US3320871A

US3320871A - Room air conditioner front

Info

Publication number: US3320871A
Application number: US474615A
Authority: US
Inventors: Evert S Wegman
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1965-07-26
Filing date: 1965-07-26
Publication date: 1967-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 1984-05-23
Also published as: JPS4420684Y1

Description

May 23, 1967 E. s. WEGMAN ROOM AIR CONDITIONER FRONT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1965 m :4 T S W T r e V E WITNESSES: awucff 5 ATTORNEY y 3, 1967 E. s. WEGMAN 3,320,871

ROOM AIR CONDITIONER FRONT Filed July 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,320,871 RGOM AIR CONDITIONER FRONT Evert S. Wegman, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 26, 1965, Ser. No. 474,615 8 Claims. (Cl. 98--94) This invention relates generally to room air conditioners, and in particular to a front assembly therefor having an improved air directing arrangement for the conditioned air outlet.

The object of the invention is the provision of an air directing arrangement for a room air conditioner front in which the arrangement, performs the conditioned air directing function satisfactorily; is adapted to high production and relatively low cost fabrication and assembly; is sufficiently strong for its intended purpose; is suited to variations in appearance to accord with the requirements of providing different models; and, presents a pleasing appearance.

The gist of the invention resides in the provision of a single tiltable deflector for controlling the vertical path of the conditioned air, with the deflector being pivotally supported at its ends by yieldable connecting means which urge the deflector downwardly to maintain it in contact with a fixed wall extending forwardly between the air outlet and the lower air inlet of the room air conditioner. From this nucleus of the invention stem certain other advantageous features which will be described along with other advantages, in the following.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing by way of example wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partly-broken isometric View of an air conditioner front according to the invention and in which the tiltable deflector is shown retracted;

FIG. 2 is a reduced scale isometric view showing the tiltable deflector in its vertical position;

FIG. 3 is a partly broken, top view of the front assembly with the deflector in a vertical position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section corresponding to one taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3, illustrating the center connection of the deflector and frame;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, partly-broken, exploded isometric view illustrating the deflector end connection elements; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section corresponding to one taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 3 illustrating the adjustable vane supporting arrangement and further showing in broken-line outline the range of positions of the deflector.

Refering to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front 10 of the air conditioner is suitably secured to the room-side face of the air conditioner casing 12. The front generally includes a peripheral molding 14 encompassed by the forward edge of the casing, and has forwardly-projecting opposite side walls 16 and 1S and a forwardly-projecting bottom wall 20. Both the right side wall and a part of the bottom wall 26 include openings 22 to admit room air to be conditioned to the space immediately behind the

front panels

24 and 25 and forwardly of the front face evaporator 26 which forms the entering air inlet of the air conditioner. The control array is concealed in a separate area behind the slidable panel 24.

The conditioned air outlet is located in the upper portion of the front and extends substantially across the width of the air conditioner. It is bounded along its top by the molding 14, along its bottom by fixed horizontal wall 28 projecting forwardly to separate the upper and lower portions of the front (this wall 28 being substantially hidden by the deflector 30 in FIG. 1) and at the sides by the

upper portions

32 and 34 of the opposite end walls 16 and 13, respectively, of the air conditioner front. These

upper portions

32 and 34 forming the side walls of the outlet are of double-wall construction so that thermal insulating material may be fitted between the walls to reduce condensation on their outer faces. Left and right ganged sets of

directional vanes

36 and 38, respectively, are mounted in the outlet and are adjustable from side-to-side to control the horizontal deflection of the air passing through the outlet.

The deflector 30 is pivotally carried at its ends so that it may be moved upwardly and forwardly from its FIG. 1 position, where it generally underlies the

vanes

36 and 38, to its FIG. 2 position Where it substantially hides the vanes when the front is viewed in elevation. When the deflector is in its FIG. 1 position, the conditioned air may flow generally horizontally into the room without any vertical deflection thereof. In the FIG. 2 position, the conditioned air is deflected upwardly. Lesser degrees of vertical deflection are also available by positioning the deflector in intermediate positions.

As may be seen in FIGS. 3-6, the skeleton frame between which the

vanes

36 and 38 are supported includes the top molding 14 and the upstanding and then forwardly-directed flange 42 on the rear edge of the fixed bottom wall 28. The individual vanes are pivoted at top and bottom in these

members

14 and 42 by pins 46 and 48 (FIG. 6). A central vane 44 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is stationarily supported between these same members by virtue of being an integrally molded part of the front assembly. The center of the deflector 30 is pivotally and slidably connected to the stationary vane 44 through a pair of rearwardly-projecting flanges 56) carrying a plastic pressfit pin 52 extending through the vertical slot 54 in the stationary central vane.

The deflector 30 is generally of a shallow U-shape in longitudinal section and includes a main wall poItiOn, also designated 34], having an area dimensionally generally coextensive with the area of the outlet opening, and left and

right end walls

56 and 58 are normal to the main wall portion 30. The deflector is nested in the fixed walls about the outlet with its end walls inside and in closely facing relation with the

outlet side walls

32 and 34. outwardly-projecting pivot pins 68' and 62'on the outer faces of the

end walls

56 and 58, respectively,

extend into square niches 64 and 66 (FIGS. 3 and 5) provided in the inner faces of the double-walled

side walls

32 and 34. The left wall niche 64 is shown in FIG. 5 while the right wall niche 66 is shown in FIG. 3.

Each niche receives a non-corrosive material ribbon spring 63 (FIG. 5), designed by another, having a free end formed into a loop 70 which receives a pivot pin,

60 or 62 on the end of the deflector. An inwardly bowed leaf spring 72, also designed by another, is press mounted on each

end wall

32 and 34 below the niche in a shallower recess '73. The spring convex surface frictionally engages the outer face of the respective

deflector end wall

56 or 58 to add stability to the deflector in any of its adjusted positions. The subject of these springs is treated more fully in Schwartz copending US. patent application Ser No. 474, 614, the invention of that application and of this application being assigned to a common assignee.

The top and end edges of deflector main wall 30 are flanged to form the inwardly-

open channels

76, 78 and 80 along its top and each of its end edges. These channels serve as tracks which receive the corresponding edges of a decorative panel 82 which may he slid upwardly into its installed position from below when the deflector is tilted to a rearwardly-inclined position.

Examples of several of the positions to which the deflector 30 may be tilted are illustrated in FIG. 6. There the deflector is shown in solid lines in its vertical position and in broken-line outline in other positions. Its horizontal position underlying the vanes is indicated by the letter A, an intermediate forwardly-inclined position is indicated by the letter B, and a rearwardly-inclined position (permitting the installation or removal of the decorative panel 82) is indicated by the letter 'C.

The desired tiltable movement of the deflector 30 is permitted by virtue of the downwardly-biased, pivotal, yieldable connections at the ends of the deflector. With the exception of the end limits of the range of movement of the deflector as it is tilted, the bottom edge of the deflector is maintained in contact with the upper surface of the bottom wall 28 separating the air inlet and outlet. The contact between the bottom edge of the deflector and top face of the wall 28 serves both to stabilize the position of the deflector in its various positions through the frictional engagement and also tends to prevent the leakage of air between these members when it is desired that the air be deflected vertically to a greater or lesser degree. The downward biasing of the deflector in its various positions is principally provided by the springs 68 which, in their substantially unstressed condition, have their loops 7 adjacent the lower front corner of the niche. However, the loop can be forced upwardly, as the deflector is tilted, along the forward edge of the niche as indicated by the double-headed arrow line 84 of FIG. 5. Flexure of the springs occurring upon upward displacement of the loops results in the springs exerting a corresponding downward force upon the deflector. To provide additional stability for the center part of the deflector main wall in its guided motion, the slot and pin connection between the flanges 5i) and stationary vane 44 are provided, these elements being aligned with the deflector end pins, and the spring loops.

Experience to date makes it appear that with the arrangement described herein the deflector is stable in any of its normally desired tilted positions (excluding position C of FIG. 6 which is assumed for the sole purpose of removal or installation of the decorative panel). Further, audible chattering of the deflector caused by the high velocity discharge of air has not been experienced.

The deflector is preferably molded as an integral, onepiece, plastic element and as such may be easily assembled to the front frame in the following manner. With the decorative panel 82 not in place, the deflector is bowed forwardly from end-to-end and first one deflector end pin is inserted in its spring loop, and then the opposite deflector end pin is inserted into its loop. Then the center part of the deflector is released so that the center flanges 50 move backwardly into a position aligning the slot 54 in vane 44 and the holes which receive the pin 52. Then the button end is snapped onto the pin to secure the flanges and vane. The deflector panel is then moved to its C position (FIG. 6) and the decorative panel 82 is slid upwardly. To insure retention of the decorative panel in its tracks a thin resilient pad (not shown) may be glued along'lower front marginal portion of the deflector main wall.

Some of the more-subtle advantages of the arrangement according to the invention will now be noted to insure their appreciation. First, the deflector may be positioned as a single member to take care of all vertical deflection requirements, thus avoiding the necessity of a multitude of individual vertical deflecting vanes. Save for a few elements, such as the

springs

68 and 72, substantially all of the front structure may be of a molded plastic which characteristically is light-weight, of relatively low cost in high production quantities, and provides excellent resistance against deterioration. During off seasons, and frequently during operating periods, the deflector will be in its vertical position substantially hiding the horizontal vanes, which are considered by some to detract from the decor of a room. By providing the deflector with a downwardly-open track on its front face to receive the decorative panel 82, the edge of the deflector presented to the room when the deflector is in its horizontal position is of a finished character. For certain stripped models, the decorative panel may be deleted, and in the deluxe models the opposite faces of the panel can be provided with alternate decorative patterns. Thus the front is subject to being used in models of graduated cost without substantial changes.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a room air conditioner:

means defining an upper conditioned air outlet including opposite end walls and a bottom wall;

a unitary vertical air deflector including a main deflecting portion, and right angle end portions nested within said opposite end walls of said outlet in facing relation; and

means pivotally connecting said deflector ends to said outlet end walls for adjusting said deflector in tiltable fashion between a horizontal position overlying said bottom wall and an upright position, said connecting means biasing said deflector toward said bottom wall and being yieldable in an opposite direction to accommodate said tiltable adjustment with said deflector frictionally engaging said bottom wall.

2. In a room air conditioner of the character having a lower room air inlet and an adjacent, upper, conditioned air outlet:

vertically-disposed, opposite end walls extending forwardly from said outlet and a lower, fixed, horizontal bottom wall extending forwardly from said outlet to separate the space in front of said air inlet and outlet;

a number of individual vanes in said outlet and adjustable from side-to-side to control the horizontal air pattern, said vanes being spaced from said bottom wall;

a single vertical air deflector including a main wall dimensionally generally coextensive with said air outlet area, said deflector including integral end walls normal to said main wall and located in closely facing relation with said outlet end walls; and

means pivotally mounting said deflector at its ends for tiltable movement between a horizontal position overlying said bottom wall of said frame and below said vanes, and a generally vertical position forwardly of said vanes, said means pivotally mounting said deflector ends to said outlet end wall includes connecting means urging said deflector ends downwardly but yieldable upwardly throughout the range of said tiltable movement to accommodate said movement while normally maintaining the lower edge of said deflector in contact with said outlet bottom wall.

3. In a room air conditioner according to claim 2:

said deflector includes integral end walls normal to said main wall and located in closely facing relation with said outlet end walls; and

said means pivotally mounting said deflector ends to said outlet end walls includes connecting means urging said deflector ends downwardly but yieldable upwardly throughout the range of said tiltable movement to accommodate said movement while normally maintaining the lower edge of said deflector in contact with said outlet bottom wall.

4. In a room air conditioner according to claim 2:

a stationary, vertically-disposed central vane aligned with said adjustable individual vanes;

means pivotally connecting the center portion of said deflector main wall to said central vane for guiding said deflector in said tiltable movement.

5. In a room air conditioner according to claim 4:

said connecting means include rearwardly-directed normal flange means on said deflector main wall, said flange means carrying a cross pin engaging a vertical slot in saidcentral vane.

6. In a room air conditioner according to claim 2:

said deflector main wall includes a vertically-open track on its forward face adapted to slidably receive and retain a decorative panel therein.

7. In a room air conditioner according to claim 6:

said vertically-open track includes inwardly-open channels along the top edge and opposite end edges of the forward face of said deflector main Wall to receive said decorative panel from a position below said deflector.

8. In a room air conditioner according to claim 3:

said outlet end walls including inwardly-open niches formed in the inner faces thereof; and

said connecting means include outwardly extending lugs carried by said deflector end walls and connected to spring means carried in said niches.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Reeves 98-40 Halbeisen 62-262 X First 9894 X Dangauthier 9840 X

Claims

1. IN A ROOM AIR CONDITIONER: MEANS DEFINING AN UPPER CONDITIONED AIR OUTLET INCLUDING OPPOSITE END WALLS AND A BOTTOM WALL; A UNITARY VERTICAL AIR DEFLECTOR INCLUDING A MAIN DEFLECTING PORTION, AND RIGHT ANGLE END PORTIONS NESTED WITHIN SAID OPPOSITE END WALLS OF SAID OUTLET IN FACING RELATION; AND MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID DEFLECTOR ENDS TO SAID OUTLET END WALLS FOR ADJUSTING SAID DEFLECTOR IN TILTABLE FASHION BETWEEN A HORIZONTAL POSITION OVERLYING SAID BOTTOM WALL AND AN UPRIGHT POSITION, SAID CONNECTING MEANS BIASING SAID DEFLECTOR TOWARD SAID BOTTOM WALL AND BEING YIELDABLE IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO ACCOMMODATE SAID TILTABLE ADJUSTMENT WITH SAID DEFLECTOR FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING SAID BOTTOM WALL.