U.S. patent application number 11/150237 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Sang Kyun Baek, Dong Joo Han, Jung Hun Han, Yong Won Jung, Moon Shin Kim, Kyoung Suk Lim, Byeong Jin Park, Sung Rok Ryu.
Application Number | 20060005559 11/150237 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35539882 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060005559 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lim; Kyoung Suk ; et
al. |
January 12, 2006 |
Air conditioner
Abstract
An air conditioner is disclosed. The present invention includes
a cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into the cabinet in a
lateral direction and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from
the cabinet in a front direction, an indoor blower provided within
the cabinet, the indoor blower sucking the indoor air to blow in
the front direction, and at least one indoor heat exchanger
provided next to the indoor blower within the cabinet to exchange
heat with a flowing air. Accordingly, the present invention
enhances air-conditioning performance.
Inventors: |
Lim; Kyoung Suk;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; Park; Byeong Jin;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; Kim; Moon Shin; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; Ryu; Sung Rok; (Busan-si, KR) ; Baek;
Sang Kyun; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Jung; Yong Won;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; Han; Jung Hun; (Busan-si,
KR) ; Han; Dong Joo; (Changwon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
35539882 |
Appl. No.: |
11/150237 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/262 ;
62/426 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/20 20130101;
F24F 1/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/262 ;
062/426 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/12 20060101
F25D023/12; F25D 17/06 20060101 F25D017/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-0043634 |
Jun 14, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-0043635 |
Jun 14, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-0043638 |
Jun 15, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-0044109 |
Jun 15, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-0044110 |
Aug 19, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-0065508 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner comprising: a cabinet wherein an indoor air
is sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an
air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a front direction;
an indoor blower provided within the cabinet, the indoor blower
sucking the indoor air to blow in the front direction; and at least
one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within
the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.
2. The air conditioner of claim 1, the cabinet comprising: an
indoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and
upper sides of the cabinet to suck the indoor air; and an indoor
air blowing port provided in front of the indoor blower to enable
the air-conditioned air to be blown from the cabinet in the front
direction, the indoor air blowing port provided to a front panel
configuring a front side of the cabinet.
3. The air conditioner of claim 2, further comprising a blowing
guide opening/closing the indoor air blowing port to guide the air
blown into an indoor space.
4. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the at least one indoor
heat exchanger is provided between the indoor air intake port and
the indoor blower.
5. The air conditioner of claim 2, further comprising an air guide
provided between the indoor blower and the indoor air blowing port,
the air guide comprising an orifice wherein the air blown from the
indoor blower passes through the orifice.
6. The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the air guide is built
in one body of the cabinet to be provided within the cabinet.
7. The air conditioner of claim 1, the indoor blower comprising: a
hub connected to a rotational shaft of a blower motor; and a
plurality of spiral blades provided to an outer circumference of
the hub.
8. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a barrier
provided within the cabinet to partition the cabinet into an indoor
cabinet having an indoor air intake port and an indoor air blowing
port and an outdoor cabinet, wherein the indoor blower and the at
least one indoor heat exchanger are provided within the indoor
cabinet and wherein an outdoor blower sucking an outdoor air into
the outdoor cabinet to blow and at least one outdoor heat exchanger
exchanging heat with the flowing outdoor air are provided within
the outdoor cabinet.
9. The air conditioner of claim 8, the outdoor cabinet comprising
an outdoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right
and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet to suck the outdoor air,
wherein the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is provided between
the outdoor air intake port and the outdoor blower.
10. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the outdoor air is
sucked in rear of the outdoor cabinet and wherein the air
heat-exchanged in the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is blown
in a lateral direction of the outdoor cabinet.
11. The air conditioner of claim 10, the outdoor cabinet comprising
an outdoor blowing port provided to at least one of left, right and
upper sides of the outdoor cabinet, wherein the outdoor blower
sucks the air in rear to blow the sucked air in a radial
direction.
12. The air conditioner of claim 11, wherein the at least one
outdoor heat exchanger is provided between the outdoor air blowing
port and the outdoor blower.
13. The air conditioner of claim 8, wherein the indoor blower
includes an indoor blower fan, wherein the outdoor blower includes
an outdoor blower fan, and wherein both of the indoor and outdoor
blower fans are driven by one blower motor.
14. An air conditioner comprising: an outdoor cabinet wherein an
indoor air is sucked into the outdoor cabinet in a rear direction
and wherein an air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a
later direction; and an outdoor blower provided within the outdoor
cabinet to suck an outdoor air to blow in a radial direction.
15. The air conditioner of claim 14, the outdoor cabinet
comprising: an outdoor air intake port provided to a rear end side
of the outdoor cabinet; and an outdoor air blowing port provided to
at least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor
cabinet.
16. An air conditioner comprising: a cabinet wherein an indoor air
is sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an
air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet by a prescribed angle
against a front side of the cabinet; an indoor blower provided
within the cabinet to forcibly enable an air flow so that the
indoor air is sucked into the cabinet to be blown from the cabinet;
and at least one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor
blower within the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.
17. The air conditioner of claim 16, the cabinet comprising: an
indoor air intake port provided to at least one of left, right and
upper sides of the cabinet to suck the indoor air; an indoor air
blowing port provided to the at least one of the left, right and
upper sides of the cabinet; and a blowing guide guiding the air
blown into an indoor space via the indoor air blowing port toward a
circumference of a front side of the cabinet.
18. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the indoor air blowing
port is opened/closed by the blowing guide.
19. The air conditioner of claim 17, wherein the blowing guide is
rotatably connected to a rim of the indoor air blowing port.
20. The air conditioner of claim 16, the cabinet comprising: an
indoor cabinet within which the indoor blower and the at least one
indoor heat exchanger are provided; and an outdoor cabinet within
which an outdoor heat exchanger for a heat exchange with an outdoor
air and an outdoor blower for a forcible air flow are provided.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent
Application Nos. P2004-43634, filed on Jun. 14, 2004, P2004-43635,
filed on Jun. 14, 2004, P2004-43638, filed on Jun. 14, 2004,
P2004-44109, filed on Jun. 15, 2004, P2004-44110, filed on Jun. 15,
2004 and P2004-65508, filed on Aug. 19, 2004, which are hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of
applications, it is particularly suitable for smoothing a flow of
air that is sucked or blown.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, an air conditioner, which includes a compressor
and a heat exchanger to make a refrigerant flow therein, cools down
or heats an indoor space such as a living room, a restaurant, a
library, an office and the like. And, the air conditioner can be
categorized into a separate type and a combined type.
[0006] The separate type air conditioner consists of an indoor unit
having a heat exchanger for cooling or heating an indoor space, an
outdoor unit having a built-in heat exchanger for heat exchange
with an outdoor air, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the indoor
unit to the outdoor unit.
[0007] The indoor and outdoor units of the separate type air
conditioner are separately installed at indoor and outdoor spaces,
respectively.
[0008] Meanwhile, the combined type air conditioner, which includes
indoor and outdoor units built in one body together, is directly
installed on a hole of a house wall or is hung on a window.
[0009] An air conditioner according to a related art is explained
with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as follows.
[0010] The air conditioner according to the related art shown in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is the combined type air conditioner having an
indoor unit for a heat exchange with an indoor air and an outdoor
unit for a heat exchange with an outdoor air, in which the indoor
and outdoor units are built in one body.
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the air conditioner consists
of a base panel 2 forming an exterior, a frame 4 provided over the
base panel 2, an air guide 6 partitioning the base panel 2 and the
frame 4 into an indoor part I and an outdoor part, a front panel 9
provided to a front side of the cabinet 4 toward an indoor space to
configure a front part of the combined type air conditioner, and a
compressor 12 changing a low-temperature low-pressure gaseous
refrigerant into a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant.
[0012] In the outdoor part, a condenser 14 radiating heat to air
flowing within the outdoor part and an expansion valve (not shown
in the drawing) expanding the refrigerant condensed by the
condenser 14 are received.
[0013] To the indoor part I provided is an evaporator 16
evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve. In
doing so, the refrigerant absorbs heat of the air flowing within
the indoor part to evaporate into a gaseous phase.
[0014] Meanwhile, outdoor intake ports 5 are formed at lateral and
upper sides of the outdoor part to suck the outdoor air. A backside
of the outdoor part is open to blow the air to the outdoor
space.
[0015] An indoor air intake port 10 is provided to a lower part of
a front side of the front panel 9. And, an indoor air blowing port
11 is provided to an upper part of the front panel 9 to blow the
air into the indoor space.
[0016] The air guide 6 consists of a vertical guide 7 provided
vertical to a topside of the base panel 2 and a horizontal guide 8
horizontally provided over the vertical guide 32 to guide the air
forcibly moved by a turbo fan 24 to the indoor air blowing port
11.
[0017] A bi-shaft motor 22 is provided to the air guide 6 of the
combined type air conditioner. In this case, front and rear shafts
20a and 20b are projected from the bi-shaft motor 22 toward the
indoor and outdoor parts, respectively.
[0018] The turbo fan 24 is connected to the front shaft 20a to
forcibly circulate the indoor air to the evaporator 16. And, an
orifice accelerating a wind speed is provided to an intake side of
the turbo fan 24.
[0019] A propeller fan 28 is connected to the rear shaft 20b of the
bi-shaft motor 20 to forcibly move the outdoor air toward the
condenser 14. And, a shroud 30 forming an air passage is provided
in rear of the propeller fan 26.
[0020] An operation of the above-configured related art combined
type air conditioner is explained as follows.
[0021] First of all, once the combined type air conditioner is
actuated, the refrigerant is circulated by the driven compressor 12
via the condenser 14, the expansion mechanism (not shown in the
drawing) and the evaporator 16. And, the bi-shaft motor 20 rotates
the turbo fan 24 and the propeller fan 28 to suck the indoor air
and the outdoor air into the indoor part and the outdoor part,
respectively.
[0022] In particular, the indoor air in front of the front panel 9
passes through the indoor air intake port 10 by the rotation of the
turbo fan 24 and is then cooled down via the evaporator 16.
[0023] A flowing direction of the air cooled down by the evaporator
16 is diverted along the orifice 26, the vertical guide 7 and the
horizontal guide 8 toward the indoor air blowing port 11 provided
to the front panel 9 and is then blown to a front side of the front
panel 9 via the indoor air blowing port 11.
[0024] The air in the outdoor space is sucked into the outdoor
intake ports 5 by the rotation of the propeller fan 28, passes
through the shroud 30, passes through the condenser 14 to take heat
from the refrigerant flowing within the condenser 14, and is then
blown out to the outdoor space.
[0025] However, the related art air conditioner has the following
problems or disadvantages.
[0026] First of all, since the indoor air intake port and the
indoor air blowing port are provided to the upper and lower parts
of the front panel, respectively, a considerable quantity of the
air blown into the indoor space is re-sucked into the indoor air
intake port right after having been blown.
[0027] Secondly, since the flowing direction of the air flowing
within the indoor part by the turbo fan is abruptly diverted by the
horizontal guide, a flowing loss is considerable and a
corresponding noise becomes a serious problem.
[0028] Thirdly, since the air is blown in the rear direction via
the backside of the outdoor part, airflow resistance is raised to
degrade the heat exchange performance of the outdoor part in case
of an adverse wind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an air
conditioner that substantially obviates one or more problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0030] An object of the present invention is to provide an air
conditioner, by which air-conditioning performance is enhanced.
[0031] 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.
[0032] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, an air conditioner according to the
present invention includes a cabinet wherein an indoor air is
sucked into the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an
air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a front direction,
an indoor blower provided within the cabinet, the indoor blower
sucking the indoor air to blow in the front direction, and at least
one indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within
the cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.
[0033] Preferably, the cabinet includes an indoor air intake port
provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the
cabinet to suck the indoor air and an indoor air blowing port
provided in front of the indoor blower to enable the
air-conditioned air to be blown from the cabinet in the front
direction, the indoor air blowing port provided to a front panel
configuring a front side of the cabinet.
[0034] More preferably, the air conditioner further includes a
blowing guide opening/closing the indoor air blowing port to guide
the air blown into an indoor space. More preferably, the at least
one indoor heat exchanger is provided between the indoor air intake
port and the indoor blower. More preferably, the air conditioner
further includes an air guide provided between the indoor blower
and the indoor air blowing port and the air guide includes an
orifice wherein the air blown from the indoor blower passes through
the orifice. More preferably, the air guide is built in one body of
the cabinet to be provided within the cabinet.
[0035] Preferably, the indoor blower includes a hub connected to a
rotational shaft of a blower motor and a plurality of spiral blades
provided to an outer circumference of the hub.
[0036] Preferably, the air conditioner further includes a barrier
provided within the cabinet to partition the cabinet into an indoor
cabinet having an indoor air intake port and an indoor air blowing
port and an outdoor cabinet, wherein the indoor blower and the at
least one indoor heat exchanger are provided within the indoor
cabinet and wherein an outdoor blower sucking an outdoor air into
the outdoor cabinet to blow and at least one outdoor heat exchanger
exchanging heat with the flowing outdoor air are provided within
the outdoor cabinet.
[0037] More preferably, the outdoor cabinet includes an outdoor air
intake port provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides
of the outdoor cabinet to suck the outdoor air, wherein the at
least one outdoor heat exchanger is provided between the outdoor
air intake port and the outdoor blower.
[0038] More preferably, the outdoor air is sucked in rear of the
outdoor cabinet and the air heat-exchanged in the at least one
outdoor heat exchanger is blown in a lateral direction of the
outdoor cabinet.
[0039] More preferably, the outdoor cabinet includes an outdoor
blowing port provided to at least one of left, right and upper
sides of the outdoor cabinet, wherein the outdoor blower sucks the
air in rear to blow the sucked air in a radial direction.
[0040] More preferably, the at least one outdoor heat exchanger is
provided between the outdoor air blowing port and the outdoor
blower.
[0041] More preferably, the indoor blower includes an indoor blower
fan, the outdoor blower includes an outdoor blower fan, and both of
the indoor and outdoor blower fans are driven by one blower
motor.
[0042] In another aspect of the present invention, an air
conditioner includes an outdoor cabinet wherein an indoor air is
sucked into the outdoor cabinet in a rear direction and wherein an
air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet in a later direction
and an outdoor blower provided within the outdoor cabinet to suck
an outdoor air to blow in a radial direction.
[0043] Preferably, the outdoor cabinet includes an outdoor air
intake port provided to a rear end side of the outdoor cabinet and
an outdoor air blowing port provided to at least one of left, right
and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet.
[0044] In a further aspect of the present invention, an air
conditioner includes a cabinet wherein an indoor air is sucked into
the cabinet in a lateral direction and wherein an air-conditioned
air is blown from the cabinet by a prescribed angle against a front
side of the cabinet, an indoor blower provided within the cabinet
to forcibly enable an air flow so that the indoor air is sucked
into the cabinet to be blown from the cabinet, and at least one
indoor heat exchanger provided next to the indoor blower within the
cabinet to exchange heat with a flowing air.
[0045] Preferably, the cabinet includes an indoor air intake port
provided to at least one of left, right and upper sides of the
cabinet to suck the indoor air, an indoor air blowing port provided
to the at least one of the left, right and upper sides of the
cabinet, and a blowing guide guiding the air blown into an indoor
space via the indoor air blowing port toward a circumference of a
front side of the cabinet.
[0046] More preferably, the indoor air blowing port is
opened/closed by the blowing guide.
[0047] More preferably, the blowing guide is rotatably connected to
a rim of the indoor air blowing port.
[0048] Preferably, the cabinet includes an indoor cabinet within
which the indoor blower and the at least one indoor heat exchanger
are provided and an outdoor cabinet within which an outdoor heat
exchanger for a heat exchange with an outdoor air and an outdoor
blower for a forcible air flow are provided.
[0049] 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
[0050] 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:
[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a combined type air
conditioner according to a related art;
[0052] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of a combined type air
conditioner according to a related art;
[0053] FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 3;
[0055] FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 3;
[0056] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 3;
[0057] FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 7;
[0059] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 7;
[0060] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective diagram of an air
conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0061] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective diagram of an air
conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0062] FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 11;
[0063] FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0064] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 13;
[0065] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective diagram of an air
conditioner according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0066] FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 15;
[0067] FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 15;
[0068] FIG. 18 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner
according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0069] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 18;
[0070] FIG. 20 is a horizontal cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 18;
[0071] FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram of the air
conditioner shown in FIG. 18;
[0072] FIG. 22 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner
according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0073] FIG. 23 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner
according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and
[0074] FIG. 22 is a perspective diagram of an air conditioner
according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0075] 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.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, an air conditioner according to a
first embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet
enclosing various component parts for cooling/heating of an indoor
space.
[0077] In the embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet
preferably includes an indoor cabinet for a heat exchange with an
indoor air and an outdoor cabinet for a heat exchange with an
outdoor air.
[0078] In this case, the indoor air A is sucked via lateral sides
of the indoor cabinet and the air-conditioned air within the
cabinet is blown in a front direction of the cabinet.
[0079] And, the outdoor air B is sucked via lateral sides of the
outdoor cabinet, exchanges heat, and is then blown in a rear
direction.
[0080] Preferably, the cabinet has a fully open backside or has a
substantially rectangular box shape having an opening at its
backside. Yet, the cabinet can be variously configured.
[0081] For instance, the cabinet of the air condition according to
the first embodiment of the present invention includes a base panel
52 forming a bottom of the cabinet, an indoor frame 55 having an
indoor air intake port via which the indoor air is sucked, and an
outdoor frame 64 provided over a rear part of the base panel
52.
[0082] For example, the base panel 52, the indoor frame 55 and the
outdoor frame 64 can be built in one body. Preferably, the base
panel 52, the indoor frame 55 and the outdoor frame 64 are
individually provided to be assembled in one body together for the
sake of repair or cleaning of internal parts.
[0083] The indoor air intake port is provided to the cabinet, and
more particularly, to at least on of right, left and upper sides of
the indoor frame 55 to allow the indoor air to be sucked in lateral
directions of the indoor frame 55.
[0084] In the first embodiment of the present invention, at least
one or more indoor air intake ports 53 and 54 are provided to the
right and left sides of the indoor frame 55.
[0085] For reference, the indoor air intake port provided to the
right side of the indoor frame 55 is called a right indoor air
intake port 53 and the indoor air intake port provided to the left
side of the indoor frame 55 is called a left indoor air intake port
54.
[0086] An indoor blower 72 is provided within the cabinet, and more
particularly, within the indoor cabinet. And, an air guide 57 is
provided in front of the indoor blower 72.
[0087] Moreover, an orifice 56 is provided to the air guide 57 to
allow the air, which is blown in a front direction by the indoor
blower 72, to pass through. In this case, the air guide 57 is
preferably built in one body of the cabinet, and more particularly,
in one body of the indoor frame 55.
[0088] The cabinet further includes a front panel 53 configuring a
front side of the cabinet. And, a blowing grill 59a having a
plurality of ventilating openings is loaded on an indoor air
blowing port 58.
[0089] In this case, the front panel 59 is provided in front of the
indoor blower 72. Since the indoor air blowing port 58 is formed at
the front panel 53, the air-conditioned air is blown in the front
direction of the cabinet by the indoor blower 72.
[0090] Hence, the air guide 57 is provided between the indoor
blower 72 and the indoor air blowing port 58 of the front panel
59.
[0091] Meanwhile, a barrier 60 is provided within the cabinet. And,
the cabinet is partitioned into the indoor cabinet and the outdoor
cabinet by the barrier 60.
[0092] In the present embodiment, to allow the indoor cabinet to
include the indoor frame 55 and to allow the outdoor cabinet to
include the outdoor frame 64, it is preferable that the barrier 60
is provided to a rear end of the indoor frame 55 to partition the
internal space of the cabinet.
[0093] Accordingly, the internal space of the cabinet is
partitioned into an indoor side space I in which heat exchange with
the indoor air is performed and an outdoor space O in which heat
exchange with the outdoor air is performed.
[0094] Meanwhile, an outdoor air intake port is provided to at
least one of left, right and upper sides of the outdoor cabinet to
suck the outdoor air.
[0095] In the present embodiment, the outdoor air intake ports 61,
62 and 63 are provided to the left, right and upper sides of the
outdoor frame 64, respectively and the air is blown out via a
backside of the outdoor frame 64.
[0096] The outdoor air intake port provided to the right side of
the outdoor frame 64 is named a right outdoor air intake port 61,
the outdoor air intake port provided to the left side of the
outdoor frame 64 is named a left outdoor air intake port 62, and
the outdoor air intake port provided to the upper side of the
outdoor frame 64 is named an upper outdoor air intake port 61.
[0097] Hence, the outdoor air is sucked via the three sides of the
outdoor frame 64 and the air is blown in a rear direction via the
backside of the outdoor frame 64.
[0098] Meanwhile, the indoor blower 72 is provided within the
indoor cabinet forming the indoor side space and an outdoor blower
76 is provided within the outdoor cabinet forming the outdoor side
space.
[0099] To drive the indoor blower 72, a blower motor 70 is provided
within the cabinet.
[0100] The indoor blower 72 includes an indoor blower fan that is
connected to the blower motor 70.
[0101] The outdoor blower 76 includes an outdoor blower fan.
[0102] In the present embodiment, the blower motor 70 is configured
to drive both of the indoor blower 72 and the outdoor blower 76
simultaneously.
[0103] For this, the blower motor 70 is provided to the barrier 60.
Preferably, the lower motor 70 is a bi-shaft motor including a
first rotational shaft 67 projected in a front direction toward the
front panel 59 and a second rotational shaft 68 projected in a rear
direction toward the backside of the outdoor frame.
[0104] The indoor blower fan having a front-to-rear shaft direction
is connected to the first rotational shaft 67 of the bi-shaft motor
to blow the air forward.
[0105] In particular, as the indoor blower fan rotates, the indoor
air is sucked via the left and right indoor air intake ports 53 and
54 of the indoor frame 55 so that the indoor blower fan blows the
air in the front direction toward the indoor air blowing port
58.
[0106] In this case, the indoor blower fan includes a hub 73
connected to the first rotational shaft 67 of the bi-shaft motor
and a plurality of spiral blades 74 provided to an outer
circumference of the hub 73. The above-configured blower fan is
so-called an X-fan.
[0107] The outdoor blower fan having a front-to-rear shaft
direction is connected to the second rotational shaft 68 of the
bi-shaft motor to blow the air backward.
[0108] In particular, the outdoor blower fan sucks the air via the
outdoor air intake ports 60, 61 and 62 to blow in the rear
direction.
[0109] In this case, the outdoor blower fan preferably includes an
X-fan having a hub 77 connected to the second rotational shaft 68
of the bi-shaft motor and a plurality of spiral blades 78 provided
to an outer circumference of the hub 77. Yet, the blower fan is not
limited to the X-fan but can include different fans.
[0110] Meanwhile, at least one indoor heat exchanger 80 is provided
within the indoor frame 55, and more particularly, next to the
indoor blower 72 to cool down or heat the indoor air.
[0111] In this case, the at least one indoor heat exchanger 80 is
provided between the indoor blower 72 and the indoor air intake
port to minimize a front-to-rear length of the cabinet.
[0112] In the present embodiment, a right indoor heat exchanger 81
is provided between the right indoor air intake port 53 and the
indoor blower 72 and a left indoor heat exchanger 83 is provided
between the left indoor air intake port 54 and the indoor blower
72. Namely, the right indoor heat exchanger 81 is provided next to
the right indoor air intake port 53 and the left indoor heat
exchanger 83 is provided next to the left indoor air intake port
54.
[0113] Hence, the air sucked via the right indoor air intake port
53 makes a heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing within the
right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the air sucked via the left
indoor air intake port 54 makes a heat exchange with the
refrigerant flowing within the right indoor heat exchanger 83.
[0114] Refrigerant inlet pipes 81a and 83a are connected to
refrigerant inlet sides of the right and left indoor heat
exchangers 81 and 83 in parallel, respectively. And, refrigerant
outlet pipes 81b and 83b are connected to refrigerant outlet sides
of the right and left indoor heat exchangers 81 and 83 in parallel,
respectively.
[0115] Alternatively, the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the
left indoor heat exchanger 83 can be arranged parallel to either
the eight or left side of the indoor frame 55. Alternatively, the
right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the left indoor heat exchanger
83 can be arranged to have prescribed angles from the right and
left sides of the indoor frame 55, respectively.
[0116] In case that the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the left
indoor heat exchanger 83 are arranged to have the prescribed angles
from the right and left sides of the indoor frame 55, respectively,
heat transfer areas can be increased.
[0117] And, the right indoor heat exchanger 81 and the left indoor
heat exchanger 83 vertically meet the air, which is sucked in
lateral directions of the indoor cabinet to flow forward.
Accordingly, in case of employing a general heat exchanger
structure, passage resistance is minimized and heat transfer
efficiency is enhanced.
[0118] Meanwhile, a shroud 86 is provided within the outdoor frame
64 to form a passage of the outdoor air moved by the outdoor blower
76.
[0119] An orifice is formed in the shroud 86 to be provided to an
outer circumference o the outdoor blower 76.
[0120] At least one outdoor heat exchanger 90, in which a
refrigerant exchanging heat with the air blown backward by the
outdoor blower 76 flows, is provided in rear of the shroud 86.
[0121] And, the outdoor heat exchanger 90 is arranged long in
right-to-left direction in a backside of the outdoor frame 64.
[0122] A reference number `94` indicates a compressor loaded on the
base panel 52 to be located in the outdoor side space O. The
compressor 94 is preferably installed in the vicinity of one of the
outdoor air intake ports.
[0123] A reference number `96` indicates a capillary tube
connecting the outdoor heat exchanger 90 and the indoor heat
exchanger 80 together to expand the refrigerant.
[0124] An operation of the above-configured air conditioner
according to the first embodiment of the present invention is
explained as follows.
[0125] First of all, once the air conditioner is actuated, the
refrigerant is circulated by the driven compressor 94 and the
indoor air and the outdoor air are sucked into the indoor cabinet
and the outdoor cabinet by the driven blower motor 70,
respectively.
[0126] Once the blower motor 70 is driven, the indoor blower 72 is
rotated to suck the indoor air via the right and left indoor air
intake ports 53 and 54 of the indoor frame 55.
[0127] The air sucked via the right and left indoor air intake
ports 53 and 54 passes through the right and left indoor heat
exchangers 81 and 83 to be cooled down or heated and is then blown
forward by the indoor blower 72.
[0128] The air blown by the indoor blower 72 passes through the
orifice 56 and the indoor air blowing port 58 of the front panel 59
in turn and is then blown to a front side of the cabinet to cool
down or heat the indoor space.
[0129] Meanwhile, once the outdoor blower 76 is rotated by the
driven blower motor 70, the outdoor air B is sucked in three
directions via the outdoor air intake ports 61, 62 and 63 of the
outdoor frame.
[0130] The air sucked into the outdoor cabinet via the outdoor air
intake ports 61, 62 and 63 is blown backward by the outdoor blower
76.
[0131] The outdoor air blown by the outdoor blower 76 exchanges
heat with the outdoor heat exchanger 90 to be heated or cooled down
and is then blown backward via the backside of the outdoor frame
64.
[0132] An air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 as
follows.
[0133] First of all, an air conditioner according to a second
embodiment of the present invention includes the same elements of
the air conditioner according the first embodiment of the present
invention. The air conditioner according to the second embodiment
of the present invention further includes an indoor air intake port
56 provided to the upper side of the indoor frame 55 of the first
embodiment of the present invention. And, the operational principle
of the first embodiment of the present invention is like that of
the second embodiment of the present invention, of which
explanation is skipped. And, the same reference numbers will be
used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like
parts.
[0134] An air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 10 as
follows.
[0135] In explaining an indoor unit of an air conditioner according
to a third embodiment of the present invention, the elements and
its operational principle are like those of the first embodiment of
the present invention except at least one outdoor heat exchanger
provided within the outdoor cabinet. And, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts. Moreover, additional explanation will be
skipped.
[0136] An air conditioner according to a third embodiment of the
present invention includes at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90a
provided between the outdoor blower 76 and at least one of the
outdoor air intake ports 61, 62 and 63.
[0137] In particular, the at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90a
includes a right outdoor heat exchanger 91 provided between the
right outdoor air intake port 61 and the outdoor blower 76 and an
upper outdoor heat exchanger 92 provided between the upper outdoor
air intake port 62 and the outdoor blower 76.
[0138] Optionally, the right outdoor heat exchanger 91 and the
upper outdoor heat exchanger 92 can be built in one body.
[0139] And, the compressor 94 is provided next to an inside of the
left outdoor air intake port 63.
[0140] An air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.
12 as follows.
[0141] An air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention differs form that of the third embodiment of the
present invention in the configuration of an outdoor heat
exchanger. The rest configurations and operational principle of the
fourth embodiment are equal to those of the third embodiment. And,
the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, repetitive explanation
will be skipped.
[0142] At least one outdoor heat exchanger 90b provided to the air
conditioner according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention includes the at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90a of
the third embodiment of the present invention and a left outdoor
heat exchanger 93 provided between the left outdoor air intake port
63 and the outdoor blower 76.
[0143] An air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG.
14 as follows.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, an air conditioner
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention sucks an
outdoor air B from a rear side and then blows the air
heat-exchanged in an outdoor heat exchanger in a lateral direction
of the outdoor cabinet.
[0145] In particular, the outdoor air is sucked via the backside of
the outdoor frame. And, the air heat-exchanged in an outdoor heat
exchanger is blown via at least one side of the outdoor frame, and
more preferably, via right, left and upper sides of the outdoor
frame.
[0146] For this, the air conditioner according to the fifth
embodiment of the present invention includes an outdoor frame 64a
having an outdoor air intake port formed at its backside and at
least one or more outdoor air blowing ports 61a, 62a and 63a formed
at its left, right and upper sides, respectively.
[0147] In other words, since the outdoor air intake ports of the
aforesaid embodiments play roles as the outdoor air blowing ports
according to the change of the air flow directions in the fifth
embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchanger of the
third embodiment becomes provided between the outdoor blower 76a
and the outdoor air blowing ports 61a, 62a and 63a.
[0148] Optionally, instead of the X-fan, an outdoor blower 76a,
which sucks air in an axial direction to blow in a radial
direction, can be provided within the outdoor cabinet, and more
particularly, within the outdoor frame 64a.
[0149] In this case, the outdoor blower 76a can include a
centrifugal fan or a centrifugal turbo fan.
[0150] Except the outdoor frame 64a and the outdoor blower 76a, the
rest configurations and operational principle of the fifth
embodiment are equal to those of the third embodiment. And, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, additional explanation
will be skipped.
[0151] An air conditioner according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 as
follows.
[0152] An air conditioner according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention differs form that of the fifth embodiment of the
present invention in the configuration of an outdoor heat
exchanger. The rest configurations and operational principle of the
sixth embodiment are equal to those of the fifth embodiment. And,
the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts. Moreover, repetitive explanation
will be skipped.
[0153] Yet, at least one outdoor heat exchanger 90b provided to the
air conditioner according to the sixth embodiment of the present
invention are like the at least one outdoor heat exchanger of the
fourth embodiment of the present invention, of which additional
explanation will be skipped.
[0154] Air conditioners according to seventh to ninth embodiments
of the present invention are explained with reference to FIGS. 18
to 23 as follows.
[0155] Each air conditioner according to seventh to ninth
embodiments of the present invention includes a cabinet. An indoor
air A is sucked in a lateral direction of the cabinet and an
air-conditioned air is blown from the cabinet by a prescribed angle
against a front side of the cabinet.
[0156] The cabinet includes an indoor frame 55 having an indoor air
intake port provided to at least one of its left, right and upper
sides.
[0157] At least one indoor air blowing port 58a is provided to at
least one of the left, right and upper sides of the indoor frame
55.
[0158] Hence, except the indoor air blowing port 58 of the air
conditioner according to the first and/or second embodiment of the
present invention, the rest elements or parts are like those of the
first and/or second embodiment of the present invention.
[0159] In the air conditioners according to the seventh and ninth
embodiments of the present invention, a right indoor air intake
port 53, a left indoor air intake port 54 and an upper indoor air
intake port 56 are formed at the right, left and upper sides of the
indoor frame 55, respectively.
[0160] Yet, in the air conditioner according to the eighth
embodiment of the present invention, a right indoor air intake port
53 and a left indoor air intake port 54 are formed at the right and
left sides of the indoor frame 55, respectively.
[0161] Each of the air conditioners according to the seventh and
eighth embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor air
blowing port 58a provided long to a front part of the upper side of
the indoor frame 55 in right-to-left direction.
[0162] In other words, the indoor air blowing port 58a of the air
conditioner according to the seventh embodiment of the present
invention is formed in front of the upper indoor air intake port
56.
[0163] In addition to the above-configurations, the cabinet, and
more particularly, the indoor frame 55 of each of the air
conditioners according to the seventh and eighth embodiments of the
present invention further includes a blowing guide 60 provided to
the indoor air blowing port 58a to guide air blown into the indoor
space to a front circumference of the cabinet.
[0164] Yet, the air conditioner according to the ninth embodiment
of the present invention includes an indoor air blowing port 58b
provided in front of the indoor air intake port 53.
[0165] And, the cabinet, and more particularly, the indoor frame 55
of the air conditioner according to the ninth embodiment of the
present invention further includes a blowing guide 600 provided to
the indoor air blowing port 58b to guide air blown into the indoor
space to a front circumference of the cabinet.
[0166] In this case, the blowing guides 60 and 600 open/close the
indoor air blowing ports 58a and 58b, respectively. In particular,
the blowing guide 60 or 600 opens the indoor air blowing port 58a
or 58b while the air conditioner is actuated. And, the blowing
guide 60 or 600 closes the indoor air blowing port 58a or 58b to
prevent particles from being introduced while the air conditioner
stops.
[0167] For this, it is preferable that the blowing guide 60 or 600
is rotatably connected to a rim of the indoor air blowing port 58a
or 58b.
[0168] In particular, both sides of a rear end of the blowing guide
60 or 600 is rotatably connected to rear ends of both sides of the
rim of the indoor air blowing port 58a or 58b, respectively. And,
one side of the blowing guide 60 or 600 is connected to a
prescribed motor 60a.
[0169] Optionally, each of the blowing guides 60 and 600 is
configured to enable an auto-swing within a prescribed angle
range.
[0170] The rest configurations and operational principles of the
seventh to ninth embodiments are equal to those of the first and/or
second embodiment. And, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Moreover, repetitive explanation will be skipped.
[0171] An air conditioner according to a tenth embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 24 as
follows.
[0172] Referring to FIG. 24, an air conditioner according to a
tenth embodiment of the present invention includes an indoor air
blowing port 58c provided to the front panel and a blowing guide
600a guiding an air blown into the indoor space via the indoor air
blowing port 58c.
[0173] Hence, the air conditioner according to the tenth embodiment
of the present invention differs form that of the seventh
embodiment of the present invention in the positions of the indoor
air blowing port and the blowing guide. The rest configurations and
operational principle of the tenth embodiment are equal to those of
the seventh embodiment. And, the same reference numbers will be
used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Moreover, repetitive explanation will be skipped.
[0174] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following
effects or advantages.
[0175] First of all, since the air blown from the cabinet is not
affected by the indoor air sucked into the cabinet, the air
conditioner according to the present invention prevents the cooled
or heated air from being re-sucked into the cabinet right after
having been blown from the cabinet and enhances the indoor air
conditioning performance.
[0176] Secondly, since the air flow path and resistance are
minimized, the air conditioner according to the present invention
reduces the load and power consumption of the blower and minimizes
the air flow noise.
[0177] Thirdly, since the indoor heat exchanger is provided between
the barrier and the air guide with a prescribed size and shape, the
air conditioner according to the present invention raises the heat
transfer efficiency and minimizes the volume of the cabinet.
[0178] Fifthly, since the indoor air intake area is increased, the
air conditioner according to the present invention lowers the air
flow resistance.
[0179] Finally, since the outdoor air sucked via the rear side of
the cabinet is blown in the side direction, the air conditioner
according to the present invention enables a smooth air flow in
case of the adverse wind and prevents the overload and power
consumption increment of the outdoor blower.
[0180] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. 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.
* * * * *