U.S. patent application number 11/124283 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-24 for slim-type air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Chin, Sim Won, Lee, Jung Woo, Moon, Dong Soo.
Application Number | 20050257561 11/124283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34936277 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050257561 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Jung Woo ; et
al. |
November 24, 2005 |
Slim-type air conditioner
Abstract
A slim-type air conditioner is provided. The slim-type air
conditioner blows air by a plate reciprocating back and forth.
Accordingly, the air can be discharged through a wide outlet hole,
and the size and thickness of the air conditioner can be reduced.
Therefore, the convenience of users and installers can be
improved.
Inventors: |
Lee, Jung Woo; (Seoul,
KR) ; Chin, Sim Won; (Gwangmyeong-si, KR) ;
Moon, Dong Soo; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
34936277 |
Appl. No.: |
11/124283 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/419 ;
62/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/0007 20130101;
F24F 1/0018 20130101; F24F 1/0063 20190201; F24F 2221/14 20130101;
F24F 13/08 20130101; F04D 33/00 20130101; F24F 1/0057 20190201 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/419 ;
062/428 |
International
Class: |
F25D 023/12; F25D
017/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 12, 2004 |
KR |
33262/2004 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A slim-type air conditioner comprising: a case; a heat exchanger
installed in the case; an inlet hole, external air being sucked
through the inlet hole into the case; an outlet hole provided on a
front surface of the case, heat-exchanged air being discharged
through the outlet hole; and a blower for blowing air toward the
outlet hole by using a plate reciprocating in a straight line.
2. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, further
comprising a guide valve for guiding a reciprocating straight-line
motion of the plate.
3. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the
guide valve has a vent hole formed a center thereof and is made of
elastic material.
4. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
inlet hole is provided in a side surface of the case.
5. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a
rear surface of the case is fixed on a wall surface or a
ceiling.
6. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
heat exchanger is provided in front of the blower or at a rear of
the blower.
7. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
plate is moved toward or away from the outlet hole.
8. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a
formation surface of the outlet hole is parallel to a formation
surface of the plate.
9. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
plate is moved by a piezoelectric device.
10. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein one
piezoelectric device is provided at a center portion of the
plate.
11. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein at
least two or more piezoelectric devices are provided at an edge of
the plate.
12. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
plate is rotated by: a rotary motor; and a link connected to the
rotary motor and the plate.
13. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
plate is round-shaped.
14. A slim-type air conditioner comprising: a case; a heat
exchanger installed in the case; an inlet hole, external air being
sucked through the inlet hole into the case; an outlet hole
provided on the case, heat-exchanged air being discharged through
the outlet hole into an indoor space; at least one or more plates
reciprocating in a straight line to thereby blow air toward the
outlet hole; and a guide valve for guiding the plates.
15. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein
the plates are round-shaped.
16. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein
the guide valve is made of elastic material and air is blown by an
pushing operation of the plates against the guide valve.
17. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein
the plates are respectively provided in front of and at a rear of
the guide valve and are connected by a connecting member.
18. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein
the plates are driven by a piezoelectric device or a motor.
19. A slim-type air conditioner comprising: a case, a surface
thereof being fixed on a wall; a heat exchanger installed in the
case, a refrigerant being evaporated in the heat exchanger; an
inlet hole, external air being sucked through the inlet hole into
the case; an outlet hole, heat-exchanged air being discharged
through the outlet hole into an outside of the case; at least one
or more plates reciprocating in a straight line to thereby blow air
sucked through the inlet hole toward the outlet hole; and a guide
valve for guiding the plate and partitioning an inner space of the
case by selectively coming into contact with the plate.
20. The slim-type air conditioner according to claim 19, wherein
the plate moves in a straight line toward the outlet hole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and
more particularly, to a slim-type air conditioner having an
improved structure by which its internal blower can be slimy
installed therein and thus it can be installed on a narrow wall
surface, thereby making it possible to provide a beautiful external
environment.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] An air conditioner is a device for maintaining indoor air at
a pleasant state by circulating air in association with a cooling
cycle. In general, the air conditioner includes an indoor unit and
an outdoor unit, and is classified into a combination-type air
conditioner in which the indoor and outdoor units are integrally
formed and a separate-type air conditioner in which the indoor and
outdoor units are separately formed.
[0005] A typical example of the combination-type air conditioner is
a window-type air conditioner, and typical examples of the
separate-type air conditioner are a package-type air conditioner
and a wall-mounted air conditioner.
[0006] Hereinafter, a structure and operation of a general
wall-mounted air conditioner will be described in detail.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a related art
wall-mounted air conditioner.
[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, an indoor unit of the related art
wall-mounted air conditioner includes a case 101 forming a
receiving space therein, a front panel 110 in which an air inlet
hole 112 and an air outlet hole 114 are formed, a cross-flow fan
130 rotatably installed in the case 101, a heat exchanger 140
installed between the cross-flow fan 130 and the air inlet hole 112
to thereby exchanges heat with sucked air, a rear guide unit 150
formed in a rear region of the cross-flow fan 130 in such a way to
guide an flow of air sucked by the cross-flow fan 130 through the
air inlet hole 112, and a stabilizer 160 for dividing inflow air
and outflow air of the cross-flow fan 130 and determining the
position and strength of a vortex.
[0009] Also, the indoor unit includes a horizontal vane (or louver)
170 and a vertical vane 180 for adjusting a wind direction
horizontally and vertically.
[0010] The rear guide unit 150 includes a curved portion 151 curved
in such a way to recede from the cross-flow fan 130 as it is
directed from the center of the cross-flow fan 130 to the lower
front, and a straight portion 152 extended from an end portion of
the curved portion 151 to a lower portion of the air outlet hole
114 at a predetermined angle.
[0011] Through this structure, when the cross-flow fan 130 is
rotated, external air is sucked through the air inlet hole 112 into
the case 101. The sucked air is heat-exchanged with the heat
exchanger 140 while passing therethrough. The heat-exchanged air is
discharged to an outlet passage 102 by the cross-flow fan 130.
[0012] The discharged air is guided by the rear guide unit 150 and
the stabilizer 160, and is adjusted in its direction by the
horizontal vane 170 and the vertical vane 180.
[0013] That is, external air is sucked into the indoor unit by a
blowing fan (that is, the cross-flow fan 130) and is blown by the
blowing fan. The sucked and blown air is heat-exchanged with the
heat exchanger 140, and then the heat-exchanged air is discharged
outside of the indoor unit.
[0014] The related art indoor unit essentially has the built-in
blowing fan and thus has a drawback in that its size and thickness
are increased.
[0015] Also, the related art indoor unit discharges air only
through the limited air outlet hole and thus does harm to a person
near to a position to which the discharged air is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
slim-type air conditioner that substantially obviates one or more
problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related
art.
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a slim-type
air conditioner capable of cooling or warming indoor air without
using a blowing fan that occupies a large space.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an air
conditioner having a reduced thickness and thus occupying a small
space.
[0019] A further another object of the present invention is to
provide a slim-type air conditioner having a heat exchanger
installed on its entire surface and thus increasing an installation
area of the heat exchanger.
[0020] A still further another object of the present invention is
to provide a slim-type air conditioner that discharges cooled or
warmed air uniformly through the entire surface of its indoor unit
into an indoor space, thereby providing a more-pleasant indoor
environment.
[0021] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0022] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a slim-type air conditioner includes: a
case; a heat exchanger installed in the case; an inlet hole,
external air being sucked through the inlet hole into the case; an
outlet hole provided on a front surface of the case, heat-exchanged
air being discharged through the outlet hole; and a blower for
blowing air toward the outlet hole by using a plate reciprocating
in a straight line.
[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a slim-type air conditioner including: a case; a heat
exchanger installed in the case; an inlet hole, external air being
sucked through the inlet hole into the case; an outlet hole
provided on the case, heat-exchanged air being discharged through
the outlet hole into an indoor space; at least one or more plates
reciprocating in a straight line to thereby blow air toward the
outlet hole; and a guide valve for guiding the plates.
[0024] In a further another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a slim-type air conditioner including: a case, a
surface thereof being fixed on a wall; a heat exchanger installed
in the case, a refrigerant being evaporated in the heat exchanger;
an inlet hole, external air being sucked through the inlet hole
into the case; an outlet hole, heat-exchanged air being discharged
through the outlet hole into an outside of the case; at least one
or more plates reciprocating in a straight line to thereby blow air
sucked through the inlet hole toward the outlet hole; and a guide
valve for guiding the plate and partitioning an inner space of the
case by selectively coming into contact with the plate.
[0025] Accordingly, the present invention can reduce an
installation space for an air conditioner and provide a
more-pleasant indoor environment.
[0026] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a related art
wall-mounted air conditioner;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of a slim-type air
conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a blower
and a heat exchanger and a drain pan of the slim-type air
conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an initial state of
the slim-type air conditioner according to the second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a state where a
plate is moved to the rear side according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a state where a
plate is moved to the front side according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a state where the
slim-type air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the
present invention is installed on a wall surface;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plate mounting a driving unit
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a side view of a plate mounting a driving unit
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a relationship between a
plate and a piezoelectric device according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state where a plate is
moved to the front side according to a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state where a plate is
moved to the rear side according to the third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a state where external air is
sucked into a slim-type air conditioner according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention with the backward movement of
the plate;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a state where internal air is
discharged from the slim-type air conditioner according to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention with the forward
movement of the plate;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a view illustrating a state where the plate is
positioned between the front side and the rear side in the
slim-type air conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a slim-type air conditioner
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and
[0044] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a slim-type air conditioner
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0046] The present invention is mainly focused on an indoor unit of
an air conditioner. Also, the present invention can be applied to
any type of air conditioner having a mechanism where air is
forcibly blown toward a heat exchanger so as to provide cooled or
warmed air into an indoor space. Particularly, the present
invention can be applied to a wall-mounted air conditioner.
First Embodiment
[0047] FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of a slim-type air
conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, a slim-type air conditioner 200
includes an indoor unit case 201, a heat exchanger 211 disposed at
the inner front of the case 201, a blower 209 reciprocating in a
straight line behind the heat exchanger 211 to thereby suck
external air and discharge the sucked air through the heat
exchanger 211, and an outlet grill 213 disposed on a front surface
of the case 201.
[0049] An inlet grill 203 is formed on a side surface of the case
201 so as to communicate with a space in which the blower 209 is
installed.
[0050] The blower 209 includes a plate 205 reciprocating in a
straight line behind the heat exchanger 211, and a guide value 207
forming a closed space in association with the plate 205 having
moved to the front side.
[0051] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a blower
and a heat exchanger and a drain pan of the slim-type air
conditioner according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, a blower 209 includes a plate 205 and a
guide valve 207. A heat exchanger 211 is formed in front of the
blower 209. A drain pan 215 collects condensed waterdrops that form
on and drop from the heat exchanger 211.
[0053] A structure of the inventive slim-type air conditioner will
now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in a slim-type air conditioner
200, an inlet grill 203 is formed on an outer surface of a case
201, and an outlet grill 213 is formed on a front surface of the
case 201. Preferably, the inlet grill 203 is formed on at least one
or more side surfaces of the case 201, and the outlet grill 213 is
formed on the case 201's front surface perpendicular to the inlet
grill 203 so that air flowing in through the inlet grill 203 may
not be mixed.
[0055] A blower 209 is disposed at the inner rear of the case 201,
and a heat exchanger 211 is disposed at the inner front of the case
201. The blower 209 and the heat exchanger 211 is installed to face
each other and to be spaced apart from each other by a
predetermined interval.
[0056] The blower 209 includes a plate 205 and a guide valve 207.
The plate 205 is disk-shaped, is installed at the inner rear of an
indoor unit, and reciprocates in a straight line by a driving
source such as a motor or a piezoelectric device. The guide valve
207 is donut-shaped and guides the plate 205 so that an air blowing
operation is possible by the reciprocating straight-line motion of
the plate 205. The inner and outer peripheries of the guide valve
207 may be formed to have a square shape instead of a circular
shape.
[0057] For this purpose, the guide valve 207 is made of elastic
material and its outer end is connected to a rear cover 202 (See
FIG. 4) for supporting the heat exchanger 211, whereby it guides
the back-and-forth motion of the plate 205 by its elasticity.
[0058] The guide value 207 has a vent hole 208 formed therein, and
the vent hole 208 has a diameter smaller than that of the plate
205. An inlet space 221 communicates with an outlet space 223
through the vent hole 208, whereby an airflow therebetween is
possible.
[0059] That is, when the plate 205 moves forward, air sucked
through the inlet grill 203 is propelled forward by a thrust force
of the plate 205 and thus flows toward the heat exchanger 211
through a space closed by the plate 205 and the guide valve 207.
Thereafter, the air is heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger and
then flows outside the case 201.
[0060] Here, the heat exchanger 211 is preferably a fin-tube heat
exchanger. The heat exchange 211 is installed on the whole front
surface of the case 201 and faces the outlet grill 213. The heat
exchanger 211 is positioned in the outlet space 223 and the outlet
space 223 is closed from the outside and the inlet space 221 with
the exception that the outlet grill 213 communicates with a flow
passage that the plate 205 moves along, whereby a heat exchange
amount can be increased.
[0061] A drain pan 215 is formed below the heat exchanger 211 and
thus collects condensed waterdrops dropping from the heat exchanger
211. The drain pan 215 may be connected to or integrally formed
with the outlet grill 213 or the case 201.
[0062] An operation of the inventive slim-type air conditioner will
now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates an initial state of the slim-type air
conditioner according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 5 illustrates a state where the plate is moved to
the rear side in the slim-type air conditioner, and FIG. 6
illustrates a state where the plate is moved to the front side.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, when no power is supplied from
the outside, the plate 205 and the guide valve 207 are maintained
at their initial states. On the contrary, when power is supplied
from the outside, the plate 205 is driven by a driving unit (not
shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the plate 205 contacts with a rear
surface of the guide valve 207 in its initial state.
[0065] The plate 205 of the blower 209 is moved backward as shown
in FIG. 5 and is moved forward as shown in FIG. 6 by the driving
unit. Through this reciprocating straight-line motion of plate 205,
a blowing operation of the air conditioner is initiated.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the plate 205 is moved to
the rear side, a flow passage is formed between the plate 205 and
the guide valve 207. Upon the formation of the flow passage,
external air is sucked through the inlet grill 203 into the flow
passage. Thereafter, when the plate 205 is moved forward, the
formed flow passage is closed. Accordingly, the sucked air is moved
forward by the plate 205, is heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger
211, and is then discharged through the outlet grill to the
outside.
[0067] That is, the plate 205 reciprocates in a straight line
between the inlet space 221 (that is, a space where the plated is
positioned between the guide valve 207 and a rear surface of the
case 201) and the outlet space 223 (that is, a space where the heat
exchanger 211 is installed), whereby the inlet and outlet spaces
221 and 223 communicate with each other or are closed by the plate
205 and thus the sucked internal air is propelled forward.
[0068] At this time, the elasticity of the guide valve 207 causes
the plate 205 to sufficiently push air in the outlet space 223.
Preferably, a guider for guiding the reciprocating straight-line
motion of the plate 205 may be further formed between the plate 205
and the guide valve 207. Here, the guider may be a protrusion
protruded from a portion where the plate 205 contacts with the
guide valve 207.
[0069] The blowing operation of the blower 209 causes the sucked
air to be heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger 211 and then be
discharged through the outlet grill 213 to the outside.
[0070] Thereafter, when the power supply is cut off, the plate 205
and the guide valve 207 return to their initial states.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a state where the
slim-type air conditioner according to the first embodiment of the
present invention is installed on a wall surface.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 7, since there is no rotating fan in the
case 201, the inventive slim-type air conditioner can be
manufactured to have a thickness of several tens mm. An inlet grill
203 for sucking external air is provided on a side surface of the
case 201, and an outlet grill 213 for discharging conditioned air
is provided on a front surface of the case 201. Accordingly, air
sucked through the inlet grill is heat-exchanged with a heat
exchanger and is then discharged through the outlet grill 213 to
the outside.
[0073] As described above, the inventive slim-type air conditioner
does not need a fan occupying a large space and thus can have a
thickness considerably smaller than that of the related art air
conditioner. Accordingly, the inventive slim-type air conditioner
can have a reduced occupation volume in an indoor space, a reduced
weight, and a beautiful appearance, and can be simply installed in
the indoor space.
[0074] Hereinafter, a driving unit for causing the plate 205 to
reciprocate in a straight line will be described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0075] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plate mounting a driving unit
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 9 is a side view of the plate mounting the driving unit.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a piezoelectric device 230 for
use as the driving unit is mounted on one surface of the plate 205.
Electric wires are connected to the piezoelectric device 230. When
a voltage is applied to the electric wires, the piezoelectric
device generates a mechanical vibration. The generated vibration
causes the plate 205 to vibrate, and the vibration of the plate 205
results in the blowing operation of the blower 209.
[0077] The piezoelectric device 230 may be mounted on a rear
surface of the plate 205. At this time, the piezoelectric device
230 may be directly connected or indirectly connected through a
separate vibration transmitting member to the plate 205 so that the
mechanical vibration of the piezoelectric device 230 can be
perpendicular to a surface of the plate 205. Here, the
piezoelectric device 230 may be a piezoelectric translator (PZT)
made of ferroelectrics PbTiO3 and antiferroelectric PbZrO3. An
operation of the piezoelectric device is well known in the art and
thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted for
simplicity.
[0078] Meanwhile, the piezoelectric device 230 is preferably
configured to be longer than a specific length so that it can
generate a vibration of the maximum possible width.
Second Embodiment
[0079] A second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment
with the exception of an installation structure of the
piezoelectric device.
[0080] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a relationship between a
plate and a piezoelectric device according to the second embodiment
of the present invention.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 10, the second embodiment is characterized
in that two or more piezoelectric devices 231 reciprocate the plate
205 in a straight line.
[0082] In detail, an electrode 232 is installed at an end portion
of the piezoelectric device 231. When power is supplied to the
electrode 232, the piezoelectric device 232 vibrates. Here, one end
portion of the piezoelectric device 232 is fixed to a specific
portion (for example, the rear cover 202) in the slim-type air
conditioner, and the other end portion thereof is fixed to an outer
end portion of the plate 205. When power is applied to the
piezoelectric device 231, the piezoelectric device 231 vibrates
back and forth, whereby the plate 205 reciprocates in a straight
line.
[0083] Preferably, a pair of the piezoelectric devices 231 are
symmetrically fixed to the plate 20 in such a way to be spaced
apart from each other by the maximum distance possible so that the
plate 20 can be accurately reciprocated in a straight line by the
piezoelectric devices 231. Also, any type of device capable of
amplifying and adjusting the vibration amount of the piezoelectric
device 231 may be added between the plate 205 and the piezoelectric
device 231.
[0084] The piezoelectric device 231 generates a mechanical
vibration of a specific frequency, and the amplitude of the
mechanical vibration is determined according to its frequency and
the length of the piezoelectric device 231. Accordingly, the
piezoelectric device 231 may be suitably selected according to the
shapes and sizes of the plate 205. Also, the piezoelectric device
231 does not generate a harmful electromagnetic wave, whereby
electromagnetic interference can be minimized.
Third Embodiment
[0085] A third embodiment is identical to the first embodiment with
the exception of a vibration structure of the plate.
[0086] FIGS. 11 and 12 schematically illustrate a driving unit for
the plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
In detail, FIG. 11 illustrates a state where the plate is moved to
the front side by the driving unit, and FIG. 12 illustrates a state
where the plate is moved to the rear side by the driving unit.
[0087] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the inventive driving unit for
the plate 205 includes a short L-shaped link 331, a long L-shaped
link 332, and a link axis 333.
[0088] The short link 331 is connected to a motor so as to be able
to reciprocate in a circular line of a specific radius. Also, a
crank axis may be further provided between the motor and the short
link 331. In this case, the motor need not rotate clockwise and
counterclockwise. That is, the crank axis reciprocates in a
straight line by the unidirectional (clockwise or counterclockwise)
rotation of the motor, and the reciprocating straight-line motion
of the crank axis causes the short link 331 to move back and
forth.
[0089] The long link 332 is installed to extend from an outer
portion of the plate 205 to a rear surface thereof, and thus
reciprocates in a circular line of a specific radius together with
the short link 331. Here, the short link 331 and the long link 332
may be integrally formed or may be connected by a separate link
connecting unit.
[0090] When the short link 331 reciprocates in a circular line
clockwise, the long link 332 reciprocates in a circular line
counterclockwise. Accordingly, the plate 205 reciprocates in a
straight line. At this time, the long link 332 is preferably
configured to be longer than the short link 331 so that the plate
205 can reciprocate in a longer straight line. Also, a guide member
or a slide member for supporting the reciprocating straight-line
motion of the plate 205 at an end portion of the long link 332 may
be further connected to the plate 205.
[0091] By the above structure, the long link 332 connected on a
rear surface of the plate 205 repeatedly pushes forward or pulls
back the plate 205 according to the reciprocating motion of the
short link 331. This back-and-forth straight-line reciprocating
motion of the plate 205 causes internal air to pass through the
heat exchanger. Accordingly, the internal air is heat-exchanged
with the heat exchanger and is then discharged into the indoor
space.
Fourth Embodiment
[0092] A fourth embodiment is identical to the abovementioned
embodiments with the exception of a structure and operation of a
plate.
[0093] FIGS. 13 to 15 are sectional views of a slim-type air
conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention. In detail, FIG. 13 illustrates a state where external
air is sucked into the slim-type air conditioner with the backward
movement of a plate, FIG. 14 illustrates a state where internal air
is discharge from the slim-type air conditioner with the forward
movement of the plate, and FIG. 15 illustrates a state where the
plate is positioned between the front side and the rear side in the
slim-type air conditioner.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, an inventive blower 259
includes a plate assembly 255 and a guide valve 257. The plate
assembly 255 includes a first (or rear) plate 261, a second (or
front) plate 262, and a connecting member 263 for connecting the
first plate 261 and the second plate 262, and thus has a H-shaped
section.
[0095] The plate assembly 255 is arranged in such a way that the
guide valve 257 is positioned between the first plate 261 and the
second plate 262. Accordingly, the plate assembly 255 can be moved
between the rearmost position and the frontmost position without
being detached outside.
[0096] An operation of the fourth embodiment will now be
described.
[0097] When power is supplied, the plate assembly 255 is repeatedly
moved between the rearmost position and the frontmost position as
shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. When moved to the frontmost position, the
first plate 261 pushes against the guide valve 257. At this time,
external air sucked through the inlet grill 203 into the inlet
space 221 is forcibly blown forward and is then discharged through
the outlet grill 213 to the outside.
[0098] At this point, the sucked external air flows into the outlet
space 223 containing the heat exchanger 211 through a flow passage
264 formed between the first plate 261 and the second plate 262 as
shown in FIG. 15. Thereafter, the sucked air is heat-exchanged with
the heat exchanger 211 and is then discharged through the outlet
grill 213 to the outside.
[0099] Preferably, the second plate 262 is configured to have a
plurality of vent holes formed thereon, and flowing air pushed by
the first plate 261 is directly transferred through the-vent holes
to the heat exchanger 211 without experiencing a flow resistance by
the second plate 262.
Fifth Embodiment
[0100] A fifth embodiment is similar to the abovementioned
embodiments with the exception that a slim-type air conditioner is
mounted on a ceiling 340 of a room.
[0101] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a ceiling-mounted slim-type
air conditioner according to the fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 16, in the ceiling-mounted slim-type air
conditioner, a gently-sloped-V shaped heat exchanger 311 is
installed at the inner front of a case 301, and a blower 309
including a plate 305 and a guide valve 307 is provided at the
inner rear of the case 301. Condensed water dropping from the heat
exchanger 311 is collected into a drain pan 350 that is installed
below a center portion of the heat exchanger 311.
[0103] Here, the drain pan 350 is arranged along a center line of
the heat exchanger 311 and a center line of an outlet grill 313
formed in a front surface of the case 301. A rear surface 304 of
the case 301 is connected to the ceiling 304.
[0104] An operation of the ceiling-mounted slim-type air
conditioner will now be described with reference to FIG. 16.
[0105] Referring to FIG. 16, when power is supplied from the
outside, the plate 305 on a rear surface of the guide valve 307 is
moved back and forth. During the back-and-forth movement of the
plate 305, external air is sucked through an inlet grill 303 formed
on a side rear portion of the case 301 and the sucked air is
transferred to the heat exchanger 311. Thereafter, the sucked air
is heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger 311 and is then
discharged through the outlet grill 313 to the outside.
[0106] Here, an operation of the blower 309 may be any one of the
aforementioned embodiments.
Sixth Embodiment
[0107] A sixth embodiment is identical to the first embodiment with
the exception of a position of a heat exchanger.
[0108] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a slim-type air conditioner
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 17, a case 401 is installed on a wall
surface 440. A heat exchanger 411 is installed at the inner rear of
the case 401. A blower 409 is disposed in front of the heat
exchanger 411. The blower 409 includes a plate 405 moving back and
forth, and a guide valve 407 for guiding the plate 405.
[0110] As stated above, the sixth embodiment is characterized in
that the heat exchanger 411 is installed behind the blower 409,
that is, in an inlet space into which external air is sucked by the
blower 409. Accordingly, a larger installation space for the heat
exchanger can be obtained.
[0111] An operation of the slim-type air conditioner according to
the sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG.
17.
[0112] Referring to FIG. 17, when power is supplied to the blower
409, an airflow is generated in the air conditioner. That is,
external air is sucked into the inlet space through an inlet grill
403 formed on a side surface of the case 401. The sucked air is
heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger 411. Thereafter, through the
reciprocating straight-line motion of the plate 405 and the guiding
operation of the guide valve 407, the heat-exchanged air is
discharged through an outlet grill 413 formed on a front surface or
the case 401 to the outside.
[0113] This embodiment is characterized in that the sucked external
air is first heat-exchanged with the heat exchanger and then
discharged through the outlet grill 413.
[0114] Here, at least one or more blowers may be provided in the
case 401, and the heat exchanger may be formed in various shapes at
a facing position with respect to the blowers.
[0115] As described above, the inventive slim-type air conditioner
uses a small-sized blower reciprocating in a straight line, instead
of the related art rotation-type blower having a relatively large
thickness and volume. Accordingly, the inventive slim-type air
conditioner can be reduced in thickness and size.
[0116] Also, the inventive heat exchanger is disposed over the
whole body surface of the air conditioner and cooled or walled air
is discharged through the whole outlet surface into an indoor
space, whereby a more-pleasant indoor environment can be
provided.
[0117] Further, the inventive air conditioner has a reduced
thickness and size and thus can enhance indoor space efficiency and
its installation convenience.
[0118] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0119] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in Korean Application No. 10-2004-0033262, filed on May 12, 2004,
the contents of which are herein expressly incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
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