WO2016043400A1 - Air conditioning apparatus having airflow controlling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air conditioning apparatus having an airflow controlling device, the air conditioning apparatus comprising: a case provided with an outlet in at least one surface thereof through which cold airflow is discharged; and a pair of sliding doors installed on the case to be capable of covering the outlet and formed to be able to control the open area of the outlet.

Description

Air Conditioning Unit with Air Flow Control

The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner having an airflow control device capable of adjusting the direction and intensity of cold air discharged from a discharge port of an indoor unit of an air conditioner.

In general, the air conditioner according to the related art is configured to introduce external air through the front surface or the upper surface of the indoor unit case, and discharge cold air through the discharge holes formed on the lower surface or both sides of the indoor unit case.

Discharge openings formed on the lower surface or both sides of the indoor unit case are provided with blades which can pivot at an angle, thereby controlling the area of the discharge opening or controlling the direction of airflow.

However, the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the prior art has a problem that it is limited to control the area of the discharge port or control the direction of the air flow. In particular, in the case of a front blowing type air conditioner that discharges cold air to an entire surface of an indoor unit, there is a problem in that airflow cannot be controlled using a blade used in the air conditioner according to the prior art.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and relates to an air conditioner having an airflow control device capable of variously adjusting the open area of the discharge port and the aspect ratio of the discharge area.

The present invention also relates to an airflow control device that can be applied to a front blowing type air conditioner.

An air conditioner having an airflow control device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a case provided with a discharge port through which cold airflow is discharged; And a pair of sliding doors installed on the case so as to cover the discharge port, and configured to control an opening area of the discharge port.

In this case, the pair of sliding doors may be installed to move in the vertical direction.

In addition, a pair of rotary doors may be installed at left and right sides of the discharge holes to cover the discharge holes.

In addition, the pair of sliding doors may be folding doors.

The aspect ratio of the discharge port may be adjusted by controlling the pair of sliding doors and the pair of rotary doors.

In addition, the pair of sliding doors are preferably installed to move in the left and right directions.

In addition, the upper side and the lower side of the discharge port may be provided with a pair of rotary doors that can cover the discharge port.

In addition, the pair of sliding doors may be folding doors.

In addition, a plurality of rotary blades that rotate up and down inside the case to the lower side of the pair of sliding doors may be installed.

The aspect ratio of the discharge port may be adjusted by controlling the pair of sliding doors and the pair of rotary doors.

The at least one pair of sliding doors may include a pair of first sliding doors moving in a left and right direction; And a pair of second sliding doors moving upward and downward.

In addition, the aspect ratio of the discharge port may be adjusted by controlling the pair of first sliding doors and the pair of second sliding doors.

In addition, the aspect ratio of the discharge port may be adjusted while keeping the open area of the discharge port constant.

In addition, the open area and the aspect ratio of the discharge port can be adjusted at the same time.

In addition, each of the at least one pair of sliding doors is installed in the case, the rail for guiding the movement of the pair of sliding doors; A rack gear installed at one side of the pair of sliding doors; And a motor for driving a pinion gear meshed with the rack gear.

In addition, the inner surface of the pair of sliding doors facing the discharge port may be formed in a curved shape.

In another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner having an airflow control device includes: a case provided with a discharge port through which cold airflow is discharged; And at least one rotating grille covering the discharge port on the case and rotatably installed with respect to the case, wherein the at least one rotating grill includes: a grill body rotatably installed with respect to the case; And a plurality of blades arranged parallel to the front surface of the grill body and installed to rotate at a predetermined angle.

At this time, the rotation angle of the grill body and the turning angle of the plurality of blades may be configured to be automatically adjusted.

In addition, a plurality of rotating grilles may be installed at the discharge ports of the case, and at least one of the plurality of rotating grills may have a different size from other rotating grilles.

1 is a perspective view showing an air conditioner according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a front blowing type air conditioner that can be applied to the airflow control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a graph comparing the cooling rates of the wall-mounted air conditioner and the front blowing type air conditioner according to the prior art;

4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating an airflow control device having a vertical sliding door and a left and right sliding door;

4B is a view showing a case in which the aspect ratio is changed while maintaining the same discharge area by using the airflow control device of FIG. 4A;

5 is a graph showing a change in air flow according to a change in aspect ratio in a state where the discharge area is the same;

6A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case in which the discharge area is adjusted using the left and right sliding doors;

6B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case where the discharge area is adjusted using the vertical sliding doors.

7 is a graph showing a change in air flow according to a change in discharge area;

8 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a vertical sliding door and a left and right sliding door;

9 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a left and right sliding door;

10 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a vertical sliding door;

11 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a vertical sliding door and a left and right rotating door;

12 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a left and right sliding door and a vertically rotating door;

13 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a left and right sliding door and a vertically rotated door installed therein;

14 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a foldable left and right sliding doors;

15 is a conceptual view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a foldable left and right sliding door and a vertically rotating door;

16 is a conceptual view showing the shape of the inner surface of the pair of sliding doors of the airflow control device;

17 is a front view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device composed of a rotating grill;

18 shows air flow control by a plurality of blades of a rotating grill;

FIG. 19 is a view showing various airflow control in an air conditioner having three rotating grills; FIG.

20 to 22 are front views showing other embodiments of an air conditioner having an airflow control device configured with a rotating grill.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail embodiments of the air conditioner with an airflow control device according to the present invention.

Embodiments described below are shown by way of example in order to help understanding of the present invention, it will be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. However, in the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known functions or components may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description and the detailed illustration will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated in some of the dimensions of the components rather than being drawn to scale to facilitate understanding of the invention.

 The wall-mounted air conditioner 1 according to the prior art as shown in FIG. 1 has external air introduced into the intake grill 3 provided in the front of the indoor unit due to the limitation of the blower fan and the flow path structure, and a discharge hole formed in a partial region of the front lower part. As (5) cold wind is discharged, comfort is not good. On the other hand, in the front blowing type air conditioner 10 as shown in FIG. 2, since the heat exchanger is disposed to correspond to the entire area of the front surface 11 of the indoor unit, cold wind is discharged from the entire area of the front surface 11 of the indoor unit. It is advantageous in terms of comfort.

In addition, since the front blowing type air conditioner 10 is cooled to the center of the living area, the cooling efficiency is better than that of the wall-mounted air conditioner 1 according to the prior art, which is cooled to the ceiling.

3 is a graph comparing the cooling rates of the wall-mounted air conditioner 1 according to the prior art and the front blowing type air conditioner 10 to which the airflow control device according to the present invention is applied. Here, the cooling rate is the time taken for the average temperature of the indoor space of 1.6m or less to reach 25 at 33 ° C. The cooling speed of the wall-mounted air conditioner 1 according to the prior art is about 21 minutes, but the cooling speed of the front blower type air conditioner 10 is about 12 minutes, which is cooler than the air conditioner 1 according to the prior art. You can see that the speed is much faster. Since the front blowing type air conditioner 10 only cools a space of 1.6 m or less, which is a living space, the cooling time is faster than that of the air conditioner 1 according to the prior art.

Since the front blower type air conditioner 10 discharges cold air in almost the entire area of the front surface 11 of the indoor unit, it controls the direction, flow rate, and the like of the air flow discharged to the entire front surface of the indoor unit. It is desirable to provide an airflow control device.

As a method of controlling the airflow from the discharge port of the air conditioner, there is a method of maintaining a constant area of the discharge area in which airflow is discharged, adjusting only the aspect ratio of the discharge area, and a method of adjusting the area of the discharge area.

The airflow control device using a method of maintaining a constant area of the discharge area and adjusting only the aspect ratio can cover the front of the indoor unit in the vertical direction and the vertical operation door that can cover the front of the indoor unit as the discharge port in the vertical direction. It includes a left and right operation door. An example of an airflow control device including such a vertical operation door and a left and right operation door is illustrated in FIG. 4A.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the vertical operation doors 21 and 22 are constituted by a pair of vertical sliding doors capable of linearly moving up and down with respect to the discharge port 28. The up and down sliding doors 21 and 22 may be controlled to move simultaneously or separately to move. For example, when the upper sliding door 21 is lowered to narrow the area of the discharge port 28, the lower sliding door 22 can also be raised to narrow the area of the discharge port 22 at the same time. Alternatively, when the upper sliding door 21 is raised to widen the area of the discharge port 28, the lower sliding door 22 can also be lowered to increase the area of the discharge port 28 at the same time. Alternatively, when the upper sliding door 21 or the lower sliding door 22 operates, the lower sliding door 22 or the upper sliding door 21 may be controlled to maintain a stopped state. Alternatively, the upper sliding door 21 and the lower sliding door 22 may be controlled to move in the same direction.

In addition, the left and right operation doors 23 and 24 are constituted by a pair of left and right sliding doors that can linearly move from side to side with respect to the discharge port 28. The left and right sliding doors 23 and 24 can be controlled to move simultaneously or separately. For example, when the left sliding door 23 moves to the right to narrow the area of the discharge port 28, the right sliding door 24 can also be moved to the left to narrow the area of the discharge port 28. . Alternatively, when the left sliding door 23 moves to the left to increase the area of the discharge port 28, the right sliding door 24 may also be moved to the right to widen the area of the discharge port 28. Alternatively, when the left sliding door 23 or the right sliding door 24 is operated, the right sliding door 24 or the left sliding door 23 may be controlled to maintain a stopped state. Alternatively, the left sliding door 23 and the right sliding door 24 may be controlled to move in the same direction.

However, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the upper and lower sliding doors 21 and 22 and the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24 are configured to move simultaneously. Therefore, the area of the discharge area (hereinafter referred to as the discharge area) determined by the upper and lower sliding doors and the left and right sliding doors above the discharge port is kept the same, and the aspect ratio (hereinafter referred to as discharge aspect ratio) of the discharge area is maintained. When changing, the upper and lower sliding doors 21 and 22 and the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24 move simultaneously. Here, the aspect ratio represents the horizontal length with respect to the vertical length of the discharge area 28 which is rectangular as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. That is, aspect ratio = width / length. For example, when the vertical length of the discharge region is 50 cm and the horizontal length is 100 cm, the discharge aspect ratio is 100/50 = 2.

4A and 4B show the case where the discharge area is the same and the discharge aspect ratio is different. In the case of FIG. 4A, the discharge area is A, the discharge aspect ratio is 1.5, and in FIG. 4B, the discharge area is A and the discharge aspect ratio is 3.5.

The experimental result which kept the discharge area the same and changed the discharge aspect ratio is shown in FIG. Referring to the graph of FIG. 5, it can be seen that the velocity of the discharged air can be changed by changing the discharge aspect ratio. It can be seen that the velocity of the discharged air measured 1m away from the discharge port decreases as the discharge aspect ratio increases. It can also be seen that the air velocity remains constant at about 0.12 m / s when the aspect ratio is approximately 48 or more.

In addition, the airflow control device using the method of adjusting the area of the discharge area may include a pair of operation doors formed to control the open area of the discharge port of the front surface of the indoor unit, that is, the discharge area. Specifically, only one of the upper and lower operation doors which may cover the discharge port of the indoor unit front side in the up and down direction and the left and right operation doors which may block the discharge port of the front side of the indoor unit in the left and right directions. An example of an airflow control device including a left and right operating door is shown in FIG. 6A, and an example of an airflow control device including an up and down operation door is shown in FIG. 6B.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the airflow control device 30 includes left and right sliding doors which are slid in a straight line in left and right directions as the left and right operating doors 31 and 32. The airflow control device 30 is installed on the front surface of the indoor unit case 39, and the left and right sliding doors 31 and 32 can move from side to side in a straight line with respect to the discharge port 38 on the front side of the indoor unit. At this time, the left and right sliding doors 31 and 32 may be controlled to move at the same time or to move separately. For example, when the left sliding door 31 moves to the right to narrow the area of the discharge port 38, the right sliding door 32 can also be moved to the left to narrow the area of the discharge port 38. have. Alternatively, when the left sliding door 31 moves to the left to widen the area of the discharge port 38, the right sliding door 32 may also be moved to the right to widen the area of the discharge port 38. Alternatively, when the left sliding door 31 or the right sliding door 32 is operated, the right sliding door 32 or the left sliding door 31 may be controlled to maintain a stopped state. Alternatively, the left sliding door 31 and the right sliding door 32 may be controlled to move in the same direction.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the airflow control device 40 includes a vertical sliding door that is capable of sliding in a straight line in the vertical direction as the vertical operation doors 41 and 42. The airflow control device 40 is installed at the front of the indoor unit case 49, and the vertical sliding doors 41 and 42 can slide upward and downward in a straight line with respect to the discharge port 48 at the front of the indoor unit. At this time, the upper and lower sliding doors 41 and 42 may be controlled to move at the same time or to move separately. For example, when the upper sliding door 41 moves downward to narrow the area of the discharge port 48, the lower sliding door 42 may also move upward to narrow the area of the discharge port 48. have. Alternatively, when the upper sliding door 41 moves upward to enlarge the area of the discharge opening 48, the lower sliding door 42 may also move downward to increase the area of the discharge opening 48. Alternatively, when the upper sliding door 41 or the lower sliding door 42 operates, the lower sliding door 42 or the upper sliding door 41 may be controlled to maintain a stopped state. Alternatively, the upper sliding door 41 and the lower sliding door 42 may be controlled to move in the same direction.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the airflow control device 20 including the upper and lower sliding doors 21 and 22 and the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24 may be controlled to change the discharge area. In this case, only one of the upper and lower sliding doors 21 and 22 and the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24 may be used. For example, when the area of the discharge port 28 is enlarged, the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24 are kept stationary, the upper sliding door 21 is moved upward, and the lower sliding door 22 is downward. Move it. When the area of the discharge port is narrowed, the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24 are kept stationary, the upper sliding door 21 is moved downward, and the lower sliding door 22 is moved upward. As another example, the upper and lower sliding doors 21 and 22 may be kept stationary and the discharge area may be adjusted by moving the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24. Alternatively, the discharge area may be adjusted by moving both the upper and lower sliding doors 21 and 22 and the left and right sliding doors 23 and 24.

As shown in FIG. 7, the experimental result of the relationship between the change of the discharge area and the air velocity is shown. Referring to Figure 7, it can be seen that the speed of the discharged air can be changed by changing the discharge area. It can be seen that the velocity of the discharged air measured 1m away from the discharge port decreases proportionally as the discharge area increases. In addition, it can be seen that the velocity of the discharged air measured at a distance of 1.5 m and a distance of 2 m from the discharge port decreases approximately proportionally until the discharge area is about 0.15 m 2.

Hereinafter, an air conditioner having an airflow control device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, which may change the discharge area and the discharge aspect ratio, will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 18. An air conditioner having an airflow control apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, but only the airflow control unit installed in the indoor unit and the indoor unit is shown in the accompanying drawings, and the outdoor unit is not shown. Since the outdoor unit includes a compressor, a condenser, and the like, the detailed description of the outdoor unit will be omitted since it is the same as or similar to that of the conventional outdoor unit.

8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a vertical sliding door and a left and right sliding door.

Referring to FIG. 8, the air conditioner 100 having the airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 101 and an airflow control device 110.

The indoor unit 101 has a structure in which the discharge port 103 through which cold air is discharged occupies a large part of one surface of the body, and includes a case 102, a heat exchanger, and a blowing unit.

The case 102 forms the appearance of the indoor unit 101, and a discharge port 103 capable of discharging air is provided on the front surface. The discharge port 103 is formed to occupy a large part of the front surface of the case 102. Only the discharge port 103 and the air flow control device 110 to be described later, which can adjust the open area of the discharge port 103, are installed on the front surface of the indoor unit of the air conditioner 100 according to the present invention.

A heat exchanger (not shown) is installed inside the case 102. Inside the heat exchanger, a coolant in a liquid state with low temperature and pressure flows. Therefore, when hot air flows through the heat exchanger, heat is deprived of the coolant to become cold air flow. The heat exchanger is formed to correspond to the shape and size of the discharge port 103.

The blower unit (not shown) is for producing airflow through the heat exchanger, and draws outside air to create airflow through the heat exchanger. The blowing unit may be installed in front of or behind the heat exchanger. The blower unit may be used as long as it can generate airflow such as a fan, piezoelectric actuator, mechanical actuator, and the like. In addition, one blower unit may be used or a plurality of blower units may be arranged in a predetermined form.

The airflow control device 110 is configured to adjust the open area (hereinafter referred to as discharge area) of the discharge port 103 of the indoor unit 101. The airflow control device 110 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a pair of first sliding doors 121 and 122 that move linearly in the left and right directions, and a pair of second sliding doors 131 and 132 that move linearly in the vertical direction. Include.

The pair of first sliding doors 121 and 122 include a left sliding door 121 and a right sliding door 122. The left sliding door 121 is installed to move leftward and rightward on the left side of the discharge port 103 to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 103, and the right sliding door 122 is left and right on the right side of the discharge port 103. It is installed to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 103 by moving in the direction. The left and right sliding doors 121 and 122 may be formed to have a size to cover half of the discharge port 103, respectively.

The left sliding door 121 may move to the left and right directions along the rail 123 installed in the case 102 to the left side of the discharge port 103, and a rack gear may be formed on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the left sliding door 121. 124 is provided. Each rack gear 124 is meshed with the pinion gear 125. The pinion gear 125 is connected to the shaft of a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 102. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 125 rotates, and when the pinion gear 125 rotates, the rack gear 124 moves left and right. Since the rack gear 124 is formed integrally with the left sliding door 121, when the rack gear 124 is moved left and right by the pinion gear 125, the left sliding door 121 is also integrally formed with the rack gear 124. Move left and right. Therefore, when the controller (not shown) of the air conditioner 100 controls the motor, the left sliding door 121 may control the degree of opening the discharge port 103 in the left and right directions. In the above description, a structure in which the left sliding door 121 moves by two motors, the pinion gear 125 and the rack gear 124 has been described. However, the left sliding door 121 uses the single motor, the pinion gear and the rack gear. It may be configured to move the 121.

The right sliding door 122 is installed to move left and right along the rail 123 installed in the case 102 to the right side of the discharge port 103, and each of the upper and lower sides of the right sliding door 122 has a rack. Gear 124 is provided. Each rack gear 124 is meshed with the pinion gear 125. The pinion gear 125 is connected to the shaft of a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 102. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 125 rotates, and when the pinion gear 125 rotates, the rack gear 124 moves from side to side and the right sliding door 122 moves from side to side. Since the structure of the right sliding door 122 is the same as that of the left sliding door 121 described above, the above description may be applied as it is.

The pair of second sliding doors 131 and 132 are installed on the upper side of the pair of first sliding doors 121 and 122 so as not to interfere with the pair of first sliding doors 121 and 122 and sliding downward with the upper sliding door 131. And a door 132. The upper sliding door 131 is installed to move upward and downward on the upper side of the discharge port 103 so as to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 103, and the lower sliding door 132 is disposed above and below the discharge port 103. It is installed to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 103 by moving in the direction. The upper and lower sliding doors 131 and 132 may be formed to have a size to cover half of the discharge port 103 in the vertical direction.

The upper sliding door 131 is installed to move upward and downward along a pair of vertical rails 133 installed in the case 102 on the left and right sides of the discharge port 103. The pair of vertical rails 133 are installed above the left and right sliding doors 121 and 122 so as not to interfere with the left sliding door 121 and the right sliding door 122, and both ends thereof are fixed to the case 102. The lower sliding door 132 is also installed to move in the vertical direction along a pair of vertical rails 133 provided with the upper sliding door 131.

A rack gear 134 is provided on each of the left side and the right side of the upper sliding door 131. Each rack gear 134 is meshed with the pinion gear 135. The pinion gear 135 is connected to the shaft of a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 102. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 135 rotates, and when the pinion gear 135 rotates, the rack gear 134 moves up and down. Since the rack gear 134 is formed integrally with the upper sliding door 131, when the rack gear 134 moves up and down by the pinion gear 135, the upper sliding door 131 also has a pair of vertical rails 133. It moves up and down integrally with the rack gear 134 along. Therefore, when the controller controls the motor, the degree of opening of the discharge port 103 in the vertical sliding door 131 in the vertical direction may be controlled. In the above, the structure in which the upper sliding door 131 moves by two motors, the pinion gear 135, and the rack gear 134 has been described. However, the upper sliding door 131 uses the one motor, the pinion gear and the rack gear. 131 may be configured to move.

A rack gear 134 is provided on each of the left side and the right side of the lower sliding door 132. Each rack gear 134 is meshed with the pinion gear 135. The pinion gear 135 is connected to the shaft of the motor installed inside the case 102. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 135 rotates, and when the pinion gear 135 rotates, the rack gear 134 moves up and down, so that the lower sliding door 132 follows the pair of vertical rails 133. It moves up and down. Since the structure of the lower sliding door 132 is the same as that of the upper sliding door 131 described above, the above description may be applied as it is.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the case in which the two pairs of sliding doors 121, 122, 131, and 132 are driven by using the rack gear 134 and the pinion gear 135 has been described, but the two pairs of sliding doors 121, 122, 131, and 132 are straight The driving structure to move is not limited to this. Various structures may be used as long as the sliding doors 121, 122, 131, and 132 can be linearly moved. For example, ball screws, belts, and pulleys may be used to linearly move the sliding door.

Therefore, when the control unit of the air conditioner 100 controls the motors of the left and right sliding doors 121 and 122 and the up and down sliding doors 131 and 132, the discharge area of the discharge port 103 of the indoor unit 101 may be variously controlled. have. In addition, the controller may control the motors of the left and right sliding doors 121 and 122 and the up and down sliding doors 131 and 132 to arbitrarily adjust the discharge aspect ratio while keeping the discharge area constant.

9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a left and right sliding door.

Referring to FIG. 9, the air conditioner 200 having the airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 201 and an airflow control device 210.

The indoor unit 201 has a structure in which a discharge port 203 through which cold air is discharged occupies a large part of one surface of the indoor unit body, and includes a case 202, a heat exchanger, and a blowing unit. Since the structure of the indoor unit 201 is the same as the indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-described embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The airflow control device 210 is configured to adjust the discharge area of the discharge port 203 of the indoor unit 201. The airflow control device 210 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes a pair of sliding doors 221 and 222 linearly moving in the left and right directions.

The pair of sliding doors 221 and 222 include a left sliding door 221 and a right sliding door 222. The left sliding door 221 is installed to move leftward and rightward on the left side of the discharge port 203 to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 203, and the right sliding door 222 is left and right on the right side of the discharge port 203. It is installed to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 203 by moving in the direction. The left and right sliding doors 221 and 222 may be formed to have a size to cover half of the discharge port 203, respectively.

The left sliding door 221 may move left and right along the rail 223 installed in the case 202 to the left side of the discharge port 203, and rack gears may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the left sliding door 221, respectively. 224 is provided. Each rack gear 224 is meshed with a pinion gear 225. The pinion gear 225 is connected to the shaft of a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 202. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 225 rotates, and when the pinion gear 225 rotates, the rack gear 224 moves to the left and right. Since the rack gear 224 is formed integrally with the left sliding door 221, when the rack gear 224 is moved left and right by the pinion gear 225, the left sliding door 221 is integrally formed with the rack gear 224. Move left and right. Therefore, when the controller of the air conditioner 200 controls the motor, the left sliding door 221 may control the degree of opening the discharge port 203 in the left and right directions.

The right sliding door 222 is installed to move to the left and right directions along the rail 223 installed in the case 202 to the right side of the discharge port 203, the rack on each of the upper side and the lower side of the right sliding door 222 Gear 224 is provided. Each rack gear 224 is meshed with a pinion gear 225. The pinion gear 225 is connected to the shaft of a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 202. Accordingly, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 225 rotates, and when the pinion gear 225 rotates, the rack gear 224 moves left and right so that the right sliding door 222 moves left and right. Since the structure of the right sliding door 222 is the same as that of the left sliding door 221 described above, the above description may be applied as it is.

In the above description, a structure in which the left and right sliding doors 221 and 222 move by two motors, the pinion gear 225 and the rack gear 224 has been described, but the left and right sliding doors 221 and 222 are each one motor. It may also be configured to move using pinion gears and rack gears.

Therefore, the controller of the air conditioner 200 may control the size of the discharge area of the discharge port 203 of the indoor unit 201 by controlling the motors of the left and right sliding doors 221 and 222 described above.

10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a vertical sliding door.

Referring to FIG. 10, an air conditioner 300 having an airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 301 and an airflow control device 310.

Since the structure of the indoor unit 301 including the case 302, the heat exchanger, and the blower unit is the same as the indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-described embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The airflow control device 310 is configured to adjust the discharge area of the discharge port 303 of the indoor unit 301. The airflow control device 310 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 includes a pair of sliding doors 311 and 312 that linearly move in the vertical direction.

The pair of sliding doors 311 and 312 include an upper sliding door 311 and a lower sliding door 312. The upper sliding door 311 is installed to move upward and downward on the upper side of the discharge port 303 to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 303, and the lower sliding door 312 is disposed on the lower side of the discharge port 303. Moving in the direction is installed so as to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port (303). The upper and lower sliding doors 311 and 312 may be formed to have a size to cover half of the discharge port 303 in the vertical direction.

The upper sliding door 311 is installed to move upward and downward along a pair of vertical rails 313 installed in the case 302 to the left and right of the discharge port 303. The pair of vertical rails 313 are installed in the case 302 to the left and right of the discharge port 303, and are provided to guide the vertical movement of the upper sliding door 311. The lower sliding door 312 is also installed to move in the vertical direction along a pair of vertical rails 313 provided with the upper sliding door 311.

A rack gear 314 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the upper sliding door 311. Each rack gear 314 is meshed with a pinion gear 315. The pinion gear 315 is connected to the shaft of a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 302. Therefore, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 315 rotates, and when the pinion gear 315 rotates, the rack gear 314 moves up and down. Since the rack gear 314 is formed integrally with the upper sliding door 311, when the rack gear 314 moves up and down by the pinion gear 315, the upper sliding door 311 also has a pair of vertical rails 313. It moves up and down integrally with the rack gear 314 along. Therefore, when the controller controls the motor, the degree of opening of the discharge port 303 in the vertical sliding door 311 may be controlled.

The rack gear 314 is provided on each of the left side and the right side of the lower sliding door 312. Each rack gear 314 is meshed with a pinion gear 315. The pinion gear 315 is connected to the shaft of a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 302. Accordingly, when the motor rotates, the pinion gear 315 rotates, and when the pinion gear 315 rotates, the rack gear 314 moves up and down so that the lower sliding door 312 follows the pair of vertical rails 313. It moves up and down. Since the structure of the lower sliding door 312 is the same as the structure of the upper sliding door 311 described above, the above description can be applied as it is.

In the above, the structure in which the upper sliding door 311 and the lower sliding door 312 are moved by two motors, the pinion gear 315, and the rack gear 314 has been described, but the upper and lower sliding doors 311 and 312 May be configured to move using one motor, pinion gear and rack gear.

Therefore, the controller of the air conditioner 300 may control the size of the discharge area of the discharge port 303 of the indoor unit 301 by controlling the motors of the upper and lower sliding doors 311 and 312 described above.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a vertical sliding door and a left and right rotating door.

Referring to FIG. 11, an air conditioner 400 having an airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 401 and an airflow control device 410.

Since the structure of the indoor unit 401 including the case 402, the heat exchanger, and the blowing unit is the same as the indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-described embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The airflow control device 410 is configured to adjust the discharge area of the discharge port 403 of the indoor unit 401. The airflow control device 410 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes a pair of sliding doors 411 and 412 and a pair of rotatable doors 421 and 422 linearly moving upward and downward.

The pair of sliding doors 411 and 412 include an upper sliding door 411 and a lower sliding door 412. The upper sliding door 411 is installed to move upward and downward on the upper side of the discharge port 403 to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 403, and the lower sliding door 412 is disposed on the lower side of the discharge port 403. It is installed to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 403 by moving in the direction. The upper and lower sliding doors 411 and 412 may be formed to have a size that can cover half of the discharge port 403 in the vertical direction.

The upper sliding door 411 and the lower sliding door 412 have the same structure as the pair of sliding doors 311 and 312 of the airflow control device 310 of the air conditioner 300 according to the embodiment of FIG. 10 described above. Similar descriptions are omitted here.

The pair of rotary doors 421 and 422 include a left rotating door 421 and a right rotating door 422. The left rotating door 421 is installed on the left side of the discharge hole 403 to cover or open the upper part of the discharge hole 403 by pivoting about the rotational axis, and the right rotating door 422 is located on the right side of the discharge hole 403. It is installed to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 403 by turning about the rotation axis. The left rotating door 421 and the right rotating door 422 may be formed to have a size that can cover half of the discharge port 403 in the left and right directions, respectively.

The left rotating door 421 is provided on the left side of the discharge port 403 so as not to interfere when the pair of sliding doors 411 and 412 move up and down. The left rotary door 421 is installed to rotate integrally with the rotary shaft, and the rotary shaft is rotatably supported by a pair of rotary support parts 424 installed on the case 402 to the left of the discharge port 403. The rotation support part 424 rotatably supports both ends of the rotation shaft, and is configured to rotate the rotation shaft by receiving power from a motor (not shown) installed in the case 402. As an example, although not shown, the gear may be fixed to one end of the rotation shaft, the pinion gear may be installed on the shaft of the motor, and the gear and the pinion gear of the rotation shaft may be engaged. Then, when the rotation of the motor is controlled, the left rotating door 421 can control the area opening the left side of the discharge port 403. When the left rotating door 421 is positioned at a position rotated by 90 degrees or more from the discharge port 403, the entire area of the left part of the discharge port 403 is exposed. However, when the left turn door 421 is positioned at a position of 90 degrees or less from the discharge port 403, a part of the left side of the discharge port 403 is covered to reduce the discharge area.

The right rotating door 422 is installed on the right side of the discharge port 403 so as not to interfere when the pair of sliding doors 411 and 412 move up and down. The right rotating door 422 is installed to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is rotatably supported by a pair of rotating support parts 424 installed on the case 402 to the right of the discharge port 403. The rotation support part 424 rotatably supports both ends of the rotation shaft, and is configured to rotate the rotation shaft by receiving power from a motor (not shown) installed in the case 402. As an example, although not shown, the gear may be fixed to one end of the rotation shaft, the pinion gear may be installed on the shaft of the motor, and the gear and the pinion gear of the rotation shaft may be engaged. Then, when the rotation of the motor is controlled, the right rotation door 422 can control the area opening the right side of the discharge port 403. When the right rotating door 422 is positioned at a position rotated 90 degrees or more from the discharge port 403, the entire area of the right side of the discharge port 403 is exposed. However, when the right turn door 422 is positioned at a position of 90 degrees or less from the discharge port 403, a part of the discharge port 403 is covered to reduce the discharge area.

However, when the left rotating door 421 and the right rotating door 422 are rotated at the same angle in the same direction, only the discharge direction of the airflow can be changed without reducing the discharge area. For example, if the left turn door 421 is rotated 60 degrees at the discharge port 403 and the right turn door 422 is rotated 120 degrees at the discharge port 403 (60 degrees is rotated from the front of the case 402). Corresponding), the airflow discharged without reducing the discharge area is discharged in a direction oriented 30 degrees from the front by the left and right rotating doors 421 and 422.

Therefore, when the controller of the air conditioner 400 controls the motors of the upper and lower sliding doors 411 and 412 and the left and right rotating doors 421 and 422, the area of the discharge area of the discharge port 403 of the indoor unit 401, Various shapes and discharge directions of the airflow can be controlled.

12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a left and right sliding door and a vertically rotating door.

Referring to FIG. 12, the air conditioner 500 having the airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 501 and an airflow control device 510.

Since the structure of the indoor unit 501 including the case 502, the heat exchanger, and the blowing unit is the same as the indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-described embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The airflow control device 510 is configured to adjust the discharge area of the discharge port 503 of the indoor unit 501. The airflow control device 510 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 includes a pair of sliding doors 511 and 512 and a pair of rotatable doors 521 and 522 linearly moving in the left and right directions.

The pair of sliding doors 511 and 512 includes a left sliding door 511 and a right sliding door 512. The left sliding door 511 is installed to cover or open the upper part of the discharge port 503 by linearly moving leftward and rightward on the left side of the discharge port 503, and the right sliding door 512 is located on the right side of the discharge port 503. It is installed to move in the left and right direction to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 503. The left and right sliding doors 511 and 512 may be formed to have a size to cover half of the discharge port 503 in the left and right directions, respectively.

The left sliding door 511 and the right sliding door 512 have the same structure as the pair of sliding doors 221 and 222 of the airflow control device 210 of the air conditioner 200 according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 described above. Similar descriptions are omitted here.

The pair of rotary doors 521 and 522 include an upper rotating door 521 and a lower rotating door 522. The upper rotating door 521 is installed on the upper side of the discharge port 503 to cover or open the upper part of the discharge port 503 by pivoting about the rotation axis, and the lower rotating door 512 is disposed below the discharge port 503. It is installed to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 503 by turning around the rotation axis. The upper rotary door 521 and the lower rotary door 522 may be formed to have a size that can cover half of the discharge port 503 in the vertical direction.

The upper rotating door 521 is installed above the discharge port 503 so that the pair of sliding doors 511 and 512 move left and right, so as not to interfere. The upper rotation door 521 is installed to rotate integrally with the rotation shaft, and the rotation shaft is rotatably supported by a pair of rotation support parts 524 installed in the case 502 above the discharge port 503. The rotation support part 524 rotatably supports both ends of the rotation shaft, and is configured to rotate the rotation shaft by receiving power from a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 502. As an example, although not shown, the gear may be fixed to one end of the rotation shaft, the pinion gear may be installed on the shaft of the motor, and the gear and the pinion gear of the rotation shaft may be engaged. Then, when the rotation of the motor is controlled, the area of the upper rotation door 521 opening the upper side of the discharge port 503 can be controlled. When the upper rotating door 521 is positioned at a position rotated by 90 degrees or more from the discharge port 503, the entire area of the upper portion of the discharge port 503 is exposed. However, when the upper rotating door 521 is positioned at a position of 90 degrees or less from the discharge port 503, a portion of the upper side of the discharge port 503 is covered by the upper rotating door 521, so that the discharge area is reduced.

The lower rotating door 522 is provided below the discharge port 503 so as not to interfere when the pair of sliding doors 511 and 512 move up and down. The lower rotation door 522 is installed to rotate integrally with the rotation shaft, and the rotation shaft is rotatably supported by a pair of rotation support parts 524 installed in the case 502 under the discharge port 503. The rotation support part 524 rotatably supports both ends of the rotation shaft, and is configured to rotate the rotation shaft by receiving power from a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 502. As an example, although not shown, the gear may be fixed to one end of the rotation shaft, the pinion gear may be installed on the shaft of the motor, and the gear and the pinion gear of the rotation shaft may be engaged. Then, when the rotation of the motor is controlled, the area of the lower rotating door 522 opening the lower side of the discharge port 503 can be controlled. When the lower rotating door 522 is positioned at a position rotated 90 degrees or more from the discharge port 503, the entire area of the lower part of the discharge port 503 is exposed. However, when the lower rotating door 522 is positioned at a position of 90 degrees or less from the discharge opening 503, a part of the discharge opening 503 is covered by the lower rotating door 522, so that the discharge area is reduced.

However, when the upper rotating door 521 and the lower rotating door 522 are rotated at the same angle in the same direction, only the discharge direction of the air flow can be changed without reducing the discharge area. For example, if the lower rotation door 522 is rotated 60 degrees at the discharge port 503 and the upper rotation door 521 is rotated 120 degrees at the discharge port 503 (60 degrees in front of the case 502). Correspondingly), the airflow discharged without reducing the discharge area is guided by the upper and lower rotating doors 521 and 522 and discharged inclined upward by 30 degrees in the horizontal plane.

Therefore, when the control unit of the air conditioner 500 controls the motors of the left and right sliding doors 511 and 512 and the up and down rotating doors 521 and 522, the area of the discharge area of the discharge port 503 of the indoor unit 501, Various shapes and discharge directions of the airflow can be controlled.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a left and right sliding door and a vertically rotating door installed therein.

Referring to FIG. 13, an air conditioner 600 having an airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 601 and an airflow control device 610.

The indoor unit 601 includes a case 602, a heat exchanger, and a blower unit, and the structure thereof is the same as that of the indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The airflow control device 610 is configured to adjust the discharge area of the discharge port 603 of the indoor unit 601. The airflow control device 610 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 includes a pair of sliding doors 611 and 612 and a plurality of rotatable doors 620 linearly moving in the left and right directions.

The pair of sliding doors 611 and 612 include a left sliding door 611 and a right sliding door 612. The left sliding door 611 is installed to cover or open the upper part of the discharge port 603 by moving in a left-right direction on the left side of the discharge port 603, and the right sliding door 612 is located on the right side of the discharge port 603. It is installed to cover or open the upper portion of the discharge port 603 by moving in the left and right directions. The left and right sliding doors 611 and 612 may be formed to have a size to cover half of the discharge port 603 in the left and right directions, respectively.

The left sliding door 611 and the right sliding door 612 have the same structure as the pair of sliding doors 221 and 222 of the airflow control device 210 of the air conditioner 200 according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 described above. Similar descriptions are omitted here.

The plurality of rotatable doors 620 are installed on the lower side of the left and right sliding doors 611 and 612 above the discharge port 603 so as not to interfere with the left and right sliding doors 611 and 612. Each of the plurality of rotatable doors 620 is disposed on the upper portion of the discharge port 603 to cover or open the upper part of the discharge hole 603 by pivoting about the rotation axis. The plurality of rotatable doors 620 may be formed to have a size such that each rotatable door 620 may cover a part of the discharge port 603, and the width of the rotatable door 620 may be a width of the plurality of rotatable doors 620. The overall width may be determined to correspond to the width of the discharge port 603. The length of the rotatable door 620 may be determined as the length corresponding to the length of the discharge port 603 or smaller than the length of the discharge port 603. When the length of the plurality of rotary doors 620 is smaller than the length of the discharge port 603, the discharge holes 603 on the left and right sides of the plurality of rotary doors 620 may be opened or covered by the left and right sliding doors 611 and 612. .

Each of the plurality of rotatable doors 620 is installed to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is rotatable by a pair of rotating supports (not shown) installed in the case 602 above the discharge port 603. Supported. The rotation support part rotatably supports both ends of the rotation shaft, and is configured to rotate the rotation shaft by receiving power from a motor (not shown) installed inside the case 602. As an example, the gear may be fixed to one end of the rotation shaft, the pinion gear may be installed on the shaft of the motor, and the gear and the pinion gear of the rotation shaft may be engaged. Then, when the rotation of the motor is controlled, the rotatable door 620 may control an area of opening the upper portion of the discharge port 603. In the above, the case where each of the plurality of rotating doors 620 is independently controlled by an individual motor has been described. However, the plurality of rotating doors 620 may be configured to rotate simultaneously by one motor.

By controlling the rotation angles of the plurality of rotatable doors 620, the discharge area may be adjusted. In addition, by controlling the rotation direction of the plurality of rotary doors 620 in the same way, it is possible to control the direction of the air flow discharged inclined upward or downward with respect to the horizontal plane without reducing the discharge area.

Accordingly, when the controller of the air conditioner 600 controls the motors of the left and right sliding doors 611 and 612 and the plurality of rotary doors 620, the area of the discharge area of the discharge port 603 of the indoor unit 601 is discharged. The shape of the area and the discharge direction of the airflow can be controlled in various ways.

14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a pair of folding doors.

Referring to FIG. 14, an air conditioner 700 having an airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 701 and an airflow control device 710.

The indoor unit 701 includes a case 702, a heat exchanger, and a blowing unit, and the structure thereof is the same as that of the indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-described embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The airflow control device 710 is configured to adjust the discharge area of the discharge port 703 of the indoor unit 701. The airflow control device 710 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 includes a pair of folding doors 711 and 712 that can move linearly in the left and right directions.

The pair of folding doors 711 and 712 include a left folding door 711 and a right folding door 712. The left folding door 711 is folded or unfolded on the left side of the discharge hole 703 in a left-right direction to be installed to open or cover the upper part of the discharge hole 703, and the right folding door 712 is disposed on the right side of the discharge hole 703. Folded or unfolded in the left and right direction is installed to open or cover the upper portion of the discharge port (703). The left and right folding doors 711 and 712 may each have a size that can cover half of the discharge port 703 in the left and right directions.

The folding doors 711 and 712 may be configured to automatically cover or open the discharge port by using a linear moving mechanism and a motor. In this case, the controller of the air conditioner 700 may control the discharge area of the discharge port 703 by controlling the motors of the folding doors 711 and 712. FIG. 14A illustrates a state in which the pair of folding doors 711 and 712 are completely opened to completely expose the ejection openings 703. FIG. 14B illustrates the opening of the pair of folding doors 711 and 712 to open the ejection openings 703. It shows the state which covered a part of.

15 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an air conditioner having an airflow control device including a left and right folding door and a vertically rotating door.

Referring to FIG. 15, an air conditioner 800 having an airflow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor unit 801 and an airflow control device 810.

The indoor unit 801 includes a case 802, a heat exchanger, and a blowing unit, and the structure thereof is the same as that of the indoor unit 101 of the air conditioner 100 according to the above-described embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The airflow control device 810 is configured to adjust the discharge area of the discharge port 803 of the indoor unit 801. The airflow control device 810 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 has a pair of folding doors 811 and 812 which can be linearly moved in the left and right directions, and a pair of rotating doors 821 and 822 provided above and below the discharge port 803. ).

The pair of folding doors 811 and 812 include a left folding door 811 and a right folding door 812. The left foldable door 811 is installed on the left side of the discharge port 803 to be folded or unfolded in left and right directions so as to open or cover the upper part of the discharge port 803, and the right folding door 812 is disposed on the right side of the discharge port 803. Folded or unfolded in the left and right direction is installed to open or cover the upper portion of the discharge port 803. The left and right folding doors 811 and 812 may each have a size that can cover half of the discharge port 803 in the left and right directions.

The folding doors 811 and 812 may be configured to automatically cover or open the discharge port 803 using a linear moving mechanism and a motor. In this case, the control unit of the air conditioner 800 may control the discharge area of the discharge port 803 by controlling the folding degree of the folding doors 811, 812 by controlling the motors of the folding doors 811, 812.

The pair of rotatable doors 821 and 822 are installed above the discharge port 803 so as not to interfere with the pair of folding doors 811 and 812, and include an upper rotating door 821 and a lower rotating door 822. The upper rotating door 821 covers the upper part of the discharge port 803 by turning about the rotation axis to the case 802 to the upper side of the discharge port 803 without interfering with the operation of the pair of folding doors 811 and 812. Installed to open. The lower rotating door 822 pivots about the rotation axis to the case 802 to the lower side of the discharge port 803 without interfering with the operation of the pair of folding doors 811 and 812, or to cover the upper part of the discharge port 803 Installed to open. The upper rotary door 821 and the lower rotary door 822 may be formed to have a size that can cover half of the discharge port 803 in the vertical direction, respectively.

Since the structure of the upper rotating door 821 and the lower rotating door 822 is the same as or similar to the upper and lower rotating doors 521 and 522 of the air conditioner 500 of FIG. 12, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, when the controller of the air conditioner 800 controls the motors of the pair of folding doors 811, 812 and the pair of rotating doors 821, 822, the area of the discharge area of the discharge port 803, the shape of the discharge area, and The direction of the discharge airflow can be controlled in various ways.

In the above, examples of the airflow control apparatus 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 according to various embodiments have been described. Such airflow control devices control the area of the discharge area by blocking the upper portion of the discharge port by using a sliding door. When the sliding door is blocking a part of the discharge port, the inner surface of the sliding door may be formed to have a constant curved surface to minimize the resistance of the air discharged from the discharge port.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the inner surfaces of the pair of sliding doors 911 and 912 of the airflow control device 910 facing the front surface of the case 902 of the indoor unit 901 of the air conditioner 900. 911a and 912a may be formed in an arc shape having a predetermined curvature. At this time, one sliding door 911 makes the thickness of one end in contact with the other sliding door 912 thin and the thickness of the opposite end thick. As described above, when the inner surfaces of the pair of sliding doors 911 and 912 are arcuate shapes having a predetermined curvature, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the airflow discharged from the discharge port 903 causes the inner surfaces 911a and 911 of the pair of sliding doors 911 and 912. Since air is discharged to the center open portion along 912a, air resistance can be reduced. In FIG. 16, reference numerals 905 and 907 denote heat exchangers and blowers, respectively.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the case in which the sliding door is driven using the rack gear and the pinion gear has been described, but the driving structure for linearly moving the sliding door is not limited thereto. Various structures can be used as long as the sliding door can be linearly moved. For example, ball screws, belts, and pulleys may be used to linearly move the sliding door.

The air conditioner having the airflow control device according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above structure can efficiently control the airflow by controlling the aspect ratio of the discharge port and the discharge area of the discharge port. In particular, the method of adjusting the aspect ratio while maintaining a constant discharge area of the discharge port can efficiently control the air flow while minimizing the pressure loss.

The controller of the air conditioner having the airflow control device as described above may control the airflow control device in the following cooling operation scenario.

In the initial stage of cooling, the control unit controls the airflow control device to generate a rapid airflow by reducing the aspect ratio and the discharge area of the discharge port. Then, users can feel fast cooling. After a certain time elapses, the controller controls the airflow control device to increase the aspect ratio and the discharge area of the discharge port to perform cooling without cold draft. Then, the users can feel comfortable without feeling the cold caused by the cold draft.

In addition, the controller of the air conditioner may control the airflow control device to control the direction of the airflow. That is, by controlling the airflow control device, it is possible to intensively cool a place close to the indoor unit or to intensively cool a long distance. Alternatively, the left side or the right side of the indoor unit can be controlled to intensively cool.

Hereinafter, an example of an air conditioner in which an air flow control device is formed of a rotating grill will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing an air conditioner having an airflow control device composed of a rotating grill, and FIG. 18 is a view showing airflow control by a plurality of blades of the rotating grill. 19 is a view showing various air flow control in the air conditioner having three rotating grilles.

Referring to FIG. 17, the indoor unit 1010 of the air conditioner 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of rotating grills 1020, 1030, and 1040 at discharge ports of the front surface 1011 of the case. It is installed. The plurality of rotating grills 1020, 1030 and 1040 are installed to cover the entire area of the discharge port of the case. In FIG. 17, three rotating grills 1020, 1030, and 1040 are installed on the front surface 1011 of the case of the indoor unit 1010, but when the area of the outlet of the indoor unit front surface 1011 is small, the rotary grills 1020, 1030, One or two 1040 may be installed.

Rotating grills 1020, 1030, and 1040 are rotatably installed with respect to front surface 1011 of the case. The rotating grill 1020 includes a grill body 1023 and a plurality of blades 1021.

The grill body 1023 is rotatably installed with respect to the front surface 1011 of the case, and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. A plurality of blades 1021 are installed on the front surface of the grill body 1023. The rear end of the grill body 1023 faces the heat exchanger. Thus, cold air passing through the heat exchanger is discharged through the grill body 1023 into the space between the plurality of blades 1021. The grill body 1023 may be rotatably installed relative to the case manually. In another embodiment, the grill body 1023 may be automatically rotatable relative to the front surface 1011 of the case. For example, a gear may be formed on the outer circumference of the grill body 1023 rotatably supported by the case, and the gear of the grill body 1023 may be rotated by a pinion gear coupled to the shaft of the motor. In such a configuration, when the motor is controlled, the grill body 1023 can be rotated with respect to the case, and the amount of rotation can be controlled.

The plurality of blades 1021 are arranged parallel to the front surface of the grill body 1023, and are installed to rotate at an angle with respect to the front surface of the grill body 1023. The plurality of blades 1021 are installed so that the whole rotates at the same angle with respect to the front surface of the grill body 1023. In this way, when the plurality of blades 1021 are installed, the direction of the airflow discharged through the rotating grill 1020 can be controlled. 18 shows an example of controlling the direction of airflow using the plurality of blades 1021. FIG. 18A illustrates a state where the plurality of blades 1021 are inclined downward to discharge the airflow downward. FIG. 18B shows a state in which the plurality of blades 1021 are kept horizontal to discharge the air flow in the horizontal direction. FIG. 18C illustrates a state in which the plurality of blades 1021 are inclined upward to discharge the air flow upward.

The plurality of blades 1021 may be configured to manually adjust the rotation angle. In another embodiment, it may be configured to automatically adjust the rotation angle of the plurality of blades (1021). For example, the rotation angle of the plurality of blades 1021 can be controlled by using a motor or a linear actuator.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example in which the directions of the airflows discharged from the discharge port are variously controlled using three rotary grills of the air conditioner of FIG. 17.

19 (a) shows that the central rotating grill 1030 has the plurality of blades 1031 in a vertical state, and the left rotating grill 1020 has the plurality of blades 1021 inclined upward toward the center. The right rotating grill 1040 has a plurality of blades 1041 inclined upward toward the center. Then, the airflow discharged from the three rotating grills 1020, 1030, and 1040 as shown by the arrow is concentrated in the center, thereby achieving a centralized discharge state.

FIG. 19B shows the left rotating grill 1020, the central rotating grill 1030, and the right rotating grill 1040 having the plurality of blades 1021, 1031, and 1041 inclined upward to the right. Then, the air flow discharged from the three rotary grills 1020, 1030, and 1040 as shown by the arrow is discharged to the right and thus the right concentrated discharge state. At this time, when the plurality of blades 1021, 1031 and 1041 are inclined in the right direction with respect to the front surface of the grill body, the discharged airflow can be more reliably biased to the right side.

In FIG. 19C, the left rotating grill 1020, the center rotating grill 1030, and the right rotating grill 0140 all have the plurality of blades 1021, 1031, and 1041 inclined upward to the left. Then, the air flow discharged from the three rotary grills 1020, 1030, and 1040 as shown by the arrow is discharged to the left and is discharged to the left. At this time, when the plurality of blades 1021, 1031 and 1041 are inclined to the left side with respect to the front surface of the grill body, the discharged airflow can be more reliably biased to the left side.

In FIG. 19D, the left rotating grill 1020, the center rotating grill 1030, and the right rotating grill 1040 all have the plurality of blades 1021, 1031 and 1041 in a horizontal state. Then, as shown by the arrow, the air flow discharged from the three rotating grills 1020, 1030 and 1040 is uniformly discharged to the front. In this case, when the plurality of blades 1021, 1031 and 1041 are inclined upward or downward with respect to the front surface of the grill body, the discharged airflow may be biased upward or downward toward the horizontal plane.

FIG. 19 (e) shows that the central rotating grill 1030 has a plurality of blades 1031 in a horizontal state, and the left rotating grill 1020 has a plurality of blades 1021 inclined downward with respect to the center thereof. The right rotating grill 1040 has a plurality of blades 1041 inclined downward with respect to the center. Then, the airflow discharged from the three rotating grills 1020, 1030, and 1040 as shown by the arrows are separated without interference, so that the three airflows can be individually controlled.

FIG. 19 (f) shows an example of a state in which air flows from the three rotating grills 1020, 1030 and 1040 are individually controlled as shown in FIG. 19 (e). That is, the central rotating grill 1030 has a plurality of blades 1031 in a horizontal state, the left rotating grill 1020 has a plurality of blades 1021 are inclined downward with respect to the center, the right rotating grill 1040 Plural blades 1041 are inclined downward with respect to the center. In this state, the left rotating grill 1020 adjusts the plurality of blades 1021 to discharge the air flow at the maximum flow rate, and the central rotating grill 1030 adjusts the plurality of blades 1031 to reduce the air flow at the minimum flow rate. The rotary grill 1040 on the right side may control the plurality of blades 1041 to discharge the air flow at an intermediate flow rate.

Hereinafter, other embodiments of an air conditioner having an airflow control device configured with a rotating grill will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22.

Referring to FIG. 20, the indoor unit 1110 of the air conditioner 1100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of rotating grills 1120, 1130, and 1140 at discharge ports of a front surface 1111 of the case. It is installed. The plurality of rotating grills 1120, 1130, and 1140 are installed to cover the entire area of the discharge port of the case. In the air conditioner 1100 according to the present embodiment, unlike the air conditioner 1000 illustrated in FIG. 17, a rotating grill having a different size is installed on the front surface 1111 of the indoor unit case. Larger size rotary grills 1120 and 1130 are provided on the left and right sides of the discharge port in the front of the indoor unit, and three small size rotary grills 1140 are provided in the center. Since the large sized rotating grills 1120 and 1130 and the small sized rotating grill 1140 in the center are the same as the rotating grill 1120 of the above-described embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 21, in the indoor unit 1210 of the air conditioner 1200 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of rectangular grilles 1220 are installed at the outlets of the front surface 1211 of the case. A plurality of rectangular grille 1220 is installed to cover the entire area of the discharge port of the case. The square grille 1220 installed in the air conditioner 1200 according to the present embodiment may not rotate with respect to the case unlike the above-described rotary grille 1020. However, the plurality of blades 1221 are installed to rotate at a predetermined angle with respect to the front surface of the grill body in the same manner as the plurality of blades 1021 of the rotating grill 1020 described above. In FIG. 21, three square grilles 1220 are installed at the front of the indoor unit case, but only one or two square grills 1220 may be installed when the area of the discharge port at the front of the indoor unit is small. That is, the number of the square grilles 1220 installed on the front of the indoor unit is not limited to three, but may be variously determined according to the size of the discharge port and the size of the square grilles 1220.

Referring to FIG. 22, the indoor unit 1310 of the air conditioner 1300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of rotating grills 1320 and a rectangular grill 1340 at discharge ports of a front surface 1311 of the case. ) Is installed. The plurality of rotary grills 1320 and the square grills 1340 are installed to cover the entire area of the discharge port of the case. Unlike the air conditioner 1000 illustrated in FIG. 17, the air conditioner 1300 according to the present embodiment is provided with one square grille 1340 at the center of the discharge port, and two rotations are provided on the left and right sides of the discharge port. The grill 1320 is provided. The left and right rotating grill 1320 is the same as the rotating grill 1020 of the embodiment of FIG. 17 described above, and the center square grille 1340 is the same as the square grille 1220 of the embodiment of FIG. 21 described above. Description is omitted.

In the above, the present invention has been described by way of example. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Accordingly, unless otherwise stated, the invention may be practiced freely within the scope of the claims.

Claims (15)

1. A case provided with a discharge port through which cold air is discharged on at least one surface; And

   And a pair of sliding doors installed on the case so as to cover the discharge port, and configured to control an open area of the discharge port.
2. The method of claim 1,

   And the pair of sliding doors are installed to move in a vertical direction.
3. The method of claim 2,

   And a pair of rotary doors disposed on the left and right sides of the discharge port to cover the discharge port.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein

   The pair of sliding doors are air conditioners with airflow control, characterized in that the folding door.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein

   And an airflow control device configured to control the pair of sliding doors and the pair of rotary doors to adjust an aspect ratio of the discharge port.
6. The method of claim 1,

   And the pair of sliding doors are installed to move in a left and right direction.
7. The method of claim 6,

   And a pair of rotary doors disposed on the upper side and the lower side of the discharge port to cover the discharge port.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein

   The pair of sliding doors are air conditioners with airflow control, characterized in that the folding door.
9. The method of claim 6,

   And a plurality of rotatable vanes rotating up and down inside the case to the lower side of the pair of sliding doors.
10. The method of claim 6,

    And an airflow control device configured to control the pair of sliding doors and the pair of rotary doors to adjust an aspect ratio of the discharge port.
11. The method of claim 1,

    The at least one pair of sliding doors,

    A pair of first sliding doors moving in the left and right directions; And

    And a pair of second sliding doors moving in the vertical direction.
12. The method of claim 11,

    And an aspect ratio of the discharge port may be controlled by controlling the pair of first sliding doors and the pair of second sliding doors.
13. The method of claim 12,

    An air conditioner having an airflow control device, wherein the aspect ratio of the discharge port is adjusted while maintaining the open area of the discharge port.
14. The method of claim 12,

    And an airflow control device, characterized in that the opening area and the aspect ratio of the discharge port can be adjusted at the same time.
15. The method of claim 1,

    Each of the at least one pair of sliding doors,

    A rail installed in the case to guide movement of the pair of sliding doors;

    A rack gear installed at one side of the pair of sliding doors; And

    And a motor for driving a pinion gear meshed with the rack gear.

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