Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an indoor unit of an air conditioner and, more specifically,
to an indoor unit of an air conditioner having a wind direction plate at a blowout
port.
Background Art
[0002] In the related art, an invention related to an indoor unit of an air conditioner
in which a sufficient length of a blowout flow channel is secured so as to avoid dew
condensation on an opening edge of a blowout port is disclosed (For example, seeJP-A-5-272
799).
[0003] Other documents of interest are
JP 62 162 546 U, in which an air conditioner comprises a rotatable plurality of louvers which rotate
independently out of a predetermined revolving range; and
EP-1 707 892 A1, in which wind deflectors of an air conditioner provide an oblique stream path at
the start-up of a heating and a narrower stream path when the heating operation has
stabilized.
EP 1 707 892 A1 thereby provides an indoor unit according to the preamble of claim 1.
Technical Problem
[0004] The indoor unit of the air conditioner disclosed in
JP-A-5-272 799 is provided with a pair of blowout walls for opening and closing the blowout port,
and the blowout walls are configured to be opened and closed in the vertical direction
in a double-door system so as to meet at a midpoint of the opening height of the blowout
port, whereby the dew condensation on the opening edge of the blowout port can be
restrained.
[0005] However, during a cooling operation (when the blowout port is opened), a lower surface
of the blowout wall arranged above and an upper surface of the blowout wall arranged
below are substantially parallel to each other and define an air duct therebetween,
and the blowout walls themselves are cooled. Accordingly, there arises a problem that
the dew condensation is caused on an upper surface (back side of the air duct) of
the blowout wall arranged above and a lower surface (back side of the air duct) of
the blowout wall arranged below. Consequently, dew dropping in indoors occurs and
hence impairment of comfort is resulted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to solve the above-described problem, an object of the present invention
is to provide an indoor unit of an air conditioner which is adapted to prevent dew
condensation on a blowout port itself and blowout walls (wind direction plates) installed
at the blowout port.
Solution to Problems
[0007] An indoor unit of an air conditioner according to the present invention is a box
member having blowing means and heat exchanging means stored therein, including:
a main body, in which a blowout port is formed on a front surface of the box member
in a range nearer a lower surface and on the lower surface of the box member in a
range nearer the front surface;
a front flap tiltably arranged on the front surface side of the blowout port;
a lower flap tiltably arranged on the lower surface side of the blowout port;
a fan casing which defines a blowout air duct from the blowing means to the blowout
port;
front tilting means configured to tilt the front flap;
lower tilting means configured to tilt the lower flap; and
characterized in that control means is configured during a cooling to control the
front tilting means and the lower tilting means so that the front flap and the lower
flap stop at positions to form a smoothly continuing surface in the blowout air duct
at a predetermined distance from each other, and the front side and the back side
of the front flap and the lower flap are all exposed to blown air. Preferred embodiments
are defined in the dependent claims.
Advantageous Effect of the Invention
[0008] The indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the present invention is configured
in such a manner that the control means controls the front tilting means and the lower
lilting means to cause the front flap and the lower flap to stop at the positions
to form the smoothly continuing surface in the blowout air duct at the predetermined
distance from each other. Therefore, cooled air can be blown out in a predetermined
direction (for example, substantially horizontal direction). At this time, since the
front side and the back side of the front flap and the front side and the back side
of the lower flap are all exposed to blown air (cold air), occurrence of the dew condensation
is avoided.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0009]
Fig. 1 is an explanatory front view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according
to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a see-through perspective view illustrating part of the indoor unit shown
in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 shows a flowchart showing actions of vertical wind direction plates during
a cooling operation of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 shows side views illustrating the actions of the vertical wind direction plates
when starting the cooling operation of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 shows side views illustrating the actions of the vertical wind direction plates
when stopping the cooling operation of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the actions of the vertical wind direction plates during
a heating operation of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 shows side views illustrating the actions of the vertical wind direction plates
when starting the heating operation of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 10 shows side views illustrating the actions of the vertical wind direction plates
when stopping the heating operation of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating components which constitute a
first example of a tilting mechanism of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 12 is a side view showing the action of the components of the first example of
the tilting mechanism shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 13 is a side view showing the action of the components of the first example of
the tilting mechanism shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 14 is a side view showing the action of the components of the first example of
the tilting mechanism shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating components which constitute a
second example of a tilting mechanism of the indoor unit shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 16 is a side view showing the action of the components of the second example
of the tilting mechanism shown in Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a side view showing the action of the components of the second example
of the tilting mechanism shown in Fig. 15.
Fig. 18 is a side view showing the action of the components of the second example
of the tilting mechanism shown in Fig. 15.
Description of Embodiments
Embodiment 1
(Indoor Unit of Air Conditioner)
[0010] Fig. 1 to Fig. 10 are drawings for explaining an indoor unit of an air conditioner
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a front view, Fig. 2
is a perspective view, Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view, Fig. 4 is a partly see-through
perspective view, Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing actions of vertical wind direction
plates during a cooling operation, Fig. 6 shows side views schematically illustrating
the actions of the vertical wind direction plates when starting the cooling operation,
Fig. 7 shows side views schematically illustrating the actions of the vertical wind
direction plates when stopping the cooling operation, Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing
the actions of the vertical wind direction plates during a heating operation, Fig.
9 shows side views schematically illustrating the actions of the vertical wind direction
plates when starting the heating operation, and Fig. 10 shows side views schematically
illustrating the actions of the vertical wind direction plates when stopping the heating
operation. The respective drawings are illustrated schematically, and the present
invention is not limited to illustrated modes.
[0011] In Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner (hereinafter, referred
to as "indoor unit") 1 includes a box-shaped main body 10, a blowing fan 20 stored
in the interior of the main body 10, a heat exchanger 30 arranged so as to oppose
part of the blowing fan 20, and a front panel (precisely, it is the same as a design
panel which also covers part of side surfaces of the main body 10) 40 covering an
opening on the front surface (the left side in Fig. 3) of the main body 10.
(Blowout Port)
[0012] The main body 10 is configured to be installed with a back surface (the right side
in Fig. 3) thereof placed on an indoor wall or the like, and includes an inlet port
50 for sucking indoor air on an upper surface (the upper side in Fig. 3), and a fan
casing 60 for defining a blowout air duct from the blowing fan 20 in the interior
thereof.
[0013] The fan casing 60 is a space having a predetermined width and being surrounded by
a front casing member (the same as a front casing panel) 61 arranged on the side of
the opening on the front surface, a rear casing member (the same as a rear casing
panel) 62 arranged on the back surface side, and a partition wall 80 which constitutes
a side surface (see Fig. 11). Then, a space formed between a terminal end of the fan
casing 60, that is, a side edge on the front surface side of the lower surface (the
lower side in Fig. 3) and a side edge on the lower side of the front panel 40 corresponds
to a blowout port 63.
(Vertical Wind direction plates)
[0014] Furthermore, a front flap 100 and a lower flap 200 are tiltably provided on the blowout
port 63 on the front surface side and the rear surface side respectively as the vertical
wind direction plates.
[0015] Front flap arms 101 are provided on a back side 100b of the front flap 100 at predetermined
intervals, and a front flap revolving shaft 102 is provided on the front flap arms
101. On the other hand, the front casing member 61 is provided with casing flanges
64, and casing bearings 65 are provided on the casing flanges 64. The front flap revolving
shaft 102 is rotatably supported by the casing bearings 65.
[0016] In the same manner, lower flap arms 201 are provided on a back side 200b of the lower
flap 200 at predetermined intervals, and a lower flap revolving shaft 202 is provided
on the lower flap arms 201. On the other hand, casing flanges, not shown, are provided
at the blowout port 63, and a casing bearing is provided on the casing flanges. The
lower flap revolving shaft 202 is rotatably supported by the casing bearings.
[0017] A front stopper 160 configured to limit a tilting range when the front flap 100
is tilted toward the inside of the fan casing 60 (counterclockwise), and a lower stopper
260 configured to limit a tilting range when the lower flap 200 is tilted toward the
outside of the fan casing 60 (counterclockwise) are also provided. The structures
of the front stopper 160 and the lower stopper 260 are not limited thereto, and a
structure in which the front flap 100 and the lower flap 200 come into abutment with
each other, or a structure in which a projection or a shoulder provided on the front
flap revolving shaft 102 and a projection or a shoulder provided on the lower flap
revolving shaft 202 come into abutment with the front flap 100 and the lower flap
200 respectively is also applicable.
[0018] For easier understanding, description will be given below by exemplifying the front
stopper 160 provided on the front casing member 61 and configured to come into abutment
with the front flap 100 being tilted to the maximum extent, and the lower stopper
260 provided on the rear casing member 62 and configured to come into abutment with
the lower flap 200 being tilted to the maximum extent.
[0019] Control means, not shown, is configured to control a tilting mechanism (not shown)
to cause the front flap 100 and the lower flap 200 to be tilted independently. The
tilting mechanism will be described separately in detail.
(State When Operation is Stopped)
[0020] In Fig. 6(a), the control means, not shown, causes the front flap 100 to take a position
substantially parallel to the front panel 40 when the operation is stopped. At this
time, the back side 100b of the front flap 100 is positioned on the side of the fan
casing 60, and the front side 100a of the front flap 100 is positioned outside (front
side) so as to be visible from the indoor.
[0021] Also, the lower flap 200 takes a position substantially parallel to a lower surface
70, and the back side 200b of the lower flap 200 is positioned on the side of the
fan casing 60 and the front side 200a of the lower flap 200 is positioned outside
(lower side) so as to be visible from the indoor.
[0022] In the illustration of drawing (a) in Fig. 6, the sizes of the members are exaggerated,
and hence there exists a gap between a lower edge of the front flap 100 and a front
edge of the lower flap 200. However, this gap is small in actuality to an extent that
they do not interfere with each other. Therefore, since the blowout port 63 is closed
by the front flap 100 and the lower flap 200, a good appearance is maintained.
(Actions when Starting Cooling Operation)
[0023] Referring now to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, actions to be taken when starting the cooling
operation will be described.
[0024] In Fig. 6(b), when a signal indicating that the cooling operation is to be started
is supplied to the control means (SS1 in Fig. 5), the control means firstly causes
the lower flap revolving shaft 202 to tilt in a direction to bring the lower flap
into abutment with the lower stopper 260 (counterclockwise in Fig. 6) and brings the
lower flap into abutment with the lower stopper 260 (S1 in Fig. 5).
[0025] At this time, since the lower flap revolving shaft 202 is rotated via a clutch mechanism
(slipping mechanism), it is not rotated excessively after the lower flap 200 has come
into abutment with the lower stopper 260. Therefore, even thoutgh the position of
the lower flap 200 is changed (such as slightly tilting) when the operation is stopped,
accurate positioning is achieved by the abutment with the lower stopper 260.
[0026] Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 6(c), the control means causes the lower flap revolving
shaft 202 to rotate in a direction to move the lower flap 200 away from the lower
stopper 260 (clockwise) for a predetermined angle A2 and causes the lower flap 200
to stop in the fan casing 60 (S2 in Fig. 5).
[0027] At that time, the lower flap 200 is positioned substantially midway between the front
casing member 61 and the rear casing member 62, and is fixed at a position with the
lower flap surface 200a being at an upper location and inclined by a predetermined
angle with respect to the horizontal direction.
[0028] In Fig. 6(d), the control means then causes the front flap revolving shaft 102 to
rotate in a direction to bring the front flap 100 into abutment with the front stopper
160 (counterclockwise) and brings the front flap 100 into abutment with the front
stopper 160 (S3 in Fig. 5).
[0029] At this time, since the front flap revolving shaft 102 is rotated via the clutch
mechanism (slipping mechanism) in the same manner as the lower flap revolving shaft
202, it is not rotated excessively after the front flap 100 has come into abutment
with the front stopper 160. Therefore, even though the position of the front flap
100 is changed (such as slightly tilting) when the operation is stopped, the accurate
positioning is achieved by the abutment with the front stopper 160.
[0030] In Fig. 6(e), the control means further causes the front flap revolving shaft 102
to rotate in a direction to move the front flap 100 a predetermined angle A4 away
from the front stopper 160 (clockwise) and causes the front flap 100 to stop in the
fan casing 60 (S4 in Fig. 5).
[0031] At this time, the front flap 100 is positioned substantially midway between the front
casing member 61 and the rear casing member 62, and is fixed at a position with the
front side 100a faced downside and inclined at a smaller angle than the angle of the
lower flap with respect to the horizontal direction.
[0032] In other words, the lower flap 200 and the front flap 100 are arranged smoothly without
a level difference so as to form a substantially identical curved surface (precisely,
a slightly bent surface) even though there exists a gap between the terminal ends
thereof. Therefore, air flowing along the front side 200a of the lower flap 200 continues
to flow along the back side 100b of the front flap 100, and air flowing along the
back side 200b of the lower flap 200 continues to flow along the front side 100a of
the front flap 100.
[0033] Therefore, the front side 200a and the back side 200b of the lower flap 200 and the
front side 100a and the back side 100b of the front flap 100 are all exposed to the
cooled airflow, so that dew condensation thereon is avoided. Therefore, occurrence
of dew dropping in indoors is avoided, and improvement of comfort is achieved.
[0034] Also, since the cooled air is blown out in the substantially horizontal direction
by the lower flap 200 and the front flap 100 which form the substantially identical
curved surface in the substantially horizontal direction, cold air reaches an area
far from the indoor unit 1 without increasing a load of the blowing fan 20, so that
a wide range in the indoors can be cooled.
[0035] Therefore, since temperature fluctuations in the indoors is alleviated, it is no
longer necessary to excessively lower a set temperature and increase a burden of the
blowing fan 20 or the heat exchanger 30 (more precisely, a freezing cycle for supplying
cold heat to the heat exchanger 30) in order to lower the temperature of an area far
from the indoor unit 1, so that an energy saving effect is achieved. On the other
hand, since excessive lowering of the temperature of an area close to the indoor unit
1 is avoided, improvement of comfort is achieved.
[0036] In the description given above, the lower flap 200 is caused to stop in the blowout
air duct after having brought into abutment with the lower stopper 260, and then the
front flap 100 is caused to stop in the blowout air duct after having brought into
abutment with the front stopper 160. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto, and either one of operations may be implemented first. For example, bringing
the lower flap 200 and the front flap 100 into abutment with the lower stopper 260
and the front stopper 160 respectively and then causing both to stop in the blowout
air duct, and bringing the front flap 100 into abutment with the front stopper 160
and then bringing the lower flap 200 into abutment with the lower stopper 260 are
both applicable.
[0037] Furthermore, if the position of the lower flap 200 and the front flap 100 do not
vary when starting the operation, a step of bringing the lower flap 200 or the front
flap 100 into abutment respectively with the lower stopper 260 and the front stopper
160 may be omitted.
(Actions When Ending Cooling Operation)
[0038] Subsequently, actions when ending the cooling operation will be described. The actions
when ending the cooling operation are performed by reversing the actions when starting
the cooling operation.
[0039] Fig. 7(a) is a drawing which is the same as Fig. 6(e), and shows a position immediately
before ending the cooling operation.
[0040] In Fig. 7(b), when a signal indicating that the cooling operation is to be ended
is supplied to the control means (SS2 in Fig. 5), the control means firstly causes
the front flap revolving shaft 102 to rotate in a direction to bring the front flap
100 into abutment with the front stopper 160 (counterclockwise), and brings the front
flap 100 into abutment with the front stopper 160 (S5 in Fig. 5) .
[0041] In Fig. 7(c), the control means causes the front flap revolving shaft 102 to rotate
in a direction to move the front flap 100 a predetermined angle A6 away from the front
stopper 160 (clockwise), and causes the front flap 100 to stop at a position parallel
to the front panel 40 (S6 in Fig. 5).
[0042] In Fig. 7(d), the control means then causes the lower flap revolving shaft 202 to
rotate in a direction to bring the lower flap 200 into abutment with the lower stopper
260, and brings the lower flap 200 into abutment with the lower stopper 260 (S7 in
Fig. 5).
[0043] In Fig. 7(e), finally, the control means causes the lower flap revolving shaft 202
to rotate in a direction to move the lower flap 200 a predetermined angle A8 away
from the lower stopper 260 (clockwise) and causes the lower flap 200 to stop at a
position parallel to the lower surface 70 (S8 in Fig. 5).
[0044] At this time, since the front flap 100 and the lower flap 200 are tilted after having
come into abutment with the front stopper 160 and the lower stopper 260 respectively
in the same manner as the actions when starting the cooling operation, the front flap
100 and the lower flap 200 stop at proper positions when the operation is stopped
(see Fig. 6(a)) even though their positions are changed (slightly tilting, etc.) during
the operation. Therefore, the blowout port 63 of the indoor unit 1 is closed, and
a good appearance is maintained.
[0045] The order of the respective steps is not limited, and the step of bringing the lower
flap 200 or the front flap 100 into abutment with the lower stopper 260 or the front
stopper 160 respectively may be omitted in the same manner as the actions when starting
the cooling operation.
(Actions When Starting Heating Operation)
[0046] Referring now to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, actions to be taken when starting a heating operation
will be described.
[0047] Fig. 9(a) shows the state when the operation is stopped, and is the same as Fig.
6(a).
[0048] In Fig. 9(b), when a signal indicating that the heating operation is to be started
is supplied to the control means (SS11 in Fig. 8), the control means firstly causes
the lower flap revolving shaft 202 to tilt in a direction to bring the lower flap
into abutment with the lower stopper 260 (counterclockwise in Fig. 5), and brings
the lower flap into abutment with the lower stopper 260 (S11 in Fig. 8).
[0049] In Fig. 9(c), subsequently, the control means causes the lower flap revolving shaft
202 to rotate in a direction to move the lower flap 200 away from the lower stopper
260 (clockwise) by a predetermined angle B2 and causes the lower flap 200 to stop
at a position extending across the blowout port 63 (S12 in Fig. 8).
[0050] At this time, the lower flap 200 is substantially parallel with an imaginary plane
formed by smoothly extending the rear casing member (inclined in such a way that the
front side becomes downward) with the back side 200b of the lower flap 200 being located
upward.
[0051] In Fig. 9(d), the control means causes the front flap revolving shaft 102 to tilt
in a direction to bring the front flap 100 into abutment with the front stopper 160
(counterclockwise), and brings the front flap 100 into abutment with the front stopper
160 (S13 in Fig. 8).
[0052] In Fig. 9(e), the control means causes the front flap revolving shaft 102 to tilt
in a direction to move the front flap 100 a predetermined angle B4 away from the front
stopper 160 (clockwise) and causes the front flap 100 to stop at a position opposing
the lower flap 200 and approaching thereto as it goes downstream of the airflow (S14
in Fig. 8).
[0053] At this time, the front flap 100 is inclined to a larger extent than the lower flap
200 (the same as the position closer to the perpendicular direction), and the front
side 100a is positioned downside. Therefore, an air duct which becomes narrower as
it goes downstream of the air flow is defined by the front side 100a of the front
flap 100 and the back side 200b of the lower flap 200.
[0054] Therefore, a sharp blast of heated air is blown out downward from the indoor unit
1. Warm air is not held up on the ceiling side, and hence the indoor may be warmed
up without the temperature fluctuations.
[0055] The values of the angles B2 and B4 of the lower flap 200 are not limited, and may
be set as desired by a user or varied at a predetermined time cycle. Also, during
the heating operation, the lower flap 200 may be kept in abutment with the lower stopper
260, that is, "B2=0°", or the front flap 100 may be kept in abutment with the front
stopper 160, that is, "B4=0°".
[0056] The order of the respective steps is not limited, and the step of bringing the lower
flap 200 or the front flap 100 into abutment with the lower stopper 260 or the front
stopper 160 respectively may be omitted in the same manner as the actions when starting
the cooling operation.
(Actions When Ending Heating Operation)
[0057] The actions when ending the heating operation are in conformity with the actions
when ending the cooling operation (see Fig. 7).
[0058] Fig. 10(a) is a drawing which is the same as Fig. 9(e), and shows a position immediately
before ending the heating operation.
[0059] In Fig. 10(b), when a signal indicating that the heating operation is to be ended
is supplied to the control means (SS12 in Fig. 8), the control means firstly causes
the front flap revolving shaft 102 to rotate in a direction to bring the front flap
100 into abutment with the front stopper 160 (counterclockwise), and brings the front
flap 100 into abutment with the front stopper 160 (S15 in Fig. 8) .
[0060] In Fig. 10(c), the control means causes the front flap revolving shaft 102 to rotate
in a direction to move the front flap 100 a predetermined angle B6 away from the front
stopper 160 (clockwise) and cause the front flap 100 to stop at a position parallel
to the front panel 40 (S16 in Fig. 8).
[0061] In Fig. 10(d), the control means then causes the lower flap revolving shaft 202 to
rotate in a direction to bring the lower flap 200 into abutment with the lower stopper
260, and brings the lower flap 200 into abutment with the lower stopper 260 (S17 in
Fig. 8).
[0062] In Fig. 10(e), finally, the control means causes the lower flap revolving shaft 202
to rotate in a direction to move the lower flap 200 a predetermined angle B8 away
from the lower stopper 260 (clockwise) and causes the lower flap 200 to stop at a
position parallel to the lower surface 70 (S18 in Fig. 8).
[0063] At this time, since the front flap 100 and the lower flap 200 are tilted after having
come into abutment with the front stopper 160 and the lower stopper 260 respectively
in the same manner as the actions when starting the heating operation, the front flap
100 and the lower flap 200 stop at proper positions when the operation is stopped
(see Fig. 6(a)) even though their positions are changed (slightly tilting, etc.) during
the operation. Therefore, the blowout port 63 of the indoor unit 1 is closed, and
the good appearance is maintained.
[0064] The order of the respective steps is not limited, and the step of bringing the lower
flap 200 or the front flap 100 into abutment with the lower stopper 260 or the front
stopper 160 respectively may be omitted in the same manner as the actions when starting
the cooling operation.
(First Example of Tilting Mechanism)
[0065] Referring now to Fig. 11 to Fig. 14, a first example of the tilting mechanism will
be described.
[0066] Fig. 11 to Fig. 14 are drawings for explaining the first example of the tilting mechanism.
Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing components thereof, and Fig. 12 to
Fig. 13 are side views showing actions of the components of the first example of the
tilting mechanism. In Fig. 11 to Fig. 14, the front flap 100 and the lower flap 200
are tilted independently, and a first stepping motor 190 for tilting the front flap
100 and a second stepping motor 290 for tilting the lower flap 200 are stored in a
motor case 90 provided on the partition wall 80 of the main body 10. The tilting mechanism
will be described in detail below.
(First Braking Member)
[0067] In Fig. 11, one of the front flap arms 101 provided on the front flap 100, which
is positioned nearest to the partition wall 80, is provided with a first braking member
110 so as to tilt integrally therewith.
[0068] The first braking member 110 includes a shaft portion 111 having a circular shape
in cross section, a disk portion 112 provided on the shaft portion 111, an arcuate-shaped
recessed portion 113 formed on the disk portion 112, and an end portion 114 connected
to a tilt shaft of the first stepping motor 190.
(Second Braking Member)
[0069] One of the lower flap arms 201 provided on the lower flap 200, which is positioned
nearest to the partition wall 80, is provided with a second drive member 210 so as
to tilt integrally therewith.
[0070] The second drive member 210 includes a shaft portion 211 having a circular shape
in cross section, a drive flange 212 provided on the shaft portion 211, a drive pin
213 provided at a distal end of the drive flange 212, and an end portion 214 connected
to a tilt shaft of the second stepping motor 290.
[0071] The second drive member 210 is connected to a second braking member 240 via a second
coupling member 230. The second coupling member 230 includes a coupling arm 231, and
coupling pin holes 233, 234 provided respectively at both end portions of the connecting
arm 231.
[0072] The second braking member 240 includes a shaft portion 241, a fan-shaped portion
242 formed into a fan shape having a pivot at a center of the shaft portion 241, a
braking flange 243 provided on the shaft portion 241, and a braking pin 244 provided
at a distal end of the braking flange 243.
(Partition Wall Bearing)
[0073] In contrast, the partition wall 80 is provided with a partition wall bearing 81 configured
to tiltably support the shaft portion 111 of the first braking member 110, a partition
wall bearing 82 configured to tiltably support the shaft portion 211 of the second
drive member 210 on the side of the partition wall 80, and a partition wall bearing
84 configured to tiltably support the shaft portion 241 of the second braking member
240. At this time, the partition wall bearing 84 is positioned between the partition
wall bearing 81 and the partition wall bearing 82 so as to be arranged into a triangle
shape.
(Motor Case)
[0074] The motor case 90 is provided with a bearing (not shown) configured to tiltably support
the shaft portion 241 of the second braking member 240 on the side of the first stepping
motor 190. However, one of this bearing and the partition wall bearing 84 may be omitted.
[0075] In addition, the motor case 90 is formed with a through hole 98 which allows a nut
(not shown) for securing the same to the partition wall 80 to penetrate therethrough,
and the partition wall 80 is formed with a partition wall female screw 89 at a position
corresponding to the through hole 98. The first stepping motor 190 and the second
stepping motor 290 are provided in the motor case 90 by a known measure.
[0076] The shaft portion 111 of the first braking member 110 connected to the front flap
100 is pivotably supported by the partition wall bearing 81, the shaft portion 211
of the second drive member 210 connected to the lower flap 200 is pivotably supported
by the partition wall bearing 82, and the shaft portion 241 of the second braking
member 240 is pivotably supported by the partition wall bearing 84 and a bearing (not
shown) provided on the motor case 90, respectively.
[0077] The coupling pin hole 233 and the coupling pin hole 234 of the second coupling member
230 are pivotably engaged with the drive pin 213 of the second drive member 210 and
the braking pin 244 of the second braking member 240, respectively.
(Tilting Mechanism When Operation is Stopped)
[0078] When the operation is stopped (suspended) as shown in Fig. 12, the front flap 100
stands upright substantially perpendicularly, and the lower flap 200 lies substantially
horizontally (see Fig. 6(a)).
[0079] At this time, the arcuate-shaped recessed portion 113 of the first braking member
110 of the front flap 100 stands upright substantially perpendicularly. The drive
flange 212 of the second drive member 210 of the first braking member 110 stands upright,
and pushes the second coupling member 230 upward. Therefore, the fan-shaped portion
242 of the second braking member 240 lies substantially horizontally.
[0080] Then, an arcuate surface (depressed surface) of the arcuate-shaped depressed portion
113 and an arcuate surface (projected surface) of the fan-shaped portion 242 come
into abutment with each other. Therefore, even when an attempt is made to tilt the
front flap 100, the abutment prevents the tilting movement, and hence the front flap
100 cannot be tilted. In other words, the front flap 100 is brought into a locked
state.
(Tilting Mechanism During Operation)
[0081] In Fig. 13, since the second stepping motor 290 tilts the second drive member 210
clockwise (tilts the same counterclockwise when viewed from the back side of the sheet
of the drawing), the drive flange 212 lies down. Therefore, the second coupling member
230 is pulled downward, and the second braking member 240 is tilted clockwise. In
other words, the fan-shaped portion 242 is inverted and the arcuate portion thereof
is apart from the arcuate-shaped depressed portion 113 of the first braking member,
whereby the front flap 100 is tiltable. In other words, a state in which the lock
of the front flap 100 is released (it may be referred to as "unlock", hereinafter)
is resulted (see Fig. 6(c)).
[0082] In Fig. 14, if the first stepping motor 190 is activated to tilt the front flap 100
counterclockwise, the front flap 100 can be lied down substantially horizontally.
When an attempt is made in turn to tilt the lower flap 200 counterclockwise in this
state, a distal end of the fan-shaped portion 242 of the second braking member 240
comes into abutment with the disk portion 112 of the first braking member 110, so
that the tilting movement is prevented. Since a space is provided between the both
in the drawing, the tilting movement is made by an amount corresponding to the space,
precisely speaking (see Fig. 6(e)).
[0083] As described above, the indoor unit 1 includes the tilting mechanism, and the front
flap 100 or the lower flap 200 is prevented from tilting inadvertently by locking
or unlocking between the first braking member 110 and the second braking member 240.
Therefore, even when the front flap 100 and the lower flap 200 are arranged in proximity,
interference does not occur when the both are tilted.
[0084] Therefore, the blowout port 63 can be covered by the front flap 100 and the lower
flap 200 with a relatively narrow gap formed therebetween. In other words, the design
characteristics of the blowout port 63 is secured by the front side 100a of the front
flap 100 and the front side 200a of the lower flap 200.
[0085] The respective drawings described above are illustrated schematically, and the relative
positions and sizes are not limited to the illustration. Although the first braking
member 110 and the second braking member 240 are in abutment with each other over
a wide range of the arcuate abutment surface, it is also possible to form the arcuate-shaped
depressed portion 113 of the first braking member 110 into a flat surface so that
the first braking member 110 comes into partly abutment with the second braking member
240 only when the first braking member 110 is tilted at a predetermined angle. The
disk portion 112 does not have to be circular because what is essential is just to
have an abutment surface with respect to the second braking member 240.
(Second Example of Tilting Mechanism)
[0086] Since the present invention is not intended to limit the tilting mechanism, a second
example of the tilting mechanism will be shown below.
[0087] Fig. 15 to Fig. 18 are drawings for explaining the second example of the tilting
mechanism. Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing components thereof, and
Fig. 16 to Fig. 17 are side views showing the actions of the components of the second
example of the tilting mechanism.
(First Braking Member)
[0088] In Fig. 15, one of the front flap arms 101 provided on the front flap 100, which
is positioned nearest to the partition wall 80, is provided with a first braking member
120 so as to tilt integrally therewith.
[0089] The first braking member 120 includes a shaft portion 121 having a circular shape
in cross section, a cam portion 122 provided on the shaft portion 121, and an end
portion 124 coupled to a tilt shaft of the first stepping motor 190. The cam portion
122 in this example is an end surface cam formed with a shouldered portion 123, and
has a large diameter portion 122a and a small diameter portion 122b having a smaller
distance from a center of the shaft portion 121 than the large diameter portion 122a
with the shouldered portion 123 interposed therebetween as a boundary.
(Second Braking Member)
[0090] One of the lower flap arms 201 provided on the lower flap 200, which is positioned
nearest to the partition wall 80, is provided with a second braking member 220 so
as to tilt integrally therewith.
[0091] The second braking member 220 includes a shaft portion 221 having a circular shape
in cross section, a cam portion 222 provided on the shaft portion 221, and an end
portion 224 coupled to a tilt shaft of the second stepping motor 290. The cam portion
222 in this example is an end surface cam where a shouldered portion 223 is formed,
and has a large diameter portion 222a and a small diameter portion 222b having a smaller
distance from a center of the shaft portion 221 than the large diameter portion 222a
with the shouldered portion 223 being a boundary.
(Seesaw Member)
[0092] A seesaw member 300 has an arm portion 304 and a pivot shaft 303 provided at a center
of the arm portion 304. Hereinafter, one of distal ends of the arm portion 304 is
referred to as a first distal end 301, and the other end is referred to as a second
distal end 302.
(Partition Wall Bearing)
[0093] In contrast, the partition wall 80 is provided with the partition wall bearing 81
configured to tiltably support the shaft portion 121 of the first braking member 120,
the partition wall bearing 82 configured to tiltably support the shaft portion 221
of the second braking member 220, and a partition wall bearing 83 configured to tiltably
support the pivot shaft 303 of the seesaw member 300 on the side of the partition
wall 80.
[0094] Although the pivot shaft 303 of the seesaw member 300 on the side of the motor case
90 is tiltably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on the motor case 90, one
of the bearing and the partition wall bearing 83 may be omitted.
(Tilting Mechanism When Operation is Stopped)
[0095] When the operation is stopped (suspended) as shown in Fig. 16(a), the front flap
100 stands upright substantially perpendicularly and, in contrast, the lower flap
200 lies down substantially horizontally (see Fig. 6(a)).
[0096] The small diameter portion 122b of the first braking member 120 connected integrally
to the front flap 100 is positioned on the upper side, and the large diameter portion
222a of the second braking member 220 connected integrally to the lower flap 200 is
positioned on the upper side, and the second distal end 302 of the seesaw member 300
comes into abutment with the large diameter portion 222a. Also, the first distal end
301 of the seesaw member 300 is in abutment with the small diameter portion 122b of
the first braking member 120 or opposes the same with a small gap therebetween.
[0097] Therefore, when an attempt is made to tilt the front flap 100 counterclockwise, the
shouldered portion 123 of the first braking member 120 comes into abutment with the
first distal end 301 of the seesaw member 300 to cause the seesaw member 300 to tilt
clockwise. However, since the second distal end 302 of the seesaw member 300 comes
into abutment with the large diameter portion 222a of the second braking member 220,
the front flap 100 cannot be tilted counterclockwise. In other words, the front flap
100 is brought into the locked state.
(Tilting Mechanism During Operation)
[0098] When starting the operation as shown in Fig. 17, since the second stepping motor
290 tilts the second drive member 210 clockwise (tilts counterclockwise when viewed
from the back side of the sheet of this drawing), the small diameter portion 222b
of the second braking member 220 is positioned on the upper side (see Fig. 6(c)).
[0099] Then, the second distal end 302 of the seesaw member 300 is allowed to tilt (pivot)
until it comes into abutment with the small diameter portion 222b of the second braking
member 220.
[0100] In Fig. 18, if the first stepping motor 190 is activated to tilt the front flap 100
counterclockwise, the front flap 100 takes a position lying down substantially horizontally
(see Fig. 6(e)).
[0101] In other words, since the seesaw member 300 is allowed to tilt (pivot) as described
above, when the first braking member 120 tilts counterclockwise, the large diameter
portion 122a of the cam portion 122 comes into abutment with the second distal end
302 of the seesaw member 300 to tilt the seesaw member 300. In other words, a state
in which the lock of the tilting movement of the front flap 100 is released (the same
as "unlock") is resulted. At this time, the second distal end 302 of the seesaw member
300 is in abutment with the small diameter portion 222b of the second braking member
220 or opposes the same with a small gap therebetween.
[0102] Alternatively, when an attempt is made to tilt the lower flap 200 counterclockwise,
the first distal end 301 of the seesaw member 300 comes into abutment with the shouldered
portion 223 of the second braking member 220 to cause the seesaw member 300 to tilt
counterclockwise. However, since the first distal end 301 of the seesaw member 300
comes into abutment with the large diameter portion 122a of the first braking member
120, the lower flap 200 cannot be tilted counterclockwise. In other words, the lower
flap 200 is in the locked state.
Industrial Applicability
[0103] According to the present invention, since the dew condensation on the vertical wind
direction plates can be prevented during the cooling operation, the indoor unit of
the present invention can be widely used as the indoor unit of the various types of
air conditioners for home use and commercial use.
Reference Sign List
[0104]
1 indoor unit, 10 main body, 20 blowing fan, 30 heat exchanger, 40 front panel, 50
suction port, 60 fan casing, 61 front casing member, 62 rear casing member, 63 blowout
port, 64 casing flange, 65 casing bearing, 70 lower surface, 80 partition wall, 81
partition wall bearing, 82 partition wall bearing, 83 partition wall bearing, 84 partition
wall bearing, 89 partition wall female screw, 90 motor case, 98 through hole, 100
front flap, 100a front side of front flap, 100b back side of front flap, 101 front
flap arm, 102 front flap revolving shaft, 110 braking member, 111 shaft portion, 112
disk portion, 113 arcuate-shaped recessed portion, 114 end portion, 120 braking member,
121 shaft portion, 122 cam portion, 122a large diameter portion, 122b small diameter
portion, 123 shouldered portion, 124 end portion, 160 front stopper, 190 stepping
motor, 200 lower flap, 200a front side of the lower flap, 200b back side of the lower
flap, 201 lower flap arm, 202 lower flap revolving shaft, 210 drive member, 211 shaft
portion, 212 drive flange, 213 drive pin, 214 end portion, 220 braking member, 221
shaft portion, 222 cam portion, 222a large diameter portion, 222b small diameter portion,
223 shouldered portion, 224 end portion, 230 coupling member, 231 coupling arm, 233
coupling pin hole, 234 coupling pin hole, 240 braking member, 241 shaft portion, 242
fan-shaped portion, 243 braking flange, 244 braking pin, 260 lower stopper, 290 stepping
motor, 300 seesaw member, 301 distal end, 302 distal end, 303 pivot shaft, 304 arm
portion, A2 angle, A4 angle, A6 angle, A8 angle, B2 angle, B4 angle