U.S. patent application number 17/106657 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-02 for air conditioning unit and access door assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to John Michael Todd.
Application Number | 20220170663 17/106657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005254073 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220170663 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Todd; John Michael |
June 2, 2022 |
AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND ACCESS DOOR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
An air conditioning appliance may include a unit enclosure, a
housing, a heat exchanger, a compressor, and an access door. The
unit enclosure a system compartment. The housing may be received
within the system compartment. The heat exchanger may be disposed
in the housing. The compressor may be in fluid communication with
the heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant through the heat
exchanger. The access door may be attached to the unit wall
proximal to the opening through the unit enclosure. The access door
may extend between a bottom end and a top end. The access door may
define a primary louver set and a secondary louver set in fluid
parallel to permit airflow through the access door. The primary
louver set may be defined proximal to the bottom end. The secondary
louver set may be defined proximal to the top end above the primary
louver set.
Inventors: |
Todd; John Michael; (Mount
Washington, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005254073 |
Appl. No.: |
17/106657 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/20 20130101;
F24F 2013/202 20130101; F24F 13/1426 20130101; F24F 13/28 20130101;
F24F 13/1413 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/20 20060101
F24F013/20; F24F 13/14 20060101 F24F013/14; F24F 13/28 20060101
F24F013/28 |
Claims
1. An air conditioning appliance defining a vertical direction, the
air conditioning appliance comprising: a unit enclosure having a
unit wall and defining a system compartment, the unit wall defining
an opening therethrough; a housing received within the system
compartment; a heat exchanger disposed in the housing; a compressor
in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to circulate a
refrigerant through the heat exchanger; and an access door attached
to the unit wall proximal to the opening, the access door extending
along the vertical direction between a bottom end and a top end,
the access door defining a primary louver set and a secondary
louver set in fluid parallel to permit airflow through the access
door to the housing, the primary louver set being defined proximal
to the bottom end, and the secondary louver set being defined
proximal to the top end above the primary louver set.
2. The air conditioning appliance of claim 1, wherein the secondary
louver set defines a higher airflow resistance than the primary
louver set.
3. The air conditioning appliance of claim 1, wherein the secondary
louver set defines a smaller cumulative vent opening than the
primary louver set.
4. The air conditioning appliance of claim 1, further comprising a
filter panel mounted to the access door.
5. The air conditioning appliance of claim 1, further comprising a
movable air damper mounted to the access door proximal to the top
end, the movable damper being selectively disposed over the
secondary louver set to restrict airflow therethrough.
6. The air conditioning appliance of claim 5, wherein the access
door defines a front face directed away from the housing and a
rearward face directed toward the housing, and wherein the movable
damper is selectively disposed against the rearward face.
7. The air conditioning appliance of claim 5, wherein the movable
air damper is pivotably mounted to the access door.
8. The air conditioning appliance of claim 5, wherein the movable
air damper is slidably mounted to the access door to slide
therealong.
9. The air conditioning appliance of claim 5, further comprising a
damper motor in mechanical communication with the movable damper to
selectively actuate the movable air damper relative to the
secondary louver set.
10. A door assembly for an air conditioning appliance comprising a
housing defining a vertical direction and a front air inlet
extending through the housing perpendicular to the vertical
direction, the door assembly comprising: an access door mountable
to a wall in front of the housing and extending along the vertical
direction from a bottom end to a top end, the access door defining
a primary louver set extending through the access door proximal to
the bottom end to permit airflow through the access door to the
front air inlet, and a secondary louver set in fluid parallel to
the primary louver set to selectively permit airflow through the
access door to the front air inlet, the secondary louver set being
defined proximal to the top end above the primary louver set and
the front air inlet.
11. The door assembly of claim 10, wherein the secondary louver set
defines a higher airflow resistance than the primary louver
set.
12. The door assembly of claim 10, wherein the secondary louver set
defines a smaller cumulative vent opening than the primary louver
set.
13. The door assembly of claim 10, further comprising a filter
panel mounted to the access door.
14. The door assembly of claim 10, further comprising a movable air
damper mounted to the access door proximal to the top end, the
movable damper being selectively disposed over the secondary louver
set to restrict airflow therethrough.
15. The door assembly of claim 14, wherein the access door defines
a front face directed away from the housing and a rearward face
directed toward the housing, and wherein the movable damper is
selectively disposed against the rearward face.
16. The door assembly of claim 14, wherein the movable air damper
is pivotably mounted to the access door.
17. The door assembly of claim 14, wherein the movable air damper
is slidably mounted to the access door to slide therealong.
18. The door assembly of claim 14, further comprising a damper
motor in mechanical communication with the movable damper to
selectively actuate the movable air damper relative to the
secondary louver set.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to air
conditioning units, and more particularly to access doors for
vertical air conditioning units.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Air conditioners or air conditioner units are conventionally
used to adjust the temperature within structures such as dwellings
and office buildings. In particular, one-unit type room air
conditioner units, such as single package vertical units (SPVU), or
package terminal air conditioners (PTAC) may be used to adjust the
temperature in, for example, a single room or group of rooms of a
structure. Such units may be especially useful in the context of a
hotel or office building where users desire control of the
temperature within a specific room of a larger building structure.
A typical one-unit type air conditioner or air conditioning
appliance includes an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The
indoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with
the area within a building, and the outdoor portion generally
communicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area outside a
building. Accordingly, the air conditioner unit generally extends
through, for example, an outer wall of the structure. Generally, a
fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through the indoor
portion. Another fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air
through the outdoor portion. A sealed cooling system including a
compressor is generally housed within the air conditioner unit to
treat (e.g., cool or heat) air as it is circulated through, for
example, the indoor portion of the air conditioner unit. One or
more control boards are typically provided to direct the operation
of various elements of the particular air conditioner unit.
[0003] Some conventional air conditioning units include an access
door or panel for allowing a technician to access the cooling
system or other serviceable parts within the air conditioning unit.
Generally, such access doors or panels define one or more openings
(e.g., louvers) such that air is permitted to flow through the
access door and into the air conditioning unit. Typically, the
openings are defined at a relatively low position on the access
door to align with an air inlet of the air conditioning unit and
ensure air is drawn from the base of the room.
[0004] In practice, various issues can arise with conventional
units. For instance, it is common for the openings in an access
door to become blocked, such as by a hotel room customer who
inadvertently places a bag or piece of furniture on the ground in
front of the access door. This may, in turn, lead to reduced
airflow to the air conditioning unit, which generally reduces
performance. If a heating unit is provided on the air conditioning
unit, heated air may stagnate within the unit, which may lead to a
cutoff switch being tripped. In extreme cases, the air conditioning
unit itself may become damaged. In spite of these risks, though, it
can be very difficult to discern when a unit has been blocked or to
prevent it from occurring.
[0005] As a result, it would be useful to provide an air
conditioning appliance or door assembly that includes features for
addressing one or more of the above issues. In particular, it may
be advantageous to provide an appliance or assembly with features
for ensuring airflow to an air conditioning unit, even in instances
where one or more openings have become blocked.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0007] In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an air
conditioning appliance is provided. The air conditioning appliance
may include a unit enclosure, a housing, a heat exchanger, a
compressor, and an access door. The unit enclosure may have a unit
wall and define a system compartment. The unit wall may define an
opening therethrough. The housing may be received within the system
compartment. The heat exchanger may be disposed in the housing. The
compressor may be in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to
circulate a refrigerant through the heat exchanger. The access door
may be attached to the unit wall proximal to the opening. The
access door may extend along the vertical direction between a
bottom end and a top end. The access door may define a primary
louver set and a secondary louver set in fluid parallel to permit
airflow through the access door to the housing. The primary louver
set may be defined proximal to the bottom end. The secondary louver
set may be defined proximal to the top end above the primary louver
set.
[0008] In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a door
assembly for an air conditioning appliance is provided. The door
assembly may include an access door that is mountable to a wall in
front of a housing of the air conditioning appliance. The access
door may extend along a vertical direction from a bottom end to a
top end. The access door may define a primary louver set and a
secondary louver set. The primary louver set may extend through the
access door proximal to the bottom end to permit airflow through
the access door to a front air inlet. The secondary louver set may
be in fluid parallel to the primary louver set to selectively
permit airflow through the access door to a front air inlet. The
secondary louver set may further be defined proximal to the top end
above the primary louver set and the front air inlet.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures.
[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an air conditioning
appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 provides a partially-transparent elevation view of
the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 provides a cut-away perspective view of a housing of
the exemplary air conditioner unit of FIG. 1, with an access door
and access door frame of an access door assembly detached.
[0014] FIG. 4 provides a schematic sectional view of the exemplary
air conditioner unit of FIG. 1 during use in an unobstructed
state.
[0015] FIG. 5 provides a schematic sectional view of the exemplary
air conditioner unit of FIG. 1 during use in an obstructed
state.
[0016] FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of an access door
assembly for an air conditioning appliance according to exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 7 provides a schematic section view of a portion of an
access door assembly having an air damper in a closed position
according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 8 provides a schematic section view of a portion of an
access door assembly having an air damper in an open position state
according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 9 provides a partially exploded perspective view of an
access door assembly having an air damper in for an air
conditioning appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 10 provides a cross-sectional perspective view of a
portion of an air damper in a closed position for an access door
assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 11 provides a cross-sectional perspective view of a
portion of an air damper in an open position for an access door
assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 12 provides a perspective view of a portion of an
access door assembly having an air damper in a closed position
according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of a portion of an
access door assembly having an air damper in an open position state
according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 14 provides a perspective view of an access door
assembly for an air conditioning appliance according to exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated
or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another
embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents. As used herein, the terms "includes" and
"including" are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the
term "comprising." Similarly, the term "or" is generally intended
to be inclusive (i.e., "A or B" is intended to mean "A or B or
both"). The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative
flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For
example, "upstream" refers to the flow direction from which the
fluid flows, and "downstream" refers to the flow direction to which
the fluid flows. Furthermore, as used herein, terms of
approximation, such as "approximately," "substantially," or
"about," refer to being within a ten percent margin of error.
[0026] Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate an
exemplary air conditioning appliance (e.g., air conditioner 100).
As shown, air conditioner 100 may be provided as a one-unit type
air conditioner 100, such as a single-package vertical unit. Air
conditioner 100 includes a package housing 114 supporting an indoor
portion 112 and an outdoor portion 110.
[0027] Generally, air conditioner 100 defines a vertical direction
V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T. Each direction
V, L, T is perpendicular to each other, such that an orthogonal
coordinate system is generally defined.
[0028] In some embodiments, housing 114 contains various other
components of the air conditioner 100. Housing 114 may include, for
example, a rear opening 116 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate
thereacross) and a front opening 118 (e.g., with or without a grill
or grate thereacross) may be spaced apart from each other along the
transverse direction T. The rear opening 116 may be part of the
outdoor portion 110, while the front opening 118 is part of the
indoor portion 112. Components of the outdoor portion 110, such as
an outdoor heat exchanger 120, outdoor fan 124, and compressor 126
may be enclosed within housing 114 between front opening 118 and
rear opening 116. In certain embodiments, one or more components of
outdoor portion 110 are mounted on a basepan 136, as shown.
[0029] During certain operations, air may be drawn to outdoor
portion 110 through rear opening 116. Specifically, an outdoor
inlet 128 defined through housing 114 may receive outdoor air
motivated by outdoor fan 124. Within housing 114, the received
outdoor air may be motivated through or across outdoor fan 124.
Moreover, at least a portion of the outdoor air may be motivated
through or across outdoor heat exchanger 120 before exiting the
rear opening 116 at an outdoor outlet 130. It is noted that
although outdoor inlet 128 is illustrated as being defined above
outdoor outlet 130, alternative embodiments may reverse this
relative orientation (e.g., such that outdoor inlet 128 is defined
below outdoor outlet 130) or provide outdoor inlet 128 beside
outdoor outlet 130 in a side-by-side orientation, or another
suitable discrete orientation.
[0030] As shown, indoor portion 112 may include an indoor heat
exchanger 122, a blower fan 142, and a heating unit 132. These
components may, for example, be housed behind the front opening
118. A bulkhead 134 may generally support or house various other
components or portions thereof of the indoor portion 112, such as
the blower fan 142. Bulkhead 134 may generally separate and define
the indoor portion 112 and outdoor portion 110 within housing 114.
Additionally or alternatively, bulkhead 134 or indoor heat
exchanger 122 may be mounted on basepan 136 (e.g., at a higher
vertical position than outdoor heat exchanger 120).
[0031] During certain operations, air may be drawn to indoor
portion 112 through front opening 118. Specifically, an indoor
inlet 138 defined through housing 114 may receive indoor air
motivated by blower fan 142. At least a portion of the indoor air
may be motivated through or across indoor heat exchanger 122 (e.g.,
before passing to bulkhead 134). From blower fan 142, indoor air
may be motivated (e.g., across heating unit 132, which may include
one or more electric or resistive heating elements) and returned to
the indoor area 168 of the room through an indoor outlet 140
defined through housing 114 (e.g., above indoor inlet 138 along the
vertical direction V). Optionally, one or more conduits (not
pictured) may be mounted on or downstream from indoor outlet 140 to
further guide air from air conditioner 100. It is noted that
although indoor outlet 140 is illustrated as generally directing
air upward, it is understood that indoor outlet 140 may be defined
in alternative embodiments to direct air in any other suitable
direction.
[0032] Outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120, 122 may be components
of a thermodynamic assembly (i.e., sealed system), which may be
operated as a refrigeration assembly (and thus perform a
refrigeration cycle) or, in the case of the heat pump unit
embodiment, a heat pump (and thus perform a heat pump cycle). Thus,
as is understood, exemplary heat pump unit embodiments may be
selectively operated perform a refrigeration cycle at certain
instances (e.g., while in a cooling mode) and a heat pump cycle at
other instances (e.g., while in a heating mode). By contrast,
exemplary A/C exclusive unit embodiments may be unable to perform a
heat pump cycle (e.g., while in the heating mode), but still
perform a refrigeration cycle (e.g., while in a cooling mode).
[0033] The sealed system may, for example, further include
compressor 126 (e.g., mounted on basepan 136) and an expansion
device (e.g., expansion valve or capillary tube--not pictured),
both of which may be in fluid communication with the heat
exchangers 120, 122 to flow refrigerant therethrough, as is
generally understood. The outdoor and indoor heat exchanger 120,
122 may each include coils 146, 148, as illustrated, through which
a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as is generally
understood.
[0034] A plenum 166 may be provided to direct air to or from
housing 114. When installed, plenum 166 may be selectively attached
to (e.g., fixed to or mounted against) housing 114 (e.g., via a
suitable mechanical fastener, adhesive, gasket, etc.) and extend
through a structure wall 150 (e.g., an outer wall of the structure
within which air conditioner 100 is installed). For instance,
plenum 166 may extend (e.g., parallel to the transverse direction
T) through a hole or channel 152 in the structure wall 150 that
passes from an internal surface 154 to an external surface 156.
[0035] The operation of air conditioner 100 including compressor
126 (and thus the sealed system generally), blower fan 142, outdoor
fan 124, heating unit 132, and other suitable components may be
controlled by a control board or controller 158. Controller 158 may
be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless
connection) to such components of the air conditioner 100. By way
of example, the controller 158 may include a memory and one or more
processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such
as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute
programming instructions or micro-control code associated with
operation of air conditioner 100. The memory may be a separate
component from the processor or may be included onboard within the
processor. The memory may represent random access memory such as
DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH.
[0036] Air conditioner 100 may additionally include a control panel
160 and one or more user inputs 162, which may be included in
control panel 160. The user inputs 162 may be in communication with
the controller 158. A user of the air conditioner 100 may interact
with the user inputs 162 to operate the air conditioner 100, and
user commands may be transmitted between the user inputs 162 and
controller 158 to facilitate operation of the air conditioner 100
based on such user commands. A display 164 may additionally be
provided in the control panel 160, and may be in communication with
the controller 158. Display 164 may, for example be a touchscreen
or other text-readable display screen, or alternatively may simply
be a light that can be activated and deactivated as required to
provide an indication of, for example, an event or setting for the
air conditioner 100.
[0037] When assembled and installed, air conditioner 100 may be
located within a system compartment 206 defined by unit enclosure
200. Unit enclosure 200 may be a stand-alone structure in which air
conditioner 100 is contained. Additionally or alternatively, unit
enclosure 200 may be provided within a building (e.g., a house, an
office, or an apartment building). Unit enclosure 200 may include
one or more unit walls 202. As shown, one or more of the walls 202
may extend in the vertical direction V and the transverse direction
T or the lateral direction L. A service opening or access opening
(e.g., service opening 204) may further be defined in one of the
walls 202 (e.g., to generally permit access to system compartment
206). For example, service opening 204 may be generally rectangular
in shape.
[0038] A door assembly 210 may be removably mounted to the wall 202
(e.g., via one or more mechanical fasteners, adhesives, etc.). When
connected, the door assembly 210 may surround the service opening
204 and provide selectable access to the air conditioner 100. Door
assembly 210 may include a door frame 212 and an access door 214. A
shape of door frame 212 may correspond to a shape of service
opening 204.
[0039] Turning now to FIGS. 3 through 6, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate
airflow through air conditioner 100 and the indoor area 168 of a
room, generally, during various states. FIG. 6 provides a
perspective view of door assembly 210 (in isolation) according to
exemplary embodiments.
[0040] As shown, when assembled, access door 214 generally extends
along the vertical direction V between a bottom end 216 and a top
end 218. Access door 214 my further extend along the lateral
direction between a first side 220 to a second side 222 as well as
along the transverse direction between a front face 224 and a rear
face 226.
[0041] Between the bottom end 216 and the top end 218 a plurality
of louver openings 232 are defined to permit air to generally pass
between an indoor area 168 of the corresponding room and the system
compartment 206. In particular, a primary louver set 234 and a
secondary louver set 236 may be defined, each including one or more
discrete louver openings 232. Thus, the primary louver set 234 and
the secondary louver set 236 may be in fluid parallel (i.e., define
parallel flow paths for air through access door 214). When
installed, access door 214 may essentially cover the wall opening
204 and thus, substantially all of the air to system compartment
206 from the indoor area 168 may be forced to pass through one or
more of the louver openings 232. For instance, as shown in FIG. 4,
when primary louver set 234 is unobstructed, air may be permitted
to flow to the system compartment 206 through one or both of the
louver sets 234, 236. Advantageously, though, and as shown in FIG.
5, even when primary louver set 234 is obstructed (e.g., by a piece
of luggage or furniture), air may permitted to flow through
secondary louver set 236, which may be disposed at a location that
is not easily obstructed.
[0042] In certain embodiments, the secondary louver set 236 is
defined above the primary louver set 234. Thus, the louver openings
232 of the secondary louver set 236 may be defined at a higher
height than the louver openings 232 of the primary louver set 234.
In some such embodiments, the primary louver set 234 and the
secondary louver set 236 are defined closer to opposite vertical
ends 216, 218 of access door 214. Specifically, the primary louver
set 234 may be defined proximal to bottom end 216 (i.e., closer to
bottom end 216 than it is to top end 218). Thus, the bottommost
louver opening 232 of primary louver set 234 may be closer to
bottom end 216 than the uppermost louver opening 232 of primary
louver set 234 is to top end 218. Similarly, the secondary louver
set 236 may be defined proximal to top end 218. Thus, the uppermost
louver opening 232 of secondary louver set 236 may be closer to top
end 218 than the lowermost louver opening 232 of secondary louver
set 236 is to bottom end 216.
[0043] In optional embodiments, the secondary louver set 236 is
defined not only above (e.g., at a higher height) than primary
louver set 234, but also above air inlet 138. Additionally or
alternatively, primary louver set 234 may be generally aligned
(e.g., at a common or overlapping height) with air inlet 138. A
more direct or shorter air path may thus be defined between primary
louver set 234 and air inlet 138 than the path defined between
secondary louver set 236 and air inlet 138. In turn, airflow
through primary air inlet 138 may be prioritized over airflow
through secondary louver set 236 (e.g., when neither louver set
234, 236 is obstructed).
[0044] In additional or alternative embodiments, secondary louver
set 236 may define a higher airflow resistance than the primary
louver set 234. Such resistance may be influenced, for instance, by
the size or shape of the louver openings 232 or the size or shape
of the secondary louver set 236 overall. For instance, the
secondary louver set 236 may define a smaller cumulative vent
opening (e.g., total cross sectional area of all of the louver
openings 232 of secondary louver set 236) than the cumulative vent
opening defined by primary louver set 234. During use, a higher
pressure may thus be required to draw the same volume of air
through secondary louver set 236 as primary louver set 234.
[0045] In some embodiments, the primary louver set 234 and the
secondary louver set 236 are spaced apart (e.g., along the vertical
direction V). For instance, a solid panel segment 238 that is
continuous or otherwise non-permeable to air from first side 220 to
second side 222 may separate primary louver set 234 from secondary
louver set 236. Optionally, the solid panel segment 238 may define
a vertical height that is greater than or equal to a vertical
height of the secondary louver set 236 or the primary louver set
234. Thus, the vertical distance separating the primary louver set
234 from the secondary louver set 236 may be greater than or equal
to the vertical distance spanned by all of the louver openings 232
of either (or both of) the secondary louver set 236 or the primary
louver set 234.
[0046] As illustrated, a filter panel 240 may be mounted to the
access door 214 (e.g., at or against the rear face 226). For
instance, one or more clips, grooves, or mechanical fasteners may
be provided on access door 214 to hold filter panel 240, as would
be understood. Moreover, the filter panel 240 may include a
suitable filtration media (e.g., fiberglass, pleated cellulose,
etc.) to filter dust or microbes from the air flowing through
access door 214, as would also be understood. Optionally, filter
panel 240 may cover the primary louver set 234 such that any air
through primary louver set 234 is forced to pass through filter
panel 240 before reaching air inlet 138. Additionally or
alternatively, filter panel 240 may be spaced apart from secondary
louver set 236 such that air through secondary louver set 236
bypasses filter panel 240.
[0047] Turning now generally to FIGS. 6 through 14, in optional
embodiments a movable air damper 250 is provided with access door
214 to selectively cover secondary louver set 236 (e.g., without
covering or affecting primary louver set 234). For instance, air
damper 250 may be mounted to access door 214 at the rear face 226.
In some embodiments, air damper 250 is mounted proximal to top end
218. Generally, air damper 250 may be movable between a closed
position restricting or preventing airflow through secondary louver
set 236 (e.g., to system compartment 206) and an open position
permitting airflow through secondary louver set 236 (e.g., to
system compartment 206 or air inlet 138). In both positions, air
damper 250 may be spaced apart from primary louver set 234.
[0048] Turning especially to FIGS. 6 through 8, air damper 250 may
be pivotably mounted to access door 214. For instance, air damper
250 may be hinged to rotate about a pivot axis above secondary
louver set 236. In the closed position, air damper 250 may rest
against at least a portion of rear face 226, thereby blocking the
backside of the louver openings 232 of secondary louver set 236, as
illustrated in FIG. 7. By contrast, in the open position, air
damper 250 may be pivoted apart from rear face 226 to permit air to
flow through secondary louver set 236, as illustrated in FIG.
8.
[0049] In some such embodiments, air damper 250 is configured as a
passive damper, movable between in the closed and open positions
based on a pressure differential between system compartment 206 and
the indoor area 168 of the corresponding room. For instance, when
primary louver set 234 is generally unobstructed during activation
of air conditioner 100, air damper 250 may be able to stay
substantially shut (e.g., in the closed position) while an airflow
from the indoor area 168 to system compartment 206 is motivated
through the primary louver set 234. By contrast, when primary
louver set 234 is obstructed during activation of air conditioner
100, air damper 250 may be forced to the open position by the
pressure generated at air conditioner 100 to allow an airflow from
the indoor area 168 to system compartment 206 through the secondary
louver set 236.
[0050] Turning especially to FIGS. 9 through 13, air damper 250 may
be slidably mounted to access door 214. For instance, air damper
250 may be disposed on rear face 226 to slide therealong. Moreover,
air damper 250 may define a complementary set of openings 252 that
are generally matched (e.g., in size or shape) to the openings 232
of secondary louver set 236. In the closed position, the
complementary set of openings 252 may be spaced apart (e.g.,
vertically offset) from the openings 232 of secondary louver set
236, thereby blocking the backside of the louver openings 232 of
secondary louver set 236, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13. By
contrast, in the open position, the complementary set of openings
252 may be aligned (e.g., disposed at the same vertical height or
otherwise in fluid communication) with the openings 232 of
secondary louver set 236 to permit air to pass between both, as
illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0051] Optionally, a message slot 260 may be defined through access
door 214 (e.g., below or above secondary louver set 236). Message
slot 260 may be configured to selectively align with a visual alert
region 254 defined on air damper 250 (e.g., as visible text,
picture, contrasting color, etc.) to visually notify a user when
air damper 250 has been moved to the open position. For instance,
in the closed position, the visual alert region 254 may be spaced
apart (e.g., vertically offset) from the message slot 260 of
secondary louver set 236 such that a blank or unadorned region of
air damper 250 is visible through message slot 260, as illustrated
in FIG. 13. By contrast, in the open position, the visual alert
region 254 may be aligned (e.g., disposed at the same vertical
height) with the message slot 260 to permit a user to see the
visual alert region 254 through the message slot, as illustrated in
FIG. 12.
[0052] In certain embodiments, air damper 250 is selectively
actuated by a damper motor 256 in mechanical communication with the
air damper 250 (e.g., mounted on access door 214). The damper motor
256 may be in operable communication (e.g., electrical or wireless
communication) with the controller 158 to move air damper 250
between the open and closed positions based on one or more signals
received from the controller 158. For instance, controller 158 may
direct the air damper 250 to the open position in response to
detecting a temperature that exceeds a predetermined threshold
(e.g., at a temperature sensor within housing 114, as would be
understood).
[0053] Additionally or alternatively, turning briefly to FIG. 14, a
manual slider 258 may be mounted to air damper 250 to permit a user
to physically move air damper 250 between the open and closed
positions. For instance, the manual slider 258 may be fixed to air
damper 250 through a guide slot at the front face 224. Thus, a user
may be able to grasp and move manual slider 258 along the guide
slot without directly engaging or seeing air damper 250.
[0054] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
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