AU2018271456B2

AU2018271456B2 - Indoor unit for air conditioner

Info

Publication number: AU2018271456B2
Application number: AU2018271456A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Masanori IKEBE; Yasuhiro Ohishi
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-24
Filing date: 2018-04-23
Publication date: 2021-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-23
Also published as: AU2018271456A1; EP3614065A4; CN110603413A; WO2018216415A1; EP3614065A1; JP6540854B2; JP2018197646A; CN110603413B

Abstract

This indoor unit for an air conditioner is provided with: a casing (2,3) which has a blow-out port (10) provided therein, and which is provided with a casing main body; a centrifugal fan which is disposed in the casing (2,3); a heat exchanger which is disposed between the casing (2,3) and the centrifugal fan (30); a flap (20) which is rotatable and controls the air flow direction of air blown out from the blow-out port (10); and a drive unit (80) which is disposed in the casing (2,3), and which generates drive force for rotating the flap (20). The drive unit (80) is disposed next to the flap (20) in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotational axis of the flap (20).

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE OF INVENTION: INDOOR UNIT FORAIR CONDITIONER TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]

The present invention relates to an indoor unit for an air conditioner.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]

In some of conventional indoor units for an air conditioner, a casing includes a

decorative panel having a quadrilateral shape and including four blow-out ports (see, for

example, Japanese Patent No. 3,783,381 (Patent Literature 1)). The blow-out ports

respectively extend along the four sides of the decorative panel. The casing also includes flaps

pivotably mounted to the decorative panel to respectively open and close the blow-out ports.

The casing houses therein drivers respectively disposed on four corners of the decorative panel.

The drivers generate driving forces for turning the flaps. In other words, two of the drivers are

respectively located on axially opposite sides of each flap.

CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE

[0003]

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 3,783,381

[0004]

According to the conventional indoor units for an air conditioner, since two of the

drivers are respectively located on the axially opposite sides of each, the casing becomes longer

in length along the pivot axis of each flap.

[0005]

If the length of the casing is simply shortened, each blow-out port becomes shorter in

length along the pivot axis of the corresponding blow-out port, which may cause degradation in performance, specifically reduction in amount of air to be blown out through each blow-out port.

[0006]

Hence, the present invention seeks to provide an indoor unit for an air conditioner, the

indoor unit being capable of reduction in size and improvement in performance.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006a]

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate

one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.

[0007]

In accordance with a first embodiment, the present invention seeks to provide an indoor

unit for an air conditioner, comprising: a casing having a blow-out port, the casing including a

casing main body; a centrifugal fan disposed in the casing ; a heat exchanger disposed between

the casing and the centrifugal fan; a turnable flap configured to control a direction of air to be

blown out through the blow-out port; and a driver disposed in the casing and configured to

generate a driving force for turning the flap , wherein the driver and the flap are arranged in a

direction perpendicular to a pivot axis of the flap, and he flap includes: a flap main body

extending along the pivot axis; a first auxiliary flap elongated from a first end of the flap main

body and extending to an opposite side to a blow-out port side of the casing; and a

second auxiliary flap elongated from a second end of the flap main body and extending to the

opposite side of the blow-out port side of the casing, and the flap has a barycenter located closer

to the blow-out port side of the casing than the pivot axis is, in a range where the flap is

turnable.

[0008]

Preferably, the driver is disposed in the casing so that the driver and the flap are

arranged in the direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the flap. Therefore, the driver does not adjoin the blow-out port along the pivot axis of the flap. An increased amount of air is thus blown out through the blow-out port in such a manner that a length of the blow-out port along the pivot axis of the flap is made longer even when a length of the casing along the pivot axis of the flap is made shorter. The indoor unit for an air conditioner is thus capable of reduction in size and improvement in performance.

[0009]

Preferably, a length of the flap along the pivot axis of the flap is at least 85% of a length

of the casing main body along the pivot axis of the flap.

[0010]

According to the embodiment described above, the length of the flap along the pivot

axis of the flap imay be at least 85% of the length of the casing main body along the pivot axis

of the flap. This configuration therefore facilitates wind-direction control and improves air

blowing performance.

[0011]

In the indoor unit for an air conditioner according to an embodiment,

a length of the blow-out port along the pivot axis of the flap (20) may be least 85% of a

length of the casing main body along the pivot axis of the flap (20).

[0012]

According to the embodiment described above, the length of the blow-out port along

the pivot axis of the flap may be least 85% of the length of the casing main body along the pivot

axis of the flap. This configuration therefore ensures increase in amount of air to be blown out

through the blow-out port.

[0013]

Preferably, the flap includes:

a flap main body extending along the pivot axis;

a first auxiliary flap elongated from a first end of the flap main body and extending to an opposite side to a blow-out port side of the casing; and a second auxiliary flap elongated from a second end of the flap main body and extending to an opposite side to the blow-out port side of the casing, and the flap has a barycenter located closer to a blow-out port side of the casing than the pivot axis is, in a range where the flap is turnable.

[0014]

Preferably, in the range where the flap is turnable, the barycenter of the flap is located

closer to the blow-out port side than the pivot axis is. This configuration enables a smooth turn

ofthe flap.

[0015]

The indoor unit for an air conditioner according to an embodiment may further include:

a link mechanism configured to transmit the driving force from the driver to the flap

such that the flap turns.

[0016]

According to the embodiment described above, the link mechanism transmits the

driving force from the driver to the flap. This configuration therefore improves the degree of

freedom as to a place where the driver is disposed.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF INVENTION

[0017]

As will be clear from the foregoing description, the present invention provides an

indoor unit for an air conditioner, the indoor unit being capable of reduction in size and

improvement in performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit for an air conditioner according to an

embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the indoor unit.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the indoor unit.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the indoor unit from which a panel, a drain pan, and the like

are detached.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the indoor unit which is illustrated in FIG. 5 and to which a

flap is attached.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the indoor unit from which the flap is detached.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the flap, a stepping motor, and a link mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a part of the flap.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the flap.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019]

A specific description will be given of an indoor unit for an air conditioner according to

the present invention, based on embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0020]

embodiment of the present invention, the indoor unit being seen obliquely from below. FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the indoor unit seen obliquely from above.

[0021]

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indoor unit according to this embodiment is

designed to be embedded in a ceiling, and includes a casing main body 1, a panel 2 having a

quadrilateral shape, the panel 2 being mounted to a lower side of the casing main body 1, and a

grille 3 detachably mounted to the panel 2. The casing main body 1, the panel 2, and the grille

3 constitute an example of a casing.

[0022]

The indoor unit also includes a pipe connection part 5, a pipe connection part 6, and a

drain socket 7 each protruding from a sidewall of the casing main body 1. In the casing main

body 1, each of the pipe connection parts 5 and 6 is connected to an external refrigerant pipe

(not illustrated). Also in the casing main body 1, the drain socket 7 is connected to an external

drain hose (not illustrated).

[0023]

The indoor unit also includes an electrical component 8 disposed on the sidewall of the

casing main body 1 and juxtaposed with the pipe connection parts 5 and 6 and the drain socket

7.

[0024]

The panel 2 has a blow-out port 10. The blow-out port 10 is located on one of

longitudinally opposite sides of the grille 3 so as to extend along a shorter side of an outer edge

of the panel 2. The panel 2 also has a flap 20 pivotably mounted thereto and configured to

open and close the blow-out port 10. In FIG. 1, the flap 20 closes the blow-out port 10.

[0025]

The indoor unit according to this embodiment also includes hanger fittings 101, 102,

103, and 104 (the hanger fitting 104 is illustrated in FIG. 5). The hanger fittings 101, 102, 103,

and 104 are secured to hanger bolts (not illustrated) suspended from, for example, a framework

in a roof-space. The indoor unit is thus suspended from a ceiling.

[0026]

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the indoor unit. In FIG. 3, the same constituent elements as

those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted with the same reference signs as those for the

constituent elements illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0027]

The flap 20 has a U shape in plan view, and is configured to control a direction of air

blown out through the blow-out port 10.

[0028]

More specifically, the flap 20 includes a flap main body 20a extending along a pivot

axis 21, a first auxiliary flap 20b elongated from a first end of the flap main body 20a, and a

second auxiliary flap 20c elongated from a second end of the flap main body 20a.

[0029]

The first auxiliary flap 20b is elongated from the first end of the flap main body 20a so

as to extend to an opposite side to a blow-out port 10 side of the panel 2. The first auxiliary

flap 20b is linked to a stepping motor 80 with a link mechanism 90. The stepping motor 80 is

an example of a driver.

[0030]

The second auxiliary flap 20c is elongated from the second end of the flap main body

a so as to extend to the opposite side to the blow-out port 10 side of the panel 2. Inother

words, the second auxiliary flap 20c and the first auxiliary flap 20b extend in parallel.

[0031]

In a direction parallel to the pivot axis 21 of the flap 20 (hereinafter, such a direction

will be referred to as a "pivot axis direction"), a length LI of the flap 20 is at least 85% of a

length L2 of the casing main body 1 (see FIG. 5). For example, the length LI of the flap 20 is

280 mm when the length L2 of the casing main body 1 is 315 mm.

[0032]

The flap 20 has a barycenter 22 set at the flap main body 20a so as to define a clearance

between the flap main body 20a and the pivot axis 21. In other words, the flap 20 is disposed

such that the barycenter 22 of the flap 20 is closer to a blow-out port 10 side of the casing main

body 1 than the pivot axis 21 is.

[0033]

The stepping motor 80 is disposed in a space defined by the casing main body 1, the

panel 2, and the grille 3. The stepping motor 80 and the flap 20 are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the flap 20. The stepping motor 80 is located on a side opposite from the blow-out port 10 with respect of the pivot axis 21 in the casing main body 1. The stepping motor 80 generates a driving force for turning the flap 20.

The flap 20 receives the driving force from the stepping motor 80 through the link mechanism

to turnabout the pivot axis 21. In other words, the link mechanism 90 transmits the driving

force from the stepping motor 80 to the flap 20 so that the flap 20 turns. The stepping motor

may be closer to the blow-out port 10 side than the pivot axis 21 is in the casing main body 1.

[0034]

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the casing main body 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) has in its center a

suctionportla. A filter 4 (see FIG. 4) is disposed between the suction port la and the grille 3.

[0035]

It should be noted that the blow-out port 10 in the casing main body 1 and a first wall

11 (see FIG. 5) of the casing main body 1 are on the same side.

[0036]

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the same

constituent elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted with the same reference

signs as those for the constituent elements illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0037]

The casing main body 1 houses therein a turbo fan 30. The turbo fan 30 is driven by a

motor 31 to rotate in a predetermined rotation direction. The predetermined rotation direction

corresponds to a counterclockwise direction when the turbo fan 30 is seen from below. The

turbo fan 30 is an example of a centrifugal fan.

[0038]

The casing main body 1 also houses therein a bell mouth 32 at a position between the

suction port la and the turbo fan 30. The turbo fan 30 sucks in indoor air via a space inside the

bell mouth 32.

[0039]

The casing main body 1 also houses therein a heat exchanger 40 and a partition plate 50

at a position around the turbo fan 30. Air from the turbo fan 30 flows toward the blow-out port

via the heat exchanger 40. At this time, the partition plate 50 guides to the heat exchanger

theairfromtheturbofan30. The partition plate 50 is an example of a partition. The

partition may constitute a part of the casing main body 1.

[0040]

The casing main body 1 also houses therein a drain pan 60 at a position below the heat

exchanger 40 and partition plate 50. The drain pan 60 thus receives dew condensation water

caused by condensation at each of the heat exchanger 40 and the partition plate 50.

[0041]

The casing main body 1 has an air flow path P for guiding air from the turbo fan 30 to

the blow-out port 10 in the panel 2.

[0042]

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the indoor unit from which the panel 2, the drain pan 60, and

the like are detached.

[0043]

The casing main body 1 includes a first wall 11 located near the blow-out port 10, a

second wall 12 opposite to the first wall 11, a third wall 13 connecting the first wall 11 and the

second wall 12, and a fourth wall 14 connecting the first wall 11 and the second wall 12 and

opposite to the third wall 13. Each of the third wall 13 and the fourth wall 14 has an end near

the blow-out port 10, the end being elongated from the first wall 11. Each of the third wall 13

and the fourth wall 14 has an end opposite to the blow-out port 10, the end being elongated from

the second wall 12.

[0044]

The second wall 12 includes a third wall 13-side portion 12a and a fourth wall 14-side portion 12b. The fourth wall 14-side portion 12b is closer to the first wall 11 than the third wall 13-side portion 12a is. In the second wall 12, the fourth wall 14-side portion 12b where the pipe connection parts 5 and 6 are disposed is recessed toward the first wall 11. An intermediate portion 12c is located between the third wall 13-side portion 12a and the fourth wall 14-side portion 12b, and is tilted relative to each of the third wall 13-side portion 12a and the fourth wall 14-side portion 12b. The third wall 13-side portion 12a of the second wall 12 is an example of a portion of a second wall in a casing, the portion being located near a first extension part. The fourth wall 14-side portion 12b of the second wall 12 is an example of a portion of a second wall in a casing, the portion being located near a second extension part.

[0045]

The heat exchanger 40 is disposed between the turbo fan 30 and the first wall 11, third

wall 13, and fourth wall 14 of the casing main body 1.

[0046]

More specifically, the heat exchanger 40 includes a first heat exchange part 41, a

second heat exchange part 42, and a third heat exchange part 43. The first heat exchange part

41, the second heat exchange part 42, and the third heat exchange part 43 are formed integrally.

The second heat exchange part 42 is an example of a first extension part. The third heat

exchange part 43 is an example of a second extension part. The first heat exchange part 41, the

second heat exchange part 42, and the third heat exchange part 43 may be formed separately.

For example, the first heat exchange part 41, the second heat exchange part 42, and the third

heat exchange part 43 may be spaced apart from one another.

[0047]

The flap 20 is disposed near the first wall 11 of the casing main body 1. The flap 20 is

located below a space near the first wall 11 of the casing main body 1.

[0048]

The first heat exchange part 41 is disposed opposite the first wall 11 of the casing main body 1, and extends along the first wall 11.

[0049]

The second heat exchange part 42 is disposed opposite the third wall 13 of the casing

main body 1, and extends from the first wall 11 toward the second wall 12. The second heat

exchange part 42 is located upstream of the first heat exchange part 41 in the rotation direction

of the turbo fan 30. The drain pump 70 is disposed between a distal end, or tip, of the second

heat exchange part 42 and the third wall 13-side portion of the second wall 12.

[0050]

The drain pump 70 sucks in dew condensation water and the like retained in the drain

pan 60, and discharges the sucked dew condensation water and the like toward the drain socket

7. In other words, the drain pump 70 is a pump for discharging, from the casing main body 1,

dew condensation water and the like in the casing main body 1.

[0051]

The third heat exchange part 43 is disposed opposite the fourth wall 14 of the casing

main body 1, and extends from the first wall 11 toward the second wall 12. The third heat

exchange part 43 is located downstream of the first heat exchange part 41 in the rotation

direction of the turbo fan 30. The distal end of the second heat exchange part 42 is closer to

the second wall 12 than a distal end, or tip, of the third heat exchange part 43 is. In other

words, the distal end of the second heat exchange part 42 is located at a place that is relatively

far from the blow-out port 10, and the distal end of the third heat exchange part 43 is located at a

place that is relatively close to the blow-out port 10.

[0052]

The distal end of the third heat exchange part 43 is connected to the pipe connection

part 5 with a refrigerant pipe 85. The distal end of the third heat exchange part 43 is connected

to the pipe connection part 6 with a refrigerant pipe 86.

[0053]

The pipe connection parts 5 and 6 respectively connect the refrigerant pipes 85 and 86

inside the casing main body 1 to refrigerant pipes outside the casing main body 1. The pipe

connection parts 5 and 6 allow a refrigerant to flow into the heat exchanger 40.

[0054]

A distance between the second heat exchange part 42 and the third heat exchange part

43 gradually increases from the blow-out port 10 in a direction away from the blow-out port 10.

Specifically, the heat exchanger 40 has a U shape in plan view. The distance between the

second heat exchange part 42 and the third heat exchange part 43 may be fixed or may be

substantially fixed. The heat exchanger 40 may have, for example, a V shape or a circular

shape in plan view.

[0055]

The partition plate 50 and the heat exchanger 40 surround the turbo fan 30. The

partition plate 50 is connected to the distal end of the second heat exchange part 42 in the heat

exchanger 40 and the distal end of the third heat exchange part 43 in the heat exchanger 40.

[0056]

FIG. 6 illustrates the indoor unit which is illustrated in FIG. 5 and to which the flap 20

(diagonally shaded) is attached. FIG. 7 illustrates the indoor unit from which the flap 20 is

detached. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the same constituent elements as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5

are denoted with the same reference signs as those for the constituent elements illustrated in

FIGS. I to 5.

[0057]

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the flap main body 20a, the first auxiliary flap 20b, and the

second auxiliary flap 20c are located so as not to overlap the heat exchanger 40 in plan view.

The flap main body 20a, the first auxiliary flap 20b, and the second auxiliary flap 20c are

located between the first wall 11 of the casing main body 1 and the second wall 12 of the casing

main body 1 in plan view. The flap main body 20a extends along the first wall 11 of the casing main body 1. The first auxiliary flap 20b extends along the third wall 13 of the casing main body 1. The second auxiliary flap 20c extends along the fourth wall 14 of the casing main body 1. Each of the first auxiliary flap 20b and the second auxiliary flap 20c has a distal end, or tip, that is closer to the second wall 12 of the casing main body 1 than the flap main body 20a is in plan view.

[0058]

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the blow-out port 10 includes afirst blow-out port part

a having a rectangular shape and extending along the first wall 11 of the casing main body 1,

a second blow-out port part 1Ob, and a third blow-out port part 1Oc. The second blow-out port

part 1Ob is elongated from a first end of the first blow-out port part 10a, and extends toward the

third wall 13 of the casing main body 1. The second blow-out port part 1Ob is then bent to

extend toward the second wall 12 of the casing main body 1. The third blow-out port part 10c

is elongated from a second end of the first blow-out port part 10a, and extends toward the fourth

wall 14 of the casing main body 1. The third blow-out port part 1Oc is then bent to extend

toward the second wall 12 of the casing main body 1.

[0059]

In the pivot axis direction of the flap 20, a length L3 of the blow-out port 10 is at least

% of the length L2 of the casing main body 1. For example, the length L3 of the blow-out

port 10 is 283 mm when the length L2 of the casing main body 1 is 315 mm.

[0060]

FIG. 8 is a side view of the flap 20, the stepping motor 80, and the link mechanism 90.

[0061]

The link mechanism 90 includes a first link 90a, a second link 90b having afirst end

connected to a first end of the first link 90a, and a third link 90c having afirst end connected to

a second end of the first link 90a. The second link 90b has a second end connected to a

rotation shaft of the stepping motor 80. The third link 90c has a second end connected to the first auxiliary flap 20b.

[0062]

The flap 20 receives the driving force from the stepping motor 80 through the link

mechanism 90 to turn in a direction indicated by an arrow RI or in a direction indicated by an

arrow R2.

[0063]

FIG. 9 is a top view of a part of the flap 20. FIG. 10 is a side view of the flap 20.

[0064]

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, in closing the blow-out port 10, the first and second

auxiliary flaps 20b and 20c of the flap 20 are tilted such that the ends of the first and second

auxiliary flaps 20b and 20c, the ends being farther from the flap main body 20a, become lower

than the ends of the first and second auxiliary flaps 20b and 20c, the ends being nearer to the

flap main body 20a.

[0065]

When the turbo fan 30 is driven to blow out air through the blow-out port 10, the flap

turns within a range between an upper-limit position 23 indicated by a chain double-dashed

line and a lower-limit position 24 indicated by a chain double-dashed line. At this time, the

barycenter of the flap 20 moves while describing an arc about the pivot axis 21. The

barycenter of the flap 20 is thus located on the right side of FIG. 10 with respect to a vertical

plane including the pivot axis 21. Specifically, in the range where the flap 20 is turnable, the

barycenter 22 of the flap 20 is located closer to the blow-out port 10 side of the panel 2 than the

pivot axis 21 is. In feeding air blown out through the blow-out port 10 to a farther place, the

flap 20 takes the upper-limit position 23. In feeding air blown out through the blow-out port

to a nearer place, the flap 20 takes the lower-limit position 24.

[0066]

When the flap 20 turns in the range between the upper-limit position 23 and the lower- limit position 24, the first and second auxiliary flaps 20b are moved more inward than the blow out port 10.

[0067]

According to the indoor unit having the configuration described above, the stepping

motor 80 and the flap 20 are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the pivot axis direction of

theflap20. Therefore, the stepping motor 80 and blow-out port 10 are not arranged in the

pivot axis direction of the flap 20. An increased amount of air is thus blown out through the

blow-out port 10 in such a manner that the length L3 of the blow-out port 10 is made longer

even when the length L2 of the casing main body 1 is made shorter. The indoor unit is thus

capable of reduction in size and improvement in performance.

[0068]

The length LI of the flap 20 is at least 85% of the length L2 of the casing main body 1.

This configuration therefore facilitates wind-direction control and improves air blowing

performance.

[0069]

The length L3 of the blow-out port 10 is at least 85% of the length L2 of the casing

main body 1. This configuration therefore ensures increase in amount of air to be blown out

through the blow-out port 10.

[0070]

In the range where the flap 20 is turnable, the barycenter 22 of the flap 20 is located

closer to the blow-out port 10 side of the panel 2 than the pivot axis 21 is. This configuration

enables a smooth turn of the flap 20.

[0071]

If the barycenter 22 of the flap 20 is located closer to the blow-out port 10 side of the

panel 2 than the pivot axis 21 is, at a part of the range where the flap 20 is turnable, and the

barycenter 22 of the flap 20 is located farther from the blow-out port 10 side of the panel 2 than the pivot axis 21 is, at another part of the range where the flap 20 is turnable, the flap 20 does not turn smoothly.

[0072]

When the flap 20 turns in the range between the upper-limit position 23 and the lower

limit position 24, the first and second auxiliary flaps 20b are moved more inward than the blow

out port 10. With this configuration, air from the air flow path P is blown out through the

blow-out port 10 with good controllability.

[0073]

The link mechanism 90 transmits a driving force from the stepping motor 80 to the flap

20. This configuration therefore improves the degree of freedom as to a place where the

stepping motor 80 is disposed.

[0074]

In this embodiment, the casing of the indoor unit has a rectangular parallelepiped shape

and is constituted of the casing main body 1, the panel 2, and the grille 3; however, the shape of

the casing is not limited thereto.

[0075]

Also in this embodiment, the indoor unit is designed to be embedded in a ceiling;

however, the indoor unit is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the present invention is also

applicable to an indoor unit designed to be suspended from a ceiling.

[0076]

Also in this embodiment, the indoor unit has the blow-out port 10 through which air is

blown out in one direction via the heat exchanger 40. Alternatively, the indoor unit may have

blow-out ports through which air is blown out in two directions or in three directions via the

heat exchanger 40.

[0077]

Also in this embodiment, the link mechanism serves as a transmission mechanism configured to transmit a driving force from a driver to a flap. Examples of the link mechanism may include a mechanism including a rack gear and a pinion gear, a mechanism including a belt and a pulley, and a mechanism including a gear train.

[0078]

The foregoing description concerns specific embodiments of the present invention;

however, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment, and various

modifications and variations may be made within the scope of the present invention. For

example, an appropriate combination of the configurations described in the foregoing

embodiment may be regarded as an embodiment of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0079]

1 casing main body

la suction port

2 panel

3 grille

4 filter

5,6 pipe connection part

7 drain socket

8 electrical component

10 blow-out port

11 first wall

12 second wall

13 third wall

14 fourth wall

20 flap

20a flap main body b first auxiliary flap c second auxiliary flap

21 pivot axis

22 barycenter

turbo fan

31 motor

32 bell mouth

heatexchanger

41 first heat exchange part

42 second heat exchange part

43 third heat exchange part

partition plate

drain pan

drain pump

stepping motor

link mechanism

Claims

1. An indoor unit for an air conditioner, comprising:

a casing having a blow-out port, the casing including a casing main body;

a centrifugal fan disposed in the casing ;

a heat exchanger disposed between the casing and the centrifugal fan;

a turnable flap configured to control a direction of air to be blown out through the blow

out port; and

a driver disposed in the casing and configured to generate a driving force for turning the

flap ,

wherein

the driver and the flap are arranged in a direction perpendicular to a pivot axis of the flap,

and

the flap includes:

a flap main body extending along the pivot axis;

a first auxiliary flap elongated from a first end of the flap main body and extending to

an opposite side to a blow-out port side of the casing; and

a second auxiliary flap elongated from a second end of the flap main body and

extending to the opposite side of the blow-out port side of the casing, and

the flap has a barycenter located closer to the blow-out port side of the casing than the

pivot axis is, in a range where the flap is turnable.

2. The indoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein

a length of the flap along the pivot axis of the flap is at least 85% of a length (L2) of the

casing main body along the pivot axis of the flap.

3. The indoor unit for an air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a length (L3) of the blow-out port along the pivot axis of the flap is at least 85% of a length (L2) of the casing main body along the pivot axis of the flap.

4. The indoor unit for an air conditioner according to any one of claims I to 3, further

comprising:

a link mechanism configured to transmit the driving force from the driver to the flap such

that the flap turns.

Daikin Industries, Ltd.

Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person

SPRUSON & FERGUSON