WO2010047441A1

WO2010047441A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2010047441A1
Application number: PCT/KR2009/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seen-Chul Jung; Yo-Sang Jung; Chin-Hyuk Chang
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2008-10-21
Filing date: 2009-01-02
Publication date: 2010-04-29
Also published as: CN101726088B; KR20100043992A; CN101726088A; KR101506740B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner. With the constitution of the present invention, although a user does not directly draw out a filter, the filter can be automatically drawn out through an input of filter drawing-out command. Therefore, the user can smoothly clean and replace the filter.

Description

AIR CONDITIONER

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

In general, an air conditioner is an electric home appliance that keeps the room cool or heat through a heat-exchange between coolant and air.

The air conditioner may be divided into a separated air conditioner in which an indoor unit is separated form an outdoor unit and an integrated air conditioner in which an indoor unit is integrated with an outdoor unit. And, the indoor unit may be divided into a flow mounted indoor unit to be installed on a floor surface of an installation space and a wall mounted indoor unit to be attached to a wall.

Also, an heat exchanger, a blow fan inhaling indoor air and a filter filtering the inhaled air are mounted on the wall mounted indoor unit. And, a centrifugal fan or a crossflow fan is applied to the blow fan.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that allows a user to clean and replace a filter simply by smoothly drawing in and out the filter mounted on an inside of an indoor unit.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner having a means capable of preventing a portion of air discharged from being flowed again into the inside of the indoor unit.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of accurately estimating a length of the filter to be drawn in and out according to the rotation of a driving motor.

In order to accomplish the objects, according to an embodiment of the present, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: a chassis having a fan assembly seated in front thereof; a center frame mounted to the front part of the chassis and having an indoor air inlet; a filter provided on the indoor air inlet to clean the inhaled indoor air; a filter moving means provided in front of the center frame to allow the filter to be drawn in and out, wherein the filter moving means includes: a plurality of ejectors supporting the filter and drawn out in multi-step; a motor generating power for drawing out the plurality of ejectors; and a time belt connecting the motor to any one of the plurality of ejectors to transfer power.

With the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention constituted as described above, although a user does not directly draw out a filter, the filter can be automatically drawn out through an input of filter drawing-out command.

Also, the time belt is applied as a filter drawing-out means, such that the motor idling phenomenon can be prevented and the accurate drawing-out distance of the filter can be estimated.

Also, the adverse wind blocking means is provided on the lower end of the filter drawing-out means, such that a phenomenon that a portion of air discharged into a room is inhaled again can be reduced.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an external appearance perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an external appearance perspective view showing a state where a filter of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is drawn out;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a filter drawing-out structure of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state of a frame before a filter is drawn out;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state of a frame when a filter is completely drawn out;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an operation principle of a filter ejector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a flow of air discharged from an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a center frame constituting an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing a filter guide structure provided in the center frame.

Referring to FIG. 1, the indoor unit 1 of the air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a chassis 11 forming a rear external appearance, a front panel coupled to the front part of the chassis 11 to form a front external appearance, and a center frame 13 interposed between the chassis 11 and the front panel 12 and having inlets on its upper surface. And, a fan assembly (not shown) inhaling and discharging indoor air and a heat-exchanger 40 performing heat-exchange of the indoor air inhaled by the fan assembly with coolant are mounted inside the indoor 1. And, a signal receiving part 14 is provided on the front surface of the front panel 12 to receive an operation command signal output from a remote controller.

FIG. 2 is an external appearance perspective view showing a state where a filter of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is drawn out, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a filter drawing-out structure of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention allows a filter to be automatically drawn out, making it possible for a user to conveniently separate the filter to clean and replace it.

More specifically, a filter ejector 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of frames drawn-out in multi-stage in a state where a filter is seated on its front surface, an ejector driving device providing driving force so that the plurality of frames can be drawn-out in multi-stage, and a adverse wind blocking part 17 mounted on a lower end of the frame. And, a filter 16 is seated on the front surface of the filter ejector 15 and the filter 16 is drawn in and out according to ascent and descent of the filter ejector 15.

More specifically, the plurality of frames include a fixing frame 151 fixed to a front surface of the center frame 13, a guide frame slidingly connected to the fixing frame 151, and a moving frame 153 slidingly connected to the guide frame 152. And, one or more guide frames 152 may be provided according to the size of the indoor unit 1 or the size of the filter.

Also, an ejector driving device is provided on one side surface of the filter ejector 15, and the guide frame 152 and the moving frame 153 are downwardly drawn out by the ejector driving device.

The ejector driving device includes a pulley 154 mounted on one side of the fixing frame 151 or on a front surface of the center frame 13, a driving motor (not shown) providing power to the pulley 154, and a time belt 155 wound in the pulley 154.

More specifically, an idler 156 is provided on a spot spaced downwardly from the pulley 154 at a predetermined distance, the time belt 155 is wound on the outer circumferential surfaces of the pulley 154 and the idler 156 in a conveyor type. And, a belt connection end 152a is projected on one side surface of the guide frame 152. And, both ends of the time belt 152 are connected to the belt connection end 152a. And, a serrated projection part is arranged in the inner circumferential surface of the time belt 155, and an embedding part coupled to the projection part is formed on the pulley 154 and/or idler 156. Therefore, when the pulley 154 rotates, the time belt 155 also rotates, such that an idling phenomenon of the pulley 154 is prevented by the coupling of the projection part and the embedding part. In other words, the descent distance of the frame can be accurately controlled according to rotation per minute (rpm) of the pulley 154.

Meanwhile, a guide hole 151b receiving the belt connection end 152a of the guide frame 152 is formed on one side surface of the fixing frame 151 at a predetermined length. Therefore, the guide frame 152 descends by the length of the guide hole 151b. And, a guide rail 151a is formed on the fixing frame 151 to allow the guide frame 152 to ascend or descend without being shaken. The guide structure performing such a function is also provided in the guide frame 152 to allow the moving frame 153 to ascend or descend without being shaken. The structure where the guide frame 152 and the moving frame 153 ascend or descend without being shaken may be variously proposed, and the structure as shown in the present embodiment is merely one embodiment.

Also, a guide belt 157 is provided on an outer circumferential surface of an edge of one side of the guide frame 152. More specifically, both ends of the guide belt 158 can be coupled to the fixing frame 151 or the center frame 13. And, the moving frame 153 is coupled to one spot of the guide belt 157 to allow the moving frame 153 to ascend or descend when the guide frame 152 ascends or descends. An operation of the guide belt 157 and the moving frame 153 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Also, a plurality of support projections 153a are projected on the front surface of the moving frame 153, making it possible to support an edge part of the filter. More specifically, the support projections 153a are projected and bent from the front surface of the moving frame 153 to allow the filter to be inserted and supported.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state of a frame before a filter is drawn out, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a state of a frame when a filter is completely drawn out.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixing frame 151 is in a state that it is fixed to a front surface of the center frame 13, and a driving motor is mounted on a motor seating part 151c formed on one side of the fixing frame 151. And, the pulley 154 is connected to a rotation shaft of the driving motor. And, the guide frame 152 descends by the movement of the time belt 157 according to the rotation of the pulley 154. And, if the guide frame 152 descends, the moving frame 153 coupled to the guide belt 157 also descends.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an operation principle of a filter ejector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the fixing frame 151 is fixed to a front surface of the center frame. And, both ends of the guide belt 152 are fixed to the front surface of the center frame 13 or on one side of the fixing frame 151. And, the guide belt 157 surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the guide frame 152. And, a rear surface of the moving frame 153 is connected to one spot of the guide belt 157, that is, a connection spot 157a.

With the structure as described above, the time belt 155 rotates as the pulley 154 rotates. And, the guide frame 152 descends as the time belt 155 rotates, and the guide belt 157 also moves as the guide frame 152 descends. And, the moving frame 153 descends as the connection spot 157a descends. And, if the pulley 154 reverse-rotates, the moving frame 153 and the guide frame 152 ascend together.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a flow of air discharged from an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, an outlet is provided on a lower side of the indoor unit 1, and a discharge grill unit 20 is mounted around the outlet. More specifically, air being discharged by the discharge grill unit 20 is discharged rightward and leftward, with wide spreading.

Also, a main vane 18 and a sub vane 19 are rotatably coupled to each other on the outlet. And, a gap between the front panel 12 and the outlet is shielded by the adverse wind blocking part 17.

More specifically, if a fan assembly mounted on the inside of the indoor unit 1 is driven, most of indoor air is inhaled from the upper surface of the indoor unit 1, however a small amount of air is also inhaled through the front surface of the indoor unit 1. Such a small amount of air is inhaled through the gap formed between the front panel 12 and the outlet and a portion of the air being discharged from the outlet can also be flowed again into the gap. In order to prevent the occurrence of such a adverse wind phenomenon, the adverse wind blocking part 17 is mounted on the lower end of the movement frame 153. And, the adverse wind blocking part 17 shields the gap formed between the lower rend of the front panel 12 and the outlet. Therefore, since a portion of the air discharged to the outlet is bumped into the adverse wind blocking part 17, the phenomenon that the air is flowed again into the inside of the indoor unit is prevented.

Meanwhile, the main vane 18 has a width to completely cover up to the adverse wind blocking part 17 and a length corresponding to the length of the outlet. And, a rear end of the main vane 18 and a rear end of the sub vane 19 are rotatably coupled to one side of the discharged grill unit 20. If the main vane 18 is closed, the adverse wind blocking part 17 and the sub vane 19 are completely shielded. And, if an operation command of the indoor unit 1 is input, the sub vane 19 and the main vane 18 rotate in an opposite direction to each other to open the outlet. Here, the sub vane 19 may start to rotate after the main vane 18 is completely opened. In other method, the sub vane 19 may start to rotate right after the main vane 18 rotates up to the angle having the range not being interferered by the sub vane 19.

Also, the sub vane 19 may be set to have different rotation angles according to a cooling mode and a heating mode. For example, in the heating mode, the rotation angle of the sub vane 19 is set to be relatively smaller than that in the cooling mode, so that warm air discharged may be discharged into a room floor. To the contrary, in the cooling mode, the rotation angle of the sub vane 19 is set to be relatively larger than that in the heating mode, air may be discharged into space on upper side of the room. This is resulted from the object to rapidly cool warm air and to rapidly heat cold air, since warm air is distributed on an upper side in summer and cold air is distributed in the sea side.

A coupling relation with the main vane 18 and the operation method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of a center frame constituting an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing a filter guide structure provided in the center frame.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the center frame 13 is provided in the indoor unit 1, wherein the front panel 12 is coupled to the front surface of the center frame 13 and the chassis 11 is coupled to the rear surface thereof.

More specifically, the center frame 13 includes a grill body 131, a filter seating part 133 provided on the front surface of the grill body 131, and an upper grill 132 formed on an upper surface of the grill body 131. The upper grill 132 substantially forms an upper surface of the indoor unit 1 and most of the inhaled air passes through the upper grill 132.

Also, a control box receiving hole 136 is formed on one side edge of the grill body 131, wherein a panel link guide part 134 and a panel hinge hole 135 are formed on an upper side edge of the control box receiving hole 136. The panel hinge hole 135 is formed on the spot spaced from an upper part of the panel link guide part 134. And, coupling hooks 137 are formed on lower ends of both side surfaces, with a predetermined elastic force.

Also, a filter guide rib 138 is projectingly formed on a bottom surface of the upper grill 132, and the filter guide rib 138 is bent having a predetermined curvature. And, while a filter 16 is drawn-out and then is returned to its original position, an upper part of the filter 16 is slid along the filter guide rib 138. And, the filter 16 is inserted into a correct position by the filter guide rib 138. Then, a portion of the filter 16 is positioned on a lower side of the upper grill 132, and other remaining portion thereof is positioned on a front surface of the filter seating part 133. Therefore, the indoor air inhaled through the front surface part and the upper grill 132 of the indoor unit 1 is filtered by the filter 16 to pass through a heat exchanger.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptions and specific embodiments disclosed in the foregoing description may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

An air conditioner comprising:

a chassis having a fan assembly seated in front thereof;

a center frame mounted to the front part of the chassis and having an indoor air inlet;

a filter provided on the indoor air inlet to clean the inhaled indoor air;

a filter moving means provided in front of the center frame to allow the filter to be drawn in and out,

wherein the filter moving means includes:

a plurality of ejectors supporting the filter and drawn out in multi-step;

a motor generating power for drawing out the plurality of ejectors; and

a time belt connecting the motor to any one of the plurality of ejectors to transfer power.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the filter moving means further includes:

a pulley connected to a rotation shaft of the motor; and

an idler provided on a spot spaced from the pulley,

and wherein the time belt is wound in the pulley and the idler.
The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of ejectors include:

a fixing frame fixed to the center frame;

a guide frame moving along the fixing frame; and

a moving frame moving along the guide frame,

and wherein an end of the time belt is connected to the guide frame.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising a guide belt wound in an edge of one side of the guide frame and having both ends connected to the front surface of the center frame or the fixing frame,

wherein the moving frame is connected to a certain spot of the guide belt.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein when the motor rotates, the guide frame ascends or descends by the rotation of the time belt, the guide belt moves by the operation that the guide frame ascends or descends, and the moving belt ascends or descends by the movement of the guide belt.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, further comprising an adverse wind blocking part provided on a lower end of the moving frame, which prevents the discharged indoor air from re-inflowing into the indoor air inlet.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein an upper grill in a shape where a plurality of ribs are arranged is formed on an upper surface of the center frame, and a guide rib guiding the filter to be drawn into a correct position is formed on a lower surface of the upper grill.
The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein an end of the guide rib is formed to be curved so that an upper end of the filter is backwardly guided, while rising.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein one or more support projections supporting the filter are formed on edges of at least a portion of the plurality of frames.