CN114623492B

CN114623492B - Air conditioner

Info

Publication number: CN114623492B
Application number: CN202111447882.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 崔宇周; 崔成植; 徐己源
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2020-12-09
Filing date: 2021-11-29
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-29
Also published as: CN114623492A; KR20220081615A

Abstract

An air conditioner, comprising: the box body, the back forms the air inflow suction inlet, the side forms the air discharge outlet; a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the air flowing into the suction inlet and the refrigerant; an air supply fan having a rotation axis extending from the front surface of the case toward the back surface, and sucking in the heat exchanged air; a blower fan housing rotatably accommodating a blower fan therein, the blower fan housing having a circular rear inlet and a non-circular front outlet; the air flow guiding device comprises a discharge guide combined with a front discharge port, wherein the air passing through a blower fan is guided to the discharge port, a first air guiding surface is formed on the inner side surface of a blower fan shell, the air flow discharged from the blower fan is directed to the front, a second air guiding surface is formed on the back surface of the discharge guide, the air flow directed by the first air guiding surface is directed to the side of the discharge port, an air flow path is formed between the first air guiding surface and the second air guiding surface, and the air is at least partially flowed towards the discharge port by the second air guiding surface and expands the sectional area of the flow path.

Description

Air conditioner

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner provided with a discharge guide that constitutes a side air blowing module capable of generating a forward directional air flow through a side discharge port.

Background

In general, in order to create a more comfortable indoor environment for a user, an air conditioner uses a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerant composed of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator to cool and heat an indoor space or purify air.

Indoor units of air conditioners can be divided into a ceiling type, a wall type and a vertical type according to the installation positions. In the vertical indoor unit, the discharge port may be formed on the front surface or the side surface of the casing, and the suction port may be formed on the rear surface of the casing.

In general, ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted indoor units including vertical indoor units include a device for switching a discharge direction of air discharged through a discharge port or switching an air flow direction.

In connection with this, korean laid-open patent publication No. 10-2007-0109419 discloses a structure in which a flow path formed in a side discharge port is changed by moving a front panel in a front-rear direction of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, so that an air flow direction of air discharged to the side discharge port can be changed.

However, in the air conditioner disclosed in this document, in order to switch the air flow direction, it is necessary to provide a driving device for moving the front panel in the front-rear direction and a supporting device for supporting the front panel movably in the front-rear direction, so that there are problems in that the size of the front panel itself increases and the number of components and manufacturing cost increase. Further, since an additional driving device for switching the direction of the air flow is provided, the air output is inevitably significantly reduced according to the power consumption, and particularly, the effective cross-sectional area of the air output is significantly reduced when the air flow is formed in the front direction as compared with when the air flow is formed in the side direction, and thus there is a problem that the air output is reduced and the noise is significantly increased due to this.

As an alternative, a technique for directing the air discharged to the side discharge port to the air flow in the front direction without providing an additional flow direction switching mechanism inside the indoor unit has been proposed.

In this prior art, since no additional flow conversion mechanism is provided, power consumption can be minimized, and since the effective cross-sectional area of the discharge port can be ensured, a problem of a reduction in air volume does not occur.

However, the air discharged from the air-sending fan is discharged through the side discharge port.

Therefore, since the length of the flow path formed from the blower fan to the side discharge port is relatively short, the flow path is highly likely to be discharged to the side discharge port in a state where the pressure recovery is not sufficiently achieved.

As a result of the discharge to the side discharge port in a state where the pressure is not recovered, there is a high possibility that flow loss occurs and there is a problem that power consumption for generating the required air volume increases.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: korean laid-open patent publication No. 10-2007-0109419

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can minimize the occurrence of flow loss and noise and reduce power consumption for generating a required air volume by gradually expanding a flow path sectional area of air discharged and flowing from an air supply fan to be discharged to a side discharge port in a state of sufficiently recovering a flowing pressure.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, which are not mentioned, can be understood by the following description, and can be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized by the means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The air conditioner of the present invention includes a casing, a heat exchanger, a blower fan case, and a discharge guide, and is characterized in that a first air guide surface is formed on an inner surface of the blower fan case, the first air guide surface directs an air flow discharged from the blower fan forward, a second air guide surface is formed on a rear surface of the discharge guide, the second air guide surface directs the air flow directed by the first air guide surface sideways toward the discharge port, a flow path of the air is formed between the first air guide surface and the second air guide surface, and the air flows at least partially toward the discharge port and expands a sectional area of the flow path by the second air guide surface. Thus, the pressure loss in the process of guiding the air discharged from the blower fan to the discharge port can be minimized, and the power consumption for generating the required air volume can be reduced.

In addition, the ejection guide includes: a flat plate-shaped base plate, the upper end edge of the back surface and the lower end edge of the back surface of which are combined with the front discharge port of the air supply fan shell; an inclined surface portion extending forward from either one of a left side edge and a right side edge of the back surface of the base plate, each of the inclined surface portions forming a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the back surface of the base plate and extending in a direction away from the first air guide surface; and a conversion curved surface portion connecting the inclined surface portion and the any one of left and right side edges of the back surface of the base plate, the inclined surface portion and the conversion curved surface portion forming the second air guide surface.

In addition, the conversion curved surface portion includes: a curvature holding portion that holds a constant while proceeding toward the upper end edge or the lower end edge, with a curvature of a cross section cut perpendicular to a back surface of the base plate and parallel to the upper end edge; and a curvature conversion section formed continuously in the curvature holding section, wherein the curvature of the cross section cut by the plane gradually changes while proceeding toward the upper end edge or the lower end edge.

In addition, the curvature of the cross section of the curvature holding portion is the same as the minimum curvature of the curvature converting portion.

The curved surface portion includes a left curved surface portion that guides the air directed by the first air guide surface to a left discharge port, wherein the curvature holding portion is disposed on an upper side and the curvature converting portion is disposed on a lower side.

In addition, when the left-side conversion curved surface portion is divided in a vertical direction dividing plane passing through a rotation center point of the blower fan, the curvature holding portion is integrally formed at an upper portion of the divided left-side conversion curved surface portion, and the curvature converting portion is integrally formed at a lower portion of the divided left-side conversion curved surface portion.

Further, a curvature conversion portion formed at a lower portion of the left side conversion curved surface portion that is divided gradually increases in curvature of the cross section while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

Further, a horizontal width between an inner boundary line defining an inner boundary range of the left transition curved surface portion and an outer boundary line defining an outer boundary range of the left transition curved surface portion gradually increases while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

Further, the inner boundary line and the outer boundary line are both straight lines.

In addition, at least one line of the inner boundary line and the outer boundary line is a curve.

The conversion curved surface portion includes a right conversion curved surface portion that guides the air directed by the first air guide surface to a right discharge port, wherein the curvature holding portion is disposed on a lower side and the curvature conversion portion is disposed on an upper side.

In addition, when the right conversion curved surface portion is divided in a vertical dividing plane passing through a rotation center point of the blower fan, the curvature holding portion is integrally formed at a lower portion of the divided right conversion curved surface portion, and the curvature converting portion is integrally formed at an upper portion of the divided right conversion curved surface portion.

Further, a curvature conversion portion formed at an upper portion of the right-side conversion curved surface portion that is divided gradually decreases in curvature of the cross section while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

Further, a horizontal width between an inner boundary line defining an inner boundary range of the right transition curved surface portion and an outer boundary line defining an outer boundary range of the right transition curved surface portion gradually decreases while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

According to the air conditioner of the present invention, the flow loss and noise can be minimized and the power consumption for generating the required air volume can be reduced by gradually expanding the flow path cross-sectional area of the air discharged and flowing from the blower fan to be discharged to the side discharge port in a state of sufficiently recovering the flowing pressure.

In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present invention will be described while explaining specific contents for carrying out the following invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the indoor unit shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the indoor unit shown in fig. 1 taken along the X-X' direction.

Fig. 5 and 6 are exploded perspective views of a part of the side air blowing module of the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 to 9 are front perspective view, rear perspective view and front view of the side blower fan case shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a front view of the discharge guide and the side blower fan shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the ejection guide shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 to 14 are sectional views showing a cross section of the side blower fan case shown in fig. 11 cut at a plurality of positions.

Description of the reference numerals

1: an indoor unit; i: a housing assembly; II: a door assembly; III: an air supply fan assembly; IV: a heat exchange assembly; v: a humidifying assembly; VI: a filter assembly; VII: a filter cleaning assembly; 21: a front door module; 22: a side door module; 224a, 224b: a side discharge port; 225a, 225b: a side rotor blade; 23: hiding the moving blade module; 31: a front air supply module; 32a, 32b, 32c: a side air supply module; 322a, 322b, 322c: a side air supply motor; 321a, 321b, 321c: a side air supply fan; 323a, 323b, 323c: side air supply fan shell

Detailed Description

The above objects, features and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and thus, a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the technical ideas of the present invention. In the description of the present invention, if it is determined that detailed description of known techniques related to the present invention may obscure the gist of the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar structural elements.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various structural elements, it should be apparent that these structural elements are not limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and a first element may be entirely a second element unless otherwise expressly stated.

Throughout the specification, each feature may be in either the singular or the plural unless specifically stated otherwise.

Hereinafter, the arrangement of any structure on the "upper (or lower)" or "upper (or lower)" of a structural element may mean that not only the arrangement is performed with any structure in contact with the top (or bottom) of the structural element, but also other structures may be provided between the structural element and any structure arranged on (or under) the structural element.

In addition, when it is described that a certain component is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it is to be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, or that another component may be "sandwiched" between the components, or that the components may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected" by the other components.

In addition, as used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural forms of expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present invention, terms such as "comprising …" or "including" should not be construed as necessarily including all the various structural elements or steps described in the specification, but should be construed as possibly excluding a part of the structural elements or steps therein or may further include additional structural elements or steps.

Throughout the specification, when described as "a and/or B", unless specifically described otherwise, refer to A, B or a and B, and when described as "C to D", unless otherwise described, refer to C or above and D or below.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings of an indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

First, with reference to fig. 1 to 3, the entire component structure of the indoor unit 1 constituting an embodiment of the present invention is schematically described, and the structure of each component is schematically described.

< integral Structure >

An indoor unit 1 of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a box body assembly I forming an outer body; a door assembly II for opening and closing a front discharge opening formed on the front surface of the case assembly I and side discharge openings formed on both side surfaces thereof or for changing the direction of the air flow; an air supply fan assembly III which is arranged on the inner side of the box body assembly I and forms air flow; the heat exchange component IV is used for exchanging heat between the air flowing through the air supply fan component III and the refrigerant; a filter assembly VI for filtering air flowing into the inner side of the box body assembly I; a filter cleaning assembly VII for removing impurities attached to the filter assembly VI; and a humidifying unit V humidifying the air discharged to the outside of the case unit I.

< Box Assembly >

The case assembly i according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a rear upper case 11 having a suction port 111 formed rearward and a space for disposing the heat exchanger 41 formed inside the rear upper case 11; a base portion 12 disposed below the rear upper case 11 and forming a space in which a part of the structural elements of the humidifying module v are disposed; a rear lower case 13 covering the rear and side of the base portion 12; and a front case 14 disposed on the front surfaces of the rear upper case 11 and the rear lower case 13 in the form of openings.

The rear upper case 11 has a shape of a letter whose front and top surfaces are open as a whole, and is disposed on the upper sides of the rear lower case 13 and the base portion 12. A front case 14, which will be described later, is disposed on the front surface of the opening, and a top cover 15 is disposed on the top surface of the opening.

The rear upper case 11 may have a space in which the heat exchanger 41, the front air blowing module 31, and the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, and 32c are disposed. As means for supporting these structural elements, a heat exchanger mounting member (not shown) to which the heat exchanger 41 is mounted, a front air-blowing module mounting member (not shown) to which the front air-blowing module 31 is mounted, and a side air-blowing module mounting member (not shown) to which the side air-blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c are mounted may be disposed inside the rear upper case 11, respectively.

A suction port 111 is formed at the rear of the rear upper case 11, and a filter assembly vi may be disposed on the suction port 111 side. The filter assembly vi may include a plurality of filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d disposed left and right behind the rear upper case 11.

A guide rail-shaped movement guide 71 for guiding the movement of the filter cleaner 72 in the up-down direction (U-D direction) is disposed between the plurality of filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62D disposed in the rear-left-right direction of the rear upper case 11.

The movement guide 71 protrudes rearward from the center of the plurality of filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62D disposed in the rear-side left-right direction of the rear upper case 11, and may be disposed so as to extend in the up-down direction (U-D direction).

On the other hand, the ionization section (not shown) may be additionally disposed at a portion where the guide 71 in the form of a rail is attached, behind the rear upper case 11. The ionization section serves to receive a high voltage and ionize air flowing to the suction port 111 in a discharge manner.

In addition, a refrigerant pipe hole 132 through which the refrigerant pipe 42 of the heat exchange unit iv penetrates may be formed at the rear lower surface of the rear lower case 13. Further, a power line hole 1312 through which a power line for supplying power from an external power source is passed may be formed at a rear lower face of the rear lower case 13.

On the other hand, the base portion 12 is disposed below the rear upper case 11, and a space in which the water tank 51, a heating portion (not shown), and the like, which are components of the humidifying module v, are disposed is formed inside the base portion 12. The base portion 12 may be provided with a power supply device (not shown) for winding a power cord connected to the filter cleaning unit vii.

As shown in fig. 3, the base portion 12 may have a box shape with an open front. A rear lower case 13 and a part of the side door unit 22 of the door assembly ii may be disposed at the outer periphery of the base portion 12.

Further, a power line through hole (not shown) through which a power line connected to the filter cleaning module vii is passed and a humidification flow path pipe through hole (not shown) through which a humidification flow path pipe (not shown) of the humidification module v is passed may be formed in the base portion 12.

In addition, a rear upper case 11 may be mounted on an upper side of the base portion 12, and an additional support member for supporting other structures including the rear upper case 11 may be additionally mounted.

The front case 14 is disposed on the front surface of the base 12 and the rear upper case 11 in a state where the base 12 and the rear upper case 11 are combined.

The front casing 14 forms the front surface of the indoor unit 1, and as shown in the figure, a front discharge port 141 is formed at a position corresponding to the front air blowing module 31 as an upper position, and air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanging unit iv is accelerated by the front air blowing module 31 to be discharged to the front discharge port 141.

In addition, a camera sensor 142 sensing a condition of the indoor space may be installed at the front case 14. For example, as shown, a camera sensor 142 may be mounted at an upper end of the front case 14.

Here, the conditions of the indoor space may include the size of the indoor space, the number of indoor persons in the indoor space, the positions of the indoor persons, and the like.

< door Assembly >

The door assembly II includes: a front door module 21 that opens and closes a front discharge port 141 formed in the front case 14 and changes the direction of the air flow discharged through the front discharge port 141; side gate modules 22 for opening and closing side discharge ports 224a and 224b formed on both side surfaces, respectively; and a hidden rotor blade module 23 for converting the direction of the airflow discharged through the side discharge ports 224a, 224 b.

The front door module 21 is configured to reciprocate in the front-rear direction between a rearmost position closing a flow path of air discharged through the front discharge port and a foremost position forming a front-directed air flow.

In order to distinguish from an indirect wind operation mode described later, an operation mode in which a forward-directed airflow is generated in a state in which the front door module 21 protrudes to the forefront position may be defined as a direct wind operation mode.

Further, the front door module 21 may stop at a face-fitting position corresponding to an intermediate point between the rearmost position and the foremost position. The surface engagement position is a position where the outer panel 211 disposed on the forefront side of the front door module 21 is substantially horizontal to the front surface of the front case 14.

When the front door module 21 is stopped at the surface engagement position, the air discharged to the front discharge port 141 by the shape of the outer surface of the front door module 21 is directed to the air flow from the front discharge port 141 to the side discharged to the outside in the radial direction, and is not discharged to the front. This mode of operation may be defined as an indirect wind mode of operation.

On the other hand, the outer panel 211 disposed on the forefront side of the door module 21 is formed of a translucent material, and light generated by a display unit (not shown) provided inside the outer panel 211 can be irradiated to the outside through the outer panel 211. Accordingly, the outer panel 211 according to an embodiment of the present invention serves as a display function for providing information about the operation state of the indoor unit 1, the air quality state around the indoor unit 1, and the like to the user.

The side door module 22 functions to open and close the side discharge ports 224a, 224b formed on both sides of the case assembly i.

That is, the side door module 22 functions to close the side discharge ports 224a and 224b in a state where the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, and 32c are not operated, such as a state where the operation of the indoor unit 1 is interrupted as a whole and a state where only the front air blowing module 31 of the indoor unit 1 is operated.

As described above, the side discharge ports 224a and 224b are closed by the side door module 22 in a state where the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, and 32c are not operated, and thus, inflow of dust and the like through the side discharge ports 224a and 224b, adhesion to the inside, and inflow of impurities and the like that can cause a failure can be effectively blocked.

The side door module 22 may include: a pair of side gates 221a and 221b that move in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) and open and close side discharge ports 224a and 224b; side door driving units 222a and 222b that supply driving forces to the side doors 221a and 221 b; a pair of support frames 223a, 223b support the side doors 221a, 221b and the side door driving portions 222a, 222b, respectively.

The side gates 221a and 221b are supported so as to be movable from a forward-most position where the side spouts 224a and 224b are completely closed to a rearward-most position where the side spouts 224a and 224b are completely opened. As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the side doors 221a and 221b extend so as to entirely cover the upper end to the lower end of the case assembly i by a predetermined width, thereby providing a sense of beauty to the user and providing an integral feeling of the front case 14 and the rear upper case 11, and the outer surfaces of the side doors 221a and 221b may have a material and shape capable of forming the same sense of texture as the rear upper case 11 and the front case 14.

In order to movably support the side doors 221a, 221b, a guide connector (not shown) may be further provided, one end of which is attached to the side doors 221a, 221b and the other end of which is slidably supported to the support frames 223a, 223b.

Illustratively, the side door driving parts 222a, 222b may include: a gear motor capable of electrically driving the side doors 221a and 221b; a pinion gear connected to an output shaft of the gear motor; and a rack gear converting a rotational force of the pinion gear into a linear reciprocating motion.

The gear motor may be firmly fixed to the support frames 223a, 223b corresponding to the fixing members, and the racks engaged with the pinion gears may be firmly fixed to the inner sides of the side doors 221a, 221b.

On the other hand, as described above, the side doors 221a and 221b extend from the upper end to the lower end of the case assembly i. Therefore, since the height of the side gates 221a, 221b is much larger than the width, it is difficult to effectively drive each side gate 221a, 221b with only a single driving part.

Accordingly, two side door driving portions 222a, 222b are provided for the respective side doors 221a, 221b, respectively, and are preferably disposed adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the respective side doors 221a, 221b as shown in the drawing.

The support frames 223a, 223b form a part of both side surfaces of the case assembly i together with the rear upper case 11 and the rear lower case 13 while rotatably supporting the side doors 221a, 221 b. In more detail, the support frames 223a, 223b may be disposed between the rear upper case 11 and the front case 14.

Side discharge ports 224a and 224b extending in the up-down direction (U-D direction) are formed in the support frames 223a and 223 b.

As shown in the figure, a plurality of side rotor blades 225a, 225b (vane) for guiding the direction of the discharged air may be disposed at the side discharge ports 224a, 224b.

The plurality of side moving blades 225a, 225b may be integrally formed with the support frames 223a, 223 b. The plurality of side rotor blades 225a, 225b according to an embodiment of the present invention are disposed and fixed obliquely forward, so that air discharged to the outside of the casing can be guided forward. Accordingly, the air discharged through the side discharge ports 224a and 224b in a state where the hidden rotor blade module 23 does not function is directed forward by the plurality of side rotor blades 225a and 225 b. Herein, the forward-directed air flow may be defined as an air flow having an effective discharge angle of about 25 degrees with respect to the forward direction (F-front).

On the other hand, the rotor blade that performs the same function as the side rotor blades 225a, 225b provided to the support frames 223a, 223b may be formed in other members than the support frames 223a, 223 b. The side rotor blade may be integrally formed with a side surface of a discharge guide 326 of the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, and 32c described later.

Of course, as shown in fig. 3, the side rotor blades 225a and 225b may be provided on the support frames 223a and 223b, and the side rotor blade 3261 may be provided on the discharge guide 326.

The concealed moving blade module 23 functions to convert the forward-directed airflow discharged through the side discharge ports 224a and 224b into the side-directed airflow.

As described above, the air discharged to the side discharge ports 224a and 224b is directed forward by the side moving blades 225a and 225b of the support frames 223a and 223b or the side moving blade 3261 of the discharge guide 326.

As described above, the hidden moving blade module 23 functions as a moving blade that switches the direction of the forward-pointing airflow. As shown in fig. 3, the forward direction airflow is converted by the plate-shaped hidden moving blades 231a and 231b disposed adjacent to the front side of the side discharge ports 224a and 224 b.

More specifically, when the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, and 32c are operated in the direct wind mode in which the air flow is directed forward, the hidden moving blades 231a and 231b of the hidden moving blade module 23 are kept in a state or hidden state in which they are hidden in the storage position on the rear surface side of the front case 14. Therefore, the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b do not affect the air flow of the air discharged through the side discharge ports 224a, 224b, and the discharged air keeps the front direction of the air flow.

However, when the hidden moving blade driving unit (not shown) is operated to switch from the direct wind mode to the indirect wind mode, the hidden moving blades 231a and 231b horizontally move from the storage position in the direction of being exposed to the outside.

When the horizontal movement is started, the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b stop after the movement to the final deployment position is completed.

When the moving of the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b to the final deployment position is completed, the air discharged through the side discharge ports 224a, 224b receives the resistance of the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b, and in particular, the air passing through the front end sides of the side discharge ports 224a, 224b collides directly with the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b and the moving direction is switched.

At this time, since the flow velocity of the air passing through the front end side is the fastest among the air discharged through the side discharge ports 224a, 224b, the air having collided with the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b and the moving direction thereof being converted affects the moving direction of the air discharged from the rear side. Due to this effect, the direction of movement of the air passing through the side discharge ports 224a and 224b is entirely changed to form a side-directed air flow.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment in which one left concealed moving blade 231a and one right concealed moving blade 231b are provided corresponding to the left side discharge port 224a and the right side discharge port 224b, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a modification may be made in which the left hidden moving blade 231a and the right hidden moving blade 231b are provided in plural. For convenience, the following description will be made with reference to an embodiment in which one hidden moving blade 231a, 231b is provided on the left and right sides, respectively, and a specific structure of the hidden moving blade 231a, 231b will be described with reference to fig. 4 and subsequent drawings.

The hidden moving blade driving section (not shown) may include: a gear motor capable of electrically driving the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b; a pinion (not shown) connected to an output shaft of the gear motor; and a rack (not shown) converting the rotational force of the pinion gear into linear reciprocating motion.

The gear motor is firmly supported to an additional bracket (not shown), and a rack engaged with the pinion may be integrally formed with the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b or separately formed and attached to the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b, respectively. As described later, a plurality of fastening holes 231h may be formed in the hidden moving blades 231a, 231b to enable the rack to be attached by fastening means such as bolts.

< air supply Fan Assembly >

The air supply fan assembly III includes: a front air supply module 31 that discharges air to a front discharge port 141 of the indoor unit 1; and side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, and 32c for blowing air to side air outlets 224a and 224b on both sides of the indoor unit 1.

Illustratively, an air supply fan assembly III according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a front air supply module 31 and three side air supply modules 32a, 32b, 32c. The front air blowing module 31 and the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c are arranged in front of the heat exchange unit iv.

The front air blowing module 31 is disposed above the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c. The front air blowing module 3 discharges air to a front discharge port 141 formed in the front case 14.

The front air supply module 31 may include a front air supply fan 311, a front Fang Songfeng motor 312, and a front air supply fan housing 313. In the front air blowing module 31 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the air to be blown out can be operated in the direct air mode in which the air is blown out from a distance in the front direction or in the indirect air mode in which the air is blown out from the front air outlet 141 to the outside in the radial direction by the configuration of the front air blowing fan case 313, the front door module 21, and the position selection of the front door module 21.

The side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c are disposed below the front air blowing module 31. The side air supply modules 32a, 32b, 32c according to an embodiment of the present invention may be arranged in plural. Each of the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c can discharge the discharged air through the side discharge ports 224a, 224b.

Each side air blowing module 32a, 32b, 32c may include side air blowing fans 321a, 321b, 321c, side air blowing motors 322a, 322b, 322c, side air blowing fan housings 323a, 323b, 323c, suction guides 325a, 325b, 325c, and discharge guides 326a, 326b, 326c.

The side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c are disposed in front of the heat exchanger 41, and the heat-exchanged air can be sucked through the side suction guides 325a, 325b, 325c and discharged to the side discharge ports 224a, 224b through the discharge guides 326a, 326b, 326c.

The air flowing through the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c can be directed to the discharge air flow by the side moving blades 225a, 225b of the side discharge ports 224a, 224b or the side moving blades of the discharge guides 326a, 326b, 326c. As described above, the airflow defined by the side rotor blades 225a, 225b of the side discharge ports 224a, 224b or the side rotor blade 3261 of the discharge guide 326 is set to be directed forward.

< Heat exchange Assembly >

The heat exchange assembly iv serves to exchange heat between indoor air sucked into the rear upper case 11 and the refrigerant.

The heat exchange assembly iv may include: a heat exchanger 41 through which a refrigerant that exchanges heat with indoor air flows; and a refrigerant pipe (not shown) forming a refrigerant flow path so that the refrigerant flows into or is discharged from the heat exchanger 41.

The refrigerant pipe may include: a refrigerant inflow pipe 42 through which the refrigerant flowing into the heat exchanger 41 flows; and a refrigerant discharge pipe (not shown) through which the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger 41 flows.

The heat exchanger 41 is disposed behind the blower fan assembly iii. The heat exchanger 41 is disposed between the inlet 111 and the outlets 22 and 141, and can exchange heat with air flowing inside the indoor unit 1. The heat exchanger 41 is disposed between the filter unit vi and the blower fan unit iii.

As shown in fig. 3, the heat exchanger 41 may have a length corresponding to the height of the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c and the front air blowing module 31 arranged up and down.

The heat exchanger 41 may be disposed inside the rear upper case 11. The heat exchanger 41 may be fastened to and supported by a heat exchanger fastening portion (not shown) formed inside the rear upper case 11.

< humidifying Assembly >

The humidifying unit v can discharge humidified air to the outside of the indoor unit 1. The humidifying assembly v may include: a water tank 51 for storing water; a heating unit (not shown) for receiving and heating water in the water tank 51; a humidification discharge nozzle (not shown) having a humidification discharge port (not shown) for discharging heated humidification air; and a humidification flow path pipe (not shown) that guides the humidified air heated by the heating unit to the humidification discharge nozzle.

< Filter Assembly >

The filter assembly vi functions to remove impurities contained in the air flowing into the suction port 111.

The filter assembly vi is movably disposed at the rear of the rear upper case 11. The filter assembly vi is disposed at the suction port 111 formed at the rear of the rear upper case 11, and can filter indoor air flowing into the suction port 111. The filter assembly vi is movably disposed in the rear upper case 11.

Referring to fig. 2, the filter assembly vi of an embodiment of the present invention includes filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d for removing impurities from air sucked through the suction port 111. In the filter assembly vi, the filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d may be disposed at the suction port 111, or the filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d may be disposed outside the rear upper case 11 in terms of side.

The filter assembly vi of one embodiment of the present invention comprises: filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d remove impurities from the flowing air; filter mounting members (not shown) to which the filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d are mounted; and a moving member (not shown) for changing the position of the filter mounting member.

When the filter modules are arranged in the suction ports, the filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d may be configured to be led in or led out of the filter mounting member in the width direction of the filter modules formed in the left and right directions.

The filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d of an embodiment of the present invention may include: the first filter modules 62a and 62b cover the left side of the suction port 111 of the rear upper case 11; and second filter modules 62c, 62d covering the right side of the suction port 111 of the rear upper case 11.

The first filter modules 62a, 62b may be disposed to cover the left side of the suction port 111 or disposed to the left side of the left side surface of the rear upper case 11. The second filter modules 62c, 62d may be disposed to cover the right side of the suction port 111 or disposed right of the right side surface of the rear upper case 11.

When the first filter modules 62a and 62b and the second filter modules 62c and 62d are disposed at the suction port 111, the filter cleaner 72 forms a movable surface.

The filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d are detachably disposed on the filter mounting member. The filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d may filter impurities in the air flowing into the suction port 111.

The filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d of an embodiment of the present invention may include: a pre-filter 621 for filtering large dust in the air flowing into the suction port 111; a dust-collecting filter unit (not shown) for collecting the ionized air particles in the ionization unit and filtering the air; and a deodorizing filter unit (not shown) for removing smell from the air.

The filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d of an embodiment of the present invention may further include a filter cover 622, the filter cover 622 being mounted with a pre-filter 621, and the filter cover 622 being mounted to a filter mounting member. A plurality of suction holes are formed in the filter cover 622 along the direction in which the pre-filter 621 is mounted. The face of the filter housing 622 on which the pre-filter 621 is mounted may include vertical ribs 6221 and horizontal ribs 6222.

The vertical ribs 6221 and the horizontal ribs 6222 form a lattice shape with each other, and rigidity of the filter cover 622 can be enhanced. The pre-filter 621 is formed in a mesh shape, and can filter large-sized impurities in the air flowing into the filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62 d.

The lower end 60a of the filter assembly vi may be disposed at an upper side of the rear lower case 13. When the filter cleaning machine 72 of the filter cleaning unit vii to be described later is disposed at the lowermost end in the movement range in which the filter cleaning unit vii can be moved along the movement guide 71, the lower end portion 60a of the filter unit vi is disposed above the upper end of the filter cleaning machine 72.

< Filter cleaning Assembly >

The filter cleaning assembly VII moves up and down along the rear of the filter assembly VI, and impurities outside the filter assembly VI can be removed. The filter cleaning assembly vii removes impurities trapped in the pre-filters 621 of the filter modules 62a, 62b, 62c, 62 d.

The filter cleaning assembly vii may comprise: a filter cleaner 72 that moves in the up-down direction (U-D direction) behind the filter assembly vi to remove impurities trapped in the filter assembly vi; a movement guide 71 for guiding the movement of the filter cleaner 72; and a power supply device 73 for supplying power to the filter cleaner 72.

< details Structure of side air supply Module >

Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, 32c of the indoor unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 10.

As described above, the side air blowing modules 32a, 32b, and 32c constituting the air blowing fan assembly iii include three modules arranged in the vertical direction. The three modules differ only in the arrangement position, and are configured to individually and independently suck in air passing through the heat exchanger 41 and discharge the air through the side discharge ports 224a, 224 b.

For convenience, the following description will be made with reference to the side air blowing module 32a disposed at the uppermost side, and the following description is equally applicable to the other side air blowing modules 32b and 32c. The side air blowing modules 32b and 32c will not be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 4 to 10, a side air supply module 32a of an indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a side suction guide 325a into which the air passing through the heat exchanger 41 flows; a support bracket 324a for supporting the side suction guide 325a and connected to the side blower fan housing 323a; a side blower fan housing 323a into which air passing through the side suction guide 325a flows and which accommodates the side blower fan 321a therein; a side blower fan 321a rotatably accommodated inside the side blower fan housing 323a; a discharge guide 326a for guiding the air passing through the side blower fan 321a to the side discharge ports 224a and 224b; and a side blower motor 322a for generating a rotational driving force of the side blower fan 321 a.

The side suction guide 325a functions to convert the flow path of the air passing through the heat exchanger 41 into a circular flow path.

For this purpose, the side suction guide 325a is provided with a quadrangular inflow port 3251a and a circular discharge port 3252a and has a funnel shape as a whole.

As shown in fig. 4, the width of the quadrangular inflow port 3251a is formed to be slightly larger than the width of the heat exchanger 41 so as to entirely cover the heat exchanger 41, so that air passing through the heat exchanger 41 smoothly flows in.

The quadrangular inflow port 3251a may be formed to have a height capable of covering 1/4 of the entire height of the heat exchanger 41.

In addition, the inner side surface 3253a of the side suction guide 325a may have a curved shape to prevent generation of a vortex or turbulence or the like in the process of converging the air passing through the quadrangular inflow port 3251a toward the circular discharge port 3252 a.

The circular outlet 3252a is connected to an annular joint surface 3232a formed around the rear inlet 3231a of the side blower fan housing 323a, so that air passing through the circular outlet 3252a is transmitted to the side blower fan housing 323a without leakage.

The support bracket 324a functions to connect the side suction guide 325a to the side blower fan housing 323a. For this purpose, a through hole corresponding to the circular discharge port 3252a of the side suction guide 325a is formed in the central portion of the main plate 3241a of the support bracket 324 a.

In addition, in order to support the front surface of the side suction guide 325a, on the back surface of the main board, rear connection portions 3242a corresponding to the front shape of the side suction guide 325a are formed on the back surfaces of both side end portions of the main board.

On the back surface of the main board, a front connection portion 3243a corresponding to the rear portion of the side blower fan case 323a is formed on the front surface of both side end portions.

The side blower fan housing 323a functions to accommodate the side blower fan 321a therein and also functions to first switch the direction of the air flow passing through the side blower fan 321 a.

More specifically, in the side air blower 321a used in the indoor unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, a diagonal flow fan is used in which the rotation axis X extends from the front surface of the casing in the direction facing the rear surface and the air sucked into the center is discharged radially outward.

Therefore, the air discharged through the side air blower fan 321a as a diagonal flow fan flows in a diagonal direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis X in a state having a rotation speed component.

The side blower fan housing 323a functions to turn the direction of the air flow discharged along the diagonal direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X to the front direction (F-front).

In contrast to the shape of the suction guide, the side blower fan case 323a is configured such that the rear inlet 3231a is circular and the front outlet 3237a has a quadrangular shape.

A housing base 3235a is formed in a housing base region T2 on the front side of the side blower fan housing 323a, and the housing base 3235a has a hexahedral outer shape and has a quadrangular (preferably square) front discharge port 3237a to form a quadrangular front discharge port 3237a.

On the other hand, as described above, the annular joint surface 3232a is formed radially outward of the circular rear inflow port 3231 a.

Further, a burring portion 3233a (burring) protruding forward in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X direction is formed radially inward of the circular rear inflow port 3231 a. As shown in fig. 4, the burring 3233a serves to guide the air passing through the rear inlet 3231a to effectively flow into the inside of the housing 3211a (shroud) of the side blower fan 321 a. For this reason, the tip end portion of the burring 3233a extends into the interior of the housing 3211 a.

Screw grooves 3235a1 are formed at upper and lower end edges of the back surface of the housing base 3235 a. A fastening bolt (not shown) for fastening the housing base 3235a and a discharge guide 326a described below is coupled to the screw groove 3235a1.

For the flow direction conversion, the fan housing 3234a formed in the fan housing area T1 on the rear side of the side blower fan housing 323a in the direction of the rotation axis X is formed in a predetermined dome (dome) shape protruding rearward. The inner side surface of the dome-shaped side blower fan housing 323a has a curved surface shape having a predetermined curvature and protruding rearward, so as to prevent the formation of a vortex or a vortex in the process of switching the direction of the air flow discharged from the side blower fan 321 a.

On the other hand, the air flow whose flow direction is switched by the inner side surface of the fan housing portion 3234a is switched for the first time in a state having a prescribed rotational speed component, and the flow direction is switched for the second time in the side direction (Le-direction or Ri-direction) by the discharge guide 326 a. Accordingly, the inner side surface of the fan housing portion 3234a has a shape in which the sectional area of the flow path can be expanded, so that the air rotated and discharged in this manner can restore pressure while traveling in the flow direction. That is, the inner side surface of the fan housing portion 3234a functions as a first air guide surface 3236a.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 7 to 9, the first air guide surface 3236a includes first curved surface portions 3236a1 and second curved surface portions 3236a2 alternately formed along the rotation direction R of the side air blowing fan 321 a. That is, the first air guide surface 3236a is formed in the order of the first curved surface portion 3236a1, the second curved surface portion 3236a2, the first curved surface portion 3236a1, and the second curved surface portion 3236a2 while proceeding in the rotation direction R.

The first curved surface portion 3236a1 and the second curved surface portion 3236a2 each have a curved surface shape protruding rearward to minimize the loss of the air flow discharged from the side air supply fan 321a to the outside in the radial direction and turn it in the forward direction (F-forward).

The first curved surface portion 3236a1 is a portion that maintains a constant curvature R1 of a cross section cut through a plane parallel to the rotation axis X-X passing through the rotation center point C of the side blower fan 321a while being along the rotation direction R of the blower fan. That is, since the curvature R1 of the cross section does not change while the air flow path is rotated in the rotation direction R, the air flow path is maintained in a portion where the cross section does not change in the rotation direction R. As can be confirmed from the sectional views shown in fig. 12 and 13, the curvature R1 of the section of the first curved surface portion 3236a1 remains unchanged in the rotation direction R.

Further, as shown in the drawing, the first curved surface portion 3236a1 is formed only in the fan housing portion region T1 in the rotation axis X direction.

The second curved surface portion 3236a2 is a portion continuously formed in the rotation direction R immediately adjacent to the first curved surface portion 3236a1, and is a portion gradually expanding the cross-sectional area of the air flow path to gradually restore the pressure of the air flow and guide the air flow toward the side discharge ports 224a, 224 b. Referring to fig. 10, side discharge ports 224a and 224b are formed in front of the left and right edges of a housing base 3235a of a side blower fan housing 323a, respectively.

As described above, the curvature R2 of the cross section of the second curved surface portion 3236a2 cut through the plane parallel to the rotation axis X-X passing through the rotation center point C of the side blower fan 321a is changed while being along the rotation direction R of the blower fan to gradually expand the cross section of the air flow path.

More specifically, the second curved surface portion 3236a2 includes: the curvature expansion portion 3236a21, in which the curvature R2 of the cross section gradually increases while being along the rotation direction R of the side blower fan 321 a; and a curvature reducing portion 3236a22, in which the curvature R2 of the cross section gradually reduces while extending along the rotation direction R of the side blower fan 321 a.

When the first air guide surface 3236a is divided right and left with reference to the cutoff line l_co, the divided left region z_le functions to guide the air flow generated on the left side and to guide it to the left side discharge port 224a side by restoring the pressure. In addition, the partitioned right region z_ri functions to guide the flow generated on the right side and guide it to the right side discharge port 224b side by restoring the pressure.

However, although the first air guide surface 3236a formed on the left side region z_le and the first air guide surface 3236a formed on the right side region z_ri have the same shape to perform the same function as each other, they have a point-symmetrical shape with respect to the rotation center point C and the first curved surface portions 3236a1 and the second curved surface portions 3236a2 are alternately arranged, so that the air flow having the rotation speed component can be guided.

That is, with reference to fig. 9, when the first air guide surface 3236a is equally divided into four parts at 90 degree intervals with reference to the rotation center point C, the first curved surface portion 3236a1 is formed in the first quadrant region Z1 and the third quadrant region Z3, and has a point-symmetrical shape and position with reference to the rotation center point C.

Next, the second curved surface portion 3236a2 performing the flow cross-sectional area expanding function is formed in the second quadrant region Z2 and the fourth quadrant region Z4, and the air flow gradually restores pressure in the course of passing through the curvature expanding portion 3236a21 of the second curved surface portion 3236a 2.

On the other hand, a curvature reducing portion 3236a22 having a gradually decreasing curvature in cross section is formed immediately after the curvature expanding portion 3236a 21. The curvature of the curvature reducing portion 3236a22 is configured to gradually and continuously decrease after the curvature of the cross section reaches the maximum r3_max at the position shifted from the curvature expanding portion 3236a21 to the curvature reducing portion 3236a22, and the portions starting at the first quadrant region Z1 and the third quadrant region Z3 will have the same curvature as the curvature R1 of the cross section of the first curved surface portion 3236a 1.

On the other hand, the first air guide surface 3236a further includes a third curved surface portion 3236a3, and the third curved surface portion 3236a3 is formed in front of the first curved surface portion 3236a1 and is formed continuously to the first curved surface portion 3236a 1.

Similar to the second curved surface portion 3236a2, the third curved surface portion 3236a3 preferably includes a portion in which the curvature R3 of the cross section gradually expands and a portion in which the curvature R3 of the cross section is gradually reduced so that the curvature R3 of the cross section cut by a plane passing through the rotation center point C of the side air blowing fan 321a and parallel to the rotation axis X-X changes while being performed along the rotation direction R of the side air blowing fan 321 a.

At this time, the third curved surface portion 3236a3 is formed only in the case base region T2 in the rotation axis (X axis) direction. In addition, like the first curved surface portion 3236a1, the third curved surface portion 3236a3 is formed only in the first quadrant region Z1 and the third quadrant region Z3 in the rotation direction R, and similarly, the third curved surface portion 3236a3 formed in the first quadrant region Z1 and the third quadrant region Z3 has a point-symmetrical shape with respect to the rotation center point C.

On the other hand, the side blower fan 321a is housed in the side blower fan housing 323a in a state having a directivity in which the rotation axis X extends from the front surface of the case toward the rear surface.

The diagonal flow fan is applied to the side air blower fan 321a, and in the diagonal flow fan, air flowing into the rear inlet 3231a formed in the rear side air blower fan housing 323a is sucked to the center side and discharged radially outward in the diagonal direction.

Since the air flows into the rear of the side air blower fan 321a, the shroud 3211a connected to the rear end portions of the plurality of stator blades 3212a (blades) is disposed adjacent to the rear inlet 3231a of the side air blower fan housing 323 a.

On the other hand, a fan hub 3213a connected to front portions of the plurality of stator blades 3212a is disposed on a front side, and an output shaft of a side air blowing motor 322a described later is connected to the fan hub 3213a.

< detailed Structure of discharge guide and second air guide surface >

Hereinafter, a detailed structure of the discharge guide 326a provided in the indoor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 14.

The discharge guide 326a is coupled to the front of the side blower fan housing 323a, and serves to secondarily convert the air flow whose flow direction is primarily converted by the side blower fan housing 323 a.

As shown in fig. 10, the discharge guide 326a includes a flat plate-shaped base plate 3261a.

The base plate 3261a has a flat plate shape with a substantially constant thickness in the front-rear direction (F-R direction), and a lower end edge 3261a5 (edge) and an upper end edge 3261a4 of the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a are closely coupled to the front outlet 3237a of the blower fan case. By this coupling, the air discharged from the side blower fan 321a cannot be discharged to the upper end side and the lower end side of the base plate 3261a, but can flow only to the second air guide surface 3262a side formed on both side surfaces of the base plate 3261a.

On the other hand, a motor mounting portion 3261a1 is formed on the rear center side of the base plate 3261a, and the motor mounting portion 3261a1 serves to support the side blower motor 322a while supporting the fan hub 3213a of the side blower fan.

The rear portion of the motor seating portion 3261a1 has a shape corresponding to the inner shape of the fan hub 3213a to support the fan hub 3213a. The motor mounting portion 3261a1 is inserted into the fan hub 3213a having a hollow shape.

The front portion of the motor mounting portion 3261a1 has a shape recessed rearward, and the side air blowing motor 322a is inserted into and fixed to the inside of the recess of the motor mounting portion 3261a 1.

Three fastening bosses 3261a2 (boss) are provided inside the front of the motor mounting portion 3261a1, and a motor bracket 327a for fixing the side air blowing motor 322a is fastened to the fastening bosses 3261a2.

A through hole concentric with the rotation center point C of the side air blowing fan 321a of the motor mounting portion 3261a1 is formed, and an output shaft of the side air blowing motor 322a passes through the through hole.

On the other hand, the top cover 3263a and the bottom cover 3264a are integrally formed with the base plate 3261a at an upper end of the back surface 3261a3 and a lower end of the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a, respectively.

The top cover 3263a and the bottom cover 3264a function to prevent air discharged from the side blower fan 321a from leaking to the upper end side and the lower end side of the base plate 3261a while performing the function of connecting the housing base 3235a and the base plate 3261a of the side blower fan housing 323a, respectively.

To block such leakage, the top cover 3263a and the bottom cover 3264a respectively extend to second air guide surfaces 3262a formed on both side surfaces of the base plate 3261 a.

On the other hand, the second air guide surface 3262a is connected to both side edges of the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a of the discharge guide 326a, and the second air guide surface 3262a is formed integrally with the base plate 3261a and extends in a forwardly bent manner. Due to this bent shape, the flow path sectional area of the air formed by the second air guide surface 3262a can be gradually expanded while proceeding along the flow direction F of the air.

In more detail, the second air guide surface 3262a includes: a flat plate-shaped inclined surface portion 3262a2 which forms a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the rear surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a and extends in a direction away from the first air guide surface; and a transition curved surface portion 3262a1 connecting the inclined surface portion 3262a2 and the rear surface portion 3261a3 of the base plate 3261 a.

The inclined surface portion 3262a2 functions to determine the discharge angle of the air finally discharged through the side discharge ports 224a and 224b together with the side rotor blades 225a and 225 b.

The pair of inclined surface portions 3262a2 are symmetrically arranged about the base plate 3261a, and can form the same discharge angle with respect to the left rotor blade 225a and the right rotor blade 225 b.

Preferably, the pair of inclined surface portions 3262a2 have a point-symmetrical shape with respect to the rotation center point C of the side blower fan 321a, so that the air flow having the rotation speed component can be guided.

At least the outer end of the back surface of the inclined surface portion 3262a2, which determines the air discharge angle, has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the direction parallel to the rotation axis X-X, and may be set to be the same inclination angle as the inclination angle formed by the side rotor blades 225a and 225b and the direction parallel to the rotation axis X-X.

The outer end portion of the inclined surface portion 3262a2 may be kept in an entirely open state, or may be combined with the side moving blades 225a, 225 b. Fig. 10 and the following figures show an embodiment in which the outer end of the inclined surface portion 3262a2 is entirely open, and side discharge ports 224a, 224b formed in the support frames 223a, 223b of the side door module 22 are disposed on the open outer end side.

On the other hand, the conversion curved surface portion 3262a1 includes: the curvature holding portion 3262a4, which is formed by cutting a cross section perpendicular to the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a and parallel to the upper end edge 3261a4 of the base plate 3261a, maintains a constant curvature while being directed toward the upper end edge 3261a4 or the lower end edge 3261a 5; and a curvature conversion portion 3262a3 formed continuously to the curvature holding portion 3262a4, wherein the curvature of a cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a and parallel to the upper end edge 3261a4 of the base plate 3261a gradually changes while proceeding toward the upper end edge 3261a4 or the lower end edge 3261a 5.

The curvature holding portion 3262a4 extends in a straight line direction from the upper end edge 3261a4 toward the lower end edge 3261a5 of the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a, and serves to connect the back surface 3261a3 of the flat plate-shaped base plate 3261a and the inclined surface portion 3262a 2.

As described above, the air discharged from the side blower fan 321a passes through the first air guide surface 3236a of the side blower fan housing 323a, and the flow direction F thereof is first converted and guided to the rear surface side of the discharge guide 326 a.

As shown in fig. 10, the guided air moves directly to the side discharge ports 224a and 224b through the inclined surface portion 3262a2, or moves to the side discharge ports 224a and 224b after moving to the inclined surface portion 3262a2 through the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261 a.

As described above, in order to minimize resistance to air moving from the base plate 3261a to the inclined surface portion 3262a2 and minimize flow loss due to abrupt flow direction F transition, a curvature holding portion 3262a4 having a predetermined cross-sectional curvature R3 is formed between the base plate 3261a and the inclined surface portion 3262a 2.

Considering the inclination angle of the inclined surface portion 3262a2 with respect to the base plate 3261a, the cross-sectional curvature R3 of the curvature holding portion 3262a4 may be determined to have a value capable of preventing abrupt flow direction F transition, and to be constant while being unchanged along the up-down direction (U-D direction).

The curvature holding portion 3262a4 is provided along the vertical direction (U-D direction), that is, from the upper end edge 3261a4 toward the lower end edge 3261a5 of the rear surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a, and maintains a constant width Dh in the left-right direction (Le-Ri direction).

As shown in fig. 10, when the plane is equally divided into two parts in the vertical direction (U-D direction) through the rotation center point C of the side blower fan 321a, the curvature holding portion 3262a4 formed at the left edge of the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a is formed at the upper part, and the curvature holding portion 3262a4 formed at the right edge of the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate is formed at the lower part.

On the other hand, the curvature converting portion 3262a3 serves to additionally expand the flow path cross-sectional area of the air formed by the second air guide surface 3262 a.

As shown in fig. 10, a cut-off position p_co is formed on the lower end side of the right curvature holding portion 3262a4 and a cut-off position p_co is formed on the upper end side of the left curvature holding portion 3262a4 with respect to the side blower fan 321a that rotates clockwise.

The cutoff line l_co connecting these cutoff positions p_co is divided by the rotation center point C of the side air blower fan 321a based on the cutoff line l_co, and when the air discharged from the side air blower fan 321a flows to the left side discharge port 224a in the left side region z_le of the cutoff line l_co, the air discharged to the right side region z_ri of the cutoff line l_co flows to the right side discharge port 224b.

At this time, there is a high possibility that the air discharged from the predetermined angle range a 1 formed when the cutoff line l_co rotates in the clockwise direction moves to the side discharge ports 224a and 224b without sufficiently restoring the pressure.

That is, when the curvature converting portion 3262a3 is not formed, there is a high possibility that the air discharged in the angular range a 1 in which the flow path is formed only by the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a moves to the side discharge ports 224a and 224b in a state where the pressure is not sufficiently recovered by the back surface 3261a3 of the flat plate-shaped base plate 3261 a.

As described above, the curvature conversion portion 3262a3 functions to restore the pressure of the air flow by gradually expanding the flow path cross-sectional area of the air discharged from the side air blower fan 321a in the angular range after the cutoff position p_co in the rotation direction of the side air blower fan 321 a.

In order to achieve such a gradually expanding flow path cross-sectional area, the curvature of the cross-section of the curvature conversion portion 3262a3 cut by a plane perpendicular to the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a and parallel to the upper end edge 3261a4 is configured to gradually change while proceeding along the rotation direction of the side blower fan 321 a. Hereinafter, unless otherwise defined, the cross-sectional curvatures of the curvature retaining portion 3262a4 and the curvature converting portion 3262a3 refer to curvatures of cross-sections cut by a plane perpendicular to the rear face 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a and parallel to the upper end edge 3261a 4.

When viewing the lower cut-off position p_co in fig. 10, it was confirmed that the angular range a 2 of the flow path formed only by the back surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a was significantly reduced by the curvature conversion portion 3262a 3.

The detailed structure of the curvature converting section 3262a3 will be described below with reference to fig. 11 and the following drawings.

As shown, the curvature converting section 3262a3 may be divided into a left converting curved surface section 3262a1 and a right converting curved surface section 3262a1, the left converting curved surface section 3262a1 guiding the air directed by the first air guiding surface 3236a to the left side discharge port 224a, and the right converting curved surface section 3262a1 guiding the air directed by the first guide to the right side discharge port 224b.

When the divided plane is equally divided into two parts in the vertical direction through the rotation center point C of the blower fan, the curvature conversion part 3262a3 is formed at the lower part of the left conversion curved surface part 3262a1, and the curvature conversion part 3262a3 is formed at the upper part of the right conversion curved surface part 3262a 1.

In other words, when the second air guide surface 3262a is equally divided into four parts at 90 degree intervals based on the rotation center point C, it is confirmed that the curvature converting part 3262a3 is formed in the second quadrant region Z2 and the fourth quadrant region Z4, and the curvature holding part 3262a4 is formed in the first quadrant region Z1 and the third quadrant region Z3.

In consideration of the air flow discharged along the diagonal direction of the side blower fan 321a, the curvature converting parts 3262a3 are arranged in a point-symmetrical shape with respect to the rotation center point C of the side blower fan 321a, and are different only in the point-symmetrical shape, and the specific shapes are configured identically.

First, the curvature conversion portion 3262a3 formed on the right conversion curved surface portion 3262a1 has a cross-sectional shape in which the curvature of the cross-section gradually decreases while proceeding toward the lower end edge 3261a5 of the base plate 3261 a. That is, as shown in fig. 12, the cross-sectional curvature R1 at a position adjacent to the upper end side of the base plate 3261a forms the maximum curvature.

Conversely, after the cross-sectional curvature R1 at the position adjacent to the upper end edge 3261a4 side of the base plate 3261a is formed to the maximum curvature, the cross-sectional curvature R2 gradually decreases while proceeding in the downward direction, and the cross-sectional curvature R3 at the portion intersecting the dividing plane will reach the same level as the cross-sectional curvature R3 of the curvature holding portion 3262a 4.

Thus, a curvature conversion portion 3262a3 having a shape cut at a predetermined inclination angle is formed at an upper corner portion where the rear surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a and the right inclined surface portion 3262a2 intersect, and a portion where the curvature conversion portion 3262a3 is formed functions as a portion expanding a flow cross-sectional area of air.

Fig. 13 and 14 show a state in which the curvature converting section 3262a3 formed on the right converting curved section 3262a1 in the above manner gradually decreases in cross-sectional curvature R2 while proceeding toward the lower end edge 3261a5 of the base plate 3261 a.

At this time, the horizontal direction width Dh between the inner boundary line l_in defining the inner boundary range of the right transition curved surface portion 3262a1 and the outer boundary line l_out defining the outer boundary range gradually decreases while proceeding toward the lower end edge 3261a 5.

In fig. 11, an embodiment is shown in which the inner boundary line l_in and the outer boundary line l_out constitute a straight line, but may be formed as a curve.

That is, a curve may be formed by forming a curvature change rate larger or smaller than a change rate of movement in the up-down direction (U-D direction) instead of forming a straight line.

On the other hand, the curvature conversion portion 3262a3 formed in the left conversion curved surface portion 3262a1 has a cross-sectional shape in which the cross-sectional curvature R2 gradually increases while proceeding toward the lower end edge 3261a5 of the base plate 3261 a. That is, the cross-sectional curvature at a position adjacent to the lower end edge 3261a5 side of the base plate 3261a forms a maximum curvature R3.

Conversely, the cross-sectional curvature at a position adjacent to the lower end edge 3261a5 side of the base plate 3261a gradually decreases while proceeding in the upper direction (U-direction) after forming the maximum curvature R3, and the cross-sectional curvature at a portion intersecting the dividing plane will reach the same level as the cross-sectional curvature R3 of the curvature holding portion 3262a 4.

Thus, the lower corner portion formed by intersecting the rear surface 3261a3 of the base plate 3261a and the left inclined portion 3262a2 forms a curvature conversion portion 3262a3 having a shape cut at a predetermined inclination angle, and the portion where the curvature conversion portion 3262a3 is formed functions as a portion expanding the flow cross-sectional area of the air.

Similarly to the curvature converting section 3262a3 formed in the right converting curved section 3262a1, the horizontal direction width Dh defined between the inner boundary line l_in defining the inner boundary range and the outer boundary line l_out defining the outer boundary range of the curvature converting section 3262a3 formed in the left converting curved section 3262a1 gradually increases toward the lower end edge 3261a 5.

The present invention as described above has been described with reference to the exemplary drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the present specification, and it is apparent that various modifications can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, it is apparent that even if the operational effects produced by the constitution of the present invention are not explicitly described in the process of the foregoing description of the embodiment of the present invention, the effects predictable by the constitution should be recognized.

Claims

1. An air conditioner, wherein,

comprising the following steps: a case body having a suction port for air to flow in formed on the back surface thereof and a discharge port for air to discharge formed on the side surface thereof;

a heat exchanger in which heat exchange between the air flowing in through the suction port and the refrigerant occurs;

a blower fan having a rotation axis extending from a front surface of the case toward a rear surface of the case, and sucking in the heat exchanged air;

a blower fan housing in which the blower fan is rotatably accommodated, the blower fan housing being provided with a circular rear inlet and a non-circular front outlet; and

a discharge guide coupled to a front discharge port of the blower fan case for guiding air passing through the blower fan to the discharge port,

A first air guide surface is formed on an inner side surface of the blower fan case, the first air guide surface directing an air flow discharged from the blower fan to a front side,

a second air guide surface is formed on the back surface of the discharge guide, the second air guide surface directing the air flow directed by the first air guide surface to the side of the discharge port,

a flow path of the air is formed between the first air guiding surface and the second air guiding surface,

the air flows at least partially toward the discharge port by the second air guide surface and expands the cross-sectional area of the flow path,

the spit guide includes:

a flat plate-shaped base plate, the upper end edge of the back surface and the lower end edge of the back surface of which are combined with the front discharge port of the air supply fan shell;

an inclined surface portion extending forward from either one of a left side edge and a right side edge of the back surface of the base plate, each of the inclined surface portions forming a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the back surface of the base plate and extending in a direction away from the first air guide surface; and

a transition curved surface portion connecting the inclined surface portion with the either one of left and right side edges of the back surface of the base plate,

The inclined surface portion and the conversion curved surface portion form the second air guiding surface,

the conversion curved surface portion includes:

a curvature holding portion that holds a constant while proceeding toward the upper end edge or the lower end edge, with a curvature of a cross section cut perpendicular to a back surface of the base plate and parallel to the upper end edge; and

and a curvature conversion section formed continuously to the curvature holding section, wherein the curvature of the cross section cut by the plane gradually changes while proceeding toward the upper end edge or the lower end edge.

2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein,

the curvature of the cross section of the curvature holding portion is the same as the minimum curvature of the curvature converting portion.

3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein,

the conversion curved surface portion includes a left conversion curved surface portion that guides the air directed by the first air guide surface to a left discharge port,

in the left-side transition curved surface portion, the curvature holding portion is disposed on an upper side, and the curvature transition portion is disposed on a lower side.

4. The air conditioner according to claim 3, wherein,

when the left side transition curved surface portion is divided in the vertical direction dividing plane through the rotation center point of the blower fan,

The curvature maintaining section is integrally formed at an upper portion of the left transition curved surface section which is divided,

the curvature converting part is integrally formed at a lower portion of the left-side converting curved surface part which is divided.

5. The air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein,

the curvature conversion portion formed at the lower portion of the left side conversion curved surface portion being divided gradually increases in curvature of the cross section while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

6. The air conditioner according to claim 5, wherein,

the horizontal width between the inner boundary line defining the inner boundary range of the left transition curved surface portion and the outer boundary line defining the outer boundary range of the left transition curved surface portion gradually increases while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

7. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein,

the inner boundary line and the outer boundary line are both straight lines.

8. The air conditioner of claim 6, wherein,

at least one of the inner boundary line and the outer boundary line is a curved line.

9. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein,

the conversion curved surface portion includes a right conversion curved surface portion that guides the air directed by the first air guide surface to a right discharge port,

In the right-side conversion curved surface portion, the curvature holding portion is disposed on a lower side, and the curvature conversion portion is disposed on an upper side.

10. The air conditioner of claim 9, wherein,

when the right conversion curved surface portion is divided in the vertical direction dividing plane through the rotation center point of the blower fan,

the curvature maintaining section is integrally formed at a lower portion of the right-side transition curved surface section which is divided,

the curvature conversion part is integrally formed at an upper portion of the right-side conversion curved surface part that is divided.

11. The air conditioner of claim 10, wherein,

the curvature conversion portion formed at an upper portion of the right-side conversion curved surface portion that is divided gradually reduces the curvature of the cross section while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

12. The air conditioner of claim 11, wherein,

the horizontal direction width between the inner boundary line defining the inner boundary range of the right transition curved surface portion and the outer boundary line defining the outer boundary range of the right transition curved surface portion gradually decreases while proceeding toward the lower end edge.

13. The air conditioner of claim 12, wherein,

the inner boundary line and the outer boundary line are both straight lines.

14. The air conditioner of claim 12, wherein,