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(11) | EP 2 725 306 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Air conditioner |
| (57) Disclosed herein is an air conditioner with an improved slim structure. The air conditioner
includes a main body having an air suction port and an air discharge port, plural
heat exchangers to heat-exchange with sucked air, and a cross-flow fan disposed between
the heat exchangers and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged
by the heat exchangers to the air discharge port. The heat exchangers are disposed
to the rear of a first imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge
of the cross-flow fan at a front point, and a center in a forward and backward direction
of each of the plural heat exchangers is disposed between the first imaginary surface
and a second imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow
fan at a rear point. Performance of the heat exchangers may be maximized, and space-saving
efficiency may be enhanced.
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BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an air conditioner with an improved slim structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In general, an air conditioner is an appliance which controls temperature, humidity, and air current distribution of an indoor space and also eliminates dust from air by using a refrigeration cycle in order to provide a comfortable indoor environment for users. The refrigeration cycle is constructed so that a refrigerant circulates through a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a blower fan.
[0003] Such an air conditioner may be classified into a split type air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are split and individually installed, and an integral type air conditioner in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are combined into one device.
[0004] An indoor unit of a split type air conditioner includes a heat exchanger to heat-exchange with air sucked into a cabinet, and a blower fan to suck indoor air into the cabinet and blow the sucked air to the indoor space.
[0005] Such an indoor unit of a split type air conditioner may be classified into a floor standing type indoor unit and a wall-mount type indoor unit having high space-saving efficiency.
[0006] A conventional wall-mount type indoor unit is structured such that an air suction port is formed at front and upper surfaces of a main body, a cross-flow fan is installed in the main body, and a heat exchanger surrounds front, upper and rear surfaces of the cross-flow fan. In such a structure, a size of the main body becomes relatively large, depending on a size of the heat exchanger and a diameter of the cross-flow fan. However, a relatively large main body of a wall-mount type indoor unit may strain wall mounting members and may not satisfy space-saving requirements.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an air conditioner with a slim structure capable of enhancing space-saving efficiency.
[0008] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an air conditioner equipped with multi-type panel blades capable of improving air flow features and easily controlling air flow directions in cooling/heating operation.
[0009] Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner includes a main body including an air suction port through which external air is sucked into the main body, and an air discharge port through which air is discharged from the main body, plural heat exchangers disposed in the main body and configured to heat-exchange with the external air sucked through the air suction port, and a cross-flow fan disposed between the heat exchangers and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers to the air discharge port. The plural heat exchangers are disposed to the rear of a first imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a front point, and a center in a forward and backward direction of each of the plural heat exchangers is disposed between the first imaginary surface and a second imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a rear point.
[0012] The plural heat exchangers may include a lowermost heat exchanger which has a first end portion and a second end portion located lower than the first end portion.
[0013] The air conditioner may further include a drain panel disposed below a lower end of the heat exchangers.
[0014] The air conditioner may further include a drain hose connected to a portion of the drain panel and extending perpendicularly to discharge condensed water outside.
[0015] The air conditioner may further include a panel blade provided at the main body to open and close the air discharge port and configured to function as a part of the main body.
[0016] The air conditioner may further include an auxiliary blade provided at an inner surface of the panel blade to guide the heat-exchanged air to be discharged outside.
[0017] The air conditioner may further include a duct disposed below the cross-flow fan to define a passage for the heat-exchanged air to be discharged, the duct including an air guide duct surrounding a lower portion of the cross-flow fan and an air discharge duct extending from a lower end of the air guide duct and connected to the air discharge port.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner includes a main body including an air suction port through which external air is sucked into the main body, and an air discharge port through which air is discharged from the main body, plural heat exchangers disposed in the main body and configured to heat-exchange with the external air sucked through the air suction port, and a cross-flow fan disposed between the heat exchangers and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers to the air discharge port. The plural heat exchangers are disposed between a first imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a front point and a second imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a rear point.
[0020] The plural heat exchangers may include a first heat exchanger located at an upper position and a second heat exchanger located at a lower position.
[0021] The air conditioner may further include a drain panel disposed below a lower end of the second heat exchanger to collect condensed water.
[0022] The air conditioner may further include a drain hose connected to a portion of the drain panel and extending perpendicularly to discharge the condensed water outside.
[0023] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner includes a main body including an air suction port through which external air is sucked into the main body, and an air discharge port through which air is discharged from the main body, plural heat exchangers disposed in the main body and configured to heat-exchange with the external air sucked through the air suction port, and a cross-flow fan disposed between the heat exchangers and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers to the air discharge port. The air discharge port is disposed at an upper surface of the main body, and the plural heat exchangers are arranged in a vertically stacked configuration.
[0024] The plural heat exchangers may be disposed to the rear of a first imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a front point, and a center in a forward and backward direction of each of the plural heat exchangers is disposed between the first imaginary surface and a second imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a rear point.
[0025] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an air conditioner includes a main body including an air suction port through which external air is sucked into the main body, and an air discharge port through which air is discharged from the main body, a heat exchanger disposed in the main body and configured to heat-exchange with the external air sucked through the air suction port, and a cross-flow fan disposed between the heat exchanger and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger to the air discharge port. The heat exchanger has a smaller front-rear width than a front-rear width of the cross-flow fan.
[0026] As described above, since the plural heat exchangers are arranged in a vertically stacked configuration, performance of the heat exchangers may be maximized, an overall size of the air conditioner may become slim, and accordingly space-saving efficiency may be enhanced.
[0027] In addition, the multi-type panel blades may improve air flow features and facilitate control of air flow directions in cooling/heating operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] These and/or other aspects of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner with a front panel and an upper panel removed;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front panel and the upper panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line B-B' in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view illustrating a drain structure of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the indoor unit of the air conditioner with the front panel, the upper panel, and heat exchangers removed;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a drain panel of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating an opened state of panel blades of the indoor unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0030] As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an air conditioner according to the present invention comprises a main body 10 provided with an air suction port 42 through which external air is sucked in and an air discharge port through which internal air is discharged out, plural heat exchangers 110 disposed in the main body 10 to exchange heat with the external air sucked through the air suction port 42, and a cross-flow fan 100 disposed between the heat exchangers 110 and the air discharge port to discharge the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers 110 to the outside through the air discharge port. The plural heat exchangers 110 are disposed to the rear of a first imaginary surface 200 which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan 100 at a front point. A center in a forward and backward direction of each of the plural heat exchangers 110 is disposed between the first imaginary surface 200 and a second imaginary surface 202 which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan 100 at a rear point.
[0031] The main body 10 includes a front panel 20 defining a front surface of the main body 10 and formed with a front air discharge port 22, a lower panel 30 defining a bottom surface of the main body 10 and formed with a lower air discharge port 32, an upper panel 40 formed with the air suction port 42 to suck external air therethrough, and a lateral rear panel 50 disposed to the rear of the front panel 20 and provided with wall mounting members (not shown) at an outer rear portion to enable the main body 10 to be mounted to a wall.
[0032] The front air discharge port 22 is formed at a lower portion of the front panel 20, and the lower air discharge port 32 is formed at a front portion of the lower panel 30. The front and lower air discharge ports 22 and 32 define spaces through which the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers 110 is blown outside by the cross-flow fan 100.
[0033] As exemplarily shown in FIG. 3, the air suction port 42 defining a space to suck external air in is formed at the upper panel 40, however, the position of the air suction port 42 is not limited to the front panel 40. The air suction port 42 may be formed at an upper portion of the front panel 20 and/or the lateral rear panel 50. In this embodiment, from an aesthetic point of view, the air suction port 42 is formed at the upper panel 40 so that the appearance of the air suction port 42 may be invisible. In order to suck a large amount of external air in, the air suction port 42 is formed over the whole area of the upper panel 40.
[0034] The cross-flow fan 100 is disposed between the heat exchangers 110 and the front and lower air discharge ports 22 and 32, and serves to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers 110 outside through the front and lower air discharge ports 22 and 32. The cross-flow fan 100 is configured to extend in a lateral direction of the main body 10. Support brackets 102 are provided in the main body 10 to support both ends of the cross-flow fan 100.
[0035] A motor 130 is provided near one side of the cross-flow fan 100. The motor 130 is coupled to a rotation shaft of the cross-flow fan 100, and serves to drive the cross-flow fan 100.
[0036] The plural heat exchangers 110 are disposed in the main body 10, and serve to absorb heat from or transmit heat to the air introduced through the air suction port 42. The plural heat exchangers 110 are arranged in a vertically stacked configuration.
[0037] As described above, the plural heat exchangers 110 are located to the rear of the first imaginary surface 200 which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan 100 at the front point in parallel with the front panel 20. The center in a forward and backward direction of each of the plural heat exchangers 110 is located between the first imaginary surface 200 and the second imaginary surface 202 which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan 100 at the rear point in parallel with the front panel 20. That is, because the heat exchangers 110 are disposed above the cross-flow fan 100, a front-rear width of the air conditioner depends on only a diameter of the cross-flow fan 100. Accordingly, a slim configuration of the air conditioner may be implemented. Furthermore, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 10, the plural heat exchangers 110 may be disposed between the first imaginary surface 200 and the second imaginary surface 202 in order to achieve the goal of making the air conditioner slim.
[0038] The plural heat exchangers 110 respectively have a front-rear width which is smaller than or equal to a width of the cross-flow fan 100, and are disposed above the cross-flow fan 100. In such a case, a front-rear width of the air conditioner depends on a diameter of the cross-flow fan 100. Accordingly, the air conditioner according to the embodiment of the present invention may be slimmer and may offer higher space-saving efficiency than other varieties of air conditioner.
[0039] The plural heat exchangers 110 include a first heat exchanger 112 and a second heat exchanger 114 disposed below the first heat exchanger 112. The first heat exchanger 112 is arranged in parallel with the upper panel 40 formed with the air suction port 42, and the second heat exchanger 114 is slanted downward in a backward direction of the air conditioner. However, the arrangement of the plural heat exchangers 110 is not limited to this configuration. The first heat exchanger 112 as well as the second heat exchanger 114 may be slanted in a forward and backward direction of the air conditioner. In such a case, the second heat exchanger 114 may be slanted steeper than the first heat exchanger 112. Further, both the first heat exchanger 112 and the second heat exchanger 114 may be slanted downward in a backward direction of the air conditioner.
[0040] The second heat exchanger 114 disposed below the first heat exchanger 112 has a front-rear width which is larger than or equal to a front-rear width of the first heat exchanger 112, so that condensed water generated from the first heat exchanger 112 may move to a drain panel 120 via the second heat exchanger 114. Such a structure enables condensed water generated from the heat exchangers 110 to completely move to the drain panel 120.
[0041] Each of the heat exchangers 110 includes a refrigerant pipe formed bent repeatedly in a channel (U) shape, and cooling pins installed among the refrigerant pipe and arranged at equal intervals perpendicularly to an extending direction of the refrigerant pipe in order to expand a heat-exchanging area of the refrigerant pipe. In a structure that the plural heat exchangers are arranged in a vertically stacked configuration, if the cooling pins of the upper-located heat exchanger are arranged as tightly spaced as the cooling pins of the lower-located heat exchanger, external air suction efficiency may be deteriorated. Therefore, from an external air suction efficiency point of view, the heat exchanger having cooling pins arranged less tightly spaced is located at an upper position. In this embodiment, the cooling pins of the first heat exchanger 112 are arranged less tightly spaced than the cooling pins of the second heat exchanger 114, to thereby ensure that the amount of sucked air is as large as when using a single heat exchanger between the fan and the air suction port 42. Although the heat exchanger including the refrigerant pipe and the cooling pins has been described, other types of heat exchanger may be used in this embodiment.
[0042] Through the above-described arrangement and configuration of the plural heat exchangers 110, external air is sucked into the main body 10 through the air suction port 42 formed at the upper panel 40, heat-exchanged by the plural heat exchangers 110 while passing therethrough, and discharged outside through the front and lower air discharge ports 22 and 32 via the cross-flow fan 100 and a duct 140.
[0043] The front panel 20 is provided with heat exchanger support brackets 24. The heat exchanger support brackets 24 are located at positions corresponding to both ends of the heat exchangers 110, and have a shape identical to a lower portion of the heat exchangers 110. The heat exchanger support brackets 24 serve to support the lower portion of the heat exchangers 110 in order to preserve the arrangement and configuration of the heat exchangers 110 in the air conditioner.
[0044] The drain panel 120, which is configured to collect condensed water, includes a first drain panel 122 and a second drain panel 124. As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 4 through 8, the first drain panel 122 is disposed below the lower end of the heat exchangers 110, and extends over the whole length in a lateral direction of the heat exchangers 110. The drain panel 120 temporarily collects condensed water generated when the heat exchangers 110 absorb heat from external air, and is slanted at a designated angle so as to facilitate collection of condensed water.
[0045] The second drain panel 124 is disposed to the rear of an air guide duct 142 which surrounds a portion of the cross-flow fan 100. The second drain panel 124 communicates with the first drain panel 122 through a condensed water channel 126. The second drain panel 124 is located below the cross-flow fan 100, and is configured to collect condensed water formed in the air conditioner as cool air passes therethrough. Condensed water collected in the first drain panel 122 flows to the second drain panel 124 through the condensed water channel 126, and is discharged outside through a drain hose 128 connected to an end portion of the second drain panel 124.
[0046] The condensed water channel 126 is provided at a portion of the first drain panel 122. The condensed water channel 126 is defined by the support bracket 102, which is disposed between the cross-flow fan 100 and the motor 130, and a motor cover covering an upper portion of the motor 130. In detail, by using the support bracket 102, which is disposed between the cross-flow fan 100 and the motor 130, and the motor cover covering the upper portion of the motor 130 as the condensed water channel 126, condensed water formed at the motor cover and a side surface of the support bracket 102 of the cross-flow fan 100 as cool air passes through as well as condensed water collected in the first drain panel 122 flow through the condensed water channel 126.
[0047] The condensed water flowing through the condensed water channel 126 moves to the second drain panel 124, and then is discharged outside through the drain hose 128 provided at a portion of the second drain panel 124. The drain hose 128 extends perpendicularly from the second drain panel 124, in parallel with the front panel 20 or the lateral rear panel 50, so as not to cause any increase in a front-rear width of the air conditioner.
[0048] The front panel 20 is provided with a front panel blade 152 at a lower portion thereof, in order to open and close the front air discharge port 22 of the front panel 20. The lower panel 30 is provided with a lower panel blade 154 at a front portion thereof, in order to open and close the lower air discharge port 32 of the lower panel 30.
[0049] As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 10, when the air conditioner does not operate, the front panel blade 152 functions as a part of the front panel 20, and the lower panel blade 154 functions as a part of the lower panel 30. As exemplarily shown in FIG. 9, when the air conditioner operates, the front panel blade 152 rotates forwardly about a rotation shaft thereof, and the lower panel blade 154 rotates downwardly about a rotation shaft thereof, thereby opening the front air discharge port 22 and the lower air discharge port 32.
[0050] An auxiliary blade 156 is provided at an inner surface of the front panel blade 152 so as to move together with the front panel blade 152. When the air conditioner does not operate, the auxiliary blade 156 is positioned inside the main body 10. When the air conditioner operates, the auxiliary blade 156 rotates together with the front panel blade 152.
[0051] The auxiliary blade 156 is configured to rotate coaxially with the front panel blade 152 so as to be exposed outside together with the front panel blade 152. When the front panel blade 152 rotates back to an original position and lies in the same plane as the front panel 20, the auxiliary blade 156 is not exposed outside but is shielded by the front panel blade 152.
[0052] A duct 140 is disposed below the cross-flow fan 100 in order to define a passage for air to be discharged. The duct 140 serves to guide air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers 110 and blown from the cross-flow fan 100 to be discharged outside. The duct 140 includes an air guide duct 142 surrounding a lower portion of the cross-flow fan 100, and an air discharge duct 144 extending from a lower end of the air guide duct 142 and connected to the front air discharge port 22 and the lower air discharge port 32.
[0053] Air blowing efficiency of the air conditioner is related to a gap between the cross-flow fan 100 and the air guide duct 142 surrounding a lower portion of the cross-flow fan 100. That is, as the gap between the cross-flow fan 100 and the air guide duct 142 decreases, air blowing efficiency may be enhanced. From an optimal air blowing efficiency point of view, the gap between the cross-flow fan 100 and the air guide duct 142 may be adequately adjusted.
[0054] The air discharge duct 144 disposed below the air guide duct 142 has a narrower passage than the air guide duct 142. When passing through the narrow passage, a moving speed of the heat-exchanged air blown from the cross-flow fan 100 increases, thereby enhancing air blowing efficiency.
[0055] A control unit 160 is disposed above the motor 130 and to the side of the heat exchangers 110. The control unit 160 enables a user to remotely control the air conditioner.
[0056] Hereinafter, operation of the above-structured air conditioner and air flow generated by the air conditioner will be described.
[0057] External air is sucked into the main body 10 through the air suction port 42 formed at the upper panel 40 of the main body 10. The air sucked through the air suction port 42 is heat-exchanged by the first heat exchanger 112 and the second heat exchanger 114 while passing therethrough, and the heat-exchanged air is blown by the cross-flow fan 100. Then, the heat-exchanged air blown from the cross-flow fan 100 passes through the air guide duct 142 and the air discharge duct 144, and is discharged outside through the front air discharge port 22 and the lower air discharge port 32 which are opened by the front panel blade 152 and the lower panel blade 154.
[0058] Condensed water generated from the heat exchangers 110 in the heat-exchanging process is collected in the first drain panel 122, the condensed water channel 126, and the second drain panel 124 in order, and is discharged outside through the drain hose 128.
[0059] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
1. An air conditioner comprising:
a main body including an air suction port through which external air is sucked into the main body, and an air discharge port through which air is discharged from the main body;
plural heat exchangers disposed in the main body and configured to heat-exchange with the external air sucked through the air suction port; and
a cross-flow fan disposed between the heat exchangers and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers to the air discharge port,
wherein the plural heat exchangers are disposed to the rear of a first imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a front point, and a center in a forward and backward direction of each of the plural heat exchangers is disposed between the first imaginary surface and a second imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a rear point.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the plural heat exchangers are arranged
in a vertically stacked configuration.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the plural heat exchangers include
a lowermost heat exchanger which has a first end portion and a second end portion
located lower than the first end portion.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising:
a drain panel disposed below a lower end of the heat exchangers.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, further comprising:
a drain hose connected to a portion of the drain panel and extending perpendicularly to discharge condensed water outside.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising:
a panel blade provided at the main body to open and close the air discharge port and configured to function as a part of the main body.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, further comprising:
an auxiliary blade provided at an inner surface of the panel blade to guide the heat-exchanged air to be discharged outside.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising:
a duct disposed below the cross-flow fan to define a passage for the heat-exchanged air to be discharged, the duct including an air guide duct surrounding a lower portion of the cross-flow fan and an air discharge duct extending from a lower end of the air guide duct and connected to the air discharge port.
9. An air conditioner comprising:
a main body including an air suction port through which external air is sucked into the main body, and an air discharge port through which air is discharged from the main body;
plural heat exchangers disposed in the main body and configured to heat-exchange with the external air sucked through the air suction port; and
a cross-flow fan disposed between the heat exchangers and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers to the air discharge port,
wherein the plural heat exchangers are disposed between a first imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a front point and a second imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge of the cross-flow fan at a rear point.
10. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the plural heat exchangers are arranged
in a vertically stacked configuration.
11. The air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the plural heat exchangers include
a first heat exchanger located at an upper position and a second heat exchanger located
at a lower position.
12. The air conditioner according to claim 11, further comprising:
a drain panel disposed below a lower end of the second heat exchanger to collect condensed water.
13. The air conditioner according to claim 12, further comprising:
a drain hose connected to a portion of the drain panel and extending perpendicularly to discharge the condensed water outside.
14. An air conditioner comprising:
a main body including an air suction port through which external air is sucked into the main body, and an air discharge port through which air is discharged from the main body;
plural heat exchangers disposed in the main body and configured to heat-exchange with the external air sucked through the air suction port; and
a cross-flow fan disposed between the heat exchangers and the air discharge port and configured to blow the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers to the air discharge port,
wherein the air discharge port is disposed at an upper surface of the main body, and
the plural heat exchangers are arranged in a vertically stacked configuration.
15. The air conditioner according to claim 14, wherein the plural heat exchangers are
disposed to the rear of a first imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from
an edge of the cross-flow fan at a front point, and a center in a forward and backward
direction of each of the plural heat exchangers is disposed between the first imaginary
surface and a second imaginary surface which extends perpendicularly from an edge
of the cross-flow fan at a rear point.