This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0065989, filed in Korea on May 24, 2021 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
An air-processing apparatus, and more particularly, an air-processing apparatus including a louver that adjusts a direction in which air is discharged through an outlet is disclosed herein.
An air-processing apparatus may include an air conditioner configured to adjust an indoor temperature and an air purifier that removes fine dust from indoor air. In the case of an air conditioner, a stand-type indoor unit, a wall-mounted indoor unit, or a ceiling-mounted indoor unit may be mounted in an indoor space in order to adjust the temperature of the indoor space. An air purifier is generally configured to be movable, and is disposed on a floor of an indoor space in order to purify contaminated air in the indoor space.
An air-processing apparatus, which is mounted to a ceiling or an upper portion of a wall, has therein an outlet that is elongated in a lateral or leftward-rightward direction. Also, an air-processing apparatus, which is mounted to a ceiling or an upper portion of a wall, includes a louver and a louver-drive device that changes an orientation of the louver in order to adjust a direction in which air is discharged through the outlet formed in the leftward-rightward direction.
Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2018-0066546 (hereinafter “Related Art Document 1”), published on Jun. 19, 2018 and which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses an air-processing apparatus capable of adjusting the direction in which air is discharged by changing the orientation of vanes. However, because a drive motor that changes the orientation of the vanes is disposed on one side of the vane in the leftward-rightward direction, an outlet is not formed in a portion at which the drive motor is disposed. This leads to a problem in that an area of the outlet is reduced.
Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2017-0080102 (hereinafter “Related Art Document 2”), published on Jul. 10, 2017 and which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a structure for solving a problem with a ceiling-mounted air conditioner in which a motor is mounted only at one end of vanes, and thus, the vanes are not capable of uniformly closing an air outlet from the end thereof at which the motor is disposed to the opposite end thereof, at which the motor is not disposed.
A ceiling-mounted air-processing apparatus includes a lamp, which is disposed at a fixed portion of a main body in order to indicate an operational state thereof. For example, in the ceiling-mounted air conditioner disclosed in Related Art Document 2, a lamp is disposed on an upper surface of a fourth edge portion of a base panel. In some cases, however, illumination of the lamp is not visible depending on positions of the lamp and a user. Further, there is a limitation on the type of information that can be provided merely by changing the lamp between an on state and an off state or operating the lamp in a flashing or constant manner.
Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
Advantages and features and methods for achieving them will be made clear from embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. The embodiments are defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same or like reference numerals represent the same or like components.
The terms “U”, “D”, “Le”, “Ri”, “F”, and “R” shown in figures indicate an upward direction, a downward direction, a leftward direction, a rightward direction, a forward direction, and a rearward direction, respectively. The aforementioned directions are used only for convenience of description, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the aforementioned directions may be set differently according to some reference.
Hereinafter, an air-conditioning system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An air-conditioning system according to an embodiment may include a first air-processing apparatus 100, which adjusts a temperature of air through heat exchange between the air and a refrigerant, and a second air-processing apparatus 200, which is disposed on one side of the first air-processing apparatus in order to remove foreign substances from the air. The air-conditioning system according to an embodiment may include a plurality of air-processing apparatuses 100a, 100b, and 200. The air-conditioning system according to an embodiment may include one or two or more first air-processing apparatuses 100a and 100b and one or two or more second air-processing apparatuses 200.
The air-conditioning system according to an embodiment may include a filter cleaner 300, which moves along a surface in which inlets 102a and 202a of the plurality of air-processing apparatuses 100a, 100b, and 200 are formed in order to clean pre-filters 188 and 288 disposed in the inlets 102a and 202a.
Referring to
Referring to
The support rails may include first support rails 116 disposed at the first air-processing apparatuses 100 and second support rail 244 disposed at the second air-processing apparatus 200. The first support rails 116 may be formed integrally with first rear covers 114 (refer to
The guide rail 10 may be disposed on rear sides of the first rear covers 114 and the second rear cover 242. The guide rail 10 may be disposed above the first inlets 102a and the second inlet 202a. The guide rail 10 may extend in a lateral or leftward-rightward direction on the rear sides of the first rear covers 114 and the second rear cover 242. The guide rail 10 may be fixedly disposed below first rail-fixing protrusions 117 of the first rear covers 114 and a second rail-fixing protrusion 245 of the second rear cover 242.
The guide rail 10 may include a gear rail 20, which has threads to be engaged with a moving gear (not shown) of the filter cleaner 300, and a roller rail 22, which is in contact with a guide roller (not shown) of the filter cleaner 300.
The roller rail 22 may be disposed behind the gear rail 20. The roller rail 22 may be disposed at each of an upper side and a lower side of the guide rail 10. The gear rail 20 may be disposed in front of the roller rail 22. The gear rail 20 may be formed on a lower surface of the guide rail 10. The gear rail 20 may have a shape of a rack gear. When viewed from the rear, the guide rail 10 may have a structure in which the gear rail 20 is shielded by the roller rail 22.
A rail groove 24 may be formed in a rear surface of the guide rail 10. The rail groove 24 may be recessed in a forward direction and extend in the lateral direction. An object to be sensed 26 may be disposed in the rail groove 24. A plurality of the object to be sensed 26 may be provided, and the plurality of objects to be sensed may be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. A sensor (not shown) may be disposed at the filter cleaner 300, and when the sensor senses the object to be sensed 26, a position of the filter cleaner 300 may be detected.
The object to be sensed 26 may correspond to the sensor. For example, when the sensor is a switch sensor, the object to be sensed 26 may have a shape of a protrusion that protrudes rearwards. Alternatively, when the sensor is a Hall sensor, the object to be sensed 26 may be implemented as a magnet.
An end plate 28 configured to limit movement of the filter cleaner 300 in one direction may be disposed at a left end or a right end of the guide rail 10. The end plate 28 may extend in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the guide rail 10 extends. The end plate 28 may protrude rearwards from the rear cover 114.
The end plate 28 may be provided with a charging terminal 30, with which a connection terminal 320 of the filter cleaner 300 is brought into contact. The charging terminal 30 protrudes from the end plate 28 in the direction in which the guide rail 10 extends. Accordingly, when the filter cleaner 300 reaches the end plate 28, the connection terminal 320 of the filter cleaner 300 may be brought into contact with and connected to the charging terminal 30.
Hereinafter, a first air-processing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to
The first air-processing apparatus 100 induces air to exchange heat with a refrigerant and discharges the heat-exchanged air to the outside. The first air-processing apparatus 100 may include first inlet 102a formed in one or a first side thereof in order to suction air thereinto and a first outlet 102b formed in another or a second side thereof perpendicular to the first inlet 102a in order to discharge air therefrom. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The first upper cover 104 may include two side plates 105, which are bent and extend downwards from both side ends thereof. Each of the two side plates 105 may be connected to a respective one of the two first side covers 128.
Referring to
The first louver-drive device 174 may be disposed on the first horizontal plate 108. The first horizontal plate 108 may include a connection slit 108a formed therein to allow a vertical protrusion 131 of the first bottom cover 130 to be inserted thereinto.
Referring to
Referring to
The first louver protrusion 120 may extend lengthwise in the lateral direction, in which the first front cover 118 is formed. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
When the upper surface of the louver rotational shaft 160 of the first louver 150, which will be described hereinafter, comes into contact with the upper protruding portion 120a, rotation of the first louver 150 in one direction is limited by the upper protruding portion 120a. When an axial vane 158 of the first louver 150, which will be described hereinafter, comes into contact with the lower protruding portion 120b, rotation of the first louver 150 in the opposite direction is limited by the lower protruding portion 120b.
Referring to
Referring to
The first fan motor 184 that rotates the first fan 182 may be disposed inside of the first housing 132. The first fan motor 184 may be disposed on a rotational shaft of the first fan 182 in order to rotate the first fan 182. The first fan 182 may be implemented as, for example, a cross-flow fan, which is configured to suction air into one side thereof in a radial direction and to discharge air from another side thereof in the radial direction. Referring to
Referring to
The first upper housing 134 may be mounted to the first upper cover 104. A lower end of the first upper housing 134 may be disposed at an upper side of the first stepped portion 126 of the first front cover 118. Referring to
The first lower housing 138 may be disposed above the first lower cover 106. Referring to
Referring to
The drive device cover 142 may include lower guide 144 that induces air passing through the first fan 182 to flow to the first outlet 102b. The lower guide 144 may be spaced apart from the upper guide 136 so as to form a discharge flow path 132a. The lower guide 144 may include a first gear hole 142a formed in a portion thereof corresponding to a region in which the first louver gear 176 of the first louver-drive device 174 is disposed. Referring to
Referring to
The plurality of vanes 154, 156, and 158 may include the outer vane 154 and the plurality of inner vanes 156. Referring to
The louver rotational shaft 160 may include axial vane 158, which extends from the louver rotational shaft 160 in a direction parallel to the inner vanes 156. The axial vane 158 may extend in a direction parallel to lower portions of the inner vanes 156.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The inner vanes 156 include first inner vane 156a, which is disposed closest to the louver rotational shaft 160, a second inner vane 156b, which is disposed farther from the louver rotational shaft 160 than the first inner vane 156a, and a third inner vane 156c, which is disposed farther from the louver rotational shaft 160 than the second inner vane 156b.
Referring to
The support panel 164, which is disposed between the end panels 162, may support the vanes 154, 156, and 158. The vanes 154, 156, and 158 may extend lengthwise in a longitudinal direction, in which the louver rotational shaft 160 is formed. Accordingly, the support panel 164 may stably maintain the arrangement of the vanes 154, 156, and 158.
Referring to
Referring to
The first louver 150 may include an output interface 191 that displays an operational state of the first air-processing apparatus 100. The output interface 191 may provide visual or auditory information about the operational state of the first air-processing apparatus 100 to the user.
Referring to
The output interface 191 may include a lamp 196, a printed circuit board 194 that controls operation of the lamp 196, and a transparent panel 192 that transmits light radiated from the lamp 196 to the outside. The transparent panel 192 may be disposed on one of the vanes 154, 156, and 158. Referring to
The first louver 150 may have formed therein a space 191a in which the lamp 196 and the printed circuit board 194 may be disposed. The space 191a may be disposed above the transparent panel 192. A wiring hole 198, through which a wire connected to the printed circuit board 194 may pass, may be formed in an upper side of the space 191a.
The first louver-drive device 174 may be spaced apart from the louver rotational shaft 160 of the first louver 150 in a centrifugal direction. The first louver-drive device 174 may be spaced apart from the louver rotational shaft 160, and be disposed so as to be in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the first louver 150.
Referring to
Referring to
In the first mode P1, the lower end of the outer vane 154 may be oriented in a direction perpendicular to the floor. In the first mode P1, the lower end of each of the inner vanes 156a, 156b, and 156c may be inclined in the forward direction.
Referring to
In the second mode P2, an inclination angle 82 formed by the lower inner vane portion 156a1, 156b1, 156c1 of each of the inner vanes 156a, 156b, and 156c and the floor may be set to 30 degrees or less. Accordingly, in the second mode P2, the air flowing through the first louver 150 may be discharged in a direction substantially parallel to the floor.
Referring to
In the third mode P3, an inclination angle 83 formed by the lower inner vane portion 156a1, 156b1, 156c1 of each of the inner vanes 156a, 156b, and 156c and the floor may be set to a range from 60 degrees to 90 degrees. Accordingly, in the third mode P3, the air flowing through the first louver 150 may be discharged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor.
Hereinafter, a second air-processing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to
The second air-processing apparatus 200 induces air to flow through a filter device 284 and discharges the air to the outside. The second air-processing apparatus 200 may include a second inlet 202a formed in one or a first side thereof in order to suction air thereinto and a second outlet 202b formed in another or a second side thereof perpendicular to the second inlet 202a in order to discharge air therefrom. Referring to
Referring to
The second air-processing apparatus 200 may include a second case 202, which forms an external appearance of the second air-processing apparatus 200, and a second housing 268, which is disposed inside of the second case 202 and which forms a flow path through which air flows. The second air-processing apparatus 200 may further include a second louver 290, which is rotatably disposed in the second case 202 in order to adjust a direction of air that is discharged from the second outlet 202b, and a second louver-drive device 294, which changes an orientation of the second louver 290.
The second louver 290 and the second louver-drive device 294 disposed in the second air-processing apparatus 200 may have the same structures and perform the same functions as the first louver 150 and the first louver-drive device 174 of the first air-processing apparatus 100 described above with reference to
The second air-processing apparatus 200 may include a second control box 291 that controls operation of the second fan motor 280a or operation of the second louver-drive device 294.
Referring to
Referring to
The guide rail 10 may be disposed above the second inlet 202a. Referring to
The second support rail 244 may include a second top plate 244a, which protrudes rearwards from an upper end of the second rear cover 242, and a second bent portion 244b, which is bent and extends downwards from a rear end of the second top plate 244a. The top roller 326 of the filter cleaner 300 may be in contact with the second bent portion 244b.
The second rear cover 242 may be disposed behind a second vertical plate 214 of the second lower cover 206, which will be described hereinafter. The second rear cover 242 may be fixedly disposed behind the second vertical plate 214.
A filter-mounting part or portion or filter-mount 234 (refer to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The second lower cover 206 may include a second horizontal plate 208, which is disposed above the second bottom cover 258, a second vertical plate 214, which is disposed at a rear side of the second horizontal plate 208 so as to be perpendicular thereto and in which a second inner suction hole 214a is formed, and two second side walls 216, which are bent and extend upwards from both side ends of the second horizontal plate 208.
Referring to
Referring to
According to this embodiment, two cover-drive gears 222 may be provided so as to be spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction. The cover-drive device 220 may include a cover-drive shaft 226 that interconnects the two cover-drive gears 222 spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, the two cover-drive gears 222 connected to both ends of the cover-drive shaft 226 may rotate identically.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The fixing protrusions 212 have a structure corresponding to the first guide protrusion 262b of the first cover guide 262 or the second guide protrusion 264b of the second cover guide 264, thereby preventing the second bottom cover 258 from moving in the upward-downward direction.
Referring to
Each of the two second side covers 256 may be connected at a lower portion thereof to the second lower cover 206, and be connected at an upper portion thereof to the second upper cover 204. A second rotational support rod 292 that supports rotation of the second louver 290 may be disposed on each of the two second side covers 256. The second rotational support rod 292, which is connected to each of the second side covers 256, may have a same shape as the first rotational support rod 168 connected to each of the first side covers 128.
The second front cover 246 may be disposed in front of the second housing 268. The second front cover 246 may have a same shape as the first front cover 118. Also, the second front cover 246 may be disposed in the same manner as the first front cover 118. Therefore, a lower end of the second front cover 246 may be spaced a predetermined gap apart from a front end portion of the second lower cover 206, thereby forming the second outlet 202b.
In addition, a second louver protrusion 248, in which a second louver groove 250 that receives a second louver rotational shaft 270a of the second louver 290 may be formed, may be formed on the second front cover 246 in order to limit a range within which the second louver 290 may rotate. A second support-rod recess 252, in which a second auxiliary support rod 293 may be disposed, may be formed between a left or first lateral end and a right or second lateral end of the second louver protrusion 248.
Referring to
The second bottom cover 258 may be disposed at the second lower cover 206 so as to be movable in the forward-rearward direction. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The rear plate 266c may prevent the air flowing through the filter device 284 from flowing to the space under the inner cover 266. The upper plate 266a may guide the air flowing through the filter device 284 to the space in which the second fan 280 is disposed. The front plate 266b may guide the air flowing through the second fan 280 toward the second outlet 202b. The front plate 266b may have a second gear hole 266b1 formed in a region in which a second louver gear 294a of the second louver-drive device 294 is disposed. A portion of the second louver gear 294a may protrude outside of the second gear hole 266b1 (refer to
Referring to
Referring to
The second fan 280 may be implemented as, for example, a centrifugal fan, which suctions air in a direction parallel to a rotational axis and discharges air in a centrifugal direction. Accordingly, referring to
The second fan motor 280a may be fixed to second upper housing 270, which will be described hereinafter. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The front guide 272 may be disposed so as to be smoothly connected to the second front cover 246. Accordingly, the air flowing along the front guide 272 may flow to the second outlet 202b via the second front cover 246.
Referring to
The second lower housing 274 may be spaced upwards apart from the inner cover 266. Accordingly, a suction flow path 268a, through which the air passing through the filter device 284 flows, may be formed between the second lower housing 274 and the inner cover 266.
The second lower housing 274 may be spaced rearwards apart from the front guide 272 of the second upper housing 270. The second lower housing 274 may include a rear guide 278, which may be spaced apart from the front guide 272 and extends downwards. The second lower housing 274 may be spaced upwards apart from the inner cover 266 by the rear guide 278. The rear guide 278 forms a second discharge flow path 268b in the upward-downward direction together with the front guide 272. The front guide 272 and the rear guide 278 may guide the air flowing from the second fan 180 to the second outlet 202b.
The filter device 284 may be mounted to the filter-mount 234. The filter-mount 234 may be movably disposed in the second case 202. The filter device 284 and the filter-mount 234 may be coupled to each other by means of a first magnet 287 disposed in the filter device 284 and a second magnet 238 disposed in the filter-mount 234. Accordingly, a position of the filter device 284 may be changed in the upward-downward direction according to movement of the filter-mount 234. Also, a user may easily separate the filter device 284 from the filter-mount 234.
Referring to
Referring to
A body gear 240 may be disposed outside of the side body 236b. The body gear 240 may be a rack gear in which threads protruding forwards extend in the upward-downward direction.
A plurality of second magnets 238 may be disposed above the upper body 236a.
Referring to
The first magnet 287 may be disposed on an upper wall of the filter case 286. The first magnet 287 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the second magnet 238 when the filter device 284 is mounted to the filter-mount 234.
Referring to
Referring to
The second air-processing apparatus 200 may include second louver 250, which is rotatably disposed in the second outlet 202b in order to adjust a direction of air that is discharged from the second outlet 202b, and a second louver actuator 294, which adjusts an orientation of the second louver 290.
The second louver 290 and the second louver actuator 294 may have the same structures and perform the same functions as the first louver 150 and the first louver actuator 174 of the first air-processing apparatus 100 described above. Therefore, the description of the first louver 150 and the first louver actuator 174 of the first air-processing apparatus 100 may apply to the second louver 290 and the second louver actuator 294.
Hereinafter, movement of the second bottom cover 258, the filter-mount 234, and the filter device 284 will be described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The coupled state of the filter-mount 234 and the filter device 284 may be maintained by the first magnet 287 and the second magnet 238. Accordingly, when the filter-mount 234 is moved downwards, the filter device 284 is also moved downwards. When the filter device 284 is moved downwards by the filter-mount 234, a user may easily separate the filter device 284 from the filter-mount 234.
Referring to
The output device 191 may include a lamp 196 that outputs light, a printed circuit board (PCB) 194, on which the lamp 196 may be mounted, and a transparent panel 192, through which the light output from the lamp 196 may pass. The output device 191 may visually output information about an operational state or operational error of the first air-processing apparatus 100 by changing the lamp 196 between an on state and an off state or operating the lamp 196 in a flashing or constant manner. The lamp 196 may be implemented as a light-emitting diode (LED). The lamp 196 may generate one or more colors of light, and the user may check the operational state of the first air-processing apparatus 100 by visually observing the light output from the lamp 196.
The transparent panel 192 may be made of a transparent material, such as glass or plastic, which allows light to pass therethrough. The transparent panel 192 may be made of, for example, polymethylmethacrylate or polycarbonate, which is an acrylic transparent resin. The transparent panel 192 may have an optical pattern formed on an outer surface thereof in order to increase a quantity of light that is output to a front surface of the first louver 150.
The first louver 150 includes the plurality of vanes 154, 156, and 158, which is spaced apart from each other in the radial direction about the louver rotational shaft 160. The transparent panel 192 may be disposed in at least one of the plurality of vanes 154, 156, and 158.
The first louver 150 may include the outer vane 154, which is spaced apart from the louver rotational shaft 160 in a radially outward direction, and the plurality of inner vanes 156, which is disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the radial direction between the louver rotational shaft 160 and the outer vane 154. It is desirable for the transparent panel 192 to be mounted in one of the plurality of inner vanes 156, in which a mounting space is easily secured.
The inner vanes 156 may include first inner vane 156a, which is disposed closest to the louver rotational shaft 160, second inner vane 156b, which is disposed farther from the louver rotational shaft 160 than the first inner vane 156a, and third inner vane 156c, which is disposed farther from the louver rotational shaft 160 than the second inner vane 156b. It is desirable for the transparent panel 192 to be mounted in one of the plurality of inner vanes 156a, 156b, and 156c, in which a mounting space is easily secured.
The first louver 150 may accommodate and protect the lamp 196 and the printed circuit board 194. The first louver 150 may include space 191a formed therein to accommodate the lamp 196 and the printed circuit board 194. The space 191a may be located above the transparent panel 192. A cable hole 198, through which a cable connected to the printed circuit board 194 may pass, may be formed in an upper side of the space 191a.
A cable that supplies power and control signals may be connected to the printed circuit board 194 through the cable hole 198. In the louver structure that changes in orientation, the cable hole 198 may serve as a guide that prevents a cable for supplying power to the printed circuit board 194 from interfering with movement of the first louver 150. The lamp 196 may be turned on or be off or operated in a flashing or constant manner by the power supplied through the cable.
In general, a lamp for indicating the operational state of an air-processing apparatus is disposed on a fixed portion of a main body, which does not change in position. According to an embodiment, the lamp 196 and the transparent panel 192 may be disposed in the first louver 150, thereby outputting the light emitted from the lamp 196 to the front surface of the first louver 150.
A user may recognize the operational state of the first air-processing apparatus 100 based on a color of light emitted from the lamp 196 or a flashing state thereof. Also, the user may intuitively recognize the orientation of the first louver 150 or the operational state of the first air-processing apparatus 100 based on the light emitted from the lamp 192. In particular, the user may easily recognize the air current direction based on the angle at which the light is output to the front surface of the first louver 150 through the transparent panel 192.
Referring to
In the second mode P2, the inclination angle 82 formed by the lower inner vane portion 157a of each of the inner vanes 156a, 156b, and 156c and the floor may be set to 30 degrees or less. Accordingly, in the second mode P2, the air flowing through the first louver 150 may be discharged in a direction substantially parallel to the floor. In addition, the light emitted from the lamp 196 may be output in a direction substantially parallel to the floor through the transparent panel 192 disposed in the second inner vane 156b.
Referring to
In the third mode P3, the inclination angle 83 formed by the lower inner vane portion 157a of each of the inner vanes 156a, 156b, and 156c and the floor may be set to a range from 60 degrees to 90 degrees. Accordingly, in the third mode P3, the air flowing through the first louver 150 may be discharged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor. In addition, the light emitted from the lamp 196 may be output in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor through the transparent panel 192 disposed in the second inner vane 156b.
Further, the optical output structure provided in the first louver 150 may contribute to an aesthetically pleasing outer appearance and simple design of the first air-processing apparatus 100.
The first louver 150 may include the pair of end panels 162, which are disposed at respective ends of the vanes 154, 156, and 158 in a direction perpendicular to the vanes 154, 156, and 158, and the transparent panel 12 may be disposed so as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from any one of the pair of end panels 162.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The multiple LEDs 196a, 196b, 196c, and 196d may be mounted on a single printed circuit board 194. The multiple LEDs 196a, 196b, 196c, and 196d may be disposed on the printed circuit board 194 so as to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other.
The second louver 290 and the second louver-drive device 294, which are disposed in the second air-processing apparatus 200, may have the same structures and functions as the first louver 150 and the first louver-drive device 174 of the first air-processing apparatus 100. Therefore, the optical output device 191 may also be applied to the second air-processing apparatus 200.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, it is possible to provide more information using the lamps 196 provided in the louvers 150 and 290 for forming air currents.
As is apparent from the above description, the air-processing apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein has at least one or more advantages as follows.
First, as light emitted from a lamp is output through a louver, an orientation of which is changed, a user may more easily viewing output light.
Second, it is possible to provide more information using a lamp provided in a louver for forming an air current.
Third, as a louver-drive device that drives a louver is connected to the louver at a position outside of a louver rotational shaft in the radial direction, the louver is capable of expanding in the lateral direction. This may maximize a size of an outlet in the lateral direction. Accordingly, it is possible to maximize a quantity of air that is discharged from the air-processing apparatus, thereby rapidly processing the air in an indoor space.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air-processing apparatus having an optical output structure capable of improving visibility of a lamp for indicating an operational state thereof. Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air-processing apparatus having a structure in which an optical output device capable of providing various pieces of information through a lamp is provided. Embodiments disclosed herein furthermore provide an air-processing apparatus having a structure in which a louver capable of maximizing a discharge area of an outlet, which is formed therein in the lateral direction, is provided.
Advantages of embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the above-described advantages, and other advantages not mentioned herein may be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the description.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air-processing apparatus that may output light through a louver, which is formed so as to change in orientation, thereby effectively providing more information.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide an air-processing apparatus that may include a case having an outlet formed therein, a louver rotatably disposed in the case to adjust a direction of air flowing through the outlet, and an output device including a lamp, a printed circuit board on which the lamp may be mounted, and a transparent panel configured to allow light emitted from the lamp to pass therethrough. The louver may include a plurality of vanes spaced apart from each other in a radial direction about a louver rotational shaft. The transparent panel may be disposed in at least one of the plurality of vanes.
The louver may have a cable hole formed at a position above the printed circuit board in order to allow a cable connected to the printed circuit board to pass therethrough. The lamp and the printed circuit board may be accommodated in the louver.
The air-processing apparatus may further include a louver-drive device disposed so as to be in contact with a vane located at an outermost position, among the plurality of vanes, in order to change the orientation of the louver. The louver may include an outer vane, spaced apart from the louver rotational shaft in a radially outward direction, and a plurality of inner vanes, disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the radial direction between the louver rotational shaft and the outer vane. The transparent panel may be disposed in one of the plurality of inner vanes.
A vane gear may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer vane in the circumferential direction, and the louver-drive device may be engaged with the vane gear to rotate the louver. The outer vane may be formed in the shape of an arc extending in the circumferential direction based on the louver rotational shaft.
The plurality of inner vanes may be formed to be shorter than the outer vane. Lengths of the plurality of inner vanes may be different from each other. The lengths of the plurality of inner vanes may gradually increase in a direction approaching the louver rotational shaft.
A spacing distance between the outer vane and each of the plurality of inner vanes may gradually increase from above to below.
Each of the plurality of inner vanes may include a lower inner vane portion, inclined so as to be gradually closer to the louver rotational shaft in a downward direction, and an upper inner vane portion, bent and extending upwards from the upper end of the lower inner vane portion. The louver may further include an axial vane that extends from the louver rotational shaft in a direction parallel to the lower inner vane portion.
The output device may further include a reflector disposed on the outer surface of the transparent panel. The lamp may be a light-emitting diode (LED). The output device may include a light-emitting diode (LED) array including a plurality of light-emitting diodes disposed in a line, and the transparent panel may extend in a longitudinal direction in which the louver rotational shaft is formed.
The case may have an inlet formed therein so as to be open in a direction perpendicular to the downward direction in which the outlet is open. The case may include an upper cover, a lower cover disposed so as to be spaced downwards apart from the upper cover, a rear cover having the inlet therein, a front cover disposed so as to be spaced forwards apart from the rear cover, and a bottom cover disposed below the lower cover so as to be movable in a forward-rearward direction. The louver may be rotatably disposed at a lower end of the front cover.
The air-processing apparatus may further include a heat exchanger configured to induce the air introduced into the inlet to exchange heat with refrigerant, or a filter device configured to remove foreign substances from the air introduced into the inlet.
The air-processing apparatus may further include a heat exchanger configured to induce the air introduced into the inlet to exchange heat with refrigerant. The air-processing apparatus may further include a filter device configured to remove foreign substances from the air introduced into the inlet.
Embodiments disclosed herein provide provide an air-processing apparatus having an optical output structure capable of improving visibility of a lamp for indicating the operational state thereof. Embodiments disclosed herein further provide an air-processing apparatus having a structure in which an optical output device capable of providing various pieces of information through a lamp is provided. Embodiments disclosed herein furthermore provide an air-processing apparatus having a structure in which a louver capable of maximizing a discharge area of an outlet, which is formed therein in the lateral direction, is provided.
Advantages are not limited to the above-described advantages, and other advantages not mentioned herein may be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the description.
In order to accomplish the above and other advantages, an air-processing apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein may output light through a louver, which is formed so as to change in orientation, thereby effectively providing more information.
In order to accomplish the above and other advantages, an air-processing apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein may include a case having an outlet formed therein, a louver rotatably disposed in the case to adjust a direction of air flowing through the outlet, and an output device including a lamp, a printed circuit board on which the lamp may be mounted, and a transparent panel configured to allow the light emitted from the lamp to pass therethrough. The louver may include a plurality of vanes spaced apart from each other in a radial direction about a louver rotational shaft. The transparent panel may be disposed in at least one of the plurality of vanes.
The louver may have a cable hole formed at a position above the printed circuit board in order to allow a cable connected to the printed circuit board to pass therethrough. The lamp and the printed circuit board may be accommodated in the louver.
The air-processing apparatus may further include a louver-drive device disposed so as to be in contact with a vane located at an outermost position, among the plurality of vanes, in order to change the orientation of the louver. The louver may include an outer vane, spaced apart from the louver rotational shaft in a radially outward direction, and a plurality of inner vanes, disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the radial direction between the louver rotational shaft and the outer vane. The transparent panel may be disposed in one of the plurality of inner vanes.
A vane gear may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer vane in the circumferential direction, and the louver-drive device may be engaged with the vane gear to rotate the louver. The outer vane may be formed in the shape of an arc extending in the circumferential direction based on the louver rotational shaft.
The plurality of inner vanes may be formed to be shorter than the outer vane. Lengths of the plurality of inner vanes may be different from each other.
The lengths of the plurality of inner vanes may gradually increase in a direction approaching the louver rotational shaft.
A spacing distance between the outer vane and each of the plurality of inner vanes may gradually increase from above to below.
Each of the plurality of inner vanes may include a lower inner vane portion, inclined so as to be gradually closer to the louver rotational shaft in a downward direction, and an upper inner vane portion, bent and extending upwards from an upper end of the lower inner vane portion. The louver may further include an axial vane that extends from the louver rotational shaft in a direction parallel to the lower inner vane portion.
The output device may further include a reflector disposed on the outer surface of the transparent panel. The lamp may be a light-emitting diode (LED). The output device may include a light-emitting diode (LED) array including a plurality of light-emitting diodes disposed in a line, and the transparent panel may extend in a longitudinal direction in which the louver rotational shaft is formed.
The case may have an inlet formed therein so as to be open in a direction perpendicular to the downward direction in which the outlet is open. The case may include an upper cover, a lower cover disposed so as to be spaced downwards apart from the upper cover, a rear cover having therein the inlet, a front cover disposed so as to be spaced forwards apart from the rear cover, and a bottom cover disposed below the lower cover so as to be movable in a forward-rearward direction. The louver may be rotatably disposed at a lower end of the front cover.
The air-processing apparatus may further include a heat exchanger configured to induce the air introduced into the inlet to exchange heat with refrigerant, or a filter device configured to remove foreign substances from the air introduced into the inlet.
The air-processing apparatus may further include a heat exchanger configured to induce the air introduced into the inlet to exchange heat with refrigerant. The air-processing apparatus may further include a filter device configured to remove foreign substances from the air introduced into the inlet.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments are not limited to those exemplary embodiments and may be embodied in many forms without departing from the scope, which is set forth in the following claims. These modifications should not be understood separately from the technical spirit or scope.
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. 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 |
---|---|---|---|
10-2021-0065989 | May 2021 | KR | national |