(19)
(11) EP 3 130 860 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
19.10.2022 Bulletin 2022/42

(21) Application number: 14888581.7

(22) Date of filing: 09.04.2014
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24F 1/0047(2019.01)
F24F 13/20(2006.01)
F24F 13/06(2006.01)
F24F 13/14(2006.01)
F24F 13/08(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
F24F 13/14; F24F 13/20; F24F 13/08; F24F 2013/0616; F24F 1/0047
(86) International application number:
PCT/JP2014/060294
(87) International publication number:
WO 2015/155855 (15.10.2015 Gazette 2015/41)

(54)

AIR CONDITIONER

KLIMAANLAGE

CLIMATISEUR


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
15.02.2017 Bulletin 2017/07

(73) Proprietor: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8310 (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • KONO, Atsushi
    Tokyo 100-8310 (JP)
  • IKEDA, Takashi
    Tokyo 100-8310 (JP)
  • TAKAGI, Masahiko
    Tokyo 100-8310 (JP)
  • KURIHARA, Makoto
    Tokyo 100-8310 (JP)
  • TANAKA, Kenyu
    Tokyo 100-8310 (JP)

(74) Representative: Mewburn Ellis LLP 
Aurora Building Counterslip
Bristol BS1 6BX
Bristol BS1 6BX (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A1-2009/054316
WO-A1-2012/169110
JP-A- 2001 254 998
JP-A- 2007 333 356
JP-A- 2012 097 958
KR-A- 20080 056 476
WO-A1-2011/064999
JP-A- H0 894 160
JP-A- 2003 214 696
JP-A- 2010 038 490
JP-B2- 5 349 147
US-A1- 2013 167 578
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Technical Field



    [0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

    Background Art



    [0002] In a ceiling-embedded air conditioner, an airflow direction flap is arranged at a vicinity of an air outlet, and the airflow direction flap guides a direction of a current of blown-out air. However, a current of air flowing along a longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap is liable to flow weakly, and liable to take the air therein from an inside of a room, thereby easily flowing upward to a ceiling side. As a result, the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap may cause smudging of the ceiling.

    [0003] In relation to this, a related-art ceiling-embedded air conditioner is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1. In the air conditioner, a chord length of a longitudinal end portion of an airflow direction flap is reduced, and a current of blown-out air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap is directed downward, thereby preventing smudging of a ceiling.

    Citation List


    Patent Literature



    [0004] 

    [PTL 1] JP 07-324802 A

    JP5349147 discloses an air conditioning device.

    US2013/0167578 discloses an air-conditioning apparatus.

    KR1020080056476 discloses a ceiling type air conditioner for easily mounting and dismounting a discharge guiding member on/from discharge holes by forming first and second fitting parts.

    JP2010-038490 discloses a ceiling embedded type air conditioner.

    JP2012-097958 discloses an air conditioner.

    JP2001-254998 discloses an air outlet of air conditioner.

    JP2007-333356 discloses a blowing out structure for ceiling embedded type indoor machine unit.


    Summary of Invention


    Technical Problem



    [0005] However, when the chord length of the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap is reduced as disclosed in Patent Literature 1, at the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap having the reduced chord length, the current of the air cannot flow along the airflow direction flap over a satisfactory distance, with the result that there is a fear in that the current of the air does not flow out along the airflow direction flap. Accordingly, particularly during downward blowing, there is a problem in that the current of the air flows out downward of a direction extended from the airflow direction flap so that short cycling easily occurs.

    [0006] The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has an object to provide an air conditioner capable of reducing smudging caused by a current of air flowing along a longitudinal end portion of an airflow direction flap while preventing short cycling from easily occurring in the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap.

    Solution to Problem



    [0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an air conditioner as set forth in claim 1.

    Advantageous Effects of Invention



    [0008] According to the air conditioner of the present invention, it is possible to reduce smudging caused by the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap while preventing short cycling from easily occurring in the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap.

    Brief Description of Drawings



    [0009] 

    FIG. 1 is a side view for illustrating the internal structure of an air conditioner according to a first example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes.

    FIG. 2 is a top view for illustrating an air outlet of the air conditioner according to an example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes.

    FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating a blowing air duct of the air conditioner according to the example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes when seen from a direction indicated by the arrows III of FIG. 2.

    FIG. 4 is a view for illustrating the blowing air duct of the air conditioner according to the above example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes when seen from a direction indicated by the arrows IV of FIG. 2.

    FIG. 5 is a view for illustrating a further second example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.

    FIG. 6 is a view for illustrating this further example embodiment that is not claimed and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 4.

    FIG. 7 is a graph for showing a relationship according to the second example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes between a length ratio of L2/L1 and an angle of a current of blown-out air flowing out along a longitudinal center portion of an airflow direction flap.

    FIG. 8 is a graph for showing a comparison between the related art and the example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes regarding the angle of the current of the blown-out air at a longitudinal position of the airflow direction flap.

    FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating the present invention in the same manner as that of FIG. 3.

    FIG. 10 is a view for illustrating a third example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.

    FIG. 11 is a view for a fourth example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.

    FIG. 12 is a view for a fifth example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 2.


    Description of Embodiments



    [0010] Now, an air conditioner according to embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the drawings, the same reference symbols represent the same or corresponding parts.

    [0011] FIG. 1 is a side view for illustrating the internal structure of an air conditioner according to a first example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes.

    [0012] FIG. 2 is a top view for illustrating an air outlet of the air conditioner according to the first example embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating a blowing air duct of the air conditioner according to the first example embodiment when seen from a direction indicated by the arrows III of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view for illustrating the blowing air duct of the air conditioner according to the first example embodiment when seen from a direction indicated by the arrows IV of FIG. 2. More specifically, the air conditioner according to the first example embodiment corresponds to an indoor unit of a so-called package air conditioner. FIG. 1 is an illustration of a state in which most part of a case 3 of an air conditioner 1 is embedded on a back side (side opposite to a room) of a ceiling 5 of the room and a lower part of the case 3 faces the inside of the room.

    [0013] The air conditioner according to the present invention has at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet formed in a lower portion thereof. Further, the air conditioner according to the present invention includes a wall portion defining a blowing air duct having one air outlet as an outlet, and an airflow direction flap arranged in one air outlet. As one example, the air conditioner 1 according to the first example embodiment has four air inlets 7 and one air outlet 9 formed in a lower portion thereof. Further, the air conditioner 1 according to the first example embodiment includes four wall portions 11 and four airflow direction flaps 13. One wall portion 11 defines one blowing air duct 15 having one air outlet 9 as an outlet. One airflow direction flap 13 is arranged in the one air outlet 9. As described above, in the first example embodiment, the four air outlets 9, the four wall portions 11, the four airflow direction flaps 13, and the four blowing air ducts 15 are arranged, and each group of the four components has the same configuration. Accordingly, in the following, one of the air outlets 9, one of the wall portions 11, one of the airflow direction flaps 13, and one of the blowing air ducts 15 are described.

    [0014] A centrifugal fan 17 and a heat exchanger 19 are housed in a case 3. The centrifugal fan 17 serves as an air sending unit configured to generate a flow of air that is sucked into the case 3 through the air inlet 7 and blown out to a target space (room) through the air outlet 9. The heat exchanger 19 is arranged in such a flow passage of the air.

    [0015] As one example, in the first example embodiment, the case 3 includes a top panel 3a having a rectangular shape in plan view, and four side panels 3b extending downward from four sides of the top panel 3a. In other words, the case 3 is such a box body that an upper end surface of a rectangular tube body defined by the four side panels 3b is closed by the top panel 3a.

    [0016] At the lower part of the case 3, namely, at an opened lower end surface of the above-mentioned box body, a panel 21 is mounted on the case 3 in a freely removable manner. The panel 21 is a design panel (decorative panel).

    [0017] A panel air inlet 21b of a grille type is formed in the vicinity of a center of the panel 21. A filter 23 is arranged on downstream of (above) the panel air inlet 21b, and is configured to remove dust in the air passing through a grille portion of the panel air inlet 21b.

    [0018] As one example, in the first example embodiment, the panel 21 and the panel air inlet 21b each have a rectangular outer edge in plan view.

    [0019] In a region between the outer edge of the panel 21 and the outer edge of the panel air inlet 21b, four panel air outlets 21a are formed. In the first embodiment, the four panel air outlets 21a are formed in accordance with the structure in which the panel 21 and the panel air inlet 21b each have the outer edge along four sides thereof, and the respective panel air outlets 21a are arranged, except for corner portions, so as to extend along the corresponding sides of the panel 21 and the panel air inlet 21b. Further, the four panel air outlets 21a are positioned so as to surround the panel air inlet 21b.

    [0020] In the first example embodiment, the panel air inlet 21b corresponds to the above-mentioned air inlet 7, and the four panel air outlets 21a correspond to the above-mentioned air outlets 9. Further, the panel air outlets 21a (air outlets 9) and the blowing air ducts 15 extend along the above-mentioned corresponding sides of the panel 21 and the panel air inlet 21b. In plan view, a direction extended from each of the corresponding sides is referred to as a longitudinal direction, and a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is referred to as a transverse direction. As one example, in the panel air outlet 21a (air outlet 9) and the blowing air duct 15 illustrated in FIG. 2, a horizontal direction of the drawing sheet of FIG. 2 corresponds to the longitudinal direction, and a vertical direction of the drawing sheet of FIG. 2 corresponds to the transverse direction.

    [0021] A fan motor 25 is arranged at a center portion of the inside of the case 3. The fan motor 25 is supported by a lower surface of the top panel 3a of the case 3 (at an inner space side of the case) . The centrifugal fan 17 is fixed to a rotation shaft of the fan motor 25, which extends downward. Further, a bellmouth 27 that defines a suction air duct extending from the panel air inlet 21b toward the centrifugal fan 17 is arranged between the centrifugal fan 17 and the filter 23. The centrifugal fan 17 is configured to suck the air into the case 3 through the panel air inlet 21b, and cause the air to flow out to the inside of the room being the target space through the panel air outlet 21a.

    [0022] The heat exchanger 19 is arranged at a radially outer side of the centrifugal fan 17. In other words, the heat exchanger 19 is arranged in the flow passage of the air generated in the case 3 by the centrifugal fan 17, and is configured to exchange heat between the air and refrigerant.

    [0023] The heat exchanger 19 includes a plurality of fins arranged at predetermined intervals in a horizontal direction, and heat transfer pipes passing through the fins. The heat transfer pipes are connected to a known outdoor unit (not shown) through a connection pipe so that cooled or heated refrigerant is supplied to the heat exchanger 19. Note that, the structures and modes of the centrifugal fan 17, the bellmouth 27, and the heat exchanger 19 are not particularly limited, but known structures and modes are employed in the first example embodiment.

    [0024] In this structure, when the centrifugal fan 17 is rotated, the air in the inside of the room is sucked through the panel air inlet 21b (air inlet 7) of the panel 21. Then, the air from which the dust is removed by the filter 23 is guided by the bellmouth 27, and is then sucked into the centrifugal fan 17. Further, the air sucked into the centrifugal fan 17 from bottom to top is blown out in a horizontal direction and in a radially outward direction. When the air thus blown out passes through the heat exchanger 19, the heat is exchanged and the humidity is adjusted. After that, the air is blown out to the inside of the room through each panel air outlet 21a (air outlet 9) with the flow direction switched to a downward direction.

    [0025] Next, the blowing air duct 15 is described in detail. In the air conditioner 1, every blowing air duct 15 is defined by one corresponding wall portion 11. As one example, in the first example embodiment, the wall portion 11 includes a portion formed in the case 3, and a portion formed in the panel 21. The above-mentioned panel air outlet 21a is an outlet of the blowing air duct 15 formed in the panel 21, and an outlet of the blowing air duct 15 formed in the case 3 is a case air outlet 31. The case 3 has the case air outlet 31 formed in an interface with the panel 21. Note that, a plane illustrated in FIG. 2 is a plane containing the case air outlet 31, and is a plane flush with the line indicated by reference symbol II of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Further, the airflow direction flap 13 is positioned on downstream of the case air outlet 31. In the first example embodiment, the airflow direction flap 13 vertically extends astride the panel air inlet 21b (air inlet 7). Further, a chord length of the airflow direction flap 13 is constant in the longitudinal direction.

    [0026] Based on the above description, the air conditioner has at least one panel air outlet and at least one case air outlet. As one example, the air conditioner 1 according to the first example embodiment has four panel air outlets 21a and four case air outlets 31.

    [0027] The wall portion according to the present invention at least includes an inner air duct wall and an outer air duct wall. In the first example embodiment, one wall portion 11 includes one inner air duct wall 41, one outer air duct wall 43, and two side walls 45.

    [0028] Each of the two side walls 45 extends so as to connect a corresponding end portion of the inner air duct wall 41 and a corresponding end portion of the outer air duct wall 43 to each other. In plan view, the blowing air duct 15 defined by the inner air duct wall 41, the outer air duct wall 43, and the two side walls 45 has substantially a rectangular shape. The inner air duct wall 41 and the outer air duct wall 43 (portion excluding a protruding portion 51 to be described later) extend substantially in parallel to each other.

    [0029] In plan view, the outer air duct wall 43 is more distant from the heat exchanger 19 than the inner air duct wall 41. On a plane on upstream of the airflow direction flap 13, a distance (transverse interval) D1 between a center portion 43a of the outer air duct wall 43 in the longitudinal direction of the blowing air duct 15 and a center portion 41a of the inner air duct wall 41 in the longitudinal direction of the blowing air duct 15 is smaller than a distance (transverse interval) D2 between each side portion 43b of the longitudinal center portion of the outer air duct wall 43 and each side portion 41b of the longitudinal center portion of the inner air duct wall 41.

    [0030] As a mode fulfilling a relation of the distance D1<the distance D2 as described above, as one example, in the first example embodiment, the protruding portion 51 is formed on the longitudinal center portion 43a of the outer air duct wall 43. The protruding portion 51 protrudes toward the inner air duct wall 41, and is positioned on the upstream of the airflow direction flap 13. Further, the protruding portion 51 is present on a portion of the case 3 defining the case air outlet 31.

    [0031] In a specific configuration according to the first example embodiment, the distance (transverse interval) D1 between the protruding portion 51 of the outer air duct wall 43 and the inner air duct wall 41 is smaller than the distance (transverse interval) D2 between each side portion of the protruding portion 51 of the outer air duct wall 43 and the inner air duct wall 41.

    [0032] According to the air conditioner of the first example embodiment configured as described above, the distance D1 between the center portion of the outer air duct wall in the longitudinal direction of the blowing air duct and the center portion of the inner air duct wall in the longitudinal direction of the blowing air duct is smaller than the distance (transverse interval) D2 between each side portion of the longitudinal center portion of the outer air duct wall and each side portion of the longitudinal center portion of the inner air duct wall. Accordingly, a longitudinal center portion of the blowing air duct is narrower than each side portion of the longitudinal center portion of the blowing air duct. This configuration increases a current of air flowing out of the heat exchanger and then flowing into each side portion of the longitudinal center portion of the blowing air duct, and increases air velocity at a longitudinal end portion of the air outlet. Accordingly, intake of the air from the inside of the room can be reduced, and the current of the blown-out air can be prevented from staying close to a ceiling surface. As a result, smudging can be prevented. Further, the prevention of smudging depends on the configuration of the wall portion on the upstream of the airflow direction flap, but no requirement is imposed on use of the airflow direction flap that includes a longitudinal end portion having a chord length smaller than a chord length of a longitudinal center portion thereof. Accordingly, while preventing short cycling from easily occurring in the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap, it is possible to reduce smudging caused by the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap.

    [0033] Further, because, as described above, it is not necessary to depend on the airflow direction flap that includes the longitudinal end portion having the chord length smaller than the chord length of the longitudinal center portion thereof, short cycling does not easily occur in the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the airflow direction flap. However, for another reason, there is a fear in that short cycling occurs in the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal center portion of the air outlet. That is, a larger amount of the current of the air flows into the blowing air duct and the air velocity is higher at the longitudinal center portion of the air outlet than at each side portion of the longitudinal center portion of the air outlet. Accordingly, the current of the air cannot flow along the airflow direction flap so that the blown-out air is liable to be directed downward of an outlet angle of the airflow direction flap. This may cause short cycling. In contrast, in the first example embodiment, the protruding portion 51 is formed on the longitudinal center portion 43a of the outer air duct wall 43. Thus, the current of the air is caused to flow into the blowing air duct from directly above the airflow direction flap, and air velocity on a surface of the airflow direction flap is increased, thereby being capable of easily obtaining an angle of blown-out air approximate to a vane outlet angle. As a result, it is possible to prevent short cycling from easily occurring in the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal center portion of the airflow direction flap.

    [0034] Second example Embodiment Next, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, an air conditioner according to a second example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes is described. Note that, the air conditioner according to the second example embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-mentioned first embodiment except for parts to be described or limited later. FIG. 5 is a view for illustrating the second embodiment in the same manner as that of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a view for illustrating the second embodiment in the same manner as that of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a graph for showing a relationship according to the second embodiment between a length ratio of L2/L1 and an angle of a current of blown-out air flowing out along the longitudinal center portion of the airflow direction flap. FIG. 8 is a graph for showing a comparison between the related art and the second embodiment regarding the angle of the current of the blown-out air at a longitudinal position of the airflow direction flap.

    [0035] In the second embodiment, a longitudinal length L2 of a protruding portion 151 of the outer air duct wall 43 is equal to or larger than one third of a longitudinal length L1 of the outer air duct wall 43 itself. The protruding portion 151 has the same configuration as that of the above-mentioned protruding portion 51 except for the longitudinal length.

    [0036] According to the second embodiment, in addition to the same advantage as that of the above-mentioned first example embodiment, the following advantage can be obtained. The current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the air outlet flows more weakly than the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal center portion of the air outlet. Accordingly, as indicated by the dotted arrows F1 of FIG. 6, the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the air outlet flows along the outer air duct wall of the panel 21, thereby being capable of obtaining an angle θ1 of blown-out air flowing along the outlet angle of the airflow direction flap 13 (assuming that an angle of horizontal blowing parallel to the ceiling 5 is set zero) . Normally, the angle θ1 of a current of the blown-out air flowing along the longitudinal end portion of the air outlet is referred to as a non-smudging critical angle (minimum angle causing no smudging (angle most approximate to an angle enabling horizontal blowing without causing smudging)).

    [0037] Meanwhile, in the related art including no protruding portion, the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal center portion of the air outlet flows strongly. Accordingly, as indicated by the dotted arrows F2 of FIG. 6, the current of the air flowing along the longitudinal center portion of the air outlet flows along the outer air duct wall of the case, but cannot flow along the airflow direction flap, with the result that the blown-out air is liable to be directed downward of the outlet angle of the airflow direction flap, thereby forming an angle 2 of blown-out air larger than the angle θ1 of the blown-out air. In this context, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the protruding portion 151 is formed to satisfy a condition that the length ratio of L2/L1 is equal to or larger than one third. Thus, even the current of the blown-out air flowing along the longitudinal center portion of the air outlet forms the angle θ1 along the outlet angle of the airflow direction flap 13. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, over an entire longitudinal region of the air outlet (0≤x≤L1, that is, 0≤x/L1≤1), it is possible to obtain the constant angle θ1 of the blown-out air along the outlet angle of the airflow direction flap 13. Consequently, the angle of the blown-out air can be uniformized to the non-smudging critical angle over the entire longitudinal region of the air outlet.

    [0038] The invention Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the present invention is described. Note that, the air conditioner according to the invention has the same configuration as that of the above-mentioned example first or second embodiment except for parts to be described or limited later. FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating the invention in the same manner as that of FIG. 3.

    [0039] In the invention, a protruding height of a protruding portion 251 increases toward downstream of the blowing air duct. According to the invention, an air duct width of the blowing air duct in the transverse direction gradually decreases. Thus, in addition to the same advantages as those of the above-mentioned embodiments, an advantage of enabling reduction in pressure loss can be obtained.

    [0040] Third example Embodiment FIG. 10 is a view for illustrating a a third example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 2. In the example embodiment, in plan view, a longitudinal length of a protruding portion 351 decreases in a stepped manner toward a distal end of the protruding portion 251.

    [0041] Fourth example Embodiment FIG. 11 is a view for illustrating a to a fourth example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 2. Note that, the air conditioner according to the fourth example embodiment has the same configuration as that of any one of the above-mentioned first to third embodiments except for parts to be described or limited later. In this example embodiment, in plan view, a longitudinal length of a protruding portion 451 decreases in a continuous manner toward a distal end of the protruding portion 351.

    [0042] Fifth example Embodiment FIG. 12 is a view for illustrating a fifth example embodiment that is not in accordance with the invention and shown for illustrative purposes in the same manner as that of FIG. 2. Note that, the air conditioner according to the fifth example embodiment has the same configuration as that of any one of the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments except for parts to be described or limited later. In the fifth example embodiment, a protruding portion 551 is prepared separately from the outer air duct wall, and is mounted onto the outer air duct wall. Note that, FIG. 12 is an illustration of an example when the protruding portion according to the first embodiment is prepared as a separate member, but this embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the fifth example embodiment may be carried out as a mode of preparing the protruding portion according to each of the second to fourth example embodiments as a separate member.

    [0043] Although the details of the present invention are specifically described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is apparent that persons skilled in the art may adopt various modifications based on the basic technical concepts and teachings of the present invention as long as it is within the scope of the appended claims.

    Reference Signs List



    [0044] 1 air conditioner, 3 case, 7 air inlet, 9 air outlet, 11 wall portion, 13 airflow direction flap, 15 blowing air duct, 17 centrifugal fan (air sending unit), 19 heat exchanger, 21 panel, 21a panel air outlet, 31 case air outlet, 41 inner air duct wall, 41a, 43a center portion, 41b, 43b each side portion, 43 outer air duct wall 51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551 protruding portion


    Claims

    1. An air conditioner (1), comprising:

    at least one air inlet (9) and at least one air outlet (7) formed in a lower portion of the air conditioner (1);

    a wall portion (11) defining one blowing air duct (15) having the one air outlet (9) as an outlet;

    an airflow direction flap (13) arranged in the one air outlet (9);

    an air sending unit (17) configured to generate a flow of air that is sucked through the air inlet (7) and blown out through the air outlet (9); and

    a heat exchanger (19) arranged in a flow passage of the air that is sucked through the air inlet (7) and blown out through the air outlet (9),

    the wall portion (11) comprising an inner air duct wall (41) and an outer air duct wall (43),

    a protruding portion (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) formed on a longitudinal center portion (43a) of the outer air duct wall (43),

    the protruding portion (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) protruding toward the inner air duct wall (41),

    the protruding portion (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) being positioned on upstream of the airflow direction flap (13),

    wherein, in plan view, the outer air duct wall (43) is at a position more distant from the heat exchanger (19) than the inner air duct wall (41),

    wherein, on a plane on the upstream of the airflow direction flap (13), a distance "D1" between the protruding portion (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) on the center portion (43a) of the outer air duct wall (43) in the longitudinal direction of the blowing air duct (15) and a center portion (41a) of the inner air duct wall (41) in the longitudinal direction of the blowing air duct (15) is smaller than a distance "D2" between each side portion (43b) of the protuding portion of the outer duct wall and rhe inner duct wall (41), and

    wherein, in plan view, the protruding portion (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) has a longitudinal length "L2" equal to or larger than one third of a longitudinal length "L1" of the outer air duct wall (43),

    wherein, the protruding portion (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) has a protruding height in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the blowing air duct (15), wherein the protruding height increases toward downstream of the blowing air duct (15).


     
    2. An air conditioner (1) according to claim 1, further comprising:

    a case (3);

    a panel (21) mounted on a lower portion of the case (3); and

    at least one panel air outlet (21a) and at least one case air outlet (31) formed in the air conditioner (1),

    wherein the wall portion (11) is formed on the case (3) of the air conditioner (1),

    wherein the air sending unit (17) and the heat exchanger (19) are housed in the case (3),

    wherein the panel air outlet (21a) comprises an outlet of the blowing air duct (15) formed in the panel (21),

    wherein the case air outlet (31) comprises an outlet of the blowing air duct (15) formed in the case (3),

    wherein the air outlet (9) comprises the panel air outlet (21a),

    wherein the airflow direction flap (13) is positioned on downstream of the case air outlet (31), and

    wherein the protruding portion (51, 151, 251) is present on a portion of the case (3) defining the case air outlet (31).


     


    Ansprüche

    1. Klimaanlage (1), die Folgendes umfasst:

    zumindest einen Lufteinlass (9) und zumindest einen Luftauslass (7), der in einem unteren Abschnitt der Klimaanlage (1) ausgebildet ist;

    einen Wandabschnitt (11), der einen ausblasenden Luftkanal (15) definiert, der den einen Luftauslass (9) als einen Auslass aufweist;

    eine Luftströmungslenkklappe (13), die in dem einen Luftauslass (9) angeordnet ist;

    eine Lufttransporteinheit (17), die ausgelegt ist, um eine Luftströmung zu erzeugen, die durch den Lufteinlass (7) angesaugt und durch den Luftauslass (9) ausgeblasen wird; und

    einen Wärmetauscher (19), der in einem Strömungsdurchlass der Luft angeordnet ist, die durch den Lufteinlass (7) angesaugt und durch den Luftauslass (9) ausgeblasen wird,

    wobei der Wandabschnitt (11) eine innere Luftkanalwand (41) und eine äußere Luftkanalwand (43) umfasst,

    einen vorstehenden Abschnitt (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551), der auf einem länglichen Mittelabschnitt (43a) der äußeren Luftkanalwand (43) ausgebildet ist,

    wobei der vorstehende Abschnitt (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) in Richtung der inneren Luftkanalwand (41) vorsteht,

    wobei der vorstehende Abschnitt (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) stromauf der Luftströmungslenkklappe (13) angeordnet ist,

    wobei die äußere Luftkanalwand (43) in einer Draufsicht an einer Position angeordnet ist, die sich weiter weg von dem Wärmetauscher (19) befindet als die innere Luftkanalwand (41),

    wobei auf einer Ebene stromauf der Luftströmungslenkklappe (13) ein Abstand "D1" zwischen dem vorstehenden Abschnitt (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) auf dem Mittelabschnitt (43a) der äußeren Luftkanalwand (43) in Längsrichtung des ausblasenden Luftkanals (15) und einem Mittelabschnitt (41a) der inneren Luftkanalwand (41) in Längsrichtung des ausblasenden Luftkanals (15) kleiner ist als ein Abstand "D2" zwischen jedem Seitenabschnitt (43b) des vorstehenden Abschnitts der äußeren Kanalwand und der inneren Kanalwand (41), und

    wobei der vorstehende Abschnitt (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) in einer Draufsicht eine Länge "L2" größer oder gleich einem Drittel einer Länge "L1" der äußeren Luftkanalwand (43) aufweist,

    wobei der vorstehende Abschnitt (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) eine vorstehende Höhe in Querrichtung, normal auf die Längsrichtung des ausblasenden Luftkanals (15) aufweist, wobei die vorstehende Höhe in Stromabrichtung des ausblasenden Luftkanals (15) zunimmt.


     
    2. Klimaanlage (1) nach Anspruch 1, die ferner Folgendes umfasst:

    ein Gehäuse (3);

    eine Blende (21), die auf einem unteren Abschnitt des Gehäuses (3) befestigt ist; und

    zumindest einen Blendenluftauslass (21a) und zumindest einen Gehäuseluftauslass (31), der in der Klimaanlage (1) ausgebildet ist,

    wobei der Wandabschnitt (11) auf dem Gehäuse (3) der Klimaanlage (1) ausgebildet ist,

    wobei die Lufttransporteinheit (17) und der Wärmetauscher (19) in dem Gehäuse (3) eingehaust sind,

    wobei der Blendenluftauslass (21a) einen Auslass des ausblasenden Luftkanals (15) umfasst, der in der Blende (21) ausgebildet ist,

    wobei der Gehäuseluftauslass (31) einen Auslass des ausblasenden Luftkanals (15) umfasst, der in dem Gehäuse (3) ausgebildet ist,

    wobei der Luftauslass (9) den Blendenluftauslass (21a) umfasst,

    wobei die Luftströmungslenkklappe (13) stromab des Gehäuseluftauslasses (31) angeordnet ist und

    wobei der vorstehende Abschnitt (51, 151, 251) auf einem Abschnitt des Gehäuses (3) vorhanden ist, der den Gehäuseluftauslass (31) definiert.


     


    Revendications

    1. Climatiseur (1), comprenant :

    au moins une certaine entrée d'air (7) et au moins une certaine sortie d'air (9) formées dans une partie inférieure du climatiseur (1) ;

    une partie de paroi (11) définissant un conduit d'air de soufflage (15) présentant la certaine sortie d'air (9) en tant que sortie ;

    un volet de direction d'écoulement d'air (13) agencé dans la certaine sortie d'air (9) ;

    une unité d'envoi d'air (17) configurée pour générer un écoulement d'air qui est aspiré à travers l'entrée d'air (7) et soufflé à travers la sortie d'air (9) ; et

    un échangeur de chaleur (19) agencé dans un passage d'écoulement de l'air qui est aspiré à travers l'entrée d'air (7) et soufflé à travers la sortie d'air (9),

    la partie de paroi (11) comprenant une paroi de conduit d'air interne (41) et une paroi de conduit d'air externe (43),

    une partie en saillie (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) formée sur une partie centrale longitudinale (43a) de la paroi de conduit d'air externe (43),

    la partie en saillie (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) faisant saillie vers la paroi de conduit d'air interne (41),

    la partie en saillie (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) étant positionnée en amont du volet de direction d'écoulement d'air (13),

    dans lequel, en vue de dessus, la paroi de conduit d'air externe (43) est dans une position plus éloignée de l'échangeur de chaleur (19) que la paroi de conduit d'air interne (41),

    dans lequel, sur un plan en amont du volet de direction d'écoulement d'air (13), une distance « Dl » entre la partie en saillie (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) sur la partie centrale (43a) de la paroi de conduit d'air externe (43) dans la direction longitudinale du conduit d'air de soufflage (15) et une partie centrale (41a) de la paroi de conduit d'air interne (41) dans la direction longitudinale du conduit d'air de soufflage (15) est inférieure à une distance « D2 » entre chaque partie latérale (43b) de la partie en saillie de la paroi de conduit externe et de la paroi de conduit interne (41), et

    dans lequel, en vue de dessus, la partie en saillie (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) présente une longueur longitudinale « L2 » égale ou supérieure à un tiers d'une longueur longitudinale « L1 » de la paroi de conduit d'air externe (43),

    dans lequel la partie en saillie (51, 151, 251, 351, 451, 551) présente une hauteur de saillie dans une direction transversale orthogonale à la direction longitudinale du conduit d'air de soufflage (15), dans lequel la hauteur de saillie augmente vers l'aval du conduit d'air de soufflage (15).


     
    2. Climatiseur (1) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre :

    un boîtier (3) ;

    un panneau (21) monté sur une partie inférieure du boîtier (3) ; et

    au moins une sortie d'air de panneau (21a) et au moins une sortie d'air de boîtier (31) formées dans le climatiseur (1),

    dans lequel la partie de paroi (11) est formée sur le boîtier (3) du climatiseur (1),

    dans lequel l'unité d'envoi d'air (17) et l'échangeur de chaleur (19) sont logés dans le boîtier (3),

    dans lequel la sortie d'air de panneau (21a) comprend une sortie du conduit d'air de soufflage (15) formée dans le panneau (21),

    dans lequel la sortie d'air de boîtier (31) comprend une sortie du conduit d'air de soufflage (15) formée dans le boîtier (3),

    dans lequel la sortie d'air (9) comprend la sortie d'air de panneau (21a),

    dans lequel le volet de direction d'écoulement d'air (13) est positionné en aval de la sortie d'air de boîtier (31), et

    dans lequel la partie en saillie (51, 151, 251) est présente sur une partie du boîtier (3) définissant la sortie d'air de boîtier (31).


     




    Drawing























    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description