U.S. patent application number 13/196146 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-23 for indoor unit for air conditioner and control method thereof.
Invention is credited to Inho Choi, Sungwon Han, Hojung Kim, Kidong KIM, Kyunghwan Kim.
Application Number | 20120042662 13/196146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44677448 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120042662 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Kidong ; et
al. |
February 23, 2012 |
INDOOR UNIT FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
Provided is an indoor unit for an air conditioner buried in a
ceiling and including a heat exchanger with respect to an indoor
space defined by a bottom surface, the ceiling, and a plurality of
wall surface, including: a front panel where a suction part
suctioning air of the indoor space; a discharge hole placed on at
least one side of the suction part and discharging heat-exchanged
air from the heat exchanger; an opening member provided movably to
selectively open the discharge hole; a distance sensing unit
sensing at least one of a distance up to the bottom surface from
the front panel or the indoor unit and a distance up to the wall
surface from the indoor unit; and a controller controlling the
opening degree of the opening member based on a sensing result
sensed by the distance sensing unit.
Inventors: |
KIM; Kidong; (Changwon City,
KR) ; Kim; Hojung; (Changwon City, KR) ; Han;
Sungwon; (Changwon City, KR) ; Choi; Inho;
(Changwon City, KR) ; Kim; Kyunghwan; (Changwon
City, KR) |
Family ID: |
44677448 |
Appl. No.: |
13/196146 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/56 ;
62/132 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/14 20130101;
F24F 11/70 20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 11/74 20180101; F24F 1/0047 20190201; F24F 2110/00 20180101;
F24F 1/0007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/56 ;
62/132 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00; F25D 31/00 20060101 F25D031/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 23, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0081405 |
Claims
1. An indoor unit for an air conditioner buried in a ceiling and
including a heat exchanger with respect to an indoor space defined
by a bottom surface, the ceiling, and a plurality of wall surface,
comprising: a front panel provided with a suction part suctioning
air of the indoor space; a discharge hole placed on at least one
side of the suction part and discharging heat-exchanged air from
the heat exchanger; an opening member provided movably to
selectively open the discharge hole; a distance sensing unit
sensing at least one of a distance up to the bottom surface from
the front panel or the indoor unit and a distance up to the wall
surface from the indoor unit; and a controller controlling the
opening degree of the opening member based on a sensing result
sensed by the distance sensing unit.
2. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the
distance sensing unit includes: a height sensing sensor sensing an
installation height of the front panel or the indoor unit; and a
wall surface sensing sensor sensing the distance up to the wall
surface from the front panel or the indoor unit.
3. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the
height sensing sensor is the wall surface sensing sensor.
4. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 3, wherein the
distance sensing unit further includes a direction switching motor
sensing both the installation height and the distance up to the
wall surface by switching a placement direction of the height
sensing sensor.
5. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 1, further
comprising: a fan assembly providing blowing force to corresponding
to the distance value sensed by the distance sensing unit; and a
memory unit storing data in which the distance value and the flow
rate of the fan assembly are mapped.
6. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the
opening member is provided in multiple numbers and the plurality of
opening members are placed to face the plurality of wall surfaces,
respectively to discharge air.
7. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 6, wherein the
controller independently controls opening or not or opening degree
of the plurality of opening members.
8. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 7, wherein the
opening degrees of the plurality of opening members are controlled
in proportion to the distances up to the wall surfaces
corresponding thereto, respectively.
9. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 1, further
comprising: a temperature sensing unit sensing the temperature of
the indoor space, wherein the controller compensates for a
difference between a set temperature and the temperature of the
indoor space based on the result sensed by the distance sensing
unit.
10. An indoor unit for an air conditioner buried in a ceiling and
including a suction part suctioning air and heat exchanger
exchanging heat with the air suctioned in the suction part with
respect to an indoor space defined by a bottom surface, the
ceiling, and a plurality of wall surface, comprising: a discharge
hole placed on at least one side of the suction part and
discharging heat-exchanged air from the heat exchanger; a blowing
fan providing driving force to discharge the air through the
discharge hole; a discharge vein provided on one side of the
discharge hole to selectively opening the discharge hole; a height
sensing unit sensing an installation height of the indoor unit; and
a controller controlling RPM of the blowing fan or opening degrees
of the discharge veins based on the installation height of the
indoor unit sensed by the height sensing unit.
11. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 10, wherein the
flow rate generated by controlling the driving of the blowing fan
or the discharge vein varies linearly to corresponding to the
installation height.
12. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 11, wherein the
flow rate increases in proportion to the installation height.
13. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 10, further
comprising: a plurality of wall surfaces, a plurality of discharge
holes corresponding to the plurality of wall surfaces, and a
plurality of discharge veins opening the plurality of discharge
holes, and at least one wall surface sensing unit recognizing
distances up to the plurality of wall surfaces from the indoor
unit.
14. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 13, wherein the
plurality of discharge veins include: a first discharge vein
controlling the amount of air discharged toward a first wall
surface; and a second discharge vein controlling the amount of air
discharged toward a second wall surface, wherein an opening degree
of the first discharge vein is controlled to be larger than an
opening degree of the second discharge vein when a distance up to
the first wall surface from the indoor unit is larger than a
distance up to the second wall surface from the indoor unit.
15. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 13, further
comprising a direction switching unit switching the direction in
which the wall surface sensing unit faces the plurality of wall
surfaces.
16. The indoor unit for an air conditioner of claim 10, further
comprising: a temperature sensing unit sensing the temperature of
the space, wherein the controller recognizes a first temperature
difference between the temperature of the indoor space sensed by
the temperature sensing unit and a set temperature and when the
installation height of the indoor unit is higher than a
predetermined height, the controller compensates for the first
temperature difference as a second temperature difference larger
than the first temperature difference.
17. A control method of an indoor unit for an air conditioner
buried in a ceiling and including a heat exchanger for cooling or
heating and discharge vein controlling the discharge amount of air
passing through the heat exchanger with respect to an indoor space
defined by a bottom surface, the ceiling, and a plurality of wall
surface, comprising: sensing an installation height of the indoor
unit based on the bottom surface; determining the discharge amount
of the air based on the installation height of the indoor unit; and
starting the indoor unit.
18. The control method of an indoor unit for an air conditioner of
claim 17, further comprising: sensing a distance up to the indoor
unit from the wall surface; and determining the discharge amount of
the air based on the distance up to the indoor unit from the wall
surface.
19. The control method of an indoor unit for an air conditioner of
claim 17, wherein the discharge amount of the air is controlled by
controlling the RPM of a fan motor providing blowing force or
opening degrees of the discharge vein.
20. The control method of an indoor unit for an air conditioner of
claim 19, further comprising: a plurality of discharge veins
discharging air toward the plurality of wall surfaces, wherein the
amounts of air discharged from the plurality of discharge veins are
different from each other depending on the distances up to the
indoor unit from the plurality of wall surfaces.
21. The control method of an indoor unit for an air conditioner of
claim 17, further comprising: sensing the temperature of the indoor
space; recognizing a difference value between the temperature of
the indoor space and a set temperature; and compensating for the
difference value through increasing or decreasing depending on the
installation height of the indoor unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No.10-2010-0081405
(filed on Aug. 23, 2010), which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an
indoor unit for an air conditioner and a control method
thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, an air conditioner as a cooling/heating system
that suctions indoor air to exchange heat with refrigerant and
thereafter, discharge heat-exchanged air to a room is an apparatus
forming a refrigeration cycle constituted by a compressor, a
condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.
[0004] The air conditioner is classified into a separate type air
conditioner in which an outdoor unit and an indoor unit are
separated and installed and an integral air conditioner in which
the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are integrally installed.
[0005] In recent years, a multi-type air conditioner in which a
plurality of indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit and the
plurality of indoor units are installed in different indoor spaces
have been generally used.
[0006] The separate type air conditioner includes the outdoor unit
installed outdoors and the indoor unit installed in a building. In
addition, a heat exchanger can be provided in each of the outdoor
unit and the indoor unit.
[0007] Meanwhile, in the separate type air conditioner, the indoor
unit may be buried in a ceiling. The indoor unit may be called a
ceiling buried indoor unit. Air of which heat is exchanged in the
ceiling buried indoor unit may be discharged downwardly from the
ceiling. In addition, the amount of air discharged from the indoor
unit is controlled to vary depending on the height of the ceiling.
That is, as the ceiling is higher, a discharge amount of air may be
controlled to be larger.
[0008] In general, the height of the ceiling in which the ceiling
buried indoor unit is installed may be various depending on the
structure or size of the building.
[0009] While the ceiling buried indoor unit in the related art was
installed in an installation space, there was inconvenience that
the size of the installation space, e.g., the height of the ceiling
should be additionally set. When the height of the ceiling was not
set or wrongly set, the amount of air discharged from the indoor
unit was inappropriately controlled.
[0010] Further, an operation of the indoor unit in the related art
is not controlled depending on the actual height of the ceiling but
controlled depending on a height section divided with a
predetermined width. That is, when different ceiling heights are
included in the same height section, air of the same amount may be
controlled to be discharged.
[0011] In this case, a person who lives in an indoor space having a
relatively low ceiling height among the ceiling heights included in
the same height section feels the cold and a person who lives in an
indoor space having a relatively high ceiling height feels the
heat.
[0012] Since discharging of the optimal amount of air in which a
user could feel comfort was limited, unnecessary power consumption
is wasted in order to receive air having a required
temperature.
[0013] Meanwhile, when the indoor unit is installed to be
concentrated on any one side of the indoor space, that is, the
indoor unit is installed to be closer to the other wall surface
than one wall surface, the discharge amount of air is unbalanced
with respect to the entirety of the indoor space.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide
an indoor unit for an air conditioner in which the discharge of air
can be appropriately controlled depending on an installation height
of the indoor unit.
[0015] Further, the present invention has been made in an effort to
provide an indoor unit for an air conditioner in which the
discharge amount of air can be appropriately controlled depending
on a distance between the indoor unit and a wall surface.
[0016] In order to achieve the above objects, an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention provides an indoor unit for an
air conditioner buried in a ceiling and including a heat exchanger
with respect to an indoor space defined by a bottom surface, the
ceiling, and a plurality of wall surface including: a front panel
where a suction part suctioning air of the indoor space; a
discharge hole placed on at least one side of the suction part and
discharging heat-exchanged air from the heat exchanger; an opening
member provided movably to selectively open the discharge hole; a
distance sensing unit sensing at least one of a distance up to the
bottom surface from the front panel or the indoor unit and a
distance up to the wall surface from the indoor unit; and a
controller controlling the opening degree of the opening member
based on a sensing result sensed by the distance sensing unit.
[0017] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides an indoor unit for an air conditioner buried in a ceiling
and including a suction part suctioning air and heat exchanger
exchanging heat with the air suctioned in the suction part with
respect to an indoor space defined by a bottom surface, the
ceiling, and a plurality of wall surface, including: a discharge
hole placed on at least one side of the suction part and
discharging heat-exchanged air from the heat exchanger; a blowing
fan providing driving force to discharge the air through the
discharge hole; discharge veins provided on one side of the
discharge hole to selectively opening the discharge hole; a height
sensing unit sensing an installation height of the indoor unit; and
a controller controlling RPM of the blowing fan or opening degrees
of the discharge veins based on the installation height of the
indoor unit sensed by the height sensing unit.
[0018] Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a control method of an indoor unit for an air conditioner
buried in a ceiling and including a heat exchanger for cooling or
heating and discharge veins controlling the discharge amount of air
passing through the heat exchanger with respect to an indoor space
defined by a bottom surface, a ceiling, and a plurality of wall
surface, including: sensing an installation height of the indoor
unit based on the bottom surface; determining the discharge amount
of the air based on the installation height of the indoor unit; and
starting the indoor unit.
[0019] According to the indoor unit for the air conditioner
according to the exemplary embodiments, the installation height of
the indoor unit can be measured by the distance sensing sensor and
the discharge amount of air can be appropriately controlled
depending on the measured height.
[0020] In addition, since the discharge amount of air is controlled
to vary linearly depending on the actual measured height, the
indoor space can be effectively cooled or heated.
[0021] Further, the distance between the indoor unit and the wall
surface can be measured by the distance sensing sensor and the
discharge amount of air can be appropriately controlled depending
on the measured distance up to the wall surface.
[0022] Since inconvenience to set the installation height
disappears while installing the ceiling buried indoor unit,
installation can be easier. In addition, cooling or heating
efficiency of a conditioned space can be prevented from being
deteriorated due to incorrect height setting after installation,
and as a result, energy loss which may occur can be prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit according to
a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the indoor
unit according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control method of the indoor unit
according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a graph showing variation in flow rate of
discharged air depending on the height of the indoor unit in the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
indoor unit according to a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control method of the indoor unit
according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow rate of discharged air
depending on a position where the indoor unit is placed.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
indoor unit according to a third exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Hereinafter, detailed exemplary embodiments of the present
invention will be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not
limited to the proposed exemplary embodiments but another exemplary
embodiment may be easily proposed by those skilled in the art who
understand the spirit of the present invention within the same
spirit of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit according to
a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the indoor unit 100 according to the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body
110 buried in a ceiling and including a plurality of components for
air conditioning, which are incorporated therein and a front panel
150 provided on the front of the body 110 and exposed from the
ceiling to the outside.
[0034] Specifically, a suction part 120 through which air of an
indoor space is suctioned and a discharge hole 155 through which
the suctioned air is discharged after the air suctioned through the
suction part 120 is heat-exchanged.
[0035] The suction part 120 is formed at the center of the front
panel 150 and the plurality of discharge holes 155 may be provided
around the suction part 120. However, forming positions of the
suction part 120 and the discharge hole 155 are not limited
thereto.
[0036] A discharge vein 164 as an "opening member" selectively
opening the discharge hole 155 is included in the front panel 150.
The discharge vein 164 may be provided movably at one side of the
discharge hole 155. According to movement of the discharge vein
164, e.g., a rotation operation, the amount or a discharge
direction of air discharged through the discharge hole 155 may be
controlled.
[0037] Although not shown, a heat exchange for cooling or heating
the air suctioned into the indoor unit 100 and a blowing fan
providing suction force may be provided in the body 110.
[0038] A height sensing unit 170 for sensing an installation height
of the indoor unit 100 or the front panel 150, i.e., a distance
between the indoor unit 100 or the front panel 150 and the bottom
surface of an installation space thereof is provided in the front
panel 150.
[0039] The height sensing unit 170 is provided on a front surface
of the front panel 150 and may be placed downwardly. A distance
measuring sensor may be included in the height sensing unit
170.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the indoor
unit according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the indoor unit 100 according to the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the
height sensing unit 170 sensing the height of the ceiling where the
indoor unit 100 is installed and a temperature sensing unit 175
sensing the temperature of the indoor space. The temperature
sensing unit 175 may include a temperature sensor.
[0042] The indoor unit 100 further includes a fan assembly 180
capable of adjusting the discharge amount of air depending on the
height sensed by the height sensing unit 170. The fan assembly 180
includes a fan motor 182 providing driving force and a blowing fan
184 provided to be rotatable by the fan motor 182. The RPM of the
fan motor 182 is controlled to increase or decrease in proportion
to the height of the ceiling.
[0043] The indoor unit 100 further includes a memory unit 190
storing data. In the memory unit 190, a table associated with the
height sensed by the height sensing unit 170 and the RPM of the fan
motor 182 may be mapped and stored.
[0044] The indoor unit 100 further includes a discharge control
unit 160 controlling the amount or discharge direction of the air
discharged through the discharge hole 155. The discharge control
unit 160 includes the discharge vein selectively opening the
discharge hole 155 and a discharge motor 162 providing driving
force to the discharge vein 164. The discharge vein 164 may be
provided to be rotatable or movable straightly. In addition, the
plurality of discharge veins 164 may be provided to correspond to
the discharge holes 155.
[0045] In the memory unit 190, a table associated with the height
sensed by the height sensing unit 170 and an opening degree of the
discharge control unit 160 may be mapped and stored. In addition,
the indoor unit 100 further includes a controller 200 receiving
information sensed by the sensing units 170 and 175 and controlling
the driving motors 162 and 182.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control method of the indoor unit
according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the control method of the indoor
unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention
will be described.
[0047] Power is applied to the indoor unit 100. In this case, the
power of the indoor unit may be controlled remotely by a remote
controller.
[0048] In addition, the installation height of the indoor unit,
i.e., the height of the ceiling may be sensed by the height sensing
unit 170 (S12). When a predetermined height is sensed, the fan
motor 182 is controlled with RPM corresponding to the sensed
height, and as a result, the blowing fan 184 may be rotated. For
example, as the sensed height is higher, the RPM of the fan motor
182 may be higher (S13).
[0049] The control for compensating for a difference between the
indoor temperature sensed by the temperature sensing unit 175 and a
set (target) temperature is performed. The compensation control may
be performed based on the height of the ceiling.
[0050] Specifically, a predetermined error value may be generated
between a surrounding temperature of the temperature sensing unit
175 positioned around the ceiling and a temperature between
locations (approximately 1 to 1.5 in from the bottom surface) which
residents feel. The compensation control may be appreciated as a
control method for compensating the error value to an appropriate
level.
[0051] A case in which the indoor temperature is 30.degree. C. and
the set temperature is 25.degree. C. will be described as an
example. In this case, the difference between the indoor
temperature and the set temperature as a first temperature
difference may be recognized as 5.degree. C. When the ceiling
height of the indoor space is 3.2 m, an actual temperature
difference (a second temperature difference) is just recognized as
5.degree. C.
[0052] On the contrary, when the ceiling height is 2.7 m, a value
acquired by subtracting a compensation constant a from 5.degree. C.
may be recognized as the actual temperature difference. In
addition, when the ceiling height is 3.7 m, a value acquired by
adding the compensation constant a from 5.degree. C. may be
recognized as the actual temperature difference.
[0053] Therefore, as the ceiling height is higher, the actual
temperature difference (the second temperature difference) is
higher than the sensed value (the first temperature difference) to
compensate for the temperature. Herein, the ceiling height (the
installation height of the indoor unit), 3.2 may be a predetermined
installation height which is a reference for adding or subtracting
the compensation constant.
[0054] That is, when the installation height of the indoor unit is
higher than 3.2, the second temperature difference is compensated
to be larger than the first temperature difference and when the
installation height of the indoor unit is lower than 3.2 m, the
second temperature difference may be compensated to be smaller than
the first temperature difference.
[0055] Meanwhile, data associated with the application of the
compensation constant and the temperature compensation may be
stored in the memory unit 190 in advance (S14).
[0056] In addition, an opening angle of the discharge vein 164 may
be adjusted by controlling the discharge motor 162, and as a
result, the direction or amount of the air discharge through the
discharge hole 155 may be controlled (S15). After the set-up is
made, the indoor unit 100 may start (S16).
[0057] FIG. 4 is a graph showing variation in flow rate of
discharged air depending on the height of the indoor unit in the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, the amount of the air discharged from
the indoor unit 100 varies in linear proportion to the height of
the ceiling.
[0059] Specifically, when the ceiling height sensed by the height
sensing unit 170 is Ho, the flow rate of the air discharged through
the discharge hole 155 may be controlled as Wo. The flow rate of
the air discharged through the discharge hole 155 may be controlled
by the RPM of the blowing fan 184 or the opening degree of the
discharge vein 164. In addition, as described above, the flow rate
corresponding to the height may be stored in the memory unit 190 in
advance.
[0060] In addition as the height of the ceiling increases
(HO.fwdarw.H1.fwdarw.H2), the flow rate of the discharged air
increases linearly (WO.fwdarw.W1.fwdarw.W2). That is, the flow rate
of the discharged air may be appropriately controlled to correspond
to the actual height of the ceiling.
[0061] By this configuration, even though the indoor unit that is
installed in one indoor space is moved to and installed in another
indoor space having a difference ceiling height, the flow rate may
be automatically controlled depending on the sensed information of
the height sensing unit 170 without additionally setting the
height.
[0062] Hereinafter, second and third exemplary embodiments of the
present invention will be described. Since the exemplary
embodiments are different from the first exemplary embodiment in
only some configurations, the difference will be primarily
described and the same reference numerals as the first exemplary
embodiment will refer to the same components as the first exemplary
embodiments.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
indoor unit according to a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control method of the
indoor unit according to the second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow rate of
discharged air depending on a position where the indoor unit is
placed.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the indoor unit 100 according to
the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a
wall surface sensing unit 172 sensing a distance to a wall surface
of an indoor space from the indoor unit 100 or a front panel 150.
The wall surface sensing unit 172 may include a distance sensor.
The wall surface sensing unit 172 and the height sensing unit 170
may be called a "distance sensing unit".
[0065] The wall surface sensing unit 172 is provided on the front
panel 150 and may be placed so that a sensing direction of the wall
surface sensing unit 172 face the wall surface. The wall surface
sensing unit 172 may be constituted by a plurality of sensors
facing a plurality of wall surfaces.
[0066] However, unlike this, the wall surface sensing unit 172 may
be constituted by one sensor and installed to be rotatable.
[0067] In this case, the wall surface sensing unit 172 senses a
distance up to one wall surface and thereafter, rotates while
facing one direction and may sense a distance up to the other wall
surface while facing the other direction. In this case, the wall
surface sensing unit 172 may further include a direction switching
unit switching the direction to face the plurality of wall
surfaces.
[0068] The indoor unit 100 includes a discharge control unit 260
including a plurality of discharge veins. The plurality of
discharge veins include a first discharge vein 261, a second
discharge vein 262, a third discharge vein 263, and a fourth
discharge vein 264.
[0069] Opening or not or opening degree of the plurality of
discharge veins 261, 262, 263, and 264 may be controlled
independently. In this case, the indoor unit 100 may include one or
more discharge motors for independently driving the plurality of
discharge veins 261, 262, 263, and 264.
[0070] Meanwhile, a table associated with the distance values
sensed by the height sensing unit 170 or the wall surface sensing
unit 172 and the RPM of the fan motor 182 or the opening degree of
the discharge control unit 260 may be mapped and stored in the
memory unit 190. In addition, data regarding application of a
compensation constant depending on the distance value and
temperature compensation may be stored in the memory unit 190 in
advance.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 6, the control method of the indoor unit
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will
be described.
[0072] When power is applied to the indoor unit 100, an
installation height of the indoor unit may be sensed by the height
sensing unit 170 (S21 and S22). In addition, distances up to the
plurality of wall surfaces from the indoor unit 100 may be
respectively sensed through the wall surface sensing unit 172.
[0073] In order to form appropriate flow rate to correspond to the
sensed height, an output (RPM) of the fan motor 182 is controlled
and compensation control for a difference between an indoor
temperature and a set temperature depending on the height may be
performed (S25).
[0074] In addition, the RPM of the discharge motor or the opening
angels of the discharge veins 261, 262, 263, and 264 are adjusted
to correspond to the sensed distances up to the wall surface to
control a discharge direction and discharge flow rate of air (S26).
In addition, the indoor unit 100 starts. Herein, the opening
degrees of the discharge veins 261, 262, 263, and 264 may be
controlled to be different from each other (S27).
[0075] Specifically, in FIG. 7, three cases in which the indoor
unit 100 is placed at different positions in an indoor space 300.
It is assumed that the indoor space 300 has a substantially square
shape.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, when the front panel 150 is positioned
substantially at the center of the indoor space 300 (position A),
that is, when distances up to 4-direction wall surfaces 311, 312,
313, and 314 from the indoor unit 100 are substantially the same as
each other, the opening degrees of the first to fourth discharge
veins 261, 262, 263, and 264 may be substantially the same as each
other. In this case, the flow rate of the air discharged from the
indoor unit 100 have substantially equal to each other with respect
to four directions.
[0077] Meanwhile, when the front panel 150 is closest to the first
wall surface 311 (position B), specifically, when a distance
between the front panel 150 and the first wall surface 311 is
shortest, a distance between the front panel 150 and the second
wall surface 312 is longest, and distances between the front panel
150 and the third and fourth wall surfaces 313 and 314 are middle
distances (position B) the opening degree of the second discharge
vein 262 is small and the flow rate of the air discharge from the
second discharge vein 262 may be thus smallest.
[0078] On the contrary, the flow rate discharged from the third
discharge vein 263 is largest and the flow rates discharged from
the first discharge vein 261 and the fourth discharge vein 264 may
be larger than the flow rate discharged from the second discharge
vein and smaller than the flow rate discharged from the third
discharge vein 263. In this case, the opening degrees of the
discharge veins will be controlled to increase in the order of the
second discharge vein 262, the first and fourth discharge veins 261
and 264, and the third discharge vein 263.
[0079] That is, based on the distance value up to each wall surface
from the front panel 150, the opening degree of each of the
discharge veins 261, 262, 263, and 264 corresponding thereto may be
controlled.
[0080] Meanwhile, when the front panel 150 is positioned close to
the second wall surface 312 (position C), that is, when the
distance up to the second wall surface 312 from the indoor unit 100
is smallest, the flow rates discharged from the first discharge
vein 261 and the third discharge vein 263 may be smallest.
[0081] On the contrary, the flow rates discharged from the second
discharge vein 262 and the fourth discharge vein 264 may be larger
than the flow rates discharged from the first discharge vein 261
and the third discharge vein 263.
[0082] Therefore, the plurality of discharge veins are placed to
face the plurality of wall surfaces and the opening degree of the
discharge vein may be controlled to correspond to the distance
value up to the wall surface which each discharge vein faces. That
is, as the distance value is larger, the opening degree of the
corresponding discharge vein may be larger in proportion
thereto.
[0083] According to the control method, since the opening degree of
the discharge vein corresponding to each wall surface may be
controlled depending on the distances up to the plurality of wall
surfaces, the entire indoor space can be evenly cooled or
heated.
[0084] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
indoor unit according to a third exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 8, the indoor unit 100 or the front panel
150 according to the exemplary embodiment includes one distance
sensing unit 270 sensing the height of the indoor space or the
distance up to the wall surface.
[0086] The distance sensing unit 270 includes a sensing sensor 272
sensing a distance up to the bottom surface or one wall surface of
the indoor space or from the front panel 150 and a direction
switching unit 274 switching a placement direction of the sensing
sensor 272. The direction switching unit 274 includes a motor or an
actuator.
[0087] The sensing sensor 272 may sense the installation height of
the indoor unit while facing one direction. In addition, the
sensing sensor 272 is moved by the direction switching motor 274
and thereafter, may sense a distance up to one wall surface among
the plurality of wall surfaces while facing the other
direction.
[0088] Of course, the sensing sensor 272 may respectively sense the
distances up to the plurality of wall surfaces while the direction
is switched. As described above, one sensing sensor 272 can be
direction-switched to sense the installation height of the indoor
unit and the distances up to the wall surface in sequence.
[0089] Consequently, according to the exemplary embodiments, since
the plurality of sensors do not need to be provided in order to
measure the installation height and the distance up to the wall
surface, the configuration of the indoor unit becomes compact and a
fabrication cost can be saved.
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