EP2019950A1

EP2019950A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: EP2019950A1
Application number: EP07746591A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jung-Hoon Kim; Dong-Soo Moon; Ki-Won Seo; Deok Huh
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2006-05-20
Filing date: 2007-05-18
Publication date: 2009-02-04
Also published as: US20090113915A1; KR100826028B1; KR20070112335A; CN101449107A; EP2019950A4; WO2007136204A1

Abstract

Provided is an air conditioner. According to the air conditioner, an installation structure of an indoor heat exchanger installed inside the air conditioner is improved, so that the air conditioner become slim and an installation space for additional devices such as a filter can be secured. According to the air conditioner, the indoor heat exchanger divides a passage of air introduced into a main unit into an upper passage and a lower passage, so that interference between the upper and lower passages can be minimized, and thus operation efficiency of the air conditioner can improve. Also, a space of a predetermined size is formed between the indoor heat exchanger and air intake holes to receive a predetermined device such as a filter and a negative ion generator that can give a separate function to the air conditioner.

Description

Description AIR CONDITIONER

Technical Field

[1] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner for cooling or heating indoor space air by exchanging heat with introduced air.

Background Art [2] Generally, an air conditioner is a heating/cooling apparatus installed in one portion or a wall surface in an indoor space to cool or heat the indoor space. The air conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator to constitute a series of a cooling cycle. [3] The air conditioner can be divided into an outdoor unit located in an outside and an indoor unit located in an inside. Also, the indoor unit includes an indoor fan for flowing air, and an indoor heat exchanger where air flowing by the indoor fan exchanges heat with refrigerant. [4] A space is not sufficient in a related art air conditioner due to installation of an indoor fan and an indoor heat exchanger. Also, in the case where an additional device such as a filter is installed inside the air conditioner, the size of the air conditioner increases in order to prepare an installation space of the additional device. In this case, a recent trend of a slim air conditioner is not satisfied. Therefore, utility of the limited inner space of the air conditioner needs to be improved.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem [5] Embodiments provide an air conditioner that can secure an installation space of an additional device such as a filter by improving an installation structure of an indoor heat exchanger installed in the inside of the air conditioner, thereby making the air conditioner in a slim profile. [6] Embodiments also provide an air conditioner that can improve operation efficiency by improving an installation structure of an indoor heat exchanger and thus improving a passage structure.

Technical Solution

[7] In one embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a main unit including air intake holes; a plurality of blower fans provided at positions separated from each other inside the main unit; a plurality of discharge holes through which air introduced into the main unit is discharged; a first heat exchanger having at least a portion installed obliquely inside the main unit, for exchanging heat with air moving to one of the blower fans; and a second heat exchanger having at least a portion installed obliquely inside the main unit, for exchanging heat with air moving to another of the blower fans.

[8] In another embodiment, an air conditioner includes: a main unit including air intake holes; a plurality of discharge holes for allowing air introduced via the air intake holes to be discharged; a plurality of blower fans located inside each of the discharge holes; a plurality of passages through which air flows from the air intake holes to each of the discharge holes; and a heat exchanger installed such that the passages are separated from each other, for exchanging heat with air introduced via the air intake holes.

[9] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Advantageous Effects

[10] According to a proposed air conditioner, both ends of upper and lower heat exchangers are installed at the front edge and an about central portion of a rear side of the main unit, so that a passage of an airflow is divided into an upper passage and a lower passage by the upper and lower heat exchangers. Therefore, interference between the upper and lower passages can be minimized, so that operation efficiency of the air conditioner can improve.

[11] Also, since the heat exchangers are installed as described above, a space of a predetermined size is formed between the upper and lower heat exchangers and air intake holes, so that a predetermined device such as a filter and a negative ion generator that can give a separate function to the air conditioner can be installed to the air conditioner.

[12] Also, according to the above-described air conditioner, since the upper and lower heat exchangers are formed in open shapes around about the center of the main unit, when a portion of the main unit that corresponds to the open shapes is formed to be open, the open shape can serve as a lateral air intake hole.

[13] Therefore, as an air intake area for introducing external air increases in the air conditioner, an airflow in the air conditioner can be swifter. Also, as an amount of airflow increases, a noise that may be generated due to shortage in flowing can be reduced in the air conditioner.

[14] Particularly, the area of the air intake holes for introducing external air that can reduce due to installation of a front panel can be increased to a required level through utilization of the above-described space. Therefore, an elegant appearance of the air conditioner is created by installation of the front panel, and an airflow can be swiftly performed in the air conditioner. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] Proposed embodiments can be clearly understood with reference to the ac- companying drawings. [16] Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment. [17] Fig. 2 is a view illustrating air flowing in the inside of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. [18] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment. [19] Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment. [20] Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment. [21] Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment. [22] Fig. 7 is a graph illustrating a change in a noise depending on a degree of openness in a lateral air intake portion of an air conditioner.

Mode for the Invention [23] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [24] Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a view illustrating air flowing in the inside of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. [25] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the air conditioner 100 according to the first embodiment includes a main unit 110 constituting an appearance, and a front panel 120 installed on the front side of the main unit 110. [26] In detail, air intake holes 130 through which air is introduced is formed in the front side of the main unit 120. The front panel 120 moves in a back and forth direction to selectively open/close the air intake holes 130. At this point, since elements inside the main unit 110 are shielded from the outside by the front panel 120, the appearance of the air conditioner 100 becomes elegant. [27] Also, upper and lower discharge holes 150 and 140 are formed in the upper and lower portions of the main unit 110. The upper and lower discharge holes 150 and 140 are portions through which air that has passed through the main unit 110 is discharged to the outside. [28] Also, an upper cross-flow fan 170 is provided inside the upper discharge hole 150, and a lower cross-flow fan 170 is provided inside the lower discharge hole 150. That is, the upper cross-flow fan 170 is located below the upper discharge hole 150, and the lower cross-flow fan 160 is located above the lower discharge hole 140. [29] Also, an upper heat exchanger 300 is provided to the front of the upper cross-flow fan 170 with respect to an air flowing direction. A lower heat exchanger 310 is provided to the front of the lower cross-flow fan 180. That is, air introduced via the air intake holes 130 passes through the respective heat exchangers 300 and 310 and then passes through the respective cross-flow fans 160 and 170.

[30] As the upper and lower discharge holes 150 and 140 are formed, air that has exchanged heat in the inside of the main unit 110 can be discharged to the upper/lower sides of the air conditioner 100.

[31] Here, an amount of air that is discharged via the discharge holes 140 and 150 can be controlled to be asymmetric by controlling revolution per minute (RPM) of the cross- flow fans 160 and 170. That is, an amount of air discharged via the upper discharge hole 150 can be controlled to be greater or smaller than that of air discharged via the lower discharge hole 140.

[32] Meanwhile, the upper discharge hole 150 is defined by an upper rear guide 191 and an upper stabilizer 190. Also, the upper rear guide 191 is disposed in the rear side of the main unit 110. The upper stabilizer 190 is disposed on the front side of the main unit 110. The upper rear guide 191 includes a portion bent in a predetermined curvature, and an extension portion. The upper stabilizer 190 has a shape inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the upper rear guide 191.

[33] The upper rear guide 191 and the upper stabilizer 190 determine a flowing direction of an airflow generated by the upper cross-flow fan 170. That is, the airflow is directed to the upper discharge hole 150 and discharged to the outside of the air conditioner 100.

[34] Likewise, the lower discharge hole 140 is defined by a lower rear guide 181 and a lower stabilizer 180. Also, the lower rear guide 181 and the lower stabilizer 180 can be formed in the same way except that the lower rear guide 181 and the lower stabilizer 180 are directed downward and upward, respectively.

[35] Also, the upper cross-flow fan 170 and the lower cross-flow fan 160 are rotated by fan motors (not shown), respectively to generate airflows. The upper cross-flow fan 170 is disposed at the entry portions of the upper rear guide 191 and the upper stabilizer 190 with respect to a direction of an airflow. Also, the lower cross-flow fan 140 is disposed at the entry portions of the lower rear guide 181 and the lower stabilizer 180 with respect to a direction of an airflow.

[36] With this structure, air flowing by the upper cross-flow fan 170/lower cross-flow fan 160 can be discharged to the outside via the upper and lower discharge holes 150 and 140.

[37] As the cross-flow fans 170 and 160 are installed in the upper and lower portions, air intake into the main unit 110 and discharge to the discharge holes 150 and 140 can be more efficiently performed. Therefore, two or more cross-flow fans 170 and 160 can be installed to improve stability in an airflow of the air conditioner 100.

[38] Meanwhile, each of the upper heat exchanger 300 and the lower heat exchanger 310 are installed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a height direction of the main unit 110.

[39] In detail, ends on one sides of the upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310 are installed at the front edges of the upper and lower portions of the main unit 110, respectively. Also, ends on the other sides of the upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310 are supported by an installation portion 200 protruding to the front from the rear side of the main unit 110.

[40] That is, the heat exchangers 300 and 310 are inclined to converge at the center of the main unit 110. In other words, the upper heat exchanger 300 is inclined downward from the air intake holes 130 to the inside. The lower heat exchanger 310 is inclined upward from the air intake holes 130 to the inside. In this case, portions of the heat exchangers 300 and 310 are located between the upper cross-flow fan 170 and the lower cross-flow fan 160.

[41] The upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310 divide an airflow passage in the inside of the main unit 110.

[42] In detail, air introduced via the air intake holes 130 passes through the upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310, and then passes through the upper cross-flow fan 170 and the lower cross-flow fan 160. After that, the air is discharged to the outside via the upper and lower discharge holes 150 and 140. That is, a first passage 210 and a second passage 220 are formed inside the main unit 110. The first passage 210 allows air introduced via the air intake holes 130 to be discharged via the upper discharge hole 150. The second passage 220 allows air introduced via the air intake holes 130 to be discharged via the lower discharge hole 140.

[43] Here, the heat exchangers 300 and 310 are inclined as described above to define the first passage 210 and the second passage 220 in the upper and lower portions, respectively.

[44] Therefore, since interference of air moving through the passages 210 and 220 can be minimized, operation efficiency of the air conditioner 100 can be improved.

[45] Also, since the upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310 are installed as described above, a space 320 of a predetermined size is formed between the upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310 and the air intake holes 130. At this point, the vertical lateral cross-sectional area of the space 320 increases from upper and lower ends to the center.

[46] Therefore, when the lateral portion of the main unit 110 that corresponds to the space 320 is formed to be open, the lateral portion of the main unit 110 serves as a lateral intake hole. That is, according to an embodiment, air intake holes can be formed in both sides of the main unit 110.

[47] In this case, the air intake area of the air conditioner 110 increases, so that an airflow of the air conditioner 100 can be swifter. Also, since an amount of an airflow increases, a noise that may be generated due to shortage in the airflow of the air conditioner 100 can reduce.

[48] Particularly, the air intake area that may be reduced due to installation of the front panel 120 can be increased to a required level through utilization of the space 320. Therefore, an elegant appearance of the air conditioner 100 can be created by installing the front panel 120, and simultaneously an airflow in the air conditioner 100 can be swiftly performed.

[49] Here, the installation portion 200 not only serves as an element for installing the heat exchangers 300 and 310, respectively, but also serves as a condensed water storage portion for storing condensed water generated from the upper heat exchangers 300.

[50] An operation of the air conditioner having the above-described construction will be described according to an embodiment.

[51] First, when power is applied, the upper cross-flow fan 170 and the lower cross-flow fan 160 rotate. Then, intake force is generated, and external air is introduced into the main unit 110 via the air intake holes 130 by the generated intake force.

[52] The above-introduced air is divided and flows the first passage 210 and the second passage 220. That is, one portion of the air introduced via the air intake holes 130 passes through the upper heat exchanger 300 and the upper cross-flow fan 170. The air that has passed through the upper cross-flow fan 170 is guided by the upper rear guide 191 and the upper stabilizer 190 and discharged to the outside of the main unit 110 via the upper discharge hole 150.

[53] On the other hand, the other portion of air introduced via the air intake holes 310 passes through the lower heat exchanger 310 and the lower cross-flow fan 160. The air that has passed through the lower cross-flow fan 160 is guided by the lower rear guide 181 and the lower stabilizer 180 and discharged to the outside of the main unit 110 via the lower discharge hole 140.

[54] Another embodiments will be described below. In the description of another embodiments, description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[55] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment.

[56] Referring to Fig. 3, additional devices 330 and 331 such as a plasma filter or a negative ion generator are installed inside the air conditioner 100, that is, in a space 320 formed by upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310, and air intake holes 130.

[57] Also, the additional devices 330 and 331 can be installed in parallel to the upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310. The additional devices 330 and 331 can be fixed inside the main unit 110 or in the respective heat exchangers 300 and 310.

[58] According to an embodiment, since the space 320 of a predetermined size is formed inside the main unit 110, a separate space does not need to be formed in the main unit 110 to install the additional devices 330 and 331.

[59] Therefore, the additional devices 330 and 331 can be easily installed inside the air conditioner 100 with the air conditioner 100 maintained in a compact size.

[60] Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment.

[61] Referring to Fig. 4, additional device 332 such as a plasma filter or a negative ion generator are installed inside the air conditioner 100, specifically, in a space 320 formed by upper and lower heat exchangers 300 and 310, and air intake holes 130.

[62] Also, the additional device 332 can be installed in parallel to the front side of the main unit 110.

[63] When the additional device 332 is installed as described above, air introduced via the air intake hole 130 directly passes through the additional device 332. Then, the number and installation space of additional devices 332 are minimized, and operation efficiency of the addition device 332 can improve.

[64] Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment.

[65] Referring to Fig. 5, a single heat exchanger 340 is provided inside a main unit 110 of the air conditioner 100.

[66] Both ends of the heat exchanger 340 are installed to the front edge of the main unit

110, and the center of the heat exchanger 340 is bent and installed at about the center of the rear side of the main unit 110. Then, the heat exchanger 340 forms a shape inclined up and down with respect to the bent point of the heat exchanger 340. That is, the heat exchanger 340 includes the upper heat exchanger 342 for exchanging heat with air moving to the upper cross-flow fan 170, and the lower heat exchanger 344 for exchanging heat with air moving to the lower cross-flow fan 160 integrally formed with each other.

[67] Also, a space 320 of a predetermined size is formed between the heat exchanger

340 and an air intake hole 130. As described above, additional devices such as a filter and a negative ion generator that gives a predetermined function to the air conditioner 100 can be installed in the space 320.

[68] Since the singe heat exchanger 340 has the bent shape in the embodiment, the heat exchanger 340 can be easily installed. Also, both ends and the bent portion of the heat exchanger 340 can be supported at the main unit 110, and accordingly, the structure of the main unit 110, for installing the heat exchanger 340 can be simplified.

[69] Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of an air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment.

[70] Referring to Fig. 6, an upper heat exchanger 350 and a lower heat exchanger 360 are installed inside a main unit 110 of the air conditioner 100.

[71] In the embodiment, the upper and lower heat exchangers 350 and 360 have a bent shape.

[72] In detail, the upper heat exchanger 350 includes a vertical portion 352 disposed in a vertical direction, and an inclined portion 354 extending from the vertical portion 352 and inclined downward to the rear side of the main unit 110. Also, the lower heat exchanger 360 includes a vertical portion 362 disposed in a vertical direction, and an inclined portion 364 extending from the vertical portion 362 and inclined upward to the rear side of the main unit 110.

[73] The upper end of the upper heat exchanger 350 is installed on the upper front edge of the main unit 110, and the lower end of the upper heat exchanger 350 is installed at the upper portion of an installation portion 200 provided at the center of the main unit 110. Also, the lower end of the lower heat exchanger 360 is installed on the lower front edge of the main unit 110, and the upper end of the lower heat exchanger 360 is installed at the lower portion of the installation portion 200. The lower end of the upper heat exchanger 302 is installed to be adjacent to the upper end of the lower heat exchanger 312.

[74] When the upper and lower heat exchangers 350 and 360 are installed in this configuration, the upper and lower heat exchangers 350 and 360 surround an upper cross- flow fan 170 and a lower cross-flow fan 160, respectively. Therefore, the whole areas of the upper and lower heat exchangers 350 and 360 increase, so that a heat exchange area can increase.

[75] Also, a space 320 of a predetermined size is formed in the front sides of the upper and lower heat exchangers 350 and 360, additional devices such as a filter and a negative ion generator can be installed in the space 320. Therefore, the performance of the air conditioner 100 and the utility of the space can improve simultaneously.

[76] Fig. 7 is a graph illustrating a change in a noise depending on a degree of openness in a lateral air intake portion of an air conditioner.

[77] Referring to Fig. 7, reduction in noise depending on the degree of openness in the lateral air intake portion of the air conditioner is described.

[78] As proposed in the above-described embodiments, since the heat exchanger is inclined up and down with respect to the center of the main unit 110, the space 320 of the predetermined size is formed in the front of the indoor heat exchanger. The space 320 allows air to be introduced from the lateral sides of the main unit 110, so that an airflow in the air conditioner 100 can be more swiftly performed and a noise that may be generated due to shortage in an airflow can be reduced.

[79] A noise reducing effect is shown in the graph of Fig. 7. As illustrated in Fig. 7, as an opening degree of the lateral air intake portion increases to increase an air intake area, a noise that may be generated from the air conditioner 100 reduces. Industrial Applicability

[80] According to an embodiment, since a passage of air introduced into the main unit is divided to an upper passage and a lower passage by the heat exchanger, interference between the upper and lower passages can be minimized, so that operation efficiency of the air conditioner can improve. Also, a space of a predetermined size is formed between the indoor heat exchanger and an air intake hole, so that a predetermined device such as a filter and a negative ion generator that can give a separate function to the air conditioner can be installed in the space.

Claims

[ 1 ] An air conditioner comprising: a main unit including air intake holes; a plurality of blower fans provided at positions separated from each other inside the main unit; a plurality of discharge holes through which air introduced into the main unit is discharged; a first heat exchanger having at least a portion installed obliquely inside the main unit, for exchanging heat with air moving to one of the blower fans; and a second heat exchanger having at least a portion installed obliquely inside the main unit, for exchanging heat with air moving to another of the blower fans. [2] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger is integrally formed with the second heat exchanger. [3] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein one ends of the first and second heat exchangers are installed at installation portions provided to a center of the main unit, respectivley. [4] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger has at least a portion inclined downward from the air intake holes to an inside of the air conditioner and the second first heat exchanger has at least a portion inclined upward from the air intake holes to an inside of the air conditioner. [5] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the heat exchanger is located between the plurality of blower fans. [6] The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a space of a predetermined size is formed between the air intake holes and the heat exchanger, and a vertical lateral cross-section of the space is greater in its center rather than in its both sides. [7] The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein an additional device such as a filter and a negative ion generator that gives a predetermined function is provided in the space. [8] The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the air intake holes comprise front intake holes and a lateral air intake hole formed in a position corresponding to the space, and air introduced via the front intake holes and the lateral air intake hole flows into the space and passes through the heat exchanger. [9] An air conditioner comprising: a main unit including air intake holes; a plurality of discharge holes for allowing air introduced via the air intake holes to be discharged; a plurality of blower fans located inside the discharge holes, respectively; a plurality of passages through which air flows from the air intake holes to the discharge holes, respectively; and a heat exchanger installed such that the passages are separated from each other, for exchanging heat with air introduced via the air intake holes. [10] The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat with air flowing through the plurality of passages, wherein at least portions of the first and second heat exchanger are disposed in a predetermined direction such that the portions get close from the air intake holes to a rear side of the air conditioner. [11] The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the first and second heat exchangers are integrally formed with each other. [12] The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein a space of a predetermined size is formed between the air intake holes and the heat exchanger, and air is in- troducible from a front side and lateral sides of the space.