BLOWER

BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a blower. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a blower capable of variously adjusting a wind direction of air.

Related Art

A blower can create an air flow to circulate air in an indoor space or create an air flow toward a user. Recently, a lot of research has been done on an air discharge structure of a blower that can give a user a pleasant feeling.

Korea Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2019-0142280 discloses a blower device. The blower device may directly provide air flowed by a fan to a user. In this case, although there is an advantage in that the air discharged from the blower device can be sent to a long distance, there is a problem in that an excessively strong air flow is provided to the user, which may cause discomfort to the user.

Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2011-0099318 and Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0045421 disclose a fan that blows air using the Coanda effect. However, the fan has a problem in that the fan can discharge air only to a certain area. In addition, it is necessary to move or rotate the fan in order to change a wind direction, thereby consuming power or generating noise or vibration.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure aims to solve the above and other problems.

Another object may be to provide a blower that can indirectly provide a user with air discharged from a fan to give the user a pleasant feeling.

Another object may be to provide a blower capable of variously adjusting a wind direction of air in situ.

Another object may be to provide a blower capable of forming an air flow that is intensively discharged, or forming an air flow that is dispersedly or diffusely discharged.

Another object may be to provide a blower capable of circulating air in an indoor space by forming an updraft.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a blower including: a fan configured to generate an air flow; a lower body providing an inner space in which the fan is installed and having an intake hole through which air passes; a side body located on the lower body and providing an inner space in which air discharged from the fan flows; and a rear body located at the rear of the side body, in which the side body includes an opening formed at the rear end of the side body and communicating with the inner space of the side body, and the rear body covers a part of the side body at the rear of the opening.

According another aspect of the present disclosure, the side body may be elongated, the side body may further include: a first surface located on one side of the opening in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the side body; and a second surface located on the other side of the opening in the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the side body, and the rear body may further include: a rear plate located at the rear of the opening; a first rear guide extending obliquely forward from one end of the rear plate and covering a part of the first surface; and a second rear guide extending obliquely forward from the other end of the rear plate and covering a part of the second surface.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the first surface and the second surface may be formed in a curved surface, a gap between the first rear guide and the first surface may become smaller toward the front, and a gap between the second rear guide and the second surface may become smaller toward the front.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the blower may further include a splinter coupled to a front surface of the rear plate between the opening and the rear plate, in which the splinter may include: a first inclined surface facing an end of the first surface and formed to be inclined with respect to the front surface of the rear plate; and a second inclined surface facing the end of the second surface and formed to be inclined with respect to the front surface of the rear plate.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the side body may further include: a first side body having a first rear end adjacent to the rear body; and a second side body having a second rear end adjacent to the rear body and spaced apart from the first rear end, and the opening may be formed between the first rear end and the second rear end.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the blower may further include: a slit formed in at least one of the first side body and the second side body; and a damper installed in the inner space of the side body and opening or closing the slit.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the slit may further include: a first slit passing through the first side body; and a second slit passing through the second side body, and the damper may further include: a first damper adjacent to the first side body and opening or closing the first slit; and a second damper adjacent to the second side body and opening or closing the second slit.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the damper may further include: a motor providing a rotational force; a link connected to a rotation shaft of the motor and pivotable about the rotation shaft of the motor; a body having a straight link hole into which an end of link is movably inserted and movable toward the slit; and a plate fixed to the body and having the same cross section as a shape of the slit.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the damper may further include: a protrusion protruding outward from the body and extending in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the link hole; and a damper guide to which the protrusion is linearly movably coupled.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the link may further include: an upper link; and a lower link located below the upper link, and a pivot direction of the upper link and a pivot direction of the lower link may be different or opposite to each other.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the body may provide an inner space into which a part of the plate is inserted and in which a light emitting element is installed.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the plate may be inserted into the slit to close the slit and disposed in parallel with an outer surface of the side body adjacent to the slit.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the plate may be inserted into the slit to close the slit and protrude outward from an outer surface of the side body adjacent to the slit.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the plate may be spaced apart from the slit to open the slit and disposed in the inner space of the slit body.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the blower may further include an upper body located above the lower body and providing an inner space connecting the inner space of the lower body and the inner space of the side body, in which the upper body may include a middle body covering a lower portion of the side body, and a hole may be formed between the side body and the middle body.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the blower may further include an inner damper installed in an inner space of the middle body and opening or closing the hole, in which the inner space of the middle body may form a flow path through which air discharged from the fan flows, the inner space of the side body may form a second flow path connected to the first flow path, and the hole may communicate with the flow path when the hole is opened by the damper.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the upper body may further include a bending part bent from the middle body toward the side body and disposed to be inclined with respect to the side body, and a gap between the side body and the bending part may become narrower upward.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the inner damper ma further include: a motor providing a rotational force; a pinion connected to a rotation shaft of the motor; a rack being elongated and engaging the pinion; and a cover to which the rack is fixed and which is disposed below the hole and movable in a longitudinal direction of the rack together with the rack, and the cover may come into contact with an inner surface of the middle body to close the hole or be spaced apart from the middle body to open the hole.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the inner damper may further include: a front rail installed on the cover and having a front slot elongated in the longitudinal direction of the rack; a rear rail installed on the cover, spaced apart from the front rail, and having a rear slot elongated in a longitudinal direction of the rack; a first pin fixed to the middle body and movably inserted into the front rail; and a second pin fixed to the middle body and movably inserted into the rear rail.

According still another aspect of the present disclosure, the inner damper may further include a mount on which the motor is installed and in which a mount hole communicating with the first flow path is formed, and the mount hole may be spaced apart from the hole in a moving direction of the cover.

Effects of the blower according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, since the air discharged from the fan is indirectly provided to a user through a plurality of flow paths, it is possible to provide a blower that can give a user a pleasant feeling.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, without moving or rotating the blower, the wind direction of the air may be variously adjusted by opening or closing a slit and a hole through which the air discharged from the fan can pass.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the air flowing forward along the side surface of the blower smoothly passes through the slit to form a concentrated air flow, or may interfere with air discharged from the slit or the plate protruding from the slit to a form disperse or diffused air flow.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the inner damper opens the hole formed in an up-down direction, the air discharged from the fan may form an updraft. Thereby, air can be circulated in the indoor space.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are given by way of example only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blower according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the blower according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a left side view according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a damper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1′ of FIG. 3 for explaining a first position of the damper.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views for explaining an air flow formed by the blower at the first position of the damper.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1′ of FIG. 3 for explaining a second position of the damper.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for explaining an air flow formed by the blower at the second position of the damper.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1′ of FIG. 3 for explaining a third position of the damper.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are views for explaining the air flow formed by the blower at the third position of the damper.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Z-Z′ of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an inner damper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the inner damper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2′ of FIG. 3 for explaining a first position of the inner damper.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a flow path of air formed inside the blower at the first position of the inner damper and is an enlarged view of a part “A”.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2′ of FIG. 3 for explaining the second position of the inner damper.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a flow path of air formed inside the blower at the second position of the inner damper and is an enlarged view of a part “A”.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

In describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the technical spirit disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Terms including an ordinal number such as first or, second may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Direction indications of up (U), down (D), left (Le), right (Ri), before (F), and after (R) illustrated in the drawings are only for convenience of description, and thereby the disclosed technical idea is not limited by these.

Referring to FIG. 1, a blower 1 may extend long in an up-down direction. The blower 1 may include a base 2, a lower body 10, a side body 20, an upper body 30, and a top cover 38.

The base 2 forms a lower surface of the blower 1, and may be placed on a floor of an indoor space. The base 2 may be formed in a circular plate shape as a whole.

The lower body 10 may be disposed above the base 2. The lower body 10 may form a lower portion of a side surface of the blower 1. The lower body 10 may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. For example, a diameter of the lower body 10 may be decreased from a lower portion to an upper portion of the lower body 10. For another example, a diameter of the lower body 10 may be kept constant in the up-down direction. An intake hole 11 may be formed on the side surface of the lower body 10. A plurality of intake holes 11 may be evenly arranged along a circumferential direction of the lower body 10 on an outer peripheral surface of the lower body 10. Therefore, air may be introduced from the outside of the blower 1 to the inside thereof through the plurality of intake holes 11.

The side body 20 may be disposed above the lower body 10. The side body 20 may form an upper portion of the surface of the blower 1. The side surface of the side body 20 may be provided with a curved surface. The side body 20 may be formed in an elliptic cylinder shape as a whole. In this case, an elliptical cross-section of the side body 20 may have a long axis parallel to a front-rear direction. In other words, a width of the side body 20 in the front-rear direction may be greater than the width of the side body 20 in a right-left direction. In addition, a cross-sectional area of the side body 20 may decrease from a lower portion to an upper portion of the side body 20. In other words, an inner space of the side body 20 may become narrower from the lower portion to the upper portion of the side body 20.

Meanwhile, a left surface of the side body 20 may be referred to as a first surface, and a right surface thereof may be referred to as a second surface. The first surface may be a curved surface convex to the left, and the second surface may be a curved surface convex to the right.

The upper body 30 may be disposed above the lower body 10. The upper body 30 may surround a part of the side body 20. The upper body 30 may cover the front and rear of the side body 20.

The top cover 38 may cover an upper surface of the side body 20 on the upper side of the side body 20. The top cover 38 may form an upper surface of the blower 1. The top cover 38 may be coupled to a front body 32 and a rear body 33 between the front body 32 and the rear body 33 to be described later.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper body 30 may include a middle body 31, the front body 32, the rear body 33, and a bending part 34.

The middle body 31 may be disposed between the lower body 10 and the side body 20. The middle body 31 may cover a lower portion of the side body 20. The front body 32 may extend upwardly from a front portion of the middle body 31 to cover the front of the side body 20. In this case, the front body 32 may be coupled to the side body 20. The rear body 33 may extend upwardly from a rear portion of the middle body 31 to cover the rear of the side body 20. In this case, the rear body 33 may be spaced rearwardly from the side body 20, and will be described in more detail later. The bending part 34 may be bent toward the side body 20 from the left surface and right surface of the middle body 31. In this case, the bending part 34 is inclined toward the side body 20, and may be spaced apart from the side body 20, which will be described later in more detail.

Meanwhile, a slit 21 may be formed on at least one of the left surface and the right surface of the side body 20. For example, the slit 21 may be disposed closer to a front end than a rear end of the side body 20 on each of the left surface and the right surface of the side body 20. The slit 21 may be formed to be elongated in the up-down direction. In this case, the slit 21 may be opened or closed by a damper plate 92 (refer to FIGS. 6, 8, and 10) to be described later, which will be described later in more detail.

Meanwhile, the display 6 may be provided on the front surface of the middle body 31. For example, the display 6 may display operation information of the blower 1, or may provide an interface that can receive a command of a user.

Referring to FIG. 4, the lower body 10 may include a first lower body 10a and a second lower body 10b. In this case, the plurality of intake holes 11 (refer to FIG. 3) may be formed on a side surface of the first lower body 10a. Moreover, the second lower body 10b may be disposed above the first lower body (10a). The lower body 10 may provide an inner space in which a filter 3, a control unit 4, and a fan 40 to be described later are disposed.

The filter 3 may be detachably installed in the inner space of the first lower body 10a. The filter 3 may be formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. That is, the filter 3 may include a hole (unsigned) formed through the filter 3 in the up-down direction. In this case, indoor air may be introduced into the interior of the first lower body 10a through the intake hole 11 by the operation of the fan 40 to be described later. Moreover, the indoor air introduced into the first lower body 10a flows from an outer peripheral surface of the filter 3 to an inner peripheral surface thereof and is purified, and can flow upward through the hole.

The control unit 4 may be installed in the inner space of the first lower body 10a. For example, the control unit 4 may be disposed between the base 2 and the filter 3. The control unit 4 may control the operation of the blower 1. Meanwhile, the air flow passing through the filter 3 described above may be used to cool the control unit 4 having a heating element.

The fan 40 may cause an air flow to be introduced into the inside of the blower 1 or discharged to the outside from the blower 1. The fan 40 may be installed in the inner space of the second lower body 10b. The fan 40 may be disposed above the filter 3. The fan 40 may include a fan housing 41, a fan motor 42, a hub 43, a shroud 44, and a blade 45. Meanwhile, the fan 40 may be referred to as a fan module.

The fan housing 41 may form an exterior of the fan 40. The fan housing 41 may include a hole formed to penetrate the fan housing 41 in the up-down direction. A suction port 41a may be formed at a lower end of the fan housing 41. In this case, the suction port 41a may be a bell mouth.

The fan motor 42 may provide a rotational force. The fan motor 42 may be a centrifugal fan or a quadruple fan motor. The fan motor 42 may be supported by a motor cover 52 to be described later. In this case, a rotation shaft (unsigned) of the fan motor 42 may extend downward from the fan motor 42 and penetrate the lower surface of the motor cover 52. The hub 43 is coupled to the rotation shaft, and may be rotated together with the rotation shaft. The shroud 44 may be spaced apart from the hub 43. A plurality of blades 45 may be disposed between the shroud 44 and the hub 43.

Accordingly, when the fan motor 42 is driven, air may be introduced in an axial direction (that is, a longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft) of the fan motor 42 through the suction port 41a, and discharged in a radial direction (that is, a radial direction of the hub 43) and to an upper side thereof.

Meanwhile, an air guide 50 may provide a flow path 50p through which the air discharged from the fan 40 flows. For example, the flow path 50p may be an annular flow path. The air guide 50 may include a guide body 51, the motor cover 52, and a vane 53.

The guide body 51 may form an exterior of the air guide 50. The motor cover 52 may be disposed in a central portion of the air guide 50. For example, the guide body 51 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. In addition, the motor cover 52 may be formed in a bowl shape. In this case, the above-described annular flow path 50p may be formed between the guide body 51 and the motor cover 52. The vane 53 may guide the air provided from the fan 40 to the flow path 50p upward. A plurality of vanes 53 may be disposed on the annular flow path 50p and may be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the guide body 51. In this case, each of the plurality of vanes 53 may extend from an outer surface of the motor cover 52 to an inner circumferential surface of the guide body 51.

Meanwhile, the upper body 30 (refer to FIG. 3) may provide a first flow path 30p through which the air passing through the air guide 50 flows. That is, the air that has passed through the air guide 50 may be raised in the first flow path 30p. In addition, the side body 20 may provide a second flow path 20p through which the air passing through the first flow path 30p flows. That is, the air that has passed through the first flow path 30p may be raised in the second flow path 20p.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the side body 20 may be divided into a rear portion 20r, a front portion 20f, and a central portion 20m in the front-rear direction. The rear portion 20r may extend forward while forming the rear end of the side body 20. In this case, a width of the rear portion 20r in the right-left direction may increase toward the front. The front portion 20f may extend rearwardly while forming the front end of the side body 20. In this case, a width of the front portion 20f in the right-left direction may increase toward the rear. The central portion 20m may be located between the rear portion 20r and the front portion 20f. In this case, the central portion 20m may be connected or coupled to the front end of the rear portion 20r and the rear end of the front portion 20f. In other words, a width of the central portion 20m in the right-left direction may be a maximum width of the side body 20. Meanwhile, the central portion 20m may be located at the center of the side body 20 in the front-rear direction, at the front of the center, or at the rear of the center.

For example, the slit 21 may be formed to be elongated in the up-down direction in the front portion 20f. In this case, the damper 90 to be described later is spaced apart forward from the front end of the rear portion 20r or the central portion 20m to open or close the slit 21, which will be described later in more detail.

For example, the side body 20 may include a first side body 20a and a second side body 20b coupled to each other. In this case, the first side body 20a may form the left surface of the side body 20, and the second side body 20b may form a right surface of the side body 20. In addition, the shape of the first side body 20a and the shape of the second side body 20b may be symmetrical in the right-left direction. In this case, the above-described rear portion 20r, front portion 20f, and central portion 20m may be formed on each of the first side body 20a and the second side body 20b.

In addition, the inner surface of the side body 20 may form a boundary of the above-described second flow path 20p. In addition, an opening 23 may be formed at the rear end of the side body 20 and communicate with the second flow path 20p. Specifically, the opening 23 may be formed between the rear end of the rear portion 20r of the first side body 20a and the rear end of the rear portion 20r of the second side body 20b, and elongated in the up-down direction. Accordingly, the air flowing through the second flow path 20p of the side body 20 may be discharged to the rear of the side body 20 through the opening 23.

The vanes 22 may be coupled to the inner surface of the side body 20. The vane 22 may guide the air rising from the second flow path 20p to the opening 23. The vane 22 may have an upward convex shape. The vane 22 may include a plurality of vanes 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. In this case, lengths of the plurality of vanes 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d may be different from each other. For example, a length of a vane located at an upper side of the plurality of vanes 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d may be greater than a length of the vane located at a lower side. Each of the plurality of vanes 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d may be spaced apart from the opening 23. For example, the plurality of vanes 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d may be spaced apart from the opening 23 by the same gap.

The rear body 33 may be spaced rearwardly from the opening 23. The rear body 33 may guide the air discharged from the opening 23 to the outer surface of the side body 20. The rear body 33 may include a rear plate 331, a first rear guide 332, and a second rear guide 333.

The rear plate 331 may be located behind the opening 23. The rear plate 331 may extend long in the up-down direction.

The first rear guide 332 may extend obliquely to the left and forward from the left end of the rear plate 331. The first rear guide 332 is spaced apart from the rear portion 20r of the first side body 20a, and a first discharge port 33a may be formed between the first rear guide 332 and the rear portion 20r of the first side body 20a to discharge air. In this case, the first discharge port 33a may be formed to be elongated in the up-down direction. For example, the upper end of the first discharge port 33a may be located above the upper end of a first slit 21a to be described later, and the lower end of the first discharge port 33a may be located below the lower end of the first slit 21a to be described later.

In addition, a gap between the first rear guide 332 and the rear portion 20r of the first side body 20a may become smaller toward the front. That is, a tapered area may be formed between the first rear guide 332 and the rear portion 20r of the first side body 20a.

The second rear guide 333 may extend obliquely to the right and forward from the right end of the rear plate 331. The second rear guide 333 may be spaced apart from the rear portion 20r of the second side body 20b, and a second discharge port 33b is formed between the second rear guide 333 and the rear portion 20r of the second side body 20b to discharge air. In this case, the second discharge port 33b may be formed to be elongated in the up-down direction. For example, the upper end of the second discharge port 33b may be located above the upper end of the second slit 21b to be described later, and the lower end of the second discharge port 33b may be located below the lower end of the second slit 21b to be described later.

In addition, a gap between the second rear guide 333 and the rear portion 20r of the second side body 20b may become smaller toward the front. That is, a tapered area may be formed between the second rear guide 333 and the rear portion 20r of the second side body 20b. Meanwhile, the gap between the first rear guide 332 and the second rear guide 333 in the right-left direction may increase toward the front.

Accordingly, the air that has passed through the opening 23 is discharged from each of the first discharge port 33a and the second discharge port 33b, and may flow forward along the outer surface of each of the first side body 20a and the second side body 20b.

A splinter 35 may be disposed between the opening 23 and the rear plate 331 of the rear body 33. The splinter 35 may be spaced apart from the rear end of the side body 20 while being located at the rear of the opening 23. In addition, the splinter 35 may be coupled to the front surface of the rear plate 331.

A first inclined surface 35a of the splinter 35 may be the surface facing the rear end of the rear portion 20r of the first side body 20a, and the second inclined surface 35b may be a surface facing the rear end of the rear portion 20r of the side body 20b. The first inclined surface 35a and the second inclined surface 35b may be formed to be inclined with respect to the front surface of the rear plate 331. The first inclined surface 35a may extend obliquely to the left and rearward, and the second inclined surface 35b may extend obliquely to the right and rearward. That is, the gap between the first inclined surface 35a and the second inclined surface 35b in the right-left direction may increase toward the rear.

Accordingly, the splinter 35 may separate the air discharged from the opening 23 to the rear plate 331 of the rear body 33 in the right-left direction, and guide the separated air to the first discharge port 33a and the second discharge port 33b.

Referring FIGS. 5 and 6, the damper 90 may be installed in the inner space of the side body 20. The damper 90 may open or close the slit 21 formed on the side surface of the side body 20. Here, the slit 21 may be formed to pass through the side surface of the side body 20 to communicate with the second flow path 20p, and to be elongated in the up-down direction. In addition, the damper 90 may include a motor 91, a bracket 92, a link 93, a body 94, a plate 95, and a damper guide 96.

The motor 91 may provide a rotational force. The motor 91 may be an electric motor. The motor 91 may control a rotation direction, a rotation angle, and a rotation speed of a rotation shaft of the motor 91. The motor 91 may be fixed to the inner surface of the side body 20 through the bracket 92 (refer to FIG. 4). For example, the motor 91 may include an upper motor 91a which is located on the relatively upper side and fixed to the side body 20 through an upper bracket 92a, and a lower motor 91b which is located on the relatively lower side and fixed to the side body 20 through a lower bracket 92b.

The link 93 may be connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 91. The link 93 is rotated or pivoted about the rotation shaft of the motor 91, and may move the body 94 and the plate 95 to be described later. For example, the link 93 may include an upper link 93a coupled to a rotation shaft of the upper motor 91a and a lower link 93b coupled to a rotation shaft of the lower motor 91b. In this case, a pivot direction of the upper link (93a) and a pivot direction of the lower link (93b) may be different or opposite to each other.

The body 94 may be elongated. The link holes 94a and 94b are provided in the body 94 and may be formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the body 94. That is, the link holes 94a and 94b may be straight oblong holes. An end of the link 93 is inserted into the link holes 94a and 94b, and when the motor 91 is driven, the end may move along the link holes 94a and 94b. For example, the link holes 94a and 94b include an upper link hole 94a into which the end of the upper link 93a is movably inserted, and a lower link hole 94b into which the end of the lower link 93b is movably inserted. Meanwhile, the body 94 may be referred to as a connector.

The plate 95 is fixed to the body 94 and can move together with the body 94. The plate 95 may be inserted into the slit 21, or separated or detached from the slit 21. The plate 95 may have the same cross-section as the shape of the slit 21.

Meanwhile, a part of the plate 95 may be covered by the body 94. That is, the body 94 may provide an inner space into which a part of the plate 95 is inserted. For example, a light emitting element such as an LED or LED lamp may be disposed in the inner space of the body 94. In this case, by controlling whether the light emitting element operates according to the position of the plate 95, information on the position of the plate 95 may be provided to the user. To this end, the plate 95 may be formed of a transparent material to provide the light generated by the light emitting element to the outside.

The damper guide 96 may guide the movement of the body 94 and the plate 95. The damper guide 96 may guide the movements of the body 94 and the plate 95 in a direction perpendicular to or crossing the longitudinal direction of the link holes 94a and 94b. For example, a protrusion 941 may protrude from the body 94 and may be linearly movably coupled to the damper guide 96. In this case, the protrusion 941 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the link holes 94a and 94b. For example, the damper guide 96 may include an upper guide 96a disposed above the body 94 and a lower guide 96b disposed below the body 94.

Accordingly, power of the motor 91 is transmitted to the body 94 through the link 93, and the body 94 and the plate 95 may move in a direction close to the slit 21 or a direction away from the slit 21 by the damper guide 96.

In addition, in a first state of the damper 90, an end of the upper link 93a may be located at an upper end of the upper link hole 94a, an end of the lower link 93b may be located at the lower end of the lower link hole 94b (refer to FIG. 5). Moreover, in the first state, the plate 95 may not be inserted into the slit 21 and may be located in the inner space of the side body 20. In this case, when the motor 91 is driven so that the plate 95 is inserted into the slit 21, the damper 90 is changed from the first state, so that the end of the upper link 93a may move downward along the upper link hole 94a and the end of the lower link 93b may move upward along the lower link hole 94b. In this case, since the damper guide 96 limits the moving direction of the protrusion 941 provided in the body 94 to a direction toward the slit 21, it is possible to prevent the body 94 from sagging in the direction of gravity during the movement of the above-described body 94.

For example, the slit 21 may be formed on either the left surface or the right surface of the side body 20. In this case, one damper 90 may be provided, and the plate 95 of the damper 90 may open or close the slit 21.

As another example, the slit 21 may include a first slit 21a formed on a left surface of the side body 20 and a second slit 21b formed on a right surface of the side body 20. In addition, the above-described damper 90 may include a first damper 90a adjacent to the first side body 20a and a second damper 90b adjacent to the second side body 20b. In this case, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may open or close the first slit 21a, and the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may open or close the second slit 21b. Meanwhile, the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b may be symmetrical to each other in the right-left direction.

Accordingly, when the plate 95 opens the slit 21, the air flowing through the second flow path 20p may be discharged to the outside through the slit 21. Conversely, when the plate 95 closes the slit 21, the air flowing through the second flow path 20p may not pass through the slit 21.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the first position or the first state of the first damper 90a and the second damper 90b, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may be inserted into the first slit 21a to close the first slit 21a, and the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may be inserted into the second slit 21b to close the second slit 21b.

The left surface of the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may be disposed parallel to the outer surface of the first side body 20a. That is, the left surface may have the same curvature as the outer surface of the first side body 20a, and the left surface may be smoothly connected to the outer surface of the first side body 20a. In other words, a step may not be formed between the left surface and the outer surface of the first side body 20a.

The right surface of the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may be disposed parallel to the outer surface of the second side body 20b. That is, the right surface may have the same curvature as the outer surface of the second side body 20b, and the right surface may be smoothly connected to the outer surface of the second side body 20b. In other words, a step may not be formed between the right surface and the outer surface of the second side body 20b.

Accordingly, when the fan motor 42 (refer to FIG. 4) is driven, air may be discharged from the first discharge port 33a and the second discharge port 33b to the outer surface of the side body 20. Moreover, due to the Coanda effect, the air discharged to the outer surface of the side body 20 may flow forward along the outer surface of the side body 20 (refer to (a) of FIG. 7). In addition, such an air flow may form an air flow in which the air around the side body 20 moves from the rear to the front (refer to (b) of FIG. 7). Meanwhile, such an air flow may be referred to as a concentrated air flow.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the second positions or the second states of the first damper 90a and the second damper 90b, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may not be inserted into the first slit 21a and may be disposed inside the side body 20 to open the first slit 21a, and the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may not be inserted into the second slit 21b and may be disposed inside the side body 20 to open the second slit 21b.

In this case, the second flow path 20p may communicate with the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b. That is, a part of the air passing through the second flow path 20p may be discharged to the outside through the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b.

Accordingly, when the fan motor 42 (refer to FIG. 4) is driven, the air discharged from the first discharge port 33a and the second discharge port 33b may flow forward along the outer surface of the side body 20, and may be dispersed in the right-left direction by the air discharged from the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b (refer to (a) of FIG. 9). In addition, such an air flow may form an air flow in which the air around the side body 20 is dispersed from the rear to the right-left direction and moved forward (refer to FIG. 9(b)). Meanwhile, such an air flow may be referred to as a first dispersed air flow.

Meanwhile, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may not be inserted into the first slit 21a to open the first slit 21a, but the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may be inserted into the second slit 21b to close the second slit 21b. Alternatively, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may be inserted into the first slit 21a to close the first slit 21a, but the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may not be inserted into the second slit 21b to open the second slit 21b. That is, any one of the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b may be open, but the other may be closed.

In this case, when the fan motor 42 (refer to FIG. 4) is driven, air may flow forward along the outer surface of the side body 20 and may spread to the left or right by the air discharged from by the air discharged from the open slit of the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b. Meanwhile, such an air flow may be referred to as a first deflection air flow.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in third positions or in third states of the first damper 90a and the second damper 90b, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may be inserted into the first slit 21a to close the first slit 21a, and the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may be inserted into the second slit 21b to close the second slit 21b.

A part of the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may protrude to the outside of the first side body 20a, and may be disposed to be stepped with respect to the first side body 20a. A part of the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may protrude to the outside of the second side body 20b, and may be disposed to be stepped with respect to the second side body 20b.

Accordingly, when the fan motor 42 (refer to FIG. 4) is driven, the air discharged from the first discharge port 33a and the second discharge port 33b may flow forward along the outer surface of the side body 20, and may be distributed in the right-left direction by the portion of the plate 95 protruding outward of the side body 20 (refer to (a) of FIG. 11). In addition, such an air flow may form an air flow in which the air around the side body 20 is dispersed in the right-left direction from the rear and moves forward (refer to (b) of FIG. 11). Meanwhile, such an air flow may be referred to as a second dispersed air flow.

Meanwhile, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may be inserted into the first slit 21a to protrude to the outside of the first side body 20a, but the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may be inserted into the second slit 21b to be disposed in parallel to the outer surface of the second side body 20b. Alternatively, the plate 95 of the first damper 90a may be inserted into the first slit 21a to be disposed in parallel to the outer surface of the first side body 20a, but the plate 95 of the second damper 90b may be inserted into the first slit 21a to protrude to the outside of the second side body 20b. That is, both the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b are closed, and the plate 95 inserted into any one of them may protrude to the outside of the side body 20.

In this case, when the fan motor 42 (refer to FIG. 4) is driven, air may flow forward along the outer surface of the side body 20 and spread to the left or right by the plate 95 which is inserted into any one of the first slit 21a and the second slit 21b and protrudes to the outside of the side body 20. Meanwhile, such an air flow may be referred to as a second deflection air flow.

Referring to FIG. 12, the hole 61 may be located between the left surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31, and formed on at least one of the right surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31. In this case, the hole 61 may be located below the opening 23 described above. A part of the air that has passed through the first flow path 30p described above may move upward through the hole 61. Meanwhile, the hole 61 may be referred to as a gap.

Meanwhile, a grill 63 has a plurality of holes (unsigned) and may be disposed between the side body 20 and a bending part 34 to be described later. That is, the grill 63 may have one end coupled to the side body 20 and the other end coupled to the bending part 34, and maintain a gap between the side body 20 and the bending part 34. For example, the grill 63 may be disposed above the above-described hole 61. For example, the grill 63 may have a shape corresponding to or identical to the shape of the hole 61.

The bending part 34 may be bent toward the side body 20 from a portion forming the boundary of the hole 61 of the middle body 31. In this case, the bending part 34 is disposed inclined with respect to the side body 20, and may be spaced apart from the side body 20. In addition, the gap between the side body 20 and the bending part 34 may become narrower toward the upper side. That is, a tapered area may be formed between the side body 20 and the bending part 34.

Accordingly, the air discharged from the hole 61 may flow upward along the outer surface of the side body 20 between the side body 20 and the bending part 34.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the inner damper 70 may be installed in the inner space of the middle body 31. The inner damper 70 may be formed between the hole 61 formed between the left surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31, and the hole 61 formed between the right surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31.

The inner damper 70 may open or close the hole 61. Here, the opening of the hole 61 may mean a state in which a part of the air that has passed through the first flow path 30p can pass through the hole 61, and the closing of the hole 61 may mean a state in which the air that has passed through the first flow path 30p cannot pass through the hole 61.

Accordingly, the air that has passed through the first flow path 30p may be provided to the second flow path 20p by the inner damper 70 or may be provided to the second flow path 20p and the hole 61.

Referring FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner damper 70 may include a first cover assembly 71a and a second cover assembly 71b that are movable in the right-left direction. The first cover assembly 71a may move to the left and close the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the left surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31. The second cover assembly 71b may move to the right and close the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the right surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31. Meanwhile, when the hole 61 is formed only between the inner surface of the middle body 31 and any one of the left and right surfaces of the side body 20, the inner damper 70 may be provided in any one of the first cover assembly 71a and the second cover assembly 71b.

The motor 72 of the inner damper 70 may provide power for moving the first cover assembly 71a and the second cover assembly 71b. The motor 72 may be installed on a mount 75. In this case, the mount 75 may be a plate extending in a horizontal direction. A rotation shaft of the motor 72 may extend downwardly from the motor 72 and pass through the mount 75. A pinion 73 (refer to FIG. 15) may be coupled to the rotation shaft at the lower side of the mount 75 and rotate together with the rotation shaft.

Meanwhile, a mount hole 75a may be formed by penetrating the mount 75 in the up-down direction. The mount hole 75a may be spaced apart from the hole 61 in a moving direction of the first cover assembly 71a or the second cover assembly 71b. That is, the first cover assembly 71a or the second cover assembly 71b may close the mount hole 75a while opening the hole 61 or open the mount hole 75a while closing the hole 61, which will be described in more detail later.

A first supporter 76 may be provided at a front end of the mount 75 and may be extended in the up-down direction to be fixed to the side body 20 (refer to FIG. 12). In this case, a first left pin 76a (not illustrated) and a first right pin 76b (not illustrated) may protrude rearward from the inner surface of the first supporter 76 and may be spaced apart from each other in the right-left direction. The second supporter 77 may be provided at the rear end of the mount 75 and may be extended in the up-down direction to be fixed to the side body 20 (refer to FIG. 12). In this case, the second left pin 77a and the second right pin 77b may protrude forward from the inner surface of the second supporter 77 and may be spaced apart from each other in the right-left direction. Meanwhile, the above-described pins 76a, 76b, 77a, and 77b may be provided as rollers.

The first cover assembly 71a may include a first cover 711a, a first rack 74a, a first front rail 78a, and a first rear rail 79a.

The first cover 711a may be a plate extending in the horizontal direction. A shape of a left end 711a-1 of the first cover 711a may correspond to or be the same as the shape of the inner surface of the middle body 31 (refer to FIG. 12) facing the left end 711a-1 in the right-left direction. Accordingly, when the first cover 711a moves to the left and contacts the inner surface of the middle body 31, the first cover 711a may be disposed below a hole 6 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the left surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31 to close the hole 61.

In addition, a front end 711a-2 and a rear end 711a-3 of the first cover 711a may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the middle body 31. In addition, a shape of a right end 711a-4 of the first cover 711a may correspond to or be the same as a shape of a left end 711b-4 of the second cover 711b to be described later.

The first rack 74a may be coupled on the first cover 711a and extend long in the right-left direction. For example, a gear may be formed on a front surface of the first rack 74a and engaged with the above-described pinion 73 (refer to FIG. 15). Accordingly, when the pinion 73 rotates, the first rack 74a and the first cover 711a coupled thereto may move in the right-left direction.

The first front rail 78a may be installed on the first cover 711a and extend long in the right-left direction. The first front rail 78a may be adjacent to the front end 711a-2 of the first cover 711a. A first front slot 78a-1 may be formed to pass through the first front rail 78a in the front-rear direction, and may be formed to be elongated in the right-left direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the first front rail 78a. The first front hole 78a-2 is formed to be depressed from the right surface of the first front rail 78a to the left, and may be formed to be elongated in the right-left direction, which is a longitudinal direction of the first front rail 78a. In addition, the first front hole 78a-2 may be located below the first front slot 78a-1.

In this case, the above-described first left pin 76a (not illustrated) may be movably inserted into the first front slot 78a-1, and the mount 75 may be movably inserted into the first front hole 78a-2. That is, the relative moving directions of the first left pin 76a and the mount 75 with respect to each of the first front slot 78a-1 and the first front hole 78a-2 may be limited in the right-left direction. Accordingly, the first front rail 78a may limit the movement in the up-down direction while guiding the movement of the first cover 711a in the right-left direction.

The first rear rail 79a may be installed on the first cover 711a and extend long in the right-left direction. The first rear rail 79a may be adjacent to the rear end 711a-3 of the first cover 711a. The first rear slot 79a-1 may be formed to pass through the first rear rail 79a in the front-rear direction, and may be formed to be elongated in the right-left direction, which is a longitudinal direction of the first rear rail 79a. The first rear hole 79a-2 may be formed while being depressed from the right side of the first rear rail 79a to the left, and may be formed to be elongated in a right-left direction which is a longitudinal direction of the first rear rail 79a. In addition, the first rear hole 79a-2 may be located below the first rear slot 79a-1.

In this case, the above-described second left pin 77a may be movably inserted into the first rear slot 79a-1, and the mount 75 may be movably inserted into the first rear hole 79a-2. That is, the relative moving directions of the second left pin 77a and the mount 75 with respect to each of the first rear slot 79a-1 and the first rear hole 79a-2 may be limited in the right-left direction. Accordingly, the first rear rail 79a may limit the movement in the up-down direction while guiding the movement of the first cover 711a in the right-left direction.

Accordingly, when the motor 72 is driven, the first cover 711a may open or close the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the left surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31 while moving stably in the right-left direction.

The second cover assembly 71b may include a second cover 711b, a second rack 74b, a second front rail 78b, and a second rear rail 79b.

The second cover 711b may be a plate extending in a horizontal direction. A shape of a right end 711b-1 of the second cover 711b may correspond to or be the same as the shape of the inner surface of the middle body 31 (refer to FIG. 12) facing the right end 711b-1 in the right-left direction. Accordingly, when the second cover 711b moves to the right and comes into contact with the inner surface of the middle body 31, the second cover 711b may be disposed below the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the right surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31 to close the hole 61.

In addition, the front end 711b-2 and the rear end 711b-3 of the second cover 711b may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the middle body 31. In addition, a shape of a left end 711b-4 of the second cover 711b may correspond to or be the same as the shape of the right end 711a-4 of the first cover 711a described above.

The second rack 74b may be coupled on the second cover 711b and extend long in the right-left direction. For example, a gear may be formed on the rear surface of the second rack 74b and engaged with the above-described pinion 73 (refer to FIG. 15). Accordingly, when the pinion 73 rotates, the second rack 74b and the second cover 711b coupled thereto may move in the right-left direction. In addition, the pinion 73 may be disposed between the second rack 74b and the above-described first rack 74a. That is, the movements of the second rack 74b and the first rack 74a may not interfere with each other.

The second front rail 78b may be installed on the second cover 711b and extend in the right-left direction. The second front rail 78b may be adjacent to the front end 711b-2 of the second cover 711b. The second front slot 78b-1 may be formed to pass through the second front rail 78b in the front-rear direction, and may be formed to be elongated in the right-left direction which is a longitudinal direction of the second front rail 78b. The second front hole 78b-2 may be formed to be depressed from the left surface of the second front rail 78b to the right, and may be formed to be elongated in the right-left direction, which is a longitudinal direction of the second front rail 78b. In addition, the second front hole 78b-2 may be located below the second front slot 78b-1.

In this case, the above-described first right pin 76b (not illustrated) may be movably inserted into the second front slot 78b-1, and the mount 75 may be movably inserted into the second front hole 78b-2. That is, the relative moving directions of the first right pin 76b and the mount 75 with respect to each of the second front slot 78b-1 and the second front hole 78b-2 may be limited in the right-left direction. Accordingly, the second front rail 78b may limit the movement in the up-down direction while guiding the movement of the second cover 711b in the right-left direction.

The second rear rail 79b may be installed on the second cover 711b and extend long in the right-left direction. The second rear rail 79b may be adjacent to the rear end 711b-3 of the second cover 711b. The second rear slot 79b-1 may be formed to pass through the second rear rail 79b in the front-rear direction, and may be formed to be elongated in the right-left direction, which is a longitudinal direction of the second rear rail 79b. The second rear hole 79b-2 may be formed to be depressed from the left surface of the second rear rail 79b to the right, and may be formed to be elongated in the right-left direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the second rear rail 79b. In addition, the second rear hole 79b-2 may be located below the second rear slot 79b-1.

In this case, the above-described second right pin 77b may be movably inserted into the second rear slot 79b-1, and the mount 75 may be movably inserted into the second rear hole 79b-2. That is, the relative moving directions of the second right pin 77b and the mount 75 with respect to each of the second rear slot 79b-1 and the second rear hole 79b-2 may be limited in the right-left direction. Accordingly, the second rear rail 79b may limit the movement in the up-down direction while guiding the movement of the second cover 711b in the right-left direction.

Accordingly, when the motor 72 is driven, the second cover 711b may open or close the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the right surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31 while moving stably in the right-left direction.

Meanwhile, the brackets 81 and 82 may fix the position of the mount 85 with respect to the side body 20 (refer to FIG. 4). The brackets 81 and 82 may be coupled to the mount 75 and the side body 20 between the mount 75 and the side body 20. The brackets 81 and 82 may be located between the first supporter 76 and the second supporter 77 in the front-rear direction. The brackets 81 and 82 may include a first bracket 81 adjacent to the first supporter 76 and a second bracket 82 adjacent to the second supporter 77.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, in the first position or first state of the inner damper 70, the first cover 711a may move to the left to come into contact with the inner surface of the middle body 31, and the second cover 711b may move to come into contact with the right to come into contact with the inner surface of the middle body 31.

In this case, the first cover 711a may be located below the grill 63 and may close the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the left surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31. Moreover, the second cover 711b may be located below the grill 63, and may close the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the right side of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31.

Accordingly, when the fan motor 42 (refer to FIG. 12) is driven, the air that has passed through the first flow path 30p may flow to the second flow path 20p (refer to FIG. 12) through the mount hole 75a formed in the mount 75 and the space formed inside the middle body 31 at the front and rear of the mount 75 (refer to an arrow indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 16).

Referring FIGS. 17 and 18, in the second position or the second state of the inner damper 70, the first cover 711a may be moved to the right, the second cover 711b may be moved to the left, and the right end 711a-4 of the first cover 711a and the left end 711b-4 of the second cover 711b may come into contact with each other.

In this case, the first cover 711a and the second cover 711b are not located below the grill 63, and thus, the hole 61 (refer to FIG. 12) formed between the left surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31 and the hole (refer to FIG. 12) between the right surface of the side body 20 and the inner surface of the middle body 31 may be opened. That is, the hole 61 may communicate with the first flow path 30p.

Meanwhile, the above-described fan 40 (refer to FIG. 12) may discharge air in an upper centrifugal direction in response to the rotation of the fan motor 42. That is, a part of the air discharged from the fan 40 may flow upward along the middle body 31 and may be introduced into the hole 61. Moreover, the remaining air discharged from the fan 40 may flow to the second flow path 20p (refer to FIG. 12) through the space between the first cover 711a and the hole 61, the space between the second cover 711b and the hole 61, and the space formed inside the middle body 31 in the front and rear of the first cover 711a and the second cover 711b.

That is, an air flow passing through the second flow path 20p, the opening 23 (refer to FIG. 6), and the first and second discharged ports 33a and 33b may be formed. However, since a flow rate and a flow velocity of the air passing through the hole 61 may be greater and faster than flow rates and flow velocities of the air passing through the first and second discharged ports 33a and 33b, as a whole, an air flow that is discharged from the hole 61 and raised may be formed.

Accordingly, the air discharged from the hole 61 may flow upward along the outer surface of the side body 20 between the side body 20 and the bending part 34 (refer to arrows indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 18).

Any or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined or combined with respective configurations or functions.

For example, it means that configuration A described in a specific embodiment and/or drawing and configuration B described in another embodiment and/or drawing may be coupled. That is, even when it is not directly explained about the coupling between the components, it means that the coupling is possible except for the case where it is described that the coupling is impossible.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in all respects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Number	Date	Country	Kind
10-2020-0059158	May 2020	KR	national
10-2020-0059159	May 2020	KR	national
10-2020-0114464	Sep 2020	KR	national

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