KR102580541B1 - Indoor Unit for Air Conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner.
The indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a case including an upper surface installed on the ceiling of an indoor space and a peripheral surface extending downward from the upper surface and exposed to the indoor space; a lower panel disposed on the lower surface of the case, forming an intake port, and forming a discharge port between the case and the lower panel; a blowing module disposed inside the case and flowing air inside the case from the intake port to the discharge port; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a refrigerant for air flowing to the discharge port by the blowing module; and a dust sensor module disposed on one side of the circumferential surface of the case to detect the dust concentration in the indoor space, wherein the dust sensor module measures the dust concentration in the air flowing into the dust sensor inlet and discharged from the dust sensor discharge port. Dust sensor that measures; a first space disposed inside the circumferential surface and forming a predetermined space in a direction toward which the dust sensor inlet and the dust sensor discharge port face; And inside the circumferential surface, it forms a certain space divided from the first space, and includes a second space that communicates with the external space of the case on one side and communicates with the first space on the other side distinct from the one side. .

Description

Indoor Unit for Air Conditioner}

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and more specifically, to a dust sensor mounted on an indoor unit.

A dust sensor is a sensor that measures the concentration of dust in the air. The dust sensor heats the air inside the dust sensor with a heater placed inside the dust sensor, and discharges the heated air through the dust sensor discharge port. The dust sensor can measure the concentration of dust contained in the air flowing into the dust sensor inlet as the internal air is discharged to the dust sensor outlet by the heater.

Since the dust sensor measures the dust concentration in the air flowing into the dust sensor, the reliability of the dust concentration measurement may vary depending on the speed of the flowing air.

In other words, when the air flow around the dust sensor is not active, the air flow inside the dust sensor is formed only through the process of heating the internal air with a heater placed inside the dust sensor and discharging it through the discharge port, so the air flow speed increases. Since it is formed below a certain level, the reliability of measurement of dust concentration can be increased.

On the other hand, when the air flow around the dust sensor is active, the flow rate of air flowing into the dust sensor is rapidly formed, lowering the reliability of the measurement of dust concentration.

The dust sensor is mounted on an indoor unit placed indoors to create airflow in the indoor space, and can measure the concentration of dust in the indoor space. Considering the above conditions, it is advantageous in terms of reliability of the dust sensor to be mounted in a location where the air flow rate is low.

In a typical ceiling-type indoor unit, the case is buried inside the ceiling surface, and only the lower panel where the intake and discharge ports are formed is exposed to the indoor space, so a dust sensor can be installed in the area of the lower panel. However, since air flow occurs actively in the entire area of the lower panel due to the discharge port and intake port, the reliability of the installed dust sensor may be lowered.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner in which a dust sensor mounted on a ceiling-type indoor unit measures the concentration of dust contained in the air of an indoor space with high reliability.

The problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a case including an upper surface installed on the ceiling of an indoor space and a peripheral surface extending downward from the upper surface and exposed to the indoor space; a lower panel disposed on the lower surface of the case, forming an intake port, and forming a discharge port between the case and the lower panel; a blowing module disposed inside the case and flowing air inside the case from the intake port to the discharge port; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a refrigerant for air flowing to the discharge port by the blowing module; and a dust sensor module disposed on one side of the circumferential surface of the case to detect the dust concentration in the indoor space, wherein the dust sensor module measures the dust concentration in the air flowing into the dust sensor inlet and discharged from the dust sensor discharge port. Dust sensor that measures; a first space disposed inside the circumferential surface and forming a predetermined space in a direction toward which the dust sensor inlet and the dust sensor discharge port face; And inside the circumferential surface, a second space forms a predetermined space divided from the first space, and communicates with the external space of the case on one side, and communicates with the first space on the other side distinct from the one side. , air flowing along the outside of the case may flow into the first space through the second space.

The case includes an inner case that forms a space where the blower module and the heat exchanger are disposed, and an outer case that is disposed outside the inner case to form the peripheral surface, and the dust sensor module is located in the outer case. Placed on one side, it can measure the dust concentration of indoor air.

The second space is formed between the inner case and the outer case, so that external air can flow into the second space inside the outer case and flow into the first space.

The outer case has a shape in which the cross-sectional area becomes wider from the top to the bottom, and the second space is in communication with the outer space of the outer case at the top of the first space, and contains air flowing along the outer case. may flow into the second space.

The dust sensor module further includes a housing that forms an outer surface on one side of the circumferential surface of the case and has a dust sensor mounting portion on the inside, where the dust sensor is mounted, and the housing includes the dust sensor mounting portion and the outer surface. Forms the first space in between.

On the outer surface of the housing, a first opening is formed to communicate the outer space of the case with the first space, and a second opening is formed to communicate the outer space of the case with the second space, and the second opening is formed. , disposed above the first opening, so that the first space and the second space can each communicate with the outside.

The second opening is opened to the upper side of the dust sensor mounting part, which is distinct from the first space, so that air flowing from top to bottom along the case can flow into the second space.

The housing includes a partition wall that divides the dust sensor mounting portion and the first space and forms a suction communication hole and a discharge communication hole at a portion where the dust sensor inlet and the dust sensor discharge port are formed.

The housing includes a side grill disposed between the partition wall and the first opening and having a grill hole communicating the first space and the second space, so that air in the second space flows through the side grill. It can flow into space 1.

It further includes a housing cover that forms a plurality of communication holes and covers the first opening and the second opening, wherein the housing cover includes at least one first communication communication between the case outer space and the first space. A hole and at least one second communication hole are formed to communicate between the outer space of the case and the second space, and the second communication hole is disposed above the first communication hole, so that the first space and the second space are formed. Each communicates with the outside, and air flowing along the case can be introduced into the second space.

The dust sensor forms a dust sensor inlet at the lower side of the first space, and a dust sensor discharge port at the upper side of the first space, and the first space has a shape whose area increases from the upper end to the lower end. , air with a slow flow velocity can flow in to the lower side of the first space, and air discharged from the dust sensor can be discharged quickly to the upper side of the first space.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

First, the air conditioner according to the present invention is a ceiling-type indoor unit whose case is installed on the ceiling of an indoor space, and has a structure in which the peripheral surface of the case is exposed. In the indoor unit structure of such an air conditioner, a dust sensor module including a dust sensor is mounted on one side of the circumferential surface where air flow is relatively small compared to the lower panel, and the dust concentration measured by the dust sensor is It has the advantage of increasing reliability.

Second, the air conditioner according to the present invention is divided into an outer case and an inner case, and a dust sensor is placed between the inner case and the outer case to measure air whose flow rate is reduced by flowing into the space between the outer case and the inner case. Therefore, there is an advantage that the reliability of the dust concentration measured by the dust sensor increases.

Third, the first space where the dust sensor measures the dust concentration forms a structure in which external air flows in through the second space, and since the outside air flows into the first space through the second space, the dust sensor measures dust. Since the flow rate of air in the space is further reduced, there is an advantage in that the reliability of dust concentration measurement increases.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Figure 1 is a lower perspective view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of portion A of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an external perspective view of a dust sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is an inner perspective view of a dust sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a dust sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the dust sensor module with the housing cover of FIG. 5 removed.
Figure 9 is a front view of a dust sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are merely provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to be understood by those skilled in the art. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings for explaining the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to embodiments of the present invention.

<Overall composition>

Figure 1 is a lower perspective view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of portion A of Figure 3.

Hereinafter, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment is a ceiling-type air conditioner installed on the ceiling of an indoor space. The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment is disposed above the indoor space and can discharge heat-exchanged air in a downward direction.

The air conditioner according to this embodiment has an upper surface (10a) installed on the ceiling of an indoor space, a case (10) with an open lower surface, and installed on the opened lower surface of the case (10), so that the case (10) The inlet panel 16, which forms the discharge port 18 in a relationship with the inlet port 16a, is disposed in the inner space of the case 10 and directs the air inside the case 10 from the inlet port 16a to the discharge port ( 18), a blower module 21 that flows to the discharge port 18 by the blower module 21, and a heat exchanger 26 that exchanges heat with the refrigerant and are disposed on one side of the case 10, Includes a dust sensor module 50 that measures dust concentration.

The case 10 includes an inner case 14 that forms a space where the blowing module 21 and the heat exchanger 26 are arranged, and an outer case disposed outside the inner case 14 to form an outer peripheral surface 10b. Includes (12). The inner case 14 and the outer case 12 may be connected as one configuration or may be formed as a combination of a plurality of configurations. Here, the inner case 14 and the outer case 12 are divided based on arrangement, and the fastening relationship between components is not differentiated.

The inner case 14 can guide air flowing by the blowing fan 22. The inner case 14 forms a space where the blowing fan 22, the fan motor 24, and the heat exchanger 26 are arranged.

The inner case 14 may form an intake panel 16, an outlet 18, and an outlet passage 19. The inner case 14 may have a cylindrical shape with an open bottom and a space inside. The lower end of the inner case 14 may have a structure that is bent in an outward direction (a direction away from the rotation axis of the blower fan) for the discharge direction of air.

The outer case 12 is disposed outside the inner case 14. The external case 12 may include a peripheral surface 10b disposed in the outer radial direction of the indoor unit. The outer case 12 may be formed in a direction where the cross-sectional area becomes wider from the top to the bottom. The outer case 12 includes an outer case-upper part 12b1 whose cross-sectional area widens from the top to the bottom, and an outer case-lower part 12b2 whose cross-sectional area is maintained or decreased from the top to the bottom.

The external case 12 according to this embodiment is structured so that when the indoor unit is mounted in an indoor space, the external case 12 is exposed to the outside. Accordingly, when the air in the indoor space flows due to the operation of the indoor unit, the air may flow from the upper side to the lower side along the circumferential surface of the outer case 12.

A dust sensor module 50 may be installed on one side of the external case 12. A certain space may be formed between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14. A space in which the dust sensor module 50 is disposed may be formed between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14. The dust sensor module 50 may be placed inside the outer case-upper portion 12b1. That is, it can be placed inside the outer case 12, which has a cross-sectional area that increases from the top to the bottom. The dust sensor module 50 includes a first space (S1) where the dust sensor 80 measures the concentration of dust between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14, and the outer case 12 and the inner case ( 14) This may mean including a second space (S2) through which air flowing into the first space (S1) flows.

Between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14, a first space (S1) where the dust sensor 80 intakes and discharges air, an outer space of the first space (S1) and the outer case (12), and A communicating second space (S2) may be formed.

In the ceiling-type indoor unit according to this embodiment, the air discharged from the discharge port 18 is formed in a diagonal direction below the indoor unit, so that on the outside of the external case 12, the air flows downwardly to the lower side of the external case 12. An air current is formed. Accordingly, the second opening 58 through which the second space S2 communicates with the outside of the external case 12 may be formed on the upper side of the first space S1. That is, air flowing from top to bottom along the outside of the outer case 12 may flow into the second space S2 through the second opening 58 communicating with the second space S2. In particular, the second opening 58 for communicating the second space S2 with the outside of the outer case 12 is disposed on one side of the outer case 14 with a cross-sectional area that widens from the top to the bottom. , air flowing downward along the outer case 14 may flow into the second opening 58.

The intake panel 16 may be disposed on the open lower side of the case 10. The intake panel 16 may be formed with a plurality of intake ports 16a through which air flows into the indoor unit. A filter (not shown) may be placed on the intake panel 16 to filter out foreign substances in the inhaled air.

A discharge port 18 may be formed between the intake panel 16 and the case 10. The inner case 14 according to this embodiment has a cylindrical shape and forms a circular opening hole on the lower side, the inlet panel 16 has a disk shape, and the discharge port 18 can have a ring shape. .

The blowing module 21 includes a blowing fan 22 that moves air by rotation, a fan motor 24 that rotates the blowing fan 22, and a bell mouth 25 that guides the air sucked in by the blowing fan 22. Includes.

The blowing fan 22 is disposed above the intake port 16a. Accordingly, the blower fan 22 sucks the air below the blower fan 22 and causes it to flow in the circumferential direction of the blower fan 22 . The blowing fan 22 is disposed inside the heat exchanger 26.

The fan motor 24 is mounted on the upper surface 10a of the case 10 and rotates the blowing fan 22. The bell mouth 25 may be placed between the blower fan 22 and the intake panel 16.

The heat exchanger 26 is arranged along the circumference of the blowing fan 22. The heat exchanger 26 according to this embodiment may be arranged in a cylindrical shape. A drain pan 28 may be disposed below the heat exchanger 26 to temporarily store and guide condensed water. The drain pan 28 may be mounted on the heat exchanger 26 and may be inclined to guide condensate in one direction.

<Dust sensor module>

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of portion A of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an external perspective view of a dust sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is an inner perspective view of a dust sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a dust sensor module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the dust sensor module with the housing cover of FIG. 5 removed. Figure 9 is a front view of a dust sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the dust sensor module according to this embodiment will be described.

4 to 9, based on the direction of the rotation axis along which the blower fan 22 of the indoor unit rotates, the direction approaching the rotation axis will be described as the inner direction, and the direction away from the rotation axis will be described as the outside direction.

The dust sensor module 50 may be placed on one side of the external case 12. The dust sensor module 50 measures the concentration of dust in the air flowing into the dust sensor inlet 82 and discharges it to the dust sensor outlet 84. It is disposed on the inside of the dust sensor 80 and the peripheral surface 10b. , a first space (S1) forming a certain space in the direction toward which the dust sensor inlet 82 and the dust sensor outlet 84 face, and a certain space is formed around the first space (S1) inside the circumferential surface (10b). It is formed and includes a second space (S2) connected to the outside of the case 10 and the first space (S1), respectively.

The dust sensor 80 is disposed in the inner space of the external case 12. The dust sensor 80 forms a dust sensor inlet 82 and a dust sensor outlet 84 on one side. The dust sensor 80 can detect the concentration of dust contained in the air flowing in through the dust sensor inlet 82.

The dust sensor 80 can measure the dust concentration in the air moving upward by heating the air sucked through the dust sensor inlet 82. Accordingly, the dust sensor 80 used in this embodiment may be arranged vertically, with a dust sensor inlet 16a formed at the lower side and a dust sensor discharge port 18 formed at the upper side. Accordingly, the partition wall 62 formed on one side of the dust sensor 80, which will be described below, may also have a vertical structure.

The dust sensor module 50 is disposed on the peripheral surface 10b, the dust sensor 80 is mounted, a housing 52 forming a first space S1, and a first space formed in the housing 52. It includes a housing cover 64 that covers one side of (S1). The housing 52 may be placed on one side of the external case 12. The housing 52 may be formed integrally with the outer case 12 or may be formed in a separate configuration from the outer case 12. The housing 52 according to this embodiment is formed in a separate configuration from the outer case 12, and may have a structure mounted on one side of the outer case 12.

The housing 52 is disposed in the outer case-upper portion 12b1. Accordingly, the housing 52 may include an outer surface 54 that forms an inclined surface that moves away from the outside as it goes downward. The housing 52 may include a dust sensor mounting portion 60 on which the dust sensor 80 is mounted. A first space S1 may be formed in the housing 52 to form a space for the dust sensor 80 to measure the dust concentration in the air. The first space S1 may be disposed between the outside of the case 10 and the dust sensor 80.

The outer surface 54 of the housing 52 may have the same structure as the outer case-upper portion 12b1. Accordingly, the outer surface 54, like the peripheral surface 10b, may be formed in a direction in which the cross-sectional area becomes wider from the top to the bottom.

The outer surface 54 of the housing 52 may form an opening 56 at a portion where the first space S1 is formed. The outer surface 54 of the housing 52 forms a first opening 56 at a portion where the first space S1 is formed, and has a first opening 56 that does not communicate with the first space S1. A second opening may be formed at the upper side.

A housing cover 64 having a plurality of communication holes 70, 72, and 74 may be disposed in the first opening 56 and the second opening 58. The first opening 56 and the second opening 58 may communicate with different spaces. The first opening 56 may communicate with the first space S1. The second opening 58 may be in communication with the second space S2. The first opening 56 and the second opening 58 are arranged in the vertical direction on the outer surface 54, which forms an inclined surface that moves away from the outer side toward the lower side. Accordingly, the top of the vertically disposed dust sensor mounting part 60 can partition the first opening 56 and the second opening 58. Likewise, the upper end of the vertically disposed partition wall 62 may partition the first opening 56 and the second opening 58.

The first opening 56 is formed toward the outside of the first space S1. The first opening 56 may have a length corresponding to the height of the dust sensor mounting part 60 on which the dust sensor 80 is mounted.

The second opening 58 may have a grill structure in which a plurality of opening holes 58a are formed in the vertical direction. The second opening 58 communicates between the upper space of the dust sensor mounting unit 60 and the outer space of the external case 12. The second opening 58 communicates the second space S2 with the outer space of the external case 12.

The dust sensor mounting unit 60 forms a partition wall 62 between the space (?) where the dust sensor 80 is mounted and the first space (S1). The upper end of the dust sensor mounting portion 60 is disposed between the first opening 56 and the second opening 58 of the housing 52, and the first opening 56 and the second opening 58 communicate with each other. Divide the space. The upper end of the partition 62 is disposed between the first opening 56 and the second opening 58 of the housing 52, forming a space where the first opening 56 and the second opening 58 communicate. compartmentalize. The partition wall 62 may have a vertical shape, considering the arrangement of the dust sensor 80. In the partition wall 62, a suction communication hole 62a and a discharge communication hole 62b may be formed to communicate the dust sensor suction port 82 and the dust sensor discharge port 84 with the first space S1.

The suction communication hole 62a and the discharge communication hole 62b may be formed at positions corresponding to the dust sensor intake port 82 and the dust sensor discharge port 84.

The housing 52 is disposed between the dust sensor mounting portion 60 and the first opening 56 and includes a side grill 78 that communicates the first space S1 and the second space S2. The side grills 78 may be formed on both sides of the first space S1. The side grill 78 may have a plurality of grill holes 78a formed so that air in the first space S1 and the second space S2 can communicate. The upper end of the side grill 78 may have a triangular shape, starting from the top of the partition 62 and increasing in area toward the bottom. The side grill 78 may have the shape of a right triangle, which contacts the vertically arranged partition 62 on one side and contacts the first opening 56 or the housing cover 64 which is inclined on the other side.

A housing cover 64 in which at least one communication hole 70 or 72 is formed may be disposed on the outer side of the first space S1 according to this embodiment. The housing cover 64 is formed with a plurality of communication holes 70 and 72 and may cover the first opening 56 and/or the second opening 58. The housing cover 64 may be coupled to the housing 52 by being inserted into the outer surface 54 of the housing 52 at a portion where the first opening 56 and the second opening 58 are formed.

A plurality of communication holes 70, 72, and 74 may be formed in the housing cover 64 to communicate with the outer space of the external case 12 and the first space (S1) or the second space (S2). The housing cover 64 includes at least one first communication hole 70, 72 that communicates the outer space of the outer case 12 and the first space S1, and the outer space of the outer case 12 and the second space ( At least one second communication hole 74 may be formed to communicate with S2).

The housing cover 64 can be divided into a lower housing cover 68 covering the first space (S1) and an upper housing cover 66 covering the second space (S2).

The first communication hole 70 may be formed on the upper side of the lower housing cover 68. A plurality of first communication holes 70 and 72 may be formed on the upper and lower sides of the lower housing cover 68. The first communication holes 70 and 72 include a first upper communication hole 70 formed on the upper side of the lower housing cover 68, and a first lower communication hole 72 formed on the lower side of the lower housing cover 68. ) includes. In the lower housing cover 68, a groove 76 concave in the first space direction may be formed between the first upper communication hole 70 and the first lower communication hole 72. The groove 76 may be disposed above the first lower communication hole 72. The first communication holes 70 and 72 may be disposed below the second communication hole 74.

The second communication hole 74 may have a shape and arrangement corresponding to the plurality of opening holes 58a formed in the second opening 58.

The first space S1 forms a space where the dust sensor 80 intakes and discharges air. The first space S1 may be formed inside the housing 52 where the second opening 58 is formed. In the first space S1, the partition wall 62 of the dust sensor mounting unit 60 may be disposed on the inside, and the housing cover 64 covering the first opening 56 may be disposed on the outside. The first space (S1) may have side grills (78) forming grill holes (78a) arranged to communicate with the second space (S2) on both sides.

The first space S1 may be narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. The first space S1 may be formed in a triangular shape with a side cross-section that increases in area from the top to the bottom. A dust sensor outlet 84 is disposed at the upper side of the first space (S1), and a dust sensor inlet 82 is disposed at the lower side of the first space (S1). Accordingly, the air flow may be fast in the upper part of the first space (S1), and the air flow may be slow in the lower part of the first space (S1).

Heated air discharged from the dust sensor 80 is discharged from the upper side of the first space S1. Accordingly, the air discharged from the dust sensor 80 may be discharged to the outside through the first upper communication hole 70 formed above the first space S1.

At the bottom of the first space (S1), the air in the first space (S1) flows to the dust sensor inlet (82). Air from the second space S2 may flow into the lower part of the first space S1 through a plurality of grill holes 78a formed in the side grill 78.

At the bottom of the first space (S1), external air may flow into the first lower communication hole (72) formed in the lower housing cover (68), or the air in the first space (S1) may flow outward.

The second space S2 may be formed in the space between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14. The second space (S2) may be divided from the first space (S1). The second space (S2) may be formed at a position where the dust sensor 80 is disposed, excluding the direction in which the dust sensor 80 faces the first space (S1). The second space (S2) may communicate with the first space (S1) through the side grill (78) of the housing (52).

External air flows into the second space (S2) through the second communication hole (74) formed in the upper housing cover (66). Air in the second space (S2) may flow into the first space (S1) through the grill hole (78a) formed in the side grill (78). The air flowing along the outside of the outer case 12 may have a lower flow rate as it flows into the expanded space of the second space S2. Accordingly, air with a reduced flow rate in the second space (S2) may flow into the first space (S1). In addition, since the second opening 58 of the second space S2 and the grill hole 78a formed in the side grill 78 are arranged in a vertical direction, the flow rate of air flowing into the first space S1 is may deteriorate. The grill hole 78a and the opening hole 58a are arranged at different positions. The grill hole 78a and the opening hole 58a are opened in different directions.

<Air flow according to the structure of the present invention>

Hereinafter, the flow of air in the indoor unit according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4 and FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIG. 3, in the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, a strong air flow is formed around the intake port 16a and the discharge port 18 by the rotation of the blowing fan 22. Additionally, due to the structure of the indoor unit of the present invention, air flow is also formed on the exposed circumferential surface of the case 10. On the exposed circumferential surface of the case 10, a relatively small flow velocity may be formed compared to the air flow formed around the intake port 16a and the discharge port 18.

Referring to FIG. 4, the air flow formed on the outside of the outer case 12 may form an air flow that flows downward along the outer surface of the outer case 12. At this time, the air flowing downward along the inclined surface of the outer case 12 passes through the second opening 58a and the second communication hole 74 formed at the top of the dust sensor module 50, It can flow into space (S2). The interior of the second space S2 is a low-pressure space in which no air flow is formed, and air flowing downward along the inclined surface of the outer case 12 may be introduced.

Since the air flowing into the second space S2 flows into and spreads into the space between the outer case 12 and the inner case 14, the flow rate may be relatively reduced.

On the other hand, through the first upper communication hole 70 formed below the second opening 58a and the second communication hole 74, air flowing downward along the inclined surface of the external case 12 flows into the first communication hole 70. It does not flow into space (S1).

Warm air discharged from the dust sensor 80 is discharged to the upper part of the first space (S1). Accordingly, the warm air discharged to the upper part of the first space (S1) is discharged to the outside of the external case (12) through the first upper communication hole (70) formed in the upper part of the first space (S1), so that the first upper side Through the communication hole 70, air flowing downward along the inclined surface of the outer case 12 does not flow into the first space S1.

At the upper part of the first space (S1), the warm air discharged from the dust sensor 80 is discharged to the outside of the external case 12 through the first upper communication hole 70, so that the first upper communication hole 70 Air from the second space S2 flows in through the grill hole 78a formed in the side grill 78, which is disposed downward. Since the first space S1 has a cross-sectional area that increases from the top to the bottom, the grill hole 78a formed in the side grill 78 also has a larger size toward the bottom.

Since the total area of the grill hole 78a formed in the side grill 78 is larger than the first upper communication hole 70, the air flowing from the second space S2 to the first space S1 The flow rate may decrease.

In the second communication hole 74, air in the first space (S1) may be discharged to the outside, or external air may be introduced into the first space (S1).

That is, air flowing into the first space (S1) from the second space (S2) through the grill hole (78a), and the external case (12) from the first space (S1) through the first upper communication hole (70). Depending on the amount of air flowing outward, the air flowing along the outer surface of the outer case 12 flows into the first space S1 through the second communication hole 74, or the air in the first space S1 flows into the first space S1. It can be discharged to the outside through the second communication hole 74. However, even if the air flowing along the outer surface of the outer case 12 flows into the first space (S1) through the second communication hole (74), the air flowing into the first space (S1) flows into the second space (S1). Since it is mixed with the air flowing in through the grill hole (78a) at (S2), the flow rate of the air flowing into the dust sensor inlet (82) does not rapidly increase.

As described above, the dust sensor module 50 according to this embodiment is disposed on one side of the circumferential surface of the ceiling-type indoor unit where the circumferential surface is exposed, and the dust sensor 80 measures the concentration of dust in the first space ( Since the air flow rate in S1) remains reduced, the dust concentration can be measured reliably.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and can be used in the technical field to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the patent claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or perspective of the present invention.

10: Case 12: External case
14: Inner case 16: Inlet panel
16a: suction port 18: discharge port
22: blowing fan 24: fan motor
50: Dust sensor module 52: Housing
60: Dust sensor mounting part 62: Bulkhead
64: Housing cover 70: First upper communication hole
72: 1st lower communication hole 74: 2nd communication hole
76: Groove 78: Side grill
80: Dust sensor S1: First space
S2: Second space

Claims (12)

A case including an upper surface installed on the ceiling of an indoor space and a peripheral surface extending downward from the upper surface and exposed to the indoor space;
a lower panel disposed on the lower surface of the case, forming an intake port, and forming a discharge port between the case and the lower panel;
a blowing module disposed inside the case and flowing air inside the case from the intake port to the discharge port;
a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a refrigerant for air flowing to the discharge port by the blowing module; and
It is disposed on one side of the circumferential surface of the case and includes a dust sensor module that detects the dust concentration in the indoor space,
The dust sensor module is,
A dust sensor that measures the concentration of dust in the air flowing into the dust sensor inlet and discharged from the dust sensor outlet;
a first space disposed inside the circumferential surface and forming a predetermined space in a direction toward which the dust sensor inlet and the dust sensor discharge port face;
Inside the circumferential surface, a second space forms a predetermined space divided from the first space, communicates with the external space of the case on one side, and communicates with the first space on the other side distinct from the one side; and
It includes a housing disposed on one side of the circumferential surface, on which the dust sensor is mounted, and forming the first space,
The housing includes a side grill having a grill hole that communicates the first space and the second space,
It includes a second opening in which an opening hole is formed to communicate with the outside of the case and the second space,
The grill hole and the opening hole are disposed at different positions,
The indoor unit of an air conditioner wherein the grill hole and the opening hole are opened in different directions. According to claim 1,
In the above case,
It includes an inner case that forms a space where the blowing module and the heat exchanger are arranged, and an outer case that is disposed outside the inner case and forms the peripheral surface,
The dust sensor module is an indoor unit of an air conditioner disposed on one side of the external case. According to claim 2,
The second space is an indoor unit of an air conditioner formed between the inner case and the outer case. According to claim 3,
The outer case has a shape where the cross-sectional area becomes wider from the top to the bottom,
The second space is an indoor unit of an air conditioner that communicates with an external space of the external case above the first space. According to claim 1,
The housing forms an outer surface on one side of the circumferential surface of the case and has a dust sensor mounting portion on the inside where a dust sensor is mounted,
The housing is an indoor unit of an air conditioner forming a first space between the dust sensor mounting portion and the outer surface. According to claim 5,
On the outer surface of the housing,
A first opening is formed to communicate the outer space of the case with the first space,
The second opening is an indoor unit of an air conditioner disposed above the first opening. According to claim 6,
The second opening is an indoor unit of an air conditioner that opens above the dust sensor mounting portion and is distinguished from the first space. According to claim 6,
In the housing,
An indoor unit of an air conditioner, comprising a partition dividing the dust sensor mounting portion and the first space and forming a suction communication hole and a discharge communication hole at a portion where the dust sensor intake port and the dust sensor discharge port are formed. According to claim 8,
The side grill is an indoor unit of an air conditioner disposed between the partition wall and the first opening. According to claim 6,
The indoor unit of an air conditioner further includes a housing cover that forms a plurality of communication holes and covers the first opening and the second opening. According to claim 10,
At least one first communication hole for communicating the case outer space and the first space and at least one second communication hole for communicating the case outer space and the second space are formed in the housing cover,
The second communication hole is an indoor unit of an air conditioner disposed above the first communication hole. According to claim 1,
The dust sensor forms a dust sensor inlet on the lower side of the first space, and forms a dust sensor outlet on the upper side of the first space,
The first space is an indoor unit of an air conditioner whose area increases from the top to the bottom.

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