EP2031320A1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents
Air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2031320A1 EP2031320A1 EP08162940A EP08162940A EP2031320A1 EP 2031320 A1 EP2031320 A1 EP 2031320A1 EP 08162940 A EP08162940 A EP 08162940A EP 08162940 A EP08162940 A EP 08162940A EP 2031320 A1 EP2031320 A1 EP 2031320A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rotating shaft
- vertical blade
- gear
- air conditioner
- rotating
- 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
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Classifications
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- 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
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- 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
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/08—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates
- F24F13/10—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers
- F24F13/14—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre
- F24F13/1426—Air-flow control members, e.g. louvres, grilles, flaps or guide plates movable, e.g. dampers built up of tilting members, e.g. louvre characterised by actuating means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an air conditioner having a vertical blade that is disposed at an outlet, and deflects the direction of an airflow which is generated by a fan in an upward or downward direction.
- the air conditioner turns the vertical blade in a horizontal direction or a downward direction to control the direction of the airflow in the horizontal direction or the downward direction.
- the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and therefore an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that, for example, prevents a part of airflow from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected in the downward direction when the vertical blade is tilted toward the downward direction in order to deflect the direction of airflow and the airflow passes through the vertical blade, thereby improving the controllability of the airflow.
- the air conditioner according to the present invention includes:
- a part of airflow is prevented from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected in the downward direction when the vertical blade is tilted toward the downward direction to deflect the direction of airflow and the airflow passes through the vertical blade, thereby improving the controllability of the airflow.
- a direction of an arrow A of Fig. 1 is called "upward direction”.
- Fig. 1 is a structural diagram showing an air conditioner according to this embodiment
- Fig. 2 is a diagram showing vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner shown in Fig. 1
- Fig. 3 is a diagram viewed along an arrow B of Fig. 2
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a main portion of the air conditioner shown in Fig. 2 .
- the air conditioner according to this embodiment includes a case 4 in which an inlet 1 for sucking air from the outside, an outlet 2 for blowing out the air sucked from the inlet 1 to the outside, and an air passage 3 for communicating the inlet 1 and the outlet 2, formed therein.
- this air conditioner includes a fan 5 that is disposed within the air passage 3 and generates an airflow, a heat exchanger 6 that is disposed between the inlet 1 and the fan 5 and exchanges heat with the air which has been sucked in from the inlet 1, a vertical blade 7 having a circular arc cross section which is disposed at the outlet 2 and deflects the direction of an airflow which is blown out of the outlet 2 in an upward or downward direction, and a horizontal blade 8 that is disposed between the fan 5 and the vertical blade 7 and deflects the direction of an airflow within the air passage 3 in a rightward or leftward direction.
- a slide motion rotating shaft 9 that is a first rotating shaft which extends toward side surfaces which bound the outlet 2 in the horizontal direction is rotatably disposed in the outlet 2.
- a slide motion motor (not shown) that is controlled by a control unit (not shown) is connected to the slide motion rotating shaft 9 through a link mechanism (not shown), and the slide motion rotating shaft 9 rotates due to the drive of the slide motion motor.
- a box connector main body 10a having a cavity formed inside is disposed at an end of the side surface that bounds the outlet 2 on one surface of the vertical blade 7.
- a support 10b that is U-shaped in cross section, and slidably supports the end of the vertical blade 7 is disposed on a lower side of the connector main body 10a.
- the connector 10 is constituted by the connector main body 10a and the support 10b.
- a through-hole is formed in the side surface of the connector main body 10a that faces the side surface which bounds the outlet 2, and a first bearing 11 is fitted into the through-hole.
- the slide motion rotating shaft 9 is rotatably supported by the first bearing 11, and the end of the slide motion rotating shaft 9 faces the interior of the connector main body 10a.
- the connector main body 10a has both side surfaces of the slide motion rotating shaft 9 in the axial direction, through-holes are formed at the vertical blade 7 side with respect to the first bearing 11, and second bearings 12 are fitted into the respective through-holes.
- a transmission rotating shaft 13 having both ends rotatably supported by the second bearing 12 is fitted to the inner side of the connector main body 10a so as to be in parallel to the slide motion rotating shaft 9.
- a first gear 14 that is fixed to the slide motion rotating shaft 9 and rotates together with the slide motion rotating shaft 9 is disposed inside of the connector main body 10a.
- a second gear 15 that is a rotating body which is fixed to the transmission rotating shaft 13, rotates with the transmission rotating shaft 13, and is meshing with the first gear 14 is disposed inside of the connector main body 10a.
- the first gear 14 and the second gear 15 are made of a resin, but are not limited to this material, and any material with enough strength such as metal may be used instead.
- a surface of the vertical blade 7 which faces the connector main body 10a is formed with convex portions 7a which are an engaged portion which can be meshing with the second gear 15.
- a plurality of convex portions 7a are aligned in a direction orthogonal to the transmission rotating shaft 13.
- the connector 10 houses the first gear 14 and the second gear 15 inside of the connector main body 10a that is a box having a cavity inside so as to prevent dust in the air from being attached to the first gear 14 and the second gear 15, and dew condensation from occurring on the first gear 14 and the second gear 15. However, if there arises no problem of dust in the air being attached to the first gear 14 and the second gear 15, or dew condensation occurring on the first gear 14 and the second gear 15, the connector main body 10a may not be boxy.
- the connector main body 10a is configured in such a manner that the first bearing 11 and the second bearing 12 can be fitted to the connector main body 10a.
- a third gear 16 having an interior into which the slide motion rotating shaft 9 penetrates is fixed to the outer side of the side wall to which the first bearing 11 of the connector main body 10a is fitted.
- a fourth gear 18 that is fixed to a rotation motion rotating shift 17 which is a second rotating shaft which is disposed in parallel to the slide motion rotating shaft 9 is meshing with the third gear 16.
- the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 is connected with a rotation motion motor (not shown) through a link mechanism (not shown), and the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 rotates due to the drive of the rotation motion motor.
- the fourth gear 18 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation motion rotating shaft 17, the third gear 16 rotates, and the connector 10 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 9.
- the vertical blade driving means 19 is formed of the slide motion rotating shaft 9, the first gear 14, the transmission rotating shaft 13, the second gear 15, the connector 10, the convex portion 7a, the third gear 16, the rotation motion rotating shaft 17, and the fourth gear 18.
- Fig. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing the outlet 2 when the air conditioner shown in Fig. 1 is in a stop state
- Fig. 5B is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means 19 shown in Fig. 5A
- Fig. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing the outlet 2 when the air conditioner shown in Fig. 1 blows the airflow from the outlet 2 in the horizontal direction
- Fig. 6B is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means 19 shown in Fig. 6A .
- the vertical blade 7 is so tilted as to close the outlet 2.
- the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 6 reaches a setting temperature, and is then carried to the outlet 2.
- the slide motion motor is driven, the slide motion rotating shaft 9 rotates counterclockwise which is a direction indicated by an arrow 20a, and the first gear 14 that is fixed to the slide motion rotating shaft 9 rotates about the slide rotation rotating shaft 9 counterclockwise.
- the second gear 15 that is meshing with the first gear 14 rotates about the transmission rotating shaft 13 clockwise that is a direction indicated by an arrow 21a.
- the third gear 16 that is meshing with the fourth gear 18 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 9 counterclockwise, and the connector 10 that is fixed to the third gear 16 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 9 counterclockwise.
- the vertical blade 7 rotates so as to be directed in the horizontal direction, and the downstream end of the vertical blade 7 moves toward a downstream side which is a direction away from the slide motion rotating shaft 9. With the above-mentioned operation, even if the vertical blade 7 or the horizontal blade 8 is upsized, the upstream side end of the vertical blade 7 can be prevented from colliding with the horizontal blade 8.
- Fig. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing the outlet 2 when the air conditioner shown in Fig. 1 blows the airflow from the outlet 2 in the downward direction
- Fig. 7B is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means 19 of Fig. 7A .
- the air conditioner When the air conditioner is operated by a user so as to blow the airflow in the downward direction from a state where the vertical blade 7 closes the outlet 2, the airflow occurs due to the rotation of the fan 5, and the air that has been sucked in from the inlet 1 passes through the heat exchanger 6, and is then carried to the outlet 2.
- the slide motion motor is driven, the slide motion rotating shaft 9 rotates clockwise which is a direction indicated by an arrow 20b, and the first gear 14 that is fixed to the slide motion rotating shaft 9 rotates about the slide rotation rotating shaft 9 clockwise.
- the second gear 15 that is meshing with the first gear 14 rotates about the transmission rotating shaft 13 counterclockwise that is a direction indicated by an arrow 21b.
- the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 rotates counterclockwise by the drive of the rotation motion motor, and the fourth gear 18 that is fixed to the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 rotates about the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 counterclockwise.
- the third gear 16 that is meshing with the fourth gear 18 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 9 clockwise, and the connector 10 that is fixed to the third gear 16 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 9 clockwise.
- the vertical blade 7 rotates so as to be directed in the downward direction, and the downstream end of the vertical blade 7 moves toward a downstream side which is a direction away from the slide motion rotating shaft 9. With the above-mentioned operation, even if the vertical blade 7 or the horizontal blade 8 is upsized, the upstream side end of the vertical blade 7 can be prevented from colliding with the horizontal blade 8.
- the upstream end of the vertical blade 7 can approach a ceiling surface of the outlet 2, a part of airflow which passes through the upper side of the vertical blade 7 can be prevented from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected, and the controllability of the airflow can be further improved.
- a relative position between the slide motion rotating shaft 9 and the vertical blade 7 is changed by the vertical blade driving means 19, and the vertical blade 7 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 9.
- the upstream end of the vertical blade 7 approaches the ceiling surface of the outlet 2, thereby preventing a part of the airflow that passes through the upper side of the vertical blade 7 from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected. This enables the controllability of the airflow to be improved.
- the vertical blade driving means 19 inverts the vertical blade 7 in the upward or downward direction, and also changes the relative position between the slide motion rotating shaft 9 and the vertical blade 7 in a direction along which the downstream end of the vertical blade 7 is apart from the slide motion rotating shaft 9.
- the vertical blade driving means 19 has the second gear 15 that comes in contact with the vertical blade 7 and rotates in conjunction with the slide motion rotating shaft 9.
- the second gear 15 rotates while the vertical blade 7 moves in one direction with respect to the slide motion rotating shaft 9.
- the turning force of the slide motion rotating shaft 9 can be transmitted to the vertical blade 7 with the simple configuration.
- the vertical blade 7 is formed with the convex portion 7a which is meshing with the second gear 15, the turning force of the second gear 15 can be transmitted to the vertical blade 7 with a simple configuration.
- This embodiment exemplifies the vertical blade driving means 19 having the slide motion rotating shaft 9 that is connected to the slide motion motor and the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 that is connected to the rotation motion motor.
- the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
- the vertical blade driving means 19 can be configured in such a manner that a fifth gear 24 is fixed to the slide motion rotating shaft 9, and a sixth gear 25 that is meshing with the fifth gear 24 is fixed to the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 to rotate the slide motion rotating shaft 9 at the same time when the rotation motion rotating shaft 17 rotates.
- the motor can be fitted to any one of the slide motion rotating shaft 9 and the rotation motion rotating shaft 17, thereby enabling the number of motors to be reduced.
- Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.
- the support 10b extends horizontally in a direction away from the connector main body 10a, then is bent toward the vertical blade 7, further bent before the vertical blade 7, and again extends horizontally in the direction away from the connector main body 10a.
- the vertical blade 7 includes an L-shaped support receiving portion 26 having a leading end directed toward the connector main body 10a on a surface thereof that faces the connector main body 10a.
- the leading end of the support 10b is slidably disposed inside of the support receiving portion 26.
- the vertical blade 7 is slidably supported to the connector 10.
- the support 10b is so disposed as to extend from one surface of the vertical blade 7 to another surface thereof with the result that the support 10b can be simply formed.
- a position at which the connector 10 is fitted is not limited to the end of the side surface of the outlet 2 of the vertical blade 7, but can be freely provided.
- Fig. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of the vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.
- a lower side of the support 10b is U-shaped in cross section.
- the vertical blade 7 has a concave portion 27 along which the leading end of the support 10b is slidable on a surface thereof which faces the side surface that bounds the outlet 2.
- the vertical blade 7 is slidably supported to the connector 10.
- the support 10b since the support 10b does not extend up to a surface of the vertical blade 7 at an opposite side of the connector main body 10a, the surface of the vertical blade 7 at an opposite side of the connector main body 10a can further approach the ceiling surface or the bottom surface of the outlet 2.
- Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing yet still another example of the vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment.
- a surface of the vertical blade 7 which faces the connector main body 10a is formed with concave portions 7b which are an engaged portion which can be meshing with the second gear 15.
- a plurality of concave portions 7b are continuously aligned in a direction orthogonal to the transmission rotating shaft 13.
- the concave portion 7b reduces collision with the airflow as compared with the convex portion 7a, dust contained in the airflow can be prevented from being attached to the concave portion 7b.
- the engaged portion is not limited to the concave portion 7b having a bottom, but can be a through-hole that penetrates the vertical blade 6.
- Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a main portion of an air conditioner according to this embodiment.
- a first cylindrical portion 28 that is fixed to the slide motion rotating shaft 9 and rotates together with the slide motion rotating shaft 9 is disposed inside of the connector main body 10a.
- a second cylindrical portion 29 that is a rotating body which is fixed to the transmission rotating shaft 13, rotates together with the transmission rotating shaft 13, and comes in contact with the vertical blade 7 is disposed inside of the connector main body 10a.
- the first cylindrical portion 28 and the second cylindrical portion 29 have rubber which is a slip stopper member on their peripheries which come in contact with each other.
- the second cylindrical portion 29 also rotates in conjunction with the first cylindrical portion 28, and the vertical blade 7 moves in one direction with respect to the second cylindrical member 29.
- the slip stopper member is not limited to rubber, but can also be made of other materials.
- the vertical blade 7 may have rubber which is the slip stopper member in a region where the vertical blade 7 comes in contact with the periphery of the second cylindrical portion 29, and the slip stopper member may also be disposed on any one of the second cylindrical portion 29 and the vertical blade 7.
- the first cylindrical portion 28, the second cylindrical portion 29, and the vertical blade 7 are not formed with the convex portion or the concave portion which are meshing with each other, and come in contact with surfaces that do not slip on each other. For this reason, the attachment of dust onto the first cylindrical portion 28, the second cylindrical portion 29, and the vertical blade 7 can be reduced as compared with the air conditioner according to the first embodiment.
- the respective embodiments exemplify the vertical blade 7 that is formed with the engaged portion which is meshing with the second gear 15, and the vertical blade 7 that comes in contact with the second cylindrical portion 29.
- the present invention is not limited to this configuration, but the vertical blade 7 may have a member formed with the engaged portion which is meshing with the second gear 15, or the vertical blade 7 may have a member that comes in contact with the second cylindrical portion 29.
- Fig. 13 is a structural diagram showing an air conditioner according to this embodiment.
- Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing vertical blade driving means 34 shown in Fig. 13 .
- Fig. 15A is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means 34 shown in Fig. 15A
- Fig. 15B is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow B in Fig. 15A
- Fig. 15C is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means 34 in Fig. 14
- Fig. 15D is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow D in Fig. 15C .
- a slide guide 30a is omitted in Fig. 15
- a slide motion motor 46 and a rotation motion motor 47 is omitted in Fig. 15D .
- the air conditioner according to this embodiment includes a vertical blade 30 having a circular arc configuration in cross section which is disposed at an outlet 2 and deflects the direction of the airflow which is blown out of the outlet 2 in the upward or downward direction, and a horizontal blade 31 which is disposed between a fan 5 and the vertical blade 30 and deflects the airflow within an air passage 3 in the right or left direction.
- a slide motion rotating shaft 32 that is a first rotating shaft which faces the vertical blade 30 and extends in the horizontal direction toward a side surface that bounds the outlet 2, and a rotation motion rotating shaft 33 that is a second rotating shaft which is in parallel to the slide motion rotating shaft 32 are rotatably supported to the outlet 2.
- Vertical blade driving means 34 that change a relative position between the vertical blade 30 and the slide motion rotating shaft 32, and rotate the vertical blade 30 about the slide motion rotating shaft 32 are disposed between the vertical blade 30 and the slide motion rotating shaft 32.
- the vertical blade driving means 34 include a connector 35 having one end rotatably supported to the slide motion rotating shaft 32 and another end supporting the vertical blade 30, a moving mechanism 36 that relatively moves the vertical blade 30 with respect to the connector 35, and a rotating mechanism 37 that rotates the connector 35 about the slide motion rotating shaft 32.
- the connectors 35 are disposed at both ends of the vertical blade 30, respectively, and the moving mechanisms 36 and the rotating mechanisms 37 are disposed on the respective connectors 35.
- Each of the moving mechanisms 36 includes a first rotating force transmission unit having a seventh gear 38 that is fixed to the slide motion rotating shaft 32 and rotates together with the slide motion rotating shaft 32, an eighth gear 39 that is rotatably supported to the connector 35 and meshing with the seventh gear 38, a ninth gear 40 that is rotatable and meshing with the eighth gear 39, and a transmission rotating shaft 41 which is rotatably supported by the connector 35, and whose one end is fixed to the ninth gear 40, and a tenth gear 42 that is a rotating body which is fixed to another end of the transmission rotating shaft 41.
- the seventh gear 38, the eighth gear 39, and the ninth gear 40 are aligned from the slide motion rotating shaft 32 toward the vertical blade 30 inside of the connector 35 having a cavity therein.
- Ring-shaped slide guides 30a that are flattened are fixed at both side surfaces that bound the outlet 2 on a surface of the vertical blade 30 which faces the slide motion rotating shaft 32.
- Each of the slide guides 30a extends in a direction orthogonal to the slide motion rotating shaft 32, and projections 30b which are triangular first contact portions are continuously formed on a bottom surface of the interior of the slide guide 30a in the longitudinal direction.
- the above-mentioned embodiment exemplifies the vertical blade 30 having the slide guide 30a on which the projections 30b are formed.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and the vertical blade 30 may be directly formed with the projections.
- the rotating mechanism 37 includes an eleventh gear 43 that is a second contact portion which is fixed to the connector 35 about the slide motion rotating shaft 32, and a second rotating force transmission unit having a twelfth gear 44 that is rotatable and meshing with the eleventh gear 43, and a thirteenth gear 45 that is fixed to the rotating motion rotating shaft 33 and meshing with the twelfth gear 44.
- the eleventh gear 43, the twelfth gear 44, and the thirteenth gear 45 are aligned from the slide motion rotating shaft 32 toward the rotation motion rotating shaft 33.
- the eleventh gear 43 can be integrated with the connector 35.
- the projections 30b, the seventh gear 38, the eighth gear 39, the ninth gear 40, the tenth gear 42, the eleventh gear 43, the twelfth gear 44, and the thirteenth gear 45 are made of copper-based metal.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, so these gears can be made of other materials such as iron-based metal, polyacetal resin, and nylon resin.
- slide motion rotating shaft 32 One end of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is connected with a slide motion motor 46 which is a first motor that rotates the slide motion rotating shaft 32, and one end of the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 is connected with a rotation motion motor 47 which is a second motor that rotates the rotation motion rotating shaft 33.
- Fig. 16 is a structural diagram showing a state in which the air conditioner shown in Fig. 13 is in a stop state.
- Fig. 17 is a structural diagram showing a state where the air conditioner shown in Fig. 13 blows the airflow out of the outlet 2 in the horizontal direction.
- Fig. 18 is a structural diagram showing a state where the air conditioner shown in Fig. 13 blows the airflow out of the outlet 2 in the downward direction.
- the vertical blade 30 is so tilted as to close the outlet 2.
- the rotation operation motor 47 is driven to rotate the rotation operation rotating shaft 33.
- the rotating force of the rotation operation rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to the eleventh gear 43 through the thirteenth gear 45 and the twelfth gear 44, and the connector 35 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 32 in such a direction that the concave portion of the vertical blade 30 is directed downwards in conjunction with the eleventh gear 43.
- the vertical blade 30 rotates at a large angle, the vertical blade 30 can approach the ceiling surface of the outlet 2. Accordingly, the airflow that has passed through the upper side of the vertical blade 30 is prevented from flowing in the upward direction. As a result, it is possible to improve the controllability of the airflow.
- the slide motion motor 46 is driven to rotate the slide motion rotating shaft 32, and the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the tenth gear 42 through the seventh gear 38, the eighth gear 39, the ninth gear 40, and the transmission rotating shaft 41.
- the vertical blade 30 Since the tenth gear 42 rotates while meshing with the projections 30b, the vertical blade 30 relatively moves in a direction along which the downstream end is apart from the slide motion rotating shaft 32 with respect to the connector 35.
- the vertical blade 30 can be prevented from colliding with the horizontal blade 31 or the ceiling surface of the outlet 2.
- the rotation operation motor 47 is driven in an opposite direction to that at the time of the heater operation to rotate the rotation operation rotating shaft 33.
- the rotating force of the rotation operation rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to the eleventh gear 43 through the thirteenth gear 45 and the twelfth gear 44, and the connector 35 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 32 in such a direction that the concave portion of the vertical blade 30 is directed upwards in conjunction with the eleventh gear 43.
- the vertical blade 30 rotates at a large angle, the vertical blade 30 can approach the bottom surface of the outlet 2. Accordingly, the airflow that has passed through the lower side of the vertical blade 30 is prevented from flowing in the downward direction. As a result, it is possible to improve the controllability of the airflow.
- the slide motion motor 46 is driven in an opposite direction to that at the time of the heater operation to rotate the slide motion rotating shaft 32.
- the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the tenth gear 42 through the seventh gear 38, the eighth gear 39, the ninth gear 40, and the transmission rotating shaft 41.
- the vertical blade 30 Since the tenth gear 42 rotates while meshing with the projections 30b, the vertical blade 30 relatively moves in a direction in which the downstream end is apart from the slide motion rotating shaft 32 with respect to the connector 35.
- the vertical blade 30 can be prevented from colliding with the horizontal blade 31 or the ceiling surface of the outlet 2.
- the relative position between the slide motion rotating shaft 32 and the vertical blade 30 is changed by the vertical blade driving means 34, and the vertical blade 30 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 32.
- the upstream end of the vertical blade 30 is made to approach the ceiling surface of the outlet 2 to prevent a part of the airflow that passes through the upper side of the vertical blade 30 from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected.
- the controllability of the airflow can be improved.
- the slide motion motor 46 and the vertical blade 30 can be disposed apart from each other by the first rotating force transmitting means, and the rotation motion motor 47 and the vertical blade 30 can be disposed apart from each other by the second rotating force transmitting means. For this reason, a pressure loss of the airflow within the air passage 3 due to the slide motion motor 46 or the rotation motion motor 47 can be reduced, and dew condensation that is produced by the generation of a turbulent flow can be prevented.
- the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is rotated by the drive of the slide motion motor 46, and the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 is rotated by the drive of the rotation motion motor 47.
- the vertical blade 30 can be rotated in order that the vertical blade 30 does not collide with the outlet 2 or the horizontal blade 31.
- the slide motion motor 46 is driven, thereby making it possible to protrude the vertical blade 30 to the downstream side, or retract the vertical blade 30 to the upstream side.
- the flow passage of the outlet 2 is narrowed to reduce the air flow, thereby making it possible to accelerate the flow rate of the airflow to extend the arrival distance of the airflow, and to further improve the controllability of the airflow.
- Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing another example of the vertical blade driving means 34 in the air conditioner according to this embodiment.
- Fig. 20A is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means 34 shown in Fig. 19 .
- Fig. 20B is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along the arrow B in Fig. 20A.
- Fig. 20C is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means 34 shown in Fig. 19 .
- Fig. 20D is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow D in Fig. 20C .
- the slide guide 30a is omitted in Fig. 20
- the rotation motion motor 47 is omitted in Fig. 20B
- the slide motion motor 46 is omitted in Fig. 8D.
- the slide motion motor 46 is disposed at one side surface of the outlet 2, and the rotation motion motor 47 is disposed at another side surface of the outlet 2.
- the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 extends between the rotation motion motor 47 and one of the connectors 35 which is closer to the rotation motion motor 47, and the rotating mechanism 37 is disposed on the one connector 35.
- the connector 35, the rotating mechanism 37, and the vertical blade 30 are made of a material having mechanical rigidity to the degree that the vertical blade 30 and another connector 35 can rotate about the slide motion rotating shaft 32 when one connector 35 rotates about the slide motion rotating shaft 32.
- the slide motion motor 46 and the rotation motion motor 47 are disposed apart from each other, the degree of freedom of the sizes of the slide motion motor 46 and the rotation motion motor 47 is improved.
- the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 extends between the rotation motion motor 47 and one of the connectors 35 which is closer to the rotation motion motor 47, and is not disposed between the respective connectors 35. As a result, the airflow that flows along the vertical blade 30 can be prevented from being obstructed by the rotation motion rotating shaft 33.
- Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing vertical blade driving means 34 of an air conditioner according to this embodiment.
- Fig. 22A is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means 34 of Fig. 21 .
- Fig. 22B is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along the arrow B of Fig. 22A.
- Fig. 22C is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means 34 of Fig. 21 .
- Fig. 22D is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow D of Fig. 22C .
- the slide guide 30a is omitted in Figs. 22
- the motor 50 is omitted in Fig. 22D .
- a third rotating force transmission unit having a fourteenth gear 48 that is fixed to the slide motion rotating shaft 32 and rotates together with the slide motion rotating shaft 32, and a fifteenth gear 49 that is fixed to the rotation motion rotating shaft 33, rotates together with the rotation motion rotating shaft 33, and is meshing with the fourteenth gear 48 is disposed in each of the connectors 35.
- the slide motion rotating shaft 32 extends between the respective connectors 35, and the motor 50 is fitted to one end of the slide motion rotating shaft 32. No motor is fitted to the rotation motion rotating shaft 33.
- This embodiment exemplifies the air conditioner in which the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 is disposed in each of the connectors 35.
- an air conditioner having one rotation motion rotating shaft 33 that extends between the respective connectors 35.
- the air conditioner in which the motor is fitted to the rotation motion rotating shaft 33, and no motor is fitted to the slide motion rotating shaft 32. Even in this case, the rotating force of the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 can be transmitted to the slide motion rotating shaft 32 by the aid of the third rotating force transmission unit.
- the motor 50 is driven to rotate the slide motion rotating shaft 32, and the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the tenth gear 42 as in the air conditioner according to the third embodiment.
- the vertical blade 30 relatively moves in such a direction that the downstream end is apart from the slide motion rotating shaft 32 with respect to the connector 35.
- the vertical blade 30 rotates in a direction along which the concave portion is directed downwardly.
- the motor 50 When the air conditioner is so operated as to conduct cooling operation, the motor 50 is driven in an opposite direction to that at the time of the heating operation, and the vertical blade 30 relatively moves in a direction in which the downstream end is apart from the slide motion rotating shaft 32 with respect to the connector 35. Also, the vertical blade 30 rotates in a direction in which the concave portion is directed upwardly.
- the vertical blade 30 can rotate so as not to collide with the outlet 2 or the horizontal blade 31.
- the number of motors can be reduced as compared with the air conditioner of the third embodiment, and the air conditioner can be downsized.
- the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment exemplify the moving mechanism 36 in which the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the vertical blade 30 through the projections 30b, the seventh gear 38, the eighth gear 39, the ninth gear 40, the transmission rotating shaft 41, and the tenth gear 42 to move the vertical blade 30.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration.
- a moving mechanism 36 in which the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the vertical blade 30 by the aid of a frictional force of, for example, a rubber roller, a metal roller, or a resin roller to move the vertical blade 30.
- a moving mechanism 36 in which the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the vertical blade 30 by the aid of a belt drive of a geared belt, a V-belt, or the like to move the vertical blade 30.
- the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment exemplify the rotating mechanism 37 in which the rotating force of the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to the connector 35 through the eleventh gear 43, the twelfth gear 44, and the thirteenth gear 45 to rotate the connector 35.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration.
- a rotating mechanism 37 in which the rotating force of the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to the connector 35 by the aid of a frictional force of, for example, a rubber roller, a metal roller, or a resin roller to rotate the connector 35.
- a rotating mechanism 37 in which the rotating force of the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to the connector 35 by the aid of a belt drive of a geared belt, a V-belt, or the like to rotate the connector 35.
- the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment exemplify the air conditioner having the seventh gear 38, the eighth gear 39, the ninth gear 40, the tenth gear 42, the eleventh gear 43, the twelfth gear 44, the thirteenth gear 45, the fourteenth gear 48, and the fifteenth gear 49.
- the number of gears is not limited to the above-mentioned example.
- the fourth embodiment exemplifies the third rotating force transmission unit having the fourteenth gear 48 and the fifteenth gear 49 that transmit the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 to the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 between the slide motion rotating shaft 32 and the rotation motion rotating shaft 33.
- the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example.
- a third rotating force transmission unit in which the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 by the aid of a frictional force of, for example, a rubber roller, a metal roller, or a resin roller.
- a third rotating force transmission unit in which the rotating force of the slide motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the rotation motion rotating shaft 33 by the aid of a belt drive of a geared belt, a V-belt, or the like.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an air conditioner having a vertical blade that is disposed at an outlet, and deflects the direction of an airflow which is generated by a fan in an upward or downward direction.
- Up to now, there has been known an air conditioner having a case in which an air passage that communicates with an inlet and an outlet is formed, a fan that is disposed within the air passage and generates an airflow, and a vertical blade that is disposed at the outlet and deflects the direction of the airflow blown out of the outlet in the upward or downward direction (for example, refer to
JP 03-158 647 A - The air conditioner turns the vertical blade in a horizontal direction or a downward direction to control the direction of the airflow in the horizontal direction or the downward direction.
- However, in the above-mentioned air conditioner, for example, when the vertical blade is tilted in the downward direction to deflect the direction of the airflow in the downward direction, a part of an airflow that passes through an upper surface of the vertical blade is caused to flow in the upward direction without being deflected in the downward direction when the airflow passes through the vertical blade. This causes a problem that the controllability of the airflow is deteriorated.
- The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and therefore an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that, for example, prevents a part of airflow from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected in the downward direction when the vertical blade is tilted toward the downward direction in order to deflect the direction of airflow and the airflow passes through the vertical blade, thereby improving the controllability of the airflow.
- The air conditioner according to the present invention includes:
- a case having an air passage that communicates with an inlet and an outlet therein;
- a fan that is disposed within the air passage and generates an airflow;
- a first rotating shaft that is rotatably disposed in the outlet and extends toward a side surface that bounds the outlet;
- a vertical blade that is disposed in the outlet, and rotates about the first rotating shaft to deflect a direction of the airflow blown out of the outlet in an upward or downward direction; and
- a vertical blade driving means that is disposed between the first rotating shaft and the vertical blade, changes a relative position between the first rotating shaft and the vertical blade, and rotates the vertical blade about the first rotating shaft.
- According to the air conditioner of the present invention, for example, a part of airflow is prevented from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected in the downward direction when the vertical blade is tilted toward the downward direction to deflect the direction of airflow and the airflow passes through the vertical blade, thereby improving the controllability of the airflow.
- In the accompanying drawings:
- Fig. 1
- is a structural diagram showing an indoor equipment of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment;
- Fig. 2
- is a diagram showing vertical blade driving means of the air conditioner of
Fig. 1 ; - Fig. 3
- is a diagram viewed along an arrow B of
Fig. 2 ; - Fig. 4
- is a diagram showing a main portion of the indoor equipment of the air conditioner of
Fig. 2 ; - Fig. 5A
- is an explanatory diagram showing an outlet when the indoor equipment of the air conditioner of
Fig. 1 is in a stop state, and - Fig. 5B
- is an enlarged diagram showing the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 5A ; - Fig. 6A
- is an explanatory diagram showing the outlet when the indoor equipment of the air conditioner of
Fig. 1 blows an airflow from the outlet in the horizontal direction, and - Fig. 6B
- is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 6A ; - Fig. 7A
- is an explanatory diagram showing the outlet when the air conditioner of
Fig. 1 blows the airflow from the outlet in the downward direction, and - Fig. 7B
- is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 7A ; - Fig. 8
- is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment;
- Fig. 9
- is a diagram showing another example of the vertical blade driving means of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment;
- Fig. 10
- is a diagram showing still another example of the vertical blade driving means of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment;
- Fig. 11
- is a diagram showing yet still another example of the vertical blade driving means of the air conditioner according to the first embodiment;
- Fig. 12
- is a perspective view showing a main portion of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment;
- Fig. 13
- is a structural diagram showing an indoor equipment of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment;
- Fig. 14
- is a perspective view showing vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 13 ; - Fig. 15A
- is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 14 , - Fig. 15B
- is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means viewed along an arrow B of
Fig. 15A , - Fig. 15C
- is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 14 , and - Fig. 15D
- is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means viewed along an arrow D of
Fig. 15C ; - Fig. 16
- is a structural diagram showing the air conditioner of
Fig. 13 in a state of blowing the airflow in the horizontal direction; - Fig. 17
- is a structural diagram showing the air conditioner of
Fig. 13 in a state of blowing the airflow in the downward direction; - Fig. 18
- is a structural diagram showing the air conditioner of
Fig. 13 in a state of stopping; - Fig. 19
- is a perspective view showing another example of the vertical blade driving means of the air conditioner according to the third embodiment;
- Fig. 20A
- is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 19 , - Fig. 20B
- is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means viewed along the arrow B of
Fig. 20A , - Fig. 20C
- is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 19 , and - Fig. 20D
- is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means viewed along an arrow D of
Fig. 20C ; - Fig. 21
- is a perspective view showing vertical blade driving means of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment; and
- Fig. 22A
- is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 21 , - Fig. 22B
- is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means viewed along the arrow B of
Fig. 22A , - Fig. 22C
- is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means of
Fig. 21 , and - Fig. 22D
- is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means viewed along an arrow D of
Fig. 22C . - Hereinafter, a description will be given of respective embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the respective drawings, identical or corresponding members and parts are denoted by the same symbols.
- In the present invention, a direction of an arrow A of
Fig. 1 is called "upward direction". -
Fig. 1 is a structural diagram showing an air conditioner according to this embodiment,Fig. 2 is a diagram showing vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner shown inFig. 1 ,Fig. 3 is a diagram viewed along an arrow B ofFig. 2 , andFig. 4 is a perspective view showing a main portion of the air conditioner shown inFig. 2 . - The air conditioner according to this embodiment includes a
case 4 in which aninlet 1 for sucking air from the outside, anoutlet 2 for blowing out the air sucked from theinlet 1 to the outside, and anair passage 3 for communicating theinlet 1 and theoutlet 2, formed therein. - Also, this air conditioner includes a
fan 5 that is disposed within theair passage 3 and generates an airflow, aheat exchanger 6 that is disposed between theinlet 1 and thefan 5 and exchanges heat with the air which has been sucked in from theinlet 1, avertical blade 7 having a circular arc cross section which is disposed at theoutlet 2 and deflects the direction of an airflow which is blown out of theoutlet 2 in an upward or downward direction, and ahorizontal blade 8 that is disposed between thefan 5 and thevertical blade 7 and deflects the direction of an airflow within theair passage 3 in a rightward or leftward direction. - A slide
motion rotating shaft 9 that is a first rotating shaft which extends toward side surfaces which bound theoutlet 2 in the horizontal direction is rotatably disposed in theoutlet 2. - A slide motion motor (not shown) that is controlled by a control unit (not shown) is connected to the slide
motion rotating shaft 9 through a link mechanism (not shown), and the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 rotates due to the drive of the slide motion motor. - A box connector
main body 10a having a cavity formed inside is disposed at an end of the side surface that bounds theoutlet 2 on one surface of thevertical blade 7. - A
support 10b that is U-shaped in cross section, and slidably supports the end of thevertical blade 7 is disposed on a lower side of the connectormain body 10a. - The
connector 10 is constituted by the connectormain body 10a and thesupport 10b. - A through-hole is formed in the side surface of the connector
main body 10a that faces the side surface which bounds theoutlet 2, and afirst bearing 11 is fitted into the through-hole. - The slide
motion rotating shaft 9 is rotatably supported by thefirst bearing 11, and the end of the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 faces the interior of the connectormain body 10a. - Also, the connector
main body 10a has both side surfaces of the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 in the axial direction, through-holes are formed at thevertical blade 7 side with respect to thefirst bearing 11, andsecond bearings 12 are fitted into the respective through-holes. - A
transmission rotating shaft 13 having both ends rotatably supported by thesecond bearing 12 is fitted to the inner side of the connectormain body 10a so as to be in parallel to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. - A
first gear 14 that is fixed to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 and rotates together with the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 is disposed inside of the connectormain body 10a. - Also, a
second gear 15 that is a rotating body which is fixed to thetransmission rotating shaft 13, rotates with thetransmission rotating shaft 13, and is meshing with thefirst gear 14 is disposed inside of the connectormain body 10a. - The
first gear 14 and thesecond gear 15 are made of a resin, but are not limited to this material, and any material with enough strength such as metal may be used instead. - A surface of the
vertical blade 7 which faces the connectormain body 10a is formed withconvex portions 7a which are an engaged portion which can be meshing with thesecond gear 15. - A plurality of
convex portions 7a are aligned in a direction orthogonal to thetransmission rotating shaft 13. - The
connector 10 houses thefirst gear 14 and thesecond gear 15 inside of the connectormain body 10a that is a box having a cavity inside so as to prevent dust in the air from being attached to thefirst gear 14 and thesecond gear 15, and dew condensation from occurring on thefirst gear 14 and thesecond gear 15. However, if there arises no problem of dust in the air being attached to thefirst gear 14 and thesecond gear 15, or dew condensation occurring on thefirst gear 14 and thesecond gear 15, the connectormain body 10a may not be boxy. - In this case, the connector
main body 10a is configured in such a manner that thefirst bearing 11 and thesecond bearing 12 can be fitted to the connectormain body 10a. - A
third gear 16 having an interior into which the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 penetrates is fixed to the outer side of the side wall to which thefirst bearing 11 of the connectormain body 10a is fitted. - With the above-mentioned configuration, when the
third gear 16 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9, theconnector 10 also rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 in conjunction with thethird gear 16. - A
fourth gear 18 that is fixed to a rotationmotion rotating shift 17 which is a second rotating shaft which is disposed in parallel to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 is meshing with thethird gear 16. - The rotation
motion rotating shaft 17 is connected with a rotation motion motor (not shown) through a link mechanism (not shown), and the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 rotates due to the drive of the rotation motion motor. - The
fourth gear 18 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17, thethird gear 16 rotates, and theconnector 10 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. - The vertical blade driving means 19 is formed of the slide
motion rotating shaft 9, thefirst gear 14, thetransmission rotating shaft 13, thesecond gear 15, theconnector 10, theconvex portion 7a, thethird gear 16, the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17, and thefourth gear 18. - Subsequently, the operation of the air conditioner according to this embodiment will be described below.
- First, a description will be given of a case where changing over from a stop state to a state where the airflow is blown out of the
outlet 2 in the horizontal direction. -
Fig. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing theoutlet 2 when the air conditioner shown inFig. 1 is in a stop state, andFig. 5B is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means 19 shown inFig. 5A .Fig. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing theoutlet 2 when the air conditioner shown inFig. 1 blows the airflow from theoutlet 2 in the horizontal direction, andFig. 6B is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means 19 shown inFig. 6A . - In the state where the air conditioner stops, the
vertical blade 7 is so tilted as to close theoutlet 2. - In this state, when the air conditioner is operated by a user so as to blow the airflow in the horizontal direction, the airflow occurs due to the rotation of the
fan 5, the air is sucked in from theinlet 1, and the sucked air passes through theheat exchanger 6. - Since the temperature of the
heat exchanger 6 is controlled to a given temperature, the air that has passed through theheat exchanger 6 reaches a setting temperature, and is then carried to theoutlet 2. - Subsequently, the slide motion motor is driven, the slide
motion rotating shaft 9 rotates counterclockwise which is a direction indicated by anarrow 20a, and thefirst gear 14 that is fixed to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 rotates about the sliderotation rotating shaft 9 counterclockwise. - Also, the
second gear 15 that is meshing with thefirst gear 14 rotates about thetransmission rotating shaft 13 clockwise that is a direction indicated by anarrow 21a. - As a result, the
vertical blade 7 that is meshing with thesecond gear 15 moves downstream of the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 which is a direction indicated by anarrow 22a. - Then, the rotation motion motor is driven, the rotation
motion rotating shaft 17 rotates clockwise, and thefourth gear 18 that is fixed to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 rotates about the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 clockwise. - Also, the
third gear 16 that is meshing with thefourth gear 18 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 counterclockwise, and theconnector 10 that is fixed to thethird gear 16 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 counterclockwise. - As a result, the
vertical blade 7 that is supported by theconnector 10 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 counterclockwise that is a direction indicated by anarrow 23a. - The
vertical blade 7 rotates so as to be directed in the horizontal direction, and the downstream end of thevertical blade 7 moves toward a downstream side which is a direction away from the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. With the above-mentioned operation, even if thevertical blade 7 or thehorizontal blade 8 is upsized, the upstream side end of thevertical blade 7 can be prevented from colliding with thehorizontal blade 8. - As a result, the controllability of the airflow when the
vertical blade 7 is tilted in the horizontal direction can be improved. - Subsequently, a description will be given of a case of changing over from the stop state to a state where the airflow is blown out of the
outlet 2 in the downward direction. -
Fig. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing theoutlet 2 when the air conditioner shown inFig. 1 blows the airflow from theoutlet 2 in the downward direction, andFig. 7B is a diagram showing the vertical blade driving means 19 ofFig. 7A . - When the air conditioner is operated by a user so as to blow the airflow in the downward direction from a state where the
vertical blade 7 closes theoutlet 2, the airflow occurs due to the rotation of thefan 5, and the air that has been sucked in from theinlet 1 passes through theheat exchanger 6, and is then carried to theoutlet 2. - Subsequently, the slide motion motor is driven, the slide
motion rotating shaft 9 rotates clockwise which is a direction indicated by anarrow 20b, and thefirst gear 14 that is fixed to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 rotates about the sliderotation rotating shaft 9 clockwise. - Also, the
second gear 15 that is meshing with thefirst gear 14 rotates about thetransmission rotating shaft 13 counterclockwise that is a direction indicated by anarrow 21b. - As a result, the
vertical blade 7 that is meshing with thesecond gear 15 moves downstream of the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 which is a direction indicated by anarrow 22b. - Then, the rotation
motion rotating shaft 17 rotates counterclockwise by the drive of the rotation motion motor, and thefourth gear 18 that is fixed to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 rotates about the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 counterclockwise. - Also, the
third gear 16 that is meshing with thefourth gear 18 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 clockwise, and theconnector 10 that is fixed to thethird gear 16 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 clockwise. - As a result, the
vertical blade 7 that is supported by theconnector 10 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 clockwise that is a direction indicated by anarrow 23b. - The
vertical blade 7 rotates so as to be directed in the downward direction, and the downstream end of thevertical blade 7 moves toward a downstream side which is a direction away from the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. With the above-mentioned operation, even if thevertical blade 7 or thehorizontal blade 8 is upsized, the upstream side end of thevertical blade 7 can be prevented from colliding with thehorizontal blade 8. - As a result, the controllability of the airflow when the
vertical blade 7 is tilted in the downward direction can be improved. - Also, since the upstream end of the
vertical blade 7 can approach a ceiling surface of theoutlet 2, a part of airflow which passes through the upper side of thevertical blade 7 can be prevented from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected, and the controllability of the airflow can be further improved. - As described above, according to the air conditioner of this embodiment, a relative position between the slide
motion rotating shaft 9 and thevertical blade 7 is changed by the vertical blade driving means 19, and thevertical blade 7 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. As a result, for example, even if thevertical blade 7 is tilted in the downward direction so as to deflect the direction of the airflow in the downward direction, the upstream end of thevertical blade 7 approaches the ceiling surface of theoutlet 2, thereby preventing a part of the airflow that passes through the upper side of thevertical blade 7 from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected. This enables the controllability of the airflow to be improved. - Also, the vertical blade driving means 19 inverts the
vertical blade 7 in the upward or downward direction, and also changes the relative position between the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 and thevertical blade 7 in a direction along which the downstream end of thevertical blade 7 is apart from the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. With the above-mentioned operation, even if thevertical blade 7 or thehorizontal blade 8 is upsized, thevertical blade 7 is prevented from colliding with thehorizontal blade 8. This enables the controllability of the airflow to be improved. - Also, the vertical blade driving means 19 has the
second gear 15 that comes in contact with thevertical blade 7 and rotates in conjunction with the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. Thesecond gear 15 rotates while thevertical blade 7 moves in one direction with respect to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9. As a result, the turning force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 can be transmitted to thevertical blade 7 with the simple configuration. - Further, since the
vertical blade 7 is formed with theconvex portion 7a which is meshing with thesecond gear 15, the turning force of thesecond gear 15 can be transmitted to thevertical blade 7 with a simple configuration. - This embodiment exemplifies the vertical blade driving means 19 having the slide
motion rotating shaft 9 that is connected to the slide motion motor and the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 that is connected to the rotation motion motor. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown inFig. 8 , the vertical blade driving means 19 can be configured in such a manner that afifth gear 24 is fixed to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9, and asixth gear 25 that is meshing with thefifth gear 24 is fixed to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 to rotate the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 at the same time when the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17 rotates. - Other configurations are identical with those in the first embodiment.
- In this case, the motor can be fitted to any one of the slide
motion rotating shaft 9 and the rotationmotion rotating shaft 17, thereby enabling the number of motors to be reduced. -
Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. - The
support 10b extends horizontally in a direction away from the connectormain body 10a, then is bent toward thevertical blade 7, further bent before thevertical blade 7, and again extends horizontally in the direction away from the connectormain body 10a. - The
vertical blade 7 includes an L-shapedsupport receiving portion 26 having a leading end directed toward the connectormain body 10a on a surface thereof that faces the connectormain body 10a. - The leading end of the
support 10b is slidably disposed inside of thesupport receiving portion 26. - With the above-mentioned configuration, the
vertical blade 7 is slidably supported to theconnector 10. - According to the above-mentioned air conditioner, it is not necessary that the
support 10b is so disposed as to extend from one surface of thevertical blade 7 to another surface thereof with the result that thesupport 10b can be simply formed. Also, a position at which theconnector 10 is fitted is not limited to the end of the side surface of theoutlet 2 of thevertical blade 7, but can be freely provided. -
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of the vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. - A lower side of the
support 10b is U-shaped in cross section. - The
vertical blade 7 has aconcave portion 27 along which the leading end of thesupport 10b is slidable on a surface thereof which faces the side surface that bounds theoutlet 2. - With the above-mentioned configuration, the
vertical blade 7 is slidably supported to theconnector 10. - According to the above-mentioned air conditioner, since the
support 10b does not extend up to a surface of thevertical blade 7 at an opposite side of the connectormain body 10a, the surface of thevertical blade 7 at an opposite side of the connectormain body 10a can further approach the ceiling surface or the bottom surface of theoutlet 2. -
Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing yet still another example of the vertical blade driving means 19 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment. - A surface of the
vertical blade 7 which faces the connectormain body 10a is formed withconcave portions 7b which are an engaged portion which can be meshing with thesecond gear 15. - A plurality of
concave portions 7b are continuously aligned in a direction orthogonal to thetransmission rotating shaft 13. - Since the
concave portion 7b reduces collision with the airflow as compared with theconvex portion 7a, dust contained in the airflow can be prevented from being attached to theconcave portion 7b. - As a result, the reliability in the driving of the
vertical blade 7 can be improved. - The engaged portion is not limited to the
concave portion 7b having a bottom, but can be a through-hole that penetrates thevertical blade 6. -
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a main portion of an air conditioner according to this embodiment. - A first
cylindrical portion 28 that is fixed to the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 and rotates together with the slidemotion rotating shaft 9 is disposed inside of the connectormain body 10a. - Also, a second
cylindrical portion 29 that is a rotating body which is fixed to thetransmission rotating shaft 13, rotates together with thetransmission rotating shaft 13, and comes in contact with thevertical blade 7 is disposed inside of the connectormain body 10a. - The first
cylindrical portion 28 and the secondcylindrical portion 29 have rubber which is a slip stopper member on their peripheries which come in contact with each other. When the firstcylindrical portion 28 rotates, the secondcylindrical portion 29 also rotates in conjunction with the firstcylindrical portion 28, and thevertical blade 7 moves in one direction with respect to the secondcylindrical member 29. - The slip stopper member is not limited to rubber, but can also be made of other materials.
- The
vertical blade 7 may have rubber which is the slip stopper member in a region where thevertical blade 7 comes in contact with the periphery of the secondcylindrical portion 29, and the slip stopper member may also be disposed on any one of the secondcylindrical portion 29 and thevertical blade 7. - Other configurations are identical with those in the first embodiment.
- According to the air conditioner of this embodiment, the first
cylindrical portion 28, the secondcylindrical portion 29, and thevertical blade 7 are not formed with the convex portion or the concave portion which are meshing with each other, and come in contact with surfaces that do not slip on each other. For this reason, the attachment of dust onto the firstcylindrical portion 28, the secondcylindrical portion 29, and thevertical blade 7 can be reduced as compared with the air conditioner according to the first embodiment. - As a result, high reliability can be achieved with respect to the driving of the
vertical blade 7. - The respective embodiments exemplify the
vertical blade 7 that is formed with the engaged portion which is meshing with thesecond gear 15, and thevertical blade 7 that comes in contact with the secondcylindrical portion 29. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, but thevertical blade 7 may have a member formed with the engaged portion which is meshing with thesecond gear 15, or thevertical blade 7 may have a member that comes in contact with the secondcylindrical portion 29. -
Fig. 13 is a structural diagram showing an air conditioner according to this embodiment.Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing vertical blade driving means 34 shown inFig. 13 .Fig. 15A is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means 34 shown inFig. 15A, Fig. 15B is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow B inFig. 15A, and Fig. 15C is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means 34 inFig. 14 , andFig. 15D is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow D inFig. 15C . - A
slide guide 30a is omitted inFig. 15 , and aslide motion motor 46 and arotation motion motor 47 is omitted inFig. 15D . - The air conditioner according to this embodiment includes a
vertical blade 30 having a circular arc configuration in cross section which is disposed at anoutlet 2 and deflects the direction of the airflow which is blown out of theoutlet 2 in the upward or downward direction, and ahorizontal blade 31 which is disposed between afan 5 and thevertical blade 30 and deflects the airflow within anair passage 3 in the right or left direction. - A slide
motion rotating shaft 32 that is a first rotating shaft which faces thevertical blade 30 and extends in the horizontal direction toward a side surface that bounds theoutlet 2, and a rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 that is a second rotating shaft which is in parallel to the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 are rotatably supported to theoutlet 2. - Vertical blade driving means 34 that change a relative position between the
vertical blade 30 and the slidemotion rotating shaft 32, and rotate thevertical blade 30 about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 are disposed between thevertical blade 30 and the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. - The vertical blade driving means 34 include a
connector 35 having one end rotatably supported to the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 and another end supporting thevertical blade 30, a movingmechanism 36 that relatively moves thevertical blade 30 with respect to theconnector 35, and arotating mechanism 37 that rotates theconnector 35 about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. - The
connectors 35 are disposed at both ends of thevertical blade 30, respectively, and the movingmechanisms 36 and therotating mechanisms 37 are disposed on therespective connectors 35. - Each of the moving
mechanisms 36 includes a first rotating force transmission unit having aseventh gear 38 that is fixed to the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 and rotates together with the slidemotion rotating shaft 32, aneighth gear 39 that is rotatably supported to theconnector 35 and meshing with theseventh gear 38, aninth gear 40 that is rotatable and meshing with theeighth gear 39, and atransmission rotating shaft 41 which is rotatably supported by theconnector 35, and whose one end is fixed to theninth gear 40, and atenth gear 42 that is a rotating body which is fixed to another end of thetransmission rotating shaft 41. - The
seventh gear 38, theeighth gear 39, and theninth gear 40 are aligned from the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 toward thevertical blade 30 inside of theconnector 35 having a cavity therein. - Ring-shaped slide guides 30a that are flattened are fixed at both side surfaces that bound the
outlet 2 on a surface of thevertical blade 30 which faces the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. - Each of the slide guides 30a extends in a direction orthogonal to the slide
motion rotating shaft 32, andprojections 30b which are triangular first contact portions are continuously formed on a bottom surface of the interior of theslide guide 30a in the longitudinal direction. - These
projections 30b are meshing with thetenth gear 42. - With the above-mentioned configuration, when the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 rotates, the rotating force is transmitted to thetenth gear 42 through theseventh gear 38, theeighth gear 39, theninth gear 40, and thetransmission rotating shaft 41. As a result, thevertical blade 30 relatively moves with respect to theconnector 35. - The above-mentioned embodiment exemplifies the
vertical blade 30 having theslide guide 30a on which theprojections 30b are formed. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and thevertical blade 30 may be directly formed with the projections. - The
rotating mechanism 37 includes aneleventh gear 43 that is a second contact portion which is fixed to theconnector 35 about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32, and a second rotating force transmission unit having atwelfth gear 44 that is rotatable and meshing with theeleventh gear 43, and athirteenth gear 45 that is fixed to the rotatingmotion rotating shaft 33 and meshing with thetwelfth gear 44. - The
eleventh gear 43, thetwelfth gear 44, and thethirteenth gear 45 are aligned from the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 toward the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33. - With the above-mentioned configuration, when the rotation
motion rotating shaft 33 rotates, the rotating force is transmitted to theeleventh gear 43 through thethirteenth gear 45 and thetwelfth gear 44, and theconnector 35 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. - The
eleventh gear 43 can be integrated with theconnector 35. - The
projections 30b, theseventh gear 38, theeighth gear 39, theninth gear 40, thetenth gear 42, theeleventh gear 43, thetwelfth gear 44, and thethirteenth gear 45 are made of copper-based metal. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, so these gears can be made of other materials such as iron-based metal, polyacetal resin, and nylon resin. - One end of the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 is connected with aslide motion motor 46 which is a first motor that rotates the slidemotion rotating shaft 32, and one end of the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 is connected with arotation motion motor 47 which is a second motor that rotates the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33. - Other configurations are identical with those in the first embodiment.
- Subsequently, the operation of the air conditioner according to this embodiment will be described.
-
Fig. 16 is a structural diagram showing a state in which the air conditioner shown inFig. 13 is in a stop state.Fig. 17 is a structural diagram showing a state where the air conditioner shown inFig. 13 blows the airflow out of theoutlet 2 in the horizontal direction.Fig. 18 is a structural diagram showing a state where the air conditioner shown inFig. 13 blows the airflow out of theoutlet 2 in the downward direction. - In a state where the air conditioner stops, the
vertical blade 30 is so tilted as to close theoutlet 2. - With the above-mentioned configuration, a simply designed structure can be provided.
- In the above-mentioned state, when the air conditioner is operated by a user so as to conduct a heater operation, the
rotation operation motor 47 is driven to rotate the rotationoperation rotating shaft 33. The rotating force of the rotationoperation rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to theeleventh gear 43 through thethirteenth gear 45 and thetwelfth gear 44, and theconnector 35 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 in such a direction that the concave portion of thevertical blade 30 is directed downwards in conjunction with theeleventh gear 43. - Since the airflow can be deflected in the downward direction along the concave portion of the
vertical blade 30, hot air is prevented from soaring from the downstream end of thevertical blade 30 with the result that hot air arrival property in floor surface direction can be improved. - Also, since the
vertical blade 30 rotates at a large angle, thevertical blade 30 can approach the ceiling surface of theoutlet 2. Accordingly, the airflow that has passed through the upper side of thevertical blade 30 is prevented from flowing in the upward direction. As a result, it is possible to improve the controllability of the airflow. - Then, the
slide motion motor 46 is driven to rotate the slidemotion rotating shaft 32, and the rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to thetenth gear 42 through theseventh gear 38, theeighth gear 39, theninth gear 40, and thetransmission rotating shaft 41. - Since the
tenth gear 42 rotates while meshing with theprojections 30b, thevertical blade 30 relatively moves in a direction along which the downstream end is apart from the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 with respect to theconnector 35. - With the above-mentioned operation, the
vertical blade 30 can be prevented from colliding with thehorizontal blade 31 or the ceiling surface of theoutlet 2. - Subsequently, when the air conditioner is operated by the user so as to conduct cooler operation, the
rotation operation motor 47 is driven in an opposite direction to that at the time of the heater operation to rotate the rotationoperation rotating shaft 33. The rotating force of the rotationoperation rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to theeleventh gear 43 through thethirteenth gear 45 and thetwelfth gear 44, and theconnector 35 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 in such a direction that the concave portion of thevertical blade 30 is directed upwards in conjunction with theeleventh gear 43. - Since the airflow can be deflected in the horizontal direction along the concave portion of the
vertical blade 30, cold air is prevented from blowing down the downstream end of thevertical blade 30. - Also, since the
vertical blade 30 rotates at a large angle, thevertical blade 30 can approach the bottom surface of theoutlet 2. Accordingly, the airflow that has passed through the lower side of thevertical blade 30 is prevented from flowing in the downward direction. As a result, it is possible to improve the controllability of the airflow. - Then, the
slide motion motor 46 is driven in an opposite direction to that at the time of the heater operation to rotate the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. The rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to thetenth gear 42 through theseventh gear 38, theeighth gear 39, theninth gear 40, and thetransmission rotating shaft 41. - Since the
tenth gear 42 rotates while meshing with theprojections 30b, thevertical blade 30 relatively moves in a direction in which the downstream end is apart from the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 with respect to theconnector 35. - With the above-mentioned operation, the
vertical blade 30 can be prevented from colliding with thehorizontal blade 31 or the ceiling surface of theoutlet 2. - As described above, in the air conditioner according to this embodiment, the relative position between the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 and thevertical blade 30 is changed by the vertical blade driving means 34, and thevertical blade 30 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. For this reason, for example, even if thevertical blade 30 is tilted in the downward direction so as to deflect the direction of airflow in the downward direction, the upstream end of thevertical blade 30 is made to approach the ceiling surface of theoutlet 2 to prevent a part of the airflow that passes through the upper side of thevertical blade 30 from flowing in the upward direction without being deflected. As a result, the controllability of the airflow can be improved. - Also, the
slide motion motor 46 and thevertical blade 30 can be disposed apart from each other by the first rotating force transmitting means, and therotation motion motor 47 and thevertical blade 30 can be disposed apart from each other by the second rotating force transmitting means. For this reason, a pressure loss of the airflow within theair passage 3 due to theslide motion motor 46 or therotation motion motor 47 can be reduced, and dew condensation that is produced by the generation of a turbulent flow can be prevented. - Further, the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 is rotated by the drive of theslide motion motor 46, and the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 is rotated by the drive of therotation motion motor 47. For this reason, thevertical blade 30 can be rotated in order that thevertical blade 30 does not collide with theoutlet 2 or thehorizontal blade 31. - Still further, only the
slide motion motor 46 is driven, thereby making it possible to protrude thevertical blade 30 to the downstream side, or retract thevertical blade 30 to the upstream side. As a result, for example, the flow passage of theoutlet 2 is narrowed to reduce the air flow, thereby making it possible to accelerate the flow rate of the airflow to extend the arrival distance of the airflow, and to further improve the controllability of the airflow. -
Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing another example of the vertical blade driving means 34 in the air conditioner according to this embodiment.Fig. 20A is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means 34 shown inFig. 19 .Fig. 20B is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along the arrow B inFig. 20A. Fig. 20C is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means 34 shown inFig. 19 .Fig. 20D is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow D inFig. 20C . - The
slide guide 30a is omitted inFig. 20 , therotation motion motor 47 is omitted inFig. 20B , and theslide motion motor 46 is omitted in Fig. 8D. - The
slide motion motor 46 is disposed at one side surface of theoutlet 2, and therotation motion motor 47 is disposed at another side surface of theoutlet 2. - The rotation
motion rotating shaft 33 extends between therotation motion motor 47 and one of theconnectors 35 which is closer to therotation motion motor 47, and therotating mechanism 37 is disposed on the oneconnector 35. - The
connector 35, the rotatingmechanism 37, and thevertical blade 30 are made of a material having mechanical rigidity to the degree that thevertical blade 30 and anotherconnector 35 can rotate about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 when oneconnector 35 rotates about the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. - According to the above-mentioned air conditioner, the
slide motion motor 46 and therotation motion motor 47 are disposed apart from each other, the degree of freedom of the sizes of theslide motion motor 46 and therotation motion motor 47 is improved. - Also, the rotation
motion rotating shaft 33 extends between therotation motion motor 47 and one of theconnectors 35 which is closer to therotation motion motor 47, and is not disposed between therespective connectors 35. As a result, the airflow that flows along thevertical blade 30 can be prevented from being obstructed by the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33. -
Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing vertical blade driving means 34 of an air conditioner according to this embodiment.Fig. 22A is a front view showing one end of the vertical blade driving means 34 ofFig. 21 .Fig. 22B is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along the arrow B ofFig. 22A. Fig. 22C is a front view showing another end of the vertical blade driving means 34 ofFig. 21 .Fig. 22D is a side view showing the vertical blade driving means 34 viewed along an arrow D ofFig. 22C . - The
slide guide 30a is omitted inFigs. 22 , and themotor 50 is omitted inFig. 22D . - In the vertical blade driving means 34 of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, a third rotating force transmission unit having a
fourteenth gear 48 that is fixed to the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 and rotates together with the slidemotion rotating shaft 32, and afifteenth gear 49 that is fixed to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33, rotates together with the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33, and is meshing with thefourteenth gear 48 is disposed in each of theconnectors 35. - The slide
motion rotating shaft 32 extends between therespective connectors 35, and themotor 50 is fitted to one end of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. No motor is fitted to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33. - When the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 is rotated by the drive of themotor 50, the rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to each rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 through thefourteenth gear 48 and thefifteenth gear 49. - This embodiment exemplifies the air conditioner in which the rotation
motion rotating shaft 33 is disposed in each of theconnectors 35. Alternatively, there can be applied an air conditioner having one rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 that extends between therespective connectors 35. - Also, there can be applied the air conditioner in which the motor is fitted to the rotation
motion rotating shaft 33, and no motor is fitted to the slidemotion rotating shaft 32. Even in this case, the rotating force of the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 can be transmitted to the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 by the aid of the third rotating force transmission unit. - Other configurations are identical with those of the third embodiment.
- Next, the operation of the air conditioner according to this embodiment is described.
- First, when the air conditioner is so operated as to conduct heater operation from a stop state, the
motor 50 is driven to rotate the slidemotion rotating shaft 32, and the rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to thetenth gear 42 as in the air conditioner according to the third embodiment. - As a result, the
vertical blade 30 relatively moves in such a direction that the downstream end is apart from the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 with respect to theconnector 35. - At the same time, the rotating force of the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 through thefourteenth gear 48 and thefifteenth gear 49. - When the rotation
motion rotating shaft 33 rotates, the rotating force of the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to theeleventh gear 43 as in the air conditioner according to the third embodiment. - As a result, the
vertical blade 30 rotates in a direction along which the concave portion is directed downwardly. - When the air conditioner is so operated as to conduct cooling operation, the
motor 50 is driven in an opposite direction to that at the time of the heating operation, and thevertical blade 30 relatively moves in a direction in which the downstream end is apart from the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 with respect to theconnector 35. Also, thevertical blade 30 rotates in a direction in which the concave portion is directed upwardly. - As a result, the
vertical blade 30 can rotate so as not to collide with theoutlet 2 or thehorizontal blade 31. - According to the air conditioner of this embodiment, the number of motors can be reduced as compared with the air conditioner of the third embodiment, and the air conditioner can be downsized.
- The third embodiment and the fourth embodiment exemplify the moving
mechanism 36 in which the rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to thevertical blade 30 through theprojections 30b, theseventh gear 38, theeighth gear 39, theninth gear 40, thetransmission rotating shaft 41, and thetenth gear 42 to move thevertical blade 30. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. - There can be applied a moving
mechanism 36 in which the rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to thevertical blade 30 by the aid of a frictional force of, for example, a rubber roller, a metal roller, or a resin roller to move thevertical blade 30. - Also, there can be applied a moving
mechanism 36 in which the rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to thevertical blade 30 by the aid of a belt drive of a geared belt, a V-belt, or the like to move thevertical blade 30. - Also, the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment exemplify the
rotating mechanism 37 in which the rotating force of the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to theconnector 35 through theeleventh gear 43, thetwelfth gear 44, and thethirteenth gear 45 to rotate theconnector 35. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration. - There can be applied a
rotating mechanism 37 in which the rotating force of the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to theconnector 35 by the aid of a frictional force of, for example, a rubber roller, a metal roller, or a resin roller to rotate theconnector 35. - Also, there can be applied a
rotating mechanism 37 in which the rotating force of the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 is transmitted to theconnector 35 by the aid of a belt drive of a geared belt, a V-belt, or the like to rotate theconnector 35. - The third embodiment and the fourth embodiment exemplify the air conditioner having the
seventh gear 38, theeighth gear 39, theninth gear 40, thetenth gear 42, theeleventh gear 43, thetwelfth gear 44, thethirteenth gear 45, thefourteenth gear 48, and thefifteenth gear 49. However, the number of gears is not limited to the above-mentioned example. - Also, the fourth embodiment exemplifies the third rotating force transmission unit having the
fourteenth gear 48 and thefifteenth gear 49 that transmit the rotating force of the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 between the slidemotion rotating shaft 32 and the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example. - There can be applied a third rotating force transmission unit in which the rotating force of the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 by the aid of a frictional force of, for example, a rubber roller, a metal roller, or a resin roller. - Also, there can be applied a third rotating force transmission unit in which the rotating force of the slide
motion rotating shaft 32 is transmitted to the rotationmotion rotating shaft 33 by the aid of a belt drive of a geared belt, a V-belt, or the like.
Claims (8)
- An air conditioner characterized by comprising:- a case (4) having an air passage (3) that communicates with an inlet (1) and an outlet (2) therein;- a fan (5) that is disposed within the air passage (3) and generates an airflow;- a first rotating shaft (9, 32) that is rotatably disposed in the outlet (2) and extends toward a side surface that bounds the outlet (2);- a vertical blade (7, 30) that is disposed in the outlet (2), and rotates about the first rotating shaft (9, 32) to deflect a direction of the airflow blown out of the outlet (2) in an upward or downward direction; and- a vertical blade driving means (19, 34) that is disposed between the first rotating shaft (9, 32) and the vertical blade (7, 30), changes a relative position between the first rotating shaft (9, 32) and the vertical blade (7, 30), and rotates the vertical blade (7, 30) about the first rotating shaft (9, 32).
- The air conditioner according to claim 1,
characterized in that the vertical blade driving means (19, 34) changes the relative position so that the downstream end of the vertical blade (7, 30) is apart from the first rotating shaft (9, 32), and inverts the vertical blade (7, 30) in the upward or downward direction. - The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the vertical blade driving means (34) includes:- a connector (10, 35) that is disposed between the vertical blade and the first rotating shaft (32) and supports the vertical blade (30);- a moving mechanism (36) that relatively moves the vertical blade (30) with respect to the connector (35); and- a rotating mechanism (37) that rotates the connector (35) about the first rotating shaft (32). - The air conditioner according to claim 3,
characterized in that:- the moving mechanism (36) includes a first contact portion (30b) that is disposed on the vertical blade (30), a rotating body (42) that is rotatable and comes in contact with the first contact portion (30b), a first rotating force transmission unit that transmits a rotating force to the rotating body (42) from the first rotating shaft (32), and a first motor (46) that rotates the first rotating shaft (32); and- the rotating mechanism (37) includes a second rotating shaft (33) that is rotatably disposed in parallel to the first rotating shaft (32), a second contact portion (43) that is disposed in the connector (35) and rotates about the first rotating shaft (32) together with the connector (35), a second rotating force transmission unit that transmits the rotating force from the second rotating shaft (33) to the second contact portion (43), and a second motor (47) that rotates the second rotating shaft (33). - The air conditioner according to claim 3,
characterized in that:- the moving mechanism (36) includes the first contact portion (30b) that is disposed on the vertical blade (30), the rotating body (42) that is rotatable and comes in contact with the first contact portion, and the first rotating force transmission unit that transmits the rotating force from the first rotating shaft (32) to the rotating body;- the rotating mechanism (37) includes the second rotating shaft (33) that is rotatably disposed in parallel to the first rotating shaft (32), the second contact portion that is disposed on the connector (35) and rotates about the first rotating shaft (32) together with the connector (35), and the second rotating force transmission unit that transmits the rotating force to the second contact portion (43) from the second rotating shaft (33); and- a third rotating force transmission unit that transmits the rotating force that is transmitted to one of the first rotating shaft (32) and the second rotating shaft (33) to another of the first rotating shaft (32) and the second rotating shaft (33) is disposed between the first rotating shaft (32) and the second rotating shaft (33). - The air conditioner according to claim 4 or 5,
characterized in that the rotating body (42) rotates, and the vertical blade (30) moves in one direction with respect to the first rotating shaft (32). - The air conditioner according to claim 6,
characterized in that the rotating body (42) comprises a gear, and the first contact portion (30b) is formed with an engaged portion that is engaged with the gear. - The air conditioner according to claim 6,
characterized in that at least one of the rotating body (42) and the first contact portion (30b) has a slip stopping member in a region where the rotating body and the first contact portion come in contact with each other.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2007221088A JP4430697B2 (en) | 2007-08-28 | 2007-08-28 | Air conditioner |
JP2007221094A JP4426609B2 (en) | 2007-08-28 | 2007-08-28 | Air conditioner |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2031320A1 true EP2031320A1 (en) | 2009-03-04 |
EP2031320B1 EP2031320B1 (en) | 2012-10-10 |
Family
ID=40028941
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08162940A Expired - Fee Related EP2031320B1 (en) | 2007-08-28 | 2008-08-26 | Air conditioner |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2031320B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2392366T3 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2498019A1 (en) * | 2009-11-05 | 2012-09-12 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Indoor unit for air conditioner |
EP2746691A1 (en) * | 2011-08-16 | 2014-06-25 | Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai | Indoor air-conditioner |
EP2848872A1 (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2015-03-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Air conditioner |
CN112856793A (en) * | 2021-02-01 | 2021-05-28 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air sweeping structure, control method thereof and air conditioner |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2554216A1 (en) * | 1983-10-26 | 1985-05-03 | Hitachi Ltd | AIR CONDITIONER |
JPH03158647A (en) | 1989-11-16 | 1991-07-08 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Wind direction diflecting device of air conditioner |
EP0657701A2 (en) * | 1993-12-10 | 1995-06-14 | Fujitsu General Limited | Air conditioner |
EP1271065A2 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2003-01-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Air conditioner |
-
2008
- 2008-08-26 EP EP08162940A patent/EP2031320B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2008-08-26 ES ES08162940T patent/ES2392366T3/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2554216A1 (en) * | 1983-10-26 | 1985-05-03 | Hitachi Ltd | AIR CONDITIONER |
JPH03158647A (en) | 1989-11-16 | 1991-07-08 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Wind direction diflecting device of air conditioner |
EP0657701A2 (en) * | 1993-12-10 | 1995-06-14 | Fujitsu General Limited | Air conditioner |
EP1271065A2 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2003-01-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Air conditioner |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2498019A1 (en) * | 2009-11-05 | 2012-09-12 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Indoor unit for air conditioner |
EP2498019A4 (en) * | 2009-11-05 | 2013-11-13 | Daikin Ind Ltd | Indoor unit for air conditioner |
US9897335B2 (en) | 2009-11-05 | 2018-02-20 | Daikin Industries, Ltd. | Indoor unit of air conditioning apparatus |
EP2746691A1 (en) * | 2011-08-16 | 2014-06-25 | Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai | Indoor air-conditioner |
EP2746691A4 (en) * | 2011-08-16 | 2015-04-08 | Gree Electric Appliances Inc | Indoor air-conditioner |
US9885488B2 (en) | 2011-08-16 | 2018-02-06 | Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. Of Zhuhai | Indoor unit of air conditioner |
EP2848872A1 (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2015-03-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Air conditioner |
US10393422B2 (en) | 2013-09-17 | 2019-08-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Air conditioner |
CN112856793A (en) * | 2021-02-01 | 2021-05-28 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air sweeping structure, control method thereof and air conditioner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2031320B1 (en) | 2012-10-10 |
ES2392366T3 (en) | 2012-12-10 |
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