BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of The Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an air conditioning system and an indoor
unit thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to an air conditioning system,
which has an indoor unit equipped with a horizontally extending louver for vertically
changing the discharge direction of a conditioned air, and a remote controller for
remote-controlling the pivotal movement of the louver of the indoor unit.
Description of The Prior Art
[0002] EP-A-0 657 701 discloses an indoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising an outlet
port for discharging a conditioned air into a room, an inlet port for sucking an air
to be conditioned from the room, a discharge passage for allowing the conditioned
air to flow in a forward and downward direction toward said outlet port, pivotable
rear and front louvers provided in said outlet port, for vertically changing a discharge
direction of said conditioned air, and controllable drive means for driving said louvers
for turning movement.
[0003] US-A-5 234 373 discloses an indoor unit for an air conditioner in which a front louver
is turnable in only one direction upwardly from its closing position, while a rear
louver is turnable in opposite directions from its closing position. A gap is formed
between a front edge of the front louver and a front wall of an outlet port when the
front louver is in its closing position. Moreover, a gap between the front louver
and the rear louver is visible from the user's eye-point.
[0004] Another conventional indoor unit for an air conditioning system is described hereinbelow
with reference to FIG. 33 of the attached drawings. Said indoor unit comprises a front
panel 203, an outlet port 201 provided beneath the front part of the front panel 203
for discharging a conditioned air into a room, and a discharge passage 202 for discharging
the conditioned air toward the outlet port 201 in a forward and downward direction.
The outlet port 201 is provided with a horizontally extending louver 300, which is
pivotable about a pivotal axis C for vertically changing the discharge direction of
the conditioned air. The louver 300 has a cross section, which is curved so as to
correspond to the shape of the outer surface of the front panel 203 (convex forwards
and downwards) when the operation of the air conditioning system is stopped, in order
to improve the appearance of the indoor unit (see the two-dot chain line of FIG. 33).
[0005] The direction of a conditioned air discharged from the indoor unit may be set to
be an optional direction in accordance with the choice of a user, although it is generally
a substantially forward direction when cooling and a substantially downward direction
when heating. When the louver 300 of the indoor unit is arranged at a substantially
horizontal position (convex downwards) shown in FIG. 33A, it allows the conditioned
air to be discharged in a forward direction from the outlet port 201, and when the
louver 300 is arranged at a substantially vertical position (convex rearwards) shown
in FIG. 33B, it allows the conditioned air to be discharged in a downward direction
from the outlet port 201.
[0006] In a case where the direction of the conditioned air discharged from the indoor unit
is changed to an optional direction between the forward and downward directions, one
end 302 of the louver 300 is always directed toward the upstream of the conditioned
air and the other end 301 thereof is always directed toward the downstream of the
conditioned air between the substantially horizontal position (convex downwards) shown
in FIG. 33A and the substantially vertical position (convex rearwards) shown in FIG.
33B.
[0007] FIG. 34 shows another example of a conventional indoor unit for an air conditioning
system. In this indoor unit, a horizontally extending louver 310 is substituted for
the louver 300. When the louver 310 is arranged at a substantially horizontal position
(convex upward) shown in FIG. 34A, it allows a conditioned air to be discharged in
a forward direction from the outlet port 201, and when the louver 310 is arranged
at a substantially vertical position (convex forwards) shown in FIG. 34B, it allows
the conditioned air to be discharged in a downward direction from the outlet port
201. In a case where the direction of the conditioned air discharged from the indoor
unit is changed to an optional direction between the forward and downward directions,
one end 311 of the louver 310 is always directed toward the upstream of the conditioned
air and the other end 312 thereof is always directed toward the downstream of the
conditioned air between the substantially horizontal position (convex upwards) shown
in FIG. 34A and the substantially vertical position (convex forwards) shown in FIG.
34B.
[0008] In the case of the conventional indoor unit for an air conditioning system shown
in FIG. 33, when the louver 300 is arranged at the substantially horizontal position
(convex downwards) shown in FIG. 33A, the side of the one end 302 of the louver 300
is substantially parallel to the flowing direction of the conditioned air, so that
it is possible to allow the conditioned air to smoothly flow forwards along the louver
300.
[0009] However, when the louver 300 is arranged at the substantially vertical position (convex
rearwards) shown in FIG. 33B, the angle between the side of the one end 302 of the
louver 300 and the flowing direction of the conditioned air is great, so that the
conditioned air flow collides with the louver 300. Therefore, it is not possible to
allow the conditioned air to smoothly flow downwards along the louver 300, and the
louver 300 also serves as a baffle board against the conditioned air flow. For that
reason, in the state shown in FIG. 33B, there are problems in that the discharge flow
rate of the conditioned air is remarkably decreased and that noises due to turbulence
of the conditioned air flow are increased.
[0010] On the other hand, in the case of the conventional indoor unit for an air conditioning
system shown in FIG. 34, when the louver 310 is arranged at the substantially vertical
position (convex forwards) shown in FIG. 34B, the one end 311 of the louver 310 is
substantially parallel to the flowing direction of the conditioned air, so that it
is possible to allow the conditioned air to smoothly flow downwards along the louver
310.
[0011] However, when the louver 310 is arranged at the substantially horizontal position
(convex upwards) shown in FIG. 34A, the angle between the one end 311 of the louver
310 and the flowing direction of the conditioned air is great, so that the conditioned
air flow collides with the louver 310. Therefore, it is not possible to allow the
conditioned air to smoothly flow forwards along the louver 310, and the louver 310
also serves as a baffle board against the conditioned air flow. For that reason, in
the state shown in FIG. 34A, there are the same problems as those in the aforementioned
state shown in FIG. 33B
[0012] Thus, according to the conventional indoor units shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, in a case
where the discharge direction of a conditioned air is sequentially changed between
the forward and downward directions, it is not always possible to allow the conditioned
air to smoothly flow along the louver 300 or 310, so that it is not possible to prevent
the decrease of the discharge flow rate of the conditioned air and the occurrence
of noises due to turbulence of the conditioned air flow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned
problems and to provide an indoor unit for an air conditioning system, which can sequentially
change the discharge direction of a conditioned air between forward and downward directions,
while allowing the conditioned air to smoothly flow along a horizontally extending
louver to ensure a sufficient discharge flow rate of conditioned air and while preventing
the occurrence of noises due to turbulence of the conditioned air flow.
[0014] This and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by an indoor unit
as specified in claim 1. Improvements thereof are specified in sub-claims being dependent
on claim 1.
[0015] In addition, the control means may control the drive means so that turning speed,
during the turning over movement, of the louver having a curved cross section is higher
than turning speed during the usual turning movement.
[0016] According to this indoor unit, since the turning speed during the turning over movement
of the louver is higher than the turning speed of during the usual turning movement,
it is possible to decrease the time required to reverse the louver. Therefore, it
is possible to decrease the occurring time of noises due to the turbulence of the
conditioned air caused by the louver during the turning over movement.
[0017] Moreover, the control means may control the drive means so that the louver having
a curved cross section is stopped for a predetermined period of time immediately before
the turning over movement starts.
[0018] The indoor unit may further comprise manually operable means for commanding operation
and stop of the drive means to the control means, to move the louver to an optional
pivotal position, and wherein the control means controls the drive means so that the
louver having a curved cross section is stopped at a position other than the closing
position when the control means receives a stopping command from the manually operable
means during the turning over movement of the louver having a curved cross section.
[0019] According to this unit, even if the stopping command is received from the manually
operable means during the turning over movement, it is possible to stop the louver
other than the closing position at which the louver closes the outlet port, so that
it is possible to prevent the discharge of the conditioned air from being blocked
by the louver by which the outlet port is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent
the occurrence of noises, the freezing of the heat exchanger when cooling due to the
decrease of the discharge flow rate, and the abnormal temperature rise of the heat
exchanger when heating.
[0020] Alternatively, the indoor unit may further comprise: manually operable means for
commanding operation and stop of the drive means to the control means, to turning
the louver to an optional pivotal position, and wherein the control means controls
the drive means so that turning speed of the louver when automatically causing turning
movement of the louver is higher than turning speed of the louver when causing turning
of the louver in response to an input at the manually operable means, at least in
a part of the turning range of said louver.
[0021] According to this indoor unit, since the turning speed of the louver when automatically
causing the pivotal movement of the louver is higher than the turning speed of the
louver when causing the pivotal movement of the louver in response to the input of
the manually operable means at least in a part of pivotal range of the louver, it
is possible to decrease the time required to move the louver when automatically causing
the turning movement of the louver, while maintaining the turning speed when causing
the turning movement of the louver in response to the input of the manually operable
means, at a low speed. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the time required to
automatically move the louver at least in a part of pivotal range of the louver, and
to easily carry out the positioning of the pivotal position of the louver by means
of the manually operable means.
[0022] The drive means may comprise at least one stepping motor, having exciting coils,
and wherein the control means changes a rotational speed of said step motor for changing
turning speed of the louver by switching an exciting system of the step motor between
a one-two-phase exciting system and a two-phase exciting system.
[0023] Alternatively, the drive means may comprise at least two motors, and wherein the
control means controls the motors so that the plurality of louvers are independently
operated.
[0024] In the indoor unit, when each of said louvers are located at said closing position,
a gap is formed between the adjacent louvers so that the louvers are turned without
causing interference of pivotal loci of the louvers.
[0025] According to this indoor unit, it is possible to prevent the louvers from colliding
with each other. Therefore, in a case where the pivotal movements of the louvers are
independently carried out, it is not required to carry out any complicated controls
in order to prevent the louvers from colliding with each other, so that it is possible
to more easily provide an indoor unit having a good discharge characteristic of conditioned
air.
[0026] In the indoor unit, a rear end edge of a front louver of the adjacent louvers is
located below a front end edge of a rear louver of the adjacent louvers, when each
of the louvers are located at the closing position.
[0027] According to this indoor unit, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the indoor
unit from being spoiled even if a sufficient gap is formed between the respective
louvers.
[0028] In the indoor unit, the foremost louver of said plurality of louvers is provided
so as to be turnable in only one direction from the closing position, and the other
louver of the louvers is provided so as to be turnable in two directions from the
closing position, the other louver having the curved cross section.
[0029] The foremost louver of said plurality of louvers may have a wind deflecting surface
for deflecting the conditioned air in a forward and upward direction, the wind deflecting
surface being arranged at a downstream end portion, with respect to a flow of conditioned
air, of one surface of the foremost louver, and the foremost louver of the plurality
of louvers may form a flow of conditioned air toward the inlet port from the outlet
port via the wind deflecting surface when the foremost louver is turned to a predetermined
position.
[0030] According to this indoor unit, the conditioned air discharged from the outlet port
when carrying out the dehumidifying operation of the air conditioning system, is discharged
from the outlet port to the inlet port without being discharged toward the central
portion of the room, and circulates near the indoor unit, so that it is possible to
dehumidify the room without giving a cold wind feeling. In addition, it is possible
to surely form a circulating flow even it the pivotal position of the louver is slightly
shifted from the optimum pivotal position, by providing the wind deflecting surface.
[0031] The wind deflecting surface may be formed so as to deflect the conditioned air discharged
from the outlet port toward the downstream of a peripheral edge of the outlet port
when the flow of conditioned air flowing from the outlet port toward the inlet port
is formed.
[0032] In addition, an inner wall surface forming the discharge passage on the side of the
inlet port may be formed with a curved surface projecting toward the foremost louver,
and the lowest end of the curved surface may be located upstream of the wind deflecting
surface in a case where the foremost louver is located so as to form a flow of conditioned
air flowing from the outlet port to the inlet port. Moreover, a portion of the louver
upstream of the wind deflecting surface may have a plate-like shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an indoor unit in the first preferred embodiment
of an air conditioning system;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the indoor unit of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of the indoor unit wherein a
front panel is removed;
FIGS. 4A through 4D are partially cross-sectional views, each of which illustrates
the relationship between the pivotal movement of a horizontally extending louver and
the discharge direction of a conditioned air in the indoor unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the range of discharge direction of a conditioned
air in the indoor unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a main part of a control circuit
in the first preferred embodiment of an air conditioning system;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a basic structure of a louver
driving motor (a step motor) of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the louver driving motor (the
step motor) of FIG. 7 and a drive circuit for the louver driving motor;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are graphs, each of which illustrates an example of an exciting pulse
of a two-phase exciting system for the step motor of FIG. 7;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are graphs, each of which illustrates an example of an energizing
pulse of one-two-phase exciting system for the step motor of FIG. 7;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating the relationship between the operation
of a remote controller of FIG. 6 and the remote control of a horizontally extending
louver;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for controlling the pivotal movement of a horizontally extending
louver in the first preferred embodiment of an air conditioning system;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart which can be added to the flowchart of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a main part of an indoor unit in the second preferred
embodiment of an air conditioning system according to the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main part of the indoor unit of FIG. 14 wherein
a front panel is removed;
FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a main part of a control circuit
in the second preferred embodiment of an air conditioning system according to the
present invention;
FIG. 17A through 17C are partially cross-sectional views each of which illustrating
the relationship between the pivotal movement of a horizontally extending louver and
the discharge direction of a conditioned air in the indoor unit of FIG. 14;
FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating the range of the discharged direction of
a conditioned air in the indoor unit of FIG. 14;
FIGS. 19A through 19E are partially cross-sectional views, each of which illustrates
the relationship between the pivotal movement of a horizontally extending louver and
the discharge direction of a conditioned air in the third preferred embodiment of
an indoor unit according to the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating the range of discharge direction of a conditioned
air in the indoor unit of FIG. 19.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for controlling the pivotal movement of a horizontally extending
louver in the third preferred embodiment of an air conditioning system according to
the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart for controlling the pivotal movement of a horizontally extending
louver in the fourth preferred embodiment of an air conditioning system according
to the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a view illustrating desired shape and arrangement of a horizontally extending
louvers;
FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view illustrating the movement of the louver of FIG.
23;
FIG. 25 is a view illustrating other desired shape and arrangement of horizontally
extending louvers;
FIG. 26 is a view illustrating other desired shape and arrangement of a horizontally
extending louver;
FIG. 27 is a view illustrating other desired shape and arrangement of horizontally
extending louvers;
FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view of an indoor unit in the fifth preferred embodiment
of an air conditioning system according to the present invention;
FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a refrigeration cycle of an air conditioning
system according to the present invention;
FIG. 30 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a main part of a foremost louver of
FIG. 28;
FIG. 31 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a main part of an outlet portion of
an indoor unit in the sixth preferred embodiment of an air conditioning system according
to the present invention;
FIG. 32 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a main part of an outlet portion of
an indoor unit in the seventh preferred embodiment of an air conditioner according
to the present invention;
FIGS. 33A and 33B are partially cross-sectional views, each of which illustrates the
relationship between the pivotal movement of a horizontally extending louver and the
discharge direction of a conditioned air in a conventional indoor unit for an air
conditioning system; and
FIGS. 34A and 34B are partially cross-sectional views similar to FIGS. 33A and 33B,
in another conventional indoor unit for an air conditioning system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present
invention will be described below.
[0035] However, the embodiment presented as the first preferred embodiment in the description
and shown in Fig. 1 to Fig.13 does not fall within the scope of the claims.
[First Preferred Embodiment]
[0036] FIGS. 1 through 13 show the first preferred embodiment In FIGS. 1 and 2, an indoor
unit U for an air conditioning system is designed to be mounted on a wall at an overhead
location in a room. The indoor unit U comprises a front panel 3, an outlet port 1
for discharging a conditioned air (a cooled air, a dehumidified air, a heated air
or the like) into the room, and a discharge passage 2 for allowing the conditioned
air to flow toward the outlet port 1 in a forward and downward direction. The outlet
port 1 is provided with a horizontally extending louver 10, which is pivotable (pivotally
movable) or turnable about a pivotal axis C (see FIG. 1) for vertically changing the
discharge direction of the conditioned air.
[0037] The louver 10 is driven by drive means or a louver driving motor M (see FIG. 3).
In FIG. 1, reference number 9 denotes a plurality of vertically extending louvers
provided upstream of the louver 10 for horizontally changing the discharge direction
of the conditioned air.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the pivotal axis C is located on the side of one end 11 of the
louver 10, and shifted from the louver 10 in a thickness direction of the louver 10
(see arrow
t of FIG. 1). In order to improve the appearance of the indoor unit U, louver 10 is
pivotally moved to a closing position (a stopped position), at which the lower 10
substantially closes the outlet port 1, by means of the louver driving motor M, when
the operation of the air conditioning system is stopped. The louver 10 has a curved
cross section (convex forwards and downwards) so as to correspond to the shape of
the outer surface of the front panel 3 (see the two-dot chain line of FIG. 1). That
is, the louver 10 has a cross section which is curved toward the pivotal axis C at
a location substantially facing the pivotal axis C, and has a concave surface 10a
on the side of the pivotal axis C and a convex surface 10b on the opposite side of
the pivotal axis C.
[0039] The cross section of the discharge passage 2 is defined by a front wall 2a and a
rear wall 2b. A plate-like supporting member 15 for supporting the louver 10 at the
central portion thereof with respect to the axial direction of the pivotal axis C
is provided in the discharge passage 2. The supporting member 15 has a base portion
16, both ends of which are supported on the front wall 2a and the rear wall 2b, respectively,
and a supporting portion 17 which extends forwards and downwards from the base portion
16 on the side of the front wall 2a. On the side of the pivotal axis C of the louver
10, a mounting plate 13 is provided. The tip portion of the mounting plate 13 is pivotally
mounted to the tip portion of the supporting portion 17 of the supporting member 15
at a location of the pivotal axis C.
[0040] For sucking an indoor air to be conditioned, the front panel 3 has an inlet port
4 in the front surface thereof, and an inlet port 5 in the upper surface thereof.
Inside of the front panel 3, a main indoor heat exchanger 6 is provided. The main
indoor heat exchanger 6 comprises a first heat exchanger 6a (see FIG. 3) corresponding
to the inlet port 4 and a second heat exchanger 6b corresponding to the inlet port
5. Between the inlet port 5 and the second heat exchanger 6b, an auxiliary indoor
heat exchanger (a supercooling heat exchanger) 7 is provided. Inside of the main indoor
heat exchanger 6 (between the first heat exchanger 6a and the second heat exchanger
6b), a cross-flow or transverse type indoor fan 8 is provided.
[0041] The indoor unit U is designed to suck an indoor air from the inlet ports 4 and 5
by the rotation of the indoor fan 8. The indoor air sucked from the inlet port 4 flows
into the discharge passage 2 through the first heat exchanger 6a, and the indoor air
sucked from the inlet port 5 flows into the discharge passage 2 through the auxiliary
indoor heat exchanger 7 and the second heat exchanger 6b.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the relationship between the pivotal movement of the
louver 10 and the discharge direction of a conditioned air will be described in detail
below. Furthermore, the slant line area of FIG. 5 shows the discharged area of a mainstream
portion having a flow velocity of greater than a predetermined velocity (this is the
same as FIGS. 18 and 20 which will be described later).
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4C, the louver 10 is pivotable or turnable within the range of about
180 degrees between a position at which the one end 11 of the louver 10 is directed
toward the upstream of the conditioned air when the louver 10 is substantially parallel
to the discharge direction of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage
2, and a position at which the other end 12 of the louver 10 is directed toward the
upstream of the conditioned air when the louver 10 is substantially parallel to the
direction of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage 2, via the
stopped position. Furthermore, the supporting member 15 is formed so as not to interfere
with the pivotal movement of the louver 10.
[0044] The louver 10 allows a conditioned air to be discharged in a forward direction from
the outlet port 1 when the louver 10 is arranged at a substantially horizontal position
as shown in FIG. 4A, i.e., when the concave surface 10a is directed substantially
upwards (see sign
a of FIG. 5). The louver 10 also allows a conditioned air to be discharged in a downward
direction from the outlet port 1 when the louver 10 is arranged at a substantially
vertical position as shown in FIG. 4B, i.e., when the concave surface 10a is directed
substantially backwards (see sign
d of FIG. 5). When the discharge direction of the conditioned air is changed from the
forward direction to the downward direction, the louver 10 is subjected to following
movements.
(1) First, the louver 10 is turned, from the substantially horizontal position (see
FIG. 4A), so as to direct the one end 11 (the front end) the louver 10 downwards,
so that the concave and convex surfaces 10a,10b of the louver 10 is substantially
parallel to the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage
2 (see FIG. 4A). During abovementioned movement, the discharge direction of the conditioned
air is changed from the forward direction to the forward and downward direction continuously
in accordance with the change of the pivotal position of the louver 10 (see signs
a and b of FIG. 5).
(2) Next, the louver 10 is turned in a reverse direction by substantially 180 degrees
so that the positions of the one end 11 and the other end 12 of the louver 10 are
mutually exchanged. During the reversal or the turning over movement, the louver 10
passes by its stopping position or its closing position (see arrow T of FIG. 4C).
In this case, the discharge direction of the conditioned air after the reversal is
slightly shifted downwards in comparison with the state before the reversal (see sign
c of FIG. 5).
(3) Next, the louver 10 is turned, to the substantially vertical position (see FIG.
4D), so as to direct the other end 12 (the front-lower end) thereof downwards. During
this turning movement, the discharge direction of the conditioned air is changed continuously
from the forward and downward direction to the downward direction in accordance with
the change of the pivotal position of the louver 10 (see signs c through d of FIG. 5).
[0045] The abovementioned movements of the lower 10, to change the discharge direction from
forward to downward, will be hereinafter referred to a "downward movement (of the
louver 10)". This movement is the same in the case of a louver 20 in the second and
third preferred embodiments which will be described later.
[0046] Furthermore, the term "upstream" means "upstream, with respect to the flowing direction
of the conditioned air", and the term "downstream" means "downstream, with respect
to the flowing direction of the conditioned air", in this specification. In addition,
each movement mentioned in above items (1) and (3) is referred to an "usual turning
movement", and the movement mentioned in above item (2) is referred to a "turning
over movement".
[0047] On the other hand, in a case where the discharge direction of the conditioned air
is changed from the downward direction to the forward direction, the louver 10 is
turned, from the substantially vertical position (see FIG. 4D) to the substantially
horizontal position (see FIG. 4A), with movements opposite to aforementioned movements
(1)-(3). The abovementioned movements of the louver 10, to change the discharge direction
from downward to forward, will be hereinafter refer to a "upward movement (of the
louver 10)". This movement is the same in the case of a louver 20 in the second and
third preferred embodiment which will be described later.
[0048] In a case where the louver 10 is pivotally moved upwards or downwards, a part of
the pivotal movement of the louver 10 during the reversal thereof (see FIG. 4C), will
be hereinafter referred to a "discontinuous part of the discharged direction of conditioned
air", and the other part during the usual pivotal movement of the louver 10 will be
hereinafter referred to as a "continuous part of the discharged direction of conditioned
air" (these parts are the same in the case of a louver 20 in the second and third
preferred embodiment which will be described later).
[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the indoor unit U has a manually operable means or a remote controller
R for transmitting an infrared signal or a remote control signal to remote-control
the pivotal movement of the louver 10. The indoor unit U also has a receiving unit
25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) for receiving the remote control signal transmitted from the
remote controller R, and a receiving sound producing means 26 for producing a receiving
sound in response to the remote control signal received by the receiving unit 25.
Moreover, the indoor unit U has an inspecting input means (a switch provided in the
indoor unit body) 29 for verifying the movement of the louver 10 when the product
is inspected before being shipped or the like.
[0050] In addition, the indoor unit U has a control unit 27, and a drive circuit 28 for
driving the louver driving motor M. The control unit 27 drives the louver driving
motor M by means of the drive circuit 28 in response to the remote control signal
(input) of the remote controller (the manually operable means) R received by the receiving
unit 25, to control the pivotal movement of the louver 10
[0051] When the operation of the air conditioning system is started or stopped, the control
unit 27 controls the operation of the louver driving motor M so as to automatically
cause the pivotal movement of the louver 10 to a predetermined position (e.g., the
aforementioned stopped position). In addition, the control unit 27 controls the louver
driving motor M in response to the input from the aforementioned inspecting input
means 29 to cause the pivotal movement of the louver 10.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 7 through 10, the louver driving motor M and the drive circuit
28 will be described in detail below.
[0053] The louver driving motor M comprises a step motor. As an example of such a step motor,
a PM type step motor is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the step motor comprises a rotor
50 having a north pole and a south pole, and a stator 52 having four exciting coil
portions φ1 through φ4 which are shifted by 90 degrees from the adjacent exciting
coil portion. In addition, switches SW1 through SW4 corresponding to the exciting
coil portions φ1 through φ4 of the stator 52 are provided. When these switches SW1
through SW4 are turned on, currents pass through the corresponding exciting coil portions
φ1 through φ4 from a direct voltage source 60, so that the exciting coil portions
φ1 through φ4 are excited (the south pole rises).
[0054] In the step motor of this construction, when only the switch SW1 is turned on, the
exciting coil portion φ1 is excited (the south pole rises) to attract the north pole
of the rotor 50 (the state shown in FIG. 7). Then, when the switch SW1 is turned off
and only the switch SW2 is turned on, the exciting coil portion φ2 is excited to attract
the north pole of the rotor 50 to rotate the rotor 50 clockwise by 90 degrees. When
the exciting coil portions φ1 through φ4 are sequentially energized by switching the
switches SW1 through SW4 in the order of φ3→φ4→φ1..., the rotor 50 can be rotated
clockwise every 90 degrees. In order to reverse the rotation of the rotor 50 to rotate
the rotor 50 counterclockwise, the exciting order of the exciting coil portions φ1
through φ4 may be reversed so as to be φ4→φ3→φ2 →φ1→φ4···, which is opposite to the
exciting order in the case of the clockwise rotation.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the drive circuit 28 for driving the louver driving motor comprises
a distributing circuit 64, to which a clock pulse 62 is inputted, and an exciting
circuit 66, to which the direct voltage source 60 is connected. The distributing circuit
64 serves to determine the energizing order of the exciting coil portions φ1 through
φ4 of the step motor. The exciting circuit 66 serves to use an output signal (an energizing
pulse) outputted from the distributing circuit 64 for energizing the exciting coil
portions φ1 through φ4 of the step motor by a predetermined voltage and by a predetermined
exciting system. The clock pulse 62 inputted to the distributing circuit 64 is a pulse
signal having a predetermined frequency. When the frequency (pulse/sec) of the clock
pulse 62 is changed, the output frequency of the energizing pulse outputted from the
distributing circuit 64 is changed, so that the rotational speed of the step motor
can be changed.
[0056] FIGS. 9 and 10 show output signals (energizing pulses) from the distributing circuit
64, together with the clock pulse 62. FIG. 9 shows an energizing pulse of a two-phase
energizing system or a two-phase exciting system for energizing the exciting coil
portions φ1 through φ4 of the step motor every two phases. FIG. 10 shows an energizing
pulse of a one-two-phase energizing system or a one-two phase exciting system for
alternately carrying out a one-phase energizing system (a one-phase exciting system)
for energizing the exciting coil portions φ1 through φ4 every phase, and the two-phase
energizing system. The one-two-phase energizing system shown in FIG. 10 needs a pulse
number, which is two times as large as that of the two-phase energizing system shown
in FIG. 9, in order to obtain the same number of revolution (rotation angle). That
is, the ratio of the rotational speed of the step motor in the two-phase energizing
system to the rotational speed thereof in the one-two-phase energizing system is 1:2
with respect to the clock pulse 62 of the same frequency (see FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A).
[0057] Furthermore, although the torque of the step motor generally decreases as the output
frequency of the energizing pulse increases, the torque of the stepping motor does
not change only by switching the energizing system of the energizing pulse between
the one-two-phase and two-phase energizing systems.
[0058] The control unit 27 can change the rotational speed of the louver driving motor M
on the basis of the aforementioned properties of the step motor. For example, it is
assumed that the rotational speed of the step motor rotated by the energizing pulse
of a predetermined normal output frequency in the one-two-phase energizing system
shown in FIG. 10A is a usual rotational speed. In the same one-two-phase energizing
system shown in FIG. 10B, if the frequency of the clock pulse 62 is increased by three
times so that the output frequency of the energizing pulse is increased to be three
times as large as the aforementioned normal output frequency, a rotational speed three
times as large as the usual rotational speed can be obtained.
[0059] In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the two-phase energizing system, if the frequency
of the clock pulse 62 is increased by one and a half times so that the output frequency
of the energizing pulse is increased to be one and a half times as large as the aforementioned
normal output frequency, a rotational speed three times (2×1.5 times) as large as
the usual rotational speed can be obtained although the torque of the louver driving
motor M is slightly decreased.
[0060] Furthermore, a rotational speed two times as large as the usual rotational speed
may be obtained without decreasing the torque only by switching the energizing system
of the louver driving motor M from the one-two-phase energizing system to the two-phase
energizing system. In this case, since the torque of the louver driving motor M is
not changed, it is possible to maintain a good rotation even if a load is applied
to the louver 10.
[0061] The control unit 27 can determine the current position of the louver 10 from a predetermined
initial position of the louver 10 on the basis of the order and number of the energizing
pulse applied to the louver driving motor or the step motor M. That is, it can be
determined on the basis of the order of the energizing pulse whether the rotational
direction of the louver 10 is clockwise or counterclockwise, and the rotation angle
in the rotational direction can be determined on the basis of the number of energizing
pulse. For example, assuming that the aforementioned initial position is ○ and that
the clockwise rotation is expressed by "+" (positive) and the counterclockwise rotation
is expressed by "-"(negative), and if a step motor rotating by 0.5 degrees every pulse
(having a step angle of 0.5 degrees) is used, the direction and degree of angular
movement of the louver 10 from the initial position can be recognized by the addition
and/or subtraction on the basis of the rotational direction and the energizing pulse
number.
[0062] Furthermore, a conventional A.C. or D.C. motor can be used for the louver driving
motor, however in such a case, in order to recognize the rotational position of the
louver 10, it is required provide an additional position sensor for detecting the
rotational position of the louver 10.
[0063] The control unit 27 causes the receiving sound producing means 26 to produce a predetermined
receiving sound in response to a remote control signal received by the receiving unit
25. The receiving sound produced by the receiving sound producing means 26 during
the reversal of the louver 10 as shown in FIG. 4C, is different from the receiving
sound produced by the receiving sound producing means 26 in the other periods of time
as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4D. As methods for producing different receiving sounds,
the tone colors (such as frequency components of sounds) of the receiving sounds may
be different, or the receiving sounds may be produced at different intervals (e.g.,
a receiving sound such as "pipitt-pipitt" or "pii-pii" which is different from a receiving
sound such as "pitt-pitt").
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a method for changing the rotational position of the
louver 10 by means of the remote controller (the manually operable means) R will be
described below.
[0065] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11A, the remote controller R may transmit a louver
moving signal to start the pivotal movement or the turning movement of the louver
10 by pushing a louver operating button (not shown) once, and a louver stopping signal
to stop the pivotal movement of the louver 10 by pushing the louver operating button
again.
[0066] Alternatively, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11B, the remote controller R may
transmit a louver moving signal to start the pivotal movement of the louver 10 by
pushing the louver operating button, and a louver stopping signal to stop the pivotal
movement of the louver 10 by releasing the louver operating button after pivotally
moving the louver 10 to a desired position by continuously pushing the louver operating
button.
[0067] In the flowchart of FIG. 12, the expression "louver positions d(m)" mean the respective
pivotal positions of the louver 10 illustrated by the solid lines of FIGS. 4A through
4D. In this case, the values of m = 1∼4 are assigned to the respective pivotal positions
of the louver 10 illustrated by the solid lines of FIGS. 4A through 4D. In addition,
the expression "louver position d(0)" means the aforementioned closing position (see
the louver 10 illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Moreover, the expression
"n=0" means the aforementioned "downward movement of the louver 10" and the expression
"n=1" means the aforementioned "upward movement of the louver 10".
[0068] In FIG. 12, n=0 (corresponding to the downward movement of the louver 10) is first
set at step 70. Then, when it is determined at step 71 that the operation of the air
conditioning system is started, the louver 10 is automatically moved from the closing
position d(0) to the louver position d(m) corresponding to the operation mode (step
76). In this case, for example, m=3 is set in the heating operation mode, and m=1
is set in the cooling operation mode.
[0069] On the other hand, when it is determined at step 71 that the operation of the air
conditioning system is not started and when it is determined at step 72 that the air
conditioning system is not operated, the air conditioning system stands by (step 75).
When it is determined at step 72 that the air conditioning system is operated and
when it is determined at step 73 that the operation stopping signal is received from
the remote controller R, the stopping process for automatically moving the louver
10 to the stopped position or the closing position d(0) is carried out (step 74),
and thereafter, the air conditioning system stands by (step 75).
[0070] When the louver 10 is automatically moved at step 76 or 74, the pivotal speed or
the turning speed of the louver 10 is set to be three times as large as an usual pivotal
speed. In this case, the pivotal speed of the louver 10 is changed by changing the
rotational speed of the louver driving motor (the step motor) by means of the control
unit 27 as described above.
[0071] Then, in the first loop, when it is determined at step 77 that the louver moving
signal is received from the remote controller R after the operation is started or
during the operation, it is determined at step 78 that n=0 (during the "downward movement")
and at step 79 that m≠4, so that m=m+1 is set at step 85. Then, when it is determined
at step 86 that m=3 (corresponding to the reversal or the turning over movement of
the louver 10 during the "downward movement"), the pivotal speed of the louver 10
is set to be three times as large as the usual pivotal speed (step 89), and when it
is determined at step 86 that m≠3, the pivotal speed of the louver 10 is set to be
the usual pivotal speed (step 88).
[0072] On the other hand, in and after the second loop, when it is determined at step 78
that n≠0 (not during the "downward movement") (i.e., n=1 (during the "upward movement"),
and when it is determined at step 81 that m=1, it returns to n=0 (during the "downward
movement") (step 82). When it is determined at step 81 that m≠1, m=m-1 is set at step
83. Then, when it is determined at step 84 that m=2 (corresponding to the reversal
or the turning over movement of the louver 10 during the "upward movement"), the pivotal
speed or the turning speed of the louver 10 is set to be three times as large as the
usual pivotal speed (step 89), and when it is determined at step 84 that m≠2, the
pivotal speed of the louver 10 is set to be the usual pivotal speed (step 88).
[0073] Then, the louver 10 moves to the louver position d(m) at the pivotal speed set at
step 88 or 89 (step 90). That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, in a case where the louver
10 is reversed from the louver position d(2) (illustrated by the two-dot chain line)
to the louver position d(3) (illustrated by the solid line) during the downward movement
(n=0), or in a case where the louver 10 is reversed from the louver position d(3)
(illustrated by the solid line) to the louver position d(2) (illustrated by the two-dot
chain line) during the upward movement (n=1), the pivotal speed is changed to be three
times as large as the usual pivotal speed.
[0074] Then, when it is determined at step 91 that a louver stopping signal is received
(during the movement of the louver 10), and when it is not determined at step 92 that
the louver 10 is reversed (n=0 and m=3, or n=1 and m=2), the pivotal movement of the
louver 10 is closing at the current position (step 95). On the other hand, it is determined
at step 92 that the louver 10 is reversed (n=0 and m=3, or n=1 and m=2), the louver
10 is moved to the louver position d(2) or the louver position d(3) (the reversal
is completed), and then, the pivotal movement of the louver 10 is stopped (step 94).
[0075] That is, while the louver 10 is reversed via the closing position d(0) at which the
outlet port 1 is closed, even if the louver stopping signal is received from the remote
controller R, the louver 10 is stopped at the louver position d(2) (during the "upward
movement" (n=1)) or the louver position d(3) (during the "downward movement" (n=1))
other than the closing position d(0) at which the outlet port 1 is closed. On the
other hand, when it is determined at step 91 that no louver stopping signal has been
received and when it is determined at step 93 that the louver 10 has not reached the
louver position d(m), the movement of the louver 10 toward the louver position d(m)
is continued (steps 93→90→91→93). When it is determined at step 91 that no louver
stopping signal has been received and when it is determined at step 93 that the louver
10 has reached the louver position d(m), the routine returns to step 78, and then,
the louver 10 is moved toward the next louver position d(m).
[0076] Furthermore, in the latter, after the louver 10 reaches the louver position d(4)
during the "downward movement" (n=0), it should be determined at step 79 that m=4,
so that m=1 (during the "upward movement") is set at step 80 and m=4-1=3 is set at
step 83. That is, the movement of the louver 10 is switched from the "downward movement"
(n=0) to the "upward movement" (n=1).
[0077] With this construction, the advantages of this preferred embodiment will be described
below.
[0078] According to this preferred embodiment, in a case where the direction of a conditioned
air discharged from the indoor unit U is changed between the forward and downward
directions, it is possible to maintain the surfaces 10a, 10b of the upstream portion
of the louver 10 (the other end 12 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the one end 11 in FIGS.
4C and 4D) so as to be parallel to the flowing direction of the conditioned air by
reversing the louver 10 by about 180 degrees (see FIG. 4C).
[0079] Thus, it is possible to sequentially change the discharge direction of the conditioned
air from the forward direction to the downward direction and from the downward direction
to the forward direction while allowing the conditioned air to smoothly flow along
the louver 10 having the curved cross section.
[0080] In addition, while the louver 10 is reversed via the closing position d(0) at which
the outlet port 1 is closed (see FIG. 4(C)), even if the louver stopping signal is
received from the remote controller R, it is possible to stop the louver 10 other
than the closing position d(0) at which the outlet port 1 is closed, so that the discharge
of the conditioned air is not blocked by the louver 10 by which the outlet port 1
is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the discharge of the conditioned air
from being blocked by the louver 10, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence
of noises, the freezing of the heat exchanger 6 due to the decrease of the discharge
flow rate when the air conditioning system is in cooling operation, and the abnormal
temperature rise of the heat exchanger 6 when the air conditioning system is in heating
operation.
[0081] In addition, in a case where the louver 10 is pivotally moved in response to the
louver moving signal outputted from the remote controller R, the pivotal speed of
the louver 10 during the reversal (the "turning over movement") is higher than the
pivotal speed during the usual pivotal movement (the "usual turning movement"), so
that the time required to reverse the louver 10 can be decreased. As a result, it
is possible to decrease the occurring time of noises due to the turbulence of the
conditioned air flow caused by the louver 10 during the reversal.
[0082] In addition, when the operation of the air conditioning system is started or stopped,
the pivotal speed of the louver 10 during the automatically pivotal movement is greater
than the usual pivotal speed of the louver 10 when it is pivotally moved in response
to the louver moving signal outputted from the remote controller R (except for during
the reversal of the louver 10), so that it is possible to decrease the time required
to move the louver 10 during the automatically pivotal movement while maintaining
the usual pivotal speed at a low speed when the louver 10 is pivotally moved by means
of the remote controller R. Therefore, it is possible to decrease the time required
to automatically move the louver 10 when the operation of the air conditioning system
is started or stopped, and it is also possible to easily carry out the positioning
of the pivotal position of the louver 10 by means of the remote controller R.
[0083] In addition, when the louver 10 of the indoor unit U is pivotally moved by means
of the remote controller R, it is possible to recognize the difference between the
period of the reversal of the louver 10, and the other periods of time, on the basis
of the receiving sounds. Therefore, it is possible to decrease a sense of incongruity
when operating the remote controller R.
[0084] Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, the control shown in the flowchart of
FIG. 13 may be added to the pivotal control of the louver 10 shown in the flowchart
of FIG. 12. In FIG. 13, in a case where it is determined at step 93 of FIG. 12 that
the louver position of the louver 10 is the louver position d(2) during the "downward
movement (n=0) (the position immediately before the reversal illustrated by the solid
line in FIG. 4B), or in a case where it is determined that the louver 10 is located
at the louver position d(3) during the upward movement" (n=1) (the position immediately
before the reversal illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 4C) (step 94), the operation
of the louver driving motor M is stopped, so that the louver 10 is stopped at the
louver position d(2) or d(3) (step 95). Unless the louver stopping signal is received
from the remote controller R, the operation of the louver driving motor M is stopped
until a predetermined period of time elapses, so that the position of the louver 10
is maintained at the louver position d(2) or d(3) (steps 96 and 97).
[0085] In a case where the predetermined period of time elapses before no louver stopping
signal has been received at step 96, the routine returns to step 78 shown in FIG.
12, the movement of the louver 10 toward the next louver position (the reversal operation
shown in FIG. 4C) is started (step 90 of FIG. 12). On the other hand, when the louver
stopping signal is received at step 96 before the predetermined period of time elapses
at step 97, the routine returns to step 70 shown in FIG. 12. Then, unless the operation
stopping signal (step 73) or the louver moving signal (step 77) is received, as shown
in FIG. 12, the operation is continued while the position of the louver 10 is maintained
at the louver position d(2) immediately before the reversal (during the "downward
movement" (n=0)) or at the louver position d(3) (during the "upward movement" (n=1).
[0086] According to the aforementioned control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, while
the operation of the louver driving motor M is stopped for the predetermined period
of time immediately before the reversal operation of the louver 10 shown in FIG. 4C,
it is possible to command to stop the louver driving motor M by means of the remote
controller (the manually operable means) R (step 96). Thus, when a user tries to move
and stop the louver 10 at the pivotal position immediately before the reversal operation
(i.e., the louver position d(2) (during the "downward movement" (n=0)) or at the louver
position d(3) (during the "upward movement" (n=1))) by means of the remote controller
R, it is possible to prevent the reversal operation of the louver 10 from being carried
out due to the delay of operation of the remote controller R, so that it is possible
to prevent the situation that the louver 10 can not be stopped at the aforementioned
position. Therefore, it is possible to easily carry out the stopping operation of
the louver 10 at a position immediately before the reversal, by means of the remote
controller R.
[Second Preferred Embodiment]
[0087] FIGS. 14 through 18 show the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 through 18, the same reference
numbers are used for the same elements as those of the aforementioned first preferred
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 13, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 14, an indoor unit U' for an air conditioning system in this preferred
embodiment has an outlet port 1, and two horizontally extending louvers 20 and 30
for vertically changing the discharge direction of a conditioned air. The louvers
20 and 30 are pivotally movable or turnable about pivotal axes C1 and C2 parallel
to each other, respectively. The louver 20 is arranged on the side of a rear wall
2b of a discharge passage 2 and has substantially the same shape as that of the louver
10 in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment. On the other hand, the louver
30 is arranged on the side of a front wall 2a of the discharge passage 2 and has a
cross section of a substantially plate-like shape. The louver 30 has one end 31 and
the other end 32.
[0089] The louvers 20 and 30 are driven by means of louver driving motors M1 and M2, respectively
(see FIG. 15). Similar to the louver driving motor M in the aforementioned first preferred
embodiment, the louver driving motors M1 and M2 may be step motors which are capable
of detecting the pivotal positions of the louvers 20 and 30 by means of a control
unit 27, respectively.
[0090] The pivotal axes C1 and C2 face the side of one end 21 of the louver 20 and a substantially
central portion of the louver 30, respectively, and are shifted from the louvers 20
and 30 in the thickness directions thereof, respectively. In order to improve the
appearance of the indoor unit U', when the operation of the air conditioning system
is stopped, the louver 30 is pivotally moved to a position (a stopped position or
a closing position shown in FIG. 14), at which the outlet port 1 is partially closed
by the louver 30 along a front surface 3a of a front panel 3, and the louver 20 is
pivotally moved to a position (a stopped position or a closing position shown in FIG.
14), at which the outlet port 1 is partially closed by the louver 20 substantially
along an imaginary surface S connecting the other end 32 or the lower end 32 of the
louver 30 to a bottom surface 3b of the front panel 3 and which is arranged above
the imaginary surface S, by means of the louver driving motors M1 and M2, respectively.
[0091] A plate-like supporting member 35 for supporting thereon the louvers 20 and 30 at
the central portion thereof with respect to the axial directions of the pivotal axes
C1 and C2 is provided in the discharge passage 2. The supporting member 35 comprises
a base portion 36, both ends of which are supported on the front wall 2a and the rear
wall 2b, a supporting portion 37 extending from a substantially central portion of
the base portion 36 in a forward and downward direction, and a supporting portion
38 extending along the front wall 2a from the base portion 36 on the side of the front
wall 2a in a forward and downward direction. In addition, the louvers 20 and 30 are
provided with mounting plates 23 and 33 corresponding to the supporting portions 37
and 38 of the supporting member 35 on the side of the pivotal axes C1 and C2, respectively.
The tip portions of the mounting plates 23 and 33 are pivotally connected to the tip
portions of the supporting portions 37 and 38 of the supporting member 35 at the positions
of the pivotal axes C1 and C2, respectively.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 16, similar to the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, the
air conditioning system in this preferred embodiment has a remote controller R. The
indoor unit U' has a receiving unit 25, a receiving sound producing means 26 and a
control unit 27, which are the same as those of the indoor unit U in the aforementioned
first preferred embodiment. In addition, the indoor unit U' has a drive circuit 28a
for driving the louver driving motors M1 and M2.
[0093] The drive circuit 28a is designed to selectively drive any one of the louver driving
motors M1 and M2 by adding a relay circuit to the same circuit as that of the drive
circuit 28 in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment. The control unit 27 is
designed to drive any one of the louver driving motors M1 and M2 via the drive circuit
28a in response to a remote control signal of the remote controller R received by
the receiving unit 25, so as to independently cause the pivotal movement of the louvers
20 and 30.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the relationship between the pivotal movements of the
louvers 20 and 30 and the discharged direction of the conditioned air will be described
below.
[0095] First, as shown in FIG. 17B, similar to the louver 10 in the aforementioned first
preferred embodiment, the louver 20 is pivotally movable in a range of about 180 degrees,
via the aforementioned stopped position or the closing position, between a position
A (see the louver 20 illustrated by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 17B) and a position
B (see the louver 20 illustrated by the solid lines in Fig. 17B). When the louver
20 is located at the position A, the one end 21 of the louver 20 is directed toward
the upstream of the conditioned air, and the surfaces 20a,20b of the louver 20 is
substantially parallel to the direction of the conditioned air flowing through the
discharge passage 2, and when the louver 20 is located at the position B, the other
end 22 of the louver 20 is directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air, and
the surfaces 20a, 20b of the louver 20 is substantially parallel to the direction
of the conditioned air flowing through the discharge passage 2.
[0096] On the other hand, the louver 30 is pivotally movable in a range of about 130 degrees
between a substantially vertical position (position G), at which the other end 32
is directed toward the upstream of the conditioned air as shown in FIG. 17B, and the
stopped position or the closing position shown in FIG. 14. That is, the louver 20
is turnable in the two opposite directions from its closing position, and the louver
30 is turnable in only one direction from its closing position. Furthermore, the supporting
member 25 is formed so as not to interfere with the pivotal movements of the louvers
20 and 30.
[0097] In this preferred embodiment, in a case where the discharge direction of the conditioned
air is changed from the forward direction to the downward direction (during the "downward
movement" of the louver 20), the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved in accordance
with the following route.
(1) First, when the louver 20 is located at the position A and the louver 30 is located
at a substantially horizontal position (i.e., position E, see the two-dot chain line
of Fig. 17A), a conditioned air is discharged from the outlet port 1 in a slightly
upward and forward direction (see sign e of FIG. 18). From this state, when the one end 31 or the front end of the louver
30 is pivotally moved downwards, the louver 30 is moved to the position G to change
the discharge direction of the conditioned air from the slightly upward and forward
direction to a forward and downward direction (see FIG. 17A and signs e and f of FIG. 18).
(2) From this state, when the one end 21 or the front-lower end of the louver 20 is
pivotally moved upwards by about 180 degrees, the louver 20 is located at a position
B so that the positions of the one end 21 and the other end 22 of the louver 20 are,
substantially, mutually exchanged (see arrow γ of FIG. 17B). In this case, the discharge
direction of the conditioned air after the reversal (turning over movement) is changed
to a slightly lower position than that before the reversal (see the two-dot chain
line of FIG. 17C, and sign g of FIG. 18).
(3) From this state, when the other end 22 or the front-lower end of the louver 20
is pivotally moved downwards, the louver 20 is moved to a substantially vertical position
(position B') to change the discharge direction of the conditioned air from the forward
and downward direction to the downward and slightly rearward direction (toward the
wall surface) (see FIG. 17C, and signs g and of FIG. 18).
[0098] In the opposite case, i.e., in a case where the discharge direction of the conditioned
air is changed from the downward direction to the forward direction (during the "upward
movement" of the louver 20), the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved in accordance
with the opposite pivotal route to the aforementioned pivotal route.
[0099] Furthermore, a method for changing the pivotal positions of the louver 20 and 30
by means of the remote controller (the manually operable means) R in this preferred
embodiment is the same as that in the flowchart of FIG. 12 in the aforementioned first
preferred embodiment, except that the assignments of the louver positions d(m) are
carried out as follows. That is, in this preferred embodiment, m=1 is assigned to
the state that the louver 30 is located at the position E illustrated by the two-dot
chain line in FIG. 17A, m=2 is assigned to the state that the louver 30 is located
at the position G illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 17a, m=3 is assigned to the
state that the louver 20 is located at the position B illustrated by the solid line
in FIG. 17b, and m=4 is assigned to the state that the louver 20 is located at the
position B' illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 17c. In addition, the louver positions
d(0) shows the aforementioned closing positions or the stopped positions of the louver
20 and 30 (see FIG. 14).
[0100] According to the aforementioned preferred embodiment, it is possible to more widely
and effectively change the discharge direction of the conditioned air than the first
preferred embodiment, by pivotally moving the louver 20, which is substantially the
same as the louver 10 in the first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 13,
and the louver 30, respectively (see the comparisons of FIGS. 4 and 17, and FIGS.
5 and 18). Therefore, it is possible to improve the performance of an air conditioning
system without spoiling the appearance of an indoor unit when the operation is stopped.
[Third Preferred Embodiment]
[0101] FIGS. 19 through 21 show the third preferred embodiment of an indoor unit according
to the present invention. In this preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 through 21,
in a case where the direction of a conditioned air discharged from an indoor unit
U' is changed between a downward direction and a forward direction, the undermentioned
pivotal routes of louvers 20 and 30 are different from those in the aforementioned
second preferred embodiment (FIGS. 17 and 18). With respect to other constructions,
this preferred embodiment is the same as the aforementioned second preferred embodiment
shown in FIGS. 14 through 16.
[0102] In this preferred embodiment, in a case where the direction of the conditioned air
discharged from the indoor unit U' is changed from the forward direction to the downward
direction (during the "downward movement" of the louver 20), the louvers 20 and 30
are pivotally moved in the following route.
(1) First, similar to the aforementioned second preferred embodiment shown in FIG.
17A, when one end 31 or the front end of the louver 30 is pivotally moved downwards
from a state wherein the louver 20 is located at position A and the louver 30 is located
at position E, the louver 30 moves to position G to change the discharge direction
of the conditioned air from a slightly upward and forward direction to a forward and
downward direction (see FIG. 19A, and signs e and f of FIG. 20).
(2) From this state, when the one end 31 or the lower end of the louver 30 is pivotally
moved upwards, the louver 30 returns to the position E (see FIG. 19B). Then, when
one end 21 or the front-lower end of the louver 20 is pivotally moved upwards by about
180 degrees to be reversed (see arrow γ of FIG. 19C), the louver 20 moves to position
B. In this case, the discharge direction of the conditioned air is divided into a
forward direction defined by the louver 30 (see the two-dot chain line of FIG. 19D)
and a forward and downward direction defined by the louver 20. The discharge direction
defined by the louver 20 is inclined slightly downwards (see the solid line of FIG.
19D and sign i of FIG. 20) in comparison with the direction illustrated by the solid line of FIG.
19A (see sign f of FIG. 20).
(3) From this state, when the one end 31 or the front end of the louver 30 is pivotally
moved downwards, the louver 30 moves to the position G again, to change the discharge
direction of the conditioned air defined by the louver 30 from the forward direction
to a direction parallel to the discharge direction defined by the louver 20 inclined
in the forward and downward direction (see the solid line of FIG. 19D and sign j of FIG. 20).
(4) From this state, when the other end 22 or the front-lower end of the louver 20
is pivotally moved downwards, the louver 20 moves to position B' to change the discharge
direction of the conditioned air from the forward and downward direction to the downward
and slightly rearward direction (toward the wall surface) (see FIG. 19E and signs
j through h of FIG. 20).
[0103] On the other hand, in a case where the discharge direction of the conditioned air
is changed from the downward direction to the forward direction (during the "upward
movement" of the louver 20), the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved in the opposite
pivotal routes to the aforementioned pivotal routes, respectively.
[0104] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 21, a method for changing the pivotal positions
of the louvers 20 and 30 by means of the remote controller (the manually operable
means) R in this preferred embodiment will be described below. Furthermore, in the
flowchart of FIG. 21, the same reference numbers are used for the same steps as those
in the flowchart of FIG. 12 in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, and
the descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0105] In FIG. 21, the assignments of the respective louver positions f(m) are set as follows.
That is, m=1 is assigned to the state that the louver 30 is located at the position
E illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 19A, m=2 is assigned to the state
that the louver 30 is located at the position G illustrated by the solid line in FIG.
19A, m=3 is assigned to the state that the louver 20 is located at the position B
illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 19B, m=4 is assigned to the state that the louver
20 is located at the position B illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 19C, m=5 is
assigned to the state that the louver 30 is located at the position G illustrated
by the solid line in FIG. 19D, and m=6 is assigned to the state that the louver 20
is located at the position B' illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 19E. The louver
positions f(0) show the stopped positions or the closing positions of the louvers
20 and 30 (see FIG. 14). In addition, n=0 means the "downward movement" of the louver
20, and n=1 means the "upward movement" of the louver 20.
[0106] At step 76' of Fig. 21 corresponding to step 76 of FIG. 12, for example, m=5 is set
in the heating operation mode, and m=1 is set in the cooling operation mode. At step
74' of Fig. 21 corresponding to step 74 of FIG. 12, the louvers 20 and 30 are moved
to the stopped positions f(0). At step 79' of Fig. 21 corresponding to step 79 of
FIG. 12, in and after the second loop it is determined that m=6 after the louvers
20 and 30 reach the louver positions f(6) during the downward movement (n=0), so that
n=1 (during the upward movement) is set at step 80 and m=6-1=5 is set at step 83.
That is, the movement of the louvers 20 and 30 are changed from the "downward movement"
(n=0) to the "upward movement" (n=1).
[0107] At steps 84' and 86' of Fig. 21 corresponding to steps 84 and 86 of FIG. 12, m=3
and m=4 are substituted for m=2 and m=3 at steps 84 and 86 of FIG. 12, respectively.
Because, the reversal (turning over movement) of the louver 10, in the aforementioned
first preferred embodiment, occurs when the louver 10 is changing its own position
from the position d(2) to the position d(3) during the "downward movement" (n=0) of
the louver 10 and when the louver 10 is changing its position from the position d(3)
to the position d(2) during the "upward movement" (n=1) of the louver, however, the
reversal of the louver 20, in this preferred embodiment, occurs when the louver 20
is changing its own position from the position f(3) to the position f(4) during the
"downward movement" (n=0) and when the louver 20 is changing its own position from
the position f(4) to the position f(3) during the "upward movement" (n=1).
[0108] For the same reason, at step 92' of Fig. 21 corresponding to step 92 of FIG. 12,
m=4 and m=3 are substituted for m=3 and m=2 at step 92 of FIG. 12, respectively. Furthermore,
steps 93' and 94' of Fig. 21 are the same as steps 93 and 94 of FIG. 12, except that
the louver positions f(m) are substituted for the louver positions d(m) at steps 93
and 94 of FIG. 12. With this construction, the operation of this preferred embodiment
will be described below.
[0109] In this preferred embodiment, the pivotal route of the louver 30 with respect to
the louver 20 is different from that in the aforementioned second preferred embodiment
shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, so that it is possible to increase the area of the conditioned
air discharged in the forward and downward direction to a wider area than that in
the aforementioned second preferred embodiment (see FIG. 19D, and the comparison of
signs
f∼
g of FIG. 18 and signs
f∼
i∼
j of FIG. 20).
[0110] Furthermore, similar to at step 76 or 74 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 in the aforementioned
first preferred embodiment, at step 76' or 74' in the flowchart of FIG. 21 in this
preferred embodiment, the pivotal speeds of the louvers 20 and 30 are set to be three
times as large as the usual pivotal speeds when the louvers 20 and 30 are automatically
moved. In addition, similar to the flowchart of FIG. 12 in the aforementioned first
preferred embodiment, an additional control corresponding to the flowchart of FIG.
13 may be added to the pivotal control of the louvers 20 and 30 shown in the flowchart
of FIG. 21 in this preferred embodiment.
[0111] While the indoor unit U has been provided with a single louver 10 in the aforementioned
first preferred embodiment and the indoor unit U' has been provided with two louvers
20 and 30 in the aforementioned second and third preferred embodiments, an indoor
unit may be provided with three louvers or more including one or two louvers which
are the same as the louvers 10, 20 and 30.
[Fourth Preferred Embodiment]
[0112] FIG. 22 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this preferred
embodiment, an inspection control shown in FIG. 22 is added to the pivotal control
of the louver 10 in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment (see FIGS. 12 and
13). Other constructions are the same as those in the first preferred embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1 through 13.
[0113] In FIG. 22, when it is determined at step 98 that the inspecting input means 29 shown
in FIG. 6 is turned on, the pivotal control of the louver 10 in an inspection mode
is executed at step 99. In the inspection mode at step 99, the louver 10 is sequentially
moved over the whole pivotal area at a pivotal speed three times as large as the usual
pivotal speed in order to verify the operation of the louver 10. On the other hand,
when it is determined at step 98 that the inspecting input means 29 is not turned
on, the pivotal control of the louver 10 in the usual mode shown in FIG. 12 (and FIG.
13) is carried out.
[0114] With this construction, the advantages of this preferred embodiment will be described
below.
[0115] According to this preferred embodiment, since the pivotal speed of the louver 10
pivotally moved in response to the input of the inspecting input means 29 is higher
than the usual pivotal speed of the louver 10 pivotally moved in response to the louver
moving signal of the remote controller R (except for the reversal of the louver 10),
it is possible to decrease the time required to pivotally move the louver 10 in response
to the input of the inspecting input means 29 while maintaining the usual pivotal
speed of the louver 10 pivotally moved by means of the remote controller R at a low
pivotal speed. Therefore, it is possible to quickly carry out the operation for verifying
the movement of the louver 10 in the inspection mode based on the input of the inspecting
input means 29, and it is also possible to easily carry out the positioning of the
pivotal position of the louver 10 by means of the remote controller R.
[0116] As mentioned above, when the output frequency of the energizing pulse applied to
the louver driving motor (the step motor) M is increased in order to change the pivotal
speed of the louver 10 to be three times as large as the usual pivotal speed, the
torque of the louver driving motor (the step motor) M is decreased. Therefore, it
is possible to detect a product wherein the louver 10 does not move in the state that
the torque of the louver driving motor M is decreased (i.e., an imperfect product
wherein the louver 10 is difficult to operate), in the inspection before shipping
the product.
[0117] Furthermore, the indoor unit U' in the aforementioned second preferred embodiment
shown in FIG. 16 may be provided with the same inspecting input means 29 as that shown
in FIG. 6, and the aforementioned inspecting control shown in the flowchart of FIG.
22 may be added to the pivotal control (FIG. 12) of the louvers 20 and 30. In addition,
the aforementioned inspecting control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22 may be added
to the pivotal control (FIG. 21) of the louvers 20 and 30 in the aforementioned third
preferred embodiment.
[0118] Desired shapes and arrangements of a plurality of louvers of the indoor unit, which
has the same plurality of louvers as those in the aforementioned second through fourth
preferred embodiments and wherein the movements of the respective louvers are different
from each other, will be described below.
[0119] When the louvers 20 and 30 are located at the stopped positions, a gap x is formed
between the louvers 20 and 30 in forward and rearward directions as shown in FIG.
23. This gap x is set to be a small gap as long as the louvers 20 and 30 do not collide
with each other when the louvers 20 and 30 are pivotally moved. Since the gap x is
so set, the louvers 20 and 30 can be pivotally moved so that the pivotal loci thereof
do not cross each other, in other words, the louvers 20, 30 are turned without causing
interference of pivotal loci of the louvers 20,30, as shown in FIG. 24.
[0120] In addition, as shown in FIG. 23, a gap y is formed between the louver 20 and the
rear wall 2b of the discharge passage 2. This gap y is set to be small as long as
the louver 20 does not collide with the rear wall 2b of the discharge passage 2 when
the louver 20 is pivotally moved. It is possible to set the gap y to be a very small
gap in accordance with the specific shapes and mounting structures of the louvers
20 and 30.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 23, when the louver 30 is located at the stopped position or the
closing position, the outer surface 30b of the louver 30 is substantially parallel
to an imaginary extended surface of the outer surface of the front panel 3 surrounding
the outlet port 1. That is, the outer surface 30b of the louver 30 is a slightly curved
surface which substantially corresponds to an imaginary extended surface S1 (illustrated
by the two-dot line in FIG. 23) extended from the front surface 3a of the front panel
3 while maintaining the curvature thereof, so that the outer surface 30b corresponds
to the imaginary extended surface S1. Furthermore, as shown in the fifth through seventh
preferred embodiments which will be described later, in a case where the air conditioning
system has a function forming a "short circuit", the curve of the louver 30 is preferably
small.
[0122] When the louver 30 is located at the stopped position, no gap is formed between the
louver 30 and the front wall 2a of the discharge passage 2, so that the louver 30
substantially contacts the front wall 2a. That is, the front end 31 of the louver
30 substantially contacts the front periphery of the outer port 1. Such an arrangement
is permitted since the louver 30 is pivotally moved only one direction or counterclockwise
direction of Fig. 23 from the stopped position.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 23, when the louver 20, which is located behind the louver 30 and
wherein the front end 21 side thereof is curved toward the pivotal axis C1, is located
at the stopped position, the rear end 22 side of the outer surface 20b thereof substantially
corresponds to the imaginary extended surface of the outer surface of the front panel
3 surrounding the outlet port 1. That is, the rear end 22 side of the outer surface
20b of the louver 20 is formed so as to substantially correspond to the imaginary
extended surface S2 (illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 23) extended from
the lower surface 3b of the front panel 3 while maintaining the curvature thereof,
so that the outer surface 20b of the louver 20 corresponds to the imaginary extended
surface S2 so as to be associated therewith for forming a smooth curved surface. Therefore,
it is possible to improve the appearance of the indoor unit when it is stopped.
[0124] When the louvers 20 and 30 are located at the stopped positions, the rear end 32
of the louver 30 located in front of the louver 20 is located below the front end
21 of the louver located behind the louver 30. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the louvers
20 and 30 are arranged so as to overlap with each other at a vertical interval of
z. Therefore, when the indoor unit is viewed substantially from the front, it is not
possible to recognize the gap between the louvers 20 and 30 with the naked eye, so
that the appearance of the indoor unit is not spoiled even if the gap x is formed
between the louvers 20 and 30.
[0125] Furthermore, in a case where the louver 20 is curved, the space between the louvers
20 and 30 can be substantially wider than that in an indoor unit wherein the louver
20 is not curved (see FIG. 25). Therefore, in a case where the louvers 20 and 30 are
located at positions near the stopped positions and where the indoor fan 8 is in the
operation state or is not completely stopped, such as immediately before the operation
of the air conditioning system is stopped or immediately after the operation thereof
is started, it is possible to prevent the surging of the discharged flow, which is
caused by blocking the conditioned air by the louvers 20 and 30. Thus, it is possible
to prevent noises from being produced due to the surging.
[0126] Furthermore, the shape of the louver 20 should not be limited to that shown in FIG.
23, but a louver 20 having a smoothly curved cross section shown in FIG. 25 may be
used. That is, the whole outer surface 20b of the louver 20 may be curved so as to
correspond to an imaginary extended surface S2 (illustrated by the two-dot chain line
in FIG. 25), so that the whole outer surface 20b of the louver 20 may correspond to
the imaginary extended surface S2 when the system is stopped. With this construction,
since the whole outer surface 20b of the louver 20 and the whole outer surface 30b
of the louver 30 correspond to the outer surface of the front panel 3, it is possible
to further improve the appearance of the indoor unit.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 26, the shape of the front panel 3 may be changed and the louver
30 may be located slightly behind the front surface 3a of the front panel 3.
[0128] While the front louver 30 has been pivotally moved counterclockwise from the stopped
position in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, the louver 30 may be pivotally
moved clockwise (see the arrow in FIG. 27) from the stopped position (illustrated
by the solid line in FIG. 27).
[0129] In this case, as shown in FIG. 27, the lower end of the front surface 3a of the front
panel 3 is formed with a projecting portion 3c. As shown in FIG. 27, the tip portion
of the projecting portion 3c extends inside of the pivotal locus
r of the rear end 32 of the louver 30, so that the louver 30 is designed to collide
with the projecting portion 3c when it is pivotally moved counterclockwise to the
position illustrated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 27. However, the louver driving
motor M2 for driving the louver 30 is designed to prevent the louver 30 from being
pivotally moved to the position at which the louver 30 collides with the projecting
portion 3c. In addition, the front end 32 of the outer surface 30b of the louver 30
is designed to contact the inner surface of the projecting portion 3c when it is stopped.
[0130] While the indoor unit has been provided with two louvers 20 and 30 in the aforementioned
preferred embodiment, the distance between the louvers 20 and 30 may be increased,
and an additional louver having the same shape and function as that of the louver
20 may be provided between the louvers 20 and 30. In this case, the rear end 32 of
the louver 30 may be located below the front end edge of the additional louver behind
the louver 30, and the rear end edge of the additional louver may be located below
the front end 21 of the louver 20 behind the additional louver.
[0131] The aforementioned shapes and arrangements of the louvers 20 and 30 may not be only
applied to the indoor unit wherein the louvers 20 and 30 are driven by the louver
driving motors M1 and M2, but they may be also applied to an indoor unit wherein at
least one of the louvers 20 and 30 is manually moved.
[0132] As mentioned above, since the plurality of louvers are arranged so that their pivotal
loci do not cross each other, it is possible to prevent the louvers from colliding
with each other. Therefore, even if the pivotal controls of the louvers shown in the
second through fourth preferred embodiments are carried out, it is not required to
carry out any complicated controls in order to prevent the louvers from colliding
with each other, so that it is possible to more easily provide an indoor unit having
a good discharge characteristic for a conditioned air. In addition, even if the louvers
are manually operated by a user's hand, it is possible to prevent the louvers and
their supporting portions from being damaged.
[Fifth Preferred Embodiment]
[0133] Referring to FIGS. 28 through 29, the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention
will be described below.
[0134] As shown in FIG. 29, the front and upper surfaces of an indoor unit 101 mounted on
the upper portion of the inner wall of a room are provided with inlet ports 102 and
103 for sucking an indoor air, and the bottom surface thereof is provided with an
outlet port 104 for discharging a conditioned air. The indoor unit 101 has therein
a discharge passage 105 for introducing the conditioned air into the outlet port 104.
Inside of the inlet ports 102 and 103, a dustproof and deodorizing filter 106 is provided.
Inside of the filter 106, a main indoor heat exchanger 107 and an auxiliary indoor
heat exchanger 108 are provided. Inside of the heat exchangers 107 and 108, a cross-flow
or transverse type indoor fan 109 is provided.
[0135] The main indoor heat exchanger 107 is divided into a first heat exchanger 107a and
a second heat exchanger 107b. The first heat exchanger 107a faces the front inlet
port 102 and the second heat exchanger 107b faces the upper inlet port 103, so that
the first and second heat exchangers 107a and 107b are arranged in the form of reversed
V-shape to surround the indoor fan 109.
[0136] The auxiliary heat exchanger 108 is arranged between the second heat exchanger 107b
and the inlet port 103. An electric heater 117 and a water guard member 118 are provided
between the first and second heat exchangers 107a, 107b and the indoor fan 109. The
electric heater 117 serves to heat air passing through the heat exchangers 107a and
107b if necessary. The water guard member 118 serves to prevent the drain from being
dropped directly to the electric heater 117 from the first and second heat exchangers
107a and 107b.
[0137] Drain receivers 119 are provided below the first and second heat exchangers 107a
and 107b and below the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108, respectively.
[0138] Although the radiating fin of the first heat exchanger 107a contacts the radiating
fin of the second heat exchanger 107b, a gap is formed between the radiating fin of
the second heat exchanger 107b and the radiating fin of the auxiliary indoor heat
exchanger 108, so that both radiating fins are not brought into contact with each
other, i.e., thermally isolated from each other.
[0139] When the indoor fan 109 is rotated, the indoor air is sucked into the indoor unit
101 via the inlet ports 102 and 103. The air sucked from the inlet port 102 passes
through the filter 106, and then, passes through the first heat exchanger 107a to
flow toward the indoor fan 109. The air sucked from the inlet 103 passes through the
filter 106, and thereafter, passes through the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108,
and then, passes through the second heat exchanger 107b to flow toward the indoor
fan 109.
[0140] At a location at which the discharge passage 105 faces the outlet port 104, there
is provided with a plurality of vertically extending louvers 110 driven by a drive
motor 110M shown in FIG. 29 for horizontally changing the discharged direction of
the conditioned air. Downstream of the vertically extending louvers 110, a pair of
horizontally extending louvers 150 and 111 are provided. The horizontally extending
louvers 150 and 111 are driven by a drive motor 111M shown in FIG. 29 to be pivotally
moved about a pivotal axis 111b supported on a supporting stay 111a, for vertically
changing the discharged direction of the conditioned air.
[0141] Referring to FIG. 29, a refrigerating cycle of the fifth preferred embodiment of
an air conditioner 100 according to the present invention will be described below.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 29, an outdoor heat exchanger 123 is connected to a discharge port
of a compressor 121 via a four-way valve 122. An expansion mechanism, e.g., an electric
expansion valve 124, is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 123. One end of the
auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 is connected to the electric expansion valve 124,
and the other end of the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 is connected to the main
indoor heat exchanger 107 (the first and second heat exchangers 107a and 107b). The
main indoor heat exchanger 107 is also connected to an inlet port of the compressor
121 via the four-way valve 122.
[0143] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29, a heat exchanging pipe on the outlet side
of the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 and a heat exchanging pipe at the intermediate
part of the first heat exchanger 107a are provided with heat exchanger temperature
sensors 113 and 114, respectively. In addition, an indoor temperature sensor 115 is
mounted on a passage for sucking an indoor air between the inlet port 102 and the
main indoor heat exchanger 107.
[0144] In addition, an outdoor fan 125 is provided near the outdoor heat exchanger 123 for
supplying an outdoor air to the outdoor heat exchanger 123.
[0145] A commercial alternating-current power supply 130 is connected to an inverter circuit
131, speed control circuits 132, 133 and a control unit 140. The control unit 140
is also connected to the inverter circuit 131, the speed control circuits 132, 133,
the vertically extending louver driving motor 110M, the horizontally extending louver
driving motor 111M, the heat exchanger temperature sensors 113, 114, the indoor temperature
sensor 115, the electric heater 117, the four-way valve 122, the electric expansion
valve 124 and the receiving unit 141.
[0146] The inverter circuit 131 is designed to rectify a supply voltage to convert the rectified
supply voltage into an alternating current of a frequency and voltage corresponding
to the command of the control unit 140, to supply the alternating current as a drive
power to the drive motor for the compressor 121.
[0147] The speed control circuit 132 is designed to control a supply voltage, which is supplied
to an outdoor-fan driving motor 125M, to set the capacity of the outdoor fan 125 in
accordance with the command of the control unit 140.
[0148] The speed control circuit 133 is designed to control a supply voltage, which is supplied
to an indoor-fan driving motor 109M, to set the capacity of the indoor fan 109 in
accordance with the command of the control unit 140.
[0149] The receiving unit 141 is designed to receive an infrared signal transmitted from
a remote controller 142 operated by a user.
[0150] With this construction, when the air conditioner 100 in this preferred embodiment
is used for cooling or dehumidifying, a refrigerating cycle illustrated by the arrows
of solid lines in FIG. 29 is formed, wherein the refrigerant discharged from the compressor
121 sequentially flows from the four-way valve 122 to the main indoor heat exchanger
107 via the outdoor heat exchanger 123, the electric expansion valve 124 and the auxiliary
indoor heat exchanger 108, and then, the refrigerant discharged from the main indoor
heat exchanger 107 returns to the compressor 121 via the four-way valve 122. That
is, the outdoor heat exchanger 123 serves as a condenser, and the main indoor heat
exchanger 107 and the auxiliary indoor heat exchanger 108 serve as an evaporator.
[0151] On the other hand, when heating, the four-way valve 122 is switched, so that a cycle
illustrated by the arrows of broken lines in FIG. 29 is formed, wherein the refrigerant
discharged from the compressor 121 sequentially flows from the four-way valve 122
to the outside heat exchanger 123 via the main indoor heat exchanger 107, the auxiliary
indoor heat exchanger 108 and the electric expansion valve 124, and then, the refrigerant
discharged from the outside heat exchanger 123 returns to the compressor 121 via the
four-way valve 122. That is, the main indoor heat exchanger 107 and the auxiliary
indoor heat exchanger 108 serve as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 123
serves as an evaporator.
[0152] As shown in FIG. 28, when the air conditioner 100 in this preferred embodiment is
used for dehumidifying, the horizontally extending louvers 150 and 111 are pivotally
moved by means of the horizontally extending louver driving motor 111M, so that the
downstream end portions of the louvers 150 and 111 are arranged above a horizontal
line. In addition, the vertically extending louvers 110 are set to be located at the
center in the longitudinal direction by means of the drive motor 110M. Moreover, the
indoor fan 109 is driven at a low speed.
[0153] Thus, a conditioned air flow W, wherein a conditioned air is sucked into an inlet
port 102 immediately after being discharged from the outlet port 104, is formed (this
flow route will be referred to as a "short circuit"). That is, most of the conditioned
air discharged from the outlet port 104 passes near the indoor unit 101 to be sucked
into the outlet port 104, so that the conditioned air does not reach the central portion
of the room.
[0154] Therefore, it is possible to continue to dehumidify without causing a cold conditioned
air to reach the central portion of the room, and to accomplish a comfortable dehumidification
without giving a cold wind feeling.
[0155] Furthermore, although a part of indoor air is continuously sucked into the indoor
unit 101 by forming the "short circuit", the moisture diffusing rate is sufficiently
great, so that it is possible to surely dehumidify the indoor air.
[0156] Referring to FIGS. 28 and 30, this preferred embodiment of an air conditioner 100
of the aforementioned construction, particularly the indoor unit 101, according to
the present invention, will be described below.
[0157] As shown in FIGS. 28 and 30, the upper surface 151 of the front louver 150 on the
side of the inlet port 102, which is one of the pair of horizontally extending louvers
150 and 111 provided in the outlet port 104, is provided with a projection 152 of
a substantially triangular cross section, which projects from the end portion of the
upper surface 151 downstream of the conditioned air so as to increase the thickness
of the louver 150 and which extends in the whole length. The projection 152 serves
to form a wind deflecting surface 153 for changing the discharged direction of the
conditioned air.
[0158] Furthermore, an extension L of the wind deflecting surface 153 passes downstream
of an edge 104a of the outlet port 104 on the side of the inlet port 102 to reach
the front surface of the inlet port 102. Therefore, the wind deflecting surface 153
may be located on the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 upstream or downstream of
the conditioned air, with respect to a parting line 104b of the edge 104a of the outlet
port 104, i.e., an imaginary extended surface of the front panel.
[0159] That is, as illustrated by the black-painted arrows in FIG. 30, the conditioned air
flow W1 flowing along the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 is deflected to flow
toward the inlet port 102.
[0160] On the other hand, as illustrated by the white-painted arrows in FIG. 30, the conditioned
air flow W2 flowing along the lower surface 152 of the louver 150 flows without being
deflected.
[0161] Since the wind deflecting surface 153 is formed by the projection 152 which projects
by increasing the thickness of the louver 150, the conditioned air flow W1 flowing
along the upper surface 151 of the louver 150 is completely separated from the conditioned
air flow W2 flowing along the lower surface 154 of the louver 150, on the downstream
side of the louver 150, so that they are not attracted to each other to be combined
with each other.
[0162] In this preferred embodiment, the louver 150 has a plate-like shape over the whole
lateral direction.
[0163] Thus, it is possible to decrease the resistance to the conditioned air in comparison
with a louver curved in the lateral directions, so that it is possible to increase
the flow rate of the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper surface 151 of
the louver 150. Therefore, the flow rate of the conditioned air deflected by the wind
deflecting surface 153 to flow in the inlet port 102 is also increased, so that it
is possible to surely form the "short circuit".
[0164] In this preferred embodiment, out of the conditioned air discharged from the outlet
port 104, the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper surface 151 of the louver
150 is surely deflected by the wind deflecting surface 153. Therefore, even if the
inclined angle of the louver 150 is shifted from an optimum inclined angle when the
inclined angle of the louver 150 is controlled to form a "short circuit", it is possible
to surely form the "short circuit".
[Sixth Preferred Embodiment]
[0165] Referring to FIG. 31, the sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described below.
[0166] As shown in FIG. 31, the sixth preferred embodiment of an indoor unit according to
the present invention is substantially the same as the indoor unit in the fifth preferred
embodiment, except that the shape of a cross section of an outlet cover 160 forming
a front wall 104c of an outlet port 104 is different from that in the fifth preferred
embodiment (see 160a of FIG. 30).
[0167] In this preferred embodiment, the outlet cover 160 forming a part of the front wall
104c of the outlet port 104 is formed with a cylindrical curved surface 161 which
is convex downwards toward the louver 150. The imaginary extension of the surface
161 extends toward the inlet port 102. Thus, the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along
the front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 is gradually deflected as flowing along
the curved surface 161 of the outlet cover 160, to flow toward the inlet port 102.
[0168] At this time, the conditioned air flow W2, which is illustrated by the white-painted
arrows in FIG. 31 and which flows a portion apart from the front wall 104c of the
outlet port, is attracted by the conditioned air flow W1 deflected by the curved surface
161 to be combined therewith to flow in the inlet port 102.
[0169] Moreover, the conditioned air flow W3 flowing along the upper surface 151 of the
louver 150 is deflected by the wind deflecting surface 153 of the louver 150.
[0170] That is, in this preferred embodiment, the conditioned air flows W1, W2 and W3 flowing
between the front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 and the louver 150 are deflected
by the curved surface 161 and the wind deflecting surface 153 to be combined with
each other to flow in the inlet port 102.
[0171] Thus, even if the inclined angle of the louver 150 is shifted from an optimum inclined
angle when the inclined angle of the louver 150 is controlled to form a short circuit,
it is possible to surely form the short circuit.
[0172] Furthermore, while the outlet cover 160 forming a part of the front wall 104c of
the outlet port 104 has been formed with the curved surface 161 in this preferred
embodiment, the front wall 140c of the outlet port 104 may be formed with a curved
surface for deflecting the conditioned air flow W.
[Seventh Preferred Embodiment]
[0173] Referring to FIG. 32, the seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention will
be described below. This preferred embodiment is substantially the same as the sixth
preferred embodiment, except for the shape of a cross section of the louver on the
side of the inlet port 102.
[0174] That is, as shown in FIG. 32, in this preferred embodiment, the thickness of a horizontally
extending louver 170 is substantially constant in the flowing direction of the conditioned
air. The louver 170 is bent at a location downstream of the center in the lateral
direction of the louver 170 so that a downstream end portion 171 of the louver 170
rises toward the inlet port 102 with respect to an upstream end portion 172. The bent
point 175 of the louver 170 is located upstream of the center of the louver 170. An
upper surface 173 of the downstream end portion 171 serves as a wind deflecting surface
for changing the flowing direction of the conditioned air.
[0175] The wind deflecting surface 173 is formed so that a tangential line L thereof passes
downstream of the edge 104a of the outlet port 104 on the inlet port 102 to reach
in front of the front surface of the inlet port 102 when the inclined angle of the
louver 170 is controlled so as to form a "short circuit".
[0176] Thus, as illustrated by the black-painted arrows in FIG. 32, the conditioned air
flow W1 flowing along the upper wall 172a of the louver 170 is deflected by the wind
deflecting surface 173 to flow toward the inlet port 102.
[0177] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 32, an outlet cover 180 forming a part of the
front wall 104c of the outlet port 104 is provided with a cylindrical curved surface
181, which is convex downwards and toward the louver 170 and which has a curved extension
extending toward the inlet port 102.
[0178] Thus, the conditioned air flow W2 flowing along the front wall 104c of the inlet
port is gradually deflected upwards as flowing along the curved surface 181 of the
outlet cover 180, to flow toward the inlet port 102. At this time, the lowest end
portion 182 of the curved surface 181 is located upstream (on the rear side) of the
bent point 175 of the louver 170.
[0179] Thus, the conditioned air flow W1 deflected by the wind deflecting surface 173 of
the louver 170 and the conditioned air flow W2 deflected by the curved surface 181
of the front wall 104c are smoothly discharged from the outlet port 104 without interfering
with each other.
[0180] The flow velocity of the conditioned air flow W2 flowing along the front wall 104c
of the outlet port 104 is higher than that of the conditioned air flow W1 flowing
along the upper surface 172a of the louver 170.
[0181] Thus, the conditioned air flow W1 deflected by the wind deflecting surface 173 of
the louver 170 is attracted by the conditioned air flow W2 deflected by the curved
surface 181 of the front wall 104c, and further deflected to flow toward the inlet
port 102.
[0182] In this preferred embodiment, the upstream portion (the rear side portion), with
respect to the bent point 175, of the louver 170 in the lateral directions thereof
has a plate-like shape.
[0183] Thus, it is possible to decrease the resistance to the conditioned air in comparison
with a louver curved in whole in the lateral direction, so that it is possible to
increase the capacity of the conditioned air flow W1 flowing along the upper wall
surface 172a of the louver 170.
[0184] Therefore, the capacity of the conditioned air deflected by the wind deflecting surface
173 to flow in the inlet port 102 is increased, so that it is possible to surely form
a short circuit.
[0185] In this case, the capacity of the air flow W3 flowing on the side of the reversed
surface of the louver 170 is small and the wind velocity is low, so that the conditioned
air flow W2 is not attracted by the air flow W3.
[0186] Therefore, according to this preferred embodiment, since the conditioned air flows
W1 and W2 discharged from the outlet port 104 are surely deflected so as to flow toward
the inlet port 102, it is possible to surely form a short circuit even if the inclined
angle of the louver 170 is shifted from an optimum inclined angle when the inclined
angle of the louver 170 is controlled to form the short circuit.
[0187] When a usual cooling or heating operation is carried out, in a case where the inclination
of the louver 170 is controlled so that the discharge direction of the conditioned
air is changed from a horizontal direction to an inclined downward direction, it is
possible to decrease the ventilation resistance of the louver 170 to cause a smooth
air flow.
[0188] Moreover, in this preferred embodiment, when the louver 170 is pivotally moved to
close the outlet port 104 as illustrated by the two-dot chain line of FIG. 32, the
surface of the front panel 102a forming the inlet port 102 is parallel to the lower
surface 174 of the louver 170, and the end portion 171a of the louver 170 faces the
edge 104a of the outlet port 104, so that it is possible to greatly improve the appearance
of the indoor unit 101 when the outlet port 104 is closed by the louver 170, i.e.,
when the operation is stopped.
[0189] As mentioned above, according to the fifth through seventh preferred embodiments,
when the inclined angle of the louver or the pivotal position of the louver is controlled
to form a "short circuit", the conditioned air discharged from the outlet port of
the indoor unit is deflected by the wind deflecting surface to flow in the inlet port.
Therefore, even if the inclined angle of the louver is shifted from the optimum angle,
it is possible to surely form the "short circuit".
[0190] Thus, a cooled conditioned air discharged from the outlet port when the dehumidifying
operation of the air conditioning system is carried out, flows from the outlet port
to the inlet port without flowing toward the central portion of the room, and circulates
between the inlet port, the heat exchanger, the indoor fan and the outlet port, so
that it is possible to dehumidify the room without causing a cold wind feeling.
[0191] Furthermore, the rear louver 111 in the fifth through seventh preferred embodiments
is the same as the louver 20 in the second through fourth preferred embodiment. In
this case, two louver driving motors are employed for driving the louvers respectively,
and the operation of the respective louvers may be controlled in the same manner as
that in the second through fourth preferred embodiment.