U.S. patent application number 15/711423 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-22 for air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sung-June CHO, Heung Seob CHOI, Kwon Jin KIM, Dong Yoon LEE, Je Gu LEE, Se-Hoon SHIN, Joon-Ho YOON.
Application Number | 20180080676 15/711423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61617545 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180080676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHO; Sung-June ; et
al. |
March 22, 2018 |
AIR CONDITIONER
Abstract
An air conditioner includes a housing having an inlet, an
outlet, and a discharge plate having a plurality of holes disposed
adjacent to the outlet, a heat exchanger disposed within said
housing, a blowing fan for blowing air exchanged with the heat
exchanger; and a shutter movably provided to close at least one of
a first path through which air blown by the blowing fan flows to
the outlet and a second path that flows to the discharge plate.
Inventors: |
CHO; Sung-June; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; LEE; Dong Yoon; (Suwon-si, KR) ; LEE; Je
Gu; (Seoul, KR) ; SHIN; Se-Hoon; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; YOON; Joon-Ho; (Suwon-si, KR) ; CHOI;
Heung Seob; (Suwon-si, KR) ; KIM; Kwon Jin;
(Suwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
61617545 |
Appl. No.: |
15/711423 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/0003 20130101;
F24F 13/222 20130101; F24F 1/005 20190201; F24F 13/068 20130101;
F24F 13/14 20130101; F24F 1/0007 20130101; F24F 1/0014 20130101;
F24F 13/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/14 20060101
F24F013/14; F24F 13/20 20060101 F24F013/20; F24F 13/22 20060101
F24F013/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0121676 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner comprising: a housing having an inlet, an
outlet, and a discharge plate having a plurality of holes arranged
adjacent to the outlet; a heat exchanger disposed inside the
housing; a blowing fan configured to blow air heat-exchanged by the
heat exchanger; and a shutter movably disposed to open and close at
least one of a first path through which the air blown by the
blowing fan flows to the outlet and a second path through which the
air blown by the blowing fan flows to the discharge plate.
2. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the shutter is
configured to slide between a first position at which the shutter
closes the first path and a second position at which the shutter
closes the second path.
3. The air conditioner of claim 2, wherein the second position is
located on a rear surface of the discharge plate.
4. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the discharge plate is
formed on at least one of a front surface and a side surface of the
housing.
5. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the shutter is rotatably
disposed inside the housing, and configured to close the second
path when the outlet is open.
6. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the shutter is
configured to slide inside the housing, and configured to close the
second path when the outlet is open.
7. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the shutter is rotatably
disposed inside the housing, and configured to close the first path
when the outlet is closed.
8. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a blade
configured to guide air discharged from the outlet, and to close
the outlet, wherein the blade comprises: a plurality of first
blades configured to move between a guide position for guiding the
air discharged from the outlet and a closed position to close the
outlet; at least one second blade configured to move the plurality
of first blades between the guide position and the closed position,
and to close the outlet together with the plurality of first blades
at the closed position.
9. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a drain panel
formed below the discharge plate and the heat exchanger.
10. The air conditioner of claim 9, wherein the drain panel
protrudes from a front surface of the housing.
11. The air conditioner of claim 1, further comprising a light
emitting unit formed along at least a portion of the discharge
plate, and configured to emit light.
12. The air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the inlet further
comprises: a first inlet formed in at least one of a rear surface
and a side surface of the housing; and, a second inlet formed in a
front direction from the housing together with the outlet, and
configured to be closed when air blown by the blowing fan is
discharged through the discharge plate.
13. The air conditioner of claim 12, further comprising an inlet
door configured to open and close the second inlet.
14. The air conditioner of claim 12, further comprising an
auxiliary blowing fan disposed above the second inlet, and
configured to blow air discharged from the discharge plate toward
the front direction from the housing.
15. An air conditioner comprising: a housing having an outlet and a
discharge plate disposed adjacent to the outlet; a heat exchanger
disposed inside the housing; and a blowing fan configured to
discharge air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger to an outside of
the housing through at least one of the outlet and the discharge
plate, wherein the discharge plate comprises: a first plate and a
second plate, each of the first plate and the second plate having a
plurality of holes, wherein the first plate and the second plate
are configured to move between a close mode in which the plurality
of holes of the first plate are closed by the second plate and an
open mode in which the plurality of holes of the first plate and
the second plate are open.
16. The air conditioner of claim 15, wherein the discharge plate is
configured to operate in the close mode when the outlet is open,
and the discharge plate is configured to operate in the open mode
when the outlet is closed.
17. The air conditioner of claim 15, wherein the first plate and
the second plate are configured to slide between the open mode and
the closed mode, and wherein the plurality of holes of the first
plate are aligned with the plurality of holes of the second plate
in the open mode.
18. The air conditioner of claim 15, wherein the first plate
contacts the second plate in the close mode, and the first plate is
spaced apart from the second plate in the open mode.
19. An air conditioner comprising: a housing having an outlet and a
discharge plate having a plurality of holes disposed adjacent to
the outlet; a heat exchanger disposed inside the housing; a blowing
fan configured to discharge air heat-exchanged by the heat
exchanger to an outside of the housing through at least one of the
outlet and the discharge plate; and an auxiliary plate disposed
inside the housing and spaced apart from the discharge plate,
wherein the auxiliary plate includes a plurality of holes through
which air blown from the blowing fan toward the discharge plate
passes.
20. The air conditioner of claim 19, wherein the air blown by the
blowing fan sequentially passes through the auxiliary plate and the
discharge plate, and is discharged to the outside of the housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2016-0121676, filed on Sep. 22, 2016, in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an air conditioner,
and more particularly, to an air conditioner capable of changing an
air discharging method.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] In general, an air conditioner is an apparatus to adjust
temperature, humidity, airflow, distribution, etc. to optimal
conditions for human activities by using a cooling cycle. Main
components constituting the cooling cycle include a compressor, a
condenser, an evaporator, and a blowing fan.
[0004] The air conditioner can be classified into a split type air
conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are
separated and installed, and a window type air conditioner in which
an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are installed together in a
single cabinet. The indoor unit of the split type air conditioner
includes a heat exchanger to heat-exchange air inhaled to the
inside of the panel, and a blowing fan to inhale indoor air to the
inside of the panel and to again discharge the inhaled air to
indoor space. In a typical air conditioner, an indoor unit is
designed to minimize a heat exchanger, and to raise Revolutions Per
Minute (RPM) of a blowing fan to maximize wind velocity and wind
volume. Accordingly, the temperature of discharged air is lowered,
and the air forms a narrow and long path to be discharged to indoor
space.
[0005] Accordingly, when a user gets in direct contact with the
discharged air, he/she may feed cold and displeasure, and when
he/she does not contact the discharged air, he/she may feel hot and
displeasure.
[0006] Also, increasing the RPM of the blowing fan in order to
obtain high wind velocity results in an increase of noise.
Meanwhile, a radiant air conditioner of conditioning air without
using any blowing fan requires a large panel in order to obtain the
same capability as an air conditioner using a blowing fan. Also,
the radiant air conditioner has very low cooling velocity, and
requires high construction costs.
SUMMARY
[0007] Additional aspects and/or advantages 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.
[0008] Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide an
air conditioner capable of implementing various air discharge
methods.
[0009] It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide an air
conditioner capable of cooling or heating indoor space with a
minimum wind velocity at which a user can feel comfortable.
[0010] It is still another aspect of the disclosure to provide an
air conditioner capable of performing cooling by convection by
minimizing a wind velocity, and implementing radiant cooling in a
proximity zone.
[0011] Additional aspects of the disclosure 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
disclosure.
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an air
conditioner includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a
discharge plate having a plurality of holes disposed adjacent to
the outlet, a heat exchanger disposed within said housing, a
blowing fan for blowing air exchanged with the heat exchanger; and
a shutter movably provided to close at least one of a first path
through which air blown by the blowing fan flows to the outlet and
a second path that flows to the discharge plate.
[0013] The shutter is configured to slide the first position
closing the first path and the second position closing the second
path.
[0014] The shutter is positioned in the second position on the back
of the discharge plate.
[0015] The discharge plate is formed on at least one side of the
front surface or the side surface of the housing.
[0016] The shutter is rotatably provided inside the housing, and
the second path is closed when the outlet is opened.
[0017] The shutter is configured to slide within the housing and to
close the second path when the outlet is open,
[0018] The shutter is rotatably provided within the housing and is
rotatable to close the first path when the outlet is closed.
[0019] The air conditioner further includes a blade guiding the air
discharged from the outlet or closing the outlet. The blade
includes a plurality of first blades moving from a guide position
for guiding the discharge air to a closed position for moving from
the guide position and blocking the outlet, at least one second
blade operable to move the plurality of first blades in the guide
position and the closed position and to intercept the outlet with
the plurality of first blades in the closed position.
[0020] The air conditioner further includes a drain panel formed at
the lower portion of the discharge plate and the heat
exchanger.
[0021] The drain panel protrudes from the front surface of the
housing.
[0022] The air conditioner further includes a light emitting unit
formed along at least a portion of the discharge plate and
configured to emit light.
[0023] The inlet further includes a first inlet formed on a rear
surface or a side surface of the housing and a second inlet formed
to face the front of the housing together with the outlet and
configured to be closed when the air blown by the blowing fan is
discharged through the discharge plate.
[0024] The air conditioner further includes an inlet door
configured to open and close the second inlet.
[0025] The air conditioner further includes an auxiliary blowing
fan disposed above the second inlet for blowing air discharged from
the discharge plate toward the front of the housing.
[0026] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an air
conditioner includes a housing having a outlet and a discharge
plate disposed adjacent the outlet, a heat exchanger disposed
within the housing and a blowing fan arranged to discharge air
exchanged with the heat exchanger to the outside of the housing
through the outlet or the discharge plate. The discharge plate
includes first and second plates each having a plurality of holes,
wherein the first and second plates move in closed mode in which a
plurality of holes of one of the first and second plates are closed
by another plate and open mode in which a plurality of holes of the
first and second plates are open.
[0027] The discharge plate operates in the closed mode when the
outlet is opened, and the discharge plate is operated in the open
mode when the outlet is closed,
[0028] The first and second plates are configured to slide between
the open mode and the closed mode. The holes of the first and
second plates are aligned with each other in the open mode,
[0029] The first and second plates are in close contact with each
other in the closed mode and are spaced apart from each other in
the open mode,
[0030] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an air
conditioner includes a housing having a outlet and a discharge
plate having a plurality of holes disposed adjacent to the outlet,
a heat exchanger disposed within the housing, a blowing fan
arranged to discharge heat exchanged air with the heat exchanger to
the outside of the housing through the outlet or the discharge
plate and an auxiliary plate provided in the housing so as to be
spaced apart from the discharge plate, wherein the auxiliary plate
includes a plurality of holes through which air blown by the
blowing fan toward the discharge plate passes
[0031] The air blown by the blowing fan sequentially passes through
the auxiliary plate and the discharge plate and is discharged to
the outside of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] These and/or other aspects and advantages will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the operation of an air
conditioner in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0035] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams of the operation of an air
conditioner according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according
to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate operation of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate operation of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating a blade operation
of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0042] FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrams illustrating the operation of a
shutter according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 18 is a view showing a shape of a shutter according to
still another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 19 is a view showing a shape of a shutter according to
still another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] FIGS. 21 and 22 are diagrams illustrating the operation of
an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0048] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0049] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0050] FIGS. 26 and 27 are diagrams illustrating the operation of
an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0051] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the
drawings described in the present specification are only the
preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus it is to
be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the
embodiments and the drawings described in the present
specification, are possible when filing the present
application.
[0053] Also, like reference numerals or symbols in each of the
drawings of the present specification represent components or
elements that perform substantially the same functions.
[0054] The terms used in the present specification are used to
describe the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it
should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following
description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is
provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of
limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents. It is to be understood that the singular forms "a,"
"an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. It will be understood that when the terms
"includes," "comprises," "including," and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, figures, steps, components, or combination thereof, but
do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, figures, steps, components, members, or combinations
thereof.
[0055] It should be understood that although the terms "first,"
"second," and the like are used herein to describe various
elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These
terms are only used to distinguish one element from another
element. For example, a first element discussed below could be
termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be
termed a first element without departing from the teachings of this
disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0056] Hereinafter, the embodiments according to the present
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
attached drawings.
[0057] A cooling cycle constituting the air conditioner may be
configured with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and
an evaporator. The cooling cycle may perform a series of processes
of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation so as to
heat-exchange high-temperature air with low-temperature
refrigerants and then supply low-temperature air to indoor
space.
[0058] The compressor may compress refrigerant gas to a
high-temperature, high-pressure state, and discharge the compressed
refrigerant gas to the condenser. The condenser may condense the
compressed refrigerant gas to a liquid state, and emit heat to the
surroundings during the condensing process. The expansion valve may
expand the liquid-state refrigerants in the high-temperature,
high-pressure state condensed by the condenser to liquid-state
refrigerants in a low-pressure state. The evaporator may evaporate
the refrigerants expanded by the expansion valve. The evaporator
may achieve a cooling effect through heat-exchange with an object
to be cooled using evaporative latent heat of refrigerants, and
return the refrigerant gas in the low-temperature, low-pressure
state to the compressor. Through the cycle, the air temperature of
the indoor space can be adjusted.
[0059] An outdoor unit of the air conditioner may be a part of the
cooling cycle, configured with a compressor and an outdoor heat
exchanger. The expansion valve may be installed in any one of the
indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and an indoor heat exchanger may
be installed in the indoor unit of the air conditioner.
[0060] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner for
cooling indoor space, wherein an outdoor heat exchanger functions
as a condenser, and an indoor heat exchanger functions as an
evaporator. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, an indoor
unit including an indoor heat exchanger will be referred to as an
air conditioner, and the indoor heat exchanger will be referred to
as a heat exchanger.
[0061] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are
views for describing operations of the air conditioner according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0062] The air conditioner 1 may include a housing 10, a heat
exchanger 20, and a blowing unit 30. The housing 10 may include an
inlet 12 and an outlet 14. The heat exchanger 20 may exchange heat
with air entering the inside of the housing 10. The blowing unit 30
may circulate air to the inside or outside of the housing 10.
[0063] The housing 10 may include a front panel 10a in which an
outlet 14 is formed, a rear panel 10b disposed behind the front
panel 10a, side panels 10c disposed between the front panel 10a and
the rear panel 10b, and upper and lower panels 10d and 10e disposed
on the upper and lower ends of the side panels 10c. In the current
embodiment, the inlet 12 may be formed in the side panels 10c, and
the outlet 14 may be formed in the front panel 10a. However, the
positions of the inlet 12 and the outlet 14 are not limited to
these.
[0064] The housing 10 may include a blade 16 to guide air blowing
through the outlet 14. The blade 16 may be located in the outlet 14
to change a direction of air blowing through the outlet 14 or to
block the outlet 14. More specifically, the blade 16 may rotate
between a guide position 16a that is parallel to a blowing
direction of blowing air and a closed position 16b that is
perpendicular to the blowing direction of the blowing air.
[0065] The blowing unit 30 may include a blowing fan 32. In the
current embodiment, the blowing fan 32 may be an axial flow fan,
although not limited thereto. The blowing fan 32 may have a
configuration of passing air inhaled from the inlet 12 through the
heat exchanger 20 and then discharging the air through the outlet
14 or a plurality of holes 44 which will be described later.
[0066] The blowing unit 30 may include a motor 34. The motor 34 may
apply a rotational force to the blowing fan 32.
[0067] The heat exchanger 20 may be disposed within the housing 10
to exchange heat with air entered through the inlet 12. That is,
the heat exchanger 20 may absorb or transfer heat from the air
entered through the inlet 12. Below the heat exchanger 20, a drain
panel 22 may be disposed to collect water condensed by the heat
exchanger 20.
[0068] The air conditioner 1 may include a discharge plate 40.
[0069] The discharge plate 40 may be a portion of the housing 10 or
a separate element from the housing 10. In the current embodiment,
the discharge plate 40 may be formed on the front panel 10a of the
housing 10. More specifically, the discharge plate 40 may be
positioned below the outlet 14. However, the position of the
discharge plate 40 is not limited as long as it is formed on at
least one of the front surface or the side surface of the housing
10. The discharge plate 40 may include a plate body 42, and a
plurality of holes 44 formed in the plate body 42. Air blown by the
blowing fan 32 can be discharged to the outside of the housing 10
through the outlet 14 or the plurality of holes 44 formed in the
discharge plate 40.
[0070] The air conditioner 1 may include a shutter 50. The shutter
50 may be movable inside the housing 10. An air path formed inside
the housing 10 may include a first path P1 through which air blown
by the blowing fan 32 flows to the outlet 14, and a second path P1
through which air blown by the blowing fan 32 flows to the
discharge plate 40. The shutter 50 may close at least one of the
first and second paths P1 and P2. To this end, the shutter 50 may
have a size corresponding to the width of the outlet 14 or the
discharge plate 40. The shutter 50 may be movable between a first
position 50a at which it closes the first path P1, and a second
position 50b at which it closes the second path P2. The first
position 50a of the shutter 50 may be a position at which the
shutter 50 blocks the first path P1 in the middle of the first path
P1, as shown in FIG. 3, or a position at which the shutter 50
blocks the outlet 14 to close the outlet 14, as shown in FIG. 4.
The second position 50b of the shutter 50 may be a position at
which the shutter 50 is located on the back surface of the
discharge plate 40, as shown in FIG. 2. A method of moving the
shutter 50 is not limited. For example, the shutter 50 may slide
between the first position 50a and the second position 50b.
[0071] Hereinafter, operation of the air conditioner 1 according to
the above-described configuration will be described.
[0072] First, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14
will be described.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 2, the shutter 50 may be disposed at the
second position 50b to close the second path P2. Air blown by the
blowing fan 32 may move along the first path P1 by the shutter 50
blocking the second path P2 without flowing into the plurality of
holes 44. Therefore, air blown by the blowing fan 32 may pass
through the heat exchanger 20, move along the first path P1, and
then be discharged through the outlet 14. In the operation, the
blade 16 may be positioned at the guide position 16a.
[0074] The air conditioner 1 may blow heat-exchanged air to the
outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14 to thereby adjust
indoor temperature quickly as compared with the case of blowing
heat-exchanged air through the plurality of holes 44.
[0075] Now, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the plurality
of holes 44 of the discharge plate 40 will be described.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shutter 50 may be located at
the first position 50a to close the first path P1. In this case,
air blown by the blowing fan 32 may move along the second path P2
by the shutter 50 blocking the first path P1 without flowing to the
outlet 14. Accordingly, the air blown by the blowing fan 32 may
pass through the heat exchanger 20, flow along the second path P2,
and then be discharged into the plurality of holes 44. In the
operation, the blade 16 may be at the closed position 16b.
[0077] The air conditioner 1 may blow heat-exchanged air to the
outside of the housing 10 through the plurality of holes 44 of the
discharge plate 40 so as to reduce the flow velocity of the blowing
air. Thus, the user can be prevented from directly contacting
blowing air, thereby feeling satisfaction.
[0078] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0079] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and
FIGS. 7 and 8 are views for describing operation of the air
conditioner according to the other embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0080] The air conditioner 100 may include a discharge plate
140.
[0081] The discharge plate 140 may be movable to cover the outlet
14 of the housing 10. That is, the discharge plate 140 may open and
close the outlet 14. For this purpose, the discharge plate 140 may
have a size corresponding to the width of the outlet 14.
[0082] The discharge plate 140 may include a plate body 142, and a
plurality of holes 144 formed in the plate body 142. Air blown by
the blowing fan 32 can be discharged to the outside of the housing
10 through the outlet 14 or the plurality of holes 144 formed in
the discharge plate 140.
[0083] The discharge plate 140 may be movable between a first
position 140a at which the discharge plate 140 is spaced from the
outlet 14, and a second position 140b at which the discharge plate
140 covers the outlet 14. A method in which the discharge plate 140
moves between the first position 140a and the second position 140b
is not limited. For example, the discharge plate 140 may slide
between the first position 140a and the second position 140b.
[0084] Hereinafter, operation of the air conditioner according to
the above-described configuration will be described.
[0085] First, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14
will be described.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, air blown by the blowing fan 32
may be directed to the outlet 14 through the heat exchanger 20. At
this time, if the discharge plate 140 is at the first position
140a, air blown by the blowing fan 32 may be discharged to the
outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14 without being
interfered by the discharge plate 140.
[0087] Next, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the plurality
of holes 144 of the discharge plate 140 will be described.
[0088] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, air blown by the blowing fan 32
may be directed to the outlet 14 through the heat exchanger 20,
like the above-described case. At this time, if the discharge plate
140 is at the second position 140b, the air blown by the blowing
fan 32 may be discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through
the plurality of holes 144 of the discharge plate 140 covering the
outlet 14. If blowing air is discharged to the outside of the
housing 10 through the plurality of holes 144, the user can be
prevented from directly contacting heat-exchanged air so that the
user can feel satisfaction.
[0089] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0090] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according
to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 10A and 10B
are views for describing operation of the air conditioner according
to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0091] The air conditioner 200 may include a discharge plate
240.
[0092] The discharge plate 240 may form at least a part of the
housing 10. More specifically, the discharge plate 240 can be
formed around the outlet 14.
[0093] Since the discharge plate 240 forms a part of the housing
10, the inner surface of the discharge plate 240 may face the inner
space of the housing 10, and the outer surface of the discharge
plate 240 may face the outside of the housing 10.
[0094] The discharge plate 40 may include first and second plates
242, 244.
[0095] The first and second plates 242 and 244 may include a
plurality of holes 242a and 244a, respectively, and may be in
surface contact with each other. More specifically, the first plate
242 may face the outer surface of the housing 10, and the second
plate 244 may be disposed on the rear surface of the first plate
242 to face the inner space of the housing 10.
[0096] The first plate 242 may include a first plate body 242b, and
a plurality of first holes 242a formed in the first plate body
242b. The second plate 244 may include a second plate body 242b,
and a plurality of second holes 244a formed in the second plate
body 242b.
[0097] The discharge plate 240 may operate in a close mode 240a and
an open mode 240b. In the close mode 240a, the first holes 242a and
the second holes 244a may be alternately arranged. That is, the
first holes 242a may be blocked by the second plate body 244b, and
the second holes 244a may be blocked by the first plate body
242b.
[0098] In the open mode 240b, the second plate 244 may move
vertically with respect to the first plate 242 so that the first
holes 242a are aligned with the second holes 244a. That is, in the
open mode 240a, the first holes 242a may be aligned with the second
holes 244a to discharge blowing air from the inner space of the
housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10. In the current
embodiment, the second plate 244 may move relative to the first
plate 242, although not limited thereto. However, for example, the
first plate 242 may move relative to the second plate 244, or the
first and second plates 242 and 244 may move in opposite
directions.
[0099] Hereinafter, operation of the air conditioner according to
the above-described configuration will be described.
[0100] First, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14
will be described.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 10A, the discharge plate 240 may enter the
closed mode 240a. That is, the plurality of holes of any one of the
first and second plates 242 and 244 may be blocked by the plate
body of the other one. That is, air blown by the blowing fan 32 may
pass through the heat exchanger 20, and then be discharged to the
outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14.
[0102] Next, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the plurality
of holes 44 of the discharge plate 40 will be described.
[0103] Referring to FIG. 10B, the discharge plate 240 may enter the
open mode 240b. That is, the plurality of holes 242a of the first
plate 241 may be aligned with the plurality of holes 244a of the
second plate 244. That is, when the discharge plate 240 operates in
the open mode 240b, air blown by the blowing fan 32 may be
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the plurality
of holes 242a, 244a of the discharge plate 240. At this time, the
outlet 14 may be closed by the blade 16 located in the closed
position 16b, or by the shutter 50.
[0104] The outlet 14 and the discharge plate 240 may open
selectively. That is, if the outlet 14 opens, the discharge plate
240 may operate in the closed mode 240a, and if the outlet 14 is
closed, the discharge plate 240 may operate in the open mode
240b.
[0105] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0106] FIGS. 11A and 11B are views for describing operation of an
air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0107] The discharge plate 240 can operate in a close mode 241a or
an open mode 241b. In the close mode 241a, the first plate 242 may
be in close contact with the second plate 244. At this time, the
first hole 242a and the second hole 244a may be alternately
arranged. That is, the first holes 242a may be blocked by the
second plate body 244b of the second plate 244, and the second
holes 244a may be blocked by the first plate body 242b of the first
plate 242.
[0108] In the open mode 241b, the second plate 244 may move in a
front-back direction with respect to the first plate 242 so that
the first plate 242 is spaced from the second plate 244. That is,
air blown from the inner space of the housing 10 may pass through
the second holes 244a of the second plate 244, space formed between
the first plate 242 and the second plate 244, and the first holes
242a of the first plate 242 in this order, and then be discharged
to the outside of the housing 10. In the current embodiment, the
second plate 244 may move relative to the first plate 242, although
not limited thereto. However, for example, the first plate 242 may
move relative to the second plate 244, or the first and second
plates 242 and 244 may move in opposite directions.
[0109] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0110] FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of an air
conditioner according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0111] An air conditioner 300 may include a discharge plate 40.
[0112] The discharge plate 40 may be a portion of the housing 10,
and may be formed along the edge of the outlet 14 to be adjacent to
the outlet 14.
[0113] The air conditioner 300 may include an auxiliary plate 360
having a plurality of holes 362.
[0114] The auxiliary plate 360 may be formed behind the discharge
plate 40. The auxiliary plate 360 may be formed along the edge of
the outlet 14 behind the discharge plate 40 in such a way to be
adjacent to the outlet 14, in correspondence to the discharge plate
40. The auxiliary plate 360 may be located upstream of the
discharge plate 40 with respect to a flow path formed from the
blowing fan 32 toward the discharge plate 40. Through the
configuration, if the outlet 14 is closed, air blown by the blowing
fan 32 can pass through the plurality of holes 362 of the auxiliary
plate 360 and the plurality of holes 44 of the discharge plate 40,
sequentially, and then be discharged to the outside of the housing
10.
[0115] Since the blowing air passes through the plurality of holes
362 of the auxiliary plate 360 and the plurality of holes 44 of the
discharge plate 40 sequentially, the blowing air can be discharged
uniformly with respect to the entire surface of the discharge plate
40. Also, since the auxiliary plate 360 is disposed upstream of the
discharge plate 40, dew formation on the discharge plate 40 can be
minimized.
[0116] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0117] FIGS. 14 and 15 are views for describing operation of a
blade included in an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0118] The housing 10 may include a blade 16 to guide air blown
through the outlet 14. The blade 16 may be located on the outlet 14
to control a direction of air blown through the outlet 14, or to
block the outlet 14. In detail, the blade 16 can rotate between a
guide position 16a at which it is parallel to a blowing direction
of blowing air and a closed position 16b at which it is
perpendicular to the blowing direction of the blowing air.
[0119] The blade 16 may include a plurality of first blades 17 and
at least one second blade 18.
[0120] The plurality of first blades 17 may move in a guide
position 17a at which they guide discharged air, and a closed
position 17b at which they blocks the outlet 14. The first blades
17 may be positioned in parallel to a blowing direction of blowing
air when they are at the guide position 17a, and when the first
blades 17 are positioned at the closed position, the first blades
17 may block blowing air.
[0121] At least one second blade 18 may control the positions of
the first blades 17. That is, at least one second blade 18 may
enable the first blades 17 to move between the guide position 17a
and the closed position 17b. When the first blades 17 are at the
closed position 17b, the at least one second blade 18 may block the
outlet 14 together with the first blades 17 to block blowing
air.
[0122] Since the outlet 14 is closed in a dual structure by the
first and second blades 17 and 18 as described above, it is
possible to efficiently discharge blowing air through the discharge
plate 40.
[0123] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0124] FIGS. 16 and 17 are views for describing operation of a
shutter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 18 shows a shape of the shutter according to the other
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 shows a shape of a
shutter according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0125] An air conditioner 400 may include a shutter 450. The
shutter 450 may be movable inside the housing 10. An air path
formed inside the housing 10 may include a first path P1 through
which air blown by the blowing fan 32 flows to the outlet 14, and a
second path P1 through which air blown by the blowing fan 32 flows
to the discharge plate 40. The shutter 50 may close the second path
P2.
[0126] The shutter 450 may be movable between a first position 450a
and a second position 450b. When the shutter 450 is at the first
position 450a, the second path P2 may open as shown in FIG. 17.
When the shutter 450 is at the second position 450b, the second
path P2 may be closed as shown in FIG. 16. The shutter 450 may be
rotatable in the inside of the housing 10 to selectively close the
second path P2. More specifically, the shutter 450 may close the
second path P2 when the outlet 14 opens. However, the shape and
operation of the shutter 450 are not limited. For example, as shown
in FIG. 18, a shutter 451 may be in the shape of a panel, and may
slide between a first position and a second position. Also, as
shown in FIG. 19, a shutter 452 may include a plurality of shutter
members to rotate between a first position and a second position in
the inside of the housing 10.
[0127] If the outlet 14 is closed by the blade 16 or the shutter
50, the shutter 450 may open the second path P2 at the first
position 450a. The shutter 450 may also close the second path P2 at
the second position 450b when the outlet 14 opens.
[0128] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0129] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 21
and 22 are views for describing operation of the air conditioner
according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0130] An air conditioner 500 may include a shutter 550. The
shutter 550 may be movable in the inside of the housing 10. An air
path formed in the inside of the housing 10 may include a first
path P1 through which air blown by the blowing fan 32 flows to the
outlet 14, and a second path P1 through which air blown by the
blowing fan 32 flows to the discharge plate 40. The shutter 550 may
close the first path P1.
[0131] The shutter 550 may be movable between a first position 550a
at which it opens the first path P1, and a second position 550b at
which it closes the first path P1. The shutter 550 may correspond
to the width of the inner space of the housing 10 so as to close
the first path P1. The shutter 550 may be rotatable in the inside
of the housing 10.
[0132] Hereinafter, operation of the air conditioner according to
the above-described configuration will be described.
[0133] First, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14
will be described.
[0134] Referring to FIG. 21, the shutter 550 may be positioned at
the first position 550a to open the first path P1. Air blown by the
blowing fan 32 may move along the first path P1 and then be
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the outlet
14.
[0135] Next, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the plurality
of holes 44 of the discharge plate 40 will be described.
[0136] Referring to FIG. 22, the shutter 550 may be located at the
second position 550b to close the first path P1. Air blown by the
blowing fan 32 may not be discharged to the outlet 14 by the
shutter 550 blocking the first path P1, and may move along the
second path P2 to be discharged to the outside of the housing 10
through the plurality of holes 44 of the discharge plate 40.
[0137] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0138] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0139] An air conditioner 600 may include a drain panel 622. The
drain panel 622 may be provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger
20 to collect water condensed by the heat exchanger 20.
[0140] The drain panel 622 may project out of the housing 10. More
specifically, the drain panel 622 may protrude from the front
surface of the housing 10 such that at least a part of water
storage space of the drain panel 622 is positioned below the front
surface of the discharge plate 40.
[0141] In this configuration, since water condensed on the
discharge plate 40 is stored in the drain panel 622, it is possible
to prevent the plurality of holes 44 of the discharge plate 40 from
being clogged, and to prevent the discharge plate 40 from becoming
dirty.
[0142] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0143] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0144] The air conditioner 700 may include a light emitting unit
770.
[0145] The light emitting unit 770 may be disposed along the
circumference of at least a part of the housing 10. More
specifically, the light emitting unit 770 may be disposed along the
edges of the discharge plate 40 forming at least a part of the
housing 10. The light emitting unit 770 may emit light, and
generate heat according to the emission of the light. The heat
generated by the light emitting unit 770 can evaporate water
condensed on the discharge plate 40.
[0146] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0147] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 26
and 27 are views for describing operation of the air conditioner
according to the other embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0148] An inlet of an air conditioner 800 may include a first inlet
813 and a second inlet 812.
[0149] The first inlet 813 may be formed in at least one of the
rear surface and the side surface of the housing 10 to inhale
external air to the inside of the housing 10. The second inlet 812
may be formed in the front direction from the housing 10, like the
outlet 14. More specifically, the second inlet 812 may be located
in the front lower portion of the housing 10.
[0150] The air conditioner 1 may include an inlet door 818 to open
or close the second inlet 812. The inlet door 818 may open or close
the second inlet 812 to selectively open the second inlet 812. When
heat-exchanged air is discharged from the discharge plate 40, the
discharged air may be directed to the lower portion of the housing
10 since the flow velocity of the discharged air is low. In this
case, the discharged air may be inhaled again into the second inlet
812, and accordingly, when the heat-exchanged air is discharged
through the discharge plate 40, the second inlet 812 may be closed
by the inlet door 818.
[0151] Hereinafter, operation of the air conditioner according to
the above-described configuration will be described.
[0152] First, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14
will be described.
[0153] Referring to FIG. 26, outside air may be inhaled into the
housing 10 through the first and second inlets 813 and 812. At this
time, it is not necessary to open both the first and second inlets
813 and 812, and only at least one of the first and second inlets
813 and 812 may be opened. In the current embodiment, since the
second inlet 812 includes an inlet door 818, the second inlet 812
can be opened or closed according to an environmental condition.
Air entered through the inlets 812 and 813 may pass through the
heat exchanger 20 by the blowing fan, and then be discharged to the
outside of the housing 10 through the outlet 14 that opens.
[0154] Next, operation in which air blown by the blowing fan 32 is
discharged to the outside of the housing 10 through the plurality
of holes 44 of the discharge plate 40 will be described.
[0155] Referring to FIG. 27, the outlet 14 can be closed by the
blade 16 located at the closed position 16b, or by the shutter
50.
[0156] Air entered through the first inlet 813 may pass through the
heat exchanger 20 by the blowing fan 32, and then be discharged to
the outside of the housing 10 through the plurality of holes 44
that open. At this time, the second inlet 812 may be closed by the
inlet door 818 so as to prevent the air discharged through the
plurality of holes 44 from being inhaled again into the inside of
the housing 10.
[0157] Hereinafter, an air conditioner according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
Hereinafter, descriptions about the same configurations as those
described above will be omitted.
[0158] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioner
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0159] An air conditioner 900 may further include an auxiliary
blowing fan 980.
[0160] The auxiliary blowing fan 980 may be located below the
discharge plate 140. The auxiliary blowing fan 980 may blow air
discharged from the discharge plate 140 in the front direction from
the housing 10. That is, the auxiliary blowing fan 980 may blow air
toward the direction from the housing 10.
[0161] Thereby, it is possible to prevent the air discharged from
the discharge plate 40 from being inhaled again into the inlet
812.
[0162] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure can
discharge heat-exchanged air at different wind velocities.
[0163] Also, the air conditioner can change a method of blowing
heat-exchanged air depending on a user's environment.
[0164] Also, the air conditioner can control heat-exchanged air to
be blown indirectly to a user, thereby improving the user's
satisfaction.
[0165] The present disclosure has been described in detail with
reference to the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary
embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only, and
the invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements
within the scope of the invention may be made.
* * * * *