

body 420 and the corner frame 313 are fastened to each other

is also disposed so as to be directed from the lower side to

the upper side.

41

88405983.2

In the above structure, the entirety of the vane

module 200 may be easily separated from the front body 310

during repair.

The vane module 200 includes a first module body 410

disposed at one side of the discharge port 102, the first

module body being located at the lower side of the front

body 310, the first module body being assembled to the front

body 310 so as to be separable downwards therefrom, a second

module body 420 disposed at the other side of the discharge

J port 102, the second module body being located at the lower

side of the front body 310, the second module body being

assembled to the front body 310 so as to be separable

downwards therefrom, at least one vane 210 and 220 having

one side and the other side coupled to the first module body

410 and the second module body 420, respectively, the vane

being configured to be rotated relative to the first module

body 410 and the second module body 420, a vane motor 230

installed at at least one of the first module body 410 or

the second module body 420, the vane motor being configured

to provide driving force to the vane, a first fastening hole

403-1 disposed at the first module body 410, the first

fastening hole being disposed so as to face downwards, the

first fastening hole being formed through the first module

body 410, a first fastening member 401-1 fastened to the

front body 310 through the first fastening hole 403-1, a

42

88405983.2 second fastening hole 403-2 disposed at the second module body 420, the second fastening hole being disposed so as to face downwards, the second fastening hole being formed through the second module body 420, and a second fastening member 401-2 fastened to the front body through the second fastening hole 403-2.

In particular, since the first module body 410 and the

second module body 420 are located at the lower side of the

front body 310, only the main module 200 may be separated

D from the front body 310 in the state in which the front body

310 is installed at the case housing 110. This is commonly

applied to all of the four vane modules 200.

In the case in which the module body 400 is separated

from the front body 310, the entirety of the vane module 200

is separated downwards from the front body 310.

The first module body 410 includes a module body

portion 402 coupled to the front body 310 and a link

installation portion 404 protruding upwards from the module

body portion 402.

The module body portion 402 is fastened to the front

body 310 via a fastening member 401 (not shown). Unlike

this embodiment, the module body portion 402 may be coupled

to the front body 310 by hook coupling or interference

fitting.

In this embodiment, the module body portion 402 is

43

88405983.2 securely fastened to the front body 310 in order to minimize generation of vibration or noise due to the first vane 210, the second vane 220, the vane motor 230, the driving link

240, the first vane link 250, and the second vane link 260.

The fastening member 401 provided to fix the module

body portion 402 is in the state of being fastened from the

lower side to the upper side, and may be separated from the

upper side to the lower side.

A fastening hole 403, through which the fastening

] member 401 is inserted, is formed in the module body portion

402.

In the case in which it is necessary to distinguish

between the fastening hole formed in the first module body

410 and the fastening hole formed in the second module body

420 for convenience of description, the fastening hole

formed in the first module body 410 is referred to as a

first fastening hole 403-1, and the fastening hole formed in

the second module body 420 is referred to as a second

fastening hole 403-1.

Also, in the case in which it is necessary to

distinguish between the fastening members 401, the fastening

member 401 installed in the first fastening hole 403-1 is

defined as a first fastening member 401-1, and the fastening

member 401 installed in the second fastening hole 403-1 is

defined as a second fastening member 401-2.

44

88405983.2

The first fastening member 401-1 is fastened to the

front body 310 through the first fastening hole. The second

fastening member 401-2 is fastened to the front body 310

through the second fastening hole.

Before fixing the module body 400 by fastening, a

module hook 405 configured to temporarily fix the position

of the module body 400 is disposed.

The module hook 405 is coupled to the front panel 300,

specifically the front body 310. Specifically, the module

J hook 405 and the front body 310 are caught by each other.

A plurality of module hooks 405 may be disposed at one

module body. In this embodiment, module hooks are disposed

at the outer edge and the front edge of the module body

portion 402. That is, module hooks 405 are disposed outside

the first module body 410 and the second module body 420,

and the module hooks 405 are symmetrical with each other in

the leftward-rightward direction.

The vane module 200 may be temporarily fixed to the

frame body 310 by the module hook 405 of the first module

body 410 and the module hook 405 of the second module body

420.

In the case of fixing using the module hooks 405, a

slight gap may be generated due to the coupling structure

thereof. The fastening member 401 securely fixes the

temporarily fixed module body 400 to the front body 310.

45

88405983.2

The fastening hole 403, in which the fastening member

401 is installed, may be located between the module hooks

405. The fastening hole 403 of the first module body 410

and the fastening hole 403 of the second module body 420 are

disposed between one module hook 405 and the other module

hook 405.

In this embodiment, the module hooks 405 and the

fastening holes 403 are disposed in a line.

Even when the fastening members 401 are removed, the

J state in which the vane module 200 is coupled to the frame

body 310 may be maintained by the module hooks 405.

When it is necessary to separate the vane module at

the time of repair or trouble, the state in which the vane

module 200 is coupled to the frame panel 300 is maintained

even when the fastening member 401 is removed. As a result,

a worker does not need to separately support the vane module

200 at the time of removing the fastening member 401.

Since the vane module 200 is primarily fixed by the

module hook 405 and is secondary fixed by the fastening

member 401, it is possible to greatly improve work

convenience at the time of repair.

The module body portion 402 is disposed horizontally,

and the link installation portion 404 is disposed

vertically. In particular, the link installation portion

404 protrudes upwards from the module body portion 402 in

46

88405983.2 the state of being installed.

The link installation portion 404 of the first module

body 410 and the link installation portion 404 of the second

module body 420 are disposed so as to face each other. The

first vane 210, the second vane 220, the driving link 240,

the first vane link 250, and the second vane link 260 are

installed between the link installation portion 404 of the

first module body 410 and the link installation portion 404

of the second module body 420. The vane motor 230 is

D disposed outside the link installation portion 404 of the

first module body 410 or the link installation portion 404

of the second module body 420.

The vane motor 230 may be installed at only one of the

first module body 410 and the second module body 420. In

this embodiment, the vane motor 230 may be installed at each

of the first module body 410 and the second module body 420.

The first vane 210, the second vane 220, the driving

link 240, the first vane link 250, and the second vane link

260 are coupled between the first module body 410 and the

second module body 420, whereby the vane module 200 is

integrated.

In order to install the vane motor 230, a vane motor

installation portion 406 protruding outside the link

installation portion 404 is disposed. The vane motor 230 is

fixed to the vane motor installation portion 406 by

47

88405983.2 fastening. The vane motor installation portion 406 is formed in the shape of a boss, and the vane motor 230 is fixed to the vane motor installation portion 406. By the provision of the vane motor installation portion 406, the link installation portion 404 and the vane motor 230 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

A driving link coupling portion 407 to which the

driving link 240 is assembled and which provides the center

of rotation to the driving link 240, a first vane link

J coupling portion 408 to which the first vane link 250 is

assembled and which provides the center of rotation to the

first vane link 250, and a second vane coupling portion 409

which is coupled with the second vane 220 and which provides

the center of rotation to the second vane 220 are disposed

at the link installation portion 404.

In this embodiment, each of the driving link coupling

portion 407, the first vane link coupling portion 408, and

the second vane coupling portion 409 is formed in the shape

of a hole. Unlike this embodiment, the same may be formed

in the shape of a boss, and may be realized as any of

various forms that provide a rotary shaft.

Meanwhile, a stopper 270 configured to limit the

rotational angle of the driving link 240 is disposed at the

link installation portion 404. The stopper 270 is disposed

so as to protrude toward the opposite link installation

48

88405983.2 portion 404.

In this embodiment, the stopper 270 interferes with

the driving link 240 at a specific position at the time of

rotation thereof, and limits rotation of the driving link

240. The stopper 270 is located within the radius of

rotation of the driving link 240.

In this embodiment, the stopper 270 is manufactured

integrally with the link installation portion 404. In this

embodiment, the stopper 270 defines the installation

J position of the driving link 240, remains in contact with

the driving link 240 at the time of rotation thereof, and

inhibits vibration or free movement of the driving link 240.

In this embodiment, the stopper 270 is formed in the

shape of an arc.

The driving link 240 is directly connected to the vane

motor 230. A motor shaft (not shown) of the vane motor 230

is directly coupled to the driving link 240, and the

rotation amount of the driving link 240 is determined based

on the rotational angle of the rotary shaft of the vane

motor 230.

The driving link 240 is assembled to the vane motor

230 through the link installation portion 404. In this

embodiment, the driving link 240 extends through the driving

link coupling portion 407.

49

88405983.2

The driving link 240 includes a driving link body 245,

a first driving link shaft 241 disposed at the driving link

body 245, the first driving link shaft being rotatably

coupled to the first vane 210, a core link shaft 243

disposed at the driving link body 245, the core link shaft

being rotatably coupled to the link installation portion 404

(specifically, the driving link coupling portion 407), and a

second driving link shaft 242 disposed at the driving link

body 245, the second driving link shaft being rotatably

J coupled to the second vane link 260.

The driving link body 245 includes a first driving

link body 246, a second driving link body 247, and a core

body 248.

The core link shaft 243 is disposed at the core body

248, the first driving link shaft 241 is disposed at the

first driving link body 246, and the core link shaft 243 is

disposed at the second driving link body 247.

The core body 248 connects the first driving link body

246 and the second driving link body 247 to each other. The

shape of each of the first driving link body 246 and the

second driving link body 247 is not particularly restricted.

In this embodiment, however, each of the first driving link

body 246 and the second driving link body 247 is generally

formed in the shape of a straight line.

The first driving link body 246 is longer than the

50

88405983.2 second driving link body 247.

The core link shaft 243 is rotatably assembled to the

link installation portion 404. The core link shaft 243 is

assembled to the driving link coupling portion 407 formed at

the link installation portion 404. The core link shaft 243

may be rotated relative to the driving link coupling portion

407 in the state of being coupled thereto.

The first driving link shaft 241 is rotatably

assembled to the first vane 210. The second driving link

J shaft 242 is rotatably assembled to the second vane link

260.

The first driving link shaft 241 and the second

driving link shaft 242 protrude in the same direction. The

core link shaft 243 protrudes in the direction opposite the

first driving link shaft 241 and the second driving link

shaft 242.

The first driving link body 246 and the second driving

link body 247 have a predetermined angle therebetween. An

imaginary straight line joining the first driving link shaft

241 and the core link shaft 243 to each other and an

imaginary straight line joining the core link shaft 243 and

the second driving link shaft 242 to each other have a

predetermined angle E therebetween. The angle E is greater

than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

The first driving link shaft 241 has a structure in

51

88405983.2 which the driving link body 245 and the first vane 210 can be rotated relative thereto. In this embodiment, the first driving link shaft 241 is formed integrally with the driving link body 245. Unlike this embodiment, the first driving link shaft 241 may be manufactured integrally with the first vane 210 or the joint rib 214.

The core link shaft 243 has a structure in which the

driving link body 245 and the module body (specifically, the

link installation portion 404) can be rotated relative

J thereto. In this embodiment, the core link shaft 243 is

formed integrally with the driving link body 245.

The second driving link shaft 242 has a structure in

which the second vane link 260 and the driving link 240 can

be rotated relative thereto. In this embodiment, the second

driving link shaft 242 is formed integrally with the driving

link body 245. Unlike this embodiment, the second driving

link shaft 242 may be manufactured integrally with the

second vane link 260.

In this embodiment, the second driving link shaft 242

is disposed at the second driving link body 247. The second

driving link shaft 242 is disposed opposite the first

driving link shaft 241 on the basis of the core link shaft

243.

An imaginary straight line joining the first driving

link shaft 241 and the core link shaft 243 to each other and

52

88405983.2 an imaginary straight line joining the core link shaft 243 and the second driving link shaft 242 to each other have a predetermined angle E therebetween. The angle E is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

In this embodiment, the first vane link 250 is made of

a strong material, and is formed in the shape of a straight

line. Unlike this embodiment, the first vane link 250 may

be curved.

D The first vane link 250 includes a first vane link

body 255, a 1-1 vane link shaft 251 disposed at the first

vane link body 255, the 1-1 vane link shaft being assembled

to the first vane 210, the 1-1 vane link shaft being

configured to be rotated relative to the first vane 210, and

a 1-2 vane link shaft 252 disposed at the first vane link

body 255, the 1-2 vane link shaft being assembled to the

module body 400 (specifically, the link installation portion

404), the 1-2 vane link shaft being configured to be rotated

relative to the module body 400.

The 1-1 vane link shaft 251 protrudes toward the first

vane 210. The 1-1 vane link shaft 251 may be assembled to

the first vane 210, and may be rotated relative to the first

vane 210.

The 1-2 vane link shaft 252 is assembled to the link

installation portion 404 of the module body 400.

53

88405983.2

Specifically, the 1-2 vane link shaft 252 may be assembled

to the first vane link coupling portion 408, and may be

rotated relative to the first vane link coupling portion

408.

In this embodiment, the second vane link 260 is made

of a strong material, and is formed in the shape of a

straight line. Unlike this embodiment, the first vane link

250 may be curved.

D The second vane link 260 includes a second vane link

body 265, a 2-1 vane link shaft 261 disposed at the second

vane link body 265, the 2-1 vane link shaft being assembled

to the second vane 220, the 2-1 vane link shaft being

configured to be rotated relative to the second vane 220,

and a 2-2 vane link journal 262 disposed at the second vane

link body 265, the 2-2 vane link journal being assembled to

the driving link 240 (specifically, the second driving link

shaft 242), the 2-2 vane link journal being configured to be

rotated relative to the driving link 240.

In this embodiment, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 is

formed in the shape of a hole formed through the second vane

link body 265. Since the 2-2 vane link journal 262 and the

second driving link shaft 242 have relative structures, one

is formed in the shape of a shaft and the other is formed in

the shape of a hole having the center of rotation. Unlike

54

88405983.2 this embodiment, therefore, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 may be formed in the shape of a shaft, and the second driving link shaft may be formed in the shape of a hole.

In all constructions that can be coupled to the

driving link, the first vane link, and the second vane link

so as to be rotated relative thereto, substitution of the

above construction is possible, and therefore a description

of modifiable examples thereof will be omitted.

For description, the direction in which air is

discharged is defined as the front, and the direction

opposite thereto is defined as the rear. In addition, the

ceiling side is defined as the upper side, and the floor is

defined as the lower side.

In this embodiment, the first vane 210 and the second

vane 220 are disposed in order to control the flow direction

of air that is discharged from the discharge port 102. The

relative disposition and relative angle between the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 are changed according to

steps of the vane motor 230. In this embodiment, the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 provide six discharge steps

P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 in pairs according to steps of

the vane motor 230.

The discharge steps P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 are

defined as states in which the first vane 210 and the second

55

88405983.2 vane 220 are stationary, rather than moved. In this embodiment, on the other hand, moving steps may be provided.

The moving steps result from a combination of the six

discharge steps P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6, and are defined

as the current of air provided by the operation of the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220.

The first vane 210 is disposed between the link

installation portion 404 of the first module body 410 and

D the link installation portion 404 of the second module body

420.

When the indoor unit is not operated, the first vane

210 covers most of the discharge port 210. Unlike this

embodiment, the first vane 210 may be manufactured so as to

cover the entirety of the discharge port 210.

The first vane 210 is coupled to the driving link 240

and the first vane link 250.

The driving link 240 and the first vane link 250 are

disposed at one side and the other side of the first vane

210, respectively.

The first vane 210 is rotated relative to the driving

link 240 and the first vane link 250.

When it is necessary to distinguish between the

positions of the driving link 240 and the first vane link

250, the driving link 240 coupled to the first module body

56

88405983.2

410 is defined as a first driving link, and the first vane

link 250 coupled to the first module body 410 is defined as

a 1-1 vane link. The driving link 240 coupled to the second

module body 420 is defined as a second driving link, and the

first vane link 250 coupled to the second module body 420 is

defined as a 1-2 vane link.

The first vane 210 includes a first vane body 212

formed so as to extend long in the longitudinal direction of

the discharge port 102 and a joint rib 214 protruding

D upwards from the first vane body 212, the driving link 240

and the first vane link 250 being coupled to the joint rib.

The first vane body 212 may be formed so as to have a

gently curved surface.

The first vane body 212 controls the direction of air

that is discharged along the discharge channel 104. The

discharged air collides with the upper surface or the lower

surface of the first vane body 212, whereby the flow

direction thereof may be guided.

The flow direction of the discharged air and the

longitudinal direction of the first vane body 212 are

perpendicular to each other or intersect each other.

The joint rib 214 is an installation structure for

coupling between the driving link 240 and the first vane

link 250. The joint rib 214 is disposed at each of one side

and the other side of the first vane 210.

57

88405983.2

The joint rib 214 is formed so as to protrude upwards

from the upper surface of the first vane body 212. The

joint rib 214 is formed in the flow direction of discharged

air, and minimizes resistance to the discharged air.

Consequently, the joint rib 214 is perpendicular to or

intersects the longitudinal direction of the first vane body

212.

The joint rib 214 is formed such that the air

discharge side (the front) of the joint rib is low and the

J air entrance side (the rear) of the joint rib is high. In

this embodiment, the joint rib 214 is formed such that the

side of the joint rib to which the driving link 240 is

coupled is high and the side of the joint rib to which the

first vane link 250 is coupled is low.

The joint rib 214 has a second joint portion 217

rotatably coupled with the driving link 240 and a first

joint portion 216 rotatably coupled with the first vane link

250.

The joint rib 214 may be manufactured integrally with

the first vane body 212.

In this embodiment, each of the first joint portion

216 and the second joint portion 217 is formed in the shape

of a hole, and is formed through the joint rib 214.

Each of the first joint portion 216 and the second

joint portion 217 is a structure in which axial coupling or

58

88405983.2 hinge coupling is possible, and may be changed into any of various forms.

When viewed from the front, the second joint portion

217 is located higher than the first joint portion 216.

The second joint portion 217 is located further

rearwards than the first joint portion 216. The first

driving link shaft 241 is assembled to the second joint

portion 217. The second joint portion 217 and the first

driving link shaft 241 are assembled so as to be rotatable

J relative to each other. In this embodiment, the first

driving link shaft 241 is assembled through the second joint

portion 217.

The 1-1 vane link shaft 251 is assembled to the first

joint portion 216.

The first joint portion 216 and the 1-1 vane link

shaft 251 are assembled so as to be rotatable relative to

each other. In this embodiment, the 1-1 vane link shaft 251

is assembled through the first joint portion 216.

When viewed in a top view, the driving link 250 and

the first vane link 250 are disposed between the joint rib

214 and the link installation portion 404.

In this embodiment, the distance between the first

joint portion 216 and the second joint portion 217 is less

than the distance between the core link shaft 243 and the 1

2 vane link shaft 252.

59

88405983.2

The second vane 220 includes a second vane body 222

formed so as to extend long in the longitudinal direction of

the discharge port 102, a joint rib 224 protruding upwards

from the second vane body 222, the joint rib 224 being

coupled to the second vane link 260 so as to be rotatable

relative thereto, and a second vane shaft 221 formed at the

second vane body 222, the second vane shaft being rotatably

coupled to the link installation portion 404.

J The joint rib 224 is a structure in which axial

coupling or hinge coupling is possible, and may be changed

into any of various forms. A hole formed in the second

joint rib 224 and coupled to the second vane link 220 so as

to be rotatable relative thereto is defined as a third joint

portion 226.

In this embodiment, the third joint portion 226 is

formed in the shape of a hole, and is formed through the

joint rib 224. The third joint portion 226 is a structure

in which axial coupling or hinge coupling is possible, and

may be changed into any of various forms.

In the case in which it is necessary to distinguish

between the joint rib 214 of the first vane and the joint

rib 224 of the second vane, the joint rib of the first vane

is defined as a first joint rib 214, and the joint rib of

the second vane is defined as a second joint rib 224.

60

88405983.2

The second vane 220 may be rotated about the second

joint rib 224, and may also be rotated about the second vane

shaft 221. That is, the second vane 220 may be rotated

relative to each of the second joint rib 224 and the second

vane shaft 221.

When viewed in a top view, the second joint rib 224 is

located further forwards than the second vane shaft 221.

The second joint rib 224 is moved along a predetermined

orbit about the second vane shaft 221.

J The second vane body 222 may be formed so as to be

gently curved.

The second vane body 222 controls the direction of air

that is discharged along the discharge channel 104. The

discharged air collides with the upper surface or the lower

surface of the second vane body 222, whereby the flow

direction thereof is guided.

The flow direction of the discharged air and the

longitudinal direction of the second vane body 222 are

perpendicular to each other or intersect each other.

When viewed in a top view, at least a portion of the

second vane body 222 may be located between the first joint

portions 212 ("216"1 271i101I) of the first vane 210.

This is necessary to prevent interference when the

second vane 220 is located at the upper side of the first

vane 210. The front end of the second vane body 222 is

61

88405983.2 located between the first joint portions 214. That is, the front length of the second vane body 222 is less than the length between the first joint portions 214.

The second joint rib 224 is an installation structure

for assembly with the second vane link 260. The second

joint rib 224 is disposed at each of one side and the other

side of the second vane body 222.

The second joint rib 224 is coupled to the second vane

link 260 so as to be rotatable relative thereto. In this

J embodiment, the third joint portion 226 and the second vane

link 260 are axially coupled to each other so as to be

rotatable relative thereto.

The second joint rib 224 is formed so as to protrude

upwards from the upper surface of the second vane body 222.

The second joint rib 224 is preferably formed in the flow

direction of discharged air. Consequently, the second joint

rib 224 is disposed so as to perpendicular to or intersect

the longitudinal direction of the second vane body 222.

The second vane 220 is rotated about the second vane

shaft 221. The second vane shaft 221 is formed at each of

one side and the other side of the second vane body 222.

One second vane shaft 221 protrudes toward the link

installation portion 404 disposed at one side, and the other

second vane shaft 221 protrudes toward the link installation

portion 404 disposed at the other side.

62

88405983.2

The second vane coupling portion 411 rotatably coupled

to the second vane shaft 221 is disposed at the module body

400. In this embodiment, the second vane coupling portion

411 is formed in the shape of a hole formed through the

module body 400.

The second vane shaft 221 is located further rearwards

than the second joint rib 224. The second vane link 260,

the driving link 240, and the first vane line 250 are

sequentially disposed in front of the second vane shaft 221.

J In addition, the driving link coupling portion 407 and

the first vane link coupling portion 408 are sequentially

disposed in front of the second vane coupling portion 411.

The coupling structure and the separation structure of

the vane module will be described in more detail with

reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 15.

When the suction grill 320 is separated in the state

of FIG. 1, four vane modules 200 are exposed, as shown in

FIG. 15. The suction grill 320 is separably assembled to

the front body 310.

The suction grill 320 may be separated from the front

body 310 using various methods.

The suction grill 320 may be separated using a method

of separating and rotating one edge of the suction grill on

the basis of the other edge of the suction grill. In

63

88405983.2 another method, the suction grill 320 may be separated from the front body 310 through release of catching in the state of being caught by the front body. In a further method, coupling between the suction grill 200 and the front body

310 may be maintained by magnetic force.

In this embodiment, the suction grill 320 may be moved

in the upward-downward direction by an elevator 500

installed at the front body 310. The elevator 500 is

connected to the suction grill 320 via a wire (not shown).

J The wire may be wound or unwound by operation of the

elevator 500, whereby the suction grill 320 may be moved

downwards or upwards.

A plurality of elevators 500 is disposed, and the

elevators 500 simultaneously move opposite sides of the

suction grill 320.

When the suction grill 320 is moved downwards, the

first module body 410 and the second module body 420, hidden

by the suction grill 320, are exposed.

In the state in which the suction grill 320 is

assembled to the front body 310, at least one of the first

vane 210 or the second vane 220 of the vane module 200 may

be exposed.

When the indoor unit is not operated, only the first

vane 210 is exposed to the user. When the indoor unit is

operated and air is discharged, the second vane 220 may be

64

88405983.2 selectively exposed to the user.

In the state in which the suction grill 320 is

assembled to the front body 310, the first module body 410

and the second module body 420 of the vane module 200 are

hidden by the suction grill 320.

Since the fastening holes 403 are disposed at the

first module body 410 and the second module body 420, the

fastening holes 403 are hidden by the suction grill 320 so

as not to be visible to the user.

J Since the first module body 410 and the second module

body 420 are located at the upper side of the grill corner

portion 327 constituting the suction grill 320, the grill

corner portion 327 prevents the first module body 410 and

the second module body 420 from being exposed outside.

The grill corner portion 327 also prevents the

fastening holes 403 formed in the first module body 410 and

the second module body 420 from being exposed outside.

Since the grill corner portion 327 is located at the lower

side of the fastening holes 403, the fastening holes 403 are

hidden by the grill corner portion 327.

More specifically, the suction grill 320 includes a

grill body 322 disposed at the lower side of the suction

port 101, the grill body communicating with the suction port

101 through a plurality of grill holes 321, the grill body

being formed in a quadrangular shape, and a first grill

65

88405983.2 corner portion 327-1, a second grill corner portion 327-2, a third grill corner portion 327-3, and a fourth grill corner portion 327-4 formed at the corners of the grill body 322 so as to extend in the diagonal direction.

The vane module 200 includes a first vane module 201

disposed outside one edge of the suction grill 320, the

first vane module being disposed between the first grill

corner portion 327-1 and the second grill corner portion

327-2, a second vane module 202 disposed outside one edge of

D the suction grill 320, the second vane module being disposed

between the second grill corner portion 327-2 and the third

grill corner portion 327-3, a third vane module 203 disposed

outside one edge of the suction grill 320, the third vane

module being disposed between the third grill corner portion

327-3 and the fourth grill corner portion 327-4, and a

fourth vane module 204 disposed outside one edge of the

suction grill 320, the fourth vane module being disposed

between the fourth grill corner portion 327-4 and the first

grill corner portion 327-1.

The first module body 410 and the second module body

420 disposed between the first vane module 201 and the

second vane module 202 are located at the upper side of the

first grill corner portion 327-1, and are hidden by the

first grill corner portion 327-1. Specifically, the second

module body of the first vane module and the first module

66

88405983.2 body of the second vane module are disposed at the upper side of the first grill corner portion.

The first module body and the second module body

disposed between the second vane module 202 and the third

vane module 203 are located at the upper side of the second

grill corner portion 327-2, and are hidden by the second

grill corner portion 327-2. Specifically, the second module

body of the second vane module and the first module body of

the third vane module are disposed at the upper side of the

J second grill corner portion.

The first module body and the second module body

disposed between the third vane module 203 and the fourth

vane module 204 are located at the upper side of the third

grill corner portion 327-3, and are hidden by the third

grill corner portion 327-3. Specifically, the second module

body of the third vane module and the first module body of

the fourth vane module are disposed at the upper side of the

third grill corner portion.

The first module body and the second module body

disposed between the fourth vane module 204 and the first

vane module 201 are located at the upper side of the fourth

grill corner portion 327-4, and are hidden by the fourth

grill corner portion 327-4. Specifically, the second module

body of the fourth vane module and the first module body of

the first vane module are disposed at the upper side of the

67

88405983.2 fourth grill corner portion.

Referring to FIG. 15, the vane module 200 disposed in

the 12 o'clock direction is defined as a first vane module

201, the vane module 200 disposed in the 3 o'clock direction

is defined as a second vane module 202, the vane module 200

disposed in the 6 o'clock direction is defined as a third

vane module 203, and the vane module 200 disposed in the 9

o'clock direction is defined as a fourth vane module 204.

The first vane module 201, the second vane module 202,

J the third vane module 203, and the fourth vane module 204

are disposed at intervals of 90 degrees about the center C

of the front panel 300.

The first vane module 201 and the third vane module

203 are disposed parallel to each other, and the second vane

module 202 and the fourth vane module 204 are disposed

parallel to each other.

Four side covers 314 are disposed at the front body

310. For convenience of description, the side cover 314

disposed outside the first vane module 201 is defined as a

first side cover 314-1, the side cover 314 disposed outside

the second vane module 202 is defined as a second side cover

314-2, the side cover 314 disposed outside the third vane

module 203 is defined as a third side cover 314-3, and the

side cover 314 disposed outside the fourth vane module 204

is defined as a fourth side cover 314-4.

68

88405983.2

Each side cover 314 is assembled to one edge of the

front frame 312, is located at the lower side of the front

frame 312, is exposed outside, and is disposed outside a

corresponding vane module 202.

The corner cover 316 disposed between the first vane

module 201 and second vane module 202 is defined as a first

corner cover 316-1. The corner cover 316 disposed between

the second vane module 202 and the third vane module 203 is

defined as a second corner cover 316-2. The corner cover

J 316 disposed between the third vane module 203 and the

fourth vane module 204 is defined as a third corner cover

316-3. The corner cover 316 disposed between the fourth

vane module 204 and the first vane module 201 is defined as

a fourth corner cover 316-4.

The first corner cover 316-1 is assembled to one

corner of the front frame 312, is located at the lower side

of the front frame 312, is located between the first side

cover 314-1 and the second side cover 314-2, and is exposed

outside.

The second corner cover 316-2 is assembled to one

corner of the front frame 312, is located at the lower side

of the front frame 312, is located between the second side

cover 314-2 and the third side cover 314-3, and is exposed

outside.

The third corner cover 316-3 is assembled to one

69

88405983.2 corner of the front frame 312, is located at the lower side of the front frame 312, is located between the third side cover 314-3 and the fourth side cover 314-4, and is exposed outside.

The fourth corner cover 316-4 is assembled to one

corner of the front frame 312, is located at the lower side

of the front frame 312, is located between the fourth side

cover 314-4 and the first side cover 314-1, and is exposed

outside.

D The first corner cover 316-1 and the third corner

cover 316-3 are disposed about the center C of the front

panel 300 in the diagonal direction, and are disposed so as

to face each other. The second corner cover 316-2 and the

fourth corner cover 316-4 are disposed about the center C of

the front panel 300 in the diagonal direction, and are

disposed so as to face each other.

Imaginary diagonal lines passing through the center of

the front panel 300 are defined as P1 and P2. P1 is an

imaginary line joining the first corner cover 316-1 and the

third corner cover 316-3 to each other, and P2 is an

imaginary line joining the second corner cover 316-2 and the

fourth corner cover 316-4 to each other.

A first grill corner portion 327-1, a second grill

corner portion 327-2, a third grill corner portion 327-3,

and a fourth grill corner portion 327-4 formed so as to

70

88405983.2 extend towards corners are disposed at the suction panel

320.

On the basis of the grill corner portions, the first

vane module 201 is disposed outside one edge of the suction

grill 320, and is disposed between the first grill corner

portion 327-1 and the second grill corner portion 327-2.

The second vane module 202 is disposed outside one

edge of the suction grill, and is disposed between the

second grill corner portion 327-2 and the third grill corner

J portion 327-3.

The third vane module 203 is disposed outside one edge

of the suction grill, and is disposed between the third

grill corner portion 327-3 and the fourth grill corner

portion 327-4.

The fourth vane module 204 is disposed outside one

edge of the suction grill, and is disposed between the

fourth grill corner portion 327-4 and the first grill corner

portion 327-1.

The first grill corner portion 327-1 is formed so as

to extend toward the first corner cover 316-1, and has a

surface continuously connected to the outer surface of the

first corner cover 316-1.

The grill corner border 326 of the first grill corner

portion 327-1 is opposite the corner decoration inner border

317 of the first corner cover 316-1, and defines a corner

71

88405983.2 decoration inner border gap 317a.

The grill corner borders 326 of the other grill corner

portions 327 are opposite the corner decoration inner

borders 317 of the other corner cover 316, and define corner

decoration inner border gaps 317a.

The first module body 410 and the second module body

420 are located inside the corner cover 316 (specifically,

at the center C side of the front panel). In particular,

the first module body 410 and the second module body 420 are

D disposed so as to face each other on the basis of the

imaginary diagonal lines P1 and P2.

Specifically, the first module body 410 of the first

vane module 201 and the second module body 420 of the fourth

vane module 204 are disposed so as to face each other on the

basis of the imaginary diagonal line P2.

The first module body 410 of the second vane module

202 and the second module body 420 of the first vane module

201 are disposed so as to face each other on the basis of

the imaginary diagonal line Pl.

The first module body 410 of the third vane module 201

and the second module body 420 of the second vane module 202

are disposed so as to face each other on the basis of the

imaginary diagonal line P2.

The first module body 410 of the fourth vane module

204 and the second module body 420 of the third vane module

72

88405983.2

203 are disposed so as to face each other on the basis of

the imaginary diagonal line Pl.

Meanwhile, the suction grill 320 is located at the

lower side of the first module bodies 410 and the second

module bodies 420, and conceals the first module bodies 410

and the second module bodies 420 so as not to be exposed.

That is, in the case in which the suction grill 320 is in

tight contact with the front body 310, the first module

bodies 410 and the second module bodies 420 are hidden by

D the suction grill 320 and thus are not exposed to the user.

Since the first module bodies 410 and the second

module bodies 420 are hidden, the fastening holes 403 formed

in the first module bodies 410 and the second module bodies

420 are hidden by the suction grill 320 and thus are not

exposed to the user.

The suction grill 320 has four grill corner portions

327 disposed so as to face the respective corner covers 316.

Each grill corner portion 327 is disposed so as to be

opposite a corresponding one of the corner covers 316.

The grill corner portion 327 disposed so as to be

opposite the first corner cover 316-1 is defined as a first

grill corner portion 327-1, the grill corner portion 327

disposed so as to be opposite the second corner cover 316-2

is defined as a first grill corner portion 327-2 , the grill

corner portion 327 disposed so as to be opposite the third

73

88405983.2 corner cover 316-3 is defined as a third grill corner portion 327-3, and the grill corner portion 327 disposed so as to be opposite the fourth corner cover 316-4 is defined as a fourth grill corner portion 327-4.

When viewed in a bottom view, the plurality of module

bodies 400 is located at the upper side of the grill corner

portion 327, and is hidden by the grill corner portion 327.

In particular, the grill side border 325 defining the

edge of the grill corner portion 327 is disposed so as to

D face the corner decoration inner border 317 defining the

inner edge of the corner cover 316, and the curved shapes

thereof correspond to each other.

In the same manner, the grill corner border 326

defining the edge of the grill corner portion 327 is

disposed so as to face the inner edge of the first vane 210,

and the curved shapes thereof correspond to each other.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, a permanent magnet 318

and a magnetic force fixing portion 328 are disposed in

order to maintain the state in which the suction grill 320

is in tight contact with the front body 310.

One of the permanent magnet 318 and the magnetic force

fixing portion 328 may be disposed at the front body 310,

and the other of the magnetic force fixing portion 328 and

the permanent magnet 318 may be disposed at the upper

surface of each grill corner portion 327.

74

88405983.2

The permanent magnet 318 and the magnetic force fixing

portion 328 are located at the upper side of each grill

corner portion 327, and are hidden by each grill corner

portion 327. Since the permanent magnet 318 and the

magnetic force fixing portion 328 are located outside each

corner of the suction grill 320, the distance between the

suction grill 320 and the front body 310 may be minimized.

In the case in which the suction grill 320 and the

front body 310 are spaced apart from each other, pressure in

J the suction channel 103 is reduced.

In this embodiment, the permanent magnet 318 is

disposed at the front body 310. Specifically, the permanent

magnet is disposed at the corner frame 313.

The magnetic force fixing portion 328 is made of a

metal material capable of generating attractive force

through interaction with the permanent magnet 318. The

magnetic force fixing portion 328 is disposed at the upper

surface of the suction grill 320. Specifically, the

magnetic force fixing portion 328 is disposed at the upper

surface of the grill corner portion 327.

When the suction grill 320 is moved upwards and

approaches the permanent magnet 318, the permanent magnet

318 attracts the magnetic force fixing portion 328 to fix

the suction grill 320. Magnetic force of the permanent

magnet 318 is less than weight of the suction grill 320.

75

88405983.2

When the suction grill 320 is not pulled by the elevator

500, therefore, coupling between the permanent magnet 318

and the magnetic force fixing portion 328 is released.

When viewed in a top view or a bottom view, the

permanent magnet 318 is disposed on the imaginary diagonal

lines P1 and P2. The permanent magnet 318 is located inside

the corner cover 316.

When viewed in a top view or a bottom view, one of

four permanent magnets 318 is disposed between the first

J module body 410 of the first vane module 201 and the second

module body 420 of the fourth vane module 204. The other

three permanent magnets are also disposed between the first

module bodies 410 and the second module bodies 420 of the

respective vane modules.

The permanent magnet 318 and the magnetic force fixing

portion 328 are located at the upper side of each grill

corner portion 327, and are hidden by each grill corner

portion 327.

In this embodiment, when the indoor unit is not

operated (the indoor blowing fan is not operated), in each

vane module 200, as shown, the second vane 220 is located at

the upper side of the first vane 210, and the first vane 210

covers the discharge port 102. The lower surface of the

first vane 210 forms a continuous surface with the lower

76

88405983.2 surface of the suction grill 320 and the lower surface of the side cover 314.

When the indoor unit is not operated, the second vane

220 is concealed when viewed from the outside, since the

second vane is located at the upper side of the first vane

210. Only when the indoor unit is operated, the second vane

220 is exposed to the user. When the indoor unit is not

operated, therefore, the second vane 220 is located in the

discharge channel 104, and the first vane 210 covers most of

D the discharge port 102.

Although the first vane 210 covers most of the

discharge port 102 in this embodiment, the first vane 210

may be formed so as to cover the entirety of the discharge

port 102 depending on design.

When the indoor blowing fan is operated in the state

in which the second vane 220 is received, the vane motor 230

is operated, and the first vane 210 and the second vane 220

may provide one of the six discharge steps P1, P2, P3, P4,

P5, and P6.

The state in which the indoor unit is stopped and thus

the vane module 200 is not operated is defined as a stop

step P0.

In stop step P0, the vane module 200 is not operated.

When the indoor unit is not operated, the vane module 200 is

77

88405983.2 maintained in stop step PO.

In stop step P0, in the vane module 200, the vane

motor 230 maximally rotates the driving link 240 in a first

direction (in the clockwise direction in the figures of this

embodiment).

At this time, the second driving link body 247

constituting the driving link 240 is supported by one end

271 of the stopper 270, whereby further rotation of the

driving link in the first direction is limited.

D In order to prevent excessive rotation of the driving

link 240, the second driving link body 247 and the other end

270b of the stopper 270 interfere with each other in stop

step PG. The second driving link body 247 is supported by

the stopper 270, whereby further rotation of the driving

link is limited.

The driving link 240 is rotated about the core link

shaft 243 in the first direction, and the first vane link

250 is rotated about the 1-2 vane link shaft 252 in the

first direction.

The first vane 210 is rotated while being restrained

by the driving link 240 and the first vane link 250, and is

located in the discharge port 102. The lower surface of the

first vane 210 forms a continuous surface with the suction

panel 320 and the side cover 314.

In stop step P0, the second vane 220 is located at the

78

88405983.2 upper side of the first vane 210. When viewed from above, the second vane 220 is located between the first joints 214, and is located at the upper side of the first vane body 212.

In stop step P0, the driving link 240, the first vane

link 250, and the second vane link 260 are located at the

upper side of the first vane 210. The driving link 240, the

first vane link 250, and the second vane link 260 are hidden

by the first vane 210 and thus are not visible from the

outside. That is, in stop step P0, the first vane 210

D covers the discharge port 102, and prevents parts

constituting the vane module 200 from being exposed outside.

In stop step P0, the driving link 240 is maximally

rotated in the clockwise direction, and the second vane line

260 is maximally moved upwards.

When the indoor unit is not operated, the second vane

220 is concealed when viewed from the outside, since the

second vane is located at the upper side of the first vane

210. Only when the indoor unit is operated, the second vane

220 is exposed to the user.

The positional relationship between the shafts forming

the centers of rotation of the respective links in stop step

P0 will be described.

First, the first joint portion 216 and the second

joint portion 217 of the first vane 210 are disposed

approximately horizontally. The second joint rib 224 of the

79

88405983.2 second vane 220 is located at the upper side of the first joint rib 214.

When viewed from the side, the second joint rib 224 is

located at the upper side of the second joint portion 217

and the first joint portion 216, and is located between the

first joint portion 216 and the second joint portion 217.

Since the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is coupled to the

second joint rib 224, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is also

located at the upper side of the second joint portion 217

J and the first joint portion 216.

The first joint portion 216 and the second joint

portion 217 are located at the upper side of the first vane

body 212, and are located at the lower side of the second

vane body 222.

In the state in which the indoor unit is stopped, the

second vane 220 is located at the upper side of the first

vane 210, and the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is located at the

upper side of the first driving link shaft 241 and the 1-1

vane link shaft 252.

In addition, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is located

higher than the second vane shaft 221, and the 2-2 vane link

journal 262 is located higher than the 2-1 vane link shaft

261.

The 2-2 vane link journal 262 is located at the upper

side of the 2-1 vane link shaft 261, and is located at the

80

88405983.2 upper side of the core link shaft 243.

Next, relative positions and directions of the

respective links in stop step PO will be described.

The first vane link 250 and the second vane link 260

are disposed in the same direction. The upper end of each

of the first vane link 250 and the second vane link 260 is

located at the front side in the discharge direction of air,

and the rear end thereof is located at the rear side in the

discharge direction of air.

D Specifically, the 1-2 vane link shaft 252 of the first

vane link 250 is located at the front side, and the 1-1 vane

link shaft 251 of the first vane link 250 is located at the

rear side. The 1-2 vane link shaft 252 of the first vane

link 250 is located higher than the 1-1 vane link shaft 251.

The first vane link 250 is disposed so as to be inclined

rearwards and downwards from the 1-2 vane link shaft 252.

In the same manner, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 of

the second vane link 260 is located at the front side, and

the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 of the second vane link 260 is

located at the rear side. The 2-2 vane link journal 262 of

the second vane link 260 is located higher than the 2-1 vane

link shaft 261. The second vane link 260 is disposed so as

to be inclined rearwards and downwards from the 2-2 vane

link journal 262.

The first driving link body 246 of the driving link

81

88405983.2

240 is disposed in the same direction as the first vane link

250 and the second vane link 260, and the second driving

link body 247 intersects the disposition direction of the

first vane link 250 and the second vane link 260.

In stop step PO, the driving link 240 is rotated in a

second direction (in the counterclockwise direction in the

figures of this embodiment), which is opposite the first

direction, to provide discharge step Pl.

] In discharge step P1, the vane module 200 may provide

horizontal wind.

In the state of the horizontal wind, air discharged

from the discharge port 102 may be guided by the first vane

210 and the second vane 220 and may flow in the direction

parallel with the ceiling or the floor. In the case in

which the discharged air flows as the horizontal wind, it is

possible to maximize the flow distance of the air.

Discharge step P1 may provide horizontal wind, and the

flow in which discharged air flows along the ceiling of the

room, flows downwards toward the floor after colliding with

the wall of the room, and returns to the indoor unit after

colliding with the floor may be formed.

That is, discharge step P1 does not directly provide

air to a person in the room but provides indirect wind to

the person in the room.

82

88405983.2

In discharge step P1, the upper surfaces of the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 may form a continuous

surface. In discharge step P1, the first vane 210 and the

second vane 220 are connected to each other like a single

vane, and guide the discharged air.

When the vane module 200 provides discharge step P1,

which is one of the plurality of discharge steps, the first

vane 210 is located at the lower side of the discharge port

102, and the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is

D located higher than the rear end 212a of the first vane 210.

The upper surface of the second vane 220 is located

higher than the upper surface of the first vane 210.

In this embodiment, the first vane 210 is located at

the front side in the flow direction of the discharged air,

and the second vane 220 is located at the rear side in the

flow direction of the discharged air. The front end 222a of

the second vane 220 may be adjacent to or may contact the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210. In discharge step P1,

the distance Si between the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 and the rear end 212b of the first vane 210 may be

minimized.

The rear end 222b of the second vane is located higher

than the discharge port 102, the front end 222a of the

second vane is located lower than the discharge port 102,

and the rear end 212b of the first vane is located lower

83

88405983.2 than the front end 222a of the second vane.

In discharge step P1, the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 is located higher than the rear end 212b of the

first vane 210.

In the case in which the front end 222a and the rear

end 212b are adjacent to or contact each other, leakage of

the discharged air between the first vane 210 and the second

vane 220 may be minimized.

In this embodiment, the front end 222a and the rear

J end 212b are adjacent to each other, but do not contact each

other.

When the vane module 200 forms the horizontal wind in

discharge step P1, intensity of the horizontal wind may be

increased, since the first vane 210 and the second vane 220

are connected to each other and operated like a single vane.

That is, since the discharged air is guided along the upper

surface of the second vane 220 and the upper surface of the

first vane 210 in the horizontal direction, directivity of

the discharged air may be further improved than the case in

which the horizontal wind is formed using a single vane.

When forming the horizontal wind, the second vane 220

is disposed so as to be further inclined in the upward

downward direction than the first vane 210.

In the state of the horizontal wind, it is

advantageous that the first vane 210 be located lower than

84

88405983.2 the discharge port 102 and the second vane 220 be disposed so as to overlap the discharge port 102, when viewed from the side.

In discharge step P1, the second vane 220 is rotated

in place about the second vane shaft 221; however, the first

vane 210 is turned (swung) in the discharge direction of

air, since the first vane is assembled to the driving link

240 and the first vane link 250.

When P0 is switched to P1, the second vane 220 is

D rotated about the second vane shaft 221, the first vane 210

is moved downwards while advancing in the discharge

direction of air, and the front end 212a of the first vane

is turned in the first direction (the clockwise direction in

the figures).

Through rotation of the driving link 240 and the first

vane link 250, the first vane 210 may be moved to the lower

side of the discharge port 102, and the first vane 210 may

be disposed approximately horizontally. Since a vane of a

conventional indoor unit is rotated in place, it is not

possible to realize disposition of the first vane 210 in

this embodiment.

When the vane motor 230 rotates the driving link 240

in the second direction (the counterclockwise direction) in

stop step P0, the second vane link 260 coupled to the

driving link 240 is rotated in response to the driving link

85

88405983.2

240.

Specifically, when stop step PO is switched to

discharge step P1, the driving link 240 is rotated in the

counterclockwise direction, the first vane line 210 is

rotated in the counterclockwise direction in response to

rotation of the driving link 240, and the second vane link

220 is moved downwards while being rotated relative thereto.

Since the second vane 220 is assembled to the second

vane shaft 221 and the second vane link 260 so as to be

D rotatable relative thereto, the second vane is rotated about

the second vane shaft 221 in the clockwise direction due to

downward movement of the second vane link 220.

When stop step PO is switched to discharge step P1 in

order to form the horizontal wind, the first vane 210 and

the second vane 220 are rotated in opposite directions.

In discharge step P1, the vane motor 230 is rotated 78

degrees (P1 rotational angle), and the first vane 210 has an

inclination of about 16 degrees (first vane P1 inclination)

and the second vane 220 has an inclination of about 56.3

degrees (second vane P1 inclination) by rotation of the vane

motor 230.

The positional relationship between the shafts forming

the centers of rotation of the respective links in discharge

step P1 will be described.

First, the second joint portion 217 and the first

86

88405983.2 joint portion 216 of the first vane 210 are disposed so as to be inclined forwards in the discharge direction of air, unlike PO. When viewed from the side, the third joint portion 226 of the second vane 220 is disposed at the rearmost side, the first joint portion 216 is disposed at the frontmost side, and the second joint portion 217 is disposed between the first joint portion 216 and the third joint portion 226.

The 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is located lower than the

J second vane shaft 221, the first driving link shaft 241 is

located lower than the 2-1 vane link shaft 261, and the 1-1

vane link shaft 251 is located lower than the first driving

link shaft 241.

In P1, the third joint portion 226, the second joint

portion 217, and the first joint portion 216 are disposed in

a line, and are disposed so as to face forwards and

downwards in the discharge direction of air. When providing

discharge step P1, the second vane shaft 221, the 2-1 vane

link shaft 261, the first driving link shaft 241, and the 1

1 vane link shaft 251 are disposed in a line.

In some embodiments, the third joint portion 226, the

second joint portion 217, and the first joint portion 216

may not be disposed in a line.

In addition, the second vane shaft 221 may also be

disposed in a line with the third joint portion 226, the

87

88405983.2 second joint portion 217, and the first joint portion 216.

In this case, the second vane shaft 221 is located at the

rear side of the third joint portion 226.

In P1, the first vane 210 and the second vane 220

provide horizontal wind. The horizontal wind does not mean

that the discharge direction of air is exactly horizontal.

The horizontal wind means an angle by which discharged air

can flow farthest in the horizontal direction through

connection between the first vane 210 and the second vane

D 220 in the state in which the first vane 210 and the second

vane 220 are connected to each other like a single vane.

In discharge step P1, the distance Si between the

front end 221 of the second vane 220 and the rear end 212b

of the first vane 210 may be minimized.

In the state of the horizontal wind, air guided by the

second vane 220 is guided to the first vane 210. In the

case in which the discharged air flows as the horizontal

wind in P1, it is possible to maximize the flow distance of

the air.

Since the discharge channel 104 is formed in the

upward-downward direction, the inclination of the second

vane 220 adjacent to the suction port 101 is steeper than

the inclination of the first vane 210.

In discharge step P1, the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 of

the first vane link 250 is located at the lower side of the

88

88405983.2

1-2 vane link shaft 252.

In discharge step P1, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 of

the second vane link 260 is located at the lower side of the

2-2 vane link journal 262.

In discharge step P1, the first driving link shaft 241

of the driving link 240 is located at the lower side of the

second driving link shaft 242 and the core link shaft 243.

In discharge step P1, in the upward-downward

direction, the third joint portion 226 is located at the

J uppermost side, the first joint portion 216 is located at

the lowermost side, and the second joint portion 217 is

located therebetween.

In discharge step P1, the first joint portion 216 and

the second joint portion 217 are located between the core

link shaft 243 and the 1-2 vane link shaft 252. When

providing discharge step P1, the first driving link shaft

241 and the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 are located between the

core link shaft 243 and the 1-2 vane link shaft 252.

In discharge step P1, the first driving link shaft 241

and the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 are located at the lower

side of the suction panel 320. In discharge step P1, the

first driving link shaft 241 and the 1-1 vane link shaft 251

are located at the lower side of the discharge port 102.

The 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is located over the border of

the discharge port 102.

89

88405983.2

Due to the above disposition, the first vane 210 is

located at the lower side of the discharge port 102 in

discharge step Pl. In discharge step P1, the front end 222a

of the second vane 220 is located at the lower side of the

discharge port 102, and the rear end 222b thereof is located

at the upper side of the discharge port 102.

Next, relative positions and directions of the

respective links in discharge step P1 will be described.

The longitudinal direction of the first driving link

] body 246 is defined as D-D'. The longitudinal direction of

the first vane link 250 is defined as Li-Li'. The

longitudinal direction of the second vane link 260 is

defined as L2-L2'.

In discharge step P1, the first vane link 250, the

second vane link 260, and the first driving link body 246

are disposed in the same direction. In this embodiment, the

first vane link 250, the second vane link 260, and the first

driving link body 246 are all disposed in the upward

downward direction in discharge step Pl.

Specifically, Li-Li' of the first vane link 250 is

disposed almost vertically, and L2-L2' of the second vane

link 260 is disposed almost vertically. D-D' of the first

driving link body 246 is disposed so as to face downwards in

the discharge direction of air.

In discharge step P1, the first vane 210 is located at

90

88405983.2 the lower side of the discharge port 102, and the front end

222a of the second vane 220 is located at the lower side of

the discharge port 102. That is, in the state of the

horizontal wind, only a portion of the second vane 220 is

located outside the discharge port 102, and the entirety of

the first vane 210 is located outside the discharge port

102.

In discharge step P1, the front end 212a of the first

vane 210 is located further forwards than the front edge

D 102a of the discharge port 102 on the basis of the discharge

port 102.

In the state of the horizontal wind of discharge step

P1, the driving link 240 may be rotated in the second

direction (in the counterclockwise direction in the figures

of this embodiment), which is opposite the first direction,

to provide discharge step P2.

When the vane module provides one of discharge steps

P2 to P5, the rear end 212b of the first vane is located

higher than the front end 222a of the second vane and is

located level with or lower than the 2-1 vane link shaft

261.

In addition, when the vane module provides one of

discharge steps P2 to P5, the angle formed by the core link

shaft 243, the first driving link shaft 241, and the 1-1

91

88405983.2 vane link shaft 251 in the clockwise direction with respect to an imaginary straight line D-D' joining the core link shaft 243 and the first driving link shaft 241 to each other is an acute angle.

In discharge step P2, the vane module 200 may provide

inclined wind. The inclined wind is defined as a discharge

step between horizontal wind and vertical wind. In this

embodiment, the inclined wind means discharge steps P2, P3,

P4, and P5.

J In the state of the inclined wind, air is discharged

further downwards than in the state of the horizontal wind

of discharge step Pl. In discharge step P2, both the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 are adjusted so as to face

further downwards than in discharge step Pl.

Discharge step P2 may provide wind approximate to

horizontal wind, and the flow in which discharged air flows

along the ceiling of the room, flows downwards toward the

floor after colliding with the wall of the room, and returns

to the indoor unit after colliding with the floor may be

formed.

Discharge step P2 provides indirect wind to the person

in the room.

In discharge step P2, the distance S2 between the

front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the rear end 212b

of the first vane 210 is greater than the distance Si in

92

88405983.2 discharge step Pl.

That is, when discharge step P1 is switched to P2, the

distance between the front end 222a of the second vane 220

and the rear end 212b of the first vane 210 further

increases. In discharge step P2, the first vane 210 and the

second vane 220 are disposed further vertically than in Pl.

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P2, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is moved

downwards, and the rear end 212b of the first vane 210 is

D moved upwards.

In discharge step P2, the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 and the rear end 212b of the first vane 210 are

located at similar heights.

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P2, the second vane 220 is rotated in place about the second

vane shaft 221; however, the first vane 210 is turned

(swung), since the first vane is assembled to the driving

link 240 and the first vane link 250.

In particular, when P1 is switched to P2, the first

vane 210 further advances in the discharge direction of air,

and the front end 212a of the first vane is further turned

in the first direction (the clockwise direction in the

figures).

Since the second vane 220 is assembled to the second

vane shaft 221 and the second vane link 260 so as to be

93

88405983.2 rotatable relative thereto, the second vane is further rotated about the second vane shaft 221 in the clockwise direction due to rotation of the second vane link 220.

The front end 222a of the second vane 220 is further

rotated in the second direction (the clockwise direction in

the figures) .

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P2, the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are rotated

in opposite directions.

D In discharge step P2, the vane motor 230 is rotated

828 degrees (P2 rotational angle), and the first vane 210

has an inclination of about 18.6 degrees (first vane P2

inclination) and the second vane 220 has an inclination of

about 59.1 degrees (second vane P2 inclination) by rotation

of the vane motor 230.

The positional relationship between the shafts forming

the centers of rotation of the respective links in discharge

step P2 will be described.

In discharge step P2, the second joint portion 217 and

the first joint portion 216 of the first vane 210 are

disposed so as to be inclined forwards in the discharge

direction of air, similarly to Pl.

When viewed from the side, the third joint portion 226

of the second vane 220 is disposed at the rearmost side, the

first joint portion 216 is disposed at the frontmost side,

94

88405983.2 and the second joint portion 217 is disposed between the first joint portion 216 and the third joint portion 226.

In P2, the third joint portion 226, the second joint

portion 217, and the first joint portion 216 are disposed so

as to face forwards and downwards in the discharge direction

of air, when viewed from the side of vane module 200.

In discharge step P2, the third joint portion 226 is

moved further downwards, and the first joint portion 216 and

the second joint portion 217 are moved further forwards.

D That is, the distance between the second vane 220 and the

first vane 210 increases.

In discharge step P2, the disposition of the first

vane link 250, the second vane link 260, and the driving

link 240 is similar to that in discharge step Pl.

In discharge step P2, the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 of

the first vane link 250 is located at the lower side of the

1-2 vane link shaft 252. In discharge step P2, the 2-1 vane

link shaft 261 of the second vane link 260 is located at the

lower side of the 2-2 vane link journal 262. In discharge

step P2, the first driving link shaft 241 of the driving

link 240 is located at the lower side of the second driving

link shaft 242 and the core link shaft 243.

In discharge step P2, the second vane shaft 221 is

located at the uppermost side, the third joint portion 226

is located at the lower side of the second vane shaft 221,

95

88405983.2 the second joint portion 217 is located is located at the lower side of the third joint portion 226, and the first joint portion 216 is located at the lower side of the second joint portion 217.

In discharge step P2, the second joint portion 217 is

further rotated about the core link shaft 243 toward the 1-2

vane link shaft 252.

In discharge step P2, the entirety of the first vane

210 is located at the lower side of the discharge port 102

J on the basis of the suction panel 320 or the discharge panel

102. In discharge step P2, the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 is located at the lower side of the discharge port

102, and the rear end 222b thereof is located at the upper

side of the discharge port 102.

In discharge step P2, therefore, the first driving

link shaft 241 and the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 are located

at the lower side of the suction panel 320. In discharge

step P2, the first driving link shaft 241 and the 1-1 vane

link shaft 251 are located at the lower side of the

discharge port 102. The 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is located

over the border of the discharge port 102.

Next, relative positions and directions of the

respective links in discharge step P2 will be described.

In discharge step P2, the first vane link 250 and the

second vane link 260 are disposed in approximately the same

96

88405983.2 direction, and the first driving link body 246 is disposed so as to be inclined forwards and downwards. Particularly, in discharge step P2, the first vane link 250 and the second vane link 260 are disposed approximately vertically.

Specifically, when discharge step P1 is switched to

discharge step P2, Li-Li' of the first vane link 250 is

further rotated in the discharge direction of air. When

discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step P2, L2-L2'

of the second vane link 260 is further rotated in the

J direction opposite the discharge direction of air. When

discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step P2, D-D' of

the first driving link body 246 is further rotated in the

discharge direction of air.

In discharge step P2, the entirety of the first vane

210 is located at the lower side of the discharge port 102,

and only the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is

located at the lower side of the discharge port 102.

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P2, the front end 212a of the first vane 210 is moved

further forwards than the front edge 102a of the discharge

port 102 on the basis of the discharge port 102.

In discharge step P2, the driving link 240 may be

rotated in the second direction (in the counterclockwise

direction in the figures of this embodiment), which is

97

88405983.2 opposite the first direction, to provide discharge step P3.

In discharge step P3, the vane module 200 may provide

inclined wind that is discharged further downwards than in

discharge step P2. Discharge steps P3 to P5 provide

inclined wind in which air is directly provided to the

person in the room.

At the time of cooling, discharged air is heavier than

indoor air and thus moves downwards. At the time of

heating, discharged air is lighter than indoor air and thus

] moves upwards. Consequently, discharge step P3 is mainly

used at the time of cooling, and discharge step P4, a

description of which will follow, is mainly used at the time

of heating.

In the state of the inclined wind of discharge step

P3, air is discharged further downwards than in the state of

the inclined wind of discharge step P2. In discharge step

P3, both the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are

adjusted so as to face further downwards than in discharge

step P2.

In discharge step P3, the distance S3 between the

front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the rear end 212b

of the first vane 210 is greater than the distance S2 in

discharge step P2.

That is, when discharge step P2 is switched to P3, the

distance between the front end 222a of the second vane 220

98

88405983.2 and the rear end 212b of the first vane 210 further increases. In discharge step P3, the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are disposed further vertically than in P2.

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is moved

further downwards, and the rear end 212b of the first vane

210 is moved further upwards.

In discharge step P3, the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 is located lower than the rear end 212b of the

J first vane 210.

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the second vane 220 is rotated in place about the second

vane shaft 221; however, the first vane 210 is turned

(swung), since the first vane is assembled to the driving

link 240 and the first vane link 250.

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the first vane 210 is located almost in place, and is

rotated in the first direction (the clockwise direction).

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step P3, the

second vane 220 is further rotated in the first direction

(the clockwise direction).

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the first vane 210 is located in place in the first

direction (the clockwise direction), rather than advancing

in the discharge direction.

99

88405983.2

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is further

rotated in the first direction (the clockwise direction) due

to downward movement of the second vane link 220.

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are rotated

in opposite directions.

In discharge step P3, the vane motor 230 is rotated 95

degrees (P3 rotational angle), and the first vane 210 has an

] inclination of about 29.6 degrees (first vane P3

inclination) and the second vane 220 has an inclination of

about 67.3 degrees (second vane P3 inclination) by rotation

of the vane motor 230.

The positional relationship between the shafts forming

the centers of rotation of the respective links in discharge

step P3 will be described.

In discharge step P3, the second joint portion 217 and

the first joint portion 216 of the first vane 210 are

disposed so as to be inclined forwards in the discharge

direction of air, similarly to P2.

When viewed from the side, the third joint portion 226

of the second vane 220 is disposed at the rearmost side, the

first joint portion 216 is disposed at the frontmost side,

and the second joint portion 217 is disposed between the

first joint portion 216 and the third joint portion 226.

100

88405983.2

In discharge step P3, the third joint portion 226 is

moved further downwards. In discharge step P3, the first

joint portion 216 and the second joint portion 217 are moved

upwards due to rotation of the first vane link 250 and the

first driving link body 246 in the second direction.

Since the length of the first driving link body 246 is

less than the length of the first vane link 250, the upper

side of the second joint portion 217 is higher.

In discharge step P3, the disposition of the shafts at

J the driving link 240, the first vane link 250, and the

second vane link 260 is similar to that in discharge step

P2.

However, relative heights of the first driving link

shaft 241, the 1-1 vane link shaft 251, and the 2-1 vane

link shaft 261 rotated by operation of the driving link 240,

the first vane link 250, and the second vane link 260 are

varied.

In discharge step P3, the first driving link shaft 241

is moved upwards, and the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved

downwards, whereby these shafts are located at similar

heights in the upward-downward direction.

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the second joint portion 217 is further rotated about

the core link shaft 243 toward the 1-2 vane link shaft 252,

and the second joint portion 217 is spaced further apart

101

88405983.2 from the 2-1 vane link shaft 261.

In discharge step P3, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 is

located lower than the core link shaft 243.

When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved further rearwards

than the 2-2 vane link journal 262.

On the basis of the suction panel 320 or the discharge

port 102, the position of the first vane 210 and the second

vane 220 in discharge step P3 is similar to that in

] discharge step P2.

In discharge step P3, therefore, the first driving

link shaft 241 and the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 are located

at the lower side of the suction panel 320 and the discharge

port 102. The 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is located over the

border of the discharge port 102.

Next, relative positions and directions of the

respective links in discharge step P3 will be described.

In discharge step P3, the first vane link 250 and the

second vane link 260 are disposed in opposite directions.

In discharge step P3, the first driving link body 246

and the first vane link 250 are disposed so as to be

inclined forwards and downwards. In discharge step P3, the

second driving link body 247 is disposed so as to face

rearwards, and the second vane link 260 is disposed so as to

face rearwards and downwards.

102

88405983.2

Specifically, when discharge step P2 is switched to

discharge step P3, Li-Li' of the first vane link 250 is

further rotated in the discharge direction of air. When

discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step P3, L2-L2'

of the second vane link 260 is further rotated in the

direction opposite the discharge direction of air. When

discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step P3, D-D' of

the first driving link body 246 is further rotated in the

discharge direction of air.

] When discharge step P2 is switched to discharge step

P3, both the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are

turned or rotated further vertically downwards on the basis

of the discharge port 102.

In discharge step P3, the driving link 240 may be

rotated in the second direction (in the counterclockwise

direction in the figures of this embodiment), which is

opposite the first direction, to provide discharge step P4.

In discharge step P4, the vane module 200 may provide

inclined wind that is discharged further downwards than in

discharge step P3. In the state of the inclined wind of

discharge step P4, air is discharged further downwards than

in the state of the inclined wind of discharge step P3.

In discharge step P4, both the first vane 210 and the

second vane 220 are adjusted so as to face further downwards

103

88405983.2 than in discharge step P3.

In discharge step P4, the distance S4 between the

front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the rear end 212b

of the first vane 210 is greater than the distance S3 in

discharge step P3.

When discharge step P3 is switched to P4, the distance

between the front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210 further increases. In

discharge step P4, the first vane 210 and the second vane

D 220 are disposed further vertically than in P3.

When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is moved

further downwards, and the rear end 212b of the first vane

210 is moved further upwards.

In discharge step P4, the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 is located lower than in discharge step P3, and the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210 is located higher than

in discharge step P3.

When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the second vane 220 is rotated in place about the second

vane shaft 221. When discharge step P3 is switched to

discharge step P4, the first joint portion 216 of the first

vane 210 stays almost in place, and the second joint portion

217 is rotated about the first joint portion 216 in the

first direction (the clockwise direction).

104

88405983.2

That is, when discharge step P3 is switched to

discharge step P4, the first vane 210 is hardly moved, and

is rotated in place. When discharge step P3 is switched to

discharge step P4, the first vane 210 is rotated about the

first joint portion 216 in the first direction (the

clockwise direction).

When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the second vane 220 is further rotated in the first

direction (the clockwise direction).

D When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is further

rotated in the first direction (the clockwise direction) due

to downward movement of the second vane link 220.

When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are rotated

in the same direction.

When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 may be located further

forwards than the 1-2 vane link shaft 252.

In discharge step P4, the vane motor 230 is rotated

100 degrees (P4 rotational angle), and the first vane 210

has an inclination of about 35.8 degrees (first vane P4

inclination) and the second vane 220 has an inclination of

about 70 degrees (second vane P4 inclination) by rotation of

the vane motor 230.

105

88405983.2

The positional relationship between the shafts forming

the centers of rotation of the respective links in discharge

step P4 will be described.

In discharge step P4, the second joint portion 217 and

the first joint portion 216 of the first vane 210 are

disposed so as to be inclined forwards in the discharge

direction of air, similarly to P3.

When viewed from the side, the third joint portion 226

of the second vane 220 is disposed at the rearmost side, the

J first joint portion 216 is disposed at the frontmost side,

and the second joint portion 217 is disposed between the

first joint portion 216 and the third joint portion 226.

In discharge step P4, the third joint portion 226 is

moved further downwards. In discharge step P4, the first

joint portion 216 of the first vane link 250 is slightly

moved upwards in the second direction (the counterclockwise

direction) or is located almost in place, and the second

joint portion 217 is rotated about the first joint portion

216 in the first direction (the clockwise direction).

When the first vane 210 is further rotated than in

discharge step P4, the first vane 210 is moved in the

direction opposite the advancing direction up to now. In

discharge step P1 to discharge step P4, the first vane 210

is moved in the discharge direction of air, and is rotated

about the second joint portion 217 in the first direction

106

88405983.2

(the clockwise direction).

In discharge step P4, the disposition of the shafts at

the driving link 240, the first vane link 250, and the

second vane link 260 is similar to that in discharge step

P3. In discharge step P4, however, the second joint portion

217 and the first joint portion 216 are disposed in a line

in the longitudinal direction of the first driving link body

246.

Relative heights of the first driving link shaft 241,

J the 1-1 vane link shaft 251, and the 2-1 vane link shaft 261

rotated by operation of the driving link 240, the first vane

link 250, and the second vane link 260 are varied.

In discharge step P4, the first driving link shaft 241

is moved upwards, and the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved

downwards, whereby the first driving link shaft 241 is

located slightly higher than the 2-1 vane link shaft 261.

When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the second joint portion 217 is further rotated about

the core link shaft 243 toward the 1-2 vane link shaft 252,

and the core link shaft 243, the first driving link shaft

241, and the 1-1 vane link shaft 251, each of which is

formed in the shape of a straight line, may be disposed in a

line.

In discharge step P4, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 is

located lower than the core link shaft 243.

107

88405983.2

When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved further rearwards

than the 2-2 vane link journal 262.

On the basis of the suction panel 320 or the discharge

port 102, the position of the first vane 210 and the second

vane 220 in discharge step P4 is similar to that in

discharge step P3.

Next, relative positions and directions of the

respective links in discharge step P4 will be described.

D When discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step

P4, the first vane link 250 and the second vane link 260 are

disposed so as to face in opposite directions. When

discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step P4, the

first vane link 250 is hardly rotated, and only the second

vane link 260 may be rotated rearwards.

In this embodiment, there is no separate construction

capable of limiting motion of the first vane link 250. In

this embodiment, motion of the first vane link 250 may be

limited through the coupling relationship between the first

vane link 250, the first vane 210, and the first driving

link body 246.

In discharge step P4, the first driving link body 246

and the first vane link 250 are disposed so as to be

inclined forwards and downwards. In discharge step P4, the

second driving link body 247 is disposed so as to face

108

88405983.2 rearwards, and the second vane link 260 is disposed so as to face rearwards and downwards.

In this embodiment, when discharge step P3 is switched

to discharge step P4, Li-Li' of the first vane link 250 may

be further rotated in the discharge direction of air. When

discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step P4, L2-L2'

of the second vane link 260 is further rotated in the

direction opposite the discharge direction of air. When

discharge step P3 is switched to discharge step P4, D-D' of

J the first driving link body 246 is further rotated in the

discharge direction of air. An imaginary straight line

joining the first joint portion 216 and the second joint

portion 217 to each other is defined as B-B'.

In discharge step P4, D-D' and B-B' are connected to

each other as a straight line, and have an angle of 180

degrees therebetween.

D-D' and B-B' have an angle of less than 180 degrees

therebetween in discharge step P1 to discharge step P3, an

angle of less than 180 degrees therebetween in discharge

step P4, and an angle of greater than 180 degrees

therebetween in discharge step P5 and discharge step P5.

In discharge step P4, the driving link 240 may be

rotated in the second direction (in the counterclockwise

direction in the figures of this embodiment), which is

109

88405983.2 opposite the first direction, to provide discharge step P5.

In discharge step P5, the vane module 200 may provide

inclined wind that is discharged further downwards than in

discharge step P4. In the state of the inclined wind of

discharge step P5, air is discharged further downwards than

in the state of the inclined wind of discharge step P4.

In discharge step P5, both the first vane 210 and the

second vane 220 are adjusted so as to face further downwards

than in discharge step P4.

] In discharge step P5, the distance S5 between the

front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the rear end 212b

of the first vane 210 is greater than the distance S4 in

discharge step P4.

When discharge step P4 is switched to P5, the distance

between the front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210 further increases. In

discharge step P5, the first vane 210 and the second vane

220 are disposed further vertically than in P4.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is moved

further downwards, and the rear end 212b of the first vane

210 is moved further upwards.

In discharge step P5, the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 is located lower than in discharge step P4, and the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210 is located higher than

110

88405983.2 in discharge step P4.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the second vane 220 is rotated in place about the second

vane shaft 221. When discharge step P4 is switched to

discharge step P5, the first joint portion 216 of the first

vane 210 stays almost in place, and the second joint portion

217 is further rotated about the first joint portion 216 in

the first direction (the clockwise direction).

That is, when discharge step P4 is switched to

D discharge step P5, the first vane 210 is hardly moved, and

is rotated in place about the first joint 216.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the first vane 210 is further rotated about the first

joint portion 216 in the first direction (the clockwise

direction). When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge

step P5, the second vane 220 is further rotated in the first

direction (the clockwise direction).

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is further

rotated in the first direction (the clockwise direction) due

to downward movement of the second vane link 220.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are rotated

in the same direction.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

111

88405983.2

P5, the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 may be located further

forwards than the 1-2 vane link shaft 252.

In discharge step P5, the vane motor 230 is rotated

105 degrees (P5 rotational angle), and the first vane 210

has an inclination of about 44.1 degrees (first vane P5

inclination) and the second vane 220 has an inclination of

about 72.3 degrees (second vane P5 inclination) by rotation

of the vane motor 230.

The positional relationship between the shafts forming

] the centers of rotation of the respective links in discharge

step P5 will be described.

In discharge step P5, the second joint portion 217 and

the first joint portion 216 of the first vane 210 are

disposed so as to be inclined forwards in the discharge

direction of air, similarly to discharge step P4.

When viewed from the side, the third joint portion 226

of the second vane 220 is disposed at the rearmost side, the

first joint portion 216 is disposed at the frontmost side,

and the second joint portion 217 is disposed between the

first joint portion 216 and the third joint portion 226.

In discharge step P5, the third joint portion 226 is

moved further downwards, and the second joint portion 217 of

the first vane link 250 is rotated about the first joint

portion 216 in the first direction (the clockwise

direction).

112

88405983.2

In discharge step P5, the second joint portion 217 is

located so as to protrude toward the 1-2 vane link shaft 252

on the basis of an imaginary straight line joining the core

link shaft 243 and the first joint portion 216 to each

other.

In discharge step P5, the disposition of the shafts at

the driving link 240, the first vane link 250, and the

second vane link 260 is similar to that in discharge step

P4.

J Relative heights of the first driving link shaft 241,

the 1-1 vane link shaft 251, and the 2-1 vane link shaft 261

rotated by operation of the driving link 240, the first vane

link 250, and the second vane link 260 are varied.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the first driving link shaft 241 is moved upwards, and

the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved downwards. In

discharge step P5, therefore, the first driving link shaft

241 is located slightly higher than the 2-1 vane link shaft

261.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the second joint portion 217 is rotated about the core

link shaft 243, and the second joint portion 217 is further

rotated toward the 1-2 vane link shaft 252.

In discharge step P5, the core link shaft 243, the

first driving link shaft 241, and the 1-1 vane link shaft

113

88405983.2

251 are disposed in a line. In discharge step P5, the core

link shaft 243, the first driving link shaft 241, and the 1

1 vane link shaft 251 form an obtuse angle of 180 degrees or

more (on the basis of D-D').

In discharge step P5, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 is

located lower than the core link shaft 243. When discharge

step P1 is switched to discharge step P6, the angle formed

by the core link shaft 243, the 2-2 vane link journal 262,

and the third joint portion 226 gradually increases.

] When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P6, however, the angle formed by the core link shaft 243,

the 2-2 vane link journal 262, and the third joint portion

226 is less than 180 degrees.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved further rearwards

than the 2-2 vane link journal 262, and is located between

the third joint portion 226 and the core link shaft 243.

On the basis of the suction panel 320 or the discharge

port 102, the position of the first vane 210 and the second

vane 220 in discharge step P5 is similar to that in

discharge step P4.

Next, relative positions and directions of the

respective links in discharge step P5 will be described.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, the first vane link 250 and the second vane link 260 are

114

88405983.2 disposed so as to face in opposite directions. When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step P5, the first vane link 250 is hardly rotated, and only the second vane link 260 may be further rotated rearwards.

In discharge step P5, the disposition of the first

driving link body 246, the first vane link 250, the second

vane link 260 is similar to that in discharge step P4.

In this embodiment, when discharge step P4 is switched

to discharge step P5, Li-Li' of the first vane link 250 may

D be rotated in the direction opposite the discharge direction

of air. When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge

step P5, L2-L2' of the second vane link 260 is further

rotated in the direction opposite the discharge direction of

air. When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P5, D-D' of the first driving link body 246 is rotated in

the discharge direction of air.

In discharge step P5, D-D' and B-B' have an obtuse

angle therebetween.

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P4, the front end 212a of the first vane is moved in the

discharge direction of air (forwards). When discharge step

P4 is switched to discharge step P6, however, the front end

212a of the first vane is moved in the direction opposite

the discharge direction of air (rearwards).

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

115

88405983.2

P6, therefore, the first vane 210 may be disposed further

vertically.

In this embodiment, the state of the module vane 200

in discharge step P6 is defined as vertical wind.

The vertical wind does not mean that the first vane

210 and the second vane 220 constituting the module vane 200

are disposed vertically. This means that air discharged

from the discharge port 102 is discharged downwards from the

J discharge port 102.

In discharge step P5, the driving link 240 may be

rotated in the second direction (in the counterclockwise

direction in the figures of this embodiment), which is

opposite the first direction, to provide discharge step P6.

In discharge step P6, the flow of the discharged air in the

horizontal direction is minimized, and the flow of the

discharged air in the vertical direction is maximized. In

the state of the vertical wind of discharge step P6 air is

discharged further downwards than in the state of the

inclined wind of discharge step P5.

In discharge step P6, both the first vane 210 and the

second vane 220 are adjusted so as to face further downwards

than in discharge step P5.

When providing discharge step P6, the rear end 222b of

the second vane is located higher than the discharge port,

116

88405983.2 the front end 222a of the second vane is located lower than the discharge port, and the rear end 212b of the first vane is located higher than the front end 222a of the second vane and is located higher than the discharge port. In addition, the front end 212a of the first vane is located lower than the front end 222a of the second vane.

When providing discharge step P6, the rear end 212b of

the first vane is disposed so as to face the discharge port

102.

] In discharge step P6, the distance S6 between the

front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the rear end 212b

of the first vane 210 is greater than the distance S5 in

discharge step P5.

When discharge step P5 is switched to P6, the distance

between the front end 222a of the second vane 220 and the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210 further increases. In

discharge step P6, the first vane 210 and the second vane

220 are disposed further vertically than in P5.

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the front end 222a of the second vane 220 is moved

further downwards, and the rear end 212b of the first vane

210 is moved further upwards.

In discharge step P6, the front end 222a of the second

vane 220 is located lower than in discharge step P5, and the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210 is located higher than

117

88405983.2 in discharge step P5.

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the second vane 220 is rotated in place about the second

vane shaft 221. When discharge step P5 is switched to

discharge step P6, the first joint portion 216 of the first

vane 210 stays almost in place, and the second joint portion

217 is further rotated about the first joint portion 216 in

the first direction (the clockwise direction).

That is, when discharge step P5 is switched to

D discharge step P6, the first vane 210 may be moved

rearwards. When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge

step P6, the front end 212a of the first vane 210 is moved

rearwards, since the first vane 210 is further rotated about

the first joint portion 216 in the first direction (the

clockwise direction).

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the second vane 220 is further rotated in the first

direction (the clockwise direction). When discharge step P5

is switched to discharge step P6, the front end 222a of the

second vane 220 is further rotated in the first direction

(the clockwise direction) due to downward movement of the

second vane link 220.

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 are rotated

in the same direction.

118

88405983.2

In discharge step P6, the vane motor 230 is rotated

110 degrees (P6 rotational angle), and the first vane 210

has an inclination of about 56.7 degrees (first vane P6

inclination) and the second vane 220 has an inclination of

about 74 degrees (second vane P6 inclination) by rotation of

the vane motor 230.

The positional relationship between the shafts forming

the centers of rotation of the respective links in discharge

step P6 will be described.

D In discharge step P6, the second joint portion 217 and

the first joint portion 216 of the first vane 210 are

disposed so as to be inclined forwards in the discharge

direction of air, similarly to discharge step P5.

When viewed from the side, the third joint portion 226

of the second vane 220 is disposed at the rearmost side, the

first joint portion 216 is disposed at the frontmost side,

and the second joint portion 217 is disposed between the

first joint portion 216 and the third joint portion 226.

In discharge step P6, the third joint portion 226 is

moved further downwards, and the second joint portion 217 of

the first vane link 250 is rotated about the first joint

portion 216 in the first direction (the clockwise

direction).

In discharge step P6, the second joint portion 217 is

located so as to further protrude toward the 1-2 vane link

119

88405983.2 shaft 252 on the basis of an imaginary straight line joining the core link shaft 243 and the first joint portion 216 to each other.

In discharge step P6, the disposition of the shafts at

the driving link 240, the first vane link 250, and the

second vane link 260 is similar to that in discharge step

P5.

Relative heights of the first driving link shaft 241,

the 1-1 vane link shaft 251, and the 2-1 vane link shaft 261

J rotated by operation of the driving link 240, the first vane

link 250, and the second vane link 260 are varied.

When providing discharge step P6, the rear end 212b of

the first vane is located at the lower side of the core link

shaft 243, and is located further forwards than the core

link shaft 243. When providing discharge step P6, the front

end 212a of the first vane is located further rearwards than

the front edge 102a of the discharge port.

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the first driving link shaft 241 is moved upwards, and

the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved downwards. In

discharge step P6, therefore, the first driving link shaft

241 is located higher than the 2-1 vane link shaft 261.

When providing discharge step P6, the 2-2 vane link

journal 262 is located lower than the core link shaft 243,

the first driving link shaft 241 is located lower than the

120

88405983.2

2-2 vane link journal 262, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is

located lower than the first driving link shaft 241, and the

1-1 vane link shaft 251 is located lower than the 2-1 vane

link shaft 261.

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the second joint portion 217 is rotated about the core

link shaft 243, and the second joint portion 217 is further

rotated toward the 1-2 vane link shaft 252.

When viewed from the side, in discharge step P6, at

D least a portion of the second joint portion 217 may overlap

the first vane link body 255. Since the second joint

portion 217 is moved to the position at which the second

joint portion overlaps the first vane link body 255, it is

possible to further vertically dispose the first vane 210.

In discharge step P6, however, the second joint

portion 217 is not moved forwards over Li-Li'. The second

joint portion 217 is not moved further forwards than the

first vane link body 255. In the case in which the second

joint portion 217 is excessively moved forwards, the second

joint portion may not return to the original position

thereof even when the vane motor is rotated in the first

direction (the clockwise direction).

In order to prevent excessive rotation of the driving

link 240, the first driving link body 246 and one end 270a

of the stopper 270 interfere with each other in discharge

121

88405983.2 step P6. The first driving link body 246 is supported by the stopper 270, whereby further rotation of the driving link is limited.

In discharge step P6, the core link shaft 243, the

first driving link shaft 241, and the 1-1 vane link shaft

251 form an obtuse angle of 180 degrees or more (the

clockwise direction on the basis of D-D').

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the 1-1 vane link shaft 251 may be located further

J forwards than the 1-2 vane link shaft 252.

In discharge step P6, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 is

located at the lower side of the core link shaft 243, the

second joint portion 217 is located at the lower side of the

2-2 vane link journal 262, the third joint portion 226 is

located at the lower side of the second joint portion 217,

and the first joint portion 216 is located at the lower side

of the third joint portion 226.

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the 2-1 vane link shaft 261 is moved further rearwards

than the 2-2 vane link journal 262, and is located between

the third joint portion 226 and the core link shaft 243.

Next, relative positions and directions of the

respective links in discharge step P6 will be described.

When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step

P6, the first vane link 250 and the second vane link 260 are

122

88405983.2 disposed so as to face in opposite directions. When discharge step P5 is switched to discharge step P6, the first vane link 250 is hardly rotated, and only the second vane link 260 may be further rotated rearwards.

In discharge step P6, the disposition of the first

driving link body 246, the first vane link 250, the second

vane link 260 is similar to that in discharge step P5.

When providing discharge step P6, the 2-1 vane link

shaft 261 is located further forwards than the second vane

D shaft 221, the 2-2 vane link journal 262 is located further

forwards than the 2-1 vane link shaft 261, the core link

shaft 243 is located further forwards than the 2-2 vane link

journal 262, the first driving link shaft 241 is located

further forwards than the core link shaft 243, and the 1-1

vane link shaft 251 is located further forwards than the

first driving link shaft 241

In this embodiment, when discharge step P5 is switched

to discharge step P6, Li-Li' of the first vane link 250 may

be further rotated in the direction opposite the discharge

direction of air. When discharge step P5 is switched to

discharge step P6, L2-L2' of the second vane link 260 is

further rotated in the direction opposite the discharge

direction of air. When discharge step P5 is switched to

discharge step P6, D-D' of the first driving link body 246

is further rotated in the direction opposite the discharge

123

88405983.2 direction of air.

In discharge step P6, the angle between D-D' and B-B',

which is an obtuse angle, is greater than the angle between

D-D' and B-B', which is an obtuse angle, in discharge step

P5.

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P4, the front end 212a of the first vane is moved in the

discharge direction of air (forwards).

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

] P4, the first vane link 250 is rotated in the second

direction (the counterclockwise direction). When discharge

step P4 is switched to discharge step P6, however, the first

vane link 250 is rotated in the first direction (the

clockwise direction).

When discharge step P1 is switched to discharge step

P4, therefore, the front end 212s of the first vane is

rotated in the second direction and is moved upwards. When

discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step P6, however,

the front end 212s of the first vane is rotated in the first

direction and is moved downwards. That is, motion of the

first vane 210 is changed on the basis of discharge step P4.

When discharge step P4 is switched to discharge step

P6, the first vane 210 may be disposed further vertically.

In discharge step P6, the rear end 212b of the first vane

210 is located further forwards than the core link shaft

124

88405983.2

243.

When the vane module 200 forms the vertical wind in

the discharge step P6, the first vane 210 and the second

vane 220 are maximally spaced apart from each other.

In discharge step P6, at least one of the second joint

portion 217 or the first drive link shaft 241 overlaps the

first vane link 250, when viewed from the side of the vane

module 200.

In discharge step P6, at least one of the second joint

D portion 217 or the first drive link shaft 241 is located on

or behind Li-Li of the first vane link 250, when viewed from

the side of the vane module 200.

In discharge step P6, the rear end 212b of the first

vane 210 is located inside the discharge port 102 and is

located higher than the outer surface of the side cover 314,

when viewed from the side of the vane module 200. Since the

rear end 212b of the first vane 210 is located inside the

discharge port 102, it is possible to guide air discharged

from the discharge port 102 in the vertical direction.

In discharge step P1, a vane angle formed between the

first vane 210 and the second vane 220 is 139.7 degrees.

Here, the vane angle may refer to an inclination angle

formed between a line, to which a virtual straight line

connecting both ends 212a and 212b of the first vane 210

extends, and a line, to which a virtual straight line

125

88405983.2 connecting both ends 222a and 222b of the second vane 220 extends. In discharge step P2, a vane angle formed between the first vane 210 and the second vane 220 is 139.5 degrees.

In discharge step P3, a vane angle formed between the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 is 142.3 degrees. In

discharge step P4, a vane angle formed between the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 is 145.8 degrees. In

discharge step P5, a vane angle formed between the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 is 151.8 degrees. In

] discharge step P6, a vane angle formed between the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220 is 162.7 degrees.

A round swing cooling mode of the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment will be described with

reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, 15, 23, 24, and 25.

The ceiling type indoor unit according to this

embodiment includes a first vane module 201 disposed at the

edge of the suction port 101 based on the suction port 101,

a third vane module 203 disposed at the edge of the suction

port 101, the third vane module being disposed opposite the

first vane module 201 based on the suction port 101, a third

vane module 202 disposed at the edge of the suction port

101, the third vane module being disposed to form an angle

of 90 degrees together with each of the first vane module

201 and the third vane module 203 based on the suction port

126

88405983.2

101, and a fourth vane module 204 disposed at the edge of

the suction port 101, the fourth vane module being disposed

opposite the second vane module 202 based on the suction

port 101.

When viewed in a bottom view, the indoor unit includes

a first vane module 201 disposed at the edge of the suction

port 101, the first vane module being disposed in the 12

o'clock direction based on the suction port 101, a second

vane module 202 disposed at the edge of the suction port

J 101, the second vane module being disposed in the 3 o'clock

direction based on the suction port 101, a third vane module

203 disposed at the edge of the suction port 101, the third

vane module being disposed in the 6 o'clock direction based

on the suction port 101, and a fourth vane module 204

disposed at the edge of the suction port 101, the fourth

vane module being disposed in the 9 o'clock direction based

on the suction port 101.

For convenience of description, the discharge port at

which the first vane module 201 is disposed is defined as a

first discharge port 102-1, the discharge port at which the

second vane module 202 is disposed is defined as a second

discharge port 102-2, the discharge port at which the third

vane module 203 is disposed is defined as a third discharge

port 102-3, and the discharge port at which the fourth vane

module 204 is disposed is defined as a fourth discharge port

127

88405983.2

102-4.

When viewed in a bottom view, the first vane module

201 is disposed in the 12 o'clock direction and discharges

air in the 12 o'clock direction, the second vane module 202

is disposed in the 3 o'clock direction and discharges air in

the 3 o'clock direction, the third vane module 203 is

disposed in the 6 o'clock direction and discharges air in

the 6 o'clock direction, and the fourth vane module 204 is

disposed in the 9 o'clock direction and discharges air in

J the 9 o'clock direction.

When viewed in a bottom view, the air discharge

directions of the first vane module 201 and the third vane

module 203 are opposite each other. The air discharge

directions of the second vane module 202 and the fourth vane

module 204 are opposite each other.

When viewed in a bottom view, the air discharge

direction of the first vane module 201 is perpendicular to

the air discharge directions of the second vane module 202

and the fourth vane module 204. The air discharge direction

of the third vane module 203 is perpendicular to the air

discharge directions of the second vane module 202 and the

fourth vane module 204.

The air discharge direction of the first vane module

201 is defined as a first discharge direction 291, the air

discharge direction of the second vane module 202 is defined

128

88405983.2 as a second discharge direction 292, the air discharge direction of the third vane module 203 is defined as a third discharge direction 293, and the air discharge direction of the fourth vane module 204 is defined as a fourth discharge direction 294.

The round swing cooling mode is configured to cool the

room within a shorter time. Conventionally, when the indoor

unit is operated in a power mode, a target temperature is

set to the minimum temperature (generally, 18 degrees), and

D the indoor blowing fan is maximally operated to supply

discharged air into the room at the maximum wind speed.

In the round swing cooling mode according to this

embodiment, the target temperature is set to the minimum

temperature (generally, 18 degrees) and the indoor blowing

fan is maximally operated, as in the conventional art;

however, the respective vane modules are sequentially

controlled.

In the round swing cooling mode, indoor air turns in

one direction (the clockwise direction or the

counterclockwise direction) based on the indoor unit,

whereby it is possible to more rapidly reduce indoor

temperature.

The round swing cooling mode provides wind like

natural wind to a user. In the round swing cooling mode,

direct wind may be provided to a person in a room through

129

88405983.2 air discharged from the indoor unit, and indirect wind may be provided through air swirling along the indoor unit.

In the method of controlling the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment, the fist vane module 201,

the second vane module 202, the third vane module 203, and

the fourth vane module 204 are simultaneously controlled at

the time of cooling, and control is performed such that the

inclinations of the first vane and the second vane of each

of the vane modules 201, 202, 203, and 204 gradually

J increase or gradually decrease.

In the round swing cooling mode, the fist vane module

201, the second vane module 202, the third vane module 203,

and the fourth vane module 204 are configured to be operated

in different discharge steps.

When viewed in a bottom view, the first vane module

201, the second vane module 202, the third vane module 203,

and the fourth vane module 204 are disposed at intervals of

90 degrees based on the suction port 101.

When viewed in a bottom view, based on the suction

port 101, the discharge direction of the first vane module

201 and the discharge direction of the second vane module

202 have an angle of 90 degrees therebetween, the discharge

direction of the second vane module 202 and the discharge

direction of the third vane module 203 have an angle of 90

degrees therebetween, the discharge direction of the third

130

88405983.2 vane module 203 and the discharge direction of the fourth vane module 204 have an angle of 90 degrees therebetween, and the discharge direction of the fourth vane module 204 and the discharge direction of the first vane module 201 have an angle of 90 degrees therebetween.

When viewed in a bottom view, the first vane module

201 and the third vane module 203 are located opposite each

other based on the suction port 101. When viewed in a

bottom view, the second vane module 202 and the third vane

D module 204 are located opposite each other based on the

suction port 101.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment includes a step (S10) of

turning on a round swing cooling mode, a first setting step

(S20) of setting the first vane module to be operated in

discharge step P2, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the second vane module to be operated in discharge step P3,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the third vane

module to be operated in discharge step P4, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane module to be

operated in discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, after step S10, and a step (S30) of determining whether

the first setting step exceeds a first operation time after

the first setting step.

In the first setting step (S20), the first vane 210

131

88405983.2 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the first discharge port 102-1, form a first vane angle; the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the second discharge port 102-2, form a second vane angle which is greater than the first vane angle; the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the third discharge port 102-3, form a third vane angle which is greater than the second vane angle; the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the fourth discharge port 102-4,

J form a fourth vane angle which is greater than the third

vane angle. Here, the first vane angle, including the vane

angles in the discharge steps P1 and P2, is in a range of

135 degrees and 140 degrees; the second vane angle,

including the vane angle in the discharge step P3, is in a

range of 141 degrees and 144 degrees; the third vane angle,

including the vane angle in the discharge step P4, is in a

range of 145 degrees and 150 degrees; and the fourth vane

angle, including the vane angles in the discharge steps P5

and P6, is in a range of 151 degrees and 165 degrees. At

the first vane angle, the front end 222a (end of the front

side) of the second vane 220 is directed to a rear end 212b

(end of the rear side) of the first vane 210. As the vane

angles increase from the first vane angle to the fourth vane

angle, a distance between the first vane and the second vane

becomes larger. At the first vane angle, the first vane is

132

88405983.2 spaced apart downwardly from the discharge ports. At the first vane angle, the rear end 212b (end of the rear side) of the first vane 210 is located higher than the front end

222a (end of the front side) of the second vane 220.

In the method of controlling the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment, after step S30, the

discharge step of each vane module is changed to the next

discharge step, which is repeated.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

D according to this embodiment further includes a second

setting step (S40) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P5,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P2, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S30 is satisfied

and a step (S50) of determining whether the second setting

step exceeds a second operation time after the second

setting step.

In the method of controlling the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment, each vane module is

circulated in discharge steps ranging from P2 to P5. After

discharge step P5, therefore, the discharge step of each

133

88405983.2 vane module is not changed to discharge step P6 but to discharge step P2.

At the time of round swing cooling, discharge step P2

is the first discharge step, and discharge step P5 is the

last discharge step.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a third

setting step (S60) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1 to

] P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P2,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P3, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S50 is satisfied,

a step (S70) of determining whether the third setting step

exceeds a third operation time after the third setting step,

a fourth setting step (S80) of setting the first vane module

to be operated in discharge step P5, among discharge steps

P1 to P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P2, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P3,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P4, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S70 is satisfied,

134

88405983.2 and a step (S90) of determining whether the fourth setting step exceeds a fourth operation time after the fourth setting step.

In the second setting step (S40), the first vane 210

and the second vane 220, being disposed at the first

discharge port, form the second vane angle; the first vane

210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the second

discharge port 102-2, form the third vane angle; the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the

J third discharge port 102-3, form the fourth vane angle; and

the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed

at the fourth discharge port 102-4, form the first vane

angle.

In the third setting step (S60), the first vane 210

and the second vane 220, being disposed at the first

discharge port 102-1, form the third vane angle; the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the

second discharge port 102-2, form the fourth vane angle; the

first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at

the third discharge port 102-3, form the first vane angle;

and the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being

disposed at the fourth discharge port 102-4, form the second

vane angle.

In the fourth setting step (S80), the first vane 210

and the second vane 220, being disposed at the first

135

88405983.2 discharge port 102-1, form the fourth vane angle; the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the second discharge port 102-2, form the first vane angle; the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the third discharge port 102-3, form the second vane angle; and the first vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the fourth discharge port 102-4, form the third vane angle.

The second setting step (S40), the third setting step

D (S60), and the fourth setting step (S80) may be included in

a cycle changing step, and the first setting step and the

cycle changing step may be performed repeatedly.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a step (SlO)

of determining whether the round swing cooling mode is

turned off in the case in which step S90 is satisfied and a

step of finishing the dynamic cooling mode in the case in

which step S100 is satisfied.

Consequently, the inclination of the first vane module

201 is sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge

step P2 -> discharge step P3 -> discharge step P4 ->

discharge step P4.

The inclination of the second vane module 202 is

sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge step P3 ->

discharge step P4 -> discharge step P5 -> discharge step P2.

136

88405983.2

The inclination of the third vane module 203 is

sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge step P4 ->

discharge step P5 -> discharge step P2 -> discharge step P3.

The inclination of the fourth vane module 204 is

sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge step P5 ->

discharge step P2 -> discharge step P3 -> discharge step P4.

The first vane module, the second vane module, the

third vane module, and the fourth vane module may be set to

be operated in one of discharge steps P1 to P6.

D In each of the setting steps (S20, S40, S60, and S80),

the first vane module, the second vane module, the third

vane module, and the fourth vane module may be set to be

operated in one of discharge steps P2 to P5, and may be set

to be operated in different discharge steps.

Based on the horizon, the inclination of the first

vane satisfies "0 degrees < inclination of the first vane in

discharge step P1 < inclination of the first vane in

discharge step P2 < inclination of the first vane in

discharge step P3 < inclination of the first vane in

discharge step P4 < inclination of the first vane in

discharge step P5 < inclination of the first vane in

discharge step P6 < 90 degrees."

Based on the horizon, the inclination of the second

vane satisfies "0 degrees < inclination of the second vane

in discharge step P1 < inclination of the second vane in

137

88405983.2 discharge step P2 < inclination of the second vane in discharge step P3 < inclination of the second vane in discharge step P4 < inclination of the second vane in discharge step P5 < inclination of the second vane in discharge step P6 < 90 degrees."

In each discharge step, the inclination of the second

vane is set to always be greater than the inclination of the

first vane. That is, in each discharge step, the second

vane is disposed further vertically than the first vane.

A user may select the round swing cooling mode using a

wireless remote controller (not shown) or a wired remote

controller (not shown) (S10). In this embodiment, the round

swing cooling mode is selected by the user. Unlike this

embodiment, however, the round swing cooling mode may be

automatically executed under a specific condition.

In this embodiment, when the user selects "round

swing" using the wireless remote controller or the wired

remote controller, the round swing cooling mode may be set.

The cooling mode may be set based on the difference between

a target temperature and an indoor temperature.

In the first setting step (S20), all of the first vane

module 201, the second vane module 202, the third vane

module 203, and the fourth vane module 204 are set to be

operated in different discharge steps.

In the first setting step (S20), a controller disposes

138

88405983.2 the first vane module 201, the second vane module 202, the third vane module 203, and the fourth vane module 204 in order of inclination.

In this embodiment, in the first setting step (S20),

the first vane module is disposed so as to be operated in

the gentlest discharge step, among discharge steps P2 to P5,

and the fourth vane module is disposed so as to be operated

in the steepest discharge step.

In the first setting step (S20), therefore, the first

J vane module 201 discharges air at an inclination of

discharge step P2 in the first discharge direction, the

first vane module 202 discharges air at an inclination of

discharge step P3 in the second discharge direction, the

first vane module 203 discharges air at an inclination of

discharge step P3 in the third discharge direction, and the

first vane module 204 discharges air at an inclination of

discharge step P5 in the fourth discharge direction.

When viewed in a bottom view, discharged air is

discharged further vertically in the clockwise direction.

The first setting step (S20) is performed for a first

operation time. During the first operation time, each vane

module may be stationary in a corresponding discharge step.

For example, a time for which the first vane module 201

discharges air in discharge step P2 may be set as an

operation time.

139

88405983.2

Unlike this, the first operation time may be a time

for which each vane module is changed from a corresponding

discharge step to the next discharge step. For example, the

total time for which the first vane module 201 is changed

from the previous discharge step to this discharge step may

be set as an operation time.

In this embodiment, air is discharged for the first

operation time in the state in which each vane module is

stationary in a corresponding discharge step.

J In the case in which step S30 is satisfied, the second

setting step (S40) is performed.

In the second setting step (S40), the first vane

module 201 is changed from discharge step P2 to discharge

step P3, the second vane module 202 is changed from

discharge step P3 to discharge step P4, the third vane

module 203 is changed from discharge step P4 to discharge

step P5, and the fourth vane module 204 is changed from

discharge step P5 to discharge step P2.

The discharge step of each of the first vane module,

the second vane module, and the third vane module is

increased by one step, and the inclinations of the first

vane and the second vane of each vane module are changed so

as to be steeper.

The fourth vane module 204 is returned from discharge

step P5 to discharge step P2, and the inclinations of the

140

88405983.2 first vane and the second vane are initialized from a steep state to a gentle state.

In this embodiment, the round swing is distinguished

from reciprocation of each vane module within a

predetermined section. In a general auto swing

reciprocating within a predetermined section, the discharge

step is performed in the sequence of P2 -> P3 -> P4 -> P5 ->

P4 -> P3 -> P2. That is, in a conventional auto swing, the

vane is slowly rotated downwards, and is then slowly rotated

D in reverse order.

In the round swing according to this embodiment,

however, returning to the initial position is rapidly

performed like flapping of the wings of a butterfly or a

bird, and then control is sequentially performed from

discharge step P2 to discharge step P5. Consequently, the

fourth vane module 204 is not changed from discharge step P5

to discharge step P4 but is returned to discharge step P2.

In this embodiment, the sequence in which "P2 -> P3 ->

P4 -> P5" is performed again after "P2 -> P3 -> P4 -> P5" is

defined as "circulation," and returning from the last

discharge step to the first discharge step of the round

swing is defined as "return."

In the case in which change from the first setting

step (S20) to the second setting step (S40) is performed,

the fourth vane module 204 is returned from discharge step

141

88405983.2

P5 to discharge step P2, and initialization from a steep

inclination to a gentle inclination is performed.

In the case in which change from the first setting

step (S20) to the second setting step (S40) is performed,

each of the other vane modules, such as the first vane

module 201, the second vane module 202, and the third vane

module 203, is changed so as to have a steeper inclination

in the second setting step (S40).

Upon determining in step S50 that the second operation

D time has elapsed, the third setting step (S60) is performed.

In the third setting step (S60), the first vane module

201 is changed from discharge step P3 to discharge step P4,

the second vane module 202 is changed from discharge step P4

to discharge step P5, and the fourth vane module 204 is

changed from discharge step P2 to discharge step P3.

The third vane module 203 is returned from discharge

step P5 to discharge step P2.

The discharge step of each of the first vane module,

the second vane module, and the fourth vane module is

increased by one step, and the inclinations of the first

vane and the second vane of each vane module are changed so

as to be steeper.

The third vane module 203 is returned from discharge

step P5 to discharge step P2, and the inclinations of the

first vane and the second vane are initialized from a steep

142

88405983.2 state to a gentle state.

Upon determining in step S70 that the third operation

time has elapsed, the fourth setting step (S80) is

performed.

In the fourth setting step (S80), the first vane

module 201 is changed from discharge step P4 to discharge

step P5, the third vane module 203 is changed from discharge

step P2 to discharge step P3, and the fourth vane module 204

is changed from discharge step P3 to discharge step P4.

J The second vane module 202 is returned from discharge

step P5 to discharge step P2.

The discharge step of each of the first vane module,

the third vane module, and the fourth vane module is

increased by one step, and the inclinations of the first

vane and the second vane of each vane module are changed so

as to be steeper.

The second vane module 202 is returned from discharge

step P5 to discharge step P2, and the inclinations of the

first vane and the second vane are initialized from a steep

state to a gentle state.

Upon determining in step S90 that the fourth operation

time has elapsed, step S100 is performed.

With progress in the sequence of the first setting

step (S20), the second setting step (S40), the third setting

step (S60), and the fourth setting step (S80), the first

143

88405983.2 vane module 201 is operated in the sequence of P2 -> P3 ->

P4 -> P5, the second vane module 202 is operated in the

sequence of P3 -> P4 -> P5 -> P2, the first vane module 201

is operated in the sequence of P4 -> P5 -> P2 -> P3, and the

first vane module 201 is operated in the sequence of P5 ->

P2 -> P3 -> P4.

Subsequently, in the case in which the round swing

cooling mode is not turned off, the procedure returns to

step S20.

D Step S30 to step S100 are defined as a "round swing

cycle." In each discharge direction, air discharged from

each vane module for the ""round swing cycle" is

sequentially discharged not only from the upper side to the

lower side but also from a long distance to a short

distance.

When each vane module is operated based on the "round

swing cycle," wind swirling around the indoor unit may be

formed. The wind swirling around the indoor unit in the

round swing cooling mode, as described above, is defined as

round swing wind.

The round swing wind is not wind directly discharged

from each vane module but is indirect wind swirling around

the indoor unit through sequential control of the vane

modules. When viewed in a top view or a bottom view of the

indoor unit, the round swing wind may move in the clockwise

144

88405983.2 direction or in the counterclockwise direction.

When the "round swing cycle" is repeated, each vane

module may be operated in a pattern like flapping of the

wings of a bird, and the pattern like the flapping wings may

be further intensified as each operation time is shortened.

The round swing wind may minimize a dead zone that is

not covered in the first discharge direction, the second

discharge direction, the third discharge direction, and the

fourth discharge direction.

D Although the discharge step in each discharge

direction is adjusted to provide direct wind to the user,

the number of discharge directions is limited, a dead zone

which discharged air does not directly reach is inevitably

formed between the respective discharge directions.

The round swing wind may turn around the indoor unit,

whereby it is possible to solve such a dead zone.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control method at

the time of cooling according to a second embodiment of

the present disclosure. FIG. 27 is a bottom view

schematically showing a discharge step of each vane module

when the control method at the time of cooling according

to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is

performed. FIG. 28 is a perspective view schematically

showing the discharge step of each vane module when the

control method at the time of cooling according to the

145

88405983.2 second embodiment of the present disclosure is performed.

In the method of controlling the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment, each vane module is

circulated in discharge steps ranging from P1 to P6. After

discharge step P6, therefore, each vane module is returned

to discharge step Pl.

In this embodiment, discharge step P1 is the first

discharge step, and discharge step P6 is the last discharge

step.

J The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment includes a step (S10) of

turning on a round swing cooling mode, a first setting step

(S21) of setting the first vane module to be operated in

discharge step P1, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the second vane module to be operated in discharge step P2,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the third vane

module to be operated in discharge step P3, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane module to be

operated in discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, after step S10, and a step (S30) of determining whether

the first setting step exceeds a first operation time after

the first setting step.

In the method of controlling the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment, after step S30, the

discharge step of each vane module is changed to the next

146

88405983.2 discharge step, which is repeated.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a second

setting step (S41) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P2, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P4,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

] module to be operated in discharge step P5, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S30 is satisfied

and a step (S50) of determining whether the second setting

step exceeds a second operation time after the second

setting step.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a third

setting step (S61) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P5,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P6, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S50 is satisfied

and a step (S70) of determining whether the third setting

147

88405983.2 step exceeds a third operation time after the third setting step.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a fourth

setting step (S81) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P6,

D among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P1, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S70 is satisfied

and a step (S90) of determining whether the fourth setting

step exceeds a fourth operation time after the fourth

setting step. In this embodiment, the fourth operation time

is 5 minutes.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a fifth

setting step (SlOl) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P6, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P1,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P2, among discharge

148

88405983.2 steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S90 is satisfied and a step (S110) of determining whether the fifth setting step exceeds a fifth operation time after the fifth setting step. In this embodiment, the fifth operation time is 5 minutes.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a sixth

setting step (S121) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P6, among discharge steps P1 to

] P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P1, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P2,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P3, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S110 is satisfied

and a step (S130) of determining whether the sixth setting

step exceeds a sixth operation time after the sixth setting

step. In this embodiment, the sixth operation time is 5

minutes.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a step (SlO)

of determining whether the round swing cooling mode is

turned off in the case in which step S130 is satisfied and a

step of finishing the dynamic cooling mode in the case in

which step S100 is satisfied.

149

88405983.2

In this embodiment, each vane module is circulated in

the sequence of P1 -> P2 -> P3 -> P4 -> P5 -> P6. Although

the number of vane modules is 4 in this embodiment,

circulation is performed in six discharge steps.

In the case in which the current discharge step of the

vane module is discharge step P6, the vane module is

returned to discharge step Pl.

In the case in which each vane module is circulated in

six discharge steps, as in this embodiment, the vertical

J angle range of each vane module is formed so as to be large.

The inclination of the first vane is changed between

16 and 57 degrees, and the inclination of the second vane is

changed between 56 and 74 degrees.

The other constructions of this embodiment are

identical to those of the first embodiment, and therefore a

detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a control method at

the time of heating according to a third embodiment of the

present disclosure.

In a round swing heating mode, each vane module is

circulated in discharge steps ranging from P3 to P6. After

discharge step P6, therefore, each vane module is returned

to discharge step P3.

Since discharged air is warmer than indoor air at the

time of heating, discharge step P3, which is further

150

88405983.2 vertical by one step than at the time of cooling, is used as an initial discharge step.

In this embodiment, at the time of round swing

heating, discharge step P3 is the first discharge step, and

discharge step P6 is the last discharge step.

At the time of the round swing heating, the first

discharge step is disposed further vertically than the first

discharge step at the time of the round swing cooling. At

the time of the round swing heating, the last discharge step

J is disposed further vertically than the last discharge step

at the time of the round swing cooling.

At the time of heating, discharged air tends to move

upwards, since the discharged air has lower density than

indoor air. In the case in which, in the round swing

heating mode, discharge step P2 is used as the initial

discharge step, as in the round swing cooling mode,

discharged air does not reach the person in the room but

gathers at the upper side in the room.

In order to prevent this, in the round swing heating

mode, the discharge step further vertical by one step than

the round swing cooling mode is used. Furthermore, even in

the case in which discharge step P6 is set as the last

discharge step, discharged air moves further upwards than

the discharge angle thereof due to the characteristics of

warm air, and therefore the discharged air does not move in

151

88405983.2 the form like vertical wind at the time of cooling.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment includes a step (S12) of

turning on a round swing heating mode, a first setting step

(S22) of setting the first vane module to be operated in

discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the second vane module to be operated in discharge step P4,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the third vane

module to be operated in discharge step P5, among discharge

] steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane module to be

operated in discharge step P6, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, after step S10, and a step (S30) of determining whether

the first setting step exceeds a first operation time after

the first setting step.

In the first setting step (S22), the first vane 210

and the second vane 220, being disposed at the first

discharge port 102-1, form a first vane angle; the first

vane 210 and the second vane 220, being disposed at the

second discharge port 102-2, form a second vane angle

greater than the first vane angle; the first vane 210 and

the second vane 220, being disposed at the third discharge

port 102-3, form a third vane angle greater than the second

vane angle; the first vane 210 and the second vane 220,

being disposed at the fourth discharge port 102-4, form a

fourth vane angle greater than the third vane angle. Here,

152

88405983.2 the first vane angle, including the vane angles in the discharge steps P1 to P3, is in a range of 135 degrees and

144 degrees; the second vane angle, including the vane angle

in the discharge step P4, is in a range of 145 degrees and

150 degrees; the third vane angle, including the vane angle

in the discharge step P5, is in a range of 151 degrees and

158 degrees; and the fourth vane angle, including the vane

angle in the discharge step P6, is in a range of 159 degrees

and 165 degrees. The first vane angle in the heating mode,

D in which heated air is discharged through the discharge

ports, may be greater than the first vane angle in the

cooling mode, in which cooled air is discharged through the

discharge ports.

In the method of controlling the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment, after step S30, the

discharge step of each vane module is changed to the next

discharge step, which is repeated.

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a second

setting step (S42) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P4, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P6,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

153

88405983.2 module to be operated in discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S30 is satisfied and a step (S50) of determining whether the second setting step exceeds a second operation time after the second setting step.

In the method of controlling the ceiling type indoor

unit according to this embodiment, each vane module is

circulated in discharge steps ranging from P2 to P5. After

discharge step P5, therefore, the discharge step of each

] vane module is not changed to discharge step P6 but to

discharge step P2 .

The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a third

setting step (S62) of setting the first vane module to be

operated in discharge step P5, among discharge steps P1 to

P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P6, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P3,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P4, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S50 is satisfied,

a step (S70) of determining whether the third setting step

exceeds a third operation time after the third setting step,

a fourth setting step (S82) of setting the first vane module

to be operated in discharge step P6, among discharge steps

154

88405983.2

P1 to P6, setting the second vane module to be operated in

discharge step P3, among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting

the third vane module to be operated in discharge step P4,

among discharge steps P1 to P6, setting the fourth vane

module to be operated in discharge step P5, among discharge

steps P1 to P6, in the case in which step S70 is satisfied,

and a step (S90) of determining whether the fourth setting

step exceeds a fourth operation time after the fourth

setting step.

J The method of controlling the ceiling type indoor unit

according to this embodiment further includes a step (S102)

of determining whether the round swing heating mode is

turned off in the case in which step S90 is satisfied and a

step of finishing the dynamic cooling mode in the case in

which step S100 is satisfied.

Consequently, the inclination of the first vane module

201 is sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge

step P3 -> discharge step P4 -> discharge step P5 ->

discharge step P6.

The inclination of the second vane module 202 is

sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge step P4 ->

discharge step P5 -> discharge step P6 -> discharge step P3.

The inclination of the third vane module 203 is

sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge step P5 ->

discharge step P5 -> discharge step P3 -> discharge step P4.

155

88405983.2

The inclination of the fourth vane module 204 is

sequentially changed in the sequence of discharge step P6 ->

discharge step P3 -> discharge step P4 -> discharge step P5.

The other constructions of this embodiment are

identical to those of the first embodiment, and therefore a

detailed description thereof will be omitted.

While the embodiments of the present disclosure have

been described with reference to the accompanying drawings,

the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and

D may be embodied in various different forms, and those

skilled in the art will appreciate that the present

disclosure may be embodied in specific forms other than

those set forth herein without departing from the technical

idea and essential characteristics of the present

disclosure. Thee disclosed embodiments are therefore to be

construed in all aspects as illustrative and not

restrictive.

[Description of Reference Numerals]

100: Case 101: Suction port

102: Discharge port 103: Suction channel

104: Discharge channel 110: Case housing

120: Front panel 130: Indoor heat exchanger

140: Indoor blowing fan 200: Vane module

210: First vane 212a: Front end of first vane

212b: Rear end of first vane

156

88405983.2

216: First joint portion 217: Second joint portion

220: Second vane 222a: Front end of second vane

222b: Rear end of second vane

226: Third joint portion 230: Vane motor

240: Driving link 241: First driving link shaft

242: Second driving link shaft 243: Core link shaft

245: Driving link body 246: First driving link body

247: Second driving link body 248: Core body

250: First vane link 260: Second vane link

D 251: 1-1 vane link shaft 252: 1-2 vane link shaft

261: 2-1 vane link shaft 262: 2-2 vane link shaft

300: Front panel 310: Front body

320: Suction grill 330: Pre-filter

400: Module body 410: First module body

420: Second module body 500: Elevator

157

88405983.2

Claims

[Claims]

[Claim 1]

A method of controlling a indoor unit of an air conditioner, the indoor unit

comprising:

Sa suction port;

a case having a first discharge port, a second discharge port, a third discharge

port, and a fourth discharge port being formed around a circumference of the suction port

and sequentially spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction;

a first vane being disposed at each of the first discharge port, the second

J discharge port, the third discharge port, and the fourth discharge port, and connected to

the case through a driving link and a first vane link; and

a second vane being disposed at each of the first discharge port, the second

discharge port, the third discharge port, and the fourth discharge port, and connected to

the driving link by a second vane link, and

the method comprises:

a first setting step, in which a difference in inclination between the respective

first vane and the respective second vane disposed at each of the first discharge port, the

158

88405983.2 second discharge port, the third discharge port, and the fourth discharge port, is arranged in order of inclination; a second setting step, in which the respective first vane and the respective second vane disposed at each of the first discharge port, the second discharge port, and the third discharge port are changed such that a difference in inclination between the first vane and the second vane becomes large, and the first vane and the second vane disposed in the fourth discharge port are changed to reduce a difference in inclination between the first vane and the secondvane; a third setting step, in which the first vane and the second vane, disposed in each

D of the first discharge port, the second discharge port, and the fourth discharge port are

changed such that a difference in inclination between the first vane and the second vane

becomes large, and the first vane and the second vane disposed in the third discharge port

are changed to reduce a difference in inclination between the first vane and the second

vane;and

a fourth setting step, in which the first vane and the second vane, disposed in

each of the first discharge port, the third discharge port, and the fourth discharge port are

changed such that a difference in inclination between the first vane and the second vane

159

88405983.2 becomes large, and the first vane and the second vane disposed in the second discharge port are changed to reduce a difference in inclination between the first vane and the second vane.
[Claim 2]

The method according to claim 1, wherein the first setting step is performed after

the fourth setting step.
[Claim 3]

J The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein in the first setting

step, a front end of the second vane disposed at the first discharge port is directed to a

rear end of the first vane disposed at the first discharge port.
[Claim 4]

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the first setting

step:

- the first vane and the second vane disposed at the first discharge port are

disposed in a first position,

160

88405983.2

- the first vane and the second vane disposed at the second discharge port are

disposed in a second position,

- the first vane and the second vane disposed at the third discharge port are

disposed in a third position,

- the first vane and the second vane disposed at the fourth discharge port are

disposed in a fourth position; and

wherein a distance between a front end of the respective second vane and a rear

end of the respective first vane in the second position is formed wider than a distance

between the front end of the respective second vane and the rear end of the respective

First vane in the first position; and

wherein a distance between the front end of the respective second vane and the

rear end of the respective first vane in the third position is formed wider than the distance

between the front end of the respective second vane and the rear end of the respective

first vane in the second position; and

wherein a distance between the front end of the respective second vane and the

rear end of the respective first vane in the fourth position is formed wider than the

161

88405983.2 distance between the front end of the respective second vane and the rear end of the respective first vane in the third position.
[Claim 5]

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at each of the first

discharge port, the second discharge port, the third discharge port, and the fourth

discharge port, there is disposed:

a vane motor coupled to the case and configured to provide a driving force;

a driving link coupled to the vane motor and the respective first vane and

J configured to transmit the driving force, generated by the vane motor, to the respective

first vane;

a first vane link being spaced apart from the driving link and rotatably coupled to

the case and the respective first vane; and

a second vane link being rotatably coupled to each of the driving link and the

respective second vane.
[Claim 6]

162

88405983.2

The method according to claim 5, wherein each driving link comprises:

a core body coupled to the respective vane motor;

a first driving link body extending to one side from the core body and being

rotatably coupled to the respective first vane; and

Sa second driving link body extending to the other side from the core body and

being rotatably coupled to the second vane link,

wherein the first driving link body and the second driving link body form a

predetermined included angle.

163

88405983.2