U.S. patent application number 09/961093 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Fukazawa, Hiroshi, Ishikawa, Hiroaki, Kitamura, Jun, Kondou, Masakazu, Murayama, Takahiro, Sano, Motoo, Suzuki, Shinichi, Takamori, Akira.
Application Number | 20020016149 09/961093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26437573 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020016149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kondou, Masakazu ; et
al. |
February 7, 2002 |
Air conditioner
Abstract
Inside a blown-out air duct in the air conditioner through which
conditioned air reaches a blowing-out port, there is provided a
rectifying box having a air passage therein, for rectifying a flow
of the conditioned air toward a predetermined flowing direction in
order to prevent any dew condensation at the blowing-out port in
the air conditioner. In the meantime, in order to suppress noise,
rectifying plates for reducing an inflowing angle of air flowing
into the fin tips of a heat exchanger are interposed between an
axial fan and the heat exchanger for taking in the air from the
axial fan for heat exchanging.
Inventors: |
Kondou, Masakazu; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kitamura, Jun; (Tokyo, JP) ; Murayama,
Takahiro; (Tokyo, JP) ; Sano, Motoo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Suzuki, Shinichi; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Ishikawa, Hiroaki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Takamori, Akira;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Fukazawa, Hiroshi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
2-3, MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
26437573 |
Appl. No.: |
09/961093 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09961093 |
Sep 24, 2001 |
|
|
|
09471473 |
Dec 23, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/315 ;
454/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/027 20130101;
F24F 1/0011 20130101; F24F 1/0057 20190201; F24F 1/0073 20190201;
F24F 13/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/315 ;
454/234 |
International
Class: |
F24F 013/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 1998 |
JP |
10-373853 |
Apr 2, 1999 |
JP |
11-096365 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An air conditioner having an air duct through which
temperature-conditioned air reaches a blowing-out port, said air
conditioner comprising: a rectifying mechanism having an air
passage therein, for rectifying a flow of the conditioned air
toward a predetermined flowing direction.
2. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
rectifying mechanism supplies the conditioned air in a
predetermined quantity or more to a wall surface defining said air
duct.
3. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
rectifying mechanism is provided with an air quantity adjusting
member for adjusting an air quantity passing through said air
passage.
4. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein a member
constituting said air passage of said rectifying mechanism is
juxtaposed with a main stream of blown-out air.
5. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
rectifying mechanism is disposed at a position at which blown-out
air inside said air duct is deflected toward a different
direction.
6. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
rectifying mechanism is disposed in a guide vane base serving as
the structure for fixing lateral air flowing direction adjusting
vanes, said lateral air flowing direction adjusting vanes for
laterally adjusting the direction of blown-out air in said air
duct.
7. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
rectifying mechanism is disposed in a unit box for a fan for
producing blown-out air.
8. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
rectifying mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of the portion
where a plurality of air flowing direction adjusting pieces for
adjusting the direction of blown-out air are oriented in directions
different from each other.
9. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
rectifying mechanism is molded integrally with any one of component
parts constituting said air conditioner.
10. An air conditioner including an axial fan for blowing air and a
heat exchanger having cooling fins for taking in the air blown by
said axial fan so as to perform heat exchanging, said air
conditioner comprising: rectifying means interposed between said
axial fan and said heat exchanger, for reducing an inflowing angle
of air flowing into the tips of the cooling fins of said heat
exchanger.
11. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
rectifying means is attached to said heat exchanger.
12. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
rectifying means is fixed to a portion except said heat
exchanger.
13. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
rectifying means is disposed at a portion except a projection area
of said axial fan onto said heat exchanger.
14. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein said axial
fan includes a blade fixing portion for fixing a blade at
substantially the center thereof, and said rectifying means is
disposed within a projection area of said blade fixing portion onto
said heat exchanger.
15. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
rectifying means is constituted of a flat rectifying plate.
16. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
rectifying means is constituted of a rectifying plate inclined on
the suction side thereof toward said axial fan.
17. An air conditioner including an axial fan for blowing air and a
heat exchanger having cooling fins for taking in the air blown by
said axial fan so as to perform heat exchanging, some of said fins
being inclined on the suction side thereof toward said axial
fan.
18. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 17, wherein some of said
fins are inclined on the suction side thereof toward said axial fan
at a portion except a projection area of said axial fan onto said
heat exchanger.
19. An air conditioner as claimed in claim 17, wherein said axial
fan includes a blade fixing portion for fixing a blade at
substantially the center thereof, some of said fins being inclined
on the suction side thereof toward said blade within a projection
area of said blade fixing portion onto said heat exchanger.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an air conditioner and,
more particularly, to rectification of an airflow in an air
conditioner.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] As shown in FIG. 9 which is a cross-sectional view showing
an air conditioner, when conditioned air whose temperature is
conditioned by an air conditioner is blown out of a blowing-out
port 19, a pressure loss generally occurs in the blown-out air
passing through a blown-out air duct reaching the blowing-out port
19 by the influence of vertical air flowing direction adjusting
vanes 4 or lateral air flowing direction adjusting vanes 21.
Furthermore, if a rotating speed of a cross-flow fan 22 having a
function of generating the blown-out air of the conditioned air
decreases, the blown-out air becomes turbulent or a quantity of the
blown-out air is reduced. This prevents the blown-out air from
flowing along the vertical air flowing direction adjusting vanes 4
positioned in front of the cross-flow fan 22 so as to separate the
blown-out air from the vanes 4, thereby causing dew condensation.
In order to alleviate or prevent such a phenomenon, a jumper mount
1 shown in a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 or a baffle plate 2
shown in a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 has been conventionally
fixed in the structure of the blowing-out port.
[0005] A purpose of the jumper mount 1 is to blown out air along
the vertical vanes 4 by changing a main stream advancing direction
of the blown-out air flowing along a casing of a unit box 3
defining a back wall of the blown-out air duct, thereby reducing
the contact of the vertical vanes 4 cooled by the blown-out air
with outside air so as to prevent any dew condensation. Another
purpose is to direct the main stream advancing direction of the
blown-out air in a certain direction so as to suppress turbulence,
so that dew condensation in the vicinity of the blowing-out port 19
caused by the turbulence due to a decrease of air quantity which is
caused by reducing the rotating speed of the cross-flow fan 22 for
generating the blown-out air.
[0006] However, since the jumper mount 1 is brought into direct
contact with the blown-out air, it is cooled by the air, so that
dew condensation occurs at an end face 5 of the jumper mount 1
which is in contact with the outside air. Consequently, it is
necessary to attach a member having a water retaining property such
as a flocked tape to the end face 5.
[0007] In the meantime, the baffle plate 2 reduces the blowing-out
area of the blowing-out port 19 so as to partly increase an air
quantity and allow the blown-out air to further flow over a portion
of the vertical vane 4 where dew condensation occurs. Similarly to
the jumper mount 1 for reducing separation of the blown-out air,
the baffle plate 2 is the technique for reducing the dew
condensation.
[0008] However, since the baffle plate 2 increases the blown-out
air 18 but decreases the blown-out air 17, as shown in FIG. 11, the
outside air flows into the structure of the blowing-out port from
the upper part of the port where the blown-out air 17 is decreased.
Accordingly, since the baffle plate 2 in direct contact with the
blown-out air is cooled in the air, dew condensation at an end face
6 of the baffle plate 2 is caused. Therefore, also in this case, it
is necessary to attach a member having a water retaining property
such as a flocked tape to the end face 6, like in the case of the
jumper mount 1.
[0009] In this way, although the prior art can resultantly reduce
or prevent the phenomenon of the dew condensation with respect to
the blowing-out port in the air conditioner, the dew condensation
occurs at other portions in turn, so that it is necessary to attach
a member having a water retaining property such as a flocked tape
or to additionally attach other parts known as prior arts, thus
raising the problem of an increase in the number of component
parts.
[0010] In the meanwhile, FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view
showing a conventional window type air conditioner which is
installed on a wall. In FIG. 19, reference numeral 31 designates a
casing of the air conditioner, the inside of which is divided into
an exterior side and an interior side by a partition plate 32; 33,
an exterior suction port through which exterior air is sucked from
the exterior of a room; 34, an exterior blowing-out port, through
which air is blown out to the exterior of the room; 35, an interior
suction port, through which interior air is sucked from the
interior of the room; 36, an interior blowing-out port, through
which air is blown out to the interior of the room; 37, an exterior
heat exchanger disposed in the vicinity of the exterior blowing-out
port 34 inside the casing 31; 38, an interior heat exchanger
disposed in the vicinity of the interior suction port 35 inside the
casing 31; 39, an electric motor for blowing, disposed on the
exterior side; 40, an axial fan interposed between the exterior
heat exchanger 37 and the electric motor 39 and connected to the
electric motor 39; 40a, a blade fixing portion (i.e., a boss), to
which a blade of the axial fan 40 is fixed; 41, a sirocco fan
interposed between the interior heat exchanger 38 and the electric
motor 39 and connected to the electric motor 39; 42, a fan cover
disposed around the axial fan 40; and 43, a compressor constituting
a refrigerant cycle together with the exterior heat exchanger 37
and the interior heat exchanger 38.
[0011] In the air conditioner such constituted as described above,
the electric motor 39 drives to rotate the axial fan 40 on the
exterior side, so as to suck the exterior air through the exterior
suction port 33. The exterior air is sucked into the axial fan 40,
and then, is blown out of the exterior blowing-out port 34 through
the exterior heat exchanger 37.
[0012] Moreover, the electric motor 39 drives to rotate the sirocco
fan 41 on the interior side, so as to suck the interior air through
the interior suction port 35. The interior air is sucked into the
sirocco fan 41 through the interior heat exchanger 38, and then, is
blown out of the interior blowing-out port 36.
[0013] In the conventional air conditioner such constituted as
described above, the exterior heat exchanger 37 is greater in size
than the outer diameter of the axial fan 40, and further, the
exterior heat exchanger 37 and the axial fan 40 are arranged in
close proximity to each other. Consequently, inflowing air at the
fin tips of the exterior heat exchanger 37 placed apart from the
outer diameter of the axial fan 40 flows as illustrated in FIG. 20.
That is, an angle .theta. between the fin and the inflowing airflow
is large, thus raising the problems that the inflowing air is
liable to be separated from the fins and noise is likely to
occur.
[0014] Additionally, since no air flows at the rear end 50 of the
boss 40a of the axial fan 40, the inflowing air flows into the fin
tips facing the boss 40a with a large inflowing angle, thereby
raising problems similar to those described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention has been accomplished in an attempt to
solve the above problems observed in the prior art. An object of
the present invention is to provide an air conditioner in which an
airflow inside the air conditioner is rectified with simple
configuration, thus maintaining blowing performance and preventing
dew condensation or suppressing noise.
[0016] According to the present invention, an air conditioner
having an air duct through which temperature-conditioned air
reaches a blowing-out port, comprises a rectifying mechanism having
a blown-out air passage therein, for rectifying a flow of the
conditioned air toward a predetermined flowing direction. Thus, it
is possible to produce the effect of rectifying air with simple
configuration while maintaining the blowing performance.
[0017] The rectifying mechanism may supply the conditioned air in a
predetermined quantity or more to a wall surface defining the air
duct. Consequently, it is possible to produce the effect of
preventing any dew condensation caused by a back-flow of interior
air from the blowing-out port.
[0018] The rectifying mechanism may be provided with an air
quantity adjusting member for adjusting an air quantity passing
through the air passage. Therefore, it is possible to produce the
effect of appropriately adjusting a quantity of air to be rectified
by the rectifying mechanism.
[0019] A member constituting the air passage of the rectifying
mechanism may be juxtaposed with a main stream of blown-out air.
Thus, it is possible to produce the effect of preventing the
rectifying mechanism from causing another air resistance or
turbulence, and further, the effect of smooth rectifying without
causing any dew condensation.
[0020] The rectifying mechanism may be disposed at a position at
which blown-out air inside the air duct is deflected toward a
different direction. Consequently, it is possible to produce the
effect of preventing any generation of turbulence caused by
deflection or any occurrence of dew condensation.
[0021] The rectifying mechanism may be disposed in a guide vane
base serving as the structure for fixing a lateral air flowing
direction adjusting vanes, which are disposed in the air duct to
laterally adjust the direction of blown-out air. Therefore, it is
possible to produce the effect of rectifying without installing any
additional dew condensation preventing structure for the rectifying
mechanism.
[0022] The rectifying mechanism may be disposed in a unit box for a
fan for producing blown-out air. Thus, it is possible to produce
the effect of preventing any generation of turbulence or dew
condensation caused by separation of the blown-out air from the
unit box and rectifying the air without installing any additional
dew condensation preventing structure for the rectifying
mechanism.
[0023] The rectifying mechanism may be disposed in the vicinity of
the portion where a plurality of air flowing direction adjusting
pieces for adjusting the direction of blown-out air are oriented in
directions different from each other. Consequently, it is possible
to produce the effect of preventing any generation of turbulence
around the boundary of different air flowing directions in the case
where the air is blown in the different directions.
[0024] The rectifying mechanism may be molded integrally with any
one of component parts constituting the air conditioner. Therefore,
it is possible to produce the effect of forming the rectifying
mechanism without inducing any increase in the number of component
parts.
[0025] Furthermore, according to the present invention, an air
conditioner including an axial fan for blowing air and a heat
exchanger having cooling fins for taking in the air blown by the
axial fan so as to perform heat exchanging, comprises rectifying
means interposed between the axial fan and the heat exchanger, for
reducing an inflowing angle of air flowing into the fin tips of the
heat exchanger. Thus, it is possible to reduce the angle between
fins of the heat exchanger and the flow of the inflowing air so as
to hardly separate the inflowing air from the fins, thereby
suppressing occurrence of noise.
[0026] The rectifying means may be attached to the heat exchanger.
Consequently, the air conditioner can be easily assembled after the
rectifying means is attached.
[0027] The rectifying means may be fixed to a portion except the
heat exchanger. Therefore, assembling workability can be enhanced
more than the case where the rectifying means is attached to the
heat exchanger.
[0028] The rectifying means may be disposed at a portion except a
projection area of the axial fan onto the heat exchanger. Thus, it
is possible to reduce the angle between the fin and the flow of the
inflowing air at the portion except the projection area of the
axial fan onto the heat exchanger so as to hardly separate the
inflowing air from the fins, thereby suppressing occurrence of
noise.
[0029] The axial fan may include a blade fixing portion for fixing
a blade at substantially the center thereof, and the rectifying
means may be disposed within a projection area of the blade fixing
portion onto the heat exchanger. Therefore, it is possible to
suppress an increase of an inflowing angle of the inflowing air at
the fin tips facing the blade fixing portion, which is caused by no
airflow at the rear end of the blade fixing portion, and to reduce
noise because of less separation of the air.
[0030] The rectifying means may be constituted of a flat rectifying
plate. Consequently, it is possible to manufacture the rectifying
means at a reduced cost.
[0031] The rectifying means may be constituted of a rectifying
plate inclined on the suction side thereof toward the axial fan.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the inflowing angle of the air
flowing into the fin tips of the heat exchanger so as to enhance
the effect of suppressing noise.
[0032] In an air conditioner including an axial fan for blowing air
and a heat exchanger having cooling fins for taking in the air
blown by the axial fan so as to perform heat exchanging, the fins
are inclined on the suction side thereof toward the axial fan.
Thus, it is possible to reduce the angle between the fins of the
heat exchanger and the inflowing airflow so as to hardly separate
the inflowing air from the fins, thereby suppressing occurrence of
noise, and to dispense with another rectifying means so as to
reduce the number of component parts. Additionally, it is possible
to eliminate detaching work of the rectifying means at the time of
recycling, and further, the fins are excellent in recycling
property since the fins are made of aluminum.
[0033] The fins may be inclined on the suction side thereof toward
the axial fan at a portion except a projection area of the axial
fan onto the heat exchanger. Thus, it is possible to reduce the
angle between the fins and the inflowing airflow at the portion
except the projection area of the axial fan so as to hardly
separate the inflowing air, thereby suppressing occurrence of
noise.
[0034] The axial fan may include a blade fixing portion for fixing
a blade at substantially the center thereof, and the fins may be
inclined on the suction side thereof toward the blade within a
projection area of the blade fixing portion onto the heat
exchanger. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in
inflowing angle of the inflowing air at the fin tips facing the
blade fixing portion, which is caused by no airflow at the rear end
of the blade fixing portion, and to reduce noise because of less
separation of the air.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a rectifying
mechanism for an air conditioner in a first embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view showing the rectifying
mechanism for the air conditioner in the first embodiment according
to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the
rectifying mechanism for the air conditioner in the first
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing an air
quantity adjusting member fixed to the rectifying mechanism for the
air conditioner in the first embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a rectifying
mechanism for an air conditioner in a second embodiment according
to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the rectifying
mechanism for the air conditioner in the second embodiment
according to the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a rectifying
mechanism for an air conditioner in a third embodiment according to
the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a front view and partly enlarged views showing the
rectifying mechanism for the air conditioner in the third
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a basic air
conditioner in the prior art;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a dew condensation
preventing mechanism (by the use of a jumper mount) for preventing
a dew condensation at a blowing-out port for the air conditioner in
the prior art;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another dew
condensation preventing mechanism (by the use of a baffle plate)
for preventing a dew condensation at the blowing-out port for the
air conditioner in the prior art;
[0046] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view showing a window type
air conditioner installed on a wall in a fourth embodiment
according to the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the state in
which a rectifying plate is installed in the fourth embodiment
according to the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an airflow with aid of the
rectifying plate in the fourth embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing a window type
air conditioner installed on a wall in a fifth embodiment according
to the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an airflow with aid of the
rectifying plate in the fifth embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0051] FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional view showing a window type
air conditioner installed on a wall in a sixth embodiment according
to the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an airflow into a heat
exchanger in the sixth embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view showing a
conventional window type air conditioner installed on a wall;
and
[0054] FIG. 20 is a view illustrating an airflow in the
conventional window type air conditioner.
BEST MODES FOR WORKING THE INVENTION
[0055] Preferred embodiments of a rectifying mechanism for an air
conditioner according to the present invention will be explained
below in detail in reference to the attached drawings. Throughout
the preferred embodiments explained hereunder, component parts like
or corresponding to those of the air conditioner in the prior art
are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description
thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.
First Embodiment
[0056] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a dew condensation
preventing mechanism for vertical air flowing direction adjusting
vanes positioned at a blowing-out port in an air conditioner
according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged front
view of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 1;
and FIG. 4 illustrates one example in which an air quantity
adjusting member is fixed to the mechanism shown in FIG. 3. In
FIGS. 1 to 4, reference numeral 23 designates a heat exchanger for
performing heat exchange between interior air to be sucked from the
interior of a room and a refrigerant by a refrigeration cycle, not
shown, so as to perform cooling or warming; 19, a blowing-out port,
through which air conditioned by the heat exchanger 23 is blown
into the interior, and which is defined by a nozzle upper frame
constituting member 8 fixed to a unit box 3 of an air conditioner
body (an interior unit) and a lower wall 20 of the unit box 3; and
22, a fan for producing an airflow from the interior to the
blowing-out port 19 via the heat exchanger 23, the fan being of a
cross-flow type in this embodiment.
[0057] Reference numeral 7 denotes a guide vane base made of a
synthetic resin, fixed to the nozzle upper frame constituting
member 8 via fixing portions 9; 10, a rectifying box having a
hollow structure, integrally molded at right and left ends of the
guide vane base 7 in such a manner that the constituent member
thereof is juxtaposed with respect to the main stream of blown-out
air in order to minimize a pressure loss of the blown-out air. An
air duct from the cross-flow fan 22 toward the blowing-out port 19,
defined by the unit box 3 constitutes a blown-out air duct, through
which the conditioned air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 23
passes. The rectifying box 10 corresponds to the rectifying
mechanism.
[0058] Lateral air flowing direction adjusting vanes 21 are
attached at predetermined intervals to the guide vane base 7, are
connected to each other via connecting members 24, and are driven
to be swung in the lateral direction by a motor, not shown. The
rectifying box 10 is disposed in the vicinity of an air duct side
wall and between an outermost lateral air flowing direction
adjusting vane 21 and the air duct side wall, where a flowing
quantity of the conditioned air is reduced depending upon the
orientation of the lateral adjusting vanes 21.
[0059] A fixing portion 11 for fixing a mesh-like air quantity
adjusting member for adjusting the quantity of the blown-out air
passing through the inside of the hollow structure of the
rectifying box 10 is molded integrally with the rectifying box 10.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the
air quantity adjusting member is fixed. In FIG. 4, reference
numeral 28 designates the mesh-like air quantity adjusting member
for generating a predetermined passing resistance. The air quantity
adjusting member 28 may be fixed upstream or downstream of the
rectifying box 10 for producing the same effect, although it is
fixed downstream in this embodiment. The passing resistance of the
air quantity adjusting member 28 can be varied by changing the
fineness of its mesh, and therefore, a mesh capable of generating
an adequate passing resistance may be selectively fixed, as
required.
[0060] Subsequently, operation will be explained below. For
example, in the case where the lateral adjusting vanes 21 are
directed to the left, the flow of the conditioned air is reduced on
the right side of the blowing-out port 19, and therefore, the
interior air flows in from the blowing-out port 19, so that dew
condensation is liable to occur. However, with the configuration in
the present embodiment, the conditioned air flows inside the
rectifying box 10 in a constant air quality not affected by the
direction of the lateral adjusting vanes 21, by the effect of the
rectifying box 10 disposed on the right side of the blown-out air
duct. Since the air securely flows along the wall surface of the
blown-out air duct, it is possible to prevent any inflow of the
interior air from the blowing-out port 19 side in the blown-out air
duct or any generation of turbulence caused by the inflow, thereby
preventing any occurrence of dew condensation.
[0061] In the present embodiment, since the rectifying box 10 is
resin-molded integrally with the guide vane base 7, it is possible
to reduce the number of component parts of the rectifying mechanism
for rectifying the blown-out air. Furthermore, since the rectifying
box 10 is positioned in the blown-out air and brought into contact
with no outside air, no dew is condensed at the rectifying box 10.
Consequently, it is possible to dispense with a special dew
condensation preventing structure such as a flocked tape in the
prior art so as to prevent any increase in the number of component
parts. As a result, the rectifying box 10 has the advantages of
eliminating a part having a water retaining property such as a
flocked tape which has been required in the prior art, so as to
reduce the number of component parts, and further, of saving the
trouble to detach a flocked tape from the rectifying mechanism at
the time of disassembling process in recycling or the like.
Second Embodiment
[0062] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a dew condensation
preventing structure for vertical air flowing direction adjusting
vanes positioned at a blowing-out port in the air conditioner
according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a perspective
view of FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, component parts like or corresponding to
those of the air conditioner shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by
the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be
omitted to avoid duplication. In FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numeral
12 designates a jumper mount box serving as a rectifying mechanism
having a hollow structure, molded integrally with a unit box 3
constituting a back wall of a blown-out air duct of conditioned
air; and 4, the vertical air flowing direction adjusting vanes
driven by a motor, not shown, so as to be freely moved in a
vertical direction.
[0063] The jumper mount box 12 having the hollow structure is
present at a portion where a flow quantity of the conditioned air
is reduced depending upon the positions of the vertical adjusting
vanes 4, and blown-out air flows along the vertical adjusting vanes
4 located downstream of the blown-out air duct and in the vicinity
of a blowing-out port 19, wherein the hollow structure is molded
within such a range as to keep a necessary strength of the unit box
3.
[0064] A fixing portion 13 for fixing a mesh-like air quantity
adjusting member 26 for adjusting an air quantity of the blown-out
air passing through the inside of the hollow structure is molded
integrally with the jumper mount box 12 having the hollow
structure, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The
mesh-like air quantity adjusting member 26 for use in air quantity
adjustment may be fixed upstream or downstream of the jumper mount
box 12 for producing the same effect, although it is fixed upstream
in this embodiment.
[0065] Subsequently, operation will be explained below. For
example, in the case where the vertical adjusting vanes 4 are
directed upward, the flow of the conditioned air is reduced on the
lower side of the blowing-out port 19, and therefore, the interior
air flows in from the blowing-out port 19, so that dew condensation
is liable to occur. However, with the configuration in the present
embodiment, the conditioned air flows inside the hollow structure
of the jumper mount box 12 in a constant air quantity not affected
by the direction of the vertical adjusting vanes 4, by the effect
of the jumper mount box 12 disposed on the lower side of the
blown-out air duct. Since this air securely flows along the back
wall surface of the blown-out air duct, it is possible to prevent
any inflow of the interior air from the blowing-out port 19 side in
the blown-out air duct or any generation of turbulence caused by
the inflow, thereby preventing any occurrence of dew
condensation.
[0066] In this way, since the jumper mount box 12 having the hollow
structure is formed into a hollow shape in a portion where dew has
been condensed in the prior art, it is thus brought into contact
with no outside air. Furthermore, since the area on the air duct is
reduced, no dew is condensed at the jumper mount box 12 per se.
Consequently, it is possible to prevent any increase in the number
of additional component parts such as a flocked tape, which has
been caused in the prior art.
[0067] Moreover, the jumper mount box 12 has the advantages of
eliminating a part having a water retaining property such as a
flocked tape which has been required in the prior art, so as to
reduce the number of component parts, and further, of saving the
trouble to detach a flocked tape from the rectifying mechanism at
the time of disassembling process in recycling or the like.
Third Embodiment
[0068] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a dew condensation
preventing structure of vertical air flowing direction adjusting
vanes positioned at a blowing-out port in the air conditioner
according to the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a conceptual view
of FIG. 7. In FIGS. 7 and 8, component parts like or corresponding
to those of the air conditioner shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted
by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be
omitted to avoid duplication. In FIGS. 7 and 8, reference numeral
14 designates a nozzle center supporter fixed to a nozzle upper
frame constituting member 8 in order to position a central
rectifying box 15, described later, inside a predetermined space of
a blown-out air duct for conditioned air; and 15, the central
rectifying box molded integrally with the nozzle center supporter
14, the central rectifying box 15 serving as a rectifying mechanism
having a hollow structure penetrating in a flowing direction of the
conditioned air inside the blown-out air duct.
[0069] The central rectifying box 15 is positioned in parallel to
the main stream of the blown-out air in order to minimize a
pressure loss of the blown-out air. Furthermore, the central
rectifying box 15 is located at a portion at which turbulence is
caused by different orientations of a plurality of lateral air
flowing direction adjusting vanes 21 (in the present embodiment, at
the center between right and left sides of the blown-out air
duct).
[0070] Subsequently, operation will be explained below. For
example, in the case where the lateral air flowing direction
adjusting vanes 21 on the left side of the nozzle center supporter
14 are oriented leftward while the lateral air flowing direction
adjusting vanes 21 on the right side of the nozzle center supporter
14 are oriented rightward, the flow of the conditioned air is
reduced in the vicinity of the nozzle center supporter 14, and
therefore, the interior air flows in from the blowing-out port 19,
so that dew condensation is liable to occur. However, with the
configuration in the present embodiment, the conditioned air flows
inside the hollow structure of the central rectifying box 15 in a
constant quantity not affected by the orientations of the lateral
air flowing direction adjusting vanes 21, by the effect of the
central rectifying box 15 disposed at the nozzle center supporter
14. Consequently, it is possible to prevent any inflow of the
interior air from the blowing-out port 19 side in the blown-out air
duct or any generation of turbulence caused by the inflow, thereby
preventing any occurrence of dew condensation.
[0071] Furthermore, the central rectifying box 15 is positioned in
the blown-out air, and therefore, is not brought into contact with
any outside air. Consequently, no dew is never condensed at the
central rectifying box 15 per se, thus preventing any increase in
the number of component parts, which has been induced in the prior
art.
[0072] A fixing portion 16 for fixing a mesh-like member 27 for
adjusting the blown-out air passing through the inside of the
hollow structure is molded integrally with the central rectifying
box 15, in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The
mesh-like air quantity adjusting member 27 for use in air quantity
adjustment may be fixed upstream or downstream of rectifying box
for producing the same effect, although it is fixed downstream in
this embodiment.
[0073] The central rectifying box 15 is molded integrally with the
nozzle upper frame constituting member 8, thereby preventing any
increase in the number of component parts for rectifying the
blown-out air in the vicinity of the center of the blowing-out
port.
[0074] Moreover, the central rectifying box 15 has the advantages
of eliminating a part having a water retaining property such as a
flocked tape which has been required in the prior art, so as to
reduce the number of component parts, and further, of saving the
trouble to detach a flocked tape from the rectifying mechanism at
the time of disassembling process in recycling or the like.
[0075] The above-described first to third embodiments may be
carried out in combination thereof. For example, an air conditioner
according to the present invention may be configured by combining
all of the first to third embodiments.
Fourth Embodiment
[0076] FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate a fourth embodiment according to
the present invention, in which FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional
view illustrating the state in which a domestic window type air
conditioner is installed on a wall; FIG. 13 is a perspective view
illustrating the state in which a rectifying plate is fixed; and
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an airflow by the rectifying
plate.
[0077] Here, reference numeral 44 designates a flat rectifying
plate which is one example of rectifying means, provided at a
suction portion of an exterior heat exchanger 37 in order to reduce
an inflowing angle of an inflowing airflow at fin tips of the
exterior heat exchanger 37.
[0078] The rectifying plate 44 is provided at the suction portion
of the exterior heat exchanger 37 except a projection area of an
axial fan 40 in order to solve the problem that the inflowing air
at the fin tips of the exterior heat exchanger 37 apart from the
outer diameter of the axial fan 40 is liable to be separated from
the fins due to a large inflowing angle .theta. between the fins
and the inflowing so as to generate noise, in the conventional air
conditioner.
[0079] Furthermore, since in the conventional air conditioner, no
air flows at the rear end 50 of a boss 40a of the axial fan 40, the
inflowing angle of the inflowing air at the fin tips facing the
boss 40a also becomes large, so that the inflowing air is liable to
be separated from the fins, thereby generating noise. In order to
solve the problem experienced in the prior art, a rectifying plate
44 is provided at the suction portion of the exterior heat
exchanger 37 within the projection area of the boss 40a of the
axial fan 40.
[0080] In the air conditioner such configured as described above,
the axial fan 40 is driven to be rotated by an electric motor 39,
so that exterior air is sucked from an exterior suction port 33
into the axial fan 40. In this case, the rectifying plate 44
provided at the suction portion of the exterior heat exchanger 37
except the projection area of the axial fan 40 or at the suction
portion of the exterior heat exchanger 37 within the projection
area of the boss 40a of the axial fan 40, rectifies the inflowing
air into the exterior heat exchanger 37 at the fin tips of the
exterior heat exchanger 37 in such a manner as to reduce the angle
.theta. between the fin and the inflowing air, and then, allow the
inflowing air to be blown out of a blowing-out port 34 through the
exterior heat exchanger 37.
[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the rectifying plate 44
is provided at the suction portion of the exterior heat exchanger
37 except the projection area of the axial fan 40 or at the suction
portion of the exterior heat exchanger 37 within the projection
area of the boss 40a of the axial fan 40, so that the inflowing air
at the fin tips of the exterior heat exchanger 37 is rectified in
such a manner as to reduce the angle .theta. between the fin and
the inflowing air, thus producing the effects that the inflowing
air is hardly separated. Therefore, noise can be reduced.
[0082] Although the present embodiment has been described by way of
the example in which the rectifying plates 44 is provided at the
suction portion of the exterior heat exchanger 37 except the
projection area of the axial fan 40 or at the suction portion of
the exterior heat exchanger 37 within the projection area of the
boss 40a of the axial fan 40, the rectifying plate 44 may be
provided at an appropriate position of the suction portion of the
exterior heat exchanger 37 as long as the angle .theta. of the
inflowing air can be reduced.
[0083] In the above-described fourth embodiment, the workability is
not always excellent since the rectifying plate 44 is attached
directly to a fin of the exterior heat exchanger 37. However, there
is an advantage that the assembling performance of the air
conditioner becomes excellent after the rectifying plate 44 is
attached.
[0084] Although the shape of the rectifying plate 44 is flat in the
fourth embodiment, it is not limited to this. For example, the
rectifying plate 44 may be formed into such a shape as described
below in a fifth embodiment.
Fifth Embodiment
[0085] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a fifth embodiment according to
the present invention, in which FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional
view illustrating the state in which a domestic window type air
conditioner is installed on a wall; and FIG. 16 is a diagram
illustrating an airflow by a rectifying plate.
[0086] Here, reference numeral 45 designates the rectifying plate
which is one example of rectifying means for reducing an inflowing
angle of an inflowing airflow at the fin tips of the exterior heat
exchanger 37, the rectifying plate being interposed between an
exterior heat exchanger 37 and an axial fan 40, fixed to a portion
except the exterior heat exchanger 37, and bent on the suction side
thereof toward the axial fan 40.
[0087] The rectifying plate 45 is disposed in the vicinity of a
suction portion between the axial fan 40 and the exterior heat
exchanger 37 except a projection area of the axial fan 40.
[0088] Since the rectifying plate 45 is interposed between the
exterior heat exchanger 37 and the axial fan 40 but is not fixed to
the exterior heat exchanger 37, the rectifying plate 45 need not be
fixed to the fins of the exterior heat exchanger 37 so as to
enhance fixing workability of the rectifying plate 45, unlike the
fourth embodiment.
[0089] In the air conditioner such configured as described above,
the axial fan 40 is driven to be rotated by an electric motor 39,
so that exterior air is sucked from an exterior suction port 33
into the axial fan 40, and then, the rectifying plate 45 rectifies
the inflowing airflow in such a manner as to reduce the inflowing
angle .theta. of the inflowing airflow at the fin tips of the
exterior heat exchanger 37, and then, allows the inflowing airflow
to be blown out of a blowing-out port 34 through the exterior heat
exchanger 37.
[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the rectifying plate 45
is provided in the vicinity of the suction portion of the exterior
heat exchanger 37 except a projection area of the axial fan 40
between the exterior heat exchanger 37 and the axial fan 40, so
that the inflowing airflow at the fin tips of the exterior heat
exchanger 37 is rectified in such a manner as to reduce the angle
.theta. between the fins and the inflowing airflow, thus producing
the effects that the inflowing airflow is hardly separated from the
fins and noise can be reduced.
[0091] Although the rectifying plate 45 is bent on the suction side
thereof toward the axial fan 40 in the present embodiment, it may
be formed into a flat shape.
[0092] Moreover, the rectifying plate 45 may be disposed in the
vicinity of the suction portion of the exterior heat exchanger 37
within the projection area of the boss 40a of the axial fan 40
between the exterior heat exchanger 37 and the axial fan 40.
Consequently, it is possible to suppress an increase in inflowing
angle of the air at the fin tips facing the boss 40a, caused by no
air flows at the rear end of the boss 40a of the axial fin 40.
Sixth Embodiment
[0093] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a sixth embodiment according to
the present invention, in which FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional
view illustrating the state in which a domestic window type air
conditioner is installed on a wall; and FIG. 18 is a diagram
illustrating an airflow flowing into a heat exchanger.
[0094] Here, as shown in FIG. 18, the fin tips of an exterior heat
exchanger 37 at a portion except a projection area of an axial fan
40 are inclined toward the axial fan 40.
[0095] In the air conditioner such configured as described above,
the axial fan 40 is driven to be rotated by an electric motor 39,
so that exterior air is sucked from an exterior suction port 33
into the axial fan 40. Thereafter, since the fin tips of the
exterior heat exchanger 37 at the portion except the projection
area of the axial fan 40 are inclined toward the axial fan 40, an
inflowing airflow is blown out of a blowing-out port 34 without any
separation from the exterior heat exchanger 37.
[0096] The fin tips of the exterior heat exchanger 37 are inclined
toward the axial fan 40, thereby reducing the angle .theta. between
the inflowing airflow and the fin, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0097] In the above-described embodiment, it is possible to
dispense with the rectifying plate described in the fourth and
fifth embodiments, thus reducing the number of component parts.
[0098] Additionally, it is possible to eliminate detaching work of
the rectifying plate at the time of recycling, and further, the
fins are excellent in recycling property since the fins are made of
aluminum.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 18, it is more effective to incline, toward
the blade of the axial fan 40, also the fin tips of the exterior
heat exchanger 37 within the projection area of the boss 40a of the
axial fan 40. The fin tips of the exterior heat exchanger 37 within
the projection area of the boss 40a are inclined toward the blade
of the axial fan 40, thereby suppressing an increase in inflowing
angle of the airflow at the fin tips facing the boss 40a, caused by
no airflow at the rear end of the boss 40a of the axial fan 40.
* * * * *