U.S. patent application number 13/556252 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-21 for indoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus and air-conditioning apparatus including the indoor unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Akira TAKAMORI. Invention is credited to Akira TAKAMORI.
Application Number | 20130043003 13/556252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46758615 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130043003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKAMORI; Akira |
February 21, 2013 |
INDOOR UNIT FOR AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND AIR-CONDITIONING
APPARATUS INCLUDING THE INDOOR UNIT
Abstract
An indoor unit for air-conditioning that may suppress the
discharge of dewdrops into a conditioned space. An indoor unit
including a casing having an air inlet in an upper portion thereof
and an air outlet in a lower portion of a front face thereof, a
fan, a heat exchange, and a louver configured to redirect air blown
out of the air outlet in a vertical direction. The louver includes
a main louver and a sub-louver. In a state where the main louver is
level, the sub-louver is provided below the main louver. A leeward
end of the sub-louver is positioned forward by a first
predetermined distance with respect to a virtual perpendicular line
passing through a windward end of the main louver. A windward end
of the sub-louver is positioned rearward by a second predetermined
distance with respect to the virtual perpendicular line.
Inventors: |
TAKAMORI; Akira; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TAKAMORI; Akira |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
46758615 |
Appl. No.: |
13/556252 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/15 20130101;
F24F 1/0011 20130101; F24F 1/0033 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/96 |
International
Class: |
F28F 27/00 20060101
F28F027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 18, 2011 |
JP |
2011-179180 |
Claims
1. An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, comprising: a
casing having an air inlet in an upper portion thereof and an air
outlet in a lower portion of a front face thereof; an air-sending
device provided in the casing and configured to suction air into
the casing via the air inlet and to blow the air out of the casing
via the air outlet; a heat exchanger provided in the casing and
configured to exchange heat between the air suctioned into the
casing and a refrigerant; and a louver provided at the air outlet
and configured to redirect the air blown out of the air outlet in a
vertical direction, wherein the louver includes a main louver and a
sub-louver that each have a plate shape and are each configured to
rotate around a rotational axis extending in a lateral direction of
the casing, and in a state where a virtual line connecting a
leeward end and a windward end of the main louver is level, the
sub-louver is provided below the main louver; a leeward end of the
sub-louver is positioned forward by a first predetermined distance
with respect to a virtual perpendicular line passing through the
windward end of the main louver; and a windward end of the
sub-louver is positioned rearward by a second predetermined
distance with respect to the virtual perpendicular line.
2. The indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the air-sending device includes a plurality of axial-flow
or mixed-flow fans that are provided in parallel on a downstream
side of the air inlet, and the heat exchanger is provided on the
downstream side of the plurality of fans.
3. The indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the sub-louver has a smaller width than the main louver in
side sectional view.
4. The indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein, in a state where the sub-louver is provided such that a
virtual line connecting the leeward end and the windward end
thereof is level, a lower edge of the air outlet is positioned
forward by a third predetermined distance with respect to the
windward end of the sub-louver.
5. The indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
further comprising a straightening vane provided at an upper edge
of the air outlet.
6. The indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the main louver and the sub-louver are configured to rotate
around a common rotational axis, and when the main louver and the
sub-louver are rotated about the rotational axis, the windward end
of the sub-louver comes into contact with an upper edge of the air
outlet and the main louver and the sub-louver cover the air
outlet.
7. The indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus of claim 6,
further comprising a stopper that is a projection provided on the
upper edge of the air outlet, wherein the windward end of the
sub-louver is configured to come into contact with the stopper.
8. An air-conditioning apparatus comprising the indoor unit for an
air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an indoor unit intended for
an air-conditioning apparatus and to an air-conditioning apparatus
including the indoor unit.
Background Art
[0002] Known indoor units for air-conditioning apparatuses include
axial-flow or mixed-flow fans functioning as air-sending devices
that allow air in conditioned spaces to flow through the indoor
units. An example of such an indoor unit for an air-conditioning
apparatus is as follows. "An indoor unit 40 includes a casing 1
having an air inlet 2 in an upper portion thereof and an air outlet
3 in a lower portion of a front face thereof, an axial-flow or
mixed-flow fan 4 provided in the casing 1 at a position on the
downstream side of the air inlet 2, and a heat exchanger 5 provided
in the casing 1 at a position on the downstream side of the fan 4
and on the upstream side of the air outlet 3 and configured to
exchange heat between air blown by the fan 4 and a refrigerant"
(see Patent Literature 1). Such a known indoor unit for an
air-conditioning apparatus also includes a louver (also referred to
as vane in Patent Literature 1) provided at the air outlet. The
louver redirects the air blown out of the air outlet in the
vertical direction.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] [Patent Literature 1] WO2010/089920 (Abstract, Paragraph
[0012], and FIG. 1)
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] As disclosed by Patent Literature 1, the axial-flow or
mixed-flow fan is provided at a position on the downstream side of
the air inlet and on the upstream side of the heat exchanger.
Furthermore, the axial-flow or mixed-flow fan is oriented such that
the air-sending direction thereof (for example, the direction of
the rotational axis of the fan if the fan is an axial-flow fan) is
orthogonal to the air inlet provided in the upper portion of the
casing. That is, in the known indoor unit including an axial-flow
or mixed-flow fan, the air having flowed through the heat
exchanger, that is, the air flowing toward the air outlet, tends to
flow in the vertical direction of the casing. Therefore, the known
indoor unit including an axial-flow or mixed-flow fan has the
following problem that may occur in a case where the air blown out
of the air outlet is redirected in the vertical direction by a
louver.
[0005] Some of the air having flowed into the air outlet hits the
upper surface of the louver and is redirected in such a manner as
to be blown out of the air outlet. The rest of the air having
flowed into the air outlet but not having hit the upper surface of
the louver is attracted toward the lower surface of the louver by
the flow of the air that has hit the upper surface of the louver
and by a flow of the air produced along a lower member defining the
air outlet. Therefore, in the known indoor unit including an
axial-flow or mixed-flow fan, the air flowing into the air outlet
and the air flowing out of the air outlet tend to be angled with
respect to each other because the flow of the air into the air
outlet tends to be produced in the vertical direction of the
casing. Consequently, the air flowing below the louver tends to be
separated from the lower surface of the louver. Hence, when the
indoor unit is in cooling operation, the louver is cooled by cool
air (the air cooled by the heat exchanger) that has hit the upper
surface of the louver, whereby warm air from the conditioned space
gathering in an area below the louver where flow separation may
occur is cooled through the louver. This increases the probability
that dew condensation may occur on the lower surface of the louver
(in particular, a portion of the lower surface of the louver that
faces the flow-separation area). Thus, the known indoor unit
including an axial-flow or mixed-flow fan has a problem in that
dewdrops produced on the lower surface of the louver may gather and
form larger dewdrops, and such dewdrops may be discharged into the
conditioned space.
[0006] The present invention is to solve the above problem and to
provide an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus in which
the discharge of dewdrops into a conditioned space that may occur
in a cooling operation is suppressed, and an air-conditioning
apparatus including the indoor unit.
Solution to Problem
[0007] An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according
to the present invention includes a casing having an air inlet in
an upper portion thereof and an air outlet in a lower portion of a
front face thereof, an air-sending device provided in the casing
and configured to suction air into the casing via the air inlet and
to blow the air out of the casing via the air outlet, a heat
exchanger provided in the casing and configured to exchange heat
between the air suctioned into the casing and a refrigerant, and a
louver provided at the air outlet and configured to redirect the
air blown out of the air outlet in a vertical direction. The louver
includes a main louver and a sub-louver that each have a plate
shape and are each configured to rotate around a rotational axis
extending in a lateral direction of the casing. In a state where a
virtual line connecting a leeward end and a windward end of the
main louver is level, the sub-louver is provided below the main
louver; a leeward end of the sub-louver is positioned forward by a
first predetermined distance with respect to a virtual
perpendicular line passing through the windward end of the main
louver; and a windward end of the sub-louver is positioned rearward
by a second predetermined distance with respect to the virtual
perpendicular line passing.
[0008] An air-conditioning apparatus according to the present
invention includes the above indoor unit for an air-conditioning
apparatus.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009] According to the present invention, the louver includes the
main louver and the sub-louver that each have a plate shape and are
each configured to rotate around the rotational axis extending in
the lateral direction of the casing. In the state where the virtual
line connecting the leeward end and the windward end of the main
louver is level, the sub-louver is provided below the main louver;
the leeward end of the sub-louver is positioned forward by the
first predetermined distance with respect to the virtual
perpendicular line passing through the windward end of the main
louver; and the windward end of the sub-louver is positioned
rearward by the second predetermined distance with respect to the
virtual perpendicular line. Therefore, some of the air that has
flowed into the air outlet and has not hit the upper surface of the
main louver hits the upper surface of the sub-louver and flows
along the upper surface of the sub-louver. That is, the air that
has hit the upper surface of the sub-louver is attracted toward the
lower surface of the main louver and flows along the lower surface
of the main louver. Hence, the air flowing below the main louver
does not tend to be separated from the lower surface of the main
louver. Thus, in the cooling operation, the occurrence of dew
condensation on the lower surface of the main louver is suppressed,
and the discharge of dewdrops into a conditioned space is hence
suppressed.
[0010] The application of the present invention is not limited to
indoor units including axial-flow or mixed-flow fans. The type of
the air-sending device according to the present invention is not
limited, and the present invention is applicable to indoor units
including various types of air-sending devices.
[0011] For example, in an indoor unit including a cross-flow fan
functioning as an air-sending device, the cross-flow fan is
provided on the downstream side of the heat exchanger (i.e.,
between the heat exchanger and the air outlet). Therefore, in the
indoor unit including a cross-flow fan, the air flowing into the
air outlet can be more easily redirected in such a manner as to be
blown out of the air outlet, compared with an indoor unit including
an axial-flow or mixed-flow fan, by tilting the direction in which
the cross-flow fan blows air. However, since the direction of the
air blown out of the air outlet changes, the direction in which the
cross-flow fan blows air and the direction in which the air is
blown out of the air outlet into the conditioned space cannot be
made the same constantly. That is, a louver is also necessary in
the indoor unit including a cross-flow fan so as to redirect the
air flowing into the air outlet. Therefore, in the indoor unit
including a cross-flow fan also, if the angle at which the airflow
is redirected by the louver becomes large, the airflow may be
separated from the lower surface of the louver and dew condensation
may occur on the lower surface of the louver in the cooling
operation. Moreover, dewdrops on the lower surface of the louver
may gather and form larger dewdrops, and such dewdrops may be
discharged into the conditioned space. Considering such
circumstances, the present invention is also very effective for the
indoor unit including a cross-flow fan.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an indoor unit for an
air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective appearance view of the indoor unit
for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 includes diagrams illustrating a louver included in
the indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates airflows produced near an air outlet of
the indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates how a predetermined distance L4 is set
for the louver included in the indoor unit for an air-conditioning
apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an indoor unit for an
air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a
modification of the indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus
according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
[0019] An air-conditioning apparatus (more specifically, an indoor
unit for an air-conditioning apparatus) according to Embodiment 1
of the present invention will now be described. Embodiment 1 of the
present invention concerns an exemplary case of a wall-mounted
indoor unit that includes an axial-flow or mixed-flow fan
functioning as an air-sending device. The shapes, sizes, and so
forth of units (or elements included in the units) illustrated in
the drawings may vary depending on circumstances.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an indoor unit 100
for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the
present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective appearance view of the
indoor unit 100. FIG. 3 includes diagrams illustrating a louver 10
included in the indoor unit 100. FIG. 3(a) is an enlarged view of
the louver 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3(b) is an upper
perspective view of the louver 10 illustrated in FIG. 3(a). FIG.
3(c) is a lower perspective view of the louver 10 illustrated in
FIG. 3(a).
[0021] A configuration of the indoor unit 100 will be described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In Embodiment 1, the left side in
FIG. 1 is defined as the front side of the indoor unit 100.
[0022] The indoor unit 100 supplies conditioned air into a
conditioned space, such as a room, by utilizing a refrigeration
cycle through which a refrigerant circulates. The indoor unit 100
basically includes the following: a casing 1 having an air inlet 2
via which room air is suctioned into the casing 1 and an air outlet
3 via which the conditioned air is supplied into the conditioned
space, a fan 4 provided in the casing 1 and configured to suction
the room air via the air inlet 2 and to cause the conditioned air
to be blown out of the air outlet 3, a heat exchanger 5 provided in
a flow path extending from the fan 4 to the air outlet 3 and
configured to produce the conditioned air by exchanging heat
between the refrigerant and the room air, and the louver 10
configured to redirect the flow of the conditioned air in the
vertical direction such that the conditioned air is blown out of
the air outlet 3. The air inlet 2 is provided in an upper portion
of the casing 1. The air outlet 3 is provided in a lower portion of
the casing 1 (more specifically, in a lower portion of the front
face of the casing 1).
[0023] The fan 4, which is, for example, an axial-flow or
mixed-flow fan, is provided at a position on the downstream side of
the air inlet 2 and on the upstream side of the heat exchanger 5.
In general, many indoor units for air-conditioning apparatuses do
not have large fans because the spaces in which the indoor units
can be installed are limited. Therefore, in Embodiment 1, a
plurality of fans 4 having moderate sizes are provided in parallel
so that a desired volume of airflow can be produced. More
specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the indoor unit 100
according to Embodiment 1 includes three fans 4 arranged in
parallel in the lateral direction of the casing 1.
[0024] The heat exchanger 5 is provided on the leeward side of the
fans 4. The heat exchanger 5 provided in the casing 1 has a
substantially A shape in sectional view. Such a sectional shape of
the heat exchanger 5 is only exemplary and may alternatively be a
substantially M or N shape, for example.
[0025] The louver 10 is provided at the air outlet 3 and includes a
main louver 11 and a sub-louver 12. The main louver 11 has a
substantially flat plate shape whose longitudinal direction
corresponds to the lateral direction of the casing 1. The
sub-louver 12 also has a substantially flat plate shape whose
longitudinal direction corresponds to the lateral direction of the
casing 1, as with the main louver 11. The main louver 11 and the
sub-louver 12 are connected to each other at the lateral ends
thereof with ribs 14. In other words, the main louver 11 and the
sub-louver 12 according to Embodiment 1 are provided as an integral
body. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the sub-louver 12 has a width
L2 smaller than a width L1 of the main louver 11.
[0026] The main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 may each have a
slightly curved shape in side sectional view.
[0027] The main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 configured as above
are arranged as illustrated in FIG. 3. Specifically, the main
louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 extend substantially parallel to
each other. For example, in the case where the main louver 11 and
the sub-louver 12 each have a slightly curved shape in side
sectional view, a virtual line connecting a windward end 11a and a
leeward end 11b of the main louver 11 and a virtual line connecting
a windward end 12a and a leeward end 12b of the sub-louver 12
extend substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, in
Embodiment 1, the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 are at a
predetermined distance L3 of 5 mm to 10 mm from each other.
[0028] In a case where the virtual line connecting the windward end
11a and the leeward end 11b of the main louver 11 is level, the
leeward end 12b of the sub-louver 12 is positioned forward by a
predetermined distance L4 with respect to a virtual perpendicular
line 11c passing through the windward end 11a of the main louver
11. Furthermore, in the case where the virtual line connecting the
windward end 11a and the leeward end 11b of the main louver 11 is
level, the windward end 12a of the sub-louver 12 is positioned
rearward by a predetermined distance L5 with respect to the virtual
perpendicular line 11c passing through the windward end 11a of the
main louver 11.
[0029] Furthermore, according to Embodiment 1, in the case where
the virtual line connecting the windward end 11a and the leeward
end 11b of the main louver 11 is level as illustrated in FIG. 1,
that is, in a case where the virtual line connecting the windward
end 12a and the leeward end 12b of the sub-louver 12 is level, an
edge (lower edge) of a lower member 3b defining the air outlet 3 is
positioned forward by a predetermined distance L6 with respect to a
virtual perpendicular line 12c passing through the windward end 12a
of the sub-louver 12 (see FIG. 1).
[0030] The predetermined distance L4 corresponds to the first
predetermined distance according to the present invention. The
predetermined distance L5 corresponds to the second predetermined
distance according to the present invention. The predetermined
distance L6 corresponds to the third predetermined distance
according to the present invention. A specific method of setting
the predetermined distances L4, L5, and L6 will be described
separately below in conjunction with description of operations.
[0031] The ribs 14 included in the louver 10 have pins 13,
respectively, projecting from the outer sides thereof. The pins 13,
that is projections, are rotatably supported by, for example,
sidewalls of the casing 1. That is, the main louver 11 and the
sub-louver 12 are configured to rotate around the pins 13 provided
on a virtual line extending in the lateral direction of the casing
1. The main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 are driven by a motor
or the like (not illustrated).
[0032] The indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1 also includes
a straightening vane 6 provided on an upper member 3a defining the
air outlet 3. The straightening vane 6 guides the air having flowed
into the air outlet 3 toward the exit of the air outlet 3.
[0033] (Description of Operations)
[0034] Operations performed by the indoor unit 100 configured as
above will now be described.
[0035] When the fans 4 are driven to rotate, the room air is
suctioned into the casing 1 via the air inlet 2. The room air is
blown by the fans 4 and flows into the heat exchanger 5 provided on
the downstream side. The room air having flowed into the heat
exchanger 5 is cooled in a cooling operation or is heated in a
heating operation by the refrigerant flowing through the heat
exchanger 5. The air thus conditioned flows into the air outlet 3.
The conditioned air having flowed into the air outlet 3 is
redirected in the vertical direction by the louver 10 (i.e., by the
main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12) and is blown out of the air
outlet 3 into the conditioned space (i.e., to the outside of the
casing 1). Airflows produced near the air outlet 3 in this process
are illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates the airflows produced near the air outlet
3 of the indoor unit 100 for an air-conditioning apparatus
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a
sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1.
[0037] Each fan 4, which is an axial-flow or mixed-flow fan, is
oriented such that the air-sending direction thereof (for example,
the direction of the rotational axis of the fan 4 if the fan 4 is
an axial-flow fan) is orthogonal to the air inlet 2 provided in the
upper portion of the casing 1. Therefore, the conditioned air
having flowed through the heat exchanger 5 generally tends to flow
in a vertical direction of the casing 1, although the direction of
the flow slightly changes when passing through the heat exchanger
5. Hence, the direction in which the conditioned air flows into the
air outlet 3 is close to the vertical direction of the casing 1 on
the upstream side of the louver 10, although the flow is redirected
toward the exit of the air outlet 3 by the straightening vane 6.
That is, the conditioned air having flowed into the air outlet 3
flows as follows.
[0038] Some of the conditioned air having flowed into an area near
the upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3 is redirected toward
the exit of the air outlet 3 by the straightening vane 6 while
being pushed upward by airflow 9B, to be described below, thereby
flowing along the upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3 (see
airflow 9A illustrated in FIG. 4). Some of the conditioned air
having flowed into the air outlet 3 on the rear side with respect
to the airflow 9A hits the upper surface of the main louver 11 and
flows along the upper surface of the main louver 11 (see the
airflow 9B illustrated in FIG. 4). Some of the conditioned air
having flowed into the air outlet 3 on the rear side with respect
to the airflow 9B flows without hitting the upper surface of the
main louver 11.
[0039] The air flowing on the rear side with respect to the airflow
9B tends to flow along the lower surface of the main louver 11. If
the direction of such airflow is angled with respect to the
direction in which the main louver 11 extends (i.e., the direction
in which the conditioned air is blown out of the air outlet 3), the
airflow may be separated from the lower surface of the main louver
11. Therefore, when the indoor unit 100 is in cooling operation,
the main louver 11 is cooled by the cool air that hits the upper
surface of the main louver 11, whereby warm room air gathering in
an area below the main louver 11 where flow separation may occur is
cooled through the main louver 11. This increases the probability
that dew condensation may occur on the lower surface of the main
louver 11 (in particular, a portion of the lower surface of the
main louver 11 that faces the flow-separation area). If dewdrops
produced on the lower surface of the main louver 11 gather and form
larger dewdrops, such dewdrops may be discharged into the room.
[0040] In Embodiment 1, however, since the sub-louver 12 is
provided, some of the conditioned air that has not hit the upper
surface of the main louver 11 hits the upper surface of the
sub-louver 12 and flows along the upper surface of the sub-louver
12 (see airflow 9C illustrated in FIG. 4). That is, the conditioned
air having hit the upper surface of the sub-louver 12 flows between
the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 while being attracted
toward and flows along the lower surface of the main louver 11.
Therefore, the conditioned air flowing along the lower surface of
the main louver 11 does not tend to be separated from the lower
surface of the main louver 11. Thus, in the cooling operation, the
occurrence of dew condensation on the lower surface of the main
louver 11 is suppressed, and the discharge of dewdrops into the
room is hence suppressed. Since the predetermined distance L3
between the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 is set to 5 mm to
10 mm, flow separation does not tend to occur between the main
louver 11 and the sub-louver 12. Consequently, the pressure loss in
the conditioned air flowing between the main louver 11 and the
sub-louver 12 is reduced. That is, the resistance in the flow path
for the airflow 9C defined between the main louver 11 and the
sub-louver 12 is reduced.
[0041] In Embodiment 1, some of the conditioned air that has not
hit the upper surface of the sub-louver 12 hits the lower member 3b
defining the air outlet 3 and flows along the lower member 3b
defining the air outlet 3 (see airflow 9D illustrated in FIG. 4).
That is, the conditioned air having hit the lower member 3b
defining the air outlet 3 is attracted toward the lower surface of
the sub-louver 12 and flows along the lower surface of the
sub-louver 12. Therefore, the conditioned air flowing below the
sub-louver 12 does not tend to be separated from the lower surface
of the sub-louver 12. Thus, in the cooling operation, the
occurrence of dew condensation on the lower surface of the
sub-louver 12 is also suppressed, and the discharge of dewdrops
into the room is further suppressed.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, as an angle .alpha. of the louver 10
(i.e., the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12) with respect to
the level becomes closer to perpendicular, the predetermined
distance L4 becomes smaller. As the angle .alpha. of the louver 10
further becomes further close to perpendicular, the predetermined
distance L4 becomes less than zero; that is, the windward end 11a
of the main louver 11 and the leeward end 12b of the sub-louver 12
become not overlapping each other in the vertical direction in side
view. Meanwhile, as the angle .alpha. of the louver 10 (i.e., the
main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12) becomes closer to
perpendicular, the difference between the angle of the conditioned
air flowing into the air outlet 3 and the angle of the conditioned
air flowing out of the air outlet 3 becomes smaller. Therefore,
flow separation does not tend to occur below the main louver 11.
Hence, in Embodiment 1, the predetermined distance L4 is set so as
to become zero or larger when the angle of the conditioned air
flowing into the air outlet 3 (for example, the angle of the
rotational axis of the fan 4 if the fan 4 is an axial-flow fan) and
the angle of the main louver 11 become respective values that allow
dewdrops to be discharged into the room because of the effect
produced in the flow-separation area below the main louver 11.
Similarly, in Embodiment 1, the predetermined distance L6 is set so
as to become zero or larger when the angle of the conditioned air
flowing into the air outlet 3 (for example, the angle of the
rotational axis of the fan 4 if the fan 4 is an axial-flow fan) and
the angle of the sub-louver 12 become respective values that allow
dewdrops to be discharged into the room because of the effect
produced in the flow-separation area below the sub-louver 12.
Furthermore, the predetermined distance L5 is set on the basis of
the predetermined distance L4 and the width L2 of the sub-louver
12. In addition, the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 according
to Embodiment 1 are arranged such that the predetermined distance
L4 becomes zero when the angle .alpha. of the main louver 11 with
respect to the level (see FIG. 5) is 55 degrees. In other words,
supposing that the angle of the conditioned air flowing into the
air outlet 3 is perpendicular, the main louver 11 and the
sub-louver 12 are arranged such that the predetermined distance L4
becomes zero when the angle formed between the virtual
perpendicular line 11c and the main louver 11 becomes 35 degrees.
Similarly, the sub-louver 12 and the edge of the lower member 3b
defining the air outlet 3 are arranged such that the predetermined
distance L6 becomes zero when the angle of the sub-louver 12 with
respect to the level becomes 55 degrees. In other words, supposing
that the angle of the conditioned air flowing into the air outlet 3
is perpendicular, the sub-louver 12 and the edge of the lower
member 3b defining the air outlet 3 are arranged such that the
predetermined distance L6 becomes zero when the angle formed
between the virtual perpendicular line 12c and the sub-louver 12
becomes 35 degrees.
[0043] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, the louver
10 includes the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12. Furthermore,
in the case where the virtual line connecting the windward end 11a
and the leeward end 11b of the main louver 11 is level, the leeward
end 12b of the sub-louver 12 is positioned forward by the
predetermined distance L4 with respect to the virtual perpendicular
line 11c passing through the windward end 11a of the main louver
11. Therefore, in the cooling operation, the occurrence of dew
condensation on the lower surface of the main louver 11 is
suppressed, and the discharge of dewdrops into the room is hence
suppressed.
[0044] Furthermore, the width L2 of the sub-louver 12 is smaller
than the width L1 of the main louver 11. Therefore, even if dew
condensation occurs on the lower surface of the sub-louver 12,
dewdrops produced on the lower surface of the sub-louver 12 do not
tend to form larger dewdrops. Hence, the discharge of dewdrops into
the room is further suppressed.
[0045] Furthermore, in the case where the virtual line connecting
the windward end 12a and the leeward end 12b of the sub-louver 12
is level, the edge (lower edge) of the lower member 3b defining the
air outlet 3 is positioned forward by the predetermined distance L6
with respect to the virtual perpendicular line 12c passing through
the windward end 12a of the sub-louver 12. Therefore, in the
cooling operation, the occurrence of dew condensation on the lower
surface of the sub-louver 12 is also suppressed, and the discharge
of dewdrops into the room is further suppressed.
[0046] Furthermore, since the straightening vane 6 is provided on
the upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3, the conditioned air
having flowed into the air outlet 3 is redirected toward the exit
of the air outlet 3 by the straightening vane 6. This reduces the
difference between the angle of the conditioned air flowing into
the air outlet 3 and the angle of the conditioned air flowing out
of the air outlet 3. Therefore, in the cooling operation, the
occurrence of dew condensation on the lower surfaces of the main
louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 is further suppressed, and the
discharge of dewdrops into the room is further suppressed.
[0047] While the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 according to
Embodiment 1 share the common pins 13 that together define one
rotational axis, the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 may
alternatively have respective rotational axes. That is, even if the
main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 have respective rotational
axes, the effects described in Embodiment 1 are produced, as long
as the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 are arranged as
described above.
[0048] While Embodiment 1 of the present invention concerns a case
where the indoor unit 100 includes the fans 4 that are axial-flow
or mixed-flow fans, it is obvious that the present invention can be
embodied regardless of the type of the fans included in the indoor
unit. In an indoor unit including a louver, the flow of air is
redirected in such a manner as to be blown out of the air outlet,
regardless of the type of fans. Therefore, if the angle at which
the airflow is redirected by the louver is large, the airflow
produced below the louver may be separated from the lower surface
of the louver. This may lead to dew condensation on the lower
surface of the louver in the cooling operation. Dewdrops produced
on the lower surface of the louver may gather and form larger
dewdrops. Such dewdrops may be discharged into the conditioned
space. Considering such circumstances, the present invention is
effective in suppressing the discharge of dewdrops into the room in
all types of indoor units including louvers.
Embodiment 2
[0049] In terms of design improvement, air outlets of some known
indoor units are closed by louvers when the indoor units are not in
operation. The air outlet 3 of the indoor unit 100 including the
main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 may be closed as described
below. In Embodiment 2, elements that are the same as those
according to Embodiment 1 are not specifically described, and like
functions and elements are denoted by like reference numerals and
characters. The term "close" used in Embodiment 2 implies that the
inside of the indoor unit 100 is concealed by the louver 10 and
does not imply that the air outlet 3 of the indoor unit 100 is
completely closed by the louver 10.
[0050] In the indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 1, the air
outlet 3 is to be closed by the louver 10 by rotating the louver
10. In such a case, the louver 10 may be rotated in such a
direction that the windward end of the louver 10 moves toward the
lower member 3b defining the air outlet 3 (hereinafter, referring
to FIG. 1, this direction of rotation is referred to as clockwise
direction). Alternatively, the louver 10 may be rotated in such a
direction that the windward end of the louver 10 moves toward the
upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3 (hereinafter, referring
to FIG. 1, this direction of rotation is referred to as
counterclockwise direction).
[0051] In the case where the louver 10 is rotated in the clockwise
direction, since the indoor unit 100 is configured such that the
edge of the lower member 3b defining the air outlet 3 projects
forward so that the occurrence of dew condensation on the
sub-louver 12 is suppressed, the sub-louver 12 and the lower member
3b defining the air outlet 3 may interfere with each other,
preventing the louver 10 from covering the air outlet 3.
[0052] In contrast, in the case where the louver 10 is rotated in
the counterclockwise direction so as to cover the air outlet 3, the
windward end 11a of the main louver 11 may need to reach a position
that is forward with respect to the edge of the upper member 3a
defining the air outlet 3 so that the inside of the casing 1 is
concealed when seen from below the main louver 11. In such a case,
the windward end 11a of the main louver 11 first passes below the
edge of the upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3 and then
reaches the position that is forward of the edge of the upper
member 3a defining the air outlet 3. Therefore, consideration needs
to be given for preventing the interference between the windward
end 11a of the main louver 11 and the upper member 3a defining the
air outlet 3. Consequently, a large gap may need to be provided
between the windward end 11a of the main louver 11 and the edge of
the upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3. In such a case, the
inside of the casing 1 is exposed through the gap, deteriorating
the design.
[0053] Hence, in Embodiment 2, the air outlet 3 is covered by the
louver 10 as described below, and the design is thus improved.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an indoor unit 100
for an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the
present invention.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the indoor unit 100 according to
Embodiment 2 is configured as follows. The louver 10 is configured
to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in such a manner as to
cover the air outlet 3. Furthermore, in a state where the windward
end 11a of the main louver 11 faces the edge of the upper member 3a
defining the air outlet 3, a gap is produced between the windward
end 11a of the main louver 11 and the upper member 3a defining the
air outlet 3 for the prevention of interference therebetween.
Furthermore, the main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12 are
configured to rotate around the common pins 13. Therefore, when the
louver 10 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the
windward end 12a of the sub-louver 12 rotates about the pins 13 and
on the outer side with respect to the windward end 11a of the main
louver 11, and comes into contact with the upper member 3a defining
the air outlet 3. Accordingly, the gap between the windward end 11a
of the main louver 11 and the edge of the upper member 3a defining
the air outlet 3 is covered by the sub-louver 12. Thus, when the
indoor unit 100 is not in operation, the air outlet 3 is covered by
the louver 10, providing the beauty of appearance. Hence, the
indoor unit 100 according to Embodiment 2 has improved design in
the state where the indoor unit 100 is not in operation.
[0056] In FIG. 6, the louver 10 is stopped by directly bringing the
windward end 12a of the sub-louver 12 into contact with the upper
member 3a defining the air outlet 3. Alternatively, referring to
FIG. 7, the louver 10 may be stopped by bringing the windward end
12a of the sub-louver 12 into contact with a stopper 7 projecting
from the upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3. In the case
where the louver 10 is stopped by directly bringing the windward
end 12a of the sub-louver 12 into contact with the upper member 3a
defining the air outlet 3, the windward end 12a of the sub-louver
12 and the upper member 3a defining the air outlet 3 are in line
contact with each other. In such a case, the points of contact
between the two may vary with dimensional errors of relevant
components, assembly errors, and the like. Therefore, in the case
where the louver 10 is stopped by directly bringing the windward
end 12a of the sub-louver 12 into contact with the upper member 3a
defining the air outlet 3, the position where the louver 10 (the
main louver 11 and the sub-louver 12) stops may vary with different
indoor units 100.
[0057] In contrast, in the case where the louver 10 is stopped by
bringing the windward end 12a of the sub-louver 12 into contact
with the stopper 7, the windward end 12a of the sub-louver 12 and
the stopper 7 are in point contact with each other. Therefore, the
variation in the position where the louver 10 (the main louver 11
and the sub-louver 12) stops occurring with dimensional errors of
relevant components, assembly errors, and the like is reduced.
Hence, in the case where the louver 10 is stopped by bringing the
windward end 12a of the sub-louver 12 into contact with the stopper
7, the indoor unit 100 has much improved design in the state where
the indoor unit 100 is not in operation.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0058] 1: casing
[0059] 2: air inlet
[0060] 3: air outlet
[0061] 3a: upper member
[0062] 3b: lower member
[0063] 4: fan
[0064] 5: heat exchanger
[0065] 6: straightening vane
[0066] 7: stopper
[0067] 10: louver
[0068] 11: main louver
[0069] 11a: windward end
[0070] 11b: leeward end
[0071] 11c: virtual perpendicular line
[0072] 12: sub-louver
[0073] 12a: windward end
[0074] 12b: leeward end
[0075] 12c: virtual perpendicular line
[0076] 13: pin
[0077] 14: rib
[0078] 100: indoor unit
* * * * *