Patent Application
20240393002
The disclosure relates to an air conditioner capable of controlling discharge airflow in various ways.
An air conditioner is an apparatus that is equipped with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, etc., and controls the temperature, humidity, airflow, etc. in a room using a refrigeration cycle. The air conditioner may include an indoor unit placed indoors and an outdoor unit placed outdoors.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant and air, a blower fan for moving air, and a motor for driving the blower fan to thereby cool or heat the room.
Because the blower fan sucks in indoor air, exchanges heat via the heat exchanger, and then discharges the heat-exchanged air back into the room, the blower fan needs to rotate at a certain revolutions per minute (RPM) or higher by taking into account heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger, and the air discharged via an air outlet may be discharged in the form of a direct wind up to a certain distance.
When this blown air directly touches a user, the user may feel uncomfortable, cold, or hot.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include a main body including a heat exchanger and a blower fan.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may further include a panel frame assembled to the main body.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may further include a grille panel positioned on one side of the panel frame.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may further include a blade arranged to be spaced apart from the grille panel by a specified distance and configured to be rotatable relative to the panel frame.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may further include an intermediate panel positioned between the grille panel and the blade.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may further include a plurality of first holes arranged in the intermediate panel configured to discharge air delivered from the blower fan.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may further include a plurality of second holes arranged in the blade and configured to discharge air delivered from the blower fan.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
It should be understood that various example embodiments of the disclosure and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to particular embodiments of the disclosure and that the disclosure includes various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the various embodiments of the disclosure.
With regard to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to represent like or related elements.
A singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, each of the phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B, “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in a corresponding one of the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof.
The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of associated elements listed, or any one of the plurality of associated listed elements.
Terms such as “first,” “second,” etc. may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements and do not limit the elements in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).
It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “functionally” or “communicatively”, as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled to the other element directly (e.g., in a wired manner), wirelessly, or via a third element.
The terms such as “comprise,” “include,” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.
It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact” with another element, this includes not only when the elements are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also when they are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact via a third element.
It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, the element may be directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present therebetween.
An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the disclosure may refer, for example, to an apparatus that performs functions such as air purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling, or heating in an air-conditioned space (hereinafter referred to as an “indoor space”) and is equipped with at least one of these functions.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner may include a heat pump system to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump system may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. All components of the heat pump system may be built into a single housing that forms an external appearance of an air conditioner, and window-type air conditioners or portable air conditioners are examples of such an air conditioner. On the other hand, components of the heat pump system may be split into several parts and built into a plurality of housings that form a single air conditioner, and examples of such an air conditioner include wall-mounted air conditioners, stand-type air conditioners, and system air conditioners.
An air conditioner including a plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, an air conditioner may be provided with one outdoor unit and one indoor unit connected via a refrigerant pipe. For example, an air conditioner may include one outdoor unit and two or more indoor units connected via a refrigerant pipe. For example, an air conditioner may include two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units connected via a plurality of refrigerant pipes.
An outdoor unit may be electrically connected to an indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling an air conditioner may be input via an input interface provided on the outdoor or indoor unit, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may operate simultaneously or sequentially in response to a user input.
The air conditioner may include an outdoor heat exchanger provided in an outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in an indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger.
The outdoor heat exchanger may exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air using a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant may release heat into the outdoor air during condensation of the refrigerant in the outside heat exchanger, and the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air during evaporation of the refrigerant flowing in the outside heat exchanger.
The indoor unit is installed indoors. For example, indoor units may be classified into ceiling-mounted indoor units, stand-type indoor units, wall-mounted indoor units, etc., depending on how they are arranged. For example, ceiling-mounted indoor units may be subdivided into 4-way cassette indoor units, 1-way cassette indoor units, duct-type indoor units, etc. depending on a way air is discharged.
Similarly, the indoor heat exchanger may exchange heat between a refrigerant and indoor air using a phase change (e.g., evaporation or condensation) of the refrigerant. For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air, and the indoor air is cooled as it passes through the cold indoor heat exchanger and then blown out to cool an indoor space. Furthermore, while a refrigerant condenses in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may release heat into the indoor air, and the indoor air is heated as it passes through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger and then blown out to heat the indoor space.
For example, the air conditioner performs a cooling or heating function through a phase change process undergone by the refrigerant circulating between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger, and for this circulation of the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor that compresses the refrigerant. The compressor may suck in refrigerant gas through a suction port and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas via a discharge port. The compressor may be placed inside the outdoor unit.
The refrigerant may circulate, via a refrigerant pipe, through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger in the stated order, or through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger in the stated order.
For example, when the air conditioner has one outdoor unit and one indoor unit directly connected via a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may circulate between the one outdoor unit and the one indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.
For example, when the air conditioner has one outdoor unit connected to two or more indoor units via a refrigerant pipe, refrigerants may flow into the plurality of indoor units via refrigerant pipes branching from the outdoor unit. The refrigerants discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be combined together and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, the plurality of indoor units may each be directly connected to the one outdoor unit in parallel via separate refrigerant pipes.
Each of the plurality of indoor units may operate independently according to an operating mode set, for example, by a user. For example, some of the plurality of indoor units may operate in a cooling mode, and others may operate in a heating mode simultaneously. In this case, the refrigerant may be selectively introduced into each indoor unit at a high or low pressure along a designated circulation path via a flow path diverter valve as described below, and then discharged from the indoor unit and circulated to the outdoor unit.
For example, when the air conditioner has two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units connected via a plurality of refrigerant pipes, refrigerants discharged from the plurality of outdoor units are combined and flow through a single refrigerant pipe, and then diverge again at a certain point to enter the plurality of indoor units.
The plurality of outdoor units may all be driven, or at least some of the outdoor units may not be driven, depending on an operating load corresponding to the flow rate of operation of the plurality of indoor units. In this case, the refrigerant may flow into and circulate through an outdoor unit that is selectively driven via a flow path diverter valve. The air conditioner may include an expansion device to lower the pressure of the refrigerant entering a heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be placed inside an indoor unit, inside an outdoor unit, or both.
For example, the expansion device may lower the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant using a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice capable of reducing a cross-sectional area of a flow path. The temperature and pressure of the refrigerant that passes through the orifice may be lowered.
For example, the expansion device may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve capable of adjusting an opening ratio (a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a flow path in a valve in a partially open state to a cross-sectional area of a flow path in the valve in a fully open state). The flow rate of refrigerant passing through the expansion device may be controlled depending on the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve.
The air conditioner may further include a flow path diverter valve provided on a refrigerant circulation flow path. The flow path diverter valve may include, for example, a 4-way valve. The flow path diverter valve may determine a path of circulation of the refrigerant depending on an operating mode of an indoor unit (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow path diverter valve may be connected to the discharge port of the compressor.
The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the suction port of the compressor. A low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant evaporated from the indoor heat exchanger or outdoor heat exchanger may flow into the accumulator.
When a mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas flows into the accumulator, the accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas and provide the refrigerant gas from which the refrigerant liquid has been separated to the compressor.
An outdoor fan may be provided in the vicinity of the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air into the outdoor heat exchanger to facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.
An outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor. For example, an outdoor unit sensor may be provided as an ambient sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be placed at any location on the inside or outside of the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor for detecting air temperature around the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor for detecting humidity in the air around the outdoor unit, a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature inside a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor for detecting a refrigerant pressure inside the refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.
The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication interface. The outdoor unit communication interface may be provided to receive a control signal from an indoor unit controller of the air conditioner, as described below. The outdoor unit may control, based on a control signal received via the outdoor unit communication interface, an operation of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, a flow path diverter valve, an accumulator, or an outdoor fan. The outdoor unit may transmit, via the outdoor unit communication interface, a sensing value detected by the outdoor unit sensor to the indoor unit controller.
An indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower fan that circulates air inside or outside the housing, and an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat with air flowing into the housing.
The housing may include an air inlet. Indoor air may be drawn into the housing via the air inlet.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter provided to filter foreign substances from the air drawn into the housing via the air inlet.
The housing may include an air outlet. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged from the housing via the air outlet.
The housing of the indoor unit may include an airflow guide that guides a direction of air discharged through the air outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade located on the air outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for regulating the discharged airflow. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the airflow guide may be omitted.
Inside the housing of the indoor unit, the indoor heat exchanger and the blower fan may be provided on a flow path connecting the air inlet and the air outlet.
The blower fan may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, indoor fans may include an axial fan, a diagonal fan, a crossflow fan, and a centrifugal fan.
The indoor heat exchanger may be placed between the blower fan and the air outlet, or between the air inlet and the blower fan. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air drawn in through the air inlet or transfer heat to air drawn in through the air inlet. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange tube in which a refrigerant flows, and heat exchange fins that are in contact with the heat exchange tube to increase a heat transfer area.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a drain tray located below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensate water generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensate water collected in the drain tray may be drained to the outside via a drain hose. The drain tray may be provided to support the indoor heat exchanger.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an input interface. The input interface may include any type of user input devices, including buttons, switches, touch screens, and/or touch pads. The user may directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operating mode settings for cooling/heating/dehumidification/air purification, outlet selection settings, and/or air volume settings) via the input interface.
The input interface may be connected to an external input device. For example, the input interface may be electrically connected to a wired remote controller. The wired remote controller may be installed at a specific location in an indoor space (e.g., a portion of a wall). The user may operate the wired remote controller to input setting data regarding an operation of the air conditioner. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained via the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. In addition, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. The user may remotely input setting data regarding the operation of the air conditioner using, for example, a wireless remote controller. The setting data input via the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.
The input interface may include a microphone. A voice command may be obtained via the microphone. The microphone may convert the user's voice command into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the indoor unit controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the air conditioner to perform a function corresponding to the user's voice command. Setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, operating mode settings for cooling/heating/dehumidification/air purification, outlet selection settings, and/or air volume settings) obtained via the input interface may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller as described below. For example, the setting data obtained via the input interface may be transmitted to the outside, e.g., an outdoor unit or a server, via an indoor unit communication interface as described below.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module including, for example, a power supply, and may be connected to an external power source to supply power to components of the indoor unit.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an indoor unit sensor. The indoor unit sensor may be an ambient sensor placed inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or one or more humidity sensors arranged in a predetermined (e.g., specified) space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature inside a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include refrigerant temperature sensors that respectively detect temperatures at an inlet, a middle, and/or an outlet of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.
For example, pieces of environment information respectively detected by the indoor unit sensors may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller as described below, or may be transmitted to the outside via the indoor unit communication interface as described below.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit communication interface. The indoor unit communication interface may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module. The indoor unit communication interface may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with other devices. The outdoor unit may include the outdoor unit communication interface. The outdoor unit communication interface may also include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.
The short-range communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication (NFC) communication module, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication module, a ZigBee communication module, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.
The long-range communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range communications, and include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits or receives a wireless signal to or from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network.
The indoor unit communication interface may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, or another home appliance via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN to which the air conditioner or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The air conditioner or user device may be connected to the server via the WAN. The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit controller that controls the components of the indoor unit, including the blower fan, etc. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller that controls components of the outdoor unit, including the compressor, etc. The indoor unit controller may communicate with the outdoor unit controller via the indoor unit communication interface and the outdoor unit communication interface. The outdoor unit communication interface may transmit a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication interface, or transmit, to the outdoor unit controller, a control signal transmitted from the indoor unit communication interface. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may communicate in both directions. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated during an operation of the air conditioner.
The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to the components of the outdoor unit and control an operation of each of the components. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust a frequency of the compressor and control a flow path diverter valve to change a circulation direction of a refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust a rotation speed of the outdoor fan. In addition, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal for adjusting the degree of opening of an expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant may circulate along a refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path diverter valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion valve, and the indoor heat exchanger.
Various temperature sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may each transmit an electrical signal corresponding to a temperature detected by each of the temperature sensors to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, each of humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to its detected humidity to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller.
The indoor unit controller may obtain a user input from a user device including a mobile device or the like via the indoor unit communication interface, and obtain a user input directly via the input interface or through a remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control the components of the indoor unit, including the blower fan, etc., in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information about the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.
The outdoor unit controller may control the components of the outdoor unit, including the compressor, etc., based on information about a user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operating mode such as cooling operation, heating operation, blowing operation, defrosting operation, or dehumidifying operation is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control the components of the outdoor unit to perform an operation of the air conditioner, corresponding to the selected operating mode.
The outdoor unit controller and the indoor unit controller may each include a processor and memory. The indoor unit controller may include at least one first processor and at least one first memory, and the outdoor unit controller may include at least one second processor and at least one second memory.
A memory may record/store various pieces of information necessary for operations of the air conditioner. The memory may store instructions, applications, data, and/or programs necessary for operations of the air conditioner. For example, the memory may store various programs for a cooling operation, a heating operation, a dehumidifying operation, and/or a defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory may include volatile memories, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM), for temporarily storing data. Furthermore, the memory may include non-volatile memories for long-term storage of data, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM).
A processor may generate control signals for controlling operations of the air conditioner, based on instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor is a hardware component and may include logic circuits and arithmetic circuits. The processor may process data according to programs and/or instructions provided from the memory and generate control signals based on processing results. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as a single control circuit or as a plurality of circuits. The processor according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include various processing circuitry and/or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term “processor” may include various processing circuitry, including at least one processor, wherein one or more of at least one processor, individually and/or collectively in a distributed manner, may be configured to perform various functions described herein. As used herein, when “a processor”, “at least one processor”, and “one or more processors” are described as being configured to perform numerous functions, these terms cover situations, for example and without limitation, in which one processor performs some of recited functions and another processor(s) performs other of recited functions, and also situations in which a single processor may perform all recited functions. Additionally, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors performing various of the recited/disclosed functions, e.g., in a distributed manner. At least one processor may execute program instructions to achieve or perform various functions.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface is electrically connected to the indoor unit controller and may output information related to an operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit controller. For example, the output interface may output information such as operating mode, wind direction, air volume, and temperature selected via a user input. In addition, the output interface may output sensing information and warning/error messages obtained from the indoor unit sensor or the outdoor unit sensor.
The output interface may include a display and a speaker. The speaker is an audio device that may output a variety of sounds. The display may display information input by the user or information provided to the user using various graphical elements. For example, operation information about the air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image or text. The display may also include indicators that provide specific information. The display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a micro LED panel, and/or a plurality of LEDs.
Hereinafter, indoor units of air conditioners according to an embodiment of the disclosure are described in greater detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of description, an indoor unit of an air conditioner may be hereinafter referred to as an air conditioner.
Referring to
The main body 20 may be installed into a ceiling. The main body 20 may include a main body frame 21, a heat exchanger 22 located inside the main body frame 21, and a blower fan 23 located inside the main body frame 21. The heat exchanger 22 may induce heat exchange between air introduced into the main body frame 21 and a refrigerant.
The blower fan 23 may generate flow within the main body frame 21. The blower fan 23 may generate flow in a direction toward an air outlet 312. The blower fan 23 may be located between the heat exchanger 22 and the air outlet 312.
The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may control left and right directions of a wind discharged from the air outlet 312. The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may be positioned between the blower fan 23 and the air outlet 312. The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the left and right directions. The plurality of wind direction guides 24 may be rotatably mounted to the main body frame 21. Depending on a rotation angle of the plurality of wind direction guides 24, the left and right directions of the discharged wind may vary.
The panel 30 may include a panel frame 31 configured to be assembled to the main body frame 21, and a grille panel 32 and a blade 33 installed on the panel frame 31.
The panel frame 31 may include an air inlet 311 via which air is drawn into the main body 20 and an air outlet 312 via which air is discharged to an outside of the main body 20. The panel frame 31 may be assembled to a bottom of the main body frame 21 to be detachable therefrom.
The grille panel 32 may be arranged to cover the air inlet 311. The grille panel 32 may include a plurality of grille holes provided to allow outside air to be drawn into the air inlet 311. The grille panel 32 may allow the outside air to enter the air inlet 311 via the grille holes while minimizing/reducing the unintentional introduction of foreign substances into the air inlet 311 of the panel frame 31.
The grille panel 32 may be assembled to one side of the panel frame 31 to be detachable therefrom. For example, the grille panel 32 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 using, for example, a hooking method. However, a method used to assemble the grille panel 32 is not limited thereto, and various other assembly methods may be used.
At least one filter 351 and 352 may be installed at the air inlet 311 of the panel frame 31. The filters 351 and 352 may be positioned between the main body 20 and the grille panel 32. The filters 351 and 352 may be assembled to the panel frame 31 to be detachable therefrom. For example, the filters 351 and 352 may be assembled into a filter frame 353, and the filter frame 353 may be mounted to the panel frame 31. In other words, a filter module 35 including the filters 351 and 352 and the filter frame 353 may be mounted to the panel frame 31. However, the mounting of the filters 351 and 352 is not limited thereto, and the filters 351 and 352 may be mounted directly to the panel frame 31 without the filter frame 353.
The filters 351 and 352 may include, for example, and without limitation, an electrostatic dust collection filter 351 that collects foreign substances using electrostatic forces. The filters 351 and 352 may further include a deodorizing filter 352 configured to remove odors. However, the types of filters 351 and 352 are not necessarily limited thereto, and may be modified in various ways as long as they are intended to adsorb or remove foreign substances from the air drawn in via the grille holes.
While the air conditioner 1 of
The blade 33 may be installed to open and close the air outlet 312 of the panel frame 31. The blade 33 may be rotatably installed on the panel frame 31. The blade 33 may open or close the air outlet 312 by adjusting its rotation angle. The blade 33 may have an open position 331 that opens the air outlet 312 and a closed position 332 that blocks the air outlet 312.
The blade 33 may control upward and downward directions of the wind discharged from the air outlet 312. Depending on the rotation angle of the blade 33, the upward or downward direction of the wind discharged from the air outlet 312 may vary. By adjusting the rotation angle of the blade 33, the direction and volume of wind discharged from the air outlet 312 may be adjusted.
For example, as shown in
As described above, when the blade 33 is in the open position 331, the temperature of the indoor space may be lowered relatively quickly, but convenience for the user exposed to the air discharged from the air outlet 312 may be reduced because the air discharged from the air outlet 312 has a predetermined flow velocity or higher.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in
For example, air discharged to the outside through the plurality of holes h1 and h2 when the blade 33 is in the closed position 332 may be discharged at a predetermined flow velocity or lower. Accordingly, the user's sensitivity to air discharged to the outside through the plurality of holes h1 and h2 may be reduced, thereby improving user convenience.
When the blade 33 is in the closed position 332, the air blown out of the blower fan 23 may be divided into first air A1 and second air A2. The first air A1 may pass at the predetermined flow velocity or lower through the plurality of first holes h1 arranged in the intermediate panel 34 along a first flow path 400 and be discharged to the outside. Furthermore, the second air A2 may pass at the predetermined flow velocity or lower through the plurality of second holes h2 arranged in the blade 33 along a second flow path 500 and be discharged to the outside.
A reduced flow velocity mode (hereinafter, referred to as a windless mode) will be described in which air is discharged to the outside through the plurality of holes h1 and h2 at the predetermined flow velocity or lower when the blade 33 is in the closed position 332.
Referring to
The intermediate panel 34 may have a plate shape with a predetermined thickness. For example, the intermediate panel 34 may include a plate shape extending along one plane (an XY plane). The plurality of first holes h1 may be arranged to be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along the one plane (XY plane) of the intermediate panel 34. For example, the plurality of first holes h1 may be arranged over an entire region of the intermediate panel 34 or in a portion thereof along the one plane (XY plane).
Each of the plurality of first holes h1 may be of a size that allows air to be discharged therethrough while not allowing a user's finger to be inserted thereinto. For example, each of the plurality of first holes h1 may have a diameter of 0.1 mm to 10 mm. For example, each of the plurality of first holes h1 may have a diameter of 5 mm or less. For example, each of the plurality of first holes h1 may have a diameter of 3 mm or less.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a windless mode, the first air A1 in the air A blown out of the blower fan 23 may move along the first flow path 400. The first air A1 moving along the first flow path 400 may pass through the plurality of first holes h1 and be discharged to the outside. A plurality of flow limiting portions 100 may be arranged in the first flow path 400 to adjust a flow velocity of the first air A1 that passes through the plurality of first holes h1 and is discharged to the outside.
The first flow path 400 may be positioned between the main body 20 and the intermediate panel 34. For example, the first flow path 400 may be positioned between the main body frame 21 provided in the main body 20 and the intermediate panel 34 and extend along one direction (an X direction). The first air A1 may move along the one direction (X direction) through the first flow path 400.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first flow path 400 may have a cross-sectional area sequentially decreasing along the one direction (X direction). For example, a height J of the first flow path 400, for example, a spacing between the main body frame 21 and the intermediate panel 34, may decrease along the one direction (X direction). In this case, when a width of the first flow path 400 along another direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the one direction (X direction) is constant, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 400 along the one direction (X direction) may sequentially decrease. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first flow path 400 may be formed in various shapes with a decreasing cross-sectional area along the one direction (X direction).
The flow rate of the first air A1 blown out of the blower fan 23 may sequentially decrease along a longitudinal direction (X direction) of the first flow path 400. Accordingly, a pressure applied to the first air A1 may vary along the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the first flow path 400. When the pressure applied to the first air A1 is different in each region of the first flow path 400 along the one direction (X direction), flow velocities of the first air A1 passing through the plurality of first holes h1 provided in the first flow path 400 may be different. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in the windless mode, the flow rate of the first air A1 passing through the plurality of first holes h1 may be adjusted over the entire region of the first flow path 400 such that the first air A1 has a uniform flow velocity over the entire area of the plurality of first holes h1 while not exceeding a predetermined flow velocity.
The plurality of flow limiting portions 100 may be arranged in the first flow path 400 to adjust the flow rate of the first air A1 flowing through the first flow path 400. For example, the plurality of flow limiting portions 100 may include a barrier wall shape extending from the main body frame 21 along another direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the one direction (X direction). The plurality of flow limiting portions 100 may be arranged in the first flow path 400 to be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along the one direction (X direction).
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of flow limiting portions 100 may include a first flow limiting portion 110 to a third flow limiting portion 130 arranged along the one direction (X direction) in the first flow path 400. In this case, the first flow path 400 may be divided into a 1 st-1 flow path 410 to a 1st-4 flow path 440 separated by the first flow limiting portion 110 to the third flow limiting portion 130.
The 1st-1 flow path 410 may be positioned closest to the blower fan 23, as described above. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height J0 of the 1 st-1 flow path 410, e.g., a spacing between the main body frame 21 and the intermediate panel 34, may be largest in the first flow path 400. Accordingly, the 1st-1 flow path 410 may have a largest cross-sectional area in the first flow path 400.
Because the 1st-1 flow path 410 is positioned closest to the blower fan 23, the flow rate of first air A10 passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410 may be largest. In this case, because the cross-sectional area of the 1st-1 flow path 410 may be largest in the first flow path 400, the pressure applied to the first air A10 may be relatively reduced. Accordingly, a flow velocity of the first air A10 passing through some of the plurality of first holes h1 arranged in the 1 st-1 flow path 410 may be adjusted to be a predetermined flow velocity or less.
The first flow limiting portion 110 may be positioned between the 1 st-1 flow path 410 and the 1st-2 flow path 420. The first flow limiting portion 110 may extend to a predetermined height along the one direction (X direction) perpendicular to the other direction (Z direction). In this case, a first fluid communication passage 111 having a predetermined separation distance may be positioned between one end of the first flow limiting portion 110 and the intermediate panel 34. The first air A10 moving through the 1 st-1 flow path 410 may pass through the first fluid communication passage 111 and move to the 1st-2 flow path 420.
The 1st-2 flow path 420 may be positioned adjacent to the 1st-1 flow path 410 along the one direction (X direction). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height J1 of the 1 st-2 flow path 420, e.g., a spacing between the main body frame 21 and the intermediate panel 34, may be less than the height J0 of the 1st-1 flow path 410. Accordingly, a cross-sectional area of the 1 st-2 flow path 420 may be reduced compared to the cross-sectional area of the 1st-1 flow path 410.
As described above, the first flow limiting portion 110 may be positioned between the 1st-1 flow path 410 and the 1st-2 flow path 420. The first flow limiting portion 110 may extend to a first height T1 along the other direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the one direction (X direction). In this case, the first fluid communication passage 111 having the first separation distance D1 between the one end of the first flow limiting portion 110 and the intermediate panel 34 may be positioned.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first height T1 of the first flow limiting portion 110 and the first separation distance D1 between the one end of the first flow limiting portion 110 and the intermediate panel 34 may be determined by the flow rate of the first air A10 passing through the 1 st-1 flow path 410 and the flow rate of first air A11 passing through the 1st-2 flow path 420. For example, the first height T1 of the first flow limiting portion 110 and the first separation distance D1 between the one end of the first flow limiting portion 110 and the intermediate panel 34 may be determined such that a ratio, in percentage terms, of the flow rate of the first air A11 passing through the 1 st-2 flow path 420 to the flow rate of the first air A10 passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410 is less than 50%.
A 1st-3 flow path 430 may be positioned adjacent to the 1st-2 flow path 420 along the one direction (X direction). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height J2 of the 1st-3 flow path 430, e.g., a spacing between the main body frame 21 and the intermediate panel 34, may be less than the height J1 of the 1st-2 flow path 420. Accordingly, a cross-sectional area of the 1st-3 flow path 430 may be reduced compared to the cross-sectional area of the 1st-2 flow path 420. Therefore, it may be seen that the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 400 sequentially decreases along the one direction (X direction).
The second flow limiting portion 120 may be positioned between the 1st-2 flow path 420 and the 1st-3 flow path 430. The second flow limiting portion 110 may extend to a second height T2 along the other direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the one direction (X direction). The second height T2 of the second flow limiting portion 120 may be less than the first height T1 of the first flow limiting portion 110. In this case, a second fluid communication passage 121 having a second separation distance D2 between one end of the second flow limiting portion 120 and the intermediate panel 34 may be positioned.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second height T2 of the second flow limiting portion 120 and the second separation distance D2 between the one end of the second flow limiting portion 120 and the intermediate panel 34 may be determined by the flow rate of the first air A11 passing through the 1st-2 flow path 420 and the flow rate of first air A12 passing through the 1 st-3 flow path 430. For example, the second height T2 of the second flow limiting portion 120 and the second separation distance D2 between the one end of the second flow limiting portion 120 and the intermediate panel 34 may be determined such that a ratio, in percentage terms, of the flow rate of the first air A12 passing through the 1 st-3 flow path 430 to the flow rate of the first air A11 passing through the 1st-2 flow path 420 is less than 50%. Because matters related to the 1 st-4 flow path 440 and the third flow limiting portion 130 sequentially arranged along the one direction (X direction) are substantially the same as those related to the 1st-3 flow path 430 and the second flow limiting portion 120, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
As described above, the cross-sectional areas of the 1st-1 flow path 410 to the 1 st-4 flow path 440 may sequentially decrease along the one direction (X direction). In addition, the heights of the first flow limiting portion 110 to the third flow limiting portion 130 may also sequentially decrease along the one direction (X direction). For example, when the cross-sectional areas of the 1st-1 flow path 410 to the 1st-3 flow path 430 sequentially decrease and a first separation distance D1 is equal to a second separation distance D2, a ratio, in percentage terms, of the second height T2 to the first height T1 may be at least 50% but not more than 100%. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and when the first separation distance D1 is different from the second separation distance D2, or when the cross-sectional areas of the 1st-1 passage 410 to the 1 st-3 passage 430 are determined differently, the ratio of the second height T2 to the first height T1 may also be determined differently.
As the plurality of flow limiting portions 100 are arranged in the first flow path 400, the cross-sectional area of which sequentially decreases along the one direction (X direction), the flow rates of the first air A1 passing through the 1 st-1 flow path 410 to the 1 st-4 flow path 440 may also sequentially decrease. For example, the flow rate of the first air A10 passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410, the flow rate of the first air A11 passing through the 1 st-2 flow path 420, the flow rate of the first air A12 passing through the 1 st-3 flow path 430, and the flow rate of the first air A13 passing through the 1 st-4 flow path 440 may be sequentially reduced by the first flow limiting portion 110 to the third flow limiting portion 130 sequentially arranged in the first flow path 400. In this case, because the cross-sectional areas of the 1 st-1 flow path 410 to the 1 st-4 flow path 440 is decreasing sequentially, the pressure applied to the first air A10 to the first air A13 respectively passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410 to 1st-4 flow path 440 may be relatively constant. Thus, the flow velocity of air discharged to the outside through the plurality of first holes h1 arranged at a bottom of the first flow path 400 may be maintained relatively constant over the entire area of the plurality of first holes h1.
A predetermined number of flow limiting portions 100 may be arranged in the first flow path 400. By arranging the predetermined number of flow limiting portions 100 in the first flow path 400, the flow rate of the first air A1 moving along the first flow path 400 may be adjusted to a predetermined range. Furthermore, the flow velocity of air discharged to the outside through the plurality of first holes h1 may be adjusted accordingly to fall within a predetermined range of flow velocities.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the number of the plurality of flow limiting portions 100 may be determined such that the flow rate of the first air A1 passing through a flow limiting portion at a most distant position along the one direction (X direction) is maintained at at least 10% but not more than 15% of the flow rate of the first air A1 flowing into the first flow path 400. For example, as shown in
For example, when the flow velocity of air discharged to the outside through the plurality of first holes h1 exceeds a predetermined flow velocity, the user may directly sense the discharge of cooled air and feel uncomfortable, thereby reducing user convenience. For example, when an excessively small number of flow limiting portions 100 are arranged, the flow rate of the first air A1 moving along the first flow path 400 may be excessively increased. As the flow rate of the first air A1 is excessively increased, the flow velocity of air discharged to the outside through the plurality of first holes h1 may be increased beyond the predetermined flow velocity. Accordingly, the windless mode may not be implemented.
Furthermore, for example, when the flow velocity of air discharged to the outside through the plurality of first holes h1 is less than a predetermined flow velocity, dew condensation may occur. For example, when an excessively large number of flow limiting portions 100 are arranged, the flow rate of the first air A1 moving along the first flow path 400 may be excessively reduced. As the flow rate of the first air A1 is excessively reduced, the flow velocity of air discharged to the outside through the plurality of first holes h1 may be reduced to less than the predetermined flow velocity. Accordingly, dew condensation may occur on the intermediate panel 34.
Referring to
The flow rate of the first air A10 delivered to the first flow path 400 from the blower fan 23 may not be constant. Furthermore, a cross-sectional area of the first flow path 400 may vary along the one direction (X direction). In this case, when a separation distance D is not adjusted between one end of each of the plurality of flow limiting portion 100-1 and the intermediate panel 34, the flow rates of the first air A10 delivered to the 1st-1 flow path 410 to the 1 st-4 flow path 440 may not be adjusted to be constant.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, each of the plurality of flow limiting portions 100-1 may be arranged to have a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the main body 20, for example, the main body frame 21. Except for the plurality of flow limiting portions 100-1, the remaining configuration is substantially the same as the configuration described with reference to
Referring back to
A second flow limiting portion 120-1 may extend to a second height T2 along the other direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the one direction (X direction). In this case, the second flow limiting portion 120-1 may be arranged to have a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the main body frame 21. For example, the inclination angle θ may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. When the second flow limiting portion 120-1 is arranged to have the predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the main body frame 21, a second fluid communication passage 121-1 having a second separation distance D2 may be positioned between one end of the second flow limiting portion 120-1 and the intermediate panel 34. The second separation distance D2 may be greater than when the second flow limiting portion 120-1 is positioned perpendicular to the main body frame 21. Accordingly, a ratio of the flow rate of first air A11-1 passing through the 1st-2 flow path 420 to the flow rate of first air A10-1 passing through the 1 st-1 flow path 410 may be adjusted to increase.
By adjusting the inclination angle θ between the second flow limiting portion 120-1 and the main body frame 21, the flow rate of the first air A1 passing through the first flow path 400 may be adjusted in real time. For example, each of the plurality of flow limiting portions 100-1 may be arranged to be rotatable at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the main body 20.
Referring to
When the first flow limiting portion 110-1 is tilted to have the predetermined first inclination angle θ1 with respect to the main body frame 21, a first separation distance D1 between one end of the first flow limiting portion 110-1 and the intermediate panel 34 may increase. Furthermore, when the second flow limiting portion 120-1 is tilted to have the predetermined second inclination angle θ2 with respect to the main body frame 21, a second separation distance D2 between one end of the second flow limiting portion 120-1 and the intermediate panel 34 may increase. As the first separation distance D1 increases, the flow rate of the first air A11-1 passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410 may increase. Furthermore, as the second separation distance D2 increases, the flow rate of first air A12-1 passing through the 1 st-2 flow path 420 may increase.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate of the first air A1 passing through a flow path adjacent to a preceding flow path may be determined to be less than 50% of the flow rate of the first air A1 passing through the preceding flow path. For example, a ratio, in percentage terms, of the flow rate of the first air A11-1 passing through the 1 st-2 flow path 420 relative to the flow rate of the first air A10-1 passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410 may be less than 50%. That is, the flow rate of the first air A1 flowing into each of the flow paths arranged between the plurality of flow limiting portions 100-1 may be adjusted by an inclination angle θ between each of the plurality of flow limiting portion 100-1 and the main body 20.
Referring to
For example, the sensor unit 700 may include at least one sensor and detect the flow rate of the first air A11 passing through the 1 st-2 flow path 420 relative to the flow rate of the first air A10 passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410. The flow rate of the first air A10 and the flow rate of the first air A11 detected by the sensor unit 700 may be transmitted to the controller 900. When the ratio of the flow rate of the first air A11 passing through the 1 st-2 flow path 420 to the flow rate of the first air A10 passing through the 1 st-1 flow path 410 exceeds a predetermined range, for example, when the ratio exceeds 50%, the controller 900 may transmit, to the driver 800, a control signal for rotating the first flow limiting portion 110-1 or the second flow limiting portion 120-1.
The driver 800 may include, for example, a motor and/or circuitry, and receive the control signal from the controller 900 to generate a driving force for rotating the first flow limiting portion 110-1 or the second flow limiting portion 120-1. For example, the second flow limiting portion 120-1 may receive a driving force to rotate about the second rotation axis 152. When the second flow limiting portion 120-1 rotates about the second rotation axis 152, the second inclination angle θ2 of the second flow limiting portion 120-1 may change, and the second separation distance D2 may change.
When the second separation distance D2 changes, the flow rate of first air A12-1 passing through the 1st-2 flow path 420 may also be adjusted. Accordingly, the ratio, in percentage terms, of the flow rate of the first air A11-1 passing through the 1st-2 flow path 420 to the flow rate of the first air A10-1 passing through the 1st-1 flow path 410 may be adjusted in real time to be less than 50%.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the flow rate of the first air A10-1 delivered from the blower fan 23 changes in real time, the inclination angle θ of the 1 st-1 flow path 410 to the 1 st-4 flow path 440 may be adjusted in real time by detecting the change in the flow rate of the first air A10-1. Accordingly, the flow rates of the first air A10-1 to A13-1 delivered to the first to fourth flow paths 410 to 440 may be maintained relatively constant. Therefore, the flow velocity of the first air A1 passing through the 1 st-1 flow path 410 to the 1 st-4 flow path 440 and pressure exerted by the first air A1 may be maintained substantially constant. Thus, the flow velocity of air discharged to the outside through the plurality of first holes h1 arranged at the bottom of the first flow path 400 may be maintained relatively constant over the entire area of the plurality of first holes h1.
Referring to
The blade 33 may be connected to the panel frame 31 so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle about the rotation axis 336 relative to the panel frame 31. The blade 33 may be rotated by a predetermined angle μ from the open position 331 shown in
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in the open position 331 in which the blade 33 is rotated relative to the panel frame 31 to open the air outlet 312, the second air A2 may be discharged through the air outlet 312. In addition, in the closed position 332 in which the blade 33 is rotated relative to the panel frame 31 to close the air outlet 312, the second air A2 may be discharged through the plurality of second holes h2.
The blade 34 may have a plate shape with a predetermined thickness. For example, the blade 33 may include a plate shape extending along one plane. The plurality of second holes h2 may be arranged to be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along the one plane of the blade 33. For example, the plurality of second holes h2 may be arranged over the entire region of the blade 33 or in a portion thereof along the one plane.
Each of the plurality of second holes h2 may be of a size that allows air to be discharged therethrough but does not allow a user's finger to be inserted thereinto. For example, each of the plurality of second holes h2 may have a diameter of 0.1 mm to 10 mm. For example, each of the plurality of second holes h2 may have a diameter of 5 mm or less. For example, each of the plurality of second holes h2 may have a diameter of 3 mm or less.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in the windless mode, the second air A2 of the air A blown out of the blower fan 23 may pass through the plurality of second holes h2 and be discharged to the outside. In this case, the second air A2 needs to be discharged at a predetermined flow velocity or less. The diameters of the plurality of second holes h2 may be determined as described above, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in the windless mode, the diameters of the plurality of second holes h2 may be determined differently such that the flow rate and flow velocity of the second air A2 passing through the plurality of second holes h2 are constant.
As described above, in the windless mode, the second air A2 out of the air A blown out of the blower fan 23 may pass through the plurality of second holes h2 and be discharged to the outside. In order to prevent and/or reduce outside air from flowing into the second flow path 500 in the windless mode or a flow velocity under the windless mode from exceeding a predetermined range, the plurality of second holes h2 may extend to have a predetermined inclination angle σ with respect to the direction of gravity (Z direction). For example, the predetermined inclination angle σ may be at least 0° but not more than 24°. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent/reduce outside air from being drawn in from one end of the blade 33 or air having a flow velocity exceeding the predetermined range in the windless mode from being discharged to the outside through the plurality of second holes h2. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and an inclination angle at which the plurality of second holes h2 are titled may also be determined differently depending on a rotation angle of the blade 33.
Referring to
In the windless mode, the blade 33 may be arranged to face the panel frame 31. For example, two ends 335, 336 of the blade 33 along the one direction (Y direction) and an intermediate blade region 337 positioned between the two ends 335 and 336 may be respectively arranged to face two ends 315, 316 of the panel frame 31 and an intermediate region 317 of the panel frame 31 positioned between the two ends 315 and 316.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the two ends 335 and 336 of the blade 33 may be supported by the two ends 315 and 316 of the panel frame 31. In this case, the intermediate blade region 337 may be bent to have a predetermined curvature along the direction of gravity (Z direction) due to the self-weight of the blade 33.
The intermediate region 317 of the panel frame may have a curved shape with a predetermined curvature along the direction of gravity (Z direction) to correspond to the intermediate blade region 337. For example, a shape in which the intermediate region 317 of the panel frame 31 is curved along the direction of gravity (Z direction) may have a predetermined radius of curvature a. For example, the radius of curvature a may be 25,000 mm to 50,000 mm. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the curvature of the intermediate region 317 of the panel frame 31 along the direction of gravity (Z direction) may be determined according to the curvature of the intermediate blade region 337 along the direction of gravity (Z direction).
Because the intermediate region 317 of the panel frame 31 has a shape with a curvature corresponding to the shape of the intermediate blade region 337, a separation space between the blade 33 and the panel frame 31 may be blocked in the windless mode. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent/reduce introduction or discharge of airflow through the space between the blade 33 and the panel frame 31 and the resulting dew condensation.
The above-described embodiments of the disclosure are merely examples, and various modifications and other equivalent embodiments of the disclosure may be made therefrom by one of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the disclosure will include the technical spirit of the disclosure as indicated by the following claims. It will be further understood that any of the embodiment(s) described herein may be used in conjunction with any other embodiment(s) described herein.
Provided is an air conditioner capable of implementing a windless mode by discharging air passing through a predetermined flow path from a plurality of holes within a predetermined flow velocity range.
Provided is an air conditioner capable of discharging air from various regions by arranging a plurality of holes in a blade and an intermediate panel.
Provided is an air conditioner having a plurality of flow limiting portions arranged in a flow path to adjust the flow rate and flow velocity of air discharged through a plurality of holes.
An air conditioner is provided which prevents/reduced dew condensation from occurring by adjusting an inclination angle at which a plurality of holes extend.
An air conditioner is provided which prevents/reduces introduction of air and dew condensation that may occur in a separation space between a blade and a panel frame by providing the panel frame constructed to correspond to deflection of the blade.
Technical problems that may be addressed by the disclosure will not be limited to only the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems which are not described herein will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.
According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner includes: a main body including a heat exchanger and a blower fan, a panel frame assembled to the main body, a grille panel positioned on one side of the panel frame, a blade arranged to be spaced apart from the grille panel by a specified distance and configured to be rotatable relative to the panel frame, an intermediate panel positioned between the grille panel and the blade, a plurality of first holes arranged in the intermediate panel and configured to discharge air delivered from the blower fan, and a plurality of second holes arranged in the blade and configured to discharge air delivered from the blower fan. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, air may be discharged from various regions in the blade and the intermediate panel, thereby implementing a windless mode, etc.
The air conditioner according to an example embodiment may further include: a first flow path positioned between the main body and the intermediate panel, extending along one direction, and configured to move first air discharged from the main body, and a plurality of flow limiting portions arranged in the first flow path and spaced apart from each other by a specified distance along the one direction. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate and flow velocity of air discharged through a plurality of holes may be adjusted.
The first flow path according to an example embodiment may have a cross-sectional area that decreases along the one direction, each of the plurality of flow limiting portions may extend to have a specified height along another direction perpendicular to the one direction, and the height of each of the plurality of flow limiting portions may decrease along the one direction. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate and flow velocity of air discharged through a plurality of holes may be adjusted.
The plurality of flow limiting portions according to an example embodiment may include: a first flow limiting portion and a second flow limiting portion arranged adjacent to each other along the one direction, and a first height of the first flow limiting portion extending along the other direction and a second height of the second flow limiting portion may be configured such that the flow rate of the first air passing through the second flow limiting portion is less than 50% of the flow rate of the first air passing through the first flow limiting portion. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate of air discharged through a plurality of holes may be adjusted.
A ratio, in percentage terms, according to an example embodiment, of the second height of the second flow limiting portion to the first height of the first flow limiting portion may be at least 50% but not more than 100%. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate of air discharged through a plurality of holes may be adjusted.
The plurality of flow limiting portions, according to an example embodiment, may be arranged adjacent to each other along the one direction, and the number of the plurality of flow limiting portions may be configured so that the flow rate of the first air passing through a flow limiting portion at a most distant position along the one direction is 10% to 15% of the flow rate of the first air flowing into the first flow path. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the flow velocity of air discharged through a plurality of holes may be adjusted.
Each of the plurality of flow limiting portions, according to an example embodiment, may be arranged to have a specified inclination angle with respect to the main body. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate of air discharged through a plurality of holes may be adjusted.
Each of the plurality of flow limiting portions, according to an example embodiment, may be configured to be rotatable at a specified inclination angle with respect to the main body. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the flow rate of air discharged through a plurality of holes may be adjusted.
Each of the plurality of first holes, according to an example embodiment, may have a diameter of at least 0.1 mm but not more than 10 mm.
Each of the plurality of second holes, according to an example embodiment, may have a diameter of at least 0.1 mm but not more than 10 mm.
Each of the plurality of second holes, according to an example embodiment, may extend to have a specified inclination angle with respect to the direction of gravity in a windless mode in which the blade blocks an air outlet. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, air may be drawn in from the outside or dew condensation may occur by adjusting an inclination angle at which a plurality of holes extend.
The specified inclination angle of each of the plurality of second holes, according to an example embodiment, may be 0 degrees to 24 degrees.
The blade, according to an example embodiment, may be configured to be rotatable at an angle of at least 0 degrees but not more than 87 degrees relative to the panel frame.
Two ends of the blade, according to an example embodiment, are supported on the panel frame, and an intermediate blade region positioned between the two ends of the blade may be bent to have a specified curvature along the direction of gravity.
In the windless mode in which the blade blocks the air outlet provided in the panel frame, an intermediate region of the panel frame between the two ends of the panel frame may be arranged to face the intermediate blade region positioned between the two ends of the blade, and the intermediate region of the panel frame may be of a curved shape to have a radius of curvature of 25,000 mm to 50,000 mm. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, introduction of air and dew condensation that may occur in a separation space between the blade and the panel frame may be prevented/reduced by providing the panel frame constructed to correspond to deflection of the blade.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may implement a windless mode by discharging air passing through a predetermined flow path from a plurality of holes within a predetermined flow velocity range.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an air conditioner is capable of discharging air from various regions by arranging a plurality of holes in the blade and the intermediate panel.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may adjust the flow rate and flow velocity of air discharged through a plurality of holes by arranging a plurality of flow limiting portions in a flow path.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may prevent dew condensation from occurring by adjusting an inclination angle at which a plurality of holes extend.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the air conditioner may provide a panel frame constructed to correspond to deflection of the blade, thereby preventing/reducing introduction of air from the outside and dew condensation that may occur in a separation space.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0066847 | May 2023 | KR | national |
| 10-2023-0109347 | Aug 2023 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2024/006351 designating the United States, filed on May 10, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Receiving Office and claiming priority to Korean Provisional Patent Application No. 10-2023-0066847, filed on May 24, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0109347, filed on Aug. 21, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/006351 | May 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18784079 | US |
