AIR CONDITIONER

Abstract

 In the present invention, a cabinet has a curved surface extending from a front surface to a bottom surface, a blow out port is formed on the curved surface, and a wind guide panel constituting a part of the cabinet is provided on a front side of the blow out port to open and close the blow out port, the wind guide panel being configured to be capable of opening both upwardly and downwardly by upper and lower shafts, to have an inner surface which is a curved surface for guiding blown out air blown out from the blow out port to a distance, and to guide air from the blow out port to an indoor space by the wind guide panel in a downwardly opened posture and an upwardly opened posture, and an auxiliary louver which changes an angle of a vertical direction according to a posture of the wind guide panel to change an air direction of a vertical direction while rectifying the blown out air is provided in the blow out port. Thereby, the blown out air is able to be reached to a distance by a simple panel mechanism, and it is further able to improve decrease in air blowing efficiency at the time of blowing out downwardly from the blow out port, which can be happened as the panel mechanism is employed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner including a panel in an indoor unit which is opened and closed according to a cooling or heating operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In an indoor unit of an air conditioner, a blow out port is formed on a front surface of a cabinet and warm air or cool air is blown out from the blow out port. A panel which switches the direction of the blown out air according to a cooling or heating operation is provided.

[0003] For example, Patent document 1 describes that a first panel which opens and closes a blow out port and a second panel which is arranged with the first panel are provided. Directions of the two panels are controlled to continue to the blow out port thereby regulating a blown-out air passage to a given range.

Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-315536

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] Meanwhile, in the invention described in patent document 1, two panels are provided as a regulating member which is continued to the blow out port on a front part of a main body to restrict the blown-out air passage to a given range, and by control directions of these panels, air blowing efficiency is improved to allow blown out air to reach to a distance, however, since the directions of the two panels are controlled, there are drawbacks that a mechanism is complicated and the control therefor is complicated.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, the present invention aims to provide an air conditioner capable of reaching blown out air to a distance with a simple panel mechanism and further capable of improving decrease in air blowing efficiency at the time of blowing downwardly from a blow out port, which can be happened as the above-described panel mechanism is employed.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0006] In order to attain the above-described object, an air conditioner according to the present invention is characterized in that a cabinet has a curved surface extending from a front surface to its bottom surface, a blow out port is formed on the curved surface, and a wind guide panel constituting a part of the cabinet is provided on a front side of the blow out port to open and close the blow out port, the wind guide panel being configured to be capable of being opened both upwardly and downwardly by upper and lower shafts, to have an inner surface which is a curved surface for guiding blown out air blown out from the blow out port to a distance, and to guide air from the blow out port to an indoor space by the wind guide panel in a downwardly opened posture and an upwardly opened posture of the wind guide panel, and an auxiliary louver which changes an angle of a vertical direction according to a posture of the wind guide panel to change an air direction of a vertical direction while rectifying blown out air is provided in the blow out port.

[0007] According to the above-described configuration, since an outer surface of the wind guide panel constitutes a smooth curved surface extending from the front surface to the bottom surface of the cabinet and constitutes a part of the front surface of the cabinet, it is possible to use a part of the panel of the cabinet as the wind guide panel. This allows the wind guide panel to be a long panel having a longer overall length compared to that of a louver employed in a conventional air conditioner.

[0008] Moreover, the wind guide panel is capable of opening in either upward or downward direction by rotating in a different direction with the upper or lower shaft as a center, and the wind guide panel is connected to a lower wall of the blow out port to form a long nozzle by the wind guide panel and an upper wall of the blow out port in a downwardly opened posture in which an upper end of the wind guide panel is opened downwardly around the lower shaft.

[0009] Accordingly, since even a single panel forms a long nozzle in the downwardly opened posture, it is possible to form an extension wind guide passage directed upwardly, and when the indoor unit is disposed at a high position of an indoor wall surface, it is possible to blow out blown out air toward a ceiling in the downwardly opened posture of the panel to guide to a distance.

[0010] Moreover, when the wind guide panel is in the upwardly opened posture in which its lower end is opened to the front side around the upper shaft, the wind guide panel blocks off the front of the blow out port and presses blown out air blown out frontward to guide downwardly, thus making it possible to guide the blown out air to an indoor wall surface or floor surface.

[0011] However, since opening-rotation is performed around the upper shaft which is positioned above the front surface of the blow out port in the upwardly opened posture of the wind guide panel, the wind guide panel is quite apart frontward from the blow out port. In such a panel mechanism, since air blown out from the blow out port has a distance to hit the wind guide panel, a part of the blown out air becomes air which leaks horizontally from the wind guide panel and air blowing efficiency at the time of downward blowing also needs to be improved.

[0012] Thus, the present invention is characterized in that an auxiliary louver which changes an angle of a vertical direction according to a posture of the wind guide panel to change an air direction of a vertical direction while rectifying blown out air is provided in the blow out port. This auxiliary louver enables to change an air direction while rectifying air blown out from the blow out port, thus making it possible to change an air direction while improving air blowing efficiency.

[0013] Specifically, it is characterized in that a control section which controls directions of the wind guide panel and the auxiliary louver is provided, and the control section controls so that the auxiliary louver is arranged having an angle to an air flow to change an air direction in an upwardly opened posture in which a lower end of the wind guide panel is opened to a front side around the upper shaft and controls so that the auxiliary louver is arranged in parallel to an air flow in a downwardly opened posture in which an upper end of the wind guide panel is opened downwardly around the lower shaft.

[0014] According to the above-described configuration, when the auxiliary louver is arranged having an angle to an air flow in the upwardly opened posture of the wind guide panel, an air direction of air blown out from the blow out port is changed before hitting the wind guide panel. The angle of the auxiliary louver may be configured to change an air direction obliquely downwardly by hitting obliquely to an air flow or the auxiliary louver may be brought into a vertical state so that air hits the auxiliary louver to change an air flow to an immediately below direction.

[0015] Further, it may be configured such that the control section which controls directions of the wind guide panel and the auxiliary louver is provided, and the control section controls angles of the wind guide panel and the auxiliary louver so that the front of the blow out port is blocked off and air blown out frontward is pressed to be guided downwardly as well as such that air blown out from the blow out port hits two members of the auxiliary louver and the wind guide panel to change an air direction in two stages in an upwardly opened posture in which the lower end of the wind guide panel is opened to the front side around the upper shaft.

[0016] According to the above-described configuration, the changing of an air direction in two stages including the changing of an air direction by the auxiliary louver and the changing of an air direction by the wind guide panel positioned on a downstream side of air enhances its air blowing efficiency. Moreover, since the air direction is changed in a stepwise manner, it is also possible to reduce wind noise compared to extreme changing of the air direction.

[0017] Further, of upper and lower walls forming an air passage which extends to the blow out port in the cabinet, on the upper wall on an upper side of the auxiliary louver, a projection may be formed so that an air flow from the air passage flows, away from the upper wall, along the auxiliary louver.

[0018] According to the above-described configuration, the auxiliary louver is provided so as to rotate freely around a shaft near an outlet part of the blow out port to change a wind direction. Therefore, a space is generated between the auxiliary louver and the upper wall of the blow out port, and through the space, air leaks along the upper wall. Thus, the projection is formed on the upper wall in front of a shaft of the auxiliary louver so that an air flow from the air passage flows, away from the upper wall, along the auxiliary louver to thereby eliminate air leakage. This makes it possible to raise air blowing efficiency.

[0019] Further, the control section may perform an opening operation of the auxiliary louver after performing an opening operation of the wind guide panel and perform a closing operation of the wind guide panel after performing a closing operation of the auxiliary louver.

[0020] According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to perform rotation of the wind guide panel and the auxiliary louver without the wind guide panel being touched by the auxiliary louver.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] As described above, according to the present invention, since a wind guide panel is formed using a part of a curved surface on a front surface of a cabinet and air blown out from a blow out port is guided to a distance by a curved surface inside the wind guide panel, it is possible to guide air to a distance by a simple opening and closing mechanism with a single panel. In addition, since an auxiliary louver is provided on a closer side of the blow out port from the wind guide panel and a direction of the auxiliary louver is also controlled, it is possible to change an air direction reliably by the auxiliary louver even when the wind guide panel is disposed apart from the blow out port and to improve air blowing efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit when a wind guide panel is closed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the indoor unit when the wind guide panel is opened upwardly.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit when the wind guide panel is opened upwardly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the indoor unit when the wind guide panel is opened downwardly.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit when the wind guide panel is opened downwardly.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the air conditioner.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit showing an opening and closing mechanism of the wind guide panel.

FIG. 9 is a view for describing movement of a switching section in a regulating section, where (a) shows an initial state, (b) shows the case of upward opening, and (c) shows the case of downward opening.

FIG. 10 is a view for describing movement of the regulating section, where (a) shows an initial state, (b) shows the case of upward opening, and (c) shows the case of downward opening.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit showing a moving section when the wind guide panel is closed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit showing the moving section when the wind guide panel is opened upwardly.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit showing the moving section when the wind guide panel is opened downwardly.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the regulating section.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the moving section.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit when the wind guide panel is opened upwardly to blow out air just below a blow out port.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit when the wind guide panel is opened upwardly to blow out air in the slightly oblique direction than the direction just below the blow out port.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the indoor unit when the wind guide panel is opened upwardly to blow out air in the obliquely downward direction.

EXPLANATIONS OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0023] 

3

cabinet

5

blow out port

20

wind guide panel

22

lower shaft

23

upper shaft

31

support material

32

rod

41

control apparatus

50

moving section

51

regulating section

52

upper hook

53

lower hook

54

switching section

55

linkage section

56

driving section

57

moving mechanism section

58

driving section

64

upper link material

65

lower link material

66

linkage plate

70

regulating motor

72

regulating groove

81

moving plate

86

opening and closing motor

90 position detecting sensor

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Figures 1 and 2 show an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to a present embodiment. The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger 1 and an indoor fan 2 which are housed in a cabinet 3. The cabinet 3 is formed in a box shape which has a depth greater than its height and which has a curved surface extending from the front surface to the bottom surface. A suction port 4 is formed in the upper surface of the cabinet 3, and a blow-out port 5 is formed in the curved surface.

[0025] An air passageway 6 extending from the suction port 4 to the blow-out port 5 is formed in the inside of the cabinet 3, and the heat exchanger 1 and the indoor fan 2 are arranged in the air passageway 6. A filter 7 is arranged between the suction port 4 and the heat exchanger 1, so as to remove dust from the indoor air sucked from the suction port 4. A cleaning apparatus 8 which cleans the filter 7 is provided.

[0026] The filter 7 is moved by the cleaning apparatus 8 in the cabinet 3 so as to pass through a dust removing section 9. Thereby, the dust adhering to the filter 7 is removed in the dust removing section 9. A guide passage 10 curved in a U-shape in side view is formed on the front side in the cabinet 3, and a moving section, which is made of a motor and a gear, reciprocates the filter 7 along the guide passage 10. In the dust removing section 9, the dust is scraped by a rotating brush 11 from the filter 7 passing through the dust removing section 9. By a suction fan, air is made to flow in the direction substantially in parallel with the filter 7 (in the left and right direction), so that the scraped dust is sucked and discharged.

[0027] A wind guide panel 20 which opens and closes the blow-out port 5 is provided on the curved surface of the cabinet 3. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the wind guide panel 20 is configured to be able to be upwardly and downwardly opened, and an opening and closing mechanism by which the wind guide panel 20 is moved to be opened and closed is provided.

[0028] The wind guide panel 20 is formed by one curved panel, and the width of the wind guide panel 20 is set to be the same as the width of the cabinet 3 and is set larger than the width of the blow-out port 5. Further, in the front surface of the cabinet 3, a front panel 21 is formed from the middle stage portion of the front surface to the bottom surface so as to be one stage lower than the front surface. Thereby, a recessed section is formed over the whole width direction so that the wind guide panel 20 can be fit into the recessed section. An opening is formed in the front panel 21 which forms the recessed section, and the opening serves as the blow-out port 5. Therefore, the wind guide panel 20 is located in front of the blow-out port 5, so as to cover the blow-out port 5 and the front panel 21 around the blow-out port 5. At this time, the wind guide panel 20 is held in a closed attitude as shown in Figure 2.

[0029] When the wind guide panel 20 is held in the closed attitude, gaps are formed between the cabinet 3 and the front and rear ends of the wind guide panel 20. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, when the wind guide panel 20 is opened and closed, the end section of the wind guide panel 20 is made to enter the gap. Thus, the wind guide panel 20 can be smoothly rotated without being brought into contact with the cabinet 3. Further, it is possible to prevent the leaking of the blown-out air by forming the front and rear end sections of the wind guide panel 20 in such a manner that the wind guide panel 20 is brought into contact with the cabinet 3 at the time when the wind guide panel 20 is fully upwardly or downwardly opened. In particular, in the case of cool air, it is possible to prevent dew condensation on the bottom surface side of the cabinet 3.

[0030] In this way, the outer surface of the wind guide panel 20 forms a smooth curved surface extending from the front surface to the bottom surface of the cabinet 3. That is, the wind guide panel 20 is formed as a member which configures a part of the front surface of the cabinet 3. In other words, a part of the panel of the cabinet 3 is used as the wind guide panel 20. Thereby, the wind guide panel 20 is formed into a long panel having a total length greater than that of the louver adopted in a conventional air conditioner.

[0031] The wind guide panel 20 is rotated about upper and lower shafts in the different directions, so as to thereby be opened in one of the upward and downward directions. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, at the time of cooling operation, the wind guide panel 20 is downwardly opened about the lower shaft 22. When held in the downwardly opened attitude, the wind guide panel 20 is connected to the lower wall of the blow-out port 5, so that a long nozzle is formed by the wind guide panel 20 and the upper wall of the blow-out port 5. The wind guide panel 20 guides the cool air in the obliquely upward direction so that the cool air is blown out toward the ceiling.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, at the time of heating operation, the wind guide panel 20 is upwardly opened about the upper shaft 23. When held in the upwardly opened attitude, the wind guide panel 20 covers the front of the blow-out port 5 and suppresses the flow of warm air blown out toward the front so as to guide the warm air toward the floor surface. Note that also at the initial stage of the cooling operation, the wind guide panel 20 is held in the upwardly opened attitude to allow the cool air to be blown out toward the floor surface, so that the rapid cooling is performed. As shown in Figure 2, at the non-operation time, the wind guide panel 20 is held in the closed attitude and covers the blow-out port 5 so as to be integrated with the cabinet 3.

[0033] The blow out port 5 is provided with an air direction plate 24 and an auxiliary louver 800. The air direction plate 24 changes an angle of the horizontal direction to change the air direction of the horizontal direction. The auxiliary louver 800 is provided in an outlet part of the blow out port 5 in front of the air direction plate 24 and changes an angle of the vertical direction according to the posture of the wind guide panel 20 to change the air direction of the vertical direction while rectifying the blown out air.

[0034] The auxiliary louver 800 is formed in a plate shape which is long in the horizontal direction and its front and rear end parts thereof are formed in a tapered shape. On the rear end part side, a revolving shaft 801 whose axial direction is the horizontal direction is fixed to a shaft coupling section formed in the right and left end parts. The revolving shaft 801 is disposed on an upper wall 5a side of upper and lower walls 5a and 5b forming the air passage 6 which extends to the blow out port 5, and penetrates through the right and left side walls of the blow out port 5 to be borne so as to revolve freely. In addition, a louver motor 803 is coupled to the shaft end of the revolving shaft 801 through a not-shown speed reduction mechanism (refer to FIG. 7) and the louver motor 803 is drive-controlled by a control apparatus 41.

[0035] The control apparatus 41 drive-controls the louver motor 803 so that the auxiliary louver 800 is arranged having an angle to the air flow to change the air direction in the upwardly opened posture in which the lower end of the wind guide panel 20 is opened to the front side around the upper shaft 23. Moreover, the control apparatus 41 drive-controls the louver motor 803 so that the auxiliary louver 800 is controlled to be arranged in parallel to the air flow in the downwardly opened posture in which the upper end of the wind guide panel 20 is opened downwardly around the lower shaft 22.

[0036] Further, the control apparatus 41 controls the posture of the auxiliary louver 800 so that the front of the blow out port 5 is blocked off by the auxiliary louver 800 and the air blown out frontward is pressed to be guided downwardly in the upwardly opened posture of the wind guide panel 20. Moreover, an angle of the auxiliary louver 800 is controlled so that the air blown out from the blow out port 5 hits two members of the auxiliary louver 800 and the wind guide panel 20 to change the air direction in two stages in the upwardly opened posture of the wind guide panel 20. The posture of the wind guide panel 20 and the auxiliary louver 800 will be described below. Note that, in order that the mechanism of a moving section and a regulating section of the wind guide panel, which will be described below, is easily understood, the auxiliary louver will be omitted in the illustration of FIG. 7, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an example where while the wind guide panel takes the upwardly opened posture, the auxiliary louver 800 is arranged having an angle to the air flow. In this example, since the auxiliary louver 800 has an angle to the air flow, the air blown out from the blow out port 5 is rectified by the auxiliary louver 800 and a part thereof passes the lower side of the auxiliary louver 800 and flows directly in the obliquely downward direction without being interfered by the wind guide panel 20. In addition, the rest of the air is rectified by the auxiliary louver 800 and then hits the inner surface of the wind guide panel 20 to be guided in the obliquely downward direction along an inner curved surface thereof.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows an example where while the wind guide panel takes the downwardly opened posture, the auxiliary louver 800 is arranged in parallel to the air flow. In this example, the wind guide panel 20 rotates downwardly around the lower shaft 22 to take a substantially horizontal posture. That is, the wind guide panel 20 in the downwardly opened posture is connected to the lower wall of the blow out port 5 to form a long nozzle by the wind guide panel 20 and the upper wall 5a of the blow out port 5. Accordingly, it is possible that air is guided to the obliquely upward direction by the wind guide panel 20 and is blown out to a distance along a ceiling. At this time, being arranged in parallel to the air flow, the auxiliary louver 800 does not block off the air flow forcibly and works to guide the air blown out from the blow out port 5 to a distance.

[0039] FIG. 16 shows an example where while the wind guide panel takes the upwardly opened posture, an opening angle of the wind guide panel 20 is suppressed to take a substantially vertical posture and the auxiliary louver 800 is caused to have an angle to the air flow for rectification. In this example, the air blown out from the blow out port 5 is rectified by the auxiliary louver 800 and hits the wind guide panel 20 so that the air direction is changed and air flows straight downwardly from the blow out port 5. Accordingly, in this example, with changing of the air direction in two stages of changing of the air direction by the auxiliary louver 800 and the changing of the air direction by the wind guide panel 20 positioned on the downstream side of the air, air blows straight downwardly from the blow out port 5. Moreover, since the air direction is changed in a stepwise manner by the auxiliary louver 800 and the wind guide panel 20, it is possible to reduce wind noise compared to extreme changing of the air direction.

[0040] FIG. 17 shows an example where while the wind guide panel takes the upwardly opened posture, although a substantially vertical posture is taken with the opening angle of the wind guide panel 20 suppressed, the auxiliary louver 800 is arranged in the vertical direction so that the auxiliary louver 800 bears the main air direction changing function and the air flow is blocked off to press the air downwardly. In this example, the air direction changing function is mainly exerted by the auxiliary louver 800 and the air flows a little obliquely downwardly compared to the case where the air flows vertically straight downwardly as shown in FIG. 16.

[0041] FIG. 18 shows an example where, similarly to the posture shown in FIG. 4, while the wind guide panel takes the upwardly opened posture, the wind guide panel 20 is opened to the maximum and the auxiliary louver 800 is arranged having an angle to the air flow. In this example, since the auxiliary louver 800 is provided so as to rotate freely around the shaft 801 near the outlet of the blow out port 5 to change the air direction, a space 804 is generated between the auxiliary louver 800 and the upper wall 5a of the blow out port 5 and the air flow is generated along the upper wall 5a through the space 804, and there is a possibility that the air leaks and a part thereof hits the wind guide panel 20 and passes through in the horizontal direction.

[0042] Thus, in order to eliminate such leakage of air, as shown in FIG. 18, on the upper wall 5a on a front side (in other words, the downstream side of the air flow) of the shaft 801 of the auxiliary louver 800, a projection 901 is formed so that the air from the air passage 6 flows, away from the upper wall 5a, along the auxiliary louver 800. The projection 901 is illustrated as having a triangular cross section but may have other shapes such as a semicircle-shaped cross section. The projection 901 allows the air along the upper wall 5a to jump (separate from the upper wall 5a) by the projection 901 and flow along the side of the auxiliary louver 800.
Note that, the projection 901 may be provided on a position, on the upper wall 5a on the back side (the upstream side of the air flow) of the shaft 801 of the auxiliary louver 800, which allows the air to flow along the lower side of the auxiliary louver 800.

[0043] Meanwhile, twist and flexion are easily caused in the enlarged wind guide panel 20 as described above. Thus, a reinforcing peripheral wall is formed on both end edges on the front-back direction (short-length direction) side in the inner surface of the wind guide panel 20. The peripheral wall is formed over the entire horizontal direction (long-length direction). The peripheral wall has a hollow structure which enables the peripheral wall to be thick. Such a peripheral wall makes it possible to increase the strength of the wind guide panel 20 and prevent flexion. Further, a similar reinforcing peripheral wall is also formed on both end edges on the horizontal direction side. Accordingly, twist of the wind guide panel 20 is preventable.

[0044] In this way, by thickening four-side end edges of the wind guide panel 20 for reinforcement, it is possible to increase the strength of the wind guide panel 20 against deformation and enlarge the wind guide panel 20. Additionally, since the wind guide panel 20 has a structure which is hard to deform, it is possible to increase the curving state in the front-back direction of the wind guide panel 20 so that the air blowing direction when the wind guide panel 20 is opened is easily controlled. That is, in a cooling operation, it is possible to guide cool air toward a ceiling and lengthen an arrival distance of the cool air. In a heating operation, warm air is guided so as to come closer to a wall so that the warm air reaches the floor surface.

[0045] In addition, on the tip end side of the peripheral wall, an inclined surface is formed. The inner side surface of the peripheral wall is the inclined surface. The outer surface is a vertical surface. When the wind guide panel 20 is in the downwardly opened posture, blown out cool air hits the peripheral wall located in the horizontal direction and dew may be formed on the peripheral wall. Thus, by providing the inclined surface, the cool air flows along the inclined surface. The cool air flows without staying and dew condensation on the peripheral wall is preventable.

[0046] On the inner surface of the wind guide panel 20 surrounded by the peripheral wall, an insulating material 30 is provided. The insulating material 30 is mounted over the entire surface excluding both end sides in the horizontal direction. The width in the horizontal direction of the insulating material 30 is larger than the width of the blow out port 5. The surface of the insulating material 30 is flush. Accordingly, there is no protrusion on the inner surface side of the wind guide panel 20 facing the blow out port 5 and an air flow is not prevented. Note that, since the insulating material 30 is mounted on the curved inner surface of the wind guide panel 20, a curved surface is formed on the inner surface side of the wind guide panel 30 by the insulating material 30.

[0047] On both sides in the horizontal direction of the inner surface of the wind guide panel 20, a support material 31 (see FIG. 11) is provided. The wind guide panel 20 is attached to the support material 31 so as to be attached/detached freely. The support material 31 is attached to the cabinet 3 through a rod 32. That is, the wind guide panel 20 is attached to the cabinet 3 through the rod 32 and is attachable/detachable to/from the cabinet 3.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, a claw 33 which can be freely slid in the left and right direction is provided on both the left and right sides of the wind guide panel 20. The claw 33 faces the peripheral wall formed in the front and rear direction, and is urged by an urging member, such as a spring, toward the peripheral wall. The wind guide panel 20 is attached to the support 31 in such a manner that the support 31 is sandwiched between the claw 33 and the peripheral wall. The wind guide panel 20 can be removed from the support 31 by sliding the claw 33 in the direction away from the peripheral wall.

[0049] Note that the claw 33 may be provided at least on one side in the front and rear direction. In this case, on the other side, a pin is provided in one of the wind guide panel 20 and the support 31, and a hole is formed in the other in which the pin is not provided. The wind guide panel 20 is engaged with the support 31 by fitting the pin into the hole. When the claw 33 is provided on the one side, it is preferred to provide the pin on the rear side in consideration of workability. In this case, the user is able to attach and detach the wind guide panel 20, while looking at the claw 33 in the state where the wind guide panel 20 is held in the downwardly opened attitude. Therefore, the user is able to easily and surely attach and detach the wind guide panel 20 and is also able to perform the attaching and detaching operation while supporting the wind guide panel 20 with a single hand. Thus, it is possible to prevent the falling off of the wind guide panel 20.

[0050] Note that, in order that the wind guide panel 20 is able to be detached from the support material 31 even when the wind guide panel 20 is in the closed state, a push button capable of sliding the claw 33 from the side surface side of the wind guide panel 20 may be provided on the peripheral wall of the wind guide panel 20. It is configured such that the push button and the claw 33 are linked and when the push button is pushed, the claw 33 moves. As described above, the claw 33 is urged to the peripheral wall. Therefore, when the push button is not pushed, the claw 33 is urged to the peripheral wall, and the wind guide panel 20 is not able to be removed from the support member 31. When the push button is pushed, the claw 33 slides to the direction in which the claw 33 is away from the peripheral wall, and the wind guide panel 20 is able to be detached from the support material 31.

[0051] The upper shaft 23 of the wind guide panel 20 is provided on the front side of the support 31, while the lower shaft 22 is provided on the rear side of the support 31. The upper and lower shafts 22 and 23 are arranged along the left and right direction, and both ends of the upper and lower shafts 23 and 22 are supported so as to be separated from the support 31. The upper and lower shafts 22 and 23 are located on the outside of the blow-out port 5 in the front-and-rear and left-and-right directions, and are located in front of the blow-out port 5. Therefore, the upper and lower shafts 22 and 23 do not impede the flow of the air blown out from the blow-out port 5.

[0052] Note that the support 31 may be integrated with the wind guide panel 20. The rod 32 is directly attached to the wind guide panel 20. In this case, when the rod 32 is detachably attached to the wind guide panel 20, the wind guide panel 20 can be detachably attached to the cabinet 3.

[0053] In the air conditioner, the outdoor unit (not shown) corresponding to the indoor unit is installed in an outdoor location. A compressor, a heat exchanger, a four way valve, an outdoor fan, and the like, are incorporated in the outdoor unit, and a refrigerating cycle 40 is formed by these components and the heat exchanger 1 on the indoor side. Further, as shown in Figure 7, a control apparatus 41 which controls the refrigerating cycle 40 is provided in the indoor unit. The control apparatus 41 made of a microcomputer controls the refrigerating cycle 40 to perform cooling and heating operation, on the basis of a user's instruction and detection signals of various sensors 42, such as temperature sensors which detect the room temperature and the outdoor air temperature. At this time, the control apparatus 41 opens and closes the wind guide panel 20 by controlling an opening and closing mechanism according to the cooling or heating operation. Further, the control apparatus 41 cleans the filter 7 by controlling the cleaning apparatus 8 periodically or according to the instruction from the user.

[0054] The opening and closing mechanism is configured, as shown in Figure 7, by a moving section 50 which brings the wind guide panel 20 close to and away from the cabinet 3, and a regulating section 51 which regulates the opening direction of the wind guide panel 20 at the time when the wind guide panel 20 is moved.

[0055] When the wind guide panel 20 is opened, the moving section 50 moves the wind guide panel 20 in the direction in which the wind guide panel 20 is separated from the cabinet 3. At this time, the regulating section 51 changes the opening direction of the wind guide panel 20 by allowing one of the upward and downward opening operations of the wind guide panel 20 and by regulating the other opening operation. When the downward opening operation is regulated, the wind guide panel 20 is upwardly opened. On the contrary, when the upward opening operation is regulated, the wind guide panel 20 is downwardly opened. When the wind guide panel 20 is closed, the wind guide panel 20 is moved by the moving section 50 in the direction of approaching the cabinet 3.

[0056] That is, the regulating section 51 regulates the opening direction by locking the upper shaft 23 or the lower shaft 22 not to move. In the case of downward opening, the lower shaft 22 is locked. In the case of upward opening, the upper shaft 23 is locked.

[0057] Further, the regulating section 51 has a function to hold the wind guide panel 20 in the closed attitude. The wind guide panel 20 in the closed attitude is held close to the front panel 21 of the cabinet 3. At this time, the regulating section 51 locks the upper shaft 23 and the lower shaft 22. Even when an external force is applied to separate the wind guide panel 20, the wind guide panel 20 is not moved because both the shafts 22 and 23 are locked.

[0058] n this way, a driving source only for moving the wind guide panel 20 may be provided as the driving source for opening and closing the wind guide panel 20. Further, the driving source only needs to enable simple operation, such as reciprocating operation of the wind guide panel 20. Therefore, the moving section 50 can be formed into a simple mechanism which reciprocates the wind guide panel 20. Thereby, the opening and closing mechanism can be simplified and miniaturized.

[0059] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the regulating section 51 includes a pair of upper and lower hooks 52 and 53 which respectively hold the upper and lower shafts 23 and 22, a changing section 54 which changes the opening direction by regulating the operation of each of the hooks 52 and 53, a linkage section 55 which enables the hooks 52 and 53 to be operated in association with each other, and a driving section 56 which drives the linkage section 55. As show in Figures 11 to 13, the moving section 50 includes the rod 32 which holds the wind guide panel 20, a moving mechanism section 57 which moves the rod 32 into and out of the cabinet 3, and a driving section 58 which drives the moving mechanism section 57.

[0060] A left and right pair of the regulating sections 51 are provided in the cabinet 3, and are arranged outside the blow-out port 5 in the left and right direction. As shown in Figure 14, the regulating section 51 is configured as a unit on a base plate 60. The base plate 60 is fixed to the inside of the cabinet 3.

[0061] The upper hook 52 and the lower hook 53 are respectively rotatably supported by fixed shafts 61 fixed to the base plate 60. Inlet/outlet ports 21a which respectively allow the hooks 52 and 53 to be projected and retracted are formed in the upper and lower portions of the front panel 21, respectively. The upper hook 52 is projected from the inlet/outlet port 21a, so as to hook the upper shaft 23 from the lower side. The upper shaft 23 is held by being sandwiched between a receiving base 62 formed in the front panel 21 and the upper hook 52. Similarly, the lower hook 53 is also projected from the inlet/outlet port, so as to hook the lower shaft 22 from the upper side, so that the lower shaft 22 is held by being sandwiched between a receiving base 63 and the lower hook 53.

[0062] The linkage section 55 allows each of the hooks 52 and 53 to operate by using a link mechanism. Specifically, the linkage section 55 is configured by a pair of upper and lower links 64 and 65, and a linkage plate 66. The upper and lower links 64 and 65 connect the upper and lower hooks 52 and 53 to the linkage plate 66, respectively. That is, a shaft 64a is formed at one end of the upper link 64, so as to be fitted into a shaft hole of the upper hook 52. The upper hook 52 is rotatably supported at the one end of the upper link 64. The lower hook 53 is also similarly supported by the lower link 65.

[0063] The other end of the upper link 64 is rotatably attached to the linkage plate 66. The linkage plate 66 is formed into a fan-shaped gear, and gear teeth are formed on the circular arc surface of the linkage plate 66. The linkage plate 66 is rotatably supported by a fixed shaft 67 which is projectingly provided on the base plate 60. A pair of long grooves 68 are formed in the linkage plate 66, and other end shafts 64b and 65b of the upper and lower links 64 and 65 are fitted into the long grooves 68, respectively. Each of the long grooves 68 is extended in the radial direction from the fixed shaft 67 serving as the center. The other end shafts 64b and 65b of the links 64 and 65 are respectively made movable in the radial direction, so that a play is provided by each of the long grooves 68.

[0064] By the rotation of the linkage plate 66, the links 64 and 65 are respectively moved in association with each other between the fixed shafts 61 of the hooks 52 and 53 and the fixed shaft 67 of the linkage plate 66. Thereby, the hooks 52 and 53 can be rotated about the fixed shafts 61, respectively.

[0065] The driving section 56 is comprised of a plurality of gears 69 and a regulating motor 70. The regulating motor 70 is provided on a mounting base 71 attached to the base plate 60. The gear 69 is fitted into a motor shaft of the regulating motor 70 and a driving force of the regulating motor 70 is transmitted to the linkage plate 66 via the plurality of gears 69. When the regulating motor 70 is driven, the linkage plate 66 revolves around the fixed shaft 67.

[0066] As shown in Figure 10, the changing section 54 guides the movement of each of the other end shafts 64b and 65b of the links 64 and 65. A regulating groove 72 is formed in the mounting base 71, and both the other end shafts 64b and 65b are fitted in the regulating groove 72. The movement of each of the hooks 52 and 53 is defined in such a manner that the links 64 and 65 are moved differently from each other by the regulating groove 72. That is, when one of the hooks 52 and 53 is moved, the other of the hooks 52 and 53 is regulated so as not to be moved. The changing section 54 defines the movement of the hooks 52 and 53 according to the opening direction.

[0067] The regulating groove 72 is formed approximately in a U-shape. The regulating groove 72 is configured by three grooves of an upper locking groove 72a, a neutral groove 72b, and a lower locking groove 72c, and the three grooves are continuously connected. The upper locking groove 72a is formed along a circular arc centering on the one end shaft 64a of the upper link 64. The lower locking groove 72c is formed along a circular arc centering on the one end shaft 65a of the lower link 65. The neutral groove 72b is formed along a circular arc centering on the fixed shaft 67 of the linkage plate 66.

[0068] As shown in Figures 9 (a) and 10 (a), when both the other end shafts 64b and 65b are located in the neutral groove 72b, the hooks 52 and 53 respectively hold the upper and lower shafts 22 and 23, so that both the shafts 22 and 23 are locked. The state at this time is assumed as an initial state. As shown in Figures 9(b) and 10(b), when the other end shafts 64b of the upper link 64 is located in the upper locking groove 72a, the upper shaft 23 is rotatably held by being sandwiched by the upper hook 52 so as to be locked. The lower hook 53 is separated from the lower shaft 22. As shown in Figures 9(c) and 10(c), when the other end shafts 65b of the lower link 65 is located in the lower locking groove 72c, the lower shaft 22 is rotatably held by being sandwiched by the lower hooks 53 so as to be locked. The upper hook 52 is separated from the upper shaft 23.

[0069] In the initial state, when the linkage plate 66 is rotated clockwise, the other end shaft 64b of the upper link 64 is moved along the upper locking groove 72a. The other end shaft 64b of the upper link 64 is moved in the circumferential direction with the one end shaft 64a as the center. The upper link 64 is not radially moved, and hence the one end shaft 64a is also not moved. Thereby, the upper hook 52 is not rotated. On the other hand, the other end shaft 65b of the lower link 65 is moved along the neutral groove 72b. The one end shaft 65a is moved by being pulled. The lower hook 52 is rotated clockwise. Thereby, as shown in Figures 9(b) and 10(b), the lock of the lower shaft 22 is released. In the initial state, when the linkage plate 66 is rotated counter clockwise, the lock of the upper shaft 23 is similarly released as shown in Figures 9(c) and 10(c).

[0070] A pair of the moving sections 50 are provided on the left and right sides in the cabinet 3, so as to be arranged outside the regulating sections 51 in the left and right direction, respectively. As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the front end of the rod 32 is made to project to the outside from a vertically long hole 21b (see Figure 3) formed in the front panel 21. A support shaft 80 for attaching the rod 32 is provided on the support 31. The front end of the rod 32 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 80. The support shaft 80 is positioned so as to be shifted to the front side from the center in the front and rear direction. The rod 32 is formed to have a circular cross section. When the air hits the rod 32, the air is allowed to easily flow. Thus, even when cool air is blown to the rod 32, dew condensation hardly occurs. Further, the rod 32 is formed to have a hollow structure. Thereby, the weight of the rod 32 can be reduced while the strength of the rod 32 is maintained. As a result, it is possible to reduce the load of the motor to move the rod 32.

[0071] When the wind guide panel 20 is opened, the moving mechanism section 57 moves the front end of the rod 32 to the front side. When the wind guide panel 20 is closed, the moving mechanism section 57 moves the front end of the rod 32 to the rear side. The moving mechanism section 57 is formed as a moving plate 81 which is reciprocated while holding the rod 32. As shown in Figure 15, the moving plate 81 is formed into a fan-shape, and is rotatably supported by a fixed shaft 83 which is fixed to a base plate 82. The base plate 82 is fixed to the cabinet 3.

[0072] The moving section 50 is also configured as a unit similarly to the regulating section 51. Here, the regulating section 51 and the moving section 50 are arranged side by side in each of the spaces respectively provided on both the left and right sides of the cabinet 3. When both the regulating section 51 and the moving section 50 are configured as one unit, they can be handled as an opening and closing mechanism unit, so as to be easily attached. Further, the moving section 50 can be configured by a small number of components, so that the size and thickness of the unit can be reduced. Thereby, the opening and closing mechanism can be housed in a limited space, so that the width of the blow-out port 5 can be increased. When the width of the blow-out port 5 is increased, the blowing range of air in the width direction can be increased, and thereby it is possible to supply the air to all corners of a room.

[0073] The rear end of the rod 32 is rotatably attached to the vicinity of the front end of the moving plate 81 via a rotary shaft 84. A circular arc groove 85 is formed in the moving plate 81. The circular arc groove 85 is formed on a circular arc centering on the fixed shaft 83. A rack is formed in the circular arc groove 85. The driving section 58 is configured by an opening and closing motor 86, and a gear 87 attached to the motor shaft of the opening and closing motor 86. The gear 87 is inserted into the circular arc groove 85, so as to mesh with the rack.

[0074] When the opening and closing motor 86 is driven, the moving plate 81 is rotated about the fixed shaft 83 according to the rotation of the gear 87, so that the rod 32 is moved into and out of the front panel 21. When the wind guide panel 20 is held in the closed attitude as shown in Figure 11, the moving plate 81 is located in the rear side. Only the front end of the rod 32 is made to project from the front panel 21. This state is the initial state.

[0075] When the lock of the lower shaft 22 is released, and when the opening and closing motor 86 is driven, the moving plate 81 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in Figure 12. The rod 32 is pushed out, so that the front end of the rod 32 is moved to the front side. The wind guide panel 20 is rotated about the upper shaft 23, so as to be upwardly opened. Note that the opening and closing motor 86 is controlled so that the moving plate 81 is rotated by a fixed angle of, for example, 50 degrees.

[0076] When the lock of the upper shaft 23 is released, and when the opening and closing motor 86 is driven, the moving plate 81 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in Figure 13. The rod 32 is pushed out, so that the front end of the rod 32 is moved to the front side. The wind guide panel 20 is rotated about the lower shaft 22, so as to be downwardly opened. At this time, the wind guide panel 20 is opened so as to be downwardly moved, and hence the front end of the rod 32 is also moved to the front side while being gradually downwardly moved. Also in this case, the moving plate 81 is rotated by the fixed angle.

[0077] When the wind guide panel 20 is opened, and when the opening and closing motor 86 is driven to cause the moving plate 81 to rotate clockwise, the wind guide panel 20 is closed. By the rotation of the moving plate 81, the rear end of the rod 32 is moved to the rear side. The rod 32 is drawn into the cabinet 3. Thereby, the wind guide panel 20 is rotated about the upper shaft 23 or the lower shaft 22. The wind guide panel 20 is made to approach the cabinet 3, so as to be held in the closed attitude.

[0078] Note that the control apparatus 41 drives the opening and closing motors 86 on the left and right sides so that the above described operations in the left and right side moving sections 50 are synchronized with each other. A stepping motor is used as the opening and closing motor 86 and is normally and reversely rotated according to the opening and closing operations.

[0079] When the wind guide panel 20 is opened during the cooling or heating operation, one of the upper and lower shafts 22 and 23 of the wind guide panel 20 is locked. When the wind guide panel 20 is pulled to cause an external force to be applied to the wind guide panel 20, one of the shafts (here, the upper shaft 23) is pushed. When the upper shaft 23 is pushed, the upper hook 52 is made to rotate counterclockwise. The upper link 64 is pushed in the shaft direction. The shaft direction is the direction which connects the one end and the other end of the upper link 64. The other end of the upper link 64 pushes the mounting base 71 through the regulating groove 72. At this time, the direction of the upper locking groove 72a, at which the other end of the upper link 64 is located, is substantially orthogonal to the shaft direction of the upper link 64. Since the mounting base 71 is fixed, the upper link 64 is not moved in the shaft direction. Further, the acting direction of the force from the upper link 64 is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the upper locking groove 72a. No force acts on the other end of the upper link 64 in the direction in parallel with the direction of the upper locking groove 72a. As a result, the upper link 64 is not moved along the upper locking groove 72a, so that the rotation of the upper hook 52 is prevented.

[0080] Accordingly, by having an orthogonal relation between the directions of the link materials 64 and 65 and the regulating groove 72, it is possible to prevent the locking from being released even if an external force is applied when the wind guide panel 20 is opened. Thus, it is possible to avoid such a situation that the wind guide panel 20 which is opened is suspended by being supported by the rod 32.

[0081] Meanwhile, when the wind guide panel 20 is maximally opened, the moving amount of the rod 32 is fixed regardless of the opening direction. However, the front end of the rod 32 is positioned to be eccentric with respect to the wind guide panel 20. Thus, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the opening angle at the time when the wind guide panel 20 is upwardly opened is different from the opening angle at the time when the wind guide panel 20 is downwardly opened. The upwardly opening angle is set larger than the downwardly opening angle. That is, the opening angle is increased as the distance from the center to the fulcrum is reduced at the time when the wind guide panel 20 is opened. The center is the upper shaft 23 or the lower shaft 22, and the fulcrum is the position of the front end of the rod 32. Since the rod 32 is attached closer to the upper shaft 23, the upwardly opening angle is set large, and the downwardly opening angle is set small.

[0082] The wind guide panel 20 is downwardly opened at the time of cooling operation. However, when the downwardly opening angle is large, the wind guide panel 20 is set below the horizontal line. This causes the cool air to flow in the horizontal direction, and does not cause the air to flow toward the ceiling. The reaching distance of the cool air is reduced, and the cool air directly hits a person. Therefore, in the case where the wind guide panel 20 is downwardly opened, it is preferred to reduce the opening angle. The wind guide panel 20 is upwardly opened at the time of heating operation. However, when the opening angle is small, the outlet of the warm air is narrowed. The warm air, which is returned after hitting the wind guide panel 20, has no place to escape, and hence collides with the blown-out warm air, so as to thereby disturb the flow of the warm air. As a result, the velocity of the air blown out toward the floor surface is reduced, so as to prevent the warm air from reaching the floor surface.

[0083] In this way, efficient air delivery cannot be performed at the time of cooling and heating operation, so that the cooling and heating performance cannot be maximally exhibited. However, as described above, when the upwardly opening angle is set large, and when the downwardly opening angle is set small, the cool air can be blown out toward the ceiling at the time of cooling operation, and the outlet of the warm air is increased at the time of heating operation so that a smooth flow of the warm air can be formed. Therefore, the maximum capacity of the air conditioner can be fully exhibited.

[0084] In the air conditioner, the cooling or heating operation is performed on the basis of an instruction generated when the user operates the remote controller, or is performed when the set time of the timer is reached. The control apparatus 41 controls the refrigerating cycle 40 and the opening and closing of the wind guide panel 20. At this time, the control apparatus 41 operates the moving section 50 and the regulating section 51 in association with each other.

[0085] When a cooling or heating operation is performed, the control apparatus 41 turns on/off the driving of the regulating motor 70 and the opening and closing motor 86 in accordance with a predetermined timing. In addition, driving of the louver motor 803 of the auxiliary louver 800 is turned on/off. That is, each of the motors 70, 86 and 803 is sequence-controlled.

[0086] The auxiliary louver 800 has such an operational timing that the auxiliary louver 800 rotates to open after the wind guide panel 20 is opened and rotates to close before a closing operation of the wind guide panel. In rapid cooling, the wind guide panel 20 temporarily takes the upwardly opened posture around the upper shaft and then is switched to take the downwardly opened posture around the lower shaft through the closed posture, however, at this time, the auxiliary louver 800 is sequence-controlled to operate to open after the opening operation of the wind guide panel 20 and to rotate to close before the closing operation of the wind guide panel 20.

[0087] Further, the control apparatus 41 performs an initializing operation before the start of operation. That is, the control apparatus 41 determines the position of the wind guide panel 20 at the time when the operation is stopped. When the wind guide panel 20 is not set in the initial state, the control apparatus 41 operates, as the initializing operation, the moving section 50 and the regulating section 51 so that the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state. When the operation is started, and when the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state, the control apparatus 41 starts the operation without performing the initializing operation. Note that the state in which the wind guide panel 20 is held in the closed attitude is the initial state, and that the opening angle of the wind guide panel 20 is associated with the states of the respective members of the moving section 50 and the regulating section 51.

[0088] As shown in Figure 11, a position detecting sensor 90 for detecting the position of the wind guide panel 20 is provided in the moving section 50. Note that the position detecting sensors 90 are provided in the left and right moving sections 50, respectively. A limit switch is used as the position detecting sensor 90. The position detecting sensor 90 is attached to the base plate 82 of the moving section 50 in the cabinet 3. The position detecting sensor 90 is arranged so as to be positioned close to the moving plate 81 which is set in the initial state. When the moving plate 81 is set in the initial state, the rod 32 attached to the moving plate 81 is brought into contact with the position detecting sensor 90. Therefore, the position detecting sensor 90 detects that the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state, that is, in the closed attitude.

[0089] Note that the position detecting sensor 90 may also be configured to directly detect the position of the wind guide panel 20. The position detecting sensor is not limited to the contact type sensor, such as the limit switch, and non-contact type sensors, such as an optical sensor and a camera, may also be used as the position detecting sensor.

[0090] On the basis of a detection signal of the position detecting sensor 90, the control apparatus 41 determines whether or not the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state. When the operation is stopped, the wind guide panel 20 is normally held in the closed attitude, and hence the moving section 50 and the regulating section 51 are set in the initial state. However, when the wind guide panel 20 is not set in the initial state due to a certain reason, the control apparatus 41 determines, on the basis of the detection signal from the position detecting sensor 90, that the wind guide panel 20 is not set in the initial state. Then, the control apparatus 41 performs the initializing operation so as to forcibly set the wind guide panel 20 in the initial state.

[0091] Conventionally, it is configured such that the time period during which the wind guide panel 20 is changed from the maximum opened state (fully opened state) to the closed state (initial state) is stored as the initialization time period, and that when the cooling or heating operation is started, the initializing operation of closing the wind guide panel 20 is necessarily performed during the initialization time period, and then the normal operation, such as the cooling or heating operation, is performed. However, in such conventional initializing operation, even when the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state at the time of starting such operation as cooling or heating operation, the initializing operation is necessarily performed during the initialization time period, and hence it takes a time until the operation is shifted to the normal operation of cooling or heating operation.

[0092] As in the present embodiment, when the position detecting sensor 90 is provided, it is possible to detect, at the time of starting the operation, whether or not the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state. Thus, when the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state at the time of starting the operation, it is possible to perform the cooling or heating operation without performing the initializing operation.

[0093] Further, when the wind guide panel 20 is not set in the initial state at the time of starting the operation, the initializing operation is performed. At the time point when the position detecting sensor 90 detects that the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state, the initializing operation is ended, so that the operation can be shifted to the cooling or heating operation. Further, even when the wind guide panel 20 is not set in the fully opened state, but in a slightly opened state or in a substantially half opened state, the initializing operation is performed. However, the initializing operation is ended at the time point when the position detecting sensor 90 detects that the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state. Thus, the initializing operation can be shifted to the cooling or heating operation without being performed during the initialization time period.

[0094] For example, even if the initialization period is 30 seconds, when the position detecting sensor 90 detects the wind guide panel 20 to be in the initial state after 15 seconds from start of the initial operation, the initial operation is stopped and moved to a normal operation. In this case, the time to perform the initial operation is shortened for 15 seconds than the conventional time.

[0095] As described above, by using the detection result from the position detecting sensor 90, it is possible to reduce the time required for the initial operation and to shift to a normal operation immediately. Note that, when the position detecting sensor 90 does not detect that the wind guide panel 20 is in the initial state, the opening operation of the wind guide panel 20 for performing a normal operation is not performed but only the initial operation (closing operation) is performed.

[0096] Note that, when the position detecting sensor 90 does not detect that the wind guide panel 20 is in the initial state even after the initial operation has been performed for a predetermined time, there is a possibility that the wind guide panel 20 is not able to be closed by the interference of the auxiliary louver 800. In this case, first, the opening operation is performed only for a time required to bring the initial state into the fully opened state, and the wind guide panel 20 is once brought into the fully opened state. At this time, a currently holding shaft is kept holding as it is, and the switching of the holding shaft is not performed. This is because there is a possibility that the locking of the upper shaft and the lower shaft of the wind guide panel 20 are both apart so that the wind guide panel 20 is suspended by being supported by the rod 32 in the case of switching the holding shaft.

[0097] The auxiliary louver 800 is then brought into the closed state after the wind guide panel 20 becomes in the fully opened state. Thereafter, the wind guide panel 20 is performed with the closing operation for the initialization period to return to the initial state. In the case where the position detecting sensor 90 is not able to detect that the wind guide panel 20 was in the initial state even when performing this operation, an error display is performed as an operation failure.

[0098] Note that, the wind guide panel 20 is in the fully opened state in the above explanation, however, there is no need to be surely in the fully opened state and may be a method of opening the wind guide panel 20 until being in a state where at least the auxiliary louver becomes rotatable.

[0099] Note that in such cases where a receptacle of an air conditioner is first connected to an AC power source, and where the power supply to the air conditioner is once interrupted due to power failure, or the like, it is necessary to set the auxiliary louver (not shown) in the closed state. Thus, the wind guide panel 20 is first opened to the extent in which at least the auxiliary louver can be rotated (for example, the wind guide panel 20 is fully opened). Then, after the auxiliary louver is closed, the wind guide panel 20 is set in the initial state.

[0100] In the initial state, in the moving section 50, the moving plate 81 is at a position on the rear side as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10(a), in the regulating section 51, the other-end shafts 64b and 65b of the upper and lower link materials 64 and 65 are positioned in the neutral groove 72b. At this time, the wind guide panel 20 takes the closed posture, and the upper shaft 23 and the lower shaft 22 are locked at the same time. Thereafter, according to a cooling or heating operation, the control apparatus 41 releases the locking of either the upper shaft 23 or the lower shaft 22 and opens the wind guide panel 20.

[0101] When a heating operation is started, the control apparatus 41 firstly drives the regulating motor 70 of the regulating section 51. With the driving, the linkage plate 66 rotates in a clockwise manner. The upper link material 64 rotates with one end as a center. When the other-end shaft 65b of the lower link material 65 moves along the neutral groove 72b, the lower link material 65 is pulled up. The lower hook 53 rotates in a clockwise manner and the locking of the lower shaft 22 is released.

[0102] The control apparatus 41 drives the opening and closing motor 86 of the moving section 50 with a slight delay from the timing of starting the regulating motor 70. The timing of starting the opening and closing motor 86 is set after the lower hook 53 is separated from the lower shaft 22. That is, the control apparatus 41 stops the regulating motor 70, when a predetermined first timing is reached. The first timing is a timing determined according to the time period until the other end shaft 64b of the upper link 64 reaches the end of the upper locking groove 72a as shown in Figure 10(b). After stopping the regulating motor 70, the control apparatus 41 drives the opening and closing motor 86.

[0103] When the opening and closing motor 86 is driven, the moving plate 81 is rotated counterclockwise. The rod 32 is pushed out to the front side, so that the wind guide panel 20 is moved in the direction away from the cabinet 3. The wind guide panel 20 is opened about the upper shaft 23. When the wind guide panel 20 is opened at a set opening angle, the control apparatus 41 stops the opening and closing motor 86. Note that the opening angle is calculated from the number of steps of the opening and closing motor 86.

[0104] The control apparatus 41 drives the opening and closing motor 86 for a fixed time period, and stops the opening and closing motor 86 when a second timing is reached. At this time, the opening angle reaches the maximum opening angle as shown in Figure 12. The wind guide panel 20 is held in the upwardly opened attitude, so that the warm air is blown out toward the floor surface.

[0105] Then, the control apparatus 41 controls the operation of the louver motor 803 to cause the auxiliary louver 800 to perform an opening operation by a predetermined angle and warm air to blow out toward the floor surface.

[0106] Also in the case of a cooling operation, the control apparatus 41 controls the regulating motor 70 and the opening and closing motor 86 at the similar timing. However, the regulating motor 70 revolves in the opposite direction to the case of a heating operation. The opening and closing motor 86 revolves in the same direction.

[0107] The opening and closing motor 86 stops when the second timing after driving for a fixed time is reached. At this time, the maximum opening angle is reached as shown in FIG. 13. The wind guide panel 20 takes the downwardly opened posture and cool air is blown out toward a ceiling. Then, the control apparatus 41 controls the operation of the louver motor 803 to cause the auxiliary louver 800 to be arranged and operated in parallel to the air flow and cool air to blow out toward a ceiling.

[0108] Note that, in a cooling operation, there is a case where rapid cooling is performed at starting an operation. At this time, the wind guide panel 20 first is opened upwardly to take the upwardly opened posture. Then, the wind guide panel 20 is closed to take the closed posture, and the upper shaft 22 and the lower shaft 23 are locked once. Subsequently, the wind guide panel 20 is opened downwardly to take the downwardly opened posture. Thereby, when changing the opening direction of the opening wind guide panel 20, at least one of shafts 22 and 23 is locked and held all the time. Thus, a state where both shafts 22 and 23 are opened at the same time is not occurred. Therefore, while the wind guide panel 20 is opened and closed, it is possible to prevent the wind guide panel 20 from coming off. Note that, there may be a cooling mode in which rapid cooling described above is not performed at starting an operation.

[0109] When a cooling or heating operation is finished, the control apparatus 41 firstly operates the louver motor 803 to cause the auxiliary louver 800 to perform the closing operation. The opening and closing motor 86 is then driven. The rod 32 is pulled back and the wind guide panel 20 comes closer to the cabinet 3. The control apparatus 41 stops the opening and closing motor 86 when a predetermined third timing is reached. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the wind guide panel 20 takes the closed posture and the moving plate 81 is at a position on the rear side. That is, the third timing is a timing which is determined depending on a time when the moving plate 81 returns to the initial state. Note that, the position detecting sensor 90 detects that the moving plate 81 returns to the initial state. The third timing may correspond to the detection timing.

[0110] Then, the control apparatus 41 drives the regulating motor 70. For example, when the heating operation is performed, the state shown in Figure 10(b) is changed to the state shown in Figure 10 (a). The lower hook 53 is rotated, so that the lower shaft 22 is locked. The control apparatus 41 stops the regulating motor 70 when a predetermined fourth timing is reached. The fourth timing is a timing which is determined according to the time period during which the other end shaft 65b of the lower link 65 is moved from the connecting position between the upper locking groove 72a and the neutral groove 72b, to reach the connecting position between the neutral groove 72b and the lower locking groove 72c.

[0111] Note that, the present invention will not be limited to above described embodiments and many modifications and alterations can certainly be made to the above described embodiments within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the opening operation of the auxiliary louver 800 is performed to a predetermined angle after the wind guide panel 20 reaches the maximum opening angle, however, the opening operation of the auxiliary louver 800 may be started before the wind guide panel 20 reaches the maximum opening angle. When performing in this manner, it is possible to shorten the time until warm air or cool air is blown out in a predetermined direction. At this time, it is of course needed to control the opening and closing motor 86 and the louver motor 803 so that the wind guide panel 20 does not contact with the auxiliary louver 800.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0112] The present invention is able to be employed preferably for an indoor unit of an air conditioner provided with a wind guide panel which is opened and closed according to a cooling and heating operation and an auxiliary louver which changes the air direction of the vertical direction while rectifying the blown out air.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, wherein
a cabinet has a curved surface extending from its front surface to its bottom surface, a blow out port is formed on the curved surface, and a wind guide panel constituting a part of the cabinet is provided on a front side of the blow out port to open and close the blow out port, the wind guide panel being configured to be capable of being opened both upwardly and downwardly by upper and lower shafts, to have an inner surface which is a curved surface for guiding blown out air blown out from the blow out port to a distance, and to guide air from the blow out port to an indoor space by the wind guide panel in a downwardly opened posture and an upwardly opened posture of the wind guide panel, and an auxiliary louver which changes an angle of a vertical direction according to a posture of the wind guide panel to change an air direction of a vertical direction while rectifying blown out air is provided in the blow out port.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a control section which controls directions of the wind guide panel and the auxiliary louver is provided, and the control section controls so that the auxiliary louver is arranged having an angle to an air flow to change an air direction in an upwardly opened posture in which a lower end of the wind guide panel is opened to a front side around the upper shaft and controls so that the auxiliary louver is arranged in parallel to an air flow in a downwardly opened posture in which an upper end of the wind guide panel is opened downwardly around the lower shaft.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the control section which controls directions of the wind guide panel and the auxiliary louver is provided, and the control section controls angles of the wind guide panel and the auxiliary louver so that a front of the blow out port is blocked off and air blown out frontward is pressed to be guided downwardly as well as such that air blown out from the blow out port hits two members of the auxiliary louver and the wind guide panel to change an air direction in two stages in an upwardly opened posture in which the lower end of the wind guide panel is opened to a front side around the upper shaft.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein of upper and lower walls forming an air passage which extends to the blow out port in the cabinet, on the upper wall on an upper side of the auxiliary louver, a projection is formed so that an air flow from the air passage flows, away from the upper wall, along the auxiliary louver.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control section performs an opening operation of the auxiliary louver after performing an opening operation of the wind guide panel and performs a closing operation of the wind guide panel after performing a closing operation of the auxiliary louver.

Drawing