LOUVER ASSEMBLY AND AIR MANAGEMENT DEVICE USING SAME

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a louver assembly and an air management device using same. In the present invention, among the components constituting the louver assembly (20), only the louvers (21) are in an air flow area in which air flows. The other components of the louver assembly (20) are not located in the air flow area. In the louver assembly (20), a driving lever (24) that causes the movement of the louvers (21) is located outside of the air flow area. Therefore, the driving lever (24) does not interfere with the air flow. In addition, a connecting member (22) connecting the louvers (21) to each other in the louver assembly (20) is also located outside the air flow area, and thus does not interfere with the air flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a louver assembly for controlling a flow direction of air, and an air management device using the louver assembly.

Background Art

[0002] An air management device is intended to maintain air in an indoor space in an optimal state according to a purpose. For example, in summer, the air management device exhausts indoor heat to the outside to relatively lower an indoor air temperature. In addition, in winter, the air management device relatively increases a temperature of air discharged therefrom so that the indoor space has a higher temperature than an outdoor space. Alternatively, the air management device draws in air of the indoor space, purifies the air, and then discharges the purified air back into the indoor space.

[0003] The air management device is installed within an indoor space in which air management is desired, and the air management device occupies a relatively small space as compared with the indoor space. Accordingly, air discharged from the air management device cannot be immediately delivered to an entirety of the indoor space. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to allow the air discharged from the air management device to be spread over a relatively wide range. To this end, a louver assembly is used. In general, in a state in which multiple louvers are positioned within a discharge port of the air management device, a direction in which air flows is controlled by controlling directions of the louvers so that the air is delivered over a wide range.

[0004] Such a louver assembly includes multiple louvers disposed over an entire area of a flow cross-section of the discharge port. However, assembling each of the louvers individually and driving each of the louvers by individual driving sources is excessively costly, and thus in general, the multiple louvers are connected to each other and driven simultaneously by a single driving source.

[0005] For this purpose, a connecting member for connecting the louvers to each other and a driving lever for simultaneously operating the louvers are used. The connecting member and the driving lever are installed to cross a flow region of the discharge port so as to connect the louvers into one body, thereby allowing the louvers to be operated simultaneously.

[0006] When the connecting member and/or the driving lever is provided to cross the flow region of the discharge port as described above, a flow of air passing through the discharge port is obstructed, and noise is generated.

[0007] In addition, in a conventional louver assembly, a driving source for adjusting angles of the louvers is positioned at one end portion in a longitudinal direction of the louver assembly and operates the driving lever. However, since the driving lever extends long in a left-right direction, a driving force of the driving source transmitted from one end portion of a driving member is not uniformly transmitted to each of the louvers. Accordingly, there is a problem in that operation angles of the respective louvers slightly differ from each other.

[0008] Further, in an air management device in which a conventional louver assembly is installed, when louvers of the louver assembly are installed in the flow region of the discharge port, the louvers are spaced apart from one bottom surface of the discharge port. Accordingly, a portion in which the louvers are not positioned occurs in the entire flow region of the discharge port. In particular, since there is a region adjacent to the bottom surface of the discharge port in which no louver is present, air flows through this region, and thus a direction of a part of discharged air is not controlled.

[0009] As prior art having such problems, there are Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2006-0022424 and Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2002-0026723.

Disclosure

Technical Problem

[0010] An objective of the present disclosure is to solve the conventional problems as described above, and to allow components of a louver assembly other than louvers to be installed at positions outside an air flow region.

[0011] An objective of the present disclosure is to allow, among components of a louver assembly, components for connecting the louvers and components for operating the louvers to be installed at positions outside an air flow region.

[0012] An objective of the present disclosure is to allow a driving source that provides a driving force for driving a louver assembly to be positioned at a center of the louver assembly.

[0013] An objective of the present disclosure is to allow louvers constituting a louver assembly to be connected to and installed on a bottom of an air flow region.

Technical Solution

[0014] According to features of the present disclosure for achieving the above-described objectives, in the present disclosure, among components constituting a louver assembly, only louvers may be positioned in an air flow region.

[0015] In the present disclosure, one side edge of each of the louvers constituting the louver assembly may be installed adjacent to a bottom surface of the air flow region.

[0016] In the present disclosure, an operation part for driving the louvers of the louver assembly may be connected to and installed at a middle portion of a driving lever that connects and operates the louvers.

[0017] In the present disclosure, the driving lever for operating the louvers may be disposed at a position outside the air flow region.

[0018] In the present disclosure, a connecting member for connecting the louvers may be disposed at a position outside the air flow region.

[0019] A louver assembly of the present disclosure includes: multiple louvers installed in a row across an air flow region; a driving lever connected to each of the louvers such that the louvers operate simultaneously, the driving lever being provided at a position outside the air flow region; and an operation part configured to provide a force for operating the driving lever to the driving lever.

[0020] The operation part may be provided at a middle position of the driving lever.

[0021] The operation part may be an interlocking lever or a gear operated by an operator.

[0022] The operation part may include a driving source and an interlocking lever or a gear train configured to transmit a driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

[0023] The louvers may be installed adjacent to a bottom of the air flow region.

[0024] Each of the louvers may include an elastically deformable connecting portion provided at a first side thereof, and an interlocking pin provided at a second side thereof.

[0025] The connecting portion may be connected to a bottom of the air flow region.

[0026] The connecting portion may be connected to a single connecting member, and the connecting member may be provided at a position outside the air flow region.

[0027] Multiple contact ribs may be formed on an outer surface of the driving lever by extending in a moving direction of the driving lever.

[0028] Multiple louver pin slots into which interlocking pins of the louvers are inserted and guided may be formed in parallel with each other in the driving lever.

[0029] An air management device of the present disclosure includes: a housing constituting an exterior thereof and having an intake port and a discharge port; a chassis positioned in the housing and having a rear guide constituting a framework of the chassis and configured to guide an airflow; a driving fan installed such that one side thereof faces the rear guide and configured to generate an airflow; a heat exchanger installed to surround a portion of the driving fan and configured to allow air drawn in through the intake port to pass therethrough and exchange heat with a working fluid; and a louver assembly installed in an air flow region formed between the rear guide and an outer surface of the driving fan and configured to control a flow direction of air, wherein only louvers constituting the louver assembly may be positioned in the air flow region.

[0030] Each of the louvers may be installed such that one side edge thereof is adjacent to a surface of the rear guide that constitutes a surface of the air flow region.

[0031] The louver assembly may include: the multiple louvers installed in a row across the air flow region; a driving lever connected to each of the louvers such that the louvers operate simultaneously, the driving lever being provided at a position outside the air flow region; and an operation part configured to provide a force for operating the driving lever to the driving lever.

[0032] A seating groove may be concavely formed on an inner surface of the rear guide, and the driving lever may be installed in the seating groove.

[0033] A through portion may be formed in the seating groove at a position corresponding to a middle portion of the driving lever in a longitudinal direction thereof, and the operation part may be positioned in the through portion.

[0034] The operation part may include a driving source and an interlocking lever or a gear train configured to transmit a driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

[0035] Each of the louvers may include an elastically deformable connecting portion provided at a first side thereof, and an interlocking pin provided at a second side thereof.

[0036] The connecting portion may be connected to a surface of the rear guide or to a connecting member exposed on the surface of the rear guide.

[0037] Multiple contact ribs may be formed on an outer surface of the driving lever by extending in a moving direction of the driving lever.

[0038] Multiple louver pin slots into which interlocking pins of the louvers are inserted and guided may be formed in parallel with each other in the driving lever.

Advantageous Effects

[0039] The louver assembly and the air management device using the same according to the present disclosure may have at least one of the following effects.

[0040] In the present disclosure, among components constituting the louver assembly, only the louvers are positioned in the air flow region, and all remaining components are positioned at positions outside the air flow region. Accordingly, in the air flow region, only the louvers control a flow direction of air, and there is no component that obstructs the flow of air. Therefore, while the flow direction of air can be controlled as desired, the flow of air becomes smooth and noise is prevented from being generated.

[0041] In particular, in the present disclosure, the connecting member for connecting multiple louvers and the driving lever for simultaneously operating the multiple louvers are positioned within the seating groove formed on a surface of the rear guide that forms the air flow region, such that the connecting member and the driving lever are located outside the air flow region. Accordingly, the connecting member and the driving lever do not obstruct airflow in the air flow region while the assembly of the louvers and operation of the louvers are facilitated.

[0042] In the present disclosure, a through-hole is formed to penetrate a center of the seating groove in which the connecting member and the driving lever constituting the louver assembly are positioned, and power is transmitted to the middle portion of the driving lever through the through-hole by the driving source mounted on the rear surface of the rear guide. Accordingly, a distance between a portion to which a driving force for operating the driving lever is applied and the louvers is relatively reduced, so that operation of the louvers can occur uniformly.

[0043] In the present disclosure, the louvers constituting the louver assembly are installed adjacent to the surface of the rear guide that forms the air flow region. This configuration is possible because the seating groove is positioned lower than the surface of the rear guide, and thus the connecting member for connecting the louvers and the driving lever for operating the louvers are positioned in a space outside the air flow region. As the louvers are installed adjacent to the surface of the rear guide as described above, the flow direction of all air passing through the surface of the rear guide and a vicinity thereof can be controlled by the louvers. Therefore, the control of the flow direction of air passing through the louver assembly can be reliably performed.

Description of Drawings

[0044] 

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air management device in which a louver assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the louver assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in a chassis of the air management device.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of the louver assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a rear guide of the chassis used in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating louvers of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an enlarged configuration of the louvers of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a driving lever of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the driving lever illustrated in FIG. 9 as viewed from another direction.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a driving source of the embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted and connected to the louver assembly.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating configurations of the driving source and an interlocking lever illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an operational state view illustrating a state in which air is guided when the louvers are not rotated in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an operational state view illustrating the same state as that of FIG. 13 in a plan view.

FIG. 15 is an operational state view illustrating a state in which air is guided when the louvers are rotated to the left with respect to the drawing in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an operational state view illustrating a state in which air is guided when the louvers are rotated to the right with respect to the drawing in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Best Mode

[0045] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that identical components are given the same numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of the related known configuration or function hinders understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an air management device to which a louver assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is illustrated. The louver assembly (20) of the present disclosure may be used in various types of air management devices. In the drawing, the louver assembly (20) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a wall-mounted and split-type air management device. However, the louver assembly (20) of the present disclosure may be used not only in an integrated-type air management device but also in various devices in which air flows, such as an air purifier.

[0047] An exterior of the illustrated air management device may be constituted by a housing (10). The housing (10) may constitute most of a front surface, an upper surface, a rear surface, opposite side surfaces, and a lower surface of the air management device. Of course, although a portion of the exterior of the air management device may be constituted by another component, the housing (10) may constitute most of the exterior of the air management device.

[0048] A chassis (12) may be installed inside the housing (10). The chassis (12) may be a portion to which various components may be mounted and may constitute a framework of the air management device. A shape of the chassis (12) is not limited to a shape illustrated in the drawing and may have various shapes.

[0049] In the present embodiment, a rear guide (13) may be formed on the chassis (12). The rear guide (13) may be a portion that guides heat-exchanged air to be discharged to the outside of the housing (10). In the illustrated example, a surface of the rear guide (13) may be a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature. A space formed by the rear guide (13) may include a fan installation space (14). A driving fan (15) may be installed in the fan installation space (14) to provide a driving force for air to flow into and out of the housing (10). The driving fan (15) may be driven and rotated by a fan driving source (not shown). A region in which air flows may be formed between an outer surface of the driving fan (15) and the rear guide (13).

[0050] A heat exchanger (16) may be installed adjacent to the driving fan (15) so as to surround a portion of the driving fan (15). The heat exchanger (16) may be a portion in which air drawn into the housing (10) by the driving fan (15) exchanges heat with a working fluid. The working fluid circulating in a heat exchange cycle may flow in the heat exchanger (16), and the working fluid and the drawn air may exchange heat with each other.

[0051] An intake port (17) may be provided in the housing (10). The intake port (17) may be located on an upper surface of the housing (10). The intake port (17) may serve as an inlet through which outside air flows into the housing (10). When the air management device is viewed from the front, the intake port (17) may be formed to extend in a left-right direction on the upper surface of the housing (10).

[0052] A front discharge port (18) may be provided at a lower portion of a front surface of the housing (10). The front discharge port (18) may be a portion through which air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger (16) is discharged into a space for air management. When the air management device is viewed from the front, the front discharge port (18) may also be formed to extend in the left-right direction on the front surface of the housing (10).

[0053] A bottom discharge port (19) may be provided on a lower surface of the housing (10). The bottom discharge port (19) may be positioned adjacent to the front discharge port (18). That is, the bottom discharge port (19) may be located at a front side of the bottom surface. Through the front discharge port (18) and the bottom discharge port (19), air may be discharged toward the front side and the lower side of the housing (10).

[0054] In order to control a direction of air flowing toward the front discharge port (18) and/or the bottom discharge port (19), the louver assembly (20) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be used. When the front discharge port (18) or the bottom discharge port (19) is viewed from the front, the louver assembly (20) may control a flow direction of air in a left-right direction. Of course, depending on an installation direction of the louver assembly (20) in the air management device, the control of the flow direction of air may be different.

[0055] Air may flow along the surface of the rear guide (13) of the chassis (12), and the surface of the rear guide (13) may be a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature or an inclined surface. A seating groove (121) may be formed in the rear guide (13). The seating groove (121) may be formed to extend longitudinally across an air flow region formed on the rear guide (13). A driving lever (24), which will be described below, may be movably positioned in the seating groove (121). In addition, a connecting member (22), which will be described below, may also be positioned in the seating groove (121).

[0056] A through-hole (123) may be formed in the seating groove (121). The through-hole (123) may be formed to penetrate the rear guide (13). Through the through-hole (123), a driving force of a driving source (26), which will be described below, may be transmitted for driving the louvers (20). The through-hole (123) may be positioned at a center of the seating groove (121) in a left-right direction.

[0057] Multiple hooking grooves (125) may be provided to be connected to the seating groove (121). The hooking grooves (125) may extend in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the seating groove (121). The extending direction of the hooking grooves (125) may be a direction in which air flows. The multiple hooking grooves (125) may be formed in parallel at predetermined intervals. Extension portions (221) of the connecting member (22), which will be described below, may be positioned in the hooking grooves (125). Shapes of the hooking grooves (125) may be formed such that the extension portions (221) can be inserted and received therein.

[0058] The louver assembly (20) may include a louver (21). The louver (21) may include multiple louvers. The multiple louvers may be arranged side by side at predetermined intervals. Each of the louvers (21) may have a substantially plate-like shape. A louver body (211) may constitute a framework of the louver (21). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the louver body (211) may have a plate-like shape formed by connecting straight edges and curved edges. An interlocking pin (213) may be provided at one end portion of the louver body (211). The interlocking pin (213) may be positioned at a downstream portion of the louver body (211) in an air flow direction. The interlocking pin (213) may be provided to interlock with the driving lever (24), which will be described below. When the interlocking pin (213) is inserted into a louver pin slot (243) of the driving lever (24), linear movement of the driving lever (24) may cause rotational movement of the louver (21) by a predetermined angle.

[0059] A connecting portion (215) may be provided at an upstream side of each louver (21) in the air flow direction. The connecting portion (215) may be a portion connected to each of the extension portions (221) of the connecting member (22), which will be described below. The connecting portion (215) may also serve as a rotation center about which the louver (21) rotates. A portion connecting a leading end of the louver body (211) to the connecting portion (215) may be formed as a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature.

[0060] As another embodiment, the connecting portion (215) may not be connected to the connecting member (22) and instead may be connected to the rear guide (13) so as to serve as a rotation center. This may be regarded as a case in which the connecting member (22), which will be described below, is integrated with the rear guide (13). In this case, the connecting portion (215) of the louver (21) may be integrated with the rear guide (13). Alternatively, each of the louvers (21) may be manufactured separately from the rear guide (13), and the connecting portion (215) may be inserted into a circular groove formed in the rear guide (13) so as to serve as a rotation center.

[0061] In the present embodiment, in order to facilitate operation of the louvers (21) in a state in which the connecting portions (215) are integrally connected to the connecting member (22), which will be described below, an elastic slot (217) may be formed along each of the connecting portion (215). Due to the elastic slot (217), elastic deformation of the connecting portion (215) may be facilitated, such that the louver (21) may be smoothly elastically deformed relative to the connecting member (22), thereby allowing smooth operation of the louver (21).

[0062] The multiple louvers (21) may be connected to each other by the connecting member (22). The connecting member (22) may extend in a direction perpendicular to the air flow direction. Each of the extension portions (221) may be formed on the connecting member (22) to extend in the air flow direction. The connecting portion (215) may be connected to an end portion of the extension portion (221). The connecting member (22) may be seated in the seating groove (121) of the rear guide (13). In this case, the connecting member (22) may be positioned in approximately half of an area of the seating groove (121). The extension portions (221) of the connecting member (22) may be seated in the hooking grooves (125). By positioning the extension portions (221) in the hooking grooves (125), movement of the connecting member (22) in a longitudinal direction of the seating groove (121) may be restricted. A portion of a surface of the connecting member (22) that is exposed outside the hooking grooves (125) may have a radius of curvature corresponding to that of the rear guide (13). This allows one surface of the connecting member (22) to form a continuous surface with a surface of the rear guide (13) so as to guide airflow.

[0063] A stepped portion (223) may protrude along one side of the connecting member (22). The stepped portion (223) may extend in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member (22). The stepped portion (223) may engage with a stepped portion (249) of the driving lever (24), which will be described below. The stepped portion (223) of the connecting member (22) may be a protruding stepped portion, and the stepped portion (249) of the driving lever (24) may be a recessed stepped portion. Accordingly, the stepped portion (223) of the connecting member (22) may guide movement of the driving lever (24) within the seating groove (121).

[0064] The driving lever (24) may be installed in the seating groove (121) so as to be movable by a predetermined distance. A lever body (241) may constitute an exterior and a framework of the driving lever (24). The lever body (241) may have a substantially strip shape and have a length that is relatively long compared to its width and thickness.

[0065] Here, a portion of a surface of the driving lever (24), that is, a portion of a surface of the lever body (241) that is exposed outside the hooking grooves (125) may have a radius of curvature corresponding to that of the rear guide (13). This allows the exposed surface of the driving lever (24) to form a continuous surface with the surface of the rear guide (13) so as to guide airflow.

[0066] The driving lever (24) may be connected to the interlocking pins (213) of the louvers (21). To this end, multiple louver pin slots (243) may be formed in the lever body (241). The interlocking pins (213) of the louvers (21) may be inserted into and guided by the louver pin slots (243). The louver pin slots (243) may extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the driving lever (24), that is, in the air flow direction. With the interlocking pins (213) inserted into the louver pin slots (243), when the driving lever (24) moves in a row direction of the louvers (21), each of the louvers (21) may be elastically deformed and rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the connecting portions (215). A surface of the lever body (241) in which the louver pin slots (243) are formed has no protruding portions.

[0067] An interlocking portion (245) may be provided on the driving lever (24). The interlocking portion (245) may be a portion to interlock with the driving source (26), which will be described below. The interlocking portion (245) may protrude from a surface of the lever body (241). The interlocking portion (245) may be formed on a surface opposite to a surface on which the louver pin slots (243) are formed.

[0068] An interlocking slot (247) may be formed in the interlocking portion (245). An extending direction of the interlocking slot (247) may be the same as that of the louver pin slot (243). The interlocking portion (245) may protrude from the lever body (241) and be positioned in the through-hole (123) formed in the seating groove (121), such that the interlocking portion (245) may not interfere with the bottom of the seating groove (121).

[0069] Multiple contact ribs (248) may be provided on an outer surface of the driving lever (24). The contact ribs (248) may be provided at portions of the outer surface of the driving lever (24) that contact an inner surface of the seating groove (121) or an outer surface of the connecting member (22). The contact ribs (248) may extend in the longitudinal direction of the driving lever (24). The contact ribs (248) may serve to minimize frictional force when the driving lever (24) moves within the seating groove (121). That is, the contact ribs (248) may make line contact with the inner surface of the seating groove (121) or the outer surface of the connecting member (22). The contact ribs (248) may be formed on a surface of the driving lever (24) that is not exposed to the air flow region.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the contact ribs (248) is formed to have a length corresponding to the length of the driving lever (24). However, the contact rib (248) may have a length that does not correspond to the length of the driving lever (24) but may be relatively short. For example, although the contact rib (248) may be formed in a region corresponding to an entire length of the driving lever (24), the contact rib (248) may be intermittently discontinuous. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, a single contact rib (248) may be divided into a plurality of segments. In this case, frictional force due to the contact ribs (248) may be further reduced.

[0071] The driving lever (24) may include the stepped portion (249). The stepped portion (249) may be formed on each of opposite sides of the driving lever (24) in a width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction of the driving lever (24). Among the stepped portions (249), a stepped portion adjacent to the connecting member (22) may engage with the stepped portion (223) of the connecting member (22). This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0072] In the present disclosure, the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) may be disposed at positions outside an air flow region formed between the driving fan (15) and the rear guide (13) in the fan installation space (14). That is, since the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) are positioned in the seating groove (121), the flow of air in the air flow region may not be obstructed. Rather, portions of surfaces of the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) that are exposed to the air flow region have radii of curvature corresponding to that of the surface of the rear guide (13), such that the exposed portions may serve to guide airflow.

[0073] The driving source (26) may be installed at a portion corresponding to a rear surface of the rear guide (13). As shown in FIG. 11, the driving source (26) may be fixed to mounting bosses (127) that protrude from the rear surface of the rear guide (13) of the chassis (12). The driving source (26) may be a motor driven by electricity. A driving shaft (263) may protrude outward from a driving source body (261) that constitutes the exterior and the framework of the driving source (26). The driving shaft (263) may provide a driving force of the driving source (26) in the form of rotational force. Mounting brackets (265) may extend from opposite sides of the driving source body (261). The mounting brackets (265) may be provided for mounting the driving source (26) at a predetermined position. The mounting brackets (265) may be fastened to the mounting bosses (127).

[0074] An interlocking lever (28) may be connected to the driving shaft (263) of the driving source (26). An interlocking lever body (281) may constitute a framework of the interlocking lever (28). The interlocking lever body (281) may extend linearly. A driving-shaft hole (283) may be formed at a first end portion of the interlocking lever body (281). The driving shaft (263) of the driving source (26) may be fitted into the driving-shaft hole (283) so as to rotate integrally therewith. That is, rotation of the driving shaft (263) may cause the interlocking lever (28) to rotate together therewith.

[0075] An interlocking protrusion (285) may be provided at a second end portion of the interlocking lever body (281). The interlocking protrusion (285) may be inserted into the interlocking slot (247) of the driving lever (24). When the interlocking protrusion (285) is guided along the interlocking slot (247) as the interlocking lever (28) rotates, the driving lever (24) may perform linear movement within the seating groove (121). For reference, positions at which the interlocking slot (247) and the interlocking protrusion (285) are formed may be opposite to those in the illustrated embodiment. That is, the interlocking slot (247) may be formed in the interlocking lever (28), and the interlocking protrusion (285) may be formed on the driving lever (24).

[0076] Meanwhile, transmission of power between the driving source (26) and the driving lever (24) may be achieved by a component other than the interlocking lever (28). For example, power may be transmitted from the driving source (26) to the driving lever (24) by using gears.

[0077] For reference, the louver assembly (20) of the present disclosure is not necessarily driven by the driving source (26). For example, the louvers (21) and the driving lever (24) may be manually operated by a user. For this purpose, an operation part connected to the driving lever (24), such as the interlocking lever (28), may be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving source (26) and the interlocking lever (28) may serve as an operation part. The operation part may have a configuration identical to that of the interlocking lever (28) and may be installed so as to be exposed to an outside of the housing (10). That is, when the operation part is rotated by a predetermined angle, the driving lever (24) performs linear movement. For example, the operation part may be a gear that can be rotated by an operator's hand. The gear may mesh with a gear or a gear portion provided on the driving lever (24), such that rotation of the gear may cause the driving lever (24) to perform linear movement.

[0078] Hereinafter, operations of the louver assembly having the configuration as described above according to the present disclosure and the air management device using the same will be described.

[0079] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the air management device is a split-type device, and an indoor unit is illustrated in the drawing. The indoor unit is also of a type of indoor unit that is mounted on a wall. In such an air management device, a working fluid from an outdoor unit may pass through the heat exchanger (16), and air in a space for air management that is drawn in through the intake port (17) by the driving fan (15) may pass through the heat exchanger (16), thereby performing heat exchange.

[0080] Air that has exchanged heat in the heat exchanger (16) and thus has a relatively low temperature may enter the driving fan (15), and may be discharged in a centrifugal direction through a portion of the driving fan (15) facing the rear guide (13). The air discharged from the driving fan (15) may flow toward the front discharge port (18) and the bottom discharge port (19) while moving along the rear guide (13).

[0081] In this process, the flowing air may pass through the louver assembly (20) installed on the rear guide (13). Installation angles of the louvers (21) of the louver assembly (20) may be controlled by driving of the driving source (26). FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a state in which the louvers (21) are not rotated. That is, the interlocking lever (28) connected to the driving shaft (263) of the driving source (26) extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting member (22) or the driving lever (24). Accordingly, in this state, a flow direction of air before the louvers (21) and a flow direction of air after the louvers (21) are not changed. That is, air passing through the louver assembly (20) flows without a change in flow direction.

[0082] In addition, FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which the louvers (21) are rotated to the left with respect to the drawing by movement of the driving lever (24). Since the driving lever (24) is moved to the left with respect to the drawing, the interlocking pins (213) of the louvers (21), which are inserted into the louver pin slots (243) of the driving lever (24), may be moved to the left by operation of the driving lever (24).

[0083] By this operation, each of the louvers (21) may be rotated with respect to the connecting portion (215) while the louver body (211) is elastically deformed, and thus may be rotated to the left by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, air passing through the louvers (21) may be guided to be bent to the left by a predetermined angle and flow.

[0084] Meanwhile, FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the louvers (21) are rotated to the right with respect to the drawing by movement of the driving lever (24). Since the driving lever (24) receives a driving force of the driving source (26) through the interlocking lever (28) and is moved to the right with respect to the drawing, the interlocking pins (213) of the louvers (21), which are inserted into the louver pin slots (243) of the driving lever (24), may be moved to the right by operation of the driving lever (24).

[0085] By this operation, each of the louvers (21) may be rotated with respect to the connecting portion (215) while the louver body (211) is elastically deformed, and thus may be rotated to the right by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16, air passing through the louvers (21) may be guided to be bent to the right by a predetermined angle and flow.

[0086] Further, in the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 5, the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) are configured not to protrude from the surface of the rear guide (13). Accordingly, the connecting member (22) and the driving lever (24) may not obstruct a flow of air moving along the rear guide (13). Therefore, air passing through the louver assembly (20) may flow more stably and without noise.

[0087] Further, when the driving lever (24) moves within the seating groove (121), only the contact ribs (248) may make line contact with the inner surface of the seating groove (121) or the outer surface of the connecting member (22). This means that frictional force acting on the driving lever (24) is minimized. Accordingly, a driving force required for movement of the driving lever (24) may be minimized.

[0088] Even though all components constituting the embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described as being combined or operating in combination as one, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the present disclosure, all of the components may be selectively combined to operate in one or more combinations.

Claims

1. A louver assembly comprising:

multiple louvers installed in a row across an air flow region;

a driving lever connected to each of the louvers such that the louvers operate simultaneously, the driving lever being provided at a position outside the air flow region; and

an operation part configured to provide a force for operating the driving lever to the driving lever.

2. The louver assembly of claim 1, wherein the operation part is provided at a middle position of the driving lever.

3. The louver assembly of claim 1, wherein the operation part is an interlocking lever or a gear operated by an operator.

4. The louver assembly of claim 1, wherein the operation part comprises a driving source and an interlocking lever or a gear train configured to transmit a driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

5. The louver assembly of claim 1, wherein the louvers are installed adjacent to a bottom of the air flow region.

6. The louver assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the louvers comprises an elastically deformable connecting portion provided at a first side thereof, and an interlocking pin provided at a second side thereof.

7. The louver assembly of claim 6, wherein the connecting portion is connected to a bottom of the air flow region.

8. The louver assembly of claim 6, wherein the connecting portion is connected to a single connecting member, and the connecting member is provided at a position outside the air flow region.

9. The louver assembly of claim 1, wherein multiple contact ribs are formed on an outer surface of the driving lever by extending in a moving direction of the driving lever.

10. The louver assembly of claim 1, wherein multiple louver pin slots into which interlocking pins of the louvers are inserted and guided are formed in parallel with each other in the driving lever.

11. An air management device comprising:

a housing constituting an exterior thereof and having an intake port and a discharge port;

a chassis positioned in the housing and having a rear guide constituting a framework of the chassis and configured to guide an airflow;

a driving fan installed such that one side thereof faces the rear guide and configured to generate an airflow;

a heat exchanger installed to surround a portion of the driving fan and configured to allow air drawn in through the intake port to pass therethrough and exchange heat with a working fluid; and

a louver assembly installed in an air flow region formed between the rear guide and an outer surface of the driving fan and configured to control a flow direction of air,

wherein only louvers constituting the louver assembly are positioned in the air flow region.

12. The air management device of claim 11, wherein each of the louvers is installed such that one side edge thereof is adjacent to a surface of the rear guide that constitutes a surface of the air flow region.

13. The air management device of claim 11, wherein the louver assembly comprises:

the multiple louvers installed in a row across the air flow region;

a driving lever connected to each of the louvers such that the louvers operate simultaneously, the driving lever being provided at a position outside the air flow region; and

an operation part configured to provide a force for operating the driving lever to the driving lever.

14. The air management device of claim 13, wherein a seating groove is concavely formed on an inner surface of the rear guide, and the driving lever is installed in the seating groove.

15. The air management device of claim 14, wherein a through portion is formed in the seating groove at a position corresponding to a middle portion of the driving lever in a longitudinal direction thereof, and the operation part is positioned in the through portion.

16. The air management device of claim 13, wherein the operation part comprises a driving source and an interlocking lever or a gear train configured to transmit a driving force of the driving source to the driving lever.

17. The air management device of claim 11, wherein each of the louvers comprises an elastically deformable connecting portion provided at a first side thereof, and an interlocking pin provided at a second side thereof.

18. The air management device of claim 17, wherein the connecting portion is connected to a surface of the rear guide or to a connecting member exposed on the surface of the rear guide.

19. The air management device of claim 11, wherein multiple contact ribs are formed on an outer surface of the driving lever by extending in a moving direction of the driving lever.

20. The air management device of claim 17, wherein multiple louver pin slots into which interlocking pins of the louvers are inserted and guided are formed in parallel with each other in the driving lever.

Drawing