EP2463600A1

EP2463600A1 - Air conditioner indoor unit

Info

Publication number: EP2463600A1
Application number: EP10806173A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tetsuya Yamashita; Takahiro Okamoto
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-04
Filing date: 2010-06-16
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Also published as: JP2011033299A; WO2011016171A1; CN102472522A; CN102472522B; JP4766161B2

Abstract

An indoor unit (10) of an air conditioner is a wall-mounted indoor unit attached to a wall surface (W) in a room and is equipped with an indoor unit body (11) and side shielding members (20, 90). The indoor unit body (11) has an indoor unit casing (12). A blow-out opening (15) is formed in the indoor unit casing (12). Further, open portions of the blow-out opening (15) that are formed in side surfaces of the indoor unit casing (12) include a second portion (17a) and a third portion (17b) of the blow-out opening (15) for blowing out air to the sides. The side shielding members (20, 90) are capable of opening and closing the second portion (17a) and the third portion (17b) of the blow-out opening (15).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there have been wall-mounted air conditioner indoor units that are capable of blowing out conditioned air toward the sides. For example, in the air conditioner described in patent citation 1 ( JP-A No. 2006-2984 ) a blow-out opening, which is formed in the lower portion of a front surface, and left and right blow-out openings, which are formed in side surfaces and are communicated with the blow-out opening, are disposed in a body (which corresponds to an indoor unit). Further, this air conditioner is equipped with an up-and-down airflow direction plate that is capable of covering the blow-out opening, and when the up-and-down airflow direction plate closes the blow-out opening, the air conditioner can blow out air from the left and right blow-out openings to the left and right sides of the body. In this way, in this air conditioner, air can be blown out from the body toward the sides.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Incidentally, the air conditioner disclosed in patent citation 1 has a structure where the blow-out opening positioned on the front surface side of the body is covered by the up-and-down airflow direction plate but the left and right blow-out openings positioned on the side surface sides of the body are not covered by the up-and-down airflow direction plate. In other words, in this air conditioner, the space inside the body and the space outside the body are always communicated with each other via the left and right blow-out openings. For this reason, in a case where the airflow is generated in this air conditioner, there is the potential for the air to be blown out from the left and right blow-out openings. Consequently, even in a case where the user wants to set the blow-out direction of the air to only the front of the indoor unit, the air is blown out also to the sides of the indoor unit.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner that can blow out air to the sides as needed.

An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a first aspect of the present invention is a wall-mounted indoor unit attached to a wall surface in a room and includes a body and shielding members. The body has a casing. Side blow-out openings for blowing out air to the sides are formed in side surfaces of the casing. The shielding members are capable of opening and closing the side blow-out openings.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the first aspect of the present invention, the side blow-out openings are opened and closed by the shielding members. For this reason, for example, in a case where it is not necessary to blow out air to the sides, the state of the shielding members can be switched to a closed state where the side blow-out openings are shielded by the shielding members. Further, for example, in a case where it is necessary to blow out air to the sides, the state of the shielding members can be switched to an open state where the side blow-out openings are open.
Because of this, air can be blown out to the sides as needed.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a second aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the first aspect, wherein the shielding members are placed in the neighborhoods of side surfaces of the body. Further, the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state by moving toward a left-and-right direction center of the body. For this reason, when installing the indoor unit in a room, it can be ensured that restrictions on installation space regarding whether or not it is possible for the shielding members to open and close do not arise.
Because of this, the concern that restrictions on installation space will arise when installing the indoor unit in a room can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a third aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the first aspect or the second aspect and further includes a horizontal blade. The horizontal blade is capable of opening and closing a front blow-out opening. The front blow-out opening is formed in at least either one of a bottom surface and a front surface of the casing. Further, the shielding members are placed on the sides of the horizontal blade. Further, the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state by moving to the upper side of the horizontal blade. For this reason, for example, even in a case where the shielding members and the horizontal blade are near each other, the concern that the shielding members and the horizontal blade will interfere with each other when the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the third aspect, wherein the horizontal blade switches from a closed state to an open state by moving away from a space in which the horizontal blade is positioned in a closed state. Further, the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state as a result of at least parts of the shielding members moving to the space. For this reason, for example, in a case where the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state after the horizontal blade has switched from a closed state to an open state, even if the shielding members and the horizontal blade are placed near each other, the concern that the shielding members and the horizontal blade will interfere with each other when the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, wherein in a case where the shielding members and the horizontal blade are in a closed state, the shielding members and the horizontal blade are placed in such a way as to be near each other in a left-and-right direction. For this reason, the concern that joints between the shielding members and the horizontal blade will be conspicuous in a case where the shielding members and the horizontal blade are in a closed state can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect and further includes forming members. The forming members are members that form storage spaces for storing at least parts of the shielding members in an open state. For this reason, at least parts of the shielding members in an open state can be stored.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the sixth aspect, wherein the forming members are fixed to the body. For this reason, the concern that the storage spaces will move due to the opening and closing of the shielding members can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect and further includes flow path forming portions. The flow path forming portions form side blow-out flow paths through which flows air heading to the side blow-out openings. Further, the shielding members are, in an open state, placed in positions away from the side blow-out flow paths. For this reason, the concern that the shielding members will produce dew condensation due to conditioned air flowing through the side blow-out flow paths can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the eighth aspect, wherein the flow path forming portions are fixed to the body. For this reason, the concern that the side blow-out flow paths will move due to the opening and closing of the shielding members can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the eighth aspect or the ninth aspect and further includes motors for switching the state of the shielding members to an open state or a closed state. Further, the motors are placed inside the side blow-out flow paths. For this reason, for example, in a case where the motors are placed in the neighborhoods of front portions of the side blow-out openings, it can be made difficult for air to be blown out toward the front side from the front portions of the side blow-out openings.
Because of this, it can be made easier for air to be blown out to the sides.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the eighth aspect or the ninth aspect and further includes motors for switching the state of the shielding members to an open state or a closed state. Further, the motors are placed outside the side blow-out flow paths. For this reason, the concern that the flows of air flowing through the side blow-out flow paths will be regulated by the motors can be reduced.
Because of this, the concern that the blow-out directions of the air blown out from the side blow-out openings will change can be reduced.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of any of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, wherein the shielding members have curved surfaces that are curved. For this reason, for example, in a case where the corner portions of the casing have curved shapes and the side blow-out openings are formed from the bottom surface to the side surfaces of the casing, the shielding members can be given shapes along the side blow-out openings.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of any of the first aspect to the twelfth aspect, wherein the shielding members open and close the side blow-out openings by moving in such a way as to rotate about rotating shafts along a substantially front-and-rear direction. For this reason, the amount of projection of the shielding members from the indoor unit outer contour can be controlled compared to a case where, for example, the shielding members move in such a way as to rotate about rotating shafts along the left-and-right direction of the body.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of the first aspect, wherein the shielding member switches from a closed state to an open state by moving upward with respect to the body. For this reason, in this indoor unit of an air conditioner, the shielding member can be switched from a closed state to an open state by moving the shielding member upward.
An indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the indoor unit of an air conditioner of any of the first aspect to the fourteenth aspect, wherein one cross-flow fan that is capable of forming an airflow inside the casing is placed inside the casing. For this reason, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where, for example, plural cross-flow fans that are capable of forming airflows inside the casing are placed inside the casing.

In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the first aspect of the present invention, air can be blown out to the sides as needed.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the second aspect of the present invention, the concern that restrictions on installation space will arise when installing the indoor unit in a room can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the third aspect of the present invention, the concern that the shielding members and the horizontal blade will interfere with each other when the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even in a case where the shielding members and the horizontal blade are placed near each other, the concern that the shielding members and the horizontal blade will interfere with each other when the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the concern that joints between the shielding members and the horizontal blade will be conspicuous in a case where the shielding members and the horizontal blade are in a closed state can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the sixth aspect of the present invention, at least parts of the shielding members in an open state can be stored.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the concern that the storage spaces will move due to the opening and closing of the shielding members can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the concern that the shielding members will produce dew condensation can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the concern that the side blow-out flow paths will move due to the opening and closing of the shielding members can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it can be made easier for air to be blown out to the sides.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the concern that the blow-out direction of the air blown out from the side blow-out openings will change can be reduced.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the shielding members can be given shapes following the side blow-out openings.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the amount of projection of the shielding members from the indoor unit outer contour can be controlled.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the shielding member can be switched from a closed state to an open state by moving the shielding member upward.
In the indoor unit of an air conditioner pertaining to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the number of parts can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit pertaining to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which an up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade and side shielding members are in a closed state.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit pertaining to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is in a second open state, a left side shielding member is in a closed state, and a right side shielding member is in an open state.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the indoor unit pertaining to the first embodiment of the present invention (with the omission of an indoor heat exchanger).
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade and an attachment plate in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is the closed state.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual view in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade in a first open state is seen from the side of the indoor unit.
FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) are bottom views of the indoor unit, with FIG. 6(a) being a view showing a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade and the right side shielding member are in the closed state and FIG. 6(b) being a view showing a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is in the first open state and the right side shielding member is in the open state.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the indoor unit in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is in the second open state and the right side shielding member is in the closed state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the indoor unit in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is in the second open state and the right side shielding member is in the open state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the indoor unit in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is in the first open state and the right side shielding member is in the open state, and is a view showing the lower portion of the indoor unit.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the indoor unit in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is in the second open state and the right side shielding member is in the closed state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the indoor unit in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade is in the second open state and the right side shielding member is in the open state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member (with the omission of a front portion of an indoor unit casing).
FIG. 13 is a conceptual view of a second moving mechanism in a side view of the indoor unit.
FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of a control unit with which the air conditioner is equipped.
FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of an indoor unit pertaining to a second embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the operation of the air conditioner is stopped.
FIG. 16 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit pertaining to the second embodiment of the present invention, in a state where a heating operation is being performed in the air conditioner.
FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit pertaining to the second embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the heating operation is being performed in the air conditioner and side open portions are open.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An air conditioner that is equipped with indoor units pertaining to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments below are specific examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

-First Embodiment-

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit 10 at a time when the operation of the air conditioner is stopped and in which an up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and side shielding members 20 and 90 are in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 10 in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in a second open state, a left side shielding member 90 is in a closed state, and a right side shielding member 20 is in an open state. A left-and-right direction Y1 of the indoor unit 10 referred to hereinafter is, as shown in FIG. 1, a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction of the indoor unit 10. Further, a front-and-rear direction Y2 of the indoor unit 10 is, as shown in FIG. 1, a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the indoor unit 10.
The air conditioner is equipped with the indoor unit 10, which is attached to a wall surface W in a room, and an outdoor unit 2 (see FIG. 14), which is installed outdoors, and can execute various types of operations such as a cooling operation and a heating operation.
The outdoor unit 2 has a compressor 3, a four-way switching valve 4 that is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 3, an accumulator that is connected to the suction side of the compressor 3, an outdoor heat exchanger that is connected to the four-way switching valve 4, and an outdoor expansion valve 7 that is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger (see FIG. 14). The outdoor expansion valve 7 is connected to one end of a later-described indoor heat exchanger via a refrigerant pipe. Further, the four-way switching valve 4 is connected to the other end of the indoor heat exchanger via a refrigerant pipe. Further, an outdoor fan 9 is disposed inside the outdoor unit 2. The outdoor fan 9 is a propeller fan that takes in outdoor air and discharges the air after heat exchange in the outdoor heat exchanger to the outside of the outdoor unit 2.
The indoor unit 10 is, as mentioned above, a wall-mounted indoor unit 10 attached to the wall surface W or the like in a room (see FIG. 9). Further, the indoor unit 10 is mainly equipped with an indoor unit body 11, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30, the side shielding members 20 and 90, storing portions 25 and 95, a first moving mechanism 50, and second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 (see FIG. 14). These will be described below in the order of the indoor unit body 11, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30, the side shielding members 20 and 90, the storing portions 25 and 95, the first moving mechanism 50, and the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the indoor unit 10 in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in a first open state and the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in an open state. In FIG. 3, the indoor heat exchanger is not depicted.
The indoor unit body 11 is mainly equipped with an indoor unit casing 12, the indoor heat exchanger, one indoor fan 14, and perpendicular blades 19.
The indoor unit casing 12 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member that is long in the horizontal direction. Further, the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor fan 14, and the perpendicular blades 19 and so forth are stored in the indoor unit casing 12. Moreover, an intake opening (not shown in the drawings) and a blow-out opening 15 are formed in the indoor unit casing 12. The intake opening is an opening for taking the room air into the inside of the indoor unit casing 12 and is formed in the upper portion of the indoor unit casing 12.
Further, the blow-out opening 15 is an opening for blowing out the air that has been conditioned inside the indoor unit body 11 and is formed in the neighborhood of the lower portion of the indoor unit 10 in such a way as to extend in the left-and-right direction Y1 of the indoor unit 10. Specifically, the blow-out opening 15 is formed continuously from the bottom surface to both side surfaces of the indoor unit casing 12. For this reason, part of the blow-out opening 15 is visible in a side view of the indoor unit 10 (see FIG. 9). In the present embodiment, the blow-out opening 15 is formed continuously from the bottom surface to both side surfaces of the indoor unit casing 12, but the blow-out opening is not limited to this and may also be formed continuously from the front surface-that is, the front-to both side surfaces of the indoor unit casing. Further, rather than a blow-out opening being formed continuously from the bottom surface to both side surfaces of the indoor unit casing, blow-out openings may also be formed separately in the bottom surface and both side surfaces of the indoor unit casing.
Further, an airflow path leading from the intake opening to the blow-out opening 15 is formed inside the indoor unit casing 12. The indoor fan 14, the indoor heat exchanger, and the perpendicular blades 19 and so forth are placed inside this airflow path. Further, this airflow path includes a blow-out flow path that is a flow path portion leading from the indoor fan 14 via the perpendicular blades 19 to the blow-out opening 15. The blow-out flow path is configured from part of the indoor unit casing 12 and parts of the later-described storing portions 25 and 95.
The indoor heat exchanger comprises a heat transfer tube that is bent plural times at both lengthwise direction ends and plural fins that are inserted through the heat transfer tube, and the indoor heat exchanger performs heat exchange with air coming into contact with it. Further, the indoor heat exchanger functions as a condenser at the time of the heating operation and functions as an evaporator at the time of the cooling operation.
The indoor fan 14 is a cross-flow fan that has a motor (not shown in the drawings) and an impeller that is driven to rotate by the motor. Further, the indoor fan 14 is placed in such a way that it can form an airflow that sucks the room air from the intake opening into the inside of the indoor unit casing 12, passes the air through the indoor heat exchanger, and blows out conditioned air from the blow-out opening 15 to the outside of the indoor unit casing 12.
As shown in FIG. 3, the perpendicular blades 19 are placed in the blow-out flow path more in the neighborhood of the indoor fan 14 than the upper end portions of the later-described storing portions 25 and 95. Further, the perpendicular blades 19 have a drive motor (not shown in the drawings), a coupling rod (not shown in the drawings), and plural blades 19a that are coupled together by the coupling rod, and the perpendicular blades 19 are attached to the indoor unit casing 12 in such a way as to be swingable. Further, the surfaces of the plural blades 19a swing left and right as a result of the coupling rod being driven by the drive motor. Moreover, the blades 19a adjust the blow-out direction of the conditioned air in the left-and-right direction of the indoor unit 10 by swinging or stopping at an arbitrary angle after swinging.

<Up-and-Down Airflow Direction Adjusting Blade>

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and an attachment plate 80 in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the closed state. FIG. 5 is a side view of the indoor unit 10 and is a conceptual view of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 in the first open state. FIG. 6(a) is a bottom view of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and the right side shielding member 20 are in the closed state. FIG. 6(b) is a bottom view of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the first open state and the right side shielding member 20 is in the open state. In FIG. 5, the side shielding members 20 and 90, the storing portions 25 and 95, and the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 are not depicted. Further, the front side end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 referred to hereinafter means the end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 on the side near the front side of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the closed state. Moreover, the rear side end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 referred to hereinafter means the end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 on the side near the rear side of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the closed state.
The up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is a plate-like member that is long in the left-and-right direction of the indoor unit 10. Further, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed in the lower portion of the indoor unit 10. Specifically, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed in such a way as be capable of covering substantially all of an open portion of the blow-out opening 15 that is formed in the bottom surface of the indoor unit casing 12.
Moreover, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 has coupling portions 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 that couple to the later-described first moving mechanism 50. The coupling portions 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 are placed on a surface of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 on the opposite side of a surface of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 that can be seen from the outside of the indoor unit 10 in a state where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is covering the blow-out opening 15. Further, the coupling portions 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 include first coupling portions 31, 32, and 33 and second coupling portion 34 and 35. The first coupling portions 31, 32, and 33 are placed in the neighborhood of the front side end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30, in the vicinities of both end portions of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and in the vicinity of the substantial center in the lengthwise direction of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5). The second coupling portions 34 and 35 are placed in the neighborhood of the rear side end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30, in the vicinity of the substantial center in the lengthwise direction of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5). Further, the second coupling portions 34 and 35 are placed side by side in a direction parallel with respect to the lengthwise direction of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30. Moreover, the second coupling portions 34 and 35 are placed in positions on the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 away from a straight line that joins together the first coupling portions 31, 32, and 33 in three places. For this reason, the positions of the first coupling portions 31, 32, and 33 and the second coupling portions 34 and 35 are established, whereby the position and posture of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 are established.
Further, the first coupling portions 31, 32, and 33 and the second coupling portions 34 and 35 each include shaft support portions. The shaft support portions rotatably support later-described support shafts 47, 57, 67, 78a, and 78b. Further, the shaft support portions are configured by members having excellent slidability (high sliding members) and can suppress friction and allow the support shafts 47, 57, 67, 78a, and 78b to smoothly rotate.
Moreover, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is capable of taking four states (a closed state, a first open state, a second open state, and a third open state). Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, the portion of the blow-out opening 15 that is covered by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the closed state-that is, the space in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the closed state-will be called a first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15. Further, "shielded" in the present embodiment means a state where a member capable of covering a predetermined portion of the blow-out opening 15 is covering substantially all of that predetermined portion, and "open" in the present embodiment means a state where a member capable of covering a predetermined portion of the blow-out opening 15 is not covering substantially all of that predetermined portion. For example, a state where substantially all of the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is being covered by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 will be taken to be a state where the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is being shielded, and a state where substantially all of the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is not being covered by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 will be taken to be a state where the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is open.
In a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the closed state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed in such a way as to cover the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 6(a)). For this reason, in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the closed state, the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is shielded by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30.
In a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the first open state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed in such a way as to be substantially parallel to and oppose the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15-that is, an open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15 (see FIG. 5). For this reason, the air that has been blown out from the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 that is open is regulated by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and is blown out toward the front of the indoor unit 10.
In a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the second open state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed in such a way as to incline a predetermined angle with respect to the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15. Specifically, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed inclined in the front-and-rear direction in such a way that the rear side end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 becomes nearer to the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 than the front side end portion (see FIG. 2). For this reason, the air that has been blown out from the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 that is open is regulated by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and is blown out toward the front of the indoor unit 10.
Further, in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the second open state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed inclined in the front-and-rear direction with respect to the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15. For this reason, in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the second open state, an airflow heading downward of the indoor unit 10 is formed compared to the case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the first open state. For this reason, hereinafter, the direction in which the air that has been blown out from the blow-out opening 15 heads in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the second open state will be called frontward-and-downward, and the direction in which the air that has been blown out from the blow-out opening 15 heads in a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the first open state will be called frontward-and-upward.
In a case where the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is the third open state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed in such a way as to incline a predetermined angle with respect to the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15. Specifically, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed inclined in the front-and-rear direction in such a way that the front side end portion of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 becomes nearer to the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 than the rear side end portion. For this reason, the air that has been blown out from the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 that is open is regulated by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and is blown out downward of the indoor unit 10.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the second open state and the right side shielding member 20 is in the closed state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member 20. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the second open state and the right side shielding member 20 is in the open state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member 20. FIG. 9 is a side view of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the first open state and the right side shielding member 20 is in an open state, and is a view showing the lower portion of the indoor unit 10.
The side shielding members 20 and 90 are placed in the lower portions of both the left and right sides of the indoor unit 10. Specifically, the side shielding members 20 and 90 are members that have curved shapes along the corner portions of the lower portion of the indoor unit 10, and the side shielding members 20 and 90 are capable of covering open portions of the blow-out opening 15 that are formed from the bottom surface to the side surfaces of the indoor unit casing 12. Further, the side shielding members 20 and 90 are capable of covering portions of the blow-out opening 15 other than the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 that is covered by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30. Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, the portion of the blow-out opening 15 that is covered by the side shielding member 90 in a case where the side shielding member 90 is in the closed state-or in other words the space, in the blow-out opening 15, in which the side shielding member 90 is placed in a case where the side shielding member 90 is in the closed state-will be called a second portion 17a of the blow-out opening 15. Further, the portion that is covered by the side shielding member 20 in a case where the side shielding member 20 is in the closed state-or in other words the space, in the blow-out opening 15, in which the side shielding member 20 is placed in a case where the side shielding member 90 is in the closed state-will be called a third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15.
Further, the side shielding members 20 and 90 are placed in such a way that, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 are in a state where they are shielding the blow-out opening 15, parts of the side shielding members 20 and 90 that cover open portions of the blow-out opening 15 that are formed in the bottom surface of the indoor unit casing 12 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 are generally continuous in the left-and-right direction in a bottom view of the indoor unit 10 (see FIG. 6(a)).
Next, the configurations of the side shielding members 20 and 90 will be described. Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, of the side shielding members 20 and 90, the side shielding member 20 that is placed in the lower portion on the right side of the indoor unit 10 in a front view of the indoor unit 10 will be called the right side shielding member 20 and the side shielding member 90 that is placed in the lower portion on the left side of the indoor unit 10 in a front view of the indoor unit 10 will be called the left side shielding member 90. Further, the left side shielding member 90 has the same configuration as the configuration of the right side shielding member 20 with which it is bilaterally symmetrical, so here only the configuration of the right side shielding member 20 will be described, and description regarding the configuration of the left side shielding member 90 will be skipped.
The right side shielding member 20 has a first portion 21 and a second portion 22. The first portion 21 includes a first end portion 20a of the right side shielding member 20. Further, the first portion 21 is capable of covering the open portion of the third portion 17b in the blow-out opening 15 that is formed in the bottom surface of the indoor unit casing 12. The second portion 22 includes a second end portion 20b that is positioned higher than the first end portion 20a in a case where the right side shielding member 20 is in the closed state. Further, the second portion 22 is capable of covering the open portion of the third portion 17b in the blow-out opening 15 that is formed in the side surface of the indoor unit casing 12.
Further, the side shielding members 20 and 90 are capable of taking two states (a closed state and an open state).
In a case where the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 is the closed state, the right side shielding member 20 is placed in such a way as to cover the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 and the left side shielding member 90 is placed in such a way as to cover the second portion 17a of the blow-out opening 15 (see FIG. 7). For this reason, in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in the closed state, the blow-out opening 15 is shielded.
In a case where the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 is the open state, the right side shielding member 20 is placed in such a way as to open the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 and the left side shielding member 90 is placed in such a way as to open the second portion 17a of the blow-out opening 15 (see FIG. 8).
In the present embodiment, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 take the open state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 takes any of the first open state, the second open state, or the third open state. Further, in the present embodiment, a foam material is adhered, for the purpose of preventing dew condensation, to the inner surfaces of the side shielding members 20 and 90 that are surfaces on the opposite sides of design surfaces visible from the outside of the indoor unit 10 in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in the closed state.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the indoor unit 10 in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the second open state and the right side shielding member 20 is in the closed state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member 20. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the indoor unit 10 in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the second open state and the right side shielding member 20 is in the open state, and is a partially enlarged view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member 20.
The storing portions 25 and 95 respectively have first forming members 26 and 96 and second forming members 27 and 97 that form storage spaces S in which parts of the side shielding members 20 and 90 in the open state are stored (see FIG. 10). Specifically, the first portions (21; see FIG. 11) of the side shielding members 20 and 90 in the open state are stored in the storage spaces S formed by the first forming members 26 and 96 and the second forming members 27 and 97. Further, the first forming members 26 and 96 and the second forming members 27 and 97 are fixed to the indoor unit casing 12. Moreover, the storing portion 25 is placed in the neighborhood of the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 in the blow-out flow path (see FIG. 3). Further, the storing portion 95 is placed in the neighborhood of the second portion 17a of the blow-out opening 15 in the blow-out flow path (see FIG. 3). For this reason, the blow-out flow path is divided at its lower portion into three flow paths by the storing portions 25 and 95. Here, for the convenience of description, in the blow-out flow path, the flow path portion whose inlet is defined by the upper end portions of the two storing portions 25 and 95 and whose outlet is the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 will be called a main blow-out flow path B. Further, in the blow-out flow path, the flow path portion in whose inlet the upper end portion of the storing portion 25 is positioned and whose outlet is the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 will be called a right side blow-out flow path D. Further, in the blow-out flow path, the flow path portion in whose inlet the upper end portion of the storing portion 95 is positioned and whose outlet is the second portion 17a of the blow-out opening 15 will be called a left side blow-out flow path C. For this reason, this indoor unit 10 has a configuration where the outlet of the main blow-out flow path B is blocked by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30, the outlet of the left side blow-out flow path C is blocked by the right side shielding member 20, and the outlet of the right side blow-out flow path D is blocked by the right side shielding member 20. Moreover, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in the open state, the side shielding members 20 and 90 are placed in positions away from the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C. For this reason, this indoor unit 10 has a configuration where, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in the open state, the side shielding members 20 and 90 do not affect the conditioned air blown out from the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15. Consequently, the conditioning air flowing through the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C is regulated by flow path forming members forming the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C and is blown out from the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 that are open toward the sides.
Further, the first forming members 26 and 96 extend upward from the neighborhood of the second portion 17a or the neighborhood of the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15. The first forming members 26 and 96 have curved shapes so as to be capable of accommodating the side shielding members 20 and 90 and are positioned inclined in such a way that the upper portions of the first forming members 26 and 96 become nearer to the center side of the indoor unit body 11 than the lower portions of the first forming members 26 and 96. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the first forming members 26 and 96 are part of the flow path forming members forming the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C and form the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C together with the indoor unit casing 12.
The second forming members 27 and 97 are placed on the lower sides of the first forming members 26 and 96 so as to not interfere with the side shielding members in the open state. Further, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 in the closed state is placed on the lower sides of the second forming members 27 and 97.

The first moving mechanism 50 is a mechanism for moving the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 from a state where the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is being shielded to a state where the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is open. Further, the first moving mechanism 50 can switch the state (posture) of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 by changing the position of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 with respect to the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15.
The first moving mechanism 50 has push-out mechanisms 41, 51, and 61 and angle adjusting mechanisms 71a and 71b.
The push-out mechanisms 41, 51, and 61 can slide-that is, push out-the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 by moving the first coupling portions 31, 32, and 33, which are portions at which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and the push-out mechanisms 41, 51, and 61 are coupled together, in such a way that the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is pushed out forward from the neighborhood of the blow-out opening 15.
Further, the push-out mechanisms 41, 51, and 61 are rack-and-pinion mechanisms and, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, have pinion gears 42, 52, and 62 and moving members 43, 53, and 63. The pinion gears 42, 52, and 62 are coupled to a drive shaft 54a that a later-described push-out mechanism drive motor 54 has, and the pinion gears 42, 52, and 62 rotate as a result of being driven by the push-out mechanism drive motor 54. The moving members 43, 53, and 63 have racks 46, 56, and 66, which mesh with the pinion gears 42, 52, and 62, and support shafts 47, 57, and 67. The racks 46, 56, and 66 are disposed from the neighborhoods of one end portions to the neighborhoods of the other end portions of the moving members 43, 53, and 63. The support shafts 47, 57, and 67 are inserted, parallel with respect to the lengthwise direction of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30, through the shaft support portions that the first coupling portions 31, 32, and 33 of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 have and rotatably support the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30.
Further, the push-out mechanisms 41, 51, and 61 have one push-out mechanism drive motor 54. The drive shaft 54a, which rotates as a result of being driven by the push-out mechanism drive motor 54, is coupled to the push-out mechanism drive motor 54. Further, as mentioned above, the pinion gears 42, 52, and 62 of the push-out mechanisms 41, 51, and 61 are coupled to the drive shaft 54a. For this reason, the push-out mechanism drive motor 54 can rotate the pinion gears 42, 52, and 62 by rotating the drive shaft 54a. Further, the push-out mechanism drive motor 54 is fixed to the later-described attachment plate 80.
Because of this configuration, in the push-out mechanisms 41, 51, and 61, when the push-out mechanism drive motor 54 rotates the pinion gears 42, 52, and 62, motive force is transmitted to the racks 46, 56, and 66 meshing with the pinion gears 42, 52, and 62, and the positions of the moving members 43, 53, and 63 with respect to the pinion gears 42, 52, and 62 change. For this reason, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 moves, in accompaniment with the movement of the moving members 43, 53, and 63, in a direction toward the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15 or a direction away from the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15. The amount of rotation and the direction of rotation of the push-out mechanism drive motor 54 are controlled by a later-described control unit 84.
Further, the angle adjusting mechanisms 71a and 71b move the second coupling portions 34 and 35, which are portions at which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and the angle adjusting mechanisms 71a and 71b are coupled together, in such a way that the angle of inclination of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 in the front-and-rear direction with respect to the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15 is adjusted.
The angle adjusting mechanisms 71a and 71b are equipped with angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b and link mechanisms 72a and 72b.
The angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b have drive shafts 79a and 79b. The angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b are stepping motors and drive the link mechanisms 72a and 72b via the drive shafts 79a and 79b. The link mechanisms 72a and 72b have swing levers 74a and 74b and arms 75a and 75b. One end portions of the swing levers 74a and 74b are placed in the neighborhoods of the drive shafts 79a and 79b, and the swing levers 74a and 74b swing in accompaniment with the rotation of the drive shafts 79a and 79b. Further, the other end portions of the swing levers 74a and 74b are rotatably coupled to one end portions of the arms 75a and 75b. Moreover, on the arms 75a and 75b, support shafts 78a and 78b are formed in the neighborhoods of the end portions on the opposite sides of the end portions coupled to the swing levers 74a and 74b. The support shafts 78a and 78b are engaged with the shaft support portions of the second coupling portions 34 and 35 of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and rotatably support the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30.
Because of this configuration, the angle adjusting mechanisms 71a and 71b can push and pull the second coupling portions 34 and 35 of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 as a result of being driven by the angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b. The angle of rotation of the link mechanisms 72a and 72b-that is, the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation of the angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b-is controlled by the later-described control unit 84.
Further, the first moving mechanism 50 has the attachment plate 80. The attachment plate 80 is placed higher than the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15. Further, the one push-out mechanism drive motor 54 and the two angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b are fixed to the upper surface of the attachment plate 80. Specifically, the push-out mechanism drive motor 54 is fixed in the neighborhood of the end portion on the left side of the attachment plate 80. Further, the angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b are fixed to the substantial center portion of the attachment plate 80. In this way, the push-out mechanism drive motor 54 and the angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b are stored inside the indoor unit casing 12 together with the attachment plate 80.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the neighborhood of the right side shielding member 20. FIG. 13 is a conceptual view of the second moving mechanism 29 in a side view of the indoor unit 10. In FIG. 12, the front portion of the indoor unit casing 12 and the storing portion 25 are not depicted. Further, the one-dotted chain line in FIG. 13 represents a rotating shaft of the right side shielding member 20.
The second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 are moving mechanisms different from the first moving mechanism 50 and are mechanisms capable of moving the side shielding members 20 and 90 from a state where the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 are being shielded to a state where the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 are open. In other words, the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 are mechanisms for moving the side shielding members 20 and 90 in order to switch the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90. Specifically, the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 move the side shielding members 20 and 90 in the closed state toward the left-and-right direction center of the indoor unit body 11 in such a way that the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 switches from the closed state to the open state. Further, at this time, the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 move the side shielding members 20 and 90 in such a way that the side shielding members 20 and 90 are placed on the upper side of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30.
Next, the configurations of the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 will be described. Further, the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 have a second moving mechanism 29 for switching the state of the right side shielding member 20 and a second moving mechanism 99 for switching the state of the left side shielding member 90. The second moving mechanism 99 has the same configuration as the configuration of the second moving mechanism 29 with which it is bilaterally symmetrical, so here only the configuration of the second moving mechanism 29 will be described, and description regarding the configuration of the second moving mechanism 99 will be skipped.
The second moving mechanism 29 is equipped with a second moving mechanism drive motor 24, a support member 23, and a spring portion 28.
The second moving mechanism drive motor 24 is placed outside the right side blow-out flow path D and is fixed to the indoor unit casing 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the second moving mechanism drive motor 24 is placed inside the indoor unit casing 12 more toward the rear of the indoor unit casing 12 than the rear portion of the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15.
Further, the second moving mechanism drive motor 24 has a drive shaft 24b, which rotates as a result of being driven by the second moving mechanism drive motor 24, and a link lever 24a, which is linked to and rotates with the drive shaft 24b. The drive shaft 24b extends in the substantially front-and-rear direction of the indoor unit 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the drive shaft 24b is placed inclined with respect to the front-and-rear direction of the indoor unit 10 in such a way that the rear portion of the drive shaft 24b is lower than the front portion.
The support member 23 has a front support member 23a and a rear support member 23b. The lower end portion of the front support member 23a is fixed in the neighborhood of the second end portion 20b of the right side shielding member 20. Further, the upper end portion of the front support member 23a is supported, in such a way that it may freely rotate, on the indoor unit casing 12. The lower end portion of the rear support member 23b is fixed in the neighborhood of the first end portion 20a of the right side shielding member 20. Further, the upper end portion of the rear support member 23b is coupled to the drive shaft 24b that the second moving mechanism drive motor 24 has. For this reason, the rear support member 23b is rotatable about the drive shaft 24b as a result of the drive shaft 24b rotating.
The spring portion 28 has a spring holding portion 28a and a spring member 28b, part of which is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the spring holding portion 28a. The spring holding portion 28a is disposed in such a way as to be rotatable about the drive shaft 24b. Further, part of the spring holding portion 28a is coupled to the rear support member 23b. Moreover, the spring holding portion 28a includes a lock pin 28c. The lock pin 28c is disposed projecting from the spring holding portion 28a.
One end portion of the spring member 28b is caught on the lock pin 28c from the direction of arrow X1 shown in FIG. 12, and the spring member 28b biases the spring holding portion 28a via the lock pin 28c in the direction of arrow X1 shown in FIG. 12. Further, the other end of the spring member 28b is fixed to the indoor unit casing 12. For this reason, the spring member 28b always biases the rear support member 23b via the lock pin 28c in the direction of arrow X1 shown in FIG. 12.
Because of this configuration, in the second moving mechanism 29, the link lever 24a pushes against a contact portion of the lock pin 28c counter to the biasing force of the spring member 28b due to the driving of the second moving mechanism drive motor 24 and rotates in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 12, whereby the rear support member 23b rotates in the same direction. For this reason, the right side shielding member 20 moves in the direction in which it opens the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 using, as a rotating shaft, the drive shaft 24b that is placed inclined. That is, the second moving mechanism drive motor 24 switches the state of the right side shielding member 20 from the closed state to the open state counter to the biasing force resulting from the spring member 28b. In this way, the first portion 21 of the right side shielding member 20 is stored in the storage space S. At this time, part of the second portion 22 of the right side shielding member 20, which is the portion of the right side shielding member 20 not stored in the storage space S, is placed in the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15, which is the space in which the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is positioned in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is in the closed state.
Further, the rear support member 23b is always biased by the spring member 28b in the direction of arrow X1 shown in FIG. 12, so the right side shielding member 20 is biased in the direction in which its state always becomes the closed state. Consequently, in the second moving mechanism 29, the link lever 24a rotates in the direction of arrow X1 shown in FIG. 12 due to the driving of the second moving mechanism drive motor 24, whereby the lock pin 28c and the rear support member 23b rotate in the same direction due to the biasing force of the spring member 28b. Because of this, the right side shielding member 20 moves in the direction in which it shields the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 using the drive shaft 24b as a rotating shaft.
In the second moving mechanism 99, due to the driving of the second moving mechanism drive motor 94, the left side shielding member 90 is switched from the closed state to the open state counter to a biasing force resulting from a spring member and is switched from the open state to the closed state by the biasing force of the spring member. Further, the driving of the second moving mechanism drive motors 24 and 94 is controlled by the later-described control unit 84.

FIG. 14 is a control block diagram of the control unit 84 with which the air conditioner is equipped.
As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 84 is connected to the various types of devices of the indoor unit 10 and the outdoor unit 2 and can perform operation control of the various types of devices according to operating modes such as the cooling operation and the heating operation on the basis of operation commands from an air conditioning subject via a remote controller 86.
Further, plural switches such as an operation stopping/starting button, an operation switching button, and an airflow direction setting button 86a are disposed on the remote controller 86. The operation stopping/starting button is a switch that is operated by the air conditioning subject when the operation of the air condition is stopped or when the operation is started. Further, the operation switching button is a switch that is operated by the air conditioning subject when various operating modes such as the cooling operation or the heating operation of the air conditioner are set. Moreover, the airflow direction setting button 86a is a switch that is operated by the air conditioning subject when the blow-out direction of the air blown out from the indoor unit 10 is set. For example, when the airflow direction setting button 86a is pushed by the air conditioning subject, the control unit 84 receives, as control signals, airflow direction setting commands from the air conditioning subject. The airflow direction setting commands in the present embodiment include a first command, which is a command for setting the blow-out direction of the air in such a way that the conditioned air is blown out also to the sides of the indoor unit 10, and a second command, which is a command for setting the blow-out direction of the air in such a way that the conditioned air is blown out frontward-and-upward and to the sides of the indoor unit 10 so that the conditioned air does not directly strike the air conditioning subject. Further, the first command of the airflow direction setting commands is a command that is given only in a case where the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is taking the second open state or the third open state.
Further, the control unit 84 has a drive control unit 85. The drive control unit 85 drives the push-out mechanisms 41,51, and 61 and the angle adjusting mechanisms 71a and 71b at arbitrary timings by controlling the numbers of rotations and the directions of rotation of the push-out mechanism drive motor 54 and the two angle adjusting mechanism drive motors 73a and 73b. Because of this, the drive control unit 85 can switch the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30. Further, the drive control unit 85 drives the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 at an arbitrary timing by controlling the numbers of rotations and the directions of rotation of the second moving mechanism drive motors 24 and 94. Because of this, the drive control unit 85 can switch the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90.
In the case of switching the side shielding members 20 and 90 from the closed state to the open state, the drive control unit 85 switches the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 from the closed state to the first open state, the second open state, or the third open state and thereafter switches the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 from the closed state to the open state, so that the side shielding members 20 and 90 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 do not interfere with each other. Further, in the case of switching the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 from the first open state, the second open state, or the third open state to the closed state, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in the open state, the drive control unit 85 switches the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 from the open state to the closed state and thereafter switches the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 from the first open state, the second open state, or the third open state to the closed state, so that the side shielding members 20 and 90 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 do not interfere with each other.
Further, the control unit 84 transmits to the drive control unit 85 a control signal relating to the received airflow direction setting commands, a control signal relating to an operating mode setting command such as the cooling operation or the heating operation, and a control signal relating to an operation stopping command. Additionally, the drive control unit 85 switches the states of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and the side shielding members 20 and 90 on the basis of the control signals transmitted from the control unit 84.
For example, in a case where the control signal relating to the operating mode setting command of the cooling operation has been transmitted from the control unit 84, the drive control unit 85 drives the first moving mechanism 50 in such a way that the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 becomes the second open state.
Because of this, the conditioned air that has been blown out from the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is regulated by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 3 0 and is blown out frontward-and-downward of the indoor unit 10.
Further, for example, in a case where the control signal relating to the operating mode setting command of the heating operation has been transmitted from the control unit 84, the drive control unit 85 drives the first moving mechanism 50 in such a way that the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 becomes the third open state.
Because of this, the conditioned air that has been blown out from the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is regulated by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and is blown out downward of the indoor unit 10.
Further, for example, in a case where the control signal relating to the first command has been transmitted from the control unit 84, the drive control unit 85 drives the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 in such a way that the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 becomes the open state.
Because of this, the conditioned air that has reached the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 is blown out toward the sides of the indoor unit 10. At this time, the drive control unit 85 does not drive the first moving mechanism 50, so the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is maintained in either one of the second open state or the third open state. Consequently, in a case where the first command has been given via the remote controller 86 from the air conditioning subject, the conditioned air is blown out to the sides of the indoor unit 10 and frontward-and-downward or downward of the indoor unit 10.
Further, for example, in a case where the control signal relating to the second command has been transmitted from the control unit 84, the drive control unit 85 drives the first moving mechanism 50 in such a way that the state of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 becomes the first open state and drives the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 in such a way that the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 becomes the open state.
Because of this, the conditioned air that has been blown out from the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15 is regulated by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and is blown out frontward-and-upward of the indoor unit 10. Further, the conditioned air that has reached the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 is blown out toward the sides of the indoor unit 10.
Further, for example, in a case where the control signal relating to the operation stopping command of the cooling operation and the heating operation has been transmitted from the control unit 84, the drive control unit 85 drives the first moving mechanism 50 and/or the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99 in such a way that the states of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and the side shielding members 20 and 90 become the closed state.
Because of this, the blow-out opening 15 is shielded by the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 and the side shielding members 20 and 90.

(1)
In the above-described embodiment, the side shielding members 20 and 90 can shield and open the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 including the open portions that are formed in the side surfaces of the indoor unit casing 12 in order to blow out conditioned air to the sides of the indoor unit 10. In other words, the side shielding members 20 and 90 can open and close the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15. For this reason, for example, in a case where it is not necessary to blow out air to the sides, the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 can be shielded by the side shielding members 20 and 90, and in a case where it is necessary to blow out air to the sides, the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 can be opened by the side shielding members 20 and 90.
Because of this, conditioned air can be blown out to the sides as needed.
(2)
In the above-described embodiment, the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 is switched from the closed state to the open state as a result of the side shielding members 20 and 90 in the closed state being moved toward the left-and-right direction center of the indoor unit body 11 by the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99. For this reason, even when the side shielding members 20 and 90 take the open state, it can be ensured that the left-and-right direction width of the indoor unit 10 does not expand. Consequently, for example, compared to a case where the side shielding members are moved in a direction away from the indoor unit in a case where the side shielding members switch from the closed state to the open state, at the time of installation of the indoor unit 10, it can be ensured that restrictions on installation space regarding whether or not it is possible for the side shielding members 20 and 90 to open and close do not arise.
Because of this, the concern that restrictions on the installation space of the indoor unit 10 will arise when installing the indoor unit 10 can be reduced.
(3)
In the above-described embodiment, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 are in the closed state, the first portions of the side shielding members 20 and 90 that cover the open portions of the blow-out opening 15 that are formed in the bottom surface of the indoor unit casing 12 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 are generally continuous in the left-and-right direction in a bottom view of the indoor unit 10. For this reason, the concern that joints between the side shielding members 20 and 90 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 will be conspicuous in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 are in the closed state can be reduced.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 switches from the closed state to the open state as a result of the side shielding members 20 and 90 in the closed state being moved to the upper side of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 by the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99. For this reason, the concern that the side shielding members 20 and 90 will interfere with the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 when the state of the side shielding members 20 and 90 switches from the closed state to the open state can be reduced.
(4)
In the above-described embodiment, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 take the open state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 takes any of the first open state, the second open state, or the third open state. That is, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 take the open state, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 is placed away on the lower side of the open surface corresponding to the first portion 16 in the blow-out opening 15. Further, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in the open state, parts of the second portions of the side shielding members 20 and 90 are placed in the first portion 16 of the blow-out opening 15. For this reason, the concern that the side shielding members 20 and 90 and the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 30 will interfere with each other in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 switch from the closed state to the open state can be reduced.
(5)
In the above-described embodiment, the storage spaces S in which the first portions of the side shielding members 20 and 90 in the open state are stored are formed by the first forming members 26 and 96 and the second forming members 27 and 97. For this reason, at least parts of the side shielding members 20 and 90 in the open state can be stored. Moreover, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 take the open state, projection of the side shielding members 20 and 90 from the outer contour of the indoor 10 can be controlled as a result of the first portions of the side shielding members 20 and 90 being stored in the storage spaces S. Consequently, even in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 take the open state, the concern that the outer appearance of the indoor unit 10 will be marred can be reduced.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the right side blow-out flow path D through which flows air heading to the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 is formed by part of the indoor unit casing 12 and the first forming member 26. Further, the left side blow-out flow path C through which flows air heading to the second portion 17a of the blow-out opening 15 is formed by part of the indoor unit casing 12 and the first forming member 96. Further, in a case where the side shielding members 20 and 90 are in the open state, the side shielding members 20 and 90 are placed in positions away from the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C. For this reason, the concern that the side shielding members 20 and 90 will contact the conditioned air flowing through the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C can be reduced compared to a case where, for example, the side shielding members have a configuration where they contact the conditioned air flowing through the side blow-out flow paths.
Because of this, the concern that the side shielding members 20 and 90 will produce dew condensation can be reduced.
(6)
In the above-described embodiment, the first forming members 26 and 96 and the second forming members 27 and 97 are fixed to the indoor unit casing 12. For this reason, it can be ensured that the storage spaces do not move due to the opening and closing of the side shielding members 20 and 90.
Further, because the first forming members 26 and 96 are fixed to the indoor unit casing 12, it can be ensured that the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C do not move due to the opening and closing of the side shielding members 20 and 90.
(7)
In the above-described embodiment, the second moving mechanism drive motors 24 and 94 are placed outside the right side blow-out flow path D and outside the left side blow-out flow path C, respectively. For this reason, the concern that the flows of air flowing through the right side blow-out flow path D and the left side blow-out flow path C will be regulated by the second moving mechanism drive motors 24 and 94 can be reduced.
Because of this, the concern that the blow-out directions of the air blown out from the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15 will be changed can be reduced.
(8)
In the above-described embodiment, the side shielding members 20 and 90 switch from the open state to the closed state or from the closed state to the open state by rotating using, as rotating shafts, the drive shafts placed along the substantially front-and-rear direction of the indoor unit 10. For this reason, the amount of projection of the side shielding members 20 and 90 from the outer contour of the indoor unit 10 can be controlled.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the drive shafts are placed inclined with respect to the front-and-rear direction of the indoor unit 10. For this reason, air can be blown out diagonally frontward from the second portion 17a and the third portion 17b of the blow-out opening 15.
(9)
In the above-described embodiment, only one indoor fan 14 is placed inside the indoor unit casing 12. For this reason, in this indoor unit 10, the airflow inside the indoor unit casing 12 is formed by the one indoor fan 14. Consequently, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where, for example, plural indoor fans capable of forming airflows inside the indoor unit casing are placed inside the indoor unit casing.

(A)
In the above-described embodiment, the second moving mechanism drive motors 24 and 94 are respectively placed outside the right side blow-out flow path D and outside the left side blow-out flow path C.
Instead of this, the second moving mechanism drive motors may also be placed inside the side blow-out flow paths.
For example, in a case where the second moving mechanism drive motors are respectively placed inside the indoor unit casing in positions where they shield the front portion of the second portion and the front portion of the third portion of the blow-out opening, it can be made difficult for air to be blown out toward the front from the front portion of the second portion and the front portion of the third portion of the blow-out opening.
Because of this, it can be made easier for air to be blown out to the sides.
Further, by placing the second moving mechanism drive motors inside the rotational locus of the side shielding members, the side shielding members can be stably moved.
(B)
In the above-described embodiment, in the second moving mechanisms 29 and 99, the drive shafts that the second moving mechanism drive motors 24 and 94 have and the rear support members are directly coupled to each other, but the second moving mechanisms are not limited to this; it suffices for the second moving mechanisms to be mechanisms that can rotate the side shielding members using the drive shafts as rotating shafts. For example, the drive shafts and the rear support members may also configure rack-and-pinion mechanisms. Further, for example, the second moving mechanisms may also be link mechanisms.

-Second Embodiment-

FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of an indoor unit 110 in a case where the operation of the air conditioner is stopped. FIG. 16 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 110 in a case where the heating operation is being performed in the air conditioner. FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of the indoor unit 110 in a state where the heating operation is being performed in the air conditioner and side open portions 117 are open. In FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, reference sign 116 represents an open portion of a blow-out opening 115 that is formed in the bottom surface of an indoor unit casing 112 and is capable of being covered by an up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 130.
An air conditioner pertaining to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the configuration of this air conditioner, configurations other than that of the indoor unit 110 are the same configurations as in the first embodiment, so description will be skipped.
The indoor unit 110 is a wall-mounted indoor unit attached to a wall surface or the like in a room. Further, the indoor unit 110 is mainly equipped with an indoor unit body 111, the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 130, a first moving mechanism, and a second moving mechanism. The configurations of the up-and-down airflow direction adjusting blade 130 and the first moving mechanism are the same configurations as in the first embodiment, so description will be skipped.

The indoor unit body 111 is mainly equipped with an indoor unit casing 112, an indoor heat exchanger, an indoor fan, and perpendicular blades. Further, in the indoor unit body 111, the configurations of the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor fan, and the perpendicular blades are the same configurations as in the first embodiment, so here description will be skipped.
The indoor unit casing 112 has a casing body 112a and a front surface panel 113. The casing body 112a is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member that is long in the horizontal direction. Further, the indoor heat exchanger, the indoor fan, and the perpendicular blades and so forth are stored in the casing body 112a. Moreover, an intake opening (not shown in the drawings) and the blow-out opening 115 are formed in the casing body 112a. The intake opening is an opening for taking the room air into the inside of the indoor unit casing 112 and is formed in the upper portion of the casing body 112a.
Further, the blow-out opening 115 is an opening for blowing out the air that has been conditioned inside the indoor unit body 111 and is formed in the neighborhood of the lower portion of the indoor unit 110. Specifically, the blow-out opening 115 is formed continuously from the bottom surface to both side surfaces of the casing body 112a. For this reason, part of the blow-out opening 115 is visible in a side view of the indoor unit 110.
The front surface panel 113 includes a front portion 113a and side portions 113b that extend in the rear direction of the indoor unit body 111 from both end portions of the front portion 113a. The front portion 113a is capable of covering substantially all of the front side of the casing body 112a. The side portions 113b are capable of covering parts of both side surfaces of the casing body 112a. Further, the side portions 113b can cover open portions (hereinafter called side open portions 117) of the blow-out opening 115 that are formed in the side surfaces of the casing body 112a.
Further, the front surface panel 113 can take two states (a closed state and an open state).
In a case where the front surface panel 113 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the side portions 113b of the front surface panel 113 are placed in such a way as to cover the side open portions 117.
Further, in a case where the front surface panel 113 is in the open state, as shown in FIG. 17, the side portions 113b of the front surface panel 113 are placed in such a way as to open the side open portions 117. Specifically, in a case where the front surface panel 113 is in the open state, the front surface panel 113 is placed higher with respect to the casing body 112a compared to the position of the front surface panel 113 in a case where the front surface panel 113 is in the closed state.

The second moving mechanism is a moving mechanism different from the first moving mechanism and is capable of sliding the front surface panel 113 in the up-and-down direction with respect to the indoor unit body 111 in order to switch the state of the front surface panel 113.
The second moving mechanism is placed inside the indoor unit casing 112. Further, the second moving mechanism is a rack-and-pinion mechanism and opens and closes the side open portions 117 by moving the front surface panel 113 by means of a driving force from a drive source. For this reason, the second moving mechanism functions as a conversion mechanism that converts rotational motion transmitted from the drive source into the actions of opening and closing the side open portions 117-that is, up-and-down direction linear motion of the front surface panel 113. In the present embodiment, the second moving mechanism is a rack-and-pinion mechanism, but the second moving mechanism is not limited to this; it suffices for the second moving mechanism to be a mechanism that can slide the front surface panel in the up-and-down direction. For example, as long as the second moving mechanism is a mechanism that can slide the front surface panel in the up-and-down direction, the second moving mechanism may also be a different mechanism such as a link mechanism.
Because of this configuration, in this indoor unit 110, the side open portions 117 can be opened by sliding the front surface panel 113 in the up direction with respect to the indoor unit body 111.
Because of this, air can be blown out to the sides as needed.
Further, because the side open portions 117 are shielded or opened as a result of the front surface panel 113 being slid in the up-and-down direction, it can be ensured that the front surface panel 113 does not project in the left-and-right direction from the outer contour of the indoor unit 110. Consequently, the amount of projection of the front surface panel 113 in the left-and-right direction from the outer contour of the indoor unit 10 in the opening and closing of the front surface panel 113 can be controlled.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is an indoor unit invention that can blow out air to the sides as needed, so application of the present invention to a wall-mounted indoor unit is effective.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

12: Indoor Unit Casing (Casing)
14: Indoor Fan (Cross-flow Fan)
16: First Portion (Front Blow-out Opening)
17a: Second Portion (Side Blow-out Opening)
17b: Third Portion (Side Blow-out Opening)
20: Right Side Shielding Member / Side Shielding Member (Shielding Member)
24b: Drive Shaft (Rotating Shaft)
30: Up-and-down Airflow Direction Adjusting Blade (Horizontal Blade)
90: Left Side Shielding Member / Side Shielding Member (Shielding Member)
112a: Casing Body (Casing)
113: Front Surface Panel (Shielding Member)
117: Side Open Portions (Side Blow-out Openings)
10, 110: Indoor Units
11, 111: Indoor Unit Bodies (Body)
24,94: Second Moving Mechanism Drive Motors (Motors)
26, 96: First Forming Members (Forming Members / Flow Path Forming Portions)
27, 97: Second Forming Members (Forming Members)

CITATION LIST

Patent Citation 1: JP-A No. 2006-2984

Claims

An indoor unit (10, 110) of an air conditioner, the indoor unit being a wall-mounted indoor unit attached to a wall surface in a room and comprising:
a body (11, 111) that has a casing (12, 112a) in whose side surfaces are formed side blow-out openings (17a, 17b, 117) for blowing out air to the sides; and

shielding members (20, 90, 113) that are capable of opening and closing the side blow-out openings.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the shielding members are placed in the neighborhoods of side surfaces of the body and switch from a closed state to an open state by moving toward a left-and-right direction center of the body.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a horizontal blade (30) that is capable of opening and closing a front blow-out opening (16) formed in at least either one of a bottom surface and a front surface of the casing, wherein the shielding members are placed on the sides of the horizontal blade and switch from a closed state to an open state by moving to the upper side of the horizontal blade.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein
the horizontal blade switches from a closed state to an open state by moving in such a way as to move away from a space in which the horizontal blade is positioned in a closed state, and
the shielding members switch from a closed state to an open state as a result of at least parts of the shielding members moving to the space.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 3 or 4, wherein in a case where the shielding members and the horizontal blade are in a closed state, the shielding members and the horizontal blade are placed in such a way as to be adjacent to each other in a left-and-right direction.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising forming members (26, 27, 96, 97) that form storage spaces (S) for storing at least parts of the shielding members in an open state.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the forming members are fixed to the body.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising flow path forming portions (26, 96) that form side blow-out flow paths (C, D) through which flows air heading to the side blow-out openings, wherein the shielding members are, in an open state, placed in positions away from the side blow-out flow paths.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the flow path forming portions are fixed to the body.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising motors (24, 94) for switching the state of the shielding members to an open state or a closed state, wherein the motors are placed inside the side blow-out flow paths.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising motors (24, 94) for switching the state of the shielding members to an open state or a closed state, wherein the motors are placed outside the side blow-out flow paths.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the shielding members have curved surfaces that are curved.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the shielding members open and close the side blow-out openings by moving in such a way as to rotate about rotating shafts (24b) along a substantially front-and-rear direction.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the shielding member (113) switches from a closed state to an open state by moving upward with respect to the body (111).
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein one cross-flow fan (14) that is capable of forming an airflow inside the casing is placed inside the casing.