U.S. patent application number 13/067446 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-29 for indoor unit of air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Young Hoon Kim, Jeong Uk Koh, In Chul Lee, Myoung Seop Lee, Jung Ho Yu.
Application Number | 20110314855 13/067446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44118097 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20110314855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yu; Jung Ho ; et
al. |
December 29, 2011 |
Indoor unit of air conditioner
Abstract
An indoor unit of an air conditioner with an electronic
expansion valve. The indoor unit includes a main body, a heat
exchanger disposed at the front portion of the inside of the main
body, a control unit, in which electrical components are mounted,
disposed at the outside in the lengthwise direction of the heat
exchanger, a control case including a first side surface part
disposed between the control unit and the heat exchanger and an
extension part connected with the first side surface part and
extended in the lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger, and an
electronic expansion valve disposed in a space defined by two
surfaces neighboring with each other by the extension part.
Inventors: |
Yu; Jung Ho; (Seoul, KR)
; Kim; Young Hoon; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Koh; Jeong
Uk; (Seongnam-si, KR) ; Lee; Myoung Seop;
(Anyang, KR) ; Lee; In Chul; (Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
44118097 |
Appl. No.: |
13/067446 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/0007 20130101;
F24F 1/0057 20190201; F24F 13/20 20130101; F24F 2013/207 20130101;
F24F 13/222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/222 |
International
Class: |
F25B 41/04 20060101
F25B041/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 24, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0059895 |
Claims
1. An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprising: a main body; a
heat exchanger disposed in the main body; an electronic expansion
valve disposed in the main body and located at the outside in the
lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger; a control unit
controlling electrical components mounted in the main body; and a
control case including a first side surface part disposed between
the control unit and the electronic expansion valve and an
extension part connected with the first side surface part and
extended in the direction of the heat exchanger.
2. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electronic
expansion valve is located between the heat exchanger and the
control unit.
3. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electronic
expansion valve is located above the extension part.
4. The indoor unit according to claim 1, further comprising a water
collector to receive condensed water formed around the electronic
expansion valve, wherein the extension part includes a guide part
downwardly inclined from the first side surface part toward the
water collector and a water intake part upwardly inclined from the
guide part.
5. The indoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the control case
further includes a second side surface part connected with the
extension part and downwardly extended and a protruding part
connected with the second side surface part and protruded toward
the water collector.
6. The indoor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electronic
expansion valve includes a driving part in which a rotor is
mounted, wherein the electronic expansion valve is disposed such
that the driving part faces the front surface of the main body.
7. The indoor unit according to claim 6, wherein the electronic
expansion valve further includes a passage part, through which a
refrigerant flows into and out of the electronic expansion valve,
extended from the driving part, wherein the driving part is located
at a height equal to or higher than the passage part.
8. An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprising: a main body; a
front heat exchanger and a rear heat exchanger disposed in the main
body; an electronic expansion valve disposed in the main body; a
control unit controlling electrical components mounted in the main
body; a control case including a first side surface part disposed
between the control unit and the electronic expansion valve and an
extension part connected with the first side surface part and
extended in the lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger; and a
receipt space provided at the outside in the lengthwise direction
of the front heat exchanger, wherein the receipt space is located
above the extension part.
9. The indoor unit according to claim 8, wherein the receipt space
is located between the front heat exchanger and the control
unit.
10. The indoor unit according to claim 8, wherein the receipt space
is located at the outside of the control case.
11. The indoor unit according to claim 8, further comprising a
water collector to receive condensed water formed within the main
body, wherein the extension part includes a guide part downwardly
inclined from the first side surface part toward the water
collector and a water intake part upwardly inclined from the guide
part.
12. The indoor unit according to claim 11, wherein the control case
further includes a second side surface part connected with the
extension part and downwardly extended and a protruding part
connected with the second side surface part and protruded toward
the water collector.
13. The indoor unit according to claim 8, wherein the electronic
expansion valve includes a driving part in which a rotor is
mounted, wherein the electronic expansion valve is disposed such
that the driving part faces the front surface of the main body.
14. The indoor unit according to claim 13, wherein the electronic
expansion valve further includes a passage part, through which a
refrigerant flows into and out of the electronic expansion valve,
extended from the driving part, wherein the driving part is located
at a height equal to or higher than the passage part.
15. An indoor unit of an air conditioner comprising: a main body; a
heat exchanger disposed at a front portion of an inside of the main
body; a control unit, in which electrical components are mounted,
disposed at the outside in the lengthwise direction of the heat
exchanger; a control case including a first side surface part
disposed between the control unit and the heat exchanger and an
extension part connected with the first side surface part and
extended in the lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger; and an
electronic expansion valve disposed in a space defined by two
surfaces neighboring with each other by the extension part.
16. The indoor unit according to claim 4, wherein the control case
further includes a motor fixing part which is formed in a shape
surrounding a front surface portion of a driving motor which is
mounted to the main body, in order to prevents the condensed water
from being introduced into the driving motor.
17. The indoor unit according to claim 11, wherein the control case
further includes a motor fixing part which is formed in a shape
surrounding a front surface portion of a driving motor which is
mounted to the main body, in order to prevents the condensed water
from being introduced into the driving motor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2010-0059895, filed on Jun. 24, 2010 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to an indoor unit of a multi-type air
conditioner with an electronic expansion valve (EEV).
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a refrigerating cycle system of an air
conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion
device, an evaporator, and pipes connecting them. A refrigerant
circulated through the pipes is compressed into a high-pressure
state by the compressor, is introduced into the condenser, and is
then condensed while emitting heat via the condenser. The condensed
refrigerant is introduced into the expansion device, and is then
expanded into a low-temperature and low-pressure state by the
expansion device. The expanded refrigerant is introduced into the
evaporator, and then receives heat from surrounding air while
passing through the evaporator, thus being evaporated.
[0006] In a building having a plurality of independent indoor
spaces, a multi-type air conditioner provided with a plurality of
indoor units to condition air of the plurality of independent
indoor spaces is used. The multi-type air conditioner requires one
or more electronic expansion valves to adjust amounts of a
refrigerant supplied to the respective indoor units so as to
individually operate the respective indoor units.
[0007] When the electronic expansion valve is installed in a pipe
connecting the indoor unit and an outdoor unit, the installation
cost of the electronic expansion valve is increased and provision
of a space required for installation of the electronic expansion
valve is difficult.
[0008] Further, when the electronic expansion valve is installed in
the indoor unit, an external size of the indoor unit is
increased.
SUMMARY
[0009] Therefore, it is an aspect to provide an indoor unit of a
multi-type air conditioner with an electronic expansion valve
(EEV).
[0010] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0011] In accordance with one aspect, an indoor unit of an air
conditioner includes a main body, a heat exchanger disposed in the
main body, an electronic expansion valve disposed in the main body
and located at the outside in the lengthwise direction of the heat
exchanger, a control unit controlling electrical components mounted
in the main body, and a control case including a first side surface
part disposed between the control unit and the electronic expansion
valve and an extension part connected with the first side surface
part and extended in the direction of the heat exchanger.
[0012] The electronic expansion valve may be located between the
heat exchanger and the control unit.
[0013] The electronic expansion valve may be located above the
extension part.
[0014] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may further include a
water collector to receive condensed water formed around the
electronic expansion valve, and the extension part may include a
guide part downwardly inclined from the first side surface part
toward the water collector and a water intake part upwardly
inclined from the guide part.
[0015] The control case may further include a second side surface
part connected with the extension part and downwardly extended and
a protruding part connected with the second side surface part and
protruded toward the water collector.
[0016] The electronic expansion valve may include a driving part in
which a rotor is mounted, and the electronic expansion valve may be
disposed such that the driving part faces the front surface of the
main body.
[0017] The electronic expansion valve may further include a passage
part, through which a refrigerant flows into and out of the
electronic expansion valve, extended from the driving part, and the
driving part may be located at a height equal to or higher than the
passage part.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect, an indoor unit of an air
conditioner includes a main body, a front heat exchanger and a rear
heat exchanger disposed in the main body, an electronic expansion
valve disposed in the main body, a control unit controlling
electrical components mounted in the main body, a control case
including a first side surface part disposed between the control
unit and the electronic expansion valve and an extension part
connected with the first side surface part and extended in the
lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger, and a receipt space
provided at the outside in the lengthwise direction of the front
heat exchanger, wherein the receipt space is located above the
extension part.
[0019] The receipt space may be located between the front heat
exchanger and the control unit.
[0020] The receipt space may be located at the outside of the
control case.
[0021] The indoor unit of the air conditioner may further include a
water collector to receive condensed water formed within the main
body, and the extension part may include a guide part downwardly
inclined from the first side surface part toward the water
collector and a water intake part upwardly inclined from the guide
part.
[0022] The control case may further include a second side surface
part connected with the extension part and downwardly extended and
a protruding part connected with the second side surface part and
protruded toward the water collector.
[0023] The electronic expansion valve may include a driving part in
which a rotor is mounted, and the electronic expansion valve may be
disposed such that the driving part faces the front surface of the
main body.
[0024] The electronic expansion valve may further include a passage
part, through which a refrigerant flows into and out of the
electronic expansion valve, extended from the driving part, and the
driving part may be located at a height equal to or higher than the
passage part.
[0025] In accordance with a further aspect, an indoor unit of an
air conditioner includes a main body, a heat exchanger disposed at
the front portion of the inside of the main body, a control unit,
in which electrical components are mounted, disposed at the outside
in the lengthwise direction of the heat exchanger, a control case
including a first side surface part disposed between the control
unit and the heat exchanger and an extension part connected with
the first side surface part and extended in the lengthwise
direction of the heat exchanger, and an electronic expansion valve
disposed in a space defined by two surfaces neighboring with each
other by the extension part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] These and/or other aspects of the invention will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating main
constitution of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance
with an embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a multi-type air
conditioner having the indoor unit of the air conditioner in
accordance with the embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting
structure of an electronic expansion valve in the indoor unit of
the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a space in which
the electronic expansion valve is mounted in the indoor unit of the
air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a control unit of the indoor
unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating disposition of the electronic
expansion valve in the indoor unit of the air conditioner in
accordance with the embodiment; and
[0033] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a drain passage of condensed
water in the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with
the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0035] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating main
constitution of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in accordance
with an embodiment.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, an indoor unit 2 of an air conditioner
includes a main body 20 including a rear panel 22 fixed to a wall
of a building and a front panel 21 connected with the front portion
of the rear panel 22, an indoor heat exchanger 30 disposed in the
main body 20 to exchange heat with inhaled air, an air blower
device 40 to blow air, and a water collector 90 to collect
condensed water formed within the main body 20 and then to
discharge the collected water to the outside of the main body
20.
[0037] The front panel 21 is provided with suction holes 21a formed
through most of the front surface and the upper surface thereof to
inhale indoor air, and a discharge hole 21b formed through the
lower end thereof and extended in the longitudinal direction to
discharge conditioned air. Further, a suction grill 23 provided
with a plurality of ventilation holes 23a and rotatably connected
to the upper portion of the front panel 21 is installed in front of
the suction holes 21a of the front panel 21, and a filter 23b to
filter out foreign substances from the inhaled air is installed in
the suction grill 23.
[0038] The indoor heat exchanger 30 may be extended in the
longitudinal direction so as to exchange heat with air inhaled
through the suction holes 21a. The indoor heat exchanger 30 is
provided with a plurality of heat exchanger fins made of a thin
plate and disposed in parallel, and a refrigerant pipe bent in a U
shape so as to pass the heat exchanger fins one or more times. The
indoor heat exchanger 30 is disposed adjacent to the suction holes
21a, and exchanges heat with the inhaled air.
[0039] The indoor heat exchanger 30 includes a front heat exchanger
31 located at the front and a rear heat exchanger 32 located at the
rear. The front heat exchanger 31 and the rear heat exchanger 32
are disposed such that they may be detached or separated from each
other or attached to each other.
[0040] The indoor heat exchanger 30 has a vertical width from the
upper portion of the rear region to the lower portion of the front
region of the inside of the main body 20, and the upper end of the
indoor heat exchanger 30 is supported by the upper portion of the
inside of the rear panel 22 and the lower end of the indoor heat
exchanger 30 is supported by the lower portion of the inside of the
front panel 21.
[0041] The air blower device 40 includes a cross flow air blower
fan 41 installed at the rear of the indoor heat exchanger 30 and
extended in the widthwise direction and a driving motor 42 mounted
on the rear panel 22 to drive the air blower fan 41 and axially
connected to the air blower fan 41.
[0042] The indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner inhales indoor air
from the suction grill 23 by rotating the air blower fan 41 driven
by the driving motor 42. The inhaled air passes through the indoor
heat exchanger 30 and the air blower fan 41, and is supplied to an
indoor space through the discharge hole 21b. Here, the indoor air
is cooled or heated by exchanging heat with the indoor heat
exchanger 30, and the cooled air (or heated air) is supplied to the
indoor space through the discharge hole 21b, thereby conditioning
air of the indoor space.
[0043] The water collector 90 collects condensed water formed
within the main body 20, particularly formed around the indoor heat
exchanger 30, and then discharges the collected water to the
outside of the main body 20. The water collector 90 is disposed
under the indoor heat exchanger 30. A drain hole 91 is formed
through the water collector 90, and a drain hose 92 is connected to
the drain hole 91. Therefore, the condensed water collected in the
water collector 90 is drained to the outside of the main body 20
through the drain hose 92.
[0044] In case of a multi-type air conditioner with a plurality of
indoor units, it is necessary to adjust amounts of a refrigerant
flowing to indoor heat exchangers 30 of the respective indoor units
2.
[0045] Therefore, the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner includes
an electronic expansion valve 80 to control an amount of the
refrigerant.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a multi-type air
conditioner having the indoor unit of the air conditioner in
accordance with the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view
illustrating a mounting structure of the electronic expansion valve
in the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the
embodiment, FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a space in
which the electronic expansion valve is mounted in the indoor unit
of the air conditioner in accordance with the embodiment, FIG. 5 is
a perspective view of a control unit of the indoor unit of the air
conditioner in accordance with the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a view
illustrating disposition of the electronic expansion valve in the
indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with the
embodiment.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, an outdoor unit 3 is connected to a
plurality of indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c. Pipes of the outdoor unit
3 and the plurality of indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected by
service valves 15a and 15b.
[0048] A liquid pipe 4a and a plurality of branch pipes 5a, 5b, and
5c branched from a gas pipe 4b are connected to the plurality of
indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively. Further, the plurality
of indoor units 2a, 2b, and 2c include the plurality of indoor heat
exchangers 30a, 30b, and 30c and a plurality of electronic
expansion valves 80a, 80b, and 80c connected by the plurality of
branch pipes 5a, 5b, and 5c, respectively.
[0049] The outdoor unit 3 includes a compressor 11 to compress a
refrigerant, a receiver-drier 12 to separate gas and liquid
refrigerant and to filter out contaminants, an outdoor heat
exchanger 13 to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outdoor
air, and a four-way switching valve 14 to switch a flow direction
of the refrigerant during cooling and heating. Cooling and heating
modes of the air conditioner may be switched by changing a
refrigerant circulation direction of a refrigerant circuit using
the four-way switching valve 14.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the indoor unit 2 of the air
conditioner includes the electronic expansion valve 80, a control
unit 50, the water collector 90, and a control case 60.
[0051] The electronic expansion valve 80 adjusts an amount of the
refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger 30. The electronic
expansion valve 80 is connected to the indoor heat exchanger 30 in
series, and is installed at a refrigerant inlet of the indoor heat
exchanger 30.
[0052] The electronic expansion valve 80 includes a driving part 81
to open and close the electronic expansion valve 80, and a passage
part 82 through which the refrigerant flows into and out of the
electronic expansion valve 80. The driving part 81 controls an
amount of the refrigerant passing through the passage part 82 using
a rotor.
[0053] The electronic expansion valve 80 is disposed in the main
body 20. For this purpose, a receipt space 70 is provided to
receive the electronic expansion valve 80 in the main body 20. In
the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner, the receipt space 70 is
provided at the outside in the lengthwise direction of the indoor
heat exchanger 30.
[0054] The length of the rear heat exchanger 32 may be smaller than
the length of the front heat exchanger 31, and the electronic
expansion valve 80 may be disposed in a space formed due to such a
length difference. Similarly, the length of the rear heat exchanger
32 may be greater than the length of the front heat exchanger 31.
However, in these cases, a heat exchange amount may be reduced.
Therefore, in order to dispose the electronic expansion valve 80 in
the main body 20 while maintaining the heat exchange amount, the
receipt space 70 is located at the outside in the lengthwise
direction of the front and rear heat exchanger units 31 and 32.
[0055] When the refrigerant passes through the electronic expansion
valve 80, the electronic expansion valve 80 vibrates due to flow
and expansion of the refrigerant. In order to prevent vibration of
the electronic expansion valve 80 from being transmitted to the
main body 20, the electronic expansion valve 80 is not connected
directly to the main body 20. The electronic expansion valve 80 is
connected to respective heat transfer passages of the indoor heat
exchanger 30, thus being fixed to the inside of the main body
20.
[0056] The electronic expansion valve 80 is disposed such that the
driving part 81 faces the front surface of the main body 20.
Therefore, maintenance and repair of the electronic expansion valve
80 by separating the front panel 21 from the rear panel 22 is not
difficult.
[0057] Further, the driving part 81 of the electronic expansion
valve 80 is located at a height equal to or higher than the passage
part 82. If the driving part 81 is located at a height lower than
the passage part 82, pressure of the refrigerant applied to the
driving part 81 through the passage part 82 may affect durability
of valve components mounted in the driving part 81.
[0058] Electrical components, such as a circuit board, to control
operation of the indoor unit 2 of the air conditioner are mounted
in the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is disposed at one side
end of the inside of the main body 20, and the electronic expansion
valve 80 is disposed between the outside in the lengthwise
direction of the indoor heat exchanger 30 and the control unit 50.
That is, the receipt space 70 is provided between the outside in
the lengthwise direction of the indoor heat exchanger 30 and the
control unit 50.
[0059] Condensed water is formed within the main body 20,
particularly formed around the indoor heat exchanger 30 and the
electronic expansion valve 80, in which the refrigerant flows, due
to a temperature difference between the refrigerant and air. In
order to prevent the condensed water from electrically damaging the
electrical components mounted in the control unit 50, introduction
of the condensed water into the control unit 50 needs to be
prevented.
[0060] The control case 60 fixes the control unit 50 to the inside
of the main body 20 and prevents the condensed water from being
introduced into the control unit 50. The control case 60 includes a
mount part 61 in which the control unit 50 is mounted, a side wall
62 located between the control unit 50 and the indoor heat
exchanger 30, and a motor fixing part 67 to fix the driving motor
42 to the rear panel 22. The motor fixing part 67 is formed in a
shape surrounding the front surface portion of the driving motor
42, and thus also prevents the condensed water from being
introduced into the driving motor 42 and electrically damaging the
driving motor 42.
[0061] The side wall 62 includes a first side surface part 63, an
extension part 64 connected with the first side surface part 63, a
second side surface part 65 connected with the extension part 64,
and a protruding part 66 formed on the second side surface part
65.
[0062] The first side surface part 63 is disposed in the vertical
direction between the control unit 50 and the electronic expansion
valve 80. The control unit 50 and the electronic expansion valve 80
are horizontally divided by the first side surface part 63.
Further, one side of the extension part 64 is connected with the
first side surface part 63, and the extension part 64 is extended
to a designated length in the direction of the indoor heat
exchanger 30. The electronic expansion valve 80 may be located
above the extension part 64. Therefore, two neighboring surfaces of
the receipt space 70 are defined by the first side surface part 63
and the extension part 64.
[0063] The extension part 64 includes a guide part 64a provided
with a front end downwardly inclined from the first side surface
part 63 toward the water collector 90, and a water intake part 64b
upwardly inclined from the guide part 64a. The water intake part
64b may be configured such that both ends of the water intake part
64b are inclined upwardly, and in this case, the extension part 64
has a V shape. The condensed water formed around the electronic
expansion valve 80 is collected along a channel formed by the water
intake part 64b and the guide part 64a.
[0064] The second side surface part 65 is connected with the
extension part 64 and is inclined downwardly. Further, the
protruding part 66 protruding toward the water collector 90 is
formed on the second side surface part 65. The protruding part 66
may be inclined downwardly toward the water collector 90. The water
collector 90 is disposed below the protruding part 66, and the
condensed water dropping from the protruding part 66 is received in
the water collector 90.
[0065] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a drain passage of condensed
water in the indoor unit of the air conditioner in accordance with
the embodiment.
[0066] Indoor air is inhaled into the main body 20 through the
suction holes 21a by driving the air blower fan 41 while filtering
out foreign substances from the indoor air. The inhaled air
undergoes heat exchange via the indoor heat exchanger 30, and is
discharged to the indoor space through the discharge hole 21b by
the air blower fan 41. Here, condensed water formed around the
indoor heat exchanger 30 is collected in the water collector 90
which is disposed below the indoor heat exchanger 30, and is
discharged to the outside of the main body 20 through the drain
hose 92.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 7, condensed water is also formed around
the electronic expansion valve 80 exposed to the indoor air. The
condensed water is collected in the channel formed by the water
intake part 64b and the guide part 64a of the extension part 64
located below the electronic expansion valve 80. The collected
condensed water flows on the second side surface part 65, and then
drops down to the water collector 90 from the protruding part 66.
Therefore, the condensed water formed around the electronic
expansion valve 80 is not introduced into the control unit 50 and
the driving motor 42, and is discharged to the outside of the main
body 20.
[0068] As is apparent from the above description, an indoor unit of
an air conditioner in accordance with an embodiment reduces costs
and a space required to install a separate electronic expansion
valve, and simplifies an installation process of the electronic
expansion valve.
[0069] Further, although the electronic expansion valve is disposed
in the indoor unit, an external size of the indoor unit is not
increased and a capacity of a heat exchanger is not reduced to
dispose the electronic expansion valve, thereby maintaining
heat-exchanging efficiency of the indoor unit.
[0070] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it
would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may
be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles
and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *