Patent Application
20250043963
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2023-0100842 filed in Korea on Aug. 2, 2023, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.
An air conditioner is disclosed herein.
An air conditioner is a device that adjusts an air temperature in an indoor space to a temperature set by a user, and is a device that cools and heats indoor air according to principles of a refrigeration cycle. In particular, an indoor unit installed vertically in an indoor space is referred to as a stand-type air conditioner, an indoor unit installed on an indoor wall is referred to as a wall-mounted air conditioner, and an indoor unit installed on the indoor ceiling is referred to as a ceiling-type air conditioner. Recently, there has been a demand for air conditioners that may be selectively installed horizontally on a ceiling or vertically on a wall depending on consumer demand.
The air conditioner disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0975559, which is hereby incorporated by reference, includes a main body; a heat exchanger located in an upper space of the main body; a fan located in a lower space of the main body; and a motor that rotates the fan. A diffuser port through which the airflow generated by the fan passes is formed between the upper space and the lower space of the main body.
The conventional air conditioner has an issue in that condensate generated in the heat exchanger located in the upper space flows into the lower space through the diffuser port. When condensate flows into the lower space where the fan and motor are located, there is an issue that motor failure may be caused due to electric leakage. Additionally, there is an issue in that condensate does not collect into a drain pan but remains inside of the main body, causing corrosion and mold.
Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
Description will now be given according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be denoted by the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.
In general, suffixes such as “module” and “unit” may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such suffixes herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffixes do not have any special meaning or function.
Herein, that which is well known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to assist in easy understanding of various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the embodiments should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents, and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.
It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “electrically connected with” or “connected with” another element, there may be intervening elements present. In contrast, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “directly and electrically connected with” or “connected with” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
A singular representation may include a plural representation unless context clearly indicates otherwise.
Herein, it should be understood that the term such as “include” or “have” is designed to designate the presence of a property, a figure, a step, an operation, an element, a component, or the combination thereof, and does not preclude a possibility of the presence of one or more other features or addition to the property, the figure, the step, the operation, the element, the component, or the combination thereof.
The characters ‘U’ (up), ‘D’ (down), ‘Le’ (left), ‘Ri’ (right), ‘F’ (forward), and ‘R’ (rearward) indicating directions are provided only for convenience of description and the technical spirit disclosed in the specification is not limited by the characters.
Referring to
The air conditioner may include the indoor unit 1 that supplies conditioned air to an indoor space. The indoor unit 1 may be disposed in the indoor space. Additionally, the indoor unit 1 may be installed on a wall and/or ceiling of an indoor space. For example, the indoor unit 1 may be horizontally embedded in the ceiling of the indoor space and supply conditioned air to the indoor space.
The indoor unit 1 may include a case 10, a heat exchanger 20 that exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant, a blower module 30 that forms an airflow, and an electronic component unit 40 that controls operation of the air conditioner or supplies power. The case 10 that may form an external shape of the indoor unit 1. The case 10 may include an internal space in which some parts or components of a refrigeration cycle device are accommodated. Indoor air may be suctioned into the indoor space of the case 10 and discharged from the indoor space of the case 10.
The case 10 may be formed with an inlet 12 through which indoor air is suctioned. The inlet 12 may be formed on one or a first surface of the case 10. For example, the inlet 12 may be open on the one or first side surface of the case 10.
The case 10 may be formed with an outlet 14 through which air is discharged into the indoor space. The outlet 14 may be formed on the other or a second surface of the case 10. For example, the inlet 12 may be formed on the first side surface of the case 10, and the outlet 14 may be formed on the other or second side opposite to the first side surface of the case 10. Thus, indoor air may flow via the case 10 through the inlet 12 and the outlet 14.
The air conditioner may include a refrigerant pipe 22 through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant pipe 22 may penetrate the case 10. Refrigerant may be supplied to the heat exchanger 20 through the refrigerant pipe 22. The refrigerant in the heat exchanger 20 may flow out through the refrigerant pipe 22.
The air conditioner may include a fluid pipe 58 through which a fluid, such as water, flows. The fluid pipe 58 may penetrate the case 10. Condensate generated in the heat exchanger 20 may be discharged through the fluid pipe 58. The fluid pipe 58 may be connected to a pump (not shown). The pump (not shown) may discharge the condensate generated in the heat exchanger 20 through the fluid pipe 58. The fluid pipe 58 may be connected to a drain pan 50. The condensate collected in the drain pan 50 may be discharged through the fluid pipe 58.
The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed inside of the case 10. The heat exchanger 20 may exchange heat between the refrigerant and air. Air introduced through the inlet 12 may pass through the heat exchanger 20. The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed at an angle inside of the case 10. The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed on or at an upstream side of the outlet 14. For example, the heat exchanger 20 may be located between the outlet 14 and the inlet 12 inside of the case 10, and may be disposed inclined upward in a direction of airflow. Thus, the air introduced through the inlet 12 may exchange heat while passing through the heat exchanger 20. The heat exchanged air may be supplied to the indoor space through the outlet 14.
The air conditioner may include the drain pan 50. The condensate generated in the heat exchanger 20 may be collected in the drain pan 50. The drain pan 50 may be disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger 20. For example, the drain pan 50 may include a first drain pan 52 disposed horizontally below the heat exchanger 20. For example, the condensate generated in the heat exchanger 20 may fall and be collected in the first drain pan 52.
The air conditioner may include a blower module 30. The blower module 30 may form an airflow passing through the indoor unit 1. The blower module 30 may include an indoor fan 32. The indoor fan 32 may be embedded in the blower module 30 and may form an airflow from the inlet 12 to the outlet 14. The blower module 30 may be spaced apart from the heat exchanger 20. For example, the heat exchanger 20 may be disposed on or at one or a first side of an internal space of the case 10, and the blower module 30 may be disposed on the other or a second side of the internal space of the case 10.
The air conditioner may include the electronic component unit 40. The electronic component unit 40 may control an operating state of the air conditioner. Additionally, the electronic component unit 40 may supply power to the air conditioner. For example, the electronic component unit 40 may be connected to an external power source and supply power to the air conditioner. The electronic component unit 40 may be spaced apart from the heat exchanger 20. The electronic component unit 40 may be disposed adjacent to the blower module 30.
The air conditioner may include a partition wall 60 that divides the internal space of the case 10. The partition wall 60 may be disposed between the heat exchanger 20 and the blower module 30. The partition wall 60 may be disposed between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14. The airflow formed by the blower module 30 may pass through the partition wall 60. The partition wall 60 may be disposed in parallel with the inlet 12 and the outlet 14. For example, the partition wall 60, the inlet 12, and the outlet 14 may each extend in parallel in an x-direction.
Referring to
The cycle unit space 100a may be a space in which heat exchange between refrigerant and air occurs. The drain pan 50 and the heat exchanger 20 may be disposed in the cycle unit space 100a. The outlet 14 may communicate with the cycle unit space 100a and the indoor space.
The drive unit space 100b may be a space in which the indoor fan 32 that forms the airflow is disposed. The blower module 30 may be disposed in the drive unit space 100b. The inlet 12 may communicate with the drive unit space 100b and the indoor space.
The partition wall 60 may be disposed between the cycle unit space 100a and the drive unit space 100b. The partition wall 60 may divide the internal space of the case 10 into the cycle unit space 100a and the drive unit space 100b.
The blower module 30 may form the airflow that circulates between the indoor space and the indoor unit 1. The blower module 30 may blow indoor air into the case 10 and the air inside of the case 10 into the indoor space. The blower module 30 may form the airflow flowing from the inlet 12 to the outlet 14.
The blower module 30 may include a blower housing 31 in which a blower flow path 300 is formed, and the indoor fan 32 accommodated in the blower housing 31. The indoor fan 32 may form the airflow that flows through the blower flow path 300. The indoor fan 32 may be rotated inside the blower housing 31. The blower housing 31 may be disposed in the drive unit space 100b. The blower housing 31 may include a blower guide 36 that extends through the partition wall 60 into the cycle unit space 100a. For example, the partition wall 60 may be located between the cycle unit space 100a and the drive unit space 100b, and the blower housing 31 located in the drive unit space 100b may include the blower guide 36 that extends through the partition wall 60 to the cycle unit space 100a.
Referring to
The indoor unit 1 may be installed vertically. Referring to
When the indoor unit 1 is installed vertically, the drive unit space 100b and the cycle unit space 100a may be arranged in a vertical direction or orientation. For example, the drive unit space 100b may be a lower space of the internal space of the case 10, and the cycle unit space 100a may be an upper space of the internal space of the case 10. The partition wall 60 may divide an interior of the case 10 into the drive unit space 100b at a lower portion thereof and the cycle unit space 100a at an upper portion thereof.
The partition wall 60 may be located between the cycle unit space 100a at an upper portion thereof and the drive unit space 100b at a lower portion thereof. The blower module 30 may be disposed in a lower portion of the internal space of the case 10. The blower module 30 may form an upwardly flowing airflow. For example, the blower module 30 may form an airflow that flows from the inlet 12 at a lower side to the outlet 14 at an upper side.
The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed at an upper portion of the internal space of the case 10. The heat exchanger 20 may exchange heat between air and refrigerant rising from a lower portion. Air that has passed through the heat exchanger 20 may be discharged through the outlet 14 at the upper side.
The drain pan 50 may include a second drain pan 54 disposed at a lower side of the heat exchanger 20 in the vertically installed indoor unit 1. When the indoor unit 1 is installed vertically, the second drain pan 54 may be disposed horizontally. The condensate generated in the heat exchanger 20 may fall and be collected in the second drain pan 54. The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed at an angle laterally and upward. The second drain pan 54 may be spaced downward from the lower portion of the heat exchanger 20. Thus, the condensate may flow down the obliquely inclined heat exchanger 20, condense on a lower portion of the heat exchanger 20, fall to the second drain pan 54, and be collected.
The second drain pan 54 may be located at a lower side of the first drain pan 52. The first drain pan 52 may be located laterally of the heat exchanger 20. The second drain pan 54 may be disposed at an upper side of the partition wall 60. The second drain fan 54 may be located laterally of the blower guide 36.
Referring to
The blower guide 36 may penetrate the partition wall 60. The partition wall 60 may be formed with a communication opening (see
The air conditioner may include a bracket 34 that fixes the blower module 30. The bracket 34 may be coupled to the first surface of the partition wall 60. The bracket 34 may fix a motor 33 that rotates the indoor fan 32. The motor 33 may be fixed to the partition wall 60 through the bracket 34.
The suctioned air may pass through the communication hole 600 formed in the partition wall 60 and the blower guide 36. The suctioned air may flow from the first side of the partition wall 60 where the blower housing 31 is disposed to the second side of the partition wall 60 where the blower guide 36 protrudes.
The partition wall 60 may include a plate 65 located between the cycle unit space 100a and the drive unit space 100b. The plate 65 may extend in a direction that intersects the flow direction of airflow. For example, the plate 65 may be formed as a flat surface that extends in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the airflow. The plate 65 may divide the drive unit space 100b and the cycle unit space 100a. The plate 65 may be fixed to the inside of case 10. The plate 65 may include a long side, and a short side, which is shorter than the long side.
The partition wall 60 may include a protrusion 64 that protrudes from the plate 65 to one side. The protrusion 64 may be formed to be convex on one or a first side. The protrusion 64 may be concavely formed on the other or a second side. The protrusion 64 may be formed on the plate 65 through processing methods, such as punching and stamping. The protrusion 64 may be formed integrally with the plate 65. The protrusion 64 may protrude from the plate 65 toward an airflow direction. The protrusion 64 may protrude from the plate 65 toward the space in which condensate is generated. For example, the protrusion 64 may protrude from the plate 65 toward the cycle unit space 100a. In other words, the protrusion 64 may protrude from the plate 65 toward the heat exchanger 20. For example, the protrusion 64 may be formed by protruding one or a first side of the plate 65 facing the cycle unit space 100a. For example, the protrusion 64 may be formed by recessing the other or a second surface of the plate 65 facing the drive unit space 100b. Thus, the second surface of the protrusion 64 may have a concave shape.
The protrusion 64 may include a first protrusion 61 that protrudes from the plate 65. An electric wire hole 610 in which an electric wire may be disposed may be formed in the first protrusion 61. The first protrusion 61 may be adjacent to the electronic component unit 40. The first protrusion 61 may be adjacent to the motor 33. The first protrusion 61 may be adjacent to the bracket 34. The first protrusion 61 may be located between the bracket 34 and the electronic component unit 40 based on a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first protrusion 61 protrudes.
The protrusion 64 may include a second protrusion 62 that extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction (z) of the short side of the plate 65. A plurality of second protrusions 62 may be formed. The plurality of second protrusions 62 may be arranged in a longitudinal direction (x) of the long side of the plate 65. The blower guide 36 may be located between the plurality of second protrusions 62. The communication opening 600 may be located between the plurality of second protrusions 62.
The protrusion 64 may include a third protrusion 63 that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction (x) of the long side of the plate 65.
With reference to
The first protrusion 61 may be located between the plurality of second protrusions 62. The first protrusion 61 may extend in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the second protrusion 62 extends. A first electric wire hole 610a and a second electric wire hole 610b formed in the first protrusion 61 may be arranged in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the second protrusion 62 extends. The plurality of second protrusions 62 and first protrusions 61 may be arranged in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the third protrusion 63 extends.
An extended length of the first protrusion 61 may be shorter than an extended length of the second protrusion 62.
The third protrusion 63 may be located on or at one side of the second protrusion 62. For example, the third protrusion 63 may be spaced apart from ends of the plurality of second protrusions 62 in a-z direction. An extension direction of the third protrusion 63 may intersect an extension direction of the second protrusion 62. For example, an extension direction (x) of the third protrusion 63 may be perpendicular to an extension direction (z) of the second protrusion 62.
The second protrusion 62 may protrude in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the third protrusion 63 protrudes. For example, the second protrusion 62 and the third protrusion 63 may protrude in a y direction toward the cycle unit space 100a. A protruding width of the second protrusion 62 may correspond to a protruding width of the third protrusion 63.
The communication opening 600 may be located between the protrusions 64. The communication opening 600 may be located between the plurality of second protrusion 62. The communication opening 600 and the plurality of second protrusions 62 may be arranged in a direction corresponding to the extension direction of the third protrusion 63.
With reference to
A plurality of electric wire holes 610 may be formed in the first protrusion 61. For example, the first protrusion 61 may be formed with the first electric wire hole 610a in which the first electric wire (see
With reference to
The air conditioner may include a cycle unit fixing member 25 to which an electric wire is fixed. The cycle unit fixing member 25 may be disposed inside of the case 10. For example, the cycle unit fixing member 25 may be located in the cycle unit space 100a. The electric wires wired inside of the case 10 may be fixed to the cycle unit fixing member 25.
The cycle unit fixing member 25 may be coupled to the mount 24. The cycle unit fixing member 25 may be adjacent to the partition wall 60. For example, the cycle unit fixing member 25 may be located on or at an upper side of the partition wall 60. The cycle unit fixing member 25 may be adjacent to the first protrusion 61. For example, the cycle unit fixing member 25 may be located on an upper side of the first protrusion 61. Thus, the electric wire passing through the electric wire hole 610 formed in the first protrusion 61 may be fixed to the cycle unit fixing member 25. A plurality of cycle unit fixing members 25 may be provided to fix a plurality of electric wires. For example, the cycle unit fixing member 25 may include first cycle unit fixing member 25a to which the first electric wire (see
The cycle unit fixing member 25 may be adjacent to the drain pan 50. For example, the cycle unit fixing member 25 may be located on or at an upper side of the second drain pan 54. The cycle unit fixing member 25 may be adjacent to the heat exchanger 20. For example, the cycle unit fixing member 25 may be located on or at a lower side of the heat exchanger 20. For example, the first and second cycle unit fixing members 25a and 25b may be installed on the mount 24 located between the heat exchanger 20 and the second drain pan 54.
With reference to
When the indoor unit 1 is installed vertically, the second drain pan 54 may be located on or at the upper side of the partition wall 60. The second drain pan 54 may be disposed horizontally. The second drain pan 54 may cover a portion of the partition wall 60. The second drain pan 54 may not cover the first protrusion 61. The first protrusion 61 may be exposed. The first protrusion 61 may be spaced laterally from the second drain pan 54. For example, the first protrusion 61 may be spaced apart from the second drain pan 54 in a-x direction.
The mount 24 may be spaced upward from the second drain pan 54. For example, the mount 24 may be spaced apart from the second drain pan 54 in a y direction. Condensate may condense on the mount 24 along the tilted heat exchanger 20. The condensate condensed on the mount 24 may fall downward and be collected in the second drain pan 54.
The cycle unit fixing member 25 may be located on or at the upper side of the second drain pan 54. The electric wire passing through the electric wire hole 610 formed in the first protrusion 61 may be fixed to the cycle unit fixing member 25.
The first protrusion 61 may be spaced laterally from the mount 24. For example, the first protrusion 61 may be spaced apart from the mount 24 in a-x direction. The first protrusion 61 may be located on a lower side of the mount 24. The second drain pan 54 may be located between the first protrusion 61 and the mount 24. Thus, the condensate condensed on the mount 24 may be collected in the second drain pan 54 and not fall on the first protrusion 61.
The air conditioner may include an electric wire passing through the electric wire hole 610. For example, the electric wire may include a first electric wire L1 passing through the first electric wire hole 610a and a second electric wire L2 passing through the second electric wire hole 610b. The electric wire passing through the electric wire hole 610 may extend in a vertical direction. For example, the electric wires L1 and L2 passing through the electric wire hole 610 may be disposed in the vertical direction in the cycle unit space 100a. The electric wires disposed in the vertical direction may be fixed to the cycle unit fixing member 25. The electric wire fixed to the cycle unit fixing member 25 may extend toward the second drain pan 54. The electric wire extending toward the second drain pan 54 may be spaced upward from the second drain pan 54. The electric wire at the upper side of the second drain pan 54 may be bent and extend in a direction away from the second drain pan 54. For example, the first electric wire L1 fixed to the first cycle unit fixing member 25a and the second electric wire L2 fixed to the second cycle unit fixing member 25b may extend obliquely downward toward the second drain pan 54, may be bent at least once on the upper side of the second drain pan 54, and may extend obliquely upward away from the second drain pan 54. Thus, the electric wires may be wired in a U-shaped ring shape located at the upper side of the second drain pan 54. Accordingly, the condensate condensed on the electric wire may be guided to a U-shaped ring unit and fall into the second drain pan 54.
Referring to
The control box 41 may be formed with a through hole 410 through which an electric wire passes. The through hole 410 may be formed on a side surface of the control box 41. The through hole 410 may be formed on one side surface of the control box 41 facing the blower module 30. For example, the through hole 410 may be formed on one side surface of the control box 41 facing the bracket 34. A plurality of through holes 410 may be formed. For example, the through hole 410 may include first through hole 410a and second through hole 410b formed on the side surface of the control box 41. The second through hole 410b may be located above the first through hole 410a.
The through hole 410 may be located lower than the electric wire hole 610. For example, the first and second through holes 410a and 410b may be located lower than the first and second electric wire holes 610a and 610b. Thus, the first and second electric wires L1 and L2 extending downward through the first and second electric wire holes 610a and 610b may be wired to the first and second through holes 410a, 410b located on a lower side.
The through hole 410 may be laterally spaced from the electric wire hole 610. For example, the first and second through holes 410a and 410b may be spaced apart from the first and second electric wire holes 610a and 610b in an x direction.
The bracket 34 may be spaced laterally from the electric wire hole 610. For example, the bracket 34 may be spaced apart from the first and second electric wire holes 610a and 610b in a-x direction. Thus, the first and second electric wires L1 and L2 passing through the first and second electric wire holes 610a and 610b may be wired between the bracket 34 and the control box 41.
The air conditioner may include a drive unit fixing member 70 that fixes an electric wire. The drive unit fixing member 70 may be disposed in the drive unit space 100b. The drive unit fixing member 70 may fix the electric wire that passes through the electric wire hole 610 and extends downward. A plurality of drive unit fixing members 70 may be provided. For example, the drive unit fixing member 70 may include first drive unit fixing member 70a that fixes the first electric wire L1 that passed through the first electric wire hole 610a, and second drive unit fixing member 70b that fixes the second electric wire L2 that passed through the second electric wire hole 610b.
The first drive unit fixing member 70a may be located lower than the first electric wire hole 610a. The first drive unit fixing member 70a may be located lower than the first through hole 410a. Based on the vertical direction, the first through hole 410a may be located between the first drive unit fixing member 70a and the first electric wire hole 610a. The first drive unit fixing member 70a may be coupled to the control box 41. The first drive unit fixing member 70a may be coupled to one surface of the control box 41 where the first through hole 410a is formed.
The second drive unit fixing member 70b may be located lower than the second electric wire hole 610b. The second drive unit fixing member 70b may be located lower than the second through hole 410b. Based on the vertical direction, the second through hole 410b may be located between the second drive unit fixing member 70b and the second electric wire hole 610b. The second drive unit fixing member 70b may be coupled to the bracket 34. The second drive unit fixing member 70b may be coupled to one surface of the bracket 34 facing the control box 41.
The drive unit fixing member 70 may be spaced laterally with respect to the first protrusion 61 in which the electric wire hole 610 is formed. For example, based on the lateral direction (x), the first drive unit fixing member 70a may be spaced apart from the first protrusion 61 in an x direction, and the second drive unit fixing member 70b may be spaced apart from the first protrusion 61 in a-x direction.
The electric wire passing through the electric wire hole 610 may be fixed to the drive unit fixing member 70 located below the through hole 410, then extended obliquely upward and disposed in the through hole 410. Thus, the electric wire may be fixed to the drive unit fixing member 70 to form a U-shaped ring unit. The condensate condensed on the electric wire flows along the electric wire extending downward, and may condense on the U-shaped ring unit formed adjacent to the drive unit fixing member 70 and then fall. For example, the first electric wire L1 passing through the first electric wire hole 610a may have the U-shaped ring unit formed adjacent to the first drive unit fixing member 70a, and the second electric wire L2 passing through the second electric wire hole 610b may have the U-shaped ring unit formed adjacent to the second drive unit fixing member 70b. The condensate condensing and flowing on the first and second electric wires L1 and L2 may condense on each U-shaped ring unit formed adjacent to the first and second drive unit fixing members 70a and 70b and then fall. Accordingly, the condensate condensed on the electric wire may fall and be removed before reaching the electronic component unit 40.
An air conditioner according to embodiments disclosed herein may include a case in which an inlet and an outlet are formed; an indoor fan that is disposed inside of the case and forms an airflow; a heat exchanger that is disposed inside of the case and exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant; and a partition wall that is disposed between the indoor fan and the heat exchanger and divides an interior of the case into a cycle unit space in which the heat exchanger is disposed and a drive unit space in which the indoor fan is disposed. The partition wall may include a protrusion that protrudes toward the cycle unit space.
The partition wall may include a first protrusion that is formed with an electric wire hole through which an electric wire passes and protrudes toward the cycle unit space. The partition wall may include a plurality of second protrusions that extends in a direction parallel to a short side. The partition wall may include a third protrusion that extends in a direction parallel to a long side.
The air conditioner may include a blower housing that accommodates the indoor fan. The partition wall may be formed with a communication opening that provide communication between the cycle unit space and the drive unit space. The blower housing may protrude into the cycle unit space through the communication opening.
The air conditioner may include a motor that rotates the indoor fan, and a bracket on which the motor is fixed and coupled to the partition wall.
The air conditioner may include a control box disposed in the drive unit space and having a through hole through which the electric wire passes, and a drive unit fixing member disposed in the drive unit space and to which the electric wire is fixed. A distance that the drive unit fixing member is spaced apart from the electric wire hole is longer than a distance that the through hole is spaced apart from the electric wire hole.
The air conditioner may include a motor that rotates the indoor fan, and a bracket on which the motor is fixed and coupled to the partition wall. The electric wire hole may include a first electric wire hole through which a first electric wire passes, and a second electric wire hole through which a second electric wire passes. The drive unit fixing member may include a first drive unit fixing member coupled to the control box and to which the first electric wire is fixed, and a second drive unit fixing member coupled to the bracket and to which the second electric wire is fixed. The through hole may include a first through hole through which the first electric wire passes, and a second through hole through which the second electric wire passes.
A distance that the first drive unit fixing member is spaced apart from the first electric wire hole may be longer than a distance that the first through hole is spaced apart from the first electric wire hole. A distance that the second drive unit fixing member is spaced apart from the second electric wire hole may be longer than a distance that the second through hole is spaced apart from the second electric wire hole.
The electric wire extends from the electric wire hole toward the drive unit fixing member, and extends from the drive unit fixing member toward the through hole. A distance that the electric wire is spaced apart from the partition wall becomes closer as the electric wire moves from the drive unit fixing member to the through hole.
An air conditioner may include a mount that fixes the heat exchanger to the case, and a drain pan disposed between the partition wall and the heat exchanger. The drain pan may be located between the mount and the partition wall.
The partition wall may include a first protrusion formed with an electric wire hole through which an electric wire passes and protruding toward the cycle unit space. The mount may include a cycle unit fixing member to which the electric wire is fixed.
The electric wire may include a first line unit located in the cycle unit space and disposed between the cycle unit fixing member and the electric wire hole, and a second line unit located in the cycle unit space and connected to the first line unit. The second line unit may include a bending unit that approaches and moves away from the drain pan as moving away from the cycle unit fixing member along a longitudinal direction of the second line unit.
The air conditioner according to embodiments disclosed herein may include a case in which an inlet and an outlet are formed; an indoor fan that is disposed inside of the case and forms an airflow; a heat exchanger that is disposed inside of the case and exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant; a partition wall that is disposed between the indoor fan and the heat exchanger and divides an interior of the case into a cycle unit space in which the heat exchanger is disposed and a drive unit space in which the indoor fan is disposed; and a blower housing that accommodates the indoor fan. The partition wall may be formed with a communication opening that provides communication between the cycle unit space and the drive unit space, and the blower housing may protrude into the cycle unit space through the communication opening.
The partition wall may divide the cycle unit space located at an upper side and the drive unit space located at a lower side. The blower housing may protrude upward through the communication opening. The partition wall may include a protrusion that protrudes upwardly.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner with improved durability.
Embodiments disclosed herein also provide an air conditioner with reduced risk of electric leakage and water leaks.
Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air conditioner that drains condensate smoothly.
Embodiments disclosed herein furthermore provide an air conditioner with improved hygienic performance.
Embodiments disclosed herein additionally provide an air conditioner that may be installed vertically.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner that may be installed both horizontally and vertically.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air conditioner that may be embedded in a wall.
Advantages are not limited to those mentioned above, and other advantages not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, the air conditioner may include a case in which an inlet and an outlet are formed; an indoor fan that is disposed inside of the case and forms an airflow; a heat exchanger that is disposed inside of the case and exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant; and a partition wall that is disposed between the indoor fan and the heat exchanger and divides an interior of the case into a cycle unit space in which the heat exchanger is disposed and a drive unit space in which the indoor fan is disposed. The partition wall may include a protrusion that protrudes toward the cycle unit space, so that condensate generated in the heat exchanger may not accumulate in a forming structure.
The partition wall may include a first protrusion formed with an electric wire hole through which an electric wire passes and protruding toward the cycle unit space, so that condensed water generated in the heat exchanger may not approach the electric wire hole. The partition wall may include a plurality of second protrusions that extends in a direction parallel to a short side, thereby increasing resistance to lateral pressure acting in the longitudinal direction of the short side. The partition wall may include a third protrusion that extends in a direction parallel to a long side, thereby increasing resistance to lateral pressure acting in the longitudinal direction of the long side.
The air conditioner may include a blower housing that accommodates the indoor fan. The partition wall may be formed with a communication opening that provides communication between the cycle unit space and the drive unit space. The blower housing may protrude into the cycle unit space through the communication opening, so that the condensate accumulated on the partition wall may be difficult to access the communication opening.
The air conditioner may include a motor that rotates the indoor fan, and a bracket on which the motor is fixed and coupled to the partition wall, so that a blower module may be fixed to the partition wall.
The air conditioner may include a control box disposed in the drive unit space and having a through hole through which the electric wire passes, and a drive unit fixing member disposed in the drive unit space and to which the electric wire may be fixed. A distance that the drive unit fixing member is spaced apart from the electric wire hole may be longer than a distance that the through hole is spaced apart from the electric wire hole, so that the electric wire passing through the electric wire hole may extend long to the drive unit fixing member and may be bent to be connected to the through hole.
The air conditioner may include a motor that rotates the indoor fan, and a bracket on which the motor is fixed and coupled to the partition wall. The electric wire hole may include a first electric wire hole through which a first electric wire passes, and a second electric wire hole through which a second electric wire passes. The drive unit fixing member may include a first drive unit fixing member coupled to the control box and to which the first electric wire is fixed, and a second drive unit fixing member coupled to the bracket and to which the second electric wire is fixed. The through hole may include a first through hole through which the first electric wire passes, and a second through hole through which the second electric wire passes.
A distance that the first drive unit fixing member is spaced apart from the first electric wire hole may be longer than a distance that the first through hole is spaced apart from the first electric wire hole. A distance that the second drive unit fixing member is spaced apart from the second electric wire hole is longer than a distance that the second through hole may be spaced apart from the second electric wire hole, so that the electric wires extending from each wire hole may extend long to the drive unit fixing member, and may be bent to be connected to the through hole.
The electric wire may extend from the electric wire hole toward the drive unit fixing member and extend from the drive unit fixing member toward the through hole. A distance that the electric wire is spaced apart from the partition wall may become closer as the electric wire moves from the drive unit fixing member to the through hole, so that the electric wire may form a U-shaped ring unit through the drive unit fixing member.
The air conditioner may include a mount that fixes the heat exchanger to the case, and a drain pan disposed between the partition wall and the heat exchanger. The drain pan may be located between the mount and the partition wall, so that the condensate generated in the heat exchanger flows along the mount, falls to the drain pan, and is collected.
The partition wall may include a first protrusion formed with an electric wire hole through which an electric wire passes and protruding toward the cycle unit space. The mount may include a cycle unit fixing member to which the electric wire is fixed.
The electric wire may include a first line unit located in the cycle unit space and disposed between the cycle unit fixing member and the electric wire hole, and a second line unit located in the cycle unit space and connected to the first line unit. The second line unit may include a bent unit that approaches and moves away from the drain pan as moving away from the cycle unit fixing member along a longitudinal direction of the second line unit. The electric wire may have a U-shaped ring unit formed on an upper side of the drain pan.
The air conditioner may include a case in which an inlet and an outlet are formed; an indoor fan disposed that is inside of the case and forms an airflow; a heat exchanger that is disposed inside of the case and exchanges heat between air and a refrigerant; a partition wall that is disposed between the indoor fan and the heat exchanger and divides an interior of the case into a cycle unit space in which the heat exchanger is disposed and a drive unit space in which the indoor fan is disposed; and a blower housing that accommodates the indoor fan. The partition wall may be formed with a communication opening that provides communication between the cycle unit space and the drive unit space. The blower housing may protrude into the cycle unit space through the communication opening, and guide the airflow formed by the indoor fan into the cycle unit space, making it difficult for the condensate accumulated on the partition wall to access the communication opening.
The partition wall may divide the cycle unit space located at an upper side and the drive unit space located at a lower side. The blower housing may protrude upward through the communication opening, and the partition wall may include a protrusion that protrudes upwardly. Therefore, the condensate generated in the heat exchanger may not accumulate in the foaming structure formed on the partition wall.
According to at least one of embodiment, the cycle unit space in which the heat exchanger is disposed and the drive unit space in which an electronic component unit and the motor are disposed are divided by the partition wall, thereby reducing the amount of condensate moving from the cycle unit space to the drive unit space. Thus, risk of electric leakage and water leaks in the air conditioner may be reduced. This may lead to improved durability of the air conditioner.
According to at least one embodiment, there is included the partition wall that divides the cycle unit space and the drive unit space, and a second drain pan that is horizontally disposed between the partition wall and the heat exchanger when installed vertically, thereby providing an air conditioner capable of vertical installation.
According to at least one embodiment, a first drain pan collects condensate generated from the heat exchanger when installed horizontally and a second drain pan collects condensate generated from the heat exchanger when installed vertically, thereby providing an air conditioner capable of both horizontal and vertical installation as well as allowing condensate generated from the heat exchanger to be collected in the drain pan and drained smoothly.
According to at least one embodiment, a protrusion is formed on the partition wall dividing the cycle unit space and an electronic component unit space, so that rigidity of the partition wall may be improved.
According to at least one embodiment, the partition wall may include a second protrusion that extends in a longitudinal direction of a short side and a third protrusion that extends in a longitudinal direction of the long side, thereby improving resistance to lateral pressure acting in all directions. Thus, durability of the air conditioner may be improved.
According to at least one embodiment, the protrusion formed on the partition protrudes toward the cycle unit space, so that condensate generated in the heat exchanger may not accumulate in the forming structure. Additionally, the amount of condensate generated in the heat exchanger moving into the drive unit space may be reduced.
According to at least one embodiment, the partition wall may be formed with an electric wire hole and include a first protrusion that protrudes into the cycle unit space, so that condensate accumulated in the partition wall may make it difficult to access the electric wire hole. Thus, it is possible to reduce the amount of condensate flowing into the drive unit space through the electric wire hole formed in the partition wall.
According to at least one embodiment, the partition wall may be formed with a communication opening, and the air conditioner may include a blower guide that extends from a circumference of the communication opening to the cycle unit space, so that the amount of condensate accumulated on the partition wall flowing into the drive unit space through the communication opening may be reduced.
According to at least one embodiment, there is provided a drive unit fixing member, and a distance that the drive unit fixing member is spaced apart from the electric wire hole may be formed to be longer than a distance that the through hole is spaced apart from the electric wire hole, so that the electric wire may be made to form a U-shaped ring unit in the drive unit fixing member. Thus, the condensate flowing along the electric wire may condense and fall from the U-shaped ring unit and may not move to the through hole. Thus, the amount of condensate approaching the electronic component unit may be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an air conditioner with a reduced risk of electric leakage and water leakage.
According to at least one embodiment, there is provided with a cycle unit fixing member, the cycle unit fixing member being formed with a U-shaped ring unit spaced upward from the second drain pan, so that condensate flowing along the electric wire may condense on the U-shaped ring unit and fall to the second drain pan to be collected. Thus, the amount of condensate approaching the drive unit space may be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an air conditioner with a reduced risk of electric leakage and water leakage.
Advantages are not limited to those mentioned above, and other advantages not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.
Certain embodiments or other embodiments described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments described above may be combined with another or combined with each other in configuration or function.
For example, a configuration “A” described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration “B” described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0100842 | Aug 2023 | KR | national |
