KR20100055910A - Back lighting unit and air conditioner having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A back lighting unit and an air conditioner having the same is provided to satisfy the sensibility of consumers by various color changing. CONSTITUTION: An air-conditioner comprises: a front panel(20) wherein a decorative part(40) is formed and which is composed of a glass material; and a back lighting unit(100) which directs light to the decoration part and includes a lighting module(130) which chromatics changes according to the operation state of an air-conditioner and includes a circuit board(131), a main light-emitting part which directs light to the decorative part, and an auxiliary light-emitting part which is arranged around the main light-emitting part.

Description

BACK LIGHTING UNIT AND AIR CONDITIONER HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a backlighting unit and an air conditioner having the same, and more particularly, to a backlighting unit having various color changes and a soft halo effect and an air conditioner having the same.

In general, an air conditioner is composed of one indoor unit and an outdoor unit, and the indoor unit is provided such that the indoor air sucked by the blower fan is discharged through an air outlet after performing heat exchange through an indoor heat exchanger. According to the classification, it is classified as a stand type, wall hanging type, ceiling type.

On the other hand, since the front panel of the indoor unit of the general air conditioner performs only a simple cover function, it gives a monotonous appearance and gives a hard feeling that is incompatible with the indoor atmosphere.

Therefore, in recent years, as the interest in the interior interior increases, an air conditioner in which a design is formed on the front panel so that the indoor unit arranged in the interior space is in harmony with the interior space has been disclosed.

However, the design formed on the front panel is formed in a predetermined pattern, and when the consumer is used for a long time, it becomes tired and cannot satisfy the emotion of consumers seeking high quality and differentiation.

One aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner that can satisfy the emotions of consumers by giving a lighting effect of various colors to the design formed on the front panel.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides an air conditioner that allows a consumer to easily recognize a driving state according to a design of a changing color.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a double lighting structure to the design formed on the front panel to provide a soft halo effect.

To this end, an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is an air conditioner including a front panel of a glass material having a decoration part and a backlighting unit irradiating light to the decoration part. Characterized by having a lighting module that changes the color according to the operating state.

In addition, the lighting module may include an RGB LED chip.

The lighting module may include a circuit board, a main light emitting part disposed on the circuit board to irradiate light to the decoration part, and an auxiliary light emitting part disposed around the main light emitting part.

In addition, one of the main light emitting unit and the auxiliary light emitting unit is characterized in that the RGB LED chip, the other is white light.

The lighting module may further include a light guide plate that uniformly transmits the light emitted from the RGB LED chip to the decoration unit.

The decoration part may include a pattern part formed in front of the main light emitting part and a background part formed in front of the auxiliary light emitting part.

In addition, the pattern portion and the background portion may not be colored on the front panel or may be formed in a transparent state having a relatively lower color density than the peripheral portion.

In addition, a diffusion sheet may be provided on the rear surface of the front panel corresponding to the position where the pattern portion and the background portion are formed.

In addition, the main light emitting unit may include an RGB LED chip and a light guide plate to uniformly transmit the light emitted from the RGB LED chip to the decoration unit.

In addition, the auxiliary light emitting unit is characterized in that the LED chip that emits white light.

The decoration unit may further include an opaque partition that partitions the pattern part and the background part.

In addition, the backlighting unit may further include a support frame supporting the circuit board and sealing the light emitted from the lighting module from leaking to the side.

In addition, an inclined surface that is inclined at a predetermined angle may be provided in front of the inner surface of the support frame to widen the diffusion area of the light emitted from the auxiliary light emitting unit.

The backlighting unit may further include a lighting cover which prevents light emitted from the lighting module from leaking backward.

In addition, the operation state is characterized in that any one of the operation mode, wind strength, temperature change.

In addition, the operation mode may include a cooling mode, a dehumidification mode, and an air cleaning mode, and the lighting module may display a different color according to each mode.

The wind strength may include a turbo wind mode, a strong wind mode, and a weak wind mode, and the lighting module may display different brightness according to each mode.

In addition, the lighting module may display different saturation corresponding to the temperature change.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an air conditioner includes a glass front panel having silk printing formed on its surface, a decorative part formed in a transparent state on the front panel surface, and a rear side of the front panel to irradiate light on the decorative part. In the air conditioner provided with a backlight unit, the decorative portion includes a pattern portion and a background portion formed around the pattern portion, wherein the backlight unit is a main for changing the color of the pattern portion in accordance with the operating state of the air conditioner And a lighting module including a light emitting unit and an auxiliary light emitting unit for irradiating light to the background unit.

In addition, a diffusion sheet may be provided on the rear surface of the front panel at a position corresponding to the decoration part.

The main light emitting unit may include an RGB LED chip and a light guide plate that uniformly transmits the light emitted from the RGB LED chip.

In the backlighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, the backlighting unit is provided behind the front panel. The backlighting unit includes a circuit board, a main light emitting unit disposed on the circuit board, and an auxiliary light emitting unit disposed around the main light emitting unit. Contains wealth.

In addition, the main light emitting unit may include an RGB LED chip and a light guide plate to uniformly transmit the light emitted from the RGB LED chip to the front of the main light emitting unit.

As described above, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention satisfies the emotion of the consumer through various color changes.

In addition, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention can easily know the operating state of the air conditioner according to the color change, the convenience of use is improved.

In addition, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention is further enhanced by the soft halo by the double lighting structure design.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment according to the technical spirit of the air conditioner of the present invention as described above.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal components of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is Front view of the air conditioner according to an embodiment is a perspective view showing a state separated from the main body.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, the front panel is open front, the front panel 20 is installed on the front of the main body 10, and And a panel moving unit 30 for moving the front panel 20.

A blower unit 70 for circulating the indoor air is installed in the lower part of the main body 10, and a heat exchanger 27 for heat-exchanging the indoor air sucked by the blower unit 70 is provided in the upper part of the main body 10. Is installed.

The blower unit 70 includes a blower fan 71, a fan motor 73 for driving the blower fan 71, and a fan casing for guiding indoor air sucked by the blower fan 71 to the heat exchanger 27. (75).

As shown in FIG. 2, the blowing fan 71 may be configured as a bidirectional suction centrifugal fan that sucks indoor air from both sides in the axial direction and discharges it in the radial direction.

A lower back suction port 11 through which indoor air is sucked may be formed on the lower rear surface of the main body 10.

The lower rear portion of the main body 10 is provided with a protrusion 12 protruding to the rear of the main body 10 so as to stably support the main body 10 and to separate the rear suction port 11 from the surrounding wall surface.

The panel moving unit 30 is to open and close the front of the main body 10 by moving the front panel 20 in the front and rear directions of the main body 10, and may be installed at the upper and lower portions of the inner side of the main body 10, respectively. have.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the panel moving unit 30 includes a drive motor 31, a drive gear 33 rotating according to the rotation of the drive motor 31, and a rack engaged with the drive gear 33. It includes a panel fixing member 35 provided with a gear portion (36).

The panel fixing member 35 is detachably coupled to the catching members 22 formed on the lower and upper sides of the front panel 20, respectively.

When the operation of the air conditioner starts, the rack gear part 36 engaged with the drive gear 33 moves forward and the panel fixing member 35 moves as the drive motor 31 rotates, thereby moving the panel fixing member ( The front panel 20 coupled to 35 advances a predetermined distance.

That is, the front panel 20 is advanced to the front of the main body 10, as shown in Figure 1, the space between the edge of the main body 10 and the edge of the front panel 20 is opened, the top discharge port 13 and The side discharge port 14 and the side suction port 15 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, side discharge guides 23 for guiding air discharged through the side discharge holes 14 are formed at both rear edges of the front panel 20, and an upper discharge hole 13 is formed at the upper edge thereof. An upper surface discharge guide 24 for guiding air discharged through the air is formed.

A cover panel 26 extending a predetermined length behind the front panel 20 is provided below the side discharge guide 23.

The cover panel 26 prevents the front panel 20 from moving forward and exposes the inside of the main body 10. The cover panel 26 has a side portion 27 having the panel suction port 28 formed therein, and air and main body sucked into the main body 10. The upper surface part 29 which divides so that the air discharged from the 10 may not mix with each other is provided.

 Between the front panel 20 and the heat exchanger 27, a guide panel for guiding the air passing through the heat exchanger 27 to the side discharge port 14 and the top discharge port 13, as shown in Figs. 16) is installed.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, the front side of the front panel 20 is formed with a decorative portion 40 of various shapes, such as a floral pattern considering the interior of the air conditioner.

The decorative part 40 may have various shapes of designs, such as a flower pattern or the like, by spray coating or silkscreen printing on the front panel 20.

The decoration part 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed to have a soft writing effect and a soft halo effect that can express various colors by escaping the hard image in which only a simple shape is expressed.

To this end, the front glass 21 of the glass material is coupled to the front of the front panel 20, the decorative portion 40 is colored on the surface of the front glass 21 by silkscreen printing.

Referring to FIG. 5, the decorative part 40 includes a pattern part 41 in which various shapes of patterns are represented, a background part 43 and a pattern part 41 showing a soft halo effect around the pattern part 41. ) And a partition 45 that partitions the background 43.

The pattern portion 41 and the background portion 43 are not colored in the silkscreen printing process or are provided in a transparent state with a relatively low color density, and the partition portion 45 is colored in an opaque state through silkscreen printing. The lighting effects between the pattern portion 41 and the background portion 43 are partitioned from each other.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3 and 5, the front panel 20 of the position corresponding to the decorative portion 40 formed in the front panel 20, the pattern portion by irradiating light toward the decorative portion 40 The backlighting unit 100 is installed to have a lighting effect on the 41 and the background 43.

The backlighting unit 100 includes a support frame 110 coupled to the rear of the front panel 20, a lighting module 130 installed on the support frame 110 to irradiate light onto the decoration part 40, and a lighting module. It includes a lighting cover 150 coupled to the rear of the 130.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lighting module 130 includes a circuit board 131, a main light emitting unit 132 formed at the center of the circuit board 131, and an auxiliary light emitting unit 136 formed around the main light emitting unit 132. ).

The circuit board 131 forms an insulator plate on the upper and lower surfaces of a core of a metal material (for example, Al), and thus, a metal core PCB (MCPCB) having a characteristic of easily dissipating heat when mounting a large number of LEDs with high heat generation. Can be used.

4 and 5, the main light emitting part 132 irradiates light to the pattern part 41 of the decoration part 40 formed on the front panel 20, and the operation state of the air conditioner, wind strength, It is to show differentiated lighting effect by emitting various colors (color, brightness, saturation) according to temperature change.

The main light emitter 132 has an RGB LED chip 133 having red, green, and blue colors, and the light emitted from the RGB LED chip 133 on the entire surface of the pattern portion 41 of the front panel 20. The light guide plate 134 uniformly transmits, and a casing 135 surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the light guide plate 134 to fix the light guide plate 134 to the circuit board 131.

That is, the light guide plate 134 is disposed at the center of the main light emitting unit 132, and the RGB LED chip 133 is disposed at equal intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the light guide plate 134, and the casing is disposed on the RGB LED chip 133. A 135 surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the light guide plate 134 to fix the light guide plate 134 to the circuit board 131.

As a result, the light emitted from the RGB LED chip 133 of the main light emitting part 132 is incident on the side surface of the light guide plate 134, is distributed over the entire area of the light guide plate 134, and then diffused and irradiated to the front of the light guide plate 134. .

The auxiliary light emitting unit 136 irradiates light to the background portion 43 of the decorative portion 40 formed on the front panel 20 so that the light of the thinning background portion 43 stimulates sensitivity to provide a soft halo effect. will be.

The auxiliary light emitting unit 136 may be made of an LED chip that emits white light disposed at equal intervals on the circumferential surface spaced at a predetermined interval from the edge of the main light emitting unit 132.

On the other hand, the support frame 110 is detachably installed lighting module 130 has a structure surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the circuit board 131 of the lighting module 130 so that light emitted from the lighting module 130 does not leak out It is made of.

In addition, in front of the inner surface of the support frame 110 is provided an inclined surface 111 inclined outward by a predetermined angle, the inclined surface 111 is the light emitted from the auxiliary light emitting portion 136 to the outside of the background portion 43 Diffusion allows a wide range of subtle lighting effects.

At the rear of the lighting module 130, the light cover which prevents light emitted from the lighting module 130 from leaking to the rear and covers the rear of the lighting module 130 to prevent damage due to contact between components in the main body 10 is prevented. 150 is installed.

On the other hand, the lighting module 130 is not visible from the front of the front panel 20 on the inner surface of the front panel 20 between the decorative portion 40 and the lighting module 130 of the front panel 20 and at the same time the lighting module Diffusion sheet 25 is installed to prevent the brightness is gradually reduced while passing through the front panel 20 so that the light emitted from the 130 emits light of uniform brightness.

Through such a configuration, the main light emitting part 132 of the lighting module 130 irradiates light to the pattern part 41 of the decoration part 40 formed on the front panel 20, and the background part of the decoration part 40 is provided. Auxiliary light emitting unit 136 is irradiated with light at (43) and has a double lighting structure that deviates from the simple lighting structure, thereby greatly improving the aesthetics, and when the air conditioner is not operated, even as a soft light indoor lighting. There is an effect that can be utilized.

On the other hand, the RGB LED chip 133 of the main light emitting unit 132 adjusts the amount of red, green, blue light according to the operating mode of the air conditioner, wind strength, temperature change, etc. , Saturation and so on.

 Operation mode means cooling mode, dehumidification mode, air cleaning mode, etc., wind strength means turbo wind mode, strong wind mode, weak wind mode, etc., and temperature change means a temperature that is changed between about 18 to 30 degrees. .

 Figure 6 shows a control configuration of the lighting module according to the operating state of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The input unit 50 includes a key operation unit or a remote control signal receiving unit to input operation information of an operation state (for example, operation mode, wind strength, temperature change, etc.) selected by the user.

The controller 60 is a microcomputer that controls the overall operation of the air conditioner according to the driving state input from the input unit 50. The controller 60 controls the lighting module driving unit 90 to change the color of the lighting module 130 according to the driving state. To control.

The driving unit 80 drives the driving motor 31 for moving the front panel 20 forward and backward a predetermined distance and the fan motor 73 for changing the discharge air volume according to the driving control signal of the control unit 60.

The lighting module driving unit 90 is for driving the lighting module 130. The driving voltage or driving current corresponding to the color (brightness, saturation, color) change of the main light emitting unit 132 according to the operating condition of the air conditioner. Is applied to the RGB LED chip 133 of the lighting module 130.

Hereinafter will be described the operation of the air conditioner according to various types of operating state of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the user turns on the power to operate the air conditioner and sets a desired driving state (operation mode, wind strength, temperature change) to the controller 60 through the input unit 50, the controller 60. The control the lighting module 130 according to the set operating state (S100, S200).

The main light emitting unit 132 changes its color according to the operation mode, that is, the cooling mode, the dehumidification mode, or the air cleaning mode, so that the user can easily identify the driving mode (S300).

The control unit 60 of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention controls the lighting module driver 90 according to the operation mode selected by the user, so that the RGB LED chips 133 of the lighting module 130 have different colors. Control to emit light.

That is, in the cooling mode, the RGB LED chip 133 of the lighting module 130 glows with a blue color (S310, S311). In the heating mode, the RGB LED chip 133 of the lighting module 130 is In the red color scheme (S320, S321), in the air cleaning mode, the RGB LED chip 133 of the lighting module 130 is shined with the color of the green system (S330, S331).

Therefore, the user can determine the operation mode of the air conditioner even by looking at the color of the pattern portion 41 formed on the front panel 20.

 In addition, the color according to each driving mode is not limited thereto, and the color may be changed according to each mode even when the air conditioner is manufactured in a different color or by a user's operation.

In the case of the wind strength of the air conditioner, the control unit 60 controls the lighting module driver 90 according to the turbo wind, the strong wind, and the weak wind selected by the user (S200, S400), whereby the RGB of the main light emitting unit 132 The brightness of the LED chip 133 is changed from the maximum brightness to the minimum brightness, respectively, so that the user can easily know the wind strength of the air conditioner even by looking at the brightness of the pattern portion 41 formed on the front panel 20. .

That is, in the case of turbo wind, the controller 60 transmits a signal to the lighting module driver 90 and applies the maximum allowable voltage to the RGB LED chip 133 of the lighting module 130. Shine with brightness (S410, S411).

In addition, in case of mild wind, the control unit 60 transmits a signal to the lighting module driver 90 to apply the minimum allowable voltage to the RGB LED chip 133 so that the RGB LED chip 133 shines with minimum brightness (S430, S431), in the case of a strong wind, the control unit 60 transmits a signal to the lighting module driver 90 to apply an intermediate voltage between the maximum allowable voltage and the minimum allowable voltage to the RGB LED chip 133 and to the RBG LED chip 133. This intermediate brightness is shined (S420, S421).

In addition, even in the case of the temperature change of the air conditioner, the controller 60 changes the color saturation of the RGB LED chip 133 of the main light emitting unit 132 from the lowest temperature selected by the user to the maximum temperature. It is possible to easily know the temperature change of the air conditioner only by the sharpness of the pattern portion 41 formed in 20 (S500, S510).

That is, the light from the RGB LED chip 133 is changed from a dark color to a light color from a low temperature to a high temperature so that the present temperature of the air conditioner can be sensed.

Meanwhile, the auxiliary light emitting unit 136 of the lighting module 130 continuously emits light of white color without being affected by the color change of the main light emitting unit 132 of the decorative part 40 formed on the front panel 20. As the light is irradiated to the background part 43, the soft lighting effect stimulates the emotion of the consumer, thereby further highlighting the design of the main body 10, and, in particular, can be utilized as a room light of soft light at night.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exploded perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a writing module of the backlighting unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows the coupling relationship of the backlight unit of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a control configuration of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the lighting module according to the operating state of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: main body, 20: front panel,

21: windshield, 25: diffusion sheet,

30: panel moving unit, 40: decorative part,

41: pattern part, 43: background part,

45: compartment, 100: backlighting unit,

110: support frame, 111: inclined surface,

130: writing module, 131: circuit board,

132: main light emitting unit, 133: RGB LED chip,

134: light guide plate, 135: casing,

136: auxiliary light emitting unit.

Claims (23)

In the air conditioner having a glass front panel formed with a decorative portion, and a backlight unit for irradiating light to the decorative portion, The backlight unit has an air conditioner, characterized in that the lighting module is changed in color in accordance with the operating state of the air conditioner. The method of claim 1, The lighting module is an air conditioner comprising an RGB LED chip. The method of claim 1, The lighting module includes a circuit board, a main light emitting part disposed on the circuit board to irradiate light to the decoration part, and an auxiliary light emitting part arranged around the main light emitting part. The method of claim 3, wherein Wherein one of the main light emitting unit and the sub light emitting unit is an RGB LED chip, and the other is white light. The method of claim 4, wherein The lighting module further comprises a light guide plate for uniformly transmitting the light emitted from the RGB LED chip to the decoration. The method of claim 3, wherein The decoration unit is an air conditioner, characterized in that it comprises a pattern portion formed in front of the main light emitting portion, and the background portion formed in front of the auxiliary light emitting portion. The method of claim 6, And the pattern portion and the background portion are not colored on the front panel or are formed in a transparent state with a relatively low color density than the peripheral portion. The method of claim 7, wherein And a diffusion sheet is provided on a rear surface of the front panel corresponding to a position where the pattern portion and the background portion are formed. The method of claim 8, The main light emitting unit is an air conditioner comprising an RGB LED chip and a light guide plate to uniformly transmit the light emitted from the RGB LED chip to the decoration. The method of claim 8, The auxiliary light emitting unit is an air conditioner, characterized in that the LED chip that emits white light. The method of claim 7, wherein The decoration unit further comprises an opaque partition that partitions the pattern and the background. The method of claim 3, wherein The backlight unit further includes a support frame supporting the circuit board and sealing the light emitted from the lighting module from leaking to the side. The method of claim 12, And an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle to widen a diffusion area of light emitted from the auxiliary light emitting part in front of the inner surface of the support frame. The method of claim 12, The backlighting unit further comprises a lighting cover to prevent the light emitted from the lighting module to leak out to the rear. The method of claim 1, The operation state is an air conditioner, characterized in that any one of the operation mode, wind strength, temperature change. The method of claim 15, The operation mode includes a cooling mode, a dehumidification mode, an air cleaning mode, and the lighting module has a different color according to each mode. The method of claim 15, The wind strength includes a turbo wind mode, a strong wind mode, a weak wind mode, the lighting module is characterized in that the air conditioner to display different brightness according to each mode. The method of claim 15, The lighting module has a different saturation in response to the temperature change. In an air conditioner having a glass front panel having a silk printing on the surface, a decorative part formed in a transparent state on the front panel surface, and a backlighting unit installed behind the front panel to irradiate light to the decorative part, The decorative part includes a pattern part and a background part formed around the pattern part, and the backlighting unit irradiates light to the main light emitting part and the background part to change the color of the pattern part in accordance with an operation state of the air conditioner. An air conditioner comprising a lighting module including an auxiliary light emitting unit. The method of claim 19, Air conditioner, characterized in that the diffusion sheet is provided on the back of the front panel at a position corresponding to the decorative portion. The method of claim 19, The main light emitting unit is an air conditioner comprising an RGB LED chip, and a light guide plate to uniformly transmit the light emitted from the RGB LED chip. In the backlighting unit installed behind the front panel, The backlighting unit includes a circuit board, a main light emitting unit disposed on the circuit board, and an auxiliary light emitting unit disposed around the main light emitting unit. 23. The method of claim 22, And the main light emitting unit comprises an RGB LED chip and a light guide plate to uniformly transmit the light emitted from the RGB LED chip to the front of the main light emitting unit.

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