This U.S. National stage application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-117447, filed in Japan on Apr. 21, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to an air conditioning unit, and relates in particular to an air conditioning unit to be disposed above an air-conditioned space.
Air conditioning units embedded into a ceiling, in which a bottom face of a case is flat so that an air discharge duct and air intake duct will follow the ceiling, have conventionally been known as air conditioning units to be disposed above an air-conditioned space.
According to such a ceiling-embedded air conditioning unit, indoor air is drawn in through the air intake duct on the bottom face of the case; the air drawn in is either cooled or heated by a heat exchanger inside the case to produce conditioned air; and the conditioned air after produced is then discharged back into the room through the air discharge duct on the bottom face of the case.
However, with air conditioning units such as those of a ceiling-embedded design, the air discharge duct located on the bottom face of the case is visible from within the room; therefore, it has been difficult to improve visual appeal.
Moreover, since the air discharge duct on the bottom face of the case is situated in proximity to the ceiling surface, there has been a risk that some of the conditioned air discharged from the air discharge duct might be directed onto the ceiling surface, possibly smudging the ceiling.
An object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning unit that has improved visual appeal in a non-operational state, and that affords reduced smudging of the ceiling of the air conditioned space by discharged air.
The air conditioning unit according to a first aspect is an air conditioning unit to be disposed above a space to be air conditioned. The air conditioning unit includes a case; first moveable panels; and a moveable panel actuating mechanism. The case has at least one discharge duct on a bottom face. The first moveable panels open and close the discharge duct. The moveable panel actuating mechanism moves the first moveable panels between a first position for closing off at least the outside section of the discharge duct, and a second position opened to the outside of the discharge duct.
According to this aspect, when the air conditioning unit is not in operation, in the first position, the first moveable panel will close off at least the outside section of the discharge duct so as to conceal it from view from inside the air-conditioned space, thereby improving the visual appeal of the air conditioning unit in the non-operational state. Meanwhile, when the air conditioning unit is running, the first moveable panel will move to the second position at which the discharge duct is open to the outside, thus making it possible to reduce smudging of the ceiling of the air-conditioned space by the discharged air.
The air conditioning unit according to a second aspect is an air conditioning unit according to the first aspect wherein the case has at least one intake duct on the bottom face. The air conditioning unit further includes a second moveable panel for opening and closing the intake duct. The moveable panel actuating mechanism opens and closes the first moveable panel and the second moveable panel.
According to this aspect, since the unit further includes a second moveable panel that opens and closes the intake duct on the bottom face of the case, and the moveable panel actuating mechanism opens and closes the first moveable panel and the second moveable panel, by closing off both the intake duct and the discharge duct with the first moveable panel and the second moveable panel when the air conditioning unit is not in operation, it will be possible to conceal the discharge duct and the intake duct from view from inside the air-conditioned space, so that visual appeal will be further improved.
The air conditioning unit according to a third aspect is an air conditioning unit according to the first aspect wherein at the second position, the first moveable panel is inclined downward by 0 to 45° with respect to the surface of the ceiling of the air-conditioned space.
According to this aspect, at the second position the first moveable panel is inclined downward by 0 to 45° with respect to the surface of the ceiling of the air-conditioned space; therefore, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling by discharged air.
The air conditioning unit according to a fourth aspect is an air conditioning unit according to the third aspect wherein at the second position, the first moveable panel is inclined downward by 20 to 30° with respect to the surface of the ceiling of the air-conditioned space.
According to this aspect, at the second position the first moveable panel is inclined downward by 20 to 30° with respect to the surface of the ceiling of the air-conditioned space; therefore, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling by discharged air.
The air conditioning unit according to a fifth aspect is an air conditioning unit according to the first aspect wherein the first moveable panel has a width equivalent to 0.25 to 1.0 times the width of the discharge duct.
According to this aspect, the first moveable panel has a width equivalent to 0.25 to 1.0 times the width of the discharge duct, with the first moveable panel at the first position closing off at least the outside section of the discharge duct at times that the air conditioning unit is not in operation; therefore, the discharge duct will not be readily visible from inside the room, making it possible to more effectively improve visual appeal. Moreover, when the air conditioning unit is running, the first moveable panel at the second position reduce discharging of air towards the ceiling, thus making it possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling of the air conditioned space by the discharged air.
The air conditioning unit according to a sixth aspect is an air conditioning unit according to any of the first to fifth aspects wherein the moveable panel actuating mechanism rotatably moves the first moveable panel between a first position and a second position.
According to this aspect, the moveable panel actuating mechanism rotatably moves the first moveable panel between the first position and the second position; therefore, it will be possible for reciprocating motion of the first moveable panel between the first position and the second position to take place reliably, through a simple mechanism.
The air conditioning unit according to a seventh aspect is an air conditioning unit according to any of the first to fifth aspects wherein the moveable panel actuating mechanism slidably moves the first moveable panel between a first position and a second position.
According to this aspect, the moveable panel actuating mechanism slides the first moveable panel between the first position and the second position; therefore, it will be possible for reciprocating motion of the first moveable panel between the first position and the second position to take place reliably, through a simple mechanism.
The air conditioning unit according to an eighth aspect is an air conditioning unit according to any of the first to seventh aspects wherein the first moveable panel has a shape such that, at the second position, the angle of incline of end sections with respect to the ceiling face of the air-conditioned space is greater than the angle of incline of a center section.
According to this aspect, the first moveable panel has a shape such that, at the second position, the angle of incline of the end sections with respect to the ceiling surface of the air-conditioned space is greater than the angle of incline of the center section; therefore, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in proximity to the two ends of the discharge duct.
The air conditioning unit according to a ninth aspect is an air conditioning unit according to any of the first to seventh aspects wherein the first moveable panel has shapes such that a width of the center section is greater than a width of the end sections.
According to this aspect, the first moveable panel has a shape such that the width of the center section is greater than the width of the end sections; therefore, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in proximity to the center of the discharge duct.
The air conditioning unit according to a tenth aspect is an air conditioning unit according to any of the first to seventh aspects wherein the first moveable panel has shapes such that, at the second position, the end sections are spaced further away from the ceiling face of the air-conditioned space than is the center section.
According to this aspect, the first moveable panel has a shape such that, at the second position, the end sections are spaced further away from the ceiling surface of the air-conditioned space than is the center section; therefore, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in proximity to the two ends of the discharge duct. Additionally, since the first moveable panel in the closed state will appear to be recessed into the ceiling, visual appeal can be further improved.
The air conditioning unit according to an eleventh aspect is an air conditioning unit according to any of the first to seventh aspects wherein the first moveable panel has shapes such that a thickness of the end sections is greater than a thickness of the center section.
According to this aspect, the first moveable panel has a shape such that thickness of the end sections is greater than thickness of the center section; therefore, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in proximity to the two ends of the discharge duct. Additionally, since the first moveable panel in the closed state will appear to be recessed into the ceiling, visual appeal can be further improved.
The air conditioning unit according to a twelfth aspect is an air conditioning unit according to any of the first to seventh aspects wherein the first moveable panel has a combination of at least two or more shapes selected from the group comprising: (a) a shape such that, at the second position, the angle of incline of the end sections with respect to the ceiling face of the air-conditioned space is greater than the angle of incline of the center section; (b) a shape such that the width of the center section is greater than the width of the end sections; (c) a shape such that, at the second position, the end sections are spaced further away from the ceiling face of the air-conditioned space than is the center section; and (d) a shape such that the thickness of the end sections is greater than the thickness of the center section.
According to this aspect, the first moveable panel has a combination of two or more shapes selected from the group comprising: (a) a shape such that, at the second position, the angle of incline of the end sections with respect to the ceiling surface of the air-conditioned space is greater than the angle of incline of the center section; (b) a shape such that the width of the center section is greater than the width of the end sections; (c) a shape such that, at the second position, the end sections are spaced further away from the ceiling surface of the air-conditioned space than is the center section; and (d) a shape such that thickness of the end sections is greater than thickness of the center section. Therefore, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling through various combinations of these shapes.
According to the first aspect, the visual appeal of the air conditioning unit in the non-operational state is improved. Moreover, during running of the air conditioning unit it will be possible to reduce smudging of the ceiling of the air-conditioned space by the discharged air.
According to the second aspect, it is possible for the discharge duct and the intake duct to be concealed from view from the air-conditioned space, thus further improving visual appeal.
According to the third aspect, it is possible to effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling by discharged air.
According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling by discharged air.
According to the fifth aspect, the visual appeal of the air conditioning unit in the non-operational state is improved. At the same time, the range of possible smudging of the ceiling surface during operation can be covered sufficiently, and it will be possible to effectively inhibit the discharged air from smudging the ceiling of the air-conditioned space.
According to the sixth aspect, with a simple mechanism the first moveable panel can reliably be moved in a reciprocating motion between the first position and the second position.
According to the seventh aspect, with a simple mechanism the first moveable panel can reliably be moved in a reciprocating motion between the first position and the second position.
According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in the vicinity of the end sections of the discharge duct.
According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in the vicinity of the center section of the discharge duct.
According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in the vicinity of the end sections of the discharge duct. Moreover, since in the closed state the first moveable panel will appear to be recessed into the ceiling, visual appeal is further improved.
According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling in the vicinity of the end sections of the discharge duct. Moreover, since in the closed state the first moveable panel will appear to be recessed into the ceiling, visual appeal is further improved.
According to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to further effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling.
Basic Configuration of Air Conditioning Unit 1
The ceiling-disposed air conditioning unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in
As shown in
In the air conditioning unit 1 shown in
As shown in
Each of the pair of moveable panels 3 is a plate-shaped member made of material such as synthetic resin; as shown in
The first moveable panels 3 have width W1 equivalent to 0.25 to 1.0 times the width W0 of the discharge ducts 35.
At the second position II, the first moveable panels 3 will be inclined downward by 0 to 45°, preferably downward by 20 to 30°, with respect to the plane of the ceiling C of the room.
The blower fan 5 is composed of a centrifugal fan such as a turbo fan. As shown in
As shown in
Configuration of Moveable Panel Actuating Mechanism 4
As shown in
When operation of the air conditioning unit 1 is started, the moveable panel actuating mechanism 4 rotate the first moveable panels 3 from the first position to the second position, at which the first moveable panels 3 will incline downward by a determined angle θ with respect to the ceiling C and open the discharge ducts 35. On the other hand, when operation of the air conditioning unit 1 is stopped, the first moveable panels 3 will rotate from the second position to the first position, and close off the discharge ducts 35.
(1)
The ceiling-embedded air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment includes the first moveable panels 3 that open and close the discharge ducts 35; and the moveable panel actuating mechanism 4 that transfers the first moveable panels 3 between the first position I in which the first moveable panels 3 close off the discharge ducts 35, and the second position II in which the first moveable panels 3 are opened to the outside of the discharge ducts 35.
Consequently, with the air conditioning unit 1 stopped, the first moveable panels 3 will close off the discharge ducts 35 in the first position I and prevent the discharge ducts 35 from being visible from inside the room, thus making it possible for the bottom face of the case 2 of the air conditioning unit 1 to be aligned with the ceiling surface and improving the visual appeal of the air conditioning unit 1 when stopped.
Moreover, when the air conditioning unit 1 is running, the first moveable panels 3 will transfer to the outside of the discharge ducts 35, i.e. to the second position II opened out closer towards the plane of the ceiling C of the air-conditioned space, thus making it possible to reduce smudging of the ceiling C of the air-conditioned space by the discharged air.
(2)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, at the second position II the first moveable panels 3 are inclined downward by 0 to 45° with respect to the plane of the ceiling C of the air-conditioned space, thus making it possible to effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling C by the discharged air.
(3)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, at the second position II the first moveable panels 3 are inclined downward by 20 to 30° with respect to the plane of the ceiling C of the air-conditioned space, thus making it possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling C by the discharged air.
(4)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, the moveable panel actuating mechanism 4 transfers the first moveable panels 3 between the first position I and the second position II, making it possible for reciprocating motion of the first moveable panels 3 between the first position I and the second position II to take place reliably through a simple mechanism.
(5)
In the first moveable panels 3 of the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, the first moveable panels 3 have a width W1 equivalent to 0.25 to 1.0 times the a width W0 of the discharge ducts 35, and thus when the air conditioning unit 1 is stopped, the first moveable panels 3 in the first position I will close off at least the outside section of the discharge ducts 35 so that the ducts 35 are substantially invisible from inside the room, thereby improving visual appeal in the non-operational state.
Furthermore, when the air conditioning unit 1 is running, it is possible for the first moveable panels 3 in the second position II to reduce discharge of air towards the ceiling C, thus making it possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling C of the air-conditioned space by the discharged air.
(A)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, only the discharge ducts 35 are opened and closed by the first moveable panels 3. However, no limitation of the invention is implied thereby, and by way of a modification of the present invention, shown in
In this case, when the air conditioning unit 1 shown in
Moreover, the second moveable panels 9 shown in
Consequently, as shown in
(B)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, the discharge ducts 35 are opened and closed through rotating of the first moveable panels 3. However, no limitation of the invention is implied thereby, and by way of another modification of the present invention, shown in
Here, in the first position I shown in
As the moveable panel actuating mechanism 4 for slidably driving the first moveable panels 3 it would be possible to use a mechanism such as a combination of a rack and a pinion.
(C)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, the first moveable panels 3 are flat plate-shaped members; however, no limitation of the invention is implied thereby. The first moveable panels 3 shown in
In this case, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling C in proximity to the two ends 35a, 35b of the discharge ducts 35.
The angle of incline θa of the end section 3b is set to between 25 and 35° (preferably to 30°); and the angle of incline θb of the center section 3c is set to between 20 and 30° (preferably to 25°).
Even if the first moveable panels 3 have shapes with partial variation in the angle of incline only in proximity to the ends, instead of the shapes having a gradually changing angle of incline from the center towards the ends as shown in
(D)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, the first moveable panels 3 are rectangular plate-shaped members; however, no limitation of the invention is implied thereby. By way of another modification of the present invention, the first moveable panels 3 shown in
In this case, it will be possible to more effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling C in proximity to the center section 35c of the discharge ducts 35.
(E)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, the first moveable panels 3 are flat plate-shaped members; however, no limitation of the invention is implied thereby. By way of another modification of the present invention, the first moveable panels 3 shown in
In this case, with the first moveable panels 3 in the open second position II (see
Moreover, with the first moveable panels 3 in the closed first position I (see
By the drive power of the moveable panel actuating mechanism 4, the first moveable panels 3 are made sliding displacement between the closed state at the first position I shown in
(F)
In the air conditioning unit 1 of the embodiment, the first moveable panels 3 are flat plate-shaped members; however, no limitation of the present invention is implied thereby. By way of another modification of the present invention, the first moveable panels 3 shown in
In this case, as in modification (E) above, with the first moveable panels 3 opened to the second position II (see
Moreover, with the first moveable panels 3 in the closed state at the first position I (see
By the drive power of the moveable panel actuating mechanism 4, the first moveable panels 3 are made sliding displacement between the closed state at the first position I shown in
(G)
As yet another modification of the present invention, the first moveable panels 3 may have a combination of at least two or more shapes selected from the group comprising the four shapes mentioned above, namely: (a) a shape such that at the second position II the angle of incline of the end sections 3b with respect to the ceiling C face of the air-conditioned space is greater than the angle of incline of the center section 3c; (b) a shape such that the width of the center section 3c is greater than the width of the end sections 3b; (c) a shape such that in the second position II the end sections 3b are spaced further away from the ceiling C face of the air-conditioned space than is the center section 3c; and (d) a shape such that thickness of the end sections 3b is greater than thickness of the center section 3c. In this case, it will be possible further effectively reduce smudging of the ceiling C by combinations of these shapes.
The present invention is broadly applicable to air conditioning units having a ceiling-installed design, equipped with discharge ducts on the bottom face of the case. Accordingly, the invention is applicable not only to air conditioning units of ceiling-embedded designs, but also to those of ceiling-suspended design.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2006-117447 | Apr 2006 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2007/058410 | 4/18/2007 | WO | 00 | 10/16/2008 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2007/123146 | 11/1/2007 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4170880 | Lou | Oct 1979 | A |
5577958 | Kumekawa et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5888133 | Mori et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
6093097 | Cho | Jul 2000 | A |
6250373 | Vecchi et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6264552 | Oya et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6450880 | Asahina et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
7000688 | Horttanainen et al. | Feb 2006 | B2 |
20040237572 | Lee et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0 950 867 | Oct 1999 | EP |
1 188 993 | Mar 2002 | EP |
1 319 900 | Jun 2003 | EP |
1482252 | Jan 2004 | EP |
1 621 823 | Feb 2006 | EP |
61-10427 | Jan 1986 | JP |
07-158955 | Jun 1995 | JP |
07-158956 | Jun 1995 | JP |
09210402 | Aug 1997 | JP |
2006-029665 | Feb 2006 | JP |
2006-029665 | Feb 2006 | JP |
Entry |
---|
European Search Report of corresponding EP Application No. 07 74 1846.5 dated Nov. 7, 2011. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20090095008 A1 | Apr 2009 | US |