EP0819894A2 - Unité intérieure pour système de climatisation - Google Patents

Unité intérieure pour système de climatisation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0819894A2
EP0819894A2 EP97110490A EP97110490A EP0819894A2 EP 0819894 A2 EP0819894 A2 EP 0819894A2 EP 97110490 A EP97110490 A EP 97110490A EP 97110490 A EP97110490 A EP 97110490A EP 0819894 A2 EP0819894 A2 EP 0819894A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
louver
conditioned air
louvers
indoor unit
outlet port
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP97110490A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0819894B1 (fr
EP0819894A3 (fr
Inventor
Kenji Okuda
Ichiro Hongo
Tetsuji Yamashita
Yashuiro Kageyama
Toshiro Nigo
Shigeki Kato
Harunobu Nukushina
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toshiba Corp
Original Assignee
Toshiba Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP16602396A external-priority patent/JP3171786B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP16560596A external-priority patent/JP3256440B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP25686196A external-priority patent/JP3432369B2/ja
Application filed by Toshiba Corp filed Critical Toshiba Corp
Publication of EP0819894A2 publication Critical patent/EP0819894A2/fr
Publication of EP0819894A3 publication Critical patent/EP0819894A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0819894B1 publication Critical patent/EP0819894B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F24F1/0011—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by air outlets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
    • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
    • F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
    • F24F1/0057—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in or on a wall

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to an air conditioning system and an indoor unit thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to an air conditioning system, which has an indoor unit equipped with a horizontally extending louver for vertically changing the discharge direction of a conditioned air, and a remote controller for remote-controlling the pivotal movement of the louver of the indoor unit.
  • FIG. 33 shows an example of a conventional indoor unit for an air conditioning system.
  • the indoor unit comprises a front panel 203, an outlet port 201 provided beneath the front part of the front panel 203 for discharging a conditioned air into a room, and a discharge passage 202 for discharging the conditioned air toward the outlet port 201 in a forward and downward direction.
  • the outlet port 201 is provided with a horizontally extending louver 300, which is pivotable about a pivotal axis C for vertically changing the discharge direction of the conditioned air.
  • the louver 300 has a cross section, which is curved so as to correspond to the shape of the outer surface of the front panel 203 (convex forwards and downwards) when the operation of the air conditioning system is stopped, in order to improve the appearance of the indoor unit (see the two-dot chain line of FIG. 33).
  • the direction of a conditioned air discharged from the indoor unit may be set to be an optional direction in accordance with the choice of a user, although it is generally a substantially forward direction when cooling and a substantially downward direction when heating.
  • the louver 300 of the indoor unit is arranged at a substantially horizontal position (convex downwards) shown in FIG. 33A, it allows the conditioned air to be discharged in a forward direction from the outlet port 201, and when the louver 300 is arranged at a substantially vertical position (convex rearwards) shown in FIG. 33B, it allows the conditioned air to be discharged in a downward direction from the outlet port 201.
  • one end 302 of the louver 300 is always directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air and the other end 301 thereof is always directed toward the downstream of the conditioned air between the substantially horizontal position (convex downwards) shown in FIG. 33A and the substantially vertical position (convex rearwards) shown in FIG. 33B.
  • FIG. 34 shows another example of a conventional indoor unit for an air conditioning system.
  • a horizontally extending louver 310 is substituted for the louver 300.
  • the louver 310 When the louver 310 is arranged at a substantially horizontal position (convex upward) shown in FIG. 34A, it allows a conditioned air to be discharged in a forward direction from the outlet port 201, and when the louver 310 is arranged at a substantially vertical position (convex forwards) shown in FIG. 34B, it allows the conditioned air to be discharged in a downward direction from the outlet port 201.
  • one end 311 of the louver 310 is always directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air and the other end 312 thereof is always directed toward the downstream of the conditioned air between the substantially horizontal position (convex upwards) shown in FIG. 34A and the substantially vertical position (convex forwards) shown in FIG. 34B.
  • the louver 300 when the louver 300 is arranged at the substantially horizontal position (convex downwards) shown in FIG. 33A, the side of the one end 302 of the louver 300 is substantially parallel to the flowing direction of the conditioned air, so that it is possible to allow the conditioned air to smoothly flow forwards along the louver 300.
  • the louver 300 when the louver 300 is arranged at the substantially vertical position (convex rearwards) shown in FIG. 33B, the angle between the side of the one end 302 of the louver 300 and the flowing direction of the conditioned air is great, so that the conditioned air flow collides with the louver 300. Therefore, it is not possible to allow the conditioned air to smoothly flow downwards along the louver 300, and the louver 300 also serves as a baffle board against the conditioned air flow. For that reason, in the state shown in FIG. 33B, there are problems in that the discharge flow rate of the conditioned air is remarkably decreased and that noises due to turbulence of the conditioned air flow are increased.
  • the louver 310 when the louver 310 is arranged at the substantially horizontal position (convex upwards) shown in FIG. 34A, the angle between the one end 311 of the louver 310 and the flowing direction of the conditioned air is great, so that the conditioned air flow collides with the louver 310. Therefore, it is not possible to allow the conditioned air to smoothly flow forwards along the louver 310, and the louver 310 also serves as a baffle board against the conditioned air flow. For that reason, in the state shown in FIG. 34A, there are the same problems as those in the aforementioned state shown in FIG. 33B.
  • an indoor unit for an air conditioning system which comprises: an outlet port for discharging a conditioned air into a room; an inlet port for sucking an air to be conditioned from the room; a discharge passage for allowing the conditioned air to flow in a forward and downward direction toward said outlet port; a louver provided in the outlet port, for vertically changing a discharge direction of the conditioned air, the louver being turnable about a horizontal pivotal axis ; and drive means for driving the louver to turn the same about the pivotal axis: characterised in that: the louver is turnable in two opposite directions from a closing position at which the louver substantially closes the outlet port, the louver having a curved cross section with a concave surface and an opposite convex surface ; and control means is provided for controlling the drive means to turn the louver so that the concave surface is directed substantially upwards when the conditioned air is to be discharged forwards, and
  • an indoor unit for an air conditioning system which comprises: an outlet port for discharging a conditioned air into a room; an inlet port for sucking an air to be conditioned from the room; a discharge passage for allowing the conditioned air to flow in a forward and downward direction toward said outlet port; a plurality of louvers, provided in the outlet port, for vertically changing a discharge direction of the conditioned air, each of said louvers being turnable about a horizontal pivotal axis ; and drive means for driving the louvers to turn the same about the pivotal axis: characterised in that: at least one of the louvers is turnable in the two opposite directions from a closing position at which the louver substantially closes the outlet port, said at least one of the louvers having a curved cross section with a concave surface and an opposite convex surface ; and control means is provided for controlling the drive means to turn the louver having a curved cross section so that the concave surface is directed substantially upwards when the
  • the conditioned air flows along the louver having the curved cross section. Therefore, it is possible to allow the conditioned air to smoothly flow along the louver, to ensure a sufficient discharge flow rate of conditioned air, and to prevent noises from being caused by the turbulence of conditioned air flow.
  • the control means may control the drive means in such a manner that: when the discharge direction of the conditioned air to be changed between a forward direction and a downward direction, the louver having a curved cross section is subjected to movements comprising: an usual turning movement, during which discharge direction of the conditioned air is continuously changing in accordance with the change of pivotal position of the louver; and a turning over movement, by which the positions of one end and the other end of the louver are mutually exchanged, the turning direction of the turning over movement being opposite to that of the usual turning movement.
  • this indoor unit it is possible to sequentially change the discharged direction of the conditioned air between the forward and downward directions, while allowing the conditioned air to smoothly flow along the louver, ensuring a sufficient discharged flow rate of conditioned air, and preventing noises from being caused by the turbulence of conditioned air flow.
  • control means may control the drive means so that turning speed, during the turning over movement, of the louver having a curved cross section is higher than turning speed during the usual turning movement.
  • control means may control the drive means so that the louver having a curved cross section is stopped for a predetermined period of time immediately before the turning over movement starts.
  • the indoor unit may further comprise manually operable means for commanding operation and stop of the drive means to the control means, to move the louver to an optional pivotal position, and wherein the control means controls the drive means so that the louver having a curved cross section is stopped at a position other than the closing position when the control means receives a stopping command from the manually operable means during the turning over movement of the louver having a curved cross section.
  • this unit even if the stopping command is received from the manually operable means during the turning over movement, it is possible to stop the louver other than the closing position at which the louver closes the outlet port, so that it is possible to prevent the discharge of the conditioned air from being blocked by the louver by which the outlet port is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of noises, the freezing of the heat exchanger when cooling due to the decrease of the discharge flow rate, and the abnormal temperature rise of the heat exchanger when heating.
  • the indoor unit may further comprise: manually operable means for commanding operation and stop of the drive means to the control means, to turning the louver to an optional pivotal position, and wherein the control means controls the drive means so that turning speed of the louver when automatically causing turning movement of the louver is higher than turning speed of the louver when causing turning of the louver in response to an input at the manually operable means, at least in a part of the turning range of said louver.
  • the turning speed of the louver when automatically causing the pivotal movement of the louver is higher than the turning speed of the louver when causing the pivotal movement of the louver in response to the input of the manually operable means at least in a part of pivotal range of the louver, it is possible to decrease the time required to move the louver when automatically causing the turning movement of the louver, while maintaining the turning speed when causing the turning movement of the louver in response to the input of the manually operable means, at a low speed. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the time required to automatically move the louver at least in a part of pivotal range of the louver, and to easily carry out the positioning of the pivotal position of the louver by means of the manually operable means.
  • the drive means may comprise at least one stepping motor, having exciting coils, and wherein the control means changes a rotational speed of said step motor for changing turning speed of the louver by switching an exciting system of the step motor between a one-two-phase exciting system and a two-phase exciting system.
  • the drive means may comprise at least two motors, and wherein the control means controls the motors so that the plurality of louvers are independently operated.
  • a gap may be formed between the adjacent louvers so that the louvers are turned without causing interference of pivotal loci of the louvers.
  • this indoor unit it is possible to prevent the louvers from colliding with each other. Therefore, in a case where the pivotal movements of the louvers are independently carried out, it is not required to carry out any complicated controls in order to prevent the louvers from colliding with each other, so that it is possible to more easily provide an indoor unit having a good discharge characteristic of conditioned air.
  • a rear end edge of a front louver of the adjacent louvers may be located below a front end edge of a rear louver of the adjacent louvers, when each of the louvers are located at the closing position.
  • this indoor unit it is possible to prevent the appearance of the indoor unit from being spoiled even if a sufficient gap is formed between the respective louvers.
  • the foremost louver of said plurality of louvers may be provided so as to be turnable in only one direction from the closing position, and the other louver of the louvers may be provided so as to be turnable in two directions from the closing position, the other louver having the curved cross section.
  • the foremost louver of said plurality of louvers may have a wind deflecting surface for deflecting the conditioned air in a forward and upward direction, the wind deflecting surface being arranged at a downstream end portion, with respect to a flow of conditioned air, of one surface of the foremost louver, and the foremost louver of the plurality of louvers may form a flow of conditioned air toward the inlet port from the outlet port via the wind deflecting surface when the foremost louver is turned to a predetermined position.
  • the conditioned air discharged from the outlet port when carrying out the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioning system is discharged from the outlet port to the inlet port without being discharged toward the central portion of the room, and circulates near the indoor unit, so that it is possible to dehumidify the room without giving a cold wind feeling.
  • the wind deflecting surface may be formed so as to deflect the conditioned air discharged from the outlet port toward the downstream of a peripheral edge of the outlet port when the flow of conditioned air flowing from the outlet port toward the inlet port is formed.
  • an inner wall surface forming the discharge passage on the side of the inlet port may be formed with a curved surface projecting toward the foremost louver, and the lowest end of the curved surface may be located upstream of the wind deflecting surface in a case where the foremost louver is located so as to form a flow of conditioned air flowing from the outlet port to the inlet port.
  • a portion of the louver upstream of the wind deflecting surface may have a plate-like shape.
  • FIGS. 1 through 13 show the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • an indoor unit U for an air conditioning system is designed to be mounted on a wall at an overhead location in a room.
  • the indoor unit U comprises a front panel 3, an outlet port 1 for discharging a conditioned air (a cooled air, a dehumidified air, a heated air or the like) into the room, and a discharge passage 2 for allowing the conditioned air to flow toward the outlet port 1 in a forward and downward direction.
  • the outlet port 1 is provided with a horizontally extending louver 10, which is pivotable (pivotally movable) or turnable about a pivotal axis C (see FIG. 1) for vertically changing the discharge direction of the conditioned air.
  • louver 10 is driven by drive means or a louver driving motor M (see FIG. 3).
  • reference number 9 denotes a plurality of vertically extending louvers provided upstream of the louver 10 for horizontally changing the discharge direction of the conditioned air.
  • louver 10 is pivotally moved to a closing position (a stopped position), at which the lower 10 substantially closes the outlet port 1, by means of the louver driving motor M, when the operation of the air conditioning system is stopped.
  • the louver 10 has a curved cross section (convex forwards and downwards) so as to correspond to the shape of the outer surface of the front panel 3 (see the two-dot chain line of FIG. 1).
  • the louver 10 has a cross section which is curved toward the pivotal axis C at a location substantially facing the pivotal axis C, and has a concave surface 10a on the side of the pivotal axis C and a convex surface 10b on the opposite side of the pivotal axis C.
  • the cross section of the discharge passage 2 is defined by a front wall 2a and a rear wall 2b.
  • a plate-like supporting member 15 for supporting the louver 10 at the central portion thereof with respect to the axial direction of the pivotal axis C is provided in the discharge passage 2.
  • the supporting member 15 has a base portion 16, both ends of which are supported on the front wall 2a and the rear wall 2b, respectively, and a supporting portion 17 which extends forwards and downwards from the base portion 16 on the side of the front wall 2a.
  • a mounting plate 13 is provided on the side of the pivotal axis C of the louver 10.
  • the tip portion of the mounting plate 13 is pivotally mounted to the tip portion of the supporting portion 17 of the supporting member 15 at a location of the pivotal axis C.
  • the front panel 3 For sucking an indoor air to be conditioned, the front panel 3 has an inlet port 4 in the front surface thereof, and an inlet port 5 in the upper surface thereof.
  • a main indoor heat exchanger 6 is provided inside of the front panel 3.
  • the main indoor heat exchanger 6 comprises a first heat exchanger 6a (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the inlet port 4 and a second heat exchanger 6b corresponding to the inlet port 5.
  • an auxiliary indoor heat exchanger (a supercooling heat exchanger) 7 is provided.
  • a cross-flow or transverse type indoor fan 8 is provided inside of the main indoor heat exchanger 6 (between the first heat exchanger 6a and the second heat exchanger 6b).
  • the indoor unit U is designed to suck an indoor air from the inlet ports 4 and 5 by the rotation of the indoor fan 8.
  • the indoor air sucked from the inlet port 4 flows into the discharge passage 2 through the first heat exchanger 6a, and the indoor air sucked from the inlet port 5 flows into the discharge passage 2 through the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 6b.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 the relationship between the pivotal movement of the louver 10 and the discharge direction of a conditioned air will be described in detail below. Furthermore, the slant line area of FIG. 5 shows the discharged area of a mainstream portion having a flow velocity of greater than a predetermined velocity (this is the same as FIGS. 18 and 20 which will be described later).
  • the louver 10 is pivotable or turnable within the range of about 180 degrees between a position at which the one end 11 of the louver 10 is directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air when the louver 10 is substantially parallel to the discharge direction of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage 2, and a position at which the other end 12 of the louver 10 is directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air when the louver 10 is substantially parallel to the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage 2, via the stopped position.
  • the supporting member 15 is formed so as not to interfere with the pivotal movement of the louver 10.
  • the louver 10 allows a conditioned air to be discharged in a forward direction from the outlet port 1 when the louver 10 is arranged at a substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 4A, i.e., when the concave surface 10a is directed substantially upwards (see sign a of FIG. 5).
  • the louver 10 also allows a conditioned air to be discharged in a downward direction from the outlet port 1 when the louver 10 is arranged at a substantially vertical position as shown in FIG. 4B, i.e., when the concave surface 10a is directed substantially backwards (see sign d of FIG. 5).
  • the louver 10 is subjected to following movements.
  • upstream means “upstream, with respect to the flowing direction of the conditioned air”
  • downstream means “downstream, with respect to the flowing direction of the conditioned air”, in this specification.
  • each movement mentioned in above items (1) and (3) is referred to an “usual turning movement”
  • the movement mentioned in above item (2) is referred to a “turning over movement”.
  • the louver 10 is turned, from the substantially vertical position (see FIG. 4D) to the substantially horizontal position (see FIG. 4A), with movements opposite to aforementioned movements (1)-(3).
  • the abovementioned movements of the louver 10, to change the discharge direction from downward to forward will be hereinafter refer to a "upward movement (of the louver 10)". This movement is the same in the case of a louver 20 in the second and third preferred embodiment which will be described later.
  • louver 10 In a case where the louver 10 is pivotally moved upwards or downwards, a part of the pivotal movement of the louver 10 during the reversal thereof (see FIG. 4C), will be hereinafter referred to a "discontinuous part of the discharged direction of conditioned air", and the other part during the usual pivotal movement of the louver 10 will be hereinafter referred to as a “continuous part of the discharged direction of conditioned air" (these parts are the same in the case of a louver 20 in the second and third preferred embodiment which will be described later).
  • the indoor unit U has a manually operable means or a remote controller R for transmitting an infrared signal or a remote control signal to remote-control the pivotal movement of the louver 10.
  • the indoor unit U also has a receiving unit 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for receiving the remote control signal transmitted from the remote controller R, and a receiving sound producing means 26 for producing a receiving sound in response to the remote control signal received by the receiving unit 25.
  • the indoor unit U has an inspecting input means (a switch provided in the indoor unit body) 29 for verifying the movement of the louver 10 when the product is inspected before being shipped or the like.
  • the indoor unit U has a control unit 27, and a drive circuit 28 for driving the louver driving motor M.
  • the control unit 27 drives the louver driving motor M by means of the drive circuit 28 in response to the remote control signal (input) of the remote controller (the manually operable means) R received by the receiving unit 25, to control the pivotal movement of the louver 10
  • control unit 27 controls the operation of the louver driving motor M so as to automatically cause the pivotal movement of the louver 10 to a predetermined position (e.g., the aforementioned stopped position).
  • control unit 27 controls the louver driving motor M in response to the input from the aforementioned inspecting input means 29 to cause the pivotal movement of the louver 10.
  • louver driving motor M and the drive circuit 28 will be described in detail below.
  • the louver driving motor M comprises a step motor.
  • a PM type step motor is shown in FIG. 7.
  • the step motor comprises a rotor 50 having a north pole and a south pole, and a stator 52 having four exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 which are shifted by 90 degrees from the adjacent exciting coil portion.
  • switches SW1 through SW4 corresponding to the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 of the stator 52 are provided. When these switches SW1 through SW4 are turned on, currents pass through the corresponding exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 from a direct voltage source 60, so that the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 are excited (the south pole rises).
  • the exciting coil portion ⁇ 1 is excited (the south pole rises) to attract the north pole of the rotor 50 (the state shown in FIG. 7). Then, when the switch SW1 is turned off and only the switch SW2 is turned on, the exciting coil portion ⁇ 2 is excited to attract the north pole of the rotor 50 to rotate the rotor 50 clockwise by 90 degrees.
  • the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 are sequentially energized by switching the switches SW1 through SW4 in the order of ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4 ⁇ 1..., the rotor 50 can be rotated clockwise every 90 degrees.
  • the exciting order of the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 may be reversed so as to be ⁇ 4 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 1 ⁇ 4 ⁇ , which is opposite to the exciting order in the case of the clockwise rotation.
  • the drive circuit 28 for driving the louver driving motor comprises a distributing circuit 64, to which a clock pulse 62 is inputted, and an exciting circuit 66, to which the direct voltage source 60 is connected.
  • the distributing circuit 64 serves to determine the energizing order of the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 of the step motor.
  • the exciting circuit 66 serves to use an output signal (an energizing pulse) outputted from the distributing circuit 64 for energizing the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 of the step motor by a predetermined voltage and by a predetermined exciting system.
  • the clock pulse 62 inputted to the distributing circuit 64 is a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency. When the frequency (pulse/sec) of the clock pulse 62 is changed, the output frequency of the energizing pulse outputted from the distributing circuit 64 is changed, so that the rotational speed of the step motor can be changed.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 show output signals (energizing pulses) from the distributing circuit 64, together with the clock pulse 62.
  • FIG. 9 shows an energizing pulse of a two-phase energizing system or a two-phase exciting system for energizing the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 of the step motor every two phases.
  • FIG. 10 shows an energizing pulse of a one-two-phase energizing system or a one-two phase exciting system for alternately carrying out a one-phase energizing system (a one-phase exciting system) for energizing the exciting coil portions ⁇ 1 through ⁇ 4 every phase, and the two-phase energizing system.
  • the one-two-phase energizing system shown in FIG. 10 needs a pulse number, which is two times as large as that of the two-phase energizing system shown in FIG. 9, in order to obtain the same number of revolution (rotation angle). That is, the ratio of the rotational speed of the step motor in the two-phase energizing system to the rotational speed thereof in the one-two-phase energizing system is 1:2 with respect to the clock pulse 62 of the same frequency (see FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A).
  • the torque of the step motor generally decreases as the output frequency of the energizing pulse increases, the torque of the stepping motor does not change only by switching the energizing system of the energizing pulse between the one-two-phase and two-phase energizing systems.
  • the control unit 27 can change the rotational speed of the louver driving motor M on the basis of the aforementioned properties of the step motor. For example, it is assumed that the rotational speed of the step motor rotated by the energizing pulse of a predetermined normal output frequency in the one-two-phase energizing system shown in FIG. 10A is a usual rotational speed. In the same one-two-phase energizing system shown in FIG. 10B, if the frequency of the clock pulse 62 is increased by three times so that the output frequency of the energizing pulse is increased to be three times as large as the aforementioned normal output frequency, a rotational speed three times as large as the usual rotational speed can be obtained.
  • a rotational speed two times as large as the usual rotational speed may be obtained without decreasing the torque only by switching the energizing system of the louver driving motor M from the one-two-phase energizing system to the two-phase energizing system.
  • the torque of the louver driving motor M is not changed, it is possible to maintain a good rotation even if a load is applied to the louver 10.
  • the control unit 27 can determine the current position of the louver 10 from a predetermined initial position of the louver 10 on the basis of the order and number of the energizing pulse applied to the louver driving motor or the step motor M. That is, it can be determined on the basis of the order of the energizing pulse whether the rotational direction of the louver 10 is clockwise or counterclockwise, and the rotation angle in the rotational direction can be determined on the basis of the number of energizing pulse.
  • the direction and degree of angular movement of the louver 10 from the initial position can be recognized by the addition and/or subtraction on the basis of the rotational direction and the energizing pulse number.
  • louver driving motor in order to recognize the rotational position of the louver 10, it is required provide an additional position sensor for detecting the rotational position of the louver 10.
  • the control unit 27 causes the receiving sound producing means 26 to produce a predetermined receiving sound in response to a remote control signal received by the receiving unit 25.
  • the tone colors (such as frequency components of sounds) of the receiving sounds may be different, or the receiving sounds may be produced at different intervals (e.g., a receiving sound such as "pipitt-pipitt" or "pii-pii" which is different from a receiving sound such as "pitt-pitt").
  • the remote controller R may transmit a louver moving signal to start the pivotal movement or the turning movement of the louver 10 by pushing a louver operating button (not shown) once, and a louver stopping signal to stop the pivotal movement of the louver 10 by pushing the louver operating button again.
  • the remote controller R may transmit a louver moving signal to start the pivotal movement of the louver 10 by pushing the louver operating button, and a louver stopping signal to stop the pivotal movement of the louver 10 by releasing the louver operating button after pivotally moving the louver 10 to a desired position by continuously pushing the louver operating button.
  • the expression “louver position d(0)” means the aforementioned closing position (see the louver 10 illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1).
  • step 75 when it is determined at step 71 that the operation of the air conditioning system is not started and when it is determined at step 72 that the air conditioning system is not operated, the air conditioning system stands by (step 75).
  • step 74 the stopping process for automatically moving the louver 10 to the stopped position or the closing position d(0) is carried out (step 74), and thereafter, the air conditioning system stands by (step 75).
  • the pivotal speed or the turning speed of the louver 10 is set to be three times as large as an usual pivotal speed.
  • the pivotal speed of the louver 10 is changed by changing the rotational speed of the louver driving motor (the step motor) by means of the control unit 27 as described above.
  • the louver moving signal is received from the remote controller R after the operation is started or during the operation
  • the pivotal speed of the louver 10 is set to be three times as large as the usual pivotal speed (step 89), and when it is determined at step 86 that m ⁇ 3, the pivotal speed of the louver 10 is set to be the usual pivotal speed (step 88).
  • the pivotal speed or the turning speed of the louver 10 is set to be three times as large as the usual pivotal speed (step 89), and when it is determined at step 84 that m ⁇ 2, the pivotal speed of the louver 10 is set to be the usual pivotal speed (step 88).
  • step 91 When it is determined at step 91 that no louver stopping signal has been received and when it is determined at step 93 that the louver 10 has reached the louver position d(m), the routine returns to step 78, and then, the louver 10 is moved toward the next louver position d(m).
  • louver 10 is reversed via the closing position d(0) at which the outlet port 1 is closed (see FIG. 4(C)), even if the louver stopping signal is received from the remote controller R, it is possible to stop the louver 10 other than the closing position d(0) at which the outlet port 1 is closed, so that the discharge of the conditioned air is not blocked by the louver 10 by which the outlet port 1 is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the discharge of the conditioned air from being blocked by the louver 10, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of noises, the freezing of the heat exchanger 6 due to the decrease of the discharge flow rate when the air conditioning system is in cooling operation, and the abnormal temperature rise of the heat exchanger 6 when the air conditioning system is in heating operation.
  • the pivotal speed of the louver 10 during the reversal is higher than the pivotal speed during the usual pivotal movement (the usual turning movement ), so that the time required to reverse the louver 10 can be decreased.
  • the time required to reverse the louver 10 can be decreased.
  • the pivotal speed of the louver 10 during the automatically pivotal movement is greater than the usual pivotal speed of the louver 10 when it is pivotally moved in response to the louver moving signal outputted from the remote controller R (except for during the reversal of the louver 10), so that it is possible to decrease the time required to move the louver 10 during the automatically pivotal movement while maintaining the usual pivotal speed at a low speed when the louver 10 is pivotally moved by means of the remote controller R. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the time required to automatically move the louver 10 when the operation of the air conditioning system is started or stopped, and it is also possible to easily carry out the positioning of the pivotal position of the louver 10 by means of the remote controller R.
  • louver 10 of the indoor unit U is pivotally moved by means of the remote controller R, it is possible to recognize the difference between the period of the reversal of the louver 10, and the other periods of time, on the basis of the receiving sounds. Therefore, it is possible to decrease a sense of incongruity when operating the remote controller R.
  • control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 may be added to the pivotal control of the louver 10 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12.
  • step 94 the operation of the louver driving motor M is stopped, so that the louver 10 is stopped at the louver position d(2) or d(3) (step 95).
  • the louver stopping signal is received from the remote controller R, the operation of the louver driving motor M is stopped until a predetermined period of time elapses, so that the position of the louver 10 is maintained at the louver position d(2) or d(3) (steps 96 and 97).
  • the routine returns to step 78 shown in FIG. 12, the movement of the louver 10 toward the next louver position (the reversal operation shown in FIG. 4C) is started (step 90 of FIG. 12).
  • the routine returns to step 70 shown in FIG. 12.
  • FIGS. 14 through 18 show the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 through 18, the same reference numbers are used for the same elements as those of the aforementioned first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 13, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.
  • an indoor unit U' for an air conditioning system in this preferred embodiment has an outlet port 1, and two horizontally extending louvers 20 and 30 for vertically changing the discharge direction of a conditioned air.
  • the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally movable or turnable about pivotal axes C1 and C2 parallel to each other, respectively.
  • the louver 20 is arranged on the side of a rear wall 2b of a discharge passage 2 and has substantially the same shape as that of the louver 10 in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment.
  • the louver 30 is arranged on the side of a front wall 2a of the discharge passage 2 and has a cross section of a substantially plate-like shape.
  • the louver 30 has one end 31 and the other end 32.
  • louvers 20 and 30 are driven by means of louver driving motors M1 and M2, respectively (see FIG. 15). Similar to the louver driving motor M in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, the louver driving motors M1 and M2 may be step motors which are capable of detecting the pivotal positions of the louvers 20 and 30 by means of a control unit 27, respectively.
  • the pivotal axes C1 and C2 face the side of one end 21 of the louver 20 and a substantially central portion of the louver 30, respectively, and are shifted from the louvers 20 and 30 in the thickness directions thereof, respectively.
  • the louver 30 is pivotally moved to a position (a stopped position or a closing position shown in FIG. 14), at which the outlet port 1 is partially closed by the louver 30 along a front surface 3a of a front panel 3, and the louver 20 is pivotally moved to a position (a stopped position or a closing position shown in FIG.
  • louver 20 at which the outlet port 1 is partially closed by the louver 20 substantially along an imaginary surface S connecting the other end 32 or the lower end 32 of the louver 30 to a bottom surface 3b of the front panel 3 and which is arranged above the imaginary surface S, by means of the louver driving motors M1 and M2, respectively.
  • a plate-like supporting member 35 for supporting thereon the louvers 20 and 30 at the central portion thereof with respect to the axial directions of the pivotal axes C1 and C2 is provided in the discharge passage 2.
  • the supporting member 35 comprises a base portion 36, both ends of which are supported on the front wall 2a and the rear wall 2b, a supporting portion 37 extending from a substantially central portion of the base portion 36 in a forward and downward direction, and a supporting portion 38 extending along the front wall 2a from the base portion 36 on the side of the front wall 2a in a forward and downward direction.
  • the louvers 20 and 30 are provided with mounting plates 23 and 33 corresponding to the supporting portions 37 and 38 of the supporting member 35 on the side of the pivotal axes C1 and C2, respectively.
  • the tip portions of the mounting plates 23 and 33 are pivotally connected to the tip portions of the supporting portions 37 and 38 of the supporting member 35 at the positions of the pivotal axes C1 and C2, respectively.
  • the air conditioning system in this preferred embodiment has a remote controller R.
  • the indoor unit U' has a receiving unit 25, a receiving sound producing means 26 and a control unit 27, which are the same as those of the indoor unit U in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment.
  • the indoor unit U' has a drive circuit 28a for driving the louver driving motors M1 and M2.
  • the drive circuit 28a is designed to selectively drive any one of the louver driving motors M1 and M2 by adding a relay circuit to the same circuit as that of the drive circuit 28 in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment.
  • the control unit 27 is designed to drive any one of the louver driving motors M1 and M2 via the drive circuit 28a in response to a remote control signal of the remote controller R received by the receiving unit 25, so as to independently cause the pivotal movement of the louvers 20 and 30.
  • the louver 20 is pivotally movable in a range of about 180 degrees, via the aforementioned stopped position or the closing position, between a position A (see the louver 20 illustrated by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 17B) and a position B (see the louver 20 illustrated by the solid lines in Fig. 17B).
  • the louver 20 When the louver 20 is located at the position A, the one end 21 of the louver 20 is directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air, and the surfaces 20a,20b of the louver 20 is substantially parallel to the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage 2, and when the louver 20 is located at the position B, the other end 22 of the louver 20 is directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air, and the surfaces 20a, 20b of the louver 20 is substantially parallel to the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage 2.
  • the louver 30 is pivotally movable in a range of about 130 degrees between a substantially vertical position (position G), at which the other end 32 is directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air as shown in FIG. 17B, and the stopped position or the closing position shown in FIG. 14. That is, the louver 20 is turnable in the two opposite directions from its closing position, and the louver 30 is turnable in only one direction from its closing position. Furthermore, the supporting member 25 is formed so as not to interfere with the pivotal movements of the louvers 20 and 30.
  • the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved in accordance with the following route.
  • the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved in accordance with the opposite pivotal route to the aforementioned pivotal route.
  • louver positions d(0) shows the aforementioned closing positions or the stopped positions of the louver 20 and 30 (see FIG. 14).
  • the louver 20 which is substantially the same as the louver 10 in the first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 13, and the louver 30, respectively (see the comparisons of FIGS. 4 and 17, and FIGS. 5 and 18). Therefore, it is possible to improve the performance of an air conditioning system without spoiling the appearance of an indoor unit when the operation is stopped.
  • FIGS. 19 through 21 show the third preferred embodiment of an indoor unit according to the present invention.
  • this preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 in a case where the direction of a conditioned air discharged from an indoor unit U' is changed between a downward direction and a forward direction, the undermentioned pivotal routes of louvers 20 and 30 are different from those in the aforementioned second preferred embodiment (FIGS. 17 and 18).
  • this preferred embodiment is the same as the aforementioned second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 through 16.
  • the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved in the following route.
  • louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved in the opposite pivotal routes to the aforementioned pivotal routes, respectively.
  • louver positions f(0) show the stopped positions or the closing positions of the louvers 20 and 30 (see FIG. 14).
  • step 74' of Fig. 21 corresponding to step 74 of FIG. 12 the louvers 20 and 30 are moved to the stopped positions f(0).
  • steps 93' and 94' of Fig. 21 are the same as steps 93 and 94 of FIG. 12, except that the louver positions f(m) are substituted for the louver positions d(m) at steps 93 and 94 of FIG. 12.
  • the pivotal route of the louver 30 with respect to the louver 20 is different from that in the aforementioned second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, so that it is possible to increase the area of the conditioned air discharged in the forward and downward direction to a wider area than that in the aforementioned second preferred embodiment (see FIG. 19D, and the comparison of signs f ⁇ g of FIG. 18 and signs f ⁇ i ⁇ j of FIG. 20).
  • the pivotal speeds of the louvers 20 and 30 are set to be three times as large as the usual pivotal speeds when the louvers 20 and 30 are automatically moved.
  • an additional control corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 13 may be added to the pivotal control of the louvers 20 and 30 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 in this preferred embodiment.
  • an indoor unit may be provided with three louvers or more including one or two louvers which are the same as the louvers 10, 20 and 30.
  • FIG. 22 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • an inspection control shown in FIG. 22 is added to the pivotal control of the louver 10 in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment (see FIGS. 12 and 13).
  • Other constructions are the same as those in the first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 13.
  • step 98 when it is determined at step 98 that the inspecting input means 29 shown in FIG. 6 is turned on, the pivotal control of the louver 10 in an inspection mode is executed at step 99.
  • the louver 10 In the inspection mode at step 99, the louver 10 is sequentially moved over the whole pivotal area at a pivotal speed three times as large as the usual pivotal speed in order to verify the operation of the louver 10.
  • the pivotal control of the louver 10 in the usual mode shown in FIG. 12 (and FIG. 13) is carried out.
  • the pivotal speed of the louver 10 pivotally moved in response to the input of the inspecting input means 29 is higher than the usual pivotal speed of the louver 10 pivotally moved in response to the louver moving signal of the remote controller R (except for the reversal of the louver 10), it is possible to decrease the time required to pivotally move the louver 10 in response to the input of the inspecting input means 29 while maintaining the usual pivotal speed of the louver 10 pivotally moved by means of the remote controller R at a low pivotal speed.
  • the output frequency of the energizing pulse applied to the louver driving motor (the step motor) M is increased in order to change the pivotal speed of the louver 10 to be three times as large as the usual pivotal speed, the torque of the louver driving motor (the step motor) M is decreased. Therefore, it is possible to detect a product wherein the louver 10 does not move in the state that the torque of the louver driving motor M is decreased (i.e., an imperfect product wherein the louver 10 is difficult to operate), in the inspection before shipping the product.
  • the indoor unit U' in the aforementioned second preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 16 may be provided with the same inspecting input means 29 as that shown in FIG. 6, and the aforementioned inspecting control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22 may be added to the pivotal control (FIG. 12) of the louvers 20 and 30.
  • the aforementioned inspecting control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22 may be added to the pivotal control (FIG. 21) of the louvers 20 and 30 in the aforementioned third preferred embodiment.
  • Desired shapes and arrangements of a plurality of louvers of the indoor unit which has the same plurality of louvers as those in the aforementioned second through fourth preferred embodiments and wherein the movements of the respective louvers are different from each other, will be described below.
  • a gap x is formed between the louvers 20 and 30 in forward and rearward directions as shown in FIG. 23.
  • This gap x is set to be a small gap as long as the louvers 20 and 30 do not collide with each other when the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved. Since the gap x is so set, the louvers 20 and 30 can be pivotally moved so that the pivotal loci thereof do not cross each other, in other words, the louvers 20, 30 are turned without causing interference of pivotal loci of the louvers 20,30, as shown in FIG. 24.
  • a gap y is formed between the louver 20 and the rear wall 2b of the discharge passage 2.
  • This gap y is set to be small as long as the louver 20 does not collide with the rear wall 2b of the discharge passage 2 when the louver 20 is pivotally moved. It is possible to set the gap y to be a very small gap in accordance with the specific shapes and mounting structures of the louvers 20 and 30.
  • the outer surface 30b of the louver 30 is substantially parallel to an imaginary extended surface of the outer surface of the front panel 3 surrounding the outlet port 1. That is, the outer surface 30b of the louver 30 is a slightly curved surface which substantially corresponds to an imaginary extended surface S1 (illustrated by the two-dot line in FIG. 23) extended from the front surface 3a of the front panel 3 while maintaining the curvature thereof, so that the outer surface 30b corresponds to the imaginary extended surface S1.
  • the curve of the louver 30 is preferably small.
  • louver 30 When the louver 30 is located at the stopped position, no gap is formed between the louver 30 and the front wall 2a of the discharge passage 2, so that the louver 30 substantially contacts the front wall 2a. That is, the front end 31 of the louver 30 substantially contacts the front periphery of the outer port 1. Such an arrangement is permitted since the louver 30 is pivotally moved only one direction or counterclockwise direction of Fig. 23 from the stopped position.
  • the rear end 22 side of the outer surface 20b thereof substantially corresponds to the imaginary extended surface of the outer surface of the front panel 3 surrounding the outlet port 1. That is, the rear end 22 side of the outer surface 20b of the louver 20 is formed so as to substantially correspond to the imaginary extended surface S2 (illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 23) extended from the lower surface 3b of the front panel 3 while maintaining the curvature thereof, so that the outer surface 20b of the louver 20 corresponds to the imaginary extended surface S2 so as to be associated therewith for forming a smooth curved surface. Therefore, it is possible to improve the appearance of the indoor unit when it is stopped.
  • the louvers 20 and 30 When the louvers 20 and 30 are located at the stopped positions, the rear end 32 of the louver 30 located in front of the louver 20 is located below the front end 21 of the louver located behind the louver 30. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the louvers 20 and 30 are arranged so as to overlap with each other at a vertical interval of z. Therefore, when the indoor unit is viewed substantially from the front, it is not possible to recognize the gap between the louvers 20 and 30 with the naked eye, so that the appearance of the indoor unit is not spoiled even if the gap x is formed between the louvers 20 and 30.
  • the space between the louvers 20 and 30 can be substantially wider than that in an indoor unit wherein the louver 20 is not curved (see FIG. 25). Therefore, in a case where the louvers 20 and 30 are located at positions near the stopped positions and where the indoor fan 8 is in the operation state or is not completely stopped, such as immediately before the operation of the air conditioning system is stopped or immediately after the operation thereof is started, it is possible to prevent the surging of the discharged flow, which is caused by blocking the conditioned air by the louvers 20 and 30. Thus, it is possible to prevent noises from being produced due to the surging.
  • the shape of the louver 20 should not be limited to that shown in FIG. 23, but a louver 20 having a smoothly curved cross section shown in FIG. 25 may be used. That is, the whole outer surface 20b of the louver 20 may be curved so as to correspond to an imaginary extended surface S2 (illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 25), so that the whole outer surface 20b of the louver 20 may correspond to the imaginary extended surface S2 when the system is stopped.
  • the whole outer surface 20b of the louver 20 and the whole outer surface 30b of the louver 30 correspond to the outer surface of the front panel 3, it is possible to further improve the appearance of the indoor unit.
  • the shape of the front panel 3 may be changed and the louver 30 may be located slightly behind the front surface 3a of the front panel 3.
  • louver 30 While the front louver 30 has been pivotally moved counterclockwise from the stopped position in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, the louver 30 may be pivotally moved clockwise (see the arrow in FIG. 27) from the stopped position (illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 27).
  • the lower end of the front surface 3a of the front panel 3 is formed with a projecting portion 3c.
  • the tip portion of the projecting portion 3c extends inside of the pivotal locus r of the rear end 32 of the louver 30, so that the louver 30 is designed to collide with the projecting portion 3c when it is pivotally moved counterclockwise to the position illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 27.
  • the louver driving motor M2 for driving the louver 30 is designed to prevent the louver 30 from being pivotally moved to the position at which the louver 30 collides with the projecting portion 3c.
  • the front end 32 of the outer surface 30b of the louver 30 is designed to contact the inner surface of the projecting portion 3c when it is stopped.
  • the distance between the louvers 20 and 30 may be increased, and an additional louver having the same shape and function as that of the louver 20 may be provided between the louvers 20 and 30.
  • the rear end 32 of the louver 30 may be located below the front end edge of the additional louver behind the louver 30, and the rear end edge of the additional louver may be located below the front end 21 of the louver 20 behind the additional louver.
  • louvers 20 and 30 may not be only applied to the indoor unit wherein the louvers 20 and 30 are driven by the louver driving motors M1 and M2, but they may be also applied to an indoor unit wherein at least one of the louvers 20 and 30 is manually moved.
  • the plurality of louvers are arranged so that their pivotal loci do not cross each other, it is possible to prevent the louvers from colliding with each other. Therefore, even if the pivotal controls of the louvers shown in the second through fourth preferred embodiments are carried out, it is not required to carry out any complicated controls in order to prevent the louvers from colliding with each other, so that it is possible to more easily provide an indoor unit having a good discharge characteristic for a conditioned air. In addition, even if the louvers are manually operated by a user's hand, it is possible to prevent the louvers and their supporting portions from being damaged.
  • the front and upper surfaces of an indoor unit 101 mounted on the upper portion of the inner wall of a room are provided with inlet ports 102 and 103 for sucking an indoor air, and the bottom surface thereof is provided with an outlet port 104 for discharging a conditioned air.
  • the indoor unit 101 has therein a discharge passage 105 for introducing the conditioned air into the outlet port 104.
  • a dustproof and deodorizing filter 106 is provided inside of the inlet ports 102 and 103 .
  • a main indoor heat exchanger 107 and an auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 are provided inside of the filter 106.
  • a cross-flow or transverse type indoor fan 109 is provided inside of the heat exchangers 107 and 108.
  • the main indoor heat exchanger 107 is divided into a first heat exchanger 107a and a second heat exchanger 107b.
  • the first heat exchanger 107a faces the front inlet port 102 and the second heat exchanger 107b faces the upper inlet port 103, so that the first and second heat exchangers 107a and 107b are arranged in the form of reversed V-shape to surround the indoor fan 109.
  • the auxiliary heat exchanger 108 is arranged between the second heat exchanger 107b and the inlet port 103.
  • An electric heater 117 and a water guard member 118 are provided between the first and second heat exchangers 107a, 107b and the indoor fan 109.
  • the electric heater 117 serves to heat air passing through the heat exchangers 107a and 107b if necessary.
  • the water guard member 118 serves to prevent the drain from being dropped directly to the electric heater 117 from the first and second heat exchangers 107a and 107b.
  • Drain receivers 119 are provided below the first and second heat exchangers 107a and 107b and below the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108, respectively.
  • the radiating fin of the first heat exchanger 107a contacts the radiating fin of the second heat exchanger 107b, a gap is formed between the radiating fin of the second heat exchanger 107b and the radiating fin of the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108, so that both radiating fins are not brought into contact with each other, i.e., thermally isolated from each other.
  • the indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit 101 via the inlet ports 102 and 103.
  • the air sucked from the inlet port 102 passes through the filter 106, and then, passes through the first heat exchanger 107a to flow toward the indoor fan 109.
  • the air sucked from the inlet 103 passes through the filter 106, and thereafter, passes through the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108, and then, passes through the second heat exchanger 107b to flow toward the indoor fan 109.
  • a plurality of vertically extending louvers 110 driven by a drive motor 110M shown in FIG. 29 for horizontally changing the discharged direction of the conditioned air.
  • a pair of horizontally extending louvers 150 and 111 are provided downstream of the vertically extending louvers 110.
  • the horizontally extending louvers 150 and 111 are driven by a drive motor 111M shown in FIG. 29 to be pivotally moved about a pivotal axis 111b supported on a supporting stay 111a, for vertically changing the discharged direction of the conditioned air.
  • an outdoor heat exchanger 123 is connected to a discharge port of a compressor 121 via a four-way valve 122.
  • An expansion mechanism e.g., an electric expansion valve 124, is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 123.
  • One end of the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 is connected to the electric expansion valve 124, and the other end of the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 is connected to the main indoor heat exchanger 107 (the first and second heat exchangers 107a and 107b).
  • the main indoor heat exchanger 107 is also connected to an inlet port of the compressor 121 via the four-way valve 122.
  • a heat exchanging pipe on the outlet side of the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 and a heat exchanging pipe at the intermediate part of the first heat exchanger 107a are provided with heat exchanger temperature sensors 113 and 114, respectively.
  • an indoor temperature sensor 115 is mounted on a passage for sucking an indoor air between the inlet port 102 and the main indoor heat exchanger 107.
  • an outdoor fan 125 is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger 123 for supplying an outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 123.
  • a commercial alternating-current power supply 130 is connected to an inverter circuit 131, speed control circuits 132, 133 and a control unit 140.
  • the control unit 140 is also connected to the inverter circuit 131, the speed control circuits 132, 133, the vertically extending louver driving motor 110M, the horizontally extending louver driving motor 111M, the heat exchanger temperature sensors 113, 114, the indoor temperature sensor 115, the electric heater 117, the four-way valve 122, the electric expansion valve 124 and the receiving unit 141.
  • the inverter circuit 131 is designed to rectify a supply voltage to convert the rectified supply voltage into an alternating current of a frequency and voltage corresponding to the command of the control unit 140, to supply the alternating current as a drive power to the drive motor for the compressor 121.
  • the speed control circuit 132 is designed to control a supply voltage, which is supplied to an outdoor-fan driving motor 125M, to set the capacity of the outdoor fan 125 in accordance with the command of the control unit 140.
  • the speed control circuit 133 is designed to control a supply voltage, which is supplied to an indoor-fan driving motor 109M, to set the capacity of the indoor fan 109 in accordance with the command of the control unit 140.
  • the receiving unit 141 is designed to receive an infrared signal transmitted from a remote controller 142 operated by a user.
  • a refrigerating cycle illustrated by the arrows of solid lines in FIG. 29 is formed, wherein the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 121 sequentially flows from the four-way valve 122 to the main indoor heat exchanger 107 via the outdoor heat exchanger 123, the electric expansion valve 124 and the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108, and then, the refrigerant discharged from the main indoor heat exchanger 107 returns to the compressor 121 via the four-way valve 122. That is, the outdoor heat exchanger 123 serves as a condenser, and the main indoor heat exchanger 107 and the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 serve as an evaporator.
  • the four-way valve 122 when heating, the four-way valve 122 is switched, so that a cycle illustrated by the arrows of broken lines in FIG. 29 is formed, wherein the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 121 sequentially flows from the four-way valve 122 to the outside heat exchanger 123 via the main indoor heat exchanger 107, the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 and the electric expansion valve 124, and then, the refrigerant discharged from the outside heat exchanger 123 returns to the compressor 121 via the four-way valve 122. That is, the main indoor heat exchanger 107 and the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 serve as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 123 serves as an evaporator.
  • the horizontally extending louvers 150 and 111 are pivotally moved by means of the horizontally extending louver driving motor 111M, so that the downstream end portions of the louvers 150 and 111 are arranged above a horizontal line.
  • the vertically extending louvers 110 are set to be located at the center in the longitudinal direction by means of the drive motor 110M.
  • the indoor fan 109 is driven at a low speed.
  • a conditioned air flow W wherein a conditioned air is sucked into an inlet port 102 immediately after being discharged from the outlet port 104, is formed (this flow route will be referred to as a "short circuit"). That is, most of the conditioned air discharged from the outlet port 104 passes near the indoor unit 101 to be sucked into the outlet port 104, so that the conditioned air does not reach the central portion of the room.
  • the moisture diffusing rate is sufficiently great, so that it is possible to surely dehumidify the indoor air.
  • the upper surface 151 of the front louver 150 on the side of the inlet port 102 which is one of the pair of horizontally extending louvers 150 and 111 provided in the outlet port 104, is provided with a projection 152 of a substantially triangular cross section, which projects from the end portion of the upper surface 151 downstream of the conditioned air so as to increase the thickness of the louver 150 and which extends in the whole length.
  • the projection 152 series to form a wind deflecting surface 153 for changing the discharged direction of the conditioned air.
  • an extension L of the wind deflecting surface 153 passes downstream of an edge 104a of the outlet port 104 on the side of the inlet port 102 to reach the front surface of the inlet port 102. Therefore, the wind deflecting surface 153 may be located on the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 upstream or downstream of the conditioned air, with respect to a parting line 104b of the edge 104a of the outlet port 104, i.e., an imaginary extended surface of the front panel.
  • the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 is deflected to flow toward the inlet port 102.
  • the conditioned air flow W2 flowing along the lower surface 152 of the louver 150 flows without being deflected.
  • the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 is completely separated from the conditioned air flow W2 flowing along the lower surface 154 of the louver 150, on the downstream side of the louver 150, so that they are not attracted to each other to be combined with each other.
  • the louver 150 has a plate-like shape over the whole lateral direction.
  • the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 is surely deflected by the wind deflecting surface 153. Therefore, even if the inclined angle of the louver 150 is shifted from an optimum inclined angle when the inclined angle of the louver 150 is controlled to form a "short circuit", it is possible to surely form the "short circuit".
  • the sixth preferred embodiment of an indoor unit according to the present invention is substantially the same as the indoor unit in the fifth preferred embodiment, except that the shape of a cross section of an outlet cover 160 forming a front wall 104c of an outlet port 104 is different from that in the fifth preferred embodiment (see 160a of FIG. 30).
  • the outlet cover 160 forming a part of the front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 is formed with a cylindrical curved surface 161 which is convex downwards toward the louver 150.
  • the imaginary extension of the surface 161 extends toward the inlet port 102.
  • the conditioned air flow W2 which is illustrated by the white-painted arrows in FIG. 31 and which flows a portion apart from the front wall 104c of the outlet port, is attracted by the conditioned air flow W1 deflected by the curved surface 161 to be combined therewith to flow in the inlet port 102.
  • the conditioned air flow W3 flowing along the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 is deflected by the wind deflecting surface 153 of the louver 150.
  • the conditioned air flows W1, W2 and W3 flowing between the front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 and the louver 150 are deflected by the curved surface 161 and the wind deflecting surface 153 to be combined with each other to flow in the inlet port 102.
  • the outlet cover 160 forming a part of the front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 has been formed with the curved surface 161 in this preferred embodiment, the front wall 140c of the outlet port 104 may be formed with a curved surface for deflecting the conditioned air flow W.
  • This preferred embodiment is substantially the same as the sixth preferred embodiment, except for the shape of a cross section of the louver on the side of the inlet port 102.
  • the thickness of a horizontally extending louver 170 is substantially constant in the flowing direction of the conditioned air.
  • the louver 170 is bent at a location downstream of the center in the lateral direction of the louver 170 so that a downstream end portion 171 of the louver 170 rises toward the inlet port 102 with respect to an upstream end portion 172.
  • the bent point 175 of the louver 170 is located upstream of the center of the louver 170.
  • An upper surface 173 of the downstream end portion 171 serves as a wind deflecting surface for changing the flowing direction of the conditioned air.
  • the wind deflecting surface 173 is formed so that a tangential line L thereof passes downstream of the edge 104a of the outlet port 104 on the inlet port 102 to reach in front of the front surface of the inlet port 102 when the inclined angle of the louver 170 is controlled so as to form a "short circuit".
  • the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper wall 172a of the louver 170 is deflected by the wind deflecting surface 173 to flow toward the inlet port 102.
  • an outlet cover 180 forming a part of the front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 is provided with a cylindrical curved surface 181, which is convex downwards and toward the louver 170 and which has a curved extension extending toward the inlet port 102.
  • the conditioned air flow W2 flowing along the front wall 104c of the inlet port is gradually deflected upwards as flowing along the curved surface 181 of the outlet cover 180, to flow toward the inlet port 102.
  • the lowest end portion 182 of the curved surface 181 is located upstream (on the rear side) of the bent point 175 of the louver 170.
  • the conditioned air flow W1 deflected by the wind deflecting surface 173 of the louver 170 and the conditioned air flow W2 deflected by the curved surface 181 of the front wall 104c are smoothly discharged from the outlet port 104 without interfering with each other.
  • the flow velocity of the conditioned air flow W2 flowing along the front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 is higher than that of the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper surface 172a of the louver 170.
  • the conditioned air flow W1 deflected by the wind deflecting surface 173 of the louver 170 is attracted by the conditioned air flow W2 deflected by the curved surface 181 of the front wall 104c, and further deflected to flow toward the inlet port 102.
  • the upstream portion (the rear side portion), with respect to the bent point 175, of the louver 170 in the lateral directions thereof has a plate-like shape.
  • the capacity of the air flow W3 flowing on the side of the reversed surface of the louver 170 is small and the wind velocity is low, so that the conditioned air flow W2 is not attracted by the air flow W3.
  • the conditioned air flows W1 and W2 discharged from the outlet port 104 are surely deflected so as to flow toward the inlet port 102, it is possible to surely form a short circuit even if the inclined angle of the louver 170 is shifted from an optimum inclined angle when the inclined angle of the louver 170 is controlled to form the short circuit.
  • the louver 170 when the louver 170 is pivotally moved to close the outlet port 104 as illustrated by the two-dot chain line of FIG. 32, the surface of the front panel 102a forming the inlet port 102 is parallel to the lower surface 174 of the louver 170, and the end portion 171a of the louver 170 faces the edge 104a of the outlet port 104, so that it is possible to greatly improve the appearance of the indoor unit 101 when the outlet port 104 is closed by the louver 170, i.e., when the operation is stopped.
  • the inclined angle of the louver or the pivotal position of the louver is controlled to form a "short circuit"
  • the conditioned air discharged from the outlet port of the indoor unit is deflected by the wind deflecting surface to flow in the inlet port. Therefore, even if the inclined angle of the louver is shifted from the optimum angle, it is possible to surely form the "short circuit".
  • a cooled conditioned air discharged from the outlet port when the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioning system is carried out flows from the outlet port to the inlet port without flowing toward the central portion of the room, and circulates between the inlet port, the heat exchanger, the indoor fan and the outlet port, so that it is possible to dehumidify the room without causing a cold wind feeling.
  • the rear louver 111 in the fifth through seventh preferred embodiments may be the same as the louver 20 in the second through fourth preferred embodiment.
  • two louver driving motors may be employed for driving the louvers respectively, and the operation of the respective louvers may be controlled in the same manner as that in the second through fourth preferred embodiment.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Air-Flow Control Members (AREA)
  • Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)
EP97110490A 1996-06-26 1997-06-26 Unité intérieure pour un système de climatisation Expired - Lifetime EP0819894B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP166018/96 1996-06-26
JP166023/96 1996-06-26
JP16601896 1996-06-26
JP16602396A JP3171786B2 (ja) 1996-06-26 1996-06-26 空気調和装置の室内機
JP165605/96 1996-06-26
JP16560596 1996-06-26
JP16601896 1996-06-26
JP16602396 1996-06-26
JP16560596A JP3256440B2 (ja) 1996-06-26 1996-06-26 空気調和機
JP25686196A JP3432369B2 (ja) 1996-06-26 1996-09-27 空気調和装置の室内機
JP256861/96 1996-09-27
JP25686196 1996-09-27

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0819894A2 true EP0819894A2 (fr) 1998-01-21
EP0819894A3 EP0819894A3 (fr) 2000-05-17
EP0819894B1 EP0819894B1 (fr) 2004-10-06

Family

ID=27474013

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97110490A Expired - Lifetime EP0819894B1 (fr) 1996-06-26 1997-06-26 Unité intérieure pour un système de climatisation

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0819894B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN1109224C (fr)
ES (1) ES2229298T3 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2139491A1 (es) * 1995-12-26 2000-02-01 Carrier Corp Conjunto de registro o trampilla para conducto de descarga de ventilador.
EP1010952A3 (fr) * 1998-12-14 2002-05-02 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Méthode de commande de la direction du flux d'air dans un dispositif de climatisation
EP1707893A1 (fr) * 2003-11-28 2006-10-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de traitement d'air
EP1962028A1 (fr) * 2005-11-30 2008-08-27 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Unite interieure pour climatiseur
CN102252407A (zh) * 2011-08-01 2011-11-23 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 空调器室内机的导风装置
AU2012361657B2 (en) * 2011-12-28 2015-08-27 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Air Conditioning Indoor Unit
US9234671B2 (en) 2011-09-30 2016-01-12 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Air conditioning indoor unit
EP2202468A4 (fr) * 2007-09-07 2017-03-22 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil de climatisation
EP3614058A1 (fr) * 2018-08-21 2020-02-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Climatiseur

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5215441B2 (ja) * 2011-08-29 2013-06-19 シャープ株式会社 空気調和機
CN103776093B (zh) * 2012-10-22 2017-02-01 美的集团股份有限公司 空气调节器和该空气调节器的控制方法
CN108917093A (zh) * 2018-06-26 2018-11-30 Tcl空调器(中山)有限公司 一种空调器防冻保护的控制方法和控制装置
CN114061118B (zh) * 2020-07-31 2023-08-01 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 空调器及其导风板的控制装置和控制方法、可读存储介质
CN114061117B (zh) * 2020-07-31 2023-06-16 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 空调器及其导风板的控制装置和控制方法、可读存储介质
CN113686008B (zh) * 2021-08-31 2024-05-24 青岛海尔空调器有限总公司 壁挂式空调室内机

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JPS59191824A (ja) * 1983-04-13 1984-10-31 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 空気調和機
JPH0257856A (ja) * 1988-08-22 1990-02-27 Toshiba Corp 空気調和機
US5234373A (en) * 1990-10-01 1993-08-10 Kabushiki Kaishi Toshiba Air conditioner
EP0657701A2 (fr) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-14 Fujitsu General Limited Dispositif de climatisation

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JPS59191824A (ja) * 1983-04-13 1984-10-31 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd 空気調和機
JPH0257856A (ja) * 1988-08-22 1990-02-27 Toshiba Corp 空気調和機
US5234373A (en) * 1990-10-01 1993-08-10 Kabushiki Kaishi Toshiba Air conditioner
EP0657701A2 (fr) * 1993-12-10 1995-06-14 Fujitsu General Limited Dispositif de climatisation

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Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 009, no. 057 (M-363), 13 March 1985 (1985-03-13) & JP 59 191824 A (SANYO DENKI KK;OTHERS: 01), 31 October 1984 (1984-10-31) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 014, no. 228 (M-0973), 15 May 1990 (1990-05-15) -& JP 02 057856 A (TOSHIBA CORP), 27 February 1990 (1990-02-27) *

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2139491A1 (es) * 1995-12-26 2000-02-01 Carrier Corp Conjunto de registro o trampilla para conducto de descarga de ventilador.
EP1010952A3 (fr) * 1998-12-14 2002-05-02 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Méthode de commande de la direction du flux d'air dans un dispositif de climatisation
EP1707893A4 (fr) * 2003-11-28 2013-06-26 Sharp Kk Dispositif de traitement d'air
EP1707893A1 (fr) * 2003-11-28 2006-10-04 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Dispositif de traitement d'air
EP1962028A1 (fr) * 2005-11-30 2008-08-27 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Unite interieure pour climatiseur
EP1962028A4 (fr) * 2005-11-30 2013-03-27 Daikin Ind Ltd Unite interieure pour climatiseur
EP2202468A4 (fr) * 2007-09-07 2017-03-22 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil de climatisation
CN102252407A (zh) * 2011-08-01 2011-11-23 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 空调器室内机的导风装置
US9234671B2 (en) 2011-09-30 2016-01-12 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Air conditioning indoor unit
AU2012361657B2 (en) * 2011-12-28 2015-08-27 Daikin Industries, Ltd. Air Conditioning Indoor Unit
EP3614058A1 (fr) * 2018-08-21 2020-02-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Climatiseur
AU2019219762B2 (en) * 2018-08-21 2020-11-12 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner
US11441790B2 (en) 2018-08-21 2022-09-13 Lg Electronics Inc. Air conditioner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0819894B1 (fr) 2004-10-06
CN1109224C (zh) 2003-05-21
CN1183535A (zh) 1998-06-03
EP0819894A3 (fr) 2000-05-17
ES2229298T3 (es) 2005-04-16

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