Patent Application
20250003606
The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner, and more particular, to an air conditioner including blades.
In general, an air conditioner is a device that uses a refrigeration cycle to control temperature, humidity, airflow, and distribution of air to be appropriate for human activities, while also removing foreign substances such as dust in the air. Main components that form the refrigeration cycle include a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator.
The air conditioner may be classified into a separate type in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are separately installed, and an integrated type in which both the indoor unit and the outdoor unit are installed in a single cabinet. The indoor unit of the separate type air conditioner includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air drawn into a panel, a blower configured to draw indoor air to the inside of the panel and configured to blow the air into the indoor space, and an outlet provided to discharge an airflow generated by the blower.
A direction and speed of the airflow blown through the outlet not only affects a speed of temperature change in the indoor space and the temperature difference between areas, but also affects emotions felt by a user through the airflow.
Recently, there is a demand for an air conditioner configured to implement various airflow modes without significant changes in an exterior and configured to provide cold air in a variety of ways to a cooling space.
The present disclosure is directed to providing an air conditioner capable of implementing various airflow modes.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing an air conditioner capable of implementing various airflow modes without significant change in an exterior of the air conditioner.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing an air conditioner, by including a front panel provided to share the common rotation axis with a blade and configured to open and close an outlet, capable of implementing various airflow modes and capable of supplying cold air in all directions without blind area.
Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.
Technical Solution
In one aspect of the present disclosure an air conditioner may include a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a heat exchanger in the housing, a blower in the housing configured to move air through the air inlet, and thereafter to the heat exchanger, to be discharged through the air outlet, a first motor and a second motor disposed in the housing, a rotating shaft including a first shaft connected to the first motor, and a second shaft connected to the second motor, a first blade configured to adjust a direction of air moved by the blower and discharged from a first portion of the outlet, and disposed on a first side of the rotating shaft to receive power from the first motor, and a second blade configured to adjust a direction of air moved by the blower and discharged from a second portion of the outlet, and disposed on a second side of the rotating shaft to receive power from the second motor, and the first motor may be disposed on a first side in an extending direction of the rotating shaft, and the second motor may be disposed on a second side in the extending direction of the rotating shaft.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a first coupler formed at one end of the first blade; and a second coupler formed at one end of the second blade, and the first coupler and the second coupler may be configured to couple together to form a shaft structure having a common rotation axis about which the first blade and the second blade are rotatable, the first blade may be on a first side of the shaft structure and the second blade is on a second side of the shaft structure.
The first coupler may be at an upper end of the first blade, and the second coupler may be at a lower end of the second blade.
The first motor may be on one of the left side and the right side of the shaft structure, and the second motor may be on the other side of the left side and the right side of the shaft structure.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a first insertion hole in the first coupler into which the first shaft may be inserted; and a second insertion hole in the second coupler into which the second shaft may be inserted.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include an insertion portion formed at an upper end of the first blade to be inserted into the second blade; and a receiving portion formed to correspond to the insertion portion and at a lower end of the second blade to accommodate the insertion portion of the first blade, and the first coupler may include a left first coupler at a left side of the insertion portion and a right first coupler at a right side of the insertion portion, and the second coupler may include a left second coupler at a left side of the receiving portion and a right second coupler at a right side of the receiving portion.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a first fixing panel in the housing to which the first motor is coupled; and a second fixing panel in the housing to which the second motor is coupled.
The second blade may be a front panel of the housing configured to cover the second portion of the air outlet and the front panel may be rotatable about the common rotation axis.
The first blade and the second blade may be arranged along a left and right direction of the air outlet.
The first motor and the second motor both may be on a left side of the shaft structure or both may be on a right side of the shaft structure.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a belt configured to rotate the second blade by rotation of the second shaft. The first motor and the second motor may be arranged along a front and a rear direction of the air conditioner, the first shaft may protrude from the first motor toward the first blade and connect the first motor to the first blade; and the second shaft may protrude from the second motor and may be coupled to the second blade by the belt.
The first blade and the second blade together may be configured to cover the air outlet, and a first coupler at one side of the insertion portion and a second coupler at one side of the receiving portion may be located in the air outlet.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a discharge flow path in the housing between the blower and the air outlet to guide movement of air from the blower to the air outlet. The first shaft and the second shaft may be located in the discharge flow path.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to control the first motor and the second motor to: rotate the first shaft to rotate the first blade to adjust the direction of air discharged from the first portion of the air outlet toward a lower side of the air conditioner, or rotate the second shaft to rotate the second blade to adjust the direction of air discharged from the second portion of the air outlet toward a front side or an upper side of the air conditioner.
The controller may be further configured to control the first motor to rotate the first blade and the second motor to rotate the second blade to open the air outlet.
The shaft structure may have a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, and the first motor may be on the first side and the second motor may be on the second side.
The first motor and the second motor are configured so that the first shaft and the second shaft are rotatable about the common rotation axis.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a fixing panel in the housing to which the first motor and the second motor are coupled.
In another aspect of the present disclosure the air conditioner may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to control the first motor to rotate the first blade and the second motor to rotate the second blade to close the air outlet, the first blade may include a first plurality of holes formed therethrough so that air discharged from the first portion is discharged through the first plurality of holes when the air outlet is closed, and the second blade may include a second plurality of holes formed therethrough so that air discharged from the second portion is discharged through the second plurality of holes when the air outlet is closed.
In another aspect of the present disclosure an air conditioner may include a housing including an outlet and a front panel provided to form a portion of a front portion, a heat exchanger accommodated in the housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a rotating shaft connected to the motor, and a blade coupled to the rotating shaft to open and close a portion of the outlet.
The front panel may be rotatable about the same rotation axis as the blade so as to open and close another portion of the outlet.
In another aspect of the present disclosure an air conditioner may include a heat exchanger, a housing provided to accommodate the heat exchanger and including an outlet, a first motor and a second motor disposed in the housing, a rotating shaft connected to the first motor and the second motor, a first blade configured to adjust a direction of air discharged to the outlet, and disposed on a lower side of the rotating shaft to be connected to the first motor, and a second blade configured to adjust a direction of air discharged to the outlet, and disposed on an upper side of the rotating shaft to be connected to the second motor.
The air conditioner may include a controller configured to selectively control the first motor and the second motor to rotate the first blade so as to guide a movement of air in the housing toward a lower side of the housing, or to rotate the second blade so as to guide a movement of air in the housing toward a front side or an upper side of the housing.
Various embodiments and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technology disclosed herein to specific forms, and the disclosure should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives to the corresponding embodiments.
In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar constituent elements.
A singular expression may include a plural expression unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.
The terms “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B,” A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B or/and C,” or “one or more of A, B or/and C,” and the like used herein may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.
Herein, the expressions “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, “the second”, etc., may simply be used to distinguish an element from other elements, but is not limited to another aspect (e.g., importance or order) of elements.
When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled,” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.
In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.
When an element is said to be “connected”, “coupled”, “supported” or “contacted” with another element, this includes not only when elements are directly connected, coupled, supported or contacted, but also when elements are indirectly connected, coupled, supported or contacted through a third element.
Throughout the description, when an element is “on” another element, this includes not only when the element is in contact with the other element, but also when there is another element between the two elements.
An air conditioner according to various embodiments is a device that performs functions such as purification, ventilation, humidity control, cooling or heating in an air conditioning space (hereinafter referred to as “indoor space”), and particularly a device having at least one of these functions.
According to an embodiment, an air conditioner may include a heat pump device to perform a cooling function or a heating function. The heat pump device may include a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and an expansion device and a second heat exchanger. All components of the heat pump device may be embedded in one housing forming an exterior of an air conditioner, which includes a window-type air conditioner or a portable air conditioner. On the other hand, some components of the heat pump device may be divided and embedded in a plurality of housings forming a single air conditioner, which includes a wall-mounted air conditioner, a stand-type air conditioner, and a system air conditioner.
The air conditioner including the plurality of housings may include at least one outdoor unit installed outdoors and at least one indoor unit installed indoors. For example, the air conditioner may be provided in such a way that a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are connected through a refrigerant pipe. Alternatively, the air conditioner may be provided in such a way that a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through a refrigerant pipe. Alternatively, the air conditioner may be provided in such a way that two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected through a plurality of refrigerant pipes.
The outdoor unit may be electrically connected to the indoor unit. For example, information (or commands) for controlling the air conditioner may be received through an input interface provided in the outdoor unit or the indoor unit. 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 the outdoor unit, an indoor heat exchanger provided in the indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger.
The outdoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the outdoor air. While the refrigerant flowing in the outdoor heat exchanger evaporates, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the outdoor air.
The indoor unit is installed indoors. For example, according to the arrangement method of the indoor unit, the air conditioner may be classified into a ceiling-type indoor unit, a stand-type indoor unit, a wall-mounted indoor unit, and the like. For example, the ceiling-type indoor unit may be classified into a 4-way type indoor unit, a 1-way type indoor unit, a duct type indoor unit and the like according to a method of discharging air.
As mentioned above, the indoor heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and outdoor air through a phase change of the refrigerant (e.g., evaporation or condensation). For example, while the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor unit, the refrigerant may absorb heat from the indoor air. The indoor space may be cooled by blowing the indoor air cooled through the cooled indoor heat exchanger. While the refrigerant is condensed in the indoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant may radiate heat to the indoor air. The indoor space may be heated by blowing the indoor air heated through the high-temperature indoor heat exchanger.
In other words, the air conditioner may perform a cooling or heating function through a phase change process of a refrigerant circulating between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. To circulate the refrigerant, the air conditioner may include a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. The compressor may intake refrigerant gas through an inlet and compress the refrigerant gas. The compressor may discharge high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas through an outlet. The compressor may be disposed inside the outdoor unit.
Through the refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be sequentially circulated through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the indoor heat exchanger or sequentially circulated through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the outdoor heat exchanger.
For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit and a single indoor unit are directly connected through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may be circulated between the single outdoor unit and the single indoor unit through the refrigerant pipe.
For example, in the air conditioner, when a single outdoor unit is connected to two or more indoor units through a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant may flow from the single outdoor unit to the plurality of indoor units through branched refrigerant pipes. Refrigerants discharged from the plurality of indoor units may be combined and circulated to the outdoor unit. For example, through a separate refrigerant pipe, each of the plurality of indoor units may be directly connected in parallel to the single outdoor unit.
Each of the plurality of indoor units may be operated independently according to an operation mode set by a user. In other words, some of the plurality of indoor units may be operated in a cooling mode while others of the plurality of indoor units is operated in a heating mode. At this time, the refrigerant may be selectively introduced into each indoor unit in a high-pressure state or a low-pressure state, discharged, and circulated to the outdoor unit along a circulation path that is designated through a flow path switching valve to be described later.
For example, in the air conditioner, when two or more outdoor units and two or more indoor units are connected through the plurality of refrigerant pipes, refrigerants discharged from the plurality of outdoor units may be combined and flow through one refrigerant pipe, and then diverged again at a certain point and introduced into the plurality of indoor units.
All of the plurality of outdoor units may be driven or at least some of the plurality of outdoor units may not be driven according to a driving load according to an operation amount of the plurality of indoor units. At this time, through a flow path switching valve, the refrigerant may be provided to be introduced into and circulated to an outdoor unit that is selectively driven. The air conditioner may include the expansion device to lower the pressure of the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger. For example, the expansion device may be disposed inside the indoor unit or inside the outdoor unit, or disposed inside the indoor unit and the outdoor unit.
The expansion device may lower a temperature and pressure of the refrigerant by using a throttling effect. The expansion device may include an orifice configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of a flow path. A temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passing through the orifice may be lowered.
For example, the expansion device may be implemented as an electronic expansion valve configured to adjust an opening ratio (a ratio of a cross-sectional area of a flow path of a valve in a partially opened state to a cross-sectional area of the flow path of the valve in a fully open state). According to the opening ratio of the electronic expansion valve, the amount of refrigerant passing through the expansion device may be adjusted.
The air conditioner may further include a flow path switching valve disposed on the refrigerant circulation path. The flow path switching valve may include a 4-way valve. The flow path switching valve may determine a refrigerant circulation path depending on an operation mode of the indoor unit (e.g., cooling operation or heating operation). The flow path switching valve may be connected to the outlet of the compressor.
The air conditioner may include an accumulator. The accumulator may be connected to the inlet of the compressor. A low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant, which is evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger or the outdoor heat exchanger, may flow into the accumulator.
When a refrigerant mixture of refrigerant liquid and refrigerant gas is introduced, the accumulator may separate the refrigerant liquid from the refrigerant gas, and supply the refrigerant gas, from which the refrigerant liquid is separated, to the compressor.
An outdoor fan may be provided near the outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor fan may blow outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger to promote heat exchange between the refrigerant and the outdoor air.
The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include at least one sensor (hereinafter referred to as an outdoor unit sensor). For example, the sensor of the outdoor unit may be provided as an environment sensor. The outdoor unit sensor may be disposed at a certain position of the inside or the outside of the outdoor unit. For example, the outdoor unit sensor may include a temperature sensor configured to detect an air temperature around the outdoor unit, a humidity sensor configured to detect air humidity around the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit, or a refrigerant pressure sensor configured to detect a refrigerant pressure in a refrigerant pipe passing through the outdoor unit.
The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may be configured to receive a control signal from an indoor unit controller of the air conditioner, which will be described later. Based on a control signal received through the outdoor unit communication circuitry, the outdoor unit may control the operation of the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion device, the flow path switching valve, the accumulator, or the outdoor fan. The outdoor unit may transmit a sensing value detected by the outdoor unit sensor to the indoor unit controller through the outdoor unit communication circuitry.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a housing, a blower configured to circulate air inside or outside the housing, and the indoor heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with air introduced into the housing.
The housing may include an inlet. Indoor air may flow into the housing through the inlet.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a filter provided to filter out foreign substance in air that is introduced into the inside of the housing through the inlet.
The housing may include an outlet. Air flowing inside the housing may be discharged to the outside of the housing through the outlet.
An airflow guide configured to guide a direction of air discharged through the outlet may be provided in the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the airflow guide may include a blade positioned in the outlet. For example, the airflow guide may include an auxiliary fan for regulating an exhaust airflow, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the airflow guide may be omitted.
The indoor heat exchanger and the blower arranged on a flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet may be disposed inside the housing of the indoor unit.
The blower may include an indoor fan and a fan motor. For example, the indoor fan may include an axial fan, a mixed flow fan, a crossflow fan and a centrifugal fan.
The indoor heat exchanger may be arranged between the blower and the outlet or between the inlet and the blower. The indoor heat exchanger may absorb heat from air introduced through the inlet or transfer heat to air introduced through the inlet. The indoor heat exchanger may include a heat exchange tube through which a refrigerant flows, and a heat exchanger fin 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 disposed below the indoor heat exchanger to collect condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger. The condensed water contained in the drain tray may be drained to the outside through 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 means including a button, a switch, a touch screen and/or a touch pad. A user can directly input setting data (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) through 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 (e.g., a part of a wall) in an indoor space. A user can input setting data related to the operation of the air conditioner by manipulating the wired remote controller. An electrical signal corresponding to the setting data obtained through the wired remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface. Further, the input interface may include an infrared sensor. A user can remotely input the setting data for the operation of the air conditioner by using a wireless remote controller. The setting data received through the wireless remote controller may be transmitted to the input interface as an infrared signal.
Further, the input interface may include a microphone. A user's voice command may be obtained through the microphone. The microphone may convert a 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 execute a function corresponding to the user's voice command. The setting data obtained through the input interface (e.g., desired indoor temperature, cooling/heating/dehumidifying/air cleaning operation mode setting, outlet selection setting, and/or air volume setting) may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later. For example, the setting data obtained through the input interface may be transmitted to the outside, that is, to the outdoor unit or a server through an indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include a power module. The power module 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 environment sensor disposed inside or outside the housing. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include one or more temperature sensors and/or humidity sensors disposed in a predetermined space inside or outside the housing of the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor unit. For example, the indoor unit sensor may include a refrigerant temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of an entrance, a middle portion and/or an exit of the refrigerant pipe passing through the indoor heat exchanger.
For example, each environmental information detected by the indoor unit sensor may be transmitted to the indoor unit controller to be described later or transmitted to the outside through the indoor unit communication circuitry to be described later.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit communication circuitry. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module. The indoor unit communication circuitry may include at least one antenna for wirelessly communicating with other devices. The outdoor unit may include the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may also include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.
The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.
The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.
The indoor unit communication circuitry may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN), to which an air conditioner or a user device is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The air conditioner or the user device may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include the indoor unit controller configured to control components of the indoor unit including the blower. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner may include an outdoor unit controller configured to control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor. The indoor unit controller may communicate with the outdoor unit controller through the indoor unit communication circuitry and the outdoor unit communication circuitry. The outdoor unit communication circuitry may transmit a control signal generated by the outdoor unit controller to the indoor unit communication circuitry, or transmit a control signal, which is transmitted from the indoor unit communication circuitry, to the outdoor unit controller. In other words, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may perform bi-directional communication. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit may transmit and receive various signals generated during operation of the air conditioner.
The outdoor unit controller may be electrically connected to components of the outdoor unit and may control operations of each component. For example, the outdoor unit controller may adjust a frequency of the compressor and control the flow path switching valve to change a circulation direction of the refrigerant. The outdoor unit controller may adjust a rotational speed of the outdoor fan. Further, the outdoor unit controller may generate a control signal for adjusting the opening degree of the expansion valve. Under the control of the outdoor unit controller, the refrigerant may be circulated along the refrigerant circulation circuit including the compressor, the flow path switching 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 transmit electrical signals corresponding to detected temperatures to the outdoor unit controller and/or the indoor unit controller. For example, the humidity sensors included in the outdoor unit and the indoor unit may respectively transmit electrical signals corresponding to the 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 through the indoor unit communication circuitry, or directly obtain a user input through the input interface or the remote controller. The indoor unit controller may control components of the indoor unit including the blower in response to the received user input. The indoor unit controller may transmit information related to the received user input to the outdoor unit controller of the outdoor unit.
The outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit including the compressor based on the information related to the user input received from the indoor unit. For example, when a control signal corresponding to a user input for selecting an operation mode such as a cooling operation, a heating operation, a fan operation, a defrosting operation, or a dehumidifying operation is received from the indoor unit, the outdoor unit controller may control components of the outdoor unit to perform an operation of the air conditioner corresponding to the selected operation mode.
The outdoor unit controller and indoor unit controller may include a processor and a memory, respectively. 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.
The memory may memorize/store various types of information necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. The memory may store instructions, applications, data and/or programs necessary for the operation of the air conditioner. For example, the memory may store various programs for the cooling operation, the heating operation, the dehumidifying operation, and/or the defrosting operation of the air conditioner. The memory may include volatile memory such as a static random access memory (S-RAM) and a dynamic random access memory (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data. In addition, the memory may include a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) for long-term storage of data.
The processor may generate a control signal for controlling an operation of the air conditioner based on instructions, applications, data, and/or programs stored in the memory. The processor may be hardware and may include a logic circuit and an arithmetic circuit. The processor may process data according to a program and/or instructions provided from the memory, and may generate a control signal according to a processing result. The memory and the processor may be implemented as one control circuit or as a plurality of circuits.
The indoor unit of the air conditioner may include an output interface. The output interface may be electrically connected to the indoor unit controller, and output information related to the operation of the air conditioner under the control of the indoor unit controller. For example, the output interface may output information such as an operation mode selected by a user input, a wind direction, a wind volume, and a temperature. Further, the output interface may output sensing information obtained from the indoor unit sensor or the outdoor unit sensor, and output warning/error messages.
The output interfaces may include a display and a speaker. The speaker may be a sound device and configured to output various sounds. The display may display information, which is input by a user or provided to a user, as various graphic elements. For example, operation information of the air conditioner may be displayed as at least one of an image and text. Further, the display may include an indicator providing 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 air conditioners according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In addition, a wall-mounted air conditioner will be described below, but the present disclosure is not limited to the wall-mounted air conditioner and may be applied to various air conditioners.
In
Referring to
The housings 10 and 20 may form an exterior of the air conditioner 1. The inlet 11 and the outlet 12 may be formed in the housings 10 and 20. The inlet 11 and the outlet 12 may be formed on an outer surface and/or outer wall of the housings 10 and 20. For example, the inlet 11 may be formed by opening at an upper portion of the housings 10 and 20, and the outlet 12 may be formed by opening at a lower portion of the housings 10 and 20. A filter may be disposed at the inlet 11 to filter the air flowing into the housings 10 and 20. The outlet 12 may be open to allow air to be discharged toward a front side, an upper side, and/or a lower side of the air conditioner. The outlet 12 may be referred to as an opening 12 of the housings 10 and 20.
The air conditioner 1 according to one embodiment may further include an airflow guide 100. The airflow guide 100 is configured to adjust a direction of air that is moved by a blower 30 and discharged to the outlet 12. The airflow guide 100 may cover the opening of the housings 10 and 20. For example, the airflow guide 100 may cover the outlet 12 of the housings 10 and 20. The airflow guide 100 may cover a portion of a lower portion and/or a portion of a front portion of the housings 10 and 20.
The airflow guide 100 may be positioned on the outlet 12. The airflow guide 100 may cover the opening of the housings 10 and 20. For example, the airflow guide 100 may cover the outlet 12 of the housings 10 and 20. The airflow guide 100 may cover a portion of the lower portion and/or a portion of the front portion of the housings 10 and 20.
The airflow guide 100 may open and close the housings 10 and 20. For example, the airflow guide 100 may open and close the outlet 12 of the housings 10 and 20. When the airflow guide 100 opens a portion of the outlet 12, air may be discharged as a direct wind toward the outside of the housings 10 and 20. As the airflow guide 100 opens the outlet 12, air may flow toward the front, upper, and/or lower side of the air conditioner.
When air is discharged from the air conditioner 1 in a low-speed mode, a minimum air volume mode, or a windless mode, the airflow guide 100 may be in a state of closing the outlet 12. However, the name of the discharge method is not limited to the above examples. Accordingly, a user of the air conditioner can achieve the purpose of air conditioning without being directly exposed to wind, thereby improving the user's satisfaction. The airflow guide 100 may include a plurality of holes 13. In the minimum air volume mode of the air conditioner in which the airflow guide 100 closes the outlet 12, air may be discharged through the plurality of holes 13 of the airflow guide 100 (refer to
Referring to
The blades 110 and 120 may open and close the housings 10 and 20. For example, the blades 110 and 120 may open and close the outlet 12 of the housings 10 and 20. When the blades 110 and 120 open a portion of the outlet 12, air may be discharged as a direct wind toward the outside of the housings 10 and 20. As the blades 110 and 120 open the outlet 12, air may flow toward the front, upper, and/or lower side of the air conditioner.
When air is discharged from the air conditioner 1 in the low-speed mode, the minimum air volume mode, or the windless mode, the blades 110 and 120 may be in a state of closing the outlet 12. However, the name of the discharge method is not limited to the above examples. Accordingly, a user of the air conditioner can achieve the purpose of air conditioning without being directly exposed to wind, thereby improving the user's satisfaction. The blades 110 and 120 may include a plurality of holes. In the minimum air volume mode of the air conditioner in which the blades 110 and 120 close the outlet 12, air may be discharged through the plurality of holes of the blades 110 and 120 (refer to
In the air conditioner according to one embodiment, the housings 10 and 20 may include a first housing 10 and a second housing 20.
The first housing 10 may be disposed in front of the second housing 20. The first housing 10 may be referred to as a front housing 10. The first housing 10 may cover the second housing 20 and components within the second housing 20. The first housing 10 may be referred to as a cover housing 10.
The first housing 10 may form a portion of the front portion, both side portions, the upper portion, and the lower portion of the housings 10 and 20. The outlet 12 through which air is discharged may be formed in a front and/or a lower portion of the first housing 10. The first housing 10 may include a front portion 10a, a lower portion 10c, and a side portion 10b. The front portion 10a, the lower portion 10c, and the side portion 10b may cover various components of the air conditioner between the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. The outlet 12 may be formed in the front portion 10a and the lower portion 10c of the first housing 10. The outlet 12 may be formed as an opening in the front portion 10a and the lower portion 10c.
The second housing 20 may be disposed behind the first housing 10. The second housing 20 may be referred to as a rear housing 20. Various components of the air conditioner may be coupled to the second housing 20. The second housing 20 may support various components of the air conditioner. For example, the blower 30 and a heat exchanger 40 may be coupled to the second housing 20, may be supported on the second housing 20, and may be accommodated between the first housing and the second housing. The second housing 20 may be referred to as a support housing 20.
The second housing 20 may form rear and upper portions of the housings 10 and 20. The inlet 11 may be formed on an upper surface and/or upper wall of the second housing 20. The second housing may further include an inlet panel 21. The inlet 11 may be formed in the inlet panel 21.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may further include the blower 30 and the heat exchanger 40. The blower 30 and the heat exchanger 40 may be accommodated within the housings 10 and 20. The blower 30 may blow air to allow the air to be discharged to the outside of the housings 10 and 20 in a direct wind mode or the minimum air volume mode. The heat exchanger 40 may exchange heat with air introduced into the housings 10 and 20 through the inlet 11, and allow cold air to be discharged through the outlet 12.
The blower 30 may be disposed inside the housings 10 and 20. The blower 30 may be a cross-flow fan having the same longitudinal direction as a longitudinal direction of the housings 10 and 20. The blower 30 may draw air from the inlet 11 and blow the air to discharge the air through the outlet 12.
The heat exchanger 40 may be arranged to cover a front and upper side of the blower 30. The heat exchanger 40 may be disposed adjacent to the blower 30. For example, it is appropriate that the heat exchanger 40 is disposed between the inlet 11 and the blower 30. Accordingly, external air may be drawn through the inlet 11, exchange heat with the heat exchanger 40, and then discharged to the outside of the housings 10 and 20 through the outlet 12.
A drain panel 60 may be provided below the heat exchanger 40 to allow moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 40 to be collected. Although not shown, the drain panel 60 may be connected to a drain hose connected to the outside of the housing 10 and 20, thereby discharging moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 40 to the outside of the housing 10 and 20.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may further include a stabilizer 50. The stabilizer 50 may include a plurality of fins 51 provided to guide air to a horizontal direction, a link structure 52 configured rotate the plurality of fins 51, and a driving device 53 connected to the link structure 52 so as to rotate the plurality of fins 51. The driving device 53 may be coupled and/or fixed to the second housing 20. The plurality of fins 51 may guide the air blown to the outlet 12 to the horizontal direction by rotating left and right.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may further include the drain panel 60.
The drain panel 60 may be provided below the heat exchanger 40 to allow moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 40 to be collected. The drain panel 60 may be connected to a drain hose connected to the outside of the housings 10 and 20, and may discharge moisture condensed in the heat exchanger 40 to the outside of the housings 10 and 20. The drain panel 60 may be equipped with the stabilizer 50 configured to determine a blowing direction of the blower 30.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may further include a discharge flow path 70. The discharge flow path 70 may guide the air, which passes through the heat exchanger 40 and the blower 30, toward the outlet 12. The discharge flow path 70 may be formed within the housings 10 and 20. For example, the discharge flow path 70 may be formed by a flow path guide 22 and the drain panel 60 of the second housing 20. The discharge flow path 70 may be disposed downstream of the blower 30, and air passing through the discharge flow path 70 may be guided to the outlet 12.
In the air conditioner according to one embodiment, the outlet 12 may include a first outlet 12a and a second outlet 12b. In the disclosure, for convenience of description, it is described that the outlet 12 is divided into the first outlet 12a and the second outlet 12b. However, the first outlet 12a and the second outlet 12b may be connected and provided as a single outlet 12.
The first outlet 12a may be disposed below the second outlet 12b. The first outlet 12a may be opened and closed by the first blade 110. For example, in a normal airflow mode and a downward airflow mode in the direct wind mode of the air conditioner, the first blade 110 may open the first outlet 12a to allow air to be discharged to the outside of the housings 10 and 20 through the first outlet 12a (refer to
The second outlet 12b may be disposed above the first outlet 12a. The second outlet 12b may be opened and closed by the second blade 120. For example, in an upward airflow mode and a horizontal airflow mode in the direct wind mode of the air conditioner, the second blade 120 may open the second outlet 12b to allow air to be discharged to the outside of the housings 10 and 20 through the second outlet 12b (refer to
In addition, in the air conditioner, the first blade 110 may open the first outlet 12a and at the same time, the second blade 120 may open the second outlet 12b and thus air may be simultaneously discharged to the upper side, the horizontal direction, and/or the lower side of the housings 10 and 20 (refer to
Referring to
The airflow guide 100 according to one embodiment may include motors 130 and 140. The motors 130 and 140 may further include a first motor 130 and a second motor 140. The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be coupled to and/or mounted on the first blade 110 and the second blade 120. The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be motors capable of rotating in both directions.
The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged on one line. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged along the left and right directions. Accordingly, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be rotated based on a common rotation axis.
However, the direction and position, in which the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 are arranged, are not limited to the above example. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed on only one side of the left and right directions.
A single motor 130 or 140 may be provided. The single motor 130 or 140 may be provided to transmit power to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120. The single motor 130 or 140 may be selectively connected to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 through an additional link device so as to allow the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to open and close the outlet 12. A controller 180, which will be described later, may control the single motor 130 or 140 and the link device to allow the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to operate with the single motor.
The airflow guide 100 according to one embodiment may further include a fixing panel 150. The fixing panel 150 may allow the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 to be fixed within the housings 10 and 20. The fixing panel 150 may be accommodated within the housings 10 and 20 and coupled to the housings 10 and 20. The fixing panel 150 may be disposed adjacent to the outlet 12. The fixing panel 150 may be a portion of the housings 10 and 20 or a portion of the drain panel 60. However, the fixing panel 150 may be provided separately from the drain panel 60 so as to allow the motors 130 and 140 to be fixed within the housings 10 and 20. Additionally, the shape of the fixing panel 150 is not limited thereto.
Referring to
The first coupler 112 may allow the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to be coupled to each other. The first coupler 112 may be coupled to a second coupler 122 of the second blade 120 through a first shaft 161. For example, the first coupler 112 may be formed at an upper end of the body 111 of the first blade 110. Alternatively, the first coupler 112 may be formed at both left and right ends of the body 111.
The first insertion hole 113a may be formed in the first coupler 112. For example, the first shaft 161 may be inserted through the first insertion hole 113a provided on the left side of the airflow guide. Because the first shaft 161 is inserted into the first insertion hole 113a, the first blade 110 may receive a driving force from the first motor 130 and rotate with the first shaft 161 as the rotation axis. The first insertion hole 113a and the first shaft 161 may be formed to correspond to each other.
The insertion portion 114 may be arranged between a plurality of first couplers 112 provided at both left and right ends of the body 111. The insertion portion 114 may be inserted into a receiving portion 124 of the second blade 120 so that the insertion portion 114 and the receiving portion 124 together form a shaft structure having a common rotation axis about which the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 are rotatable (refer to
The second blade 120 may be a portion of the housings 10 and 20. For example, the second blade 120 may cover the second outlet 12b as a portion of the housings 10 and 20. The second blade 120 may be a front panel 120 included in the housings 10 and 20. The front panel 120 may form a portion of the front portion and the lower portion of the housings 10 and 20. The first blade 110 may be referred to as a blade 110. The front panel 120 may rotate about the same axis as the blade 110.
The second blade 120 may include a body 121, the second coupler 122, second insertion holes 123a and 123b, and the receiving portion 124.
The body 121 may include a first body 121a and a second body 121b. The first body 121a may be provided below the second body 121b. In a state in which the second blade 120 closes the second outlet 12b, the first body 121a may cover the second outlet 12b formed in a portion of the lower portion of the housings 10 and 20. The second coupler 122 and the receiving portion 124 may be formed at a lower end of the first body 121a. The first body 121a may be disposed on the same line as the lower portion 10c of the housings 10 and 20.
The second body 121b may be provided on an upper side of the first body 121a. The first body 121a and the second body 121b may be connected to each other. In a state in which the second blade 120 closes the second outlet 12b, the second body 121b may cover the second outlet 12b formed in a portion of the front portion of the housings 10 and 20. The second body 121b may be disposed on the same line as the front portion 10a of the housings 10 and 20.
The plurality of holes 13 may be formed in the body 121 to implement the minimum air volume mode.
The second coupler 122 may allow the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to be coupled to each other. The second coupler 122 may be coupled to the first coupler 112 of the first blade 110 through the first shaft 161. For example, the second coupler 122 may be formed at the lower end of the body 121 of the second blade 120. The second coupler 122 may cover the first coupler 112. Additionally, the second coupler 122 may be formed at both left and right ends of the body 121.
Because the first coupler 112 is provided at both ends of the first blade 110 and the second coupler 122 is provided at both ends of the second blade 120, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be stably coupled to each other.
The second coupler 122 may include a first portion 122a and a second portion 122b. The first portion 122a may cover the first coupler 112. The first portion 122a may surround the first coupler 112. The second portion 122b may protrude from the first portion 122a toward the motor. The second portion 122b may form the second insertion hole 123a. The first portion 122a may be a base 122a, and the second portion 122b may be a protrusion 122b. The protrusion 122b may be inserted through a fastening hole 151.
The second insertion hole 123a may be formed in the second coupler 122. For example, the first shaft 161 may be inserted through the second insertion hole 123a provided on the left side of the airflow guide 100. Because the first shaft 161 is inserted into the second insertion hole 123a, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be coupled to each other.
The receiving portion 124 may be arranged between a plurality of second couplers 122 provided at both left and right ends of the body 121. The receiving portion 124 may accommodate the insertion portion 114 of the first blade 110 so that the insertion portion 114 and the receiving portion 124 together form a shaft structure having a common rotation axis about which the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 are rotatable (refer to
The first motor 130 may include a motor portion 131 and a fastening portion 132. The motor portion 131 may produce power to rotate the first blade 110. The motor portion 131 may transmit power to the first blade 110 through the first shaft 161. The fastening portion 132 may be provided on both sides of the motor portion 131 to allow the first motor 130 to be fastened to the fixing panel 150.
The airflow guide according to one embodiment may include rotating shafts 161 and 162 provided to be connected to the motors 130 and 140 and configured to transmit power to the blades 110 and 120.
The rotating shafts 161 and 162 may further include the first shaft 161. The first shaft 161 may be connected to the first motor 130. The first shaft 161 may protrude from the motor portion 131 of the first motor 130 toward the first blade 110 and the second blade 120. The first shaft 161 may be coupled to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120. For example, the first shaft 161 may be inserted into the first coupler 112 and the second coupler 122 by passing through the fastening hole 151 of the fixing panel 150. In addition, the first shaft 161 may be inserted into the first insertion hole 113a of the first blade 110 to be mounted on the first blade 110 so as to allow the first motor 130 to transmit power to the first blade 110.
Referring to
The first insertion hole 113b may be formed in the first coupler 112. For example, a portion of the second shaft 162 may be inserted into the first insertion hole 113b provided on the right side of the airflow guide 100, but the second shaft 162 may not pass through the first insertion hole 113b. Accordingly, the first insertion hole 113b may be blocked.
The second coupler 122 may allow the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to be coupled to each other. The second coupler 122 may be coupled to the first coupler 112 of the first blade 110 through the second shaft 162.
Because the first coupler 112 is provided at both ends of the first blade 110 and the second coupler 122 is provided at both ends of the second blade 120, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be stably coupled to each other.
The second coupler 122 may include the first portion 122a and the second portion 122b. The first portion 122a may cover the first coupler 112. The second portion 122b may protrude from the first portion 122a toward the motors 130 and 140. The second portion 122b may form the second insertion hole 123b.
The second insertion hole 123b is formed in the second coupler 122. For example, the second shaft 162 may be inserted through the second insertion hole 123b provided on the right side of the airflow guide 100. Because the second shaft 162 is inserted into the second insertion hole 123b, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be coupled to each other.
Because the second shaft 162 is inserted into the second insertion hole 123b, the second blade 120 may receive the driving force from the second motor 140 and rotate with respect to the second shaft 162 as the rotation axis. The second insertion hole 123b and the second shaft 162 may be formed to correspond to each other.
The second motor 140 may include a motor portion 141 and a fastening portion 142. The motor portion 141 may produce power to rotate the second blade 120. The motor portion 141 may transmit power to the second blade 120 through the second shaft 162. The fastening portion 142 may be provided on both sides of the motor portion 141 to allow the second motor 140 to be fastened to the fixing panel 150.
The rotating shafts 161 and 162 may further include a second shaft 162. The second shaft 162 may be connected to the second motor 140. The second shaft 162 may protrude from the motor portion 141 of the second motor 140 toward the first blade 110 and the second blade 120. The second shaft 162 may be coupled to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120. For example, the second shaft 162 may be inserted into the first coupler 112 and the second coupler 122 by passing through the fastening hole 151 of the fixing panel 150. In addition, the second shaft 162 may be inserted into the second insertion hole 123b of the second blade 120 to be mounted on the second blade 120, thereby allowing the second motor 140 to transmit power to the second blade 120.
The first shaft 161 and the second shaft 162 may extend along the same line. Accordingly, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be rotated based on the common rotation axis.
In the above-description, it is described that the upper blade is the second blade 120 and the lower blade is the first blade 110. However, the upper blade may be the first blade 120 and the lower blade may be the second blade 110. At this time, the second coupler 122 and the second insertion holes 123a and 123b of the first blade 120, which is the upper blade 120, may correspond to the first coupler 122 and the first insertion hole 123a and 123b. Further, the first coupler 112 and the first insertion holes 113a and 113b of the second blade 110, which is the lower blade 110, may correspond to the second coupler 112 and the second insertion holes 113a and 113b. Additionally, the first shaft 161 may be referred to as the second shaft 161, or the second shaft 162 may be referred to as the first shaft 162.
Referring to
The first blade 110 may further include the insertion portion 114. The insertion portion 114 may be inserted into the second blade 120 to allow the first blade 110 to be mounted on the second blade 120. The insertion portion 114 may be provided at the upper end of the first blade 110. The insertion portion 114 may be provided between the plurality of first couplers 112. The insertion portion 114 may be formed to correspond to the receiving portion 124. For example, the insertion portion 114 may include a cylindrical shape. The insertion portion 114 may extend in the left and right directions. The insertion portion 114 may serve as a rotation axis that serves as a rotation reference for the first blade 110 and the second blade 120.
The second blade 120 may further include the receiving portion 124. The receiving portion 124 may be provided at the lower end of the first body 121 of the second blade 120. The receiving portion 124 may allow the first blade 110 to be mounted on the second blade 120. The receiving portion 124 may be a mounting portion 124. The insertion portion 114 may be accommodated in the receiving portion 124. The receiving portion 124 may surround the insertion portion 114. The receiving portion 124 may be provided between the plurality of second couplers 122. The receiving portion 124 may be formed to correspond to the insertion portion 114. The receiving portion 124 may be a hollow portion 124. For example, the receiving portion 124 may include an arc shape. Because a portion of the receiving portion 124 is open, the insertion portion 114 of the first blade 110 may freely rotate within the receiving portion 124, and the first blade 110 may freely adjust a direction of air discharged from the outlet 12.
The second blade 120 may further include stoppers 126 and 127. The stoppers 126 and 127 may be provided at a lower end of the first body 121a of the second blade 120. The stoppers 126 and 127 may guide a rotational position of the first blade 110 and/or the second blade 120. For example, when the first blade 110 opens the first outlet 12a to allow the air conditioner to operate in the normal airflow mode, the stopper 127 may be in contact with an inner surface 110b (or rear surface) of the first blade 110 so as to guide the position of the first blade 110 (refer to
The stoppers 126 and 127 may include a first stopper 126 and a second stopper 127. The first stopper 126 and the second stopper 127 may be first and second ends of the receiving portion 124, respectively. For example, the first stopper 126 may be positioned in a front portion of the lower end of the first body 121a during the air conditioner is not operated or operated in the minimum air volume mode. In the downward airflow mode, the first stopper 126 may be in contact with the outer surface 110a (or front surface) of the first blade 110 so as to guide a position P3 of the first blade 110 (refer to
For example, the first stopper 126 and the second stopper 127 may be arranged along the front and rear direction during the air conditioner is not operated or operated in the minimum air volume mode. Additionally, the first stopper 126 and the second stopper 127 may be arranged along the vertical direction during the air conditioner is operated in the horizontal airflow mode.
The second blade 120 may be the front panel 120 that is a portion of the housings 10 and 20. The first blade 110 may be the blade 110. The front panel 120 may rotate about the same rotation axis as the blade 110. For example, the rotation axis of the blade 110 may be located at the upper end of the blade 110, and thus the blade 110 may rotate with respect to the upper end. The rotation axis of the blade 110 may be the insertion portion 114. Alternatively, the rotation axis of the front panel 120 may be located at the lower end of the front panel 120, and thus the front panel 120 may rotate with respect to the lower end. The rotation axis of the front panel 120 may be the receiving portion 124. The blade 110 may open and close a portion of the outlet 12, and the front panel 120 may open and close another portion of the outlet 12. For example, the blade 110 may open and close the first outlet 12a, and the front panel 120 may open and close the second outlet 12b.
According to one embodiment, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may rotate the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 with respect to the insertion portion 114 extending the left and right directions as the rotation axis. The first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may rotate with respect to the common rotation axis. For example, the first shaft 161 and the second shaft 162 may be arranged on the same line. The first motor 130, the second motor 140, the first shaft 161, and the second shaft 162 may be disposed on a line of the exterior of the housings 10 and 20. For example, the first motor 130, the second motor 140, the first shaft 161, and the second shaft 162 may be arranged on the outlet 12 so as not to protrude or so as not to be recessed on the exterior of the first housing 10. For example, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may cover the outlet 12, and the first coupler 112 and the second coupler 122 may be positioned on the outlet 12. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the air conditioner capable of implementing various airflow modes without significant deformation of the exterior of the air conditioner, and the aesthetics of the air conditioner may not be damaged.
However, the arrangement position of the first motor 130, the second motor 140, the first shaft 161, and the second shaft 162 is not limited to the above examples. For example, the first motor 130, the second motor 140, the first shaft 161, and the second shaft 162 may be disposed inside the housings 10 and 20. Accordingly, the common rotation axis of the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be disposed inside the housing.
For example, the first motor 130, the second motor 140, the first shaft 161, and the second shaft 162 may be disposed on the discharge flow path 70 so as to be adjacent to the blower 30 and the heat exchanger 40. For example, the common rotation axis of the first blade and the second blade may be disposed on the discharge flow path 70 inside the housings 10 and 20. At this time, the power generated from the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be transmitted to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 through a separate link device or belt device.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Both the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may rotate around 90 degrees, and the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may rotate with respect to the common rotation axis in a range of about 180 degrees. Accordingly, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may guide the discharge of cold air to the outside of the housing without restrictions in the vertical direction.
Therefore, the air conditioner according to one embodiment may discharge air in the housings 10 and 20 to various directions without restrictions in the vertical direction, according to the user's needs. Therefore, the usability of the air conditioner may be improved.
The first swing mode and the second swing mode may be operated simultaneously.
Referring to
At this time, the first blade 110 may rotate to a position in which the inner surface 110b (rear surface) of the first blade 110 is in contact with the drain panel 60 in the housings 10 and 20 and/or a position in which the inner surface 110b (rear surface) of the first blade 110 is in contact with the stopper 127. The drain panel 60 may serve as a stopper 60 for the first blade 110.
Therefore, the air conditioner may discharge air toward the lower side of the housings 10 and 20, and provide cold air directly to the space (e.g., indoor) to be cooled, thereby quickly providing cold air to a user.
Referring to
The first blade 110 may discharge cold air downward from the housings 10 and 20 to allow the air conditioner to provide the downward airflow mode at the third position P3. In the downward airflow mode, the cold air may be moved directly downward compared to the normal airflow mode. For example, the first blade 110 may allow the air in the housings 10 and 20 to be discharged downward even in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction (e.g., in a direction at 90 degrees to the horizontal direction) at the third position P3. However, the discharge direction of the cold air at the third position P3 of the first blade 110 is not limited to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction.
As the first stopper 126 is in contact with the outer surface 110a of the first blade 110 in the downward airflow mode, the rotational position of the first blade 110 may be guided. For example, in the downward airflow mode, the first stopper 126 and the outer surface 110a of the first blade 110 may be in contact with each other so as to prevent the first blade 110 from rotating further.
Therefore, the air conditioner may discharge air toward the lower side of the housings 10 and 20, and provide cold air directly to the space (e.g., indoor) to be cooled, thereby quickly providing cold air to a user.
Referring to
The second blade 120 may discharge cold air to the upper side of the housing to allow the air conditioner to provide the upward airflow mode at the second position P5. For example, the second blade 120 may allow the air in the housings 10 and 20 to be discharged upward even in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction (e.g., in a direction at 90 degrees to the horizontal direction) at the second position P5. However, the discharge direction of the cold air at the second position P5 of the second blade 120 is not limited to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction.
Therefore, the air conditioner may discharge air toward the upper side of the housings 10 and 20, and the cold air may be distributed on a ceiling and gradually sink downward due to density. Accordingly, it is possible to cool the whole space (e.g., indoor) to be cooled.
Referring to
As the first stopper 126 is in contact with the outer surface 110a of the first blade 110 in the horizontal airflow mode, the rotational position of the second blade 120 may be guided. For example, in the horizontal airflow mode, the first stopper 126 and the outer surface 110a of the first blade 110 may be in contact with each other to prevent the second blade 120 from rotating further.
Accordingly, the air conditioner may discharge air toward the horizontal direction of the housings 10 and 20, and the cold air, which is located in the upper portion of the space (e.g., indoor) to be cooled, may sink due to density. Accordingly, it is possible to cool the whole space.
Referring to
The minimum air volume mode may be 1/10 or less of the volume of cold air discharged in the upward airflow mode, the horizontal airflow mode, the downward airflow mode, and the normal airflow mode. For example, the speed of air discharged in the minimum air volume mode is 0.15 m/s, which may provide soft cold air to a user. However, the air discharge speed is not limited to the above examples. In the minimum air volume mode, the user of the air conditioner may be not directly exposed to wind, but the purpose of air conditioning may be achieved, thereby improving the user's satisfaction. In addition, when using the air conditioner in the minimum air volume mode, it is possible to prevent the space, which is already sufficiently cooled, from being excessively cooled. Accordingly, it has the effect of saving energy.
The plurality of holes may be distributed over the entire area of the blades 110 and 120. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of holes 13 may be distributed only in specific areas of the blades 110 and 120.
Referring to
For example, the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may rotate forward about the rotation axis to allow the downward airflow and the upward airflow to be simultaneously implemented.
At this time, as the first stopper 126 is in contact with the outer surface 110a of the first blade 110, the rotational position of the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 may be guided, and a degree of opening of the outlet 12 may be guided.
Accordingly, the air conditioner may discharge air toward the upper and lower sides of the housings 10 and 20, and the cold air may sink in the space (e.g., indoor) to be cooled. Accordingly, it is possible to cool the whole space and at the same time, it is possible to directly supply cold air so as to supply cold air more quickly.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In addition, because it is possible to place the second blade 120 to the second position P5 or the third position P6 and at the same time it is possible to place the first blade 110 to the third position P3, the first outlet 12a and the second outlet 12b may be both opened. Accordingly, cold air may flow to the upper part of the indoor space and at the same time, direct wind may move to the lower part. Therefore, the air conditioner according to one embodiment may discharge cold air to meet the various needs of the user.
Hereinafter the same component numbers will be assigned to the same contents as described above, and description will be omitted, and only the changed components will be described.
Referring to
Each of the first blade 210, second blade 220, third blade 230, and fourth blade 240 may open and close the outlet 12. For example, the first blade 210 may open and close the lower right side of the outlet 12, the second blade 220 may open and close the lower left side of the outlet 12, the third blade 230 may open and close the upper left side of the outlet 12 and the fourth blade 240 may open and close the upper right side of the outlet 12.
Accordingly, the air conditioner may implement various airflow modes by controlling each of the first blade 210, the second blade 220, the third blade 230, and the fourth blade 240.
At this time, the first blade 210 and the third blade 230 may share the common rotation axis, and the second blade 220 and the fourth blade 240 may share the common rotation axis.
Additionally, according to one embodiment, it is possible for the first blade 210 and the third blade 230 to rotate together, or for the second blade 220 and the fourth blade 240 to rotate together. For example, the first blade 210 and the third blade 230 may rotate as one body, and the second blade 220 and the fourth blade 240 may rotate as one body.
For example, the first blade 210 and the second blade 220 may be lower blades, and the third blade 230 and fourth blade 240 may be upper blades. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first blade 230 and the second blade 240 may be referred to as upper blades, and the third blade 210 and fourth blade 220 may be referred to as lower blades.
For example, the first blade 210 and the third blade 230 may be left blades, and the second blade 220 and fourth blade 240 may be right blades. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first blade 220 and the third blade 230 may be referred to as right blades, and the second blade 210 and fourth blade 240 may be referred to as left blades.
Referring to
The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed within the housings 10 and 20. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed on one side of the housings 10 and 20 with respect to the left and right directions. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed on the left or right side of the first blade 110 and the second blade 120.
The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged along one line. The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged along one direction. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged along the front and rear direction. For example, the first motor 130 may be disposed in front of the second motor 140, and the second motor 140 may be disposed behind the first motor 130.
The airflow guide 300 according to one embodiment may further include the fixing panel 150. The fixing panel 150 may further include a fixing protrusion 152. The fixing protrusion 152 may protrude toward the motors 130 and 140. The fixing protrusion 152 may support the fastening portions 132 and 142 of the motors 130 and 140 and may be screw-coupled to the fastening portions 132 and 142. The fixing protrusion 152 may be provided in plurality.
The airflow guide 300 according to one embodiment may further include a belt 170. The belt 170 may transmit power generated from the second motor 140 to the second blade 120. For example, a protrusion 122b of the second coupler 122 may be provided to penetrate the fastening hole 151, and the belt 170 may be provided to surround the second shaft 162 and the protrusion 122b of the second coupler 122. The belt 170 may be disposed between the fixing panel 150, and the first motor 130 and the second motor 140. Therefore, the first shaft 161 and the first insertion hole 113 may be directly connected to transmit power from the first motor 130 to the first blade 110. The second shaft 162 may be connected to the second coupler 122 through the belt, thereby transmitting power to the second blade 120.
Because the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 are disposed on either the left or right side of the first blade 110 and the second blade 120, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may not simultaneously occupy the left and right spaces within the housings 10 and 20, and thus it is possible to efficiently use the space.
Referring to
The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed within the housings 10 and 20. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed on one side of the housings 10 and 20 in the left and right directions. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed on the left or right side of the first blade 110 and the second blade 120.
The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged along one line. The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged along one direction. For example, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be arranged along the left and right directions. For example, the first motor 130 may be disposed closer to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 than the second motor 140. The second motor 140 may be further away from the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 than the first motor 130.
The second blade 120 according to one embodiment may further include a motor cover 125. The motor cover 125 may be provided to surround the first motor 130. For example, the motor cover 125 may have a cylindrical shape. The motor cover 125 may include a first cover 125a and a second cover 125b. The first cover 125a may be disposed on both sides of the first motor 130 in the left and right directions while the first motor 130 is disposed within the motor cover 125. The second cover 125b may be disposed between the first covers 125a to surround the first motor 130. The first cover 125a and the second cover 125b may form a receiving space 125c. The first motor 130 may be accommodated in the receiving space 125c.
A fastening hole 125 may be formed in the first cover 125a. The second shaft 162 may be inserted into the fastening hole 125d. The second shaft 162 may be fitted-coupled to the motor cover 125 through the fastening hole 125d to allow power generated from the second motor 140 to be transmitted to the second blade 120. Therefore, as the second motor 140 operates, the motor cover 125 may rotate, and the second blade 120 may also rotate.
According to one embodiment, the first motor 130 may be closer to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 than the second motor 140, and the second motor 140 may be further away from the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 than the first motor 130. However, the positional relationship between the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the first motor 130 may be located further from the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 than the second motor 140, and the second motor 140 may be located closer to the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 than the first motor 130.
Because the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 are disposed on either the left or right side of the first blade 110 and the second blade 120, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may not simultaneously occupy the left and right spaces within the housings 10 and 20, and thus it is possible to efficiently use the space.
Referring to
The air conditioner 1 may include the user interface 80 for interacting with a user.
The user interface 80 may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.
The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.
The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, and a direct wind mode and minimum air volume mode setting button. For example, the at least one input interface may include setting buttons for the upward airflow mode, the downward airflow mode, the horizontal airflow mode, the normal airflow mode, and the minimum air volume mode.
The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone, etc.
The at least one output interface may transmit various data related to the operation of the air conditioner 1 to a user by generating sensory information.
For example, the at least one output interface may convey information related to the operating time, the direct wind mode, and the minimum air volume mode of the air conditioner 1 to a user. For example, the at least one output interface may convey information related to the upward airflow mode, the downward airflow mode, the horizontal airflow mode, the normal airflow mode, and the minimum air volume mode to a user.
Information regarding the operation of the air conditioner 1 may be output through a screen, indicator, voice, etc. The at least one output interface may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.
The driving devices 130 and 140 may include the motors 130 and 140 configured to provide a driving force to the blades to rotate the blades. The motors 130 and 140 may operate based on control signals from the controller 180. Additionally, the motors 130 and 140 may include the first motor 130 and the second motor 140. For example, the first motor 130 may provide a driving force to the first blade 110 to allow the first blade 110 to rotate, and the second motor 140 may provide a driving force to allow the second blade 120 to rotate.
The controller 180 may control various components (e.g., user interface 80, driving devices 130 and 140, etc.) of the air conditioner 1. The controller 180 may operate various components of the air conditioner 1 to perform at least one mode including the upward airflow mode, the downward airflow mode, the horizontal airflow mode, the normal airflow mode, the minimum air volume mode, etc. according to user input. The controller 180 may be a controller of an indoor unit.
The controller 180 may control the first motor 130 and/or the second motor 140. For example, the controller 180 may control the first motor 130 to allow the first blade 110 to rotate toward the position P3 in the downward airflow mode and toward the position P2 in the normal airflow mode. The controller 180 may control the second motor 140 to allow the second blade 120 to rotate toward the position P5 in the upward airflow mode and toward the position P6 in the horizontal airflow mode. The controller 180 may control the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to allow the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 to be in the positions P1 and P4, in which the first blade 110 and the second blade 120 are not rotated and the first outlet 12a and the second outlet 12b are closed, in the minimum air volume mode. Accordingly, the first outlet 12a and the second outlet 12b may be selectively opened and closed.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the controller 180 may simultaneously control the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 to allow the first outlet 12a and the second outlet 12b to be simultaneously opened and closed.
Additionally, the controller 180 may control the driving devices 130 and 140 to repeatedly open and close the first outlet 12a or the second outlet 12b. For example, the controller 180 may control the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 to allow the air conditioner to be operated in the first swing mode and/or the second swing mode. For example, the controller 180 may control the first motor 130 to allow the first blade 110 to repeatedly rotate from the position P2 in the normal airflow mode to the position P3 in the downward airflow mode. In addition, the controller 180 may control the second motor 140 to allow the second blade 120 to repeatedly rotate from the position P4 in the minimum air volume mode to the position P6 in the horizontal airflow mode.
Additionally, the controller 180 may control the driving devices 130 and 140 to allow the first outlet 12a to be opened and closed and then the second outlet 12b to be opened and closed. Alternatively, the controller 180 may control the driving devices 130 and 140 to allow the second outlet 12b to be opened and closed and then the first outlet 12a to be opened and closed. Alternatively, the controller 180 may control the driving devices 130 and 140 to allow the first outlet 12a and the second outlet 12b to be simultaneously opened and closed.
The controller 180 may include hardware such as a CPU, Micom, or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller 180 may include at least one memory configured to store an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the air conditioner 1, and at least one processor configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or two or more processor chips or may include one or two or more processing cores. The memory may include one or two or more memory chips or one or two or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may include the heat exchanger 40, the blower 30 configured to move air to the heat exchanger, the housings 10 and 20 to accommodate the heat exchanger and the blower and including the outlet 12, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 disposed in the housing, and the rotating shafts 161 and 162 including the first shaft 161 connected to the first motor, and the second shaft 162 connected to the second motor.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may include the first blade 110 configured to adjust a direction of air moved by the blower and discharged to the outlet, and disposed on the first side of the rotating shaft to receive power from the first motor, and the second blade 120 configured to adjust a direction of air moved by the blower and discharged to the outlet, and disposed on the second side of the rotating shaft to receive power from the second motor.
In the air conditioner according to one embodiment, the first motor 130 may be disposed on the first side in an extending direction of the rotating shafts 161 and 162, and the second motor 140 may be disposed on the second side in the extending direction of the rotating shafts 161 and 162.
The air conditioner may further include the first coupler 112 formed at one end of the first blade to be coupled to the rotating shaft, and the second coupler 122 formed at one end of the second blade to be coupled to the rotating shaft and the first coupler.
The first coupler may be formed at the upper end of the first blade, and the second coupler may be formed at the lower end of the second blade.
The first motor may be disposed on one of left and right sides of the first blade and the second blade, and the second motor may be disposed on the other of the left and right sides of the first blade and the second blade.
The air conditioner may further include the first insertion hole 113 formed in the first coupler to allow the first shaft to be inserted into the first insertion hole, and the second insertion hole 123 formed in the second coupler to allow the second shaft to be inserted into the second insertion hole.
The plurality of first couplers may be provided at both ends along the left and right directions of the first blade, and the plurality of second couplers may be provided at both ends along the left and right directions of the second blade. The air conditioner may further include the insertion portion 114 formed between the plurality of first couplers at an upper end of the first blade to be inserted into the second blade, and the receiving portion 124 formed to correspond to the insertion portion and formed between the plurality of second couplers at a lower end of the second blade to accommodate the insertion portion of the first blade.
The air conditioner may further include the fixing panel 150 disposed in the housing and to which the first motor and the second motor are coupled.
The first blade may be the blade 110 and the second blade may be the front panel 120 forming a part of the housing configured to cover the outlet. The front panel may be rotatable about the same rotation axis as the blade.
The first blade and the second blade may be arranged along the left and right directions.
The first motor 130 and the second motor 140 may be disposed on one of the left and right sides of the first blade and the second blade.
The first motor and the second motor may be arranged along the front and rear direction. The first shaft may protrude from the first motor toward the first blade to connect the first motor to the first blade. The second shaft may protrude from the second motor. The air conditioner may further include the belt 170 provided to connect the second shaft and the second blade.
The first blade and the second blade may be configured to cover the outlet, and the first coupler and the second coupler may be located on the outlet.
The air conditioner may further include the discharge flow path 70 formed between the blower and the outlet in the housing to guide a movement of air from the blower to the outlet. The first shaft and the second shaft may be located on the discharge flow path.
The air conditioner may further include the controller 180 configured to selectively control the first motor and the second motor to rotate the first blade so as to guide a movement of air in the housing toward the lower side of the housing, or to rotate the second blade so as to guide a movement of air in the housing toward the front side or the upper side of the housing.
The controller may control the first motor and the second motor to simultaneously rotate the first blade and the second blade, thereby opening the outlet.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may include the housings 10 and 20 including the outlet 12 and the front panel 120 provided to form a portion of the front portion, the heat exchanger 40 accommodated in the housing, the motors 130 and 140 disposed in the housing, the rotating shafts 161 and 162 connected to the motors, and the blade 110 coupled to the rotating shaft to open and close a portion of the outlet 12.
The front panel 120 may be rotatable about the same rotation axis as the blade 110 so as to open and close another portion of the outlet.
The air conditioner may include the first motor disposed on the first side along the left and right direction of the blade and the second motor disposed on the second side along the left and right direction of the blade.
The air conditioner may include the first motor and the second motor disposed on one of the left and right sides of the blade, the rotating shaft including the first shaft protruding from the first motor to allow power to be transmitted from the first motor to the blade, and the second shaft protruding from the second motor to allow power to be transmitted from the second motor to the front panel, and the belt provided to connect the second shaft to the front panel. The first motor and the second motor may be arranged along the front and rear direction.
The air conditioner may include the first motor and the second motor disposed on one of the left and right sides of the blade, the first shaft protruding from the first motor to connect the first motor to the blade, and the second shaft protruding from the second motor. The first motor and the second motor may be arranged along the left and right directions.
The air conditioner according to one embodiment may include the heat exchanger 40, the housings 10 and 20 provided to accommodate the heat exchanger and including the outlet, the first motor 130 and the second motor 140 disposed in the housing, the rotating shafts 161 and 162 connected to the first motor and the second motor, the first blade 110 configured to adjust the direction of air discharged to the outlet and disposed on the lower side of the rotating shaft to be connected to the first motor, and the second blade 120 configured to adjust the direction of air discharged to the outlet and disposed on the upper side of the rotating shaft to be connected to the second motor.
The air conditioner may include the controller 180 configured to selectively control the first motor and the second motor to rotate the first blade so as to guide a movement of air in the housing toward the lower side of the housing, or to rotate the second blade so as to guide a movement of air in the housing toward the front side or the upper side of the housing.
As is apparent from the above description, an air conditioner may implement various airflow modes without significant change in an exterior and without change in size of a housing.
Further, an air conditioner may implement various airflow modes because a front panel sharing the common rotation axis with a blade is configured to open and close an outlet.
Further, an air conditioner may implement various airflow modes such as an upward airflow mode, a horizontal airflow mode, a downward airflow mode, a normal airflow mode, and a minimum air volume mode, so as to provide cold air to 180-degree direction without blind area. Accordingly, the cooling performance of the air conditioner may be improved, and the usability may be significantly increased.
Further, an air conditioner may implement various airflow modes such as an upward airflow mode, a horizontal airflow mode, a downward airflow mode, a normal airflow mode, and a minimum air volume mode.
While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0083020 | Jun 2023 | KR | national |
This is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2024/005046, filed Apr. 16, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, it being further noted that foreign priority benefit is based upon Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0083020, filed Jun. 27, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/005046 | Apr 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18643375 | US |
