Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F13/00—Details common to, or for air-conditioning, air-humidification, ventilation or use of air currents for screening
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
  • F24F1/0043—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements
  • F24F1/0047—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units characterised by mounting arrangements mounted in the ceiling or at the ceiling
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
  • F24F1/0071—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air
  • F24F1/0073—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with means for purifying supplied air characterised by the mounting or arrangement of filters
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F1/00—Room units for air-conditioning, e.g. separate or self-contained units or units receiving primary air from a central station
  • F24F1/0007—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
  • F24F1/0087—Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units with humidification means
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
  • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
  • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
  • F24F11/00—Control or safety arrangements
  • F24F11/50—Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication
  • F24F11/52—Indication arrangements, e.g. displays

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an air conditioner, and more particularly, to an air conditioner which has a display disposed to be seen between a plurality of doors.
• an air conditioner is used to change temperature, humidity, cleanliness, or the like of a room, and includes a cooler for cooling a room, a heater for heating a room, a dehumidifier for dehumidifying a room, a humidifier for humidifying a room, a purifier for cleaning room air and so forth.
• the above air conditioner is a cooler, a heater, or a dehumidifier, it comprises a heat exchange unit for heat-exchanging refrigerant with room air. If the above air conditioner is a purifier, it comprises a purification unit for purifying room air. If the above air conditioner is a humidifier, it comprises a humidification unit for supplying moisture to a room.
• the above air conditioner is stood on the floor of a room or hung on a wall or ceiling or buried in a wall to suck room air, change the temperature, humidity, or cleanliness, and then discharge the room air to the room.
• the above air conditioner comprises a main body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a blower installed within the main body, and a suction grille disposed at the front of the air inlet and for sucking air.
• the suction grille is installed on the main body to be rotatable around a rotary axis.
• the air conditioner according to the prior art has a problem that because its front surface is comprised of a suction grille, if impurities such as dust are piled up on the suction grille, it is difficult to keep the air conditioner clean and the outer appearance is not compact.
• the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the prior art problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which is improved in cleanliness and has a compact outer appearance and a simple structure.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which can easily display various information because the size of a display can be increased.
• Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner which sucks room air, humidifies the room air by natural evaporation, and then blows it.
• an air conditioner comprising: a main body having an air outlet and having an opening formed at the front thereof; a blower installed within the main body; an air conditioning unit for conditioning air sucked into the main body by the blower; a plurality of doors which are connected to the main body so as to be rotatable in opposite directions to one another and are separated from each other when rotated to the front of the opening; and a display which is installed at one of the plurality of doors, has an air suction passage between the display and at least one of the plurality of doors, and is exposed through the plurality of doors when rotated to the front of the opening.
• the air conditioning unit is a humidification unit, or a purification unit, or a heat exchange unit which is disposed between the opening and the blower.
• the plurality of doors comprise: a left door connected to the left side of the main body so as to be rotatable to the left; and a right door connected to the right side of the main body so as to be rotatable to the right.
• the left door and the right door are spaced apart from each other so that the display is exposed through a gap between the left door and the right door.
• Each of the left and right doors comprises a side panel portion covering a part of the sides of the main body and a front panel portion covering a part of the front surface of the main body.
• the display is disposed such that at least one display portion for displaying information of the air conditioner, a remote control receiving portion for receiving a signal from a remote control, and an operation key for operating/stopping the air conditioner are spaced apart from one another in an up-down direction and exposed through a gap between the left door and the right door, wherein the left door covers the left end of the display and the right door covers the right end of the display.
• the left door is installed to cover the left side of the opening
• the right door is installed to cover the right side of the opening
• the display is installed at one of the left and right doors to cover the center of the opening among the left, right, and center of the opening.
• the display has a display fastening portion for separately fastening the display to one of the left and right doors, and the display fastening portion is provided in plural number on the display separately from one another in an up-down direction.
• the air suction passage is located at the front of the opening.
• the main body has a display insertion portion recessed on the front part for inserting the display therein.
• the air conditioning unit further comprises: a water container which enters and exits from the inside of the main body through the opening; a water container disposed to be covered by one of the left and right doors; a water guide installed within the main body to contain water flown from the water container; and a humidifying filter placed on the water guide to provide moisture to the air flowing to the blower.
• a display window for viewing the water container is installed at the door covering the water container among the left and right doors.
• the display is installed at the door except the door covering the water container among the left and right doors.
• the air conditioning unit further comprises a purification unit which purifies the air flown toward the humidifying filter and enters and exits through the opening.
• the air conditioner further comprises a door opening detection mechanism which is installed at at least one of the door except the door where the display is installed and the display.
• the door opening detection mechanism comprises a hole sensor installed at the display and a magnet installed at the door except the door where the display is installed facing the hole sensor.
• the hole sensor is installed to protrude laterally at a side of the display.
• the air conditioner further comprises: a controller installed to be located within the main body; a lead wire connecting the controller and the display; and a wire guide formed at the door where the display is installed among the left door and the right door, and for supporting the lead wire.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention has a simple structure, is improved in cleanliness, and has a compact outer appearance because a plurality of doors and a display constitute the front surface of the air conditioner to enable air suction. [31]
• the air conditioner according to the present invention makes it easier to identify the display and information displayed by the display because the display is exposed among the plurality of doors.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention can make the display to display more various information.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention makes it easier to open and close the door because the plurality of doors is comprised of a left door rotating to the left and a right door rotating to the right.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention can be as much compact as possible since the display is disposed in the main body in an insertion manner.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention can provide pleasant room air because vapor is not visible and small and lightweight by humidifying room air by natural evaporation and thus moisture spreads quickly and there is no damp place.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention makes it easier to easily check the presence of a water container or a water level in the water container without opening the plurality of doors.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention makes it easier to connect and arrange the lead wire connecting the display and the door opening detection unit since the door opening detection mechanism is installed at the display.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention has a low possibility of malfunction the door opening detection mechanism is comprised of a hole sensor and a magnet.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention makes it easier to connect and arrange the lead wire because the lead wire connecting the controller and the display is supported on a wire guide formed at the door where the display is installed.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view when the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is operated;
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view when the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is operated
• FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view when the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is stopped
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the flow of water of the one em- bodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is a front view when any one of left and right doors of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is rotated sideways;
• FIG. 9 is a front view when both of the left and right doors of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention are rotated sideways. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an air conditioner according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view when the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is operated.
• an opening 4 is formed at a front portion of a main body 2
• an air outlet 6 is formed at at least one of upper, lower, left, and right portions, which are peripheral portions.
• a front door 10 is connected to the main body 2 so as to rotate to the front of the opening 4 and cover the opening 4 or so as to rotate to all sides except the front of the opening 4 and expose the opening 4.
• the front door 10 is able to cover or expose the opening 4 by rotating to the left and right with respect to a vertical axis, and able to cover or expose the opening 4 by rotating longitudinally with respect to a horizontal axis.
• the front door 10 comprises a plurality of doors 12 and 14 rotating in the opposite direction to each other and spaced apart from each other when rotated to the front of the opening 4 and a display 20 installed at one 14 of the plurality of doors 12 and 14, having air suction passages 16 and 18 formed between the display 20 and at least one 12 and 14 of the plurality of doors 12 and 14, and exposed through a gap between the plurality of doors 12 and 14 when the plurality of doors 12 and 14 are all closed.
• the front door 10 may comprise a left door 12 connected to the left side of the main body so as to be rotatable to the left, a right door 14 connected to the right side of the main body 2 so as to be rotatable to the right, and a display 20 installed at one 14 of the left door 12 and right door 14, formed longitudinally up and down, and having air suction passages 16 and 18 between the display 20 and at least one 12 and 14 of the left door 12 and the right door 14.
• the front door 10 may comprise an upper door connected to an upper portion of the main body 2 so as to be rotatable upward, a lower door connected to a lower portion of the main body 2 so as to be rotatable downward, and a display installed at one of the upper door and lower door, formed longitudinally left and right, and a display having an air suction passage between the display and at least one of the upper door and the lower door.
• the left door 12 and the right door 14 do not need to be kept in the opened state, thereby providing a simple structure and making opening and closing operations easier, while there is a need for a space at the left and right sides of the main body 2 for preventing the left door 12 and the right door 14 from being interfered with a wall or furniture when the left door 12 and the right door 14 are rotated to the sides of the main body 2.
• the plurality of doors 12 and 14 comprise an upper door and a lower door
• a structure such as a support, for keeping the upper door in the opened state, thereby making the structure complicated and causing inconvenience due to an operation of lifting the upper door upward, while there is no need for a space for preventing the left and right sides of the main body 2 from being interfered with a furniture or wall.
• the front door 10 comprises a left door 12, a right door 14, and a display 20.
• the left door 12 is installed at the left side of the main body 2 to rotate to the left side so as to cover or expose the left side among the left, right, and central sides of the opening 4.
• the right door 14 is installed at the right side of the main body 2 to rotate to the right side so as to cover or expose the right side among the left, right, and central sides of the opening 4.
• the display 20 is installed at either the left door 12 or the right door 14 so as to cover the center among the left, right, and center of the opening 4.
• the left door 12 and the right door 14 are spaced apart from each other so that the display 20 is exposed through a gap between the left door 12 and the right door 14.
• the left door 12 is installed to cover the left end of the display 20, and the right door 14 is installed to cover the right end of the display 20.
• Each of the left door 12 and right door 14 comprises a side panel portion 12A and
• the front door 10 is installed such that the left door 12 comprises a left side panel portion 12A covering a part of the left side surface of the main body 2 and a left front panel portion 12B formed integral with the left side panel portion 12A and covering the left side of the front surface of the main body 2, the right door 14 comprises a right side panel portion 14A covering a part of the right side surface of the main body 2 and a right front panel portion 14B formed integral with the right side panel portion 14A and covering the right side of the front surface of the main body 2, and the display 20 covers the rear between the left front panel portion 12B of the left door 12 and the right front panel portion 14B of the right door 14.
• the display 20 comprises at least one display parts 21, 22, 23, and 24 for displaying information of the air conditioner, a remote control receiving unit 25 for receiving a signal from a remote control, and an operation key 26 for forcibly operating/stopping the air conditioner.
• the plurality of display parts 21, 22, 23, and 24 include an operation display part 21, a sleep timer display part 22, a sterilization display part 23, and a water supply notification display part 24.
• the main body 2 comprises a rear case 36 and a front case 40 disposed at the front of the rear case 36, and having the opening 4 formed at a front portion and the air outlet 6 formed at an upper surface portion.
• a blower 50 for sucking room air into the main body 2 and discharging it through the air outlet 6
• an air conditioning unit 70 for air- conditioning the air sucked into the main body 2 by the blower 50
• a wind direction adjusting mechanism 72 for adjusting the wind direction of the air discharged to the air outlet 6 from the blower 50.
• the blower 50 is installed within the main body 2.
• the air conditioning unit 70 is disposed between the opening 4 and the blower 50.
• the air conditioning unit 70 changes at least one of the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of air, and is at least one of a humidification unit 80 for humidifying air, a dehumidification unit for dehumidifying air, a purification unit 110 for purifying air, and a heat exchange unit for cooling or heating air.
• a humidification unit 80 for humidifying air a humidification unit 80 for humidifying air
• a dehumidification unit for dehumidifying air for dehumidifying air
• a purification unit 110 for purifying air
• a heat exchange unit for cooling or heating air.
• the air conditioning unit 70 is installed such that the dehumidification unit 80 and the purification unit 110 are taken out through the opening 4.
• the humidification unit 80 comprises a water container 82 which enters and exits into the main body 2 through the opening 4 and disposed to be covered by one of the left door 12 and right door 14, a water guide 90 installed within the main body 2 to contain the water flown from the water container 82, and a humidifying filter 100 placed on the water guide 90 so as to supply moisture to air flowing toward the blower 50.
• the purification unit 110 is disposed to be located at the front of the humidifying filter 100.
• the height of the opening 4 is larger than the maximum height of the humidification unit 80 and the purification unit 110, and the lateral width of the opening width 4 is larger than the lateral width of the humidifying filter 80 and the purification unit 110.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view when the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is operated.
• FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view when the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is stopped.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the flow of water of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention.
• the display 20 has a display fastening portion 27 for separately fastening the display
• the display fastening portion 27 is provided in plural number on the display 20 separately from one another in an up-down direction.
• the display fastening portion 27 can be fastened by a fastening member, such as a screw, to the door 14 at which the display 20 is installed, and can be suspended and mounted by a hanging part, such as a hook.
• a fastening member such as a screw
• the display fastening portion 27 comprises a front and back protruding piece formed at a side portion of the display 20 to protrude forward of the side portion of the display 20 and a lateral protruding piece protruded in a lateral direction at the front end of the front and back protruding piece.
• the lateral protruding piece has a fastening hole through which the fastening member 29, such as a screw, penetrates.
• a fastening portion 15 for fastening the fastening member penetrated through the fastening hole of the lateral protruding piece.
• the fastening portion 15 is comprised of a fastening hole formed at the door 14 at which the display 20 is installed for fastening the fastening member 29, or a fastening boss protruded on the door 14 at which the display 20 is installed and having a fastening hole for fastening the fastening member 29.
• the display fastening portion 26 is formed at a front-to-back length for separating the display 20 and the door 14 where the display 20 is installed from each other.
• the front door 10 is formed such that the air suction passages 16 and 18 are located at the front of the opening 4 so as to enable the opening 4 to function as a front air inlet for sucking air through the front surface of the main body 2.
• the display 20 comprises a display case 30 whose front surface is opened, a display
• PCB 31 disposed to be inserted into the PCB case 30, and a display panel 32 installed to cover the display case 30 for protecting the display PCB 31, and forming the front appearance of the display 20.
• a receiving unit communicating with a remote control, a plurality of LEDs 33 emitting light, and a switch for switching operation are installed.
• the LEDs 33 and the light transmission unit at the front of the LEDs 33 constitute the display parts 21 to 24, the receiving unit and the transmission unit at the front of the receiving unit constitute the remote control receiving unit 25, and the switch and the pressing part constitute the operation key 26.
• the display 20 further comprises a light guide 34 for guiding light irradiated from the
• the light guide 34 is installed on the back surface of the display panel 32 or at the display PCB 31.
• the rear case 36 forms the outer appearance of the rear portion of the air conditioner, and may be formed in the shape of a plate body or may be formed in the shape of a box whose front surface is opened. Preferably, the rear case 36 is formed in the shape of a box having a space between the rear case 36 and the front case 40.
• a hanging groove 37 is formed between an upper panel portion and a rear panel portion, and the hanging groove 37 is placed and installed on a mounter 38 fastened to a wall by a fastening member, such as a screw.
• the front case 40 forms the outer appearance of the front portion of the air conditioner, whose rear surface is formed in an opened box shape.
• the opening 4 may be formed opened in the front-back direction only on the front panel portion 43 of the front case 40, or the opening 4 may be formed across at least one of the front panel portion 41 and left and right portions 42 and 43 of the front case 40.
• the opening 4 is formed across one of the front panel portion 41 and left and right panel portions 42 and 43 of the front case 40 so as to make it easier to insert and take in and out the water container 82 and the purification unit 110.
• the opening 4 is formed to be opened from the front panel portion 41 until one side panel portion 42 adjacent to the water container 82 among the left and right panel portions 42 and 43 so as to make the user easily hold the water container by hand.
• the opening 4 comprises a front opening formed longitudinally left and right at the front panel portion 41 and a side opening extending to the front opening and formed longitudinally up and down at one side panel portion 42 to expose part of the sides of the water container 82.
• the opening 4 may function as a kind of a front suction port for sucking air sucked to the air suction passages 16 and 18 of the front door 10 into the main body 2, and the opening may function as an entrance/exit for enabling the purification unit 110 and the water container 82 to enter and exit.
• the following description will be made with respect to a case where the opening 4 functions as both of the front air inlet and the entrance/exit.
• the size of the opening 4 is smaller than the size of the front portion of the front door 10 at the rear of the front door 10.
• the air outlet 6 is formed to be opened in an up-and-down direction at a rear upper side of the opening 4, and the lower air inlet 46 is formed to be opened in an up-and-down direction at a rear lower side of the opening 4.
• display insertion portions 47 and 48 for inserting the display 20 therein are recessed on the main body 2, particularly, the front case 40, so that, when the left door 12 and the right door 12 are closed, the left door 12 and the right door 14 are disposed as close as possible to the front case 40 and the air suction passages 16 and 18 are formed between the left door 12 and right door 14 and the display 20.
• blower 50 will be described in detail.
• the blower 50 is a centrifugal fan which sucks air at the front and then blows the air to the peripheries, and comprises a fan motor 54 installed on the rear case 36 by a motor mounter 52, a fan 56 installed on a rotary axis of the fan motor 54, and a fan housing 60 disposed to surround the fan motor 54 and the fan 56 along with the rear case 36 and having a suction unit 57 formed at a front surface portion and a discharge unit 58 formed at an upper portion.
• the fan housing 60 comprises a front panel portion 62 having the suction unit 57 formed thereon and a peripheral portion 64 protruded rearward on the back surface of the front panel portion.
• a grille is formed at the suction unit 57.
• a scroll portion is formed on the peripheral portion 64.
• the fan housing 60 has a partition wall 65 which is protruded for partitioning the front of the fan housing 60 into a space through which air passes and a space in which the water container is located.
• a safety net 66 is disposed at the discharge unit 58.
• the air conditioning unit 70 is installed to be located at the rear of the upper side of the lower air outlet 46, which is the rear of the opening 4, so as to condition the air sucked from the front through the opening 4 and the air sucked to the rear of the opening 4 through the lower air outlet 46.
• the wind direction adjusting mechanism 72 comprises a discharge vane 74 disposed at the discharge unit 58 of the fan housing 60 so as to be rotatable up and down with respect to a horizontal axis and a vane motor 76 installed at the discharge unit 58 of the fan housing 60 so as to rotate the discharge vane 74.
• the water container 82 provides moisture to be contained in the humidifying filter
• the water container 82 has a hole part through which water enters and exits, and the hole part has a cap 84 disposed thereon to control water.
• the cap 84 has a flow passage through which water passes, and a valve body is disposed to be movable to the cap 84 so as to open and close the flow passage.
• the valve body is moved inwardly of the water container 82 or moved outwardly of the water container 82 by the water guide 90 or an ion purification resin filter 92 to be described later, thereby opening the flow passage of the cap 82.
• the water container 82 is placed and mounted on the water guide 90.
• the water guide 90 is opened at the upper surface so that the water container 82 and the humidifying filter 100 are mounted thereon, and has a water passage through which water drained from the water container 82 flows.
• the water guide 90 has a projection 91 for moving the valve body so as to open the flow passage of the cap 84 when the water container 82 is placed on the water guide
• the humidification unit 80 comprises a water level detecting sensor 92 for detecting the water level of the flow passage of the water guide 90 and a water softening filter 93 for softening the water drained from the water container 82.
• the water level detection sensor 92 is for detecting a water level so as to notify of the time point of water supply, and comprises a float which is buoyant by the water and whose height is varied according to the water level and a sensor installed at an upper portion of the water guide 90 or the fan housing 60 of the blower 50 so as to be switched by the float.
• the water softening filter 93 is an ion purification resin filter which is made of plastic resin using a polystyrene compound and substitutes ions coated on the resin surface by Ca and Mg determining the hardness of water and reduces the hardness of hard water, thus softening the hard water.
• the water softening filter 93 is disposed to be located at a lower side of the water container 82 when the water container 82 is mounted on the water guide 90 so that the water drained from the water container 82 flows to the humidifying filter along the water guide 90 after being softened, and has a ring-shaped space on the inner periphery so that the entire or some part of the cap 84 is inserted and latched.
• the humidification unit 90 further comprises a water sterilizer 94 for sterilizing the water of the water guide 90.
• the water sterilizer 94 sterilizes the water by a discharge electrode causing a discharge in the water and producing H 2 O 2 .
• the water sterilizer 94 is rotated by the water guide 90 to thus enable the attaching and detaching of the water guide 90, and the upper portion thereof is disposed on the fan housing 60 to rotate with respect to a horizontal axis so that the water sterilizer 94 is protruded to the inside of the water guide 90 upon mounting the water guide 90 to make the discharge electrode sink in the water.
• the water guide 90 comprises a water container mounting portion 95 having the water container mounted thereon and the softening filter 93 disposed therewithin and a flow passage portion 96 extending from the water container mounting portion 95, disposed longitudinally left and right at a front lower side of the fan housing 60, and having the humidifying filter 100 mounted thereon.
• the water guide 90 comprises a water level detection sensor installation unit 97 extending from one of the water container mounting portion 95 and the flow passage portion 96 and having the water level detection sensor 91 disposed thereon.
• the humidifying filter 100 comprises a filter member 101 for absorbing and hydrating the water of the water guide 90 and filter cases 102 and 103 for protecting the filter member 101, and the filter cases 102 and 103 comprise a front filter case 102 having a front grille formed thereon and a rear filter case 103 having a rear grille formed thereon.
• the purification unit 110 is disposed to purify the air flowing toward the humidifying filter 100 and enter and exit through the opening 4.
• the purification unit 110 comprises filter cases 111 and 112 and a plurality of filters 113, 114, and 115.
• the filter cases 111 and 112 comprise a front filter case 111 having a front grille formed thereon and a rear filter case 112 having a rear grille formed thereon.
• a front sliding guide 116 for vertically slidably attaching and detaching part of the filters 113, 114, and 115 is formed on the front surface of the front filter case 111.
• the front sliding guide 116 is vertically and longitudinally formed at the left and right sides of the front surface of the front filter case 111.
• a handle 117 is protruded on the lower ends of the filter cases 111 and 112.
• the plurality of filters 113, 114, and 115 comprises at least a plurality of filters among a prefilter for filtering impurities in air, a hepa filter for filtering fine impurities in air, an electric precipitation filter for ionizing the fine impurities in the air by electricity and collecting them, an allergy filter for eliminating allergies, such as an Ag allershield filter, and a deodorization filter for eliminating odors, such as an active plate filter or a photocatalytic deodorization filter.
• the plurality of filters 113, 114, and 115 comprise a prefilter 113, an allergy filter 114, and a deodorization filter 115.
• the prefilter 113 is attached to or detached from the front surface of the front filter case 111 by the front sliding guide 106.
• the allergy filter 114 and the deodorization filter 115 are located inside the front filter case 111 and the rear filter case 112 so as to be protected by the front filter case 111 and the rear filter case 112.
• the purification unit 110 is installed to enter and exit through the opening 4, with the plurality of filters 113, 114, and 115 integrated with each other, and is located between the fan housing 60 of the blower 50 and the opening 4 within the main body 2, particularly, between the front panel portion 62 of the fan housing 60 of the blower 50 and the upper side of the lower air outlet 46.
• a left hinge axis 42' is formed at any one of the left panel portion 12A of the left door 12 and the left panel portion 42 of the front case 40, and a left hinge hanger 12' is formed at the other one and rotatably connected to the left hinge axis 42'.
• a right hinge axis 43' is formed at any one of the right panel portion 14A of the right door 14 and the right panel portion 43 of the front case 40, and a right hinge hanger 14' is formed at the other one and rotatably connected to the right hinge axis 43'.
• a display window 13 for viewing the water container 82 without opening the door 12 is installed at the door 12 covering the water container 82 among the left door 12 and the right door 14.
• the display window 13 helps to check the presence or not of the water container 82 or the water level in the water container 82 when the door 12 covering the water container 82 is rotated to the front of the front case 40.
• the display window 13 is formed transparently or semi-transparently, and installed at a position facing the water container 82 at the door 12 covering the water container 82.
• the display window 13 is formed not at a front panel portion of the door 12 covering the water container 82, but preferably at a side panel portion thereof, because the opening 4 of the front case 40 is opened from the front panel portion 41 to one side panel portion 42 adjacently facing the water container 82 among the left and right panel portions 42 and 43, the water container 82 can be viewed even when the display window 13 is formed at a side panel portion of the door 12 covering the water container 82, and the outer appearance of the front surface can have a sense of unity if the display window 13 is not seen directly on the front surface upon closing the door 12 covering the water container 82.
• the display 20 is installed at the door 14, except the door 12 covering the water container 82, such that the left door 12 and the right door 14 are not rotated when the water container 82 is taken in, but rotated only when the purification unit 110 is taken in.
• the water container 82 is taken in and out through the left side of the opening 4, and the left door 12 covers or exposes the front of the water container 82 and part of the front of the purification unit 110 as the left side of the opening 4 is opened and closed.
• the purification unit 110 is taken in and out through the right side and center of the opening 4, and the right door 14 and the display 20 covers or exposes a part of the purification unit 110 not covered or exposed by the left door 12 as the right side and center of the opening 4 are opened and closed.
• the air conditioner according to this embodiment comprises a door opening detection mechanism 150 for detecting the opening of the front door 10 and a controller 160 installed to be located within the main body 2, and as shown in FIG. 6, comprises a lead wire 168 connecting the controller 160 and the display 20.
• the controller 160 controls the display 20 according to a detection result of the water level detection sensor 92, and controls the fan motor 54, the vane motor 76, the water sterilizer 94, and so on by the manipulation of the remote control or the operation key 26 and according to a detection result of the door opening detection mechanism 150. As shown in FIGs. 4 and 5, the controller 160 is fastened by a hanging portion, such as a hook, and a fastening member, such as a screw, to the front upper part of the front panel portion 62 of the fan housing 60.
• a hanging portion such as a hook
• a fastening member such as a screw
• One end of the lead wire 168 is connected to the controller 160, and the other end thereof is connected to the display 20.
• a wire guide 170 for supporting and guiding the lead wire 168 is formed.
• the wire guide 170 is at least one rib which is formed longitudinally left and right along the inner surface of the door 14 where the display 20 is installed, and has a plurality of ribs 172 and 14 spaced apart up and down from one another.
• FIG. 8 is a front view when any one of left and right doors of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention is rotated sideways.
• FIG. 9 is a front view when both of the left and right doors of the one embodiment of the air conditioner according to the present invention are rotated sideways.
• the front case 40 As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, there are formed a left stopper 122 for restricting excessive rotation of the left door 12 when the left door 12 is rotated to the left side and a right stopper 142 for restricting excessive rotation of the right door 14 when the right door 14 is rotated to the right side.
• the left stopper 122 is protruded from the main body 2, particularly, the front case 40, so that the left door 12 is stopped when the left door 12 rotates at 90° at a position covering the left side of the opening 4.
• the right stopper 142 is protruded from the main body 2, particularly, the front case 40, so that the right door 14 is stopped when the right door 14 rotates at 90°at a position covering the right side of the opening 4.
• the air conditioner according to this embodiment further comprises a door closed state keeping mechanism for keeping the left door 12 and the right door 14 closed at the main body 20, particularly, the front case 40.
• the door closed state keeping mechanism comprises a left magnet 123 installed at a position covered by the left door 12 at the front case 40, a left magnetic body 124 installed at the left door 12 and applying an attractive force to the left magnet 123, a right magnet 143 installed at a position covered by the right door 14 at the front case 40, and a right magnetic body 144 installed at the right door 14 and applying an attractive force to the right magnet 143.
• Projections 125 and 145 are protruded on the left door 12 and the right door 14, and drooping prevention units 126 and 146 are formed at the main body 2, particularly, the front case 40, for inserting and engaging the projections 125 and 145.
• the drooping prevention units 126 and 146 are comprised of projection insertion grooves which are formed at the main body 2, particularly, the front case 40, for inserting the projections 125 and 145.
• the door opening detection mechanism 150 detects when at least one of the left and right doors 12 is opened. As shown in FIGs. 8 and 9, the door opening detection mechanism 150 is installed at least one of the door 12, except the door 14 where the display 20 is installed, and the display 20.
• the door opening detection mechanism 150 comprises a hole sensor 152 installed at the display 20 and a magnet 154 installed at the door 12, except the door 14 where the display 20 is installed facing the hole sensor 152.
• the hole sensor 152 is connected to a display PCB 31 of the display 20 described later by a lead wire.
• the hole sensor 152 is installed to protrude laterally at a side of the display 20.
• the magnet 154 is installed to be located at the front of the hole sensor 152 when the door 12, except the door 14 where the display 20 is installed, is closed. [167] Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention thus-constructed will be described below. [168] First, when an operation command is inputted through the remote control or the operation key 26, the display unit 20 outputs a detection result of the hole sensor 152 and a signal generated upon inputting the operation command to the controller 160.
• the controller 160 drives the fan motor 54 and drives the vane motor 76 of the wind direction adjusting mechanism 72 in an open mode.
• the discharge vane 74 is disposed to open the air outlet 6 and guide the wind direction of the air discharged to the air outlet 6.
• the fan motor 54 is driven, the fan 56 is rotated, the air at the front of the front door 10 in a room passes through the air suction passage 16 between the left door 12 and the display 20 and the air suction passage 18 between the right door 14 and the display 20, is sucked into the rear of the front door 10, and then passes through the opening 4.
• the air passed through the opening 4 is purified as it passes through the purification unit 110, and thereafter receives moisture while evaporating the water absorbed in the humidifying filter 100.
• the air that has been purified and received moisture by natural evaporation is introduced into the blower 50 and discharged to the discharge unit 58, and discharged to the room while being guided by the discharge vane 74.
• the controller 160 drives the water sterilizer 94, the water sterilizer 94 sterilizes the water of the water guide 90, the water of the water container 82 is softened by the softening filter 93 and sterilized, flows to the humidifying filter 100, and then is absorbed into the humidifying filter 100.
• the humidifying filter 100 continuously supplies moisture to the air by natural evaporation using the air passed through the purification unit 110.
• the water level detection sensor 92 detects a water level and outputs it to the controller 160, if the water level of the water level detection sensor 92 is less than a set value, the controller 160 detects the absence of water in the water guide 90 and outputs an out-of-water signal to the display 20, and the display 20 notifies the outside of the absence of water in the water container 82 by turning on the water supply notification display part 24.
• the hole sensor 152 of the door opening detection mechanism 150 detects the opening of the door and outputs it to the controller 160, and the controller 160 stops the fan motor 54 and drives the vane motor 76 of the wind direction adjusting mechanism 72 in the closed mode.
• the door opening detection mechanism 150 comprises a hole sensor 152 installed at the display 20 and a magnet 154 installed at the door 12, except the door 14 where the display 20 is installed facing the hole sensor 152.
• the air conditioner according to the present invention has a simple structure, is improved in cleanliness, and has a compact outer appearance because a plurality of doors and a display constitute the front surface of the air conditioner to enable air suction.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Air Conditioning Control Device (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-11-07 KR KR1020080110643A patent/KR101450563B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2008-12-31 WO PCT/KR2008/007833 patent/WO2010053227A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2008-12-31 CN CN2008101877091A patent/CN101737853B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related

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