AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

 An auxiliary wind direction plate has a lower surface facing a first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and an upper surface on a side opposite to the lower surface. The auxiliary wind direction plate has a first end and a second end in a left-right direction. A first longitudinal blade is erected near the first end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate. A second longitudinal blade is erected near the second end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate. As a result, it is possible to reduce the risk of dew condensation on the upper surface in an environment with high humidity of indoor air while maintaining high controllability of a blown air flow.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner including a vertical wind direction deflecting plate.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] PTL 1 discloses an air conditioner including a vertical wind direction deflecting plate as illustrated in FIG. 4. Air conditioner 1 includes vertical wind direction deflecting plate 8a that is rotatably supported at an upper portion between left and right side walls of air outlet 7 of indoor unit 2, and first auxiliary wind direction plate 8c supported at vertical wind direction deflecting plate 8a by first support piece 8b. Air conditioner 1 further includes lower wind direction deflecting plate 9a that is rotatably supported at a lower portion between the left and right side walls of air outlet 7, and second auxiliary wind direction plate 9c supported at lower wind direction deflecting plate 9a by second support piece 9b. First auxiliary wind direction plate 8c is disposed substantially parallel to vertical wind direction deflecting plate 8a at a predetermined interval. Second auxiliary wind direction plate 9c is disposed substantially parallel to lower wind direction deflecting plate 9a at a predetermined interval.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003] PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-334255

SUMMARY

[0004] The auxiliary wind direction plate is constantly exposed to the blown air during a cooling operation to have a low temperature. The auxiliary wind direction plate has a lower surface facing the vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and an upper surface opposite to the lower surface. The present disclosure provides an air conditioner that suppresses suction of indoor air from a side of an air outlet toward an upper surface of an auxiliary wind direction plate, and prevents dew condensation on the auxiliary wind direction plate even in an environment with high humidity of indoor air.

[0005] An air conditioner in the present disclosure has a fan inside and blows out air through an air outlet, the air being sucked by the fan from an air inlet, the air outlet being defined by an upper wall surface, a lower wall surface, a left wall surface, and a right wall surface, and the air conditioner includes a first vertical wind direction deflecting plate that is disposed in the air outlet and is rotatable; a second vertical wind direction deflecting plate that is disposed in the air outlet, is located below the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and is rotatable while maintaining substantially parallel to the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate; an auxiliary wind direction plate that is disposed on an upper surface of the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, the auxiliary wind direction plate including a support piece causing the auxiliary wind direction plate to be supported by the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate with a predetermined gap with the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate; and a first longitudinal blade and a second longitudinal blade each being disposed on the auxiliary wind direction plate, in which the auxiliary wind direction plate has a lower surface facing the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and an upper surface on a side opposite to the lower surface, the auxiliary wind direction plate has a first end and a second end in a left-right direction from the left wall surface toward the right wall surface, the first longitudinal blade is erected near the first end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate, and the second longitudinal blade is erected near the second end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate.

[0006] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure can suppress suction of indoor air from a side of an air outlet toward an upper surface of an auxiliary wind direction plate, and prevent dew condensation on the auxiliary wind direction plate even in an environment with high humidity of indoor air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an indoor unit illustrating an example of a configuration of an air conditioner according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part illustrating a portion near an air outlet of the air conditioner according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part illustrating a portion near an air outlet of an air conditioner according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in the related art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] A first disclosure is an air conditioner that has a fan inside and blows out air through an air outlet, the air being sucked by the fan from an air inlet, the air outlet being defined by an upper wall surface, a lower wall surface, a left wall surface, and a right wall surface, and the air conditioner includes a first vertical wind direction deflecting plate that is disposed in the air outlet and is rotatable; a second vertical wind direction deflecting plate that is disposed in the air outlet, is located below the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and is rotatable while maintaining substantially parallel to the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate; an auxiliary wind direction plate that is disposed on an upper surface of the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, the auxiliary wind direction plate including a support piece causing the auxiliary wind direction plate to be supported by the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate with a predetermined gap with the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate; and a first longitudinal blade and a second longitudinal blade each being disposed on the auxiliary wind direction plate, in which the auxiliary wind direction plate has a lower surface facing the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and an upper surface on a side opposite to the lower surface, the auxiliary wind direction plate has a first end and a second end in a left-right direction from the left wall surface toward the right wall surface, the first longitudinal blade is erected near the first end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate, and the second longitudinal blade is erected near the second end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate.

[0009] With such a configuration, the first and second longitudinal blades suppress the suction of the indoor air from the side of the air outlet toward the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate. An air conditioner is provided which can reduce the risk of dew condensation on the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate.

[0010] In a second disclosure, in particular, in the air conditioner of the first disclosure, both the first and second longitudinal blades are disposed between the left wall surface and the right wall surface.

[0011] With such a configuration, in a case where first vertical wind direction deflecting plate is rotated to a position at the time of the operation stop, the first and second longitudinal blades are housed in a space of the air outlet. The air conditioner can achieve a shape excellent in aesthetic appearance without requiring a housing portion for the first and second longitudinal blades in the main body casing.

[0012] In a third disclosure, in the air conditioner of the first or second disclosure, each of the first and second longitudinal blades is formed by a part of an arc of a circle in which a rotation shaft of the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate passes through a center of the circle.

[0013] With such a configuration, even when the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate is rotated, it is possible to maximize the height of the first and second longitudinal blades while preventing the upper edges of the first and second longitudinal blades from interfering with the upper portion of the air outlet. Such first and second longitudinal blades minimize the width for the suction of the indoor air from the side of the air outlet, in a vertical direction of the air outlet to effectively suppress the suction of the indoor air from the side of the air outlet toward the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate. The air conditioner can more effectively reduce the risk of dew condensation on the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate in an environment with high humidity of indoor air.

[0014] In a fourth disclosure, in the air conditioner of the first to third disclosures, a length of each of the first and second longitudinal blades in a depth direction matches a length of the auxiliary wind direction plate in the depth direction.

[0015] With such a configuration, the first and second longitudinal blades shield the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate laterally. Such first and second longitudinal blades minimize the width for the suction of the indoor air from the side of the air outlet, in a front-rear direction of the air outlet to effectively suppress the suction of the indoor air from the side of the air outlet toward the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate. The air conditioner can more effectively reduce the risk of dew condensation on the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate in an environment with high humidity of indoor air.

[0016] In a fifth disclosure, in the air conditioner of the first to fourth disclosures, each of the first and second longitudinal blades has a rotation shaft for rotatably rotating the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate.

[0017] Each of the first and second longitudinal blades may have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions are disposed at the first and second end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate. The lower portions protrude from the lower surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate, and are connected to the upper surface of the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate. In the first longitudinal blade including the rotation shaft, the upper portion of the first longitudinal blade can be located at the same position as the lower portion of the first longitudinal blade in the left-right direction. Similarly, in the second longitudinal blade including the rotation shaft, the upper portion of the second longitudinal blade can be located at the same position as the lower portion of the second longitudinal blade in the left-right direction. Thereby, the turbulence of the blown air flow is alleviated, the blown air resistance is decreased, and the input of the fan can be improved.

[0018] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It is noted that a more detailed description than need may be omitted. For example, the detailed description of already well-known matters and the redundant description of substantially same configurations may be omitted.

[0019] Note that the attached drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter as described in the appended claims.

(First exemplary embodiment)

[0020] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of air conditioner (indoor unit) 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion near an air outlet of air conditioner 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, air conditioner 100 includes main body casing 103 having air inlet 101 and air outlet 102. Air conditioner 100 further includes heat exchanger 104, cross flow fan 105, stabilizer 106 (upper wall surface), and rear guider 107 (lower wall surface). Air outlet 102 is surrounded by the upper wall surface, the lower wall surface, a left wall surface, and a right wall surface. Air conditioner 100 further includes second vertical wind direction deflecting plate 108 rotatably supported between left and right side walls of air outlet 102, and first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109 rotatably supported between the left and right side walls of air outlet 102. Air conditioner 100 further includes auxiliary wind direction plate 111 that is disposed on the upper surface of first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109 and is supported by support piece 110 with a predetermined gap, and first and second longitudinal blades 112 disposed on auxiliary wind direction plate 111. Auxiliary wind direction plate 111 has lower surface 111b facing first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109, and upper surface 111a located opposite to lower surface 111b. Auxiliary wind direction plate 111 has first and second ends in a left-right direction from the left wall surface toward the right wall surface. First and second longitudinal blades 112 are erected near the first end and the second end of upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111, respectively.

[0022] Both first and second longitudinal blades 112 are disposed between the left and right side walls of air outlet 102. First and second longitudinal blades 112 may be disposed closer to the center in the left-right direction of the indoor unit.

[0023] First and second longitudinal blades 112 may have upper edge 112a formed in an arc concentric with rotation shaft 109a of first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109. The length of each of first and second longitudinal blades 112 in a depth direction may match the length of auxiliary wind direction plate 111 in the depth direction.

[0024] First longitudinal blade 112 is located closer to the right side wall of air outlet 102 than second longitudinal blade 112. Second longitudinal blade 112 is located closer to the left side wall of air outlet 102 than first longitudinal blade 112. The distance between first longitudinal blade 112 and the right side wall is desirably less than 5 mm. Similarly, the distance between second longitudinal blade 112 and the left side wall is desirably less than 5 mm.

[0025] During cooling operation, in a case where a blown air flow in the foot direction is controlled, first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109 is rotated, and upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111 is exposed to the indoor space. In this case, the indoor air is induced by the blown air flow blown into the room from air outlet 102, and flows such that the indoor air on the side of air outlet 102 is sucked into the vicinity of upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111.

[0026] Auxiliary wind direction plate 111 is constantly exposed to the cold air blown out from air outlet 102 to have a low temperature. Low-temperature auxiliary wind direction plate 111 can cause dew condensation in an environment with high humidity of indoor air. In the present exemplary embodiment, air conditioner 100 includes first and second longitudinal blades 112 on upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111. First and second longitudinal blades 112 are disposed at the first and second ends of upper surface 111a, respectively. First and second longitudinal blades 112 suppress suction of indoor air from the side of air outlet 102 into upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111. This configuration can reduce the risk of dew condensation on upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111 in an environment with high humidity of indoor air.

[0027] In the present exemplary embodiment, first and second longitudinal blades 112 are disposed between the left side wall and the right side wall of air outlet 102, respectively. In a case where first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109 is rotated to a position at the time of the operation stop, first and second longitudinal blades 112 are housed in a space in air outlet 102. Air conditioner 100 can achieve a shape excellent in aesthetic appearance without requiring a housing portion for longitudinal blades 112 in main body casing 103.

[0028] In the present exemplary embodiment, upper edges 112a of first and second longitudinal blades 112 are formed in an arc concentric with rotation shaft 109a of first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109. Even when first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109 is rotated, it is possible to maximize the height of first and second longitudinal blades 112 while preventing upper edges 112a of first and second longitudinal blades 112 from interfering with the upper portion of air outlet 102. First and second longitudinal blades 112 minimize the width for the suction of the indoor air from the side of air outlet 102, in a vertical direction of air outlet 102 to effectively suppress the suction of indoor air from the side of air outlet 102 toward upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111. Air conditioner 100 can more effectively reduce the risk of dew condensation on upper surface 111a in an environment with high humidity of indoor air.

[0029] In the present exemplary embodiment, auxiliary wind direction plate 111 has a first length in the depth direction. The first and second longitudinal blades both have a second length equal to the first length in the depth direction. First and second longitudinal blades 112 shield upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111 laterally. First and second longitudinal blades 112 minimize the width for the suction of the indoor air from the side of air outlet 102, in a front-rear direction of air outlet 102 to effectively suppress the suction of indoor air from the side of air outlet 102 toward upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111. Air conditioner 100 can more effectively reduce the risk of dew condensation on upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111 in an environment with high humidity of indoor air.

(Second exemplary embodiment)

[0030] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion near an air outlet of air conditioner 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 3, elements common to the elements in the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals.

[0031] Both first and second longitudinal blades 113 are located between the left side wall and the right side wall of air outlet 102. Each of first and second longitudinal blades 113 has upper portion 113a and lower portion 113b. Upper portions 113a are disposed at the first and second ends of upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111. Lower portions 113b protrude from lower surface 111b of auxiliary wind direction plate 111, and are connected to the upper surface of first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109. First and second longitudinal blades 113 are disposed at the first and second ends of auxiliary wind direction plate 111, respectively, and each of first and second longitudinal blades 113 includes rotation shaft 109a of first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109.

[0032] During cooling operation, in a case where a blown air flow in the foot direction is controlled, first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109 is rotated, and upper surface 111a of auxiliary wind direction plate 111 is exposed to the indoor space. First and second longitudinal blades 113 include rotation shaft 109a of first vertical wind direction deflecting plate 109. Thereby, upper portion 113a of first longitudinal blade 113 can be located at the same position as lower portion 113b of first longitudinal blade 113 in the left-right direction. Similarly, upper portion 113a of second longitudinal blade 113 can be located at the same position as lower portion 113b of second longitudinal blade 113 in the left-right direction. As a result, the turbulence of the blown air flow is alleviated, the blown air resistance is decreased, and the input of cross flow fan 105 can be improved.

[0033] The air conditioner according to the present disclosure can reduce the risk of dew condensation on the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate in an environment with high humidity of indoor air while maintaining high controllability of the blown air flow, and thus is suitable for use in household air conditioning and commercial air conditioning.

Claims

1. An air conditioner that has a fan inside and blows out air through an air outlet, the air being sucked by the fan from an air inlet, the air outlet being defined by an upper wall surface, a lower wall surface, a left wall surface, and a right wall surface, the air conditioner comprising:

a first vertical wind direction deflecting plate that is disposed in the air outlet and is rotatable;

a second vertical wind direction deflecting plate that is disposed in the air outlet, is located below the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and is rotatable while maintaining substantially parallel to the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate;

an auxiliary wind direction plate that is disposed on an upper surface of the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, the auxiliary wind direction plate including a support piece causing the auxiliary wind direction plate to be supported by the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate with a predetermined gap with the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate; and

a first longitudinal blade and a second longitudinal blade each being disposed on the auxiliary wind direction plate, wherein

the auxiliary wind direction plate has a lower surface facing the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate, and an upper surface on a side opposite to the lower surface,

the auxiliary wind direction plate has a first end and a second end in a left-right direction from the left wall surface toward the right wall surface,

the first longitudinal blade is erected near the first end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate, and

the second longitudinal blade is erected near the second end of the upper surface of the auxiliary wind direction plate.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein both the first and second longitudinal blades are disposed between the left wall surface and the right wall surface.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first and second longitudinal blades has an upper edge formed by a part of an arc of a circle in which a rotation shaft of the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate passes through a center of the circle.

4. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a length of each of the first and second longitudinal blades in a depth direction matches a length of the auxiliary wind direction plate in the depth direction.

5. The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first and second longitudinal blades has a rotation shaft for rotatably rotating the first vertical wind direction deflecting plate.

Drawing