EP2049843B1 - Air conditioner - Google Patents
Air conditioner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2049843B1 EP2049843B1 EP07746797.5A EP07746797A EP2049843B1 EP 2049843 B1 EP2049843 B1 EP 2049843B1 EP 07746797 A EP07746797 A EP 07746797A EP 2049843 B1 EP2049843 B1 EP 2049843B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- head
- cabinet
- discharge
- discharge hole
- air
- 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.)
- Not-in-force
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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
- F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
- F24F13/20—Casings or covers
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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
- F24F1/0071—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air
- F24F1/0073—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air characterised by the mounting or arrangement of filters
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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
- F24F1/0011—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by air outlets
- F24F1/0014—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by air outlets having two or more outlet openings
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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
- F24F1/005—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted on the floor; standing on the floor
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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
- F24F1/0059—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers
- F24F1/0063—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by heat exchangers by the mounting or arrangement of the heat exchangers
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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
- F24F1/0018—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by fans
- F24F1/0029—Axial fans
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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
- F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
- F24F11/70—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
- F24F11/72—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure
- F24F11/79—Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure for controlling the direction of the supplied air
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an indoor unit of an air conditioner which can rotate a discharge hole for discharging the heat-exchanged air relatively to a main body of the air conditioner.
- Fig. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional air conditioner.
- a front center discharge hole 702 is formed at an upper center portion of a front surface of a cabinet 700 forming the external appearance
- front right and left discharge holes 704 are formed at both upper sides of the front surface of the cabinet 700, respectively
- right and left suction holes 706 are formed at both lower sides of the front surface of the cabinet 700, respectively.
- a discharge grill 710 for dispersing the air discharged through the front center discharge hole 702 is disposed on the front center discharge hole 702.
- Discharge vanes 710 for opening and closing the front right and left discharge holes 704 are rotatably mounted on the front right and left discharge holes 704, respectively.
- Suction grills 714 are mounted on the right and left suction holes 706, respectively.
- the air sucked through the right and left suction holes 706 are conditioned, namely, cooled or heated in the cabinet 700, and discharged to the upper forward direction of the indoor unit through the front center discharge hole 702 and the front right and left discharge holes 704.
- the right and left suction holes 706, the front center discharge hole 702 and the front right and left discharge holes 704 are formed on the front surface of the cabinet 700, so that the air sucked into the lower portion of the front surface of the air conditioner can be discharged to the upper portion of the front surface of the air conditioner.
- the directions of the discharged air streams are limitative and constant, not to improve efficiency of cooling or heating.
- the installation position of the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner is limited due to the directions of the discharged air streams. It is thus difficult to improve the interior appearance and efficiently use the indoor space.
- US 5 769 707 describes a room air conditioner that has rotatable upper portion of a housing that has a single air discharge outlet.
- EP 1 533 576 describes an air conditioner that according to the preamble of claim 1, has a display window.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can selectively, rapidly and efficiently discharge the heat-exchanged air to a space.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can discharge the heat-exchanged air to a space through a plurality of individually-formed discharge holes.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner using a plurality of individually-formed discharge holes, and a rotatable discharger for discharging the heat-exchanged air through the plurality of discharge holes.
- the present invention provides an air-conditioner as set out in claim 1.
- the air conditioner can selectively, rapidly and efficiently discharge the heat-exchanged air to the space.
- the air conditioner can evenly, selectively and dispersively discharge the heat-exchanged air to the space, by controlling opening and closing of the plurality of discharge holes and/or rotation of the discharger.
- the air conditioner can evenly, selectively and efficiently discharge the heat-exchanged air, by controlling rotation of the discharger and motion of the louver blade.
- the air conditioner allows the user to easily approach a unit for rotating the discharger, by using the cabinet with a service hole.
- Fig. 1 is an air view illustrating installation of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with the present invention.
- At least one indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is installed in an indoor space I needing air conditioning, and connected to at least one outdoor unit 2 installed outside the indoor space I through a refrigerant tube 3, for cooling, heating or purifying the indoor space I.
- a refrigerant tube 3 for cooling, heating or purifying the indoor space I.
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a first example
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in operation in accordance with the first example.
- suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed on a cabinet 10 forming the lower external appearance
- discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 for discharging the air to the indoor space are formed on a head 20 forming the upper ______________________ external appearance.
- the head 20 is rotated in the right and left directions by a head rotation unit at the upper portion of the cabinet 10.
- the suction holes 11 and 12 are formed on any one of the front, rear, right and left surfaces of the cabinet 10.
- the suction holes 11 and 12 can be formed on the front and rear surfaces of the cabinet 10, respectively, or on the left and right surfaces of the cabinet 10, respectively.
- the suction holes 11 and 12 are formed on the left and right surfaces of the cabinet 10, respectively.
- the suction hole 11 formed on the left surface of the cabinet 10 is referred to as a left suction hole 11
- the suction hole 12 formed on the right surface of the cabinet 10 is referred to as a right suction hole 12.
- the suction holes 11 and 12 are disposed at the lower portion of the cabinet 10 to be distant from the discharge holes 21, 22 and 23.
- the air can be rapidly evenly conditioned in the indoor space.
- the plurality of discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are isolated from each other along the peripheral direction of the head 20.
- the discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are formed on at least two of the four surfaces of the head 20. Especially, since the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is installed closely to the wall of the indoor space to efficiently use the indoor space, at least one of the four surfaces of the head 20 is blocked by the wall of the indoor space. Preferably, the discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are formed on three of the four surfaces of the head 20 to generate the optimum discharged air streams.
- the discharge hole 21 is referred to as a first discharge hole 21
- the discharge hole 22 is referred to as a second discharge hole 22
- the discharge hole 23 is referred to as a third discharge hole 23.
- Discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 for opening and closing the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 and controlling the directions of the discharged air streams are rotatably formed on the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23.
- the discharge louver 24 formed on the first discharge hole 21 is referred to as a first discharge louver 24
- the discharge louver 25 formed on the second discharge hole 22 is referred to as a second discharge louver 25
- the discharge louver 26 formed on the third discharge hole 23 is referred to as a third discharge louver 26.
- the first, second and third discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 can be rotated in the up and down directions, the right and left directions or other directions.
- the first, second and third discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 are preferably rotated in the up and down directions to generate the optimum discharged air streams.
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a front panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is opened in accordance with the first example
- Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 2 .
- the cabinet 10 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and extended in the up and down directions.
- the cabinet 10 has its top surface opened or has a hole on its top surface to communicate with the head 20.
- the cabinet 10 includes a base 30 forming the bottom surface of the cabinet 10, a main frame 40 being disposed at the upper portion of the base 30, and having its top surface opened to communicate with the head 20 and its front and bottom surfaces opened, a front panel 50 formed on the opened front surface of the main frame 40, for opening and closing the opened front surface of the main frame 40, and a top cover 52 disposed on the opened top surface of the main frame 40.
- the base 30 includes a base install portion 32 on which the main frame 40 and the front panel 50 are installed, and a drain fan portion 34 upwardly protruded from the base install portion 32, for collecting condensed water from a heat exchanger 70, the heat exchanger 70 being disposed on the drain fan portion 34.
- the drain fan portion 34 includes a left plate portion 35 upwardly protruded from the base install portion 32, a right plate portion 36 upwardly protruded from the base install portion 32 with a gap from the left plate portion 35, and an upper box portion 37 being formed on the top ends of the left plate portion 35 and the right plate portion 36, and having a drain hole 37a at its one side.
- the base 30 is plastic injection molded.
- an opening 30a is formed at the drain fan portion 34, especially, the lower portion of the upper box portion 37.
- the base 30 further includes a base cover 30b fastened to the bottom surface of the base install portion 32 by fastening members such as screws, for blocking the bottom end of the opening 30a.
- the bottom surface of the base install portion 32 of the base 30 can directly contact the bottom of the indoor space.
- the base 30 can be put on a special base panel 39 contacting the bottom of the indoor space.
- the base 30 further includes the base panel 39 onto which the base install portion 32 is fastened.
- the main frame 40 includes a left panel 41 disposed at the left upper portion of the base 30, a right panel 42 disposed at the right upper portion of the base 30, and a rear panel 43 disposed at the rear upper portion of the base 30.
- the left suction hole 11 is formed at the lower portion of the left panel 41 in the right and left directions.
- a left suction grill 44 disposed on the left suction hole 11 is coupled to the left panel 41.
- a left pre-filter 45a for filtering off alien substances of the air passing through the left suction grill 44 is detachably coupled to the left suction grill 44.
- a high performance left filter 45b such as a HEPA filter or an electric dust collector, for purifying the air passing through the left pre-filter 45a is disposed at the left panel 41.
- a left filter guide 45c to which the high performance left filter 45b is detachably coupled is installed on the left panel 41.
- the right panel 42 is symmetrical in structure to the left panel 41 in the right and left directions.
- the right suction hole 12 is formed at the lower portion of the right panel 42 in the right and left directions.
- a right suction grill 47 disposed on the right suction hole 12 is coupled to the right panel 42.
- a right pre-filter 48a for filtering off alien substances of the air passing through the right suction grill 47 is detachably coupled to the right suction grill 47.
- a high performance right filter 48b such as a HEPA filter or an electric dust collector, for purifying the air passing through the right pre-filter 48a is disposed at the right panel 42.
- a right filter guide 48c to which the high performance right filter 48b is detachably coupled is installed on the right panel 42.
- a tube cover 43b with a tube through hole 43a through which the drain hose 38 and a refrigerant tube of the heat exchanger 70 pass is mounted on the rear panel 43.
- a tube cover mounting portion 43c on which the tube cover 43b is mounted is formed at the lower portion of the rear panel 43.
- a hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from the left panel 41 is inserted, and a hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from the right panel 42 is inserted are formed on the rear panel 43, respectively.
- the front panel 50 is opened and closed on the front surface of the cabinet 10 in the front and rear directions, so that components inside the cabinet 10 can be easily repaired or replaced.
- hinge shafts 50a and 50b rotatably inserted into the base 30 and the top cover 52 are formed on the top and bottom ends of one of the right and left sides of the front panel 50, respectively.
- the front panel 50 can maintain the front surface of the cabinet 10 closed by using magnetic force of a magnet, a hook, a latch, etc.
- a front panel handle can be formed on the front panel 50, so that the user can easily open and close the front panel 50.
- the top cover 52 is formed in a ring structure with a top cover hole 52a for air flow, so that the cabinet 10 and the head 20 can communicate with each other.
- the top cover 52 is put on the main frame 40 and fastened to the main frame 40 by fastening members 53 such as screws.
- a color or material of the top cover 52 can be different from that of the main frame 40 or the front panel 50.
- the cabinet 50 can further include a front inner panel 54 disposed inside the front panel 50, for covering at least part of the opened front surface of the main frame 40.
- the front inner panel 54 can be provided to wholly or partially cover the opened front surface of the main frame 40.
- the front inner panel 54 can be provided in a multiple number to partially cover the opened front surface of the main frame 40. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the front inner panel 54 wholly covers the opened front surface of the main frame 40.
- At least one service hole 54a for providing an inner service of the cabinet 10 is formed on the front inner panel 54.
- Front inner cover panels 54b for opening and closing the service holes 54a are disposed on the service holes 54a, respectively.
- the front inner cover panels 54b can be detachably coupled to the front inner panel 54 by fastening members 55 such as screws, or opened and closed thereon by a hinge structure.
- the front inner cover panels 54b include front inner cover panel handles 54c, so that the user can easily handle the front inner cover panels 54b.
- An accessory keeping portion 54d for keeping an accessory such as a remote controller 56 for wireless control of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can be formed on the front inner cover 54.
- a display 58 for controlling the operation of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner and displaying the operation state of the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can be installed on the edge of the main frame 40 of the cabinet 10.
- Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 2
- Fig. 8 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the blower and the heat exchanger of Fig. 5 .
- the blower 60 is disposed at the inside upper portion of the cabinet 10, for sucking the outdoor air of the cabinet 10 through the left and right suction holes 11 and 12, and sending the sucked air to the upper portion of the cabinet 10.
- the blower 60 includes a blower motor mounter 61 installed at the upper portion of the heat exchanger 70, a blower motor 62 installed on the blower motor mounter 61, a ventilation fan 64 axially installed on a rotation shaft 62a of the blower motor 62, and an orifice 66 installed on the blower motor mounter 61, for enclosing the ventilation fan 64.
- the ventilation fan 64 includes a cylindrical hub 64a, a plurality of blades 64b spirally formed on the outer circumference of the hub 64a, and a disk portion 64c horizontally formed inside the hub 64a, the rotation shaft 62a of the blower motor 62 being coupled to the disk portion 64c.
- the top surfaces of the blades 64b are concave and the bottom surfaces thereof are convex, so that the blades 64b have bow-shaped sections.
- the orifice 66 is opened in the up and down directions so that the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 70 can flow in the up and down directions.
- the center passage is narrower than the upper and lower passages.
- Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 2
- Fig. 8 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the blower and the heat exchanger of Fig. 5 .
- the heat exchanger 70 is disposed at the inside lower portion of the cabinet 10, for cooling or heating the air in the cabinet 10.
- the heat exchanger 70 includes a first heat exchange portion 71, a second heat exchange portion 72 disposed with a gap from the first heat exchange portion 71, a first cover 73 for blocking one of the front surface and the rear surface between the first heat exchange portion 71 and the second heat exchange portion 72, and a second cover 74 for blocking the other of the front surface and the rear surface between the first heat exchange portion 71 and the second heat exchange portion 72.
- the bottom end of the first heat exchange portion 71 is put on the drain fan portion 34, and the top end thereof is disposed at the right side of the left suction hole 11 of the left panel 41 and inclined in the left direction to face the upper portion of the left suction hole 11.
- the bottom end of the second heat exchange portion 72 is put on the drain fan portion 34, and the top end thereof is disposed at the left side of the right suction hole 12 of the right panel 42 and inclined in the right direction to face the upper portion of the right suction hole 12.
- the heat exchanger 70 further includes a left airtight member 75 fastened to the left side of the top end of the first cover 73 and the left side of the top end of the second cover 74 by fastening members, for blocking the gap between the left side of the top end of the heat exchanger 70 and the left panel 41, and a right airtight member 76 fastened to the right side of the top end of the first cover 73 and the right side of the top end of the second cover 74 by fastening members, for blocking the gap between the right side of the top end of the heat exchanger 70 and the right panel 42.
- the heat exchanger 70 is fixed to at least one of the left panel 41 and the right panel 42.
- a left bracket 80 is fastened to the first cover 73 of the heat exchanger 70 by a fastening member 81 such as a screw, and fixedly hooked on the left panel 41.
- a right bracket 82 is fastened to the first cover 73 of the heat exchanger 70 by a fastening member 83 such as a screw, and fixedly hooked on the right panel 42.
- a bent portion 84 bent with a ⁇ -shaped section is formed on the top end of the first cover 73 of the heat exchanger 70.
- a permanent magnet 85 is mounted on the front surface of the bent portion 84.
- the top surface of the bent portion 84 is fastened to the blower motor mounter 61 and the orifice 66 by fastening members 86 such as screws.
- the heat exchanger 70 is fixed to the rear panel 43 by a rear bracket 87.
- the heat exchanger 70 further includes a refrigerant tube holder 88 for fixing one side of the refrigerant tube 3 connected to at least one of the first heat exchange portion 71 and the second heat exchange portion 72 of the heat exchanger 70 to the first cover 73 of the heat exchanger 70.
- the heat exchanger 70 includes a tube through hole 73a formed on the first cover 73 so that the refrigerant tube 3 can be extended in the forward direction of the first cover 73 through the first cover 73, and a tube cover 89 for minimizing the air suction of the tube through hole 73a, and covering part of the refrigerant tube 3 passing through the tube through hole 73a.
- Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 2
- Fig. 9 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the head and the head rotation unit of Fig. 5 .
- the head 20 can be formed in a circular or polygonal structure. Here, it is presumed that the head 20 is formed in the polygonal structure.
- the polygonal head 20 can be any kind of polygon such as a tetrahedron, pentahedron or hexahedron. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the head 20 is the hexahedron.
- the head 20 includes a head base panel 100 disposed at the upper portion of the cabinet 10, a head main frame 110 being disposed at the upper portion of the head base panel 100, and having its top and bottom surfaces opened, and a head top panel 120 for covering the opened top surface of the head main frame 110.
- the head base panel 100 is almost identical in size to the top surface of the cabinet 10 to provide the uniformity with the cabinet 10.
- a head hole 101 for making the head 20 communicate with the cabinet 10 is formed on the head base panel 100, so that the air in the cabinet 10 can be sent to the head 20.
- the head hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of the head base panel 100, so that the air in the cabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into the head 20.
- At least one fastening hole 103 is formed on the head base panel 100, so that the head base panel 100 can be coupled to a driven gear of the head rotation unit 20 explained later by fastening members 102 such as screws.
- the head base panel 100 is positioned on the cabinet 10.
- the head 20 and the cabinet 10 are installed with a minimum gap not to interfere with each other.
- the head main frame 110 includes first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 forming the four surfaces of the head main frame 110.
- the first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as a single body, or individually molded and assembled. In addition, the first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as two or three parts and assembled. In this example, it is presumed that the first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 are individually molded and assembled.
- any one of the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 is formed on three of the first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 to generate the discharged air streams on the three surfaces of the head 20.
- the fourth side panel 114 corresponding to the rear panel 43 of the cabinet 10 among the first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 is positioned in the wall side of the indoor space with the rear panel 43 of the cabinet 10.
- any one of the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 is preferably formed on the first, second and third side panels 111, 112 and 113.
- the first discharge hole 21 is formed on the first side panel 111
- the second discharge hole 22 is formed on the second side panel 112
- the third discharge hole 23 is formed on the third side panel 113.
- the first, second and third discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 disposed on the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 to be rotated in the up and down directions are coupled to the first, second and third side panels 111, 112 and 113.
- the first, second and third discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 include first, second and third discharge louver blades 24a, 25a and 26a rotatably disposed on the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23, and first, second and third discharge louver shafts 24b, 25b and 26b fixed to the first, second and third discharge louver blades 24a, 25a and 26a, and rotatably inserted into the first, second and third side panels 111, 112 and 113.
- the first, second and third discharge louver shafts 24b, 25b and 26b are coupled to the bottom ends of the first, second and third discharge louver blades 24a, 25a and 26a.
- the first, second and third discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 can be automatically opened and closed by first, second and third discharge louver driving units 130, 140 and 150, respectively.
- the first discharge louver driving unit 130 includes a first discharge louver motor 132 for supplying rotation driving force, a first drive pinion gear 134 axially installed on a rotation shaft 131 of the first discharge louver motor 132, and rotated with any one of the first discharge louvers 24, a first rack gear 136 being engaged with the first drive pinion gear 134, and sliding in the up and down directions, and a first driven pinion gear 138 engaged with the first rack gear 136, and rotated with the first discharge louver 24 which is not engaged with the first drive pinion gear 134.
- the first discharge louver motor 132 is fastened, by fastening members such as screws, to an outer portion of a first gear housing 139 fixed into the head 20 for guiding sliding of the first rack gear 136.
- the first drive pinion gear 134 is coupled to the first discharge louver shaft 24b of the first discharge louver 24.
- the first rack gear 136 is slidably inserted into the first gear housing 139.
- the first driven pinion gear 138 is coupled to the first discharge louver shaft 24b of the first discharge louver 24.
- the first discharge louver 24 is not rotated at 360 .
- the first discharge louver 24 is rotated within 90 . Therefore, the first driven pinion gear 138 can be formed in a circular arc shape, not the circular shape of the first drive pinion gear 134.
- the second discharge louver driving unit 140 includes a second discharge louver motor 142, a second drive pinion gear 144, a second rack gear 146, a second driven pinion gear 148, and a second gear housing 149.
- the third discharge louver driving unit 150 includes a third discharge louver motor 152, a third drive pinion gear 154, a third rack gear 156, a third driven pinion gear 158, and a third gear housing 159.
- infrared sensors 27, 28 and 29 are installed in the head 20, for sensing temperature distribution of the indoor space.
- the infrared sensors 27, 28 and 29 are provided in a multiple number along the peripheral direction of the head 20 to improve sensing accuracy of the indoor temperature distribution.
- Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example
- Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2
- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 2
- Fig. 9 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the head and the head rotation unit of Fig. 5 .
- the head rotation unit 20 includes a head rotation unit bracket 160 fixed into the cabinet 10 to face the head base panel 100 of the head 20, a head bearing 170 installed between the head rotation unit bracket 160 and the head base panel 100 of the head 20, a head holder 180 for preventing the head 20 from being separated from the head rotation unit bracket 160, head rotation unit motors 190 and 192, and a head rotation driving force transfer device 200.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 is disposed on the opened top surface of the cabinet 10 to support the head 20.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 can be installed directly on the cabinet 10 at the upper portion of the blower 60, disposed and installed on the blower 60, or disposed on the blower 60 and installed on the cabinet 10. Here, it is presumed that the head rotation unit bracket 160 is installed directly on the cabinet 10 at the upper portion of the blower 60 not to be directly affected by vibration of the blower 60.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 is disposed on the opened top surface of the cabinet 10. Therefore, in order to hide the inside of the cabinet 10, the head rotation unit bracket 160 includes a bracket main panel 161 sufficiently large to cover the whole opened top surface of the cabinet 10.
- the bracket main panel 161 is isolated from the head base panel 100 of the head 20 with a predetermined gap in the up and down directions, so that the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 and the head rotation driving force transfer device 200 can be disposed between the head rotation unit bracket 160 and the head base panel 100 of the head 20.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 includes a bracket fastening boss 163 formed at the edge of the bracket main panel 161 to surface-contact the cabinet 10, and fastened to the cabinet 10 by fastening members 162 such as screws.
- At least two bracket fastening bosses 163 are arranged along the peripheral direction of the head rotation unit bracket 160.
- the bracket main panel 161 of the head rotation unit bracket 160 covers the whole opened top surface of the cabinet 10. Accordingly, a bracket hole 164 is formed on the bracket main panel 161, so that the cabinet 10 and the head 20 can communicate with each other for air flow.
- the center of the bracket hole 164 corresponds to the center of the head hole 101 of the head 20 in the up and down directions, so that the air flowing from the cabinet 10 to the head 20 can flow in the vertical direction to maximize air sending efficiency.
- the center of the bracket hole 164 corresponds to the center of the blower 60 to maximize air sending efficiency.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 includes an air guide rib 165 for guiding the up and down flows of the air from the cabinet 10 to the head 20 to maximize air sending efficiency.
- the air guide rib 165 is formed in a ring structure and protruded from the bracket main panel 161 to the head 20, for enclosing the bracket hole 164.
- the air guide rib 165 can be protruded from the bracket main panel 161 vertically in the up and down directions, so that the section of the air guide rib 165 can be constant between the cabinet 10 and the head 20.
- the air guide rib 165 can be protruded from the bracket main panel 161 with an inclination in the up and down directions, so that the section of the air guide rib 165 can be gradually decreased or increased between the cabinet 10 and the head 20.
- the air guide rib 165 can be formed in various shapes.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 includes a bracket flange 166 protruded from the bracket main panel 161 to the head 20, for supporting the head 20 and hooking the head holder 180 in the up and down directions.
- the bracket flange 166 includes a vertical portion 166a vertically protruded from the bracket main panel 161 to the head 20, and a horizontal portion 166b vertically bent from the top end of the vertical portion 166a which is not connected to the bracket main panel 161, and disposed at a level with the head base panel 100 of the head 20.
- the vertical portion 166a of the bracket flange 166 is disposed on the bracket main panel 161 between the bracket fastening boss 163 and the bracket hole 164, so that the bracket flange 166 does not interrupt the flow of the air from the cabinet 10 to the head 20.
- the up/down direction length of the vertical portion 166a of the bracket flange 166 is determined so that the head bearing 170 can be disposed between the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166 and the head base panel 100 of the head 20, and that the head holder 180 can be hooked between the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166 and the bracket main panel 161.
- the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 and the head rotation driving force transfer device 200 are disposed inside the bracket flange 166. Therefore, preferably, the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166 is outwardly bent from the vertical portion 166a of the bracket flange 166 to the head rotation unit bracket 160.
- the bracket flange 166 is formed in a ring structure to always support the head 20 regardless of rotation of the head 20.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 includes a head rotation unit motor installation portion 167 in which the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 are installed, for firmly supporting the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192.
- the head rotation unit motor installation portion 167 is disposed on the bracket main panel 161 between the bracket hole 164 and the bracket flange 166, so that the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 cannot interrupt the flow of the air from the cabinet 10 to the head 20 and interfere with the bracket flange 166.
- the head rotation unit motor installation portion 167 can be formed on the bracket main panel 161 in a groove structure opened in the up and down directions by the air guide rib 165 and the bracket flange 166.
- the head rotation unit bracket 160 includes a head guide rib 168 formed on the bracket flange 166, for guiding right and left direction rotation of the head 20.
- the head guide rib 168 is vertically protruded from the bracket flange 166 to the head 20, so that the head bearing 170 can be inserted into the head guide rib 168.
- the head guide rib 168 is formed in a ring structure to always guide rotation of the head 20 during the rotation of the head 20.
- the up/down length of the head guide rib 168 is shorter than the gap between the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166 and the head base panel 100 of the head 20, so that the head guide rib 168 cannot interfere with the head base panel 100 of the head 20.
- the head bearing 170 serves to minimize rotation friction of the head 20.
- the head bearing 170 can be fixed to the head base panel 100 of the head 20 to line-contact the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166 of the head rotation unit bracket 160, or fixed to the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166 of the head rotation unit bracket 160 to line-contact the head base panel 100 of the head 20. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the head bearing 170 is fixed to the head 20 to line-contact the head rotation unit bracket 160.
- At least two head bearings 170 are provided to stably support the head 20, and arranged along the peripheral direction of the head 20 to balance the head 20.
- the head bearing 170 includes a head bearing roller 172 rotatably disposed between the head base panel 100 of the head 20 and the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166 of the head rotation unit bracket 160, and a head bearing roller leg 174 fixed to the head base panel 100 of the head 20, for rotatably supporting the head bearing roller 172.
- the shaft 172a of the head bearing roller 172 is disposed in the radial direction of the circle formed around the center H of the horizontal surface of the head 20, so that the head bearing roller 172 can be rotated around the center H of the horizontal surface of the head 20.
- the head bearing roller 172 is installed to be positioned in the head guide rib 168, so that the head bearing roller 172 can be firmly supported by the head rotation unit bracket 160 and the rotation direction thereof can be guided.
- the head bearing roller leg 174 is installed below the head base panel 100 of the head 20 to pass through the head base panel 100.
- the head holder 180 includes a head holder hook 182 incorporated with the head base panel 100 of the head 20, and hooked on the bracket flange 166.
- the head holder hook 182 includes a vertical portion 182a vertically protruded from the head base panel 100 of the head 20 to the head rotation unit bracket 160, and a horizontal portion 182b bent in the horizontal direction from the vertical portion 182a of the head holder hook 182, inserted between the bracket flange 166 and the bracket main panel 161, and hooked by the bracket flange 166 at the lower portion of the bracket flange 166.
- the up/down direction length of the vertical portion 182a of the head holder hook 182 is determined so that the horizontal portion 182b of the head holder hook 182 can be downwardly isolated from the bracket flange 166 with a predetermined gap to prevent friction between the head holder hook 182 and the bracket flange 166.
- At least two head holder hooks 182 are provided to stably support the head 20, and arranged along the peripheral direction of the head 20 to balance the head 20.
- the head holder 180 includes a holder bearing 184 disposed between the head holder hook 182 and the bracket flange 166, for firmly supporting the head 20 and facilitating rotation of the head 20.
- the holder bearing 184 can be fixed to the head holder hook 182 to line-contact the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166, or fixed to the horizontal portion 1 66b of the bracket flange 166 to line-contact the head holder hook 182. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the holder bearing 184 is fixed to the head holder hook 182 to line-contact the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166.
- the holder bearing 184 includes a holder bearing roller 185 rotatably disposed between the horizontal portion 182b of the head holder hook 182 and the horizontal portion 166b of the bracket flange 166, and a holder bearing roller leg 186 fixed to the horizontal portion 182b of the head holder hook 182, for rotatably supporting the holder bearing roller 185.
- the shaft 185a of the holder bearing roller 185 is disposed in the radial direction of the circle formed around the center H of the horizontal surface of the head 20, so that the holder bearing roller 185 can be rotated around the center H of the horizontal surface of the head 20.
- At least two holder bearings 184 are provided to stably support the head 20, and arranged in the peripheral direction of the head 20 to balance the head 20.
- the header bearing 170 and the holder bearing 184 are arranged in a row in the up and down directions, for firmly supporting the head 20 and fixing the bracket flange 166. That is, the holder bearing 184 faces the header bearing 170 in the up and down directions of the bracket flange 166.
- the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 are disposed at the head rotation unit motor installation portion 167 of the head rotation unit bracket 160, and fixed to the bracket main panel 161 of the head rotation unit bracket 160 by fastening members 194 and 195 such as screws.
- the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 can be AC motors. Preferably, at least two head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 are provided to stably balance rotation of the head 20.
- the rotation shafts 191 and 193 of the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 are vertically disposed from the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 to the head 20.
- the head rotation driving force transfer device 200 transfers rotation driving force of the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 to the head 20, so that the head 20 can be rotated in the right and left directions by the rotation driving force of the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192.
- the head rotation driving force transfer device 200 can be formed by using various methods such as belt-pulley, gear set and link. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the head rotation driving force transfer device 200 is formed by using the gear set method.
- the head rotation driving force transfer device 200 includes drive gears 201 and 202 driven by the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192, and a driven gear 204 continuously engaged with the drive gears 201 and 202, and fixed to the head base panel 100 of the head 20.
- At least two drive gears 201 and 202 are provided to correspond to the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192, respectively.
- the drive gears 201 and 202 are axially installed on the rotation shafts 191 and 193 of the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192, respectively.
- the drive gears 201 and 202 are relatively smaller than the driven gear 204, and have fewer teeth than the driven gear 204.
- the drive gears 201 and 202 are disposed between the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 and the head base panel 100 of the head 20. Therefore, preferably, the drive gears 201 and 202 are isolated from the head base panel 100 of the head 20 with a predetermined gap in the up and down directions not to interfere with the head base panel 100.
- the driven gear 204 is disposed between the drive gears 201 and 202 to be circumscribed by the drive gears 201 and 202.
- the driven gear 204 is formed in a ring structure with an air hole 204a for air flow at its center portion, not to interrupt the flow of the air from the cabinet 10 to the head 20, namely, not to block the head hole 101 of the head base panel 100 of the head 20.
- the driven gear 204 includes a driven boss 204b fastened to the head base panel 100 of the head 20 by surface contact, so that the driven gear 204 can be fixed to the head base panel 100.
- the driven gear boss 204b is preferably disposed inside the driven gear 204.
- At least two driven gear bosses 204b are arranged along the circumferential direction of the driven gear 204 to stably fasten and balance the driven gear 204.
- the air guide rib 165 of the head rotation unit bracket 160 is disposed directly below the driven gear 204. Accordingly, the driven gear 204 is isolated from the air guide rib 165 with a predetermined gap in the up and down directions not to interfere with the air guide rib 165.
- the head 20 and the cabinet 10 are preferably disposed in a straight line shape in the up and down directions.
- a rotation angle of the head 20 is presumed to be 0.
- the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can be operated in various ways according to selection of operation conditions.
- the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner when the user inputs a head rotation mode for rotating the head 20 and a first, second and third discharge hole open mode for opening the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 in addition to an operation command for the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows.
- the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 are driven, the drive gears 201 and 202 are rotated by the rotation driving force of the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192, and the driven gear 204 is orated by the rotation of the drive gears 201 and 202.
- the head 20 is rotated in the right and left directions monolithically with the driven gear 204.
- the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 can be controlled to continuously rotate the head 20 in only one direction of the right and left directions, or reciprocatedly rotate the head 20 alternately in the right and left directions.
- the reciprocated rotation range of the head 20 can be preset over one or more modes, or selected by the user.
- first, second and third discharge louver motors 136, 146 and 156 are driven, the first, second and third pinion gears 134, 144 and 154 are rotated by the rotation driving force of the first, second and third discharge louver motors 136, 146 and 156, the first, second and third rack gears 132, 142 and 152 are moved in the up and down directions by the rotation of the first, second and third pinion gears 134, 144 and 154, and the first, second and third discharge louver shafts 24b, 25b and 26b are rotated by the up and down movement of the first, second and third rack gears 132, 142 and 152 to rotate the first, second and third discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 in the up and down directions. Therefore, the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are opened.
- the first, second and third discharge louver motors 136, 146 and 156 can be controlled to be stopped after the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are opened.
- the first, second and third discharge louver motors 136, 146 and 156 can be preset to completely open the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23, or controlled according to selection of the user to wholly or partially open the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23.
- the first, second and third discharge louver motors 136, 146 and 156 can be controlled to reciprocatedly rotate the first, second and third discharge louvers 24, 25 and 26 in the up and down directions.
- blast force is generated in the direction of the cabinet 10 to the head 20.
- the outdoor air of the cabinet 10 is sent to the left suction hole 11 and the right suction hole 12 by the blast force of the blower 60.
- the air sent to the left suction hole 11 and the right suction hole 12 is sucked into the cabinet 10 through the left suction hole 11 and the right suction hole 12, and filtered by the left and right pre-filters 45a and 48a and the high performance left and right filters 45b and 48b.
- the air sucked into the cabinet 10 is sent to the heat exchanger 70, and cooled or heated by exchanging heat with the refrigerants in the heat exchanger 70.
- the heated or cooled air is mixed in the space between the left heat exchange portion 71 and the right heat exchange portion 72, sent to the upper portion between the left heat exchange portion 71 and the right heat exchange portion 72, and sucked into the orifice 66 of the blower 60.
- the air sucked into the orifice 66 is sent to the upper portion of the ventilation fan 64, generating an eddy.
- the eddy sent to the upper portion of the ventilation fan 64 is discharged to the upper portion of the orifice 66, sequentially passes through the bracket hole 164 of the head rotation unit bracket 160 and the head hole 101 of the head base panel 110 of the head 20, and is sucked into the head 20.
- the air sucked into the head 20 is externally discharged from the head 20 through the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23.
- the air streams discharged from the head 20 can be rapidly dispersed in all directions and dynamically circulated.
- the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows. For convenience of explanation, it is presumed that the first discharge hole 21 is opened and the second and third discharge holes 22 and 23 are closed.
- the air is sucked into the cabinet 10 by the blast force of the blower 60, cooled or heated by the heat exchanger 70, and sucked into the head 20.
- the air sucked into the head 20 is externally discharged from the head 20 merely through the opened first discharge hole 21.
- the head 20 Since the head 20 is reciprocatedly rotated in the right and left directions, the discharged air streams are rapidly dispersed in all directions and dynamically circulated. As the first discharge hole 21 is opened and the second and third discharge holes 22 and 23 are closed, the intensive air streams and the long distance air streams can be discharged through the first discharge hole 21.
- the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner when the head 20 is not rotated and the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are all opened, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows.
- the air is sucked into the cabinet 10 by the blast force of the blower 60, cooled or heated by the heat exchanger 70, and sucked into the head 20.
- the air sucked into the head 20 is rapidly dispersed in all directions through the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23. As the head 20 is not rotated, more static air streams are discharged to make the indoor environment calm.
- the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows. For convenience of explanation, it is presumed that the first discharge hole 21 is opened and the second and third discharge holes 22 and 23 are closed.
- the air is sucked into the cabinet 10 by the blast force of the blower 60, cooled or heated by the heat exchanger 70, and sucked into the head 20.
- the air sucked into the head 20 is intensively discharged to a specific long distance region through the first discharge hole 21.
- the head 20 can be rotated by the rotation driving force of the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192 and stopped, so that the first discharge hole 21 can face the specific region.
- the head 20 can be rotation-controlled according to the sensing results of the infrared sensors 27, 28 and 29.
- the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 can be wholly or partially opened according to the sensing results of the infrared sensors 27, 28 and 29.
- the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are partially opened to generate the intensive air streams (for example, the first discharge hole 21), and the head 20 is rotation-controlled so that the opened discharge hole (for example, the first discharge hole 21) can face the specific region showing the relatively high temperature distribution.
- the temperature of the specific region is sharply varied, to rapidly evenly cool or heat the indoor space.
- the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are all opened to disperse the discharged air streams in all directions, thereby evenly cooling or heating the indoor space.
- the head 20 can be rotated or rotation-restricted by the head rotation unit 20.
- Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a second example
- Fig. 14 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the second example. The aforementioned members are not explained.
- a head rotation driving force transfer device 300 includes drive gears 301 and 302 driven by the head rotation unit motors 190 and 192, and a driven gear 304 disposed outside the drive gears 301 and 302, and fixed to the head base panel 100 of the head 20, the drive gears 301 and 302 being inscribed in the driven gear 304.
- the drive gears 301 and 302 are disposed inside the driven gear 304 to be inscribed in the driven gear 304.
- the driven gear 304 is formed in a ring structure to match with the head hole 101 of the head base panel 100.
- Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a third example
- Fig. 16 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the third example. The aforementioned members are not explained.
- a head rotation unit 400 includes one head motor 410 having a rotation shaft 411 directly connected to the head 20.
- the head motor 410 can be disposed inside the cabinet 10, laid over the cabinet 10 and the head 20, or disposed inside the head 20. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the head motor 410 is disposed inside the head 20.
- the up/down direction length of the cabinet 10 can be shortened, or the layout of the blower 60 or the heat exchanger 70 in the cabinet 10 can be improved.
- the head motor 410 When the head motor 410 is disposed inside the head 20, if the rotation shaft 411 is coupled to the head top panel 120 of the head 20, the length of the rotation shaft 411 can be minimized, to stably balance and support the head 20.
- the head rotation unit 400 further includes a head motor bracket 420 fixed to the cabinet 10, for supporting the head motor 410.
- the head motor bracket 420 firmly supports the head motor 410.
- the head motor bracket 420 can be formed in a tripod structure not to interrupt the air flowing from the cabinet 10 to the head 20.
- the head motor bracket 420 includes a base 422 for supporting the head motor 410, the head motor 410 being fastened to the base 422 by a fastening member such as a screw, and three legs 424, 425 and 426 protruded from the base 422, isolated from each other at intervals of about 120 , and fastened to the cabinet 10 by fastening members such as screws.
- the head motor bracket 420 is disposed on the top surface of the cabinet 10, so that the head motor 410 can be positioned in the head 20.
- the head 20 can include a head inner cover 430 for enclosing the head motor 410 and the rotation shaft 411.
- the head inner cover 430 is vertically protruded from the head top panel 120 of the head 20 to the inside of the head 20, and formed in a ring structure with its upper and lower portions opened. Accordingly, the head motor 410 and the rotation shaft 411 can be inserted into the head inner cover 430.
- At least one heat radiation hole 431 for radiating heat of the head motor 410 can be formed on the circumference of the head inner cover 430.
- Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a fourth example
- Fig. 18 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the fourth example.
- a head rotation unit 600 includes one head motor 610 having a rotation shaft 611 directly connected to the head 20, the center of the rotation shaft 611 corresponding to the center of the horizontal surface of the head 20 in the up and down directions.
- the rotation shaft 611 is fixed to the head base panel 100 of the head 20.
- the head base panel 100 includes a tripod-shaped rotation shaft bracket 620 fixed to the head base panel 100 and coupled to the rotation shaft 611.
- the head motor 610 is disposed inside the cabinet 10, and supported by a head motor bracket 630 in the cabinet 10.
- the head motor bracket 630 firmly supports the head motor 610.
- the head motor bracket 630 is formed in a tripod structure not to interrupt the air flowing from the cabinet 10 to the head 20.
- Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a fifth example
- Fig. 21 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a head, a head rotation unit and a discharge louver in accordance with the fifth example.
- suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed on a cabinet 10 forming the lower external appearance
- a discharge hole 21 for discharging the air to the indoor space is formed on a head 20 forming the upper external appearance
- the head 20 is rotated in the right and left directions by a head rotation unit at the upper portion of the cabinet 10
- a discharge louver 24 for opening and closing the discharge hole 21 and controlling the directions of the air streams discharged through the discharge hole 21 is installed on the discharge hole 21.
- the discharge hole 21 is formed on the top surface of the head 20 in the up and down directions, so that the air streams discharged from the discharge hole 21 cannot be supplied directly to life such as a user and a pet.
- the discharge hole 21 can be formed in a circular shape, an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape. That is, the discharge hole 21 is not limited in shape. In this example, it is presumed that the discharge hole 21 is formed in a circular shape.
- the discharge hole 21 can be provided in a single or multiple number. In this example, it is presumed that one discharge hole 21 is formed.
- the discharge louver 24 is formed on the discharge hole 21 to be rotated in the up and down directions.
- the discharge louver 24 can be provided in a single or multiple number. In this example, it is presumed that three discharge louvers 24 are formed.
- the three discharge louvers 24 can be arranged in a row in the up and down directions or the width direction of the discharge hole 21. In this example, it is presumed that the three discharge louvers 24 are arranged in a row in the up and down directions.
- the topmost discharge louver 24 is identical in shape to the discharge hole 21 to completely cover the discharge hole 21.
- the three discharge louvers 24 are all identical in shape to the discharge hole 21.
- a head hole 101 for making the head 20 communicate with the cabinet 10 is formed on a head base panel 100, so that the air in the cabinet 10 can be sent to the head 20.
- the head hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of the head base panel 100, so that the air in the cabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into the head 20.
- a head main frame 110 includes first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 forming the four surfaces of the head main frame 110.
- the first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as a single body, or individually molded and assembled. In addition, the first to fourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as two or three parts and assembled.
- a head top panel 120 is almost identical in size to the horizontal surface of the head main frame 110, for sealing up the opened top surface of the head main frame 110.
- the circular discharge hole 21 is formed at the center portion of the head top panel 120.
- the head top panel 120 is inserted into the head main frame 110, downwardly isolated from the top end of the head main frame 110 with a predetermined gap, and hidden by the head main frame 110.
- Each of the discharge louvers 24 installed in the head 20 includes a discharge louver blade 24a rotatably disposed on the discharge hole 21, and a discharge louver shaft 24b fixed to the discharge louver blade 24a and rotatably inserted into the head main frame 110.
- Fig. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a sixth example.
- a plurality of discharge louvers 24 are arranged at regular intervals in the width direction of a discharge hole 21.
- the plurality of discharge louvers 24 are formed in shapes of dividing the discharge hole 21 in their isolation directions. Therefore, when the discharge hole 21 is closed, it can be completely covered by the plurality of discharge louvers 24.
- Fig. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a seventh example
- Fig. 24 is a cross- sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 23
- Fig. 25 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a head, a discharge louver unit and a head rotation unit in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned members are not explained.
- suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed on a cabinet 10 forming the lower external appearance
- a discharge hole 21 for discharging the air to the indoor space is formed at one side of a head 20 forming the upper external appearance
- the head 20 is rotated in the right and left directions by a head rotation unit at the upper portion of the cabinet 10
- a discharge louver unit for controlling the directions of the discharged air streams is disposed in the head 20.
- the cabinet 10 includes a base 30 forming the bottom surface of the cabinet 10, a main frame 40 being disposed at the upper portion of the base 30, and having its top surface opened to communicate with the head 20 and its front and bottom surfaces opened, a front panel 50 formed on the opened front surface of the main frame 40, for opening and closing the opened front surface of the main frame 40, and a top cover 52 disposed on the opened top surface of the main frame 40.
- the top cover 52 includes a top cover hole 52a for air flow, so that the cabinet 10 and the head 20 can communicate with each other.
- a color or material of the top cover 52 can be different from that of the main frame 40 or the front panel 50.
- the top cover 52 can be formed smaller than the horizontal surface of the combination of the main frame 40 and the front panel 50.
- the head 20 can be formed in a circular or polygonal structure. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the head 20 is formed in the circular structure.
- the head 20 includes a head base panel 100 disposed at the upper portion of the cabinet 10, a head main frame 110 being disposed at the upper portion of the head base panel 100, and having its top and bottom surfaces opened, and a head top panel 120 for covering the opened top surface of the head main frame 110.
- the head base panel 100 is formed in a circular shape smaller than the top cover 52 of the cabinet 10.
- a head hole 101 for making the head 20 communicate with the cabinet 10 is formed on the head base panel 100, so that the air in the cabinet 10 can be sent to the head 20.
- the head hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of the head base panel 100, so that the air in the cabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into the head 20.
- a mesh-shaped discharge grill 22 is formed on the discharge hole 21, for protecting the inner structure of the head 20 and preventing an accident by the discharge hole 21.
- the head top panel 120 is almost identical in shape to the top surface of the head main frame 110, for sealing up the opened top surface of the head main frame 110.
- the discharge louver unit includes a plurality of discharge louvers 24 arranged in the head 20 in the up and down directions, and rotated in the up and down directions, a discharge louver support shaft 126 for rotatably supporting the plurality of discharge louvers 24 in the up and down directions, and a discharge louver driving unit 130 for applying operation force for rotating the discharge louvers 24 in the up and down directions.
- Each of the discharge louvers 24 includes a discharge louver blade 24a disposed in the head 20 to be rotated in the up and down directions, and a discharge louver hinge shaft 24b fixed to the discharge louver blade 24a and rotatably inserted into the discharge louver support shaft 126.
- the discharge louver support shaft 126 can be fixedly supported by a discharge louver support shaft bracket 128 fixed to the cabinet 10 or a head rotation unit 400 discussed later.
- the discharge louver support shaft bracket 128 includes a discharge louver support shaft bracket center portion (not shown) fixed to the cabinet 10 and coupled to the discharge louver support shaft 126, for sending the air in the cabinet 10 to the head 20, and a discharge louver support shaft bracket connection portion 128b protruded from the discharge louver support shaft bracket center portion, and fastened to the cabinet 10 by a fastening member such as a screw.
- At least two discharge louver support shaft bracket connection portions 128b are arranged in the circumferential direction of the discharge louver support shaft bracket center portion in order to firmly support the discharge louver support shaft 126.
- the discharge louver driving unit 130 can be fixed to the head 20, but can also be fixed to the discharge louver support shaft bracket 128.
- the head rotation unit 400 includes one head motor 410 having a rotation shaft 411 directly connected to the head 20, the center of the rotation shaft 411 corresponding to the center of the horizontal surface of the head 20 in the up and down directions.
- the rotation shaft 411 can be fixed to the head top panel 120 of the head 20.
- a rotation shaft boss 121 coupled to the rotation shaft 411 is formed on the head top panel 120.
- the head motor 410 is disposed in the cabinet 10 and supported by a head motor bracket 420 in the cabinet 10.
- the head motor bracket 420 firmly supports the head motor 410.
- the head motor bracket 420 can be formed in a tripod structure not to interrupt the air flowing from the cabinet 10 to the head 20.
- the head motor bracket 420 includes a base 422 for supporting the head motor 410, the head motor 410 being fastened to the base 422 by a fastening member such as a screw, and three legs 424,425 and 426 protruded from the base 422, isolated from each other at intervals of about 120 , and fastened to the cabinet 10 by fastening members such as screws.
- Fig. 26 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 27 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 28 is a cross- sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 26
- Fig. 29 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a discharger and a discharger rotation unit of Fig. 27 .
- the aforementioned members are not explained.
- a cabinet 10 is extended in the up and down directions and formed in a circular or polygonal structure.
- the cabinet 10 is formed in an octagonal structure.
- Suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed at one side of the cabinet 10, and discharge holes 13, 14 and 15 for discharging the air to the indoor space are formed at the other side thereof.
- the air can be rapidly evenly conditioned in the indoor space.
- the plurality of discharge holes 13, 14 and 15 are preferably isolated from each other on the same horizontal surface along the peripheral direction of the cabinet 10.
- the three discharge holes 13, 14 and 15 are formed.
- the discharge hole 13 formed on the front surface of the cabinet 10 is referred to as a front discharge hole 13
- the discharge hole 14 formed at the left side of the cabinet 10 is referred to as a left discharge hole 14
- the discharge hole 15 formed at the right side of the cabinet 10 is referred to as a right discharge hole 15.
- auxiliary discharge holes 16 are disposed between the plurality of discharge holes 13,14 and 15 along the peripheral direction of the cabinet 10, for discharging the air to the indoor space.
- the auxiliary discharge holes 16 are preferably disposed between the front discharge hole 13 and the left discharge hole 14 and between the front discharge hole 13 and the right discharge hole 15, respectively.
- the auxiliary discharge hole 16 disposed between the front discharge hole 13 and the left discharge hole 14 is referred to as a left auxiliary discharge hole 16
- the auxiliary discharge hole 16 disposed between the front discharge hole 13 and the right discharge hole 15 is referred to as a right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown).
- the cabinet 10 can be divided into the lower portion with the left suction hole 11 and the right suction hole 12, and the upper portion with the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15.
- the cabinet 10 can be formed in a monolithic structure. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the cabinet 10 has the monolithic structure.
- the monolithic cabinet 10 includes a base 30 forming the bottom surface of the cabinet 10, a main frame 40 disposed at the upper portion of the base 30, for forming the seven peripheral surfaces of the cabinet 10 except the front surface, a front panel 50 formed at the front portion of the main frame 40, and a top cover 20a disposed at the upper portion of the main frame 40, for forming the top surface of the cabinet 10.
- the main frame 40 includes a left panel 41 disposed at the left upper portion of the base 30, a right panel 42 disposed at the right upper portion of the base 30, and a rear panel 43 disposed at the rear upper portion of the base 30.
- the left suction hole 11 is formed at the lower portion of the left panel 41 in the right and left directions, and the left discharge hole 14 is formed at the upper portion thereof in the right and left directions.
- the right panel 42 is symmetrical to the left panel 41.
- the right suction hole 12 is formed at the lower portion of the right panel 42 in the right and left directions, and the right discharge hole 15 is formed at the upper portion thereof in the right and left directions.
- a tube cover 43b with a tube through hole 43a through which a drain hose 38 and a refrigerant tube of a heat exchanger 70 pass is mounted on one side of the rear panel 43.
- a tube cover mounting portion 43c on which the tube cover 43b is mounted is formed at the lower portion of the rear panel 43.
- a hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from the left panel 41 is inserted, and a hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from the right panel 42 is inserted are formed on the rear panel 43, respectively.
- the front discharge hole 13 is formed at the upper portion of the front panel 50 in the front and rear directions.
- the front discharge hole 13 is disposed at the center portion of the front panel 50 in the right and left directions.
- the left auxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole are formed at the left and right sides of the front discharge hole 13 of the front panel 50 in the front and rear directions, respectively.
- a left auxiliary discharge hole vane 18 for opening and closing the left auxiliary discharge hole 16 is disposed on the left auxiliary discharge hole 16.
- the left auxiliary discharge hole vane 18 is hinge-coupled and rotated on the left auxiliary discharge hole 16 in the right and left directions, for opening and closing the left auxiliary discharge hole 16.
- a right auxiliary discharge hole vane 19 for opening and closing the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown) is disposed on the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown).
- the right auxiliary discharge hole vane 19 is hinge-coupled and rotated on the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown) in the right and left directions, for opening and closing the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown).
- a front panel hole 50a for simplifying an inner component service of the cabinet 10 is formed on the front panel 50.
- a front door 52 is disposed on the front panel hole 50a, for opening and closing the front panel hole 50a.
- the top cover 20a is disposed at the upper portion of the main frame 40 and fastened to the main frame 40 by fastening members such as screws.
- a decoration ring 59 can be further inserted onto the cabinet 10.
- a color or material of the decoration ring 59 can be different from that of the cabinet 10.
- a discharger 500 for discharging the air from the cabinet 10 through some of the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15 is disposed in the cabinet 10 to be rotated in the right and left directions.
- the discharger 500 can be formed in a circular or polygonal structure. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the discharger 500 has the circular structure.
- the discharger 500 is disposed at the upper portion of the cabinet 10, so that the air can be directly discharged from the discharger 500 to some of the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15.
- the discharger 500 includes a circular discharger base panel 100 forming the bottom surface of the discharger 500, a ring-shaped discharger main frame 504 disposed at the upper portion of the discharger base panel 100, and a circular discharger top panel 506 disposed at the upper portion of the discharger main frame 504, for forming the top surface of the discharger 500.
- a discharger suction hole 101 for sucking the air from the cabinet 10 is formed on the discharger base panel 100.
- the discharger suction hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of the discharger base panel 100, so that the air in the cabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into the discharger 500.
- a discharger discharge hole 503 is formed at one side of the discharger main frame 504 to face some of the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15, for discharging the air to some of the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15.
- One discharger discharge hole 503 is formed to concentrate the discharged air streams.
- the discharger discharge hole 503 is almost identical in size to any one of the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15.
- a discharger discharge louver 24 for opening and closing the discharger discharge hole 503 and controlling the directions of the discharged air streams is formed on the discharger discharge hole 503.
- the discharger discharge louver 24 includes a discharger discharge hole louver blade 24a rotatably disposed on the discharger discharge hole 503, and a discharger discharge hole louver shaft 24b fixed to the discharger discharge hole louver blade 24a, and rotatably inserted into the discharger main frame 504.
- Fig. 30 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a discharger rotation mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the discharger 500 is rotated, and the discharger discharge louver 24 is moved in the up and down directions.
- the aforementioned members are not explained.
- the air sucked into the discharger 500 is externally discharged from the cabinet 10 by sequentially passing through the discharger discharge hole 503 and the discharge hole facing the discharger discharge hole 503 among the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15.
- the air streams discharged from the cabinet 10 can be rapidly dispersed in every direction and dynamically circulated.
- the air streams are discharged from the cabinet 10 through some of the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14 and the right discharge hole 15, the air streams can be intensively discharged to a specific long distance region.
- Fig. 31 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in the discharger rotation mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the discharger 500 is rotated, and the left auxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole 17 are opened.
- the aforementioned members are not explained.
- the air sucked into the discharger 500 is externally discharged from the cabinet 10 through some of the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14, the right discharge hole 15, the left auxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole 17.
- the discharged air streams can be rapidly dispersed in every direction.
- Fig. 32 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a discharger rotation stop mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the air sucked into the discharger 500 is externally discharged through the discharge hole facing the discharger discharge hole 503 among the front discharge hole 13, the left discharge hole 14, the right discharge hole 15, the left auxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole 17.
- the aforementioned members are not explained.
- the air streams can be intensively discharged to a specific long distance region.
- Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- a rotation shaft 411 is connected directly to a discharger top panel 506 of a discharger rotation unit 500.
- the aforementioned members are not explained.
- Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- a rotation shaft 611 is connected directly to a rotation shaft bracket 620 of a discharger rotation unit 500.
- the aforementioned members are not explained.
- Fig. 35 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned members are not explained.
- discharge louvers 800,820 and 840 are formed on a front discharge hole 13, a left discharge hole 14 and a right discharge hole 15, respectively. This configuration efficiently controls the directions of the air streams discharged through the discharge holes 13, 14 and 15.
- Fig. 36 is a graph showing various examples by one rotation angle and rotation period of the discharge hole.
- the air conditioner is disposed at one edge of the indoor space I as shown in Fig. 1 and the discharge hole is reciprocatedly rotated within the rotation angle of 90 for cooling, the indoor temperature T by the operation time S is shown.
- Fig. 37 is a graph showing the indoor temperature by one rotation angle of the discharge hole
- Fig. 38 is a graph showing the indoor temperature by the rotation period of the discharge hole.
- the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner when one rotation angle of the discharge hole ranges from 5 to 55 , the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can rapidly evenly cool the indoor space 1. Especially, when one rotation angle of the discharge hole ranges from 15 to 25 , the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can more rapidly evenly cool the indoor space 1 with the optimum cooling performance.
- the cooling and heating performance is dependent upon how rapidly and evenly the conditioned air is dispersed to the indoor space 1. As shown in the experiment results of Figs. 36 to 38 , the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can rapidly evenly heat the indoor space 1 with the optimum heating performance.
- the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner when the rotation period of the discharge hole ranges from 5 to 70 seconds, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can rapidly evenly cool or heat the indoor space 1. Especially, when the rotation period of the discharge hole ranges from 9 to 20 seconds, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can more rapidly evenly cool or heat the indoor space 1 with the optimum cooling or heating performance.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Air Filters, Heat-Exchange Apparatuses, And Housings Of Air-Conditioning Units (AREA)
- Air-Conditioning Room Units, And Self-Contained Units In General (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an indoor unit of an air conditioner which can rotate a discharge hole for discharging the heat-exchanged air relatively to a main body of the air conditioner.
-
Fig. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional air conditioner. - Referring to
Fig. 19 , in an indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner, a frontcenter discharge hole 702 is formed at an upper center portion of a front surface of acabinet 700 forming the external appearance, front right andleft discharge holes 704 are formed at both upper sides of the front surface of thecabinet 700, respectively, and right andleft suction holes 706 are formed at both lower sides of the front surface of thecabinet 700, respectively. - A
discharge grill 710 for dispersing the air discharged through the frontcenter discharge hole 702 is disposed on the frontcenter discharge hole 702. - Discharge vanes 710 for opening and closing the front right and
left discharge holes 704 are rotatably mounted on the front right andleft discharge holes 704, respectively. -
Suction grills 714 are mounted on the right andleft suction holes 706, respectively. - In the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner, the air sucked through the right and
left suction holes 706 are conditioned, namely, cooled or heated in thecabinet 700, and discharged to the upper forward direction of the indoor unit through the frontcenter discharge hole 702 and the front right andleft discharge holes 704. - However, in the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner, the right and
left suction holes 706, the frontcenter discharge hole 702 and the front right andleft discharge holes 704 are formed on the front surface of thecabinet 700, so that the air sucked into the lower portion of the front surface of the air conditioner can be discharged to the upper portion of the front surface of the air conditioner. As a result, the directions of the discharged air streams are limitative and constant, not to improve efficiency of cooling or heating. - In addition, the installation position of the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner is limited due to the directions of the discharged air streams. It is thus difficult to improve the interior appearance and efficiently use the indoor space.
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US 5 769 707 describes a room air conditioner that has rotatable upper portion of a housing that has a single air discharge outlet. -
EP 1 533 576claim 1, has a display window. - An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can selectively, rapidly and efficiently discharge the heat-exchanged air to a space.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can discharge the heat-exchanged air to a space through a plurality of individually-formed discharge holes.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner using a plurality of individually-formed discharge holes, and a rotatable discharger for discharging the heat-exchanged air through the plurality of discharge holes.
- The present invention provides an air-conditioner as set out in
claim 1. - Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
- In accordance with the present invention, the air conditioner can selectively, rapidly and efficiently discharge the heat-exchanged air to the space.
- In accordance with the present invention, the air conditioner can evenly, selectively and dispersively discharge the heat-exchanged air to the space, by controlling opening and closing of the plurality of discharge holes and/or rotation of the discharger.
- In accordance with the present invention, the air conditioner can evenly, selectively and efficiently discharge the heat-exchanged air, by controlling rotation of the discharger and motion of the louver blade.
- In accordance with the present invention, the air conditioner allows the user to easily approach a unit for rotating the discharger, by using the cabinet with a service hole.
- The present invention and examples outside the scope of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:
-
Fig. 1 is an air view illustrating installation of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with the present invention; -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a first example; -
Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in operation in accordance with the first example; -
Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a front panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is opened in accordance with the first example; -
Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example; -
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 2 ; -
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFig. 2 ; -
Fig. 8 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a blower and a heat exchanger ofFig. 5 ; -
Fig. 9 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a head and a head rotation unit ofFig. 5 ; -
Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a head rotation mode in accordance with the first example; -
Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a head stop mode in accordance with the first example; -
Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating another operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in the head stop mode in accordance with the first example; -
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a second example; -
Fig. 14 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the second example; -
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a third example; -
Fig. 16 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor un it of the air conditioner in accordance with the third example; -
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a fourth example; -
Fig. 18 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the fourth example; -
Fig. 19 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner; -
Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a fifth example; -
Fig. 21 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a head, a head rotation unit and a discharge louver in accordance with the fifth example; -
Fig. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a sixth example; -
Fig. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a seventh example; -
Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 23 ; -
Fig. 25 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a head, a discharge louver unit and a head rotation unit in accordance with the seventh example; -
Fig. 26 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 27 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ofFig. 26 ; -
Fig. 29 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a discharger and a discharger rotation unit ofFig. 27 ; -
Fig. 30 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a discharger rotation mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 31 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in the discharger rotation mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 32 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a discharger rotation stop mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 35 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 36 is a graph showing various examples by one rotation angle and rotation period of the discharge hole; -
Fig. 37 is a graph showing an indoor temperature by one rotation angle of the discharge hole; and -
Fig. 38 is a graph showing an indoor temperature by the rotation period of the discharge hole. - An air conditioner in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
Fig. 1 is an air view illustrating installation of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with the present invention. - At least one
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is installed in an indoor space I needing air conditioning, and connected to at least oneoutdoor unit 2 installed outside the indoor space I through arefrigerant tube 3, for cooling, heating or purifying the indoor space I. For convenience of explanation, it is presumed that oneindoor unit 1 and oneoutdoor unit 2 are installed. -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a first example, andFig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in operation in accordance with the first example. - In accordance with the first example, in the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed on acabinet 10 forming the lower external appearance, and discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 for discharging the air to the indoor space are formed on ahead 20 forming the upper ______________________ external appearance. Thehead 20 is rotated in the right and left directions by a head rotation unit at the upper portion of thecabinet 10. - The suction holes 11 and 12 are formed on any one of the front, rear, right and left surfaces of the
cabinet 10. When the directions of the sucked air streams are various, the indoor air can be rapidly evenly sucked into thecabinet 10. Therefore, the suction holes 11 and 12 can be formed on the front and rear surfaces of thecabinet 10, respectively, or on the left and right surfaces of thecabinet 10, respectively. For convenience of explanation, it is presumed that the suction holes 11 and 12 are formed on the left and right surfaces of thecabinet 10, respectively. Hereinafter, thesuction hole 11 formed on the left surface of thecabinet 10 is referred to as aleft suction hole 11, and thesuction hole 12 formed on the right surface of thecabinet 10 is referred to as aright suction hole 12. - When the air circulation is facilitated in the indoor space, the air can be rapidly evenly conditioned in the indoor space. To facilitate the air circulation in the indoor space, the suction holes 11 and 12 are disposed at the lower portion of the
cabinet 10 to be distant from the discharge holes 21, 22 and 23. - In addition, when the directions of the discharged air streams are various, the air can be rapidly evenly conditioned in the indoor space. To generate the optimum discharged air streams, the plurality of discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are isolated from each other along the peripheral direction of the
head 20. - Accordingly, the discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are formed on at least two of the four surfaces of the
head 20. Especially, since theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is installed closely to the wall of the indoor space to efficiently use the indoor space, at least one of the four surfaces of thehead 20 is blocked by the wall of the indoor space. Preferably, the discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are formed on three of the four surfaces of thehead 20 to generate the optimum discharged air streams. Hereinafter, thedischarge hole 21 is referred to as afirst discharge hole 21, thedischarge hole 22 is referred to as asecond discharge hole 22, and thedischarge hole 23 is referred to as athird discharge hole 23. -
Discharge louvers discharge louver 24 formed on thefirst discharge hole 21 is referred to as afirst discharge louver 24, thedischarge louver 25 formed on thesecond discharge hole 22 is referred to as asecond discharge louver 25, and thedischarge louver 26 formed on thethird discharge hole 23 is referred to as athird discharge louver 26. - The first, second and
third discharge louvers head 20 is rotated in the right and left directions as discussed below, the first, second andthird discharge louvers -
Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a front panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is opened in accordance with the first example,Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example,Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 2 , andFig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFig. 2 . - The
cabinet 10 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and extended in the up and down directions. Thecabinet 10 has its top surface opened or has a hole on its top surface to communicate with thehead 20. - That is, the
cabinet 10 includes a base 30 forming the bottom surface of thecabinet 10, amain frame 40 being disposed at the upper portion of thebase 30, and having its top surface opened to communicate with thehead 20 and its front and bottom surfaces opened, afront panel 50 formed on the opened front surface of themain frame 40, for opening and closing the opened front surface of themain frame 40, and atop cover 52 disposed on the opened top surface of themain frame 40. - The
base 30 includes a base installportion 32 on which themain frame 40 and thefront panel 50 are installed, and adrain fan portion 34 upwardly protruded from the base installportion 32, for collecting condensed water from aheat exchanger 70, theheat exchanger 70 being disposed on thedrain fan portion 34. - The
drain fan portion 34 includes aleft plate portion 35 upwardly protruded from the base installportion 32, aright plate portion 36 upwardly protruded from the base installportion 32 with a gap from theleft plate portion 35, and anupper box portion 37 being formed on the top ends of theleft plate portion 35 and theright plate portion 36, and having adrain hole 37a at its one side. - A
drain hose 38 having one end connected to thedrain hole 37a and the other end extended to an external space of thecabinet 10 through one side of thecabinet 10 is connected to theupper box portion 37. - Most preferably, the
base 30 is plastic injection molded. To protrusively mold thedrain fan portion 34 with the base installportion 32 as a single body, anopening 30a is formed at thedrain fan portion 34, especially, the lower portion of theupper box portion 37. - The base 30 further includes a
base cover 30b fastened to the bottom surface of the base installportion 32 by fastening members such as screws, for blocking the bottom end of theopening 30a. - The bottom surface of the base install
portion 32 of the base 30 can directly contact the bottom of the indoor space. In addition, thebase 30 can be put on aspecial base panel 39 contacting the bottom of the indoor space. Here, it is presumed that the base 30 further includes thebase panel 39 onto which the base installportion 32 is fastened. - The
main frame 40 includes aleft panel 41 disposed at the left upper portion of thebase 30, aright panel 42 disposed at the right upper portion of thebase 30, and arear panel 43 disposed at the rear upper portion of thebase 30. - The
left suction hole 11 is formed at the lower portion of theleft panel 41 in the right and left directions. - A
left suction grill 44 disposed on theleft suction hole 11 is coupled to theleft panel 41. - A
left pre-filter 45a for filtering off alien substances of the air passing through theleft suction grill 44 is detachably coupled to theleft suction grill 44. - A high performance
left filter 45b, such as a HEPA filter or an electric dust collector, for purifying the air passing through theleft pre-filter 45a is disposed at theleft panel 41. Aleft filter guide 45c to which the high performanceleft filter 45b is detachably coupled is installed on theleft panel 41. - The
right panel 42 is symmetrical in structure to theleft panel 41 in the right and left directions. - The
right suction hole 12 is formed at the lower portion of theright panel 42 in the right and left directions. - A
right suction grill 47 disposed on theright suction hole 12 is coupled to theright panel 42. - A
right pre-filter 48a for filtering off alien substances of the air passing through theright suction grill 47 is detachably coupled to theright suction grill 47. - A high performance
right filter 48b, such as a HEPA filter or an electric dust collector, for purifying the air passing through theright pre-filter 48a is disposed at theright panel 42. Aright filter guide 48c to which the high performanceright filter 48b is detachably coupled is installed on theright panel 42. - A
tube cover 43b with a tube throughhole 43a through which thedrain hose 38 and a refrigerant tube of theheat exchanger 70 pass is mounted on therear panel 43. A tubecover mounting portion 43c on which thetube cover 43b is mounted is formed at the lower portion of therear panel 43. - A hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from the
left panel 41 is inserted, and a hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from theright panel 42 is inserted are formed on therear panel 43, respectively. - The
front panel 50 is opened and closed on the front surface of thecabinet 10 in the front and rear directions, so that components inside thecabinet 10 can be easily repaired or replaced. - That is,
hinge shafts base 30 and thetop cover 52 are formed on the top and bottom ends of one of the right and left sides of thefront panel 50, respectively. - The
front panel 50 can maintain the front surface of thecabinet 10 closed by using magnetic force of a magnet, a hook, a latch, etc. - A front panel handle can be formed on the
front panel 50, so that the user can easily open and close thefront panel 50. - The
top cover 52 is formed in a ring structure with atop cover hole 52a for air flow, so that thecabinet 10 and thehead 20 can communicate with each other. - The
top cover 52 is put on themain frame 40 and fastened to themain frame 40 byfastening members 53 such as screws. - To improve the visual effect, a color or material of the
top cover 52 can be different from that of themain frame 40 or thefront panel 50. - On the other hand, in order to hide the complicated inside structure of the
cabinet 10 when thefront panel 50 is opened (refer toFig. 4 ), thecabinet 50 can further include a front inner panel 54 disposed inside thefront panel 50, for covering at least part of the opened front surface of themain frame 40. - The front inner panel 54 can be provided to wholly or partially cover the opened front surface of the
main frame 40. In addition, the front inner panel 54 can be provided in a multiple number to partially cover the opened front surface of themain frame 40. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the front inner panel 54 wholly covers the opened front surface of themain frame 40. - At least one
service hole 54a for providing an inner service of thecabinet 10 is formed on the front inner panel 54. Frontinner cover panels 54b for opening and closing theservice holes 54a are disposed on theservice holes 54a, respectively. - Here, it is presumed that three
service holes 54a are formed to correspond to ablower 60, theheat exchanger 70 and thehead rotation unit 20 discussed later, respectively. - The front
inner cover panels 54b can be detachably coupled to the front inner panel 54 byfastening members 55 such as screws, or opened and closed thereon by a hinge structure. - The front
inner cover panels 54b include front inner cover panel handles 54c, so that the user can easily handle the frontinner cover panels 54b. - An
accessory keeping portion 54d for keeping an accessory such as aremote controller 56 for wireless control of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can be formed on the front inner cover 54. - On the other hand, a
display 58 for controlling the operation of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner and displaying the operation state of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can be installed on the edge of themain frame 40 of thecabinet 10. -
Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example,Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 2 ,Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFig. 2 , andFig. 8 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the blower and the heat exchanger ofFig. 5 . - The
blower 60 is disposed at the inside upper portion of thecabinet 10, for sucking the outdoor air of thecabinet 10 through the left and right suction holes 11 and 12, and sending the sucked air to the upper portion of thecabinet 10. - The
blower 60 includes ablower motor mounter 61 installed at the upper portion of theheat exchanger 70, ablower motor 62 installed on theblower motor mounter 61, aventilation fan 64 axially installed on arotation shaft 62a of theblower motor 62, and anorifice 66 installed on theblower motor mounter 61, for enclosing theventilation fan 64. - The
ventilation fan 64 includes acylindrical hub 64a, a plurality ofblades 64b spirally formed on the outer circumference of thehub 64a, and adisk portion 64c horizontally formed inside thehub 64a, therotation shaft 62a of theblower motor 62 being coupled to thedisk portion 64c. - The top surfaces of the
blades 64b are concave and the bottom surfaces thereof are convex, so that theblades 64b have bow-shaped sections. - The
orifice 66 is opened in the up and down directions so that the air heat-exchanged in theheat exchanger 70 can flow in the up and down directions. The center passage is narrower than the upper and lower passages. -
Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example,Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 2 ,Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFig. 2 , andFig. 8 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the blower and the heat exchanger ofFig. 5 . - The
heat exchanger 70 is disposed at the inside lower portion of thecabinet 10, for cooling or heating the air in thecabinet 10. - The
heat exchanger 70 includes a firstheat exchange portion 71, a secondheat exchange portion 72 disposed with a gap from the firstheat exchange portion 71, afirst cover 73 for blocking one of the front surface and the rear surface between the firstheat exchange portion 71 and the secondheat exchange portion 72, and asecond cover 74 for blocking the other of the front surface and the rear surface between the firstheat exchange portion 71 and the secondheat exchange portion 72. - The bottom end of the first
heat exchange portion 71 is put on thedrain fan portion 34, and the top end thereof is disposed at the right side of theleft suction hole 11 of theleft panel 41 and inclined in the left direction to face the upper portion of theleft suction hole 11. - The bottom end of the second
heat exchange portion 72 is put on thedrain fan portion 34, and the top end thereof is disposed at the left side of theright suction hole 12 of theright panel 42 and inclined in the right direction to face the upper portion of theright suction hole 12. - The
heat exchanger 70 further includes a leftairtight member 75 fastened to the left side of the top end of thefirst cover 73 and the left side of the top end of thesecond cover 74 by fastening members, for blocking the gap between the left side of the top end of theheat exchanger 70 and theleft panel 41, and a rightairtight member 76 fastened to the right side of the top end of thefirst cover 73 and the right side of the top end of thesecond cover 74 by fastening members, for blocking the gap between the right side of the top end of theheat exchanger 70 and theright panel 42. - The
heat exchanger 70 is fixed to at least one of theleft panel 41 and theright panel 42. Aleft bracket 80 is fastened to thefirst cover 73 of theheat exchanger 70 by afastening member 81 such as a screw, and fixedly hooked on theleft panel 41. Aright bracket 82 is fastened to thefirst cover 73 of theheat exchanger 70 by afastening member 83 such as a screw, and fixedly hooked on theright panel 42. - A
bent portion 84 bent with a □-shaped section is formed on the top end of thefirst cover 73 of theheat exchanger 70. - A
permanent magnet 85 is mounted on the front surface of thebent portion 84. - The top surface of the
bent portion 84 is fastened to theblower motor mounter 61 and theorifice 66 byfastening members 86 such as screws. - The
heat exchanger 70 is fixed to therear panel 43 by arear bracket 87. - The
heat exchanger 70 further includes arefrigerant tube holder 88 for fixing one side of therefrigerant tube 3 connected to at least one of the firstheat exchange portion 71 and the secondheat exchange portion 72 of theheat exchanger 70 to thefirst cover 73 of theheat exchanger 70. - The
heat exchanger 70 includes a tube throughhole 73a formed on thefirst cover 73 so that therefrigerant tube 3 can be extended in the forward direction of thefirst cover 73 through thefirst cover 73, and atube cover 89 for minimizing the air suction of the tube throughhole 73a, and covering part of therefrigerant tube 3 passing through the tube throughhole 73a. -
Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example,Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 2 ,Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFig. 2 , andFig. 9 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the head and the head rotation unit ofFig. 5 . - The
head 20 can be formed in a circular or polygonal structure. Here, it is presumed that thehead 20 is formed in the polygonal structure. - The
polygonal head 20 can be any kind of polygon such as a tetrahedron, pentahedron or hexahedron. In this embodiment, it is presumed that thehead 20 is the hexahedron. - The
head 20 includes ahead base panel 100 disposed at the upper portion of thecabinet 10, a headmain frame 110 being disposed at the upper portion of thehead base panel 100, and having its top and bottom surfaces opened, and a headtop panel 120 for covering the opened top surface of the headmain frame 110. - Preferably, the
head base panel 100 is almost identical in size to the top surface of thecabinet 10 to provide the uniformity with thecabinet 10. - A
head hole 101 for making thehead 20 communicate with thecabinet 10 is formed on thehead base panel 100, so that the air in thecabinet 10 can be sent to thehead 20. Thehead hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of thehead base panel 100, so that the air in thecabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into thehead 20. - At least one
fastening hole 103 is formed on thehead base panel 100, so that thehead base panel 100 can be coupled to a driven gear of thehead rotation unit 20 explained later by fasteningmembers 102 such as screws. - The
head base panel 100 is positioned on thecabinet 10. Preferably, thehead 20 and thecabinet 10 are installed with a minimum gap not to interfere with each other. - The head
main frame 110 includes first tofourth side panels 111 to 114 forming the four surfaces of the headmain frame 110. - The first to
fourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as a single body, or individually molded and assembled. In addition, the first tofourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as two or three parts and assembled. In this example, it is presumed that the first tofourth side panels 111 to 114 are individually molded and assembled. - As described above, any one of the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 is formed on three of the first to
fourth side panels 111 to 114 to generate the discharged air streams on the three surfaces of thehead 20. - As illustrated in
Fig. 2 , when thehead 20 is coupled to thecabinet 10 in a straight line shape, thefourth side panel 114 corresponding to therear panel 43 of thecabinet 10 among the first tofourth side panels 111 to 114 is positioned in the wall side of the indoor space with therear panel 43 of thecabinet 10. - Accordingly, except the
fourth side panel 114, any one of the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 is preferably formed on the first, second andthird side panels first discharge hole 21 is formed on thefirst side panel 111, thesecond discharge hole 22 is formed on thesecond side panel 112, and thethird discharge hole 23 is formed on thethird side panel 113. - The first, second and
third discharge louvers third side panels - The first, second and
third discharge louvers discharge louver blades discharge louver shafts discharge louver blades third side panels - The first, second and third
discharge louver shafts discharge louver blades - The first, second and
third discharge louvers louver driving units - The first discharge
louver driving unit 130 includes a firstdischarge louver motor 132 for supplying rotation driving force, a firstdrive pinion gear 134 axially installed on arotation shaft 131 of the firstdischarge louver motor 132, and rotated with any one of thefirst discharge louvers 24, afirst rack gear 136 being engaged with the firstdrive pinion gear 134, and sliding in the up and down directions, and a first drivenpinion gear 138 engaged with thefirst rack gear 136, and rotated with thefirst discharge louver 24 which is not engaged with the firstdrive pinion gear 134. - The first
discharge louver motor 132 is fastened, by fastening members such as screws, to an outer portion of afirst gear housing 139 fixed into thehead 20 for guiding sliding of thefirst rack gear 136. - The first
drive pinion gear 134 is coupled to the firstdischarge louver shaft 24b of thefirst discharge louver 24. - As mentioned above, the
first rack gear 136 is slidably inserted into thefirst gear housing 139. - The first driven
pinion gear 138 is coupled to the firstdischarge louver shaft 24b of thefirst discharge louver 24. - The
first discharge louver 24 is not rotated at 360 . For example, thefirst discharge louver 24 is rotated within 90 . Therefore, the first drivenpinion gear 138 can be formed in a circular arc shape, not the circular shape of the firstdrive pinion gear 134. - Identically to the first discharge
louver driving unit 130, the second dischargelouver driving unit 140 includes a seconddischarge louver motor 142, a seconddrive pinion gear 144, asecond rack gear 146, a second drivenpinion gear 148, and asecond gear housing 149. - In addition, identically to the first discharge
louver driving unit 130, the third dischargelouver driving unit 150 includes a thirddischarge louver motor 152, a thirddrive pinion gear 154, athird rack gear 156, a third drivenpinion gear 158, and athird gear housing 159. - To intensively discharge the air streams to a relatively high temperature region for rapid cooling or heating,
infrared sensors head 20, for sensing temperature distribution of the indoor space. - The
infrared sensors head 20 to improve sensing accuracy of the indoor temperature distribution. -
Fig. 5 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first example,Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 2 ,Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFig. 2 , andFig. 9 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the head and the head rotation unit ofFig. 5 . - The
head rotation unit 20 includes a headrotation unit bracket 160 fixed into thecabinet 10 to face thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20, a head bearing 170 installed between the headrotation unit bracket 160 and thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20, ahead holder 180 for preventing thehead 20 from being separated from the headrotation unit bracket 160, headrotation unit motors force transfer device 200. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 is disposed on the opened top surface of thecabinet 10 to support thehead 20. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 can be installed directly on thecabinet 10 at the upper portion of theblower 60, disposed and installed on theblower 60, or disposed on theblower 60 and installed on thecabinet 10. Here, it is presumed that the headrotation unit bracket 160 is installed directly on thecabinet 10 at the upper portion of theblower 60 not to be directly affected by vibration of theblower 60. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 is disposed on the opened top surface of thecabinet 10. Therefore, in order to hide the inside of thecabinet 10, the headrotation unit bracket 160 includes a bracketmain panel 161 sufficiently large to cover the whole opened top surface of thecabinet 10. - The bracket
main panel 161 is isolated from thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20 with a predetermined gap in the up and down directions, so that the headrotation unit motors force transfer device 200 can be disposed between the headrotation unit bracket 160 and thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 includes abracket fastening boss 163 formed at the edge of the bracketmain panel 161 to surface-contact thecabinet 10, and fastened to thecabinet 10 by fasteningmembers 162 such as screws. - Preferably, at least two
bracket fastening bosses 163 are arranged along the peripheral direction of the headrotation unit bracket 160. - The bracket
main panel 161 of the headrotation unit bracket 160 covers the whole opened top surface of thecabinet 10. Accordingly, abracket hole 164 is formed on the bracketmain panel 161, so that thecabinet 10 and thehead 20 can communicate with each other for air flow. - Preferably, the center of the
bracket hole 164 corresponds to the center of thehead hole 101 of thehead 20 in the up and down directions, so that the air flowing from thecabinet 10 to thehead 20 can flow in the vertical direction to maximize air sending efficiency. - Preferably, the center of the
bracket hole 164 corresponds to the center of theblower 60 to maximize air sending efficiency. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 includes anair guide rib 165 for guiding the up and down flows of the air from thecabinet 10 to thehead 20 to maximize air sending efficiency. Theair guide rib 165 is formed in a ring structure and protruded from the bracketmain panel 161 to thehead 20, for enclosing thebracket hole 164. - The
air guide rib 165 can be protruded from the bracketmain panel 161 vertically in the up and down directions, so that the section of theair guide rib 165 can be constant between thecabinet 10 and thehead 20. In addition, theair guide rib 165 can be protruded from the bracketmain panel 161 with an inclination in the up and down directions, so that the section of theair guide rib 165 can be gradually decreased or increased between thecabinet 10 and thehead 20. Besides, theair guide rib 165 can be formed in various shapes. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 includes abracket flange 166 protruded from the bracketmain panel 161 to thehead 20, for supporting thehead 20 and hooking thehead holder 180 in the up and down directions. - The
bracket flange 166 includes avertical portion 166a vertically protruded from the bracketmain panel 161 to thehead 20, and ahorizontal portion 166b vertically bent from the top end of thevertical portion 166a which is not connected to the bracketmain panel 161, and disposed at a level with thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20. - The
vertical portion 166a of thebracket flange 166 is disposed on the bracketmain panel 161 between thebracket fastening boss 163 and thebracket hole 164, so that thebracket flange 166 does not interrupt the flow of the air from thecabinet 10 to thehead 20. - The up/down direction length of the
vertical portion 166a of thebracket flange 166 is determined so that the head bearing 170 can be disposed between thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166 and thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20, and that thehead holder 180 can be hooked between thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166 and the bracketmain panel 161. - As explained later, the head
rotation unit motors force transfer device 200 are disposed inside thebracket flange 166. Therefore, preferably, thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166 is outwardly bent from thevertical portion 166a of thebracket flange 166 to the headrotation unit bracket 160. - The
bracket flange 166 is formed in a ring structure to always support thehead 20 regardless of rotation of thehead 20. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 includes a head rotation unitmotor installation portion 167 in which the headrotation unit motors rotation unit motors - Preferably, the head rotation unit
motor installation portion 167 is disposed on the bracketmain panel 161 between thebracket hole 164 and thebracket flange 166, so that the headrotation unit motors cabinet 10 to thehead 20 and interfere with thebracket flange 166. - Accordingly, the head rotation unit
motor installation portion 167 can be formed on the bracketmain panel 161 in a groove structure opened in the up and down directions by theair guide rib 165 and thebracket flange 166. - The head
rotation unit bracket 160 includes ahead guide rib 168 formed on thebracket flange 166, for guiding right and left direction rotation of thehead 20. - The
head guide rib 168 is vertically protruded from thebracket flange 166 to thehead 20, so that the head bearing 170 can be inserted into thehead guide rib 168. - The
head guide rib 168 is formed in a ring structure to always guide rotation of thehead 20 during the rotation of thehead 20. - Preferably, the up/down length of the
head guide rib 168 is shorter than the gap between thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166 and thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20, so that thehead guide rib 168 cannot interfere with thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20. - The
head bearing 170 serves to minimize rotation friction of thehead 20. Thehead bearing 170 can be fixed to thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20 to line-contact thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166 of the headrotation unit bracket 160, or fixed to thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166 of the headrotation unit bracket 160 to line-contact thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the head bearing 170 is fixed to thehead 20 to line-contact the headrotation unit bracket 160. - Preferably, at least two
head bearings 170 are provided to stably support thehead 20, and arranged along the peripheral direction of thehead 20 to balance thehead 20. - The
head bearing 170 includes ahead bearing roller 172 rotatably disposed between thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20 and thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166 of the headrotation unit bracket 160, and a head bearingroller leg 174 fixed to thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20, for rotatably supporting thehead bearing roller 172. - Preferably, the
shaft 172a of thehead bearing roller 172 is disposed in the radial direction of the circle formed around the center H of the horizontal surface of thehead 20, so that thehead bearing roller 172 can be rotated around the center H of the horizontal surface of thehead 20. - The
head bearing roller 172 is installed to be positioned in thehead guide rib 168, so that thehead bearing roller 172 can be firmly supported by the headrotation unit bracket 160 and the rotation direction thereof can be guided. - The head bearing
roller leg 174 is installed below thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20 to pass through thehead base panel 100. - The
head holder 180 includes ahead holder hook 182 incorporated with thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20, and hooked on thebracket flange 166. - The
head holder hook 182 includes avertical portion 182a vertically protruded from thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20 to the headrotation unit bracket 160, and ahorizontal portion 182b bent in the horizontal direction from thevertical portion 182a of thehead holder hook 182, inserted between thebracket flange 166 and the bracketmain panel 161, and hooked by thebracket flange 166 at the lower portion of thebracket flange 166. - The up/down direction length of the
vertical portion 182a of thehead holder hook 182 is determined so that thehorizontal portion 182b of thehead holder hook 182 can be downwardly isolated from thebracket flange 166 with a predetermined gap to prevent friction between thehead holder hook 182 and thebracket flange 166. - Preferably, at least two head holder hooks 182 are provided to stably support the
head 20, and arranged along the peripheral direction of thehead 20 to balance thehead 20. - The
head holder 180 includes aholder bearing 184 disposed between thehead holder hook 182 and thebracket flange 166, for firmly supporting thehead 20 and facilitating rotation of thehead 20. - The
holder bearing 184 can be fixed to thehead holder hook 182 to line-contact thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166, or fixed to thehorizontal portion 1 66b of thebracket flange 166 to line-contact thehead holder hook 182. In this embodiment, it is presumed that theholder bearing 184 is fixed to thehead holder hook 182 to line-contact thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166. - The
holder bearing 184 includes aholder bearing roller 185 rotatably disposed between thehorizontal portion 182b of thehead holder hook 182 and thehorizontal portion 166b of thebracket flange 166, and a holder bearingroller leg 186 fixed to thehorizontal portion 182b of thehead holder hook 182, for rotatably supporting theholder bearing roller 185. - Preferably, the
shaft 185a of theholder bearing roller 185 is disposed in the radial direction of the circle formed around the center H of the horizontal surface of thehead 20, so that theholder bearing roller 185 can be rotated around the center H of the horizontal surface of thehead 20. - Preferably, at least two
holder bearings 184 are provided to stably support thehead 20, and arranged in the peripheral direction of thehead 20 to balance thehead 20. - Especially, the
header bearing 170 and the holder bearing 184 are arranged in a row in the up and down directions, for firmly supporting thehead 20 and fixing thebracket flange 166. That is, the holder bearing 184 faces the header bearing 170 in the up and down directions of thebracket flange 166. - The head
rotation unit motors motor installation portion 167 of the headrotation unit bracket 160, and fixed to the bracketmain panel 161 of the headrotation unit bracket 160 by fastening members 194 and 195 such as screws. - The head
rotation unit motors rotation unit motors head 20. - The
rotation shafts rotation unit motors rotation unit motors head 20. - The head rotation driving
force transfer device 200 transfers rotation driving force of the headrotation unit motors head 20, so that thehead 20 can be rotated in the right and left directions by the rotation driving force of the headrotation unit motors force transfer device 200 can be formed by using various methods such as belt-pulley, gear set and link. In this embodiment, it is presumed that the head rotation drivingforce transfer device 200 is formed by using the gear set method. - The head rotation driving
force transfer device 200 includes drive gears 201 and 202 driven by the headrotation unit motors gear 204 continuously engaged with the drive gears 201 and 202, and fixed to thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20. - At least two drive gears 201 and 202 are provided to correspond to the head
rotation unit motors - The drive gears 201 and 202 are axially installed on the
rotation shafts rotation unit motors - The drive gears 201 and 202 are relatively smaller than the driven
gear 204, and have fewer teeth than the drivengear 204. - The drive gears 201 and 202 are disposed between the head
rotation unit motors head base panel 100 of thehead 20. Therefore, preferably, the drive gears 201 and 202 are isolated from thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20 with a predetermined gap in the up and down directions not to interfere with thehead base panel 100. - The driven
gear 204 is disposed between the drive gears 201 and 202 to be circumscribed by the drive gears 201 and 202. - The driven
gear 204 is formed in a ring structure with anair hole 204a for air flow at its center portion, not to interrupt the flow of the air from thecabinet 10 to thehead 20, namely, not to block thehead hole 101 of thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20. - The driven
gear 204 includes a drivenboss 204b fastened to thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20 by surface contact, so that the drivengear 204 can be fixed to thehead base panel 100. - Since the driven
gear 204 is circumscribed by the drive gears 201 and 202, the drivengear boss 204b is preferably disposed inside the drivengear 204. - Preferably, at least two driven
gear bosses 204b are arranged along the circumferential direction of the drivengear 204 to stably fasten and balance the drivengear 204. - The
air guide rib 165 of the headrotation unit bracket 160 is disposed directly below the drivengear 204. Accordingly, the drivengear 204 is isolated from theair guide rib 165 with a predetermined gap in the up and down directions not to interfere with theair guide rib 165. - Operation will now be described.
- When the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is not operated, as shown inFig. 2 , thehead 20 and theblower 60 are not rotated, and the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are closed by the first, second andthird discharge louvers - In order to improve the visual effect, the
head 20 and thecabinet 10 are preferably disposed in a straight line shape in the up and down directions. For convenience of explanation, as shown inFig. 2 , when thehead 20 and thecabinet 10 are disposed in the straight line shape in the up and down directions, a rotation angle of thehead 20 is presumed to be 0. - As discussed later, the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can be operated in various ways according to selection of operation conditions. - As one example of the operation of the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, as depicted inFig. 3 , when the user inputs a head rotation mode for rotating thehead 20 and a first, second and third discharge hole open mode for opening the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 in addition to an operation command for theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows. - The head
rotation unit motors rotation unit motors gear 204 is orated by the rotation of the drive gears 201 and 202. - When the driven
gear 204 is rotated, thehead 20 is rotated in the right and left directions monolithically with the drivengear 204. - Here, the head
rotation unit motors head 20 in only one direction of the right and left directions, or reciprocatedly rotate thehead 20 alternately in the right and left directions. In the case that thehead 20 is reciprocatedly rotated in the right and left directions, the reciprocated rotation range of thehead 20 can be preset over one or more modes, or selected by the user. - In addition, the first, second and third
discharge louver motors discharge louver motors discharge louver shafts third discharge louvers - The first, second and third
discharge louver motors discharge louver motors - The first, second and third
discharge louver motors third discharge louvers - When the
blower motor 62 is driven and theventilation fan 64 is rotated by the rotation driving force of theblower motor 62, blast force is generated in the direction of thecabinet 10 to thehead 20. - The outdoor air of the
cabinet 10 is sent to theleft suction hole 11 and theright suction hole 12 by the blast force of theblower 60. The air sent to theleft suction hole 11 and theright suction hole 12 is sucked into thecabinet 10 through theleft suction hole 11 and theright suction hole 12, and filtered by the left andright pre-filters right filters - The air sucked into the
cabinet 10 is sent to theheat exchanger 70, and cooled or heated by exchanging heat with the refrigerants in theheat exchanger 70. - The heated or cooled air is mixed in the space between the left
heat exchange portion 71 and the rightheat exchange portion 72, sent to the upper portion between the leftheat exchange portion 71 and the rightheat exchange portion 72, and sucked into theorifice 66 of theblower 60. - The air sucked into the
orifice 66 is sent to the upper portion of theventilation fan 64, generating an eddy. - The eddy sent to the upper portion of the
ventilation fan 64 is discharged to the upper portion of theorifice 66, sequentially passes through thebracket hole 164 of the headrotation unit bracket 160 and thehead hole 101 of thehead base panel 110 of thehead 20, and is sucked into thehead 20. - The air sucked into the
head 20 is externally discharged from thehead 20 through the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23. - Since the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are all opened and the
head 20 is reciprocatedly rotated in the right and left directions, the air streams discharged from thehead 20 can be rapidly dispersed in all directions and dynamically circulated. - As illustrated in
Figs. 5 to 10 , as another example of the operation of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, when thehead 20 is rotated and the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are partially opened, theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows. For convenience of explanation, it is presumed that thefirst discharge hole 21 is opened and the second and third discharge holes 22 and 23 are closed. - According to the above operation condition of the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, identically to one example of the operation of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, the air is sucked into thecabinet 10 by the blast force of theblower 60, cooled or heated by theheat exchanger 70, and sucked into thehead 20. - Because the
first discharge hole 21 is opened and the second and third discharge holes 22 and 23 are closed, the air sucked into thehead 20 is externally discharged from thehead 20 merely through the openedfirst discharge hole 21. - Since the
head 20 is reciprocatedly rotated in the right and left directions, the discharged air streams are rapidly dispersed in all directions and dynamically circulated. As thefirst discharge hole 21 is opened and the second and third discharge holes 22 and 23 are closed, the intensive air streams and the long distance air streams can be discharged through thefirst discharge hole 21. - Referring to
Figs. 5 to 9 and11 , as yet another example of the operation of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, when thehead 20 is not rotated and the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are all opened, theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows. - According to the above operation condition of the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, identically to one example of the operation of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, the air is sucked into thecabinet 10 by the blast force of theblower 60, cooled or heated by theheat exchanger 70, and sucked into thehead 20. - The air sucked into the
head 20 is rapidly dispersed in all directions through the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23. As thehead 20 is not rotated, more static air streams are discharged to make the indoor environment calm. - As shown in
Figs. 5 to 9 and12 , as yet another example of the operation of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, when thehead 20 is not rotated and the first, second and third discharge holes 21, 22 and 23 are partially opened, theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner is operated as follows. For convenience of explanation, it is presumed that thefirst discharge hole 21 is opened and the second and third discharge holes 22 and 23 are closed. - According to the above operation condition of the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, identically to one example of the operation of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, the air is sucked into thecabinet 10 by the blast force of theblower 60, cooled or heated by theheat exchanger 70, and sucked into thehead 20. - Because the
first discharge hole 21 is opened and thehead 20 is not rotated, the air sucked into thehead 20 is intensively discharged to a specific long distance region through thefirst discharge hole 21. - Here, the
head 20 can be rotated by the rotation driving force of the headrotation unit motors first discharge hole 21 can face the specific region. - As depicted in
Figs. 5 to 9 , as yet another example of theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, thehead 20 can be rotation-controlled according to the sensing results of theinfrared sensors infrared sensors - According to the sensing results of the
infrared sensors head 20 is rotation- controlled so that the opened discharge hole (for example, the first discharge hole 21) can face the specific region showing the relatively high temperature distribution. - As the air streams are intensively discharged to the specific region showing the relatively high temperature distribution, the temperature of the specific region is sharply varied, to rapidly evenly cool or heat the indoor space.
- According to the sensing results of the
infrared sensors head 20 can be rotated or rotation-restricted by thehead rotation unit 20. -
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a second example, andFig. 14 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the second example. The aforementioned members are not explained. - In accordance with the second example, a head rotation driving
force transfer device 300 includes drive gears 301 and 302 driven by the headrotation unit motors gear 304 disposed outside the drive gears 301 and 302, and fixed to thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20, the drive gears 301 and 302 being inscribed in the drivengear 304. - The drive gears 301 and 302 are disposed inside the driven
gear 304 to be inscribed in the drivengear 304. - The driven
gear 304 is formed in a ring structure to match with thehead hole 101 of thehead base panel 100. -
Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a third example, andFig. 16 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the third example. The aforementioned members are not explained. - In accordance with the third example, a
head rotation unit 400 includes onehead motor 410 having arotation shaft 411 directly connected to thehead 20. - The
head motor 410 can be disposed inside thecabinet 10, laid over thecabinet 10 and thehead 20, or disposed inside thehead 20. In this embodiment, it is presumed that thehead motor 410 is disposed inside thehead 20. - When the
head motor 410 is disposed inside thecabinet 10, the up/down direction length of thecabinet 10 can be shortened, or the layout of theblower 60 or theheat exchanger 70 in thecabinet 10 can be improved. - When the
head motor 410 is disposed inside thehead 20, if therotation shaft 411 is coupled to the headtop panel 120 of thehead 20, the length of therotation shaft 411 can be minimized, to stably balance and support thehead 20. - On the other hand, the
head rotation unit 400 further includes ahead motor bracket 420 fixed to thecabinet 10, for supporting thehead motor 410. - The
head motor bracket 420 firmly supports thehead motor 410. Here, thehead motor bracket 420 can be formed in a tripod structure not to interrupt the air flowing from thecabinet 10 to thehead 20. - That is, the
head motor bracket 420 includes abase 422 for supporting thehead motor 410, thehead motor 410 being fastened to thebase 422 by a fastening member such as a screw, and threelegs base 422, isolated from each other at intervals of about 120 , and fastened to thecabinet 10 by fastening members such as screws. - The
head motor bracket 420 is disposed on the top surface of thecabinet 10, so that thehead motor 410 can be positioned in thehead 20. - To hide the
head motor 410 and therotation shaft 411 in thehead 20, thehead 20 can include a head inner cover 430 for enclosing thehead motor 410 and therotation shaft 411. - The head inner cover 430 is vertically protruded from the head
top panel 120 of thehead 20 to the inside of thehead 20, and formed in a ring structure with its upper and lower portions opened. Accordingly, thehead motor 410 and therotation shaft 411 can be inserted into the head inner cover 430. - At least one heat radiation hole 431 for radiating heat of the
head motor 410 can be formed on the circumference of the head inner cover 430. -
Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a fourth example, andFig. 18 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the fourth example. - In accordance with the fourth example, a
head rotation unit 600 includes onehead motor 610 having arotation shaft 611 directly connected to thehead 20, the center of therotation shaft 611 corresponding to the center of the horizontal surface of thehead 20 in the up and down directions. - The
rotation shaft 611 is fixed to thehead base panel 100 of thehead 20. Here, thehead base panel 100 includes a tripod-shapedrotation shaft bracket 620 fixed to thehead base panel 100 and coupled to therotation shaft 611. - The
head motor 610 is disposed inside thecabinet 10, and supported by ahead motor bracket 630 in thecabinet 10. - The
head motor bracket 630 firmly supports thehead motor 610. Here, thehead motor bracket 630 is formed in a tripod structure not to interrupt the air flowing from thecabinet 10 to thehead 20. -
Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a fifth example, andFig. 21 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a head, a head rotation unit and a discharge louver in accordance with the fifth example. - In accordance with the fifth example, in the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed on acabinet 10 forming the lower external appearance, adischarge hole 21 for discharging the air to the indoor space is formed on ahead 20 forming the upper external appearance, thehead 20 is rotated in the right and left directions by a head rotation unit at the upper portion of thecabinet 10, and adischarge louver 24 for opening and closing thedischarge hole 21 and controlling the directions of the air streams discharged through thedischarge hole 21 is installed on thedischarge hole 21. - The
discharge hole 21 is formed on the top surface of thehead 20 in the up and down directions, so that the air streams discharged from thedischarge hole 21 cannot be supplied directly to life such as a user and a pet. - The
discharge hole 21 can be formed in a circular shape, an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape. That is, thedischarge hole 21 is not limited in shape. In this example, it is presumed that thedischarge hole 21 is formed in a circular shape. - The
discharge hole 21 can be provided in a single or multiple number. In this example, it is presumed that onedischarge hole 21 is formed. - As the
discharge hole 21 is formed on the top surface of thehead 20 in the up and down directions, thedischarge louver 24 is formed on thedischarge hole 21 to be rotated in the up and down directions. - The
discharge louver 24 can be provided in a single or multiple number. In this example, it is presumed that threedischarge louvers 24 are formed. - The three
discharge louvers 24 can be arranged in a row in the up and down directions or the width direction of thedischarge hole 21. In this example, it is presumed that the threedischarge louvers 24 are arranged in a row in the up and down directions. - In the case that the three
discharge louvers 24 are arranged in a row in the up and down directions, at least thetopmost discharge louver 24 is identical in shape to thedischarge hole 21 to completely cover thedischarge hole 21. In this example, it is presumed that the threedischarge louvers 24 are all identical in shape to thedischarge hole 21. - A
head hole 101 for making thehead 20 communicate with thecabinet 10 is formed on ahead base panel 100, so that the air in thecabinet 10 can be sent to thehead 20. Thehead hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of thehead base panel 100, so that the air in thecabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into thehead 20. - A head
main frame 110 includes first tofourth side panels 111 to 114 forming the four surfaces of the headmain frame 110. - The first to
fourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as a single body, or individually molded and assembled. In addition, the first tofourth side panels 111 to 114 can be molded as two or three parts and assembled. - A head
top panel 120 is almost identical in size to the horizontal surface of the headmain frame 110, for sealing up the opened top surface of the headmain frame 110. - The
circular discharge hole 21 is formed at the center portion of the headtop panel 120. - To create the optimum visual external image, the head
top panel 120 is inserted into the headmain frame 110, downwardly isolated from the top end of the headmain frame 110 with a predetermined gap, and hidden by the headmain frame 110. - Each of the
discharge louvers 24 installed in thehead 20 includes adischarge louver blade 24a rotatably disposed on thedischarge hole 21, and adischarge louver shaft 24b fixed to thedischarge louver blade 24a and rotatably inserted into the headmain frame 110. -
Fig. 22 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in non-operation in accordance with a sixth example. - In accordance with the sixth example, a plurality of
discharge louvers 24 are arranged at regular intervals in the width direction of adischarge hole 21. - The plurality of
discharge louvers 24 are formed in shapes of dividing thedischarge hole 21 in their isolation directions. Therefore, when thedischarge hole 21 is closed, it can be completely covered by the plurality ofdischarge louvers 24. -
Fig. 23 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a seventh example,Fig. 24 is a cross- sectional view taken along line A-A ofFig. 23 , andFig. 25 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a head, a discharge louver unit and a head rotation unit in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned members are not explained. - In accordance with the seventh example, in the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed on acabinet 10 forming the lower external appearance, adischarge hole 21 for discharging the air to the indoor space is formed at one side of ahead 20 forming the upper external appearance, thehead 20 is rotated in the right and left directions by a head rotation unit at the upper portion of thecabinet 10, and a discharge louver unit for controlling the directions of the discharged air streams is disposed in thehead 20. - That is, the
cabinet 10 includes a base 30 forming the bottom surface of thecabinet 10, amain frame 40 being disposed at the upper portion of thebase 30, and having its top surface opened to communicate with thehead 20 and its front and bottom surfaces opened, afront panel 50 formed on the opened front surface of themain frame 40, for opening and closing the opened front surface of themain frame 40, and atop cover 52 disposed on the opened top surface of themain frame 40. - The
top cover 52 includes atop cover hole 52a for air flow, so that thecabinet 10 and thehead 20 can communicate with each other. - To emphasize the visual effect, a color or material of the
top cover 52 can be different from that of themain frame 40 or thefront panel 50. - To improve the visual effect, the
top cover 52 can be formed smaller than the horizontal surface of the combination of themain frame 40 and thefront panel 50. - The
head 20 can be formed in a circular or polygonal structure. In this embodiment, it is presumed that thehead 20 is formed in the circular structure. - The
head 20 includes ahead base panel 100 disposed at the upper portion of thecabinet 10, a headmain frame 110 being disposed at the upper portion of thehead base panel 100, and having its top and bottom surfaces opened, and a headtop panel 120 for covering the opened top surface of the headmain frame 110. - The
head base panel 100 is formed in a circular shape smaller than thetop cover 52 of thecabinet 10. - A
head hole 101 for making thehead 20 communicate with thecabinet 10 is formed on thehead base panel 100, so that the air in thecabinet 10 can be sent to thehead 20. Thehead hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of thehead base panel 100, so that the air in thecabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into thehead 20. - A mesh-shaped
discharge grill 22 is formed on thedischarge hole 21, for protecting the inner structure of thehead 20 and preventing an accident by thedischarge hole 21. - The head
top panel 120 is almost identical in shape to the top surface of the headmain frame 110, for sealing up the opened top surface of the headmain frame 110. - The discharge louver unit includes a plurality of
discharge louvers 24 arranged in thehead 20 in the up and down directions, and rotated in the up and down directions, a dischargelouver support shaft 126 for rotatably supporting the plurality ofdischarge louvers 24 in the up and down directions, and a dischargelouver driving unit 130 for applying operation force for rotating thedischarge louvers 24 in the up and down directions. - Each of the
discharge louvers 24 includes adischarge louver blade 24a disposed in thehead 20 to be rotated in the up and down directions, and a dischargelouver hinge shaft 24b fixed to thedischarge louver blade 24a and rotatably inserted into the dischargelouver support shaft 126. - The discharge
louver support shaft 126 can be fixedly supported by a discharge louversupport shaft bracket 128 fixed to thecabinet 10 or ahead rotation unit 400 discussed later. - The discharge louver
support shaft bracket 128 includes a discharge louver support shaft bracket center portion (not shown) fixed to thecabinet 10 and coupled to the dischargelouver support shaft 126, for sending the air in thecabinet 10 to thehead 20, and a discharge louver support shaftbracket connection portion 128b protruded from the discharge louver support shaft bracket center portion, and fastened to thecabinet 10 by a fastening member such as a screw. - Preferably, at least two discharge louver support shaft
bracket connection portions 128b are arranged in the circumferential direction of the discharge louver support shaft bracket center portion in order to firmly support the dischargelouver support shaft 126. - The discharge
louver driving unit 130 can be fixed to thehead 20, but can also be fixed to the discharge louversupport shaft bracket 128. - The
head rotation unit 400 includes onehead motor 410 having arotation shaft 411 directly connected to thehead 20, the center of therotation shaft 411 corresponding to the center of the horizontal surface of thehead 20 in the up and down directions. - The
rotation shaft 411 can be fixed to the headtop panel 120 of thehead 20. Here, arotation shaft boss 121 coupled to therotation shaft 411 is formed on the headtop panel 120. - The
head motor 410 is disposed in thecabinet 10 and supported by ahead motor bracket 420 in thecabinet 10. - The
head motor bracket 420 firmly supports thehead motor 410. Here, thehead motor bracket 420 can be formed in a tripod structure not to interrupt the air flowing from thecabinet 10 to thehead 20. - That is, the
head motor bracket 420 includes abase 422 for supporting thehead motor 410, thehead motor 410 being fastened to thebase 422 by a fastening member such as a screw, and three legs 424,425 and 426 protruded from thebase 422, isolated from each other at intervals of about 120 , and fastened to thecabinet 10 by fastening members such as screws. -
Fig. 26 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,Fig. 27 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention,Fig. 28 is a cross- sectional view taken along line C-C ofFig. 26 , andFig. 29 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating a discharger and a discharger rotation unit ofFig. 27 . The aforementioned members are not explained. - In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, in the
indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner, acabinet 10 is extended in the up and down directions and formed in a circular or polygonal structure. In this embodiment, it is presumed that thecabinet 10 is formed in an octagonal structure. - Suction holes 11 and 12 for sucking the indoor air are formed at one side of the
cabinet 10, and discharge holes 13, 14 and 15 for discharging the air to the indoor space are formed at the other side thereof. - When the directions of the discharged air streams are various, the air can be rapidly evenly conditioned in the indoor space. To generate the optimum discharged air streams, the plurality of discharge holes 13, 14 and 15 are preferably isolated from each other on the same horizontal surface along the peripheral direction of the
cabinet 10. - In this embodiment, it is presumed that the three
discharge holes discharge hole 13 formed on the front surface of thecabinet 10 is referred to as afront discharge hole 13, thedischarge hole 14 formed at the left side of thecabinet 10 is referred to as aleft discharge hole 14, and thedischarge hole 15 formed at the right side of thecabinet 10 is referred to as aright discharge hole 15. - To generate the optimum discharged air streams, auxiliary discharge holes 16 are disposed between the plurality of discharge holes 13,14 and 15 along the peripheral direction of the
cabinet 10, for discharging the air to the indoor space. - Since resistance of the discharged air streams increases on the inner walls of the
cabinet 10, the auxiliary discharge holes 16 are preferably disposed between thefront discharge hole 13 and theleft discharge hole 14 and between thefront discharge hole 13 and theright discharge hole 15, respectively. For convenience of explanation, theauxiliary discharge hole 16 disposed between thefront discharge hole 13 and theleft discharge hole 14 is referred to as a leftauxiliary discharge hole 16, and theauxiliary discharge hole 16 disposed between thefront discharge hole 13 and theright discharge hole 15 is referred to as a right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown). - The
cabinet 10 can be divided into the lower portion with theleft suction hole 11 and theright suction hole 12, and the upper portion with thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15. In addition, thecabinet 10 can be formed in a monolithic structure. In this embodiment, it is presumed that thecabinet 10 has the monolithic structure. - The
monolithic cabinet 10 includes a base 30 forming the bottom surface of thecabinet 10, amain frame 40 disposed at the upper portion of thebase 30, for forming the seven peripheral surfaces of thecabinet 10 except the front surface, afront panel 50 formed at the front portion of themain frame 40, and atop cover 20a disposed at the upper portion of themain frame 40, for forming the top surface of thecabinet 10. - The
main frame 40 includes aleft panel 41 disposed at the left upper portion of thebase 30, aright panel 42 disposed at the right upper portion of thebase 30, and arear panel 43 disposed at the rear upper portion of thebase 30. - The
left suction hole 11 is formed at the lower portion of theleft panel 41 in the right and left directions, and theleft discharge hole 14 is formed at the upper portion thereof in the right and left directions. - The
right panel 42 is symmetrical to theleft panel 41. - The
right suction hole 12 is formed at the lower portion of theright panel 42 in the right and left directions, and theright discharge hole 15 is formed at the upper portion thereof in the right and left directions. - A
tube cover 43b with a tube throughhole 43a through which adrain hose 38 and a refrigerant tube of aheat exchanger 70 pass is mounted on one side of therear panel 43. A tubecover mounting portion 43c on which thetube cover 43b is mounted is formed at the lower portion of therear panel 43. - A hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from the
left panel 41 is inserted, and a hooked hole (not shown) into which a hook protruded from theright panel 42 is inserted are formed on therear panel 43, respectively. - The
front discharge hole 13 is formed at the upper portion of thefront panel 50 in the front and rear directions. Thefront discharge hole 13 is disposed at the center portion of thefront panel 50 in the right and left directions. - The left
auxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown) are formed at the left and right sides of thefront discharge hole 13 of thefront panel 50 in the front and rear directions, respectively. - A left auxiliary
discharge hole vane 18 for opening and closing the leftauxiliary discharge hole 16 is disposed on the leftauxiliary discharge hole 16. The left auxiliarydischarge hole vane 18 is hinge-coupled and rotated on the leftauxiliary discharge hole 16 in the right and left directions, for opening and closing the leftauxiliary discharge hole 16. - A right auxiliary
discharge hole vane 19 for opening and closing the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown) is disposed on the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown). The right auxiliarydischarge hole vane 19 is hinge-coupled and rotated on the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown) in the right and left directions, for opening and closing the right auxiliary discharge hole (not shown). - A
front panel hole 50a for simplifying an inner component service of thecabinet 10 is formed on thefront panel 50. Afront door 52 is disposed on thefront panel hole 50a, for opening and closing thefront panel hole 50a. - The
top cover 20a is disposed at the upper portion of themain frame 40 and fastened to themain frame 40 by fastening members such as screws. - To improve the style of the
cabinet 10, adecoration ring 59 can be further inserted onto thecabinet 10. - A color or material of the
decoration ring 59 can be different from that of thecabinet 10. - A
discharger 500 for discharging the air from thecabinet 10 through some of thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15 is disposed in thecabinet 10 to be rotated in the right and left directions. - The
discharger 500 can be formed in a circular or polygonal structure. In this embodiment, it is presumed that thedischarger 500 has the circular structure. - Preferably, the
discharger 500 is disposed at the upper portion of thecabinet 10, so that the air can be directly discharged from thedischarger 500 to some of thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15. - The
discharger 500 includes a circulardischarger base panel 100 forming the bottom surface of thedischarger 500, a ring-shaped dischargermain frame 504 disposed at the upper portion of thedischarger base panel 100, and a circular dischargertop panel 506 disposed at the upper portion of the dischargermain frame 504, for forming the top surface of thedischarger 500. - A
discharger suction hole 101 for sucking the air from thecabinet 10 is formed on thedischarger base panel 100. Thedischarger suction hole 101 can be formed at the center portion of thedischarger base panel 100, so that the air in thecabinet 10 can be smoothly sent into thedischarger 500. - A
discharger discharge hole 503 is formed at one side of the dischargermain frame 504 to face some of thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15, for discharging the air to some of thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15. - One
discharger discharge hole 503 is formed to concentrate the discharged air streams. Preferably, thedischarger discharge hole 503 is almost identical in size to any one of thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15. - A
discharger discharge louver 24 for opening and closing thedischarger discharge hole 503 and controlling the directions of the discharged air streams is formed on thedischarger discharge hole 503. - The
discharger discharge louver 24 includes a discharger dischargehole louver blade 24a rotatably disposed on thedischarger discharge hole 503, and a discharger dischargehole louver shaft 24b fixed to the discharger dischargehole louver blade 24a, and rotatably inserted into the dischargermain frame 504. -
Fig. 30 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a discharger rotation mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, thedischarger 500 is rotated, and thedischarger discharge louver 24 is moved in the up and down directions. The aforementioned members are not explained. - The air sucked into the
discharger 500 is externally discharged from thecabinet 10 by sequentially passing through thedischarger discharge hole 503 and the discharge hole facing thedischarger discharge hole 503 among thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15. - As the
discharger 500 is reciprocatedly rotated in the right and left directions, the air streams discharged from thecabinet 10 can be rapidly dispersed in every direction and dynamically circulated. - Since the air streams are discharged from the
cabinet 10 through some of thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14 and theright discharge hole 15, the air streams can be intensively discharged to a specific long distance region. -
Fig. 31 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in the discharger rotation mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, thedischarger 500 is rotated, and the leftauxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole 17 are opened. The aforementioned members are not explained. - The air sucked into the
discharger 500 is externally discharged from thecabinet 10 through some of thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14, theright discharge hole 15, the leftauxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole 17. - As the directions of the air streams discharged from the
cabinet 10 are various, the discharged air streams can be rapidly dispersed in every direction. -
Fig. 32 is a perspective view illustrating one example of the operation of the indoor unit of the air conditioner in a discharger rotation stop mode in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The air sucked into thedischarger 500 is externally discharged through the discharge hole facing thedischarger discharge hole 503 among thefront discharge hole 13, theleft discharge hole 14, theright discharge hole 15, the leftauxiliary discharge hole 16 and the right auxiliary discharge hole 17. The aforementioned members are not explained. - As the
discharger 500 is not rotated, more static air streams are discharged to make the indoor environment calm. - Moreover, the air streams can be intensively discharged to a specific long distance region.
-
Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Arotation shaft 411 is connected directly to a dischargertop panel 506 of adischarger rotation unit 500. The aforementioned members are not explained. -
Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Arotation shaft 611 is connected directly to arotation shaft bracket 620 of adischarger rotation unit 500. The aforementioned members are not explained. -
Fig. 35 is a disassembly perspective view illustrating major elements of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned members are not explained. - In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, discharge louvers 800,820 and 840 are formed on a
front discharge hole 13, aleft discharge hole 14 and aright discharge hole 15, respectively. This configuration efficiently controls the directions of the air streams discharged through the discharge holes 13, 14 and 15. -
Fig. 36 is a graph showing various examples by one rotation angle and rotation period of the discharge hole. When the air conditioner is disposed at one edge of the indoor space I as shown inFig. 1 and the discharge hole is reciprocatedly rotated within the rotation angle of 90 for cooling, the indoor temperature T by the operation time S is shown.Fig. 37 is a graph showing the indoor temperature by one rotation angle of the discharge hole, andFig. 38 is a graph showing the indoor temperature by the rotation period of the discharge hole. - Referring to
Figs. 36 to 38 , when one rotation angle of the discharge hole ranges from 5 to 55 , theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can rapidly evenly cool theindoor space 1. Especially, when one rotation angle of the discharge hole ranges from 15 to 25 , theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can more rapidly evenly cool theindoor space 1 with the optimum cooling performance. The cooling and heating performance is dependent upon how rapidly and evenly the conditioned air is dispersed to theindoor space 1. As shown in the experiment results ofFigs. 36 to 38 , theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can rapidly evenly heat theindoor space 1 with the optimum heating performance. - Still referring to
Figs. 36 to 38 , when the rotation period of the discharge hole ranges from 5 to 70 seconds, theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can rapidly evenly cool or heat theindoor space 1. Especially, when the rotation period of the discharge hole ranges from 9 to 20 seconds, theindoor unit 1 of the air conditioner can more rapidly evenly cool or heat theindoor space 1 with the optimum cooling or heating performance. - Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these preferred embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims (4)
- An air conditioner, comprising:a cabinet (10), divided into a lower portion with a left suction hole (11) and a right suction hole (12), and an upper portion with a front discharge hole (13), a left discharge hole (14) and a right discharge hole (15),wherein the front discharge hole (13) is formed on a front surface of the cabinet (10), the left discharge hole (14) is formed on the left side of the cabinet (10) and the right discharge hole (15) is formed on the right side of the cabinet (10);a blower (60) positioned in the lower portion of the cabinet to suck the air through the suction holes (11,12);a heat exchanger (70) positioned in the lower portion of the cabinet to exchange heat with the air sucked by the blower (60);a passage extended to transfer the air from the suction holes (11, 12) to the blower (60) and the heat exchanger (70), one end of the passage being opened;characterised in thata discharger (500) is positioned in the upper portion of the cabinet (10), wherein the discharger (500) includes a discharger discharge hole (503) positioned with a gap from the opened end, rotatable in the left and right direction and relatively to the opened end to face some of the discharge holes (13, 14, 15) for discharging heat-exchanged air through some of the front discharge hole (13), the left discharge hole (14) and the right discharge hole (15).
- The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a discharge louver (24) for opening and closing the discharger discharge hole (503) and for controlling the directions of the discharged air stream, the discharger discharge louver (24) formed on the discharger discharge hole (503).
- The air conditioner of claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction hole (11, 12), the heat exchanger (70) and the blower (60) are positioned in order on the passage, the heat exchanger (70) is inclined toward the suction hole (11, 12), and the passage formed at the side of the blower (60) is limited by an orifice (66) extended toward the heat exchanger (70) and the opened end of the passage.
- The air conditioner of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cabinet (10) comprises a front inner panel (54) with a service hole (54a) for opening the passage.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020060074857A KR20080013392A (en) | 2006-08-08 | 2006-08-08 | Air-condition's indoor unit |
KR1020060074862A KR101280372B1 (en) | 2006-08-08 | 2006-08-08 | Air-condition's Indoor Unit |
KR1020060074860A KR101282947B1 (en) | 2006-08-08 | 2006-08-08 | Air-condition's Indoor Unit |
KR1020060074861A KR101340526B1 (en) | 2006-08-08 | 2006-08-08 | Air-condition's Indoor Unit |
KR1020060091091A KR20080026293A (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2006-09-20 | Air-condition's indoor unit |
PCT/KR2007/002650 WO2008018678A2 (en) | 2006-08-08 | 2007-05-31 | Air conditioner |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2049843A2 EP2049843A2 (en) | 2009-04-22 |
EP2049843A4 EP2049843A4 (en) | 2010-03-24 |
EP2049843B1 true EP2049843B1 (en) | 2017-01-04 |
Family
ID=39033399
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP07746797.5A Not-in-force EP2049843B1 (en) | 2006-08-08 | 2007-05-31 | Air conditioner |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2049843B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008018678A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2208941A3 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2014-08-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Air conditioner |
KR101576539B1 (en) * | 2009-01-20 | 2015-12-10 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | air conditioner |
CN102444954B (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2015-01-21 | 松下电器产业株式会社 | Heat exchange device |
CN103486709B (en) * | 2012-06-13 | 2016-03-23 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Air-conditioner |
CN104456883B (en) * | 2014-10-31 | 2017-05-24 | 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 | Air duct system, air supply method thereof and fan and air conditioner with air duct system |
JP6309433B2 (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2018-04-11 | 象印マホービン株式会社 | Blower |
CN104748338B (en) * | 2015-03-31 | 2017-10-13 | 广东美的制冷设备有限公司 | Air conditioner and its air-supply structure |
KR20180079877A (en) | 2017-01-03 | 2018-07-11 | 코웨이 주식회사 | Robot purifier capable of rotating vertically and horizontally |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH09184638A (en) * | 1995-07-19 | 1997-07-15 | Lg Electronics Inc | Air conditioner |
US5769707A (en) * | 1995-12-12 | 1998-06-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for broadening an air discharge pattern from a room air conditioner |
KR20050014294A (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2005-02-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | An indoor unit of air-conditioner |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR930007959B1 (en) * | 1990-12-19 | 1993-08-25 | 주식회사 금성사 | Apparatus and method for reducing noise-pollusion of air conditioner |
KR100210084B1 (en) * | 1996-03-21 | 1999-07-15 | 윤종용 | Air conditioner |
KR100626443B1 (en) | 2003-11-24 | 2006-09-20 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Indoor unit for air conditioner |
-
2007
- 2007-05-31 WO PCT/KR2007/002650 patent/WO2008018678A2/en active Application Filing
- 2007-05-31 EP EP07746797.5A patent/EP2049843B1/en not_active Not-in-force
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH09184638A (en) * | 1995-07-19 | 1997-07-15 | Lg Electronics Inc | Air conditioner |
US5769707A (en) * | 1995-12-12 | 1998-06-23 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for broadening an air discharge pattern from a room air conditioner |
KR20050014294A (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2005-02-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | An indoor unit of air-conditioner |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2049843A2 (en) | 2009-04-22 |
WO2008018678A2 (en) | 2008-02-14 |
EP2049843A4 (en) | 2010-03-24 |
WO2008018678A3 (en) | 2009-06-11 |
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