Air conditioner

Abstract

An air conditioner is disclosed. The present invention includes a cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a front direction, an indoor blower provided within the cabinet, the indoor blower sucking the indoor air to blow in the front direction, and at least one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air. Accordingly, the present invention enhances air-conditioning performance.

Description

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application Nos. P2004-43634, filed on Jun. 14, 2004, P2004-43635, filed on Jun. 14, 2004, P2004-43638, filed on Jun. 14, 2004, P2004-44109, filed on Jun. 15, 2004, P2004-44110, filed on Jun. 15, 2004 and P2004-65508, filed on Aug. 19, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air conditioner. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for smoothing a flow of air that is sucked or blown.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, an air conditioner, which includes a compressor and a heat exchanger to make a refrigerant flow therein, cools down or heats an indoor space such as a living room, a restaurant, a library, an office and the like. And, the air conditioner can be categorized into a separate type and a combined type.

The separate type air conditioner consists of an indoor unit having a heat exchanger for cooling or heating an indoor space, an outdoor unit having a built-in heat exchanger for heat exchange with an outdoor air, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.

The indoor and outdoor units of the separate type air conditioner are separately installed at indoor and outdoor spaces, respectively.

Meanwhile, the combined type air conditioner, which includes indoor and outdoor units built in one body together, is directly installed on a hole of a house wall or is hung on a window.

An air conditioner according to a related art is explained with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as follows.

The air conditioner according to the related art shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is the combined type air conditioner having an indoor unit for a heat exchange with an indoor air and an outdoor unit for a heat exchange with an outdoor air, in which the indoor and outdoor units are built in one body.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the air conditioner consists of a base panel 2 forming an exterior, a frame 4 provided over the base panel 2, an air guide 6 partitioning the base panel 2 and the frame 4 into an indoor part I and an outdoor part, a front panel 9 provided to a front side of the cabinet 4 toward an indoor space to configure a front part of the combined type air conditioner, and a compressor 12 changing a low-temperature low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant.

In the outdoor part, a condenser 14 radiating heat to air flowing within the outdoor part and an expansion valve (not shown in the drawing) expanding the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 14 are received.

To the indoor part I provided is an evaporator 16 evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve. In doing so, the refrigerant absorbs heat of the air flowing within the indoor part to evaporate into a gaseous phase.

Meanwhile, outdoor intake ports 5 are formed at lateral and upper sides of the outdoor part to suck the outdoor air. A backside of the outdoor part is open to blow the air to the outdoor space.

An indoor air intake port 10 is provided to a lower part of a front side of the front panel 9. And, an indoor air blowing port 11 is provided to an upper part of the front panel 9 to blow the air into the indoor space.

The air guide 6 consists of a vertical guide 7 provided vertical to a topside of the base panel 2 and a horizontal guide 8 horizontally provided over the vertical guide 32 to guide the air forcibly moved by a turbo fan 24 to the indoor air blowing port 11.

A bi-shaft motor 22 is provided to the air guide 6 of the combined type air conditioner. In this case, front and rear shafts 20a and 20b are projected from the bi-shaft motor 22 toward the indoor and outdoor parts, respectively.

The turbo fan 24 is connected to the front shaft 20a to forcibly circulate the indoor air to the evaporator 16. And, an orifice accelerating a wind speed is provided to an intake side of the turbo fan 24.

A propeller fan 28 is connected to the rear shaft 20b of the bi-shaft motor 20 to forcibly move the outdoor air toward the condenser 14. And, a shroud 30 forming an air passage is provided in rear of the propeller fan 26.

An operation of the above-configured related art combined type air conditioner is explained as follows.

First of all, once the combined type air conditioner is actuated, the refrigerant is circulated by the driven compressor 12 via the condenser 14, the expansion mechanism (not shown in the drawing) and the evaporator 16. And, the bi-shaft motor 20 rotates the turbo fan 24 and the propeller fan 28 to suck the indoor air and the outdoor air into the indoor part and the outdoor part, respectively.

In particular, the indoor air in front of the front panel 9 passes through the indoor air intake port 10 by the rotation of the turbo fan 24 and is then cooled down via the evaporator 16.

A flowing direction of the air cooled down by the evaporator 16 is diverted along the orifice 26, the vertical guide 7 and the horizontal guide 8 toward the indoor air blowing port 11 provided to the front panel 9 and is then blown to a front side of the front panel 9 via the indoor air blowing port 11.

The air in the outdoor space is sucked into the outdoor intake ports 5 by the rotation of the propeller fan 28, passes through the shroud 30, passes through the condenser 14 to take heat from the refrigerant flowing within the condenser 14, and is then blown out to the outdoor space.

However, the related art air conditioner has the following problems or disadvantages.

First of all, since the indoor air intake port and the indoor air blowing port are provided to the upper and lower parts of the front panel, respectively, a considerable quantity of the air blown into the indoor space is re-sucked into the indoor air intake port right after having been blown.

Secondly, since the flowing direction of the air flowing within the indoor part by the turbo fan is abruptly diverted by the horizontal guide, a flowing loss is considerable and a corresponding noise becomes a serious problem.

Thirdly, since the air is blown in the rear direction via the backside of the outdoor part, airflow resistance is raised to degrade the heat exchange performance of the outdoor part in case of an adverse wind.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an air conditioner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner, by which air-conditioning performance is enhanced.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an air conditioner according to the present invention includes a cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a front direction, an indoor blower provided within the cabinet, the indoor blower sucking the indoor air to blow in the front direction, and at least one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.

Preferably, the cabinet includes an indoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the cabinet to suck the indoor air and an indoor air blowing port provided in front of the indoor blower to enable the air-conditioned air to be blown from the cabinet in the front direction, the indoor air blowing port provided to a front panel configuring a front side of the cabinet.

More preferably, the air conditioner further includes a blowing guide opening/closing the indoor air blowing port to guide the air blown into an indoor space. More preferably, the at least one indoor heat exchanger is provided between the indoor air intake port and the indoor blower. More preferably, the air conditioner further includes an air guide provided between the indoor blower and the indoor air blowing port and the air guide includes an orifice wherein the air blown from the indoor blower passes through the orifice. More preferably, the air guide is built in one body of the cabinet to be provided within the cabinet.

Preferably, the indoor blower includes a hub connected to a rotational shaft of a blower motor and a plurality of spiral blades provided to an outer circumference of the hub.

Preferably, the air conditioner further includes a barrier provided within the cabinet to partition the cabinet into an indoor cabinet having an indoor air intake port and an indoor air blowing port and an outdoor cabinet, wherein the indoor blower and the at least one indoor heat exchanger are provided within the indoor cabinet and wherein an outdoor blower sucking an outdoor air into the outdoor cabinet to blow and at least one outdoor heat exchanger exchanging heat with the flowing outdoor air are provided within the outdoor cabinet.

More preferably, the outdoor cabinet includes an outdoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet to suck the outdoor air, wherein the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is provided between the outdoor air intake port and the outdoor blower.

More preferably, the outdoor air is sucked in rear of the outdoor cabinet and the air heat-exchanged in the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is blown in a lateral direction of the outdoor cabinet.

More preferably, the outdoor cabinet includes an outdoor blowing port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet, wherein the outdoor blower sucks the air in rear to blow the sucked air in a radial direction.

More preferably, the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is provided between the outdoor air blowing port and the outdoor blower.

More preferably, the indoor blower includes an indoor blower fan, the outdoor blower includes an outdoor blower fan, and both of the indoor and outdoor blower fans are driven by one blower motor.

In another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner includes an outdoor cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the outdoor cabinet in a rear direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a later direction and an outdoor blower provided within the outdoor cabinet to suck an outdoor air to blow in a radial direction.

Preferably, the outdoor cabinet includes an outdoor air intake port provided to a rear end side of the outdoor cabinet and an outdoor air blowing port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet.

In a further aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner includes a cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet by a prescribed angle against a front side of the cabinet, an indoor blower provided within the cabinet to forcibly enable an air flow so that the indoor air is sucked into the cabinet to be blown from the cabinet, and at least one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.

Preferably, the cabinet includes an indoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the cabinet to suck the indoor air, an indoor air blowing port provided to the at least one of the left, right and upper sides of the cabinet, and a blowing guide guiding the air blown into an indoor space via the indoor air blowing port toward a circumference of a front side of the cabinet.

More preferably, the indoor air blowing port is opened/closed by the blowing guide.

More preferably, the blowing guide is rotatably connected to a rim of the indoor air blowing port.

Preferably, the cabinet includes an indoor cabinet within which the indoor blower and the at least one indoor heat exchanger are provided and an outdoor cabinet within which an outdoor heat exchanger for a heat exchange with an outdoor air and an outdoor blower for a forcible air flow are provided.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a combined type air conditioner according to a related art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a combined type air conditioner according to a related art;

FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air conditioner shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, an air conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet enclosing various component parts for cooling/heating of an indoor space.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet preferably includes an indoor cabinet for a heat exchange with an indoor air and an outdoor cabinet for a heat exchange with an outdoor air.

In this case, the indoor air A is sucked via lateral sides of the indoor cabinet and the air-conditioned air within the cabinet is blown in a front direction of the cabinet.

And, the outdoor air B is sucked via lateral sides of the outdoor cabinet, exchanges heat, and is then blown in a rear direction.

Preferably, the cabinet has a fully open backside or has a substantially rectangular box shape having an opening at its backside. Yet, the cabinet can be variously configured.

For instance, the cabinet of the air condition according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a base panel 52 forming a bottom of the cabinet, an indoor frame 55 having an indoor air intake port via which the indoor air is sucked, and an outdoor frame 64 provided over a rear part of the base panel 52.

For example, the base panel 52, the indoor frame 55 and the outdoor frame 64 can be built in one body. Preferably, the base panel 52, the indoor frame 55 and the outdoor frame 64 are individually provided to be assembled in one body together for the sake of repair or cleaning of internal parts.

The indoor air intake port is provided to the cabinet, and more particularly, to at least on of right, left and upper sides of the indoor frame 55 to allow the indoor air to be sucked in lateral directions of the indoor frame 55.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, at least one or more indoor air intake ports 53 and 54 are provided to the right and left sides of the indoor frame 55.

For reference, the indoor air intake port provided to the right side of the indoor frame 55 is called a right indoor air intake port 53 and the indoor air intake port provided to the left side of the indoor frame 55 is called a left indoor air intake port 54.

An indoor blower 72 is provided within the cabinet, and more particularly, within the indoor cabinet. And, an air guide 57 is provided in front of the indoor blower 72.

Moreover, an orifice 56 is provided to the air guide 57 to allow the air, which is blown in a front direction by the indoor blower 72, to pass through. In this case, the air guide 57 is preferably built in one body of the cabinet, and more particularly, in one body of the indoor frame 55.

The cabinet further includes a front panel 53 configuring a front side of the cabinet. And, a blowing grill 59a having a plurality of ventilating openings is loaded on an indoor air blowing port 58.

In this case, the front panel 59 is provided in front of the indoor blower 72. Since the indoor air blowing port 58 is formed at the front panel 53, the air-conditioned air is blown in the front direction of the cabinet by the indoor blower 72.

Hence, the air guide 57 is provided between the indoor blower 72 and the indoor air blowing port 58 of the front panel 59.

Meanwhile, a barrier 60 is provided within the cabinet. And, the cabinet is partitioned into the indoor cabinet and the outdoor cabinet by the barrier 60.

In the present embodiment, to allow the indoor cabinet to include the indoor frame 55 and to allow the outdoor cabinet to include the outdoor frame 64, it is preferable that the barrier 60 is provided to a rear end of the indoor frame 55 to partition the internal space of the cabinet.

Accordingly, the internal space of the cabinet is partitioned into an indoor side space I in which heat exchange with the indoor air is performed and an outdoor space O in which heat exchange with the outdoor air is performed.

Meanwhile, an outdoor air intake port is provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet to suck the outdoor air.

In the present embodiment, the outdoor air intake ports 61, 62 and 63 are provided to the left, right and upper sides of the outdoor frame 64, respectively and the air is blown out via a backside of the outdoor frame 64.

The outdoor air intake port provided to the right side of the outdoor frame 64 is named a right outdoor air intake port 61, the outdoor air intake port provided to the left side of the outdoor frame 64 is named a left outdoor air intake port 62, and the outdoor air intake port provided to the upper side of the outdoor frame 64 is named an upper outdoor air intake port 61.

Hence, the outdoor air is sucked via the three sides of the outdoor frame 64 and the air is blown in a rear direction via the backside of the outdoor frame 64.

Meanwhile, the indoor blower 72 is provided within the indoor cabinet forming the indoor side space and an outdoor blower 76 is provided within the outdoor cabinet forming the outdoor side space.

To drive the indoor blower 72, a blower motor 70 is provided within the cabinet.

The indoor blower 72 includes an indoor blower fan that is connected to the blower motor 70.

The outdoor blower 76 includes an outdoor blower fan.

In the present embodiment, the blower motor 70 is configured to drive both of the indoor blower 72 and the outdoor blower 76 simultaneously.

For this, the blower motor 70 is provided to the barrier 60. Preferably, the lower motor 70 is a bi-shaft motor including a first rotational shaft 67 projected in a front direction toward the front panel 59 and a second rotational shaft 68 projected in a rear direction toward the backside of the outdoor frame.

The indoor blower fan having a front-to-rear shaft direction is connected to the first rotational shaft 67 of the bi-shaft motor to blow the air forward.

In particular, as the indoor blower fan rotates, the indoor air is sucked via the left and right indoor air intake ports 53 and 54 of the indoor frame 55 so that the indoor blower fan blows the air in the front direction toward the indoor air blowing port 58.

In this case, the indoor blower fan includes a hub 73 connected to the first rotational shaft 67 of the bi-shaft motor and a plurality of spiral blades 74 provided to an outer circumference of the hub 73. The above-configured blower fan is so-called an X-fan.

The outdoor blower fan having a front-to-rear shaft direction is connected to the second rotational shaft 68 of the bi-shaft motor to blow the air backward.

In particular, the outdoor blower fan sucks the air via the outdoor air intake ports 60, 61 and 62 to blow in the rear direction.

In this case, the outdoor blower fan preferably includes an X-fan having a hub 77 connected to the second rotational shaft 68 of the bi-shaft motor and a plurality of spiral blades 78 provided to an outer circumference of the hub 77. Yet, the blower fan is not limited to the X-fan but can include different fans.

Meanwhile, at least one indoor heat exchanger 80 is provided within the indoor frame 55, and more particularly, next to the indoor blower 72 to cool down or heat the indoor air.

In this case, the at least one indoor heat exchanger 80 is provided between the indoor blower 72 and the indoor air intake port to minimize a front-to-rear length of the cabinet.

In the present embodiment, a right indoor heat exchanger 81 is provided between the right indoor air intake port 53 and the indoor blower 72 and a left indoor heat exchanger 83 is provided between the left indoor air intake port 54 and the indoor blower 72. Namely, the right indoor heat exchanger 81 is provided next to the right indoor air intake port 53 and the left indoor heat exchanger 83 is provided next to the left indoor air intake port 54.

Hence, the air sucked via the right indoor air intake port 53 makes a heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing within the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the air sucked via the left indoor air intake port 54 makes a heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing within the right indoor heat exchanger 83.

Refrigerant inlet pipes 81a and 83a are connected to refrigerant inlet sides of the right and left indoor heat exchangers 81 and 83 in parallel, respectively. And, refrigerant outlet pipes 81b and 83b are connected to refrigerant outlet sides of the right and left indoor heat exchangers 81 and 83 in parallel, respectively.

Alternatively, the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the left indoor heat exchanger 83 can be arranged parallel to either the eight or left side of the indoor frame 55. Alternatively, the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the left indoor heat exchanger 83 can be arranged to have prescribed angles from the right and left sides of the indoor frame 55, respectively.

In case that the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the left indoor heat exchanger 83 are arranged to have the prescribed angles from the right and left sides of the indoor frame 55, respectively, heat transfer areas can be increased.

And, the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the left indoor heat exchanger 83 vertically meet the air, which is sucked in lateral directions of the indoor cabinet to flow forward. Accordingly, in case of employing a general heat exchanger structure, passage resistance is minimized and heat transfer efficiency is enhanced.

Meanwhile, a shroud 86 is provided within the outdoor frame 64 to form a passage of the outdoor air moved by the outdoor blower 76.

An orifice is formed in the shroud 86 to be provided to an outer circumference o the outdoor blower 76.

At least one outdoor heat exchanger 90, in which a refrigerant exchanging heat with the air blown backward by the outdoor blower 76 flows, is provided in rear of the shroud 86.

And, the outdoor heat exchanger 90 is arranged long in right-to-left direction in a backside of the outdoor frame 64.

A reference number ‘94’ indicates a compressor loaded on the base panel 52 to be located in the outdoor side space O. The compressor 94 is preferably installed in the vicinity of one of the outdoor air intake ports.

A reference number ‘96’ indicates a capillary tube connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 90 and the indoor heat exchanger 80 together to expand the refrigerant.

An operation of the above-configured air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present invention is explained as follows.

First of all, once the air conditioner is actuated, the refrigerant is circulated by the driven compressor 94 and the indoor air and the outdoor air are sucked into the indoor cabinet and the outdoor cabinet by the driven blower motor 70, respectively.

Once the blower motor 70 is driven, the indoor blower 72 is rotated to suck the indoor air via the right and left indoor air intake ports 53 and 54 of the indoor frame 55.

The air sucked via the right and left indoor air intake ports 53 and 54 passes through the right and left indoor heat exchangers 81 and 83 to be cooled down or heated and is then blown forward by the indoor blower 72.

The air blown by the indoor blower 72 passes through the orifice 56 and the indoor air blowing port 58 of the front panel 59 in turn and is then blown to a front side of the cabinet to cool down or heat the indoor space.

Meanwhile, once the outdoor blower 76 is rotated by the driven blower motor 70, the outdoor air B is sucked in three directions via the outdoor air intake ports 61, 62 and 63 of the outdoor frame.

The air sucked into the outdoor cabinet via the outdoor air intake ports 61, 62 and 63 is blown backward by the outdoor blower 76.

The outdoor air blown by the outdoor blower 76 exchanges heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 90 to be heated or cooled down and is then blown backward via the backside of the outdoor frame 64.

An air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 as follows.

First of all, an air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes the same elements of the air conditioner according the first embodiment of the present invention. The air conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present invention further includes an indoor air intake port 56 provided to the upper side of the indoor frame 55 of the first embodiment of the present invention. And, the operational principle of the first embodiment of the present invention is like that of the second embodiment of the present invention, of which explanation is skipped. And, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

An air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 10 as follows.

In explaining an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the elements and its operational principle are like those of the first embodiment of the present invention except at least one outdoor heat exchanger provided within the outdoor cabinet. And, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, additional explanation will be skipped.

An air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90a provided between the outdoor blower 76 and at least one of the outdoor air intake ports 61, 62 and 63.

In particular, the at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90a includes a right outdoor heat exchanger 91 provided between the right outdoor air intake port 61 and the outdoor blower 76 and an upper outdoor heat exchanger 92 provided between the upper outdoor air intake port 62 and the outdoor blower 76.

Optionally, the right outdoor heat exchanger 91 and the upper outdoor heat exchanger 92 can be built in one body.

And, the compressor 94 is provided next to an inside of the left outdoor air intake port 63.

An air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 as follows.

An air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention differs form that of the third embodiment of the present invention in the configuration of an outdoor heat exchanger. The rest configurations and operational principle of the fourth embodiment are equal to those of the third embodiment. And, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, repetitive explanation will be skipped.

At least one outdoor heat exchanger 90b provided to the air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes the at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90a of the third embodiment of the present invention and a left outdoor heat exchanger 93 provided between the left outdoor air intake port 63 and the outdoor blower 76.

An air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 as follows.

Referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, an air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention sucks an outdoor air B from a rear side and then blows the air heat-exchanged in an outdoor heat exchanger in a lateral direction of the outdoor cabinet.

In particular, the outdoor air is sucked via the backside of the outdoor frame. And, the air heat-exchanged in an outdoor heat exchanger is blown via at least one side of the outdoor frame, and more preferably, via right, left and upper sides of the outdoor frame.

For this, the air conditioner according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor frame 64a having an outdoor air intake port formed at its backside and at least one or more outdoor air blowing ports 61a, 62a and 63a formed at its left, right and upper sides, respectively.

In other words, since the outdoor air intake ports of the aforesaid embodiments play roles as the outdoor air blowing ports according to the change of the air flow directions in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger of the third embodiment becomes provided between the outdoor blower 76a and the outdoor air blowing ports 61a, 62a and 63a.

Optionally, instead of the X-fan, an outdoor blower 76a, which sucks air in an axial direction to blow in a radial direction, can be provided within the outdoor cabinet, and more particularly, within the outdoor frame 64a.

In this case, the outdoor blower 76a can include a centrifugal fan or a centrifugal turbo fan.

Except the outdoor frame 64a and the outdoor blower 76a, the rest configurations and operational principle of the fifth embodiment are equal to those of the third embodiment. And, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, additional explanation will be skipped.

An air conditioner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 as follows.

An air conditioner according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention differs form that of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the configuration of an outdoor heat exchanger. The rest configurations and operational principle of the sixth embodiment are equal to those of the fifth embodiment. And, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, repetitive explanation will be skipped.

Yet, at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90b provided to the air conditioner according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention are like the at least one outdoor heat exchanger of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, of which additional explanation will be skipped.

Air conditioners according to seventh to ninth embodiments of the present invention are explained with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23 as follows.

Each air conditioner according to seventh to ninth embodiments of the present invention includes a cabinet. An indoor air A is sucked in a lateral direction of the cabinet and an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet by a prescribed angle against a front side of the cabinet.

The cabinet includes an indoor frame 55 having an indoor air intake port provided to at least one of its left, right and upper sides.

At least one indoor air blowing port 58a is provided to at least one of the left, right and upper sides of the indoor frame 55.

Hence, except the indoor air blowing port 58 of the air conditioner according to the first and/or second embodiment of the present invention, the rest elements or parts are like those of the first and/or second embodiment of the present invention.

In the air conditioners according to the seventh and ninth embodiments of the present invention, a right indoor air intake port 53, a left indoor air intake port 54 and an upper indoor air intake port 56 are formed at the right, left and upper sides of the indoor frame 55, respectively.

Yet, in the air conditioner according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, a right indoor air intake port 53 and a left indoor air intake port 54 are formed at the right and left sides of the indoor frame 55, respectively.

Each of the air conditioners according to the seventh and eighth embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor air blowing port 58a provided long to a front part of the upper side of the indoor frame 55 in right-to-left direction.

In other words, the indoor air blowing port 58a of the air conditioner according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is formed in front of the upper indoor air intake port 56.

In addition to the above-configurations, the cabinet, and more particularly, the indoor frame 55 of each of the air conditioners according to the seventh and eighth embodiments of the present invention further includes a blowing guide 60 provided to the indoor air blowing port 58a to guide air blown into the indoor space to a front circumference of the cabinet.

Yet, the air conditioner according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor air blowing port 58b provided in front of the indoor air intake port 53.

And, the cabinet, and more particularly, the indoor frame 55 of the air conditioner according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention further includes a blowing guide 600 provided to the indoor air blowing port 58b to guide air blown into the indoor space to a front circumference of the cabinet.

In this case, the blowing guides 60 and 600 open/close the indoor air blowing ports 58a and 58b, respectively. In particular, the blowing guide 60 or 600 opens the indoor air blowing port 58a or 58b while the air conditioner is actuated. And, the blowing guide 60 or 600 closes the indoor air blowing port 58a or 58b to prevent particles from being introduced while the air conditioner stops.

For this, it is preferable that the blowing guide 60 or 600 is rotatably connected to a rim of the indoor air blowing port 58a or 58b.

In particular, both sides of a rear end of the blowing guide 60 or 600 is rotatably connected to rear ends of both sides of the rim of the indoor air blowing port 58a or 58b, respectively. And, one side of the blowing guide 60 or 600 is connected to a prescribed motor 60a.

Optionally, each of the blowing guides 60 and 600 is configured to enable an auto-swing within a prescribed angle range.

The rest configurations and operational principles of the seventh to ninth embodiments are equal to those of the first and/or second embodiment. And, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, repetitive explanation will be skipped.

An air conditioner according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 24 as follows.

Referring to FIG. 24, an air conditioner according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor air blowing port 58c provided to the front panel and a blowing guide 600a guiding an air blown into the indoor space via the indoor air blowing port 58c.

Hence, the air conditioner according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention differs form that of the seventh embodiment of the present invention in the positions of the indoor air blowing port and the blowing guide. The rest configurations and operational principle of the tenth embodiment are equal to those of the seventh embodiment. And, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, repetitive explanation will be skipped.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.

First of all, since the air blown from the cabinet is not affected by the indoor air sucked into the cabinet, the air conditioner according to the present invention prevents the cooled or heated air from being re-sucked into the cabinet right after having been blown from the cabinet and enhances the indoor air conditioning performance.

Secondly, since the air flow path and resistance are minimized, the air conditioner according to the present invention reduces the load and power consumption of the blower and minimizes the air flow noise.

Thirdly, since the indoor heat exchanger is provided between the barrier and the air guide with a prescribed size and shape, the air conditioner according to the present invention raises the heat transfer efficiency and minimizes the volume of the cabinet.

Fifthly, since the indoor air intake area is increased, the air conditioner according to the present invention lowers the air flow resistance.

Finally, since the outdoor air sucked via the rear side of the cabinet is blown in the side direction, the air conditioner according to the present invention enables a smooth air flow in case of the adverse wind and prevents the overload and power consumption increment of the outdoor blower.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air conditioner comprising: a cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a front direction; an indoor blower provided within the cabinet, the indoor blower sucking the indoor air to blow in the front direction; and at least one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.

2. The air conditioner of claim 1, the cabinet comprising: an indoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the cabinet to suck the indoor air; and an indoor air blowing port provided in front of the indoor blower to enable the air-conditioned air to be blown from the cabinet in the front direction, the indoor air blowing port provided to a front panel configuring a front side of the cabinet.

3. The air conditioner of claim 2, further comprising a blowing guide opening/closing the indoor air blowing port to guide the air blown into an indoor space.

4. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the at least one indoor heat exchanger is provided between the indoor air intake port and the indoor blower.

5. The air conditioner of claim 2, further comprising an air guide provided between the indoor blower and the indoor air blowing port, the air guide comprising an orifice wherein the air blown from the indoor blower passes through the orifice.

6. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the air guide is built in one body of the cabinet to be provided within the cabinet.

7. The air conditioner of claim 1, the indoor blower comprising: a hub connected to a rotational shaft of a blower motor; and a plurality of spiral blades provided to an outer circumference of the hub.

8. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a barrier provided within the cabinet to partition the cabinet into an indoor cabinet having an indoor air intake port and an indoor air blowing port and an outdoor cabinet, wherein the indoor blower and the at least one indoor heat exchanger are provided within the indoor cabinet and wherein an outdoor blower sucking an outdoor air into the outdoor cabinet to blow and at least one outdoor heat exchanger exchanging heat with the flowing outdoor air are provided within the outdoor cabinet.

9. The air conditioner of claim 8, the outdoor cabinet comprising an outdoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet to suck the outdoor air, wherein the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is provided between the outdoor air intake port and the outdoor blower.

10. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the outdoor air is sucked in rear of the outdoor cabinet and wherein the air heat-exchanged in the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is blown in a lateral direction of the outdoor cabinet.

11. The air conditioner of claim 10, the outdoor cabinet comprising an outdoor blowing port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet, wherein the outdoor blower sucks the air in rear to blow the sucked air in a radial direction.

12. The air conditioner of claim 11, wherein the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is provided between the outdoor air blowing port and the outdoor blower.

13. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the indoor blower includes an indoor blower fan, wherein the outdoor blower includes an outdoor blower fan, and wherein both of the indoor and outdoor blower fans are driven by one blower motor.

14. An air conditioner comprising: an outdoor cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the outdoor cabinet in a rear direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a later direction; and an outdoor blower provided within the outdoor cabinet to suck an outdoor air to blow in a radial direction.

15. The air conditioner of claim 14, the outdoor cabinet comprising: an outdoor air intake port provided to a rear end side of the outdoor cabinet; and an outdoor air blowing port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet.

16. An air conditioner comprising: a cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet by a prescribed angle against a front side of the cabinet; an indoor blower provided within the cabinet to forcibly enable an air flow so that the indoor air is sucked into the cabinet to be blown from the cabinet; and at least one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.

17. The air conditioner of claim 16, the cabinet comprising: an indoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the cabinet to suck the indoor air; an indoor air blowing port provided to the at least one of the left, right and upper sides of the cabinet; and a blowing guide guiding the air blown into an indoor space via the indoor air blowing port toward a circumference of a front side of the cabinet.

18. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the indoor air blowing port is opened/closed by the blowing guide.

19. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the blowing guide is rotatably connected to a rim of the indoor air blowing port.

20. The air conditioner of claim 16, the cabinet comprising: an indoor cabinet within which the indoor blower and the at least one indoor heat exchanger are provided; and an outdoor cabinet within which an outdoor heat exchanger for a heat exchange with an outdoor air and an outdoor blower for a forcible air flow are provided.