WO2010047442A1

WO2010047442A1 - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: WO2010047442A1
Application number: PCT/KR2009/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin-Myeong Cho; Jae-Hun Jung; Seen-Chul Jung; Dong-Wook Kim
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2008-10-21
Filing date: 2009-01-02
Publication date: 2010-04-29
Also published as: CN101726044B; CN101726044A; EP2347187A4; EP2347187A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The front panel constituting the front surface part of the indoor unit is rotatably mounted and the coupling and rotation of the front panel is stably made, making it possible to prevent bending of the front panel. Also, the front panel can be stably supported in a rotated state.

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.

Also, some of the wall mounted indoor unit products have a front surface part opened in a cover shape, such that they accompanied the function to easily clean or replace the filter. In the case of the indoor unit in which the front surface part is opened, there is a need for a means supporting the opened front surface part when performing a next job after the front surface part is opened.

Also, some of the wall mounted indoor unit products have a front surface part opened in a cover shape, such that they accompanied the function to easily clean or replace the filter. In the case, the front surface part is rotatably provided to have a disadvantage that it is difficult to mount a display unit. Furthermore, in order to separately mount the display unit on the front surface part, a hole corresponding to the size of the display unit should be formed on the front surface part, causing a difficulty in manufacturing thereof.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner that enables an installer or a user to safely and smoothly perform a cleaning/replacing job of a filter or a repairing job of an internal component by stably maintaining a state where a front surface part is opened in the conventional indoor unit having a shape where the front surface pat is opened.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit capable of easily installing a display device on the front surface part, in a structure where the front surface part of the indoor unit is rotatably provided.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit neatly arranging electric wires by improving a disposition structure of electric wires connected to the display device, when the display device is provided on the front surface part of the indoor unit.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide an indoor unit seeking for products advanced in view of design by neatly processing the external appearance of the front surface part of the indoor unit.

In order to accomplish the objects, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: a chassis; a front panel coupled to a front part of the chassis; a center frame interposed between the chassis and the front panel; a fan assembly mounted on the front part of the chassis to inhale indoor air; a heat-exchanger performing heat-exchange with the indoor air inhaled by the fan assembly; hinges extended from both side ends of the front panel to allow the front panel to be rotatable from the chassis; and a link whose one end is connected to the front panel and the other end is connected to the center frame to allow the front panel to be supported in an opened state.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioner comprising: a chassis having a fan assembly seated on a front part thereof; a heat exchanger provided to a front part of the fan assembly; a center frame coupled to the front part of the chassis and having a filter seated on a front surface thereof; a front panel having a shape that surrounds the front part and both side parts of the center frame, and rotatably coupled to the center frame; and a strength reinforcement plate attached to the rear surface of the front panel in order to reinforce the strength of the front panel.

With the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiments of the present invention constituted as described above, the front panel is stably opened and then is stably supported, such that the user or installer can safely perform the cleaning/replacing job of the filter or the repairing job of the internal components.

Also, the front panel is formed in a structure to surround the front surface part and the side surface part of the indoor unit, such that the external appearance of the front surface part of the indoor can be neatly processed.

Also, in a structure where the front panel is rotatably provided on the front surface part of the indoor unit, such that the opening and closing of the front panel ca be stably performed, without shaking.

Also, no separate holes are required for mounting the display device to the front panel and the light emitted from the display device is transmitted from the rear surface of the front panel to be exposed to the external, such that advanced design of the indoor unit can be attained.

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 of a center frame constituting an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view showing a filter guide structure provided in the center frame;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a front panel constituting an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the front panel;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing a structure where a front panel of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is rotatably connected to a center frame;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state where a front panel of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is rotated; and

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing a support structure that maintains a state where a front panel of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened.

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

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 intervened 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 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 of a center frame constituting an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view showing a filter guide structure provided in the center frame.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, 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.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a front panel constituting an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the front panel.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the front panel 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention forms a front surface and a side surface part of the indoor unit 1.

More specifically, the front panel 12 having a cross-section in a ㄷ shape forms a front surface and both side surface parts of the indoor unit 1. And, a hole for mounting a signal receiving part 14 is formed on a lower part of the front surface of the front panel 12.

More specifically, the signal receiving part 14 includes a case 141 and a cover covering a front surface of the case 141. An embedding part 143 having a predetermined size is formed on the front surface of the case 141. And, a display 21 is mounted on a rear surface of the front panel 12, wherein a temperature display unit 211 displaying a temperature is provided on a front surface of the display 21 and a light-emitting unit 212 informing whether the indoor unit is operated or the signal is received is projected on a lower part. And, the light-emitting unit 212 is received in the embedding part 143 of the case 141. The display 21 is closely coupled to the rear surface of the front panel 12. And, a portion of the front panel 12 corresponding to a portion where the display 21 is closed adhered may be formed at a thickness to the extent that light emitted from the temperature display unit 211 can be transmitted. Therefore, when the indoor unit 1 does not operate, the front surface of the front panel 12 functions as one plate, in contrast when the indoor unit 1 operates so that the temperature display unit 211 is lighted, numbers corresponding to temperature values are transmitted to the front panel 12 to be displayed on the front panel 12. And, there is no need to attach a separate device for such a temperature display to the front surface of the front panel 12, having an advantage that the front surface of the indoor unit 1 is very neatly processed. Furthermore, numbers displaying a temperature is viewed on the smooth surface to give a mystique in view of a design, making it possible to seek for an advanced product.

Meanwhile, an insertion rib 121 and a handle part 122 can be formed at the rear end of the side surface of the front panel 12. The insertion rib 121 can be formed on the upper side end of the front panel 12 and the handle part 122 can be formed on the lower side end thereof. The handle part 122 is formed on the side lower end part so that a user can easily lift up the upper end part of the front panel 12, putting it as a center of rotation. And, the insertion rib 121 is formed around the center of rotation of the front panel 12, having an advantage that it is not shaken in a state where the insertion rib 121 is coupled to the chassis 11. The function of the insertion rib 121 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Also, a strength reinforcement plate 41 reinforcing strength of the front panel 12 can be attached to the rear surface of the front panel 12.

More specifically, since the front panel 12 has a relatively larger horizontal length than a vertical width, there is concern that the front panel 1 may be bent or broken when it is lifted up for cleaning the filter in a state where the front panel 1 is coupled to the front surface of the indoor unit 1. Therefore, the strength reinforcement plate 41 is horizontally attached to the rear surface of the front panel 21, making it possible to allow the front panel 21 to maintain an appropriate stiffness.

Also, a display seating hole 412 corresponding to the size of the display 21 is formed in the central part of the strength reinforcement plate 41. And, an electric wire guide part 144 for neatly processing electric wires extended from the display 21 is extended on the strength reinforcement plate 41 at a predetermined length. The electric wire guide part 411 performs a function to reinforce the strength of the strength reinforcement plate 41 itself, in addition to the function to neatly arrange the electric wires.

Also, a fixing piece 23 and a hinge part 22 are mounted on an inner circumferential surface of the side surface part of the front panel 12. More specially, the fixing piece 23 is provided on a lower end of the rear side of the front panel 12 side. Therefore, if the upper part of the front panel 12 is lifted down putting it as a center of rotation, the fixing piece 23 is coupled to the coupling hook 137 (see FIG. 2) formed on the lower end of the side surface of the center frame 13.

Also, the hinge part 22 is attached to the upper parts of both side ends of the front panel 12.

More specifically, the hinge part 22 includes a hinge body closely adhered to the inner circumferential surface of the upper part of the front panel 12, a panel hinge 222 projected from the rear end of the lower surface part of the hinge body 221 in a shape that is bent backwards, and a panel link connection end 223 projected on the spot that is spaced forward from the panel hinge 222. The hinge parts 222 are formed on left and right ends of the front panel 12 to allow the front panel 12 to be rotatably connected to the center frame 13.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing a structure where a front panel of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is rotatably connected to a center frame, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' in FIG. 2. More specifically, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the front panel in a state that it is coupled to the center frame by the link member, as show in FIG. 6, is taken along line I-I' in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a projected panel hinge 222 in the hinge part is inserted into a panel hinge hole 135 formed on an upper surface of the center frame 13. And, the front panel 12 is connected to the center frame 13 through a panel link 24.

More specifically, one end of the panel link 24 is hinge-connected to a projected panel link connection end 223 in the bottom surface of the hinge part 22. And, the other end of the panel link 24 is silidingly connected to a panel link guide part 134 formed on an upper surface of the center frame 13.

More specifically, the panel link guide part 134 is formed in a shape that is inwardly embedded at a predetermined depth so that the other end of the panel link 24 can slidingly move along the bottom surface of the panel link guide part 134.

The bottom surface of the panel link guide part 134 is configured of a sliding surface 134a slanted at a predetermined angle and a step part 134b horizontally stepped on an upper end of the sliding surface 134a, as shown in FIG. 7. Here, the step part 134b may be stepped in a shape that is slanted slightly lower than the horizontal surface.

According to the constitution as described above, if the front panel 12 is lifted up, the panel hinge 222 of the hinge part 22 rotates in a direction that is detached from the panel hinge hole 135. And, the other end of the panel link 24 slidingly ascends along the sliding surface 134a. And, if the front panel 12 is opened at maximum, the other end of the panel link 24 is seated on the step part 134b. Therefore, although a user removes his or her hand from the front panel 12 in a state where the front panel 12 is opened at maximum, the front panel 12 remains open. And, in order that the other end of the panel link 24 can be stably slid, projections can be projected on both side surfaces of the other end of the panel link 24 and a receiving space receiving the projections can be formed on the side surface of the panel link guide part 134. Therefore, while the panel link 24 is ascending or descending, a state where the projections are received in the receiving space can be maintained and a phenomenon where the other end of the panel link 24 is detached from the panel link guide part 134 can be prevented.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 8, the front surface of the front panel 12 has a shape that is bent having a predetermined curvature. More specially, a display closely adhering surface 123 for mounting the display 21 is formed on the rear surface of the front panel 12. And, the display closely adhering surface 123 forms a plane as shown. This is the reason that in order to completely adhere the front surface of the display 21 to the rear surface of the front panel 21, light emitted from a temperature display unit 211 passes through the front panel 12, without being dispersed.

Meanwhile, when the display closely adhering surface 123 forms a plane, having a thicker thickness that that of other portions of the front panel 12, the light emitted from the display unit 21 cannot pass through the front panel 12 efficiently. Therefore, the thickness of the display closely adhering surface 123 is preferably formed to be slightly thinner that that of other portions forming the front surface of the front panel 12.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state where a front panel of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is rotated.

Referring to FIG. 9, insertion ribs 121 are projected to the rear ends of both side surface parts of the front panel 12. And, if the front panel 12 is assembled, the insertion rib 121 is inserted into the gap formed between a side surface part of the center frame 13 and a side surface part of the chassis 11. Therefore, the front panel 12 is coupled to the front part of the chassis 11 without shaking.

Also, a fixing piece 23 mounted in an inner circumferential surface of the side surface part of the front panel 12 is coupled to an coupling hook 137 formed on a side surface part of the center frame 13.

The front panel 12 is primarily supported by a structure where the other end of the panel link 24 is seated on the step part 134 of the panel link guide part 134, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

And, as shown in FIG. 10, the front panel 12 can be secondarily supported by a separate panel supporter 25. Therefore, the front panel 12 in an opened state can be more stably supported.

One end of the panel supporter 25 is movably connected to an upper surface of the center frame 13, that is, a lower surface of the upper grill 132.

More specifically, a filter partition part 139 is vertically extended on the lower surface of the upper grill 132, making it possible to allow two filters to be inserted into both sides of the filter partition part 139. And, a supporter receiving hole 139a for receiving the panel supporter 25 is formed on the filter partition part 139. The supporter hole 139a is configured of a horizontal part 139c and a vertical part 139b, and one end of the panel supporter 25 is retreated along the horizontal part 139c to be horizontally maintained when the front panel 12 is closed. Hinge shafts 251 are projected on the both sides of the end of the panel supporter 25 to be movable along the supporter receiving hole 139a. And, when the front panel 12 is opened, one end of the supporter panel 25 is trapped in one end of the vertical part 139b and the other end is contacted wit the rear surface of the front panel 12. As one embodiment, a supporter seated surface 413 allowing the other end of the panel supporter 25 to be coupled may be formed on the rear surface of the display 21. However, the supporter seated surface may also be formed on the rear surface of the front panel 12. And, a support end 252 is formed on the other end of the panel supporter 25, making it possible to widen a contact area with the front panel 12. More specifically, as the area where the panel supporter 25 contacts the front panel 12 is increased, the shaking of the front panel 12 is reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the panel supporter 25 and the front panel 12 have a surface contact by the supporter 252.

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;

a front panel coupled to a front part of the chassis;

a center frame interposed between the chassis and the front panel;

a fan assembly mounted on the front part of the chassis to inhale indoor air;

a heat-exchanger performing heat-exchange with the indoor air inhaled by the fan assembly;

hinges extended from both side ends of the front panel to allow the front panel to be rotatable from the chassis; and

a link whose one end is connected to the front panel and the other end is connected to the center frame to allow the front panel to be supported in an opened state.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a guide part guiding movement of the other end of the link is formed on an upper surface of the center frame.
The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein a bottom surface of the guide part is slantedly formed, and has a step part at a predetermined position.
The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein the step part is formed on a position where the other end of the link is seated, when the front panel is fully opened.
The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein at least one projection is formed on the other end of the link and the movement of the projection is guided by a side surface part of the guide part.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the one end of the link is rotatably connected to the front panel on a predetermined position spaced apart from the hinge.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is roundly extended to be inserted into the upper surface of the center frame.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising:

a supporter movably connected to the center frame and supporting a rear surface of the front panel so that the front panel remains open.
The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein a supporter receiving hole guiding movement of the supporter is formed on a lower side of the upper surface of the center frame, the supporter receiving hole including a horizontal part extended horizontally and a vertical part extended in a direction intersected with the horizontal part.
The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the vertical part is formed on the front end of the horizontal part so that one end of the supporter is received in a state where the front panel is opened, and the horizontal part is extended at a length corresponding to the length of the supporter so that the supporter is received in the center frame in a state where the front panel is closed.
An air conditioner comprising:

a chassis having a fan assembly seated on a front part thereof;

a heat exchanger provided to a front part of the fan assembly;

a center frame coupled to the front part of the chassis and having a filter seated on a front surface thereof;

a front panel having a shape that surrounds the front part and both side parts of the center frame, and rotatably coupled to the center frame; and

a strength reinforcement plate attached to the rear surface of the front panel in order to reinforce the strength of the front panel.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein handles are projected on both side surfaces of the front panel.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein insertion ribs are extended on the rear end of both side surfaces of the front panel, the insertion ribs being inserted into the gap between the chassis and the center frame.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein a display seating hole is formed on the central part of the strength reinforcement plate.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein an electric wire guide part is horizontally extended on the strength reinforcement plate.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein a fixing piece is provided to the side inner surface of the front panel, and a hook coupled to the fixing piece is formed on the side surface of the center frame.
The air conditioner according to claim 11, wherein the front surface of the front panel is formed to be rounded, and the area of the rear surface of the front panel on which the display is seated is formed to be flat.
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a signal receiving part is provided on the front surface of the front panel, a display is mounted on the rear surface of the front panel, and a light emitting part provided in the display is received in the signal receiving part.
The air conditioner according to claim 18, wherein a light emitting means displaying a room temperature is provided on the display, and at least a portion of the front panel is formed at a thickness to the extent that light emitted from the light emitting means can be transmitted.